Holy Kaba

StoryoftheHolyKaabaAnditsPeople Author:S.M.R.Shabbar Introduction AShortHistoryoftheMuhammadiTrust KaabaTheHouseOfAllah Muhammad(SA)TheMessengerofAllah TheStoryofHazratFatima(SA),daughteroftheHolyProphet Hasan(AS)TheSecondImam Hasan(AS)TheSecondImam ImamHussainIbnAli(AS)thethirdImam ThefourthImamAliIbnelHussain,ZainulAbedeen(AS) ThefifthImamMuhammedIbnAlielBaqir(AS) ThesixthImam,JaafarIbnMuhammadelSadiq(AS) TheSeventhImamMusaIbnJaafarAlKazim.A.
aafarAlKazim.A.S TheeighthImamAliIbnMusa,AlReza(AS) TheNinthImamMuhammadibnAlialtaqialJawad(AS) TheTenthImamAliIbnMuhammad(AlNaqi,AlHadi)(AS) TheEleventhImamHasanibnAli(alAskari)(AS)
Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

TheTwelfthImamMuhammadibnalHasan(AlMahdiSahibuzZaman)AS Introduction In1980wecelebratedthe1400anniversaryoftheHijriCalendarandpublishedashort biographyofthe14Masoomeen(infallibles).Asthiswasjustaonepagebiographyofeach Masoom,wethoughtthatthistimeweshouldmakeanefforttogivethebiographiesof Masoomeenindetail.Ourfirsteffortwashighlypopularandthe3000copiesofourfirstprint weresoldoutquickly.Wehadtoreprintandevenallcopiesofthesecondeditionwerealso soldout.Demandcamefromallcountriesfromallfivecontinents.Timepassedbutpeople stillrememberoureffortandfromtimetotimeacallonthephonefromAucklandNew ZealandorLosAngelesUSAremindsusthattheneedforsomedetailedbiographyisstill there.Recentlymanymorepeopleaskedaboutthebookandwethoughtthatthetimehas cometomakeaneffort. IndeedSheikhMufidsAlIrshadisthere,butthisis,althoughauthentic,tedioustoreadand understand.Thebookappearstobeforresearchscholarsonly,ordinarypeople,especiallythe youthintheWestwhowishtoknowabouttheMasoomeendonothaveasuitable,extensive, orauthenticenoughbookwhichtellsthemwhotheseMasoomeenwere,whattheydidand whatinfluencetheyleftontheMuslimsocietyoftoday. Withthisideaintheforefront,thefollowingbookisinyourhandstoreadandunderstand aboutthe14Masoomeenwithouttakingtoomuchofyourtimeinunderstandingit.Itisa simple,concisebiographyinsimpleEnglishwithallthenecessaryreferencesattheendof eachbiography.WhyweretheseMasoomeencalledAhlulbayt? QuraninSura42,V23tellsusinthewordsofProphetMuhammad,Idonotaskyouforany recompenseforthis(communicationoftherevelation)excepttheloveofthenearkinship." (MawaddatafilQurba).AskingthebelieverstolovetheProphetandhisAhlulbayt. InSura33(Ahzab)V.33thereisfurtherelaborationoftheAhlulbaytandtheirstatus. Thisstateofpurity,whichdistinguishedMuhammad(SA)andhisfamily(Ahlulbayt)fromthe commonmuslims,agreedwiththeelevatedranksofthefamiliesoftheearlierProphets,but thiselevationwasnotunconditional,theyhadtoberightlyguidedtoachievethatstatus.This guidancewasconfirmedbythefollowingverses,Verse33goeslikethis:
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"Goddesiresonlytoremoveanyimpuritiesfromyou,opeopleoftheHouse(Ahlulbayt)and topurifyyoucompletely. WhoarethepeopleoftheHouse(Ahlulbayt)?Thepronounreferringtothemisinthe masculineplural,whiletheprecedingpartoftheverseisinthefeminineplural.Thischangein genderhasevidentlypointedthefingertotheFivepeopleofthemantle(AhlAlKisa)i.e. MuhammadAliFatimaHasanHussain.ForthisVersewasrevealedwhentheProphet(SA) wasinthehouseofhisdaughterFatimaunderaKisa.SheisthenarratorofthisTradition. WhentheseFivepersonswereundertheKisasheusedasentenceFaLammaAktamalna Andwhenwewerecomplete(UndertheKisa).ShedidnotusethewordAjtamana,i.e.when wereallgatheredorassembledtogetherforitwouldshowthepossibilityofadditionor subtractionfromtheFive.Theword'Aktamalna'clarifiedthepositionthattheseFivehad completedtheassemblywithoutfurtheradditions. TabariinhiscommentaryandImamFakhruddinRaziinhisTafseeeKabirintheir commentariesonthisversesupportthisinterpretationandthenamesofFivepeoplewiththe exclusionofthewivesoftheProphet. TheAhlulbaytofMuhammad(SA)meant,aswasconsistentwiththegeneralusageofthe termatthetime,primarilyhisbloodrelations,thesamepeoplewhowerealsoforbiddento receiveAlms(Sadaqa)inorderthattheirstateofpuritynotbesoiledorquestioned.Thisalso elevatesthemtothestatusofinfallible(Masoom),thatis,freeofmistakesinallavenuesof life. TofurtherconfirmthenamesoftheseFivepersons,inSuraIII,V.61,theVerseofMubahela clarifiesthispositioninfrontofthelargeaudienceofmuslimsaswellasChristians..ThisVerse goeslikethis: Ifonedisputeswithyouinthismatter(concerningJesus)aftertheknowledgewhichhas cometoyou,come,letuscalloursonsandyoursons,ourwomenandyourwomen,ourselves andyourselves,thenletusswearanoathandplacethecurseofGodonthosewholie. AndthepersonalitiesMuhammad(SA)tookwithhimwerethesameFivepeopleoftheKisa. HehimselfasProphetofGod,hisDaughterFatima(SA)asthewomenofthefamily,histwo grandsonsasthesonsandhiscousinAli(AS)astheSelfoftheProphet. WhentheBishopofNajransawthesefacesherealisedthetruthfuoftheProphetand refrainedfromverbalconfrontationofcurseonthosewholie.Quranslogicplaysagreatpart

inunderstandingwhatGodwantedustoknowandwhattodowhenmattersareunder disputeorsubjecttovariousinterpretations.SuraIIIV.31tellsus,Say(OMuhammad)ifyou loveAllah,thenfollowme;Allahwillloveyouandforgiveyoursins. InthisVerse,theProphetisintroducedasanexemplartowhosebehaviourandmorality peopleshouldconformtheirownbehaviourandmorality,andwhomtheyshouldtakeastheir precedent.ThisinitselfisaproofoftheProphetsimmunityfromsinanderror,because,ifit werepossibleforsinanderrortoproceedfromhim,therewouldbenopurposeinGod, introducinghimasaleaderandaprecedent. ThispositionthenaftertheProphet,passedtotheHousehold(Ahlulbayt)andaccordingtoa Hadith,whichmanySunniandShiischolarshavenarratedintheirbooksonthelifeofthe Prophet,inhistoriesandintheirownbooksonHadithfromnearlythirtycompanionsofthe Prophet.TheProphetchosehisHousehold(Ahlulbayt)fortheleadershipandImamate.He said,Ileaveamongyoutwopreciousthings:theBookofAllahandmyAhlulbayt.Thesetwo willnotbeseparateduntiltheyencountermeatthepoolofKawther(inparadise).Donotrun aheadofthem,foryouwillberuined,donotneglectthem,foryouwillberuinedanddonot seektoinstructthemfortheyarewiserthanyou. LookingattheaboveVersesoftheHolyBook,lettherebenodoubtinthemindsofany readers,believersornonbelievers,thattheProphetonordersoftheQuranwasaMasoom andsowerehisAhlulbayt.HencethelivesofTheFourteenMasoomeen(AS)foryoutoread, understandandfollow,becausefollowingtheirfootstepswillleadustoLoveGod.Thisshould betheaimofeveryHumanbeingonearthtoachievesalvation. ThePresentbookismylifesambitionwhichistogiveauthenticandcorrectinformation abouttheAhlulbaytoftheProphetinthelanguagethattodaysyouthunderstands.Ipraythat theImamSahibuzZamanAalaihissalamwillacceptthissmallofferingfromoneofhishumble servants. AShortHistoryoftheMuhammadiTrust ItwasMarch1969whenIphonedTheDirectoroftheIslamicCentreatRegentsParkinLondon, theRajaofMahmudabadforanappointmenttodiscussaboutsettingupanorganisationforthe solepurposeoffurtheringtheeducationofmuslimyouth.IwenttoseeRajaSahebwithmyfriend SyedAsgharHaiderKazmi.UnfortunatelyRajaSahebwasunabletoseemethateveningbecause

ofShaikhMujiburRahmansarrivalinLondonwhowaswiththeRajaatthattime.Iwenttherethe nexteveningandputbeforehimaconstitutionbythenameofAhlebaytAcademy.RajaSaheb readthepaperandcommentedthatifthenameischangedtoMuhammadiTrustitwouldappeal toawideraudience.WeagreedandinthiswayMuhammadiTrustcameintobeing.Althoughthe namechangedtheobjectoftheassociationremainedthesame,thatistheeducationofthe muslimyouthonthelinestheAhlulbaytoftheProphetwantedustolearn. TheFirstTrusteeswereasfollows:H.E.TheRajaofMahmudabadSyedSadiqHussainShahKazmi Dr.SyedSikanderRaza,MirzaBaqarKhorasaneeAbbasJethabhaiGokalHasanPirbhaiSyed MuhammadRazaShabbar(Thewriterofthepresentbook) AftertheresignationofHasanPirbhaiduetobusinesscommitments,Mr.QasimHussainwhohad arrivedinLondonaftertakingretirementfromthePakistanAirforceasWingCommander,was appointedasTrusteeandalsoitssecretary.TheWorkoftheTrustbeganinearnest. S.M.R.ShabbarMuhammadiTrust,London,March1997
KaabaTheHouseOfAllah IntheprovinceofHejazinthewesternpartofArabia,notfarfromtheRedSea,thereliesthe townofMakka.Inthecentreofthistownthereisasmallsquarebuildingmadeofstones,about 60feetlong,60feetwideand60feethigh.Sincetimeimmemorialthistownandthisstonebuilt househasbeenknowntoworldtravellers.ThisisBaitullah,theHouseofAllah.Itssanctityand antiquityisolderthanhistoryitself. TraditiongoesthattheKaabawasordainedbyAllahtobebuiltintheshapeoftheHousein HeavencalledBaitulMaamoor.AllahinhisinfiniteMercyordainedasimilarplaceonearthand ProphetAdamwasthefirsttobuildthisplace.TheBible,intheChapterofGenesisdescribesits buildingwhenGodordainedAbrahamtoerectaShrineforworshipwhenAbrahamwasordered togototheSoutherndesertwithhiswifeHageraandinfantsonIsmael.TheOldTestament describesthisbuildingastheShrineofGodatseveralplaces,buttheonebuiltatMaamooris verymuchsimilartotheoneatMakka.Thereisnodoubtthatitwasreferringtothestonebuilt houseatMakka.

Qoraanbroughtthisstoryintothefulllightofhistory.InSura3Verse90QoraansaysAllahhas spokentheTruth,thereforefollowthecreedofIbrahim,amanofpurefaithandnoidolater.The firsthouseestablishedforthepeoplewasatMakka,aHolyplaceandaguidancetoallbeings. QoraanfirmlyestablishesthefactthatIbrahimwastherealfounderoftheHolyShrine. WhenProphetIbrahimbuilttheHolyShrineinMakka,hisprayerswerethatthisplaceshould remainacentreofworshipforallgoodandpiouspeople;thatAllahshouldkeephisfamilythe custodiansoftheHolyplace.Eversince,IsmaelthesonofIbrahimwhohelpedhisfathertobuild thisplaceandhisdescendantsremainedthecustodiansoftheHolyShrine.Historytellsusthat centuriespassedandtheguardianshipoftheKaabaremainedinthefamilyofIsmaeluntilthe nameofAbdeManafcameintothelimelight.Heinheritedthisserviceandmadeitmuchmore prominent.HissonHashimtookthisleadershipandextendedittomanyothertownsofHejazso muchsothatmanypilgrimsflockedannuallytothisplaceandenjoyedHashimsshospitality.A feastwasgiveninhonourofthepilgrims,foodandwaterwasservedtoallguestsbythefamilyof Hashim.ThisprominencecreatedjealousiesandhisbrotherAbdushamsadoptedsonUmmayya triedtocreatetrouble.TherewasadisputeinwhichUmayyafailedandleftMakkatosettledown intheNorthernprovincesofSuria(Sham)currentlyknownasSyria.AfterHashimhisbrother MuttalibandafterhimHashimssonShybawhobecameknownasAbdulMuttalibassumedthe leadershipofthefamily.Heorganisedfeastsandsuppliesofwatertothepilgrimsduringthe annualfestivalofPilgrimagetotheHolyShrine. ProphetIbrahimbuiltthisHousefordevoutworshiptooneGod.Butwithinhislifetimepeople disobeyedhisordersandbegantoputidolsinsidetheKaaba.IbrahimhadtocleantheHouseof theseidolsandofIdleworshippers.HetoldthepeoplethatthiswasasymbolichouseofGod.God doesnotlivethereforHeiseverywhere.Peopledidnotunderstandthislogicandnosoonerhad Ibrahimdiedthepeople,outofreverence,filledtheplacewithidolsagain.Theythrongedtothis placeannuallyandworshippedtheirpersonalgods,ItwasoverFourThousandyearslaterthatthe lastofthelineofprophet(SA),MuhammadIbneAbdullahenteredMakkatriumphantly,went insidetheKaabaand,withthehelpofhiscousinandsoninlawAliIbneAbiTalib,(AS)destroyed alltheidolsofKaabawiththeirownhands.Atonestageofthisdestructionofidols,thetallestof theidolHubbolwasbroughtdownafterAlihadtostandontheshouldersoftheProphettocarry outGodsorders.TheProphetofIslamwasrecitingtheVersefromtheQuran Truthhathcomeandfalsehoodhathvanished. Thiswasdoneinthe8thyearofHijra,January630ADafterthebloodlessvictoryatMakkabythe ProphetofIslam. HistoricallywhenIbrahimwasorderedbyAllahtobuildtheShrineforworshipoverasmallhe uncoveredtheoriginalfoundationsoftheKaababuiltbyAdam.Ibrahimwiththehelpofhisson

Ismaelerectedthenewshrineonthesamefoundations.Originallyitcontainedonlyfourwalls withoutaroof.CenturieslaterduringthetimeofKusayiwhowastheleaderoftheTribeof QuraishinMakkaatallerbuildingwascompletedwitharoofandaquadranglewallarounditto giveittheshapeofasanctuaryanddoorsallaroundthesanctuarywalls.Peopleenteredthrough thesedoorstocometotheKaabaforworship.Itisnowabout60feethigh,60feetwidefrom easttowestand60feetfromnorthtosouth.Adoorisfixedabout7feetabovegroundlevel facingNorthEast.ABlackstone(HajaralAswad)wasfixedintoitseasterncorner.Infrontofthe buildingwasMaqameIbrahim,thearchshapegateknownasthatofBanuShaybaandthe ZamzamWell.JustoutsidearetheHillscalledSafaandMerwaandthedistancebetweenthehills isabout500yards.Thesedaysbothofthehillsareenclosedintothesanctuarywallswitharoof overit. ThewholebuildingisbuiltofthelayersofgreybluestonefromthehillssurroundingMakka.The fourcornersroughlyfacethefourpointsofthecompass.AttheEastistheBlackstone(Ruknel Aswad),attheNorthiselRukenelIraqi,atthewestalRukneelShamiandatthesouthalRukne elYamani.Thefourwallsarecoveredwithacurtain(Kiswa).Thekiswaisusuallyofblackbrocade withtheShahadaoutlinedintheweaveofthefabric.About2/3rdsofthewayuprunsagold embroideredbandcoveredwithQur'anictext. IntheEasterncornerabout5feetabovegroundtheHajarelAswad(theblackstone)isfixedinto thewall.Itsrealnatureisdifficulttodetermine,itsvisibleshapeiswornsmoothbyhandtouching andkissing.Itsdiameterisaround12inches.OppositetheNorthwestwallbutnotconnected withit,isasemicircularwallofwhitemarble.Itis3feethighandabout5feetthick.Thissemi circularspaceenjoysanespecialconsiderationandpilgrimswaitinqueuetofindaplacetopray there.ThegravesofIsmaelandhismotherHajeraarewithinthissemicircularwall.Betweenthe archwayandthefacade(N.E.)isalittlebuildingwithasmalldome,theMaqameIbrahim.Insideit iskeptastonebearingtheprintsoftwohumanfeet.ProphetIbrahimissaidtohavestoodonthis stonewhenbuildingtheKaabaandmarksofhisfeetaremiraculouslypreserved. OntheoutskirtsofthebuildingtotheNorthEastistheZamzamWell(thisisnowputunder ground). HistoryofthebuildingoftheKaaba. QuraninSuraBaqraVerses121to127describeditclearlythatAllahhadordainedhisservant IbrahimtobuildtheShrinethereforworshipofOneGod.DuringKusayistimeitwasrebuiltand fortified.DuringtheearlyyearsofProphetMuhammad(SA)beforeheannouncedhisministry, theKaabawasdamagedbyfloodsanditwasrebuiltagain.WhentheBlackstonewastobeputin itsplacetheMakkansquarrelledamongthemselvesastowhoshouldhavethehonourtoplaceit there.Theyhadjustdecidedthatthefirstcomertothequadrangleshouldbegiventhetaskof

decidingastowhoshouldhavethehonour.Muhammad(SA)cameinandwasassignedthistask. HeadvisedthemtoplacethestoneinacloakandorderedtheheadsofeachTribeeachtotakean endandbringthecloaknearerthecornerontheeasternside.Hehimselfthentookoutthestone andplaceditinitsposition.Ithasbeenfixedthereeversince. AfterthemartyrdomofthefamilyoftheProphetatKerbalain61Hijri(681AD),theUmmayad CaliphYazidIbneMoawiyadidnotstopthereinthepursuitofhisdestruction.Hesentalarge contingentunderthecommandofHaseenIbneNamirtoMadinawhichdestroyedtheMosqueof theProphet.TheydidnotstoptherebutproceededtoMakkaanddemolishedthefourwallsof theKaabaandkilledthousandsofmuslimswhoprotested.YaziddiedandIbneNamirreturnedto Damascus,KaabawasrebuiltbyAbdullahIbneZubayrandhisassociates.Umawiforcescame backtoMakkaandkilledAbdullahIbneZubayr,hunghisbodyonthegatesoftheKaabaforthree monthsforalltoseetheUmawipower.Buteventuallythisarroganceofpowerbroughtitsown consequencesandMukhtarbecametherulerinIraq.UnderhisguidancetheKaabawas refurbishedandpilgrimsbegantoarriveinsafetytoperformHajj. TheKaabasuccessfullywithstoodtheKaramatianinvasionof317/929,onlytheBlackstonewas carriedawaywhichwasreturnedsometwentyyearslater.Intheyear1981theWahabisbrought tanksinsidetheKaabatocrushthekahtanirevolutionagainsttheSaudiregimeandalmost demolishedtheSouthEasternWall.ThiswaslaterrestoredwiththehelpoftheMakkanpeople. EverymanlivinginMakkainthe6thand7thcenturymustoutofnecessityhavehadsome relationshipwiththeKaaba.OntheMuhammad(SA),theProphetofIslam,theQuranissilent duringtheMakkansperiodinthisrespect.Allthatisknownisthatthemuslimcommunityofthe periodturnedtowardsJerusaleminprayers.SubsequentlyaboutayearandahalfaftertheHijra theMuslimswereorderedduringprayerswhichwereleadbytheProphetofIslamhimselftoturn towardsMakka.TheparticularmosqueinMadinawherethishappenediscalledMasjide Qiblatain,meaningthemosquewithtwoQiblas.TheQurantellsthemuslims,turnthenthyface towardsthesacredmosqueandwhereveryebeturnyourfacestowardsthatpartQuran II,139/144. AtthissameperiodtheQuranbegantolaystressonthereligionofIbrahim,presentingIslamasa returntothepurityofthereligionofIbrahimwhich,obscuredbyJudaismandChristianity,shone forthinitsoriginalbrightnessintheQuran.ThepilgrimagestotheKaabaandritualprogressions aroundthebuildingwerecontinued,butwerenowfortheglorificationofOneGod.The AbrahimicvisionoftheKaabacreatedameansofdiscerninganorthodoxoriginburiedinthe midstofpaganmalpracticestowhichthefirstmuslimspointedtheway. EveryyearaftertheHajjceremonytheplaceisclosedforonemonthandontheDayofAshurathe KaabaiswashedfrominsidebytheWaterfromthewellofZamzamandanewKiswaisbrought

tocovertheKaabaforthenextyear. ThisisthestoryoftheKaabaandthepersonswhoprotecteditandremaineditscustodiansand protectorsfromthesatanicandevilforcesthroughouthistory.Muhammad(SA)andthepeopleof hishousehold(Ahlulbayt)weretheprotectorsoftheKaaba,andcurrentlythe12thImamfrom thedirectdescentoftheProphetofIslamistherealprotector,itscustodianandguardianand shallremainassuchwhileinconcealment.Inthefollowingpagesweshallunfoldthelivesand timesofthese14MasoomeenAlaihimussalam. Muhammad(SA)TheMessengerofAllah *TheMarriageofMuhammad(SA) *TheBattleofBadr. *TheBattleofOhud *TheBattleofKhandaq *TreatyofHodaibiya *TheBattleofKhyber. *FallofMakka *TheTreatywiththeChristiansofNajran. *Thelastpilgrimage. *TheDeathoftheHolyProphet. *PenandPaper *AglimpseoftheHolyProphet(SA) *Someselectedsayings(Traditions)oftheHolyProphet. BorninMakkaon17thRabiulAwwalabout53yearsbeforeHijra.Theyearofhisbirthwascalled AmulFeelduetotheinvasionoftheKaababyAbrahatheviceroyoftheAbysinianKing.Since theforcesofAbrahaarrivedonelephantswhichisFeelinarabic,thearabscalledthistheyear oftheelephant.AccordingtotheChristianCalendaritwas571AD.TheRomanEmpirewasin decline,theCapitalwastransferredfromRometoConstantinopleandthewholeofEuropewas dividedintolittlekingdomsfightingamongeachother.OntheEasternsideTheSasanidEmpireof thePersianswasalsoindecline.Thiswastheworldscenewhenaboywasborntothemost renownedfamilyoftheQoraish,theBanuHashim.HisfatherwasAbdullahsonofAbdulMuttalib andhismotherwasAmenadaughterofWahb.AsababyhewassenttothenearbyBaduinTribe wherealadycalledHalimanursedhim.

Muhammad(SA)wasbornanorphanashisfatherAbdullahdiedafewmonthsbeforehisbirth. HisgrandfatherAbdulMuttaliblookedaftertheboy.AbdulMuttalibdiedwhenMuhammad(SA) wasonly8yearsoldandthenhisuncleAbuTalibthefatherofAli,tookovertheupbringingofhis nephew.HisfirstjourneyoutsideArabiawastothenorthernpartsofSyriawiththetrading caravanofhisuncleAbuTalib.DuringonesuchjourneyanoldchristianmonkcalledBohairamet thetradingcaravanandsawyoungMuhammad(SA)whowasabout14yearsoldatthattime.The oldmonktoldAbuTalibtolaftertheboywell,forverysoonhisenemieswilltrytohurthim.The monkalsotoldAbuTalibthathesawunusualsignsintheboywhowillgrowupintosomeonevery important.Muhammad(SA)remainedwithhisunclesfamilyuntiltheageof25.Itwasduetohis honestyandstraightforwardmannerthathewassuccessfulintradingandbecameknownto manytradersinMakka. TheMarriageofMuhammad(SA) OneoftheleadingtradingfamiliesinthosedayswasthefamilyofKhadijaawidowwhowas lookingforanhonestyoungmantolookafterherbusinessaffairs.Muhammad(SA)tookKhadija's caravanpartytoSyriaandvariousotherplacesandwasagreatsuccess.Khadijawasimpressed andaskedhimformarriage.AlthoughbeingmucholderthenMuhammad(SA),(shewas40years old),themarriagewasagreeduponbybothfamiliesandMuhammadsuncleAbuTalibreadthe KhutbaofmarriageandperformedthemarriageceremonyaccordingtotheIbrahimictraditions. ThewordsoftheKhutbaasdescribedinSirateRasullallahbyIbneHishamwere: PraisesbeforAllahwhowastheGodofIbrahimwhoworshippedoneGodandamuslim.Iam thedescendentofIbrahimandhaveremainedonthesamereligionofOneGod.MayAllahkeep thispurityamongthedescendentsofIbrahimforever.AfterthisKhutbaAbuTalibcompletedthe marriageceremonybetweenMuhammad(SA)andKhadija.Muhammad(SA)movedtoherhouse andthepartnershipfromtradingtopartnershipinlifebeganinearnest.Ababydaughterwas borntoKhadijawithinafewyearsafterthemarriage.ShewasnamedFatima(SA).Khadijahad twodaughtersfromherearliermarriagewhichendedinwidowhood.Sothethreedaughters,two fromKhadijasearliermarriagesandonefromMuhammad(SA)grewuptogetherinthesame house.HistorymentionsanotherboygrowingupinMuhammadshouse.HewasAli(AS),Abu Talibsson.Ali(AS)wasbornintheyear30AmulfeelwhenMuhammadwas30yearsold.Fatimas birthwasrecordedsomefiveyearslater.SothedifferenceofagesbetweenFatimaandAliwas about5years.AliwastreatedbyMuhammad(SA)likeasonandMuhammad(SA)tookhimevery wherehewent.IbneHishaminhisSiratmentionsthatMuhammad(SA)begantomeditatemore andmore.HewouldleavethetownofMakkatothenearbyhillcalledJabalelNoor.Therewasa caveatthetopofthehillandMuhammad(SA)wouldclimbthemountainandsitinthecaveto meditate.Sometimeshewouldstaytherefordays.ManytimesAliaccompaniedhim. OnesuchstorytellsusthatononeoccasionMuhammad(SA)didnotreturnfor3or4daysand

AbuTalibwasconcerned.HissonAliwasalsowithhim.Theyhadtakensomefoodwiththem.So thesearchingpartyfromMakkawenttothemountainlookingforthetwo.Whentheyreached thetopandenteredthecavetheyfoundMuhammad(SA)andAli(AS)meditatingtogether,safe andsound.AbuTalibaskedMuhammadwhatdidhedothere.Muhammadtoldhisunclethathe andAliwereengagedinmeditatingaboutthecreatoroftheuniverse,theGodofIbrahimand Ismael Thismeditationcontinueduntilonedayavoicewasheardinsidethecave.Itsaid,Read. Muhammad(SA)repliedwhatshallIread.Thevoicesaid,ReadinthenameofthyLord.Hewas AngelGabrilwhotoldMuhammad(SA)thathewasordainedbyAllahtobetheMessengerof AllahandtopreachthisDeentothepeople. ThiswasthefirstrevelationthatcameoverMuhammad(SA)whenhewastoldtobeginhis preachingoftheQurantoMakkans.Muhammad(SA)camehomeandtoldKhadijaaboutthis whoimmediatelyacceptedhimastheMessengerofGod.ShealsosaidthatheruncleWarqahad toldherthatMuhammad(SA)hadthesignsofagreatMessenger.Whenthenewsofthisfirst revelationofVersefromtheQuranhadreachedWarqathroughKhadijahetoldher,DidntItell youthatthishusbandofyourswastheMessengerofGod.Ali(AS)waslivingwithMuhammad (SA)andhadalsoaccompaniedhimtotheMountainofHira,andhadalsoexperiencedthe revelationwithMuhammad(SA).HehadnodoubtswhoMuhammad(SA)wasandwasthefirstto acknowledgehimastheMessengerofAllah.Khadijaamongthewomen,theirdaughterFatima (SA)andthetwodaughtersfromKhadijasearliermarriage.AllacknowledgedMuhammad(SA)as theMessengerofAllah.Muhammad(SA)usedtoentertheKaabaandpraytherewithKhadija andAli(SA).ThestorywasmentionedbyIbneHishaminhisSiratasfollows:'Onedaythesethree wereprayingwhileAbbasIbneAbdulMuttalib,Muhammadsunclewassittingonthenearbyhill andwatching.AtraderfromYemenwassittingwithAbbas.HeaskedAbbaswhowerethesethree peopleprayinginastrangeman. ThewomanwasMuhammadswifeKhadijaandtheboywasAbuTalibssonAli.theyfollow somestrangedeenwhichwearenotfamiliarwithyet,wasAbbassreply. Muhammad(SA)saidthatLailahaIllallahmeansthatthereisnogod,onlyAllahthat Muhammad(SA)isHismessenger,andthatallmenarebornequal.Hetaughtagainstidolatry, andagainstsocialinjusticesofthetime.InthebeginningthispreachingofOneGodwenton secretly.ZaidandAbubakrweretheothertwowhoacceptedIslam.Theslavecommunityof Makkabegantoacceptthisbecausetheylikedthetoneofequalityofallhumanbeings.Butonce theyacceptedthefaiththeybecamesteadfastnevertogobacktotheiradulatoryevenafter sufferingtorturebytheirmasters. Muhammad(SA)preachedIslamsecretlyfor3yearsbutonlyafewpeoplewereconvertedto

Islam.Attheendofthe3rdyearAllahtoldMuhammadtoinviteyourownfamilyandclanand announcetothemthatyouarepreachingIslam.Muhammad(SA)askedAlitopreparesome food.Somebread,meatandmilkwasbroughtin.Over40headsoftheTribesofQoraishwere invited.Theycame,atefoodthenbeforeMuhammad(SA)wasabletosayanythingtheyall dispersed.SothenextdayMuhammad(SA)Invitedthemagainandimmediatelyafterfood Muhammad(SA)announced,IamtheMessengerofAllahandmymessageisofpeaceand surrendertoOneGod,anyonewhohelpsmeinthisworkwillbemyDeputyandwillbemy successorafterme.Aliwhowasonly13yearsoldstoodupandtoldMuhammad(SA)hewillhelp himinhiswork.Muhammad(SA)askedAlitositdownandrepeatedthesameannouncement threetimesandallthreetimesAlistoodalone.IntheendMuhammad(SA)announcedthatAli willbehisdeputyandsuccessorafterhim.Oneheadofthetribesmenlaughedatthisandone eventoldAbuTalib,fatherofAlithatnowyoushouldobeyyourson.Nowthatthisreligion cameoutintheopentheQoraishofMakkabecameopenlyhostile.Inthebeginningtheythought thatthewholethingwasajoke,butgraduallywhenitbecameserious,theywereangryand becameopenlyhostile.ForthepeopleofMakkaandtownslikeTaif,thiswasaverystrange religion.Theydislikeditsomuchthatfirsttheypersecutedthemuslims,thenorganisedaboycott ofMuhammadandhiswholefamilyofBanuHashim.TheybanishedhimfromMakkaandthe wholefamilylivedintheHillsandmountainsaroundMakka.TheplacebecameknownasShobe AbuTalib,AsAbuTalibasHeadoftheClanofBanuHashimprotectedthefamilywhiletheywere inexile.Forthreeyearsthefamilysufferedhungerandgreatpoverty.TheLeadersofQuraishhad writtendownonapeaceofgoatskinthatBanuHashimshallneverreturntothecityuntil Muhammad(SA)denounceshissinglegodreligion.AttheendofthreeyearsMuhammadtoldhis uncleAbuTalibtogotoMakkaandtelltheMakkansthatthepeaceofskinonwhichthe agreementwaswrittenwasnomore. AsitwassealedandwaskeptinsidetheKaabaandnoonewasallowedtoentertheplace,they weresurprised.TheleaderssaidthatifMuhammad(SA)wasrightandtheagrwasnomore,then theywillliftthesiegeofBanuHashimandletthemreturntothecity.TheKaabawasopened,the sealedboxwasopenedandthepeaceofparchmentonwhichtheagreementwaswrittenwas foundtobeconsumedbyinsects.Whentheysawthistheyagreedtoliftthesiegeandallowedthe familyofBanuHashimtoreturntotheCity.Littlehadtheyrealisedthatthenewsofthis miraculousknowledgeofMuhammad(SA)aboutthedisappearanceoftheparchment,hada greateffectonthepeopleofMakkaandtheybegantoacceptIslam. AfterthiseventmanymoreMakkanswereacceptingIslamreadily,especiallythepoorclassof MakkawhoacceptedIslaminearnest.Butwiththisconversion,thefeudallordsofMakkahad increasedtheirhostilitytowardsnewconverts,punishingthemandtorturingthemsomuchso thatintheendMuhammad(SA)toldthemtomigratetoanotherland.Habasha(Abysiniya)was thenearestcountryacrosstheseaswheretheycouldhopetobesafe.Sothefirstmigrationbegan andabout83newmuslimsundertheleadershipofAliselderbrotherJaaferIbneAbiTalib,

migratedtoHabasha.UntilthattimeJaaferwasthemainwriteroftherevelation(Wahii)with2 othercompanionsnamedAbdullahIbneMasoodandObaiIbneKaaba.MasabIbneOmairwas alsoanearlyconverttoIslamandawriteroftheRevelation.HewassenttoYathribtoteach Qurantothepeopleearlytherewhohadshownagreatinterestinthisnewcreed. AliIbneTalib,afterhiselderbrotherJaafersdeparturetoHabashabecametheheadamongthe writersoftheRevelation.AlicontinuedwiththewritingoftheRevelationuptothelastVerseof theHolyQuran.ThiswasrevealedaftertheKhutbaoftheHolyProphetatGhadeereKhumon 18thofZilhijja10thHijri.ThisVerseisinSura5(Maeda)V.3whichsaysthatThisdayIhave perfectedyourDeenforyou,andIhavecompletedmyblessingsonyou,andIhaveapproved IslamforyourDeen.Seventydaysaftertheevent,theHolyProphetpassedaway. Islamwasspreadingrapidly,MuhammadsuncleHamzaenteredthefoldofIslamwhichgave greatstrengthtothenewcreed.ItwasatthistimethatOmarIbneKhattabalsocametoaccept Islam. AfterMuhammads(SA)returnfromtheShubeAbiTalibtothenormalcitylifeofMakka,Islam hadstarttospreadrapidlyundertheprotectionofMuhammadsuncleAbuTalib.ButAllahhad otherplans.AbuTalibandKhadijabothdiedwithinoneyearwhichwasasadblowtothefamily. TheHostilityoftheQoraishhadtakenadangeroustrendespeciallyafterthedeathofAbuTalib. AbuLahabandAbuSofyanwhoweretheleadersofthehostilegroupagainstIslammadeplansto endMuhammadslife.TheythoughtofaschemewhereifonepersonfromeachtribeofQoraish surroundedMuhammadshouse,enteredthehouseinthemorningandkilledhimthentheblame wouldbeonalltribesandBanuHashimwouldnotbeabletotakerevenge.AllahtoldtheProphet ofthisschemeandinstructedhimtoleavethecityofMakkaandmigratetoYathrib.Muhammad askedAlitosleepinhisbedtodeceivetheenemy.Aliaskedwillthissaveyourlife,Muhammad (SA)saidyes,itwillsavemylife.AlirepliedthenIhavenohesitationinsleepinginyourbed disguisedasyou.WhileAlisleptinMuhammadsbed,Muhammad(SA)himselfleftthehouse undetectedbytheenemywhohadsurroundedhishousewithopenswords.Abubakrwaswith theProphet,whentheyleftMakkafromthesouthernexitandhidinacaveafewmilesaway. Whiletheywereinsidethecaveaspiderweavedawebontheentrancetothecavetogivean impressionthatnoonehadenteredthecave.MeanwhileinMakkatheenemywithopenswords enteredMuhammadshouseinordertokillhim,butfoundAlisleepingsoundly.TheyaskedAli, wherewasMuhammadtowhichAlireplied,haveyouentrustedhimtome?Theenemyleft disappointed,butrealisedthatMuhammad(SA)musthavegonetoYathrib.Theytriedtofollow thetrackswiththehelpofprofessionaltrackersandreachedthecaveofThaurwherethesetwo weresittinginside.Butthespiderswebdeceivedthemandtheyallcamebackdisappointed. Muhammad(SA)reachedYathrib,thetownsome400kilometresnorthofMakkaandtheconverts therenamedthecityasthecityoftheProphet(MadinatunNabi).Eversincethenthetownhas

beenknownasMadina.Thedateofthismigrationwas26thJuly623ADandunderthenew IslamicCalendar,thefirstyearoftheHijra.AlistayedinMakkatogivebacktotheownersallthe valuableswhichthepeopleofMakkahaddepositedwithMuhammadforsafekeeping.After threedayswhenthisimportanttaskwascompletedAli(AS)setoutforMadinaandarrivedtherea weeklater.Muhammad(SA)waitedforhimattheoutskirtsofthetownandenteredthetown withthewholefamily. ThePeopleofMadinahelpedMuhammad(SA)settleinthisnewplace.Theirhelpwas appreciatedsomuchsothattheywerecalledAnsars,theHelpers,whilethosewhocamefrom MakkawerecalledMuhajiroon,themigrants.OnordersfromAllah,Muhammad(SA)brought MuhajirsandAnsarstogetherbymakingeachAnsarabrothertoaMuhajir.Thiswaytheyshared eachotherspropertylikebrothers.Muhammad(SA)tookAli(AS)ashisbrotherinfaith,although Aliwashiscousininrelationtoblood.(SiratIbneHisham). MuhammadsdaughterFatimawasaboutl9yearsoldandthereweremanysuitors,but wheneversomebodyaskedMuhammad(SA)forFatimashandinmarriagehekeptquiet.Oneday Ali(AS)cametothemosqueandaskedforFatimashandinmarriage.Muhammadreplied"Yes, thishasbeenordainedbyAllah."Heasked,"Whatpropertydoyouhave,"towhichAlireplied, "notmuch."Hehadasword,ahorseandaprotectiveshield.Muhammadsaid"selltheshield, becauseyouwillneedthehorseandtheswordfortheprotectionofIslam."Alisoldhisshieldfor 200Dirhams,broughtthemoneytoMuhammad(SA)whoaddedanother200Dirhamsoveritand askedhiscompanionstobuyhouseholdgoodstosetuphomeforthenewlyweds.Hethenread theKhutbaandfinalisedthemarriageofAli(AS)andFatima.ThiswasintheFirstyearoftheHijra. ThiswasasimpleIslamicmarriagewhichshouldbecopiedbyallmuslimsinsteadofspending lavishamountsofmoneyandhugedowriestocrippletheparentseconomicallyforever. AsIslamwasthereligionofpeaceandsurrendertotheWillofGod,aggressionhadbeen forbidden.InspiteofvariousattacksonthenewlyconvertedmuslimcommunityinMadina, Muhammad(SA)hadforbiddenallretaliation.NewscamefromMakkathatallthosewholeft Makkahadlosttheirproperty.TheMakkanshadtakenalltheyhadleftbehind.Muhammads uncleHamzaaskedMuhammad(SA)tofightwiththeKuffarsofMakkabuthedidnotagree.In theendwhennewscamethattheMakkansweremarchingtowardsMadinatofightMuhammad (SA)andhisnewlyconvertedmuslimcommunity,theVersescamedownonMuhammad(SA)to standupanddefendyourDeen,butdonotexceedthelimits.Inotherwordsyoucanonly defend,aggressionwastotallyforbidden.(SuraBaqra,Verses173174) TheBattleofBadr Inthe2ndyearofHijra,624AD,'TheBattleofBadr'tookplace.TheMakkansmarchedtowards Madinawith1000soldiers.Muhammad(SA)withhisarmyof313mencamoutofMadina.Badris

situatedsome10milessouthofMadinaand240milesnorthofMakka.TheMakkanstravelledall thewaytoMadinatodefeatIslam.TheMuslimshadnochoicebuttodefendIslam.Hamza,Ali ObaidacameoutoftheMuslimsideinsinglecombatwiththechiefsofMakkawhowereallslain. ThebattleensuedandattheendofthedaytheMakkansweredefeatedwith70dead,whilevery fewmuslimswerekilled.ThoseMakkanswhoweretakencaptiveweretoldthatiftheycould teachmuslimstoreadandwrite,theywouldlivefreelyinthecityandbeprovidedwithfoodand shelter.ThiswasacleardirectionthatgainingknowledgewasthefirstpriorityinIslam. TheBattleofOhud Inthe3rdyearofHijra,TheBattleofOhudtookplace.TheMakkansdidnotliketheirdefeatin Badrandbegantheirpreparationsinearnest.Theycamewith3000mentofightIslam. Muhammad(SA)heardthenewsandcameoutofMadinawith700men.Muhammad(SA) arrangedhissmallarmyinsuchawaythatthemountainwasbehindthem.Some30archersfrom theIarmywerestrategicallyplacedinanopeninginthemountaintoprotectthemuslimsfrom anyattackfrombehind.InitiallytheMakkanswerenomatchforthevalourofthemuslimsoldiers andtheybegantorunaway.NewlyconvertedMuslimsoldiersprematurelythoughttheyhadwon thewar,sotheybegantotakepossessionofthebootyofwar.Whenthe30archerssawthis,they lefttheirstrategicmountainpasstojointheothers.KhalidIbneWalidsawthisopeningand cleverlyattackedfrombehindonthepersonoftheProphethimself.ItwasAli(AS)andafew othertruecompanionsoftheProphetthatsavedthedayandsavedthelifeoftheProphet.The Prophetwashimselfinjuredbyastone.KhalidIbneWalidshoutedMuhammadiskilled,upon whichhearingthis,manycompanionsbegantorunawayinpanic.ThewoundedProphetwasleft inthebattlefieldwithonlyAli,Hamza,AbuDajjanaandZakwantodefendhim.Thesebrave warriorsfoughtfiercelyandduringthisencounterHamzawaskilledbyaspearwoundinflictedby theSlaveofAbuSofianswifeHind.ZakwanandAbuDajjanalaywoundedandAliwasleftalone todefendtheHolyProphet. Alihadreceived16woundsduringthisbattle.HepickeduptheHolyProphetwhilehewas surroundedbytheenemyandwithKhalidshoutingtofinishtheProphetoffforgood.Alifought againstthem,killingtwoofthem,whichledtheotherstorunaway.Ali(AS)boldlyliftedtheHoly Prophetandcarriedhimtothemountainandsafety.AlikeptshoutingtheHolyProphetisalive sothatthemuslimswhoranawaymightcomeback.Thosemuslimswhohadnotrunfarreturned andsawthewoundedProphetandhisdaughterFatima(SA)attendingtohiswounds.Theytook heartandbegantofighttheenemyunderthecommandofAli(AS)anddrovethemaway. Thevictorywasgained.TheProphetreturnedtoMadinaanddeclaredthreedaysofmourningfor hisuncleHamza.TheHolyProphetsaidafterwardsthatAlisbraverywasapplaudedbyAngel GabrilwhosaidthatthereisnobraveryouththanAliandnobetterswordthanZilfiqar.(Detailsof thisbattlecanbereadintheHistoryofTabari,WaqidiandAbulFida).

