TheLifeofImam‘Alial-Hadi,StudyandAnalysisBaqirShareefal-Qurashi-XKP

Published:2012Tag(s):islamxkp"islamicmobility""shiaebooks"shiahadinaqimahdiimammotherscienceknowledgefastcompanionsamarrairaqassassinationDeviantsufiridha

1ChapterDedication

Tothepioneerofwisdomandsocialjusticeintheearth,Totheintellectualmindofhumanity,TotheguardianoftheMessengerofAllah(peaceandblessingbeuponhim),hiscompanionand

friendAmirul-Mu’mineen,peacebeonhim,Ioffer,withallprideandfaith,thishumbleeffort,oneforwhichIhavehadthehonorofstudyingthelifeofhisgrandsonImamAlial-Hadi(peacebeuponhim),therenovatorofIslam,hopingitwillbeacceptedtobeaprovisionformeonthedaywhenIshallmeetmyLord.TheAuthor

2ChapterIntroduction

InthenameofGodtheMostGracious,theDispenserofGraceWearebefore an Imamof theAhlulBayt (peacebeupon them)who filled theworldwith their

virtues and sciences, devoted their lives to Allah, and were loyal to the truth in the full sense ofloyalty.HeisthetenthImam;Alial-Hadi(a.s.)whosenameisthesameashisgrandfather ’s:Amirul-Mu’mineen (a.s.), the pioneer of wisdom and social justice in the earth. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) wassimilartohisgrandfatherinasceticismandinrenouncingmaterialpleasures.Itwasneversaidabouthimthathehadfollowedanyfancyorsubmittedtoanydesirethatwasawayfromthetruth.Hehadpreferred the obedience ofAllah to everything else.Hewas so fond of his Lord that he spent hisnightsworshipping,supplicating,andinvokingAllahtheAlmighty.HisfaithinAllahpermeatedhisinnermostessenceuntilitwasoneofhismostprominentqualities

and constituents. Many exalted supplications, wise invocations, and wonderful maxims ofmonotheismwererelatedfromhim,showingthathewasoneofthefirstleaderswhoraisedthetorchofguidanceandfaithonEarth.AllahhadendowedtheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)withknowledge,wisdom,andvirtuestoan

extentwhichHeneverendowedanyoneelseofHiscreation.Thegreatknowledgeandsciencesthatwere transmittedfromthemareasourceofpride.Theyoungandoldof the infallibleImams(a.s.)havebeendistinguishedwiththisphenomenon.Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)assumedthereligiousleadershipandthegeneralauthorityofthenationsincehisearlyyears.Hewasjustsevenyearsandsomemonthsold. He was asked about the most complicated philosophical, theological, and jurisprudentialquestions and he answered them all as if hewas an expert scholar though hewas a child yet. Ofcourse, there is no explanation for this except thatwhich the Twelver Shia believe, thatAllah hasendowedtheinfallibleImams(a.s.)withextraordinarypowersofknowledgeandsciences,justasHehadendowedHisArch-Prophets.AsImamal-Jawad(a.s.)wasthewonderoftheworldwithhistalentsandintellectualabilities,and

sowashissonImamAlial-Hadi(a.s.).Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasyettooyoungwhenhewasafflictedwiththedeathofhisfather.Theulama’(scholars)andjurisprudentsoftheShia,whoweresocautiousin the matter of Imamate, referred to him and researched as far as they could and with utmostaccuracyonthematterofImamate.WhentheyfoundthedefiniteproofsonhisImamate,theybelievedinhim.Theydidnotletthemselvesbecarriedawaybypassionsorfanciesinthat,buttheysawthattheywere responsible for that beforeAllah since Imamate for them is one of the foundations (or“usul”)ofreligion.Anyhow,theulama’andjurisprudentsoftheShiaaskedImamal-Hadi(a.s.),whilehewasyetvery

young, about different branches of knowledge and he answered them with answers of an expert,

whichmade them believe in his Imamate. Thismade themmore faithful and certain of what theybelievedthatanImammustbethemostknowledgeableoneofhis timeregardlessofwhetherheisyoungorold.Theknowledge,virtue,anddelvingintothesciencesoftheQur ’anandtheSunnaofImamal-Hadi

(a.s.)astonishedthemindsandsparkedmeetingsandgatheringsinallpartsoftheMuslimworldastheywerebusydiscussinghisunlimitedscientifictreasures.AgreatnumberofMuslimsbelievedintheImamateofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andfounditobligatory

on them to followandobeyhim.Greatmoniesof legaldues thatmustbegiven to the Imamwerecarriedtohim,besides thepresentsanddonationswhichMuslimsofferedtohim.Investigatorsandpolicemenreportedthisinfluxindetailtoal-Mutawakkil,theAbbasidcaliph,whowasthemostbitterenemy of the Alawis and their followers-the Shia. The caliph became very angry at this specialrespectandbegrudgedit.HeorderedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)toberelocatedto“SurraManRa’a”.[1]He imposed house-arrest on him there tomonitor all his activities, pinpoint his followers, and

preventmoniesfromcomingtohim.Hepreventedscholarsandnarratorsfromassociatingwithhim.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)sufferedalotduringthereignofal-MutawakkilwhoorderedhismenfromtimetotimetosearchthehouseofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andbringtheImam(a.s.)tohim,howeverhemaybe.Once,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasbroughttothemeetingofal-Mutawakkilwhileglassesofwinewere

scattered about, songsters and songstresses sangwith theirmusical instruments and al-Mutawakkil,thecaliph,wasdrunkenandsurroundedbygroupsofsingersanddalliers.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)neitherrespected him nor feared his authority but began advising and reminding him of the afterlife andcriticizing the stateofdalliance,amusement,andpleasurehewas in.Weshalldiscuss this indetaillateron,insha’Allah.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wastheonlyrepresentativeofthefrontofoppositiontotheAbbasidrule,and

oneoftheprominentleadersofthenationwhostruggledagainsttyrannyandoppression.Hetookabrave and unwavering position against the kings of his age.He did not associatewith any one ofthem;ratherhepreferredtostayawayfromthem.Therefore,theyheldgrudgesandenmityagainsthimandinflictedhimwithseverityandviolence.IfImamal-Hadi(a.s.)hadhumoredorflatteredthekingsofhisage,theywouldnothaveimposed

house-arrest on him in SurraMen Ra’a, or the economical blockade that had led him to criticalinsolvency,orpreventedhimfrommeetinghisfollowers.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)preferredthecontent(Ridha)ofAllahandthebestinterestofthenationtoeverythingelse;thereforeheturnedawayfromthosekingswhoimposedtheirauthoritiesbyforceandoppression.Inthisbook,weshalldrawaclearpictureontheirpoliciesandlives,asquotedbythemostreliablesourcesofhistory.NotonlywasImamal-Hadi(a.s.)afflictedwiththeAbbasidkingsofhistime,infactallMuslims

wereafflictedwiththem.TheAbbasidsplayedwiththeprinciplesofreligiontothepointthatnotevenashadowofIslamremainedasitusedtobeduringtheirreigns.Theyexploitedtheeconomyofthenationtosatisfytheirpleasures.TheyspentthewealthofMuslimswastefullyonsingersanddalliers.Their red nights in Baghdad and Samarra’were full of all that whichAllah had prohibited. TheyabsolutelyturnedtheirbackstotheIslamicprinciplesandindulgedinpleasuresandlusts.

Thestudyofanageisoneofthesystematicresearchesinstudyingthelifeofonewholivesinthat

age,becauseituncoverstheimportantsidesoftheintellectual,social,andpoliticallifeofthatage.Inlightof this fact,wehave tostudy theageand timeof Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)andcoverall itsaspectsbecauseithadinfluenceonthelifeofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).TheageofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasrifewithterribleevents,themostprominentoneofwhichwas

the dominance of the Turks over all the affairs of the state and their possession of the generaleconomytoadegreethattheAbbasidkingshadnoinfluenceandwereawayfromalltheinteriorandforeignaffairsofthestate.WhentheTurkswerepleasedwiththeAbbasidcaliph,theykepthiminhisposition and when they were not, they deposed or killed him. Because of that, the nation faceddangerouscrisisastheTurkswerenotwell-qualifiedtoruleandrunthepoliticalaffairsofthestatesincetheywerenomadswithnocivilizationoradministration.ThebookmentionsthecompanionsofImamal-Hadi(a.s.),hisdisciples,andthenarratorsofhis

traditions.IthinkIamtheonlyonewhohasstudiedthelivesoftheinfallibleImams(a.s.)inthisway,becausethemodernstudieshavepaidnoattentiontothisaspectatallorsimplyignoredit.IbelievethatstudyingthisaspectcompletesthestudyofthelifeoftheImambecauseitshowstheaspectsofhisintellectual andcultural lifeand theextentofhis relationwithpeopleand thepeople’s relationshipwith him. At the same time, there is important information about the Imam that has not beenmentionedinthebooksofbiographiesthathaveanalyzedhislife,butismentionedinthebiographiesofhiscompanions.Thisbook isnot the first thathasbeenwrittenon the lifeof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.).AllamaSheikh

Dhabeehullahhaswrittenabouthimindetail.Hehasassignedthethirdvolumeofhisencyclopedia“Ma’athiral-Kubara”onImamal-Hadi(a.s.)whentalkingaboutthecityofSamarra’.AlsoProfessorAbdurrazakShakiral-Badriash-Shafi’iyhaswrittenabookcalled“ThelifeofthetenthImamAlial-Hadi”.IthinkthatsofarwhathasbeenwrittenonthisgreatImam,includingthisbook,doesnotcoverallhisvirtues,works,andconcerns,butitshedslightsupontheaspectsofhisgreatpersonality,whichwasthecontinuityofthelivesofhisfatherswhopossessedallthevirtuesandnobilitiesoftheworld.I find itmyduty, at the endof this introduction, to acknowledge the favor and recordmygreat

appreciationtoHisEminence,mybrother,grandAllamaSheikhHadiSharifal-Qurashi(mayAllahbless him) for his sincere help in writing this book. He reviewed many sources including someencyclopediassuchas“Wassa’ilash-Shia”andothers,andofferedmemuchinformationonthelifeof ImamAbulHasan al-Hadi az-Zakiy (a.s.). I prayAllah to rewardhimwith thebest as a sincereprayerfromabrotherforhisbrother.

HolyNajafBaqirSharifal-Qurashi

Notes:[1]Samarra’,thecapitaloftheAbbasidStateatthattime.

3ChapterHisBirthAndUpbringing

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasapurebranchfromthetreeofprophethood,andashinyboughfromthe

treeofImamate.ByhimandhisfathersAllahhasconsolidatedIslamandexaltedmonotheism.Beforetalking about the aspects of his great personality, we will discuss his pure origin, birth, andupbringing.

Part1TheOriginAndTheBirth

HisFather

ThefatherofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasImamMuhammadal-Jawadbin[2]AlibinMusabinJa’farbinMuhammadbinAlibinal-HusaynbinAlibinAbuTalib(peacebeuponthem).Itisthemostexaltedlineage in Islam.Humankind, throughout all its ages,hasneverhada lineagemorehonorable andmoreexaltedthanthislineagethathaslittheworldwiththeessenceofIslamandfaith.Tothisgreat,honorablefamilyImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasborn.Hisfather,Imamal-Jawad(a.s.),wasthewonderoftheworld throughhis talents and intellectual abilities.After thedeathofhis father, Imamar-Ridha(a.s.),heassumedthegeneralreligiousauthorityandleadershipofthenationwhilehewasonlysevenyearsandsomemonthsold.TheAbbasidgovernmentseizedthisopportunityandchargedYahyabinAktham,whowasoneof

thegreatulama’atthattime,totestImamal-Jawad(a.s.)anddenyhisstatus,sothatthefactthattheImamwasthemostknowledgeableoneofhisage,whichwasandisoneofthebasicelementsintheShiitedoctrine,wouldbeprovenwrong.YahyaaskedImamal-Jawad(a.s.)beforealargecrowdofscholars,viziersandofficialsoftheAbbasidgovernmentaboutajurisprudentialquestionandImamal-Jawad(a.s.)ramifiedthequestionintomanybranches.YahyawasastonishedandhefeltafailureandacknowledgedtheexceptionalscientificabilitiesofImamal-Jawad(a.s.).ThenewsofthiseventandofotherscirculatedinthemeetingsofBaghdadandeverywhere.

HisMother

BeforewetalkaboutthemotherofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wewouldliketosay,aswehavesaidmanytimesbefore,thatIslamhasadoptedtheunityofsocietyandstruggledagainstallthemeansthatmightleadtodisagreementorbreakthatunity.TheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)alwaysactedinlightofthisfact.TheydidnotdifferentiatebetweentheWhiteandtheBlack.Theygotmarriedtobondmaidsinordertodoawaywithallkindsofracialsegregation.ImamAlibinal-HusaynZaynulAabidin(as-Sajjad)(a.s.)marriedabondmaidwhogavebirthtoZaydtheeternalmartyr,andImamMuhammadal-Jawad(a.s.)gotmarriedtoabondmaidwhogavebirthtoImamAlial-Hadi(a.s.).Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)boughtthisbondmaidandhehimselfeducatedher.Shelivedinthehouseof

Imamatewith theAlawiwomenand thedaughtersof themessengerofAllah (SwT),whowere theexampleofhonor,chastity,andpurity.ShewasaffectedbytheirconductsanddevotedherselftotheworshipofAllah.ShespenthernightsworshippingandrecitingtheBookofAllah.[3]ItsufficedherthatshehadgivenbirthtoamasterfromthemastersofMuslimsandanImamfrom

theAhlulBayt(a.s.)whomAllahhassentforthesafetyanddeliveranceofthepeople.Historiansdisagreedonhername.Herearesomeofthenamesasmentionedbyhistorians:1.Sumanaal-Maghribiyya[4]andknownasLadyUmmulFadhl[5]2.Mariyaal-Qubtiyya[6]3.Yadash[7]4.Haweet[8]Thereareothersayingsbutthedetailsofthisparticularpointisnotsoimportanttothesubject.

GreatNewbornBaby

Ali al-Hadi (a.s.) was born in Siriya[9] in Yathrib (Medina)[10]and by this birth the world was

delighted.Noonehadeverbeenborninthatagemorepious,moredevoted,ormoreknowledgeablethanhim.Heinheritedallqualitiesofgood,honor,andnobility.

CeremoniesoftheBirth

Imam al-Jawad (a.s.) performed the special rituals for his blessed newborn son. He performed

AzaninhisrightearandIqamaintheleft,circumcisedhimontheseventhdayafterthebirth,cutthehairofhishead,gavesilver,asmuchastheweightofthehair,tothepoor,andslaughteredaramasaqiqa[11],asitwasthenormfortheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)todowiththeirchildrenwhentheywereborn.

BirthDate

MostofhistoriansagreedthatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasbornin212AH[12],anditwasalsosaidthat

hewasbornin214AH[13],buttheydisagreedonthemonthanddayofhisbirth.Herearesomeoftheirsayings:1.Hewasbornonthetwenty-seventhofThulHijja.[14]2.HewasbornonthethirteenthofRajab.[15]3.HewasbornonMonday,thethirdofRajab.4.SomesourcesmentionedthathewasborninRajabbutwithoutmentioningtheday.Ithasbeen

mentioned in some du’as (supplications) that, “O Allah, I ask You by the ones born in Rajab,MuhammadbinAlithesecondandAlibinMuhammadal-Muntajab”.SomehistoriansdidnotmentionthemonthandthedayofhisbirthbutsaidhewasborninMedina.

[16]

HisName

HisfatherImamal-Jawad(a.s.)namedhimAliliketheblessednameofhistwogreatgrandfathers

Amir ’ul-Mu’mininImamAli(a.s.)andImamAlibinal-HusaynZaynulAabidin(a.s.).HeresembledhisgrandfatherImamAli(a.s.)ineloquenceandrhetoric,andhisgrandfatherImamZaynulAabidininpiety,worship,andasceticism.

HisSurname

Givingasurnametoachildwasawayofhonoringthechildwhichhelpedhispersonalitygrow

welltowardsperfection.TheinfallibleImams(a.s.)paidattentiontothisimportantfactandtherefore,theysurnamedtheirchildrenintheirearlychildhood.TheArabswereproudoftheirsurnames.Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)surnamedhisson,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.),asAbulHasan,whichwasthesameas

thesurnamesofhistwograndfathersImamMusaal-Kadhim(a.s.)andImamar-Ridha(a.s.).NarratorsdifferentiatedbetweenthesethreeImamsinthissurnamebysayingAbulHasantheFirst(ImamMusaal-Kadhim),AbulHasantheSecond(Imamar-Ridha),andAbulHasantheThird(ImamAlial-Hadi).

HisEpithets

Hisepithetsexpressedthehighqualitieshepossessed.Hisepithetsareasfollows:1.An-Nasih(loyal);hewascalledsobecausehewasthesincerestadvisortothenation.2.Al-Mutawakkil(reliantonAllah);hedislikedthisepithetandorderedhiscompanionsnottocall

himwith it. I think he hated this epithet because itwas the epithet of theAbbasid caliph Ja’far al-Mutawakkilwhoheldabittergrudgeandenmity,andwasspiteful,towardstheAhlulBayt(a.s.).3.At-Taqiy (pious, devout); he was called so because he feared Allah and turned to Him. Al-

Mutawakkil, the tyrant Abbasid caliph, tried his best to attract Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) to the fields ofamusementanddebaucherybuthefailed.4.Al-Murtadha(beingpleasedwithAllah);itwashismostfamousepithet.5.Al-Faqeeh(jurisprudent);hewasthemostinformedpersonofhisageinjurisprudence,andwas

theauthoritythatjurisprudentsandscholarsturnedto.6.Al-Aalim(knowledgeable);hewas themostknowledgeableoneamong thepeopleofhis time,

notonlyintheIslamiclaws,butallbranchesofknowledgeandsciences.7.Al-Ameen(trusteeonreligionandlife)8.At-Tayyib(generous,kind-hearted,good-natured…)9.Al-Askari(military);hewascalledsobecauseheresidedinSurraMenRa’a(Samarra’)which

wascalledal-Askar.[17]10.Al-Muwadhih(explaineroftheverdictsoftheHolyBookandtheSunnah)11.Ar-Rasheed(wise,prudent);hewascalledsobecausehewasthewisestandmostprudentofhis

time.12.Ash-Shaheed(themartyr)becausehewasmartyredatthehandsoftheenemiesofAllah.13.Al-Wafiy (loyal); hewas themost loyal of his people, and loyaltywas a key element of his

personality.14.Al-Khalis(purefromeverydefectandbad)

HisLineaments

Hewasbrown[18] likehis fatherImamal-JawadandgrandfatherImamar-Ridha(peacebeupon

them).Narratorsdescribedthathewasblack-eyed,withthickhands,widechest,hookednose,prettyface,andgoodbodyodor.HewasstoutinbodylikehisgrandfatherImamAbuJa’faral-Baqir(a.s.),neithershortnortall,withwideshoulders,bigorgans[19]…straightstature.[20]

HisCharm

Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)resortedtoAllahtheAlmightytoprotecthissonImamal-Hadi(a.s.)fromthetroublesandadversitiesof timeandfromeveryevil.Everydayhecharmedhimwith thisdu’a thatshowedhisdevotednesstoAllah:“InthenameofAllah,theBeneficent,theMerciful,thereisnopowersaveinAllah,theExalted,the

Great.OAllah, theLordofangelsandGabriel,prophetsandmessengers, theOmnipotentover theinhabitantsoftheheavensandtheearth,andtheCreatorandPossessorofeverything,protectmefromthe harm of our enemies, andwhoeverwants to do uswrong from the jinn and human beings.OAllah,blindtheireyesandheartsandmakebetweenusandthemascreen,guard,anddefender.YouareourLordandthereisnopowerandmightsaveinAllah.OnHimwehavereliedandtoHimwehaveturnedandHeistheMighty,theWise.OourLord,saveusfromeveryevil,andfromtheevilofeverylivingcreatureyouhavecontrolon,andfromtheevilofeverythingthatcalmsdownonthedayandthenight,andfromeveryharmfulthing,andfromtheevilofeveryevildoer.O Lord of the worlds and the Lord of messengers, send blessings on Muhammad and all his

progenyand favorMuhammadandhisprogenywith thebestofeverything,and there isnopowersaveinAllah,theHigh,theGreat.InthenameofAllah,andinAllahIbelieve,andfromAllahIseekprotection,andtoAllahIresort,andwithAllahIseekrefuge,andbythegloryandmightofAllahIseekprotection from thedevilsof thehumansand the jinn, and from their footing,knighting, andrunning,andfromtheircunningandevil,andfromtheevilofwhat theydoundernightandunderday,fromfarandfromnear,andfromtheevilofthepresentandtheabsent,andofthewitnessandthevisitor,aliveordead…andfromtheevilofpeoplefaraway,andpeoplecloseby,andfromtheevilofmyself initsobsession,andfromtheevilof thedevils,andthesense, touch,anddubiousness,andfromtheenvyofthejinnandthehumans.Andbythename,whichthethroneofBilqees[21]shookfor,Iprotectmyreligionandself,andall

thoseundermycarefromtheevilofeveryfigureorimagination,whitenessorblackness,statueorappearance,allyornotallyofwhateverdwells in theair,cloud,darkness, light,shadow,hot,cold,seas, plains, badlands, ruins, building, hills,marshes,moors, churches, graveyards (ofChristians),desertsandcemeteries,fromtheemanationsofthosewhoappearinthenightanddisappearonday,eveningandmorning,afternoonandsunset,andfromthesuspiciousandaccusers,andthetalebearersinthenight,thedevils,thePharaohs,Satan,andfromtheirsoldiers,wives,tribes,andclans,andfromtheirbackbiting,slandering,speech,maligning,magic,beating,playing,deceit,andfromtheevilofeverywickedoneofmagicians,thejinn,theirwind,andallthattheygenerate…andfromtheevilofeverywickedcomingorgoing,accidentalorintentional,calmormoving,andthebeatingofavein,andheadacheandfever…andfromtheevilofeverylivingcreatureyouhavepoweron,Youareonthe Right Path. O Allah, have blessing onMuhammad and the progeny ofMuhammad and muchpeace…’Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)prayeduponhisgreatnewbornsonwiththisdu’asothathewouldlivewith

confidencethatthepowerwhichranandmanagedthisuniversewasnonebutAllahtheAlmighty,theCreatorofeverythingandtheMakeroflife,andanyoneotherthanHimhadnopower.Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)plantedinhissontheabsolutefaithinthepowersofAllah,andtaughthimthatresortingmustbeonlytoAllahWhosavedfromallmisfortunesanddistresses.

HisUpbringing

Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) grew up in a family different from all families in its noble conducts, high

morals, and loftyvirtues.Theiryoung revered theold and theold respected theyoung.Historiansmentionedwonderfulanecdotesofthehighconductofthemembersofthisgreatfamily.TheyrelatethatImamal-Husayn(a.s.)neverspokebeforehisbrotherImamal-Hasan(a.s.)asakindofreverence.TheysaidthatImamZaynulAabidin(a.s.)didnoteatwithhismotherornursemaidforfearthathemight eat something that his mother or nursemaid had looked at to pick and then he might beundutifultoher.Thesemoralswerelikethemoralsoftheprophetsthatwere,andarenotfound,inanyotherthanthisgreatfamily.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)grewupunder thewingofhisfatherImamal-Jawad(a.s.)whowas themost

wonderfulexampleofvirtuesandhighmorals.Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)shedlightfromhissoulonhisson and planted his virtues into him.He always praised his son and showed his admiration of histalentsandintellectualabilities.HistorianssaidthatwhenImamal-Jawad(a.s.)wantedtogotoIraq,heseatedImamal-Hadi(a.s.),

whowassixyearsthen,inhislapandsaidtohim,‘WhatdoyoulikeaspresentfromthemasterpiecesofIraq?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)smiledandsaid,‘Aswordlikeaflame.’Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)turnedtohissonMusaandsaidtohim,‘Andyou!Whatdoyoulike?’Musasaid,‘Somemats.’Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)didnothidehisadmirationandhesaidtohissonal-Hadi(a.s.),‘AbulHasan

(al-Hadi)islikeme…!’Hewasdelightedbecausethisshowedcourageandvalorthatwerefromhisandhisfathers’qualities.

HisEarlyGenius

The intelligence, intellectualabilities, and talentswhich Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)had inhischildhood

astonishedthemindsandamazedthe intellect.Hehadastrongmemory,excessive intelligence,andsharp wit. Historians have mentioned many examples of his intelligence. They mentioned that al-Mu’tasim, theAbbasid caliph, after having assassinated ImamMuhammad al-Jawad (a.s.), chargedUmarbinal-FarajtogotoYathrib(Medina)inordertochooseateacherforImamal-Hadi(a.s.)whowassixyearsandsomemonthsoldthen.Heaskedhimtochoosea teacher thatmustbeoneof theenemiesoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)sothathe(theteacher)wouldfeedhimhatredtowardstheAhlulBayt(a.s.).WhenUmararrivedinYathrib,hemetthewalithereandinformedhimofhistask.Thewaliand

someothersdirectedhimtoal-JunaydiwhohadintenseillwilltowardstheAlawids.Umarsentforal-Junaydiwhoacceptedthetask.Amonthlysalarywasassignedtoal-JunaydiandhewaschargedtopreventtheShiafromvisitingorcontactingImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Al-JunaydibeganteachingImamal-Hadi (a.s.) but hewas astonished at his sharpwit and acute intelligence.One day,Muhammad binJa’farmetal-Junaydiandaskedhim,‘Whataboutthisboy(Imamal-Hadi)whomyouteach?’Al-Junaydisaidtohimangrily,‘Doyousay“thisboy”andnot“thissheikh”?IaskyoubyAllah;

doyouknowanyoneinMedinamoreawareinknowledgeandliteraturethanme?’MuhammadbinJa’farsaid,‘No!’Al-Junaydisaid,‘ImentionsomemattersofliteratureandthinkthatIhaveelaborateduponthem,

buthe(Imamal-Hadi)openssectionsofliteraturewhereImyselflearnfromhim.PeoplethinkthatIteachhim,but,byAllah,Ilearnfromhim…’AftersometimeMuhammadbinJa’farmetal-Junaydiagainandaskedhim,‘Whatabouttheboy?’Al-Junaydisaidtohim,‘Letyounotsayso!ByAllah,heisthebestoftheinhabitantsoftheearth

andthebestof thecreaturesofAllah.Manya time,whenhewants toenterhisroom,Isay tohim,‘Youdonotentertheroomuntilyoureciteasurah.’Hesays,‘Whichsurahyouwantmetorecite?’IaskhimtorecitelongsurahsandherecitestheminawaythatIhaveheardnorecitationbetterthanhis.HerecitesthesurahswithavoicenicerthanthepipesofProphetDavid(a.s.).Hehasmemorizedthe Qur'an from its beginning until its end and he knows its revelation and interpretation…’ Al-Junaydi added, ‘This young boy grew up inMedina between black walls. How did he obtain thisimmenseknowledge?GlorybetoAllah!’Al-Junaydi gave up his enmity towards the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and believed in them and in their

Imamate.’[22]Ofcourse,thereisnoexplanationofthisphenomenonexceptthatwhichtheShiabelieve,thatAllah

has endowed the infallible Imams of theAhlulBayt (a.s.),whether young or old,with knowledge,wisdom,andvirtueinamannerthatHehasnotendowedanyoneelseofHispeople.

HisSolemnityandDignity

He inherited solemnity and dignity from his fathers. The mien of prophets and brightness of

guardiansappearedonhim,andnooneofhisenemiesorfollowersmethimunlesshereveredandrespectedhimhighly.Muhammadbinal-Hasanal-Ashtaral-Alawisaid,‘Oneday,Iwaswithmyfatheratthedoorofal-

Mutawkkil(theAbbasidcaliph)amongacrowdofpeople.Whilewewerewaitingthere,AbulHasan(al-Hadi)cameandallthepeopledismountedreveringandhonoringhimuntilheenteredthepalace.Someonedenied this reverence towardsImamal-Hadi (a.s.)andsaid, ‘Whydowedismount to thisboy?ByAllah,he isneither thenoblestnor theeldestofus.ByAllah,wedonotdismount tohimwhenhecomesout.’AbuHashim al-Ja’fari replied to him, ‘ByAllah, you shall dismount to himwithmeanness and

lowness.’WhenImamal-Hadi(a.s.)cameout,peoplebegancryingoutwithtakbirandtahlil[23]andallof

themstoodupglorifyinghim.AbuHashim turned topeopleandsaid, ‘Didyounotclaim thatyouwouldnotdismounttohim?’Theysaid,‘ByAllah,wecouldnotcontrolourselvesuntilwedismounted.’[24]Heartsreveredandhonoredhim,andthisreverencedidnotcomeoutofhisauthorityorrulership,

butitresultedfromhisdevotednesstoAllah,asceticismintheworldlylife,andutmostpiety.HeleftthemeannessofdisobedienceofAllahandcametothehonorofobedience.Fromtheevidencesofthegreatreverencethatpeopleheldforhim,wasthefactthatwheneverhecametoal-Mutawakkilinhispalace,everyonein thepalacehastenedtoservehim.Theycompetedtoraise thecurtains,openthedoors,etc.,andtheydidnotaskhimtodoanythingbyhimself.[25]

TheAlawids’ReverenceTowardshim

All the Alawids agreed on revering and honoring Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) and acknowledging his

leadership and virtue. Among them was the uncle of his father, Zayd, the son of ImamMusa al-Kadhim,(a.s.)whowasarespectableoldman.Oneday,ZaydaskedUmarbinal-Faraj,whowasthedoorkeeperofImamal-Hadi(a.s.),toaskpermissionforhimtoenter.HewaspermittedtocomeintohavethehonorofmeetingImamal-Hadi(a.s.).ZaydcameintoImamal-Hadi(a.s.),whowasatthefrontofthemeetingarea.HesatbeforeImamal-Hadi(a.s.)inamannerofhonoring,glorifying,andbelievinginhisImamate.Thenextday,ZaydcametothemeetingofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)whowasnotpresentyet.Zaydsatatthefrontofthemeetingarea.WhenImamal-Hadi(a.s.)came,ZaydjumpedupandseatedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)inhisplace,althoughImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wastooyoungthenandZaydwasveryold.[26]

RelationofthePeopleoftheBooktoHim

ThereverencetowardsImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasnotlimitedtoMuslimsonly.EventhePeopleofthe

BookbesidesMuslimsbelievedinhishighpositionnearAllah.Whentheyfacedamisfortune,theycarriedgiftstoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andtookhimasmeanstorelievetheirmisfortunes.HibatullahbinAbuMansural-MusilysaidthatYusufbinYa’qubtheChristianwasacquaintedwith

hisfather.Once,hecametohisfatherasguestandhisfatheraskedhimwhyhehadcometoBaghdad.Hesaid,‘Iwassentfortomeetal-MutawakkilandIdidnotknowwhatfor,butIbroughtwithmyselfonehundreddinarsthatIgavetoAlibinMuhammadbinar-Ridha(Imamal-Hadi).’Hibatullahadded,‘Myfathercongratulatedhim,andthenheleftBaghdadtowardsSurraManRa’a.[27]Hestayedthereforsomedaysandthencamebackdelightedly.Myfatheraskedhimabouthistravel

andhereplied,‘IarrivedinSurraManRa’a,whichIhadnotvisitedbefore.Iwantedtotaketheonehundreddinars to thesonofar-Ridha(Imamal-Hadi)beforegoing tomeetal-Mutawakkil. Iaskedabouthimanditwassaidtomethatal-Mutawakkilhadpreventedhimfromgoingoutandthathekepttohishouse. I feared tovisit himand refrained fromaskingabouthim. It came tomymind that IwouldrideonmystumperandgotothetownsothatImightfindoutmoreabouthimwithoutaskingconspicuously.Walkinginthestreetsandmarkets,IreachedahousewhenitstruckmethatitmightbethehouseofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Iaskedmyservanttoseewhosehouseitwas.Theservantaskedanditwassaid tohimthat itwas thehouseof thesonofar-Ridha.Myservantknocked thedoorandablackservantcameouttowardsmeandsaid,‘AreyouYusufbinYa’qub?’‘Yes!’Ireplied.Hesaid,‘Dismount!’Idismountedfrommysumpterandhetookmeintoavestibule.Hewent in

andthencameoutaskingme,‘Wherearetheonehundreddinars?’IgavethemtohimandhetookthemtotheImam.Afterawhile,hecameandpermittedmetocomein.Icamein.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasalone.Helookedatmekindlyandcompassionatelyandsaid,‘Isitnotyetenoughforyou?(Hemeant,hashenotseenenoughtobeguided).’Isaid,‘Omymaster,asufficientproofhasappearedtome!’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Howfar!YouwillnotbeMuslim,butyoursonwill,andhewillbefrom

ourShia.OYusuf,therearesomepeopleclaimingthatourguardianshipdoesnotbenefitoneslikeyou.Gotowhatyouhavecometo!Youshallseewhatyoulike.’YusufwasastonishedatthemiraclehesawfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Hewenttoal-Mutawakkiland

gotallthathewanted.Hibatullahsaid,‘YusufdiedandImethissonwhowasagoodMuslimfollowingtheAhlulBayt

(a.s.). He toldme that his father was still Christian when he died, and that he (the son) became aMuslimafterthedeathofhisfather.Heoftensaid,‘Iamthegoodtidingofmymaster ’.[28]ThepeopleoftheBookbelievedinImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andfoundinhislifeacontinuitytothelives

ofprophetsandsaints.

WhatAuthorsSayAboutHim

All those,whowroteabout the lifeof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.), sawhonor,dignity,knowledge,piety,

andcharismainhisgreatpersonalityandshowedtheiradmirationandhighregardforhim.Herearesomesayingsofhistoriansandscholarsabouthim:

1.AbulFalahal-Hanbali

AbdulHayyAbulFalahal-Hanbalisays,‘AbulHasanbinAlial-Jawadbinar-RidhabinMusaal-

Kadhim bin Ja’far as-Sadiq al-Alawi al-Husayni, who is known as al-Hadi, was a jurisprudent,worshippingImam.HewasoneoftheImamswhomtheShiiteexaggeratorsbelievetobeinfalliblelikeprophets…’[29]

2.Al-Yafi’iy

Al-Yafi’iysays,‘Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasworshipful,jurisprudent,Imam…’[30]

3.AbulFida’

He says, ‘Ali at-Taqiy (pious) is one of the twelve Imams of the Shia. He is Ali az-Zakiy binMuhammadal-Jawad…’[31]

4.Ibnas-Sabbaghal-Maliki

Hesays,“Someoneofscholarssaid, ‘ThevirtueofAbulHasanhasestablished itsdomeson the

galaxy, and stretched its ropes on the stars. No excellence is counted, unless with him is itsconclusion, and no nobility ismentioned, unlesswith him are its details and totality, and no highqualityisregarded,unlesshisproofsappearonit.Hedeservedallthatduetotheessenceofliberalqualities that he alone had, and glory that governed his lofty naturewhichwas purified from anyblemish, and sohisnatureandmoralswerepleHasant,his conductwas fair, andhisqualitieswerevirtuous.Hisgravity,calmness,certainty,chastity,honesty,andwitwereliketheProphet’sandAli’s.He had a pure soul and high determination such that no one among men resembled him (in thisrespect), andhe liveda coarse lifeof asceticismsuch thatnohumanparticipatedwithhim in it orlookedforwardtoit.’[32]

5.IbnShahrashub

Hesays,‘He(Imamal-Hadi)wasthebestandmosttruthfulofpeople.Hewasthecleverestfrom

nearandthemostperfectfromfar.Whenhekeptsilent,dignitywasobservedonhim,andwhenhespoke,splendorwasobservedonhim.HewasfromthehouseofprophethoodandImamate,andtheabodeofguardianshipandcaliphate.Abranchfromtheloftytreeofprophethoodwashe,andafruitfromthetreeofthemissionwashe…’[33]

6.Al-Qutbar-Rawandi

He says, ‘As forAlibinMuhammadal-Hadi, allqualitiesof Imamatehavegathered inhim.His

virtue,knowledge,andgoodmeritshavebeenperfected.Allhismoralswereextraordinarylikethemoralsofhisfathers.Hespentthenightworshipping,facingtheQibla,wearingawoolgarmentandsittingonamat.Ifwementionhishighqualities,thebookshallbeprolongedwiththem.’[34]

7.Ath-Thahabi

Hesays,‘AlibinMuhammadbinAlibinMusabinJa’farbinMuhammadbinZaynolAabidinbin

as-Sayyidash-Sharifal-Alawial-HusayniwasjurisprudentandoneofthetwelveImams.TheTwelverShiacallhimal-Manari.’[35]

8.IbnHajar

Hesays,‘Alial-Hadiwastheheirofhisfather ’sknowledgeandgenerosity.’[36]

9.IbnAnbasah

He says, ‘Ali al-Hadi is surnamed as al-Askari because he lived in SurraMan Ra’a whichwas

called al-Askar. His mother was Umm Walad (bondmaid) who was absolutely virtuous andnoble…’[37]

10.MuhammadbinTalha

MuhammadbinTalhaash-Shafi’iysays, ‘As for thequalitiesofAlial-Hadi,earsnever received

praisemorepleHasantthanthem(thequalities)suchthattheysurroundedhim,aspreciouspearlsintheir shells. What is witnessed in Abul Hasan Ali al-Hadi was that his soul was described withinvaluabledescriptions,andthatitwasinthepositionofprophethoodinitshonorofranksandhonorofroots…’[38]

11.AaghaBuzurgat-Tahrani

This great researcher says, ‘Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) was the best of his brothers. He inherited the

knowledge and generosity of his fathers. The Imamate transferred, and was limited to him fromamonghisbrothersbecausehehadfulfilledalltheconditionsofImamate.TheconditionsofImamateare knowledge, justice, qualifications, soundness of senses and organs that does not affect one’sdeterminationandaction,beingArabfromQuraysh,besidesbeingfromtheHashemites…’[39]

12.Khayruddeenaz-Zarkali

Hesays,‘Alial-HadibinMuhammadal-JawadbinAliar-RadhiybinMusabinJa’faral-Husayniat-

TalibiwasthetenthofthetwelveImamsfortheShiaandoneofthepiousvirtuousones…’[40]Theseweresomewordssaidbyscholarsandulama’showingtheiradmirationtowardsImamal-

Hadi (a.s.) and someof his high qualities for hewas the highest religious authority in the Islamicworld.

Notes:[2]Binmeans“sonof”andbintmeans“daughterof”.[3]RefertoUyoonal-Mu’jizat.[4]TathkiratulKhawas,p.39.[5]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.126,ad-Durran-Nadheem.[6]Bahral-Ansab,p.35.[7]Mir ’ataz-Zaman,vol.9p.553(manuscript).[8]Tareekhal-A’imma,p.16.[9]AvillageestablishedbyImamMusaal-Kadhim(s)aboutthreemilesfromMedina.10]Al-IttihafbihubilAshraf,p.67,JawharatulKalamfeeMadhas-Sadahal-A’lam,p.151.[11]Aqiqaisthenameofthesacrificeonthesevendayafterthebirthofachild.[12]Usulal-Kafi,vol.1p.497,al-Irshad,p.368,A’yanash-Shia,vol.4p.252.[13]Al-IttihafbihubilAshraf,p.67,Jawharatal-Kalam,p.151,Mir ’atal-Janan,vol.2p.159,Tareekh

al-Khamees,vol.2p.321.[14]A’yanash-Shia,vol.4p.252.[15]Tareekhal-Khamees,vol.2p.321,Mir ’atal-Janan,vol.2p.159.[16]Al-IttihafBihubilAshraf,p.67.[17] It ismentioned inUmdat at-Talib, p.188 and Ilal ash-Sharayi’, p.241, that the quarterwhere

Imamal-Hadi(s)livedwascalledAskarandthereforehewascalledal-Askari.[18]Nooral-Absar,p.164,Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.127,Jawharatal-Kalam,p.151.[19]Ma’athiral-Kubara’FeeTareekhSamarra’,vol.3p.20.[20]Jawharatal-Kalam,p.151.[21]ShewasasovereignonYemen.[22]Ma’athiral-Kubara’feeTareekhSamarra’,vol.3p.95-96.[23]Takbiristhesaying“AllahuAkbar-Allahisgreat”andtahlilisthesaying“laillahaillallah-

thereisnogodbutAllah”.[24]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13,p.131,A’yanash-Shia,vol.4p.274-275.[25]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.129.[26]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,vol.3p.94.[27]Samarra’, thecapitalofal-Mutawakkil theAbbasidcaliph.[28]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.133.

[29]Shadharatath-Thahab,vol.2p.128-129.[30]Mir ’atal-Janan,vol.2p.160.[31]TareekhAbulFida’,vol.2p.47.[32]Al-Fusulal-Muhimmah,p.268.

[33]Al-Manaqib,vol.4p.401.[34]Al-Kharayij.[35]Tareekhal-Islam,vol.5.[36]As-Sawa’iqal-Muhriqah.[37]Umdatat-TalibfeeAnsabAalAbiTalib,p.188.[38]Matalibas-Sa’ool.[39]Shajaratas-Sibtayn,(manuscript).[40]Al-A’lam,vol.5p.140.

4ChapterAspectsofhisPersonality

ThequalitiesofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)werelikethequalitiesofhisfatherswhoweredistinguishedby

themoverallpeople.Allelementsofhonoranddignitymettogetherinhim.Hepossessedallvirtuesandexcellences. It sufficed forhim thathewasoneof the infallible Imamsof theAhlulBayt (a.s.)whomAllah had purified and kept uncleanness away from them.Herewe shall talk in brief aboutsomeattributesofhishonorablepersonality:

Imamate

Imamate isakindnessfromAllah toHispeoplewhichHedoesnotgive toanyonebutHis loyal

slaves,whomHehastriedbyfaith,andpurifiedfromallkindsofinjusticesanddefects.InourbooksonthelivesoftheinfallibleImamswehavediscussed“Imamate”indetailsinsomeofthemandinbriefinothers.InthisbookwetalkinbriefaboutImamateandrefertosomeofitsaspects.

TheNeedforImamate

Imamate is an affair from the affairs of the Islamic life.Without Imamate Islamic life does not

functionproperly;notonlybecauseitcontrolsreligiouslife,butalsobecauseitrunstheeconomical,political,andsociallife,andleadstothenation’sindependencyandfreedomandsecuressafety,ease,andpeace.Perhaps, the most important reason behind the need for Imamate is to make spiritual powers

dominate and to spread virtue and good between people and resist bad tendencies of selfishness,haughtiness,greed,envyandotherkindsofdeviation.AllgoodpowersintheworldarebasedonthefaithinAllah,becausethisistheonlypaththatprotectstheworldfromdestructionanddisastersofwars. The faith in Allah is the strongest weapon in the earth that keeps the world safe frommisfortunes.TheinfallibleImamscaredmuchforthisside.Theyraisedthebanneroffaithhigh,andstruggled

inthewayofAllahverydiligently.TheyleftluminousworksinthewayofinvitingtoAllah.NahjolBalaghaofAmirul-Mu’mineen(ImamAli)isfullofthefragrancesoftruefaith.Itinvitespeopletoponder on the creation of everything in the world, which inevitably leads to faith. It also invitespeopletogoodmoralsandhighqualitiesandwarnsofeviltendenciesthatleadtobackwardnessanddeterioration.Wealsofindspiritualnourishmentinas-Sahifahas-SajjadiyyaofImamas-Sajjad(a.s.)which is considered the Bible of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), and it is a fertile source of faith. In allsupplications transmitted from the infallible Imams (a.s.) we find this spiritual nourishment thatpurifiesthesoulfromthedregsofignoranceandpride.In thebooksofargumentationyou find irrefutableevidenceswhich the infallible Imamsoffered

regardingmonotheismthatconfutedtheenemiesofIslamwhodeniedtheCreator.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)praisedthejihadofhisfathersinthefieldsoffaithandtheinvitationtoAllahinhisZiyarahcalled“al-Jami’ah”.Hesaid,“PeacebeonthepropagandistsofAllah,theguidestothecontentmentwithAllah,theresidentsin

the command of Allah, the absorbed in the love of Allah, the loyal in monotheism, those whomanifestofthemissionofAllah…’He added, ‘You honored His glory, exalted His standing, glorified His generosity, kept His

remembrance,confirmedHiscovenant,confirmedHisobedience,weresinceretoHimsecretlyandopenly,calleduntoHiswaywithwisdomandgoodexhortation,sacrificedyourselvestopleaseHim,werepatientwithwhatafflictedyouforHim,offeredprayers,gavezakat,enjoinedthegood,forbadethe wrong, struggled truly in the way of Allah until you announced His mission, declared Hisobligations, spreadHis laws, fixedHisverdicts, andbecameby that in theeyeofHiscontentment,submittedtoHisfate,andbelievedinHispastprophets…’ThesewonderfullinesexpressedthestrugglethattheinfallibleImamsundertooktoraisetheword

ofmonotheismanddefendthevaluesofIslamandfaith.TheyofferedtheirlivesaspuresacrificetoAllahlookingforwardjusttoHisreward.

InfallibilityoftheImams

The infallibility of the twelve Imams (a.s.) is an important element in the Shiite doctrine. Some

peopledenythisconceptclaimingthatitcannotberealized.InourstudiesonthelivesoftheinfallibleImams (a.s.)wehave confuted thedeniersof this concept andproved the reality andpossibilityofinfallibility.Hewho reads the lives of the infallible Imams does not doubt their infallibility at all.Theynevercommittedanykindofsinordisobediencewhetherintentionallyorunintentionally.None of them ever deviated from the right path or sound conduct.All of themwere absolutely

pious.Al-Mutawakkil,theAbbasidtyrant,triedhisbestwithallthemeansavailabletohimtodeceiveImamal-Hadi(a.s.)inordertogethimtowalkinhisowndeviatedwaysandengageinthetraditionsof amusement and debauchery, but Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) abstained from all that and at last al-Mutawakkil failed in his plans to tempt him.With his great status, Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) proved hisinfallibilityaswellashispurefathers’thattheTwelverShiabelievein.

