Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) was born at Abwa-between Makkah
and Madinah on 7th Safar 128 A.H. His parents were the Infallible
Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) and Hamidah (s.a.). His matchless devotion and
worship of Allah had earned him the title of “al-Abdus Salih” (virtuous slave of Allah). Generosity was synonymous
with his name which continued even after his Martyrdom. Thus his additional
title is “Babul Hawa’ij” (the door to
fulfilling needs).
He passed twenty years of his sacred life under the
patronage of his sacred father. His inherent genius and gifted virtues combined
with the enlightened guidance of Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) reflected in the
manifestation of his future personality. Allama Majlisi narrates that once Imam
Abu Hanifa came to ask some religious questions from Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq
(a.s.). As he was sleeping, Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.), who was five years old
at that time, came out to see Imam Abu Hanifa. After offering him his best
compliments, he asked the young Imam (a.s.): “O Son of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.)! What is your opinion about the
deeds of a man? Does he do them by himself or does God make him do them?”
The five year old
Imam replied at once, in the typical tone of his ancestors, “The deeds of a man
are confined to three possibilities. First, that God alone do them while the
man is completely helpless. Second, that both God and man equally share the
commitment. Third, that man does them alone. If the first assumption is true
then it shows the unjustness of God, Who punishes His creatures who did not
commit sins with free will. In case of second scenario, God is still unjust
because He is equally responsible for the sin. Because God can never be unjust,
hence the first two scenarios are out of question. Now we are left with the
third scenario in which man is completely responsible for his deeds.
His period of Imamate was 35 years. For the first decade, he
discharged his spiritual responsibilities of his sacred office and propagated
the Golden Teachings of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.). But thereafter, the kings
made his life miserable and being afraid of the people’s love for Ahlul-Bayt
placed him in various prisons. He had seen the reigns of Mansur ad-Dawaniqi,
al-Mahdi and Harun ar-Rasheed. Mansur and Harun were the despotic kings who put
a multitude of innocent descendants of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.) to sword.
Ibne Hajar al-Haytami said: “The patience and forbearance of
the Imam (a.s.) was such that he was given the title of “al-Kazim” (one who
swallows down his anger).” He devoted his nights to the prayer of God and days
to fasting. H ealways forgave those who did wrong to him.
The kings of Banu Umaiyyah and Banu Abbas were aware that
the Vicegerantship or the leadership of Muslim Ummah rightly belonged to the
Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.) and they were the usurpers of their rights. Hence every king
tried all possible means to undermine their status, keep them away from the Muslim
populace. Consequently, they were subjected to oppression, imprisonment and
outright use of military power at the time of Imam Hasan (a.s.).
Harun’s request
from the Imam (a.s.): Harun sent his minister, Yahya Barmaki, to the Imam a week before his Martyrdom, this
message was in a soft and nice tone: “Send
my regards to my cousin and tell him it has been proven to us that you have
committed no sin and are blame less. However, I have unfortunately made an oath
and cannot break my word. I have made an oath not to free you before you have
confessed to sinning and ask me for forgiveness. No one needs to know. It is
enough if you confess in the presence of Yahya. I do not want to break my oath.
You only need to confess in the presence of Yahya and say ‘I am sorry I have
breached and I want the caliph to forgive me.’ I will then set you free.” The
Imam (a.s.) replied to Yahya Barmaki: “Tell
Harun that there is not much left of my life and that is it!” The Imam (a.s.) was poisoned after a week and was
martyred on 25th Rajab 183 A.H.
Bishr Hafi and
the Imam (a.s.): One day, the Imam (a.s.) was passing through the
alleys of Baghdad. The sounds of music were exploding from a house. Incidentally,
one of the servants came out to empty garbage. The Imam (a.s.) asked the servant:
“Does this house belong to a free man or a slave?” The servant replied:”
This is the house of Bishr Hafi, one of the authorities and aristocrats, of
course he is a free man.” The Imam
replied: “Yes, it must belong to free man. If he was enslaved, all these noises would not be coming out of his house.”
Bishr asked the servant: “What took you so long?” The servant described the
whole conversation. Bishr realized that he must be Imam Musa Ibn Jaffer (a.s.).
He asked the servant in which direction the Imam (a.s.) went, and although he
was bare-footed, he ran in the direction and threw himself in the lap of the
Imam (a.s.) and said: “What did you say?” The Imam replied: “This is what I
said.” Bishr said: “Sir, from this very hour I want to be Allah’s slave.”
This news reached Harun. This was why he felt threatened,
and said to the Imam: “Basically, your
presence (Imam al-Kazim) is sin in my view.”
Safwan Jammal and
Harun: Safwan Jammal was an influential businessman dealing in renting
the camels. One day, Harun wanted to go on a trip to Makkah, and signed a
contract with Safwan for renting the huge fleet of camels. Safwan was also one
of the followers and the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.). When he came
to see the Imam (a.s.), he showed his displeasure over the deal. Safwan sold
away the business right away. When Harun came to know about it, he summoned
Safwan and wanted to know the real reason for the sale. Harun said that he knew
that the Imam (a.s.) had influenced his decision. Harun threatened that because
of the long relations with Safwan and his family he was leaving him alone,
otherwise, he would have killed Safwan.
Sayings of the
Imam (a.s.): No charity is superior than to giving a helping hand to
the weak.
Never bother to learning something not knowing of which
does not do you any harm, and never neglect to learn something whose negligence
will increase your ignorance.
Moderation is half of the livelihood.
Amicability is half of the intelligence.
Hastiness is the true clumsiness.
The one whose two days are equal is a loser.
Never be an arrogant, for one who has a small amount of
arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise.
Make piety your ship to sail safely, faith its cargo,
trust in Allah its sails, and intellect its sailor, knowledge its guide, and
patience its passengers.
Dua reverts what has been destined and what has not been
destined.
A man asked about “conviction”, the Imam replied: “The
conviction is to depend upon Allah, submit to Him, consent to His acts, and
entrust Him with the affairs.
Sources used:
A Survey into the lives of The Infallible Imams by Ayatullah
Murtadha Mutahhari
Brief History of the Fourteen Infallibles by
Al-Islam.org
Living Right Way by
Ayatullah Jawad Tehrani
Sayings of Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) by
Ali Moula.com
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