The Infallible Imam Ja’ffar as-Sadiq (a.s.) was the 6th Gem
of the “Golden Chain” “Silsila az-Zahabiyyah”. He was born in Madinah on 17th
Rabi al-Awwal 83 A.H. He used to visit the grand school of his father Imam
Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.). At the age of
11 years, he surprised the students by saying, “The earth was not flat, because
the way sun rises in the East and sets in the West and day and night changes in
24 hours, it cannot be possible!”
Bani Umayyad’s evil kingdom came
to an end and Abbasids raised slogan, “Right to rule is for the family of the
Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)” but once they came to power, they were the worst
enemy of the “Ahlul Bayt” Like Banu Umayyads, Banu Abbas also felt guilty that
worldly power belonged to the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)’s Progeny. Hence, they tried
every dirty trick to harass the Infallible Imams, who possessed every virtue
and remained patient to their excesses.
Once, a pilgrim who was visiting the Prophet’s Mosque fell asleep. On
waking up, he searched for his purse containing money but could not find it.
There was only Imam Ja’ffar as-Sadiq in the mosque praying in one corner. He
accused the Imam of having picked up the purse. He (a.s.) took the man to his
house and paid him the amount he was missing. On return in the Mosque, the man
searched his belongings thoroughly and found his missing money. He was ashamed
of himself and wanted to return Imam’s money, but the Imam refused to take back
as Ahlul Bayt grants but never take it back.
His (a.s.) profound knowledge was famed across the Muslim world.
Students came from distant places to quench their thirst of knowledge from the Imam
who was the “Inheritor of the Gateway of Knowledge”. The number of students
exceeded four thousand in his school in Madinah, which included Imam Abu
Hanifa, Imam Malik bin Anas, Ja’bir bin Haiyan etc. He used to teach
mathematics, chemistry, medicine, astrology among other faculties. Influenced
by his mentor, Jabir wrote about 400 treatises on the above subjects.
Imam Abu Hanifa remarked his disagreements with his teacher Imam Sadiq
(a.s.) on three questions;
1. The Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Good is from
God and evil is from the man’s own deeds” where as I say that man has no
choice; good and evil both come from God.
2. The Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “In the Final
Judgement, the devil will burn in the Fire” where as I say that fire cannot
burn devil as the same material cannot injure itself (devil was made from fire)
3. The Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “It is
impossible to see God in this world or in the next world” where as I say that
anyone who has an existence may be seen, if not in this world then in the next
world.
Shaikh Behlul, who was one of the companions of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) but pretended
to be insane, picked up a clod of earth and threw at the head of Imam Abu
Hanifa shouting at him saying, “All of your three points are refuted”. Imam Abu
Hanifa complained of pain in his head, to the caliph who summoned Behlul and
asked, “Why did you throw the clod of earth at Abu Hanifa? He replied, “I did
not throw it” Abu Hanifa protested and said, “You did throw it.” Behlul replied,
“You yourself have said that good and evil is from God and that man has no
choice, so why you are blaming me? And you have also said that same material
will not injure itself. The devil is made from fire and fire of Hell will not
hurt him. Accordingly, you are made from earth, how the clod of earth 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. In the end he
agreed with the sayings of Imam Ja’ffar as-Sadiq (a.s.)
Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) quoted the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) that the
prayers of the following were unacceptable:
·
Persons,
who wish ill for their parents.
·
Persons
who lend 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
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Our intercession will not be available to
those who ignore the importance of Salaat.”
Source: Story of the Holy Ka’ba and its people by S.M.R. Shabbar
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