TheKnowledgeoftheImams

TheknowledgeoftheinfallibleImamswasliketheknowledgeoftheprophetswithnodifference

betweenthem.AstheknowledgeoftheprophetsandmessengersofAllahwasinspirationalsuchthatAllahhadendowedthemwithtobetheauthorityonHispeople,sowastheknowledgeoftheinfallibleImams(a.s.).Imamas-Sadiq(a.s.)spokeabout thegreat treasuresofknowledge the infallibleImams(a.s.)had

andhowtheyobtainedthatknowledgewhensaying,‘Ourknowledgeisancient,primordial,beatinginhearts,andknockinginears.Wehavetheredjafr,thewhitejafr,thebookofFatima(peacebeuponher),andal-Jami’ah(compilation),inwhichthereareallwhatpeopleneed…’Hewasaskedtoexplainwhathehadsaidandhereplied,‘Theancientknowledgeistheknowledge

ofwhat shall happen, and the primordial knowledge is the knowledge ofwhat had happened. Thebeatinginheartsisinspirationandtheknockinginearsisthetalkofangelsthatweheartheirspeechbut we do not see their figures. As for the red jafr, it is a container having the weapon of themessengerofAllah(peacebeuponhimandhisprogeny)anditshallnotappearuntilImamal-Mahdi(a.s.)reappears.ThewhitejafrisacontainerhavingtheTorahofMoses,theBibleofJesus,theBookofPsalmsof

David, and the firstBooks ofAllah. TheBook of Fatima (peace be upon her) has accounts of alleventsandnamesofthosewhoruleintheworlduntiltheDayofResurrection.Asforthejami’ah,itisabookofseventycubitslonghavingthedictationofthemessengerofAllah(peacebeuponhimandhisprogeny)writtendownbyAlibinAbuTalib(a.s.).ByAllah,ithasallthatwhichpeopleneeduntil the Day of Resurrection even the amount of blood money of a scratch, a whip, half awhip…’[41]Whatfurtherprovesthisclaimisthedifferentkindsofknowledgeandsciencestransmittedfrom

theinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.).Asanexample,ImamAli(a.s.)thegateoftheProphet’scity of knowledge, had openedmany sections of knowledge and sciences, which numbered aboutthirty-two sciences according to al-Aqqad[42]. It was he who had informed people about thetechnologicalprogressandscientificdevelopmentthatwouldappearonthestageoflife.Hesaid,‘AtimewillcomewherethepeopleintheEastcanseethepeopleoftheWest,andthepeopleintheWestcanseethepeopleintheEast.’Healsosaid,‘AtimewillcomewherethepeopleintheEastcanhearthepeopleoftheWest,andthepeopleintheWestcanhearthepeopleoftheEast.’ThissayingcametruebyinventingtheTVandtheRadio.Healsosaid,‘Atimewillcometopeople

whereironwillmove.’Itcametruebyinventingtrains,cars,andothermeansoftransportation.TherearemanyotherexampleslikethesethatImamAli(a.s.)hadinformedof.[43]Itwashewhohadsaid,‘Askme about theBook ofAllah!ByAllah, there is no verse, unless I knowwhether it has beenrevealedinthenightorday,inaplainoramountain.’[44]FromtheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.),whohadspoutedspringsofknowledgeandwisdominthe

earth,wasthemiracleofknowledgeandintellectintheworldImamas-Sadiq(a.s.).Heforetoldaboutthepollutioninspaceandseasanditsbadeffectsonman.Healsotoldabouttheexistenceoflifeon

someplanets.Itwashe,whohadestablishedthebasesofanatomyandpeculiaritiesofman’sorgansandthewondersinthem.AllthatwasmentionedinthebookTawhidal-Mufadhdhal.Hewasthefirstfounderofphysicsandchemistry.HeestablishedtheirbasesthroughhisdiscipleJabirbinHayyantheprideoftheEastandthepioneerofthehumandevelopmentintheearth.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasnotmorethansevenyearsoldwhenhisfatherImamal-Jawad(a.s.)died.

Still inhis earlyyearsyet, Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)hadknowledge that astonishedothers’minds.Greatscholars tried him by most difficult and complicated questions in jurisprudence, philosophy, andtheologybutheansweredthemallasifhewasanexpertjurisprudent.Therefore,ulama’andscholarsbelievedinhisImamate,andthusitwasclearevidencethatAllahhadendowedtheinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)withsuchknowledge,wisdom,andvirtuethatHehadneverendowedotherswith.

AnnouncinghisImamate

TheShiapaidmuchattentiontothematterofImamatebecauseitisoneofthebasesofIslam.They

often asked the present Imam about the Imam after him so that they would refer to him in theirreligiousandworldlyaffairs,obeyandfollowhim.ManyreliableMuslimsnarratedtheassigningofAlial-Hadi(a.s.)astheImambyhisfatherImamMuhammadal-Jawad(a.s.).Herearesomeofthem:

1.Isma’ilbinMihran

WhenImamal-Jawad(a.s.)wenttoBaghdadinhisfirsttravel,Isma’ilbinMihranvisitedhimand

saidtohim,‘MayIdieforyou!Ifearforyouinthistravel(fromtheAbbasids).WhoistheImamafteryou?’Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)smiledathimandsaid,‘Itisnotasyouthought.Itisnotinthisyear.’Whenal-Mu’tasim(theAbbasidcaliph)sentforImamal-Jawad(a.s.),Isma’ilwenttotheImamto

knowtheImamafterhim.HesaidtoImamal-Jawad(a.s.),‘Youaregoing.Towhomwillthematter(Imamate)beafteryou?’Imamal-Jawad (a.s.) cried andwas anxious in his travel and thought that hewould not go back

againtoYathrib.Therefore,heappointedhissonAlial-HadiastheImamafterhim.Hesaid,‘Now,itistofearforme.Thematter(Imamate)aftermeistomysonAli…’[45]WhatImamal-Jawad(a.s.)predictedcametrue.Al-Mu’tasim,theAbbasidcaliph,assassinatedhim

whilehewasstillinthebloomofhisyouth.

2.Al-Khayrani

HewasoneofthenarratorswhonarratedtheappointmentofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)astheImamafter

hisfather.Weshallmentionthatinacomingchapter.

3.As-SaqrbinAbuDalf

As-Saqrnarrated,‘IheardAbuJa’farMuhammadbinAliar-Ridha(Imamal-Jawad)saying,‘The

Imam after me is my son Ali. His Command is my command, his saying is my saying, and hisobedienceismyobedience.Imamateafterhimistohissonal-Hasan…’[46]

4.SomeoftheShia

When Imam al-Jawad (a.s.) traveled to Baghdad, he said to some of his followers, ‘I am

going[47]andthematter(Imamate)willbetomysonAli.HewillhaverightsonyouaftermeasIhadonyouaftermyfather.’[48]5.AhmadbinAbuKhalidAhmadnarratedthatAbuJa’far(Imamal-Jawad)hadrecommendedhisson,Alial-Hadi(a.s.),tobe

theImamafterhim.Weshallmentionthetermsofthiswilllateron.[49]ThesearesomeofthenarratorswhonarratedthatImamal-Jawad(a.s.)hadappointedhissonAli

al-Hadi(a.s.)astheImamafterhim.Thetextsonthismatterweresuccessive.TheShiabelievethattheappointingofImamswasnotoutofpassionsortendencies,butitwasaccordingtothecommandofAllahWhochoseandappointedthemthroughtheProphet(S)whocarriedoutwhathewasorderedbyhisLord.TheProphet(S)announcedthatthecaliphs(successors)afterhimwouldbetwelveones,whomImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasoneof.Thetextsonthismatteraresuccessiveandtrue.[50]

HisGenerosity

OneoftheprominentqualitiesofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)washisgenerosity.Hewasthemostliberal

andgenerouspersonofhistime.Hewaslikehisfathers,whogavefoodoutofloveforHimtothepoor,theorphan,andthecaptive.Theygavefoodtoothersuntilnofoodremainedfortheirfamiliesandthemselves,andgaveclothestoothersuntilnoclothesremainedforthem.Imamas-Sadiq(a.s.)gavefoodandclothestopeopleuntilnothingremainedforhisfamily.[51]Historiansmentionedmanyexampleson thegenerosityandcharityof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) to the

poorandneedy.Wementionsomeofthemhere:1.Once,AbuAmrUthmanbinSa’eed,AhmadbinIsaaqal-Ash’ari,andAlibinJa'faral-Hamadani

wenttoImamal-Hadi(a.s.).AhmadbinIsaaqcomplainedofadebtofhis.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)turnedto his agent Amr and said to him, ‘Give him thirty thousand dinars and to Ali bin Ja’far thirtythousanddinars.’Healsogaveasumlikethattohisagent.IbnShahrashubcommentedonthisnobletraitbysaying,‘Thisisamiraclethatnoonecanperformexceptkings.Wehavenotheardofsuchagift.’[52] Doing this, Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) secured comfortable living to these notable persons andsavedthemfromthedistressofneediness.2.Isaaqal-Jallabsaid,‘OntheDayofTarwiya[53]IboughtmanyheadsofsheeptoAbulHasanal-

Hadi(peacebeuponhim)andhedistributedthemamonghisrelatives.’[54]3. Historians mentioned that one day Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) went from Samarra’ to a village he

possessed.Anomadmancametohimbutdidnotfindhiminhishouse.HisfamilytoldthenomadthatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)hadgonetohisgarden.ThenomadwentandfoundImamal-Hadi(a.s.)there.Hesaidtohimwithfaintvoice,‘OsonofthemessengerofAllah,IamfromthenomadsofKufawhobelieveintheguardianshipofyourgrandfatherAlibinAbuTalib.ThereisaheavydebtonmeandIhavenoonetogotoexceptyou…’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)hadpityonhimbuthehimselfwasinlackofmoneyanddidnothaveanything

tohelpthisnomadwith.Hewroteonapieceofpaperwithhishandwritingthathewasindebttothenomadandhementionedacertainamount.Hesaidtothenomad,‘Keepthispaperwithyou.WhenIgotoSurraManRa’a(Samarra’)andwhensomepeoplecometomymeeting,youcomeandaskmetopaybackyourdebt.YouaretoinsistuponthisfrommeandmentionthatIhavenotpaidyouyourdebt.DoexactlyasIsaytoyou!’WhenImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wenttoSurraManRa’aandagroupofpeople,amongwhomweresome

officialsandsecretpolicemen,attendedhismeeting,thenomadcame,showedthepieceofpaper,andaskedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)topaybackthedebtmentionedinthepaper.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)apologizedthat he could not pay back the debt and the nomad insisted. When people left the meeting, thepolicemenwenttoal-Mutawakkilandtoldhimaboutthismatter.Al-Mutawakkilorderedhismentosend thirty thousanddirhams to Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)and theydid.When thenomadcame, Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtohim,‘Takethismoneyandpaybackyourdebtandspendtherestonyourfamily!’ThenomadfoundthatgreatandsaidtoImamal-Hadi(a.s.),‘Mydebtislessthanthethirdofthis

amount…butAllahismoreawarewhereHerevealsHismission.’[55]Thenomadleftforhisfamilydelightedly while praying Allah for Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) who had saved him from poverty andneediness.4.HistoriansmentionedthatonceAbuHashimal-Ja’faryunderwentaseverestateofneedinessand

he resorted to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.).When Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) saw his wretchedness, he wanted tocomforthim.Hesaidtohim,‘OAbuHashim,whichblessingofAllahyouwanttobegratefulfor?Allahhasendowedyouwithfaiththatsavesyourbodyfromfire,endowedyouwithsoundnessthathelpsyou inobedience,andendowedyouwithsatisfaction thatkeepsyouawayfromdegradation.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)gavehimonehundreddinars.[56]

HisAsceticism

Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) turned his back on all pleasures of thisworldly life and lived absolutely an

asceticlife.Hekepttoworship,piety,andasceticism.HepaidnoattentiontoworldlypleasuresandpreferredtheobedienceofAllahtoeverythingelse.HishouseinYathribandhishouseinSurraManRa’ahadnofurniture.Once,thepolicemenofal-Mutawakkilbrokeintohishouseandsearcheditbutfoundnothingofworldlyfurniture.TheyalsosearchedhisHouseinSurraManRa’aandfoundhimwearingawoolgarmentandsittingonsandandpebbles.Nothingwasbetweenhimandtheground.As-Sibtbinal-Jawzisaid,‘Alial-Hadihadnointerestinthisworldlylife.Hekepttothemosque.

Whentheysearchedhishouse,theydidnotfindinitsavecopiesoftheHolyQur'an,booksofdu’a,andscientificbooks.’Helivedinthelightofthenoblelifehisfathershadlived;inasceticismandturningawayfromthe

material pleasures of this life except that which concerned the truth. His grandfather Amir ’ul-Mu’minin(a.s.)wasoneofthemostasceticmeninthislife.DuringhisruleasthecaliphofMuslimshisshoeswerefromthefibersofpalmtreeandhehimselfmendedthemwithhishands.Hisbeltalsowasfromfibersofpalmtree.Hesufferedhungeroutofasceticismandinorder to

comfort thepoor.Hiswife theheadof thewomenof theworldFatimaaz-Zahra’ (a.s.) also turnedawayfromtheworldlylifeandlivedinasmallhousewithnofurnitureandherhandswerehardenedby thequern. In thispathdidall the infallible Imamswalk.Theydivorced this lifeand turned theirbacks on its pleasures. They turned toAllah devotedly and did all thatwhich took them nearer toAllah.

WorkinginhisFarm

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasfreeofeverymaterialtendency.Hewasfreefromanykindofselfishness

andhedidnotsubmittoanypleasureorfancy.Historianssaythatheworkedinhisfarmtosecurethelivingofhisfamily.AlibinHamzasaid,“Once,IsawAbulHasanthethird(Imamal-Hadi)workinafarmwhilehisfeetweresoakedwithsweat.Isaidtohim,‘MayIdieforyou!Wherearethemen?’Hesaid,‘OAli,one,whowasbetterthanmeandmyfather,workedwithaspadeinhisfarm.’Isaid,‘Whowashe?’Hesaid,‘ThemessengerofAllah(SwT),Amir ’ul-Mu’minin,andallmyfathersworkedwiththeir

hands.Itwastheworkofprophets,apostles,andgoodsaints…”[57]Workwas the sign of prophets. Every prophetworked in some field.We have quoted this holy

traditioninourbook“WorkandtherightsofworkersinIslam”toprovetheimportanceandhonorofworkandthatitwasfromtheconductsoftheholyprophets.

GuidingtheDeviant

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)caredmuchforguidingthedeviantswhodigressedfromthetruth.Fromamongthose,whomImamal-Hadi (a.s.)hadguided,wasal-Hasanal-Basriknownasal-Mallahwhowasawaqifite.[58]Once,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)methimandsaidtohim,‘Untilwhenisthisslumber?Isitnotyettimeforyoutoawake?’Thesewordsaffectedhimdeeplyandsoheturnedbacktothetruthandguidance.[59]

ForbiddingfromAssociatingwithSufis

Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) warned his companions and allMuslims from associating andmixingwith

Sufisbecausetheywereasourceoferroranddeviationtopeople.Theyaffectedasceticismtoseducesimpleandnaïvepeople.Al-HusaynbinAbulKhattabsaid,‘Oneday,IwaswithAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)inthemosqueof

theProphet (S)when someof his companions, amongwhomwasAbuHashimal-Ja’fari, came tohim.AbuHashimwasaneloquentmanandhadahighpositionnearImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Whilewewerestanding,agroupofSufiscameintothemosque.Theysatinacornerofthemosqueandbegansaying “la ilaha illallah; there is no god but Allah”. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) turned towards hiscompanionsandsaidtothem,‘DonotpayattentiontothesedeceiversfortheyarealliesoftheDevilsanddestroyersofthebasesofreligion.Theybecomeascetictorelievetheirbodiesandwatchtohuntcattle…theydonotpracticeritesexcepttodeceivepeople,anddonotdecreasefoodexceptto…cheatthe foolish…their worship is but dancing and clapping, and their praises are but singing. No onefollowsthemexceptthestupid,andnoonebelievesinthemexceptthefoolish.Whoeverwenttovisitanyofthemaliveordead,it’sasifhewenttovisitSatanandidolaters,andwhoeversupportedanyofthem,asifhesupported,Mo’awiya,Yazid,andAbuSufyan…’Oneofthecompanionssaid,‘Evenifheacknowledgesyourrights?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)scoldedhimandshouted,‘Donotsaythat!He,whoacknowledgesourrights,

doesnotdisobeyus.Doyounotknow that theyare theworstgroupofSufis, thoughallSufis aredissentienttousandtheirwayiscontrarytoours?TheyarebutChristiansandmagiofthisnation.TheydotheirbesttoputoutthelightofAllahwiththeirmouths,andAllahwillnotconsentsavetoperfectHislight,thoughtheunbelieversareaverse…’

HonoringtheUlama’

Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)honoredpeopleof intellectandknowledge,welcomedandpreferred themto

therestofpeoplebecause theywere thesourceof light in theearth.Once, Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasinformedthatoneoftheShiiteulama’hadarguedwithanopponentoftheAhlulBayt(s)andconfutedhim. He was delighted by that.When that scholar came to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.), he welcomed himwarmlyinhismeetingwhichwasfullofAlawidsandAbbasids.Heseatedhimonasofaandbegantalkingwithhimeagerlyandrespectfully.TheHashemitesinthemeetingbecameangryandsaidtoImamal-Hadi(a.s.),‘WhydoyoupreferhimtothemastersofBani[60]Hashem?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtothem‘BewaretobefromthosewhomAllahhassaidabout,(Haveyou

notconsideredthose(Jews)whoaregivenaportionoftheBook?TheyareinvitedtotheBookofAllahthatitmightdecidebetweenthem,thenapartofthemturnbackandtheywithdraw).[61]DoyouaccepttheBookofAllahasajudge?’Theyallsaid,‘OsonofthemessengerofAllah,wedo.’Hebeganprovinghisopinionbysaying,‘HasAllahnotsaid,(Oyouwhobelieve!whenitissaidto

you,Makeroomin(your)assemblies,thenmakeampleroom,Allahwillgiveyouample,andwhenitissaid:Riseup,thenriseup.Allahwillexaltthoseofyouwhobelieve,andthosewhoaregivenknowledge,inhighdegrees;andAllahisAwareofwhatyoudo)[62]?Allah does not accept for a knowledgeable believer but to be preferred to an unknowledgeable

believer,justasHewantsabelievertobepreferredtoanunbeliever.Allahhassaid,(Allahwillexaltthoseofyouwhobelieveandthosewhoaregivenknowledge,inhighdegrees).HasHesaid,‘Allahwillexalt those,whoaregivenhonorof lineage, inhighdegrees’?Allahhassaid, (Are thosewhoknowand thosewhodonotknowalike?)[63] Then, howdoyou denymyhonoring him forwhatAllahhashonoredhim?HisdefeatingthatopponentoftheAhlulBayt(s)withtheproofsthatAllahhastaughthimismore

honorablethaneveryhonoroflineage.’Theattendantskeptsilentafterthisreply,butoneoftheAbbasidssaid,‘Osonofthemessengerof

Allah,youhavepreferred thisman tous anddegradedus lower thanonewhohasno lineage likeours,whilesincethebeginningofIslamuntilnowthosebetterinlineagearepreferredtothoselowerthanthem.’This isanonsensicalargumentsinceIslamfocusesonlyonrightvalueswhichthatAbbasidman

didnotunderstand.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohimsaying,‘Glory be toAllah!Had al-Abbas (the Prophet’s uncle) not paid homage toAbuBakrwhowas

fromTaym[64]while al-Abbaswas aHashemite?DidAbdullah binAbbas not serveUmar bin al-Khattab who was from Adiy while Abdullah bin Abbas was a Hashemite and the father of the(Abbasid)caliphs?AndwhydidUmarappointpeoplefarinlineageintheshuraanddidnotappointal-Abbas?Ifpreferringanon-HashemitetoaHashemiteisdenied,thenyouhavetodenythehomageofal-AbbastoAbuBakrandtheserviceofAbdullahbinAbbastoUmar.Ifthatwaspermissible,thisispermissibletoo.’

TheAbbasidmanwasconfuted.[65]WhenhedidnotunderstandtheproofsderivedfromtheHoly

Qur'an,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)arguedwithhimbythehomageofal-AbbastoAbuBakrandtheserviceofAbdullahbinAbbas toUmar though these two caliphs (AbuBakr andUmar)werenot equal inlineagetoal-AbbasandAbdullahbinAbbas.

HisWorship

WhenyoureadthelivesoftheinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s),youfindthattheprominent

aspect of their lives was their devotedness to Allah and their spending the night in worshipping,hymning,andrecitationoftheQur'an.AbuFirasal-Hamadani,thepoet,comparestheAhlulBayt(s)totheAbbasidsbysaying,“Recitation(oftheQur'an)isheardintheirhousesuntildawn,andinyourhousesmusicandsinging.”Atthatage,peopledidnotseeaworshipper,devoutandpiouspersonlikeImamal-Hadi(a.s.).He

offered all recommendedworships (nafila). In the third rak’a of the nafila ofMaghrib (sunset) herecitedthesuraofal-Hamd(1)andthebeginningofthesuraofal-Hadid(57)untiltheendofthesixverse, and in the fourth rak’a he recited the sura of al-Hamd and the sura of al-Hujurat (49).[66]Anothernafilaof tworak’aswasreported inwhichherecited in thefirst rak’a thesuraofal-HamdandthesuraofYasin(36),andinthesecondrak’aherecitedthesuraofal-Hamdandthesuraofar-Rahman(55).[67]

HisSupplicationsinQunut[68]

ManysupplicationsweretransmittedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)whichherecitedinthequnutofhis

prayers,showingtheextentofhisdevotednessandsubmissivenesstoAllah.Herearesomeofthem.1. “OAllah, the founts ofYour gifts are brimful, the doors ofYour supplications for onewho

hopesinYouarewide-open,andYourmercifullooksononewhoresortstoYouarenotcut.Cautionisbridled,needisurgent,andpeopleofpatienceareunabletowait.OAllah,Youareinwatchoverallplaces,andYoudonotignorebut(provide)respite.WhoevertakesrefugewithYouwillbesecure,andwhoeverresortstoYouwillsucceedandgettoYourdoorsafe.OAllah,overtake thosewhopersistonoppressionandcontinue in their ignorance to theendof

disbelief.Yourpatiencewiththemhasmadethemcovetousofdoingastheydesire.TheyharmYourguardians with their evils, and hurt them with their vices, and take their harm to them in theirhabitation.OAllah,dispeltormentfromthebelieversandsenditopenlyontheunjust!OAllah,drivetormentawayfromreliersandpouritonthehaughty!OAllah,assistthefollowersofthetruth,andsurprise theassistantsof injusticewithsnap!OAllah,makeusdelightedwithgratefulness,giveusvictory,andkeepussafefromthebadbada’,[69]badend,anddanger!’[70]ThesupplicationsoftheinfallibleImamswerenotlimitedtothespiritualside,buttheyincludedall

sides of life. This supplication pictured the political life and the oppression that people sufferedduring the reignsof thosekingswhowereexcessive inoppressingpeopleand forcing them todowhat theywereunwilling todo. I think that, in this supplication, Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) invokedAllahagainstal-MutawakkilwhoexcessivelyoppressedtheAlawids.2.“OYou,Whoareuniqueindeity,andaloneinoneness,OYou,byWhosenamethedayglows,

and lights shine, byWhose commandnight darkens, andbyWhosegift rain comesdown,OYou,Whom the distressed call upon and You respond, the frightened resort to and You rescue them,obedientworshipandYouthankedthem,andthegratefulpraiseandYourewardthem.HowexaltedYouare!HowhighYourauthorityis!HowexecutableYourcommandsare!YouaretheCreator(whocreates)withouteffort,andtheJudge(whojudges)withoutinjustice.Your excuse is irrefutable, andYourwords are undeniable. ToYou I have resorted and sought

protectionfromtheblowsonknots(magic),andthewatchesoftheatheistswhodenyYourattributes,harmYourguardians,support thekillingofYourprophetsandchosenones, intendtoputoutYourlight,denyYourmessengers, resistYoursigns, takeguardiansother thanYouandYourguardians,and worship their idols instead of You, but You favor Your guardians with Your great blessings,generouslygive themYourbounties, endow themwith thebestofYour reward to save them fromopposingtheprophetsandfromthewaysofdeviation,andrespondtothemwhentheycarryoutthecovenants,andsotheturningheartssubmittoYouwithagreements.OAllah,IaskYoubyYournamewhichtheheavensandtheearthhavesubmittedto,andbywhich

Youenliven thedeadamong things,make livingbeingsdie,gather every separated thing, separateeverygatheredthing,perfect thewords,showgreatsigns,assist therepentant,anddelaytheactsofthe corruptive and make their deeds vain…to have blessings on Muhammad and the progeny of

MuhammadandmakemyShia(followers)fromthosewhohavebeenchargedandtheybelieved,andbeeninterrogatedandtheyspokewhilesafeandtrusted.OAllah, I askYou for them the success of the people of guidance, the deeds of the people of

certainty,theloyaltyofthepeopleofrepentance,thedeterminationofthepeopleofinsight,theGod-fearingnessof thepeopleofpiety, theconcealmentof the truthfuluntil they,OmyLord, fearYouwithfearthatpreventsthemfromYourdisobediencessothattheyobeyYoutoobtainYourdignity,anduntiltheybecomeloyaltoYouandforYouforfearofYou,anduntiltheybecomesinceretoYouinrepentancesothatYougivethemYourlovewhichYouhavenecessitatedfortherepentant,anduntiltheyrelyonYou inall theiraffairsoutof theirgoodwill towardsYou,anduntil theyentrust theiraffairstoYououtoftheirtrustinYou.OAllah,YourobedienceisnotobtainedexceptthroughYourreconciliation,andnodegreefrom

thedegreesofgoodnessisobtainedexceptbyYou.OAllah,theMasteroftheDayofJudgment,theAwareofthesecretshiddeninthechestsofpeople,purifytheearthfromtheimpurityofthepeopleofpolytheism,andsilencetheliarsfromfabricatingliesagainstYourmessenger!OAllah, eradicate tyrants, snap slanderers, and destroy fabricatorswho,when the verses of the

Beneficentarerecitedbeforethem,say:fablesoftheancients.OAllah,fulfillYourpromisetome,andhastenthedeliveranceofeverysuppliantseeker;Youareeverwatchful!IseekYourprotectionfromeverydubiosity,andfromeveryheart that is lockedupawayfromknowingYou,andfromasoul that disbelieves if it is distressed, and fromonewho speaks about justicewhile his deeds areopposite to justice,and fromonewhoseeks the truthwhilehe is faraway from truequalities,andfrom one who gains fame while he is lowered in his fame, and from a face which, in spite ofsuccessiveblessings,isgloomy.IseekYourprotectionfromallthatandeverythinglikeit,YouareKnowing,Wise.”

HisSupplicationAfterFajrPrayer

“OYou,thegreaterthaneverygreatone,Whohasnopartnerandnovizier,O You, the Creator of the sun and the lighting moon, the shelter to the resorting fearful, the

Liberatoroftiedcaptives,thenourisherofyoungbabies,thesetterofbrokenbones,theMercifultotheold, the lightof light, theManagerofaffairs, theResurrectorof those ingraves, theHealerofchests,theMakerofshadeandheat,theAwareofallthatisinbreasts,theRevealeroftheBook,light,thegreatQur'an,andtheBookofPsalms,OYou,Whomangelsglorifyinthemorningandnight,OYou,thePermanentandEternal,theBringerforthofplantsintheearlymorningandafternoon,

theEnlivenerofthedead,theResurrectorofdecayedbones,theHearerofsounds,theEverlasting,theDresserofbonesthatdecayafterdeath!OYou,Whomnothingdistractsfromanyotherthing,Whodonotchangefromastatetoanother,

Whodonotneedtomoveoradvance,Whomnoaffairpreventsfromanyotheraffair,Whocancelbecauseofthecharityandsupplication(ofbelievers)whathasbeendeterminedandaffirmedintheHeavenof theunfavorable judgment (that is theirdue),Whomnoplacecan includeorencompass,WhoplaceremedyinwhatYoulikeamongthings,Whokeepalivefromseriousdiseasewiththeleastofnourishment,Whoremovebytheleastofremedytheworstofdiseases,OYou,Who,ifpromise,fulfill,ifthreaten,pardon,OYou,Whopossesstheneedsofrequesters,Whoknowwhatisthereinsidetheconsciencesofthe

silent,OYou,theMostMagnificent,theGenerousinpardoning,O You,Who have a face that never becomes old,Who have unlimited sovereignty,Who have

inextinguishablelight,Whosethroneisovereverything,Whoseauthorityisoverthelandandthesea,WhosewrathisintheHell,WhosemercyisinParadise,Whosepromisesaretrue,Whosefavorsareuncountable,Whosemercyiswide,OYou,theHelperofthecallersforhelp,theRespondertothecallofthecompelled,OYou,WhoareinthehighregardandYourcreationisinlowregard,OYou,theLordofthemortalsouls,theLordofthewornbodies,themostperceptiveofseers,the

mosthearingofhearers,thepromptestofaccounters,thewisestofjudges,theMostMercifulofthemerciful, the Giver of gifts, the Releaser of captives, the Lord of glory, the One of piety andforgiveness,OYou,Whoselimitcannotbeperceived,Whosenumbercannotbecounted,Whoseaiddoesnot

cease,Ibearwitness,andthewitnesstomeishonorandsupply,andfrommeobedienceandsubmission,

andbywhichIhopedeliveranceonthedayofsighandregret,thatYouareAllah;thereisnogodbutYoualonewithnopartner,andthatMuhammadisYourslaveandmessenger,Yourblessingbeonhimandonhisprogeny,andthathehasinformedandcarriedoutonbehalfofYouwhatwashisdutyto

You, and that You always create, provide with livelihood, give, deny, exalt, humble, enrich,impoverish,disappoint,help,pardon,showmercy,forgive,overlookwhatYouknow,donotwrong,straiten,enlarge,omit,fix,initiate,reproduce,enlivenandmakedie;havemercyonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandguidemefromYou,givemeofYourfavor,spreadonmeofYourmercy,andsenddownuponmeofYourblessings,forYouoftenhaveaccustomedmetogoodandfavor,givenmetoomuch,anduncoveredmyuglydeeds.OAllah,haveblessingsonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandhastenmydeliverance,

forgivemyslips,takepitymyloneliness,takemetothebestofYourworships,giftmewithhealthfrommyillness,plentyofmysupplies,inclusivesoundnessinmybody,insightinmyreligion,andhelpmetoaskyouforforgivenessbeforedeathcomesandhopeends,andhelpmebeardeathanditsdistress,thegraveanditsloneliness,thescalesandtheirlightness,thesirat[71]anditsslipping,theDayofResurrectionanditsterror.IaskYoufortheacceptanceofdeedsbeforedeath,andaskYouforstrengthinmyhearingandsightforthedoingofthebestofthatYouhavetaughtandmademeunderstand.Youare the loftyLord and I am thehumble slave, andhowgreat a difference there isbetweenus.OYou,Compassionate,Benefactor,ofGloryandHonor,haveblessingsonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadthegood,thepure!”[72]

HisSupplicationAftertheAsr’Prayer

“O You, Who have raised high and been great, overcome and been mighty, been mighty and

overcome,OYou,WhohavebeenmightyandsobeengreatinHismight,OYou,Whohavespreadshadeoverhiscreation,WhohaveendowedHispeoplewithfavor,Iask

You,OYouMightyofretribution,WhoavengeswithHismightonpeopleofatheism,IaskYoubytherightofYourguardianAlibinAbuTalibandImakehimthemeansbetweenYou

andmyneeds,tohavemercyonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandtohelpmesatisfymyneeds,performmynafilas(supererogatoryprayers)andobligationsandbepioustomybrothers,and(makeme)perfectinYourobedience,OYou,theMostMercifulofthemerciful.’[73]

TheResponsetohisSupplications

OneofthecharismataofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wastheswiftresponseofAllahtohissupplications

because of the high position he and his fathers had near Allah. Historians have mentioned manyexamplesregardingthismatter.1.Al-Mansurnarrated thathis father ’sunclesaid,“Once, Iwent toImamAlial-Hadiandsaid to

him,‘Omymaster,thisman(hemeantal-Mutawakkil,theAbbasidcaliph)hasturnedhisbacktomeandstoppedmysalary,andthisisbecauseheknowsIhavekepttoyou.’”HeaskedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)to intercede for him with al-Mutawakkil. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) said to him, ‘You shall be satisfiedinsha’Allah.’During the night, themessengers of al-Mutawakkil came to theman and he hastenedwiththemtothecaliph.Whenhegottothepalace,al-Fatahthedoorkeeperscoldedhimforhisdelayandallowedhimtogointoal-Mutawakkil.Thecaliphreceivedhimwithsmilessayingtohim,‘OAbuMusa,whatmadeyoubusyandforget

aboutus?Doyouneedanythingfromme?’Themanaskedforwhatheneededandforhissalarythatwasstopped.Al-Mutawakkilorderedhim

tobegivenmorethanwhathewanted.Themanleftdelightedly.Hesawal-Fatahatthedoorandsaidtohim,‘DidAlibinMuhammad(Imamal-Hadi)comehere?’Al-Fatahsaid,‘No.’Themansaid,‘Didhesendaletter?’Thedoorkeepersaid,‘No.’Theman left and al-Fatah followed him saying, ‘I have no doubt that you have asked him (the

Imam)toprayforyou.Please,askhimtoprayforme!’Themanwent toImamal-Hadi(a.s.),andwhenhehad thehonorofbeingbeforehim,Imamal-

Hadi(a.s.)saidtohim,‘OAbuMusa,Iseesatisfactiononyourface.’Theman said submissively, ‘It is by your blessing,mymaster. But, it was said tome that you

neitherwenttohim(toal-Mutawakkil)nordidyouaskhimforanything.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)smiledandsaid,‘AllahtheAlmightyhasknownfromusthatwedonotresort

inseriousmattersexcepttoHim,anddonotrelyinmisfortunesexceptonHim.HehasaccustomedustoHis responsewheneverwe askHim for something, andwe fear that ifwe change,He alsowillchangewithus…’ThemanunderstoodthatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)hadprayedtoAllahforhiminloneliness.Hesaidto

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.),‘Omymaster,al-Fatahasksyoutoprayforhim.’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) did not respond and said, ‘Al-Fatah believes in us outwardly and avoids us

inwardly.WeprayforhimifheisloyaltoAllah,believesinthemessengerofAllah(peacebeonhimandonhisprogeny),andacknowledgesourrights,wetheAhlulBayt(s).’The infallibleImams(a.s.)prayedAllahforpurepersonswhobelieved inAllah,Hismessenger,

andtherightoftheAhlulBayt(s).Theydidnotprayforthosewhodonotbelieve.

ThemanaskedImamal-Hadi(a.s.) to teachhimasupplication(du’a) thatwouldbenefithimandImamal-Hadi(a.s.)guidedhimtothefollowingdu’a:“OYou,mysupply,myhopeandreliance,myresortandsupport,OYouOneandUnique,OYou,

Who“say:He,Allah,isOne”,OAllah,IaskYoubythosewhomYouhavenotcreatedliketheminYourcreation,tohaveblessingonthem…andthenyouaskforyourneed.”[74]2. There was a man in Isfahan (in Iran) called Abdur-Rahman who had embraced Shi’ism and

believedintheImamateofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Abdur-Rahmanwasaskedaboutthereasonbehindthatdecision, and he said, ‘Iwas poor, but brave and eloquent. I,with a group from the people ofmytown,wenttoal-Mutawakkiltocomplain.WhenwearrivedinSurraManRa’a,wewenttohispalace.Whilewewerewaitingatthedoorofal-Mutawakkil,anorderwasissuedfromthepalacetobringAlibinMuhammadbinar-Ridha(a.s.).IaskedabouthimanditwassaidtomethathewasanAlawidman,whom theRafidha (theShia)believed inas their Imam. Itwas said that al-Mutawakkilmightorderhimtobekilled.Isaidtomyself,‘IwillnotleavemyplaceuntilIseehim.’IwaitednotlongwhenImamal-Hadi(a.s.)cameridingasumpter.Peoplestoodupglorifyingandhonoringhim.WhenIsawhim,Ilovedhim.I began prayingAllah to keep him safe from the plotting of al-Mutawakkil. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)

caught sight ofme.He came towardsme, and said, ‘Allah has responded to your prayer.Hewillprolongyourageandincreaseyourwealthandchildren.’I trembled because he knew what was in my mind and what I intended. We came in to al-

Mutawakkil,carriedoutouraffairsandthenI leftforIsfahan.AllahendowedmewithgreatwealththatIhadnotevendreamedof.NowIhaveonemilliondirhamsinmyhousebesidesthewealthIhaveoutside thehouse. Ihave tensonsandIamnowmore thanseventyyearsold.[75]Allof thatwasaresultoftheblessingofthedu’aofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).3.AlibinJa’farwasoneofthedeputiesofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Oneday,hewasbetrayednearal-

Mutawakkilwhothrewhiminprison.Heremainedinprisonforalongtimeandeventuallyhecouldnotbear thisany longer.Therefore,heaskedanagentof theAbbasidgovernment to intercede forhimtobesetfreeandhewouldgivehimthreethousanddinarsforthat.TheagentwenttoUbaydillah,whohadagoodpositionnearal-Mutawakkil,andaskedhimtointercedewithal-MutawakkilforAlibinJa’far.Ubaydillahrespondedtohimandintercededwithal-MutawakkiltosetAlibinJa’farfree,butal-Mutawakkil refusedandsaid tohim,‘If Idoubtedyou, IwouldsayyouareaRafidhi (Shia).ThisisadeputyofAbulHasanal-HadiandIamdeterminedtokillhim.’Ubaydillah regretted his intercession and told his friend (the agent) that al-Mutawakkil was

determinedtokillAlibinJa’farandtherewasnochanceforsettinghimfree.AlibinJa’farbecameso distressed and wrote a letter to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) saying to him, ‘O my master, please dosomethingforme!IfearImaylosemyfaith.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohim,‘Sincethematterhasreachedthispointwithyou,IwillprayAllahforyou.’Al-Mutawakkilbecameseriouslyillandhisfeverincreased,andsoheorderedhismentosetfree

allprisonersandgaveaspecialordertosetAlibinJa’farfree.Al-MutawakkilorderedUbaydillahtosetAlifreeandtobeghimtoforgivehim(al-Mutawakkil)forwhathehaddonetohim.AliwassetfreeandwenttoliveinMeccaasImamal-Hadi(a.s.)hadorderedhim.[76]

4.Ahmadbinal-KhasibhatedImamal-Hadi (a.s.).He insisted that theImamshouldgivehimhis

housewithoutpayingaprice.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)becameveryangryandsaidtohim,‘IwillpraytoAllahthatnothingofyoursshallremain.’ItwasnotlongafterthatwhenthewrathofAllahafflictedAhmadandheperished.[77]ThesearesomeexampleshistorianshavementionedofAllah’srespondingtotheprayersofImam

al-Hadi(a.s.).Itisdefinitethattheresponsetoprayersisnotman’sdoingbutitisbythewillofAllahWhorespondstotheprayerofwhomeverHelikesofHispeople.ThereisnodoubtthattheinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)hadaveryhighpositionnearAllahbecausetheydevotedthemselvestoHimas faras loyaltyhadmeaning,andobeyedHim in the full senseofobedience,and, therefore,Allah responded to their prayers immediately andmade their holy shrines from among the placeswhereprayersarerespondedto.Notes:[41]Al-Irshad,p.307-308,Usulal-Kafi.[42]AnEgyptianauthor,researcher,andmanofletters.[43]ThelifeofImamMuhammadal-Jawad,p.69.[44]Al-Jami’li-Ahkamal-Qur ’an,vol.1p.35.[45]Al-Irshad,p.369,Usulal-Kafi,vol.1p.323.[46]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13,p.127,Ikmaluddeenbyas-Saduq.[47]Hepredictedthathewoulddie(bekilled)anditwasso.[48]A’yanash-Shia,vol.4p.256.[49]Usulal-Kafi.[50] Sahih ofMuslim, chap. Of al-Imarah (emirate),Musnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol.5 p.89,

Sahihofal-Bukhari,p.164.[51]Sifatas-Safwa,vol.2p.98.[52]Al-Manaqib.[53]Thefirstdayofthehajj.Tarwiyameanswatering.[54]Biharal-Anwar.[55]Al-IttihafBihubilAshraf,p.67-68,SharhShafiyatAbuNu’as,vol.2p.167,Jawharatal-Kalam,

p.151.[56]Amaliofas-Saduq,Biharal-Anwar.[57]ManLaYahdhuruhual-Faqih.[58]ThewaqifiteswereagroupofpeoplebelievingintheImamateofthefirstsevenImamsfrom

ImamAli (a.s.) to ImamMusabinJa’faral-Kadhim(a.s.)anddidnotbelieve in the remainingfiveImams.[59]ManLaYahdhuruhual-Faqih.[60]Banimeans“thefamilyortribeof”.[61]Qur'an,3:23.[62]Qur'an,58:11.[63]Qur'an,39:9.[64]TaymwasabigfamilyfromQuraysh.[65]Al-Ihtijajbyat-Tabarsi.[66]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.4p.750.[67]Ibid.,vol.5p.298.

[68]Qunutmeans“obedience, submissiveness,God-fearing…”,buthere it is apartofprayer inwhichonerecitessupplicationinaspecifiedmanner.[69]Theemergencyofnewcircumstanceswhichcauseachangeinanearlierdivineruling.[70]Muhajad-Da’awat,al-Misbah.[71]Siratmeans“way”or“path”butintheIslamicterminologyitmeansthebridgethatdominates

Hell.[72]Al-Misbahbyal-Kaf’ami,Biharal-Anwar.[73]Al-Misbahbyal-Kaf’ami.[74]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.129,al-Amalibyas-Saduq.[75]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.132.[76]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.142.[77]Ibid.,vol.13p.132.

5ChapterHisKnowledgeandSciences

AllahhaddilatedthechestofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)forreceivingknowledgeandexpandedhisheartforsciences. Secrets of facts and intricacies of thingswere uncovered for himwithout any request oreffort. People spoke about the vast knowledge he had, with none equal to him in his amazing,scientific treasures,coveringall sciencesofHadith, jurisprudence,philosophy, theology,andotherbranchesofknowledge.Scholarsandjurisprudentsoftenreferredtohisopinionsincomplicatedandmysteriousquestions

ontheverdictsoftheIslamicSharia.Al-Mutawakkil,theAbbasidcaliph,whowasthebitterestenemyof Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) and of his fathers, referred to the opinion of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) in thequestionswhich theulama’ofhisagedisagreedon,andhepreferred theopinionof Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)totheopinionsoftherestofulama’.Weshalldiscussthispointinthecomingchapters.Anyhow,we shall talk in brief about the knowledge and sciences transmitted from him and his

maximsandliteraturesthatdealtwithdifferenteducationalandsocialmatters.

Traditions(Hadith)

ThetraditionstransmittedfromtheProphet(S)andtheinfallibleImamsofhisprogenywerenot

limited to legal verdicts and religious questions, but they included all aspects of life. They hadestablishedthebasesofmorals,disciplines,goodbehaviors,andotherintellectualandsocialissues.ManytraditionsweretransmittedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)-someofthemwerenarratedfromthe

Prophet(S),andsomewerenarratedfromhisinfalliblefathers(a.s.).

HisTraditionsfromtheProphet(S)

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedagroupoftraditionsfromhisfatherswhonarratedthemonebyone

fromtheProphet(S).Herearesomeofthem:1.Al-Mas’oudisaid,“Muhammadbinal-FarajtoldmeinJirjan…thatAbuDu’amahsaid,‘Ivisited

Ali binMuhammadbinAli binMusa during his illness that led to his death andwhen Iwanted toleave,hesaidtome,‘OAbuDu’amah,youhavearightonme.ShallItellyouatraditionthatshalldelightyou?’Isaidtohim,‘IaminutmostneedofthatOsonofthemessengerofAllah.’Hesaid,‘MyfatherMuhammadbinAlitoldmefromhisfatherAlibinMusabinJa’farfromhis

fatherJa’farbinMuhammadfromMuhammadbinAli fromAlibinal-Husaynfromal-HusaynbinAlifromhisfatherAlibinAbuTalibthatthemessengerofAllah(SwT)saidtohim,‘Writedown!’Alisaid,‘WhatshallIwritedown?’ThemessengerofAllah(SwT)said,‘Writedown:“InthenameofAllah, theBeneficent, theMerciful.Faith is thatwhichheartsacknowledgeanddeedsprove,andIslamisthatwhichtongueswitnessandmarriagebecomeslawfulwith.’AbuDu’amahsaid,‘OsonofthemessengerofAllah,Idonotknowwhichofthemisbetter;the

traditionor thenarrators!’Alial-Hadi (a.s.)said, ‘It isabookwrittendownby thehandofAlibinAbuTalibandthedictationofthemessengerofAllah(SwT)thatweinheritonefromtheother…’[78]This tradition shows the difference between faith and Islam (being aMuslim). Faith is to settle

insidethesoulandthedepthoftheheartandtobeprovedthroughgooddeeds,butIslam(beingorturningaMuslim) is towitness theonenessofAllahand theprophethoodofMuhammad(a.s.)andconsequentlymarriagebecomeslawfulbesidesotherpositiveordersthatrequirebeingaMusliminordertobeachieved.2.Al-HasanbinAli narrated fromAbulHasan al-Hadi fromhis fathers thatAmir ’ul-Mu’minin

said,“Once,IheardthemessengerofAllah(peacebeuponhimandhisprogeny)say,‘WhenpeoplewillberesurrectedontheDayofResurrection,acallerwillcallme:OmessengerofAllah,Allahhaspermittedyoutorewardyourloversandtheloversofyourhousehold(progeny)whohavefollowedthemforyoursake,andhavebeenopposedtotheirenemiesforyoursake.Youcanrewardthemasyoulike.’Ishallsay,‘OmyLord,Paradise!YouputtheminwhateverpartofitYoulike.ThisisthepraisedestateYouhavepromisedof.”[79]3.AbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersthattheProphet(S)said,‘LoveAllahforthe

blessingsHegivesyou,andlovemefortheloveofAllah,andlovemyhouseholdformylove!’[80]4. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) narrated from his fathers that the Prophet (S) said, ‘On the Day of

ResurrectionIwillbe intercessorforfourones; the loversofmyprogeny,onewhofollowsthem,onewhoshowsenmityagainsttheirenemies,onewhocarriesouttheirneeds,andonewhorelievestheirdistresses…’[81]TheProphet(S)stressedonlovinghispureprogenyandmadethisloveasanobligationonevery

MuslimmanandMuslimwoman,becauselovingandfollowingthemwouldprotectthenationfrom

disagreement,separation,deviationandseditions.5.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersthattheProphet(S)said,‘AllahtheAlmightysays:

O son ofAdam, you are not fair toMe. I endearMyself to you through blessings and youmakeyourselfhatedthroughsins.MygoodcomesdowntoyouandyourevilcomesuptoMe.Everydayandnightanhonorableangelcomes toMebringinguglydeeds fromyou.OsonofAdam, ifyouhearyourdescriptionfromotherthanyouwhileyoudonotknowwhothedescribedoneis,youwillsoonhatehim…’[82]ThetraditioninvitespeopletodogooddeedsandavoidsthedeedsthatAllahhates,becauseevery

deedgoesup toAllah.Allahhassaid, (ToHimdoascend thegoodwords;and thegooddeeds…)[83]andHerewardsHispeopleduetotheirdeedsintheworldlylife.6.ImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersthattheProphet(S)said,‘Mydaughter

was named Fatimabecause Allah the Almighty has weaned[84] her and whoever loves her fromFire…’[85]7.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersfromhisgrandfatherImamal-Baqir(a.s.)thatJabir

binAbdullah al-Ansari said, ‘Once Iwaswith the Prophet (S). Iwas at his side andAliAmir ’ul-Mu’mininattheothersidewhenUmarbinal-Khattabcamedrawingsomemanfromthecollars.TheProphet (S) askedUmar, ‘What is thematterwith thisman?’Umar said, ‘Henarrated thatyouhadsaid: ‘He,whosays“there isnogodbutAllahandMuhammad is themessengerofAllah”willbeinParadise.Ifpeoplehearthis, theywillgiveupgooddeeds.Haveyousaidthis?’TheProphet(S)said,‘Yes,iftheykeeptotheloveandguardianshipofthisman.’HepointedtoImamAli(peacebeuponhim).’[86]8. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) narrated from his fathers from his grandfather Imam Ali (a.s.) that the

Prophet(S)said,‘OAli,AllahhascreatedmeandyoufromHislight.HecreatedAdamandputthatlightintoAdam.ThislightreachedtoAbdulMuttalibandthenitdividedandsoIwasinAbdullahandyouwereinAbuTalib.Prophethooddoesnotbefitanyoneotherthanmeandguardianshipdoesnotbefitanyoneotherthanyou.WhoeverdeniesyourguardianshipdeniesmyprophethoodandwhoeverdeniesmyprophethoodAllahwillthrowhimdownonhisnoseintoFire…’[87]AllahcreatedProphetMuhammad(a.s.)andhisguardianImamAli(a.s.)fromonelightandthen

theyilluminatedintellectualandsociallifeandliberatedtheearthfromidolatryandsuperstitionsofthe pre-Islamic era. They were but one self.Whoever denied the guardianship of ImamAli (a.s.)deniedtheprophethoodofProphetMuhammad(a.s.)andwillhavenoshareintheafterlifeandwillbeamonglosers.9.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersthattheProphet(S)hadsaidtoImamAli(a.s.),‘O

Ali,he,wholovesyou,lovesme,andhe,whohatesyou,hatesme.’TherearemanyprophetictraditionsdeclaringthattheloveofImamAli(a.s.)isoutoftheloveof

theProphet(S)andthehatredtowardsImamAli(a.s.)isoutofthehatredoftheProphet(S)becauseImamAli(a.s.)wastheveryselfoftheProphet(S),thegateofthetownofhisknowledge,thefatherofhistwograndsons,andhisdefenderinallsituationsandbattles.

10. Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) narrated fromhis fathers fromhis grandfatherAmir ’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.)thattheProphet(S)said,‘He,wholikestomeetAllah(ontheDayofResurrection)safe,purified,andwithoutfearingthegreathorror,lethimfollowyouOAli,andfollowyourtwosonsal-Hasanandal-Husayn,and(yourgrandsons)Alibinal-Husayn,MuhammadbinAli,Ja’farbinMuhammad,MusabinJa’far,AlibinMusa,MuhammadbinAli,AlibinMuhammad,al-HasanbinAli,andal-Mahdithelastofthem.OAli,attheendoftimetherewillbeagroupofpeoplefollowingyouwherepeoplewillhatethem,butiftheylovethemitwillbebetterforthemiftheyknow.They(thatgroup)willpreferyoutotheirfathers,mothers,brothers,tribes,andallrelatives.ThebestblessingsofAllahbeuponthem.Thosepeoplewillberesurrectedunder thebannerofHamd(praise).Allahwill forgivetheirbaddeedsandexalttheirpositionsasrewardforwhattheyhavedone.’[88]11.HenarratedthattheProphet(S)said,‘People(afterdeath)areoftwokinds;onewillrestandthe

otherwillrelieve(others).One,whowillrest,isabeliever.HewillbefreefromthisworldwithallitstroublesandwillgotothemercyofAllahandHisgreatreward.Asfortheone,whowillrelieve,is a dissolute. People, animals, and treeswill be relieved fromhim andhewill go towhat he hasdone.’[89]

HisNarrationsfromAmir’ul-Mu’minin

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedagoodcollectionofmaximsandsayingsfromhisgrandfatherAmir ’ul-Mu’minin,thepioneerofwisdomandjusticeintheearth.Herearesomeofthem:1.Henarrated thatAmir ’ul-Mu’minin ImamAli (a.s.) said, ‘Bewareofwishesbecause theyare

fromthewaresofthedissoluteones.’[90]Islam resists all means that lead to backwardness and deterioration. Among these means is the

relyingonwishingandgivingupworkandlabor,whichmeanstheendofprogressanddevelopmentinlife.2.HenarratedthatAmir ’ul-Mu’mininsaid,‘He,whobusieshimselfthinkingoftheafterlife,will

berichwithnomoney,feelateasewithnofamily,andfeelmightywithnofellows.’[91]One,whocaresfortheaffairsoftheafterlife,willberichwithhispietyandreligiousness,willbe

happy because he satisfies his conscience through associating with his Creator, and will berespectableandhonorableamongpeoplebyhisbenevolenceandpiety.3. He narrated that Amir ’ul- Mu’minin said, ‘Knowledge is a worthy inheritance, morals are

gracefulgarments,ponderingisaclearmirror,andtakinglessonsisasincerewarner.Itsufficesforyoutohavegoodmannersbygivingupwhatyouhateofothers.’[92]4.HenarratedthatImamAli(a.s.)said,‘Whoeverfeelsconceitedwillperish.’[93]5. He narrated from Amir ’ul- Mu’minin his saying, ‘He, who is certain of recompense (from

Allah),willgivegenerously.’[94]6.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,“Once,aJewcametoAmir ’ul-Mu’minin(a.s.)andsaidtohim,‘Tell

meabout thatwhich isnotofAllah, thatwhichAllahdoesnothave,and thatwhichAllahdoesnotknow!’ImamAli (a.s.) said, ‘WhatAllahdoesnotknowis thatHedoesnotknow(accept) thatHehasa

child.Thisrefutesyour(theJews’)sayingthatUzayristhesonofAllah.AsforthatwhichisnotofAllah, it is injustice because there is no injustice with Allah against His people. And as for yoursayingaboutthatwhichAllahdoesnothave,itisthatAllahhasnopartner.’TheJewwasastonishedandbecameMuslim.Hedeclared theshahadaand thensaid toImamAli

(a.s.),‘Ibearwitnessthatyouarethetruth,fromthepeopleoftruth,andhavesaidthetruth.’[95]ImamAliwas thegateof the townof theProphet’sknowledge. Ifhewasgivenhis right (in the

caliphate),hewouldhavegivenverdictstothepeopleoftheBiblefromtheirBible,tothepeopleofthePsalms(Zabur)fromtheirPsalms,andtothepeopleoftheTorahfromtheirTorah.HeoftensaidthatifthecaliphatehadcometohimafterthedeathoftheProphet(S),everyJeworChristianwouldhaveturnedMuslimandfollowedthepathofthetruth.7.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersthatamanfromIraqaskedImamAli(a.s.)whenhe

was marching (with his army) for the battle of Siffeen, ‘Tell us about our marching to fight thepeopleofSham![96]IsitbythefateofAllah?’

ImamAli(a.s.)said,‘Osheikh(oldman),yes,itis.ByAllah,youdonotmountacastleordescendintoavalleyunlessithasbeendeterminedbythefateofAllah.’Themansaid,‘IexpecttherewardofmyeffortsfromAllahOAmir ’ul-Mu’minin.’ImamAli (a.s.) explained fateby saying, ‘Osheikh,wait!Youmay think it is inevitable fateand

inescapable doom! If it is so, then reward and punishment, enjoining and forbidding, scolding,warningandthreateningwillbevoid,andabaddoerwillnottobeblamedandagooddoerwillnotberewarded.Agooddoerwillbeworthierofbeingblamedthanaguiltyone,andaguiltyonewillbeworthierofrewardthanagooddoer.Thisopinionisofidolaters,enemiesofAllah,fatalists,andthemagi.Osheikh,AllahtheAlmightyhaschargedHispeoplebuthasgiventhemtheoptiontodoornottodo,andforbiddenthemaswarning.Hegivesmuchforalittle.HeisnotdisobeyedoutofdefeatandHeisnotobeyedbyforce.Hehasnotcreatedtheheavens,theearth,andwhatisbetweentheminvain.Thatistheopinionofthosewhodisbelieve,andwoeuntothosewhodisbelievefromtheFire…’ThemangotuprecitingsomeversesofpoetryinwhichhepraisedImamAli(a.s.)andshowedhis

satisfactionregardingwhatImamAlisaid.[97]Weshalldiscussindetailthesubjectoffateinthefollowingchapterinsha’Allah.8.HenarratedthatImamAli(a.s.)said,‘Manyarethey,thoseinattentivepeople,whomayweavea

dress towear,but itbecomes theirshroud,andbuildahouse to live inbut itbecomes theplaceoftheirgrave.’[98]

HisNarrationsfromImamal-Baqir

He narrated from his grandfather Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) his saying, ‘Beware of the

physiognomyof abelieverbecausehe seesby the lightofAllah.’Thenhe recited thisverse, (Lo!thereinverilyareportentsforthosewhoreadthesigns).[99]

HisNarrationsfromImamas-Sadiq

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedmanytraditionsfromhisgrandfatherImamas-Sadiq(a.s.).Hereare

someofthem:1.Henarrated that Imamas-Sadiq (a.s.) said, ‘Thereare threeprayers thatarenotblocked from

AllahtheAlmighty;theprayerofafatherforhischildifheisdutifultohimoragainsthischildifheisundutifultohim,theprayerofanoppressedoneagainsthisoppressororforhis(oppressedone’s)supporter,andtheprayerofabelieverforhisbelievingbrotherifhecomfortshimoragainsthimifhedoesnot,whenheisabletodothat(tocomforthim)…’[100]2.Henarrated that Imamas-Sadiq (a.s.) said, ‘Keep topietybecause it is theessenceof religion

whichyoukeeptoandbelieveinAllahthroughit.ItisthatwhichAllahwantsfromthosewhofollowus.’[101]3.HenarratedthatImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)said,‘He,whodoesnotpracticetaqiyyah(dissimulation)to

keepussafefromthevillainsofpeople,isnotfromus.’[102]TheinfallibleImams(a.s.)urgedtheirfollowerstoactduetotaqiyyahtosparetheirlivesfromthe

tyrannicalgovernmentswhokilledtheShiawithoutabitofmercy.Iftaqiyyahhadnotbeenlegislated,noneoftheShiaandloversoftheAhlulBayt(s)wouldhaveremainedalive.4.Henarrated thatImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)said, ‘Thereare three timesatwhichdu’a isnotblocked

fromAllahtheAlmighty;thedu’aaftertheobligatoryprayers,thedu’aduringthefallingofrain,andthedu’awhenoneofthesignsofAllahappearsinHisearth.’[103]Allah theAlmighty likes tobesupplicatedat these timesandHehaspromised to respond toHis

suppliantsasHealsorespondstosupplicationintheholyshrinesoftheinfallibleImams.5.Hesaid,“Once,amancametoImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)andsaidtohim,‘Iamboredwiththislife.

WouldyoupleaseaskAllahfordeathtome?’Imamas-Sadiq(a.s.)said,‘Thepriceoflifeistoobeyandnottodisobey.Thatyoulivelongtoobeyisbetterforyouthantodieandneitherdisobeynorobey.’”6.Hesaid,“Imamas-Sadiq(a.s.)wasaskedtodescribedeathandhesaid,‘Forthefaithfuldeathis

sweeterthanbreezethatafaithfulsmellsandrefresheswithitandallfatigueandendspain,andfortheunbelievers it is like the stingingof snakes and scorpionsor evenbitterer.’ Itwas said tohim,‘Some people say that death is bitterer than sawing, cuttingwith scissors, stoning, and turning ofmillstoneson thepupilsofeyes.’ Imamas-Sadiq(a.s.)said, ‘Yes, it issoforsomeunbelieversandsinners.Doyounotseethatsomeofthemsuffertheseseverities?Whattheywillmeetafterthatwillbemuchmore severe. It is the torment of the afterlife which will bemuchmore severe than thetorment in this life.’ It was said to him, ‘Then, why dowe see some unbelievers die easilywhiletalkingandlaughing,andsomebelieverstoo,andweseesomebelieversandunbelieverssuffermuchwhendying?’ImamAs-Sadiq(a.s.)said,‘Theeasydeathofabelieverisanearlyrewardforhim,andwhenhe

suffersatdeath,heispurifiedfromhissinsinordertobepureandthentodeservetheeternalreward

in theafterlife.Theeasydeathof someunbelievers is that theyaregiven the rewardof theirgooddeeds in thisworldand in theafterworld theywillhave torment.And ifsomeunbelieverssufferatdeath,itisthebeginningofthetormentofAllahonthem.AllahisjustandHedoesnotwrong.’[104]7. He narrated that Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) explained the saying of Prophet Jacob (a.s.) “Comely

patience!”bysaying,‘Itisthepatiencethatoneundergoeswithoutcomplaining.’[105]8.He narrated that Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) interpreted thisQur ’anic verse (Their sides draw away

from (their) beds)[106] by saying, ‘They did not sleep until they offer the Isha’ (evening)prayer.’[107]9.Henarrated that Imamas-Sadiq (a.s.) said in interpreting thisQur ’anicverse (…Wewillmost

certainlymakehimliveahappylife),[108]‘Itmeanssatisfaction.’

HisNarrationsfromImamMusabinJa’far

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersthathisgrandfatherImamMusabinJa’faral-Kadhim

(a.s.)said,‘Allahcreatedcreationandknewwhattheywouldbe.Heenjoinedthemtodosomethingsandforbadethemfromdoingotherthings.HegavethemawaytodowhatHeenjoinedthemtodoandgavethemawaytorefrainfromwhatHeforbadethemfrom.HeforcednooneofHiscreationtodisobeybutHetriedthemwithmisfortunesasHehadsaid,(Hemaytryyou;whichofyouisbestindeeds).[109]’Inthistradition,Imamal-Kadhim(a.s.)refutedtheconceptof“compulsion”whichweshalldiscuss

inoneofthecomingchapters.

HisNarrationsfromImamar-Ridha

ImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisgrandfatherImamAlibinMusaar-Ridha(a.s.)

thatonedayAbuHanifahwaswithImamJa’faras-Sadiq(a.s.)andwhenhewentout,hemetImamMusaBinJa’faral-Kadhim(a.s.)andaskedhim,‘Oboy,fromwhomdoesdisobediencecome?’ImamMusaal-Kadhim(a.s.)replied,‘Itisoneofthree;iteithercomesfromAllahtheAlmighty-

andcertainlynot-anditdoesnotbehoovetheGenerousLordtopunishHisslaveforsomethinghedoesnotdo,orfromAllahandman-anditdoesnot-anditdoesnotbehoovethemightypartnertooppress theweakpartner,or fromman-and itdoes -and ifAllahpunisheshim, itwillbe forhisguilt,andifHeforgiveshim,itwillbeoutofHisgenerosityandmunificence.’[110]InthistraditiontheImam(a.s.)refutedtheconceptof“compulsion”andshowedthatmanisfreein

thislife.Heisforcedneithertoobeynortodisobey.Hiswillmakeshimfreetochoosewhateverhelikes.

ReferringObscureTraditionstotheAhlulBayt

Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) ordered his followers to be certain about the traditions narrated from the

infallible Imamsof theAhlulBayt (s). If theywerecertain that those traditionshadcome from theinfallible Imams and they understood their contents, they should act according to them; otherwise,theyshouldreferthemtotheImamstoverifyandexplainthem.Once,DawudbinFarqadal-FarisisaidinaletterhesenttoImamal-Hadi(a.s.),‘Weaskyouabout

theknowledgetransmittedtousfromyourfathersandgrandfathers.Thereissomecontradictioninthem.Howdoweactduetothemwiththiscontradiction?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohim,‘Ifyouarecertainitisoursaying,youactuponit,otherwise,

youreferit tous.’[111]HeorderedhisfollowerstorefersuchtraditionstotheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s)sothattheywouldshowwhethertheyweretheirsorfabricated.

ContradictoryTraditions

Al-Himyariwrote to Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)askingaboutcontradictory traditionsandhowtoactuponthem.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohim,‘He,whoclingstotheheadofaspring,hisaffairswillnotbe confused because they come out white and pure.’ Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) meant that whoeverassociatedwiththeImamdirectlynothingwouldbeconfusedtohimbecausehewouldtakefactsfromtheiroriginandsource.Whenal-Himyarireadthisreply,hewrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.),‘Howcanwegettotheheadasit

isblockedbetweenusandit (him)?’Al-Himyarimeant that therewasnowayforpeople tocontactwith Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) because of the political pressure and severe punishment the governmentfollowedagainsttheShiawhocontactedwiththeinfallibleImams(a.s.).Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘Thetruthisavailableforwhoeversincerelyseeksit…’[112]

Jurisprudence

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)paidalotofattentiontothespreadingoftheprinciplesoftheIslamicSharia,

theexplainingof itsverdicts,and the teachingsof its sciences. JurisprudentsandscholarsgatheredaroundhimacquiringfromthespringsofhisknowledgeandrecordinghistraditionsthatwereofthesourcesoftheIslamicrulingstotheTwelverShia.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wastheunequalledjurisprudentofhisage,toadegreethatevenal-Mutawakkil,

the Abbasid caliph, who was one of the bitterest enemies to the Alawids, referred to him incomplicatedquestionsandpreferredhisfatwastothoseofotherjurisprudents.HerewementionsometraditionsofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)thatShiitejurisprudentsrefertoinderivinglegalverdicts;

WashingtheDead

Ahmadbinal-QassimwrotealettertoImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)askingifabelieverdiedandawasher wanted to wash the corpse (perform the ritual ghusl of the dead) while there were someMurjites[113]presentwhether thewasherwouldwash thecorpseof thebeliever in thewaylike theother(sectsof)Muslimsdidwithoutputtingaturbanonhisheadandwithoutputtingapalmbranchwithhimornot.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘Heshouldperformtheghuslofbelievereveniftheyarepresent.Asforthepalmbranch,itshouldbeputsecretlyandhe(thewasher)shouldtryhisbestnottoletthemseehimdothat.’[114]This traditionshowedclearly thatadeadbeliever shouldbewashedaccording to thewayof the

AhlulBayt(s)payingnoattentiontotheMurjites.Italsoinstructedtoplacepalmbrancheswiththecorpsesecretlyduetotaqiyyah.Therearemanytraditionsabouttherecommendationofputtingtwogreenpalmbrancheswithadeadbeliever,orelsesomebranchesoftreesotherthanpalm-tree.OneofthesetraditionsistheonenarratedbyAlibinBilalfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.),onwhichjurisprudentsdependuponinderivingtheirfatwa.[115]

OfferingPrayersin(clothesof)Fur

Shiitejurisprudentsspecifycertainconditionsofone’sclothing,whenofferingprayers(Salat)for

thevalidityoftheprayer,suchastheirpurityandtheirnotbeingillegallyobtained.TheydependintheserulingsonvalidtraditionstransmittedfromtheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s).Ali binEesawrote to Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) asking about the permissibility of offering the prayer

withclothesoffurof theanimalswhosemeat isunlawful toeat,andImamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohimsaying,‘Idonotlikeofferingtheprayerinanyofthesefurs.’HewroteagaintoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)sayingthathe livedamongpeoplesuchthathehadtopractice taqiyyahwith themandthatnoonecouldtravelinhiscountrywithoutclothesoffur,andhefearedthathewouldbeharmedifheputoff his fur clothing. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) replied to him, ‘You wear fur of fennec andbeaver.’[116]This traditionpermittedofferingprayerwith clothes of the fur of fennec andbeaverwhenoneisobliged.

OfferingPrayerswithMan’sHair

There are many traditions from the infallible Imams of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) showing theimpermissibilityofprayerwithfurofanimalswhosemeatisunlawfultoeat,likecats,forexample.Ofcourse,thisdoesnotincludeman’shair.Once,ar-Rayyanbinas-SaltaskedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)aboutthepermissibilityofofferingprayer

withagarmentonwhichsomehairornailofmanwerepresentandImamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtohimthatitwaspermissible.[117]

PassingBeforeaPrayer

TwelverShiajurisprudentsbelievethatprayerisnotinvalidatedwhensomeonepassesinfrontof

onewhoisofferingprayer.TheydependinthatonatraditionnarratedbyAbuSulaymanfromImamal-Hadi (a.s.) in which a man asked him (Imam al-Hadi) whether prayer would be invalidated ifsomeonepassedinfrontofoneduringofferinghisprayerandImamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘No,prayerisnotsosimplyinvalidated.Itisacceptedfromitskeeper.’[118]

OfferingPrayersintheDesert

AlibinMahziyaraskedImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.),‘Ifsomeoneisinthedesertwhenthetime

ofobligatoryprayercomesandhecannotgetoutofthedesertbeforethetimeofprayerelapses,whatshouldhedowithhisprayersinceitisforbiddentoofferprayerinthedesert?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Hecanofferprayerinthedesertbutheshouldavoidroads.’[119]Itisunrecommended(makruh)toofferprayersinthemiddleofroadswhethertheyarebusywith

people or empty, and if one troubles the passers-bywhen offering prayer in themiddle of roads,prayerisunlawfulinthiscase.[120]

ProstratingonGlass

Shiajurisprudentshaveagreedthatprostrationinprayermustbeperformedontheearthorwhatis

grown from the earth.[121] They have not permitted prostration on things which are eatable orwearableandtheyhaveprohibitedprostrationonglass.TheydependinalltheseclaimsontraditionsnarratedfromtheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s).Muhammadbinal-Husaynsaid,‘OneofourcompanionswrotealettertoImamAbulHasan(a.s.)

asking about prostratingonglass.He said, ‘When I sentmy letter, I thought tomyself and said: it(glass)isfromthatwhichisgrownfromtheearthandIdidnothavetoaskaboutit.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotetome,‘Donotofferprayeronglassevenifyourselfsaystoyouit isgrownfromtheearthbecauseitisfromsaltandsandwhicharechanged.’[122]

AnUnconsciousPersonisnottoReofferPrayer

Jurisprudentssayamukallaf[123]mustnotbeunconsciouswhenprayersarerequiredfromhim.If

amukallafisunconsciousfromthebeginningofthetimeofchargingtotheend,heisnotchargedwithprayersneitherada’norqadha’.[124]Theydependonmany traditionsof the infallible Imams(a.s.).AlibinMahziyar asked Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) about theunconscious andhe said, ‘Anunconscious

onehasneithertoofferqadha’prayernortoperformqadha’fasting.Allahisworthierofpardoninghim.’[125]AyyubbinNoahwrote tohimaskingaboutonewhowasunconscious foradayora littlemore

whether he had to offer qadha’ prayers or not. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)wrote to him, ‘He has to offerneitherprayersnorfasting.’[126]

OfferingQasr’PrayerintheJourneytoMecca

TwelverShiajurisprudentsmakeconditionsonqasrprayersuchthatqasrprayersshouldbeprayed

while traveling except if traveling is one’s job, like drivers, sailors, shepherds and the like. Suchpersonsoffer tamam(full)prayer in travel.A traveling jobdependsonone’swill, andpracticeoftravelatimeafteranotherinawaythatthereisnounusualbreakinit.Travelerswhotakepilgrimstothehajjeveryyeararenotpermittedtoofferfullprayerbuttheymustofferqasr(shortened)prayer.[127]Muhammad bin Jazzak said, ‘I wrote to Abul Hasan the Third (Imam al-Hadi) that I had some

camelsandhademployeesonthem(totravelincaravans),butIdidnotgoexceptinthewayofMeccatoperformthehajjandonveryfewoccasionstosomeplaces.IaskedhimwhatIshoulddowhenIwentwiththem(theshepherds),whetherIshouldofferqasrprayerandbreakmyfastingintravelornot.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotetome,‘IfyoudonotkeeptothemanddonotgowiththemineverytravelexcepttoMecca,youhavetoofferqasrprayerandtobreakfasting.’[128]

Khums

Khums (one fifth) is one of the Islamic taxes that Islam has imposed to fight poverty, spread

culture,developintellect,andreviveIslamicsciences.Khumsisobligatoryontheprofitsof trades,industries,andotherkindsofworkthataremorethanoneandhisfamily’sexpenditureofoneyearasit is mentioned in the books of jurisprudence. Jurisprudents depend in this on the traditionstransmittedfromtheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s).Inal-Kafi ithasbeenmentionedthatIbrahimbinMuhammadal-Hamadanisaid,“IwrotetoAbul

Hasan(al-Hadi)(a.s.)saying,‘AlibinMahziyarreadtomeyourfather ’slettersinwhichheimposed(ataxof)ahalfofthesixthontheownersofsmallvillagesafterdeductingthecosts,andone,whosevillage incomedoesnot cover the costs, doesnot have topay a half of the sixthor anything else.Somepeopledisagreedonthisandsaid,‘Thekhumsmustbepaidfromtheincomeofvillagesafterdeductingthecostsofthevillageandthetaxtakenonitbythegovernmentandnottheexpenditureofone and his family.’ Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) wrote replying, ‘After deducting his and his family’sexpenditureandafterthetaxofthegovernment.’[129]AlibinMahziyarnarratedthatAlibinMuhammadbinShuja’an-NaysaburisaidtoAbulHasanthe

Third, ‘Someman got fromhis farm one hundred kurrs[130] ofwheatwhich included zakat. Thetenth,whichwastenkurrs,wastaken,thirtykurrswerespentonrepairingthefarm,andsixtykurrsremained forhim.Whatmustbepaid toyou (askhums) from that?…’ Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)wrote,‘For me is the khums (fifth) of what remains after deducting his (the owner ’s) expenditure (of ayear).’[131]Jurisprudentshavedependedonthesetraditionsinprovidingverdictsthatkhumsisobligatoryon

whatever remains from the expenditure of a year. Jurisprudential books and practical theses havediscussedthismatterindetails.

Zakat

ZakatisoneoftheeffectiveprogramsIslamhasestablishedinitseconomicsystem.Itisoneofthe

wonderfulmeansthatpluckouttherootsofpovertyandwretchednessinsociety.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasaskedaboutsomebranchesofzakatandhegaveanswerstothemwherejurisprudentsdependedandstilldependoninderivinglegalverdicts.Amongtheconditionsjurisprudentsmakeonthedeservingofzakatisthatone,whodeservestobe

givenzakat,mustbeabeliever.Unbelieversarenot tobegivenfromthezakat.ItwasnarratedthatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasaskedwhetheritwaspermissibletogivethose,whobelievedinembodiment(ofGod),fromthezakatornotandhesaid,‘Donotgivewhoeverbelievesinembodimentfromthezakatanddonotofferprayerbehindhim!’[132]Ofcourse, there isnospecification for thosewhobelieve inembodimentandso thisprevention

fromzakatincludeseveryunbelieverwhodoesnotbelieveinAllahandtheDayofResurrection.Jurisprudentssaythatonewhoisgivenfromzakatisnottobefromthosewhoseexpenseisonthe

giver of the zakat like father or grandfather, children or grandchildren. However, al-Kulaynimentionedinal-KafithatIsma’ilbinImranal-Qummisaid,‘IwrotetoAbulHasantheThirdthatIhadmaleandfemalechildrenandaskedhimwhetherIcouldgivethemfromthezakatornot.HewrotetomethatIcould.’Thesheikh(at-Tusi)inat-Tahthibaynthoughtthistraditiontoconcernthecaseofthisman,andhislike,whosemoneydidnotsatisfytheexpenditureofhisfamily.[133]Thereisnolimitationtothemoneygiventothepoorfromzakatexceptthezakatal-fitr.[134]One

of the Shia wrote to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) through Ahmad bin Isaaq asking him, ‘Can I give mybrothers twoor threedirhams from the zakat?’ Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)wrote tohim, ‘You cando so,insha’Allah.’[135]ThefirstkindofzakatlegislatedinIslamwasthezakatal-Fitrwhichjurisprudentscalledthezakat

of bodies. It is obligatory on all people; faithful and unfaithful, old and young,male and female.Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) wrote to Ibrahim bin Muhammad al-Hamadani saying, ‘The zakat al-Fitr is(obligatory)onyouandonallpeopleandwhoeveryouareresponsibleforwhethermaleorfemale,oldoryoung,freeorslave,sucklingorweaned.YoupaysixrotlsaccordingtotherotlofMedina.Arotlisonehundredandninety-fivedirhams,andsothezakatal-Fitrisonethousandandonehundredandseventydirhams.’[136]IbrahimbinMuhammadal-Hamadanisaid,‘Traditionsweredifferentonthezakatal-FitrandsoI

wrotetoAbulHasanaskinghimaboutthatandhewrotetomesaying,‘The(amountof)zakatal-Fitrisasa’[137]of theusualfoodinyourcountry.OnthepeopleofMecca,Yemen,Ta’if, thesidesofSham, Yamama, Bahrain, Iraq, Persia, Ahwaz, andKirman is a sa’ of dates, on the people of themiddleofShamasa’ofraisin,onthepeopleoftheisland,Mosul,andallmountainsasa’ofwheatorbarley,onthepeopleofTabaristanasa’ofrice,onthepeopleofKhurHasanasa’ofwheat,onthepeopleofMarwandRiyasa’ofraisin,onthepeopleofEgyptasa’ofwheat,andonotherpeoplesisasa’oftheirusualfoods.Onthenomadsofthedesertisasa’ofuqt(driedcheese).Thezakatal-Fitrisobligatoryonyouandonallpeople.’[138]

Thesubstanceofthezakatal-Fitristobefromtheusualfoodofthepeopleofacountrylikewheatorbarley forexample.Theobligatoryamountof thiskindofzakat isonesa’which isabout threekilograms.Onecanpaymoneyinsteadoffoodsubstancesasjurisprudentssay.

Fasting

Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) was asked about many questions about fasting and he answered them in

traditionstransmittedbyhisfollowers.

FastingonSeeingtheCrescent

ThesurestwayofascertainingthebeginningofRamadanisthesightingofthecrescent.Whoever

seesthecrescent,whetheraloneorwithothers,mustfast.AlibinRashidnarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)hissaying,‘Donotfastexceptonthesighting(ofthecrescent).’[139]Jurisprudentsbelieveinthe impermissibilityof fastingwith the intentionofobligationwhen thesightingof thecrescentofRamadanisnotproved.

FastingofaSucklingMother

AlibinMahziyarwrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)askinghim,‘Thereissomewomanwhosucklesher

sonorotherthanhersoninthemonthofRamadan.Shesuffersmuchinherfasting.Shesucklesuntilshefaintsandcannotfast.Doesshesuckleherchildandbreaksherfastandinsteadkeepitlaterifsheisable,ordoesshegiveupsucklinginordertofast?Ifshecannothiresomewomantosuckleherchild,whatdoesshedo?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotetohimsaying,‘Ifshecanhireawetnurseforherchild,shemaydoand

keep her fasts; otherwise, she breaks fasting and continues suckling her child and performs herfastinglateronwheneversheisableto.’[140]Jurisprudentsdependonthistraditioningivingafatwathatasucklingmother,whosemilkislittle,

ispermittednottofastinRamadanifherfastingharmsherchildandshecannothireawetnurse.

Expiation(kaffara)ofSpecifiedFasts

Al-HusaynbinUbaydawrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)saying,‘Omymaster,somemanvowedtofastonacertainday,buthesleptwithhiswifeonthatday.Whatexpiation isonhim?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohim,‘Hehastofastforonedayinsteadofthatdayandsetfreeaslave.’[141]Inthelightofthis tradition, jurisprudents say that the kaffara of breaking one’s specified fast is the same as thekaffaraofbreakingone’soathwhichisthefreeingofaslave,orfeedingtenneedypersons,orgivingthemclothes,andifhecannotdothat,hemustfastforthreedays.

Trade

Narrators transmitted from Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)many questions about trade,which jurisprudents

dependoninderivingtheirfatwas.Herearesomeofthem:

ProhibitionofWorkingwiththeUnjust

Since theAbbasid rulerswere unjust and oppressive, workwith themwas unlawful as the Shia

believed.MuhammadbinAlibinEesawrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)askingwhethertheworkfortheAbbasidsandtakingfromtheirmonieswaspermissibleornot.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘ThatwhichhappensbyforceandsubjectionispardonedbyAllah,otherwise,itishated.Thereisnodoubtthatthelittleofitisbetterthantheexcess.Theexpiationofthatisthatonedoeswhatmaydelightusandourfollowers.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidinhisreplythatAllahdidnotpunishone,whoworkedfortheAbbasids,if

hisworkwasbyforceandsubjection,butifitwasbyone’swill,itwouldbehated-oritmightmeanforbiddenhere.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidthattheexpiationononewhoworkedwiththeAbbasidswastodelight theAhlulBayt(s)bycarryingout theneedsof thefaithfulandthepoorandsavingthemfrommisfortunes andoppression (of thegovernment). Jurisprudentsmentionedmany traditions intheirstudieson“workingwithtyrants”.[142]WhentheletterofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)cametoMuhammadbinAlibinEesa,hewrotetotheImam,

‘Iwanttoworkwiththemtocausethemtroubleandtotakerevengeonthemthroughbeingclosetothem.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘Whoeverdoessohisworkisnotunlawful,butratherhewillberewarded(byAllah).’[143]

Renting

1.MuhammadbinEesaal-Yaqtiniwrote toImamal-Hadi(a.s.)saying tohim,‘Someonesenthis

sontosomemantoworkforhimasabushelerforoneyearandforspecifiedwage.Thenanothermancametothefatherandaskedhimforemployingthesonforoneyearbutmorewage.Doesthefather have the right to send his son to the secondman and is it permissible for him to annul hisagreement with the first man?’ Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) wrote to him that the father had to fulfill hisagreementwiththefirstmanexceptifhissonbecameillorweak.[144]2. Muhammad bin Isaaq said, “Iwrote toAbulHasan (peace be upon him) saying, ‘Someman

rentedafarmfromanotherman.Then,thelessorsoldthefarminthepresenceofthetenantwhodidnotdenythesale,butratherhewaspresentandasawitness.Thenthebuyerdiedandleftsomeheirs.Doesthatpropertygointotheinheritanceoritremainsinthehandofthetenantuntil theperiodofrentingends?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrote,‘untiltheperiodofrentingends.’[145]3.IbrahimbinMuhammadal-Hamadanisaid,‘IwrotetoAbulHasan(a.s.)askinghimaboutsome

womanwhorentedoutherlandfortenyearsontheconditionthattherentwastobegivenattheendofeveryyear.Nothingoftherentwouldbegiventoherexceptaftertheendofeveryyear.Before(orafter)threeyears,thewomandied.Shouldherheirscarryouttherentingtothespecifiedperiod,orwouldtherentingconditionbeinvalidatedbythedeathofthewoman?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrote,‘Iftherentinghadaspecifiedtimethatdidnotendwhenthewomandied,thentheheirswouldhavetheright todetermineon the rentingcondition, and if a thirdor ahalfor someperiodof rentinghaspassed,thentheheirscoulddecideontheremainingperiodofrentinginsha’Allah.’[146]Jurisprudentsdisagreedonrentingwhetheritwouldbeinvalidornotbythedeathofthelessoror

thetenant.Someofthemsaiditwouldnotbeinvalidandsomeotherssaiditwouldbeinvalidsincethedeathofthelessorandnotfromthebeginning.TheyreliedinthatonthissayingofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).

Entailment

AlibinMahziyarsaid,‘IwrotetoAbulHasantheThird(a.s.)thatIhadentailedapieceoflandto

mychildren,hajj,andotherwaysofcharity,andyouhavearightfromitaftermeandformeafteryou, but I changed it from thisway.’ Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) said, ‘You are free from any blame andpermittedtodoso.’[147]Sheikh al-Hurr al-Aamili understood from this tradition that the change here took place before

receivingtheentailment.Itisalsopossiblethattheentailmentheremightmean“will”becausehesaid“after me”[148] in order not to contradict entailment, which, if it takes place with its correctconditions,becomesinevitableandcannotberenounced.

Foods

Once,AyyubbinNoahaskedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)aboutbuffalo.Hesaid,‘ThepeopleofIraqsayit

hasbeenmetamorphosed-whichmeansthatitsmeatisunlawfultoeat.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohimsaying,‘HaveyounotheardthesayingofAllah,(Andtwoofcamelsandtwoofcows)[149]?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)refutedthisspuriousnessandprovedthatthebuffalowasakindofcowandnot

ametamorphosedanimal.

Judgement

Ja'farbinEesa said, ‘Iwrote toAbulHasan (al-Hadi) (a.s.) asking that, if awomandiesandher

father claims that he has lent her some things and some slaves, is his claim accepted withoutevidence?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedthatthefather ’sclaimmightbeacceptedwithoutevidence.Ialsowrote

tohim,‘If thehusbandof thedeadwoman,orhisfatherormotherclaim,likeherfatherdoes, thattheyhavelenthersomethingsorsomeslaves,aretheyconsideredlikeherfatherintheclaim?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrote,‘No…’[150]

Penalties

1.Al-HasanbinAlibinShu’bahnarratedthatAbulHasantheThird(a.s.)said,‘Asforamanwho

confesses sodomy, if there is no evidenceproved against him, but hewillingly confesses his guiltagainsthimself,andiftheImam,whoisfromAllah,istopunishonbehalfofAllah,hecanpardononbehalfofAllah.HaveyounotheardthesayingofAllah,(ThisisOurfreegift,thereforegivefreelyorwithholdwithoutreckoning)?’[151]This traditionshowsclearly thata legal Imam,who isappointedbyAllah,maypardonwhoever

confesses sodomy against himself, though he has the right to punish for that. However, if one isprovedbyclearevidencethathehascommittedsodomy,theImamisnottopardonhim.2.Ja'farbinRizqillahsaid,‘SomeChristianman,whocommittedadulterywithaMuslimwoman,

wasbroughttoal-Mutawakkil,theAbbasidcaliph,inordertobepunished.Whenthecaliphwantedtopunishtheman,themanconvertedtoIslam.YahyabinAkthamsaid,‘Hisfaith(inIslam)cancelledhispolytheismandsin.’Someotherpersonsaid,‘Heistobepunishedwiththreepenalties.’Anotheronesaid,‘Heistobepunishedwithso-and-so.’Then,al-MutawakkilorderedhismentoaskImamAbulHasan(al-Hadi)abouthisopiniononthe

matter and the Imam said, ‘He (the sinner) is to be hit until he dies.’ Yahya and the rest ofjurisprudentsdeniedthisfatwaandaskedal-MutawakkiltowritetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andaskhimfortheevidencehedependedoninhisfatwa.Al-MutawakkilwrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andImamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘Butwhentheysaw

Ourpunishment, they said:Webelieve inAllah alone andwedenywhatweused to associatewithHim.But their faithcouldnotavail themwhen theysawOurdoom.This isAllah's lawwhichhathever taken course for His bondmen. And then the disbelievers will be ruined).’[152] Then, al-Mutawakkil ordered the sinner to be hit and he was hit until he died.’[153]Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)dependedontheBookofAllahinissuinghisfatwathatmadeal-Mutawakkilandthejurisprudentsfeelastonishedathisabundantknowledge.

DisbeliefoftheExcessive

TheShiaunanimouslybelievethattheexcessiveareunfaithfulandimpureandsoitispermissible

tokillthem.ItwasnarratedthatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtooneofhiscompanions,‘Ifyouseeoneofthem(theexcessive)alone,youbreakhisheadwithastone.’[154]Weshalltalkindetailsabouttheminoneofthecomingchapters.WehavementionedaboveafewexamplesofImamal-Hadi’sjurisprudence.Thequestionshewas

askedshowedthathewasthehighestauthorityoffatwasintheIslamicworldathistimeandhehadgreatscientifictreasuresofknowledgeintheIslamiclaws.

TheologicalArguments

AttheageofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)manydoubtsandillusionsspreadaboutthebasicsofIslam.The

beginningwasduringtheUmayyadrulethatpavedthewayforthespreadofdeviantandmisguidingthoughts and concepts. The Umayyads encouraged those misguiding cultures which spread morestronglyduringtheAbbasidrule.Muslimulama’,attheheadofwhomweretheImamsoftheAhlulBayt (s), resisted and confuted the atheistic opinions and thoughts using irrefutable, scientificevidences.Allthesearerecordedinthebooksof“argumentation”writtenbyShiascholarstoprovethestruggleoftheirImamsinsupportingIslamandfightingagainstdisbeliefandatheism.HerewementionsomeexamplestransmittedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)inthisconcern.

TheImpossibilityofSeeingAllah

AhmadbinIsaaqwrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)askinghimabout (thepossibilityof)seeingAllah

andwhatpeoplesaidinthisregard.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘seeingisnotpossibleifthereisnoair(space)betweentheseerandtheseenthingthroughwhichsightgoesthrough.Ifthereisnoairandnolightbetweentheseerandtheseenthing,therewillbenosight.Whentheseerequalstheseenthinginthecauseofsightbetweenthem,sighttakesplace,butthosewhocomparetheseer(man)toAllah,theyaremistakenbecausetheylikenAllahtoman…foreffectsmustrelatetocauses.’[155]Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) proves the impossibility of seeing where there is no air (space) and light,

becausetheeyeseesthroughthesetwomeans;airandlight,otherwise,seeingisimpossibleandthesetwopowerscannotseeAllah theAlmightybecause theyare limitedpossibilities thatcannotsee thegreatpowerthatcreatedandmanagedtheseamazingworldsanduniverseswithalltheirwonders.Thesystemofseeingseesthingswhentheyequaltheseerinthepossibleaspectofseeing,andif

thereisnoequalitybetweenthem,therewillbenosight.ProphetMosestriedhisbesttoseeAllah;(AndwhenMusacameatOurappointedtimeandhisLordspoketohim,hesaid:MyLord!show

me(Thyself),sothatImaylookuponThee.Hesaid:Youcannot(bearto)seeMebutlookatthemountain,ifitremainsfirminitsplace,thenwillyouseeMe;butwhenhisLordmanifestedHisglorytothemountainHemadeitcrumbleandMusafelldowninaswoon;thenwhenherecovered,hesaid:GlorybetoThee,IturntoThee,andIamthefirstofthebelievers).[156]ProphetMoses(a.s.)receivedthewordsofAllahandhissoullongedandwishedtoseehisLord,

buthe forgotwhoandwhathewaswhenheaskedfor thatwhichnohumanbeing in theearthwasallowed or could bear this great seeing.However, ProphetMoses (a.s.)was occupied by his greatlongingandforcedbywishuntilthedecisivewordsofAllahwokehimup,(Youcannot(bearto)seeMe).ThentheGreatCreatorpitiedHisprophetandtaughthimwhyhecouldnotseeHim,(butlookatthemountain,ifitremainsfirminitsplace,thenyouwillseeMe).Themountainisfirmerandmorefixed,thoughlesssensitiveandresponsivethanmanbutnevertheless,(whenhisLordmanifestedHisglorytothemountainHemadeitcrumble).ProphetMoses(a.s.)understoodtheaweofthesituationandfellinaswoon,andwhenhewokeup,said,(GlorybetoThee,IturntoThee,andIamthefirstofthebelievers).[157]SeehowImamal-Hadi(a.s.)spokewithhisLordwiththesebrightwords,showingtheextentofhis

recognitionofAllahtheAlmighty:‘OmyLord,thoughtsofthinkerswentastray,sightsofseersfellshort,descriptionsofdescribers

dissipated,sayingsof fabricatorsvanishedbefore thewondersofYouraffair,or the reach toYourhighness, for You are in the unreachable place, and no eye can fall upon You with a glance orexpression.Howfar,andhowfar!OYoutheFirst,theOnly,theUnique!Youhaveexaltedinhighnesswith the glory of greatness, and risen up beyond every bottom and end with the omnipotence ofpride…’[158]

ImpossibilityofEmbodiment

ItisimpossiblefortheNecessaryBeingtobedescribedwithfeaturesofembodimentbecausethis

isanaspectofpossiblebeings,whichneed,fortheirexistenceacause,andfortheirnon-existenceacause, because they are created things. Inmany traditions Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) confuted thosewhobelievedinembodiment.Herearesomeofthesetraditions:1.As-SaqrbinAbuDalfsaid,‘IaskedAbulHasanAlibinMuhammadaboutmonotheismandsaid

tohimthatIbelievedinthatwhichHishambinal-Hakambelieved.Hebelievedinembodimentbeforehis guidance. The Imam (a.s.) became angry and said, ‘What do you have to do with the saying(belief)ofHisham?He,whoclaimsthatAllahhasabody,isnotfromusandwearefreefromhiminthisworldandintheafterworld.OibnAbuDalf,body(substance)iscreatedanditisAllahWhohascreatedandembodiedit.’[159]2.Hamza binMuhammad said, ‘Iwrote toAbulHasan (a.s.) asking him about the body and the

shape(ofAllah)andhewrotetome,‘GlorybetoHim,Whomnothingislikeneitherinbodynorinshape.’[160]3.IbrahimbinMuhammadal-Hamadaninarrated,‘Iwrotetotheman(hemeantAbulHasan)saying

tohim,‘Withustherearesomeofyourfollowerswhohavedisagreedonmonotheism.Someofthemsay(Allahis)“abody”andsomesay“shape”.’Hewrotesaying,‘GlorybetoHimWhocannotbelimited,andcannotbedescribed.NothingislikeHimandHeistheHearing,theKnowing.’[161]It is impossible to describe Allah the Almighty with the limits of the created things and it is

impossibletodescribeHimwithmultiplicityofaspectsbecauseHisattributesareHisveryessenceastheologianshaveproved.

ImpossibilityofDescribingAllah

Imam Abul Hasan al-Hadi (a.s.), in his talk with al-Fatah bin Yazeed al-Jirjani, declared the

impossibilityofdescribingtheWiseCreatorwithanyattributethatmightcoverhisessenceandtruth.Hesaid,‘TheCreatorisnotdescribedexceptwiththatwhichHeHimselfhaddescribedHimselfwith.HowcantheCreator,Whomsensesfailtoconceive,mindstoarriveat,imaginationstocontain,andsightstosurround,bedescribed?ExaltedisHeabovewhatdescriberssay,andglorifiedisHeabovewhatdepictersdescribe.Heis

far inHisnearness,andnear inHis farness.Hehasadapted the“how” that it isnot said (forHim)how,andhasadaptedthe“where”thatitisnotsaid(forHim)where.Heisoutofhowandwhere.HeisOnly,One,Eternal,Absolute. Hebegettethnot,norwasbegotten,and there isnonecomparableunto Him. Glory be to Him. Or how is Muhammad (blessings be on him and on his progeny)describedinhisessencewhereAllahtheSublimecomparedhimwithHisownname,participatedhiminHisgift,andpromisedwhoeverobeyedhimtoberewardedforhisobediencewhenHesaid,(andtheydidnotfindfaultexceptbecauseAllahandHisMessengerenrichedthemoutofHisgrace)?[162]ItrelatesthesayingofthosewhogiveupHisobedienceandHetorturesthembetweenthecoversof

Hellfireanditsgarmentsoftar,(OwouldthatwehadobeyedAllahandobeyedtheMessenger).[163]Or howare those (theAhlulBayt),whomAllah theSublime compared their obediencewith the

obedienceofHismessenger,describedintheiressencewhenHesaid,(Oyouwhobelieve!obeyAllahandobeytheMessengerandthoseinauthorityfromamongyou),[164]and(andiftheyhadreferredittotheMessengerandtothoseinauthorityamongthem),[165]and,(SurelyAllahcommandsyoutomakeovertruststotheirowners),[166]and,(soask thefollowersof thereminder ifyoudonotknow)?[167]OFatah,asAllah,glorybetoHim,themessenger,theguardian(ImamAli),andthesonsofFatima

(the infallibleImams)cannotbedescribed,neithercanabelieverwhobelievesandsubmits toourmatterbe.’[168]ThetraditionshowstheimpossibilityofdescribingAllahinawaythatexpressesHisveryessence

andtruth.ItisthesamefortheProphet(S)andtheinfallibleImamsandevenabelieverwholoyallysubmits and believes in the Ahlul Bayt (s), for descriptions fail to surround a believer ’s nobletendenciesandvirtuousqualities.

