HOW DID IMAM TAQI AL-JAWAD GUIDED THE SHIAS OF HIS TIME

 

A brief synopsis of how the young, brilliant Imam addressed his role in guiding the Shias of his time. He achieved this by the Divine Knowledge, extra ordinary acts, wise political measures taken against the opposition, and the educational training of scholars.

After the martyrdom of the eighth Imam Reza (a.s.), Imam Taqi al-Jawad became the next Imam as prescribed by the Divine Will. It was the first time that a child became an Imam, naturally this unprecedent event was disputed. This issue distressed, worried, and disunited the followers of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). Some of them approached Imam Reza (a.s.)’s brother Abdullah bin Musa, who was unable to answer their questions, still some others approached Imam Reza (a.s.)’s brother Ahmad ibn Musa. Some truth seeking Shias proceeded to Madinah to meet young Imam Taqi al-Jawad. They posed some questions to him and found correct answers from him thus becoming certain that he was the Imam. Imam himself introduced himself as the leader of the Ummah and the God’s Hujjat on earth. In the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)’ mosque, the famous Yahya ibn Akhtam came across the Imam and asked some questions and at the end he said, “I want to ask you something, but I feel ashamed to do so.” The Imam said, “Before you ask the question, I will inform you of it. You want to know about the present Imam?” He said, “Yes by God.” The Imam said, “I am that Imam.” Yahya said, “Show me a sign.” The the cane in Imam’s hand started speaking and said, “He is my master, leader and God’s Hujjat right now.”

After his father’s martyrdom, he went up the pulpit of Masjid al-Nabi and said:I am Muhammad ibn Ali al-Reza al-Jawad. I am fully aware of every person’s lineage. I know your overt and covert situations and your future. This knowledge God gave us before creation, and we will enjoy even after the destruction of the heavens and the earth.

Ammar ibn Zayd asked the Imam, “What is the sign of the Imam?” The Imam said, “He should be able to do this’: he put his hand on the ironstone in such a way that there were his fingerprints on it. I saw him imprint his ring on the ironstone without melting it.”

Although, the Imam was exiled in Baghdad, he always stated the truth, defined his Imamate, took negative stance against Caliphate. He used to say, “I prefer barley bread with half ground salt in the city of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s)

The Imam endeavored to preserve the Shias in various cities in the Islamic land during his forceful stay in Baghdad and in Madinah. He answered religious and legal questions through jis agents like Ali bin Mahziyar, Kheiran Khadim, Ibrahim Hamdani, Ahmed bin Isa, Saleh bin Muhammad Bin Sahl.

Throughout Shia history, the enemies plotted to disunite Shias through formimg religious sects. The most prominent among them were Waqifiyyah, Zaydiyyah, and Ghullat (Extremist). The Imam fought them and guided the shias to take appropriate stance and advised shias not to pay them zakat or have them as public prayer leaders.

The Imam trained a group of students to become religious scholars to benefit the society. Shaikh Tusi referred to 113 people who became Ima’s companions and reporters of hadiths. Nuh ibn Durraj rose to be Judge of Baghdad and then to Kufa. Similarly, Muhammad ibn Bazi and Ahmad Qummi reached high positions in Abbasi Kingdom. Muhammad Ash’ath, Ahmad Bahil, Hussain Misri and Ismail Jaffar paved the way for spread of Shism in Egypt.

                Source: The Socio-Political Measures of Imam al-Jawad to Guide the Shi’a by Abu Qasim                                   Shakir  Al-Islam.org.