TheBattleofKhandaq TheBattleofKhandaq:4thyearofHijra,626AD:AttheendofthebattleofOhudwhenAbu SofianwasunabletohurttheHolyProphet,hereturnedtoMakkaafterpromisingthathewill comebacknextyearandwilltakerevengeforthedefeatsofBadrandOhud.Thistimeitwasnot onlythenonbelieversofMakkawhowerewithhim.HehadalsotakenthehelpoftheJewsof MadinatodefeatIslamforever.TheJewishtribesofMadinapromisedtohelpintwoways,oneto sendsoldierstofightinthebattlefieldandtwotocreatefearamongthewomenandchildrenwho wereleftinthetownunprotected.TheProphetscompanionSalmanFarsisuggestedthatthe muslimsmustdigamoatontheunprotectedsideofthetown.Themuslimstookthisadviceand themoatwasreadywithin3daysinwhichtheProphethimselftookpart.Whentheenemyforces arrivedatthescenetheywereunabletoenterthecityduetothenewlydugmoatandthey stayedontheouterside.Butoneoftheirmostfamoussoldier'snamedAmrIbneAbdeWud jumpedthemoatwithhishorseandchallengedthemuslimstofightwithhim.WhenTheProphet askedhisbravesttogoandfightAmrnoneofthemwaseagertocomeout.OmarIbneKhattab evensuggestedthatthismanwassobravethathefoughtonethousandmenaloneanddefeated them.AliwaseagerasevertofightthismanandhecameoutwiththeblessingsoftheHoly Prophetwhosaid,Todaythewholefaithhascomeouttofightthewholeinfidelity.Aliwasable tokilltheenemysoonandwhentheProphetsawAlivictoriousheutteredthewordsVerilyone blowofAlisswordonthedayofKhadaqissuperiortotheworshipofallbeingsuntiltheDayof Judgement. Amrwaskilled,butthebattlewasnotover.Armiesofnonbelieverswereontheothersideofthe ditchwhilethemuslimswereinsidethecityalmostbesiegedwithoutanyprovisions.Afterawhile withtheprayersoftheHolyProphetastormblewupthatfrightenedthearmyofthenon believersandtheyranawaynevertocomebackagain. TreatyofHodaibiya AfterthebattlesofBadr,OhudandKhandaqtheinfidelsofMakkaavoidedanyfurthermilitary ventures.TheProphetdecidedtoperformUmrainthe6thyearofHijra(628AD)Asthemuslims approachedMakka,theinfidelsofMakkadidnotlikethisandstoppedthemuslimsentering Makka.Seeingthembentonaggression,theapostleofGodagreedtoatreatywiththeMakkans. ItwaswiselydraftedbyImamAli(AS),thetermsoutwardlylookedhumiliatingtomuslimsthatifa muslimwastakencaptivebytheinfidelshewillnotbereturnedbutifaninfidelcomestothe handsofthemuslimshewillbereleasedimmediately.WhentheHolyProphetsignedthetreaty, UmarIbneKhattabdislikeditsomuchthatheutteredthewords,Ihaveneverdoubtedaboutthe ProphethoodofMuhammad(SA)thismuchasIdidtoday.HequestionedtheProphetaboutthis humiliatingagreementtowhichtheProphetreplied,"IamtheMessengerofAllahandallmyacts

areontheordersfromAllah."ButitisevidentthatthisdeviationfromthepathoftheProphet waslatertobecomeanacceptablenormratherthenanoffthecuffevent.Lateryouwillseehow thismisconceivedhabitofcontradictingtheinfallibleProphetofIslamcreateddivisionswithinthe religionitself.ThosewhofollowedAliasthefolloweroftheSunnaoftheProphetbecamethe partisanofAli,othersfollowedOmaribnKhattab. (seeSaheehBukhari,KitabalKholafa) TheBattleofKhyber TheJewsofMadinaeversincetheirtreacheryduringthebattleofKhandaq,werealwaysonthe lookoutforsomemischieftohurtIslam.Thismischiefmongeringincreasedsomuchsothatthey werebanishedfromthecitytoliveoutsideMadina.Theyhadextensivelandsandhadbuiltstrong fortresseswheremostofthejewishcommunitylived.ThefortofKhyberwasastrongfortbuiltof stonewithanirongate.Itwasthestrongholdofthejewswhoinvadedmuslimlandsandvillages aroundthearea.Theykilledmuslimsandlootedtheirproperty.WarningsweregiventotheJews ofKhybertostoptheirmischievousdeedsbuttheydidnotbothereventoacknowledgetheir misdeeds.TheHolyProphetproceededtostopthisproblemforthemuslims. Muslimforcesencampedoutsidethisfort.ItwasinthemonthofMuharraminthe7thyearof Hijra.OntheFirstdayAbubakrledthemuslimforcestofightthejews.TheJewscameoutofthe fort.Afuriousbattlewasfought,muslimscouldnotbreakthejewsonslaughtandretreatedback totheircamp.TheNextdayOmarIbneKhattabtooktheflagandtriedtodefeatthejewishforces withoutsuccess.ThatnighttheProphetannounced,TomorrowIwillgivetheflagofIslamtoa manwhoisbraveanddoesnotrunawayfromthebattlefield,helovesAllahandtheProphetof AllahandAllahandHisProphetlovehim.TheNextday,aftermorningprayerstheProphetcalled forAli(AS)andgavetheFlaginhishands.Ali(AS)holdingtheflaginhishandwenttowardsthe fort.Noticingthatonlyonemanwascomingtowardsthefortthejewsdidnotcomeoutinthe openfield.ReachingthegatesofthefortAlifixedthepoleonahardstoneslab.Noticingthefixing oftheflagonahardstone,ajewwhowasalearnedscholar,askedfromthetopofthewall,"who areyou?Alireplied,IamAlisonofAbuTalib.Hearingthenamethelearnedscholarturned towardshispeopleandtoldthem,Ihavereadinthesacredbothatamanofthisnamewill defeatyou."InaccordancewiththeconventionoftheArabs,Aliannouncedhischallengeand demandedthebravestofthemtocomeoutandfighthiminsinglecombat.Merhub,oneofthe braveandskilledwarriorscameoutandwaskilledbyAli(AS)inoneblow. HisbrotherAntercameoutandhewasalsokilledinasingleblowofAlisSwZulfiqar.Oncethese brotherswerekilledAliwenttowardstheirongatesandbroughtthemdown.Oncethegates wereopenmuslimsenteredthefortandsoonthejewsweredefeated.Thiswasagreatvictoryfor muslims,forthejewswereamischievouslotandhadbeengivingalotoftroubletomuslimsof

Madinaandthoselivingaround.Mostofthejewishlandcameintothemuslimshands.Itwasat thistimethataPalmorchardcalledFadakalsocameintothemuslimhands.TheProphetofIslam tookthisorchardforhimselfandlatergaveittohisdaughterFatimah. ThebattleofKhyberwasaturningpointinthedefeatofthejewsoftheProvinceofHejazand victoryforIslam. FallofMakka Onthe10thofRamazan8thyearofHijratheHolyProphetleftMadinaforMakkawithalarge numberofhiscompanions.OnarrivalatMakkatheProphetmetnoresistance.Thepeopleof Makkaweresooverawedthattheydidnotcomeout,andmostofthemforfearoftheirliveshid themselvesintheirhouses.ProphetsuncleAbbasIbneAbdulMuttalibtookAbuSofiantothe HolyProphet.TheHolyProphetaskedhim,Hasthetimenotcomeforyoutoverifythetruthof acceptingAllahandmyProphethood.AbuSofianreplied,"forthatmyheartstillwavers."Abbas hearingthisreplysaidloudly,"woetoyou,bequickinacceptingIslamoryoumightbekilled. ThereuponAbuSofianverifiedthatMuhammadwastheProphetofAllahandrecitedtheKalema. HissonMoawiyaalsocameinthefoldofIslamatthistimetogetherwithotherchildrenofAbu Sofian.TheHolyProphetthendeclaredthatanyonewhoentersAbuSofianshousewouldbe safe.HolyProphetthenenteredtheKaabaandbegantodemolishallthe364idolsperchedinside theHolyshrine.ThebiggestonewasHubulandtodestroythatidolTheProphetaskedAlitoclimb overhisshouldersandbringtheidoldowntotheground.ThiswaytheKaabawasclearedofthe idolsandwaspurifiedinthesamemannerasHolyProphetsancestorHazratIbrahimdidinthe beginningwhenhebuilttheShrinefortheserviceofoneGodandnoneelse. AfterthebloodlessvictoryofMakka,thebattleofHunaintookplaceinwhichAli(AS)wasthe mainchampionwhohaddefeatedthenonbelieversandmostofthetribesaroundMakka acceptedIslam.ThebattleofTabuktookplaceinthesameyearwhenProphetwenttotheNorth ofMadina.InthisbattlehedidnottakeAli(AS)withhim.InsteadheappointedAliastheleaderin MadinawhiletheProphetwasaway.SomemischievouspersonstoldAli(AS)thathewasleftwith womenandchildrenratherthenfightingwiththeProphet.WhenAli(AS)enquiredthisfromthe Prophethereplied,wouldyounotpreferthestateofaffairasitwasbetweenMosesandhis brotherAron,exceptthattherewillnotbeaNabiafterme.WhattheHolyProphetmeantthatby leavingAliinsidethecityofMadinaashisdeputy,TheProphetwassettingtheexampleofMoses whenheleftAroninhisplaceandleftforMountSinai.ThisHadithiscalledHaditheManzelat whichclearlydeclaresthatAliwastobecomeProphetssuccessorafterhim.(seeSaheeheBukhari KitabelAhlulbayt,AlsoSoyutiKitabalKhulafa) TheTreatywiththeChristiansofNajran

The9thyearofHijrawasofgreatimportancebecauseofthetreatywiththeChristiansofNajran, Thistreatyisregardedofvitalimportancebecauseitwastheresultneitherofwarnorofany discussionbutendedinMubahelabetweentheHolyProphetandtheChristiansofNajran.(This meanscursingeachother). TheChristiansofNajranwereunhappybecauseoftherapidspreadofIslaminthelandofArabs. TheywishedtodiscussthismatterwiththeProphetandarrivedinMadina.Fewlearnedscholars wereselectedbytheChristianswhohadacontinuousdialoguewiththeProphetforthreedays.It startedonSaturday,whenSundayarrivedandtheyaskedtoleavetogooutsidethecitytopray theProphettoldthemtostayandprayinsidetheMosqueoftheProphetwhichtheydidtotheir surprise.ProphetofIslamwassettingtheexamplethatthereisfreedomofworshipinIslamforall whobelieveinGod.AftertheirSundayservicetheirdiscussioncontinued.Theywereunableto arriveonanymutualunderstanding.ThestickingpointwastheclaimbytheChristiansofthe divinityofJesusChristasthesonofGod.TheHolyProphettoldthem,ThebirthofJesusChristis similartothebirthofAdam.AllahcreatedAdamwithoutfatherandmotherwhileJesuswasborn withoutafatherandfromhismotheronly.NoneofthetwowasthesonofGod.Thisisthetruth, foryouacceptthecreationofAdamwithoutparentsyetdonotclaimhimtobeofdivineessence. Whythendoyoudeviatefromthistruth."Whentheydidnotagreeonthispointrevelationfrom AllahcameontheProphet.(SuraAleImranV61)TheVersereadslikethis.Ifyouarenot preparedtoacceptthetruthafterthefactthatyouhavefailedinyourarguments,Say,Come now,letuscalloursonsandyoursons,ourwomenandyourwomen,ourSelvesandYourSelves, thenletushumblyprayandsolayGodscurseupontheoneswholie. ThenextmorningtheHolyProphetemergedfromhishousewithhisclosestfamily.Heheldthe handofImamHasan(AS)walkingbesidehim,heldImamHussain(AS)inhisarms,followedbyhis daughterFatimah(SA).ShewasfollowedbyAli(AS).Hecameandstoodwiththisfamilyinfront oftheChristianBishopswhoalsocameforwardtoperformtheMubahela.Thechiefofthe ChristianswasBishopAbulHarris.WhenhesawthissmallfamilyoftheProphetheturned towardshisfellowchristiansandtoldthem,donotindulgeinMubahelawiththisfamily,forIam observingsuchpiousfacesthatiftheywouldorderthemountaintocometothemthemountain shallmovetowardsthem.Itisthereforeprudenttomaketreatywiththemratherthan confrontationofthisspiritualimminence.TheyaskedtheProphetforpeaceanditwasaccepted. TheHolyProphetextendedthehandoffriendshiptowardsthem,atreatywassignedandboth partiesleftonfriendlyterms. Thelastpilgrimage Onthe25thZeeqaadofthe10thyearofHijratheHolyProphetleftMadinaforapilgrimagetothe HolyKaabaatMakka.ThiswastobethelastpilgrimageoftheHolyProphet.

Averylargenumberofpeoplewerewithhimwhoperformedthislastpilgrimagewiththe Prophet.AtthemountofArafattheProphetgavehislastsermonandcameoutofMakkatowards Madina.HalfwaythroughtheirroutethecaravanarrivedataplacecalledKhadeereKhum.Itwas 18thofZilhijja10thyearofHijra.TheProphetstoppedthereandmadeageneralannouncement tostopallthosepilgrimswithhim.WhenallcompanionswereassembledattheplacetheProphet announced,KnowallmyfollowersthatIamabouttoleavethismundaneworld.Iamleaving behindtwovaluablethingsforyourfutureguidance.OneistheBookofAllahandtheotherismy Ahlulbayt,thatismyfamily.Ifyoufollowthesetwoyouwillneverbemisled."AfterthistheHoly ProphettookAlibyhishand,raisedhimupsothatallcanseehim.TheProphetsaid,Doyou acceptthatmySelfisaboveyourSelves.Whenallthecompanionsrepliedinunison,"Yes, OProphetofGod,weaccept,"thenheannouncedthatwhoeveracceptedhimashismaster, thenAliistobetheirmaster."OGod,bewitnessthatIhavepassedyourmessageasthouhave ordered.ThosewhohaveloveforAliwillhaveloveformeandthosewhowilllovemewilllove Allah." AfterthisKutbatheProphetarrivedbackinMadinaattheendofthemonthofZilhijja. TheDeathoftheHolyProphet InthemonthofSafar11Hijra,theHolyProphetfellill.Moofthistimewiththeagreementofhis wivestheProphetstayedatthehouseofAyeshafromwherehewouldcomeouttothemosque andleadtheprayers.OnedayhewasveryillsoheaskedAyeshatocallAliforprayers.Shecalled herfatherAbubakrinsteadandaskedhimtoleadtheprayers.WhileAbubakrwasleadingthe prayersTheProphetwokeup.Whenherealisedwhowasleadingtheprayers,hecameoutofthe housewiththehelpofhisuncleAbbasandhisMoazzinBilal,stoodinfrontofAbubakrandlead theprayers.FromtheretheProphetreturnedtotheHouseofhisdaughterHazratFatimahwhere hestayeduntilthelastdayofhislife. PenandPaper ItisnarratedinSaheehBukhariandMuslimthatIbneAbbasnarrated: WhentheHolyProphetwasseriouslyill,andallofuswerearoundhim,heopenedhiseyesand said,bringmepenandpapersothatImaywritesomethingwhichshallalwaysguideyouandshall keepyouontheRightPathandshallsaveyoufrombeingastray.Hearingthesewordsfromthe lipsoftheHolyProphet,Omarsaid,"UrRajulolaYahjurmeaningthismanwastalkingwhich makesnosense.HasbonaKitabAllahTheBookofGodissufficientforus. Thisgaverisetoadisputeamongthecompanions.SomewereoftheopinionthatastheHoly Prophetwastobeobeyedatalltimesandunderallcircumstancesapenandpapershouldbe

providedtohim,whilesomeofthemwereonthesideofOmar.Thehotdiscussiononthatpoint betweenthecompanionsgaverisetonoiseandtheHolyProphetangrilytoldthemtogoaway fromhispresenceandleavehimalone. WheneverIbneAbbas,whowasthemostprofoundscholarandcommentatoroftheHolyQuran andthemostreliablenarratorofthetraditions,rememberedtheeventoftheday,heusedto weepandwouldsay,Alas,whatanunfortunatedayitwaswhentheHolyProphetdemanded thatapenandpaperbeprovidedtohimandtherearoseadisputeamonghiscompanionsand theymadesuchanoisethattheHolyProphettoldthemtogetawayfromhimandleavehim alone. TheHolyProphetaskedAlitocomeclosetohim.Ali(AS)cameandobservingtheailingcondition oftheHolyProphetraisedhisheadandplaceditonhisownchest.TheProphetpassedaway whilehisheadwasrestingonthechestofAli(AS). ThenewsofthedeathoftheHolyProphetspreadquicklyamongthecompanions.Allofthem cameoutoftheirhouseweepingandcryingloudly.Umarwasveryupset.Hetookhisswordout andsaid,nobodyshouldsaythattheProphetwasdead.ThenhetookAbubakrawayfromthe placetoahouseoutsideMadinacalledSaqeefaBaniSaada.Manycompanionswentwiththem. WhileAli(AS)andmostoftheBaniHashimstayedinthehouseoftheHolyProphetwhileAli(AS) preparedforhisburial.TheHistorianIbnulWardimentionsinhisbookthatthefuneralbathto theHolyProphetwasgivenbyAli(AS),assistedbyhisuncleAbbasandmanyotherrelatives.The HolyProphetlaidtorestonthenightofWednesday.Hewas63yearsofage.Hewasburiedinthe houseofhisdaughterFatimahwhichwasannexedtotheMosqueoftheProphet. AglimpseoftheHolyProphet(SA) ThebestknowndescriptionoftheHolyProphetappearsin'UniversalHistory'by Tabari(d.Baghdad310AH923AD)andisattributedtoImamAli(AS)Prophetscousinandalsohis soninlaw. AskedfordetailsoftheProphetsexternalappearance,Alisaid,Hewasofmediumheight, neitherverytallnorveryshort.Hiscomplexionwaspinkishwhite,hiseyeswereblack,andhishair wasthick,glossyandbeautiful.Afullbeardframedhisface.Hairsofhisheadwerelong,fallingto hisshoulders.Theywereblack.Hiswalkwassoenergeticthatyouwouldhavesaidthathetore himselffromtherockwitheachstep,andyetatthesametimehemovedsolightlythatwitheach strideheseemednottotouchtheground.Buthedidnotwalkproudly,asprincesdo.Therewas somuchgentlenessinhisfacethatonceinhispresence,itwasimpossibletoleavehim.Ifyou werehungry,youweresatisfiedbylookingathimandthoughtnomoreoffood.Anyman sufferingfromanafflictionforgothistroubleswheninhispresence,charmedbythegentlenessof

hisfeaturesandhisdiscourse.All,whosawhim,agreedthattheynevermet,neitherbeforenor after,amanwhosediscoursewassodelightful.Hisnosewasstraight;therewasagapbetween histeeth.Sometimeshewouldletthehairofhisheadfallnaturally,atothertimesheworeit knottedintotwoorfourbunches.Atsixtythreeyears,nomorethanfifteenhairsonhiswhole bodyhadyetbecomewhitewithage. Someselectedsayings(Traditions)oftheHolyProphet 1."SeekknowledgeevenifitwereinChina."Itwasknowledgeofgoodfromevil,whichmade manworthyofgettingthegreatjoboftheviceregencyofGodonearth.Knowledgehasgiven mansuperiorityovermorepowerfulcreatures.Itisselfevidentthatnations,whichhadmore knowledge,acquiredgreaterpower.Theabovetraditionstressestheneedofacquiringknowledge evenifonehastotravellongdistances. 2."Massesfollowthereligionoftheirrulers.Adeepstudyofhistorysurelyrevealsthetruthof thisproverbialsaying.ChristianitywasgoingthroughaveryhardtimeuntilConstantinethegreat madeitastatereligionoftheRomanEmpire.AfteracquiringthisstatusChristianityspread throughouttheEmpirelikebushfire.MoreorlessthesamethinghappenedintheEastwhen Islambecamethereligionoftherulingclass.Evennowinthisageofsocalledindividualfreedom andademocraticlifestyle,inmostcountriesforceisusedtosubdueandsubjugatethepeople whodaretodefythepolicyoftherulingclasses. Thisclearlymeansthatajustandguidedrulerisessentialfortheupliftsofthepeopleasawhole, hencetheneedofthepresenceofanImamtoguidethem. 3,Refrainfromslanderoussituations.Peoplesaythatsuchandsuchapersonassociateswith thieves,hemustbeathiefhimself.Awisemankeepshimselfawayfromsuchsituations. 4.Actionsaredeterminedbytheirintentions.Sayingprayerswhileyourmindissomewhere elseisworthless." 5."Toassociatewithalearnedmanforanhourisbetterthanthecompanyofaworshipperfor seventyyears." 6.SomeoneaskedtheHolyProphetduringthebattleofBadr,WhatisDeen.TheProphet replied,BeliefinOneGodandserviceofthepeople. TheStoryofHazratFatima(SA),daughteroftheHolyProphet

*Migration *Marriage *Children *DeathOfHazratFatima(SA) *JannatulBaqii TheProphetofIslamhadonlyonedaughternamedFatima.HermotherKhadijahadtwoother daughtersfromhertwoearliermarriages.WhenTheProphetmarriedher,bothdaughterscame withhermothertoliveinthehouseoftheProphet.HazratFatima(SA)wasbornfiveyearsbefore BethatwhenMuhammad(SA)wasabout35yearsoldandhermotherKhadijawasabout50years old.Shehasmanyothertitles.Zahra(LadyofLight)andSyedatunNisaalAlamin(Leaderofthe womenoftheworlds).TheDateofherbirthwas20thJamadalAkhar. AfterthedeathofhermotherKhadija,shelookedafterherfathertheProphetofIslamso devoutlythatMuhammad(SA)usedtocallherUmmeAbiha,i.e.themotherherfather.Thiswas thehardesttimeforthefamilybecauseinthesameyearAbuTalibwhowastheprotectorof Muhammad(SA)fromtheanimosityoftheQoraishalsodiedinthesameyearasKhadija. Muhammad(SA)marriedUmmeSalama,anoldwidowafterthedeathofKhadijatohave someonetolookafterthehouseholdchores.WhenUmmeSalamawasrequestedtotutorthe childFatima(SA),thewisewomanrepliedHowcanItutoronewhoisthepersonificationofhigh virtuesandpurity.ItisIwhoshouldlearnfromher.Herchildhood,therefore,waspassedina verychasteandmodestenvironment.ItwasthenthatshesawherreveredfatherpreachingIslam inthemosthostileatmosphere.ThehostilityoftheQoraishafterthedeathofAbuTaliband Khadijawasthestrongest.Fatimasawanddressedthewoundssustainedbyherfatherduetothe stonesthrownonhimbythenonbelieverswhowerehotothepreachingofIslam.Shemight haveheardandseenthatcertainwretchedwomenhurledrubbishonhernoblefather.Shemight havelearntoftheplansmadetoputanendtoherfatherslife.ButfromallthesethingsFatima wasneitherfrightenednordisheartened.Shecomfortedherfather,tendedtohiswoundsevenat thattenderage.Theentirefamilywasblanketedwithcloudsofsorrowfulgasaresultofthe almostdailyhumiliationandmockerytowhichhermostreveredfatherwassubjected. Migration Whenthemigrationtookplace,FatimawasleftinMakkawiththerestoftheFamilywhich includedherstepmotherUmmeSalama,Alis(AS)motherFatimabinteAsadandmanyothers. Ali(AS)wasinchargeofthefamily.HestayedinMakkaforanother3daystogivebackthe depositstotheMakkanswhoentrustedthesetotheProphetforsafekeeping.Afterfulfillingthis dutyAli(AS)broughtthefamilytoMadina Marriage

AfteroneyearsstayinMadinawhenFatima(SA)wasabout18yearsoldthatproposalsfor marriagebegantobereceivedbytheProphetwhopolitelyrefusedtoacceptbysimplysayingthat itisinthehandsofAllah,thathewasawaitingAllahsdecreeinthismatter. Fatima(SA)wasthemodelofProphetsteachingamongwomenjustasAli(AS)wasthebest embodimentofhisinstructionsandmanlyqualitiesamongmen.Theywerethemostsuitable coupletobemarried.ButAli(AS)wastoomodesttospeakaboutit.Aftersomepersuasionfrom friendshefinallywenttoseetheProphetinthemosqueandproposedformarriage.Prophettold Fatimaaboutitandaskedherwhethershewouldapprove.Afterreceivingherconsentthe marriageofFatima(SA)andAli(AS)tookplaceinthesimplestpossiblemanner.Ali(AS)soldhis shieldofarmourfor200Dirhams,broughtthemoneytotheHolyProphetwhoaddedasimilar amountandaskedhiscompanionstobuyhouseholdgoodstosetuphomefortheHoly Family.MarriagewassolemnizedbytheProphethimselfandaftermarriagethecouplewentto liveinaseparatehousenexttotheHouseoftheProphetaroundtheMosque. Children Hassan(AS)wasborninthe3rdyearofHijra,Hussain(AS)wasborninthe4thyearofHijra,Zainab wasborninthe6thyearofHijra,UmmeKulsoomwasborninthe7thyearofHijra. ItwasinthesamehousethatthefamousVerseofPurification(Sura33.Verse33)wasrevealedon theHolyProphetanditsnarrationbyFatimahasbecomesofamousthatitisreadineverymuslim houseasHaditheKisa.TheReadingofthisHadithbringsblessingstothehousehold.(Tafseere KabirbyAlRazi). Itwasinthesamehousewherethisblessedfamilyfastedforthreedayscontinuouslywithout eatinganyfoodgivingawaytheirIftaritoabeggar,anorphanandaprisonerwhoarrivedattheir doorandaskedforfood.TheVerseinSuraDahrrevealedinpraiseoftheirextremelycharitable actinthewayofAllah. ItwasinthesamehousewhereeverymorningtheHolyProphetstoodoutsideandsaidloudly AssalamoAlaikumYaAhlebaitinNubuwwahPeaceandblessingsonthepeopleofthe HouseholdoftheNabi. TherewassomuchrespectintheheartoftheHolyProphetforFatima(SA)thatwhenever Fatima(SA)arrivedinthemosqueoftheProphet,theHolyProphetstooduptorespecther.This gesturewasalsotoshowthecompanionsrespectforwomengenerallywhichwaslackinginthe Arabiansocietyoftheday.

TheseactsoftheProphetweretoshowthecompanionsthatthishouseanditsoccupantshavea specialplaceinthewayofAllahandthatthisstatusshouldbemaintainedafterthedeathofthe Prophet.UnfortunatelythiswasnotdoneastheHolyProphetintendedhiscompanionstodo. Historytellsussomeverysadmomentsconnectedwiththishouse. AfterthedeathoftheProphetwhenAli(AS)didnotcomeouttogivehisoathofallegianceto Abubakr,thedoorofthehousewasburntdowntogethimoutandintheprocessFatima(SA)was injured.Her5thunbornchilddiedbecauseofthisharshactionofsomeofthecompanionsand sheherselfdiedwithin3monthsofthedeathofherHolyfather. Thefollowinglinesofpoetryshowherordealafterthedeathofherholyfatherveryclearly. AfterthedeathofmyfatherMysufferingsweresogreatthatifsuchhardshipsfellupondays, thedayswouldturnintonights. Fatima(SA)wasasymbolofwomanhoodinIslam.Howadaughter,awifeandamothershould behaveintheirordinarylives.Shewasdevotedtoherfather,lookedafterhimwhenhewasin distressbythehandsofthenonbelieversofMakka,shewastheexemplarywife,queenofher householdyetfairtohermaidservantFizzatodividehouseholdchoresbetweenherselfandthe maidservant,shewasadevoutwifeandthemostlovingmothertoherchildren. Therewereoccasionswhentherewasnofoodforthefamily,butshewouldnevercomplain.Once Ali(AS)wentouttodosomeworktogetfoodforthefamilybutreturnedemptyhanded.Fatima askedAli(AS)whathappenedtothefood.Ali(AS)saidthathedidearnsomemoneyandbought food,butwhileonhiswayhomehemetsomepoorhungrypersonsandgaveawayallthefoodto them.WhentheProphetheardofthissituationhebroughtsomefoodforthefamilyandtold themthatAlischaritableactwasofthegreatestvalueintheeyesofAllah. ThewholefamilywasthankfultoAllahandtherewerenocomplaintsagainstanyone. ShewouldgotothemosqueoftheProphettoparticipateintheprayerswithalltheladies,she wouldgooutinthebattlefieldtotendthewounded.InthebattleofOhudwhenherfatherwas injuredshetendedhim,cleanedhiswounds,putsomeburntwoolonthewoundstostopblood flowing.WhentheHolyProphetrecovered,hethankedherforhergreatworkinthebattlefield. DeathOfHazratFatima(SA) On3rdofthemonthofJamadalThaniHazratFatima(SA)died.Thiswasabout90daysafterthe deathofherHolyfather.AsmabinteUmaisinthesamehousetohelpherhouseholdworktells thestoryofherdeathinaverymovingmanner.Whenthedayarrivedshepreparedfoodforher

children,thenshetoldAsmathatshewasgoingtoherprayerroom.ShewouldsayTakbeerloudly atvariousintervals.WhenAsmadoesnothearthesoundofTakbeersheshouldgoouttothe mosqueandtellHazratAli(AS)aboutthedeathofhiswife.Ifinthemeantimethechildrencome homegivethemfoodbeforetellingthemaboutthedeathoftheirmother.HasanandHusain arrivedandUsmabroughtsomefoodforthem.Theysaidtheydonoteatwithouttheirmother andshehadtotellthechildrenofthedeathoftheirmother.Bothenteredtheprayerroomand stayedwithherforawhile.HazratAli(AS)arrivedandpreparedforthelastrites.Whenhewas givingherlastbathhecriedloudly.Asmaaskedthereasonandhesaidhecouldnotbeartosee thewoundbyhersidewhenthedoorofthehousefellonherduetocommotionbysomeofthe companionsoftheProphetwhentheyallwantedAli(AS)tocomeoutofthehousefortheoathof AllegiancetoAbubakr.AfterperformingthelastritesshewastakentothecemeteryofBaqiiin thedarknessofthenightforburial.Veryfewfamilymemberswerepresentattheburialofthe daughteroftheProphet.Somehistorianssaythatshewasburiedinherownhousewhichbecame partoftheMasjideNabaviduringthereignofUmaviCaliphUmarIbneAbdulAziz. JannatulBaqii Thisisaplotoflandnotfarfromwherethemosqueoftheprophetstoodandthehousesofhis companionsarounditwerebuiltaslivingquarters.Thislandwasusedasacemeteryforthe muslims. ThefamouswriterMustafawiwritesinNuzhatulQulub,ThecemeteryofMadinacalledBaqiilies tothewestofthetownandhereisseenthegraveofIbrahim,Prophetsonlysonandalsothe graveofhisdaughterFatima.TherearegravesofProphetsgrandsonImamHasan,ImamAliIbnul HussainZainulAbedeen,ImamMuhammadBaqirandImamJaafarSadiq(AS). Forcenturiestherehasbeenamarbleslabovertheirgravesandonthisiswritten: INTHENAMEOFGODTHEMERCIFULTHECOMPASSIONATE PRAISEBETOGODWHOSUSTAINSTHENATIONSANDWHOGIVESLIFETODEADBONES. HEREISTHETOMBOFFATIMA,THEDAUGHTEROFTHEAPOSTLEOFGODANDTHEQUEENOFTHE WOMENOFTHEWORLD. HEREISALSOTHETOMBOFHASANIBNEALI; HEREALSOISTHETOMBOFALIIBNULHUSSAIN; HEREISALSOTHETOMBOFMUHAMMADIBNEALIALBAQIR; HEREISALSOTHETOMBOFJAFARIBNEMUHAMMADELSADIQ. MAYGODFAVOURTHEMALL. ThecemeteryofBaqiiwasdestroyedbytheWahabisin1932.