Monotheism

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasaskedaboutthetruthofmonotheismandhesaid,‘AllahtheAlmightywas

still alone nothingwith Him, and thenHe created things skillfully, and chose names for Himself.NamesandwordsarestillwithHimsinceeternity.Allahwasandisstillexistent.ThenHeformedwhatHewilledandnothingcanrepelHiswillor

delayHisdetermination…’[169]

RefutingofCompulsionandFreeWill

PerhapsoneofthemostwonderfulintellectualandscientifictraditionstransmittedfromImamal-

Hadi(a.s.)wasthisletterthathesenttothepeopleofAhwaz(inIran)inwhichherefutedtheconceptof“compulsion”thattheAsh’aritesadoptedandspreadwhentheysaidthatmanwascompelledintohisactionsandhehadnowilloroption.Healsorefutedtheconceptof“freewill”thattheMu’tazilitesbelievedinsayingthatAllahhadauthorizedpeopleintheiractionsduetotheirwillandtherewerenowill or power over them. After refuting these two concepts, Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) proved withirrefutable,scientificproofstheconceptof“thematterbetweenthetwomatters;amoderateconceptbetweencompulsionandfreewill”,whichwastheconceptadoptedbytheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s)andbytheirfollowers.Thisletterwasoneofthebestdiscussionsinthisconcern.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wroteinthisletter:‘FromAlibinMuhammad,peace,mercy,andblessingsofAllahbeuponyouanduponwhoever

follows the guidance. Your letter came to me and I understood what you mentioned of yourdisagreement inyour religion,yourplunging in thematterof “fate”, thebeliefof someofyou in“compulsion”, and others in “freewill”, and the disagreement, separation, and enmity among youbecauseofthat.Thenyouaskedmeaboutthatandtoexplainityou.Iunderstoodallthat…Know,mayAllahhavemercyonyou,thatwelookedupintheabundanttraditionsandnewsandwe

found, forallMuslimswhounderstand fromAllah, them(traditions)not free from twomeanings;either truth that is to be followed or falsehood that is to be avoided. The nation has agreedunanimouslywithnodisagreementbetweenthemthattheQur'anisthetruththathasnodoubtinitforMuslimsofallsects.TheiragreementistheproofoftheBookandthattheyarerightandguidedduetothesayingofthe

messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and on his progeny), “My nation does not agree ondeviation.” He told that what the entire nation agreed on is truth when no group disagrees withanother.TheQur'anis thetruththat thereisnodifferencebetweenthem(Muslims) in itsrevelationandtruthfulness.SowhentheQur'anwitnessesthetruthfulnessofsomenewsbutagroupofthenationdeniesit,theyshouldacknowledgeitasanecessity,forbasicallythenationhasagreedunanimouslyon the truthfulness of the Qur'an, and if they deny, this requires them to be out of the (Muslim)nation…’Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) says in this passage thatMuslimsmust refer to theQur'an,which falsehood

shall not approach frombefore it nor frombehind it, in thematters they disagree on and see thatwhichagreeswiththeQur'anisthetruthandthatwhichcontradictsitisfalsehood.WhoeverbelievesthisfalsehoodwillbeoutofIslam.Headded,‘Thefirstnewsthatisproved,witnessed,andconfirmedbytheBookisthesayingofthe

messenger of Allah (SwT), ‘I leave to you the two weighty things; the Book of Allah and myhousehold.You shallnotgoastrayas longasyoukeep to them.They shallnot separateuntil theyshallcometomeatthepond(inParadise).’WefoundtheevidencesofthistraditionintheBookofAllahwhereAllahsaid,

(OnlyAllahisyourValiandHisMessengerandthosewhobelieve,thosewhokeepupprayersandpay the poor-rate while they bow. And whoever takes Allah and His messenger and those whobelieveforaguardian,thensurelythepartyofAllaharetheythatshallbetriumphant).[170]AllMuslim sects narrated traditions thatAmir ’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.) had given his ring as charity

whilehewasbowinginprayerandAllahpraisedhimforthatandrevealedthisverse.Wefoundthemessenger of Allah (SwT) saying, ‘Whoever I was his guardian, Ali is to be his guardian’ and(addressingImamAli),‘YouaretomeaswasAarontoMosesbuttherewillbenoprophetafterme’and,‘Alirepaysmydebts,carriesoutmypromises,andheismycaliphoveryouafterme’…ThetraditionindicatedclearlythecaliphateofImamAli(a.s.)aftertheProphet(S)andthatthere

was no one worthier of the Prophet (S) than Imam Ali (a.s.), the pioneer of intellectual andcivilizationaldevelopmentintheearth.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)added,‘Thefirsttradition,fromwhichthesetraditionswerederived,isatrue

traditionthatallMuslimshaveagreedonwithnodisagreementamongthem.ItalsoconformstotheBook.WhentheBookwitnessesthetruthfulnessofthesetraditionsbesidesotherevidences,thenthenationhas toacknowledge themasanecessity, for theirevidencesareclear in theQur'anand theyconformtotheQur'anandtheQur'anconformstothem.Moreover,thetruthofthesetraditionsweretransmittedfromthemessengerofAllah(SwT)throughthetruthful(infallibleImams)andnarratedbyknown,reliablepeople.Therefore,followingthesetraditionsisobligatoryoneverybelievingmanandbelievingwoman,

andnoonedeviatesexcepttheobstinate.ThatisbecausethesayingsofthemessengerofAllah(SwT)andhisprogenyareconnectedwiththesayingsofAllah,asinthisverse,(Surely(asfor)thosewhospeakevilthingsofAllahandHisMessenger,Allahhascursedthem

in thisworldand thehereafter,andHehaspreparedfor themachastisementbringingdisgrace).[171]WefoundthelikeofthisverseinthissayingofthemessengerofAllah(SwT),‘He,whoharmsAli,

harmsme,andwhoharmsmeharmsAllah,andwhoeverharmsAllahisabouttoberevengedon(byAllah)’[172]andhissaying,‘He,wholovesAli,lovesme,andwholovesme,lovesAllah’[173],and,‘…in bani Wulay’ah…I will send to them a man who is like myself. He loves Allah and HismessengerandAllahandHismessengerlovehim.OAli,getreadytomarchtothem!’,andhissayingonthedayofKhaybar,‘Tomorrow,IwillsendtothemamanwholovesAllahandHismessenger,andAllahandHismessengerlovehim.Heisbraveandnotarunaway.HeshallnotcomebackuntilheshallconquerbythewillofAllah.’[174]ThemessengerofAllah (SwT)confirmed theconquerbefore themarching.Thecompanionsof

themessengerofAllahlookedforwardtothat,butonthenextday,themessengerofAllah(SwT)sentforAliandsenthimattheheadofthearmy.Hesingledhimoutwiththisvirtueandcalledhim“braveandnotarunaway”.Allahcalledhim“aloverofAllahandHismessenger”andinformedthatAllahandHismessengerlovedhim.Wejustintroducedthisexplanationasevidenceandconfirmationtowhatwewanttosayaboutthe

matterof“compulsionandfreewill”and“thematterbetweenthetwomatters”.WeaskAllahforhelp

andassistanceandonHimwerelyinallouraffairs.WebeginwiththesayingofImamas-Sadiq(a.s.),‘Itisneithercompulsionnorfreewillbutitisapositionbetweenthetwopositions.Itisthesoundnessofcreation,freedom,enoughtime,equipment,andthecausethatprovokesadoertowardshisdoing.’ThesearefivethingswithwhichImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)groupedtheitemsofvirtue.Ifsomeonelacksone of these items, obligations are not required from him. Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) informed of thenecessarythingthatpeoplemustknowandtheBookconfirmedit.TheclearversesoftheQur'anandthemessengerofAllahprovedit.ThemessengerofAllahandhisprogenydonotexceedbytheirsayingsthelimitsoftheQur'an.If

traditionsconformtotheQur'anandagreewithitsproofs,followingthemisobligatoryandnooneviolatesthemexceptthepeopleofintransigence.Whenweponderedonthesayingofas-Sadiqabout“thepositionbetweenthetwopositions”andhisdenyingof“compulsionandfreewill”,wefoundtheBookprovingandconfirminghissaying,besides that therewasanothersayingbyhimconfirmingthefirstone.Once,as-Sadiqwasasked,‘HasAllahforcedHispeopletocommitsins?’Hesaid,‘He(Allah)ismorejustthanthis.’Itwassaidtohim,‘HasHe,then,completelyauthorizedthemtodothat(commitsins)?’Hesaid,‘Allahismightierandmoreomnipotentoverthemthanthis.’It was narrated that he said, ‘People, in fate, are of three kinds; one claims that people are

authorizedtodoastheylikeandthushedeemsAllahweakinHisauthority,andthisonewillperish.TheotheroneclaimsthatAllahforcespeopleintosinsandchargesthemwithwhattheyareunabletodo, and thisonemistakesAllahandhewill perish.Andoneclaims thatAllahchargespeoplewithwhattheyareabletodoanddoesnotchargethemwithwhattheyareunabletodo,sowhenthisonedoesgood,hethanksAllahandwhenhedoeswrong,heasksAllahtoforgivehimandthisisatrueMuslim.’As-Sadiq(a.s.)toldthathe,whobelievedin“compulsion”or“freewill”,opposedthetruth.Ihavealreadyexplained“compulsion”and“freewill”andthatwhoeverbelievedinthemiswrong,andthereforethetruthis“thepositionbetweenthetwopositions”…’Igiveexampleoneachtopictoexplainthemeaningforrequestersandmakeresearcheasier.These

examples are confirmedby theQur ’anicverses andproved truebymenofunderstanding.WeaskAllahforsuccessandperfection.‘Asfor“compulsion”,itisthebeliefofthosewhoclaimthatAllahforcespeopleintocommitting

sinsanddisobediencesandthenHepunishesthemforthat.WhoeverbelievesinthisconceptwrongsAllah, falsifies Him and denies His saying,(and your Lord does not deal unjustly with anyone)[175]and,(Thisisduetowhatyourtwohandshavesentbefore,andAllahisnotintheleastunjustto the servants)[176]and, (Surely Allah does not do any injustice tomen, butmen are unjust tothemselves)[177] besides many other verses regarding this. He, who claims he is forced intodisobedience,ascribeshissinstoAllahandconsidersAllahasunjustinpunishinghim.Whoever considersAllah as unjust deniesHisBook, andwhoever deniesHisBookmust be an

unbelieverduetotheconsensusofthenation.Theexampleofthisisliketheexampleofamanhavingaslave,whoneitherpossesseshimselfnordoeshehaveanypropertyatall.Thelordknowsthisabouthisslave;nevertheless,heorders theslave togo to themarket tobringhimsomethingbutwithoutgivinghimthepriceofthatthing.Thelordknowswellthatthatsomethinghasanownerthatnoonecantakethatthingfromhimexceptafterpayingtheprice.Thelordoftheslaveconsidershimselfasjust,fair,wise,andfreefromanykindofinjustice.

Hethreatenshisslavewithpunishmentifhedoesnotbringhimthatthing,thoughheknowswellthatnoonecantakethatthingexceptafterpayingitspriceandtheslavedoesnothavetheprice.Whentheslavecomesbacktohislordunsuccessfully,hislordbecomesangryathimandpunisheshim.Ifthe lord is just and fair in his judgment, he should not punish his slave; otherwise, he shall beconsideredasunjustandoppressive,andifhedoesnotpunishhisslave,heshallcontradicthimselfand be a liar for he has threatened his slavewith punishment. So lying and oppression contradictjusticeandwisdom.HighExaltedisHeabovewhattheysay!‘Whoeverbelievesin“compulsion”orinwhatleadsto“compulsion”considersAllahasunjustand

oppressive ifHepunishes thosewhomHe forces into committing sins.Whoever claims thatAllahforcesHispeopleintotheirdoingsmustsaythatAllahshouldnotpunishthem,andwhoeverclaimsthatAllahdoesnotpunishsinnersdeniesAllahwhenHesays,(Yea,whoeverearnsevilandhissinsbesethimoneveryside,thesearetheinmatesofthefire;in

it they shall abide)[178] and, ((As for) those who swallow the property of the orphans unjustly,surelytheyonlyswallowfireintotheirbelliesandtheyshallenterburningfire)[179]and,((Asfor)thosewhodisbelieveinOurcommunications,Weshallmakethementerfire;sooft

astheirskinsarethoroughlyburned,Wewillchangethemforotherskins,thattheymaytastethechastisement;surelyAllahisMighty,Wise)[180]andmanyother sayings indifferentverses.Thus,whoeverdenies the threatofAllahmustbean

unbelieverandbeoneofthoseaboutwhomAllahhassaid,(DoyouthenbelieveinapartoftheBookanddisbelieveintheother?Whatthenistherewardofsuchamongyouwhodothisbutdisgraceinthe lifeof thisworld,andon thedayofresurrection theyshallbesentback to themostgrievouschastisement,andAllahisnotatallheedlessofwhatyoudo).[181]WesaythatAllahtheAlmightyrewardspeoplefortheirdoingsandpunishesthemfortheirdoings

thattheydowiththeirwillandabilityHehasgiventothem.Hehasenjoinedthemtodosomethingsandforbiddenthemfromdoingsomeotherthings.HesaysinHisBook,(Whoeverbringsagooddeed,heshallhavetenlikeit,andwhoeverbringsanevildeed,heshall

berecompensedonlywiththelikeofit,andtheyshallnotbedealtwithunjustly)[182]and,(Onthedaythateverysoulshallfindpresentwhatithasdoneofgoodandwhatithasdoneofevil,itshallwishthatbetweenitandthat(evil)therewerealongdurationoftime;andAllahmakesyoutobecautiousof(retributionfrom)Himself;andAllahisCompassionatetotheservants)[183]and,(Thisdayeverysoulshallberewardedforwhatithasearned;noinjustice(shallbedone)thisday).[184]These clear verses refute “compulsion” and denywhoever believes in it. There aremany other

verses like theseonesbutwedonotmention them inorder not to expatiate.Wepray toAllah forsuccess.‘Asfor theconceptof“freewill”,whichImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)refuted, it is theconceptofsaying

thatAllahtheAlmightyhasauthorizedHispeopletochooseHisenjoinmentsandprohibitionsandHeneglectedthem.TheinfallibleImamsoftheProphet’sprogenysaythatifAllahhasauthorizedpeopleandneglectedthem,thenhemustbepleasedwithwhattheychooseandtheydeserverewardforthatandshouldnotbepunishedforsinstheycommitifindeedthereisnegligence.

Thisbelief(offreewill)hastwomeanings;thefirstisthatpeoplehavedefeatedAllahandforcedHim,willinglyorunwillingly,toaccepttheirchoices;andthisshowsthatHeisweak,orHehasfailedtomakethemworshipHimthroughtheenjoinmentsandprohibitionsaccordingtoHiswill,whethertheywantedornot, and therefore,Heauthorized them to chooseHis enjoinments andprohibitionsaccordingtotheirwillswhenHefailedtomakethemworshipaccordingtoHiswill,andsoHegavethemtheoptioninchoosingfaithorunfaith.It is like amanwho buys a slave to serve him, acknowledge his favor, submit to his lordship,

followhisorders,andrefrainfromhisprohibitions.Thelordof theslaveclaimsheismightyandwise.Thelordordershisslavetodothingsandforbidshimfromdoingotherthings.Hepromisestheslave of great rewards if he follows his orders and threatens him with severe punishments if hedisobeys.Theslavecontradictsthewillofhislordanddoesnotsubmittohisordersandprohibitions.Whatever the lord orders or forbids the slave to do or not to do, the slave does not obey but

follows his own will and tendency and not his lord’s. The lord is not able to make the slave actaccording tohiswill, and sohe lets him free to choosebyhis ownwill and tendency and acceptswhateverhedoes.Oneday, thelordsendstheslavetodosomethingforhim.Theslavecarriesoutthatthingaccordingtohistendencyandnottohislord’s.Whenhecomesback,thelordfindsthattheslavehasdoneunlikewhathe(thelord)wants.Hesays

tohim,‘WhydidyoudounlikewhatIhaveaskedyoutodo?’Theslavesays,‘IdependedonyourauthorizationtomeanddidasIliked.’Anauthorizedoneisfreeinhisdoing;therefore,“freewill”isimpossibleforpeopletowardstheirLord…’Freewill is thebelief thatAllahhas leftHispeople free todoas they likeand thatAllahhasno

relation in people’s doings. The Imam (a.s.) refuted this belief with clear proofs and said it wasimpossible.Headded,‘Itis,duetothat,thatthelordoftheslaveiseitherabletomaketheslavefollowhisordersandrefrainfromhisprohibitionsaccordingtohiswillandnottotheslave’swill,andtogivehimabilityasmuchasthatwhichheordershimtodoandforbidshimfrom.Ifheordershimtodosomethingandforbidsfromdoinganother thing,heshould tellhimtherewardandpunishmentforeach.Heshouldwarnhimagainsthispunishmentandencouragehimtowardshisrewardsothattheslave

willknowthepowerofhislordthroughthepowerthelordhasgiventotheslavehimselfthatmakeshimable to followhisorders, refrainfromhisprohibitions,approvehisencouragement,andkeepoff hiswarning. Thus, the lordwill be just and fair to the slave and his excuse in pardoning andwarningwillbeclear.Then,iftheslavefollowshislord’sorders,heshallberewardedbyhim,andifhedoesnotrefrainfromhisprohibitions,heshallbepunished.Thesecondmeaningisthatthelordisunabletopunishtheslaveandmakehimfollowhisordersandsoheletstheslavefreetodogoodorbad,toobeyordisobey.Thisinabilitydisprovesmightanddeityandmakes“enjoiningoftherightandforbiddingfromthewrong”vain.ItcontradictstheHolyBookwhereAllahsays,(andHedoesnotlikeungratefulnessinHisservants;andifyouaregrateful,Helikesitinyou)

[185] and, (be careful of (your duty to)Allahwith the carewhich is due toHim, anddonot dieunlessyouareMuslims)[186]and,(And I have not created the jinn and the men except that they should serve Me. I seek no

livelihoodfromthem,nordoIaskthattheyshouldfeedMe)[187]and,(AndserveAllahanddonotassociateanythingwithHim)[188]and,(ObeyAllahandHisMessengeranddonotturnbackfromHimwhileyouhear).[189]He,whoclaimsthatAllahhasentrustedHisordersandprohibitionstoHispeople,describesAllah

asunableandconsequentlyHemustacceptall thatwhichHispeopledowhethergoodorbad.Thisone also denies the orders, prohibitions,warnings and threatening ofAllah.Whenone claims thatAllahhasentrustedallthattoman,itmeansthatmanisfreetobelieveordisbelieveandheshallnotbe blamed for his decision. He, who believes in “free will” in this meaning, denies the orders,prohibitions,warning,andthreateningofAllahandheisoneofthosewhoareincludedinthisverse,(DoyouthenbelieveinapartoftheBookanddisbelieveintheother?Whatthenistherewardof

suchamongyouasdothisbutdisgraceinthelifeofthisworld,andonthedayofresurrectiontheyshallbesentbackto themostgrievouschastisement,andAllahisnotatallheedlessofwhatyoudo).[190]Allahistoofarabovethatwhichthepeopleof“freewill”believein…’Afterrefutingtheconceptsof“compulsion”and“freewill”,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)provedtheconcept

of“thematterbetweenthetwomatters”whichwasthetheoryoftheinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s).Hesaid,‘Butwesay:AllahtheAlmightycreatedpeoplebyHispowerandgavethemtheabilityofobeyingHim.Heordered them todowhatHewanted and forbade them fromwhatHewanted.HeacceptedfromthemtheirobediencetoHisordersandHewaspleasedbyit,andHeprohibitedthemfromdisobeyingHim,dispraisedthedisobeyers,andpunishedthemforthat.AllahhasthechoiceofenjoiningHispeopleondoingsomethingsthatHeispleasedwithandforbiddingthemfromotherthingsthatHehates.HepunishesfordisobediencesduetotheabilityhehasgiventoHispeoplebywhich they can obeyHim and avoidHis prohibitions becauseHe is just, fair, wise, and has clearexcuses.He chooses from among His people as He wills to inform of His mission and authority over

people. He chose Muhammad (a.s.) and sent him with His mission to His creation, but someunbelieversfrom(Muhammad’s)peoplesaidoutofenvyandhaughtiness,(WhywasnotthisQu’ranrevealedtoamanofimportanceinthetwotowns).[191]TheywereUmayyahbinAbussaltandAbuMas’oud ath-Thaqafi. But Allah refuted their sayings and thoughts when revealing,(Will theydistribute themercy of your Lord?We distribute among them their livelihood in the life of thisworld, andWe have exalted some of them above others in degrees, that some of themmay takeothersinsubjection;andthemercyofyourLordisbetterthanwhattheyamass).[192]‘Therefore,HeenjoinedonwhatHeliked,andforbadefromwhatHedisliked.Hewouldreward

whoeverobeyedHimandwouldpunishwhoeverdisobeyedHim.IfAllahentrustedHisaffairstoHispeople,HewouldpermitQuraysh[193]tochooseUmayyahbinAbussaltorAbuMas’oudath-ThaqafifortheywerepreferredbyQurayshtoMuhammad(a.s.).When Allah disciplined the believers by saying, (And it behooves not a believing man and a

believingwomanthattheyshouldhaveanychoiceintheirmatterwhenAllahandHisMessengerhavedecidedamatter),[194]Hedidnotallowthemtochooseaccordingtotheirdesires,andHedidnotacceptfromthemexcepttofollowHisordersandavoidHisprohibitionsthathadbeeninformedby those, whom He had chosen (as prophets). He, who obeyed Him, was guided, and he, whodisobeyedHim,deviatedandwentastrayandwouldnotbeexcusedbecausehehadtheabilitytoobey

Allah’sordersandavoidHisprohibitions; therefore,AllahpreventedadisobeyerfromHisrewardandHewouldpunishhiminstead…’Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)proved in thepreviousparagraphs the theoryof“thematterbetween the two

matters”thattheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s)believedin.Thisconceptwasestablishedonafirmbasisofunderstanding, intellect, and logic.GrandAyatollahal-Khoei, inhis studiesonUsul,proved thematter.Hesaid,‘Thematterisnotamatterofworship,butthemediumway,bywhichtheproblemof“compulsionandfreewill”canbesolved,islimitedtoit.Deedsofpeopledependontwosides;thefirstistheirlives,abilities,knowledge,andthelike,andthesecondistheirwillsanddoings.Thefirstside is from Allah and connected to His Eternal Being and is submissive to Him. It is the veryconnectionandsubmissionitselfandnotsomethingwiththisconnectionandsubmission.Inthislight,ifAllahtheAlmightystopsthatforamoment,surelylifewillstop…Thesecondsideisfrompeople.Supposingtheexistenceofthefirstside,it isconnectedwiththe

secondoneinitsessenceandbranchedwithitnaturally.Hence,nodeedcomesfrommanexceptbythecorrelationofthesetwosides.But,ifonesideprevails,nodeedisachieved.Onthisbase,itistruetoascribedeedstoAllahandtoman.Toexplainthispoint,wegiveexamplestoshowthedifferenceoftheconceptsof“compulsion”and“freewill”fromthetheoryoftheTwelverShia.Adeedofmancomesinthreekinds:First,thedeedthatcomeswithoutman’swillandchoice;aswhenwesupposethatthereissomeone

withatremblinghandwhoisunabletocontrolhishand.Ifhismastertiesaswordinhistremblinghand,supposingthatthereissomeonelyingbesidehim,thoughthismanknowsthatwhentheswordslipsfromhishandandfallsonthatsleepingperson,itwillkillhim,naturallythisdeedisnotfromhiswillandchoice.Reasonablepeopleseethatheisnotresponsibleforthisdeedandheisnottobeblamedforit.Theone,whoisresponsibleandtobeblamedforthat,istheonewhotiestheswordtothatman’shand.Thisisthethemeofthetheoryof“compulsion”.Second,thedeedsthatcomefrommanbyhiswill,choice,andindependencywithnoneedtoresort

toanyotherthanhim;itislikewhenwesupposethatamastergivesaswordtoafreepersonwhoisfree to dowhat hewants and able tomove his hand freely. In this case, if this person commits amurderintheoutside,hehimselfwillberesponsibleforthatmurderandnotthegiverofthesword,though the giver of the sword knows that giving the sword to that person leads to amurder, andbesides that, he can take the sword from that personwhenever hewants; nevertheless, themurdercannotbeimputedtothegiveroftheswordbuttothatpersonwhowasfreeinmovinghishandwithnoexternalinfluence.Thisisthethemeofthetheoryof“freewill”.Third, thedeeds thatcomefrommanbyhischoiceandpower, thoughhe isnot independentby

himselfbutinneedofotherthanhim,sothatiftheaidofthatotheronestopsatanytime,hisdeedswillstopdefinitely;asanexamplewesupposethatthemasterhasaparalyzedslavethatisunabletomove.Themasterconnectsanelectriccurrenttotheslave’sbodytoarousepowerinhismusclesandmake him able tomove and act. Themaster holds the control of the electric current,which givespowertotheslave’sbodyatalltime,withhishandthatifhecutsthecurrentforamoment,thepowerwillbecutfromtheslave’sbodyandhebecomesunabletomove.Onthisbase,ifthemasterconnectsthatpowertotheslave’sbodyandtheslavegoesbyhiswilland

killssomeonewherethemasterknowswhattheslavedoes,inthiscasethisdeedisimputedtobothof

them;totheslavebecauseheisabletoornottodothatdeedashewillsafterpowerisconnectedtohisbody,andtothemasterbecausehegivespowertotheslaveevenat thetimeofcommittingthatmurderthoughheisabletocutthatpowerfromtheslaveatanytimehewants.Thisisthethemeandfactofthetheoryof“thematterbetweenthetwomatters”…’[195]WecomebackagaintothetraditionofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Hesays,‘Thematterbetweenthetwo

mattersisneither“compulsion”nor“freewill”.ItisthiswhatAmir ’ul-Mu’minin(a.s.)toldAbayahbinRub’iyal-Asadiaboutwhenheaskedhimabouttheabilitybywhichmancouldstandup,sitdown,andact.Amir ’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.) said toAbayah, ‘Youaskedaboutability.Doyouhave itwithoutAllahorwithAllah?’Abayahkeptsilentanddidnotknowwhattosay.ImamAli(a.s.)said,‘IfyousaythatyouhaveitwithAllah,Iwillkillyou,andifyousaythatyouhaveitwithoutAllah,Iwillkillyou.’Abayahsaid,‘ThenwhatshallIsay,OAmir ’ul-Mu’minin?’ImamAli(a.s.)said,‘YousaythatyouhaveitbyAllahWhohasitwithoutyou.IfHemakesyou

possess it, it is fromhis favor, and ifHedeprivesyouof it, it is fromHis trial foryou.He is thePossessorofwhatHemakesyoupossess,andHeisthePowerfuloverwhatHegivesyoupowerin.Doyounothearpeopleasking(Allah)forabilityandpowerwhen theysay: there isnoabilityandpowersaveinAllah(lahawlawelaquwwataillabillah)?’Abayahsaid,‘OAmir ’ul-Mu’minin,whatdoesitmean?’ImamAli(a.s.)said,‘ThereisnoabilitytokeepawayfromdisobediencessavebythepreservationofAllah,andwehavenopowertoobeyAllahsavebytheassistanceofAllah.’AbayahjumpedandkissedImamAli’shandsandfeet.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)added,‘ItisnarratedfromAmir ’ul-Mu’minin(a.s.)thatonedayNajdacameto

himaskingabouthowtoknowAllah.Heasked,‘OAmir ’ul-Mu’minin,withwhatyouhaveknownyourLord?’ImamAli(a.s.)said,‘Withthethinkingthathasempoweredmeandthemindthathasledme.’Najdasaid, ‘Areyoumoldedinto that?(i.e., Is this thinkingforceduponyou)’ImamAli(a.s.)said,‘IfIammoldedintothat,Ishallnotbepraisedforgooddeedsandblamedforbaddeeds,andsoagooddoershalldeserveblamemorethanawrongdoer.IknowthatAllahisEternal,EverlastingandanythingotherthanHimistransientandmortal.TheEternal,EverlastingOneisnotlikeatransientcreature.’ Najda said, ‘I see you have becomewise.’ Amir ’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.) said, ‘I am free tochoose.IfIcommitabaddeedinsteadofgooddeed,Ishallbepunishedforit.’It is also related thatAmir ’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.) said to amanwho asked him after coming back

fromSham,‘OAmir ’ul-Mu’minin,tellusaboutourmarchingtoSham!IsitbythefateofAllah?’Amir ’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.) said, ‘Osheikh (oldman),yes.YoudonotascendupahillordescendavalleyunlessitisbythewillandfateofAllah.’Theoldmansaid,‘IexpecttherewardofmyeffortsfromAllahOAmir ’ul-Mu’minin.’Imam Ali (a.s.) explained fate by saying, ‘O sheikh, wait! Allah has rewarded you for your

marchingasyoumarch,foryourrestingasyourest,andforyourgoingbackasyougoback.Youmaythinkitisinevitablefateandinescapabledoom.Ifitisso,thenrewardandpunishment,enjoiningandforbidding,scolding,warningandthreateningwillbevoid,andabaddoershallnotbeblamedandagooddoershallnotberewarded.Agooddoershallbeworthierofbeingblamedthanaguiltyone,andaguiltyoneshallbeworthier

ofrewardthanagooddoer.Thisopinionisofidolaters,enemiesofAllah,fatalists,andthemagi.Osheikh,AllahtheAlmightyhaschargedHispeoplebutgiventhemtheoptiontodoornottodo,and

forbiddenthemaswarning.Hegivesmuchforalittle.HeisnotdisobeyedoutofdefeatandHeisnotobeyedbyforce.Hehasnotcreatedtheheavens,theearth,andwhatisbetweentheminvain.Thatistheopinionof thosewhodisbelieve, andwoeunto thosewhodisbelieve from theFire…’Theoldmangotup,kissedImamAli’shead,andrecitedsomeversesofpoetrypraisinghim.‘Amir ’ul-Mu’mininprovedwhatcompliedwiththeBookandhedenied“compulsion”and“free

will” and showed thatwhoeverbelieved in themdenied theBookofAllahandwasunbeliever.Weseek theprotectionofAllah fromdeviationanddisbelief.Webelieveneither incompulsionnor infreewill,butwebelievein“thematterbetweenthetwomatters”thatisthetrialoftheabilitywhichAllahhasgiventousinordertoworshipHimwithitastheBookwitnessedandthepureImamsoftheProphet’sprogeny(peacebeuponthem)believedin…’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) gave an example by saying, ‘The example of the trial of ability is like the

exampleofamanwhopossessesaslaveandhehasalotofmoney.Hewantstotryhisslavethoughhe knows what his slave shall do. He gives the slave some of his money and agrees on certainconditionswithhim.Heordershimtospendthemoneyonsomethingsandforbidshimfromotherthings that he (themaster) does not like.He orders him to avoid them and not to spend from hismoneyonthosethings,thoughmoneyisspentinbothsides.Theslavespendssomemoneyinobeyingthemasterandseekinghispleasure,andsomeintheway

hehasforbidden.Themasterhousestheslaveinatemporaryhouseandinformshimthatheshallnotliveinthishouseforeverbutheshallliveinanotherhouse,whichthemasterwilltakehimto,wherethereshallbeeternalrewardandeternalpunishment.Iftheslavespendsthemoneyinthewaythatthemaster has ordered him to do, he shall be rewarded with the eternal reward as his master haspromisedtorewardhimintheotherhousethathewilltakehimto,andifhespendsthemoneyintheway that his master has forbidden him from, he shall be punished with eternal punishment in theeternalhouse.Themasterdeterminesalimitforthat.Itistheabidinginthefirsthouse.Whenthelimitisreached,themasterchangestheslaveandthemoney,thoughheisstilltheowner

of the slave andmoney in all timesbut hehaspromised that he shall not deprive the slaveof thatmoneyas longashe lives in thathouseuntil he completeshis abiding in it.Themaster fulfils thedesiresoftheslavebecausejustice,loyalty,fairness,andwisdomarefromthequalitiesofthemaster.Iftheslavespendsthatmoneyinthewayheisorderedto,themastershallcarryouthispromisetohimbyrewardinghimwitheternalbliss inaneverlastinghouse,andifhespendsthemoneyin theway he is forbidden from and contradicts the orders of hismaster, he shall be punishedwith theeternalpunishmentthatthemasterhaswarnedhimof.Doingso,themasterisnotunjusttotheslavebecausehehaspre-informedhimthathewillcarry

out his promise and threat to him. It is for this reason that themaster is described asmighty andomnipotent.ThemasterisAllahtheAlmighty,theslaveisman,moneyisthevastpowerofAllah,thetrialistheshowingofwisdomandmight,thetemporary(transient)houseistheworldlylife,thesumofmoney that themaster has given to the slave is the ability thatman has, and thewayAllah hasorderedthemoneytobespentinistheabilityoffollowingtheprophetsandacknowledgingwhattheyhavebroughtfromAllahtheAlmighty.ThewaysAllahhasforbiddenarethewaysofIblis,thepromiseoftheeternalblissistheParadise,

the transienthouse is this life,and theotherhouse is theeverlastinghouse that is theafterlife.The

moderateconceptbetween“compulsion”and“freewill”isthetrialandtestoftheabilitythattheslavehasbeengiven.ItisexplainedinthefiveexampleswhichImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)hasmentionedthattheyhavehadallvirtues.IshallinterpretthemusingproofsfromtheQur'anandreason,insha’Allah.’ThisexamplepresentedbyImamal-Hadi(a.s.)isclearthatmanhasfullcontroloverhiswilland

choice.WhenmanobeysAllah,heobeysHimoutofhissatisfactionandchoiceandheisnotforcedinto it, andwhenhedisobeyshisLord,hedoes sobyhiswill andchoice too.On thebasisof thischoice, the concept of “thematter between the twomatters” is based,which is the concept that hasbeenadoptedbytheinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.).Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)added, ‘As for thesayingofas-Sadiq (a.s.), itmeans theperfectionofman’s

morals, theperfectionof senses, constancyofmind, discernment, and eloquence.Allah says, (AndsurelyWehavehonoredthechildrenofAdam,andWecarrytheminthelandandthesea,andWehavegiventhemofthegoodthings,andWehavemadethemtoexcelbyanappropriateexcellenceovermostofthosewhomWehavecreated).[196]Allah informs that He has preferred man to all His creatures of animals, beasts, sea creatures,

birds, and all living creatures by virtue of reason and speaking.Allah says,(CertainlyWe createdmaninthebestmake),[197]and,(Oman!whathasbeguiledyoufromyourLord,theGraciousone,Who created you, then fashioned you, thenproportioned you, intowhatever formHepleasedHeconstitutedyou),[198]andinmanyotherverses.ThefirstblessingofAllahformanisthesoundnessofhismindandhispreferencetoallcreatures

with the perfection of his mind and the faculty of speaking. Every living creature in the earth isindependentinitssensesandcompleteinitsbeing,butmanispreferredbythefacultyofspeakingtoallothersensitivecreatures.ItisforthisfacultyofspeakingthatAllahhasmademanprevailoverallcreatures.Manisthecommanderwhileothercreaturesaresubmissivetohim.Allahsays,(thushasHemadethemsubservienttoyou,thatyoumaymagnifyAllahbecauseHehasguided

youaright)[199]and,(AndHeitisWhohasmadetheseasubservientthatyoumayeatfreshfleshfromitandbringforthfromitornamentswhichyouwear)[200]and,(AndHecreatedthecattleforyou;youhaveinthemwarmclothingand(many)advantages,andofthemdoyoueat.Andthereisbeauty in them for youwhen you drive themback (to home), andwhen you send them forth (topasture).Andtheycarryyourheavyloadstoregionswhichyoucouldnotreachbutwithdistressofthesouls).[201]For that, Allah invited man to follow His orders and obey Him by preferring him through

straighteninghisshapeandgivinghimthefacultyofspeakingandknowledgeaftergivinghimtheabilityofcarryingoutwhatHehasorderedhimtodo.Allahsays,(Therefore be careful of (your duty to) Allah as much as you can, and hear and obey)

[202] and, (Allah does not impose upon any soul a duty but to the extent of its ability),[203]and,(AllahdoesnotlayonanysoulaburdenexcepttotheextenttowhichHehasgrantedit),[204]andinmanyotherverses.IfAllahdeprivesmanofoneofhissenses,Heexemptshimfromhisdutybythatsense.Allahsays,(Noblameisthereupontheblindnoranyblameuponthelamenoranyblameuponthesick).[205]

Allah has exempted these persons from jihad and all duties that they cannot do. Rather, He hasimposedonwealthypeopletoofferthehajjandpaythezakatfortheyhavetheabilityofthat.Allahhas not imposed the hajj and zakat on poor people. He says, (and pilgrimage to the House isincumbentuponmenforthesakeofAllah,(upon)everyonewhoisabletoundertakethejourneytoit),[206]and,(Thosewhoputawaytheirwives(bysayingtheyareas theirmothers)andafterwardwouldgobackonthatwhichtheyhavesaid,(thepenalty)inthatcase(is)thefreeingofaslave…andforhimwhoisunabletodoso(thepenanceis)thefeedingofsixtyneedyones).[207]ThisprovesthatAllahhasnot imposedonHispeoplewhat isbeyondtheabilityHehasgivento

them,nor forbidden themfromwhat theyhavenoability to refrain from.This is thesoundnessofcreation.‘Andasforhissaying“clearingtheway”,itmeansthatthereisnowatchovermanthatprevents

himfromcarryingoutwhatAllahhasorderedhimtodo.It isdueto thesayingofAllahabout thedisabledwhoarenotfreetoactasAllahsays,(Exceptthefeebleamongmen,andthewomen,andthe children,who are unable to devise a plan and are not shown away).[208]He informs that adisabledoneisnotgivenawayandsoheisnottobeblamedifhisheartisfulloffaith.‘Asforthetimelimit,itistheageofmanwhereheisrequiredtoseekknowledge,fromthetimehe

comesofageuntildeath.He,whodieswhileseekingthetruthanddoesnotgetperfection,shallbetogood.Allahsays,(andwhoevergoesforthfromhishouseemigratingtoAllahandHisMessenger,andthendeathovertakeshim,hisrewardisindeedwithAllah).[209]‘EquipmentarewealthandpowerbywhichmanisbeabletofollowthecommandsofAllah.Allah

says, (There is no way (of blame) against the doers of good).[210]Do you not see that Allah hasaccepted theexcuseof thosewhohaveno furthermoney tospend,but imposedon thepeoplewhohave enough money and riding camels (or horses)[211]to go to the hajj and jihad? He has alsoaccepted the excuse of the poor and imposed to them a share from thewealth of the rich.He hassaid,((Almsare)forthepoorwhoareconfinedinthewayofAllah).[212]Allahhasexemptedthemandhasnotchargedthemwithwhattheyareunabletodo.‘As forhis saying “theprovoking cause”, it is the intention that leadsman to all his deeds.The

senseofthisintentionisintheheart(mind).Whoeverdoesathingwithoutintendingitbyhisheart(sincerely)itshallnotbeacceptedfromhim.Allahdoesnotacceptfrommananydeedexceptthosewithsincereintentions,andthereforeHehassaidabouthypocrites,(Theysaywiththeirmouthswhatisnotintheirhearts,andAllahisbestawareofwhattheyconceal).[213]ThenAllahrevealedtoHismessenger(a.s.)ablameonthebeliever,(Oyouwhobelieve!whydoyousaythatwhichyoudonotdo).[214]Ifmansayssomethingandbelievesinit,histrueintentionmakeshimprovehissayingbyacting

upon it, and ifhedoesnotbelieve inhis saying, the truthofhis sayingshallnotappear.Allahhasacceptedthetrueintentioneveniftheactiondoesnotcomplywiththeintentionbecauseofsomethingthatmaypreventthepersonfromachievingso,asAllahsays,(…excepthewhoiscompelledwhilehisheart is still contentwith faith)[215]and (Allahdoesnotpunishyou forwhat isvain inyouroaths,butHewillpunishyouforwhatyourheartshaveearned).[216]TheQur'anandthetraditionsoftheProphet(S)showthattheheartisthepossessorofallsenses

anditconfirmstheirdoings,andnothinginvalidateswhattheheartconfirms.Thisistheexplanationof the five examples mentioned by as-Sadiq (a.s.) which determine “the position between the twopositions”.Thetwopositionsare“compulsion”and“freewill”.Ifthesefiveitemsarefoundinaman,itisobligatoryonhimtodoasAllahandHismessengershaveordered,andifthatmanlacksoneoftheseitems,heisexemptedfromthedoingconcerningthatitem.‘AsfortheproofsintheHolyQur'anonthe“tryingaccordingtoability”whichmeanstheconcept

of“thematterbetweenthetwomatters”,aremany,suchasthisholyverse(AndverilyWeshalltryyoutillWeknowthoseofyouwhostrivehard(for thesakeofAllah)andthepatient,andtillWetestyourrecord),[217]and (And thosewhodenyOur revelations,Wedraw themnear (todestruction)step by step fromwhence they knownot),[218]and (Domen think that theywill be left alone onsaying,Webelieve,andnotbetried),[219]and(AndcertainlyWe triedSulaiman),[220]and in thestoryofProphetMoses(Hesaid:SosurelyWehavetriedyourpeopleafteryou,andtheSamirihasled themastray),[221]and thesayingofMoses (It isnaughtbutThy trial).[222]Theseverses arecomparedonetoanotherandtheyconfirmoneanother.Asfortheversesofafflictionwhichmean“trying”,theyarealsomanysuchas,(butthatHemight

tryyouinwhatHegaveyou),[223]and(thenHeturnedyouawayfromthemthatHemighttryyou),[224]and(WehavetriedthemasWetriedthepeopleoftheGarden),[225]and(Whocreateddeathand life thatHemay try you;whichof you is best in deeds),[226] and (AndwhenhisLord triedIbrahimwithcertainwords),[227]and (and ifAllahhadpleasedHewouldcertainlyhaveexactedwhatisduefromthem,butthatHemaytrysomeofyoubymeansofothers).[228]‘Theseversesandmanyotherslikethemprovethe“trying”.AllahtheAlmightyhasnotcreatedthe

creatures in vain, nor has He ignored them, nor has He showed His wisdom for play. He hassaid,(What!didyouthenthinkthatWehadcreatedyouinvainandthatyoushallnotbereturnedtoUs?).[229]Ifsomeonesays,‘DidAllahnotknowwhatHispeoplewoulddosothatHetriedthem?’Wesay,‘Yes,Heknowswhattheyshalldobeforetheydo.Hesays,(andiftheyweresentback,theywouldcertainlygobacktothatwhichtheywereforbidden).[230]AllahtriespeopletoshowthemHisjusticeandthatHedoesnot torturethemexceptbyacertain

excuseandaftercommittingtheirdeeds.Allahsays,(AndhadWedestroyedthemwithchastisementbeforethis,theywouldcertainlyhavesaid:OourLord,whydidstThounotsendtousamessenger,for thenwe should have followedThy communications before thatwemet disgrace and shame),[231]and(andWeneverpunishuntilwehavesentamessenger),[232]and((Wesent)messengersasthegiversofgoodnewsandaswarners,sothatpeopleshouldnothaveapleaagainstAllahafterthe(comingof)messengers).[233]SothetrialofAllahisontheabilitythatHehasgiventomanandthisistheconceptof“thematter

betweenthetwomatters”.AboutthistheQur'anspokeandthetraditionsoftheinfallibleImams(a.s.)confirmed.‘Ifsomeonesays:WhatistheargumentinthissayingofAllah(SurelyAllahmakeserrwhomHe

pleasesandguidesarightwhomHepleases),[234]andinotherverseslikeit?Itissaid:themetaphorinalltheseverseshastwomeanings;oneisthatAllahtellsaboutHismightthatHeisabletoguidewhomeverHepleasesandmisguidewhomeverHepleases,andifHeforces themintooneof thesetwoways,neitherrewardnorpunishmenttheywoulddeserve,andthesecondisthe“informing”like

inthisverse(AndastoThamud,Wegavethemguidance,buttheychoseerroraboveguidance).[235]ItmeansthatAllahhasshowedthemtherightway.IfHehadforcedthemintoguidance,theywould

notbeabletogoastray.Itisnotrightthat,wheneveranallegoricalverseismentioned,thatitbeusedasanargumentagaisnt theclearverseswhichwehavebeenorderedtofollow.Allahsays,(He it isWhohasrevealedtheBooktoyou;someofitsversesaredecisive,theyarethebasisoftheBook,andothersareallegorical.Thenasforthoseinwhoseheartsthereisperversity,theyfollowthepartof it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation),[236]and(…givegoodnewstoMyservantswholistentotheword,thenfollowthebestofit;thosearetheywhomAllahhasguided,andthosewhoarethemenofunderstanding).[237]Thebestofthewordmeanstheclearestandmostdecisive.‘MayAllahmakeussuccessfulinsayinganddoingtowhatHelikesandpleases,andmayHekeep

usawayfromHisdisobediencebyHisfavorandgrace.MuchpraisebetoAllahasHedeserves,andHis blessings be on Muhammad and on His good progeny. Allah is sufficient for us and mostexcellentistheProtector.’[238]ThisistheendofthewonderfulletterofImamal-Hadi(a.s)inwhichherefutedtheillusionsofthe

Ash’aritesandtheMu’tazilitesandprovedwithirrefutableproofstheconceptof“thematterbetweenthetwomatters”whichtheinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s)believedin.

SamplesofhisSupplications

ThesupplicationsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s)formawonderfulpartoftheIslamicheritage.Theyhad

establishedthebasesofbehaviorsandmoralsandthespiritualelementsofpersonality.Theyincludedimportant,politicaldocumentationthatshowedtheextentofpersecutionandoppressiontheIslamicnationfacedduringthoseagesundertheruleoftheUmayyadsandtheAbbasidswhosparednoeffortinoppressingpeopleandusingthemastoolstoservetherulersandtheirretinues.Besidesthat,thesesupplicationsshowedtherelianceanddevotednessoftheImamstoAllah,andthattheybelievedwiththeirhearts,feelings,andpassions.

HisSupplication(du’a)DuringDistress

WhenImamal-Hadi(a.s)sufferedadistressorhewantedsomeneedtobesatisfied,heprayedto

Allah with this du’a. Narrators said that before reciting this du’a Imam al-Hadi (a.s) fasted onWednesday,Thursday,andFriday,performedaghuslinthemorningofFriday,paidcharitytoapoorperson,offeredafourrak’ahprayer,andthenhespreadhispalmstowardstheheavenandinvokedsincerelybyreciting,“OAllah,praisebetoYouwiththebestpraisethatYoudeserve,themostpleHasantpraisetoYou,

themostappropriatepraisetoYou,themostbelovedpraisetoYou.PraisebetoYouasYoudeserve,and asYou accepted forYourself, and as those,whose praiseYou accepted, praisedYou from allYourcreation.PraisebetoYouasYourprophets,messengers,andangelspraisedYouwith,andasfitsYour glory, highness, and greatness. Praise be toYou that tongues are unable to express, andspeechstopsbeforereachingitsend.PraisebetoYouthatisnotlessthanYourcontentment,andthatisbetterthaneverypraise.‘OAllah,praisebetoYouinjoyandtrouble,easeanddistress,soundnessandillness,yearsand

ages.PraisebetoYouforYourfavorsandblessingstome.PraisebetoYouforwhatYouhavegiftedme,triedme,healedme,providedmewithlivelihood,givenmewhatIneed,preferredme,honoredme, dignifiedme, andguidedme toYour religion; a praise that nodescriber candescribe andnospeakercansuffice.‘OAllah,praisebetoYouforYourkindnesstome,andYourfavorsonme,andYourpreferring

metootherthanme.PraisebetoYouforYouradjustingmycreation,andforYoureducatingmewellasafavorfromYouandnotforaprecedentgoodfromme.OmyLord,thenwhichblessingshaveYounotgivenme?Andwhichgratitude isnot required fromme toYou? I amsatisfiedwithYourkindness,andYousufficemefromamongallcreation.‘OmyLord,YouaretheBestoweruponme,theBeneficent,theGracious,theBeautiful,theLord

ofgloryandhonor,andofgreatfavorsandblessings,sopraisebetoYouforallthat.OmyLord,Youdidnotdisappointmeinanydistress,didnotbetraymeforanyguilt,anddidnotexposemeforanyconcealedsin.Yourblessingsarecontinuousonmeineverydifficultyandease.Youhavealwaysdonemegoodandpardonedme.‘OAllah,makemeenjoymyhearing,sight,andorgansandallthatwhichtheearthhasforme.O

Allah,myfirstneedIaskYoufor,andmywishIrequestfromYou,andmakeitthemeansbeforemyrequest,andIcomenearertoYoubyit,isthesendingofblessingonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammad.AndIaskYoutosendblessingsonhimandonthemasthebestblessingsthatYouhavecommandedYourpeopletosendonthem,andasthebestofthatwhichanyofYourpeoplehaseveraskedYou for, and asYou are responsible for them until theDay of Resurrection.OAllah, sendblessingontheminasmuchasallthosewhohavesentblessingsonthem,inasmuchasallthosewhoshallsendblessingsonthem;acontinuousblessingwiththemeans,exaltedness,andvirtue,andsendblessingsonYourprophets,messengers,andYourgoodslaves,andsendblessingsonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandsendmuchpeaceonthem!

‘OAllah,andYourgenerosityisthatYoudonotdisappointwhoeverasksYouforsomething,andlooksforwardtowhatYouhave,andYoudislikewhoeverdoesnotaskYou,andnooneissootherthanYou.OmyLord,mygreedforYourmercyandforgiveness,andmytrustinYourkindnessandfavor has ledme to call onYou, yearn forYou, and offermy need beforeYou. I have presentedbeforemyrequest,theaimingatYoubythemeansofYourProphet,whohadbroughtthetruthfromYou,andbroughtYour lightandstraightpathbywhichYouhaveguided thepeople,andbywhoselight You have enlivened the earth, and whom You have endowed with the highest dignity, andhonoredwiththeshahada,andsenthimafteracessationofthemessengers.OAllah,Ibelieveinhissecretandopenness,andinthesecretofhisprogenywhomYouhadkeptuncleannessawayfromandpurifiedathoroughpurifying…OAllah,donotcuttiesbetweenmeandtheminthislifeandintheafterlifeandacceptmydeedsbythem!‘OAllah,YouhadguidedYourpeopletoYourselfwhenYousaid,(AndwhenMyservantsaskyou

concerningMe,thensurelyIamverynear;IanswertheprayerofthesuppliantwhenhecallsonMe, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way),[239]and (Omyservants,whohaveactedextravagantlyagainst theirownsouls,donotdespairofthe mercy of Allah; surely Allah forgives the faults altogether; surely He is the Forgiving, theMerciful),[240]and(AndNoahdidcertainlycalluponUs,andbestofanswerersareWe).[241]O Lord, yes! The best of the called upon are You, the best of lords are You, and the best of

answerersareYou!Yousay,(Say:CalluponAllahorcallupontheBeneficent;whicheveryoucallupon,Hisarethebestnames),[242]andIcalluponYou,OAllah,byYournameswhichifYouarecalleduponby,Yourespond,andifYouareaskedby,Yougive.IcalluponYousuppliantly,humblywiththecallofonewhominadvertencehastakenawayandneedinesshasexhausted.IcalluponYouwiththecallofonewhohasgivenup,confessedhisguilt,andhopedforYourgreatpardon,andwidereward.‘OAllah,ifYouhavesingledoutsomeone,whofollowedwhatYouhaveorderedhimandactedas

You have created him for, with Your mercy, he would not reach that except by You and Yourassistance.OAllah…toYoumyMasterismypreparing,hopingforYourprizesandgifts.IaskYouto sendblessingsonMuhammadandon theprogenyofMuhammadand to satisfymy request andneed…‘OYou,themostgenerousofgivers,thebestofthebeneficent,sendblessingsonMuhammadand

on the progeny ofMuhammad, and whoever fromYour people wants to harmme disconcert hisheart,refutehistongue,blindhissight,curbhishead,makehimbusywithhimself,andmakemesafefromhimbyYourmightandpower!OAllah,donotmakeitthelasttimetomethatIcalluponYousuppliantly,andifYoudo,thenforgivemeallmyfaultswithforgivenessthatdoesnotleavebehindasingleguilt.Makemycallamongtherespondedcalls,mydeedamongtheaccepteddeedsnearyou,andmyspeechamongthatwhichcomesuptoYouofgooddeeds,andmakemebewithYourProphetandchosen,andtheImams,peacebeuponthemall.BythemIbeseechYou,andbythemIyearntoYou.RespondtomycallOthemostMercifulofthemerciful,andforgivememyslips.’ThenImamal-Hadi(a.s)askedforhisneedandwentdownintoprostrationandsaid,“ThereisnogodbutAllahtheForbearing,theGenerous.ThereisnogodbutAllahtheMostHigh,

theGreat.GlorybetoAllahtheLordofthesevenheavens,thelordofthesevenearths,andtheLordof the Great Throne. O Allah, I resort to Your pardon from Your punishment, and to Your

contentmentfromYourwrath,andtoYoufromYou.IcannotreachYourpraise,orthegratitudeYoudeserve.YouareasYouhavepraisedYourself.Makemylifeagrowthformeineverygoodness,andmydeatharelieftomefromeveryevil.MakethedelightofmyeyesinYourobedience.OmyTrustandHope,donotburnmyfaceinFireaftermyprostrationtoYoumyMaster.Withno favor frommeonYou,Youhave the favoruponme, sopitymyweaknessanddelicate

skin, and relieve me from the distresses of this life and of the afterlife, and favor me with thecompanyoftheProphet(a.s)andhisprogeny(peacebeuponthem)inthehighranksinParadise…OYou the Light of light, the Manager of affairs, Generous, Glorious, One, Unique, Eternal, Whoneitherbegotnorwasbegotten,andthereisnonecomparabletoYou,OYouWhoareso,andnooneissootherthanYou,OYouWhomthereisnogodinthehighheavensorinthelowearthotherthanYou, O You Who honor every humble one, and humble every mighty one, by Your glory andloftiness Ihave lostmypatience, sosendblessingsonMuhammadand theprogenyofMuhammadandrelieveme…!’

HisDu’aatSleepingTime

Whenhewenttobedorawokefromsleep,herecitedthisdu’a:“ThereisnogodbutAllahtheAlive, theEternal,andHehaspoweroverall things.Glorybeto

Allah, theLordof theworlds and theDeityof themessengers.Glorybe toAllah, theLordof thesevenheavensandall thatwhichtheyhave,andtheLordofthesevenearthsandall thatwhichtheyhave,theLordoftheGreatThrone,andpeacebeonthemessengers,andpraisebetoAllahtheLordoftheworlds.”

TheDu’aofResorting

“OYou,mysupply,myhopeandreliance,myresortandsupport,OYoutheOneandUnique,O

You,Who“say:He,Allah,isOne”,OAllah,IaskYoubythoselikewhomYouhavenotcreatedinYourcreation,tohaveblessingonthem…”

HisDu’aofSeekingProtectionfromSatan

“OYouWhoaremighty inYourmight,Whoare themightiest inYourmight,makememighty

fromYourmight, assistmewithYourhelp,keepaway fromme theevil suggestionof theDevils,defendmebyYourdefense,protectmebyYourprotection,andmakemefromthegoodpeopleofYourcreation,OYouOne,Unique,Eternal!’

ALoftyDu’a

“OYouthemosthearingofhearers,themostperceptiveofseers,thebestoflookers,thepromptest

ofaccounters,theMostMercifulofthemerciful,thewisestofjudges,haveblessingonMuhammadandontheprogenyofMuhammad,andincreasemylivelihood,prolongmyold,favormewithYourmercy, make me from those who defend Your religion and do not replace me by other thanme…!’[243]

HisCommunes

Imamal-Hadi(a.s)communedAllah theAlmighty in thedarknessofnightwithasuppliantheart

andpeacefulsoul.Itwasnarratedthathesaidinhiscommunes:1.“OmyLord,aguiltyhascome,andapoorhassought;donotdisappointhiseffort!Havemercy

onhim,andforgivehisfaults.’[244]2.“MyLord,blessMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammad,andhavemercyonmewhenmy

tracewill disappear from this life andmymentionwill be removed among people, and I shall beforgotten as those who had been forgotten. My Lord, I have become old, my skin has becomedelicate,myboneshavebecome thin, timehasaffectedme,mydeathhasapproachedme,mydayshaveelapsed,my lustshavegonebutmyguilt remained!OmyLord,havemercyonmewhenmyshapewillchange!”[245] 3. “O my Lord, thoughts of thinkers went astray, sights of seers fell short, descriptions of

describersdissipated,sayingsoffabricatorsvanishedbeforethewondersofYouraffair,orthereachtoYourhighness,forYouareintheunreachableplace,andnoeyecanfalluponYouwithaglanceorexpression.Howfar,andhowfar!OYoutheFirst,theOnly,theUnique!Youhaveexaltedinhighnesswith the glory of greatness, and risen up beyond every bottom and end with the omnipotence ofpride.”[246]

HisZiyarahs

A collection ofwonderfulZiyarahs[247]were transmitted from Imamal-Hadi (a.s) bywhich he

visited his pure fathers, the infallible Imams of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s). These ziyarahs are full ofargumentson therightof theAhlulBayt (a.s) in theIslamiccaliphate.Theyalso include importantdocumentationsoftheirachievements,morals,virtues,andqualities.Az-Ziyarahal-Jami’ahisthemostfamousandimportantziyarahoftheinfallibleImams(a.s).Itis

verywidespreadamong theShiaandall followersof theAhlulBayt (a.s)whohavememorized it.TheyreciteitonFridaysasavisittothepureImams(a.s).Ithasbeenpublishedhundredsoftimesindifferent editions and we think there is no need tomention it here for it is very well-known andwidespreadamongMuslims.

ZiyarahofAl-Ghadir

TheDayofal-GhadirisoneofthemostimportantoccasionsfortheTwelverShiawhoconsideritasanEidwheretheProphet(a.s)hadappointedImamAli(a.s)asthecaliphoverMuslimsafterhim.TheShiavisitedand still visit theholy shrineof ImamAli (a.s)on theDayof al-Ghadir everyyear toconfirmtheirguardianshipandallegiancetohim.Imamal-Hadi (a.s)visited theholyshrineofhisgrandfather ImamAli (a.s) in theyearwhenal-

Mu’tasim, the Abbasid caliph, brought him from Medina to Sammarra’.[248]Imam al-Hadi (a.s)visited his grandfatherAmir ’ul-Mu’mininwith thiswonderful ziyarah inwhich hementioned thevirtuesof ImamAli (a.s)and thepoliticalandsocialproblemshesufferedat thatage.Wementionheresomepassagesfromtheziyarah:“…AndyouwerethefirstonewhobelievedinAllahandofferedprayertoHim,foughtinHisway,

and did well in the house of polytheism where the earth was full of deviation and Satan wasworshippedopenly.Youhadthememorablesituations,famousoccasions,andgreatdays;theDay(battle)ofBadrand

theDayofal-Ahzab(whentheeyesturneddull,andtheheartsroseuptothethroats,andyoubegantothinkdiversethoughtsofAllah.Therethebelieversweretriedandtheywereshakenwithsevereshaking,andwhenthehypocrites,andthoseinwhoseheartswasadisease,weresaying:AllahandHis messenger promised us naught but delusion, and when a party of them said: O people ofYathrib, there is no place to stand for you here, therefore go back, and a party of them askedpermissionoftheprophet,saying:Surelyourhousesareexposed;andtheywerenotexposed;theyonlydesiredtoflyaway)[249]andAllahsaid,(Andwhenthebelieverssawtheallies,theysaid:ThisiswhatAllahandHisMessengerpromisedus,andAllahandHisMessengerspokethetruth;anditonlyincreasedtheminfaithandsubmission).[250]ThenyoukilledtheirAmr[251]anddefeatedtheirparties(andAllahturnedbacktheunbelieversin

their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; andAllah is Strong,Mighty).[252]And on theDay ofUhud (when you climbed (the hill) and paid noheed toanyone,while themessenger, inyour rear,wascallingyou (to fight),[253] butyoudroveawaythepolytheistsfromtheProphet(a.s)ontherightandontheleftuntilAllahdrovethemfromit(war) fearfullyandgavevictorybyyou to the (disappointers), andon theDayofHunaynasAllahsaid,(whenyourgreatnumbersmadeyouvain,buttheyavailedyounothingandtheearthbecamestrait to you notwithstanding its spaciousness, then you turned back retreating. Then Allah sentdownHistranquilityuponHisMessengeranduponthebelievers).[254]And the believers were you and your companions…And on the Day of Khaybar when Allah

showed theweaknessof thehypocrites and cut the roots of theunbelievers- praisebe toAllah theLordoftheworlds-(AndcertainlytheyhadmadeacovenantwithAllahbefore,thattheywouldnotturn(their)backs;andAllah'scovenantshallbeinquiredof).[255]Andyouparticipatedwith theProphet (a.s) in all hiswars andbattlesholding thebannerbefore

him,andbeatingwiththeswordinfrontofhim.Thenforyourwell-knownresolutionandinsightonaffairs,hemadeyoutheemirinthebattlesandtherewasnoemiroveryou…

Inyoursleeping in thebed(of theProphet)[256]youwere like theslaughtered(Prophet Ishmael)

Peace be upon him, that you responded as he responded, and you obeyed as he obeyed patientlyhopingfortherewardwhenhisfathersaidtohim,(Omyson!surelyIhaveseeninadreamthatIshould sacrifice you; consider then what you see. He said: O my father, do what you arecommanded; ifAllahplease,youwill findmeof thepatientones),[257]andsowereyouwhen theProphet (a.s)orderedyou to sleep inhisbed to savehimbyyour self andyouhurried to respondobedientlyandtoexposeyourselftokilling,andsoAllahthankedyourobedienceandshowedyourgooddeedbysaying,(AndamongmenishewhosellshimselftoseekthepleasureofAllah).[258]I witness that you contradicted desires, allied with piety, suppressed anger, pardoned people,

becameangrywhenAllahwasdisobeyed,becamepleasedwhenAllahisobeyed,carriedoutwhatyouwereentrustedwith,keptwhatyouwereconfided,achievedwhatyouwerechargedwith,andwaitedforwhatyouwerepromised,andIwitnessthatyoudidnotavoid(somepeople)outofhumbleness,nor refrained from your right (in the caliphate) with grief, nor abstained from confronting theextorters of your right out of subservience, nor you showed satisfaction unlike the satisfaction ofAllah out of flattering, nor you becameweak afterwhat you faced for the sake ofAllah, nor youweakenedorgaveupthedemandingofyourrightandlayinwait.Godforbid!Youwerenotso,butifyouwerewronged,youwerecontentwithyourLordandentrustedyouraffairstoHim.Youdidnotmindmisfortunes,anddidnotweakenatdistresses,anddidnotabstainfromfighting

against falseness…It was you who said: neither do the masses of people around me increase myglory,nordoestheirseparationfrommecausemelonelinessevenifallpeoplebetrayme…AllahtheAlmightyrespondedtoHisprophet’scallconcerningyou,[259]andthenHeorderedhim

to announce that he entrusted youwith the affair (caliphate) of his nation as glorification to you,declaringyourproof,andrefutingthefalsehoodandfabricatedexcuses.Whenhefearedaseditionfromthedissoluteandfearedforyoufromthehypocrites,theLordoftheworldsrevealedtohim,(OMessenger,deliverwhathasbeen revealed to you fromyourLord,and if youdo itnot, thenyouhavenotdeliveredHismessage,andAllahwillprotectyoufromthepeople).[260]Heburdenedhimselfwithjourney,stoppedatthehotdesert,andmadehisspeech.Hecalledoutand

made everyone hear, and asked them, ‘Have I informed?’ They said, ‘ByAllah, yes!’He said, ‘OAllah,bearwitness!’Thenhesaid, ‘AmInotworthierofMuslims than themselves to them?’Theysaid,‘Yes,youare.’Then,hetookyourhandandsaid,‘WhoeverhisguardianIam,hereisAlitobehisguardian.OAllah,supportwhoeversupportshim,beenemytowhoevershowsenmity towardshim,helpwhoeverhelpshim,anddisappointwhoeverdisappointshim!’TheydidnotbelieveinwhatAllahhadrevealedtoHisprophetconcerningyouexceptafew,andmostof themdidnotaddsaveperdition…!ThenwasyourordealontheDayofSiffinwhenthecopiesoftheQur'anwereraisedtrickilyand

cunningly. Suspicion appeared, the truthwas known, but suppositionwas followed. It was like theordealofAaronwhenMosesmadehimtheemiroverhispeoplebuttheyseparatedfromhimandlefthimalonewhileAaroncallingout,(Omypeople!youareonlytriedbyit,andsurelyyourLordistheBeneficentAllah,thereforefollowmeandobeymyorder.Theysaid:WewillbynomeansceasetokeeptoitsworshipuntilMusareturnstous).[261]

SowereyouwhenthecopiesoftheQur'anwereraisedandyousaid:‘Opeople,youaretriedbyitand deceived.’ But they disobeyed and objected to you and called for the two judges.You, beforeAllah, exempted yourself from their doing and made Allah the judge over them.When the truthshone, and their abominable doing was refuted, they confessed their fault and deviation from thetruth,andafterthattheydisagreed.Then, they forced you to accept the arbitrationwhich you denied and prohibited but they liked.

Theypermitted theirguilt that theycommitted.Youwereon insightandguidanceand theywere indeviationandblindness.TheystillinsistedonhypocrisyandwerestillinerroruntilAllahmadethemtaste theevil resultsof theirdoingandHekilled from thembyyour swordwhoopposedyouandbecamewretchedandlost,andgavelifebyyourargumenttowhoeverfollowedtheguidanceandwashappy.TheblessingsofAllahbeonyoueverywhereandeverywhen.Neithercanapraisercoveryourdescription,norcanadispraiserencompassyourvirtues…’

FromtheProphets’Stories

InsometraditionsImamal-Hadi(a.s.)toldhiscompanionssomestoriesoftheprophets.

NoahAndIblis

Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) related a dialogue betweenProphetNoah (a.s.) and Iblis.He said, ‘One day,

Iblis came toNoahand said tohim, ‘Youhavedonemeagreat favor.Trust inmeand I shall notbetray you.’ Noah became angry. Allah revealed to him to let Iblis speak out. Noah said to Iblis,‘Speakout!’Iblissaid,‘IfwefindthesonofAdamstingy,envious,arrogant,orrash,we(theDevils)snatchhimasthesnatchingofaball.Ifallthesemoralsgatherinhim,wecallhimamutinousdevil.’Noahsaid, ‘What is thegreat favor Ihavedone toyou?’ Iblissaid, ‘You invokedAllahagainst thepeopleof theearthandsent themtoHell,andsoIwasfree.Withoutyour invokingagainst them,Iwouldbebusywiththemforalongtime.’[262]

MosesAndAllah

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)related,“Mosessaid,OmyLord,whatistherewardofonewhoavoidstreason

out of being shy of You?’Allah the Almighty said, ‘He shall be safe on the Day ofResurrection.’Mosessaid,‘WhatistherewardofonewholovesthepeopleofYourobedience?’AllahtheAlmightysaid,‘IwillsavehisbodyfromMyFire.’Mosessaid,‘Whatistherewardofonewhokills a believer intentionally?’Allah the Almighty said, ‘I will not look at him on the Day ofResurrection and Iwill not pardon his sin.’Moses said, ‘MyLord,what is the reward of onewhorefrains from harming people and helps them instead?’Allah the Almighty said, ‘On the Day ofResurrection,Firewillsaytohim:Ihavenowayoveryou.’[263]Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)toldsuchstoriestohiscompanionstobeexamplesforthemongoodmoralsandmanners.

AMaximFromJesusChrist

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedtohiscompanions,‘Ifoneofyougives(charity)withhisrighthand,

lethimconcealthatfromhislefthand,andifheprays,lethimconcealthat.’AllahtheAlmightylovesthatwhenabelievergivescharityordoesgood,heistokeepitsecretand

nottoannounceorspreaditamongpeoplelestheshalllosethereward,forhehastoseektherewardfromAllah.

FromTheIslamicEvents

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)talkedtohiscompanionsaboutsomeimportantIslamiceventsthathappenedat

the first Islamicage.Oneof themwas thekillingof themartyrQanbar, ImamAli’s servant, at thehandofthetyrantal-HajjajbinYusufath-Thaqafi.[264]Hesaid,‘Qanbarcameintoal-HajjajbinYusufwhoshoutedathim,‘WhatservicedidyouoffertoAlibin

AbuTalib?’Qanbarsaid,‘Ihelpedhiminperformingablution.’Al-Hajjajsaid,‘Whatdidhesaywhenhefinishedhisablution?’Qanbarsaid,‘HerecitedthisQur ’anicverse:(Butwhentheyneglectedthatwithwhichtheyhad

beenadmonished,Weopenedforthemthedoorsofallthings,untilwhentheyrejoicedinwhattheyweregivenWeseizedthemsuddenly;thenlo!theywereinutterdespair.Sotherootsofthepeoplewhowereunjustwerecutoff;andallpraiseisduetoAllah,theLordoftheworlds).[265]Al-Hajjajsaid,‘Ithinkhemeantus?!’Qanbarsaid,‘Yes,hedid.’Al-HajjajsaidtoQanbar,‘WhatdoyoudoifIbeheadyou?’Qanbarsaid,‘ThenIshallbehappyandyoushallbewretched.’Thetyrantorderedhismentobeheadthisgoodmanandhewaskilled.’[266]

TheVirtueofTheProphetandAli

Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) praised the innumerable favors the Prophet (S) and ImamAli (a.s.) did the

nation.Hesaid,‘FromglorifyingAllahis thepreferringof thetwofathersofreligionMuhammadandAlitothefathersofkinship,andfrombeingindifferenttotheloftinessofAllahistopreferthefathersofkinshiptothefathersofreligion;MuhammadandAli…’[267]Healsosaid,‘IfthetwofathersofreligionMuhammadandAliarenotglorifiedtoonemorethan

hisfathersofkinship,oneshallhavenovaluenearAllah.’[268]TheProphet(S)andhisguardianImamAli(a.s.)havehadrightsonthenationmorethantherights

offathers.BythemAllahhastakenpeopleoutofthelifeofignorance,meanness,andwretchednesstothelifeofIslamthatisfullofhonor,glory,anddignity.

TheVirtueoftheUlama’DuringtheTimeofOccultation

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.) talkedaboutthevirtueoftheulama’duringthetimeoftheoccultationofhis

grandsonImamal-Mahdi(a.s.).Hesaid,‘If,aftertheoccultationofImamal-Mahdi,therewillbenoulama’whowill invite andguide tohim,defendhis religionwith clearproofs, and save theweakfaithfulfromthetrapsofIblisandhisfollowersandfromthetrapsoftheenemiesoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.),nooneremainsunlesshewillapostatefromthereligionofAllah,butitistheywhowillholdtheheartsoftheweakoftheShiaasashipperwhenholdingtherudderofhisship.ThosearethebestofpeoplenearAllah.’

TheVirtueOfPatience

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)talkedaboutpatienceandthegreatrewardthepatientshallgetfromtheirLord.

Al-HasanbinAlinarrated,“IheardAbulHasansaying,‘OntheDayofResurrection,acallerwillcallout: where are the patient? Some people will get up. Then, a caller will call out: where are thediscerning?Somepeoplewillgetup.Thepatientarethosewhoarepatientwiththeperformingoftheobligations,andthediscerningarethosewhoarediscerninginrefrainingfromsins.’[269]

PessimismTowardsDays

Islamresistedallbadhabitsandtraditionsofthepre-Islamicera.FromthosehabitsthatIslamresistedwasthepessimismatdayswhichthepre-Islamicsocietybelievedin.Itneitherbroughtgoodnordiditsavefromevil,forallthingsweredeterminedbyAllahtheCreatoroftheuniverseandGiveroflife.Al-HasanbinMas’oud[270]said,“Oneday,IwenttoAbulHasanAlibinMuhammad(a.s.)aftermy

fingerwasscratched,andariderknockedagainstmyshoulder,andIwentintoacrowdthatsomeofmyclothesweretorn.Isaid:mayAllahsavemefromyourevilOday!Howill-omenedyouare!’AbulHasan(a.s.)saidtome,‘OHasan,yousaysothoughyoufrequentus!Youthrowyourguilton

thatwhichisguiltless!’Irecoveredmysenses,understoodmymistake,andsaid:IaskAllahtoforgiveme.’AbulHasan(a.s.)said,‘OHasan,whatistheguiltofdaysthatyouarepessimisticatwhenyouare

punishedforyourdeedsonthem?’Isaid,‘IalwaysaskAllahforforgiveness.ItismyrepentanceOsonofthemessengerofAllah.’Hesaid, ‘ByAllah, itdoesnotbenefityou.Allahpunishesyou forblamingdayswhichhaveno

guiltinwhatyoublamethemfor.OHasan,doyouknowthatitisAllahWhorewardsandpunishesfordeedswhethersoonerorlater?’Isaid,‘Oyes,mymaster.’Hesaid,‘DonotgivedaysaroleinthejudgmentofAllah!’Isaid,‘Oyes,mymaster.”[271]Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)confirmedwhat theProphet(S)hadannouncedinoneofhis traditionsthat it

wasnotfromIslamthataMuslimbepessimistic,buthemusthaveastrongwillanddeterminationindoingeverythingexceptsins.

Cleanness

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)invitedtocleannessandprettification.Hesaid,‘AllahisbeautifulandHeloves

beautyandprettification,andHehatesmiseryandmiserableones.AllahtheAlmightylikes,whenHegivesablessingtoHisslave,toseetheeffectsofthatblessingappearonhim.’Hewasasked,‘Howisthat?’Hesaid,‘Tocleanhisdress,makehissmellgood,orderhishouse,andsweeptheyard.Evenalamplitbeforesunsettakespovertyawayandincreaseslivelihood.’[272]

RarityofLawfulIncome

SayyidbinTawusnarratedthatMuhammadbinHarunal-Jallabsaid,‘IsaidtomymasterAlibin

Muhammadal-Hadi(a.s.):wenarratedfromyourfathersthatatimewouldcomewheretherewouldbenothingrarerthanafriendlybrotherorgainingalawfuldirham(well-gottenmoney).’Hesaid,‘OMuhammad,afriendlybrotherisavailable,butyouareinatimewherethereisnothingrarerthanawell-gottendirhamandaloyal,faithfulbrother.’[273]The rarity of well-gotten money results from the impiety in gaining and the greediness to get

moneyinanyway.Asforafriendlybrotherwhoseekshisownbenefits,heisavailableeverywhereandeverywhen,butas foragod-fearingbrotherwhokeepshisbrotheraway fromcommittingsinandtakeshimtodogood,heisrareatalltimes.

IgnoringtheFactofDeath

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasasked,‘WhydotheseMuslimshatedeath?’Hesaid,‘Becausetheyignore

it,andtherefore,theyhateit.IftheyknewitandwerefromthedevoteesofAllah,theywouldsurelylove it and know that the afterlifewould be better than theworldly life.’Then Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)turned tohiscompanionsandsaid, ‘Whydoachildandan insane refrain fromdrug that recoverstheirbodiesandrelievesthemfrompain?’Theysaid,‘Becausetheyignorethebenefitofdrug.’Hesaid, ‘I swearbyHimWhohadsentMuhammadwith the truthasprophet,whoeverprepares

himselftodeath,itwouldbebetterforhimthanthiscurativedrug.Iftheyknowwhatblissdeathgetsto,theywillloveitandcallforitmorethanasane,determinedmanwhencallingfordrugtocurehisdiseasesandgetsafety.’[274]InanothertraditionitwasrelatedthatonedayImamal-Hadi(a.s.)visitedasickcompanionandsaw

him cry fearing from death. He said to him, ‘O Abdullah (slave of Allah), you fear from deathbecauseyoudonotknowit.Ifyoubecomedirtyandfilthy,andyousufferfromthisdirtandfilththatcauseyousoresandmange,andthenyouknowthatwashinginthebathroomwillrelieveallthat,doyounotwanttogotothebathroomandremoveallthatfromyou,oryouhatetodothatandyouletfilth,sores,andmangeonyou?’Thesickmansaid,‘Oyes,sonofthemessengerofAllah,mayAllahhaveblessingandpeaceon

youandyourhousehold.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Deathisthatbathroom.Itisthelastthingremainingforyoutowashyour

guilt andpurifyyou fromyour sins. Ifyoucome to it andbe itsneighbor,youshallbe free fromeverydistress,grief,andpain,andshallgettoeveryhappinessanddelight.’Thesickmanwascalm.HesubmittedtodeathandpleasedwiththefateofAllah.[275]

TrueRepentance

AhmadbinHilalaskedImamal-Hadi (a.s.)about true repentanceandhe replied tohim, ‘that the

inwardandtheoutwardaretobethesameandbetter.’[276]

TheMeaningOf“Rajeem”

AbdulAdhimal-HasaninarratedthatheheardAbulHasanAlibinMuhammadal-Hadi(a.s.)saying,

‘Themeaningof“rajeem-accursed” thatSatan isdescribedwith is thathe isstonedwithcurse,andrejected from every place of good.No faithfulmentions him unless he curses him. In the eternalknowledgeofAllahthatwhenImamal-Mahdi(al-Qa’im)(a.s.)willreappears,everybelieverathistimewillstoneSatanashehadbeenstonedwithcursebefore.’[277]

Mob

Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) said, ‘Mobare thekillers of theprophets…Allahwasnot pleasedwith them

whenHecomparedthemtothelivestockandsaid,(buttheyareworse).[278]Mobsarethosegroupsofpeoplewhohavenosocialorreligiousunderstanding.Itistheywhom

tyrannicalpowerspushtokillprophetsandreformersthroughouthistory.

WordsOfLight

A collection of preciouswordswas narrated from Imam al-Hadi (a.s.). Thesewords are from thewonderful intellectual treasures in Islam, in which Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) has discussed differenteducational,moral,andpsychologicalissues.Herearesomeofhiswords:1.“Betterthangoodisitsdoer,betterthanfavorisitssayer,andmorepreferablethanknowledgeis

itsfollower.’2.Hesaidtooneofhisservants,‘Blameso-and-so(friendly)andsaytohim:ifAllahwantsgood

forsomeone,Hemadehimbepleasedwhenheisblamed.’3.“He,whoasksformorethanhismerit,isworthierofdeprivation.”4.“Therightnessofone,whoignoresdignity,ishislowness.”5.“Patienceistopossessyourselfandcontrolyourangerwhenyouareabletoshowit.”6.“People(runtheiraffairs)inthislifewithmoneyandintheafterlifewithdeeds.”7.“Whoeverispleasedwithhimself,manyarethosewhoaredispleasedathim.”8.“Fatesshowyouwhatyoudonotimagine.”9.“Theevilestofmisfortuneisbadmorals.”10. “Wealth is the littleness of wishing and the satisfaction with what suffices you, poverty is

greedinessanddespair,andlownessisfollowingthelittleandlookingforwardtoinsignificants.’11.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasaskedaboutresolutionandhesaid,‘It is toseeyouropportunityand

hurrytoachieveitaspossibleasyoucan.’12.“Theriderofareluctanthorseisacaptiveofhimself.”He,whowalksincrookedways,isled

byhisfancythatthrowshimintotheabyssofmisfortunes.13.“Anignorantoneisacaptiveofhistongue.’14.“Disputingdestroysoldfriendship,anduntiesfirmknots.Theleastofitisthatitleadstohatred

whichisthefirstcauseoftheruptureofrelations.”15.“Blamingisthekeytohaughtiness,thoughitisbetterthanspite.”16.OneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsexaggeratedinpraisingtheImamwhosaidtohim,‘Much

flatteryattacksdiscernment.Ifyouaretrustedbyyourbrother,turnfromflatterytogoodwill.”17.“Misfortuneforthepatientisone,andfortheimpatientistwo.”

18.“Envyeradicatesgooddeeds,andpridebringsdetestation.”19.“Self-conceitturnsoneawayfromseekingknowledgeandleadshimtoignorance.”20.“Stinginessistheworstofmorals,andgreedinessisabadnature.”21.“Associatingwiththewickedshowsthewickednessofonewhoassociateswiththem.”22.“Thedenyingofblessingsisasignofungratefulnessandacauseforchanging(ofblessings).”23.“Importunitytakespeacefulnessawayandleadstoregret.”24.“Mockeryisthejokingofthefoolishandthecraftoftheignorant.”25.“Undutifulness(toparents)lessensoffspringandleadstomeanness.”26.“SleeplessnessmakessleepmorepleHasant,andhungermakesfoodmoredelicious.”27.“Thinkofyourdeathbetweenyourfamilywherenophysicianshalldefendyouandnofriend

shallbenefityou!”28.“Thinkoftheregretsofwastingtobemoredetermined!”29.“Aniggardandawisemandonotrest.”30.“Thereisnocureforcorruptednatures.”31.“He,whocannotprevent,cannotgive.”32.“Worsethanevilisitsdoerandmorehorriblethanhorrorisanadventurerintoit.”33.“Bewareofenvyforitharmsyouandnotyourenemy.”34.“Inatimewherejusticeismorethanoppression,itisunlawfultosuspectanyonebeforebeing

certainofthatwhichissuspectedof,andinatimewhereoppressionismorethanjustice,oneshouldnottrustinanyoneexceptafterbeingcertainofhim.”35.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtoal-Mutawakkil(theAbbasidcaliph),“Donotexpectgoodwillfrom

onewhomyouhaveoffended,orloyaltyfromonewhomyouhavebetrayed,orsincerityfromonewhom you have suspected, because the hearts of others towards you are like your heart towardsthem.”36. “Retain blessings by being good neighbor to them (by spending them in the right way and

helpingpeople throughcharities), expectmorebybeinggrateful toAllah for them,andknow thatsoulisverywillingtowhatitisgivenandveryunwillingtowhatitispreventedfrom,socarryitonasumpterthatdoesnotslow.”

37.“Ignoranceandniggardlinessaretheworstofmorals.”38.“Goodappearanceisapparentbeautyandgoodmindishiddenbeauty.”39.“ItisfrominadvertencetoAllahthatonekeepsondisobedienceandwishesforgivenessfrom

Allah.”40.“Ifpeoplewalked inavastvalley, Iwouldwalk inavalleyofamanwhoworshippedAllah

alonesincerely.”41.“Theangeratone,overwhomyouhaveauthority,ismeanness.”42.“Agratefuloneishappierwithgratitudethanwiththeblessingthatrequiresgratitude,because

blessingsareenjoymentandgratitudeisablessing.”43.“Allahmadetheworldlylifeaplaceoftryingandtheafterlifeaplaceofreward.Hemadethe

misfortunes of the worldly life as a means for the reward of the afterlife, and the reward of theafterlifeasacompensationforthemisfortunesoftheworldlylife.”44.“Anunderstandingoppressorisabouttotakeattentionsawayfromhisoppressionthroughhis

understanding, and a foolish just man is about to put out the light of his justice through hisfoolishness.”45.“Whoevershowsyouhissincereloveyouaretoshowhimyourobedience.”46.“Donotfeelsafefromtheevilofonewhodespiseshimself.”47.“Theworldisamarketinwhichsomepeoplegainandotherslose.”48.“Thinkofyourdeathamongyourfamilywherenophysicianshallsaveyouandnolovershall

benefityou.”[279]Notes:[78]Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.114.[79]Biharal-Anwar,vol.3.[80]Al-AmalibySheikhat-Tusi.[81]Ibid.[82]Al-AmalibySheikhat-Tusi.[83]Qur'an,35:10.[84]InArabic“fatama”meansweaned.[85]Biharal-Anwar,vol.10.86]Biharal-Anwar,vol.8.[87]Biharal-Anwar,vol.9.[88]Biharal-Anwar,vol.9.[89]Al-Amalibyat-Tusi.

[90]Ibid.[91]Al-Amalibyat-Tusi.[92]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,vol.3p.219.[93]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.1p.78.[94]Ibid.,vol.11p.523.[95]Ma’athiral-Kubara’.[96]NowadaysDamascus. But then, Sham encompassed the present Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and

Palestine.[97]At-Tawhid,p.380-381.[98]UyoonAkhbarar-Ridha.[99]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,vol.3p.220.[100]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.4p.163.[101]Al-Amalibyat-Tusi.[102]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.11p.466.[103]Al-Amalibyat-Tusi.[104]UyonAkhbarar-Ridha.[105]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,vol.3p.228.[106]Qur'an,23:16.[107]Al-Amalibyat-Tusi.[108]Qur'an,16:97.[109]Qur'an,67:2.[110]At-Tawhid,p.96.[111]Basa’irad-Darajat.[112]Ad-Duran-Nadhim(amanuscript).[113]Or“Murji’a”:thenameofapolitico-religiousmovementinearlyIslam.[114]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.2p.737.[115]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.2p.738,al-Hada’iqan-Nadhirah,vol.4p.41.[116]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.3p.254.[117]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.3p.277.[118]Ibid.,vol.3p.334.[119]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.3p.251.[120]Al-Lum’ah,vol.1p.223.[121]Thisespeciallyconcernstheplacewheretheforeheadisputduringprostration.[122]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.4p.604.[123]Amukallafisonewhoisobligedtofulfillthereligiousduties.[124] Ada’ is to offer prayer (or other obligations) at its specified time and qadha’ is to offer

prayeroutofitsspecifiedtime.[125]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.5p.352.[126]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.5p.352.[127]Minhajas-Salihin,vol.1p.216-217.[128]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.5p.518.[129]Al-Hada’iqan-Nadhirah,vol.12p.348.[130]Kurrisaunitofweight.[131]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.6p.123.[132]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.6p.157.[133]Al-Hada’iqan-Nadhirah,vol.[134]ThezakatthatisgivenattheendoffastinginRamadan.

[135]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.6p.177.[136]Ibid.,p.237.[137]Sa’isameasureofabout3.25kilograms.[138]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.6p.238.[139]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.7p.187.[140]Ibid.,p.154.[141]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.7p.187.[142]Al-MakasibbySheikhal-Ansari.[143]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.12p.137.[144]Ibid.,vol.13p.254.[145]Wassa’ilash-Shia,Vol.13p.268.[146]Ibid.[147]Ibid.,p.299.[148]Ibid.[149]Qur'an,6:144.[150]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.18p.213.s[151]Qur'an,38:39.[152]Qur'an,40:84-85.[153]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.18p.331.[154]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.18p.554.[155]Usulal-Kafi,vol.1p.97,at-Tawhid,p.109.[156]Qur'an,7:143.[157]FeeDhilalal-Qur ’an(intheshadowsoftheQur ’an),vol.9p.39.[158]At-Tawhid,p.66.[159]At-Tawhid,p.104.[160]Ibid.,p.97.[161]Ad-Durran-Nadhim,at-Tawhid,p.100.[162]Qur'an,9:74.[163]Qur'an,33:66.[164]Qur'an,4:59.[165]Qur'an,4:83.[166]Qur'an,4:58.[167]Qur'an,21:7.[168]Kashfal-Ghummah,vol.3p.176.[169]Al-Ihtijajbyat-Tabarsi.[170]Qur'an,5:55-56.[171]Qur'an,33:57.[172] Mustadrak as-Sahihayn, vol.3 p.122, al-Isabah,vol.4 p.304, Kanzul Ummal, vol.6 p.152,

Majma’az-Zawa’id,vol.9p.129,ar-Riyadhan-Nadhirah,vol.2p.165.[173] Mustadrak as-Sahihayn, vol.3 p.130, Tareekh Baghdad, vol.13 p.32, Usd al-Ghabah, vol.4

p.383,Majma’az-Zawa’id,vol.9p.131.[174]SahihofibnMajah,p.12,Hilyatal-Awliya’,vol.1p.62,Khasa’isofan-Nassaei,p.32,Kanzul

Ummal,vol.6p.395.[175]Qur'an,18:49.[176]Qur'an,22:10.[177]Qur'an,10:44.[178]Qur'an,2:81.[179]Qur'an,4:10.

[180]Qur'an,4:56.[181]Qur'an,2:85.[182]Qur'an,6:160.[183]Qur'an,3:30.[184]Qur'an,40:17.[185]Qur'an,39:7.[186]Qur'an,3:102.[187]Qur'an,51:56-57.[188]Qur'an,4:36.[189]Qur'an,8:20.[190]Qur'an,2:85.[191]Qur'an,43:31.[192]Qur'an,43:32.[193]QurayshwasthetribewhichinhabitedMecca.[194]Qur'an,33:36.[195]Lecturesonusulal-Fiqh,vol.2p.87-89.[196]Qur'an,17:70.[197]Qur'an,95:4.[198]Qur'an,82:6-8.[199]Qur'an,22:37.[200]Qur'an,16:14.[201]Qur'an,16:5-7.[202]Qur'an,64:16.[203]Qur'an,2:286.[204]Qur'an,65:7.[205]Qur'an,24:61.[206]Qur'an,3:97.[207]Qur'an,58:3-4.[208]Qur'an,4:98.[209]Qur'an,4:100.[210]Qur'an,9:91.[211]Meansoftransportation.[212]Qur'an,2:273.[213]Qur'an,3:167.[214]Qur'an,61:2.[215]Qur'an,16:106.[216]Qur'an,2:225.[217]Qur'an,47:31.[218]Qur'an,7:182.[219]Qur'an,29:2.[220]Qur'an,38:34.[221]Qur'an,20:85.[222]Qur'an,7:155.[223]Qur'an,5:48.[224]Qur'an,3:152.225]Qur'an,68:17.[226]Qur'an,67:2.

[227]Qur'an,2:124.[228]Qur'an,47:5.[229]Qur'an,23:115.[230]Qur'an,6:28.[231]Qur'an,20:134.[232]Qur'an,17:15.[233]Qur'an,4:165.[234]Qur'an,35:8.[235]Qur'an,41:17.[236]Qur'an,3:7.[237]Qur'an,39:17-18.[238]Tuhafal-Uqul,p.458-475,alsomentionedinbriefinal-Ihtijajbyat-Tabarsi.[239]Qur'an,2:186.[240]Qur'an,39:53.[241]Qur'an,37:75.[242]Qur'an,17:110.[243]A’yanash-Shia,vol.4p.285.[244]Ad-Durran-Nadheem.[245]Ad’iyatal-Bihar.[246]At-Tawhid.[247]Ziyarahlinguisticallymeans“avisit”buthereitreferstothespecialsacredwordingssaidby

theinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s)andbyothersasakindofgreeting,respectandreverenceoffered to theAhlul Bayt (a.s) and other holy personalitieswhen visiting their shrines ormay berecitedoncertaindaysandoccasionswhereveroneis.[248]Mafatihal-JinanbySheikhAbbasal-Qummi,p.363.[249]Qur'an,33:10-13.[250]Qur'an,33:22.[251]AmrbinAbdWiddwasthemostfamous,andbravestheroofthepolytheistswhofoughtin

thebattleofal-Ahzab.[252]Qur'an,33:25.[253]Qur'an,3:153.[254]Qur'an,9:25-26.[255]Qur'an,33:15.[256]HereImamal-Hadi(a.s)talkedaboutthesleepingofImamAli(a.s)intheProphet’sbedwhen

QurayshdecidedtokilltheProphet(a.s)butImamAli(a.s)sacrificedhislifeforhim.[257]Qur'an,37:102.[258]Qur'an,2:207.[259]InthispassageImamal-Hadi(a.s)talkedaboutthefamouseventofal-GhadirwhenMuslims

paidhomagetoImamAli(a.s)as thecaliphafter theProphet(a.s)dueto thedecreeof theProphet(a.s)himself.[260]Qur'an,5:67.[261]Qur'an,20:90-91.[262]Qisasal-Anbiya’(Thestoriesoftheprophets)byar-Rawandi.[263]Al-Amalibyas-Saduq.[264]HewasonethemostoppressivewalisoftheUmayyads.[265]Qur'an,6:44-45.[266]Rijalal-Kashshi.[267]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,vol.3p.227.

[268]Al-Ihtijaj.[269]Biharal-Anwar.[270]Hemightbeal-HasanbinSa’eedal-Ahwazi.[271]Tuhafal-Uqul,p.482-483.[272]Al-AmalibySheikhal-Mufid.[273]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,vol.3p.227.[274]Ma’anial-Akhbarbyas-Saduq.[275]Ibid.[276]Ma’anial-Akhbarbyas-Saduq.[277]Ma’anial-Akhbarbyas-Saduq.[278]Qur'an,7:179.[279] These sayings are quoted from ad-Durr an-Nadhim, al-Ittihaf Bihubil Ashraf, Bihar al-

Anwar,al-AmaliofSheikhat-Tusi,Aa’yanash-Shia,Nuzhatan-Nadhir,Tuhafal-Uqul,al-AmaliofSheikhal-Mufid,Ma’anial-AkhbarofSheikhas-Saduq,Ma’athiral-Kubara’.

6ChapterHisCompanionsandtheNarratorsofhisTraditions

ThevastcultureandknowledgeofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)inallsciencessuchastafsir(commentaryof

theQur ’an), jurisprudence,Islamicarts,ethics,andotherfieldsmadehimtheendthatscholarsandseekersofknowledgesetofftowards.The companions of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) represented the true mission of Islam. They saved the

missionof Islamfrom lose.Theyassociatedwith the infallible Imamsof theAhlulBayt (a.s.)whowere the flowing spring of the essence of Islam. They narrated and recorded their (the Imams’)traditionsintheirfourhundredrecords(usuls)thatwerecollectedlateroninthefourbookstowhichtheShiajurisprudentsreferredandarestillreferringtoinderivinglegalverdicts.ThesecompanionshaddonetheIslamicworldagreatfavorbywritingdowntheknowledgeand

literatureoftheinfallibleImams(a.s.);otherwise,thatgreatheritagewouldbelostandconsequentlythehumancultureandintellectwouldlosemuch.The thing that makes one pride on the jihad of those narrators is that they associated with the

infallibleImams(a.s.)andrecordedtheirtraditionsinatimethatwasmostcriticalandfullofoffenseandoppression.TheUmayyadandAbbasidgovernmentswenttoofarinoppressingtheAlawidsandtheir followers and in preventing the public from associating with them (the Alawids). Thosegovernments, with no mercy or leniency, chased everyone who tried to spread or talk about thevirtues of theAlawids or narrate their traditions and arrested him to be killed or to remain in thedarkness of prisons forever. Therefore, narrators refrained from mentioning the names of theinfallible Imamsfromwhomtheynarrated traditions.Theyreferred to thembysurnamesone timeandbytitlesothertime.Theydidnotdeclaretheirrealnames.Anyhow,wementionherethecompanionsofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andthenarratorsofhistraditions

withbrief accountson thembecause this, aswe think, shall complete the studyon the Imam that itdiscoverssomeimportantsidesofhispersonality.

1.IbrahimbinIsaaq

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidthathewasreliable.

