Imam Jaffer Al-Sadiq (a.s.)
was born in Madinah on Rabi-ul-Awwal 17, 83 AH. It is reported that he used to
visit his father’s school and would discuss serious matters of Fiqh and
jurisprudence with senior students. In one such discussion, at the age of 11,
he entered a class where astronomy was being discussed, and he surprised everyone,
except his father, he said: “The earth
was not flat, because the way sun rises in the East and sets in the West and
day and night change in 24 hours, it cannot be possible.
Up to the age of 12, he was
raised under the guidance of his grandfather, Imam Zain-ul-Abedin (a.s.). After
his grandfather’s death, up to the age of 31 years, he was directly under the
supervision of his father, Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s.).In the year 114 AH, his
father died and the responsibilities of Imamat devolved on his shoulders. The
fall of Bani Umaiyyds was eminent as there were wide spread revolts and his
uncle, Zaid was also preparing to rise against them but the Imam advised him against
it. His uncle, Zaid was brutally murdered and after him, his son Yahya also
followed his father’s path and met the similar fate. The Imam concentrated on
the spread of spiritual sciences of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.).
Abbasids came to
power on the slogans of “Right to rule is for the family of the Noble Prophet”
but once they attained the reign of power, they were the worst enemy of Ahlul
Bayt. Abbasid caliph, Mansur did not like the respect and esteem the
Muslims showed to the Imam. He tried every possible means to harass the Imam,
arranged debates with the Imam but failed in his attempts. The Imam was one of those infallibles created by Allah
to be the models of moral excellence. His particular character traits included
hospitality, charity, helping the needy in secrecy, the fair treatment of poor
relatives, forgiveness, patience and fortitude.
Once,
a pilgrim who was visiting the Prophet’s Mosque fell asleep. On waking up he
hurriedly searched for his belongings and found his purse which contained One
Thousand Dinars missing. Looking around he saw the Imam praying in one corner
of the Mosque. He accused the Imam of having picked up his purse. The Imam took
him to his house and gave the missing Dinars. The stranger greatly satisfied
came back and searched his other bags and found his money. Greatly ashamed of
his conduct, he tried to return the money to the Imam. The Imam replied, “We never take back what ever we once give away, but
if you feel guilty you may give it to the poor of the town.”
His
profound knowledge of religion and other sciences was famed across the Muslim
world. People came from distant places and the number of his student in his
classes reached Four Thousands. Among them was Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik ibne Anas.
Apart from religious sciences, he used to teach mathematics, chemistry,
medicine and astronomy. Jabir Ibn Hayyan, the famous pioneer of physics,
chemistry, and mathematics, was his disciple who wrote about four hundred
treatises based on his mentor’s instructions.
Perhaps
the most interesting of all his pupils was Imam Abu Hanifa. In giving decisions
he claimed the right to exercise the privilege of deductions and of using of
his own judgment to supplement the Prophet’s Traditions.
Once, Imam Abu Hanifa remarked that the Imam
Jaffar al-Sadiq (a.s.) did not teach three things so that he would be able to
accept him statements:
- He said: “Good is from God and evil is from the
deeds of men,” where as I say that men have no choice but good and evil both
come from God.
- He said: “In the final judgment the devil suffers
in the fire,” where as I say that the fire will not burn him, as the same
material will not injure itself.(the Devil being from fire)
- He said: “It is impossible to see God in this
world or the next,” where as I say that anyone who has an existence may be
seen, if not in this world then in next.
At this point
Shaikh Bahlul, who was the companion of the Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.) but
pretended to be an insane person, picked up a clod of earth and threw on the
head of Abu Hanifa, declaring as he made the hasty exit,: “All of your three
points are refuted” Imam Abu Hanifa complained to the caliph, who called Behlul
before him and asked him, “Why did you throw the clod of earth at Abu Hanifa?
He replied, “I did not throw it.” Abu Hanifa protested, “You did throw it.”
Behlul replied, “You yourself have said that good and evil is from God and men
have no choice, so why you are blaming me? And you have also said that same
material will not injure itself. The Devil is from fire and fire of Hell will
not hurt him. Accordingly, you are from dust how the clod of dust could hurt you?
You have also claimed that you cannot see God to prove His existence. Show me
the pain you are complaining about that exists in your head.”Imam Abu Hanifa
had no answer to that and the complaint was dismissed and he eventually agreed
to what Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (AS) had taught about these things.
In
response to the objection of Sufis, the Imam narrated sayings of the Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s.), “If a person have some loafs of bread, dates, or money, which he
wants to distribute, he must first share with his parents, then his wife,
children and himself, then relatives in descending order in the blood chain,
and then in fourth place, on others as charity.” The Imam continued, “The Glorious
Qur’an clearly states: The pious and god-fearing are those who are neither
niggardly and miserly, nor over generous and extravagant in charity, but always
are moderate and balanced”
The
Imam continued, “The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)
classified the persons whose prayers are not accepted are:
- Persons, who wish ill for their parents.
- Persons, who lend their money without any witness
or written pledge.
- Persons, who sit idle at home and pray for
sustenance.
- Persons, who are granted abundant wealth, waste
it through abundant generosity.
Hazrat
Salman Farsi used to set aside an amount that would cover his annual
expenditure. People questioned him saying that he was a pious person but he
provided himself for the whole year. If he dies within a week what good that
provision serve him. He replied, “I may not die. If I survive the year, I will
need the essentials of life. You do not realize that a person suffering from
financial problems cannot worship or obey his Lord as peacefully and easily as
one whose needs have been taken care of.”
Imams-Mohammad
Baqir (a.s.) and Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) had more opportunities to spread the
wealth of knowledge of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). There
is a Tradition of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), “Awwaluna Mohammad, Ausatuna
Mohammad, Akheruna Mohammad, Kulluna Mohammad” It means that the entire
“Golden Chain of Ahlul Bayt” possessed the Divinely given Knowledge. It was a
matter of environment and opportunity that certain Imams disclosed the Treasure
of knowledge to the people.
The
most important article of his will was: “Our
intercession will not be available those followers who ignore the importance of
Salaat.”
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