The All-Mighty Allah appointed the Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.) to guide the humanity and He had to appoint his successor also.
Hence, He appointed Imam Ali (a.s.) as his successor and directed the Prophet
to announce it before his demise from this world. Seeing the Prophet’s
reluctance, an Ayah was revealed ordering him for compliance, “O Apostle!
Communicate that which has been sent down to you from your Lord, and if you do
not, you will not have communicated His message, and Allah shall protect you from
the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the faithless lot.” (5:67). This
was the Coronation of Imam Ali (a.s.) at Ghadeer Khumm.
Hence, Imam Ali (a.s.) was the first Imam followed by Imam
Hasan, Imam Husayn, Imam Ali Zaynal-Abidin, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, Imam Ja’far
al-Sadiq, Imam Musa al-Kazim, Imam Ali al-Riza, Imam Muhammad al-Taqi and Imam
Ali al-Naqi, Imam Hasan al-Askari and the last Imam of the Time, Imam Muhammad
Mahdi (a.t.f.)
After the
“Khilafat-e-Rashedah”, monarchy dominated the Muslim Ummah; Umayyads and Abbasids
ruled like kings. Thus, the usurpers of the rights of the Divinely appointed
Imam developed guilt and the history of Islam is filled with the oppressions,
atrocities, imprisonments, poisoning and murders of the Progeny of the last
Prophet of Allah. The irony is the fact Ayah 23 of Surah Shura expressly says,
“…Say ‘I do not want any reward for it except love (Mawaddat) of (my) relatives’”
The Ansar of Madinah offered their properties to give financial assistance to
the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Allah directed the Messenger to say the above
Ayah! The Muslims rewarded the Progeny first oppressing his beloved daughter,
deprived the Lion of Allah, the Conqueror of Khyber, his rightful place, poisoned
his grandson and mercilessly slaughtered the ‘Leader of the Youths of Paradise’
Imam Husayn (a.s.) and his family and friends, desecrated the daughters of the
Messenger, imprisoned like the slaves in Karbala.
Imam (a.s.)’s Decisions: The ruler of the time; Mutawakkil,
was poisoned by his opponents and he vowed that if he recovers fully then he
will give “lot of money” in charity. When he recovered from the poison there
was a discussion as to what was “lot of money”? People offered different
answers but without logical reason. Mutawakkil sought Imam (a.s.)’ opinion. He
(a.s.) said, “Eighty Dirhams be given in charity.” When Mutawakkil requested
for explanation, the Imam (a.s.) said, “The All-Mighty Allah said ‘Allah certainly
helped on lot of occasions. Since the military expeditions of the Noble
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) were eighty in number, it may be concluded that “a lot”
denotes eighty! Mutawakkil was pleased with Imam (a.s.)’ reply.
Similarly, a polytheist committed fornication with a Muslim
woman. He was brought before Mutawakkil. When Mutawakkil wanted to sentence him,
he became a Muslim. Qazi Yahya said that he cannot be sentenced then because he
was converted, and all his past sins were remitted. Someone suggested that Imam
Ali al-Naqi (a.s.)’ s opinion be sought. The Imam said, “He should be beaten
till he dies.” The court scholars refused to accept the verdict and requested
an explanation. The Imam said, “A clear verdict is given in Surah
al-Momin Ayah 84, “But when they saw our punishment, they said: We believe in
Allah alone and we deny what we used to associate with Him.”
Ziarat-e-Ja’mia: One of the followers of Imam Ali
al-Naqi (a.s.) requested the Imam (a.s.) to instruct him a composite Ziarat
which may be recited at any of the Infallible Masoomeen (a.s.). Hence, the Imam
(a.s.) dictated him the famous “Ziarat-e-Ja’mia”
Sources: Lantern of the Path, Imam Reza Network, Fourteen Masoomeen by Peer Muhammad Trust, Akh’laq-e-A’imma, the Morals and manners of the Holy Imams
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