[280]

2.IbrahimbinAbuBakrar-Razi

Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[281]

3.IbrahimbinIdris

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[282]Sodidal-Barqi.[283]

4.IbrahimbinDawudal-Ya’qubi

Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[284]Al-Barqi saidhewas

fromImamal-HadiandImamal-Jawad’scompanions.[285]Al-KashshimentionedhimasoneofthenarratorswhonarratedfromImamAbulHasan(a.s.).[286]

5.IbrahimbinShayba

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[287]Once,hewrotealetter

to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) complaining to him against the deviants from religion who distorted theIslamicintellect.WeshalldiscussthismatterwhenwetalkabouttheageoftheImamlateron.

6.IbrahimbinAbdahan-Naysaburi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-HadiandImamal-Askari’scompanions.[288]Al-

KashshisaidthatImamal-Hasanal-Askari(a.s.)sentalettertoIsaaqbinIsma’ilinwhichhegreetedIbrahim binAbdah and appointed him as his agent to receive the legal dues.[289]Once, Imam al-Askari(a.s.)deputedhimtoAbdullahbinHamdwayhal-Bayhaqiandsentaletterwithhimsayinginit,“IhavesentIbrahimbinAbdahsothatthe(other)districtsandthepeopleofyourdistrictpaymyduesonyoutohimandmadehimmytrustandagentbeforemyfollowersthere.LetthemfearAllahandpaytheduesandtheyhavenoexcuseinnotdoingthatordelayingit.MayAllahnotdistressthemfordisobeyingHisguardiansandmayHehavemercyonthemandonyouthroughmymercifulnesstothem,andAllahisAmple-giving,Generous.”[290]

7.IbrahimbinUqbah

Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions,[291] and so did al-Barqi.

[292] He narrated traditions from ImamAbu Ja’far al-Jawad (a.s.) and ImamAbul Hasan al-Hadi(a.s.).SahlbinZiyadandothernarratorsnarratedfromhim.[293]

8.IbrahimbinMuhammadbinFarisan-Naysaburi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-HadiandImamal-Hasanal-Askari’scompanions.[294]

9.IbrahimbinMuhammadal-Hamadani

Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam ar-Ridha, Imam al-Jawad, and Imam al-Hadi’scompanions.Al-Kashshi said hewas the agent of Imamal-Hadi (a.s.).Heperformed the hajj fortytimes.[295] He was the agent of Imam al-Jawad (a.s.) who wrote to him, “Your account has beenreceived.MayAllahacceptfromyouandbepleasedwiththemandmakethemwithusinthislifeandin theafterlife.So-and-sodinarsandso-and-soclothesweresent toyou.MayAllahbless themforyouandblesseverygiftHehasgiventoyou.Ihavewrittentoan-Nadhrorderinghimtorefrainfromtroubling and objecting to you and informing him of your position tome. And I have written toAyyuborderinghimof the same too. Ihavewrittenabook tomy followers inHamadanorderingthemtoobeyyouandfollowyourordersandthatIhavenoagent(there)exceptyou.”[296]ThislettershowsthatIbrahimbinMuhammadwassotrustedandofahighpositionneartheImam

(a.s.).

10.IbrahimbinMahziyar

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-JawadandImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[297]An-

Najashisaidhehadwrittenabookcalledal-Bisharat.[298]Al-KashshimentionedatraditionnarratedbyMuhammadbinIbrahimbinMahziyarthathesaid,“Whenmyfather(Ibrahim)wasabouttodie,hegaveme somemoney and gaveme a certain sign. No one knew about this sign except Allah theAlmighty.He said tome, ‘Whoever showyou this sign, youhave to give him thismoney.’ IwenttoBaghdadandstoppedataninn.Onthefollowingday,someonecameandknockedthedoor.Iaskedtheservanttoseewhohewas.Theservantsaid,‘Anoldmanatthedoor.’Isaid,‘Lethimcomein.’Theoldmancamein,tookaseatandsaid,‘Iamal-Umari.Givemethemoneythatiswithyouwhichis so-and-so.’ He showed me the sign and I gave him the money.[299]This tradition shows thatIbrahimwastheagentoftheImaminreceivingthelegalduesanddefinitelyhewasfairandreliableinordertobetheImam’sagent.

11.Ibrahimad-Dahqan

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[300]

12.AhmadbinIsaaqbinAbdullahal-Ash’arial-Qummi

HewasthedeputyofthepeopleofQum.HenarratedtraditionsfromImamAbuJa’farthesecond

(al-Jawad) and ImamAbulHasan al-Hadi (a.s.).Hewas from the close companions of ImamAbuMuhammad al-Askari (a.s.). He hadwritten some books such as Ilal as-Sawm,Masa’il ar-Rijal ofImamal-Hadi,andIlalas-Salat.Hewasoneof thosewhosawImamal-Mahdi(a.s.)and thereweremanytraditionsnarratedonpraisinghim.

13.AhmadbinIsaaqar-Razi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[301]Henarratedtraditions

fromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andSahlbinZiyadnarratedfromhim.[302]

14.AhmadbinIsma’ilbinYaqtin

Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[303]

15.AhmadbinAbuAbdullahal-Barqi

Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’scompanions.[304]Henarratedabout fortytraditions.[305]

16.Ahmadbinal-HasanbinIsaaqbinSa’d

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[306]

17.Ahmadbinal-HasanbinAlibinMuhammadbinFadhdhal

He was eloquent and reliable in traditions. His brother Ali bin al-Hasan and other Kufi men

narratedfromhim.[307]HehadwrittensomebookssuchasthebookofSalat(prayer)andthebookofWudu’.Hediedin260AH.[308]

18.AhmadbinHamzabinal-Yasa’al-Qummi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[309]HenarratedfromImam

al-Hadi(a.s.),AbbanbinUthman,al-Husaynbinal-Mukhtar,ZakariyyabinAdam,MuhsinbinAhmad,andMuhammadbinAli.Al-HusaynbinSa’eed,AbdullahbinJa’far,AlibinMahziyarandothermennarratedfromhim.[310]

19.Ahmadbinal-Khadheeb

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[311]andsodidal-Barqi.

20.AhmadbinZakariyyabinBabaal-Qummi

Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[312]

21.Ahmadbinal-Fadhl

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[313]

22.AhmadbinMuhammadas-Siyadial-Basri

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-HadiandImamal-Hasanal-Askari’scompanions.[314]

23.AhmadbinMuhammadbinEesaal-Ash’arial-Qummi

Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam ar-Ridha, Imam al-Jawad, and Imam al-Hadi’s

companions.[315]HewasthechiefandnotableofthepeopleofQumandwastheheadwhomettherulers.Hehadwrittensomebookssuchasat-Tawhid (monotheism),TheVirtueof theProphet,al-Mut’ah (temporary marriage), an-Nawadir (rarities), an-Nasikh wel Mansukh (abrogating andabrogated),theVirtuesoftheArabs,andotherbooks.[316]

24.AhmadbinHilalas-Sabrtanial-Baghdadi

Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions (or just a narrator of his

traditions).Hewasaccusedofexaggeration.[317]Manytraditionsdispraisedhimandsaidthathewasirreligious.

25.IsaaqbinIsma’ilbinNoubakht

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[318]andsodidal-Barqi.

26.IsaaqbinMuhammadal-Basri

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasaccusedof

exaggeration.[319]Theauthorofal-Khulasahsaidhewas from thecompanionsof Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)buthewasaccusedofexaggeration.

27.AyyubbinNoahbinDuraj

Hewas trustworthyandreliable.An-Najashisaid, ‘HewasanagentofAbulHasan(al-Hadi)and

Abu Muhammad (al-Askari) (peace be upon them). He had a high position near them. He wastrustworthy,verypious,andadevotedworshipper.Hewasreliableinhistraditions.HisfatherNoahbinDurajwasajudgeinKufaandwasatruefaithful.JameelbinDurajwashisbrother.’[320]Sheikhat-Tusisaid,‘AyyubbinNoahwasreliable.HehadabookandtraditionsfromAbulHasantheThird(Imamal-Hadi).’Al-Kashshisaid,‘Hewaspious.Heleft justonehundredandfiftydinarsafterhisdeath,thoughpeoplethoughthimwealthy.HenarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andmanynarratorsnarratedfromhim.’

28.BishrbinBashsharan-Naysaburi

He was the uncle of Abu Abdullah ash-Shathani. He was from Imam al-Hadi’s companions as

Sheikhat-TusimentionedinhisRijal.HenarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.),andSahlnarratedfromhim.[321]

29.Ja’farbinAhmad

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[322]andsodidal-Barqi.He

narrated fromMuhammadbinAli,andAlibin Ibrahimal-Qumminarrated fromhiminhisTafsir.[323]

30.Ja’farbinIbrahimbinNoah

Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[324]andsodidSheikhat-Tusi.

31.Ja’farbinAbdullahbinal-HusaynbinJami’al-Qummi

Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’scompanions.Hecommunicated through

letterswithImamal-Mahdi(a.s.).[325]

32.Ja’farbinMuhammadbinIsma’ilbinal-Khattab

Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions,[326] and so did al-Barqi.

Sheikhat-Tusisaidthatonce,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotehimaletter.[327]

33.Ja’farbinMuhammadbinYounusal-Ahwalas-Sayrafi

HenarratedfromImamAbuJa’farthesecond(al-Jawad).Hehadwrittenabook.[328]Sheikhat-

TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[329]

34.Hatimbinal-Faraj

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[330]

35.Al-HasanbinJa’far

HewasknownasAbuTalibal-Fafani.HewasfromBaghdad.Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasone

of Imam al-Hadi’s companions, and also hementioned him as one of Imam al-Hasan al-Askari’scompanions.[331]

36.Al-Hasanbinal-Hasanal-Alawi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[332]

37.Al-Hasanbinal-Husaynal-Alawi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[333]

38.Al-HasanbinKharzath

Sheikh at-Tusimentionedhimas oneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[334]An-Najashi said, ‘He

narratedtoomanytraditions.Hehadwrittenabookcalled“thenamesofthemessengerofAllah”anda book called “al-Mut’ah-temporarymarriage”. Itwas said that hewas excessive at the end of hislife.’[335]

39.AbuAlial-HasanbinRashid

Hewas a reliableman fromBaghdad. Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s

companions.[336]Sheikhal-Mufidsaidhewasoneofthefamousjurisprudentsandchiefsfromwhompeopletooktheverdictsofhalalandharamandwhowereuncriticizedandunblameable.[337]Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)appointedhimashisagentandsenthimmanyletters.Herearesomeofthem:1.Al-Kashshimentioned thatMuhammad bin Eesa al-Yaqtini said, “Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)wrote a

lettertoAlibinBilalin232AHsayinginit,‘IpraiseAllahandthankHimforhismightandmercyand prayHim to have blessing andmercy onMuhammad the Prophet and on his progeny. I haveappointedAbuAli in thepositionofal-HusaynbinAbdRabbihandentrustedhimwith that for theknowledgehehasthatnooneispreferredtohim.IknowyouarethechiefofyourdistrictandsoIwantedtohonoryoubywritingthisbookonthattoyou.Youhave toobeyhimanddeliver tohimall thedues thatarewithyou.Youhave to informmy

manumitted slaves and recommend themof that, for thiswill support and suffice him and save useffortsandpleaseus.Doingthis,youwillhavetherewardofAllahandAllahgiveswhoeverHelikes.He is theGiver,WhorewardswithHismercyandyouare in the trustofAllah. Ihavewritten thisletterwithmyhandwritingandIpraiseAllahtoomuch.”[338]Thislettershowsthereliability,trustworthiness,andvirtueofal-HasanbinRashidwhereImamal-

Hadi(a.s.)orderedhisfollowerstoobey,follow,andpaythelegalduestohim.2.Al-KashshimentionedthatAhmadbinMuhammadbinEesasaid,‘Icopiedthebookthatwaswith

ibnRashidtothemawaliwholivedinBaghdad,Mada’in,andthevillagesaround.Thisisthetextoftheletter:‘IpraiseAllahforthehealthandsoundnessIamin,andprayHimtohaveblessing,allmercy,and

kindnessonHisProphetandhisprogeny.IhaveappointedAbuAlibinRashidinplaceofAlibinal-HusaynbinAbdRabbihwhowasmyagentbefore,andnowhe(AbuAlibinRashid)hasthepositionofhispredecessor.IhaveentrustedhimwithwhatIhadentrustedmypreviousagentswithtoreceivemyrightsfromyou.Ihaveacceptedhimtoyouandpreferredhimtotheothersinthat,andheiswell-qualifiedforthisjob.MayAllahhavemercyonyou,paytheduestohimandtomeanddonotmakeanexcuseonyourselves.HurrytoobeyAllah,makeyourmonieslawful,spareyourbloods,helponeanotheringoodnessandpiety,andfearAllahthatyoumayfindmercy,andholdfastbythecovenantofAllah all together and do not die unless you areMuslims.Obeying him is as obeyingme, anddisobeyinghimisasdisobeyingme.KeeptotherightpaththatAllahmayrewardyouandgiveyoumorefromHisfavor,forAllahis

Ample-giving,Generous,andHeisGraciousandMercifultoHispeople.Mayweandyoubeinthetrust and preservation of Allah. I havewritten it withmy handwriting, and toomuch praise be toAllah.’[339]3.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)sentalettertoAyyubbinNoahsaying,“OAyyub,IorderyoutostopdisputationbetweenyouandAbuAli,andthateachofyoushould

keeptowhathehasbeenentrustedwithandorderedtomanagetheaffairsofhisdistrict.Ifyoufollow

allthatwhichIhaveorderedyouof,youwillnolongerneedtorefertome.OAbuAli,Iorderyouof the same as I have ordered Ayyub. Do not accept anything from anyone from the peopleofBaghdadandtheothervillages.Orderanyonecomingtoyoufromotherthanyourdistricttocarrythedues to theveryagentofhisowndistrict.OAbuAli, IorderyouasIhaveorderedAyyub.LeteachofyoudoasIhaveorderedhim!’[340]Definitely,AbuAlibinRashidhadarespectablepositionnearImamal-Hadi(a.s.),andcertainlyhe

didnotobtainedthatpositionexceptthroughhispietyandreligiousness.WhenbinRashiddied,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)prayedAllahtohavemercyonhim,toforgive,andbepleasedwithhim.

40.Al-HasanbinDharif

Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’scompanions.[341]An-Najashi said, ‘Al-

HasanbinDharifbinNasifwasareliablemanfromKufa.Heandhisfather livedinBaghdad.It issaidthathehasabookonrarities.Manynarratorsnarratedfromhim.’[342]

41.Al-HasanbinAlibinUmarbinAlibinal-HusaynbinAlibinAbuTalib

Hewas called an-Nasir lil-Haqq.Hewas from Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[343] The author of

Sharhal-Masa’ilan-Nasiriyyatsays,‘AbuMuhammadan-Nasiral-HasanbinAliwasvirtuousforhisvast knowledge and asceticism.His jurisprudencewas brighter than the bright sun. It was hewhospread Islam in ad-Daylam and made its people be guided by him after deviation. His splendidbiographyismorethantobeaccounted,andmoreobviousthantobehidden.’[344]

42.Al-HasanbinAlial-Washsha’

Sheikh at-Tusimentionedhimas oneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[345]An-Najashi said, ‘He

wasthesonofthedaughterofElyasas-Sayrafial-Khazzaz.Al-HasannarratedfromhisgrandfatherElyasthathesaidwhenhewasabouttodie,‘Witnessonme,andthismomentisnotoflying,thatIheardAbuAbdullah(as-Sadiq)(peacebeuponhim)saying:ByAllah,Firewillnottouchone,wholovesAllahandHismessengerandbelievesintheImams,afterhisdeath.”AhmadbinMuhammadbinEesasaid,‘Once,IwenttoKufaseekingHadith.Imetthereal-Hasan

binAlial-Washsha’andaskedhimtoshowmethebooksofal-Ala’binRazinal-QallaandAbbanbinUthmanal-Ahmar.HegavemethetwobooksandIaskedhimtopermitmetocopythem.Hesaidtome,‘Oman,whyareyouinahurry?Goandcopythem.’Isaid,‘Ifearaccidents.’Hesaid,‘IfIknewthat this traditionwouldberequestedsomuch,Iwouldwritemuchmore.Imet in thismosque(themosqueofKufa)ninehundredsheikhsthateachofthemsaid:Ja’farbinMuhammad(Imamas-Sadiq)saidtome…Thismanwasanotablescholarofthesect(theShia)andhadwrittensomebookssuchas“theRewardoftheHajj”,“al-Manasik”,andabookofrarities.’[346]

43.Al-HasanbinAlibinAbuUthmanas-Sajjadah

Hewasexcessive.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[347]From

his excessivenesswas thatNasrbinas-Sabah said, ‘Oneday, al-HasanbinAlibinAbuUthmanas-Sajjadah said to me, ‘What do you say about Muhammad bin Abu Zaynab and Muhammad binAbdullah binAbdulMuttalib (the Prophet) (peace be upon him and upon his progeny)?Which ofthemisbetter?’Isaidtohim,‘Yousay!’Hesaid,‘MuhammadbinAbuZaynab(isbetter).DoyounotseethatAllahtheAlmightyhasblamedMuhammadbinAbdullah(theProphet)(peace

be upon him and upon his progeny) on some occasions in the Qur'an, but He has not blamedMuhammadbinAbuZaynab?AllahhassaidtoMuhammadbinAbdullah,(AndifWehadnotmadetheewhollyfirmthoumightestalmosthaveinclineduntothemalittle),[348]and(IfthouascribeapartnertoAllah,thyworkwillfailandthouindeedwiltbeamongthelosers),[349]andinotherverses,andHehasnotblamedMuhammadbinAbuZaynabforanythingofthat.’Abu

Amrsaid,‘Onas-SajjadahbethecurseofAllah,ofcursors,oftheangels,andofpeoplealtogether.Hewas from theAliya’iteswhocriticized themessengerofAllah (SwT)andwhohadnoshare inIslam.’[350]Thistraditionshowsthebadbeliefsofthisman.

44.Al-HasanbinMuhammadal-Qummi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[351]Al-Kashshisaid,‘Abu

Muhammadal-FadhlbinShathanmentionedinoneofhisbooks:“FromthefamousliarsisibnBabaal-Qummi.Sa’dsaid thatal-Ubaydisaid tohim,‘Once,(Imam)al-Askariwrote tomesaying:IamfreebeforeAllahfromal-Fihriandal-HasanbinMuhammadbinBabaal-Qummi,andyoualsobefreefromthem.Iwarnyouandallmyfollowersfromthem.Icursethem.The curse of Allah be on them. They extort themonies of people in the name of us. They are

mischievousandharmful.MayAllahharm themandplunge them intomischief. IbnBabapretendsthatIhavesenthimasaprophetandthatheisa“bab”.[352]ThecurseofAllahbeonhim.Satanhasmockedathimanddeceivedhim.Allahcurseswhoeveracceptsthatfromhim.OMuhammad,ifyouareabletosplithisheadwitharock,youdo.Hehasharmedme.MayAllahharmhiminthislifeandintheafterlife.’[353]IbnBabawasdeviantfromthetruthandfromreligionandheharmedtheImamwiththeheresiesheoriginated.

45.Al-HasanbinMuhammadbinHayy

Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[354] He seemed to be a

TwelverShia,buthewasunknown.

46.Al-HasanbinMuhammadal-Mada’ini

HewasfromthecompanionsofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).[355]

47.Al-HusaynbinAsadan-Nahdi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[356]andsodidal-Barqi.

48.Al-HusaynbinAsadal-Basri

Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[357]Al-Barqi saidhewas

fromthecompanionsofImamal-Jawad(a.s.)andsaidhewasreliableandtruthful.[358]

49.Al-HusaynbinAshkib

An-Najashi said, ‘Al-HusaynbinAshkibwasa reliable,preferable sheikh fromKhurHasan.Abu

Amrmentionedhiminhisbook“ar-Rijal”asoneofthecompanionsofImamAbulHasanal-Mahdi(a.s.).Al-Ayyashinarratedmanytraditionsfromhimandconsideredhistraditionsastrueandsaidhewas trustworthy.[359] Al-Kashshi said, ‘He was a theologian, scholars, and author of somebooks.’[360]

50.Al-HusaynbinUbaydillahal-Qummi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasaccusedof

excessiveness.[361]Al-Kashshi said, ‘Hewas exiled fromQum at the timewhen those,whowereaccusedofexcessiveness,wereexiled.’[362]

51.Al-HusaynbinMalikal-Qummi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[363]

52.Al-HusaynbinMuhammadal-Mada’ini

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[364]andsodidal-Barqi.

53.Hafsal-Marwazi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[365]

54.HamdanbinSulaymanbinUmayrahan-Naysaburi

Hewasknownas at-Tajir.Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.

[366]An-Najashisaid, ‘HamdanbinSulaymanAbuSa’eedan-Nayshaburiwasa reliablemanfromthenotablesofourcompanions.’[367]

55.HamzabinSulaymanbinRasheed

HewasfromBaghdad.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[368]

56.KhalilbinHashimal-Farisi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[369]

57.KhayranbinIsaaqaz-Zakani

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[370]

58.Khayranal-Khadim

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable,[371]

andsodidal-Barqi.HehadahighpositionnearImamal-Jawad(a.s.).Al-KashshimentionedsomeofhistraditionswithImamal-Jawad(a.s.).

59.DawudbinAbuZayd

Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions and said he was reliable,

truthful, and religious.He hadwritten some books asmentioned by al-Kashshi and ibn an-Nadim.[372]

60.Dawudbinal-Qassimal-Ja’fari

HewasfromBaghdadandsurnamedasAbuHashim.Hewasnotableandhadahighpositionnear

theImams(a.s.).HemetImamar-Ridha,Imamal-Jawad,Imamal-Hadi,Imamal-Askari,andImamal-Mahdi(peacebeuponthem).Henarratedtraditionsfromthemall.HehadcomposedpoetryontheImamsandwrittenabook.Hewaspreferredbyrulers.Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Jawad,al-Hadi,andImamal-Askari’scompanions.[373]Al-Kashshisaid,‘AbuAmrsaidthatDawudhad a respectable, high position near Abu Ja’far (al-Jawad), Abul Hasan (al-Hadi), and AbuMuhammad(al-Askari)(peacebeuponthem).’[374]

61.DawudbinSakhinahas-Sarimi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[375]andsodidal-Barqi.An-

Najashisaid,‘HenarratedtraditionsfromImamar-Ridha(a.s.)andremainedaliveuntilthedaysofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andhehadlettersonsomequestionswithhim.’[376]

62.Raja’binYahyabinSamanAbulHusaynal-Aqraba’iy

He narrated traditions from Imam al-Hadi (a.s.).He narrated a thesis called al-Maqna’ah on the

lawsoftheShariathatwasnarratedfromhimbyAbulMufadhdhalash-Shaybani.[377]

63.Ar-Rayyanbinas-Salt

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamar-RidhaandImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaid

he was reliable.[378]Al-Kashshi mentioned thatMa’mar bin Khallad said, ‘Ar-Rayyan bin as-Salt,whenal-FadhlbinSahlwantedtosendhimtooneofthedistrictsofKhurHasan,saidtome,‘IwantyoutoaskpermissionformetocomeintoAbulHasan(peacebeonhim)togreetandfarewellhim.Ilikehimtogivemefromhisclothesandsomedirhamsthathavebeencoinedwithhisname.’WhenIwenttohim(toImamal-Hadi),heimmediatelysaidtome,‘OMa’mar,WhereisRayyan?

DoesheliketocometoussothatIgivehimfrommyclothesandfrommydirhams?’Isaid,‘Glorybe toAllah!ByAllah, he just askedme to ask you for that.’He said, ‘OMa’mar, the faithful aresuccessful.Askhimtocome!’Iaskedhimtocomeinandhedid.HegreetedImamal-Hadi(a.s.),whogave him one of his garments.When he came out, I found thirty dirhams in his hand.’[379] Thistraditionshowsthathewasfaithfulandtrustworthy.

64.As-SariybinSalamahal-Isfahani

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhehadwrittenabook.[380]

65.SulaymanbinHafswayh

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,andsodidal-Barqi.[381]

66.SulaymanbinDawudal-Marwazi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[382]

67.As-SindibinMuhammad

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[383]

68.AbuSa’eedSahlbinZiyad

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[384]

An-Najashisaid,‘Hewasweakintraditionsandunreliable.AhmadbinMuhammadbinEesaaccusedhimofexcessivenessandlying,andheexiledhimfromQumwherehelivedtoar-Riy.HewrotetoImamAbuMuhammad al-Askari throughMuhammad binAbdulHamid al-Attar.He hadwritten abookcalledat-Tawhid (monotheism) thatwasnarratedbyAbulHasanal-AbbasbinAhmadbinal-FadhlbinMuhammadal-Hashimyas-SalihifromhisfatherfromAbuSa’eedal-Adami,andhealsohadabookonrarities.’[385]IbnulGhadha’irisaidabouthim,‘Hewasveryweakinnarrationsandofbadbeliefs.Ahmadbin

MuhammadbinEesa al-Ash’ari exiledhim fromQum, announced that hewas free fromhim, andforbadepeoplefromlisteningtohimornarratingfromhim.Henarratedmursal[386]traditionsanddependedonunknownnarrators.’[387]

69.AbuNu’asSahlbinYa’qubbinIsaaq

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidthatheservedImam

al-Hadi(a.s.) inSurraManRa’aandmanagedhisaffairs.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtohim,‘YouareAbuNu’asofthetruth.’[388]

70.ShahwayhbinAbdullah

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[389]HenarratedfromImam

al-Hadi(a.s.)andIsaaqbinMuhammadnarratedfromhimthetraditionoftheappointingofAl-Hasanal-Askari(a.s.)astheImamafterhisfather.[390]

71.AbulKhayrSalihbinSalamahar-Razi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[391]

72.SalihbinEesabinUmarbinBazi’

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[392]

73.SalihbinMuhammadal-Hamadani

Hewasreliable.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[393]andso

didal-Barqi.IbnShahrashubsaidthathewasfromthetrustworthycompanionsofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).[394]

74.Abdusal-Attar

HewasfromKufa.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[395]

75.Abdur-RahmanbinMuhammadbinTayfur

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[396]

76.Abdur-RahmanbinMuhammadbinMa’rufal-Qummi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[397]

77.Abdas-Samadal-Qummi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[398]

78.SharifAbdulAdheemal-Hasani

Hewas from the Prophet’s progeny.Hewas knowledgeable, pious, and religious.Herewe talk inbriefabouthim.

HisLineage

HislineagebelongstoImamAbuMuhammadal-HasanbinAlibinAbuTalib(a.s.),themasterof

theinhabitantoftheParadiseandbelovedoftheProphet(S).HewasthesonofAbdullahbinAlibinal-HasanbinZaydbinal-HasanbinAlibinAbuTalib(a.s.).[399]Definitely,therewasnolineageintheworldhigherormorehonorablethanthislineagewithwhichAllahhadhonoredtheArabsandtheMuslims.

HisReliabilityandKnowledge

Hewas reliable, fair, very religious, virtuous jurisprudent.AbuTurab ar-Rouyani said, ‘I heard

AbuHammadar-Razisaying:Once,IwenttoAlibinMuhammad(al-Hadi)(a.s.)inSurraManRa’aandaskedaboutsomethingsofhalalandharamandheansweredthemforme.WhenIsaidgoodbye,hesaid tome,‘OHammad, if there issomethingdubious toyouin themattersofreligioninyourdistrict, askAbdulAdheem al-Hasani about it and give himmy regards.’ This tradition show thatAbdulAdheemwasofgoodknowledgeandjurisprudence.

HisMeetingwithImamal-Hadi

HehadthehonorofmeetingwithImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andshowinghimhisbeliefs.HesaidtoImam

al-Hadi(a.s.),‘OsonofthemessengerofAllah,Iwanttoshowyoumyreligion(beliefs).Ifitpleasesyou,Iwillfixonit.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)smiledathimandsaid,‘OAbulQassim,speakout!’AbdulAdheemsaid,‘Isay:thereisnothingwhateverlikeAllahtheAlmighty.Heisfreefromthe

twolimits;thelimitofta’til(makingAllahabareunity)andthelimitoftashbih(thecomparingofAllahtothecreatures).Heisneitheramass,norashape,norashow,norasubstance,butHeistheEmbodierofmasses,theShaperofshapes,theCreatorofshowsandsubstances,theLord,theOwner,theMaker,andtheFormerofallthings.Muhammad,Hisslaveandmessenger,isthelastofprophets.Thereisnoprophetafterhimuntilthe

DayofResurrection,andhisreligionisthelastofreligionsthatthereisnoreligionafterituntiltheDay of Resurrection. And I say: the Imam, caliph, and guardian after him (after the Prophet) isAmir ’ul-Mu’mininAlibinAbuTalib(a.s.),andthenal-Hasan,andthenal-Husayn,andthenAlibinal-Husayn,and thenMuhammadbinAli,and thenJa’farbinMuhammad,and thenMusabinJa’far,andthenAlibinMusa,andthenMuhammadbinAli,andthenyoumymaster.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)turnedtohimandsaid,‘Andaftermeismysonal-Hasan.Whatshallpeopledo

withthesuccessor(Imamal-Mahdi)afterhim?’AbdulAdheemsaid,‘Howisthatmymaster?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Becauseheshallnotbeseen,anditshallbenotpermissibletomention

himbyhisname,untilhewillreappeartofilltheworldwithjusticeandfairnessafteritisfilledwithinjusticeandoppression.’AbdulAdheem said, ‘I acknowledge that and say: their guardian is the guardian ofAllah, their

enemy is the enemyofAllah, obeying them is the obedienceofAllah, anddisobeying them is thedisobedienceofAllah…andIsay:theProphet’sascension(totheHeavens)istrue,thequestioninginthegraveistrue,theParadiseistrue,theHellistrue,theRightWay(sirat)[400]istrue,theScaleistrue,theDayofResurrectionwillcomeundoubtedly,andAllahwillresurrectallthoseingraves.I say: theobligationsafter theguardianship (to the Imamsof theAhlulBayt)areprayer, fasting,

zakat,hajj,jihad,enjoiningtheright,andforbiddingthewrong.’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) said, ‘OAbul Qassim, by Allah this is the religion of Allah which He has

determined for His people. Keep to it, may Allah fix you on the truth in this life and in theafterlife.’[401]

Hisflighttoar-Riy

WhentheAbbasidgovernmentexaggeratedinchasingandoppressingtheAlawids,AbdulAdheem

fledtoar-RiytobesafefromtheevilsoftheAbbasids.HelivedinthehouseofanotablemanfromtheShia.Historianssaidthattherehedevotedhimselftoworship.HefastedinthedayandspentthenightworshippingandsupplicatinghisLordlikehisfatherswhospent theirnightworshippingandsupplicating.Duringhisresidinginar-RiyhewentindisguisetovisitthetombofoneofImamMusabin Ja’far al-Kadhim’s sons[402]whowas, aswe think,SayyidAhmadknownasShah Jiragh.TheShia, who lived in ar-Riy, knew about the coming of Abdul Adheem and so they visited himsecretly[403]forfearofthegovernment.

HisDeath

SayyidAbdulAdheem lived inar-Riy for some time fearfullyandhis selfwas fullof sorrowandpainforhiscousinswhometdifferentkindsofinjusticeandoppressionfromtheAbbasidswhoboreenmityandgrudgeagainsttheAhlulBayt(a.s.).They(theAbbasids)deniedthemanddeniedalltheirrightsandtheypouredonthemallkindsofmisfortunesanddistresses.SharifAbdulAdheembecameseriouslyillandsufferedseverepains,thebitterestofwhichwashis

remoteness from his relatives and country. Death came near to him but his tongue was stillmentioningandpraisingAllah.Heleftthislifeinlonelinesswherenoonefromhisfamilywaswithhim.WithhisdeathabrightpagefromthepagesoftheIslamicjihadwasfoldedandthatflame,whichlit

thewayforpeopletowardstheirhonoranddignity,wasputout.Thepeopleofar-RiyofallclasseshastenedtoescortthehonoredcorpseoftheAlawidmaster.The

funeralswereheldsplendidlyandthesacredbodywascarriedtoitslastandeternalabode.Theybuilthimagreatshrinethatwasandisstillvisitedbyhundredsofvisitorseveryday.

79.AbuAmrUthmanbinSa’eedal-Umarias-Samman

Hewastrustworthyandpious.HeservedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)sincehewaselevenyearsold.[404]He

hadahighpositionneartheImam(a.s.).AhmadbinIsaaqal-Qummisaid,‘Oneday,IwenttoAbulHasanAlibinMuhammad(Imamal-Hadi)(blessingsbeonhim)andsaidtohim:Omymaster,sometimesIamhereandsometimesIamnot.Icannotcometoyouateverytime.Whosesayingsdoweacceptandwhoseordersdowefollow?’Hesaid, ‘This isAbuAmrthe trustworthy, thefaithful.Whateverhesays toyou is frommeand

whateverheinformsyouofisinbehalfofme.’WhenAbulHasan (a.s.)died, I referred tohis sonAbuMuhammadal-Hasanal-Askari (a.s.) and

askedhimonedayasIhadaskedhisfatherbefore.Hesaidtome,‘ThisisAbuAmrthetrustworthy,thefaithful.Heisthetrustoftheformersandmytrustinlifeanddeath.Whateverhesaystoyouisfrommeandwhateverheinformsyouofisinbehalfofme.’[405]This tradition shows that he had a high position and was trusted by the infallible Imams (a.s.)

besides that it showshisvirtueandknowledgeand thathewasanauthorityof fatwasandreligiousverdicts.

80.UrwabinYahyaad-Dahqan

Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[406]sodidSheikhat-Tusibuthe

said that he was cursed and perfidious.[407] Al-Kashshi mentioned that Muhammad binMusa al-HamadanisaidthatUrwabinYahyaal-Baghdadiknownasad-Dahqan,thecurseofAllahbeonhim,fabricatedliesagainstAbulHasanAlibinMuhammadal-Hadi(a.s.)andAbuMuhammadbinAlial-Askari(a.s.)afterhimandtooktheirmoniesforhimself.HefabricatedliesagainstAbuMuhammaduntilhecursedhimandorderedhisfollowerstocurseandprayAllahagainsthim.[408]

81.AlibinIbrahimal-Hamadani

Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[409] He narrated from

AbdullahbinHammadal-AnsariandhissonMuhammadnarratedfromhim.[410]

82.AlibinIbrahimbinHashimal-Qummi[411]

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.Hewasoneof theprominentpersonalitiesofknowledgeinhisageandhehadwrittenmanybooks.

83.AbulHasanAlibinAbuQurrah

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[412]

84.AlibinBilalal-Baghdadi

HenarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andhadwrittenabook.[413]Al-Kashshisaid,‘IfoundabookwiththehandwritingofJabra’ilbinAhmadthatMuhammadbinEesaal-Yaqtinisaid,‘Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrote toAli binBilal in232Ah: “In thenameofAllah, theBeneficent, theMerciful. I praiseAllah and thank Him for his might and mercy and pray Him to have blessing and mercy onMuhammadtheProphetandonhisprogeny.IhaveappointedAbuAliinthepositionofal-HusaynbinAbdRabbihandentrustedhimwiththatfortheknowledgehehasthatnooneispreferredtohim.IknowyouarethechiefofyourdistrictandsoIwantedtohonoryoubywritingthisbookonthat

toyou.Youhavetoobeyhimanddelivertohimalltheduesthatarewithyouandyouhavetoinformmymanumittedslavesandrecommendthemofthatforthiswillsupportandsufficehimandsaveuseffortsandpleaseus.Doingthis,youwillhavetherewardofAllahandAllahgiveswhoeverHelikes.He is theGiver,WhorewardswithHismercyandyouare in the trustofAllah. Ihavewritten thisletterwithmyhandwritingandIpraiseAllahtoomuch.”[414]Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotethisbooktoAlibinBilalforhisreliabilityandfairnessandforhisgreat

lovetotheAhlulBayt(a.s.).Ali binBilal narrated fromMuhammad bin Isma’il binBazee’, andMuhammad binAhmad bin

Yahyanarratedfromhimatraditiononthevirtueof theziyaraof thebelieversandhowit isdone.[415]

85.AlibinJa’faral-Hamadani

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewashisagentandwas reliable.[416]An-Najashi said, ‘He had some questions to Abul Hasan al-Askari(a.s.).’[417]Sheikhat-Tusiconsideredhimasoneofthepraiseddeputies(ofImamal-Mahdi)andsaid,‘Hewasagood,virtuousmanfromtheagentsofAbulHasan(Imamal-Hadi)andAbuMuhammad(Imamal-Askari)(peacebeonthem).[418]AhmadbinAliar-RazinarratedthatAlibinMukhalladal-Ayadisaid,‘AbuJa’faral-UmarisaidtomethatonceAbuTahirbinBilalwenttoperformthehajjandhesawAlibinJa’farspendtoomuchmoney.When he went back, he wrote to Abu Muhammad (Imam al-Askari) (a.s.) about that and Abu

Muhammad(a.s.)repliedtohim:‘Wehaveorderedtogivehimonehundredthousanddinarsandthenanother one hundred thousand dinars but he refused to take them so thatwewould keep them forpeople…HewenttoAbulHasan(a.s.)andheorderedtogivehimthirtythousanddinars.’[419]HewaspreferredbyImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Once,therewasadisputebetweenhimandFaris.Ibrahim

binMuhammadwrotetotheImam(a.s.)tellinghimaboutthatandaskinghimtoshowhimwhichofthemheshouldfollow.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohimsaying,“Itshouldnotbeaskedaboutonelike thismanandheshouldneverbedoubted.ThepositionofAlibinJa’far issogreat tous.MayAllahpleaseuswithhim.Heisfarabovetobecomparedwithothers.GotoAlibinJa’fartosatisfyyourneeds,andfearFarisanddonotlethiminterfereinyouraffairs.Letyouandthosewhofollowyoufromthepeopleofyourcountrydothat.Ihavebeeninformedofwhathe(Faris)misrepresentedtopeople.Donotpayattentiontohiminsha’Allah!’[420]Oneday,therewasadisputebetweenAlibinJa’farandibnal-Qazwini.IbrahimbinMuhammad

al-HamadaniwrotealettertoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)tellinghimaboutthatandaskinghimtoshowhimwhichofthemheshouldfollow.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohimsaying,“Itshouldnotbeaskedaboutonelikethisman,andthereisnodoubtinhim.Allahhasglorifiedthe

positionof thepatient (Alibin Ja’far)where al-Qazwini is compared tohim!Go tohim to satisfyyourrequestsandquestionsandletthosewhofollowyougotohimtosatisfytheirneedsandanswertheir questions and to avoid al-Qazwini and not let him interfere in their affairs for I have beeninformedofwhathefabricatedamongpeople.Donotpayhimanyattentioninshalah!’[421]InapreviouschapterwehavementionedtheprayerofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)forAlibinJa’farwhen

hewasinprisonandthattheprayerwasrespondedtoandAliwasfreedfromprison.

86.Alibinal-Hasan

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[422]

87.Alibinal-HasanbinFadhdhal

Sheikh at-Tusimentionedhimas oneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[423]An-Najashi said, ‘He

was the best jurisprudent of our companions in Kufa and one of the notables there. He wastrustworthyandthemostawareofHadithamongthem.Ourcompanionslistenedtoandobeyedhim.Manytraditionswereheardfromhim.Nofaultwasfoundinhimandhewasaccusedofnothing.Heseldomnarratedfromaweaknarrator.HewasFatahite[424]anddidnotnarratefromhisfatheranytradition.When Iwas eighteen years, I discussedwith himon his books, but at that time I did notunderstandtraditionsanddidnotpermitmyselftonarratethembeforehim.Henarratedfromhistwobrotherswhonarratedfromtheirfather.Hehadwrittenmanybooks suchas thebookof“Wudu’”, “HaydhandNafas;menstruationand

puerperium”, “Salat; prayer”, “Zakat and Khums”, “Fasting”, “Manasik (rituals of) al-Hajj”,“Divorce”,“Nikah;marriage”andothers.’[425]Al-Kashshi said, ‘AbuAmr said: I askedAbuan-NadhrMuhammadbinMas’oudaboutall those

narratorsandhesaid,‘AsforAlibinal-HasanbinAlibinFadhdhal,IdidnotseeamongthosewhomIhadmetinIraqandKhurHasanonemoreknowledgeableorbetterthanAlibinal-Hasan(whowas)inKufa.Therewas no book about the Imams (a.s.) unless he had a copy of it.Hewas the best ofmemorizers,buthewasaFatahitebelievinginAbdullahbinJa’far(astheImam)andthenafterhimAbulHasanMusa(a.s.).Hewasreliable.’[426]

88.Alibinal-HasanbinAbdRabbih

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[427]andsodidal-Barqi.[428]

89.Alibinal-Husaynal-Hamadani

Hewasreliable.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[429]andso

didal-Barqi.

90.AlibinRameesal-Baghdadi

Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions and added that hewasweak.[430]

91.Alibinar-Rayyanbinas-Saltal-Ash’arial-Qummi

Hewasreliable.HehadacopyofthetraditionsofImamAbulHasantheThird(a.s.)andabookof

differenttraditions.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[431]andsodidal-Barqi.[432]

92.AlibinZiyadas-Saymari

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[433]MuhammadbinYa’qub

narrated fromAli binMuhammad that Abu Aqeel Eesa bin Nasr said, ‘Ali bin Ziyad as-Saymariwrote(toImamal-Hadi)askinghimforashroudandherepliedtohim,“Youshallneeditintheyeareighty.”Hesenthimtheshroudsomedaysbeforehisdeath.’[434]

93.AlibinShira

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[435]

94.AlibinAbdulGhaffar

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[436]andsodidal-Barqi.[437]

95.AlibinAbdullah

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[438]

96.AlibinAbdullahbinJa’faral-Himyari

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[439]

97.AlibinAbdullahaz-Zubayri

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[440]

98.AlibinUbaydillah

Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanion,[441]andsodidSheikhat-Tusi.[442]

99.AlibinAmral-Attaral-Qazwini

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[443]andsodidal-Barqi.He

wasoneofthenarratorswhonarratedthetraditionoftheannouncingoftheImamateofImamAbuMuhammadal-Askari(a.s.)byhisfatherafterhim.[444]

100.AlibinMuhammadbinZiyadas-Saymari

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[445]TheauthorofMu'jam

Rijalal-HadithsawthatAlibinZiyadas-SaymarimentionedbeforeandthisAlibinMuhammadas-Saymariwerebutthesamemanandnottwo.[446]

101.AlibinMuhammadbinash-Shuja’an-Naysaburi

HenarratedtraditionsfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.).[447]

102.AlibinMuhammadbinShirahal-Qashani

Sheikhat-TusisaidhewasweakfromIsfahanfromthechildrenofZiyadthemawlaofAbdullah

bin Abbas from aal Khalid bin al-Azhar.[448] Al-Barqimentioned him as Ali binMuhammad al-Qashani and said he was from Imam al-Hadi’s companions. An-Najashi said, ‘He was a virtuousjurisprudentoftoomanytraditions.AhmadbinMuhammadbinEesacriticizedhimandsaidheheardfromhimdeniedbeliefs.Hehadwrittensomebookssuchas“Prayer”,and“al-Jami’”whichwasabigbookonjurisprudence.’

103.AlibinMuhammadal-Minqari

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[449]An-Najashisaidhewas

reliablefromKufaandhadwrittenabookonrarities.[450]

104.AlibinMuhammadan-Nawfali

Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions,[451] and so did al-Barqi.

[452]HenarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andAhmadbinMuhammadnarratedfromhim.[453]

105.AlibinMahziyaral-Ahwaziad-Dawraqi

Hewasfromtheprominentulama’andoneofthefamousdisciplesofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Here,

wetalkinbriefabouthim:

Hisworship

Ali bin Mahziyar was unequaled in his piety and obedience. Narrators said that from his

worshippingwasthatwhenthesunrose,heprostratedhimselftoAllahandhedidnotraisehisheadfromprostrationuntilheprayedAllahforonethousandofhisbrothersasheprayedforhimself.OnhisforeheadtherewaslikethekneeofacamelbecauseofhismuchprostrationforAllah.[454]

Imamal-JawadPraisesHim

Imam al-Jawad (a.s.) praisedAli binMahziyar on some occasions. Once, hewrote him a letter

saying,‘O Ali, I have tested you and tried you in loyalty, obedience, service, reverence andperformanceofyourdutiesandifIsaythatIhavenotseenanyonelikeyou,Imightbetruthful.MayAllahrewardyouwiththeGardensofParadise.Neitheryourpositionnoryourservicesinthehotandcold and in the day and night have been unknown to me. I pray Allah, when He will gather thecreaturesontheDayofPunishment,tohaveenviablemercyonyou.HeistheHearerofprayer.’[455]

HisWorks

Hehadwrittenagoodcollectionofbooksshowinghisabundantknowledge.Fromamong these

booksare thefollowing:Wudu’,Prayer,Zakat,Fasting,Hajj,Divorce,Punishments,BloodMoney,at-Tafsir,TheVirtues,SettingSlavesFreeandManagement,Gains,Defects,Supplication,Courtesyand Chivalry, al-Mazar (shrine), Refuting the excessive, Recommendations, Inheritances, Khums,Witnesses,theVirtuesoftheBelievers,Heroism,Reservation(Taqiyyah),HuntingandSlaughtering,Asceticism, Drinks, Vows and Oaths and Penances, Letters (huroof), al-Qa’im (al-Mahdi), GoodTidings,Prophets,Rarities,theLettersofAlibinAsbat,andotherbooks.MostofthesebooksareonjurisprudentialsubjectswhichshowthathewasoneofthegreatjurisprudentsinIslam.

HisNarrations

AlibinMahziyarnarratedabout437traditionsfromImamal-Jawad(a.s.),Imamal-Hadi(a.s.),and

others.[456]HewasfromthepillarsoftheShiitecultureandwasnonesuchamongthescholarsandulama’ofhisage.

106.AlibinYahyaad-Dahqan

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasaccusedof

excessiveness.[457]

107.EesabinAhmad

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[458]andnarratedfromhim

manytraditions,fromwhichwasthisone:‘AbulHasanAlibinMuhammadal-Askari(al-Hadi)toldmefromhisfatherfromhisfathersthat(Imam)Ali(a.s.)said,‘ThemessengerofAllah(blessingandpeacebeuponhim) said (toAli): lethim,who likes tomeetAllah safe andpure, and the supremehorror not to grieve him, follow you and your sons al-Hasan, al-Husayn, Ali bin al-Husayn,MuhammadbinAli,Ja’farbinMuhammad,MusabinJa’far,AlibinMusa,Muhammad,Ali,al-Hasan,andthenal-Mahdiwhoisthelastofthem.’[459]

108.FarisbinHatimal-Qazwini

Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions (or just a narrator of his

traditions)andaddedthathewascursed,excessive.[460]Al-KashshimentionedthatNasrbinas-Sabahsaid, ‘Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) cursed al-Hasan bin Muhammad known as ibn Baba, Muhammad binNusayran-Namiri,andFarisbinHatimal-Qazwini.’[461]ManytraditionswererelatedtoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)oncursingthismanandwarningtheShiafrom

associating with him because he was a source of deviation and error. Here are some of thosetraditions:1.Urwahwrote to Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) aboutFarisandhe said, ‘Denywhathe saysanddisgrace

him.MayAllahexcludeanddisgracehim.Heisaliarinallthatheclaims.Butkeepyourselvesawayfromarguingwithhimorconsultingwithhim.Donotgivehimwayforevil.MayAllahsaveusfromhisburdenandtheburdenofhislike.’[462]2. IbrahimbinDawudal-Ya’qubiwrote to Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)abouthimandImamal-Hadi (a.s.)

replied,‘Payhimnoattention,andwhenhecomestoyou,dishonorhim!’[463]WeshallmentionhisdeviantopinionswhenweshallstudytheageoftheImaminacomingchapter.Anyhow,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)orderedhisfollowerstokillthisdeviant,misguidingmanwhensaying,‘WhowillrelievemebykillinghimandIassureParadiseforhimbythewillofAllah?’[464]

109.Al-FathbinYazidal-Jirjani

Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions,[465] and so did al-Barqi.