.Amodernwriterdescribesthesceneassuch:1. WhenIenteredtheBaqiithesightwhichIsawwasasifitwereatownwhichhadbeenraisedto theground.Alloverthecemeterynothingwastobeseenbutlittleindefinitemoundsofearthand stones,piecesoftimber,ironbars,blocksofstoneandabrokenrubbleofcementandbricks strewnabout.Itwaslikethebrokenremainsofatownwhichhadbeendemolishedbyanearth quake.Allwasawildernessofruinedbuildingmaterialandtombstones,notruinedbyacasual hand,butrakedawayfromtheirplacesandgroundsmall. ThewriterofthisbookalsovisitedBaqiiin1995andfoundthattheauthoritieshaveerecteda wallaroundthewholeareaofBaqiiincorporatingalsothejewishpartofthecemeteryinitto makeitintoonehugecemetery.Aplatformwasbuiltjustoutsidethewallwherepeoplecan standandseethegravesoftheHolyMasoomeenandshedatearortoo.Peoplewereallowedto entertheinnercircleofthewallaftertheFajrprayersfortwohoursbutwerenotallowedtogo nearthegraves.Theyhadtostandabout30feetawayfromtheplaceandcanseetheoutlinesof thegraves.Besides5Masoomeen,therewasamarkforthegraveofHazratFatimaBineAsad, motherofImamAli(AS). ThisisJannatulBaqiiwherethemostbeloveddaughteroftheHolyProphettogetherwithher childrenandgrandchildrenlieinwildernesswithoutevenatombstoneoverthem. PictureofJannatulBaqiiastakenin1995bythewriterhimself. Hasan(AS)TheSecondImam BorninMadina15thRamazan3rdyearofHijri.EldersonofAliandFatima,grandsonofthe ProphetofIslam.Whenhewasbornandthenewsofthebirthofagrandsonwasconveyedtothe HolyProphethecametothehouseofFatima,tookholdofthebabyinhisarms,saidAzanand Iqamahinhisearsandsaid,thisisabeautifulchild,InamehimHasan.HewillkeepIslamand muslimssafefromthehandsofitsdestroyers.Historiansnotethatthischildlookedlikehisgrand fathertheHolyProphetinlooksandinmanners. UndertheblessedshadowoftheHolyProphetHasanwasreceivinghistrainingfromthemost blessedparentsonearth.ComingtothemosqueoftheProphet,listeningtotheSermonsofhis grandfatherandseeingIslamprosperwasthelessononecanneverforget.Wheneverhecameto themosque,theHolyProphetwouldpickhimup,wouldlethimsitbesidehimandletthe

attentivecompanionsseeandbeholdwhothisboywas.Theyalllovedhispresenceinthemosque andcaredforhim.TimesoonpassedandHasan(AS)washardly8yearsoldwhenhisgrandfather diedandsoonafterhismotheralsodied.Thenext25yearsofhislifeinMadinawaswithhis fatherAli(AS)andwithhisyoungerbrotherHussain(AS).Thiswastheperiodinwhichconquests ofmanylandstookplaceandthecityofMadinaanditspeopleprospered.Hisfatherorany memberofthefamilyoftheProphetdidnottakeanyhandintheseconquests.Theyremained aloofbutnotfromthegrowingmuslimsociety.Theirmainaimwastoteachandpreparethis fledglingintoamaturemuslimsocietyforhardertimesahead.Wealthwaspouringinfromthe conquestsofEgyptandPersiaandmanycompanionsoftheProphetdidnotknowwhattodowith itorhowtospenditproperly. Manycompanionsbuiltlargehousesforthemselveswithstablesandservants.WhatAli(AS)and hisfamilydidwastoformaTrustandwhatevershareofprosperitycametothemtheyputallinto thisTrust.ItisthroughthisTrustthosewhodidnothavemuchtogainfromthisprosperitywere giventohaveadecentlife.BothchildrenofAli(AS)weretheTrusteesofthisholytrustandwith thehelpofmanyseniorcompanionsoftheHolyProphettheworkingsofthistrustprosperedand manynewconvertswerehelpedtosettlethemselvesinthisnewsociety.Everyeveningfoodwas servedtomanyofthosewhowerenotinapositiontoprovideforthemselves.Whilethefamilyof Ali(AS)livedinsmallhouseandwithoutanypomporluxuryforthemselves.Thiswastheexample theyweresettingforalltoseeandfollowthatevenwhenyouhavebecomerichyoushareyour bountieswithothermuslimbrothersandsisterstomakethesocietyequallyprosperousand happy. Inthese25yearsHasan(AS)hasseentheIslamicStategrowintoamuchlargerandmore powerfulmuslimnation.Afterthedeathofthe3rdCaliphOsmanhisfatherAli(AS)waselected caliphbyapopularvoteofthecompanionsoftheHolyProphet.Butsoonthereemergedthose whowantedalotoffavourfromAli(AS)andwhentheydidnotgetittheystoodagainsthim.The battleofJamalwasfoughtandwonbyAli(AS)andthecapitalofthemuslimstatewasremoved fromMadinahtoKufa.Kufawasestablishedduringthereignofthe2ndcaliphasagarrisontown andwasmuchmorecentraltothevastlygrowingmuslimEmpirethanMadinah.Thiswasavery prudentmovetogiveabettercontroloverallcornersofthisgrowingmuslimstatewhich stretchedfromNorthAfricaintheWest,toPersiaandAzerbaijanintheEast.Ali(AS)has appointedhisowntrustworthyGovernorsoftheprovincesbutnoneofthemfromhisownfamily. AllhischildrenstayedwithhimatthecentreorinMadinahtocontroltheTrusthehadformed earlierortojoininthebattlesofJamal,SiffinandNahrwanfoughtduringthelifeoftheKhilafatof Ali(AS)Hasan(AS)tookpartwithhisfatherinallthesebattlesandshownthecustomary Hashemitebraveryandskillindefeatingtheenemy. InthesebattlestherealadversaryofAli(AS)andhisfamilywasMoswiyaibneAbuSofianwho challengedAlisauthorityandfoughtwithhimtoremainthegovernorandlatertherulerofthe

provinceofSyria.HisatrocitiesagainsttheruleofAli(AS)continuedevenaftertheneardefeatat Siffin.AfterthemartyrdomofAli(AS)inthemosqueofKufain41HijriandtheelectionofHasan (AS)asthenextcaliphwasathornintheheartofMoawiya.Hispropagandamachineagainstthe HouseofAli(AS),infactagainstIslam,beganitsworkinearnest.Largesumsofmoneyand fraudulentpromisesofvastpropertiesandgovernorshipsofprovincesweregiventomany commandersofHasans(AS)armywhodeandleftHasan(AS)withoutmuchpower. OnesalientfeatureonemustrememberwhenreadingaboutthelivesoftheseMasoomeenthat theyneverwagedwarforacquisitionofwordlypower.ItwasthereforethehallmarkofImam Hasans(AS)lifethatmakingpeacewashisshareinthesamemannerastheProphetofIslamdid inHodaibiya.SomeunfortunatecompanionsoftheProphetdoubtedevenhimofhiswisdomto makepeacetowhichtheProphetreplied,"hewasthemessengerofGodandhisinstructions alwayscomefromGod."WhenpeopleinMadinahdisagreedwithImamHasansattitudeand questionedhiswisdomherepliedthathisactionsweresimilartothatofProphetKhidhrwho actedtosaveonthreeoccasionsthelivesandpropertyofOrphansandmanybelieversofGod. EvenProphetMusawasunabletocomprehendthewisdomofthoseactionsuntilthiswas explainedtohim.Asthetraditiontellsusthat"inthebloodofmartyrsliestheinkofhistory"and oftenbedazzledbytheheroicsplendouroftheirsacrifices,weforgetthemanyoccasionswhen thegreaterJihadhaslainalongthepathofpeacethanwar.HisconfrontationwithMoawiya demandedatreatyratherthanbloodandImamsvictorylayinthattreatyandinthepreservation ofthosefaithfulmuslimswhoseprematuredeathinbattleatthattimewouldhaveextinguished thelightofIslamoriginal. ItwasthelifeofImamHasan(AS)thatpavedthewayforhisyoungerbrothersgloriousstand. Theyweretwosidesofthesamecoin,oneonlivingtheJihadofpeaceandtheothertheJihadof martyrdom.Bothactedouttheirpathsfully,bearingthebanneroftheirblessedgrandfather,in uncompromisingdefenceofRightandindenialofevil.Theyjoyfullypraisedtheircreatorin happinessandinadversity,submittingtoHisDivinelawsandleavingforusanexampleofcorrect behaviourbothinpeaceandinwar. HereweretwobrotherswhofromtheircradlebreathedtheairofpurespiritofIslam,nurturedby theloveoftheProphetinwhoseclosecompanytheyspenttheirearlyyears.ItwastheHoly ProphetwhosaidthatbothHasanandHussainarethechiefsoftheyouthofparadise.Several traditionsfromhismotherandfromUmmeSalemah,thewifeoftheProphet,clearlyindicatesthat ImamHasan(AS)wasoneofthosefivewhowereincludedintheVerseofpurification(3333) CertainlyAllahwantstokeepawayallabominationfromyou,membersofthehouse,tokeepyou pureandspotless.TheProphetthencoveredthemwithagarmentandsaid,thesearethe membersofmyhouse.Allah,keepawayabominationfromthemandkeepthempureand spotless.ItwasalsoduringtheoccasionofMubahelathattheProphettookthesefivewithhim toshowtheworldwhowerethemembersofhishousehold(Ahlulbayt).

ItisreportedontheauthorityofAnasbinMalikthatnoonewasmoreliketheProphetofGod thanAlHasanbinAli.(AS) TheTreatyagreeduponbetweenMoawiyaandImamHasan(AS)tellsusthefollowingsalient points: 1.ThatMoawiyashouldrulestrictlyaccordingtotheHolyQurAanandtheSunnaoftheProphet. 2.ThatMoawiyashouldnotappointornominateanyonetotheKhilafatafterhimbutthatthe choiceshouldbelefttotheMuslims. 3.Thatthepeopleshouldbeleftinpeace,wherevertheyareinthelandofGod. 4.ThatthepersecutionofthecompanionsofImamAli(AS)shouldimmediatelybestopped;their livesandpropertiesandfamiliesguaranteedsafeconductandpeace. 5.ThatthecursingofImamAli(AS)fromthepulpitshouldstopimmediately. 6.ThatnoharmshouldbedonesecretlyoropenlyagainstImamHasanandhisbrotherImam HussainoranyoftheAhlubayt.(AS) Thisagreementconcluded,ImamHasan(AS)wenttoKufa,shortlyfollowedbyMoawiyawho cametheirtotaketheallegianceofthepeople.InaspeechdeliveredinfrontofMoawaiya,Imam Hasan(AS)explainedthesituationclearly.: OPeople,Allahhasguidedyouthroughourelders(MuhammadandAli)andsparedyoufrom bloodshedthroughthosewhofollowed(referringtohimself).Indeedthis(theKhilafat)isnothing butapassingphase,thesewordlypossessionskeepshiftingandchanginghands." ForinasmuchasMoawiyadesiredthesovereigntyinthisworld,soImamHasansconcernwasnot withworldlyleadershipforitsownsake,butasatoolwherebyhemightguidethepeopletowards GodandHistruecommandments.AfterhisabdicationheretiredtoMadinahwherehespentthe remainingtenyearsofhislifeteachingtheQora'anandknowledgeoftrueDeentoallseekersof truththatcametohim.ImamHasan(AS)hadneverrelinquishedthepositionofanImamand guideasappointedbyGod. HistorytellsusthatfromdayoneMoawiyadidnotcomplywithanyoneofthetermsofthetreaty agreeduponbetweenhimandImamHasan(AS)Hetrampledthetreatyunderhisfeetsayingto thepeopleofKufa,doyouthinkIhavetakenpowertoteachyouaboutIslam.No,Ihavetaken

powerforthesakeofitandifanyoneofyoutriestodisagreewithmeshallpayacostlypriceof losinghishead.(TarikulKholafa,JalaluddinSoyuti) MoawiyacarriedouthisambitionofkeepingthepowerinhisfamilybynominatinghissonYazid afterhimastheruleroftheKingdom.ThisdemandedthatImamHasan(AS)shouldpredecease him,anunlikelyeventconsideringtheirdiscrepancyintheirages.HenceMoawiyabribedJuda bintAshath,topoisonhimin50Hijri.Imamdiedwiththeeffectofpoisoningon28thofthe monthofSafar.Hewas47yearsold. InhislastwillandtestamentImamaskedhisbrotherImamHussain(AS)totakehisbodytothe graveoftheirgrandfathertheProphetofIslamandthenburyhimbythesideofthegraveofhis motherFatima(SA)inJannatulBaqii,forheknewthatpeoplewhoareagainstthefamilyofthe Prophetwouldnotlethimburybythesideofhisgrandfather.Imamknewoftheanimosityofthe BanuUmayyawiththeProphetandhisfamily.Hedidnotdesiretohaveanydisputeorfightover hisburial.ButunfortunatelywhenthebodyoftheImamwastakentowardsthegraveoftheHoly Prophetinthemosque,thesameenemyaboutwhomImamhadwarned,cameoutand preventedthemournerstoreachthegraveoftheProphet.WhenImamHussain(AS)realisedthat ifheinsistsontakingthebodyofhisbrothernearerthegraveoftheProphettherewillbe bloodshed,herefrainedfromitandtookhimawayandburiedhiminJannatulBaqiinexttothe graveofhismother. ImamHasans(AS)3sons,Qasim,AbdullahandHasaneMuthanna,wereinKerbalaandtookpart intheJihadwiththeiruncleImamHussain(AS).QasimandAbdullahdiedoftheirwoundsbut HasaneMuthannasurvived.HewasamongthewoundedandwastakenoutalivebytheBanu AsadTribesmen.TheytreatedhiswoundsandoncehewasbetterhereturnedbacktoMadinah.It appearsthathestayedwiththeBanuAsadforoverayearandwhenthefamilyoftheProphet werereleasedfromcaptivityandreturnedtoKerbalahejoinedthecaravanandreturnedwith themtoMadinahaftertheArabeenintheyear62Hijri.Hewasabout17yearsoldatthattime. Later,hemarriedImamHussains(AS)daughterFatimaSughra.Itisfromthismarriagethatthe descendantsoImamHasan(AS)taketheirlineinthefamilytree.HasaneMuthannasson Abdullahhadfoursons,MuhammadNafseZakiyya,Ibrahim,SulaimanandIdris.NafseZakiyya roseagainstMansurthe2ndAbbasidCaliphandreceivedmartyrdom,intheyear142Hijri,762 AD.IbrahimfoughtMansurinBaghdadandwasmartyred.Thiswasin143Hijri763AD(See Hitti,HistoryoftheArabs)TwoothergreatgrandsonsofImamHasan,SulaimanandIdrismigrated toIranandTunisiarespectively.DescendentsofImamHasanfromIdrisflourishedinNorthAfrica andbroughtIslamintheMaghrib.FromSulaiman,whosettledinKirman,manyofhis descendentsspreadIslaminPersiaandsomeofthemlatermigratedtoIndia.Thewriterofthis bookisalsooneofthedescendentsofImamHasan(AS)fromthelinethroughSulaiman. ImamHasans(AS)lifewasoneofhardshipandtrial.likethelivesofhisgrandfathertProphetof

Islam,hisfatherAli(AS),hismotherFatima(SA)andmanymembersoftheAhlulbaytafterhim. LifeisatestasQorantellsus.Forsome,thedifficultiesoflifemakehimarrogantoragnosticbut notthepeopleofthehouseholdoftheProphet.Theyenduredallsortsofhardshipswiththanks toGodallthetime.Hesawhismotherbrutallyinjuredanddiedatanearlyage.Hesawhisfather martyredinthemosqueofKufa.Hesawthepeoplewhohadbeengiventheclearsignsfromhis grandfather,abandontheDeenforwealthandpower.Hesawhisownsupportersturnagainst him.Yethisdyingrequesttohisbrotherwasnottohaveanyquarreloverhisburial.Hislifeisa signandareminderthatforthepeopleoftheHouseholdoftheProphettherewillbeadversity buttheytakeallincompletesubmissiontoGodandHiscommandments. AfamoussayingofImamHasanisInregardtotheworldbeasifyouweregoingtoliveforever. WithrespecttotheHereafter,beasifyouweregoingtodietomorrow. Thisisaninvitationtoaction,careandattentionandavoidanceofnegligenceandindifference, whetheritisinrespectoftheworkofthisworldortheHereafter.Thisfurtherconfirmsthesaying oftheHolyProphetwhosaid,TheMominisapersonwhoattendstheaffairsofthisworldas wellasoftheHereafterinthemostperfectway, Hasan(AS)TheSecondImam BorninMadina15thRamazan3rdyearofHijri.EldersonofAliandFatima,grandsonofthe ProphetofIslam.Whenhewasbornandthenewsofthebirthofagrandsonwasconveyedtothe HolyProphethecametothehouseofFatima,tookholdofthebabyinhisarms,saidAzanand Iqamahinhisearsandsaid,thisisabeautifulchild,InamehimHasan.HewillkeepIslamand muslimssafefromthehandsofitsdestroyers.Historiansnotethatthischildlookedlikehisgrand fathertheHolyProphetinlooksandinmanners. UndertheblessedshadowoftheHolyProphetHasanwasreceivinghistrainingfromthemost blessedparentsonearth.ComingtothemosqueoftheProphet,listeningtotheSermonsofhis grandfatherandseeingIslamprosperwasthelessononecanneverforget.Wheneverhecameto themosque,theHolyProphetwouldpickhimup,wouldlethimsitbesidehimandletthe attentivecompanionsseeandbeholdwhothisboywas.Theyalllovedhispresenceinthemosque andcaredforhim.TimesoonpassedandHasan(AS)washardly8yearsoldwhenhisgrandfather diedandsoonafterhismotheralsodied.Thenext25yearsofhislifeinMadinawaswithhis fatherAli(AS)andwithhisyoungerbrotherHussain(AS).Thiswastheperiodinwhichconquests ofmanylandstookplaceandthecityofMadinaanditspeopleprospered.Hisfatherorany

memberofthefamilyoftheProphetdidnottakeanyhandintheseconquests.Theyremained aloofbutnotfromthegrowingmuslimsociety.Theirmainaimwastoteachandpreparethis fledglingintoamaturemuslimsocietyforhardertimesahead.Wealthwaspouringinfromthe conquestsofEgyptandPersiaandmanycompanionsoftheProphetdidnotknowwhattodowith itorhowtospenditproperly. Manycompanionsbuiltlargehousesforthemselveswithstablesandservants.WhatAli(AS)and hisfamilydidwastoformaTrustandwhatevershareofprosperitycametothemtheyputallinto thisTrust.ItisthroughthisTrustthosewhodidnothavemuchtogainfromthisprosperitywere giventohaveadecentlife.BothchildrenofAli(AS)weretheTrusteesofthisholytrustandwith thehelpofmanyseniorcompanionsoftheHolyProphettheworkingsofthistrustprosperedand manynewconvertswerehelpedtosettlethemselvesinthisnewsociety.Everyeveningfoodwas servedtomanyofthosewhowerenotinapositiontoprovideforthemselves.Whilethefamilyof Ali(AS)livedinsmallhouseandwithoutanypomporluxuryforthemselves.Thiswastheexample theyweresettingforalltoseeandfollowthatevenwhenyouhavebecomerichyoushareyour bountieswithothermuslimbrothersandsisterstomakethesocietyequallyprosperousand happy. Inthese25yearsHasan(AS)hasseentheIslamicStategrowintoamuchlargerandmore powerfulmuslimnation.Afterthedeathofthe3rdCaliphOsmanhisfatherAli(AS)waselected caliphbyapopularvoteofthecompanionsoftheHolyProphet.Butsoonthereemergedthose whowantedalotoffavourfromAli(AS)andwhentheydidnotgetittheystoodagainsthim.The battleofJamalwasfoughtandwonbyAli(AS)andthecapitalofthemuslimstatewasremoved fromMadinahtoKufa.Kufawasestablishedduringthereignofthe2ndcaliphasagarrisontown andwasmuchmorecentraltothevastlygrowingmuslimEmpirethanMadinah.Thiswasavery prudentmovetogiveabettercontroloverallcornersofthisgrowingmuslimstatewhich stretchedfromNorthAfricaintheWest,toPersiaandAzerbaijanintheEast.Ali(AS)has appointedhisowntrustworthyGovernorsoftheprovincesbutnoneofthemfromhisownfamily. AllhischildrenstayedwithhimatthecentreorinMadinahtocontroltheTrusthehadformed earlierortojoininthebattlesofJamal,SiffinandNahrwanfoughtduringthelifeoftheKhilafatof Ali(AS)Hasan(AS)tookpartwithhisfatherinallthesebattlesandshownthecustomary Hashemitebraveryandskillindefeatingtheenemy. InthesebattlestherealadversaryofAli(AS)andhisfamilywasMoswiyaibneAbuSofianwho challengedAlisauthorityandfoughtwithhimtoremainthegovernorandlatertherulerofthe provinceofSyria.HisatrocitiesagainsttheruleofAli(AS)continuedevenaftertheneardefeatat Siffin.AfterthemartyrdomofAli(AS)inthemosqueofKufain41HijriandtheelectionofHasan (AS)asthenextcaliphwasathornintheheartofMoawiya.Hispropagandamachineagainstthe HouseofAli(AS),infactagainstIslam,beganitsworkinearnest.Largesumsofmoneyand fraudulentpromisesofvastpropertiesandgovernorshipsofprovincesweregiventomany

commandersofHasans(AS)armywhodeandleftHasan(AS)withoutmuchpower. OnesalientfeatureonemustrememberwhenreadingaboutthelivesoftheseMasoomeenthat theyneverwagedwarforacquisitionofwordlypower.ItwasthereforethehallmarkofImam Hasans(AS)lifethatmakingpeacewashisshareinthesamemannerastheProphetofIslamdid inHodaibiya.SomeunfortunatecompanionsoftheProphetdoubtedevenhimofhiswisdomto makepeacetowhichtheProphetreplied,"hewasthemessengerofGodandhisinstructions alwayscomefromGod."WhenpeopleinMadinahdisagreedwithImamHasansattitudeand questionedhiswisdomherepliedthathisactionsweresimilartothatofProphetKhidhrwho actedtosaveonthreeoccasionsthelivesandpropertyofOrphansandmanybelieversofGod. EvenProphetMusawasunabletocomprehendthewisdomofthoseactionsuntilthiswas explainedtohim.Asthetraditiontellsusthat"inthebloodofmartyrsliestheinkofhistory"and oftenbedazzledbytheheroicsplendouroftheirsacrifices,weforgetthemanyoccasionswhen thegreaterJihadhaslainalongthepathofpeacethanwar.HisconfrontationwithMoawiya demandedatreatyratherthanbloodandImamsvictorylayinthattreatyandinthepreservation ofthosefaithfulmuslimswhoseprematuredeathinbattleatthattimewouldhaveextinguished thelightofIslamoriginal. ItwasthelifeofImamHasan(AS)thatpavedthewayforhisyoungerbrothersgloriousstand. Theyweretwosidesofthesamecoin,oneonlivingtheJihadofpeaceandtheothertheJihadof martyrdom.Bothactedouttheirpathsfully,bearingthebanneroftheirblessedgrandfather,in uncompromisingdefenceofRightandindenialofevil.Theyjoyfullypraisedtheircreatorin happinessandinadversity,submittingtoHisDivinelawsandleavingforusanexampleofcorrect behaviourbothinpeaceandinwar. HereweretwobrotherswhofromtheircradlebreathedtheairofpurespiritofIslam,nurturedby theloveoftheProphetinwhoseclosecompanytheyspenttheirearlyyears.ItwastheHoly ProphetwhosaidthatbothHasanandHussainarethechiefsoftheyouthofparadise.Several traditionsfromhismotherandfromUmmeSalemah,thewifeoftheProphet,clearlyindicatesthat ImamHasan(AS)wasoneofthosefivewhowereincludedintheVerseofpurification(3333) CertainlyAllahwantstokeepawayallabominationfromyou,membersofthehouse,tokeepyou pureandspotless.TheProphetthencoveredthemwithagarmentandsaid,thesearethe membersofmyhouse.Allah,keepawayabominationfromthemandkeepthempureand spotless.ItwasalsoduringtheoccasionofMubahelathattheProphettookthesefivewithhim toshowtheworldwhowerethemembersofhishousehold(Ahlulbayt). ItisreportedontheauthorityofAnasbinMalikthatnoonewasmoreliketheProphetofGod thanAlHasanbinAli.(AS) TheTreatyagreeduponbetweenMoawiyaandImamHasan(AS)tellsusthefollowingsalient

points: 1.ThatMoawiyashouldrulestrictlyaccordingtotheHolyQurAanandtheSunnaoftheProphet. 2.ThatMoawiyashouldnotappointornominateanyonetotheKhilafatafterhimbutthatthe choiceshouldbelefttotheMuslims. 3.Thatthepeopleshouldbeleftinpeace,wherevertheyareinthelandofGod. 4.ThatthepersecutionofthecompanionsofImamAli(AS)shouldimmediatelybestopped;their livesandpropertiesandfamiliesguaranteedsafeconductandpeace. 5.ThatthecursingofImamAli(AS)fromthepulpitshouldstopimmediately. 6.ThatnoharmshouldbedonesecretlyoropenlyagainstImamHasanandhisbrotherImam HussainoranyoftheAhlubayt.(AS) Thisagreementconcluded,ImamHasan(AS)wenttoKufa,shortlyfollowedbyMoawiyawho cametheirtotaketheallegianceofthepeople.InaspeechdeliveredinfrontofMoawaiya,Imam Hasan(AS)explainedthesituationclearly.: OPeople,Allahhasguidedyouthroughourelders(MuhammadandAli)andsparedyoufrom bloodshedthroughthosewhofollowed(referringtohimself).Indeedthis(theKhilafat)isnothing butapassingphase,thesewordlypossessionskeepshiftingandchanginghands." ForinasmuchasMoawiyadesiredthesovereigntyinthisworld,soImamHasansconcernwasnot withworldlyleadershipforitsownsake,butasatoolwherebyhemightguidethepeopletowards GodandHistruecommandments.AfterhisabdicationheretiredtoMadinahwherehespentthe remainingtenyearsofhislifeteachingtheQora'anandknowledgeoftrueDeentoallseekersof truththatcametohim.ImamHasan(AS)hadneverrelinquishedthepositionofanImamand guideasappointedbyGod. HistorytellsusthatfromdayoneMoawiyadidnotcomplywithanyoneofthetermsofthetreaty agreeduponbetweenhimandImamHasan(AS)Hetrampledthetreatyunderhisfeetsayingto thepeopleofKufa,doyouthinkIhavetakenpowertoteachyouaboutIslam.No,Ihavetaken powerforthesakeofitandifanyoneofyoutriestodisagreewithmeshallpayacostlypriceof losinghishead.(TarikulKholafa,JalaluddinSoyuti) MoawiyacarriedouthisambitionofkeepingthepowerinhisfamilybynominatinghissonYazid afterhimastheruleroftheKingdom.ThisdemandedthatImamHasan(AS)shouldpredecease

him,anunlikelyeventconsideringtheirdiscrepancyintheirages.HenceMoawiyabribedJuda bintAshath,topoisonhimin50Hijri.Imamdiedwiththeeffectofpoisoningon28thofthe monthofSafar.Hewas47yearsold. InhislastwillandtestamentImamaskedhisbrotherImamHussain(AS)totakehisbodytothe graveoftheirgrandfathertheProphetofIslamandthenburyhimbythesideofthegraveofhis motherFatima(SA)inJannatulBaqii,forheknewthatpeoplewhoareagainstthefamilyofthe Prophetwouldnotlethimburybythesideofhisgrandfather.Imamknewoftheanimosityofthe BanuUmayyawiththeProphetandhisfamily.Hedidnotdesiretohaveanydisputeorfightover hisburial.ButunfortunatelywhenthebodyoftheImamwastakentowardsthegraveoftheHoly Prophetinthemosque,thesameenemyaboutwhomImamhadwarned,cameoutand preventedthemournerstoreachthegraveoftheProphet.WhenImamHussain(AS)realisedthat ifheinsistsontakingthebodyofhisbrothernearerthegraveoftheProphettherewillbe bloodshed,herefrainedfromitandtookhimawayandburiedhiminJannatulBaqiinexttothe graveofhismother. ImamHasans(AS)3sons,Qasim,AbdullahandHasaneMuthanna,wereinKerbalaandtookpart intheJihadwiththeiruncleImamHussain(AS).QasimandAbdullahdiedoftheirwoundsbut HasaneMuthannasurvived.HewasamongthewoundedandwastakenoutalivebytheBanu AsadTribesmen.TheytreatedhiswoundsandoncehewasbetterhereturnedbacktoMadinah.It appearsthathestayedwiththeBanuAsadforoverayearandwhenthefamilyoftheProphet werereleasedfromcaptivityandreturnedtoKerbalahejoinedthecaravanandreturnedwith themtoMadinahaftertheArabeenintheyear62Hijri.Hewasabout17yearsoldatthattime. Later,hemarriedImamHussains(AS)daughterFatimaSughra.Itisfromthismarriagethatthe descendantsoImamHasan(AS)taketheirlineinthefamilytree.HasaneMuthannasson Abdullahhadfoursons,MuhammadNafseZakiyya,Ibrahim,SulaimanandIdris.NafseZakiyya roseagainstMansurthe2ndAbbasidCaliphandreceivedmartyrdom,intheyear142Hijri,762 AD.IbrahimfoughtMansurinBaghdadandwasmartyred.Thiswasin143Hijri763AD(See Hitti,HistoryoftheArabs)TwoothergreatgrandsonsofImamHasan,SulaimanandIdrismigrated toIranandTunisiarespectively.DescendentsofImamHasanfromIdrisflourishedinNorthAfrica andbroughtIslamintheMaghrib.FromSulaiman,whosettledinKirman,manyofhis descendentsspreadIslaminPersiaandsomeofthemlatermigratedtoIndia.Thewriterofthis bookisalsooneofthedescendentsofImamHasan(AS)fromthelinethroughSulaiman. ImamHasans(AS)lifewasoneofhardshipandtrial.likethelivesofhisgrandfathertProphetof Islam,hisfatherAli(AS),hismotherFatima(SA)andmanymembersoftheAhlulbaytafterhim. LifeisatestasQorantellsus.Forsome,thedifficultiesoflifemakehimarrogantoragnosticbut notthepeopleofthehouseholdoftheProphet.Theyenduredallsortsofhardshipswiththanks toGodallthetime.Hesawhismotherbrutallyinjuredanddiedatanearlyage.Hesawhisfather martyredinthemosqueofKufa.Hesawthepeoplewhohadbeengiventheclearsignsfromhis

grandfather,abandontheDeenforwealthandpower.Hesawhisownsupportersturnagainst him.Yethisdyingrequesttohisbrotherwasnottohaveanyquarreloverhisburial.Hislifeisa signandareminderthatforthepeopleoftheHouseholdoftheProphettherewillbeadversity buttheytakeallincompletesubmissiontoGodandHiscommandments. AfamoussayingofImamHasanisInregardtotheworldbeasifyouweregoingtoliveforever. WithrespecttotheHereafter,beasifyouweregoingtodietomorrow. Thisisaninvitationtoaction,careandattentionandavoidanceofnegligenceandindifference, whetheritisinrespectoftheworkofthisworldortheHereafter.Thisfurtherconfirmsthesaying oftheHolyProphetwhosaid,TheMominisapersonwhoattendstheaffairsofthisworldas wellasoftheHereafterinthemostperfectway, ImamHussainIbnAli(AS)thethirdImam SecondsonofFatima(SA)andAli(AS)Hussain(AS)wasbornon3rdShabaan,4thyearofHijri (10.1.626AD)WhenhewasborntheHolyProphetwasgiventhenewsofthebirthofhis2nd grandson.Hearrivedatthehouseofhisdaughter,tookthelittlebabyinhisarms,saidtheAzan andIqamahinhisears.PeoplearoundtheProphetsawtearsinhiseyes.Fatimahaskedwhatwas thereasonforthis,hetoldherthatthisboyofherswillachievemartyrdom,butconsoledherby addingthatGodwillcreateanationwhowillmournHussaintilltheDayofJudgement.Another famoussayingoftheProphetatthesametimebecamesynonymouswiththenameofhis grandsonHussain.HussianoMinniwaAnaMinulHussain.HussainisfrommeandIamfrom Hussain.OnecanexplainthisHadiththatHussain,beingthegrandsonoftheProphetwasfrom himbiologically.Howagrandfatherwasfromhisgrandsonneedstobeexplained.Prophetsof Godspeakspirituallyratherthanmaterially.HewastalkingaboutIslamtheDeenhewasassigned byGodtopropagateGod'sreligion..HewasforIslamandhiswholelifewasforIslamandits establishmentonearth.Anybreakinthismissionwouldsubvertthismissionwhichwasthe purposeofhiscreation.ThemessageoftheHolyProphetinthissayingwasthatHussainwill,in somenearfuturesavethismissionfromdestruction,hencetheverypurposeofhisbeingwillbe savedbythesacrificeofhisgrandson.Hewasgivingthenewsofafutureoccurrence.Thestoryof Kerbalaunfolds. SHAHUSTOHUSSAINOBADSHAHUSTOHUSSAIN DEENUATOHUSSAINODEENPANAHUSTOHUSSAIN. SURDAD,NADADDUSTDURDUESTEYAZID,

HAQQAKEBENAYELAILAHHUSTOHUSSAIN. Hussainistheking,indeedheisthekingofkings, HussainisDeenandalsotheprotectorofDeen, HegavehisheadbutnothishandofallegianceinthehandofYazid. Indeedhewasthefounder(Likehisgrandfather)oftheconceptofOneGod. ThisquartetofShahMoinuddinChishtyAjmeriistheexactmeaningoftheHadithofHussaino Minniasmentionedabove.ImamHussain(AS)hassavedIslamfromoblivionbyofferinghistimely sacrificetodrawthelineofdemarcationbetweenTruthandFalsehood,betweengoodandevil, betweenRightandWrong,thatafterthiseventinKerbalain61Hijri,nooneinsideoroutside IslamdaretochallengethetruthoftheHolyQur'anortrytosubvertitsmeanings. ThestoryofKerbalabeginswiththebirthofHussain.TheHolyProphethadshownaffectionand loveforhisgrandsonasanygrandfathershouldshow,buttherewassomethingmorepositiveand profoundinthislove.SeveraltimeswhenHussainenteredthemosqueasasmallchildtheHoly ProphetwillputhiminhislapandtellhiscompanionsthatthisisHussain,lookathimand rememberhim.TheProphetsinsistencetorememberHussainshowsthatthosewhowillforget thiseventwillcausetroubleinIslam. ItwasjustsevenyearsofhislifewithhisgrandfatherthattheHolyProphetdiedandsoon after,HussainsmotherHazratFatima(SA)alsodied..Thenext25yearsofhislifeinMadinahwas withhisfatherAli,hisbrotherHasanandmanyotherbrothersandsistersinthefamily.Hegrew uptobelovedbythecompanionsoftheHolyProphet.Duringtheperiodof2ndKhilafate Rasheda,OmarIbneKhattabhadalwaysshownhisloveandrespectforHussain.Whenever Hussainenteredthemosque,theCaliphwouldlethimsitbesidehimandtellthecompanionsto listentowhatthisyoungmansays.Theyallvaluedhisadviceevenatthatyoungage.Hismain activityinMadinahwastoseethatthepeoplethereknowtrueIslam.HealsomanagedtheTrust setupbyhisfather,tohelpthepoorofthecitybygivingthemfoodandmanynecessitiesoflife. ThiswasthetrueIslamicWelfareStateinprogresswhereeveryhungrymouthmusthavefood, everynakedpersonmusthaveclothesandashelteroverhishead. ApartfromadministeringtheTrustsetupbyhisfatherAli(AS),Hussain's(AS)mainoccupation duringthese25yearsinMadinawastoteachthenewlyconvertedmuslimsrealIslamthroughthe Qora'anandSunnahoftheProphet.HehasperformedHajj24timesduringthisperiod.Hehas alsotravelledtoYemenandmostofthesouthernpartofHejazandNajd.Itisclearthathedidnot takeanypartinanyoftheexpeditionsbythemuslimforcesunderthedirectionsofthethree Kholafa. Afterthedeathofthe3rdCaliphOsman,HusainsfatherAli(AS)wascompelledbythepeopleof

