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 Hazrat Hamida (s.a.). His matchless devotion
and worship of Allah had earned him the title of “al-Abd as-Saleh”
(virtuous slave of Allah). Generosity was synonymous with his name which
continued even after his Martyrdom. 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 Abu
Hanifa came to ask some religious questions from Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.).
As his father was sleeping, Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.), who was five years old
at that time, came out to see him. After offering him his best
compliments, he asked the young Imam (a.s.): “O Son of the Noble
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)! What is your opinion about the deeds of a man? Does he
himself do it or God makes him do it?”
The young 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 does them while the man is completely helpless. Second, that both God
and man equally share the commitment. Third, the 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 the sins by their 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 only the third scenario is left in which the man is wholly
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 Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). But thereafter, the
kings made his life miserable and being afraid of the people’s love for
Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.), they 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 killed numerous innocent descendants of the Noble
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.).
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
bears up his anger).” He devoted his nights in the prayers and during the days,
he fast. Like his ancestors, he always forgave those who did oppressed him.
The kings of Banu Umayyad and Banu Abbas were aware that 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 by 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 the Infallible Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam
Husayn (a.s.)
Harun’s conspiracy against the Imam (a.s.): Harun sent his minister, Yahya
Barmaki, to the Imam a week before his Martyrdom with a message written 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 request me for
forgiveness. No one needs to know. It is enough if you confess in the presence
of Yahiya and say, ‘I am sorry I have breached your trust 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 time left of my
life!” 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 some 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 a free man. If he was enslaved,
all these noises would not be coming out of his house.” When the
servant returned inside the house, Bishr asked the servant: “What took you so
long?” The servant described the whole conversation. Bishr realized that he
must be Imam Musa al-Kazim (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 at the feet of the Imam (a.s.) and said: “Maula, from
this time, I want to be Allah’s slave.”
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 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 even a little 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 changes 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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