[466]An-Najashi said that hewas the author of “theQuestions” ormight be “theAnswers of theQuestions”–aswethink-thatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasaskedabout.

110.Al-FadhlbinShathanan-Nayshaburi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[467]Hewasfromthegreat

ulama’ and themost prominentmen of the Islamic intellect in his time.He studied and dealtwithdifferentsciencesandartsandwrotebooksonthem.Hereweshallmention,inbrief,somepointsonhim:

Imamal-HasanPraisesHim

Imamal-Hasanal-Askari(a.s.)praisedal-FadhlbinShathan.Whenonce,oneofal-Fadhl’sbooks

wasshowntoImamal-Askari(a.s.),hereadsomeofit,prayedAllahtohavemercyonal-Fadhl,andsaid,‘IenvythepeopleofKhurHasanthebeingofal-FadhlbinShathanamongthem.’Onceagain,hereadanotherbookofal-Fadhl,prayedAllahthreetimestohavemercyonal-Fadhl,andsaidaboutthebook,‘Itistruethatitshouldbeactedaccordingtoit.’[468]

ConfutingtheOpponents

Al-Fadhltookuponhimselftodefendhisbeliefsandrefutethespuriositiesraisedagainsthiscult.

Hesaid,‘Iamasuccessorofthosewhopassedaway.ImetMuhammadbinAbuUmayr,SafwanbinYahyaandothersandtookknowledgefromthemsincefiftyyearsago.Hishambinal-Hakampassedaway,mayAllahhavemercyonhim,andYounusbinAbdur-Rahmanwashissuccessor.Herefutedthedissenters.ThenYounusbinAbdur-Rahmanpassedawayandleftnosuccessorsexceptas-Sakkakwhorefutedthedissentersuntilhelefttothebetterworld.Iamthesuccessorafterthem,mayAllahhavemercyonthem.’[469]Hewasthesuccessorofthosegreatscholarswhostruggledanddefendedtheirhighprinciplesthat

theinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)hadadopted.

HisWorks

Thisgreatscholarwroteondifferentsciencessuchasjurisprudence,tafsir,theology,philosophy,

linguistics, logic, and other fields of knowledge. The books he had written were more than onehundredandeighty.[470]SomeofthemwerementionedbySheikhat-Tusi,[471]an-Najashi,[472]ibnan-Nadim,[473]andothers.

111.Al-FadhlbinKathiral-Baghdadi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[474]

112.Al-Fadhlbinal-Mubarak

Henarrated traditions from Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) andMuhammadbinEesa al-Ubaydi narrated fromhim.[475]

113.Al-Qassimash-Sha’ranial-Yaqtini

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasaccusedof

excessiveness.[476]

114.Al-Qassimas-Sayqal

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[477]andsodidal-Barqi.He

narratedfromImamar-Ridha(a.s.)andImamal-Jawad(a.s.),andMuhammadbinAbdullahal-Wasitinarratedfromhim.[478]

115.Kafural-Khadim

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[479]sodidibnDawudand

saidhewasreliable.[480]

116.MuhammadbinAbuTayfural-Mutatabbib

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[481]

117.MuhammadbinAhmadbinIbrahim

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[482]

118.AbuAliMuhammadbinAhmadal-Mahmudi

Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[483] Al-Kashshi said, ‘I

foundinthebookofAbdullahash-Shathanithathehadwrittenwithhishandwriting:“Iheardal-FadhlbinHashimsaying,‘Al-Mahmudimentionedtomethathehadperformedthehajjmanytimes.Iaskedhimabouttheirnumberbuthedidnottellme.Hesaid,‘Ihavebeenendowedwithmuchgood(money),praisebetoAllah.’Isaidtohim,‘Doyouperformthehajjforyourselforforothers[484]?’Hesaid,‘AftertheobligatoryhajjofIslam,IperformthehajjforthemessengerofAllah(SwT)

andhisprogeny,andfor theguardiansofAllah, thebelievingmen,andbelievingwomenasfarasAllahhaspermittedme.’Isaidtohim,‘Whatdoyousayinyourhajj?’Hesaid,‘Isay:OAllah,IbeganforYourmessengerMuhammad(blessingbeonhimandonhis

progeny)andImademyrewardfromYouandhimforYourpureguardians(peacebeuponthem)anddonatedmyrewardfromthemforyourfaithfulslaveswhobelieveinYourBookandtheSunnaofYourProphet(blessingbeonhimandonhisprogeny…’[485]Thisshowshisgoodwillandbenevolence,andthattheeducationofthepureImams(a.s.)totheir

companionshasproducedsuchperfectpersons.

119.AbulHasanMuhammadbinAhmadbinUbaydillahbinal-Mansur

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[486]

120.MuhammadbinAhmadbinMutahhar

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[487]HenarratedfromImam

al-Hadi(a.s.),andAbdullahbinJa’farnarratedfromhim.[488]

121.MuhammadbinAhmadbinMihran

Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[489]

122.MuhammadbinIsma’ilas-Saymarial-Qummi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[490]

123.MuhammadbinJazzakal-Jammal

Hewas reliable. Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[491] Ibn

ShahrashubsaidhewasfromthetrustworthycompanionsofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).

124.Muhammadbinal-HasanbinShammunal-Basri

Sheikh at-Tusimentionedhimas oneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[492]An-Najashi said, ‘He

wasaWaqifite[493]and thenwasexcessive.Hewasveryweakandofbadbeliefs…Hehadwritten“as-SunanwelAadabwaMakarimal-Akhlaq”,and“al-Ma’rifah”.’[494] Al-Kashshi mentioned from him his saying, ‘I wrote to Abu Muhammad (Imam al-Askari)

complainingofpovertyandthenIsaidtomyself:hasAbuAbdullah(Imamas-Sadiq)(a.s.)notsaid,‘Povertywithus (theAhlulBayt) is better thanwealthwithour enemy, andbeingkilledwithus isbetterthanlivingwithourenemy.’Thereplytomylettercamesaying,‘AllahtheAlmightytriesourfollowers,whentheirsinsincrease,bypoverty,andHemayforgivemany(ofsins),anditisasyourselfsaidtoyou:povertywithusisbetterthanwealthwithourenemy.Weareashelterforwhoeverresortstousandalightforwhoeverseekslight,andpreservationforwhoeverresortstous.Whoeverlovesuswillbewithusinthehighestposition,andwhoeverdeviatesfromuswillbeinFire.’AbuAbdullah(as-Sadiq)said,‘YouacknowledgethatyourenemywillbeinFireanddonotacknowledgethatyourguardianwillbeinParadise!Nothingpreventsyoufromthatbutweakness.’[495]Hediedwhenhewasonehundredandtwentyyears.Itwassaidthathenarratedfromeightymenof

thecompanionsofImamAbuAbdullahas-Sadiq(a.s.).[496]

125.Muhammadbinal-HasanbinAbual-Khattabaz-Zayyat

He was reliable man from Kufa. Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s

companions.[497]An-Najashisaid,‘Hewasaloftymanfromourcompanions.Hewasrespectable,reliable, and notable. He narrated many traditions and it was depended on his narrations. He hadwrittengoodbookssuchas“at-Tawhid”,“al-Ma’rifahwelBada’”,“ar-RaddalaAhlal-Qadar”,“al-Imamah”,“al-Lu’lu’ah”,“Wasayaal-A’immah”,“Rarities”.’[498]

126.MuhammadbinHamzaal-Qummi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[499]

127.Muhammadbinal-Husaynal-Fihri

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandaddedthathewascursed.[500]

128.Muhammadbinal-Husayn

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasfromAhwaz.[501]

129.AbulAbbasMuhammadbinKhalidar-Razi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[502]

130.MuhammadbinRaja’al-Khayyat

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[503]andsodidal-Barqi.

131.Muhammadbinar-Rayyanbinas-Salt

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[504]

An-NajashisaidtherewerequestionsbetweenhimandImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.).[505]

132.MuhammadbinSa’eedbinKulthumal-Marwazi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasatheologian.

[506] Al-Kashshi mentioned from Nasr bin as-Sabah that Muhammad bin Sa’eed al-Marwazi wasfromtheprominenttheologiansinNaysabur.[507]

133.MuhammadbinSulaymanal-Jallab

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[508]

134.MuhammadbinŞayfial-Kufi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[509]

135.MuhammadbinAbdulJabbar

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliablefromQum.[510]

136.MuhammadbinAbdur-Rahmanal-Hamadanian-Nawfali

Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhehadletterswithAbul

Hasanal-Hadi(a.s.).[511]

137.MuhammadbinAbdullahbinMihranal-Karkhi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasaccusedof

excessiveness and weakness.[512] An-Najashi said, ‘He was excessive, a liar, irreligious, andunreliable and was famous for that. He had some books like “al-Mamdohin welMathmomin; thepraisedandthedispraised”,“Maqtal(murderof)AbulKhattab”,“Manaqib(virtuesof)AbulKhattab”,“al-Malahim; battles or heroisms”, “at-Tabsirah; enlightenment”, “al-Qibab; domes”, and “an-Nawadir; rarities” which was the nearest of them to the truth whereas the others were full offalsehood.’[513]

138.MuhammadbinAbdullahan-Nawfalial-Hamadani

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[514]

139.MuhammadbinUbaydillahat-Tahi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[515]

140.MuhammadbinAlibinEesaal-Ash’arial-Qummi

Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[516] An-Najashi said,

‘MuhammadbinAliwasanotablemaninQumandtheemironitappointedbytheking.Sowashisfather.HehadquestionswithAbuMuhammadal-Askari(a.s.).’[517]

141.MuhammadbinAlibinMahziyar

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[518]

IbnTawussaidhewasfromthewell-knowndeputiesandbabswhomtheTwelverShia,whobelievedintheImamateofal-HasanbinAli,didnotdisagreeon.[519]

142.MuhammadbinEesabinUbaydal-Yaqtini

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasweak.[520]Al-

Kashshimentionedthathehadwrittensomebookslike“al-Imamah”,“al-Wadhihal-Makshuffir-Radala Ahl al-Wuquf”, “Bu’d al-Isnad”, “Qurb al-Isnad”, “al-Wasaya”, “al-Lu’lu’”, “al-Masa’il al-Muharramah”, “adh-Dhiya’”, “Dhara’if”, “at-Tawqi’at”, “at-Tajammul wel-Muru’ah”, “al-Fay’ welKhums”,“ar-Rijal”,“az-Zakat”,“Thawabal-A’mal”,and“an-Nawadir”.[521]

143.Muhammadbinal-Farajar-Rakhji

Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[522] There were firm

communicationsandmanycorrespondencesbetweenhimandImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Herearesomeofthelettersthatwerebetweenthem:1.Al-KashshimentionedthatMuhammadbinal-Farajsaid,“IwrotetoAbulHasan(al-Hadi)(a.s.)

askinghimaboutAbuAlibinRashid,EesabinJa’farbinAasim,andibnBand,andherepliedtomesaying,‘YouhavementionedbinRashid,mayAllahhavemercyonhim.Helivedhappyanddiedasamartyr.’AndheprayedAllahforibnBandandbinAasim.”[523]2.Al-KulaynimentionedthatAlibinMuhammadan-Nawfalisaid,“Muhammadbinal-Farajsaidto

me, ‘AbulHasan(al-Hadi)wrote tohim, ‘OMuhammad,manageyouraffairsandbecareful!”MyaffairsweremanagedandIwascarefulandIdidnotknowwhatforhewrotetomesountilanagentfrom the government came, tied me, and carried me from Egypt after confiscating all what Ipossessed. Iwere inprison foreightyearsand thenabookcame tomefromhim(fromImamal-Hadi)inprisonsaying,‘OMuhammad,donotresideintheWesternDistrict!’Ireadthebookandsaidtomyself: hewrites tome so, though I am inprison! It iswonderful!!After a little time Iwas setfree.’ThenMuhammadbinal-Farajwrotetohim(toImamal-Hadi)askingabouthispropertiesandhe

replied that theywouldbegivenback tohim.WhenMuhammadwent toal-Askar,hewrote tohimaboutgivinghispropertiesbacktohimbuthediedbeforethat.”[524]ThislettershowsthattheImam(a.s.) trustedandassistedMuhammad.WhenMuhammadbecame ill, Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) senthimagarment.Heputthegarmentunderhisheadandwhenhedied,hewasenshroudedwithit.

144.Muhammadbinal-Fadhl

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[525]andsodidal-Barqi.

145.Muhammadbinal-Fadhlal-Baghdadi

HenarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.),andAbdullahbinJa’faral-Himyarinarratedfromhim.[526]

146.AbuAbdullahMuhammadbinal-QassimbinHamzabinMusaal-Alawi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[527]

147.MuhammadbinMarwanal-Jallab

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable,[528]

andsodidal-Barqi.

148.MuhammadbinMarwanal-Khattab

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[529]

149.MuhammadbinMusabinFurat

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[530]

150.MuhammadbinMusaar-Rab’iy

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[531]

151.MuhammadbinYahyabinDaryab

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[532]

152.MasqalahbinIsaaqal-Qummial-Ash’ari

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[533]

153.Mu’awiyabinHakeembinMu’awiyabinAmmaral-Kufi

Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[534]An-Najashi saidabout

him,‘Hewasreliable,notablefromthecompanionsofImamar-Ridha(a.s.).AbuAbdullahal-Husaynsaid,‘Iheardoursheikhssaying:Mu’awiyabinHakeemnarratedtwenty-fourtraditionsonusul,andhad written some books like “Divorce”, “Menstruation”, “Obligations”, “Marriage”, “Penalties”,“BloodMonies”,andabookofrarities.’[535]

154.Mansurbinal-Abbasar-Razi

Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’scompanions.[536]An-Najashisaid, ‘His

statewasuncertain.Hehadabigbookonrarities.’[537]

155.MusabinDawudal-Ya’qubi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[538]HewasaTwelverShia

butunknown.

156.MusabinUmarbinBazee’themawlaofal-Mansur

Hewas reliable. Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions,[539] and

saidhehadabookonrarities.[540]

157.MusabinUmaral-Hadheen

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[541]

158.MusabinMurshidal-Warraqan-Nayshaburi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[542]HewasaTwelverShia

butunknown.

159.NasrbinMuzahimal-Qummi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[543]

160.An-NadhrbinMuhammadal-Hamadani

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,andsaidhewasreliable.[544]

Allama(al-Hilli)saidinal-Hawithathewasreliable.

161.YahyabinAbuBakrar-Raziadh-Dharir

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[545]

162.YahyabinMuhammad

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[546]Hewasunknown.

163.AbuYusufYa’qubbinIsaaqad-Dawraqial-Ahwazi

Hewasknownasibnas-Sikkit.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[547]HewaspreferredbyImamal-Jawad(a.s.)andImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Theycaredmuchforhim.HenarratedtraditionsfromImamal-Jawad(a.s.)andhadsomequestionswithhim.[548]Ibnas-Sikkitwasexpert in linguistics, literature,Poetry,andgrammarofArabicandhadwritten

manybookssuchas“Tahthibal-Alfadh”and“Islahal-Mantiq”.IbnKhillikanmentioned that some scholar said, ‘Nobookon linguistics has ever passed across

thebridgeofBaghdadlikethebookof“Islahal-Mantiq”.Thereisnodoubtthatitisfromtheuseful,interestingbooksincludingmanysidesoflanguage.Wedonotknowabooklikeitinthisconcern.Manyscholarswereinterestedinthebook.Al-Waziral-Maghribisummarizedit.Al-Khatibat-Tabrizieditedit.IbnKhillikanmentionedthatAbulAbbasal-Mubarridsaid,‘Ihavenotseenabookforthepeople

of Baghdad better than the book of ibn as-Sikkit in logic.’ Tha’lab said, ‘Our companions haveagreed on that there is no one, after ibn al-I’rabi, more aware in linguistics than ibn as-Sikkit.’[549]Al-Mutawakkil, theAbbasidcaliph,killedhimbecauseofhis loyalty to theAhlulBayt(a.s.).Weshalldetailthisinacomingchapter.

164.Ya’qubal-Bajali

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[550]HewasaTwelverShia

butunknown.

165.Ya’qubbinManqush

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-HadiandImamal-Askari’scompanions.[551]

166.AbuYusufal-KatibYa’qubbinYazidbinHammadal-Annbarias-Salami

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[552]

Hesaidinal-Fihristthathehadwrittensomebooksoneofwhichwasabookofrarities.An-Najashisaid,‘Hewasoneoftheclerksofal-Muntasir(theAbbasidcaliph).HenarratedfromAbuJa’farthesecond (a.s.)…He was reliable and truthful. He had some books like “al-Bada’”, “al-Masa’il”,“Nawadiral-Hajj”,and“at-Ta’nalaYounus”.’[553]

167.AbuBakrbinAbuTayfural-Fahmakial-Mutatabbib

Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[554] He was from the

narratorswhonarrated the traditionof theannouncingof theImamateof Imamal-Askari (a.s.).Hesaid, ‘Abul Hasan (al-Hadi) wrote to me saying, “My son Abu Muhammad is the most loyal ofaal[555]Muhammadandthefirmestinauthority.Heistheeldestofmysonsandheisthesuccessor.TohimistheImamateanditsverdicts.Whateveryouaskedmeaboutyoucanaskhimaboutforhehasallwhatyouneed.’[556]

168.AbulHusaynbinHilal

Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’scompanions.[557]Allamahal-Hilli[558]

andal-Majlisi[559]saidhewasreliable.

169.AbulHusaynal-Hudhayni

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[560]

170.AbuTahir

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasthebrotherof

MuhammadbinMuhammad.[561]

171.AbuTahirbinHamzabinal-Yasa’al-Ash’ari

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliablefromQum.[562]

172.AbuTahirMuhammad

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[563]

173.AbuAbdullahal-Mughazi

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasexcessive.[564]

174.AbuAbdullahal-Mukari

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[565]

175.AbuMuhammadbinIbrahim

Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[566]

176.AbuYahyaal-Jirjani

HewasAhmadbinDawudbinSa’eedal-Fazari.[567]

177.Kulthumal-Karkhiyya

Sheikhat-TusimentionedherasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidthatAbdur-Rahman

ash-Sha’eeri,thefatherofAbdur-RahmanbinDawudal-Baghdadi,narratedfromher.[568]Notes:[280]Rijalat-Tusi,p.409.[281]Rijalal-Barqi.[282]Rijalat-Tusi,p.409.[283]Rijalal-Barqi.[284]Rijalat-Tusi.[285]Rijalal-Barqi.[286]Rijalal-Kashshi.[287]Rijalat-Tusi.[288]Rijalat-Tusi.[289]Rijalal-Kashshi.[290]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.1p.118.[291]Rijalat-Tusi.[292]Rijalal-Barqi.[293]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.1p.121-122.[294]Rijalat-Tusi.[295]Rijalal-Kashshi.[296]Ibid.[297]Rijalat-Tusi.[298]Rijalan-Najashi.[299]Rijalal-Kashshi.[300]Rijalat-Tusi.[301]Ibid.[302]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.2p.48.[303]Rijalal-Barqi.[304]Rijalat-Tusi.[305]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.2p.32.[306]Rijalat-Tusi.[307]Rijalan-Najashi.[308]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.2[309]Rijalat-Tusi.[310]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.2[311]Rijalat-Tusi.[312]Rijalal-Barqi.[313]Rijalat-Tusi.[314]Rijalat-Tusi.[315]Ibid.[316]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith.[317]Rijalat-Tusi.

[318]Ibid.[319]Ibid.[320]Rijalan-Najashi.[321]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.3p.307.[322]Rijalat-Tusi,p.411.[323]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.4p.49.[324]Rijalal-Barqi.[325]Rijalat-Tusi.[326]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.4p.307.[327]At-Tahthib.[328]Rijalan-Najashi.[329]Rijalat-Tusi.[330]Ibid.[331]Ibid.[332]Ibid.[333]Rijalat-Tusi.[334]Rijalat-Tusi.[335]Rijalan-Najashi.[336]Rijalat-Tusi.[337]Ar-Risalahal-Adadiyyah.[338]Rijalal-Kashshi.[339]Rijalal-Kashshi.[340]Rijalal-Kashshi.[341]Rijalat-Tusi.[342]Rijalan-Najashi.[343]Rijalat-Tusi.[344]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.5p.30-31.[345]Rijalat-Tusi.[346]Rijalan-Najashi.[347]Rijalat-Tusi.[348]Qur'an,17:74.[349]Qur'an,39:65.[350]Rijalal-Kashshi.[351]Rijalat-Tusi.[352]InearlyShiism“bab”denotestheseniorauthorizeddiscipleoftheImam.[353]Rijalal-Kashshi.[354]Rijalat-Tusi.[355]Ibid.[356]Ibid.[357]Ibid.[358]Rijalal-Barqi.[359]Rijalan-Najashi.[360]Rijalal-Kashshi.[361]Rijalat-Tusi.[362]Rijalal-Kashshi.[363]Rijalat-Tusi.[364]Ibid.

[365]Ibid.[366]Ibid.[367]Rijalan-Najashi.[368]Rijalat-Tusi.[369]Rijalat-Tusi.[370]Ibid.[371]Ibid.[372]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.7p.92.[373]Rijalal-Barqi.[374]Rijalal-Kashshi.[375]Rijalat-Tusi.[376]Rijalan-Najashi.[377]Ibid.[378]Rijalat-Tusi.[379]Rijalal-Kashshi.[380]Rijalat-Tusi.[381]Rijalat-Tusi,Rijalal-Barqi.[382]Rijalat-Tusi.[383]Ibid.[384]Ibid.[385]Rijalan-Najashi.[386]Amursaltraditionisatraditionthatisnarratedwithacutseriesofnarrators.[387]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.8p.340.[388]Rijalat-Tusi,p.415.[389]Ibid.[390]Usulal-Kafi.[391]Rijalat-Tusi.[392]Ibid.[393]Rijalat-Tusi.[394]Al-Manaqib.[395]Rijalat-Tusi.[396]Ibid.[397]Ibid.[398]Ibid.[399]Rijalan-Najashi.[400]SiratisabridgethatdominatesHellontheDayofResurrection.[401]AmaliofSheikhas-Saduq,andmentionedinbriefinWassa’ilash-Shia,vol.1p.13.[402]Rijalan-Najashi.[403]Ibid.[404]Rijalat-Tusi.[405]Al-Ghaybah.[406]Rijalal-Barqi.[407]Rijalat-Tusi.[408]Rijalal-Kashshi.[409]Rijalat-Tusi.[410]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.11p.222.[411]Ibid.p.203.[412]Rijalat-Tusi.

[413]Rijalan-Najashi.[414]Rijalal-Kashshi.[415]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.11p.301.[416]Rijalat-Tusi.[417]Rijalan-Najashi.[418]Al-Ghaybah.[419]Rijalal-Kashshi.[420]Rijalal-Kashshi.[421]Rijalal-Kashshi.[422]Rijalat-Tusi.[423]Rijalat-Tusi.[424]A sect believing thatAbdullah al-Aftah the sonof Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (s)was the Imam

afterhisfather.[425]Rijalan-Najashi.[426]Rijalal-Kashshi.[427]Rijalat-Tusi.[428]Rijalal-Barqi.[429]Rijalat-Tusi.[430]Ibid.[431]Ibid.[432]Rijalal-Barqi.[433]Rijalat-Tusi.[434]Ibid.[435]Ibid.[436]Rijalat-Tusi.[437]Rijalal-Barqi.[438]Rijalat-Tusi.[439]Ibid.[440]Ibid.[441]Rijalal-Barqi.[442]Rijalat-Tusi.[443]Ibid.[444]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.11p.114.[445]Rijalat-Tusi.[446]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.12p.154.[447]Ibid.p.60.[448]Rijalat-Tusi.[449]Rijalat-Tusi.[450]Rijalan-Najashi.[451]Rijalat-Tusi.[452]Rijalal-Barqi.[453]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.12p.193.[454]Rijalal-Kashshi,vol.2p.825.[455]Rijalal-Kashshi.[456]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.12p.194.[457]Rijalat-Tusi.[458]Rijalat-Tusi.

[459]Al-Ghaybah.[460]Rijalat-Tusi.[461]Rijalal-Kashshi.[462]Ibid.[463]Ibid.[464]Rijalal-Kashshi.[465]Rijalat-Tusi.[466]Rijalal-Barqi.[467]Rijalat-Tusi.[468]Rijalal-Kashshi.[469]Rijalal-Kashshi.[470]Rijalal-Kashshi.[471]Al-Fihristbyat-Tusi.[472]Rijalan-Najashi.[473]Al-Fihristbyibnan-Nadim.[474]Rijalat-Tusi.[475]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.12p.339.[476]Rijalat-Tusi.[477]Ibid.[478]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.13p.73.[479]Rijalat-Tusi.[480]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith.[481]Rijalat-Tusi.[482]Ibid.[483]Ibid.[484]Thattherewardofthehajjisintendedtobeforothers.[485]Rijalal-Kashshi.[486]Rijalat-Tusi.[487]Rijalat-Tusi.[488]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.15p.26.[489]Rijalal-Barqi.[490]Rijalat-Tusi.[491]Ibid.[492]Ibid.[493]ThewaqifiteswereagroupofpeoplebelievingintheImamateofthefirstsevenImamsfrom

ImamAli(a.s.)toImamMusabinJa’faral-Khadhim(a.s.)anddidnotbelieveintherestfiveImams.[494]Rijalan-Najashi.[495]Rijalal-Kashshi.[496]Rijalan-Najashi.[497]Rijalat-Tusi.[498]Rijalan-Najashi.[499]Rijalat-Tusi.[500]Ibid.[501]Rijalat-Tusi.[502]Ibid.[503]Ibid.[504]Ibid.

[505]Rijalan-Najashi.[506]Rijalat-Tusi.[507]Rijalal-Kashshi.[508]Rijalat-Tusi.[509]Rijalat-Tusi.[510]Ibid.[511]Rijalal-Barqi.[512]Rijalat-Tusi.[513]Rijalan-Najashi.[514]Rijalat-Tusi.[515]Rijalat-Tusi.[516]Ibid.[517]Rijalan-Najashi.[518]Rijalat-Tusi.[519]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.17p.34.[520]Rijalat-Tusi.[521]Rijalal-Kashshi.[522]Rijalat-Tusi.[523]Rijalal-Kashshi.[524]Usulal-Kafi.[525]Rijalat-Tusi.[526]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.17p.152.[527]Rijalat-Tusi.[528]Ibid.[529]Ibid.[530]Ibid.[531]Ibid.[532]Rijalat-Tusi.[533]Ibid.[534]Ibid.[535]Rijalan-Najashi.[536]Rijalat-Tusi.[537]Rijalan-Najashi.[538]Rijalat-Tusi.[539]Rijalat-Tusi.[540]Al-FihristbySheikhat-Tusi.[541]Rijalat-Tusi.[542]Ibid.[543]Al-Fihristbyat-Tusi.544]Rijalat-Tusi.[545]Ibid.[546]Ibid.[547]Rijalat-Tusi.[548]Tanqihal-Maqal,vol.3p.329.[549]Al-KunawelAlqab,vol.1p.314.[550]Rijalat-Tusi.[551]Ibid.[552]Rijalat-Tusi.

[553]Rijalan-Najashi.[554]Rijalat-Tusi.[555]Theprogenyorfamilyof.[556]Usulal-Kafi.[557]Rijalat-Tusi.[558]Al-Khulasah.[559]Al-Wajizah.[560]Rijalat-Tusi.[561]Rijalat-Tusi.[562]Ibid.[563]Ibid.[564]Ibid.[565]Ibid.[566]Ibid.[567]Tanqihal-Maqal,vol.4p.39.[568]Rijalat-Tusi.

7ChapterImamal-HadiinSamarra’

Imam Ali al-Hadi (a.s.) lived most of his life in Surra Man Ra’a (Samarra’). The Abbasid

governmentimposedonhimhousearrest.Hewaslikeaprisoner.ThepolicemenandinvestigatorsoftheAbbasidssurroundedhishousewatchingallhismovementsandeveryoneassociatingwithhimorcarryingmoneytohim.Hesufferedtheseverestpoliticalpressureduringthereignofal-Mutawakkil,theAbbasidtyrant,whosavednoeffortinoppressingtheAlawids.Duringhisdarkrule,theAlawidsfaceddifferentkindsofmisfortunesanddisasters.Weshalltalkaboutthatindetailsthroughthebook.Anyhow,wetalkinbriefabouttheImam(a.s.)whenhewasinYathrib(Medina)andthereasonsthat

forcedhimtoleaveittoSurraManRa’aandwhathappenedtohimwithal-Mutawakkil.

InYathrib

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)livedinYathrib,hisbirthplaceandthecountryofhisfathers.Hespenthistime

in spreading knowledge and morals and in educating people the Islamic principles. He took theProphet’sMosque as school for that. Ulama’, jurisprudents, and narrators surrounded him takingfromthespringsofhisknowledgethatheacquiredfromhisfatherswhohadilluminatedthelifeofmanwiththelightofknowledgeandfaith.Ashewasafertilesourcefortheintellectual,scientificlifeinYathrib,hewastheonlysourcethat

providedstudentswithmoneyandmaterialmeansbesidesproviding thepoorandneedywithwhatthey needed. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) did not only help or pay charity to the people ofYathrib, but hiskindnessincludedallsidesoftheirlives.Hecomfortedtheminsorrowandinjoy.Hevisitedthesick,participatedinfunerals,showedkindnesstotheyoungandold,andcaredforwidowsandorphans.Hespared no good and favor unless he did to them. In return, they were very loyal to him. Theysurroundedhimwiththeirheartsandfeelingsandmadehimdwellinthedeepoftheirsouls.

BetrayingtheImam

Some irreligious persons, who envied people of noble birth, bore grudge against Imam Abul

Hasan (a.s.).The virtues andhigh position Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) had amongpeople displeased thosepersons. From the bitterest enemies of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)wasAbdullah binMuhammadwho hadbeen appointed by al-Mutawakkil as the wali over Yathrib. This man often intended to harm andtroubleImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Heinformedal-MutawakkilagainsttheImam.He told the caliph that the gathering of the public around Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) caused the state

dangers, and that greatmonies came to him from thedifferent countries of the Islamicnation thatweapons might be bought with those monies to stand against the Abbasid state, and there was apossibilityofarevolttooverthrowtheAbbasidgovernment.He asked al-Mutawakkil to arrest Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) lest hewouldbe powerful enough that the

governmentwouldnotbeabletoresisthim.Al-Mutawakkilwasupsetandworriedandheinformedhisviziersofthematter.

FrustratingthePlot

WhenImamal-Hadi (a.s.)knewabout theplotof thisvillain,he feared thatal-Mutawakkilmight

facehimwithsevereproceduresforheknewthatal-MutawakkilwasoneofthebitterestenemiestotheAhlulBayt(a.s.). Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotealettertoal-Mutawakkilcomplainingatthegrudgeandthebadtreatmentofhiswaliagainsthim(Imamal-Hadi)andinformedhimofthefalsenessofhistalebearing. Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) assuredal-Mutawakkil thathedidnot intendanyharmagainsthimanddidneverthinkofrevoltingagainsthisrule.Al-MutawakkilwascertainofthetruthfulnessofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andhisinnocenceofallthat

whichwasimputedtohim.

TheLetterofal-MutawakkiltoImamal-Hadi

Al-MutawakkilsentalettertoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)replyingtohisletterandhedeposedhisofficialthevillainwaliofYathrib.HeinvitedtheImamtocometoSurraManRa’atobeunderhousearrestsothathewouldbeunderhiswatch.Hereisthetextoftheletter:“Amir ’ul-Mu’minin(al-Mutawakkil)knowsyourposition, regardsyourkinship,considerswhat

youandyourfamilyneedtomanageyouraffairs,fixyourgloryandtheirglory,andassuresafetyforyouandfor them.Hejustwants,outof that, thecontentmentofAllahand tocarryouthisdutytowardsyouandtowardsthem.Therefore,Amir ’ul-Mu’minin thought todeposeAbdullahbinMuhammad fromhis post in the

city of the messenger of Allah (SwT) for what you have mentioned that he ignored your right,slighted your high position, and ascribed to you thatwhichAmir ’ul-Mu’minin is certain you areinnocentofandhebelievesyourgoodwill.Amir ’ul-Mu’mininappointedMuhammadbinal-Fadhlandorderedhimtorespectandglorifyyou,andtofollowyourordersandopinions,tobeclosetoAllahandtoAmir ’ul-Mu’mininthroughthat.Amir ’ul-Mu’mininlongstoyou,andlikestomeetandlookatyou.Wouldyoupleasehurrytovisitandresidewithhimasyoulike?Youarefreetobringfromyourfamily,followers,andservantswhomyoulike.Youtravelwhen

you want, come when you want, and move however you want. And if you like that Yahya binHarthama themawla of Amir ’ul-Mu’minin and the soldiers with him to accompany you in yourtravel,anditisuptoyou.Wehaveorderedhimtoobeyyou.AskAllahtochoosewhatisbestforyouuntil you will come to Amir ’ul- Mu’minin. None of his (Amir ’ul- Mu’minin al-Mutawakkil’s)brothers,hischildren,family,andclosecompanionsismorepreferredtoyounearhim,orofcloserpositiontohimthanyou,andheisnotkinder,moreloyal,ormorefaithfultowardsanyofthemthantowardsyou.Thepeace,mercy,andblessingsofAllahbeonyou.’[569]

TheworryofthePeopleofMedina

Al-MutawakkilorderedYahyabinHarthamatotraveltoYathribtobringImamal-Hadi(a.s.)toSurraManRa’aandtoinvestigatetheaccusationclaimingthatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)hadintendedtoresisttheruleandrevoltagainstthegovernment.Al-Mutawakkilgavetheletter,whichhehadwrittentoImamal-Hadi(a.s.),toYahya.YahyatraveledtoYathrib.WhenthepeopleofYathribknewabouthistask,theyworriedandfeared

toomuchforImamal-Hadi(a.s.)fromtheviolenceofthetyrantagainsthim.TheylovedImamal-Hadi (a.s.) so much, for he kept to the mosque of the Prophet (S) feeding their ulama’ with hisknowledge, giving charities to their poor, and he had no any tendency towards the worldly life.[570]Yahyabegancalmingdownpeople’sworryand fear and swore to them thathehadnotbeenorderedtodotheImamanywrong.Theybelievedhimandcalmeddown.

SearchingtheImam’sHouse

YahyaandhismensearchedthehouseofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)thoroughlybutdidnotfindanything

savecopiesoftheHolyQur'anandbooksofdu’a.itappearedthatwhatwasimputedtotheImam(thathishousewasfullofweaponsandmoney)wasfalse.[571]

SendingtheImamtoSurraManRa’a

Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)was forced to leaveYathrib toSamarra’.His family accompaniedhim in the

travel.Yahya,whoadmiredtheguidanceandpietyofImamal-Hadi(a.s.),himselfservedtheImamduringthetravel.ThecaravancoveredthedesertuntilitarrivedinBaghdad.Al-Ya’qubisaid thatwhenImamal-Hadi(a.s.)arrivedinal-Yasiriyya,IsaaqbinIbrahimreceived

himandsawhowpeoplewereeagertomeetandsitwiththeImam.SohewastakentoBaghdadinthenight.[572]YahyawenttovisitthegovernorofBaghdadIsaaqbinIbrahimadh-Dhahiriandinformedhimofthematter.Isaaqsaidtohim,‘Thisman(Imamal-Hadi)isthesonofthemessengerofAllah(SwT)andyouknowthatal-Mutawakkilisdeviant.Ifyouinformal-MutawakkilofawordagainsttheImam,hewillkillhim,andthentheProphet(S)willbeyouropponentontheDayofResurrection.’Yahyasaid,‘ByAllah,Ididnotknowfromhim(Imamal-Hadi)whatIdeny,anddidnotseefrom

himexceptgood.’They left Baghdad towards Samarra’. When they arrived inSamarra’, Yahya visitedWaseef at-

Turkiwhowasfromtheprominentstatesmen.HeinformedhimofthearrivaloftheImam.Waseefwarnedhim fromsaying toal-Mutawakkil anything thatmightharm the Imam.He said tohim, ‘OYahya,byAllah,ifonehairfallsfromhim(Imamal-Hadi),noonewillberesponsibleforitexceptyou.’YahyawasastonishedattheagreementofIsaaqandWaseefonrecommendinghimofkeepingthe

Imamsafe.[573]

InKhanas-Sa’alik

Al-MutawakkilorderedhismentoputImamal-Hadi(a.s.)upinKhanas-Sa’alik[574]todishonor

anddegradehimbeforethepublic.SalihbinSa’eedvisitedhiminthekhanandbecameuneasyforseeinghiminthatplace.HesaidtotheImam,‘MayIdieforyou!Theywantedtoputoutyourlightandtodegradeyou,sotheyputyouupinthisworstkhan(caravansary);Khanas-Sa’alik.’Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) lookedat himwithkindness and sympathy.He thankedhim forhis feelings,

comfortedhispainanduneasiness,andshowedhimfromthemiracles thatAllahhadprovidedHisprophetsandguardianswith,[575]andsoSalihcalmeddownandbecamesatisfied.

TheMeetingBetweentheImamandal-Mutawakkil

Yahyatoldal-Mutawakkilaboutthegoodconducts,asceticism,andpietyofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).He

toldhimthathesearchedhishousebutdidnotfindinitsavecopiesoftheQur'anandbooksofdu’aand thathewas innocentofall thatwhichwas imputed tohim.Thesewords removed the rageandanger of al-Mutawakkil against the Imam.Al-Mutawakkil ordered hismen to allow Imam al-Hadi(a.s.)tocomeintohim.WhenImamal-Hadi(a.s.)camein,al-Mutawakkilwelcomedhimwithmuchrespectandgavehimgoodpresents.[576]HeobligedhimtoremaininSurraManRa’atobeunderwatch.Whenal-Mutawakkilhouse-arrestedImamal-Hadi(a.s.),theImamboughtahousefromDalilbinYa’quban-Nasrani and livedwithhis family in it.He lived in thishouseuntil hediedandwasburiedinit.[577]

Al-MutawakkilReferstotheImam’sFatwas

Al-Mutawakkil found it inevitable to refer to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) in the questions he faced. He

preferredhisfatwastothefatwasofallthejurisprudentsofhisage.Herearesomeofthequestionsthatal-MutawakkilreferredtoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)fortheiranswers:1.Al-MutawakkilhadaChristianclerkwhowaspreferablebyhim.Becausehelovedhimtoomuch

hesurnamedhimasAbuNoah.Someotherclerksdeniedthatandsaidthatitwasnotpermissibletosurnameanunbeliever.Al-Mutawakkilaskedthejurisprudentstogivehimafatwaonthatbuttheydidnotagreeononefatwa.Someofthemsaiditwaspermissibleandotherssaiditwasnot.HesentthequestiontoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)whowrotetohimwiththisanswer,(PerditionovertakebothhandsofAbu Lahab, and he will perish).[578]This answer was the most wonderful answer in the field offatwas.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)quotedthisQur ’anicversethatdeclaredthepermissibilityofsurnamingtheunbelievers.Al-MutawakkilfollowedthisfatwaofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).[579]2. Once, al-Mutawakkil became ill and he vowed that if Allah healed him, he would paymany

dinarsascharity.Whenherestoredtohealth,hegatheredthejurisprudentsandaskedthemabouttheamountofthemoneyheshouldpayascharitytofulfillhisvow,buttheydisagreedonthat.Then,heaskedImamal-Hadi (a.s.)about that. Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) said thatal-Mutawakkilhad topayeighty-threedinars.Thejurisprudentswereastonishedatthatandaskedal-Mutawakkil,‘Wherefromdidheget this answer?’ Al-Mutawakkil wrote to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) asking him about the source of hisanswer, and Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) replied, ‘Allah theAlmighty says, (Allahhasgivenyouvictory inmany battlefields).[580] All our ancestors narrated that the battlefields were eighty-three.’[581]Hesaid in theendof theanswer,‘WhatevermoregoodAmir ’ul-Mu’minindoesshallbemoreusefulandrewardabletohiminthislifeandintheafterlife.’[582]3. One day, a Christianman, who had committed adultery with aMuslimwoman, was brought

beforeal-Mutawakkil.Whenal-Mutawakkilwanted toexecute the legalpenaltyon theChristian,heturned Muslim. Yahya bin Aktham said, ‘His faith (in Islam) cancelled his polytheism and sin.’Another jurisprudentsaid,‘Heissubjectedto threepunishments(bythewhip).’Other jurisprudentssaiddifferentthings.Al-MutawakkilaskedhismentotakeafatwafromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)aboutthismatter.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘Heshouldbewhippeduntilhedies.’Yahyaandtheotherjurisprudents

denied this fatwaof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)andsaid thathe took this fatwaneither fromtheBooknorfromtheSunna.Al-MutawakkilwrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)saying,‘ThejurisprudentsofMuslimsdeniedthisfatwaandsaidthatneithertheBooknortheSunnahadsaidso.Wouldyoupleaseshowuswhyyouhaveimposedonhimthewhippinguntilhewoulddie?’Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) repliedbyquoting thisQur ’anicverse,(Butwhen theysawOurpunishment,

they said:Webelieve inAllahaloneandwedenywhatweused toassociatewithHim.But theirbeliefwasnotgoingtoprofitthemwhentheyhadseenOurpunishment).[583]’Al-Mutawakkil tookthefatwaofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andorderedthemantobewhippeduntilhedied.’[584]

Al-MutawakkilandPoets

Once,al-MutawakkilaskedAlibinal-Jahm(thepoet)aboutthebestofpoetsandhementionedto

him some poets of the pre-Islamic and the Islamic ages, but al-Mutawakkil paid no attention andturnedtoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)askinghimaboutthebestofpoets.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Al-Humaniwherehesays:“AgroupfromQurayshviedinglorywithus.Whenwedisputed,thecallofcellsjudgedtousagainstthemwithwhatweliked.Youfindussilentwhilethewitnessofourpreferencetothemisoforotundvoiceineverymosque.Ahmad,themessengerofAllahisourgrandfather,Andwearehissonslikeshiningstars.”Al-Mutawakkil turned to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) and asked him, ‘OAbulHasan,what is the call of

cells?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Itis:“IwitnessthatthereisnogodbutAllah,andwitnessthatMuhammad

isthemessengerofAllah”.[585]IsMuhammadmygrandfatheroryours?’Al-Mutawakkilbecameangryandhesaidwithatremblingtone,‘Heisyourgrandfatherandwedo

notdenythat.’[586]Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)leftandleftsorrowerodingtheheartofthetyrantwhofoundnowaytoanswer

theImam.

Al-Mutawakkilinvitesibnas-SikkittotrytheImam

Al-MutawakkilaskedtheprominentscholarYa’qubbinIsaaqknownasibnas-SikkittoaskImam

al-Hadi(a.s.)aboutacomplicated,ambiguousquestionthathe(theImam)mightnotfindananswerand thenal-Mutawakkilwouldhaveanexcuse todefameanddegradehim. Ibnas-Sikkitpreparedaquestion to try Imam al-Hadi (a.s.). A scientific conferencewas held in theAbbasid Palacewhereprominent ulama’, jurisprudents, and theologians attended. At the head of the conference was al-Mutawakkil. Ibnas-SikkitadvancedandaskedImamal-Hadi (a.s.),“WhyAllahsentMoseswith therodandwhitehand,sentJesuswiththehealingoftheblindandleprousandgivinglifetothedead,andsentMuhammadwiththeQur'anandsword?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)showedtheperceptbehindallthatbysaying,‘AllahsentMoseswiththerodand

whitehandinatimewherethepredominantthingamongpeoplewasmagic.Therefore,Mosescameto themwith thatanddefeated theirmagic,dazed them,andprovedauthorityover them.AndAllahsentJesusChristwiththehealingoftheblindandleprousandthegivingoflifetothedeadbythewillofAllahinatimewherethepredominantthingamongpeoplewasmedicine.Therefore,JesusChristcametothemwiththatanddefeatedanddazedthem.AndAllahsentMuhammadwiththeQur'anandsword in a time where the predominant things among people were sword and poetry. Therefore,MuhammadcametothemwiththeQur'anandswordanddazedtheirpoetry,defeatedtheirsword,andprovedauthorityoverthem.’Allah the Almighty has assisted his prophets with clear signs and dazing miracles that human

beingswereunable tomake like them.Those signs andmiracles fitted the ageswhen theprophetsweredeputed.AllahhadgivenHismessengerMosestherodthatchangedintoahugeaddereatingtheropes and rodswhich themagiciansof thePharaohchanged to snakes.Themagiciansof that age,whohadreachedthetopofmagic,couldnotinvalidatethemiracleofMosesordoevenalittlelikeit.Allah had also given him the white hand that was like the sun in its light and brightness. ThemagicianswereunabletodosomethinglikethismiraclewhichwastheevidenceonthetruthfulnessofMoses.AllahhadgivenHismessengerJesusthesonofMarythemiracleofhealingtheblindandleprous

and giving life to the dead in the time where medicine had reached the top of progress anddevelopment;nevertheless,peoplecouldnotdoanythinglikethismiraclewhichdazedminds.AllahhadgivenJesusthismiracletobeasignonhistruthfulness.AllahhaddeputedMuhammadtobethelastofHisprophetsandassistedhimbytheQur'anwhich

falsehoodwouldnotcometoitfrombeforeitnorfrombehinditandwhichwasthesuprememiracleinitseloquence,rhetoric,excellentstyle,andwonderfulexpressioninthetimewhentheArabshadreachedthetopofeloquenceandrhetoric;butnevertheless,theywereunabletokeeppacewithitorcompose something like it or like a little of it.Therefore, theQur'anwas the sign that proved theprophethoodofProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhimanduponhisprogeny.Allah theAlmighty had assisted the Prophet (S)with the defeating sword thatwas the sword of

Amir ’ul-Mu’mininAli(a.s.)whichharvestedtheheadsofpolytheistsandunbelievers.ThebraveofArabswerecowardbeforethisswordandtheysaidthatfleeingfrombattleisshameexceptfromthe

swordofAli.TheswordofAli(a.s.)waslikeathunderboltthatannihilatedthemassesofpolytheists,separatedthepartiesofunbelievers,gavethevictorytoIslam,andmadeMuslimsmighty.AfterthisanswerofImamal-Hadi(a.s.),ibnas-Sikkitsaidtohim,‘Whatistheargumentthen?’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) said, ‘Reason! By it one, who fabricates lies against Allah, is known and

denied.’Reasonisthejudgethatdistinguishesthetruthfulfromliars,anditsjudgmentisthefinaldecision.Whenibnas-SikkitfailedtogoonwiththeImam,hesaid,‘Whatdoesibnas-Sikkithaveinarguing

withhim(withtheImam)?He(ibnas-Sikkit)isbutamanofgrammar,poetry,andlinguistics!’