Madinahoverwhelminglytotakethereignsofpower.Ali(AS)wasreluctantandwaitedforthree daysbeforeacceptingthemantleofworldlypoweralongwiththeauthorityofImamah.(seelife ofImamAli)(AS).Circumstanceschangedrapidlyandwithinthefirst6monthofAlisKhilafathe hadtoleaveMadinahforBasraandthebattleofJamaltookplace.WeseethatHussain(AS)who tooknopartinanybattlesbefore,wasacommanderofAlisforcesinthisfirstbattleunderhis fathersleadership.Fightingbeganandendedinjustoneday,thebattlewasover,Ali(AS) performedfuneralprayersondeadofbothsidesandburiedthem.Victorsandvanquishedwere treatedthesameway.HazratAyeshawasreturnedtoMadinaundertheescortofherbrother MuhammadIbneAbibakrand40othermen.Sherepentedherparticipationinthebattleallher lifeandneverforgaveTalhaandZubairwhodeceivedherintothisbattleagainstAli(AS).Shealso realizedthatthetrueinstigatorofthisbattlewasMuawiyaunderwhosedirectionsbothTalhaand ZubairstartedthiswholeadventureagainstthelegitimatelyelectedCaliphofIslam.Itwasto destabilizethepowerbaseofIslamwhichwastheKhilafatofAli(AS).Whenhedidnotsucceedin thishebeganothertacticstodothsame.HisbandsofsoldiersraidedmanypartsofIraqtoburn andlootvillagesanddestroycommunities. Ali(AS)hadnochoicebuttoprepareforbattlewithMuawiya.ThebattleofSiffintookplaceinthe 2ndyearofAli(AS)KhilafatandHussain(AS)tookfullpart.Hewasthecommanderofagarrisonof 10,000menalongwithhiselderbrotherHasan(AS)andMuhammad(Hanafiya).ItwasAlis practicetoputhisothersonMuhammadeHanafiyaintheforefrontandsavethelivesofthese twograndsonsoftheProphet.Neverthelesstheytookfullpartinthesebattlesandfoughtwith greatbravery. The3rdbattleduringtheKhilafatofAli(AS)wasthebattleofNehrwanfoughtagainstthe Khawarij.ThiswasalsooverinjustonedaywithtotaldefeatofKhawarij.Ali(AS)returnedtoKufa andthemainadministrationoftheIslamicWelfareStatebegan.Bothbrotherswerethechief administratorsofthisWelfareStatewheretheywouldseekoutthosepooradestitutewithinthe stateandprovidethemwiththenecessitiesoflife.WhilelivingwithhisfatherinKufa,Hussain (AS)visitedvariousnorthernpartoftheIslamicState.Onestorygoestosaythathevisited AzerbaijanandpartofIranofthattime. Fouryearsand10monthsofhisfathersKhilafatwereoverquicklyandhislifewithhiselder brotherHasan(AS)beganinMadina.TheystillhavetheTruststatewhichwasestablishedbyhis fatherandbothbrothersadministereditjointly.Hussain(AS)visitedMakkaandperformedHajj9 timesduringthelifetimeofhisbrother.AfterthemartyrdomhisbrotherHasan(AS)Hussain(AS) tookthemantleofImamatandspiritualguidanceoftheUmmah.Itisduringthisperiodthat duringoneofhisjourneystoMakkaforpilgrimage,hisfamousDuas(Supplication)ofArafah becamefamous.ThisisaDuawhichattheplaceofArafatduringtheHajjritualthatImamrecited andmanypilgrimshearditandinstantlymemoriseditaswasthepracticeofthepeopleofthat time.Qur'anwasalsomemorisedinthesamemannerandmanySermonsofImamAli(AS)were

alsomemorisedbypeople. ThisDuaofArafabecamefamousbecauseofitsdeepinsightintotherealmsofspiritualityof IslamanditstotaldependenceuponAllahsWillandPower.Thisalsogivesinsightintothe reasonswhyImamHussain(AS)leftMakkaforKerbala.Thefollowingextractshowsthisfeelingof theImamtowardsreformoftheUmmaofhisgrandfather,OGod:youknowthatourstruggle, moves,protests,andcampaignshavenotbeen,andarenot,forthesakeofrivalryandfor obtainingpower,neitheraretheyforthesakeofpersonalambitionnorforwordlyends,norfor thepurposeofaccumulatingwealthandacquiringwordlyadvantages.Thenwhatistheir purpose?Imamstatesthepurposeinthesewords. ToestablishthelandmarksofYourDeen,tomakereformsmanifestinYourlands,sothatthe oppressedamongYourservantsmayhavesecurity,andYourlaws,whichhavebeensuspended andcastintoneglect,maybereinstated. FurtheroninthissameDuatheImamcallsuponhiscreatortoshowhistotaldependenceupon Him. OHe,uponwhomIcalledwhenIwassickandHehealedme,whennaked,Heclothedme,when hungryHefedme,whenthirstyHegavemedrink,whenabasedHeexaltedme,whenignorant, Hegavemeknowledge,whenaloneHeprovidedcompanion,whenawayfromhomeHereturned mehome,whenemptyhandedHeenrichedme,wheninneedofhelpHehelpedme,whenrich Hetooknotfromme.ThiskindofcompletedependenceuponGodwhichistheHallmarkof Islamicteachings,wastaughtbytheImamtothepeopleofMadinahandMakka,andthewholeof Hejazhevisited.. OnceabaduinaskedImamwhatisthebestthingtodo.Imamreplied,BeliefinGod.Heasked again,whatisthebestmeansofdeliverancefromdestruction,Imamsaid,TrustinGod.Theman asked,whatismansornament,Imamreplied,knowledgeassociatedwithintelligence.Theman insisted,ifthisbenotavailable,whatthen,Imamreplied,Wealthaccompaniedwithgenerosity. Whatifthisbeoutofreach,Imamsaid,Povertyalliedwithpatience.Whatifthisbenot practicable?,Imamsmiledandsaid,letthelighteningconsumethemantoashes.Hethengave whatevermoneyhehadwithhimtofulfilhisneeds. ItwasinthemonthofRajab60HijrithatMoawiyadiedandhissonYazidsucceededhisfatheron thethroneoftheArabEmpirewithDamascusasitscapital.Moawiyainhisclevernesshadtold Yazidthatwhateveryoudowhenyoubecomeruleraftermydeath,donotaskHussainIbneAli fortheoathofallegiance.Leavehimwhereheisandyouwillhavenoproblems.ButYazidinhis arroganceofpowerdidnotbothertorememberthewishesofhisfather.Theveryfirstthinghe didwastowritealettertohisGovernorinMadinahinforminghimofhissuccessiontothethrone

ofhisfatherandorderinghimtotaketheOathofAllegiancefromHussainIbneAli(AS).Yazid realizedthatalthoughhehadfulltemporalpowerandisthevirtualruleroftheArabEmpire,but hehasnospiritualstrengthunlessthegrandsonoftheProphetacceptshimassuch.Peoplein MakkaandMadinahwouldstillregardHussain(AS)astheirleaderifonlyspiritually.WalidIbne AtabatheGovernorofMadinahreceivesthisletteron26thofRajab60Hijri.Itwasduskand peopleweregettingreadyforMaghribprayers. WalidimmediatelysentamessengertoImamshouseandcalledhimtothepalace.Imamrealised theseriousnessofthesituationandtookhisbrothersandsonswithhim.Whentheyarrivedatthe gateofthepalaceImamaskedtostayoutsideandwaitandonlyenterthegateswhentheyhear Imamspeakloudly.AftertheseinstructionsImamenteredthepalace.TherewasWalidsittingin hishighchairwithMerwanIbnulHakambyhisside.Imamasked,WhatisthematterthatIwas calledatthishour.WalidmentionedMoawiyasdeath,Yazidsaccessiontothethroneandthe demandforImamsoathofallegiance.Imamrepliedthatthisisnotthematterwhichcanbedone inthesolitudeofthepalace,letthismatterbebroughtbeforethepeopleofMadinahnextdayin themosqueoftheProphet.ImamstooduptoleavewhileMerwanwhowaslisteningtothis conversationdidnotlikeitandwarnedWalidthatifheletsHussaingohewillloosehim.Takethe oathnoworcuthisheadoffasYazidsuggestedinhisletter.Imamafterhearingthisremarkfrom MerwantoldWalidloudly,Apersonlikemewouldnotgivetheoathofallegiancetoapersonlike YazidwhohadviolatedalltenetsofIslam.AsImamsaidthesewordsloudly,hisbrothersandsons enteredthepalaceandtheyallleftsafely. ImamrealisedafterconsultinghisfriendsandrelativesthatthelifeofpeacefortheminMadinah wasover. Aquestionisaskedsometimes,thatwhyImamHussain(AS)hadnotchosentocometotermswith Yazidashiselderbrother,ImamHasan(AS)haddoneearlierwhiledealingwithMoawiya.The questiondoesnottakeintoaccountthedifferenceinthesituationsofthetwobrothers.Ali(AS) astheImamlefthiseldersonthemantleofImamatwhichheatthetimeofhisdeathpassediton tohisbrotherImamHussain(AS).ImamHasan(AS)hadalsobeeninstalledastheCaliph.Finding thatMoawiyahadsucceededin,secrertly,sowingtheseedsofdiscordanddissentamongthe muslims,andhadinducedthefeelingofgreatinsecuritybyunderminingthemachineryforthe maintenanceofpeace,lawandorder,ImamHasan(AS)haddeemeditexpedienttoenterintoa treatywithhimunderwhichtheImamabdicatedinfavourofhisadversaryonlytheadjunctsof wordlypower.Hedidnotdissociatehimselffromthespiritualprimacyatallandcontinuedtobe thespiritualleaderandtheImamoftheUmmah. SecondpointwhichisequallyimportantisthatwhenYazidenforcedhisoathofallegianceover themuslims,heinsistedthepeoplemustswearallegiancetohimwhichwastotallydifferentfrom theoathofallegianceofKholafaeRashidoon.Previouslytheysworetheoathofallegiancethat

theKhalifashouldruleaccordingtotheverdicttheQoranandtheSunnahoftheProphet.But Yazidsimpertinenceandarrogancemadeitanabjectacknowledgementbytheswearerthathe wastheslave(ABD)ofYazidwhowoulddisposeoffhislife,propertyandoffspringinanymanner deemedfit.OneofthecompanionsoftheProphetinMadinahnamedIbnRabiaAlAswadwas preparedtoswearallegiancetoYazidinaccordancewiththeoldpracticebutrefusedtoswear allegianceintheformproposed.Hewassummarilyexecuted.Thishappenedinsidethecityof Madinah. WherethenwasthereanypointinImamHussain(AS)tryingtomakeuptoYazid.Thisiswhere ImamHussain(AS)foundhimselfplacedincircumstanceswhichweremarkedlydifferentfrom thosewhichconfrontedhiselderbrotherwhohadabdicatedonlyhistemporalpowerinfavourof MoawiyafortherestorationofpeaceandorderonthedomainofIslam.Thiskindofoathwas entirelyoutofquestionforImamHussain(AS)toaccept.ThiswouldhavetotallydegradedIslamas ordainedintheQoranandasitwaspractisedbytheProphetofIslam.Whensettlementwith Yazidbeingwhollyoutofquestion,theonlyalternativecourseopentoImamHussain(AS)wasto opposeYazidtosaveandprotectthevaluesofIslamfromfurtherdegradationandtoprotectthe faithitselffromdestructiveinroadsofpreIslamicrevivalism.Hecould,however,haveentertained noillusionsaboutthekindofsupporthecouldhopetoenlistforhimselfinanyconflictwithYazid. Theexceedinglyunhappypositioninwhichhiselderbrotherhadfoundhimselfthroughthe treacherouswithdrawalofthesupportgiventohiminhisconfrontationwithMoawiya,Imam Hussain(AS)thereforethoughtofentirelynewstrategyofwarwithYazid,forinanycasewarit hadtobe.HemadenoattempttomeetYazidsmilitarymightwithhisownmartialstrength.He buildnohopesonnumericalstrengthforthesuccessofhiscausewhichwasentirelythecauseof IslamandsavingIslamicvalues.ImamdecidedtobattlewithYazidonthespiritualplane,to opposeYazidsmightwithhisnobilityofcharacter,confrontpowerwithpowerlessness,meet multitudeswithwantofmaterialsupportanddefyoppressionwithsufferingandmartyrdom. TheproofofthislineofthoughtbecamesoclearinImamHussainssermonsandletterstohis brotherMuhammadeHanafiyawhentheImamwasleavingMakkaforIraq. Imam,afterleavingMadinahinthemonthofRajab,stayedinMakkaforabout5months.Itwasin themonthofZilhijja60HijriwhenhenoticedthattherewereYazidssoldiersinMakkainthegarb ofAhramtokilltheImaminsidetheMasjidulHaram.ImamchangedtheritualsofHajjintoUmra anddecidedtoleaveMakka.Thedatewas8thofZilhijja60Hijri.WhenpeoplesawtheImam leavingbeforecompletingtheHajjtheybegantoaskquestionsastowhyhewasleavinginsucha hurry.Somedoubtedhismotives,sayingthathemightbeleavingMakkaforIraqtoconfrontYazid andtakepowerintohishands.ToquellthesedoubtsheleftaletterwithhisbrotherMuhammad eHanafiyawhichclearlystateshispurposeofleavingMakka.Hewroteintheletter,Ihavenot comeouttostiremotions,toplaywithdiscontentment,toprovokedissensionortospread oppression.IwishtobringtheUmmabacktothepathofAmrbilMaaroufandNahyiUnil

Munker.IwishtobringthembacktothepathofmygrandfathertheMessengerofAllahandof myfatherAliIbneAbiTalib. ThemomentousjourneyofImamHussain(AS)beginsfromMakkatowardsanunknown destinationwhicheventuallyendedatKerbala. TheMaponthenextpageshowingtheRouteofImamHussain(AS)fromMakkatoKerbalawas preparedbythewriterofthisbookin1984andwaspresentedattheImamHussainSeminar organisedbytheMuhammadiTrust.Thismaphasbeenregardedasapioneeringeffortandaland markinIslamichistory.ThejourneywhichbeganfromMakkaonthe8thofZilhijja60Hijriended inKerbalaon2ndofMuharram61Hijiriandtookabout22daysinall.Imamstoppedat14places onhiswaytoKerbala.Hemetvariouspeopleanddeliveredvarioussermons.WhattheImam talkedabouttothesepeoplehemetandsaidinhissermonsatvariousplacesreflectsthetrue motiveshehadinhismind.ThenamesoftheseplacesImampassedwerementionedinhistory booksbuttheirexactlocationswerenottraceableinmoderngeographicalmaps.Aftersearching inthearchivesoftheBritishMuseumLibraryamapof9thCenturyHijriwasfoundinwhichall thesenameswereclearlyshown. ThereaderwillseeinthefollowingpagestheexactmapofHejazandIraqofthattimeandthe exactroutetheImamandhisCaravantookin60Hijiri. MapofHejazandIraqshowingtheRouteofImamHussainfromMakkatoKerbala. Therewere14placesinallwheretheImamwasknowntohavepassedduringthisjourney. ThefirstplacewascalledSaffah.HeretheImamstayedforthenight.Thenextmorningwhenhe waspreparingtoleaveforhisnextManzilthathemetthefamouspoetFarazdaqwhowascoming fromIraqandwasgoingtoMakkaforpilgrimage.WhenhelearntthatImamwasproceedingfor Iraqhetriedtopersuadehimnottogothere.ImamaskedFarazdaqabouttheconditionsinKufa andthepoetreplied,Peoplesheartsarewithyoubuttheirswordsareagainstyou.Imamtold him,Allahdoeswhathewishes,IleaveittoHimwhoproposesthejustcause.Farazdaqleftthe placeforMakkaandImamscaravanproceededtowardsitsnextManzil.The2ndManzilwas DhatulIrq.HeretheImamstayedthenight.HerehemetAbdullahIbnJaafarwhowasImams cousinandhusbandofhissisterHazratZainab.AbdullahbroughthistwosonsAunand MuhammadtoaccompanytheImam.AbdullahalsotriedtopersuadetheImamtopostponehis journeyandreturntoMadina.ButImamreplied,mydestinyisinthehandsofAllahThese wordswhichmentionhisdestinywererepeatedatmanyplacesduringthisjourneyandclearly indicatethathehadamissioninhismindandhewasproceedingtowardsthatmissionwithout fail.

The3rdstageintheImamsjourneywasthesmalltowncalledBatnurRumma.Fromherethe ImamsentalettertooneofhisfriendsinKufaaskingaboutthesituationthere.QaisIbnMushahir tooktheletterfortheImam.HealsometAbdullahIbnMuteewhowasalsocomingfromthe troubledlandofIraq.HealsotriedtopersuadetheImamnottoproceedanyfurther.Hesaidthat KufanswerenotfaithfultoanyoneAlKufiLaYufitheycouldnotbetrusted.ButImam continuedwithhisfatefuljourneywiththesamewordsthathisdestinyisinthehandsofAllah. The4thStageofImamsjourneytookhimtoZurud.Thiswasasmalltownjustoverthehillsof HejazseparatingfromtheprovinceofNajd.Fromherethemountainschangeintoariddesert.At thisplaceImammetZohairIbneQain.Zohair,untilthattime,wasnotthefollowerofAhlulbayt. Hewasundecidedandconsideredhimselfasapersoninmiddlenotabletodecidewhichsidewas therightone.ImamsawZohairstentpitchedinthedistantandsenthisemissarywithanote. Zohairreadthenote,realizedforthefirsttimeinhislifethattimefordecisiontochosetheright pathhasarrived.Somethinghappenedtohiminsidethathaschangedhisentirelife.Whatwas writteninthenoteisnotclear,butZohairtoldhisfriendstotakehiswifeandchildrenbacktohis triballands,andhehimselfsetouttojointheImamandhiscaravan. HereitisimportanttomentionthatwhentheImamwasleavingMakkahewastryingtopersuade thehoardsofpeoplewhowantedtocomeoutwithhim,togobacktotheirhomes..Imamwas tellingthemthatthereisnorewardofwordlygoodsattheendofthejourney.Butatthesame timehewroteletterstosomepeopleinvitingthemtoaccompanyhimtotheendofhisjourney. OneofthemwasZohairasmentionedabove.Imamwroteanotherlettertohischildhoodfriend HabibIbnMazahiralAsadiinKufainvitingtojoinhiminhisjourneyofdestiny.Habibwasanold companionoftheProphet,wasmuchothentheImam.SomehistoriansmentionHabibsageat 82. Anotherimportantpointworthmentioninghereisthattheseadditionalpeopleinvitedbythe ImamwereeachfromdifferenttribesofArabia.Outoftotalnumberof72malewarriorswiththe Imam,18werefromhisownfamily,alldescendentsofAbuTalib.Butrestofthemartyrswere fromallplacesandallcreeds,almostfromallIslamiclandsofthattime.Thereweremenfrom Sham(Syria),fromJabaelAmul(Lebanon),fromArmenia,fromAzerbaijan,fromYemen, AbysiniyaandEgypt.ItappearsthatImamwastakingspecialcarethatwhoeverismartyredwith himontheDayofAshuracomesfromdifferenttribesanddifferentlands,differentcultureand creedsothatthemessagereachesallcornersoftheIslamiclandsthroughtheirrelativesand friends. The5thstageofImamsjourneywasasmalltowncalledZabala.HeretheImamlearntfromtwo tribesmencomingfromKufa,aboutthedeathofHazratMuslimIbnAqeel.Imamutteredthe words,InnLillahewaInnaIlaiheRajeoon,loudlythatallaroundhimhearthesewordsandknow thatsomethingmomentoushashappened.Whenallhiscompanionsgatheredaroundhimhe

said,IndallahNahtasibUnfosana,whichmeansthatbeforeGodweallareaccountabletoour actionsanddeeds.AsadiTribesmentriedtodissuadetheImamfromproceedinganyfurther,but tonoavail.HetoldhiscompanionsofthedeathofhiscousinHazratMuslim.Inaverytouching wayhetoldHazratMuslims4yeardaughterofthedeathofhisfather.Hecalledher,putheron hislapandgaveherapairofearringstoputon.Sheaskedwhy?thensherepliedherself,itlooks likethatherfatherhasdiedandthatsheisanorphannow.Imamhuggedher,consoledherand toldherthathewilllookafterherinplaceofherfather.Therewasacommotioninsidetheladies campastheyallrealisedthatKufacannotbetheirdestinyanylonger.Theyalsolearntthatwith HazratMuslim,histwosmallchildrenandhisfriendHaniwerealsokilledalongwithmanyfriends ofAhlulbayt.HoardsoftribesmenwhowerestillwiththeImam'spartylefthimastheyallrealized forsurethattherewasnotgoingtobeawarforvictoryoverYazidbutthepurposewas somethingelse.Bythis5thstageonlyabout50peoplewereleftwiththeImamandmanyofthem werewomenandchildren. ImamleftZabalaandarrivedatBatneAqiqathis6thManzil.HeretheImammetamanfromthe TribeofAkramawhotoldhimthatKufawasnotafriendlytown,thatYazidsarmyhassurrounded thisgarrisontown,noonewasallowedtoleaveorenterthetown.ButImamcarriedontoward hisdestiny. The7thManzilwasSorat.ImamstayedthenighthereandinthemorningafterFajrprayerhe askedhiscompanionstostoreasmuchaswateraspossibleinallpossiblecontainersandsheep skinstheyhad.TheWellswereunderground,andtheImamscompanionsfilledallpossible containers,jars,sheepskinswithwater.ThenextdaytheyarrivedataplacecalledSharaf.While theImamwaspassingfromthisvalleythatoneofhiscompanionscalledoutthathecouldseethe approachofanyarmythroughtheduststorm.Imamaskedforasafeplace,preferablyahillat theirback.AguidetookthemnearahillwhereImamaskedeveryonetodismountwhilekeptthe hillattheirback.ThenameoftheplacewasZuhasm.ItwasherethatImammetHursarmyof 1000men.TheywerecomingfromKufaandappearedtobewithoutwaterforsometime.Imam askedhiscompanionstogivethemwaterinspiteofthefactthattheywerehostiletoImams party.Everyonedranktotheirfill,evenhorsesandcamelsdrank.Onesoldierwassothirstythat hewasunabletodrinkthewaterhimselfandtheImamwenttohimandpouredwaterinhis mouth.HurrwhowastheleaderofthatbrigadefromKufacametotheImamandwantedtoget holdofthereinsofhishorsetowhichImamrepliednottobeimpertinent.Hurthenrefrained fromdoingthat,buttoldtheImamhewilltakehimtoKufaunderescorttowhichImamdidnot agree.WhiletheywerediscussingthesemattersthatthetimefortheZohrarrivedandallof them,friendsandenemyalikestoodbehindtheImamtocompletetheirprayers.Afterthe prayersImamtoldHurrandhissoldiersthathehadreceivedmanylettersfromKufainvitinghim togothereasanImamandguideinallmattersreligiousorsecular.TheactualwordsofImams KhutbaasmentionedbyTabariisasfollows.

OpeopleofKufa,yousentmedelegationsandwrotemelettersthatyouhadnoImamandthat IshouldcometouniteyouandleadyouinthewayofGod.YourepliedthatweAhlulbaytare morequalifiedtogovernyouraffairsthanthosewhoclaimthingstowhichtheyhadnorightsand actunjustly.,Butifyouhavechangedyourmind,havebecomeignorantofourRightsandhave forgottenyourpromises,thanIshallturnback. ButtheImamandhiscompanionsweredeniedbyHurssoldierstoturnback.Imamdidnotwish togotoKufanow,andHursarmydidnotwantthemtoreturntoMadina.Soacompromisewas reachedbybothpartiestobyepassKufaandturntowardsnorth.Imamandhispartywasleading andtheHursarmywasbehindthem.IntwodaysjourneytheyarrivedataplacecalledBaiza. Baizawasthe10thManzil.AtBaizaImamdeliveredhismostmemorablesermon.History recordedthissermonfully.Thewordsofthissermonclearlyindicatetheverypurposeofthe ImamforleavingMakkaandhisreasonsofopposingtheoathofallegiancetoYazid.Hesaid, OPeople,TheProphetofIslamhassaidthatifabelieverseesatyrannicalrulertransgressing againstAllahandhisMessengerandoppressingpeople,butdoesnothingbywordoractionto changethesituation,thenitwillbejustforGodtoplacehimwherehedeservinglybelongs.Do younotseetowhatlowleveltheaffairshavecometo..,doyounotobservethattruthhasnot adheredandfalsehoodhasnolimits.Andasforme,Ilookupondeathbutameansofattaining martyrdom.Iconsiderlifeamongthetransgressorsanagonyandanaffliction. ThisKhutbaoftheImamatBaizaisalandmarkinhistory.Thiswas60Hijri,about681AD.Twelve hundredyearslaterinGettesburgAbrahamLinclondeliveredaspeechinwhichhesaid,To sufferinsilencewhiletheyshouldprotestmakescowardsofmen.ThesewordsofLincolnreflect exactlywhatImamsaidsomeover1200yearsagothatoppressorsandtransgressorsfromthe truepathofjusticewillemergeallthetime.Ifthereremainsnooneonearthtoobjectovertheir transgressionsthattheywillgounchecked.Oneshouldalwayspointouttothesetyrantsofthe Rightpathofjustice.ThisisthelessonweshouldalllearnfromImamHussain(AS). ThenextManzilwasUzaibulHajanat.HereImamstayedawayfromtheescortingarmyofHur.He metTrimmahbinAdi.AfterhavingknownabouttheKufanabandonmentofhisenvoyHazrat Muslim,itbecameclearthatImamhadnohopeofsupportorevensurvivalinKufa.Nevertheless, herefusedanofferofsafetyextendedtohimbyTrimmahbinAdi.IbnAdiwastheleaderofa powerfulTribeofAdiinthearea.HepleadedtheImamtoaccepthisofferof20,000armed soldiersfromhisTribetohelphimifhewishestogotoKufatofightwiththearmyofYazid.Adi evenofferedtheImamandhissmallentouragetoahideoutintheTribalhillsawayfromKufa.But Imamrejectedallsuchoffersofsafetyandindulgenceinwar.ImamrepliedtoIbnAdi,Allahwill blessyouandyourpeopleforyourgoodintentions.Icannotgofrommyword.Thingsare destined.ItisclearfromthisreplythattheImamwasfullyawareoftheimpendingdangershe

andhisfamilyandfriendswouldfaceifhecontinueswithhisjourneywithoutanyhelpfrom outsideforces.Hehadacertainstrategyandplaninhismindtobringaboutarevolutioninthe conscienceoftheMuslimUmmah.Hedidnotmobilisemilitarysupportwhichhecouldeasilyhave musteredinHedjaz,nordidhetrytoexploitwhateverphysicalstrengthwasavailabletohim.On theothandhewasdiscouraginganysuchsuggestionsofanarmytofightphysically. ImamstwelvthManzilwasQasreBaniMaqatil.ItwasevidentherethatKufawasnomorehis destination.AsHurdidnotwanthimtoleaveforanywhereelse,acompromisewasreachedand theybyepassedKufaandtookanewroute.Restingintheheatoftheafternoon,Imamuttereda sentencewhichissaidincircumstanceswhensomeonehearsofdeath.HiseldersonAliAkber cameforwardandenquiredaboutthissentence.Imamrepliedthatwhilehewashalfasleephe sawinhisdreamthatsomeonewasshoutingloudlythatthiscaravanwasdestinedtowards death.AliAkberasked,arewenotontheRightPath.Anunusualquestionsoitseems.Butwhen theImamrepliedthattheywereindeedontheRightPath,hissonsreplywasagaintypicalofthis familyoftheProphet.Father,whenweareontheRightPath,wehavenoworrieswhetherdeath takesusorwefallupondeath.TheyoungsonoftheImamwassatisfiedaslongastheirPaths wereRight.Deathmeantntothemfortheywerefullyawarethatdeathofthiskindtransforms intothegloryofmartyrdom. TheirThirteenthManzilwasNainawah.AtthisplaceamessengerfromIbnZiadtheGovernorof KufacametomeetthearmyofHurandtoldthemnottoleavetheImamandhispartyunderany circumstances.ThebatteredCaravanpassedthroughGhaziriyahandarrivedataplacebytheriver BanksoftheEuphretes.ImamaskedthenameofthisplaceandhewastoldthenameKERBALA. Imamreplied,thisistheplaceofKerbinwabala,i.e.theplaceoftortureandpain.Letusstop here,Imamorderedtodismount.Wehavereachedourdestination.Tentswerepitchednearthe RiverBank.Thedatewas2ndofMuharram61Hijiri(3rdOctober681AD). HurrssoldierssurroundedtheImamscamp.butnooneknewwhatwasgoingtohappenuntil twodayslateronthe4thofMuharramthatanothercontingentof4000menarrivedfromKufa. ThenextdayShimrarrivedwithanother10,000mentofightanarmyofabout40people,among themweremenofover80andchildrenof13and11andevena6montholdbaby,theyoungest sonoftheImamwhowasonlyamontholdwhenImamleftMadinaintheMonthofRajab5 monthsago.ShimrorderedtheImamandhisentouragetoleavetheRiverBankandpitchtheir tentsawayfromit.ImamsbrotherAbbasandothersrefused,butImamtoldthemtomovethe tents.Thetentsweremovedabout200yardsawayfromtheRiverBankandtheriverwas immediatelyoccupiedbythesoldiersofYazidnewlyarrivedfromKufa. Nextday7th,AllwatersupplywasstoppedfortheImamspartyandsoonthecryofthirstheard fromthechildreninthecamp.~Whateverwatertheywouldhavestoredwasfinishedwithinaday andbythe8ththerewasnowaterleftinthecamp.Inthescorchingheatofthedesertevenafew

hourswithoutwaterwasimpossibleyetforthreedaysthesepeoplewerewithoutwater.Onthe afternoonofthe9th,Yazidsarmymovedforwardinaformationofattack.Imamwasinformed andhesentAbbasandAliAkbertoenquireaboutthis.ThereplywasthatorderswerefromKufa tocommencefightingandfinishoffwiththefamilyoftheProphet.Imamaskedthemtogive themastayofonenightfortheyallwishedtospendtheirlastnightinmeditationandprayersto God.Thenightwasdarkandhorrible,flickeringlightsfromtheCampoftheImamwasshowing fewpeoplebusyinprayers.Thesoundoftheirprayersinunisonwascomingoutofthecampasif Honeybeeswerebusytobuildtheirnest.Whereasontheenemysidemusicanddancinghad goneonallnight.ManysoldiersfromYazidsarmysawthisdifferenceandrealisedinawewho wasonthepathofGodandwhowasnot.SomesoldiersslippedawayfromYazidscamptowards theImamscampknowingfullywellthatiffightingstartedthenextmorningtheywouldsurely perish.About30suchpeoplemovedtoImamscamp.Imamheldameetingofhisbatteredand thirstycompanionsandtoldthemthattheenemywantedonlyhislife.Theyhavenoanimosity withanyoneelse.WhennoonemovedImamaskedthatthecandlesshouldbeputoff,incase someofthemwereashamedtoshowthemselvesrunningawayfromtheImam.TheImamalso saidthathewastakingawaytheburdenoftheOathofallegiancefromthemandmadethemfree togo. TakefewofmyrelationswiththemButwhenthecandleswerelitagain,allwerethere,noone moved.OneoftheoldercompanionsnamedMuslimIbnAwsajahcameforwardanddeclaredthat theywereallonesolidrocktofightfortheImam.Iftheywerekilled70timesandthenwere madealiveagaintheywouldstillprefertoachievemartyrdomwiththeImamratherthanlivewith theoppressiverulerslikeYazid. MorningappearedandbeforeSunriseAliAkbergavetheAzanandallofthemcompletedtheir morningprayersbehindtheirImam. ImammadehisbrotherAbbasastheflagbearerofthetinyarmyof70personsinallwhenallofa suddentwomoresoldiersdefectedfromYazidsarmy.OnewasHurwhowastheleaderofthe contingentwhobroughttheImamspartytoKerbalaandalsohisson.Bothofthemarrivedwith theirhandstiedtoapologisetotheImamforwhattheyhaddoneandaskedhispermissionto fightforthemandbecomefirstmartyrs.Imamdidnotgiveorderstocommencefightinguntil arrowscamefromtheenemycamp.ThenHurwentouttofight.Overwhelmedbythenumberson theotherside,hesoondied.Hissonwentandhealsodied.Thenonebyoneeachcompanionof theImamwentanddieduntilZohrtimewhenSaeedibnAbullahalBijillycameforwardand informedtheImamthatitwasprayertimeforZohr.Battlewasraging,arrowswerecoming towardstheImamscamp,howcouldtheyhaveformedlinesforprayers.Buttheystoodinsingle foiltoperformtheirlastprayerswhiletwocompanionsoftheImamSaeedandZohairstoodin frontofthislinetoholdbackallthearrowsthatwerecomingtowardsthem.OncetheImam finishedthelastwordsoftheprayersthesetwosoldiersdiedofexhaustion.TheLastofthe

companionsoftheImamdiedandonlytherelativesremained.FirsttogowasImamssonAli Akberwhofoughtbravelybutthirstforthreedayswasthemostimportantfactorinthefallof thesemartyrs.HewasalsokilledandthenImamsnephewQasimwentandwaskilled.Thenfour ofhisbrothers,Osman,Jafar,AbullahandAbbaswerekilled.Imamthenbroughthis6monthold sonAliAsgher.Hebroughthiminhisarmsundertheshadeofhiscloak.Hetoldtheaudience, "thisbabyhasnotdoneanyharmtoyou.Heisthirsty,givehimsomewater. "TheCommanderofYazidsarmyorderedHurmulawhowasthebestmarksmantokillthebaby. Hurmulahpulledthebowandthearrowkilledthebabyinstantly.Imambroughtthebabynear thecamp,informedhismotherofthemartyrdomofthebaby.Hethenburiedthebabyinthe sand.AfterwardsImamhimselfwentforbattle.Butbeforethatheintroducedhimselfagainthat hewasthegrandsonoftheProphetincaseanyonehadanydoubtsabouthimandthathisguilt wasonlytorefusetoaccepttheOathofallegianceoftheTyrannicalrulerYazid.Theenemywas thirstyforthebloodoftheImam,theywereblindintheireagernesstokillthelastofthefamilyof theProphet.TheyfelluponhisinjuredandtiredbodylikebloodhoundsandsoontheImamwas alsokilled.Thebattleendedinoneday. Theeveningofthe10thwasthedarkestforthewomenandchildrenofthefamilyoftheProphet. Campsweresetalightandburnt,theirpossessionswerelooted.ItwasLateatnightwhilethey werehuddledtogetherwaitingforfurthertorturesfromtheenemyside,thattheysawthewifeof Hurcomingtowardsthemwithfoodandwater.Theywerehungryandthirstybutnoneofthem waskeentotakeanything,noteventheyoungestofthechildren.ImamHussainsyoungest daughterSakinatookthetumblerofwaterandrantowardstheopenfield.HerauntZainabasked wherewassherunningtoandshereplied,herlittlebrotherAliAsgherwasthirsty,shewastaking somewaterforhim,notknowingthatlittleAliAsgherwasalreadydead,beingthevictimof Hurmulasarrow. Nightpassedandthemorningcamewithmorepainandgriefwhentheysawthatthebodiesof theenemywereburiedbutthegrandsonoftheProphetwithallhissonsandbrothersand companionslieunburiedonthedesertsand.TheWomenandchildrenweretakenprisonerswith theailingsonofImam,the22yearoldAli,leadingthisbatteredcaravantowardsKufaasthe Imamofthefamily.Hewasnowthe4thImam. TheBodiesoftheseMartyrswereburiedon3rddaybytribesmenofBaniAsad,guidedbythe fourthImamwhowaswiththemmiraculouslywhileinprisoninKufa ThefourthImamAliIbnelHussain,ZainulAbedeen(AS)

WhentheyoungAlitookthemantleofImamat,timeswerehardontheAhlulbaytoftheProphet. Hisisthesaddeststoryofalltime.Onthe10thofMuharramatthetimeofAsrPrayers,whenhis fatherHussain(AS)wasaloneinthebattlefieldreadytodobattle,hewithdrewtothecampofhis ailingson,camebesidehibed,wokehimandtoldhimthatthestoryofKerbalawasover,thathe wasabouttogotosacrificehisownlifeforthecauseofIslam.Itwasatthattimethatthefather transferredthemantleofImamat,thespiritualguidance,tohissontoleadthemuslimUmmah towardstheRightPath. HewasborninMadinasome22yearsago,on5thShabaan38yearofHijra.Insomehistorybooks hisdateofbirthisshownas15thJamadiulAwwal38AH.HismotherwasShahrBanothedaughter ofYazdjurdII,thelastofthePersianKingsbeforeIslam.Shewastakenprisonerwhenmuslim armiesconqueredPersia.WhenshewasbroughtinMadinaImamAli(AS)spoketoherandshe embracedIslamandwasmarriedtohis2ndsonImamHussain.(AS)Shehaddiedaftergivingbirth toheronlyson.HewasonlytwoyearsoldwhenhisgrandfatherAli(AS)wasmartyredinthe MosqueatKufa.AfterthatthewholefamilyoftheProphetreturnedtoliveinMadina.Forthe next10yearsunderImamHasan(AS)asImamandafterhismartyrdom,hisfatherImam Hussain(AS)astheImam,theyoungAliwasgrowingintheirshadowandwatchingtheworkingsof theImamatwithoutthewordlyauthority.PeopleknewtheywerethegrandsonsoftheHoly ProphetandfollowedthembytheirheartsbutoutwardlybecauseofthefearoftheUmmayad rulerinDamascus,therewasverylittlefollowingoftheAhlulbaytoftheProphet.In60Hijriwhen hisfatherImamHussain(AS)hadtoleaveMadinaforMakkaandthenforKerbala,hewaswith himallthetime.InKerbalaallmalechildrenofAli(AS)andHussain(AS)werekilledexceptAliIbnel HussainwhowithprovidencebecamesoillthathewasunabletoparticipateintheJihadwithhis fatherandsurvivedthemassacre. HislifeandwiththatthelineofdescendentsofHussain(AS)survivedbecausetheImamathadto goon.Hebecamethe4thImamonthe10thofMuharram61Hijri.Hewastakencaptiveandwas broughttoKufaandthentoDamascusinchains.Inspiteofhisillnessandhumiliatingpositionin frontofYazidtheUmmayadruler,whenYazidaddressedhiminaninsultingmannersayingthat hisfatherwastedhislifebyrefusingtogivetheoathofallegiancetoYazid,Imamreplied,itwasto saveIslam.TheywerewonderinghowIslamwassaved.WhentimeforAzancameandthe MoazzinscreamedfromtheminaretIbearwitnessthatMuhammadisthemessengerofAllah, ImamshoutedtoYazid,thisisthewayIslamwassaved.Peoplewouldhaveforgottenthenameof MuhammadastheMessengerofAllahifhisgrandsonwouldnothaveshowntheworldthatyou werearulerbydefault.Yazidorderedhisswordsmantokillthisyoungman,butbythe interventionofhisauntZainabhislifewasspared. Heremainedinprisonforoneyearwiththewholefamily.Therewasturmoilinallpartsofthe

Islamicempireonthisbrutalkilling.IntheendYazidwasafraidthatifhekeptthefamilyofthe Prophetinprisonanylonger,hewillloosehiskingdom.Sohesentorderstobringthefamily beforehimandtoldhimthathewasreleasingthem.Healsoaskedwhattheywishtodonow.In replytothisHisauntZainabsaidthattheywouldwishtoholdagatheringinDamascussothatshe cantellthepeoplewhathappenedinKerbala.YazidagreedandthefirstMajliswasheldin Damascus.InthisMajlismostofthewomenofDamascustookpartwhoweresecretlyfollowing thepathofAhlulbaytwhichincludedYazidswifeHind.ThentheyallreturnedtoKerbalatopay homageoverthegravesoftheirbelovedfather,unclesandbrothers.Itwasonthe20thofthe monthofSafar62HijrithattheyarrivedbackinKerbala.ThefirstMajlisofArbaeenwasheldin KerbalainwhichhisauntZainabandallthesurvivingfamilyattended.Itwasatthattimethatone ofthecompanionsoftheProphetJabirIbnAbullahAnsarivisitedthegraveofHussain(AS)who laternarratedthewholestoryofKerbalatomanyofhislistenersinMadinaandmanyothertowns hevisited.ThemessageofHussain(AS)wasspreadingfromtowntotownandfromcountryto country. ThewholefamilythenreturnedtoMadinaexceptthewifeofImamHussain(AS).Hernamewas UmmeRabab.Shesaidthatshewouldnotreturnbackhome,forherhomewasherewhereher husbandlayburied.ShestayedinKerbalauntilshediedafewyearslater.Asmalltownflourished fortheupkeepofpilgrimswhobegantovisitthegraveofHussain(AS)andallthemartyrsof Kerbala. HavingbeingreleasedfromconfinementinDamascus,ImamcametoliveinMadinawithhis familyandtoleadaquietlife.ButthecitywasinrevoltagainstthecruelregimeofYazid.Many triedtopersuadetheImamtojointhem,butImamknewtheirunreliabilityandhedeclined.So whenYazidsarmyinvadedMadina,theylefttheImamsfamilyalone.Yethewasgreatlyshocked toseehowforthreedaystheinvadingarmyledbymuslimIbnAqabawhowaschargedwith invadingMadina,tiedtheirhorsesintheProphetsmosque,turningthesacredplaceintoafilthy stable,killinghundredsofinnocentpeopleandplayinghavocwithchastewomen.Forthree continuousdaysthesebeastsfromDamascusravagedthecityanddestroyedit.Imamhadso muchcontroloverhisemotionsthathekeptquiet.Whendifferentrevolutionarypartiesroseto avengethebloodofImamHussain,hewiselykeptalooffromthemwhoseuprisingshedeemed untimely.NodoubtSulaimanIbnSuradalKhuzaiandMukhtaribnObaidahathThaqafiavenged Imamspreciousblood.ImamZainulAbedeenhadcompassionforthem;heprayedforthemand fortheirsuccessandoftenenquiredaboutthosewhowerecapturedandexecutedbyYazids cruelregime.CertainlyMukhtarrelievedtheImamswoundedheartbypunishingtheculprits.But theImamwassocautiousthathisoutwardappearancegavetheimpressionthathewas indifferent,somuchsothatthecruelGovernmentcouldnotimplicatehimofanysubversion. TimeswerehardinMadinaforthefamilyoftheProphet.ImamAliIbnelHussain(Sajjadbecame histitlebecauseofhisintenseprostrationsinprayers)livedforanother35yearsaftertheeventof

Kerbala.HewastheImamofthetimeanditwashisdutytospreadguidancetothepeople.But howhewoulddothatwhenasinglewordinfavouroftheAhlulbaytwouldhavemeantcertain death.NoonedaredtosaythathefollowedthefamilyoftheProphet.TheImamsurvivedwith thesheerwillpowerandprovidence.HeusedtogotothemosqueoftheProphetandsometimes prayedthereallnight.Thesewerespecialprayersintheshapeofsupplicationswithgreat significancethanmereritual.Theseprayerswerememorisedbyhiscompanions,writtendownby histwosons,MohammadandZaid.Mohammadbecamethe5thImamafterthedeathofhis fatherwhileZaidroseagainsttherulersofhistimeandwasmartyredinKufa.Allthese supplicationswerelatercollectedbyhiscompanionsintheshapeofabookwhichwasnamedAl SaheefaelSajjadiya.Severalcopiesofthebookweremadeanddistributedamongthefollowe. NormalteachingsoftheQuranbythefamilyoftheProphetwasnotallowed.Withthese supplicationsImamtaughthisfollowerstherelationshipbetweenGodandthepeople.Inordinary languageitisnotpossibletoenhancetheknowledgeofGod.Butinthelanguageofprayer,when onebowsdownbeforethecreator,onerealisesonesownmeagreself,incomparisonwiththe immensityoftheuniverse.Allvanityoregodisappears.Allthoughtsofselfindulgencevanish.He relateshimselfwithhiscreatorinallhumilityandsublimeself.Histrueselfawakenswhichonly existstohelpothersfortheyareallcreaturesofGod.EmotionsthatwereattachedtohisownSelf disappear.Hefeelsaloneinthewideworld.Hisonlyhoperestswithhiscreator.Godalonegives himhopeandmeaningofexistenceonearth.Sidebysidethesesupplicationsalsogavethe humanracetheirRightsanddutieswitheachother.InthenameofRisalatelHuqooqwhich wasanadditiontoSaheefa,completedthemeaningofIslamasaDeenofdeeperspiritual understandingaswellasthewaysandmeansoflionthisplanetearthwithotherpeople. ImamswholelifewasspentinhelpingallthepeopleinthecityofMadina.Hewasseengoing duringthedarknessofthenightwithasackfullofbreadforthehungrypeopleofthecity.They neverknewtheidentityofthepersonwhogavethemfoodnightafternight,butImamsown companionsknewthefactandtheypasseditontothelatergenerationtoknowandtolearn.It wasafterhisdeaththatthosehungrysoulscametoknowtheidentityoftheirbenefactor. ImamperformedthirtypilgrimagesinallaftertheeventofKerbala.Sometimeshewouldgofor Hajjonthebackofacamel,butsometimesonfootfor250milestoMakka.Oncehewastravelling withacompanion.WhentheyreachedtheoutskirtsofMakka,thecrowdofpilgrimsgoing towardsMakkawasenormous.Hiscompanionsshouted,"ThereisalotofcrowdforHajjthis year."Imamreplied,"Thereisonlyyouandmeandthiscamel,therestareanimals."Hewas againteachingthemeaningofHajjwhichwastoreachoutforGodwithallyourheartanddonot justregarditasanotherritual. AnincidentoccurredthatissaidtohaveprovokedthejealousyofHishamIbnAbdulMalikwho washeirapparenttohisfatherandarrivedinMakkawithgreatpompandaretinueofservants.

Butinspiteofthis,hewasnotabletoreachfortheBlackStoneintheKaaba.Inpilgrimsgarb Hishamwasunrecognisable.Hesatdownonahighplacewaitingforthecrowdtomovesothat hecouldalsokisstheblackstone.Whilehewaswaitinghesawanoldmanarriveandwatched thecrowdgivewayforhim.HereachedtheBlackstone,kisseditandreturnedbacktohisplace. Hisham,beingthesonofthecaliphwasastonishedandenquiredabouttheidentityoftheperson. Farazdaqthefamouspoetwasstandingrightthere.HecomposedaQaseedainpraiseofthe ImamtointroducehimtotheHeirapparentofthethrone.Hesaid,Heiswhothatthewhole Makkaknowshim,EverystoneintheKaabaknowshim.HeisthesonofthegrandsonofFatimah andAliandoftheHolyProphet.Hisham,inhisarroganceofpower,imprisonedthepoetwhodied inprisonsomeyearslater. InanotherincidentwhiletheImamwasabouttobeginhisprayersamancameroundandbegan touseabusivelanguageagainsthim.Imamignoredthemanfirst.Butwhenherepeatedthe abusivelanguagepointingtohimdirectly,Imamsaidtohim,"whatyouaresayingaboutme,ifit istruethenIaskGodsforgiveness,butifitisnottrue,thenonlyGodcanforgiveyou.Theman wasthoroughlyashamedofhisbehaviourandapologised.Lateronhebecameagreatdevoteeof theImam. SomepeoplesaythattheImamspenthislifeafterKerbalainweepingandcryingfortheatrocities committedtohisfamily.Indeeditwastruethatheweptprofuselyandthatsometimestheglass ofwaterhedrankwouldsoilwithtearssothathewouldnotbeabletodrinkthatwater.And whenpeoplesaidwhydoyouweepsomuch,formartyrdomistheinheritanceoftheAhlulbayt. Hewouldsay,"Yesindeed,Idonotweepforthekillingofmyfamily,butforthehumiliationwe thewholefamilyfacedonthewaytoDamascuswhichwasbeyonddescription.Iweepforthat disgraceofwomenandchildren."Hewouldthencallthepeoplearoundandtellthemthestoryof KerbalaandtheplightofthecaptivesafterKerbala.Peoplewouldalsoweepandcryloudly.The messagespread.Thiswasthemeanstotellthepeopleotherwisepeoplewouldnotwanttoknow. Throughtragedythemessagereachedtheheartsofthepeopleandthatmessageisstillaliveafter 1400years.AndwiththisthelineofdemarcationdrawninKerbalabetweentruthandfalsehood isstillvisible. ImamsauntHazratZainabwasorganisinggatheringsinthecityofMadinatotelltheassembled ladiesinthemajlistheeventsofKerbalaandtheseparticipantsspreadthemessagetoallcorners ofthetownandinMakkaandothercitiesoftheprovinceofHejaz.Thismethodwassosuccessful thattheGovernorofMadinawrotetoYazidaboutitandontheordersfromYazid,HazratZainab wasescortedbacktoDamascus.ShelivedthereforawhilethenshewasmovedtoEgyptonthe ordersofthemonarchbecauseeveninDamascusherspeechesinprivategatheringswere successfulinspreadingthestoryofKerbala.HazratZainabstayedinEgyptforfewyearsbutthen shewasbroughtbacktoDamascuswhereshewasmartyred.HermausoleumisinDamascus,just outsidetheCityandpilgrimsvisittheplaceallthetime.Manymanymiracleshaveappearedat

thisplaceandpeoplesufferingfromincurablediseaseshavecometoprayonhergraveandhave foundgoodhealth. Imam(AS)inMadinathroughhissilentteachingsleftmanypupils,themostprominentofthem wasAbuHamzaeThumali,whoremainedtospreadtheteachingsofAhlulbaytintheIslamic world.AbuMikhnufwasalsoonefamouspupiloftheImamwholaterontheinstructionsofthe fifthImamwrotethestoryofKerbalainthenarrativeformwhichbecamethepartoftheMajlisall overtheworld. ThecalmandpeacefullifeoftheImamwasnottobetoleratedbytheUmmayadscruelregime. TheyrealisedthattheImamwassucceedinginhismissionofspreadingthemessageofhisfather Hussain(AS)TheSyrianmonarchWalidIbnAbdulMalikhadhimpoisoned.HediedinMadinaon the25thofMuharram95Hijri.HiseldestsonMuhammadIbnAlialBaqirarrangedtheburialand laidhimtorestinthegraveyardofJannatulBaqiibesidehisuncleImamHasan.(AS) ThefifthImamMuhammedIbnAlielBaqir(AS) *HarassedbytheUmmayadGovernment. *SomesayingsoftheImam. BorninMadinaonIstRajab57Hijri,diedinMadinaon7thZilhijja114Hijri(31.1.733AD)atthe ageof57years.PeriodofImamat19years. OntheevidenceofthemostauthenticHadithnarratedbySunniandShiahistorians,oneofthe companionsoftheHolyProphetJabirIbnAbdallahAnsariwasinthepresenceoftheHoly Prophet.HeaskedtheProphetaboutthenamesofdescendantsfromhisdaughterHazratFatima andAli(AS).TheProphettoldhim,OJabir,youwillhavealonglife,andalthoughyouwillgo blind,butyouwillmeetthe5thinlineofmydescendantswhosenamewillbemyname,whowill walklikemeandwhowillbethe5thImamofthetime.Whenyouwillmeethim,givemysalaams tohim. AspredictedbytheHolyProphetJabiribnAbdullahAnsarihadalonglifeandbecameblindinhis oldage.Buthedevoutlywaitedforthetimewhenhewouldmeetthe5thImam.Eachmorninghe wouldcomeoutfromhishouse,sitbytheroadsideandwaitforthesoundofthefootstepsto recognisethe5thImam.OnesuchdaywhilehewaswaitinginthestreetofMadina,heheard someonewalkingtowardshim,thesoundoffootstepsremindedhimofthewayHolyProphet

usedtowalk.Jabirstoodup,stoppedthemanandaskedhisname.Hereplied,Muhammad, Jabirasked,whoseson?,herepliedAliIbnulHussain.Jabirimmediatelyrecognisedthemanhe wastalkingtowasthe5thImam.HekissedhisandtoldhimthemessagefromtheHolyProphet andthattheProphetsenthissalaamstohim.Imamtookhimtohishome,askedhisfriendsto gatherasmanypeopleastheycan.Whentheyallassembledinhishouse,theImamaskedJabirto tellthewholestoryagain.Jabirnarratedthestory,theyallcriedandattestedinunisonofthe ImamatoftheFifthImamandalsothenamesoftheotherSevenImamsinhislineuptothe TwelvthImam. Afterthedeathofthe4thImamin95Hijri,thecaliphsinDamascusweresopreoccupiedwith theirconquestsofforeignlandsthattheydidnothavetimetoworryaboutthepeopleinMadina, theirloyaltiesortheirhostilities.TheywerealsosatisfiedthattheImamsoftheAhlulbaytwould notdivulgeinanyrebellionagainstthemduetothemostpeacefulandquitelifeofthe4thImam ZainulAbedeen(AS).TheyleftthepeopleofMadinatotheiractivitiesinsomepeace.Thiswasthe timeImamsofAhlulbaytwerewaitingfor.Our5thImamopenedaschooltoteachQoranand HadithasitwastaughtbytheHolyProphetandImamAliAS). ImamMuhammadelBaqirwassaidtohavebeenhigesteemedforhislearningandeloquenceas wellasonaccountofhisnoblebirth.AccordingtoIbnKhalikan,theImamreceivedthetitleof Baqir(Splitterofknowledge)duetohisampleknowledgeofDeenandhisenthusiasmtoteachto otherpeople.ManyhistorianslikeYakubiassertsthattheImamsplitopenknowledge,thatis scrutinizeditandexaminedthedepthsofitsothatitcanbespreadtoallpeopletrulyand correctly. InhislifeofrespectableandscholarlyretirementatMadina,theImamwasfrequentlycalledupon toexplainparticularteachingsinregardtoImamat.AsynopsisofhisteachingintheMaathirul BaqirisgiveninCannonSellsIthnaAshariya,aninterestingpartofwhichmaywellbequoted,as itshowstheemphasisatthisearlyperiodontheintellectualandspiritualcharacterofthe Imamat. AmanonedaysaidtotheImam,WastheProphetheirtoalltheknowledgeoftheProphets?"He replied,Yesthenhewasaskedwhetherhehadinheritedit.Hesaidhehad.Hewasthenaskedif hecouldraisethedeadtolife,restoresighttotheblind,andcleansetheleper.Hesaidyes,by valourofGod,themosthigh.Hethereforeputhishandontheblindeyesofamansittingnextto himandprayed.Thenextmomenttheblindmanseyesightwasrestored.Manymoresuchstories weretoldbyvarioushistoriansofthetime. TheImamdiscoursedfullyonmanytopicssuchasthenatureofthesoulandNafs,thenatureand attributesofGod,thequalitiesoftheUlemas.Hediscouragedargumentsaboutthedivinenature, sayingthatitwasnotpossibleformentounderstandit.

OnedayamutazilileaderWasilbinAtaaskedtheImamwhattheangerofGodmeant.Hesaid,it wassimplypunishment,butthatthisangerwasnottobecomparedtotheangerofmen.Gods naturedidnotchange.HedefinedaRasulasaprophetwhohearsthevoiceoftheangel(of revelation)andseestheangelinabodilyform.ANabi,hesaid,isaProphetwhoalsohearsthe voiceoftheangelunderthesameconditions,butdoesnotseehim,andtheImamsconditionis likethatoftheNabibutnotlikethatoftheRasul.HesaidthattheImamswerepureandthatthe Ahlulbaytwerefreefromsin. TheImamBaqir(AS)indefendinghisclaimstotheImamatbeforethecaliphHishamquotedthis verse,ThisdayhaveIperfectedyourreligionuntoyouandfulfilledmymercyuponyouand acceptedIslamtobeyourDeen.(Quran,S.5V5)Hewentontosaythattheopenrevelation beingthusperfect,theProphethadmadeknownothersecretmatterstoAli(AS).Fromamongst menoftheAhlulbaytAli(AS)hadappointedaspecialpersonashisconfidant,towhomthis heritageofknowledgeofsecretthingscamedown.HishamrepliedthatasGodallowedno partnerinthematterofknowingthesecretthings,howcouldAli(AS)makesuchclaims?Inreply theImamquotedmanysayingsoftheProphetshowingamutualrelationshipbetweenhimself andthehighpositionaccordedtoAli(AS).OnhearingallthisHishamwassilentandthen permittedtheImamandhiscompanionstoreturnhome.Neitherthepompnorthepowerofthe caliphinfluencedtheImam,whoboldlyandwithoutfearansweredallthequestionsputtohim. AscounsellortotheGovernmentoftheday,toruleandtoadministerthemuslimworldwas certainlytherightoftheAhlulbaytoftheProphet,butascommonpeoplewhohadnosuchright succumbedtothetemporalpower,TheImamshadtoleadcalmandquietlives.Assuch,they couldhaverefusedtogiveanyadviceorcounseltotheGovernmentoftheday.Butthemoral heightofthesenobleImamsroseabovethestandardsofcommoners.LikeImamAli(AS)who cooperatedwiththecontemporarycaliphsandofferedsoundadviceconcerningtheaffairsofthe muslims,alltheImamsfollowedthesameexampleandneverhesitatedtogivewellbalanced piecesofadvicetotheircontemporaryrulers.ImamBaqir(AS)wasnoexception.TheUmmayad Governmenthadtillthennocurrencyofitsown.TheByzantinecurrencyoftheEasternRoman EmpirewerevalidtenderinDamascusaswell.ButduringthereignofWalidIbnAbdulMalik, thereroseariftbetweenhimandthebyzantinerulerwhenthelaterdecidedtostampanew currencywiththephrasewhichwasconsideredderogatorytotheHolyProphet. ThiscreatedsuspenseamongthemuslimUmmah.Walidconvenedacommitteeinwhich prominentmuslimscholarsparticipated.ImamBaqir(AS)expressedhisopinionthatthe Governmentoughttostrikeitsowncurrencyononesideofwhichitshouldstampthestatement LaIlahaIllallahandontheothersideMuhammadRasulAllah.TheopinionoftheImamwas unanimouslyapprovedandforthefirsttimeanIslamiccoinwasminted.Someofthesecoins wereexhibitedattheBritishMuseumin1988attheeventoftheIslamicArtexhibitioninLondon

andanoteshownthatthesecoinsweremintedatthetimeofWalidIbnAbdulMalikonthe adviceofthe5thImamofAhlulbayt. ItwasduringthecaliphateofUmerIbnAbdulAziztheUmmayadcaliph,thattheProphets descendantsenjoyedabriefperiodofpeacewhichlastedforonlytwoyearsandfivemonths whichistheperiodofhisGovernment.Heliftedfromthemagreatdealofatrocitiesand prohibitedthecursingofImamAli(AS)onthepulpitonFriday,substitutingitwiththisversefrom theHolyQuran; Godcommandsjustice,thedoingofgoodandliberalitytokithandkin,andHeforbidsall shamefuldeeds,injusticeandrebellion:Heinstructsyou,thatyemayreceiveadmonition. WhentheImammetthecaliphUmerIbnAbdulAziz,hefoundhimweepingfortheinjustice inflictedbyhispredecessorsupontheAhlulbayt.TheImamadmonishedhimwithpiecesof wisdomtillthecaliphsobbed,kneltdownandbeggedformore.ThentheImamaskedUmerIbn AbdulAzizwhatwrongdoinghewasbroughtheretorectify?Itwasnoneotherthanfadakwhich themessengerofGodgavetohisdaughterFatimahasagiftandtoherdescendants.Asquotedin BiharulAnwar,v.4,Umertooksomewritingpadandpenandwrote,InthenameofGodthe Merciful,theCompassionate.ThisiswhatUmerIbnAbdulAzizhadhandedbacktoMuhammad IbnAlitorectifythewrongdoingwithregardtoFadak.AfterthiseventthelandofFadakwas handedbacktotheAhlulbayt.ItwasfromtheincomefromtheselandsandorchardsthatSchools wereopenedinMadinabytheFifthImamwherethousandsofstudentscametolearntheQuran anditstruemeanings.HundredsofnarratorsofHadithcameoutoftheseschools,expertsinthe artofHadithandIslamicLaw. HarassedbytheUmmayadGovernment. HishamIbnAbdulMaliksucceededUmerIbnAbdulAziz.Hewasastonehearted,immoralperson andracist.Hisprejudiceagainstnonarabmuslimscausedhimtodoublethetaxestheyhadto pay,andhisreignwasareplayofthebloodydaysofYazidIbnMoawiyaandHajjajIbnYousuf Thaqafi.ItwasthenthattherevolutionofZaidIbnAliboutasacontinuationoftherevolutionof ImamHussain(AS)andImamAliAS). ImamBaqir(AS)neverexpressedanyinterestnorparticipatedinpoliticalmattersexceptwhen therulerinvitedhim.Sincehispeacefullivingwasdevotedtopeoplesspiritualguidance,hewas nottoleratedbytheGovernment.HishamIbnAbdulMalikwrotetohisGovernorofMadina instructinghimtosendImamBaqairandhissonImamJafarSadiq(AS)toDamascusintendingto humiliatetheminfrontofanaudience.WhentheyreachedDamascus,hekeptthemwaitingfor threedays.Onthefourthdayhecalledtheminhispresence.Hesatonathronesurroundedby hisarmedguards.Inthecentreofthecourtyard,atargetwassetonwhichtheelitewereshooting

arrows.ImmediatelytheImamentered,Hishambluntlyaskedhimtoshootarrowswithothers. ImamBaqirtriedtoevadeHishamsorder,butthelatterkeptinsistingandheplannedtoridicule theImam.SincetheImamledasecludedlife,Hishamthoughthemightnothaveanyconnection withmartialarts.HedidnotknowthateachdescendantoftheProphethadinheritedthemightof ImamAli(AS)andthecourageofImamHu(AS).Hecouldnotrealisethattheircalmandquietlife waslivedinfulfilmentofthedemandsofDivineProvidence. CompelledbyHisham,ImamBaqir(AS)tookthebow,handlingitskilfully,heshotafewarrows continuously,allsittingstraightintheveryheartofthecentrespot.Ashoutofpraiseburstfrom thethroatsofastonishedelitesstandingrightandleftofthecaliph.Hishamoutwitted,beganto discusstheproblemsoftheImamatandthevirtuesofAhlulbayt.HeclearlysawthattheImams stayinDamascusmightleadtopopularrespectforAhlulbayt.Sohepermittedthemtoreturn hometoMadinah.InwardlyhisenmityoftheProphetsfamilyhadincreased, WhileinMadinahImamBaqir(AS)continuedwiththeprogressoftheschoolsoftheologyopened uponhisadviceandwiththesupportofthecompanionsofAhlulbayt.Itisnotedbymany historiansthatuntilthedeathofour5thImamtherewere25000studentsintheseschools learningFiqh,TheologyandIslamicscience.Itwasatthistimethat400booksofHadithwere compiledbythestudentsoftheseschoolundertheguidanceofImamBaqir(AS) NowwasthetimetobringoutbooksonHadith,truesayingsoftheProphetandalsotoshow peopleinpracticaltermshowdutieswereperformedbytheProphethimself.Itwasbecauseof thisdeeperandtruerspreadofknowledgethathebecameknownasBaqir.The400booksof HadiththatwerewrittenandlaterconfirmedbyhissonImamJaafarSadiq(AS)whenhebecame Imamafterthedeathofhisfather,thatKulainicompiledhismonumentalbooksofTraditions namedAlKafi,duringtheperiodoftheTwelfthImam. AsmentionedearliertheUmmayadCaliphHishamibnAbdulMalikwasnothappywiththe progressour5thImamwasmakinginreachingouttothepeopleofnotonlyMadinahbut throughouttheMuslimLands.Thisspiritualinfluencewouldchangeintopoliticalinfluenceand thiswouldjeopardisetheCaliphsownpositionasheadofthestate.ThemoretheUmmayad GovernmentlearntaboutImamsprestigeandpopularity,themoreintolerablehisexistence became.Atlasttheyresortedtothesamesoundlessweapon,poisonwhichusedtobeappliedby thecunningmonarchsquiteoftentoeliminatetheiropponentsorsuspects.Asaddlewas presentedtotheImaminwhichpoisonwasappliedmostskilfully.Whenhemountedonitthe poisoneffectedhiswholebody.AfterfewdaysinpaintheImamexpiredon7thofZilhijja114 Hijri. AccordingtohisWillhewasshroudedinthreepiecesofcloth.TheseincludedaYamanisheet

whichheusedtoputonFridayprayersandashirtwhichhealwayswore.Hewaslaidtorest underneaththesamedomeinJannatulBaqiiwhereImamHasanandImamZainulAbedeenwere buried. SomesayingsoftheImam: Imamsaid,"Ourfollowersareofthreekinds,onewhofollowsusbutdependsonothers,onewho islikeaglassinvolvedinhisownreflections,butthebestarethosewhoarelikegold,themore theysufferthemoretheyshine. AnotherfamoussayingoftheImamis,Iadmonishyouregardingfivethings;ifyouarewronged, donotcommitwrongdoingtoothers,ifyouarebetrayed,donotbetrayanyone,ifyouarecalled aliar,donotbefurious,ifyouarepraised,donotbejubilant,ifyouarecriticiseddonotfretand thinkofwhatissaidincriticism,ifyoufindinyourselfwhatiscriticisedaboutyou,thenyouare fallingdownintheeyesofGod;whenyouarefuriousaboutthetruth,itismuchgreatercalamity thenyourfallingdownintheeyesofthepeople.Andifyouareoppositeofwhatissaid(in criticism)aboutyou,thenitisamerityouacquiredwithouthavingtotireyourselfinobtainingit. Our5thImamwassucceededbyhissonJaafarIbnMuhammadelSadiq(AS)asthe6thImam. ThesixthImam,JaafarIbnMuhammadelSadiq(AS) *Upbringing *Revolution *MaltreatmentofImamJaafarSadiq(AS) *CharacterandVirtues *Disseminatingknowledgeandlearning The6thImam,JaafarIbnMuhammadelSadiq(AS)wasBorninMadinahon17thRabiulAwwal83 Hijiri(23.4.702AD).DiedinMadinahon15thShawwal,148Hijri(7.12.765AD)attheageof63. PeriodofImamat34years. ItisknownfromvarioushistorybooksandvarioussourcesofHadiththatwhenImamSadiqwasa youngboy,heusedtocometotheschoolsandMadrasasfoundedbyhisfatherthe5thImamand insteadoflearningasmanyotheryoungstersandolderpupildid,heusedtodiscussserious mattersofFiqhandJurisprudencewithmucholderstudentsoftheMadrasas.Inonesuch

discourseswhenhewasonly11yearsold,whenheenteredaclassroomwherepupilswere discussingonthesubjectofastronomy,hepointedouttothesurpriseofeveryoneexcepthisown father,thattheearthcannotbeflat,becauseofthewaythesunrisesintheEastandsetsinthe westanddayandnightchangein24hours,itcannotbepossible.Inhisopiniontheearthmustbe round,otherwisethiswouldnothavehappenedinsuchaprecisemanner.Allthestudentswere astonishedbuthisfathersmiledandsaidnothing. TheabovestorywasmentionedinabookcompiledbyFiveFrenchscholarsatStrasbourgin Francewiththetitle,TheheartoftheShiaScholarship.ThebookhasbeentranslatedinPersian andUrduanditisnowbeingtranslatedinEnglishwithpossiblereferences. Upbringing Uptotheageoftwelveyears,Jaafar(AS)wasbroughtupundertheguidanceofhisgrandfather ImamZainulAbedeenwhosemainconcernwastoworshiphismakerandreflectonthetragic eventsofKerbalaandwhosemainavenueofteachingwasthroughsupplications. Twentytwoyearshadlapsedsincethen,yettheremembranceofthetragedyofKerbalawasstill freshinhismemory.So,assoonasImamJaafar(AS)gainedunderstanding,hewasprofoundly impressedbythecontinuousgriefofhisgrandfather,somuchsothathefeltasifhehimselfwas presentduringthattragedy.HealsocontemplatedonthepresenceofhisfatherImamBaqir(AS), whowasonlythreeyearsold,atthattragictime.ImamSadiq(AS)consideredithisdutyto convenetherecitationgatherings(Majalis)aboutthesorrowfuleventofKerbala. Hewastwelveyearoldwhenhisgrandfatherexpired.Thenuptotheageof31hepassedhistime undertheguidanceofhisfatherImamBaqir(AS).ItwasthetimewhenUmmayadpoliticswas totteringandmuslimswereapproachingImamBaqir(AS)inthousands.Theirneedforknowledge wasfulfilledbytheImamsoftheAhlulbayt. In114Hijri(732AD)ImamBaqir(AS)died,andtheresponsibilitiesofImamatdevolvedonthe shouldersofImamJaafarSadiq.HishamIbnAbdulMalikwasstillrulinginDamascusandpolitical disturbanceswereafoot.ThepassionoftakingrevengeonBaniUmmayawasstrongandseveral descendantsofImamAli(AS)werepreparingthemselvestooverthrowtheregime.Most prominentamongthemwasZaid,therespectedsonofImamZainulAbedeen(AS)Hisreligious zealandpietywereknownthroughoutArabia.HewasHafizoftheQora'anandhehadtaken uponhimselfthestandofremovingthetyrannyoftheUmmayads. ThiswasaveryprecariousjunctureforImamSadiq(AS)AsregardsthetyrannyoftheUmmayads, heagreedwithhisuncleZaidforwhomhehadagreatdealofrespect.Buthisfarsighted judgementasImamcouldclearlyseethatZaidsrisingagainstthewellorganizedUmmayadforces

willbeofnoavail.Hethereforeadvisedhimnottostartthisventure.ButZaidwastoofaroutin hiszealandhewouldnotstop.ManythousandsofIraqishadsworntheirallegiancetoZaidand hewasquiteoptimisticabouthissuccess.HetookhisforcestoKufa,gaveagreatbattlebutwas killedintheend.TheUmmayadswereasbrutalasever.TheyhungthebodyofZaidonthegates ofthecityofKufawhichremainedtheirasareminderforseveralyears.OneyearafterZaids death,hissonYahyagainedthesamepathandreceivedthesamefate.ImamSadiq(AS)was awareofallthisbutrealizedthatthiswasnotthetimetotakeanysuchactivepart.Hismain occupationwastospreadthereligioussciencesofAhlulbaytasmuchaspossiblewhiletimewas ontheirside. Revolution ThelastdaysoftheUmmayadswereruffledbypoliticaldisturbances.ChangesinGweremany andImamSadiq(AS)witnessedtheriseandfallofmanykings.AfterHisham,Walid,thenhisson Yazid,thenIbrahim,thenMerwanalHimarcametothethrone.Thecaptureofthelatter terminatedthemonarchyofthetyrannicalUmmayads. DuringthelastphaseofthetotteringUmmayadrule,theAbbasidswereactivelyengagedintheir antiUmmayadactivities.Theytookadvantageofthesituationandformedanassociationwiththe sloganthatRighttoruleisforthefamilyoftheHolyProphet.Theypledgedinoneoftheir meetingsinMadinainwhichMuhammadNafseZakiya,thegreatgrandsonofImamHasan(AS) waspresent,thatwhentheUmmayadsstatetopples,theKhilafatwillberevertedtothe Ahlulbayt.ItisclearthattoruletheIslamicworldwasnotthejobofeveryHashemiteorAbbasid. ItwastherightofthosedivinelyappointeddescendantsoftheHolyProphetwhomGodhad chosentoleadhumanity.Butthesehighthinkingsoulsneverwishedtotakeundueadvantageof thesituationwiththeaidofcunningtactics.Inshort,theImams,thedescendantsofAli(AS)never triedtoacquirepowerthroughpoliticaltrickery.ButtheAbbasidsnodoubttooktheopportunity ofthesituation.AvailingthemselvesofthesilenceshownbytheImamsandofthecompassion peoplehadfortheHashemites(theAbbasidstoowereHashemites)theysawtheirchancestorise topower.Butwhentheyestablishedthemselvesonthethrone,theybecametheenemiesof Ahlulbayt,inthesamedegreeormorethanthatwhichhadbeenadoptedbytheheartless Ummayads. OneoftheprominentagentsofthisrevolutionwasAbuSalmaalKhallalwhowasespecially compassionatetowardstheAhlulbayt.WhenhegainedpowerinIraqhewroteletterstoImam Sadiqinvitinghimtoacceptandsharetheroyalpower.Inpoliticalstruggles,suchopportunities areconsideredgolden,buttheImamwhowasanembodimentofselflessnessandselfrespect, declinedtheofferandremaineddevotedtohisdutiesofimpartingknowledge.Thesupportersof theAbbasidcauseandthefollowersofAbuMuslimKhorasanithentooktheoathofallegianceat thehandofAbulAbbasasSaffahon14thRabiusani132Hijri(30.11.749AD)hewasacknowledged

astherulerandcaliphofthemuslimworld.Intheyear136HijriSaffahdiedandhisbrotherAbu JaafarMansursucceededtothethrone. IthasalreadybeenindicatedthattheAbbasidstookadvantageofthepopularityoftheAhlulbayt andhadmadetheirslogantostandandprotecttherightsofAhlulbayt.Theygatheredthepublic aroundthemonthispretext.ButwhentheycametopoweranddestroyedtheUmmayads,they turnedagainsttheAhlulbayt,particularlythedescendantsofImamHasan(AS).AbuSalamawho wasknownforhisloveoftheAhlulbayt,waskilledbySaffah.AbuMuslimKhorasaniwhosearmies marchedintoIraqleadingtotheAbbasidsgainingpowerwasalsomurderedbyMansur.Hethen turnedallhistyrannyagainstthedescendantsofImamHasan. ImamJafarSadiq(As)waswatchingallthiswithgreatsadnessbutwasunabletodoanything aboutit.Heexpressedhissorrowfortheminthesewords. TheearlyMadinites(Ansars)hadinvitedtheHolyProphettoMadinahundertheoaththatthey wouldprotecthimandhisdescendantsjustastheywouldprotecttheirownkithandkin.But todaythedescendantsofthoseveryAnsarsactassilentonlookersandnonestandsuptoprotect theProphetsoffspring. Havingsaidthesewords,theImamreturnedtohishouseandfellill,andwasunabletomovefor twentydays. AmongtheprisonersofMansurwasalsotheagedAbdullaheMahedh,thegrandsonofImam Hasan(AS).HissonMuhammadNafseZakiyahroseagainsttheoppressiveregimeandfellfighting nearMadinahin142Hijri.Theheadoftheyoungwarriorwassenttohisagedfatherinprison whodiedatthesightofthisatrociousact.AnothersonIbrahimroseinKufaandwaskilledinthe year143Hijri.ManySayyids,thedescendantsofImamHasanwerekilledandmanyofthemwere buriedaliveaspartofthebuildingwallsinthecityofBaghdad.Eventodayawallexistsonthe northernsideoftheRiverTigrisneartheJisreAtiq(theOldBridge)withaninscriptiononthewall inKuficscript"InthebuildingmaterialofthiswallmanydescendantsofImamHasanIbnAliwere buriedalive. MaltreatmentofImamJaafarSadiq(AS) InspiteofalltheseatrocitiesagainsttheDescendentsofImamHasan(AS),ImamSadiq(AS)went onsilentlypropagatingtheteachingsofAhlulbayt.Asaresult,eventhosewhodidnot acknowledgehimasaninfallibleImam,norknewhisprestigeorlineage,bowedbeforehis knowledgeandpridedinbeingcountedamonghisstudents. MansurtheAbbasidCaliphwantedtoremovetheesteeminwhichtheImamwasheldbythe

people.Hetriedtobringscholarstocompetewithhimbutallofthemprovedincapableof arguingandsucceedingevenwithhisownstudents.ThesesocalledUlemasoftheDurbarall admittedthattheircounterpartshadacquiredthereligiouslearningfromthedescendantsofthe Prophet.Thearrogantcaliphignoredthemandcontinuedtounderminethepopularityand respectoftheImambyothermeans.Failingthishedecidedtoharass,arrestortomurderhim.In everytownandcityhiredagentswerepostedtomonitortheactivitiesofthefollowersofthe Imam.ItwasatthistimethatthesefollowersweregiventhenameofRafidhoon,i.e.the rejecters.ItwasMansurwhocoinedthewordAhlalSunnawalJamaahtopromoteasectagainst thefollowersofAhlulbayt(SeeAmirAli,theSpiritofIslam).Anyonewhowasfoundsupporting theImamwouldbearrested,imprisonedorkilled. TheImamhimselfwassummonedfromMadinahtoBaghdad,thenewlyfoundedCapitalofthe Abbasidregime.UntilthenitwasKufa,whentransferredfromDamascusafterthefallofthe Ummayads.FivetimeshewastakenawayfromMadinahtoBaghdad,questionedorharassedin onewayortheother.Mansurcouldneverfindsufficientgroundstoorderhisimprisonmentor assassination.OntheotherhandtheconsequentstayoftheImaminIraqonlyexpandedthecircle ofthosewhowantedtolearntheteachingsofAhlulbaytfromhim.Perceivingthis,Mansursent himbacktoMadinah.Eventhere,theImamwasnotsparedfrompersecutionandharassment. CharacterandVirtues ImamSadiq(AS)wasoneofthoseinfallibleNufuswhowerecreatedbyGodtobemodelsof moralexcellence.Thecharacterandconductofallthosesagesindifferentstagesoftheirliveswas thestandardofexcellence.TheparticularvirtuesoftheImamwhichwererecordedbythe historiansincludedhospitality,charity,thehelpingoftheneedyinsecrecy,thefairtreatmentof poorrelatives,forgiveness,patienceandfortitude. OnceapilgrimvisitingtheProphetsMosqueinMadinah,fellasleep.Onwakingup,hehurriedly searchedhisbelongingsandfoundhispursewhichcontainedOneThousandDinarswasmissing. LookingaroundhesawtheImamwasprayinginonecorneroftheMosque.HeaccusedtheImam ofhavingpickedhispurse.TheImamaskedaboutitscontentsandwastoldthatitcontainedone thousandDinars.TheImamthenaskedthemantofollowhimtohishousewherehegavethe manthesameamount.Whenthestrangercamebacktothemosquesatisfied,oncemorehe checkedhispropertyandfoundthathispursewasintactinanotherbundle.Greatlyashamedof hisconduct,hecamebacktotheImam,apologisedandaskedhimtotakehismoneyback.Imam repliedwiththesewords,Wenevertakebackwhatweoncegiveaway,butifyoufeelguilty aboutit,giveittothepoorofthetown."ThetravellergaveallthemoneyinCharitytothepoor ofMadinah. Duringthedaysofscarcity,whenpeopletriedtohoardfoodandothergoods,Imamaskedhis

householdmanagerTrenchab,Thepriceofcornisrisingdaybyday.Howmuchcornistherein ourwarehouse,"TrenchabrepliedthattheImamshouldnotworryastherewasalargequantity ofcorninstore.TheImamreplied,Giveitawaytothepoorandletusfacethesituationalong withothers.Thenheorderedthatpurewhitewheatflourshouldnotbeusedinhiskitchen,and shouldbemixedwithequalquantitysofoatflour.Wemustsharemisfortunewiththeneedy andthepooraslongasittakes." Disseminatingknowledgeandlearning HisprofoundknowledgeofreligionandotherscienceswasfamedthroughouttheentireIslamic world.Peoplecamefromdistantregionstolearnfromhim.Thenumberofhisstudentsreached overFourThousand.AmongthemwerescholarsofJurisprudence,Tafsir,HaidthsuchasImam NomanbinThabitAbuHanifaandImamMaliIbnAnas.Headsofotherreligionsalsocamethere todiscusswiththeImamsstudentsmanymattersofdisputeandonmanyoccasionsreturned homeembracingIslam.Sometimeshehimselfarguedwiththeopponentsespeciallyatheists. Apartfromreligioussciences,heusedtoteachtosomestudentsmathematics,chemistry, medicineandastronomy.JabirIbnHayyan,thefamouspioneerofphysics,chemistryand mathematics,washisdisciplewhowroteaboutfourhundredtreatisesbasedonhismentors instructions.Thejuristswholearntfromhimandwroteseveralvolumesofbookson jurisprudencecanbecountedbythehundreds. PerhapsthemostinterestingofallhispupilswasAbuHanifawhogavepubliclecturesatKufathat attractedmuchattention.Ingivingdecisions,heclaimedtherighttoexercisetheprivilegeof deduction(Qiyas)andofusinghisownjudgement(Ray)tosupplementthetraditionsandforthis departurehewasseverelycriticisedbythescholarsinMakkaandMadina.Hisdecisionswereon thepointoflawofIslam,howeverhesteadfastlyrefusedtoentertheserviceoftheGovernment asjudge.ThusitwasasaliteraryoracademicjuristthathewasabletocarryonhisworkinKufa underboththeUmmayadsandtheAbbasids.Itisprobablethathestronglysympathizedwiththe Alidsandresentedthewayinwhichtheyhadbeensetaside.Masudimentionsinhishistorythat oncehehadsent10,000DinarstoZaidIbnAlitohelphimagainsttheUmmayads. Oneissurprisedtoobservethatthesetwocontemporaryscholarswereabletocarryonteaching intheirrespectivecities,AbuHanifainKufaandImamJaafarSadiq(AS)inMadina.Thetwomen wereonfriendlytermswitheachotherandoftenAbuHanifaacceptedtheadviceofhisteacher ImamJaafarSadiq(AS) IbnKhalikanrelatesastoryaboutananecdotethattheImamJaafarSadiq(AS)hadwithhis contemporaryjuristofKufa.TheImamasked,Whatwouldyousayistheproperfineforone whobreaksthefrontmolars(Rubaiyat)ofadeer?AbuHanifaanswered,OsonoftheApostleof GodIdonotknowtheanswer.TothistheImamreplied,Canyouthenpretendtolearningand

scholarshipwhenyoudonotknowthatadeerhasnofrontmolars,butonlytheincisors" (Thanaya). Onanotheroccasion,AbuHanifaremarkedthatiftheImamdidnotteachthreethingshewould beabletoaccepthim. 1.GoodisfromGodandevilisfromthedeedsofmen,whereasIsaythatmenhavenochoice butbothgoodandevilarefromGod. 2.Inthefinaljudgementthedevilsuffersinthefire,whereasIsaythatthefirewillnotburnhim, insomuchasthesamematerialwillnotinjureitself(theDevilbeingfromfire) 3.itisimpossibletoseeGodinthisworldorthenext,whereasIsaythatanyonewhohas existencemaybeseen,ifnotinthisworld,theninthenext.AtthispointShaikhBuhlulwhowas oneofImamscompanions,butpretendedtobeasimplemindedperson,pickedupaclodof earthandhitAbuHanifaonthehead,declaringashemadethehastyexit,thatallthreepointsare refuted.AbuHanifamadeacomplaintabouthimtothecaliphwhocalledBuhlulbeforehimand askedhim,whydidyouthrowtheclodofearthatAbuHanifa.Heanswered,Ididnotthrowit. AbuHanifaprotested,youdidthrowit.ButBuhlulreplied,youyourselfhavemaintainedthat evilisfromGodthatmenhavenochoice,sowhydoyoublameme?Andyouhavealsosaidthat thesamematerialwillnotinjureitself.Thedevilisfromfireandfireofhellwouldnothurthim. Accordinglyyouarefromdustoftheearth,tellmehowitcouldinjureyou?Youhavealsoclaimed thatyoucanseeGodasaproofofhisexistence.Showmethepainyouarecomplainingabout thatexistsinyourhead?" AbuHanifahadnoanswertothatandheeventuallyagreedtowhatImamJaafarSadiq(AS) taughtaboutthesethings. NeverthelessAbuHanifawashighlyrespectedbythosefriendsofAhlulbaytfortheyheartily endorsedaremarkmadebyAbuHanifaconcerningMansurandallsuchoppressorswhetherof theBanuUmayyaorBanuAbbas.AbuHanifaeloquentlydeclaredthatifsuchmenwouldbuilda Masjidandcommandhimtothesimpletaskofcountingthebricks,hewouldnotdoit,forthey aredissolute(Fasiq)andthedissolutearenotworthyoftheauthorityofleadership (Majlisi,TarikhulAiemma).UltimatelyMansurheardthisremarkandcastAbuHanifaintoprison whereheremaineduntilhisdeath.AbuHanifasremarkswerebasedontheVerseintheQur'an (SurahII,V118)whereGodsaidtoAbraham,IamabouttomaketheeanImamtomankind,and Abrahamasked,ofmyoffspringalso,butGodanswered,Mycovenantembracethnotthe idolaters. Onthequestionofthefreedomofwill(Irada)whichwasmuchunderdiscussionatthetime,the

Imamtaught,thatGodhasdecreedsomethingsforusandHehaslikewisedecreedsomethings throughouragency,WhatHedecreedforusoronourbehalfHehasconcealedfromus,butwhat HehasdecreedthroughouragencyHehasrevealedtous.Wearenotconcerned,therefore,so muchwithwhathehasdecreedforus,aswearewithwhathehasdecreedthroughouragency. Astothequestionofthepower(Qadr)ofdirectingonesownactions,theImamtookamiddle position,whichisneithercompulsion(Jabr)norcommitting(Tafviz)thechoicetoourselves.He wasaccustomedtosayinprayer,OGod,thineisthepraisethatIgivethee,andtotheeisthe excuseifIsinagainstthee.Thereisnoworkofmeritonmyownbehalf,oronbehalfofanother, andinevilthereisnoexcuseformeorforanother. YakubiinhisTarikhremarksinregardtoImamJaafarSadiq(AS)that,itwascustomaryfor scholarswhorelatedanythingfromhimtosay'thelearnedoneinformedus'.Whenwerecall thatMalikibnAnas(94179)theauthorofMawattawasacontemporaryoftheImamJaafar Sadiq(AS),atleastacenturybeforethetimeofBukhariandMuslim,itissignificanttofindthatit istheImamJaafarSadiq(AS)whoiscreditedwithstatingwhatcametoberegardedasthemost significantandimportantprincipletoobserveinjudgingtraditions:Whatisinagreementwith theBookofGod,acceptit,andwhateveriscontrary,rejectit. YakubialsorelatesanothersayingoftheImamasfollows; "Therearetwofriends,andwhoeverfollowsthemwillenterparadise,Someoneasked,Who arethey?Hesaid,TheacceptanceofthatwhichyoudislikewhenGodlikesit,andtherejection ofthatwhichyoulikewhenGoddislikesit. Masudi,thefamoushistorian,wroteoneofthemostimportantsayingsofImamSadiq(AS) ascribedthroughImamAli(AS)whoissaidtohaverelatedthatwhenGodwishedtoestablishthe creation,theatomsofcreaturesandthebeginningofallcreatedthings,Hefirstmadewhathe createdintheformofsmallparticles.Thiswasbeforetheearthandtheheavenswerecreated. GodexistedaloneinHisauthorityandpower.SoHecastfortharayoflight,aflamefromHis splendouranditwasradiant.Hescatteredthislightinthemidstofinvisibleatoms,whichHethen unitedintheformofourProphet.Godmosthighthendeclareduntohim,youarethefirstof thosewhoshallspeak,theonewithpowerofchoiceandtheonechosen.ToyouIhavetrusted mylightandthetreasureofmyguidance.ForyoursakeIwillformspaciouschannels,givefree coursetothewaters,andraisetheheavens.ForyoursakeIwillgiverewardsandpunishments, andassignmentoParadiseortotheFire.Iwillappointthepeopleofyourhousehold(Ahlulbayt) forguidance.Iwillbestowuponthemthesecretsofmyknowledge.Notruthwillbehiddenfrom themandnomysteryconcealed.Iwilldesignatethemasmyprooftomankind,asthosewhoshall admonishmenofmypowerandremindthemofmyUnity(Tawheed).Thelightdescended, theImamJaafarcontinued,uponourmostnoblemen,andshownthroughourImams,sothat

weareinfactthelightofHeavenandofEarth.Tousissalvationcommitted,andfromusarethe secretsofsciencederived,forwearethedestinationthatallmuststrivetoreach.OurMehdiwill bethefinalproof,thesealoftheImams,theDelivereroftheImamat,theApexoftheLight,and theSourceofallgoodwork.Thosewhofollowuswillhaveoursupportinthehereafter. Imamdiedinthe10thyearofthereignofCaliphMansur,148Hijiri(765AD).Hehadwornasignet ringwiththeinscription,GodismymasterandmydefencefromHiscreation.Helivedtobe65 yearsold.ItismentionedbyhistoriansthatonCaliphsordershewasgivenpoisoningrapes whichcausedhisdeath. ImamJaafarSadiq(AS)wasburiedinthecemeteryofBaqeeinMadinabythesideofhisfather ImamMuhammadBaqir(AS).BeforethedestructionoftheBaqeecemeterybytheWahabis,the inscriptiononthetombsaid,HereistheTombofImamJaafarIbnMuhammadalSadiq. TheSeventhImamMusaIbnJaafarAlKazim.A.S BorninMadinaon7thSafar128Hijri(10.11.745AD).DiedinBaghdadIraq25thRajab183Hijri (4.9.799AD)PeriodofImamatwas35years. ImamMusaIbnJaafarwasbornduringthestrugglebetweentheUmmayadsandtheAbbasids. HewasonlyfouryearsoldwhenAbulAbbasSaffah,TheShedderofBlood,cametothe throneasthefirstAbbasidcaliph.Fortwentyyearshewasundertheauthorityofhisfather,who diedtenyearsbeforetheendofthelongreignofMansur.TheImamatofthe7thImamextended throughthetenremainingyearsofthecaliphatofMansur,andincludedthetenyearsoftherule ofMahdi,oneyearandsomemonthsofHadiandabouttwelveyearsofthereignofHarunal Rashid.ThusforthirtyfiveyearshewastheImam.Heheldthiscoveteddistinctionasthelongest periodofImamatoftheElevenImams. WithsixbrothersandninesistersImamMusa(AS)grewupinalargefamily.Ismailtheoldest brotherdiedatayoungageandMusawaschosenbyDivineprovidencetosucceedhisfatheras theImam.Therewerethoseamongthefollowersofthe6thImamwhothoughtthatImamat shouldbehereditaryandthereforetheeldestsonofthe6thImamshouldsucceed.They misunderstoodthewholeconceptofImamatwhichwasneitherhereditarynormandatoryforany oneperson.ItwasdivinelyselectedandtheImamathisdeathbedrevealsthenameofthenext Imam.

TheAbasidcaliphswerealwaysonthealertwiththisdistinctivesourceofImamatandour7th Imamwasfullyawareofthisdanger.TheCaliphswereonthealerttodiscoveranyrealor imaginarydisloyaltywiththeImamorhisfollowersandtheywouldimmediatelyputthemunder arrest.Thisnaturalanxiety,however,doesnotappeartohaveseriouslyinterruptedhislifeasan Imam.HecontinuedtodisseminateQoraanicteachingsashisfatherImamJaafaralSadiq(AS) usedtodothroughtheIslamicschoolsopenedinMadinaduringthelifeofthe5thImam. IbnKhalikanrelatedthatcaliphMansursawinhisdreamImamAli(AS)whowasrecitingtheverse fromtheQuran,OMuhammad,wereyoureadytherefore,ifyouhadbeenputinauthority,to commitevilontheearthandtoviolatethetiesofblood.Mansursentforhisfavourite companionIbnYounusatnightandtoldhimofhisdream.Hethensaid,bringmeMuasaIbn Jaafar.TheImamMusaibnJaafarwasbroughtinallthewayfromMadinatoBaghdad.Whenhe arrivedMansurembracedhimandsaidtohim,AbulHasan,IhavejustseeninadreamAliIbnAbi Talib(AS)whowasrecitingthisverse.Givemeyourassurancethatyouwillnotrevoltagainstme oragainstanyofmychildren.Imamreplied,ByAllahIhavenosuchintentions.Thecaliphthen gavehimathousanddinarsandrestoredhimtohisfamilyinMadina. ThisstorygiveussomeideahowtheseAbasidcaliphsweresoafraidoftheImamsofAhlulbayt thatinspiteoftheirtotallackofevidenceforanykindofrevoltagainsttheirearthlypower,they wouldnotleavethemalone.FromtimetotimetheImamswerebroughtinfromMadina,keptin Baghdadeitheronhousearrestorinsideprisonsunderthemostdifficultofconditions.Butitwas theImamsgreatDivineCharactersthatmanagedtokeepthemgoinginthemostseverestof conditions.ItisbecauseoftheseuncertaintimesthattheImamsaid, Howbaseistheworldforapeople,unlessGodgivethemjoy;andhowgreatisthislife,ifGodis notangrywiththem.TotalsubmissiontotheWillofGodinallcircumstances. ItwaswidelyknownthatImamMusaIbnJaafarhadbeengivenpowersofhealing.Oncehewas passingbyahouseandheardlittlechildrenweeping.Heenquiredastowhytheywerecrying.He wastoldthattheywereorphansandtheirmotherhadjustdiedandnowtheyhadnoonetolook afterthem.Hewentinsidethehouse,madetwoprostrationsandprayedtoGodforherlife. Momentslaterthewomanstoodupwellandingoodhealth.Peoplewhosawthisandcried out,BeholditisJesussonofMary. OnceHarunalRashidwasvisitingMadina.HewenttothemosqueoftheProphetnearhisgrave andsaid,MySalamstoyouOcousinofourfathers.ImamMusawastherewhosalutedthegrave oftheProphetwiththewords,MySalamstoyouOourgrandfather.AtthisAlRashidwas disconcertedandwentawayangry. ThisoccurrencewassufficienttoexplainhisfirstsummonsfromAlRashidtocometoBaghdad.

Therehewaskeptinprison.ButafternearlyayearinprisonHarunsawinadreamthatan AbysinianslavewasrushingtowardshimwithajavelinandtellinghimtoreleaseMusaIbnJaafar orhewillslayhim.Harunimmediatelycalledtheheadoftheprisonandtoldhimtoreleasethe ImamandgivehimthirtythousandDirhams.Whenthismanreachedthedooroftheprisonhe foundImamwaswaitingforhimandwelcomedhim,sayinghowquicklyhehadcometorelease him.Themansaidhowdidheknow.ImamrepliedIsawtheHolyProphetinmydreamwhotold metorecitethesewordsandthenIwillbereleasedfromprisonforIhadbeenputhereunjustly." Themanaskedwhatwerethosewords,Imamreplied, Othouwhohearesteveryvoice, Othouwholettestnoopportunityescape; Othouwhoclothesttheboneswithflesh andwhowiltraisethemupafterdeath; IinvoketheebythyHolyname,andbythatgreatandsplendidnamewhichistreasuredupand closelyhidden,bythatnamewhichnocreatedthingshalleverknow; Othouwhoartsomildandwhosepatienceisneverequalled; Othouwhosefavoursneverceaseandcannotbenumbered,setmefree.(Masudi,Murujel Dhahab) Soyouseewhathappened.Thesuperintendentofprisonswasflabbergastedandreleasedthe Imamimmediately,organisedanescortforhimtotakehimtoMadinah. CharacterandVirtues ImamMusaIbnJaafar(AS)wasoneoftheillustriousImamswhoGodhadsetaparagonofmoral excellence.Eachmemberofthisnoblefamilypossessedcardinalvirtues.Naturallyinsome individualsaparticularvirtueisdominantandmoreconspicuous.TheseventhImamexcelledin toleranceandforgiveness,somuchsothathewasentitledalKazim,thesuppressorofanger. Neverwasheheardspeakingroughlyorharshlytoanyone.Eveninthemostunpleasant situations,hewasseensmilingbearingthepaingracefully.Thiswasinaccordancewiththesaying ofhisancestorImamAli(AS)thatthefaithfulkeepshisgriefconfinedinhisheartwithasmileon hisface. OneStateofficialofMadinawasapersistentsourceofharassmenttotheImam.Heevenused abusivelanguageregardingImamAli.(AS)Butour7thImamalwaysdirectedhisfollowersnotto retaliateinthesameabusivemanner.Whenhismalmannerbecametoorudetobetolerated, ImamsfollowerssoughtpermissionfromtheImamtoretaliateagainsthim.TheImamappeased

them,promisingtodecidethematterinhisownway. Pacifyinghisfollowers,theImamwenttothatmanonhisFarmandtreatedhimwithsuchnoble benevolencethatthemanfeltashamedofhisconductandsubsequentlychangedhisattitudeand alteredhisconduct.Explaininghispolicytohisfollowers,theImamasked,Wasmybehaviour betterthanthemethodsyousuggested?Theyadmittedthatitcertainlywas.Hethuscarriedout theinstructionsofhisgreatancestorImamAli(AS)whichisrecordedinNehjulBalaghatosubdue theenemywithbenevolencesinceitismoreeffectivethantryingtodefeatthemwiththesame methods.Nodoubtthisrequiresacorrectjudgementofyouradversarysnature.ImamAli(AS) hasthereforewarnednottousethispolicywiththevileandmean,ortheywillbeencouragedto domoremischief. TovanquishtheenemywithgoodnesscertainlyrequirestheforesighttheImampossessed. Strictnessispermissibleonlywhentheenemyscontinuousvileconductjustifiesretaliationorthe useofforce.Ifnot,thesedignifiedNufuspreferredtodealwiththatkindofpersongentlysoasto haveavalidpretextagainsttheopponentandleavenogroundforhimtojustifyhisaggression. ThiswasthenoblemethodusuallyadoptedbyallmembersofAhlulbayt.ImamAli(AS)evenon hisdeathbedbehavedliberallywithIbnMuljimwhohaddealthimamortalblowonlytheday before.ImamMusaIbnJaafar(AS)showeredhisgenerosityonmanyofhisrelativesevenwhenhe knewthatsomeofthemwereenviousofhimandconspiredwiththerulerofthetimeHarunal Rashid. Astowhatmayhaveledtohisfinalimprisonment,wefindthatitisstatedbyAlFakhrithatthere weresomeoftherelativesofMusaIbnaafarwhowereenviousofhimandcarriedfalsereports abouthimtoAlRashid,saying,ThepeoplepayinghimtheKhums,oronefifthoftheproperty, areacceptingtheImamatandheisabouttorevoltagainstyou.TheybroughtthisreporttoAl Rashidsofrequentlythatitmadehimanxiousandagitated.Hegavetheaccusersomemoneyto keepbringinghimmoreinformation.Butitisrelatedthroughauthenticsourcesthatthisrelative oftheImamdidnothavethechanceofenjoyingthatrewardforespionage,forassoonashe reachedMadinah,hesufferedaseriousillnessanddiedfromit.ItwasinthatyearthatAlRashid wentonthepilgrimage,andwhenhearrivedinMadina,hearrestedtheImamMusaIbnJaafar, broughthimtoBaghdadandimprisonedhimunderthecareofalSindiibnShahik.(AlFakhriIbnul Tiktika) ThisagreeswithMajlisiscommentinBiharalAnwarthatHaruntookhimfromMadinatendays fromtheendofthemonthofShawwal177Hijiri.ThenHarunsetoutforMakkaandtookthe ImamwithhimwhenhereturnedtoBasraandhadhimimprisonedwithIssa.Aboutoneyear laterhewastakenoutoftheBasranprisonandtakentoBaghdad.Hewasputinprisonthere underthewatchfuleyeofthemostcruelpersonnamedalSindi.Majlisigoesontosaythatthe ImamdiedinhisprisonandwasburiedinthecemeteryofQoraishonthesouthsideofBaghdad.

AlFakhriadds,AlRashidwasatRakkaandsentordersthatheshouldbeputtodeath.Theythen broughtanumberofsocalledreputablementoKarkhtoactascoronersandtotestifypublicly thattheImamdiedanaturaldeath. TheplacehewasburiedwasacemeteryoftheQoraish.Butsoonthisplacebecamethefocusof pilgrimageonthegraveoftheImam.Atowngrewaroundthegraveyard.Thenameofthetown becameKazimiya,thetownoftheImamKazim(AS)Areputedschooloftheologywasfoundedin thistownwhichisstillasourceoflearningformanystudentsfromallovertheworld. TheeighthImamAliIbnMusa,AlReza(AS) *Imam'sConduct *EstablishmentofMajalistocommemoratetheeventsofKerbala BorninMadina11thZeeqaad148Hijri(1.1.766AD).DiedinthecityofTusIranon17thSafar203 Hijri(26.5.819AH)PeriodofImamat20years. HisgrandfatherImamJaafarAlsadiq(AS)diedonemonthbeforethebirthofImamReza(AS)The familymusthavebeenconsoledbyhisbirthwhichtookplaceaftersuchagreatloss.Hewas broughtupandinstructedbyhisaffectionatefatherunderwhosesupervisionhepassedhis boyhoodandyouth.Heavailedhimselfoftheinstructionsofhislearnedfatherforthirtyone yearstillthelaterwastakentoBaghdadtosufferthehardshipofimprisonmentforfouryearstill hisdeath. ImamMusaIbnJaafar(AS)couldforeseethatthehostileAbbasidrulerwouldnotallowhimtolive peacefullyandcircumstanceswouldtakesuchaturnthathisfollowerswouldnotbeabletosee himorenquireabouthissuccessorpriortohisdeath.SowhilefreeandundisturbedinMadinah hefelttheneedtointroducehissuccessortohisfollowers.He,therefore,assembledseventeen prominentdignitariesfromthedescendantsofImamAli(AS)andproclaimedthathissonAliIbn Musa(AS)wouldsucceedhim.Healsowrotehiswillonwhich60respectedeldersofMadinah signedaswitnesses.SuchelaboratedarrangementswerenevermadebyanyotherImamandthey provedtobemostappropriateduetothecontroversyabouttheImamatwhichensuedafterthe deathofImamMusaIbnJaafar(AS). ImamReza(AS)was35yearsoldwhenhisfatherdiedinprisonofHarunalRashidinBaghdadand

theresponsibilitiesoftheImamatdevolvedonhim.AtthattimeHarunAlRashidwastheabsolute rulerofBaghdadandthedescendantsofImamAli(AS)werepassingasever,throughtrialsand tribulationsbecauseofthetyrannyoftheAbbasidruler.YetImamReza(AS)carriedonthe responsibilityofadministeringtheDivineLawofShariahastaughtbytheHolyProphetand ImamsoftheAhlulbaytafterhim. AfterputtinganendtothelifeofImamMusaIbnJaafar(AS)HarunalRashidlivedfortenyears. HehadlesstolerancefortheexistenceofImamAliReza(AS),thenhedidforhisreveredfather. ButhealsoknewthathisGovernmenthadalreadylostfaceduetoitsprolongedmaltreatment andeventualassassinationofImamMusaIbnJaafar(AS)orperhapsthetyrantfeltthestingsof consciencewhichkepthimfromharassingthe8thImam.ItissaidthatonceYahyaBarmaki,his PrimeMinister,inordertogaintherulersfavour,informedHarunthatImamAliIbnMusa(AS) claimedImamatinthesamewayhisfatherhaddone,Haruncoldlyreplied,Wehavealready inflictedcrueltiesonhisfather,doyouexpectmetoannihilatethisfamilyaltogether. Still,HarunwasantagonistictowardstheProphetsdescendantsandpersistedinmaltreatmentof mostoftheminMadina.ThelocalGovernorsofMadinawhowishedtopleasetherulercouldnot affordtobefairtoAhlulbayt.PeoplecouldnotvisittheImamfreelyseekhisknowledge,andhe hadlittlechancetoteachhisfollowersopenly,fortheeyesoftheagentsofCaliphfocused unceasinglyontheactivitiesoftheImam. PoliticalwranglingsinBaghdadbetweenthetwosonsofHarunwererockingtheEmpire.Hiselder sonAminwhohadanArabmotherhadthesupportoftheArabsandmostoftheAbbasidelders, whiletheyoungersonMamunhadaPersianmotherandwassupportedbythePersians.To consolebothfactionsHaruntookapledgefrombothhissonsthatafterhisdeathAminwillrule theArabpartoftheEmpirewhileMamounwillrulethePersianside.WhenHarundiedinfar awayTus,themostnortherntownofhisPersianEmpire,Mamounwaswithhimandburiedhim there.AmininBaghdadimmediatelyproclaimedhimselftheCaliphofthewholeempireand immediatelydeposedMamounfromtherulershipofthePersianProvince.Mamounsmain concernwastosubduethepersianprovinceunderanycircumstances.Herealisedthatthe majorityofPersiansfavouredtheteachingsofAhlulbaytandifsomehowhecouldpersuadethe ImamoftheAhlulbaytinMadinatosidewithhim,hecouldconfirmhisrulethere.Oncehefelt secureonthatsideoftheEmpire,hewouldthenriseagainsthisbrotherandeasilydeposehim. SotheordersweresenoutfortheImamtoleavehishomeinMadinaandgototheAbasidrulerin farawayTus.Imam,asifbysomemiracleknewwhatwastocome.Sohelefthiswifeandonly sonMuhammadIbnAlialJawad,laterknownasImamMuhammadTaqi(AS)inMadina.Healso calledmanyeldersofMadinamostlyfromBanuHashimandtoldthemofhiscalltogotothe outpostoftheEmpiretoseeMamoun.ThedateofhisdeparturewasinthemonthofRajab200 Hijri.ItwasalongjourneytoMerveandtheImamsetoutonthismomentousjourneywithsome

ofhisfriendswhowereloyaltohimthroughouthislife. HisjourneybeganfromMadinatoMakkawhereheperformedtheUmra,thenhetookalmostthe samerouteasImamHussain(As)tookin61hijritowardsKerbala.Halfwaythroughthehillsof HejazwhenhecrossedovertothedesertofNajdhisroutechangedtothatofImamHussain(AS) andhiscaravanmovedtowardstheeasternsideandreachedthetownofBasrainthemonthof Shawwal.FromBasrahecrossedovertheShattalArabandreachedthepersiansoilheading towardsthetownofQum.ItwasinthemonthofZilhijjathathereachedQumwherehestayed forawhile.ThemonthofMuharramthe8thImamspentinQumwhereitissaidthathe establishedforthefirsttimeaMajlistocommemoratethemartyrdomofImamHussain(AS).This wasthefirstMuharramin201HijrithatsetthetraditionofMajlis,beginninginPersiathewaythe ImamsofAhlulbaythadwanteditandthewayitwasobservedinMadinaandMakkaand throughouttheprovinceofHejazandNajdandtosomeextentinIraqwherepeoplethrongedfor pilgrimagetotheShrineofImamHussain(AS). AfterspendingtheMonthofMuharraminQumtheImamproceededtowardsthenorthernpart ofPersiacrossingtheAlburzmountainstothetownofMervwhereMamounhadsettledwithhis armytosecurehisempireforhim. Itisthoughtinsomehistoricalcirclesthatthe8thImaminvolvedhimselfinpoliticswhilehis ancestorsuptothe7thImamafterthemartyrdomofImamAli(AS)refrainedfromthisjourney. OutwardlyitlooksliketheImamwasabandoningthepolicyofhispredecessorsfortheImam couldnotbetheheirapparenttothecaliphatewithoutbecominginvolvedinthepoliticsofthe day.TheImamtookpains,however,toindicatethatitwasnothisdesire,butthathewasacting onlyinaccordwiththesummonshehadreceivedfromMamoun.Heseemedtohavenochoice buttoproceedonthishazardousjourney.Indeedifhehadrefusedtoproceedorshownany reluctance,forcewouldsurelyhavebeenusedwhichwouldhavebeenmorehumiliatingforthe Imamandhisfamily. Yakubiinhishistorygavesomedetailsofthisjourney.FromQumtheImammovednorthtothe townofalray,theGreekRhages,whichisnearthesiteofthepresentcityofTehran.Fromthis placethecaravancontinueditsjourneyuntilitreachedthecityofTus.FromTustheytravelledon tothecityofMerv,inwhatisnowmodernTurkistan. OnhisarrivalinMerv,Mamounwelcomedhimwithgreatceremonyandpomp.Mamountreated theImamwithgreathonour. Itismentionedbyvarioushistorians,BothofShiaandSunnischoolsofthought,thatwhen MamouninitiallyofferedtheImamhisthrone,theImamdeclinedtheofferfirmlyandresolutely. AfterseveralattemptstobringtheImamtoaccepttheofferfailed,Mamountoldhimtoaccept

theofferofbeinghisheirapparenttosucceedhimafterMamounsdeath.Imamrepliedtothis offer,Iwillacceptthistoconsoleyou,butthiswillneverhappenforIwillleavethisworldbefore you.OnceMamounachievedhisdesiretogettheconsentoftheImamashissuccessor,he declaredthisopenlytoallinordertoseethereactionoftheAbbasidclanwhowerefavouringhis halfbrotherAmin. AccordingtoYakubiitwasonthe27thofRamadan,intheyear201HijrithattheImamwas officiallydesignatedasMamounssheirapparent,(Waliahd,)andtheImamsnamewas includedwithhisownongoldandsilvercoins.Theinscriptiononthesecoinsiswellworthyof notice:TheKingofGodandthefaith,AlMamoun,AmirandKhalifaofthefaithful,andAlReza, theImamofthemuslims.ThismeantmorethanthattheImamwastobeofficialchaplaintohim forMamounsummonedthedescendantsofAbbas,menandwomentocometoMerv.Itwasan assemblyofthirtythreethousandandwhentheyallassembled,thecaliphMamouncalledforAli alReza(AS)andgavehimaplaceofhonouramongthegreatestoftheAbbasidnobles.Hethen announcedtothosehehadsummoned,thathehadcarefullyconsideredallthedescendantsof AbbasandalsothedescendantsofAli,andthathehadnotfoundinhissearchanyonemore worthyormorefittobehissuccessorthanAlialReza.Hethereforetookhimbythehandand publiclyacknowledgedhimashissuccessor(Kulaini).HethengavehisdaughterUmmeHabibin marriage.Healsosentabroadthecommandthatthewearingofblackflagswhichwasthesymbol ofAbbasidruleafterthedestructionoftheUmmayads,shouldbediscontinuedandthathereafter theuseofgreenshouldbesubstituted.GreenbeingthecolourofAhlulbaytandtheHouseofAli (AS)wastheorderoftheday. OncethisstoryofsuccessionwasannouncedMamounspoliticalambitionwasachieved.He securedthehelpofthePersiansfullybehindhim.Withtheirhelphisarmyinvadedthecapitalof theAbbasidempire,Baghdad,AminwaskilledandhisheadwassenttoMamountoseefor himselfthathehadbecamethesoleruleroftheAbbasidEmpire.ButMamounwasstillnotsecure onhisthrone.TheArabpartywhosidedwithAmin,neverlikedtheappointmentofImamAlial Reza(AS)asthesuccessorofMamoun,nomatterhowdubiousitlookedtothemonthefaceofit. ThechiefsoftheAbbasidfamilyinIraqperceivedthatbythisappointmenttheprincipalauthority intheempirewouldverylikelybetakenfromthem.Theygottogether,therefore,andproclaimed thatforbequeathingtheCaliphateafterhisdeathtotheImamAliAlReza(AS),whowasnottheir immediatefamily,Mamounhimselfwasdeclareddeposed.TheysworeallegiancetoIbrahimal Mehdi,Mamounsuncleastheirnewcaliph.Thisproclamationtookplaceonthe5thof Muharram202Hijri. WhileImamRezawaswithMamouninMerv,hisPrimeMinisterFadlibnSahlarrangeda conferenceonreligionstowhichheinvitedtheleadersofdifferentsects,includingZoroastrains andChristiansandJews,thattheymighthearwhattheImamoftheAhlulbaythadtosayto impressthemoftheirspiritualabilitiesandexcellences.Itwasinthesediscussionswithleadersof

otherfaithsthattheImamclarifiedthepositionofsinlessnessoftheProphetsandoftheguided Imams.TheseconferencesweresosuccessfulthatatonestageMamounwasfearfulofthe increasinginfluencesoftheImamonthepeopleasawhole. InonesuchincidenceontheoccasionoftheEidulFitr,thewholestrategyofMamounandthe shearhypocrisyofthedramahewasplayingwasexposed.HehadaskedtheImamtoleadthe EidulFitrprayersattheendofRamazanthatyear.FirsttheImamdeclined,butwhenMamoun insisted,heagreedontheconditionthathewilldirecttheoccasionashewoulddeemfit.Onthe morningoftheEidulFitr,whenthemilitaryandcivilleadersassembledoutsidethedoorofthe Imamtocomeoutandleadtheprayers,theysawtheImamcomeoutofthehousebarefoot, wearingawhiteshirtandwhiteheadgear.Imamalsoadvisedhiscompanionstofollowhiminthe samemanner.HecameoutontheRoadtothemosqueoutsidethecityofMerv.Allthecitizens whosawtheImaminthisfashioncopiedhimandallwalkedbarefoot.Eventhemilitarychiefsand civiljudgeswalkedbarefoot.AhugecrowdfollowedtheImam.HewassayingTakbirloudlyand allwerefollowinghimandshoutingTakbir(Godisgreat).Thesituationbecamesotensethat whenMamounwasinformedofthishugefollowingoftheImamheimmediatelysentarequestto theImamtowithdrawfromleadingtheEidprayers.Imamwithdrewanditwasagreatshow downfortheEmperoraexposedhistrickerytothefull. ItwasafteraboutayearsstayoftheImaminMervthatMamoundecidedtodosomethingabout thesituationinIraq.HeknewthathisuncleIbrahimalMehdihadbeenproclaimedasCaliphthere inhisplace.Thiswasathorninhisheart.Hedecidedthatitwastimeforhimtoreturnfrom Khorasanandasserthisrightsinperson.Hehadalreadystrengthenedhispositionduetothehelp ofthePersians.WithahugearmybesidehimMamounpreparedhisjourneybackhome.Hewas accompanied,asYakubimentionsitinhishistory,byImamalReza(AS)ashisheirapparentand byhisprimeministerFadlibnSahl,whowasknownastheholderoftwooffices,civilandmilitary, beingthePrimeMinisteraswellasthechiefoftheArmy.Butwhentheyreachedthetownof Sarakhs,FadlibnSahlwasassassinatedinhisbathbytwopersons,GhalibalRumiandSarrajal Khadim.TheywerefoundoutbyMamounwhoimmediatelyputthemtodeathimmediatelythat iftherewasanyimplicationofMamouninthismurderitshouldnotbeexposed.Mamounhadhis suspicionsabouthisPrimeMinisterwhowassecretlygainingfavourwiththeAbbasidsin Baghdad.HistoriansdidmentionthenameofMamounindisposingoffFadhlibnSahl. WithintwodaysofthismurderwhenthearmyreachedthetownofTus,ImamRezafellilland diedwithinthreedaysofhisillness.Yakubireportedthathissicknesswasnomorethanthree daysanditwasreportedthatIbnHisham,MamounsfavouritehenchmanhadgiventheImam poisonwhichcausedhisdeath.HemixedpoisoningrapesandwhenImamhadeatenthegrapes hebecameillinthesamemannerasImamHasandidanddiedwithinthreedays. IbnBabawaihrelatesvariousreasonsthathavebeenassignedtoMamounforpoisoningtheImam

andshowsalsothecircumstancesinwhichImamAliReza(AS)issaidtohavedesignatedhisson MuhanmmadibnAliashissuccessortotheImmamate. ImamAliReza(AS)diedandwasburiedfarofffromMadina,thehomeofhisforefathersofthe AhlulbaytoftheProphet.InSanabad,aboutamilefromthevillagewherehedied,theyplaced himinagraveinsidethetombofHarunalRashidwhowasburiedtheretenyearsago.Mamouns ambitionstogettheEmpireunderhisfeetwasalmostaccomplishedforheknewthatthearmy underhiscommandwouldnotrunawayfromhimatthisjuncture.Sohecleverlykilledoffthe ImamandreachedBaghdadwiththedeclarationthattheCaliphatofBanuAbbaswouldremainin thefamily.IbrahimalMehdiwasdeposedandlaterkilledandMamounbecamethesupreme leader. Imam'sConduct Usually,thepoorwhocannotaffordtoenjoythepleasuresoflifeareheldincontemptorjust toleratedbythesociety.Butthosewhoassumeahermitssimpleausterityinspiteofwealthand poweraretherealsaints.TheAhlulbaytoftheProphetadoptedapeculiarpolicy.Thosewhose meanswerelimiteddressednicelybecauseotherwisetheiradversarieswouldtauntthemas destituteswhichwouldinjurethedignityoftheirpiety.Butblessedwerethosewhobychance becamewealthy,andwhoassumedsimplicityandausteritysotheirsimplelifebecameasourceof consolationforthepoorandamodelfortherich.ThiscanbeillustratedfromthelifeofImam Ali(AS).Fornearlyfiveyearsheruledthemuslimworldascaliph.Heateanddressedhimselfasa hermitwould.ImamAlialReza(AS)too,ledasimplelife,thoughhewastheheirapparentofthe vastArabEmpirecomparedtowhichtheRomanEmpireorthePersianterritorieswouldcertainly notbeamatch.Avastchainofcountrieswhosecaliph'suponwatchingapassingcloud,would arrogantlyassert:Goandpouryourwatersanywhereyouplease;therevenuesofthatlandshall ultimatelybebroughttous.TheappointmentofImamAlialReza(AS)asheirapparent demonstratedtotheworldhowthesaintsfarewhenthetreasuresoftheworldareputattheir feet.Hefelthewasmorallyboundtoabandonrichesandpomp.Historyrepeateditself,andthe austerityofImamAliibnAbiTalib(AS)oncemorewasshowninthecalmandcontentpersonality ofImamAliAlReza(AS).Hedidnotliketodecoratehishousewithexpensivecarpets,insteadhe covereditsfloorwithroughmatsduringthewinterandgrassmatsduringthesummer.When foodwasserved,hewouldcallallhisservants,includingthegatekeepertositandeatwithhim. MajlisiinBiharulAnwarV49Page101,writesthatour8thImaminsistedoneatinghismealsonly aftertheentiremembersofhisfamily,youngandold,servantsandgroomswerepresent.One daysomeonewhowasmorefondofroyalformalitiesthanthefraternityoftheAhlulbayt, suggestedthatitwouldbebettertomakeseparateeatingarrangementsfortheservants,The Imamreplied,"AllarecreatedbyGod,AdamistheirfatherandEveistheirmother.Everyonewill bedealtwithbyGodaccordingtohisdeeds.Whyshouldtherebeanydiscriminationinthis

world." ImamAliAlRezas(AS)lifecontainscountlessanecdotesofthissort.Onceamansaidtohim,"By God,thereisnonewhoissuperiortoyouinthenoblenessofyourancestry.TheImamsaidto him,MyancestorsarehonouredmerelyfortheirGodliness,pietyandworship.Anotherman oncedeclared,ByGod,youarethebestintheworld.TheImamcheckedhimbysaying:Dont youdeclareanoath.Anymanwhoismorepiousthanmecanbebetterthanme.Imamseveral timesdeclaredtheHadithoftheProphetthatablacknegroslavecanbebetterthanaperson frommyownfamilyifhisdeedsarebetter. EstablishmentofMajalistocommemoratetheeventsofKerbala Asmentionedearlier,whenImamAliAlRizawasonhisjourneytoKhorasanhestayedinthecity ofQomforafewmonthsandthereheestablishedthesecommemorativeMajalis.InTuswhere hestayedforoverayearasheirapparenttotheEmperor,ImamreestablishedtheseMajalis theretoo.ThistraditionwasinitiatedbyImamMuhammadalBaqir(AS)andthancontinuedby the6thImam.Butduringthosetimes,onlythosewhocametovisittheImamsintheirhomes werenarratedthesestories.ButImamAliAlReza(AS)wasrespectedbothasImamandheir apparent.Merv,thecapitalandacentralcityofPersiaofthattime,wasthemeetingplaceof peoplefromallwalksoflifeandfromallcornersoftheearth.Assoonasthecrescentof Muharramwassighted,MajalisofKerbalabegan.Everybodywasexpectedtorecitethesad eventsthatbefelltheProphetsdescendantsandmaintainaseriousatmosphereofsorrowand grief.ImamhimselfconvenedtheseMajalisinwhichherecitedfirst,thanallowedotherstoread thestoryofKerbala.AbdallahibnThabitandDbilalKhuzaiwerethepoetswhoaskedtorecite poemsnarratingthetragicevents.AttheendofsuchamajlistheImambestowedonthepoeta costlyshirt.Thehumblepoetrefusedtoacceptsuchapreciousgift,requestingthattheImambe gracioustogranthimhisusedshirtinstead.Thegoodnaturedsaintinsistedongrantinghimboth shirts,thenewoneandhisownoldshirt. Thisincidentprovestwothings:First,thatthespeakerinthesemajalismustnotdecideor demandanypaymentforhisaddress,second,thatiftheconvenerpresentssomethingasagiftor payment,thespeakermayacceptit. TogetaninsightintothelivesandactivitiesoftheImam,letmegiveafewanecdotesfromthe pagesofhistorytoestablishhismannerandhisbehaviourwithotherpeople. OnedayamanapproachedtheImamandsaid,Iamoneofyourfollowersandhaveloveforthe AhlulbaytoftheProphet.IamnowreturningfrompilgrimagetoMakkaandIamnowpenniless andhavenomoneytoreturnhome.Ifyouthinkitproper,pleasegivemeenoughmoneysothatI canreachhome.Afterreachinghome,Iwillgivethesameamounttothepoorinyourname.Iam

notpoorathome,itisduringmytravelsthatIhavespentmorethanIshouldhaveandbecome penniless. Imamgotup,andwentinsidethehouse.Hethencalledthemantothedoor,extendedhishand frombehindthecurtainandhandedhimtherequiredamount,saying,Takethesetwohundred Dinars.Theseareyourtravelexpenses,andmaythisbringyoutheblessingsofGod.Thereisno needtogiveequivalentmoneytothepoorbutifyoufeelyoumustthenyoumaygiveittothe orphansandthewidowsofyourtown.Themantookthemoneyandleft.TheImamcameout frombehindthecurtainandresumedhisseat.Peopleasked,Whydidyouadoptsuchawaythat themancouldnotseeyouwhileyouweregivingthemoney.Imamreplied,Ididnotwantto seetheshameofsupplicationonhisface.(AyounAkhbaralRiza) MohammedibnSinanreportsthatduringthecaliphatofHaroun,theyoncewarnedtheImam aboutdeclaringhisImamateasthecaliphwouldtrytoharmhim.TheImamreplied,Whatgave mecouragearethewordsoftheProphetwhenhesaid,IfAbuJehlcanharmevenahairofmy head,thenbewitnessthatIamnotthemessengerofGod.AndIsaythatifHarouncanharm evenahairofmyhead,thenbewitnessthatIamnotatrueImam."(Kafi) AbuSaltHarvireportsthatImamleftNishapureandreachedavillagecalledDinSurkh,itwasthe timeofZohrprayers.Imamdescendedfromthehorsehewastravellingandaskedforwaterto performtheZohrprayers.Nowaterwasfound.ThentheImamwithhisholyhandsdugsome earthandaspringgushedoutImamandallhiscompanionsperformedthewuzu.Thisplacenear NishapurisnowcalledQadamgah.Itisasmallhillock.Thespringstillgushesandpeoplewhovisit thisplacedrinkfromthespringforblessingandforobtainingcuresfromsicknessandskin diseases.TheplacepreservestheHolyfootprintsoftheImamonablackstone.(AkhbaralRiza) OneofthefamoussayingofImamAliAlRizais,Thisworldisaprisonforamominandaparadise fortheunbeliever. ThismeansthatatruebelieveralwaysaspirestoleavethisprisonofhisbodyandhisNafsand RuhwantstogetawaytothenearnessofGod,butthosewhodonotbelievehavenothingfurther thantheirmortallivesandtheyaspiretomakeitaparadise.Butintheprocesstheycreatetheir ownhellonearthfortheiraspirationsareneverendingdesiresforaccumulatingmaterialwealth. TheNinthImamMuhammadibnAlialtaqialJawad(AS)

BorninMadina,10thRajab195Hijri(12.4.811AD).DiedinBaghdadIraq29thZeeqad220Hijiri (27.11.835,aged25years,PeriodofImamat17years. AtthetimeofthedeathofImamAliAlReza(AS)our9thImamwasonly9yearsold.Somepeople fromamongthefollowersofAhlulbaytandothers,doubtedImamseligibilitytobecomeImamat thisyoungage.KulainiinhisKafirelatesthattheMutawallioftheHolyKaabaquestionedImam forseveraldaysbeforehewassatisfiedandacceptedhimastheImamoftheTime. ItisanundeniablefactthatthewholeepisodeofthecallforImamAliAlReza(AS)toTus,andhis appointmentasheirapparenttoMamounwasagameplayedforpoliticalconveniencetogetthe sympathiesandsupportofthePersianstogethisempirebackfromhisstepbrotherAmin.Once thiswasachievedMamounhadtheImampoisonedtogethimoutofhisway.Butthefactisthat MamounbeingthemostlearnedamongalltheAbbasidrulers,wasawarethatthefamilyofthe Prophethadaspecialtypeofknowledgewhichshouldbeappreciatedandbeknowntoother peopleaslongaspowerremainedinMamounshandsandhisauthorityremainedsupreme.This becameapparantwhenhearrivedinBaghdadvictorious.Hebeganapolicyofreconciliationwith theAbbasideldersandalsowiththosewhohadinclinationstowardstheAhlulbaytoftheProphet. HereappointedHasanibnSahlasGovernorofIraqwhohadopenlysupportedthecauseof Ahlulbayt.IbnSahlbeingascholarlyperson,cooperatedhandsomelyintheliteraryandcultural interestintheEmperorsCourt.Forinspiteofthefactthattherewaswarfareandpoliticalturmoil inalldirectionsduringthereignofMamoun,theperiodmarksperhapstheapexoftheoriental renaissance.Therewasfreedomofspeechandexpressionwhichresultedinopendiscussionson manyissueswhichweretaboospreviously. MostsignificantforthelifeofImamMuhammadTaqi(AS)wasthefactthatMamounsfavours towardstheAhlulbaytdidnotceasebecauseoftheirscholarlyandintellectualapproachtoIslam. AlthoughafterarrivinginBaghdadMamounreplacedtheHashemiteGreencolourtotheblack colouroftheAbbasidsonflagsandcourtdresses,hestillencouragedtheintellectualstoengage inopendiscussionsabouttheconceptofpowerandauthority.Indeedhetookthatactionas politicalnecessityforhedidnotwanttoalienatehisPersianfriendsandsupporters.Fornotonly prominentfriendsofAhlulbaytwereappointedtoresponsiblepositions,butparticularpublic favourwasshowntothefamilyofthedeceasedImamAliAlReza(AS).OneoftheImams brotherswaschosentopresideattheannualpilgrimageinMakka,anditwasbutashorttime untilMamounmarriedhisowndaughterUmmeFadhltoImamMuhammadTaqi(AS)Accordingto Yakubi,MamounbestoweduponthebridegroomonehundredthousandDirhams,andsaid, SurelyIwouldliketobeagrandfatherinthelineoftheApostleofGodandofAliIbnAbiTalib (AS).ItisawellknownfactthattheImamgaveallthismoneytothepoorratherspenditupon himself,whichhiswifeUmmeFadhl,whowasthedaughterofMamoundidnotlikeatalland complainedtoherfatheraboutthis.ButMamounknewthewaysofAhlulbayt,rejectedher complaintsandtoldhertolivelikethewifeofanImamoftheAhlulbaytoftheProphet.

ThestoryofMamounsfirstmeetingwiththeyoungsonofImamAliAlReza(AS)isinteresting. Oneday,whentheyoungImamwasonlynineyearsold,thecaliphMamounwentouthunting. TheImamwasstandingsilentlybytheroadsidewheresomechildrenwereplaying.Thecaliphs entouragecamethatway.Seeingthesoldiersofthecaliphallthechildrenranaway,butthe youngImamremainedstandingathisplace. Notingthis,Mamounstoppedhiscarriageandasked,Youngman,whydidyounotrunawaylike theotherchildren? TheImamrepliedcalmly,NeitherhadIcommittedacrime,norwasIblockingtheway.Why shouldIhaverunawayorbeafraid?AndIalsoknowthatyouwillnotcauseanyunnecessary troublewhenyourwayisnotblocked." Mamounwassurprisedwiththismaturereplyandasked,Whatisyourname? Muhammad,camethereply.Whosesonareyou?askedMamoun."SonofAliibnMusa(AS)." Mamounrodeon.Duringhishuntthehawkreturnedtohimwithafishinitsbeak.Mamounwas surprised.Hereturnedbacktowardthecity.Onceagain,hefoundchildrenplayingonthe samespot,whoranawayseeingthecaliphssoldiers,exceptthisyoungmanwhosaidhewas MuhammadsonofAliibnMusa(AS)whoremainedwherehewas.Mamounhidthefishinhis palm,stoppedhiscarriageneartheImamandsaid,Tellme,whatisthereinmyfist?TheImam replied,Godcreatedcloudsbetweenearthandsky.Thehawksofkingssometimescatchfish fromthereandbringittotheKings.TheyhideitintheirfistandaskamemberoftheAhlulbaytof theProphet,Tellmewhatisthereinmyfist. Mamounsaid,Truly,youaretheworthysonofImamAliAlReza(AS)(BiharalAnwar,Majlisi). MamountooktheyoungImamwithhim,andlethimliveinanearbyhousenexttotheRoyal Palace. Itwasduringthisstayofthe9thImamnearbythatMamounhadthechanceofseeinghimclosely andgaininganinsightintotheintellectualabilitiesofthispioushousehold. Mamounconvenedmanyconferencesduringthisperiodinwhichmanyintellectualsandscholars assembledinordertolistenandlearnfromtheYoungImam.MamountoldtheAbbasidhierarchy thatImamAliAlRezassonwasnodoubtaboyoftenderage,buthehadinheritedhisfathers virtuesandqualitiesinfull.ThelearnedscholarsoftheIslamicworldcouldnotcompetewithhim. Iftheydoubted,theycouldputtheyoungImamtothetest.Thisreply,thoughtotallysaidinjest, amountedtoachallenge.ImpulsedbyMastauntstheyconsentedtojudgetheboysknowledge

inacontestwiththemostlearnedauthoritythen,namelyYahyaibnAaktham. Mamounconvenedamagnificentgatheringforthisopencontest.Therewasanxietytoseethis unequalmatchwhereaboyofTwelvewastocontestwiththeseasonedandrenownedChief JusticeoftheAbbasidEmpire.Peoplecrowdedfromeveryquarter.Historianshaverecordedthat apartfromdignitariesandnobles,900seatswerereservedforscholarsonly.Mamounsreignwas describedasthegoldenageoflearning.Expertsofeverytradeandprofessionassembledinthat greatcapitalfromeverycorneroftheEmpire.Mamounhadacarpetlaidbythesideofhisthrone toseatImamMuhammadTaqi(AS).InfrontofhimwasaccommodatedtheChiefJusticeYahyaibn Aktham.Therewasapindropsilenceamongtheaudiencewhowaitedtohearthearguments. SilencewasbrokenbyYahyawhosaid,WillHisMajestyallowmetoputsomequestionstoImam MuhammadTaqi(AS)Mamounreplied,YoumayseekpermissionfromtheImamhimself. YahyasaidtotheImam,Doyouallowmetoputsomequestionstoyou?Yes,youmayreplied theImam.Yahyabeganbyaskingaquestion,Whatisatonementforapersonwhohuntsagame whileheisdressedinthepilgrimagegarb(Ahram).ThequestionitselfindicatedthatYahya underestimatedthescholarlyattainmentsofhisopponent.Drunkwiththeprideofpositionand knowledge,hethoughtthattheyoungmanmightwellbeawareofsimpledailyroutineproblems ofprayerorfasting,butthepossibilitythathemightbetotallyignorantofthestatutesof pilgrimageoroftheatonementofsinsormistakescommittedbyapilgrimneverentertainedhis mind. ThesagaciousyoungImamwascleverenoughfortheseasonedenquirer.Insteadofgivinga generaloravaguereply,heanalysedthedifferentaspectsoftheproblemsodexterouslythatthe audienceimmediatelyhadatrueestimateoftheImamsknowledgeandofYahyasshallow mindedness.YahyatoowaspuzzledandfelthumiliatedwhentheImamaddressedhiminthe followingmanner: Yourquestionisutterlyvagueandlacksdefinition.Youshouldfirstclarifywhetherthegame killedwasoutsidethesanctifiedareaorinsideit;whetherthehunterwasawareofhissinordid soinignorance;didhekillthegamepurposelyorbymistake,wasthehunteraslaveorafree man,washeadultorminor,didhecommitthesinforthefirsttimeorhadhedonesobefore,was thehuntedgameabirdorsomethingelse,wasitasmallanimalorabigone,isthesinnersorry forthemisdeedordoesheinsistonit,didhekillitsecretlyatnightoropenlyduringdaylight,was heputtingonthepilgrimagegarbforHajjorfortheUmra?Unlessyouclarifyanddefinethese aspects,howcanyouhaveadefiniteanswer? WhateverYahyasknowledgemighthavebeen,hewasundoubtedlyawellreadmanin Jurisprudence.WhiletheImamwasunfoldingallsuchdetailsoftheproblem,hehadjudgedthat hewasnomatchforhisingeniousopponent.Hisfacelostcolourandtheaudiencerealisedthe

situationwell.Hislipsweresealedandhemadenoreply.Mamounfullyassessedhiscondition andthoughtitwasuselesstoputanyfurtherpressureonhim.HethenrequestedtheImamto solvealltheaspectsofthequestion.Yahyasilentandpuzzled,gazedattheImam.ButMamoun wasbentoncarryingthemattertotheend.HethereforerequestedtheImamtoputsome questionstoYahyaifheliked.TheImamthensaidtoYahya,MayIaskyouaquestion? Disillusioned,YahyawhonowhadthetrueestimateoftheImamscapacityandhadno misunderstandingabouthisownworth,saidinahumbletone,Yourgracecanask,IshallreplyifI canorIshallgetitsolvedbyyourownself.ThentheImamputaquestioninreplytowhichYahya admittedhisignorance.TheImamexplainedittoo.Mamoun'sjoyknewnobounds.Whathehad assertedcametrue.Addressingtheaudiencehesaid,DidInottellyouthatthepeopleofthe AhlulbaytoftheProphethavebeengiftedbyGodwithlimitlessknowledge?Nonecancopewith eventhechildrenofthiselevatedHouse. Theexcitementofthegatheringwasgreat.AllunanimouslyexclaimedthatMamounsguesswas correctandthattheImamMuhammadTaqialJawad(AS)wasamatchlessperson.TheEmperor thenthoughtitadvisabletomarryhisdaughtertoImamthereandthen.TheImamhimselfrecited themarriageKhutba.Thisaddress(Khutba)becamesofamousthatasaremembrance,ithas beenrecitedatweddingseverywherethroughoutthemuslimworldeversince.Overjoyedatthis auspiciousoccasionMamoundisplayedhisfullgenerosity,givingawaymillionsincharitytothe poor. WhenthepeopledepartedandafewofthecourtiersremainedincludingtheChiefJusticeYahya ibnAkhtham,MamounaskedtheImamtotellthemthelawconcerningtheaspectsintowhichthe killingoftheanimalwasdonebyaMuhrim.(MeaningapilgriminAahram) Yes,repliedtheImam.Ifhehadkilledtheanimaloutsidethesacredgroundanditwaswinged andlarge,anatonementofsheepwouldhavebeennecessaryforhim.Ifhehadstruckitdownin thesanctuary,thepenaltyrequiredofhimwouldbedoubled.Ifhekilledayoungbirdoutsidethe sacredground,thentheatonementofalambwhichhadbeenweanedoffmilkwouldhavebeen requiredofhim.Ifhehadkilleditinthesanctuary,thenhewouldhavebeenrequiredtosacrifice alambandthevalueoftheyoungbird.Asforwildanimals,ifitwasawildass,hewouldhave beenrequiredtosacrificeacow.Ifitwasanostrich,thesacrificeofacamelwouldbenecessary.If ithadbeenadeer,thenasheepwouldhavebeennecessary.Ifhehadkilledanyofthoseinthe sanctuary,thepenaltywouldhavebeendoubled.Imamcontinuedtodescribeallavenuesof penaltiesfortheMuhrimtotheastonishmentoftheaudience.(AlIrshadbyMufid)Youhave donewellAbuJaafarandGodhasadornedyou,saidMamountohim. CharacterandVirtues ImamMuhammedTaqi(AS)occupiedthehighestpositioninhumanvirtuesandmoral

attainmentsasthiswasthemarkedfeatureoftheProphetsfamily.Itwascustomaryforthe Imamtomeeteveryonehumbly,fulfiltheneedsofthepoor,maintainIslamicrequisitesof equalityandsimplicity,helpthepoorsecretly,treatevenfoesfairly,extendhospitality,impart trueIslamicknowledgetoallandspeciallytothescholarsofreligionandthelike,markedhis saintlylifeinfullconformitywithothermembersofthissacredseriesofinfallibleImams. Commonpeoplewhocouldnotappreciatesuchheightsofmoralexcellence,mighthavethought tthenewrelationship,i.e.tobecomesoninlawofthemostinfluentialmonarchofhistime,must influencethepatternoflifeoftheImamandchangehismannersaltogether.Mamountoo,might havethoughtonthesamelinesbecausespiritualismwhichwasthechiefcharacteristicofthis householdwasagainstthepracticesofworldlyrulers.ItcouldbesaidthatneithertheUmmayads northeAbbasidshadanypersonalgrudgeagainsttheProphetorhisfamily,theAhlulbayt,but theywereatwarwiththemoralstandardssetbythem.Theyalwaystriedtodestroythecentreof moralexcellenceandhumanvalueswhichwasshownasthepolarstarofidealspiritual perfection,overshadowingtheirroyalglory. Inordertoupholdtheirimperialisticandluxuriousnormsoflife,thesemonarchswantedtodo awaywiththesegodlysaintswhodemonstratedrighteousness,compassion,faith,piety, fraternityandjusticeasthemainteachingsofIslam.YazidsdemandofobediencefromImam Hussain(AS)orMamounsappointmentofImamAliAlReza(AS)ashisheirapparentweretwo differentaspectsofthesamedesire.Theproceduresweredifferentbuttheendpurposewasthe same.ImamHussain(AS)didnotbowtopayhomage,sohewasslaininthebattlefield.ImamAli AlReza(AS)didnotservethecauseofAbbasidimperialism,sohewassilencedwithpoison. Mamoun,however,tookitasagreatopportunitytoservehisobjectivetopatrontheImamwho wasonlyayoungman.Thepoliticalsagacitysuggestedthatitwouldbefareasiertocastayoung manintothedesiredmouldandthusitwouldbepossibletodemolishthecentreoftheProphets teachingsinMadinaorelsewhereintheIslamicworldwhich,althoughworkingsilently,was dangeroustotheimperialisticdesignsoftheantithesiscalledMuslimMonarchy. NodoubtImamAliAlReza(AS)didnotconformtoMamounsdesigns,nortohisdesires,butthis couldnotdisappointhim.ImamRezasmaturewayofthinkingandsimplewayoflifecouldnotbe changed.Buttherewasthehopethatinallprobabilityamanofatenderyoungage,whowas broughtupintheluxuriousatmosphereofaRoyalPalacewouldgrowintoanambitious merrymakingprince,altogetheragainsthisancestralwaysandviews. Withtheexceptionofafewenlightenedpersons,everybodywouldthinkonthesamelines.But theworldstoodaghasttoseethattheyoungsoninlawofthemostdistinguishedmonarchofhis timerefusedtostayintheroyalpalaceandlivedinsteadinasmallhouse,thusmaintainingthe Islamicvaluesofvirtueandethicsofasimpleandhumblelife.

Itisusuallyseenthatifthebridespeoplearecomparativelyrich,theywishthatthegroommight livewiththem,ifnotinthesamehouse,atleastinthesametownandinahouseofthesame standard.TheWillpoweroftheImamcanbejudgedfromthefactthathelivedinaseparate dwellingandofahumblestandardinBaghdad.AfteroneyearwhenMamounrealisedthatthe ImamwasnotpleasedwithstayinginBaghdad,heallowedthecoupletogotoliveinMadina. OnhisreturntoMadinatheImammaintainedthesameancestralunimposingbehaviour:nobody guards,nopomp,norestrictionsonpeoplemeetinghim,novisitingtimes,nodiscriminations againstanyonemeetingtheImamandlearningfromhim. HespentmostofhisdaytimesittingintheMosqueoftheProphetwheremuslimscametoavail fromhisknowledgeandpreaching.ThenarratorsofHadithandotherstudentsoftheologycame toenquireaboutreligioussciencesandtheImamguidedthembyexplainingeverycomplicated matter.AlltheworldsawthatImamJaafarSadiqssuccessor,seatedonthesamemat,was guidingthepeopletowardspietywhichwasthehallmarkofIslam. ImamMuhammadTaqi(AS)allowedthesameamountoffreedomtohiswifeUmmeFadhland imposedthesamerestrictionsonherashisancestorshaddoneinthecaseoftheirwives.Hedid notcaremuchaboutthefactthatUmmeFadhlwasaprincess.Althoughshelivedwithhim,he marriedanotherladywhowasadescendantofAmmareYasir.Godhadintendedtocontinuethe lineofImmamatethroughherandshegavebirthtoImamAliNaqi(AS)thetenthImam. ImamMuhammadTaqisspeechwasverycharmingandeffective.OnceduringtheHajjseasonhe addressedagatheringofthepilgrimsandstatedcommandmentsoftheDivineLawofShariaa. Theaudienceincludedlearnedscholarswhoadmittedthattheyhadneverheardsuchan eloquentandcomprehensivespeech. ManyscholarscametolearntheteachingsofAhlulbayt.Acollectionofbriefandwisesayingsis alsoleftbytheImam,resemblingthewisdomofhisancestorImamAliibnAbiTalib(AS)Some profounddiscoursesontheologyandmonotheismarealsotohiscredit. Mamoundiedin218Hijri(833AD).AslongashelivednoharmcametotheImam.Mamounwas succeededbyhisbrotherMutaman,thesecondheirapparentafterImamAliAlReza(AS).He cametobeknownasAlMutasimbillahAbbasi.HisnieceUmmeFadhlnowbegantowritetohim complainingmorethanshedidduringthereignofherfatherbecauseMamounalwaysrejected hercomplaints.ButMutasimwasjealousofImamAliAlReza(AS)fromtheverybeginning.He hadalsoopposedthemarriageofUmmeFadhltoImamMuhammadTaqi(AS). AlMutasimnowgotachancetosettlehisdifferencesinthismatter.ImamMuhammadTaqis

(AS)fameasagreatscholarandtheconstantgatheringofpeoplearoundhimaswellasthefame ofhisworldrenownnoblecharacterannoyedhim.Thefailureofthepoliticaltacticstoo, intensifiedhisresentment.Allthesefactorsirritatedhimintoenmity.Inthesecondyearofhis reignhesummonedtheImamfromMadinatoBaghdad,orderinghisGovernorinMadina expresslyaboutit.ImamwascompelledtosetoutforBaghdadleavinghissonAliibnMuhammad (Naqi)withhismotherinMadina. ForoneyearaftertheImamssarrivalinBaghdad,Mutasimdidnotdoanything.Hewashoping thattheImamwouldconformtotheRoyalwaysoflivingandthenthiswouldbeasourceof infamyfortheAhlulbayt.Butwhenherealisedthatthemanwasbecomingmorepopularin Baghdadwithhisscholarlydiscourseswiththescholarsthere,hehadtoacttostopthisasallhis ancestorsdidbeforehimandusethesilentweaponofpoisontoeliminatethatthorninhisheart. TheImamdiedofpoisononthe29thofZeeqaad220Hijiri(24.11.835AD).Hewasburiedbythe sideofhisgrandfatherImamMusaibnJafar.ItisbecauseofthetwoImamswhowerefamous fortheirsuppressionofangerthattheplacewascalledKazemain,thetwoKazims,theenduring ones. RazaviSayyids. ItisafactthatallSayyidsknownasRazaviareactuallyTaqawi.ImamReza(AS)hadnosonother thanImamMuhammadTaqi.HadheothersonsthentheImamMuhammadTaqithentheir offspringshouldhavebeencalledRazaviSayyids.ButasImamReza(AS)cametoIrananddiedin TusmanydescendantsofhissonImamMuhammadTaqiwerealsocalledRazavis. Onefamoussayingofthe9thImamMuhammadTaqialJawad(AS)follows: Someoneasked,wastheMessengerofGodMuhammadibnAbdullahanilliterate.Imam replied,No,theMessengerofGodknew72languagesinwhichhecouldread,writeandspeak. SomeoneaskedtheImamabouttheAngels.Whatarethey?TheImamreplied,Theyarethe powersofGodthatregulatetheUniverse. TheTenthImamAliIbnMuhammad(AlNaqi,AlHadi)(AS) BorninMadina5thRajab214Hijri(8.9.829AD).DiedinSamarrah,Iraq3rdRajab254Hijri( 1.7.868)aged40years.PeriodofImamat34years.

TheperiodofImamatofour10thImamcoincidedwiththedeclineofthepoweroftheAbbasid Empire.TheywerethreatenedbytheTurksandhadtomovetheCapitalfromBaghdadto Samarrah.Hewasonly6yearsoldwhenhisfatherImamMuhammadTaqi(AS)wasmartyredin BaghdadwhenpoisonedbyMutasimBillahAbbasi.OurImamlivedinMadinafortheremaining8 yearsofthereignofMutasimand5yearsofthereignofWathiqBillah.ItwaswhenMutawakkil becamecaliphin236Hijiri(847AD)theImamwascalledovertotheAbbasidcapitalBaghdad. Mutawakkil,wasthemostcruelanddeadlyenemyoftheAhlulbayt(AS),whotriedtodrownthe GraveofImamHussain(AS)inKerbalabydivertingthewatersoftheEupheretesRiver.Butbya miracletheriverwaterencircledthegraveanddidnotgooveritinspiteofthefactthatthe surroundinggroundwashigher.WhentheCaliphfailedinhisactionofdrowningthegravehe orderedthatthewholeareashouldbeturnedintofarmlandbutwhenhorsesfailedtotakethe ploughoverthegrave,herealisedhisfolly.Eventuallyheleftthehallowedgroundasitwasbutas longashelivedheforbadeanypilgrimagetotheShrineofImamHussain(AS).Historytellsusthat pilgrimstothegraveofSayyidushShohada(AS)didcontinuetogoinspiteofthedangertotheir lives.IndeedmanywerekilledontheirwaytotheShrinebuttheenthusiasmtovisitthegrave neversubsided. ItwasduringthereignofMutawakkilthatour10thImamwasbroughttothepresenceofthe CaliphfromMadinatoBaghdad.Yakubiwritesinhishistoryofthetimethatoncetheraiding partyofsoldiersfoundtheImamonhisprayermatandtookhimawaytothecaliphinthesame state.MutawakkilwasengagedinhisnightlydrinkingandfrolicsandaskedtheImamtojoinhim. Imamdeclinedreplying,Aliquorsuchasthatwasneveryetcombinedwithmyfleshandblood. ThehalfdrunkcaliphaskedtheImamtoreadsomepo.Imamsaidthathedidnotindulgeinsuch habits.Butwhenthecaliphinsisted,theImamrecitedthefollowinglines(IbnKhalikannarrated thestorywordforword). Protectedbyvaliantwarriorstheypassedthenightonthesummitoftheirmountainsbutthese mountainsdidnotprotectthem.Afteralltheirpowerandpomptheyhadtodescendfromtheir loftyfortressestothecustodyofthetombs.Owhatadreadfulchangetheirgraveshadhardly receivedthemwhenavoiceheardexclaiming,Wherearethethronesandthecrownsandthe robesofState?Wherearenowthefacesofthedelicate,whichwereshadedbyveilsand protectedbycurtains.Tothisthetombreplied.Thewormsarenowrevellinguponthesefaces. Longwerethesemeneatinganddrinking,butnowtheyareeatenbythewormsintheirturn. ManyweptlisteningtothesewordsutteredbytheImam.CaliphlefttheImamaloneforawhile, butstillkepthimunderhousearrest.IntheendMutawakkildiedinthehandsofhisprotectors, theTurkishguards,andhissonMuntasirbecamethenextcaliph. Mutawakkildiedin250HijiriandMuntasirBillahassumedthecaliphate.Heruledonly6months.

OnhisdeathMustaeenwasenthroned.Butsoonhewasalsobeheadedandsucceededby MutazBillah.Allthistimeour10thImamwaseitherinMadina,orcalledbytheCaliphto Samarrahwherehespentthelastdaysofhislifeunderhousearrest. HardshipsSufferedbytheImamDuringThisPeriod CaliphMutasimremainedpreoccupiedwithwaragainsttheByzantiniansandalsowiththe troublescreatedbytheAbbasidstribesmeninBaghdad.ButhedidnotharrasstheImamwho carriedhisresponsibilitiespeacefully.AfterMutasim,WathiqBillahtoo,treatedtheImamfairly. ButlaterwhenhewassucceededbyhisbrotherMutawakkil,sonofMutasim,theperiodof persecutionandtorturesbeganinfullscalefortheImamandforallmembersofhisfamily.This rulerexceededallhispredecessorsinbearinganimositytowardsAhlulbayt. Our10thImamsmainoccupationinMadina,wheneverhewasleftinpeacebytheCaliphsin Baghdad,wastoimparthisknowledgetothepeople.Heattractedpupilsinlargenumbersfrom theprovinceswhereadherentsofAhlulbaytwerestrongest,namelyIraq,PersiaandEgypt.During theEightyearsoftheCaliphateofMutasimandthroughouttheperiodofWathikwedonothear thattheImamwasmolested.Oneofthemostfamoustraditionsheissaidtohaverelated,that hadbeenwrittenintheSahifabythehandofAliIbnAbiTalib(AS)atthedirectionoftheApostle ofGod,andinheritedbytheImamsfromgenerationtogenerationisrelated. ItwasthattheProphethaddefinedfaith(Iman)ascontainedintheheartsofmen,andthattheir works(Aamal)confirmit,whereassurrender(Islam)iswhattongueexpresseswhichvalidatesthe union.(Masudi,MurujlDhahab.V.viip382). AlthoughthepersonoftheImamwasnottouchedbythetyrannicalcaliphsforawhile,therewas alwayssuspicionsabouthisactivities.MasudinarratesonesuchoccasionwhenourImamwas calledbyMutawakkilwhowasnothappyaboutthemethodsofteachingsintheschoolsin Madina.MutawakkilaskedtheImamaquestion.Whatdoesadescendantofyourfatherhaveto sayinregardtoAlAbbasibnAbdulMuttalib?Imamanswered,Whatwouldadescendantofmy fathersayOAmir,inregardtoamanwhosesonsrequiredhispeopletoobey,andwhoexpected hissonstoobeyGod.CaliphwaspleasedwiththisreplyandlettheImamgo. AndinthesameconnectionMasudiquotesanotherincident,whichIbnKhalikanhasincorporated inhisdescriptionofour10thImamAliAlHadi(AS)Secretinformationhadbeengivento MutawakkilthattheImamhadaquantityofarms,booksandotherobjectsfortheuseofhis followersconcealedinhishouse,andbeinginducedbymaliciousreportshewasledtobelieve thattheImamaspiredtotheEmpire.OnceMutawakkilsentsomesoldiersoftheTurkishguardto breakinonhimwhenheleastexpectedsuchavisit.Theyfoundhimquitealone,lockedupinhis room,clothedinahairshirt,hisheadcoveredwithawoollencloakandhisfaceinthedirectionof

Makka.HewasrecitingVersesoftheQuranexpressiveofGodspromisesandthreats,andhaving noothercarpetbetweenhimandtheearththansandandgravel.Hewascarriedoffinthatattire, andbroughtinthedepthofthenight,beforeMutawakkil.Whenthecaliphaskedhiscaptors aboutthearmsandammunitionsfoundtheysaid,therewasnothinginthehousewhichpresents athreattothethrone.ThecaliphwasashamedofhismisdeedsandlettheImamgo. DuringtheSixteenyearsoftheImamate,ImamAliNaqi(AS)hadbecomefamousthroughoutthe Islamicworld.ThosewholovedtolearntheteachingsofAhlulbaytalwaysflockedaroundhim.In the4thyearofMutawakkilsreigntheGovernorofMadinaAbdallahibnHakimstartedharassing theImam.HesenthostilereportsagainsthimtoBaghdad.HewrotetotheCaliphthattheImam wasassemblinglotofsupportersherewhichcouldbeadangertothesecurityoftheState.Imam becameawareofthisanimosityandinordertocounteract,hewrotealettertoMutawakkil explainingthepersonalenmityoftheGovernorofMadinaagainsthim.Asapoliticalstep MutawakkilwasquicktodismisstheGovernor.Atthesametimehesentaregimentunderthe commandofYahyaibnHarthamawhoexplainedtotheImaminafriendlywaythatthecaliph wishedhimtostayinBaghdadforawhile.HecanthencomebacktoMadina.TheImamknew wellthemotivesbehindthisrequest.Herealisedthatthepoliteinvitationmeanthisbanishment fromhisancestralcity.Buttorefusetogowasequallyimpossibleforitwouldhaveresultedin forcibledeparture.Leavingthesacredcitywaspainfultohimasithadbeenforhisrespected forefathers,i.e.theImamHussain(AS)in60Hijri,ImamMusaibnJaafarin170HijiriandImamAli AlRezain200HijriandalsoofhisfatherImamMuhammadTaqiin220Hijri.Thistypeof harassmenthadalmostbecomeaheritage.MutawakkilsletterwasrespectfultotheImamand themilitarydetachmentwhichwassenttoescorttheImamwasactuallyadeceitfulshow.So whentheImamreachedSamarrahandtheCaliphwasinformed,heneitherarrangedforany receptionnoforhisstay.Hewasorderedtobeaccommodatedinthewildernessofthecitywith beggars.AlthoughtheAhlulbaytasthedescendantsoftheProphetweregladlyassociatedwith thepoorandthedestitute,andtheydidnotcovetluxuriousliving,Mutawakkilmeanttoinsultthe Imam.TheCaliphhhimovertothecustodyofhisSecretaryRazaqiandprohibitedhismeeting withothers.ItwasalmostahousearrestfortheImam. IthasbeenseenduringtheimprisonmentofImamMusaibnJaafar(AS)thathismoralcharmhad softenedthecruelheartedguardsattitudestowardstheImam.InthesamewayRazaqiwasalso impressedbythegreatnessoftheImamAliNaqi(AS)andbegantoprovideforhiscomfort.This leniencycouldnotremainhiddenfromMutawakkilwhotransferredtheImamtothecustodyof Said,acruelandruthlessmaninwhoseimprisonmenthespenttwelveyears.Inspiteofallthe hardshipshehadtosufferthere,theImampassedhistimeinIbadah.Heprayedduringthenight andfastedduringtheday.AlthoughconfinedwithinthefourwallsofthehouseinSamarrah,his famespreadrapidlythroughouttheProvincesofIraq.EveryhouseholdinthecityofSamarrah seemedtoknowthewhereaboutsoftheImamandsomehowtheygotknowledgeofIslamandof Ahlulbaytfromhim.

FadhlibnKhaqan,asecretfollowerofAhlulbayt,hadrisentothepostofMinisterinthecabinet ofMutawakkilsolelybyvirtueofhisintellectualandadministrativemerits.Onhis recommendation,MutawakkilorderedthattheImamsimprisonmentbechangedtoahouse arrest.Hegrantedhimapieceoflandandallowedhimtobuildahouseandlivethere.Saidwas directedtokeepaclosewatchovertheactivitiesoftheImam.Hishousewasoftensearchedfor subversiveactivitiesbutnothiwaseverfound. Duringthisperiodtoo,ImamAliNaqi(AS)setanadmirableexampleoftrustinGod,ignoringall worldlygains.InspiteofpermanentresidenceinSamarrah,theImamneithermadeaprotestto theCaliph,nordidheeveraskforanyfavours.Thesameworshippingandhermitlikelifethathe ledduringhisimprisonmentwaspassedinthisstateofhousearrest.Thetyrantchangedhis behaviourbutthesainthadmaintainedhisown.Eveninsuchcircumstanceshewasnotallowed tolivepeacefully.HisfollowerswerenotallowedtoapproachhimopenlytogainthetrueIslamic knowledgefromtheImam.Butheenduredallhardshipsforthesakeofgivingknowledgetoall whoseekedthatfromhim.Mutawakkilknewthatandcontinuedwithpersecutingthefollowers oftheImam. Anothereventofthesewretchedtimeswasequallypainful.IbnasSakkitofBaghdad,the acknowledgedscholaroflexicographyandsyntax,wastutorofMutawakkkilsson.Onedaythe cruelruleraskedhim:AremytwosonsmorerespectablethanHasanandHussain?IbnSakkit wasatruefollowerofAhlulbayt.Onthisquestionhecouldnotcontrolhisfeelingsandflatly replied,NottospeakofHasanandHussain(AS),ImamAlisslaveQanberismorerespectable thanbothofyoursons.HearingthesewordsMutawakkilwasoutragedandorderedthatIbn Sakkitstongueshouldbecutoff.Theorderwascarriedoutimmediatelyleadingtothedeathof themostexcellentartistofthetimeandatruefollowerofAhlulbayt.ImamAliNaqi,wasnot himselfphysicallyconnectedwiththeseevents,buteachofthesewasalikeablowofthesword notstrikingtheneckbuttorturingthesoul.Mutawakkilscrueltiescausedcommonhatredand evenhisownchildrensettheirheartsagainsthim.OneofthemAlMuntasir,conspiredwithhis slaveAlRumitomurderhisfatherwhilehewasasleepusinghisownsword,thustheworldhada sighofrelief.ThedeathofthetyrantandthecaliphateofalMuntasirwereproclaimed.Afterthe assumingofpower,AlMustasirrevokedtheunjustordersofhisfather.TheVisitingoftheShrines ofNajefandKarbalawerepermittedwithoutanyrestrictions.Thetombsreceivedminorrepairs. TheCaliphsconducttowardsImamAliNaqi(AS)wasalsofair.ButthisCaliphslifewasshortand hediedafterabriefruleofonlysixmonths.Afterhim,AlMustaeentoodisplayedno maltreatmenttowardstheImam. Asstated,ImamAliNaqi(AS)hadbuiltahouseinSamarrahanddidnotgobacktoMadinaeither ofhisownfreewillorundertheordersoftheserulers.Duetohiscontinuedstaythereandthe lackofinterferencebytheregime,thestudents,thirstyforknowledge,throngedaroundhimto

learntheteachingsofAhlulbayt.ThisalarmedAlMutazsomuchthathedecidedtoendthe sacredlifeoftheImam.Hearrangedthroughsomecourtierstomixpoisoninhisfood.TheImam diedsoonaftereatingthepoisonousfood. ImamAliNaqisconductandmoralexcellencewerethesameasthosedisplayedbyeachand everymemberofthissacredhouse.WhetherinImprisonment,confinementorfreedom,inevery casethesesacredsoulswereengagedinworshipandinhelpingthepoorandtheneedy.Totally refrainingfromdesire,greedandwordlyambitions,theyliveddignifiedinmisfortune,dealtfairly evenwiththeirfoes.Tohelpthedestitute,werethequalitiesmarkingtheirconduct.Thesame virtueswerereflectedinthelifeofImamAliNaqi(AS). Duringimprisonment,theImamhadagravedugupreadybythesideofhisprayermat.Some visitorsexpressedconcernorsurprise.TheImamexplained,InordertoremembermyendIkeep thegravebeforemyeyes. TheImamdiedinSarammara,thefuneralwasattendedonlybyhissonImamHasanalAskariwho ledthefuneralprayersandarrangedhisburial,layinghimtorestinhishouse. TheEleventhImamHasanibnAli(alAskari)(AS) BorninMadinaonthe10thofRabuilAkhar232Hijri(6.12.846AD)DiedinSamarrahIraqon8th ofRabiulAwwal260Hijri(4.1.874)aged28years.PeriodofImamat6years. Samarra(SurreMunRa)wasagarrisontownabout60milesnorthofBaghdad.RiverEuphrates flowsinthemiddleofthetown,andbecauseofthesurroundinghillsacoolbreezekeepsthearea coolerincomparisontoBaghdad.ThewordAskerinarabicisusedforarmy.Our11thImams titlebecameknownasAskari,theonewholivedallhislifeinagarrisontown. Thereisanotherstoryrelatedwiththisnamebymanyhistorians.OncetheCaliphcalledhiminhis palaceandorderedhisarmytomarchpastbeforehim.TheCaliphwantedtoboastortoimpress theImamofhispowerortodissuadetheImamfromanythoughtsofrevolutionagainstthe AbbasidCaliphate.Whenthemarchpastwasover,ImamaskedtheCaliphtogazebetweentwoof hisfingers.WhattheCaliphsawwasahugearmyoflancersandswordsmenmarchingpast,a muchbiggercrowdthantheCaliphsarmy.Hewasastonishedatthismiracleandnamedhim Askari,i.e.themanwithabigarmy.

ImamHasanalAskaris(AS)lifefromchildhoodtoadulthoodwasspentinthishousewherehis fatherImamAliNaqi(AS)wastoremainunderhousearrest.Butdespitethiscloseguardonthe Imam,heconductedhisdutiesasImamfrominsidethehouse.HetaughtpeopleQuranand instructedhisfollowersthetrueteachingsofIslamastaughtbytheProphetofIslamandhis Ahlulbayt.InfactImamHasanalAskariwroteacompleteTafseeroftheQuranwhichwas mentionedbymanyscholars,historiansandexegetes,includingKulainiandSaduq. ImamslifeinSamarrahwasnotinpeaceevenunderhousearrest.Fromtimetotimehewas takentoBaghdad,questionedandputinprisonthere.Ononesuchoccasion,theImamwastaken bytheTurkishguardstoBaghdadwherehewaskeptinprisonduringtheshortreignoftheCaliph alMuktadiandalMutamidafterwards. WhilehewasaprisonerinBaghdadtherewasaseveredraught.Rainhadnotfallenforsometime andcropsweredryingup.Peoplewerefacingafamine.Theydidnotknowwhattodo.AChristian priestcametotherescue.Heliftedhishandsinprayerandrainfell.TheCaliphbecameconcerned lestforthisreasonpeoplewouldforsakeIslamandbecomeChristians.WhentheImamwas consulted,hesaidthatwhenpeopleassembledtoseethesocalledmiracleperformedbythe Christianpriest,hewouldremovetheirdoubts.TheImamwasallowedtoleavetheprisontogo wherethecrowdassembledtoseethemiracleperformedbythepriest.Imamstoodtherewith thecrowdandwhenthepriestraisedhishandsforprayandrainbegantofall,Imamtoldoneof hiscompanionstoseizethehandsofthepriestandbringthepieceofbonehiddeninhishands. WhenthisbonewasbroughtbeforetheImam,hesaidthatitwastheboneofaProphetofGod.It wastheeffectofthisholybonewhenliftedinprayerstoGodthatbroughtGod'smercyand broughtraintotheland.ThiswaytheImamliftedthedoubtsfromthemindsofthepeople.After thistheImamhimselfspreadhisprayermatandperformedtwoRakatsofprayersthenliftedhis barehandstoGodforraintocometothelandandwipeoutthedraught.TheImamsprayers wereheardbytheAlmightyandrainfellsomuchthatthelandbecamefertileagainandcrops begantogrow.(Kulaini,AkhbarusAlam)InrecognitionofthisservicetheImamwasallowedto leavetheprisoninBaghdadandliveinhishouseinSamarrah,stillunderhousearrest.Hewasstill notallowedtogotoMadina. AdetailedaccountofthemarriageofImamHasanalAskari(AS)wastoldbyMajlisiinBiharul Anwar.HisfatherImamAliNaqi(AS)entrustedthisimportantmattertohisfriendBashiribn Sulaiman.FirsttheImamwrotealetterinthescriptofRumandsealeditwithhisownnobleseal. Heplacedtheletterinaredpurse,with220Dinarsandthensaidtohisfriend,Takethisletter andgotoBaghdad.GototheferryattheRiverTigriswhentheboatsfromSyriaarebeing unloaded.LookoutfortheshipownerwhosenameisAmr.Observewhenheexhibitsaslavegirl whowouldbewtwosilkgarmentsandaveiltoprotectherfrombeingseenorhandledbythe buyers.YouwillhearhercalloutinthelanguageofRum,evenifyouhavethewealthandglory ofSolomonthesonofDavid,Icanneverhaveaffectionforyou,sotakecarelestyouwasteyour

moneyinpurchasingme.Andifabuyerapproachesher,shewillsay,Cursedbethemanwho unveilsmyeyebrowHerownerwillthenprotest,ButwhatrecoursehaveI,Iamcompelledto sellyou?Youwillthenheartheslaveanswer,Whythishaste,letmechoosemypurchaser,that myheartmayaccepthiminconfidenceandgratitude. YouaretogothenOBashir,andtellthetraderAmrthatyouhavealetterwritteninthescriptof Rumbyacertainnobleman,andthatthislettershowshiskindness,appreciationandliberality. Youmustgivethislettertotheslavegirltoread,thatshemayagreetobeboughtbytheman whohaspassedthislettertoyou. Bashirreportedlater,WhenIcarriedouttheseinstructionsandthegirlreceivedtheletter,she begantocryasshereadtheletter.ThenshesaidtoAmr,Sellmetothewriterofthisletter,for ifyourefuseIwouldsurelybeveryunhappyandyouwillneverbeabletosellmetoanyoneelse. IthereforetalkedoverthepricewithAmr,untilweagreedonthe220Dinarsmymasterhadgiven me.WhenIpaidthemoney,andreceivedthegirl.Shecamewithmewithoutprotest.Infactshe wassmilingandlookingverypleased.InherexcitementshetooktheletterfromtheImamAli Naqi(AS)fromherpocketandkissedit,putitonhereyesandthenputitbackintoherpocket.I toldherIwasamazedthatsheshouldactthiswaywhenasyetshedidnotknowthewriter.She answered,MaythedescendantoftheProphetdispelyourdoubts.Afterwardsshegavemethe followingaccountofherself. Iamaprincess,thegranddaughteroftheEmperorofRum.Mymotherwasadescendantofthe discipleSimon,thevicegerentofJesus.MygrandfathertheEmperorwasanxioustomarrymeto hisnephew.Iwas15yearsold.Athiscastlehegatheredagreatassembly,including300monks andhermits,700ofthenobilityand4000oftheofficialsofthearmy.Ihadaspecialthronemade formewhereIsatwiththemanIwasabouttowed.Christianpriestswerereadytopayus honour.TheyopenedtheInjil(Bible),andimmediatelyalltheimagesaroundusfelltotheground andbroke.Mycousinalsofelldownonthegroundandfainted.Allthegreatofficialswere overcomewithfearandsaid,Oking,preserveusfromwitnessingthisillfatedday,forthissort ofthingisaproofofthedeclineanddisappearanceoftheChristianreligionasweknowit.Atthis mygrandfatherwasveryangryandheorderedthatallimagesshouldbebroughtbackandputin theirplaces.Onceagaintheyallfelldownandagreatstormblewthelightsallaround.Atthis secondoccurrencepeoplewerefrightenedandlefttheassemblyhall.Mygrandfatherfellhimself andthewholeoccasionwascancelledforsomeotherday. OnenightafterthisIsawadream,inwhichJesusappearedwithhisdisciplesatthepalacewhere thethronewaserected.Theirtheybuiltapulpitoflight,andbehold,Muhammad,peacebeupon him,andhiswasiAli(AS)andallhisexalteddescendantscameintothepalace.Jesuswentforward toembraceMuhammad,(SA)whosaid,OSpiritofGod,Ihavecometoseekthedaughterofyour WasiSimonformysonHasanalAskari.Jesus(AS)lookedtoSimonwhowaswithhimandsaid,

Nobilityandgloryhascometoyouinthischancetounitemercywiththatofthefamilyof Muhammad(SA).TothisSimonassentedandallofthemassentedtothepulpitofLightwhile Muhammad(SA)conductedtheweddingservice.Afterthedream,whenIwokeupIwasafraidand darednotrepeatthestorytomyfatherormybrothersforfearthattheywouldkillme.WhileI keptthesecret,loveofHasanalAskarifounditsplaceinmyheartandconstrainedmetogiveup drinkingwineandIdidnotwanttoeat.AsaresultofnoteatingIgrewthinandbecameill.All possibletreatmentwasavailableformebutwithoutsuccess.Intheendmyfathertoldme, Oyouwhohaveseenalight,tellmewhatiswrongwithme.Thedoorsofpleasureareclosedfor me.Avoicereplied,"ifyousetsomeofyourprisonersfree,itispossiblethatJesusandhis mothermayhelpyou.Itoldmyfatherofthisdreamandrequestedthatsomeoftheprisoners shouldbesetfree.Myfathergrantedmyrequest,andafterthatItookfoodandfeltbetter.Afew dayspassedandIhadanothervision,whenFatimathedaughteroftheProphetandMariam,the motherofJesuscametomeandexplainedthatHasanalAskaricouldnotcometomeunlessI shouldbecomeamuslimanddeclare,thattherenoGodbutOneGodandMuhammadisthelast apostleofGod.ThisIacceptedandafterthatIsawHasanalAskariinmyvision. Buthowdidyoucometofallamongtheprisoners?askedBashir.Shereplied,HasanalAskari toldmethatmyfatherwasplanningtosendanarmyagainstthemuslimsandthatIshould disguisemyselfandsomeofmywomenservantsandarrangetogoalongwiththearmy.Ididthis andbeforelongsomeofthemuslimarmyguardscapturedus,andnowyouseehowitallturned out. BashirrelatedthatwhentheyreachedSamarrahhewenttotheImamAliNaqi(AS)whoreceived thepartygladly.TheImamaskedthegirlifheshouldgiveherTenThousandDinarsorabitof goodnews.Whenshechosethelatter,heinformedherthatshewastobegiventohissonHasan alAskariasshehasseeninherdreamsandthatshewastobethemotheroftheonewhowasto causejusticetoreignupontheearth.ShewasthencommittedtoAliNaqissisterHakimawho wastolookafterher. SuchistheaccountoftheweddingofHasanalAskaritoNargisKhatoonasMajlisirecordeditin suchdetailinBiharalAnwar.(ThesameaccountwasfoundinShaikhTusisbook)Afewdayslater theweddingtookplacebetweenImamHasanalAskariandNargisKhatoon,thegranddaughterof theEmperorofRum. ImamHasanalAskari(AS)livedashortlife,onlyTwentyEightyearsandinthisshortlifehehadto enduregreatsufferingsbythehandsoftheAbbasidcaliphs.Butinspiteofallthatsufferingand confinementunderhousearrestinSamarrah,manystudentsofIslambenefitedfromhisGod giftedknowledgeandlaterbecamescholarsintheirfields.Hediscussedwithagnosticsofthatage manytimesabouttheexistenceofGodandthereasonsforthenecessityoftheProphetsand ImamsandmanyatheistschangedtheirmindsandconvertedtoIslam.OneofthosewasIshaqal

kindiwhowaswritingabookaboutcontradictionsinQuran.Imaminvitedsomeofhisstudents andtaughtthemlessonsfromtheQuran.ThesestudentsofAlkindiconfrontedtheirteacherand rejectedhisargumentsaboutthecontradictionsintheHolyBook.AlKindirealisedthatthese argumentscouldnothavecomefromthebrainsoftheseyoungstudents.Heaskedthemabout thesecretoftheirextensiveknowledgeoftheQuran.IntheendtheyconfessedthatImamHasan alAskaritaughtthem.KindihimselfbecamethediscipleofourImam,burnthisownwritingson atheismandlaterwrotemanytreatisesonIslam. ImamHasanalAskari(AS)alsodictatedmanyTraditionsoftheHolyProphetandrecordedmany explanationsoftheversesoftheHolyQuran. OneofthefamoustraditionspeoplelearntfromImamHasanalAskariwas,Thewinedrinkeris likeanidolater.IbnalJawziinhisbookTehrimalKhamrmentionedthistraditionfromthe ImamfromthemostreliablenarratorsofHadith. HistorianshavenotedmanynamesoftheImamsstudentswhobecamescholarsoftheirtime OneofthefamousstudentsoftheImamwasAbuAlialHasanibnKhalidwhoprepareda commentaryoftheHolyQoraanwhichshouldbeconsideredtheworkoftheImamhimself.The ImamusedtodictateitscontentstoAbuAliwhowentonwritingthecommentary.Scholars indicatedthatthebookconsistedof1920pages. InspiteofthefactthattheImahadnevergivenanycauseforconcerntotheCaliphsofhistime, theirguiltinthismatterwassogreatthattheydidnotleavethesepiouspersonalitiesinpeace.If theyhadnofearoftheirthronetheywereafraidoftheexcellenceandknowledgeoftheImams. InthecaseofImamHasanalAskari,thesametypeofjealousyledtothepoisoningoftheImamto endthislifeofasaintwhoseonlyactivitywastoteachQoraanastheProphetandhisAhlulbayt taughtbeforehim.DuringtheruleofAlMutamidpoisonwasgiventotheImammixedinsome fruitandhediedon8thRabialAwwal260Hijri.Heleftonlyoneson,whosenamewas Muhammadwhowasonlyfiveyearsoldwhenhisfatherdied. TheCaliphAlMutamidhimselfattendedthefuneralprayer.Whentheyalllinedupandwere readytocommencetheprayers,ImamHasanalAskarisbrotherJaafarstoodinfrontofthe peopletoleadtheprayer.Beforehecouldcommencetheprayer,afiveyearoldboycameoutof thehouse,wentnearhisuncle.Shookhismantleandtoldhim,setasideuncle,onlyanImamcan leadthefuneralprayerofanImam.HisuncleJaafarsteppedasideandthisfiveyearoldboylead theprayers.Immediatelyaftertheendoftheprayerhewentinsidehishouseandwasnotseen byhispursuers,leadbythecaliphMutamidhimself. OurEleventhImamwasburiedinthesamehousewherehehaddied,bythesideofhisfather ImamAliNaqi(AS).Bythepassageoftime,theplacewastransformedintoagreatmausoleum

andpilgrimsfromallovertheIslamiclandscametopaytheirhomagetothetwoImamsof Ahlulbaytwhowereburiedthere. TheTwelfthImamMuhammadibnalHasan(AlMahdiSahibuzZaman)AS (ThehiddenImamwhoisexpectedtoreturn) Theworldwillnotcometoanend,saidtheProphetMuhammad,untilamanfrommyfamily (Ahlulbayt)andofmynameshallbemasteroftheworld,Whenyouseeagreenensigncoming fromthedirectionofKhorasan,thenjointhem,fortheImamofGodwillbewiththestandards whowillbecalledalMahdi. TheMahdiwillbedescendedfromme,hewillbeamanwithanopencountenanceandaface withahighnose.Hewillfilltheearthwithequityandwithjustice,justasithasbeenfilledwith tyrannyandoppression.(BiharulAnwar,Majlisi) ImamMuhammadAbulQasim(alMahdi)(AS),thelastinthelineoftheTwelveIthnaAshari Imamswasbornon15thShaban255HijriinSamarra,Iraq.HisfatherwastheEleventhImam HasanalAskari(AS)andhismotherwasNargisKhatoon,granddaughteroftheEmperorofRum. Itwas8thRabiulAwwal260HijriwhenourTwelfthImamledthefuneralprayerofhisfather ImamHasanalAskari(AS).HewasonlyFiveyearsold,yetthewholecrowdofmuslimsincluding theAbbasidcaliphofthattimeAlMutamidfollowedtheyoungImamwithoutquestion.Oncethe prayerswereoverandtheImamwentinsidethehouse,thattheCaliphrealisedthefull implicationandsignificanceoftheoccasionandheimmediatelyorderedhissoldierstoenterthe houseandsearchfortheyoungImam.Theydidnotfindanyoneinsidethehouse.TheCaliphwas veryangryatthisincompetenceofministersandotherofficialswhowereunabletofindaboyof fivewhohadjustledtheprayersandhadjustdisappeared.Thecaliphhadnoinklingofthe secretsthatGoddidnotwanttoreveal.Hewentbacktohispalaceandintotheluxuriouslifeofa playboykingwhiletheworldaroundhimsqueezedhisempireintooblivion. TheImamsperiodoflesserconcealmentbeganimmediatelyafterheledthefuneralprayersand disappearedinsidethehouse.Thiswasintheyear260Hijri. ThedoctrineofGhaibaorconcealment,declaressimplythattheImamhasbeenwithdrawnby Godfromtheeyesofpeople,thathislifehasbeenmiraculouslyprolonged,thathehasbeenseen

fromtimetotime,hasbeenincorrespondencewithothers,andhasmaintainedacontrolover theguidanceofthefollowersandthebelieversandthesafetyofIslamfromitsenemies. InthefollowingfewpagesweshalltrytobringsomeevidencefromtheQoraanandthe authenticHadithoftheProphettoprovethepointtointerestedreaders. ThisisanessentialbeliefthatImamMuhammadalMahdi(AS)Sahibuzzaman,isaliveandguide's hisfollowerswheneversuchneedarises.ThisisbasedontheversesoftheHolyQuranthat expresstheideaofDivineGuidancethroughtheProphetsandImams.Andamongthosewhom wehavecreatedareapeoplewhoguideotherswithtruth,andinaccordancetherewithact justly.(SuraviiV180) Weshalltestyouwithsomethingoffearandhunger,somelossingoodsorlivesorthefruits(of yourtoil),butgivegladtidingstothosewhopatientlypersevere(Sura2,V.155) AgreatHanafischolarMuhammadibnMuslimcitesImamJaafaralSadiq(AS)explainingthe meaningoftheaboveVerse.Imamindicatedthattherewouldbesignsindicatingthecoming (reappearance)ofalMahdi(AS)whicharethemeanswherebyGodteststhefaithful.Something offearisareferencetomassesperishingbycontagiousdiseases;hungerisareferencetohigh pricesoffoodstuffs;Somelossingoodsisareferencetoscarcityandfamines;Livesisa referencetomassdestructionofhumanlives,probablyglobalwars;Fruitsisareferenceto lengthyperiodsofdraughts;sowhenallthathappens,thengivegladtidingstothosewho patientlypersevere. Thisisitsinterpretation,continuedtheImam,quotingVerse7ofSura3,whichindicatesthat onlythosewhoarefirmlygroundedinknowledgearecapableofinterpretingtheversesofthe HolyQuran,adding,WetheAhlulbaytaretheonesfirmlygroundedinknowledge. InthebookYanabialMuaddah,theHanafischolarandMuftiofIstanbulduringtheOsmani CaliphateinTurkeywritesonpage321,quotingImamJaafaralSadiq(AS)interpretingVerse83, SuraIIIoftheHolyQoraancommentsasfollows:WhentheQaimalMahdireappears,there willbenolandonearthwheretheKalimaisnotsaid.Thiscouldbeareferencetothefactthatby thetimealMahdireappears,allcontinentsoftheworldwillhavemuslimpopulations.They alreadydonow. AfterpresentingtheaboveproofsfromtheQuran,thefollowingareauthentictraditionsfrom theProphetofGodregardingImamMahdi(AS). AttheendofVol.2ofFaraidhalsimtainandonpage269IbnKhaldunsMukaddimah,itis relatedfromIbnAbbas,thattheHolyProphetsaid,AliisImamofmynationandmysuccessor

thereinafterme,andamonghisoffspringistheawaitedQaimwhoshallfilltheworldwithjustice andequityasitwasfilledwithinjusticeandoppression.TheProphetfurtherelaborates,beware ofdoubting,fortodoubttheorderofGod,theMighty,theSublime,isapostasy(Kufr).Ibn KhaldunalsostatesthatWhenimprisonedwithhismotherinthehouse,heenteredasortof wellorpitinthehousethathisfamilyoccupiesatSamarrah,Iraq,andtherehedisappeared,but heistocomeforthattheendoftheagetofilltheearthwithjustice. AllamaJalaluddinSuyutiquotesinhisbookJalalulOyunVol.6page50.TheHourshallnotcome tillAlMahditakeschargeonearthonmybehalf,saidtheMessengerofGod.AllamaSuytualso quotesImamAhmedibnHanbalthatfamouscompanionAbuSaidKhadhriquotingtheMessenger ofGodsaying,IbringyougladtidingsofalMahdi,Godshallsendhimtomynation,inatime differentfromyourown,andafteraseriesofearthquakes,andheshallfilltheearthwithjustice andequityasitwasfilledwithinjusticeandoppression.Heshalldistributethewealthequitably amongtheinhabitantsoftheearth.Inthemanualinwhichhesetsforththemanydutiesand privilegesofpilgrims,MajlisihasgivenanacceptedformforashortletterinArabic,whichanyone canwrite,andsenttohisImamoftheage.ItmaybeplacedonthetombofanyoftheImams,or itmaybefastenedandsealed,andcoveredwithcleanearthandcastintotheseaorriverora deepwell.InanycaseitwillreachtheHiddenImamandhewillgivehispersonalattention. ThereisafamoussayingofImamHussain(AS)aboutthetwelvthImam.TheNinthofmy descendantsistheImamwhowillrisewiththeTruth.Godwillgrantlifetoearththroughhim afteritsdeath.Thetruefaithwillsupersedeallreligionsthroughhim.Hisabsenceshallbelengthy duringwhichmanypeoplewillgoastray.OnlyafewwillremainontheRightPath.Theyshall sufferpains,peoplewillputpressureonthem,saying,letusknowwhenthispromiseofthe ReturnoftheMahdiisfulfilled.Thosewhowillbearthepainsanddenialspatientlywillgetthe samerewardsasthosewhoaccompaniedtheProphetduringhisexpeditionsforJihad. ImamZainulAbedeen(AS)hassaid,Ofusonewillbebornwhosebirthwillremainsecretso muchsothatthepeoplewillsaythathewasnotbornatall. ImamMuhammadalBaqir(AS)isquotedbyKulainiinAlKafi,NineImamsafterHussainare destined,thelastofthemwillbealQaim. ImamJafaralSadiq(AS)isquotedinIlalalshaaisaying,Thefifthofthedescendantsofmyson MusawillbetheQaimadescendantoftheProphet(SA). ImamMusaibnJaafar(AS)wasaskedonce,AretheQaimwiththetruth?TheImamreplied,I alsorisetruthfully,buttherealQaimishewhowillremovetheenemiesofGodfromearthand willfillitwithjustice.Heshallbemyfifthdescendant.Hisabsencewillbelengthyduringwhich multitudeswillturnawayfromthefaithwhileonlyafewwillupholdit.

ImamAlialReza(AS)intheabovesayingofImamHussain(AS)thatduetotheexcessivethe lengthoftheconcealmentofthe12thImammanybelieverswillhavedoubtsabouthisexistence. ManywillquestiontheverylongevityofhislifeandtheusefulnessofhispresenceasanImam. Rezasaid,ODabil,mysonMuhammad(AS)willcomewhenIamgone.Afterhim,hisgreat grandsonwillbenamedMuhammad(AS)whowillbetheQaim.Hewillbeawaitedduringhis absence.Whenheappears,theworldshallbowdownbeforehim. ImamMuhammadTaqi(AS)hassaidTheQaimwillbefromamongstusthethirdofmy descendants. ImamAliNaqi(AS)said,MysuccessorwillbemysonHasan;butwhatwillbeyourcondition duringthereignofHasanssuccessor?Thosewhowerepresentasked,Why,whatdoyoumean bythat?Imamreplied,youwillnothavethechancetoseehim,lateryouwillnotbeallowedto mentionhisname.ThentheImamwasaskedastohowtheyshouldmentionhim.Imamreplied, YoumaysaythatheisthelastofMuhammads(infallible)descendants. SomepeopleaskedImamHasanalAskari(AS),yourforefathershavesaidthattheearthwould neverbewithoutknowingthesignofAllah(Hujjatullah)tillDoomsday,andhewhodieswithout knowingtheImamofhistimewilldiethedeathofignorance.Imamreplied,Thatwasastrueas theshiningday.TheyinquiredastowhowouldbetheImamwhowouldbethesignoftheMercy ofGodafterhisdeath,Imamreplied,Hewillbemyson,thenamesakeoftheHolyProphet (MuhammadAbulQasim).Hewhodiedwithoutknowinghimwilldiethedeathofignorance.His absencewillbesolengthythattheignorantwillwanderpuzzledandwouldsurelystrayfromthe RightPath.ButtheRighteousshallremainsteadfastandprayfortheirImamtoappearwithin theirlifetime. AllthesepredictionswererecordedsincethetimeoftheHolyProphetwhohimselfprophesied theadventoftheMahdi.(ReadthisHadithinthestoryofthe5thImam). AsintheabovesayingofImamHussain(AS)thatduetotheexcessivelengthoftheconcealment ofthe12thImammanybelieverswillhavedoubtsabouthisexistence.Manywillquestionthe verylongevityofhislifeandtheusefulnessofhispresenceasanImam. Tothequestionofexistence,wehaveseenabovethemanyVersesfromtheQoraanandHadith oftheProphetandalltheElevenImams.WehavealsoreadquotationsfromtheBooksofAhlul SunnawalJamaaandmanyscholarsandphilosophersfromtheearliesttimestothepresent. Asfarasthelongevityofhislife,inQuranictermsitisnotdifficulttoexplain.ProphetJesusis aliveandwillcomeoutwiththe12thImam.ProphetSheethandProphetKhidhrarestillalive

accordingtotheVerdictoftheQuran.IfGodkeepshisguidedonesaliveforacertainpurpose thereshouldnotbeanydoubt. Asfortheusefulnessofhisconcealedexistence,therearenumerousoccasionswhentheImam miraculouslyhelpedthosewhocalledhimforhelp. DuringtheperiodofGhaibateSughra(theperiodoflesserconcealment)fromthetimeofthe deathofhisfatherImamHasanalAskari(AS)intheyear260Hijri,our12thImamwasseenonly byafewpeoplewhowereappointedhisambassadors(Safeer)onhisbehalftoconveyhis teachingstothebelievers.TheseFourAmbassadorswereasfollows: 1.AbuAmrUthmanibnSaidalAsadi.Hewasadeputyof10thImamAliNaqi(AS)andafterhis death,ofthe11thImamHasanalAskari(AS)andafterhisdeath,ofour12thImam. HavingperformedthesedutiesofconveyingthemessagesfromtheImamtothebelieversandthe teachingsofAhlulbayt,hediedinBaghdadandwasburiedthere. 2.AbuJaafarMuhammadibnOthmanalAmri,thesonofthefirstAmbassadorwasappointedthe 2ndSafeerofour12thImam.Hediedin305Hijri(917AD). 3.AbulQasimHussainibnRauhNawbakhtiwasappointedtheImams3rdSafeer.Hewasatop rankingscholarandFaqeeh,renownedforhisknowledgeofallIslamicsciences.Hewasalsoa verypiousman.Underthedirectionsofthe12thImam,his3rdSafeerHussainibnRauh performedhisdutiesasSafeerforthenext15years.Hediedintheyear320Hijri 4.AbulHasanAliibnMuhammadalSamari.HewasthelastSafeerofthe12thImam,succeeding HussainibnRauhasdirectedbytheImam.Heperformedhisdutiesfor9yearsanddiedonthe 15thShabaan329Hijri(May15,941AD)Havingbeingaskedonhisdeathbedastowhowould succeedhim,hereplied:Providencenowwishestogivethematteranothershapethedurationof whichisknowntoGodalone. AfterAbulHasantherewasnoSafeer.Inthissorrowfulyear,i.e.329Hijri,manyscholarssuchas AliibnBabwayhQummiandMuhammadibnYaqubKulaini,thelearnedcompilerofalKafialso died.Besidestheseevents,anextraordinaryphenomenonwasalsowitnessed.Intheskysomany starsdidshootthatitseemedasifDoomsdayhadcome.Thatyearwasnamedastheyearofthe dispersalofstars.Afterthis,followedadarkperiodbecausenosaffeerwaslefttodirectly approachtheImamalMahdi(AS).ItisalsorelatedthatImamhimselftoldhislastSafeerthat therewillnotbeanymoreappointmentsofSofara.Whenaskedwhatthebelieverswoulddo,the Imamreplied,followtheFoqahaofourDeen,thosewhohaveknowledgeofQoraan,who protectDeenandwouldnotfollowtheirowndesires.

InansweringthosewhoquestiontheusefulnessoftheImaminconcealment,therearenumerous occasionsmentionedinbooksofmanyUlemas,suchasShaikhMufid(d413Hijri)AllamaHilli(d. 726)/shahidThalithNoorullahShoostry(d.1019).Theyhavementionedintheirownperiodasto howthe12thImamwasapproachedandgavehelp.Allthesestoriesarementionedintheirown books. HereinthisbookIwouldliketomentiontwosuchoccurrencesthathappenedtothosewhohave toldtheirexperiencestomepersonally.Bothofthemarenowdeadanditisimportantformeto tellthesehappeningsbeforemyowndeath. IlivedinNajefinthefiftiesandduringmystaythereIusedtovisitKerbalanearlyeveryweek.In thetownofKerbalatherewasaDispensaryrunbythePakistanGovernment.ThePharmacist therewasoneMr.RizviwhonotonlydistributedmedicinetothepoorofKerbalabutalsolooked afterthepatientsandsometimesevenprescribedmedicineforthem.Therewasnoqualified doctortoattendtothepatient.Mr.RizviusedtogotoBaghdadonFridaytogetstocksfromthe Hospitalthere.OnonesuchoccasionwhenhewascomingbackbyMinibus,theBusdriver stoppedatMehmudiya,halfwayKerbala.Itwaslateintheevening.TheBusDrivertoldthe passengersthattherewassomethingwrongwiththeBusengineandhecouldnotproceeduntil nextmorning.ThepassengerswouldhavetoprovidefortheirownBoardandlodgingthemselves forthenight.Mr.Rizviwasveryupset.Hehadaboxloadofmedicinewithhimandifhewouldnot beinKerbala,thenextmorninghispatientswouldbedisappointedandsomeofthemmighthave togowithoutanymedicine.HewasstandingbytheRoadside,inthislittletownMehmudiya, some40milesfromKerbala.Nightwasgettingdarker.Peopleweresittingindarkcoffeehouses drinkingcoffeeorplayingcardgamesetc. Astimepassedhisworriesincreased.Herealisedthatifhedoesnotmovefromtheresoon,some youngstersmightcomeandvandalisehisgoodsandstocksofmedicine.SoheprayedtoGodand thewordsutteredwereYaSahebuzZamanUdriknyOImamoftheTime,helpme.Moments later,hesawajeepcarstoppedrighttherewherehewasstandingandaverygoodlookingyoung ArabgentlemangotoutoftheJeepandtoldhim,DoyouwanttogotoKerbala?Hewas astonishedatthishelpandsaidyes,ofcourseIwanttogotoKerbala.Hesaid,putyourboxin thecarandsitbesideme.ThemandrovethecarandarrivedinKerbalaanhourlater.Without askinghimtheaddressofhisdestinationhetookhimstraighttothedooroftheDispensaryand stopped.Mr.Rizvigotdown,broughthisboxofmedicinedownandstartedtolookforsome moneyinhispockettogivesomethingtotheDriveroftheJeep.Whenheturnedtolookforhim, therewasnothingthere.Therewasnojeepcar,noman,nothing.Theroadwascompletely empty.HeboweddownonthedustofKerbalatothankGodforsendingthehelpthroughthe ImamoftheTime.Hetoldmethisstorypersonallyandhehadnodoubtinhismindthatthehelp camefromthe12thImam.Fromthattimeonwardhisdevotiontowardshelpingthepeopleof

Kerbalahadincreasedahundredfold.Hediedsomeyearslaterwhilestillhelpinghispatientsin thatlittleDispensaryinKerbala. MysecondstorywasfromthelipsofanEnglishman,Col.AbdullahBaines.Duringthe2ndWorld WarhewasstationedattheRoyalAirForceBaseatHabbaniyah,atownsome22milessouthof Baghdad.DuringtheheightofthewartherewassomescareinBritainthatHitlermightinvade Iraqtograboilfields.Itwas1942thattheCommanderoftheBasedecidedtoevacuatefamiliesof thepeoplelivingatthebase.Col.Baineswasgiventhetaskofleadingthecaravanofjeepcarsfull ofwomenandchildrenfromBaghdadtoDamascus.TheyhadtopassthroughtheDesertwhere therewasnoroadandtheyhadtofindtherewaybylookingatthestarsasCaptainsoftheship sailintheseaandfindtherewaytotheirdestination.Col.BaineswasaChristianbuthewaswell versedinIslamichistoryandespeciallythehistoryconcerningthelivesoftheImams.Hehadread manybooksaboutthe12thImamandwaswellawareofthestoriesofthosefaithfulwhobelieve whoreceivehelpfromtheImamintheirdistress.TheycalltheImamandhelpcomestothem.All thewomenandchildrenwithCol.Baineswereallchristiansandnotmuslims. Halfwaythroughtheirjourneyofthiscaravanoffivejeepsthroughthedesert,theylosttheirway inadesertstorm.Theywerehopelesslylost,goingroundandroundinthedesert,notknowing wheretogoandhowtofindtheirwaytoDamascus.Theydecidedtocampthere.Madeacircleof jeepcarsandalltravellerssatdownonthegroundtoawaitamiracletogetthemoutofthat endlessdesert.Theydidnotknowwhattodo.Onedayandonenightpassedlikethatandwhen thenextdayssuncamescorching,allofthemwereindespair.Waterstockshadgoneandthirsty childrenbegantodemandforwater.Col.Bainesdidnotknowwhattodo.Thenheremembered thathereadsomewherethatifyouareinsuchdistress,calltheImamofthetimeforhelp.Heput uphishandsintheshapeofprayer,closedhiseyesandaskedinhisheartfortheImamtohelp. Hesaid,weareallChristiansandwemaybesinners,butthesechildrenwithmeareinnocent, theydonotdeservetodieinthismanner.OImamoftheTime,helpthemgetoutofthisdesert. Hisprayershadnotevenendedwhenhesawthattwohorsemenwerecomingrightthroughthe eyeofthestorm.Theycamenearthecircleofjeepcars,approachedCol.Baines,andasked,Do youallwishtogotoDamascus.Hesaidyesofcourse.Theysaid,followus.Thejeepslinedup andfollowedthehorsemen.Theyhadgoneafewmilesuntilthewaybecameclearforthem. TheirguidestoldthemtogostraighttotheWestandtheywillreachDamascus.Inafewdaysthey allreachedDamascusandsafety.Col.Bainesrealisedthathisprayerstothe12thImamwere heardandhelparrivedfromtheImam. Oncethewarwasover,Col.BainsembracedIslam,changedhisnametoAbdullahBainesandafter hisretirementfromtheArmy,settledinKent.Hehashimselftoldmehisstorybeforehisdeathin 1965.Healsotoldmetopublicisethisasmuchaspossibleforthisisthetruthandpeopleshould notrefrainfromtellingthetruth.

TherearenumerousexperiencesofthiskindofhelpgivenbytheImamtopeopleindistresswho callhimforhelp.AyatollahalJazaeritoldustwosuchstoriesofhisownexperiencesinIranwhen helpcamefromtheImamtopeople. Althoughabsentandunrepresented,ImamalMahdi(AS)stillguidespeopleanddefendsthefaith. Eventhoughunseen,theImamsupervisestheworldaffairsandguidesit.Thiscurtainwillexistas longasProvidencedeemsitnecessary.Thetimewillcome,whichmaybetoolateformanyofus, butwhenthecurtainofabsencewillberemoved,ImamalMahdi(AS)willreappearandas predictedbytheProphet,filltheworldwithjusticeandequity,discardingtheprevailinginjustices andoppressions.MayGodbringabouthisearlyreappearanceandeasehiscoming. WalhumdolillahiRabbilAlameen.WassalatoWassalamoAlaRasulehilKarim.

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aafarAlKazim.A.S TheeighthImamAliIbnMusa,AlReza(AS) TheNinthImamMuhammadibnAlialtaqialJawad(AS) TheTenthImamAliIbnMuhammad(AlNaqi,AlHadi)(AS) TheEleventhImamHasanibnAli(alAskari)(AS)

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