TheQuestionsofYahyabinAktham

Yahya binAktham offered some questions, which he had prepared andwritten down before, to

Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) in order to try him. Here are the questions with their answers not literallymentioned:1.AllahsaysinHisBook,(OnewhohadtheknowledgeoftheBooksaid:Iwillbringittoyouin

the twinkling of an eye).[587] The asker was Prophet Solomon and the asked one was Asif.WasSolomon,whowasaprophet,inneedoftheknowledgeofAsif?Theanswer: Prophet Solomon (a.s.)was not unable to knowwhatAsif knew, but hewanted to

makehisnationofthejinnandmankindknowthattheauthorityafterhimwouldbeAsif.Itwasfromthe knowledge of Solomon (a.s.) that he had taught to Asif lest his nation would disagree on hisImamateandguardianshipafterhim,andtoconfirmtheproofbeforepeople.2.Allahsays,(Andheraisedhisparentsuponthethroneandtheyfelldowninprostrationbefore

him).[588]HowdidYa’qub(ProphetJacob)andhissonsprostratethemselvesbeforeYusuf(ProphetJoseph)whiletheywereprophets?Theanswer: theprostrationofYa’qubbeforehissonYusufwasnotforYusuf,butall thatfrom

Ya’qubandhissonswasobediencetoAllahtheAlmightyandasgreetingtoYusuf,astheprostrationoftheangelsbeforeAdamwasnotforAdam.Ya’qubandhissons,andYusufwiththem,prostratedthemselvestothankAllahtheAlmightyfortheirreuniting.DoyounotseethathesaidwhenthankingAllahatthattime,(MyLord!Thouhastgivenmeofthekingdom…)[589]?3.Allahsays,(ButifyouareindoubtastowhatWehaverevealedtoyou,askthosewhoreadthe

Book).[590]IftheaddresseewastheProphet(S),thenhewasindoubt,butiftheaddresseewasotherthantheProphet(S),thentowhomtheBookhadbeenrevealed?The answer: the addressee was the Prophet (S) and he was not in doubt about what Allah had

revealedbuttheignorantsaid:whydidAllahnotdeputedaprophetfromtheangels?WhydidHenotdifferentiate between him (the Prophet) and the rest of people in eating, drinking, andwalking inmarkets?SoAllahrevealed tohisProphet, (AndWehavenot sentbeforeyouanymessengersbuttheymostsurelyatefoodandwentaboutinthemarkets).[591]HesaidtotheProphet(S):ask,inthepresenceoftheignorant,thosewhorecitetheBook:hasAllah

sentaprophetbeforeyouthathedidnoteatfoodandwalkinthemarkets?OMuhammad,theyareexamplesforyou.Allahsaid,(ifyouareindoubt…)thoughtherewasnodoubtbutjustforshowingthe truthasHesaid, (Butwhoeverdisputeswithyou in thismatterafterwhathascome toyouofknowledge,thensay:Comeletuscalloursonsandyoursonsandourwomenandyourwomenandourselvesandyourselves, then letusbeearnest inprayer,andpray for thecurseofAllahon theliars).[592]Ifhesaid:“ComesothatwemakethecurseofAllahonyou”,theywouldnotrespond.Allahknew

thatHis Prophetwould carry outHismission and knew that hewas truthful and not a liar butHewantedtoconfirmthesituationwhensaying(ifyouareindoubt…).

4.Allahsays,(Andifallthetreesintheearthwerepens,andthesea,withsevenmoreseastohelp

it,(wereink), thewordsofAllahcouldnotbeexhausted).[593]Whatare theseseasandwherearethey?Theanswer:Yes,itisso.Ifallthetreesoftheworldwerepensandtheseaswereinksuppliedwith

othersevenseasuntiltheearthwouldexplodeintospringsasitexplodedintheflood,thewordsofAllah would not come to an end. The seas are: Ayn al-Kibrit, Ayn al-Yemen, Ayn Barhut, AynTabariya,geyserofMasidancalledLisan,anAfricangesercalledSaylan,andAynBahuran.Andwe(theAhlulBayt)arethewordsthatourvirtuescannotbeperceivedorcounted.5.Allahsays, (and therein isall that soulsdesireandeyes find sweet).[594]The soul ofAdam

desiredtoeatfromthewheatandheate.Then,whywashepunished?The answer: in the Paradise there are all kinds of foods, drinks, and entertainments that souls

desire and eyes delight in and Allah has permitted all that for Adam. But the tree that Allah hasforbiddenAdamandhiswifefromeatingfromitsfruitwasthetreeofenvy.AllahaskedthembothnottolookatthosewhomAllahhaspreferredtothemandatHiscreatureswiththeeyeofenvy,butAdamforgotandcouldnothelphimselfbeforethattree.6.Howis thewitnessofonewomanpermittedwhereasAllahsays, (andcall towitness two just

menamongyou)[595]?The answer: the woman whose witness is permitted though alone is a midwife but with

satisfaction; otherwise no less than twowomenwho stand instead of oneman. If the womanwasalone,herwitnessisacceptedwithhertakinganoath.7.Ali (a.s.) judged that a hermaphroditewas to be looked at its organ of urination to see if its

urination was like that of man, then a hermaphrodite was to be considered as a man and if theurinationwaslikethatofwomanthenthehermaphroditewastobeconsideredasawoman.Whocanlookatthehermaphrodite?Forifthelookerwasaman,thehermaphroditemightbeawoman,andifthe lookerwasawoman, thehermaphroditemightbeamanwhichwouldbenotpermissible.Andwhatabouttheinheritanceofahermaphrodite?Theanswer:ThecaseofahermaphroditeisasAlisaid.Ahermaphroditeinheritsduetoitsorgan

ofurination.Somefairandjustmenholdmirrors in theirhandsandahermaphroditestandsnakedbehindthem.Themenlookinthemirrorsandjudgewhetherthehermaphroditeisamanorawoman.8.Theownerofaherdofsheepsawtheshepherdcopulatewithaewe.Whentheshepherdsawthe

owner, he released the ewe to go in the middle of the herd. How can that ewe be known to beslaughtered?Isitpermissibletoeatitsmeatornot?The answer: if the owner, who saw the shepherd commit that sin, knew that ewe, he should

slaughterandburnit,andifnot,heshoulddividethesheepintotwodivisionsandcastlotsbetweenthe twodivisions. If the lots fellononedivision, theotherdivisionshouldbeexcluded,andsoonuntiltwosheepwouldremain.Thelotswouldbecastbetweenthetwosheepandtheone,whichthelotsfellon,shouldbeslaughtered(andburned)andtherestofsheepwouldbepreserved.[596]

10.Why,intheFajr(dawn)Prayer,thesurasarerecitedloudlythoughitisfromtheprayersofday

whereasitistheprayersofnightthatarerecitedloudly?Theanswer: as for theFajrPrayer, it is recited loudlybecause theProphet (S)offered it in the

darknessof(theendof)night,andsoitisrecitedinthenight.11. (Imam)Ali said to ibn Jarmuz, ‘Tell thekiller of the sonofSafiyyah that he shall be in the

Fire.’[597]Whydidhe(ImamAli)notkillhim(ibnJarmuz)thoughhewastheImam?Theanswer:AlisaidthatafterthesayingofthemessengerofAllah.Amir ’ul-Mu’minindidnot

killhiminBasra(onthedayoftheCamel)becauseheknewthathewouldbekilledinthebattleofan-Nahrawan.12.TellmewhyAli killed the people of (the battle of) Siffin and ordered hismen to kill them

whether theywereattackingorfleeingandhefinishedoff thewounded,butonthedayofal-Jamal(thecamel)hedidnotkillafleerorawoundedoneanddidnotorderhismentodothat.Rather,hesaid,‘Whoeverkeepstohishousewillbesafe.’Whydidhedothat?Ifthefirstdecisionwasright,sothesecondwouldbewrong.Theanswer:TheImam(leader)ofthepeopleoftheCamelwaskilledandtheyhadnoleaderto

refer to.Theywentback to theirhomeswithoutfighting,deceiving,orspying.Theyweresatisfied(after thedefeat)not tobe fought.But thepeopleofSiffinbelonged toapreparedcompanywithaleader supplying themwith spears, armors, and swords, caring for them, giving them good gifts,preparinggreatmoniesforthem,visitingtheirsick,curingtheirwounded,givingsumpterstotheirfooters,helpingtheirneedy,andreturningthemtothefight.ThematterwiththepeopleofBasra(whofoughtinthebattleofal-Jamal)wastostopfightingthem

when they laid down their arms, but thematterwith the people of Siffinwas to follow after theirfleers and finish off their wounded. Without Amir ’ul- Mu’minin and his judgments towards thepeople of Siffin and the people of al-Jamal, the judgment towards the disobedient ofmonotheistswouldnotbeknown.Whoeverdeniedthatwouldbesubjectedtothesword.13. If aman confesses, against himself, that he has committed sodomy, shall he be punished or

pardoned?Theanswer:ifamanconfessesagainsthimselfbyhimselfwithnoevidencediscoveredbyothers

againsthim,theImam,whohasbeenappointedbyAllah,hastherighttopunishinbehalfofAllah,andhealsohastherighttopardoninbehalfofAllah.HaveyounotheardthesayingofAllah,(ThisisOurfreegift,thereforegivefreelyorwithhold,withoutreckoning).[598]Allahbeganwiththegivingfirstandthenthewithholding.Weansweredallwhatyouaskedusabout.Knowthat!’Yahyawasastonishedat theanswersof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) to theseambiguousquestionsandhe

turnedtoal-Mutawakkilandadvisedhimsaying,‘Wedonotlikeyoutoaskthismanaboutanythingaftermyquestionstohim…Inshowinghisknowledgetherewillbestrengtheningtoar-Rafidha(theShia).’[599]

Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) was one of the great men of knowledge in Islam. He was the heir of the

knowledgeandsciencesofhisfatherswhoweretheleadersoftheintellectuallifeinIslam.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtotheambiguousquestionsofibnas-Sikkitimmediatelyandassoonas

helookedatthem.ThisshowedthegreatscientificabilitywhichwasoneoftheeminentaspectsofthegreatpersonalityoftheImam(a.s.).

HisVisitingtotheTombofAmir’ul-Mu’minin

In the first year when Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) came to SurraMan Ra’a, he visited the tomb of his

grandfatherAmir ’ul-Mu’mininAli(a.s.).HisvisitfellonthedayofEidal-Ghadir.TwoziyarastohisgrandfatherAmir ’ul-Mu’mininweretransmittedfromhim.Herearethey:1.“Peacebeonyou,theguardianofAllah.Iwitnessthatyouarethefirstwhowerewrongedand

yourrightwasextorted,butyouwerepatientandyouexpecteduntilcertaintycametoyou.IwitnessthatyoumetAllahandyouwereamartyr.MayAllahtortureyourkillerswithallkindsoftormentandrepeatpunishmentforthem.Icameto

you acknowledging your right, knowing your position, and opposing your enemies and opposingwhoeverwrongedyou.IshallmeetmyLordonthatinsha’Allah…OguardianofAllah,Ihavemanyfaults;pleaseintercedeformewithyourLord,OmymasterforyouhaveahighpositionnearAllah,great rank, and intercession. Allah has said, (they do not intercede except for him whom Heapproves).[600]”[601]2.ThereisanotherziyarathatwasnarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)tohisgrandfatherAmir ’ul-

Mu’mininAli(a.s.).It isoneofthemostwonderfulziyarasoftheinfallibleImams(a.s.) initshighmeaningsandinmentioningsomeeventsthattookplaceintheFirstIslamicAge.Herewementionalittlepartofthisziyara:“IwitnessthatthereisnogodbutAllahtheOnlywithnopartner,asHehaswitnessedforHimself,

andtheangels,andpeopleofunderstandingfromHiscreationhavewitnessed.ThereisnogodbutHe,theMighty,theWise.AndIwitnessthatMuhammadisHisslaveandpleasedmessengerwhomHesent with guidance and the religion of truth, that He might cause it to prevail over all religions,thoughthepolytheistsmaybeaverse.OAllah,make thebest andmostperfectofYourblessings, themostgrowingandprevailingof

Your favors, and the purest of Your compliments be on our master Muhammad Your slave,messenger,confidant,guardian,pleased,bestfriend,thechoiceofYourcreation,Yourpure,trustee,thewitnesstoYou,theguidetoYou,therevealerofYourmission,theloyaltoYou,thestrugglerinYourway,thedefenderofYourreligion,thedeclarerofYourproofs,theguidedtoYourobedience,theguider toYourpleasedness, the container ofYour revelation, thekeeper ofYour covenant, theachieverofYourcharge, theassistedwiththeilluminatinglight, thedirectedbythepleasederrand,the infallible against every error and slip, the exalted above every error, the sentwith the best ofreligionsandbeliefs…O Allah, bless Your guardian, the guard of Your religion, the executor of justice after Your

Prophet,Ali binAbuTalib the commander of the believers, the Imam of the pious, themaster ofguardians…thesuccessorofYourProphetoverthewholepeople,hisguardianinlifeandreligion,the great truthful, the distinguisher between the halal and the haram, the supporter of Islam, thedestroyerofidles,theassistantanddefenderofreligion,theprotectorandsatisfieroftheProphet…OAllah,showustherightpathsothatwefollowit,andthewayofguidancesothatwewalkinit,

andchangeourfaultsintoright,andmakenotourheartstodeviateafterYouhaveguidedusaright,andgrantusfromYoumercyOYouWhoarecalledoutofYourgenerosityal-Wahhab(theGiver),andgrantusgoodinthisworldandgoodinthehereafter,andsaveusfromthechastisementoftheFireifwedeserveit,OYoutheMostMercifuloftheMerciful!’[602]

InvokingtheShrineofImamHusayn

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)becameillandhesawthatthebestcureforhimwastoinvokethetombofthe

masteroftheyouthofParadiseandoneofthetwograndsonsofmercy(theProphet);ImamHusayn(a.s.)whomnooneresortedtohistombunlessAllahrelievedhimfromthepainsandmisfortunesofthisworld.AbuHashimal-Ja’farinarrated theresortingof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) inmanynarrations.Herewe

mentionthem:1. AbuHashim al-Ja’fari said, ‘Muhammad bin AbuHamza and I visited Abul Hasan (al-Hadi)

whenhewasill.Hesaidtous,‘Sendsomementoal-Ha’ir(Kerbala;whereImamal-Husayn(a.s.)wasburied)atmyexpense!’Whenwelefthim,MuhammadbinHamzasaidtome,‘Doeshesendustoal-Ha’irwhilehehimselfhasthesamepositionoftheone(ImamHusayn)whoisina-Ha’ir?!’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) had the same position his grandfather Imam Husayn (a.s.) had. He was an

infallible Imam like him that Allah had kept away the uncleanness from him and purified him athoroughpurifying.AbuHashimwasaffectedbythesayingofMuhammadbinHamzaandsohewenttoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andtoldhimthat.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtohim,‘Itisnotso.AllahhassomeplacesthatHelikestobeworshippedin,andal-Ha’irofal-Husaynisoneofthoseplaces.’[603]2.AbuHashimSaid,“IvisitedAbulHasanAlibinMuhammadwhenhewasill.Hesaidtome,‘O

AbuHashim,sendamanfromourmawalitoal-Ha’irtoprayAllahforme!’WhenAbuHashimleft,hemetAlibinBilalinthestreet.HetoldhimabouttheImamandaskedhim

totraveltoKerbalatoprayfortheImam.Aliwasastonishedandhesaid,‘Ihearandobey!ButIsay:heisbetterthanal-Ha’ir.[604]Hehasthesamepositionofthatone(Imamal-Husayn)inal-Ha’ir,andhisprayingforhimselfisbetterthanmyprayingforhim.’AbuHashimwent and told Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)whatAli binBilal said. Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) said,

‘ThemessengerofAllah(SwT)wasbetter thantheHouse(theKaaba)andthe(black)Rock,buthecircumambulated theHouseandkissed theRock.Allah theAlmightyhasplaces thatHe likes tobeworshippedin,andHerespondstowhoeverpraysHimthere.Al-Ha’irisoneofthoseplaces…’[605]InanothertraditionImamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘AllahtheAlmightyhasassignedfromHisearthsome

placescalledal-Marhumat(mercified).HelikestobeinvokedinthemandHeresponds.’[606]3. Abu Hashim said, ‘Abul Hasan (a.s.), when he was ill, sent for me and for Muhammad bin

Hamza,whoprecededmetohim.HetoldmethatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)stillsaid,‘Send(someone)toal-Ha’ir!’IsaidtoMuhammad,‘DidyounotsaytohimthatIwouldgotoal-Ha’ir?’IsaidtotheImam,‘MayIdieforyou,Igotoal-Ha’ir.’Hesaid,‘Thinkofthat!’Thenhesaid,‘MuhammadhasnosecretfromZaydbinAli(hedoesnotbelieveinthedoctrineofZayd)andIdonotwanthimtohearthat.’ImentionedthattoAlibinBilalandhesaid,‘Whatshallhedowithal-Ha’irwhereashehimselfis

al-Ha’ir?’Iwenttoal-Askar(Samarra’)andvisitedhim(Imamal-Hadi).WhenIwantedtoleave,heaskedmetositdown.WhenIsawhimfeelateasewithme,IrememberedthesayingofAlibinBilalandmentioned it tohim.Hesaid tome, ‘Youmight say tohim that themessengerofAllah (SwT)circumambulatedtheHouseandkissedtheRock,andthesanctityoftheProphet(S)andthebelievers

isgreaterthanthesanctityoftheHouse.Allahorderedhim(theProphet)tostopatArafawhichisbutaplacethatAllahlikestobementionedin.SoIliketobeprayedformewhereAllahlikestobecalledon.Andal-Ha’irisoneofthoseplaces.’[607]Imamal-Husayn(a.s.) isdearandbelovedtoAllah.HedefendedthereligionofAllahbyhis life

andbloodandofferedhischildren,family,andcompanionsaspuresacrificesforthesakeofAllah.Hefacedmisfortunesanddisastersthatnoreformerintheearthhadeverfaced.Allahhad endowed ImamHusayn (a.s.)with charismata thatHehadnot endowed anyoneofHis

guardianswith except his grandfather (theProphet) and father (ImamAli). In thisworldAllahhasgivenhimdignityandhonor thatnomanhaseverbeengiven.Allahhasmadehisholyshrineasaresortfortheyearning,andashelterforthedistressed,andhonoredtheshrinebyrespondingtotheprayer under its dome, and in the afterworld he shall be an obeyed intercessor and Allah willendowedhimwithdignityandhonorthatnoeyehaseverseenandnoearhaseverheardlikeit.

BreakingIntotheImam’sHouse

Somevillainswenttoal-MutawakkilandinformedhimagainstImamal-Hadi(a.s.)claimingthathe

hadbooks,arms,andmoniesandthathemightrevoltagainstthegovernmentofal-Mutawakkil,whobecameworriedandterrifiedwhenhearingthat.Al-MutawakkilorderedsomeofhisTurkpolicemento attack thehouseof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) in thenight and arrest him.Theyattacked Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)unexpectedlyandfoundhiminasimplehousewearingagarmentofwoolandtherewasnothingbetweenhimandthegroundsaveacarpetofsandandpebbleswhilefacingtheqiblaandrecitingthissayingofAllah,(Nay!dothosewhohavewroughtevildeedsthinkthatWewillmakethemlikethosewhobelieve

anddogoodthattheirlifeandtheirdeathshallbeequal?Baditisthattheyjudge).[608]Theytookhimtoal-Mutawakkilwhilehewasinthatstate[609]thatrepresentedtheasceticismof

prophets and spirituality of apostles. Al-Mutawakkil was drunk at the table ofwine.When he sawImamal-Hadi(a.s.),heofferedhimaglassofwine,butImamal-Hadi(a.s.)shoutedathim,‘ByAllah,ithasnevermixedwithmybloodandfleshatall.’Al-MutawakkilaskedtheImam,‘Recitemesomepoetry!’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Iseldomrecitepoetry.’Al-Mutawakkilinsistedonhimsaying,‘Youmustrecitemesomepoetry!’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.) foundhimselfobliged torecitesomepoetry,andsoherecited thefollowing

versesthatchangedtheecstasyofal-Mutawakkilintosorrowandweeping,“Theywereonthetopsofmountains,guardedbystrong,bravemen,butthosetopssufficedthemnot.Afterglory,theyweretakendownfromtheirpositions,andputintoholes.Howbadabodetheydweltin!Acriercalledthemafterbeenburied:Wherearethethrones,crowns,andtreasures?Wherearethefacesthatwereateaseandluxury,thatcurtainsandscreenswereputbeforethem?Thegraveshowedthosefaceswherewormswerefightingonthem.Howlongtheyateanddrank!Butafterthatlongeating,theywereeaten!”Al-Mutawakkil was shaken and intoxication flew from his head. He began terribly crying. The

attendantsinthemeetingfearedforImamal-Hadi(a.s.)thatal-Mutawakkilmightassaulthimandtheythoughtthatal-Mutawakkilwouldrevengeonhim.Al-Mutawakkilorderedhismentotaketheglassesofwineawayfromthemeeting.Heturnedtothe

pureImam(a.s.)andsaidtohimreverently,‘OAbulHasan,areyouindebt?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Yes,fourthousanddinars.’Al-MutawakkilorderedfourthousanddinarstobegiventoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andreturnedhim

backtohishousewithrespectandhonor.ThiseventshowedthejihadofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andhis

fixed situation towards that tyrant. He did not care for his rule and power. He preached him andwarnedhim from thepunishmentofAllah and said tohim (throughpoetry) that hewoulddie andneitherhisarmiesnorhisauthoritywouldsavehimfromdeath,andthathisdelicatebodywouldbefoodforwormsinthegrave.Certainlyal-Mutawakkilhadneverheardsuchpreachesbefore.Instead,hefilledhisearswiththevoicesofsongstersandsongstresses.Andfinallydeathcametohimwhilehe was betweenmusicians and cups of wine, and themention of Allah did not come to hismindthroughouthislife.

Al-BathawiInformsAgainsttheImam

Historians said that one day al-Mutawakkilwas afflictedwith abscesses and hewas about to die

fromthat.Al-FathbinKhaqancounseledhimtosendamessengertoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)totellhimabout his case that hemight have some remedy.Al-Mutawakkil sent amessenger to Imamal-Hadi(a.s.),whoprescribedaremedyforhim.Afterusingtheremedyal-Mutawakkilwasrestoredtohealth.When his mother was informed that he recovered, she sent Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) a pouch of tenthousand dinars and she sealed it with her seal.Muhammad bin al-Qassim al-Bathawi went to al-MutawakkilandtoldhimthatmoneyandarmswerecarriedtotheImam.Al-MutawakkilwasterrifiedandorderedSa’eedthecustodiantobreakintothehouseofImamal-

Hadi(a.s.)inthenightandfetchallweaponsandmonieshemightfindthere.Sa’eedwenttothehouseof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.).Heputa ladderandwentup to the roof. Itgot toodarkandSa’eeddidnotknowhowtogettotheyardofthehouse.Whilehewasconfused,heheardImamal-Hadi(a.s.)sayingtohim,‘OSa’eed,stayasyouareuntilwebringyouacandle!’Hewasgivenacandleandthenhecamedowntotheyard.HefoundImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wearinga

wool-garmentandawoolcap,andsawaprayer-carpetonamat.Hesearched thehousebut foundnothingexceptthatpouchandtenthousanddinars.Heliftedtheprayer-carpetoftheImamandfoundasword. He took all that to al-Mutawakkil.When al-Mutawakkil saw the seal of his mother on thepouch,hesentforherandaskedheraboutmatter.ShesaidtohimthatshehadvowedtogiveagifttoImam al-Hadi (a.s.) when al-Mutawakkil would recover from his illness, and said that when al-Mutawakkilrecovered,shecarriedouthervow.Al-Mutawakkilfeltshyandaddedanotherpouchofmoneytothatpouchofhismotherandordered

Sa’eed to take them to the Imam.He took them to the Imamandapologized tohim. Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohimbyrecitingthisQur ’anicverse,(Thosewhodowrongwillcometoknowbywhata(great)reversetheywillbeoverturned).[610]

TheBlockadeAgainsttheImam

Al-MutawakkilimposedaseriouseconomicalblockadeonImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andimposedsevere

penaltiesonwhoeversentlegalduesorgiftstohim.Duringthereignofal-MutawakkilImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasinserioushardshipanddifficulties.Thebelieversrefrainedfromgivinghimthelegalduesas they refrained from visiting and having the honor of serving him for fear of the oppressivegovernment.

ImprisoningtheImam

ThetyrantorderedtoarrestImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andputhiminprison.Aftersomedaysinprison,

SaqrbinAbuDulafcametovisithim.Thechamberlain,whoknewhimandknewthathewasaShia,receivedandaskedhim,‘Whatdoyouwantandwhatforyouhavecome?’Hesaid,‘Ihavecomeforgood.’Thechamberlainsaid,‘Youmighthavecometoaskaboutyourmaster!’Hesaid,‘MymasterisAmir ’ul-Mu’minin(hemeantal-Mutawakkil).’Thechamberlainsmiledandsaid,‘Besilent!Yourmasteristhetruth(hemeantImamal-Hadi).Do

notfearme!Iamonyourbelief.’Saqrsaid,‘PraisebetoAllah!’Thechamberlainsaid,‘Doyouwanttoseehim?’Saqrsaid,‘Yes,Ido.’Thechamberlainsaid,‘Sitdownhereuntilthemailmancomesout.’Whenthemailmanwentout,thechamberlainsaidtohisattendant,‘TakeSaqrtotheroomwhere

theAlawidisimprisonedandleavethemalone!’WhenSaqrwentintothecell,hesawImamal-Hadi(a.s.)sitonamatandbeforehimtherewasaduggrave.Al-MutawakkilhadorderedthisgravetobeduginordertofrightentheImam.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtoSaqrkindlyandfriendly,‘OSaqr,whatmadeyoucome?’Saqrsaid,‘Icametoknowyournews.’SaqrbegancryingfeelingpityandfearfortheImam.The

Imamsaidtohim,‘OSaqr,donotworry.Theycannotharmus.’Saqr calmed down and thanked Allah for that. Then he asked the Imam about some religious

questionsandtheImamansweredhisquestions.ThenhesaidfarewelltotheImamandleft.[611]ItwasnolongafterthatwhentheImamwassetfree.

AVainAttempttoAssassinatetheImam

Al-MutawakkilwasunabletobearImamal-Hadi(a.s.)anymore.Itbotheredhimthatpeopletalked

about the virtues, vast knowledge, piety, and asceticism of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) and that the ShiabelievedinhisImamateandbelievedthathewasworthierofthecaliphatethanhim(al-Mutawakkil).Therefore,hetriedtoassassinatetheImamandgetridofhimbuthoweverhefailedtoachievehisaim.Al-FadhlbinAhmadal-Katib(theclerk)narratedthathisfather,whowastheclerkofal-Mu’tazz,

said,‘Wewerewithal-Mu’tazzwhenonedaywewenttoal-Mutawakkilwhowassittingonhisthronebutveryangrylookingaskanceathisvizieral-FathbinKhaqanandshouting,‘Thisiswhomyousaidaboutwhatyousaid!’Al-Fath tried to calm him down. He said to him, ‘O Amir ’ul-Mu’minin,[612]it was fabricated

againsthim.’Al-Mutawakkil paid him no attention and said, ‘By Allah, I will kill this…who fabricates and

defamemyrule.’HebroughtfourmenfromtheKhazar,whounderstoodnothing,gave themarmsandorderedthemtokillImamal-Hadi(a.s.)whenhewouldcometohim.Hesaidangrily,‘ByAllah,Iwillburnhisbodyinfireafterkillinghim.’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) came surrounded by the guards of the palacewho glorified him by saying

loudly “la ilaha illallah; there is no godbutAllah” and “Allahu akbar;Allah is great”.They said,‘Thisisthesonofar-Ridha.’Whenal-Mutawakkilcaught sightofhim,hewasaffectedbyhis solemnityandAllahcast terror

intohisheart.He jumpedfromhis throne, received the Imamwarmly,kissedhimon the forehead,andsaidtohimreverently,‘Omymaster,sonofthemessengerofAllah,thebestofwhomAllahhascreated,mycousin,mylordAbulHasan…’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)advisedandwarnedhimofthepunishmentofAllah.Al-Mutawakkilaskedhim,‘Mymaster,whydidyoucomeatsuchatime?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Yourmessengercametomesaying;al-Mutawakkilsendsforyou.’Al-Mutawakkil said, ‘Thesonof…lied.Mymaster,goback towhereyouhavecomefrom!’Al-

Mutawakkil turned towards his viziers and sons and said, ‘Fath, Abdullah, Mu’tazz, escort yourmaster!’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) left surrounded by a halo of reverence and glorification and the Khazars

refrained from killing him when they saw his solemnity, the honoring of the guards, and theglorificationofal-Mutawakkiltowardshim.[613]Andthustheattemptofal-Mutawakkilfailed.

Al-MutawakkilDespisestheImam

Envyfilledtheheartofal-MutawakkilwhofollowedallwaystodegradeImamal-Hadi(a.s.)and

belittlehispositionthatwasexaltedamongthepublic.HewantedtobelittletheImambymakinghimgoonfootbeforehimsothatpeoplemightdisregardhim,buthisviziercounseledhimtogiveupbecausethatwouldmakethepublicblameandcriticizehim.Al-Mutawakkil paid no attention to his vizierwho counseled him again that he could order the

officials and notables including the Imam to go on foot so that no onewould think that the Imamalonewasintended.Al-Mutawakkilrespondedtohisvizierandorderedpeopletogoonfootbeforehim and they did. It was a very hot summer day. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) oozed sweat. Zuraqa thechamberlainofal-MutawakkilsawtheImaminthatstate.Hecametohim,seatedhiminavestibulethere,tookoutahandkerchiefandbeganwipingthesweatoftheImam.HesaidtotheImamtryingtocomforthispains,‘Yourcousin(al-Mutawakkil)didnotintendyouparticularly.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)lookedathimandsaid,‘Stopthat!’AndthenherecitedthisQur ’anicverse,(Enjoyyourselvesinyourabodeforthreedays,thatisapromisenottobebelied).[614]Zuraqasaid,‘IhadateacherwhowasaShia.Ioftenjokedwithhim.WhenIwenthome,Isentfor

him.Whenhecametome,ItoldhimaboutwhatIheardfromtheImam(a.s.).Hechangedcolorandsaidtome,‘Becarefulandstoreallwhatyouhave!Al-Mutawakkilshalldieorbekilledafterthreedays.’HeunderstoodthatfromtheQur ’anicversethatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)recited.Iwasaffectedbyhisspeechandaskedhimtoleave.ThenIthoughtwithmyselfandsaidthatitwouldnotharmmetotake precautions. If something like that happened, Iwould have takenmy precaution, and if not, Iwould losenothing. Iwent to thehouseofal-Mutawakkiland tookallmymoney. Ideposited themwithoneofmyacquaintances.After threedaysal-Mutawakkildied.This signwas thecauseofmyguidanceandbelievinginImamate.[615]

TheImam’sPrayerAgainstal-Mutawakkil

ImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)resortedtoAllahandprayedHimwiththisholydu’a(knownasthe

du’aofthewrongedagainsttheunjust)whichwasoneofthetreasuresoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.);“O Allah, I and so-and-so (he meant al-Mutawakkil) are two slaves from Your slaves. Our

forelocks(heads)areinYourhand.Youknowourresidenceanddepository,andknowourresortandabode,andourinwardsandoutwards,andknowourintentions,andencompassourconsciences.YourknowingofwhatweshowisasYourknowingofwhatweconceal,andYourknowingofwhatwehideisasYourknowingofwhatweannounce.Nothingofourconcerns ishiddenfromYou,andnostateofours iskeptsecretbeforeYou.We

havenoshelterprotectingusfromYou,andnorefugekeepingusawayfromYou.Noescaperfromus can escape from You, and no oppressor can protect himself by his power from You, nor hissoldierscandefendhimagainstYou.NodefeatercandefeatYoubyhismight,andnomightyonecanstand against You by his abundance. You overcome him wherever he goes, and subject him towhereverheresorts.ThewrongedcometoYourdoor,andtheoppressedfromusrelyonYouandturntoYou.Theyaskyouforhelpwhenhelpersfailthem,andcryforYoursupportwhensupportersturnbacks

to them.They resort toYouwhen shelters disappoint them, and knockYour doorwhen doors areclosedbeforethem,andget toYouwheninadvertentkingshidefromthem.Youareawareofthembefore theycomplain toYou,andknowwhatbenefits thembefore theyaskYoufor it.Praisebe toYou,theHearing,theSeeing,theKind,themighty.OAllah,ithasbeeninYoureternalknowledge,clearjudgment,runningfate,irrefutabledecision,

andinevitablewillinallYourcreations;thehappyoneofthemandthewretched,thegoodoneandthe bad, that if You have given to so-and-so (he meant al-Mutawakkil) a power over me and hewrongedmeby it, oppressedme,overcamemeby thepowerYouhavegiven tohim, andbecamehaughtytowardsmebythepositionYouhavemadetohim,andYourgiftstohimseducedhim,Yourpatiencewith himmade him be tyrannical, and so he didme a distress that I could not bear, andintendedmewithevilthatIfailedtotolerate.Icouldnotdefendmyselfagainsthimformyweakness,andcouldnottakemyrightfromhimfor

myhumbleness.SoIlefthimtoYouandreliedonYouconcerninghim.IthreatenedhimwithYourpunishment,warnedhimofYourdomination,andfrightenedhimofYourrevenge,buthethoughtthatYourpatiencewithhimwasoutofweakness, andYourgivinghim timewasout inability.Nothingpreventedhimandsohewentfarinhisoppression,andexaggeratedinhisenmity,andexceededinhistyrannydaringbeforeYoumyLord,andexposinghimselftoYourwrathwhichYoudonotrepelfromtheunjust,andignoringYourpunishmentwhichYoudonotwithholdfromtheoppressive.O my Lord, here I am disabled before him, subjected under his rule, subjugated by his reins,

defeated, oppressed, distressed, afraid, terrified, suppressed. I lost my patience, and remainedhelpless.DoorswereclosedbeforemeexceptYours,anddirectionswereblockedbeforemeexceptYours.My affairs were confused to resist his hardships to me.My thoughts failed to remove his

oppression.WhoeverofYourpeopleIaskedforhelpdisappointedme,andwhoeverofYourcreationIreliedonbetrayedme.Icounseledwithmyadviceandit toldmetoresort toYou,andinquiredmyguideanditdidnot

guidemesavetoYou,soIturnedtoYoumyLordhumbly,servilely,submissively,knowingthattherewas no deliverance except near You, and no rescue except by You. Carry out Your promise ofsupportingmeandrespondingtomysupplicationforYouhavesaidandYoursayingisthetruththatisnotannulledorchanged,(andhewho retaliateswith the like of thatwithwhich he has been afflicted andhe has been

oppressed, Allahwillmost certainly aid him),[616] and, glory be toYou and sanctified areYournames,Yousaid,(calluponMe,Iwillansweryou),[617]andsoIdoasYouhaveorderedmenotasafavorfrommeonYou;howis thatwhile it isYou

Whohaveguidedmetothat?MyLord,blessMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandrespondtomeasYouhavepromisedme,OYouWhodonotfailthepromise.MyLord,IdoknowthatYouhaveadayonwhichyouavengeontheunjustforthewronged,andI

amcertainthatYouhaveatimeatwhichYoutakefromtheoppressortotheoppressedbecausenoneofresisterscanresistYou,andnoneofopponentscanrunoffYourhold,andYoufearnonethatmayescapeYou,butmy fear and intolerance failmebeforeYourpatience, and the expectanceofYourinsight.Yourpoweroverme,myLord,isoverallpowers,andYourauthoritydefeatsallauthorities.ThereturnofeveryoneistoYouevenifYougivehimtime,andthecomingbackofeveryoppressoristoYouevenifYourespitehim.Yourpatiencewith so-and-so (hemeant al-Mutawakkil) andYour respitinghimharmedme, and

despairwasabouttoovercomemeexceptforthetrustIhadinYouandthecertaintyinYourpromise.IfitisinYourfateandeternalpowerthathewillrepentofoppressingmeorrefrainfromharmingmeorchangefromwhathehascommittedagainstme…OAllah,blessMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandputthatinhisheartatthisverymomentbeforeremovingYourblessingsthatYouhaveendowedmewith…andifitisinYourknowledgeotherthanthisthathewillkeeponoppressingme,thenIaskYouOtheHelperofthewrongedandoppressedtorespondtomycall.BlessMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandsnatchhim(al-Mutawakkil)fromhisshelter

withthesnatchoftheMighty,thePowerful,andsurprisehiminhisinadvertencewiththesurpriseoftheOvercomingKing!Deprivehimofhiseaseandauthority!Scatterhisgathersandassistantsfromaroundhim!Tearhiskingdomthoroughly,andseparatehissupporterswitheveryseparation!DivesthimofYourblessingwhichhedoesnot thank,and take thedressofYourgloryoffhimwhichhedoesnotrewardwithgoodness!CrushhimOYoutheCrusheroftyrants,andperishhimOYouWhohadperishedtheancientnations!TrouncehimOYoutheTrounceroftheunjustnations,anddisappointhimOYoutheDisappointer

of the transgressive parties! Overwhelm his old, destroy his kingdom, omit his trace, remove hismention,putouthisfire,darkenhisday,coverhissun,destroyhislife,increasehisdistress,degradehim, suppresshim,hastenhis death, donot let a rank tohimunlessYoudisgrace it, andnopillarunlessYoutearitdown,andnounityunlessYouseparateit,andnohighnessunlessYoudemeanit!…andshowushissupporters,soldiers,beloveds,andrelativesscatteredeverywhere,andseparatedafter

theirunity,andmaskedaftertheirpoweroverthenation!Relievethefearfulandeagerheartswiththedisappearanceofhisruleanddelighttheconfusednationandthelostpeople!Remove by his disappearance the annulled laws, ignored verdicts, forgotten heritage, distorted

traditions,desertedschools,avertedmihrabs,anddestroyedmosques!…Afflicthimwithanightthathas no like, and an hour that there is no remedy from, and a disaster that there is relief from!…Exposehishonor,anddisturbhisease!ShowhimYourgreatassault,utmost revenge,Yourpowerthatisoverallpowers,andYoursovereigntythatismightierthanhissovereignty!DefeathimformebyYourstrongpower,aborthiscunningbyYourcunning,routhiswillbyYour

will,sickenhisbody,orphanhischildren,decreasehislife,disappointhishope,removehiskingdom,increasehismisfortunes,makehimbusywithhisbody,donotrelievehimfromhissorrow,takehimintodeviation,makehisendintovain,makehisblessingdisappear,andhisgoodlucktolowness,andhissovereigntytodeclination,andhisendtothemiserableend!MakehimdiewithhisragewhenYouwanttomakehimdie,andlethimlivewithhissorrowifYou

want to let him live!Keepme safe from his evil, slandering, backbiting, domination, and enmity!Lookathimwithaglancethatdestroyshim,forYouarestrongerinmightandstrongerininflictingpunishment!AndpraisebetoAllahtheLordoftheworlds.”This du’a is from the treasures of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) which they resorted to whenever an

oppressorpouredhis spiteon them, andAllah responded to themandbroughtdownHiswrathontheirenemies.Thisdu’a shows theextentof thedistressesanddisasters Imamal-Hadi (a.s) sufferedduring the

reignofal-Mutawakkil theAbbasid tyrantwhosavednoeffort inoppressing theAlawidsand theirfollowers.

TheDeathofal-Mutawakkil

Allah responded to theprayerof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) and revengedonhisenemyseverely.After

thisprayeral-Mutawakkillivednomorethanthreedays.Aplotwasarrangedtoassassinateal-Mutawakkilandtodoawaywithhim.Thetermsoftheplot

weremadeperfectandkeptverysecretandfinallyitsucceededandtheplotterslostnooneofthem.Theplotterswereal-Muntasir,Waseefat-Turki(theTurk),andBughaat-Turki.

Al-Muntasir

Al-Muntasir(sonofal-Mutawakkil)hadspiteandmalicetowardshisfatherandthereason,aswe

think,belongedtotwopoints;Thefirst,al-Mutawakkildespisedhissonal-Muntasirandexaggeratedinthatuntilheswelledhis

nose.Al-Muntasirwasfullofspiteagainsthisfather.Adaybeforehisdeath,al-Mutawakkilbroughtal-Muntasirtohismeetingandabusedhimonetimeandmadehimdrinkoverhiscapacityanother.Hesaid to his vizier al-Fath bin Khaqan, ‘I shall be free from Allah and from my kinship to themessengerofAllahifyoudonotslaphim(al-Muntasir).’Al-Fathgotupandslappedal-Muntasirtwice.Al-Mutawakkilsaidtotheattendantsofhismeeting,

‘WitnessonmeyouallthatIhavedeposedal-Muntasir(fromthepositionofheirapparent).’Hesaidto al-Muntasir, ‘I have named you al-Muntasir and people named you al-Muntadhir for yourfoolishness,andnowyouareal-Musta’jil(reckless).’Al-Muntasirsaidtohisfather,‘Ifyouorderedtobeheadme, itwouldbebetterformethanwhat

youdidtome.’Thenheleftwhilebeingfullofspiteagainsthisfatherandthinkingofrevenge.Afterthathecarriedouttheplotofassassination.The second, al-Mutawakkil was full of spite and hatred towards Imam Ali (a.s.) whereas al-

Muntasirwascontrarytohim.HehadagreatlovetoImamAli(a.s.)andhisprogenyoftheAlawidsandthiswasthereason,ashistorianssaid,behindthekillingofhisfather.Thesethreepersonswerethemostimportantmembersinthisplot.Theyheldsecretmeetingsand

discussedthebestwaystocarryouttheirplan.Theyagreedonthefollowingpoints:1.Tocarryouttheplotunderthedarknessofnight2.ClosingthegatesofthepalaceexceptthegatethatledtotheTigrisforfearofthatsuppliesmight

cometoal-Mutawakkilfromtheguardsofthepalaceorfromaunitofthearmy3.Killingtheprimeministeral-FathbinKhaqan4. Rumoring among the public that al-Fath led a failedmilitary coup and killed the caliph al-

Mutawakkilbutal-Muntasirsuppressedthecoupandkilledal-Fathasrevengefor thekillingofhisfather.Theseweresomestepsoftheplanthattheleadersofthecoup(theplotters)agreedon.

ExecutingThePlot

TheTurks,holdingunsheathedswordsandheadedbyBaghirat-Turki,attackedal-Mutawakkilon

thenight ofWednesday the fourthofShawwal[618] in247AH.[619]Al-Mutawakkilwasdrunk.Al-FathbinKhaqanbecameastonishedandcriedout,‘Woountoyou!HeisAmir ’ul-Mu’minin!’Theypaidhimnoattention.Hethrewhimselfonal-Mutawakkiltobethescapegoatbuthesavedneitherhismasternorhimself.TheTurks tore themboth topieces that thefleshofeachof themcouldnotbedistinguishedfromtheother ’s.Theywereburiedtogether.Thusthedaysofal-Mutawakkil,whowasthebitterestenemytotheAhlulBayt(a.s.),cametoanend.TheTurksleftthepalaceandwenttoal-Muntasirwhowaswaitingforthem.Theysalutedhimwith

thetitleofthecaliphate.Al-Muntasirrumoredamongpeoplethatal-FathbinKhaqankilledhisfatherandherevengedandkilledhim.ThenhetookallegianceforhimselffromtheAbbasidfamilyandallunitsofthearmy.TheAlawidsandtheirfollowerstheShiareceivedthenewsofal-Mutawakkil’sdeathwithdelight

and joy,because the tyrant,who turned their lives tounbearabledistresses,perished.Hewaskilledbetweenthecupsofwineandmusicals.Hisbodydidnotsufferillnessesorpainsexceptalittlewhenthe swords harvested his life. Anyhow, that terrible nightmare disappeared from the life of theAlawidsandtheirfollowers.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasdelightedbecauseAllahrespondedtohisprayerandperishedthebitterestofhisenemiesandopponents.

Theruleofal-Muntasir

Al-Muntasir assumed the rule after the coup against thegovernmentof his father.All classesof

peoplefeltdelightandjoybecausetheoppressionandtyrannyofal-Mutawakkildisappeared.

WithTheAlawids

Al-Muntasir followed a rightly, fair policy towards the Alawids and the Shia. From the goodachievements he did to theAlawidswere that he returned Fadak[620]to theAlawids, cancelled theinterdictontheentailsoftheAlawidsandgavethembacktothem,deposedthewaliofYathribSalihbinAli,who treated theAlawidsbadly,andappointedAlibinal-Hasan insteadofhimandorderedhimtotreattheAlawidskindlyanddothemgood.[621]Poetspraisedal-MuntasirintheirpoemstoomuchforthemanyfavorshedidtotheAlawids.He

repaired what his father and grandfathers spoiled towards the Alawids who were their kin. Hecomforted and treated them very kindly after they suffered distresses, hardships, and deprivationfromthepreviousgovernments.

ThePermissionofVisitingtheTombofImamAli

Al-Mutawakkilhadofficiallyforbiddenthevisit to thetombofAmir ’ul-Mu’mininAli(a.s.),but

whenal-Muntasirbecamethecaliph,hepermittedpeopletovisitthetomb.

AnnullingtheInterdictofVisitingtheTombofImamHusayn

Al-MuntasirpermittedMuslimstovisitthetombofImamal-Husayn(a.s.)afteral-Mutawakkilhad

forbiddenthatanddecreedseverepenaltiesagainstwhoevervisitedthatholytomb.Thesefavorsofal-Muntasirwereandwillbementionedthroughouthistorywithhighpraiseand

gratefulness.Heprovedhisnobility,honesty,andhighpersonalityandprovedthathedidnotslipintheabysswhichhisfatheral-Mutawakkilhadslippedinandbroughthimselfdisgraceinthislifeandeternalpunishmentintheafterlife.

HisDeath

Thisnobleman,whorefreshedtheheartsoftheAlawids,didnotlivelong.Deathcameoverhimin

thebeginningofhisrule.Mostofhistorianssaidhedidnotdieanaturaldeathbuthewaspoisoned.The Turks assassinated him fearing that hemight kill them and do awaywith their influence anddominationovertheIslamicnation.TheTurksbribedhisphysicianibnTayfurbygivinghimthirtythousanddinars to assassinatehim.Al-Muntasirwas ill and thephysicianadvised tobleedhim.Hebledhimwithapoisonedbladeandhediedsoon.[622]HediedonSaturday,thefourthofRabee’ath-Thani,[623]248AHandwasburiedinal-Jawsaq.[624]Byhisdeathpeoplelostmuch.Itwashewhodestroyedhisfather ’sthronewhichwasbasedonoppressionandtyranny. Anyhow, the books of history at hand did not mention any meeting or event that took place

between Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) and al-Muntasir. The certain thing is that Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) wasdelighted for al-Muntasir ’s procedures towards the Alawids that returned to them safety andsettlementwhichtheymissedduringthereignofal-Mutawakkil.

TheReignofal-Musta’een

After thedeathof al-Muntasir al-Musta’eenassumed the ruleonSunday, the fifthofRabee’ ath-

Thaniintheyear248AH.HewasasatoolrunbytheTurks.Hehadnopoliticalinfluenceoverthebodyofhisgovernment.Oneofthepoetssaidonthat,“AcaliphinacagebetweenWaseefandBugha,herepeatedwhattheybothsaidtohimasaparrot

does.”[625]Thecaliphwaslikeaparrotinacagerepeatingunconsciouslyandunwittinglywhathisvizierssaid

tohim.TherulewasrunbyWaseef,Bugha,andotherTurks.Neitheral-Musta’eennorhisfamilyhadinfluenceorauthority.

HisWastingandLavishness

Al-Musta’eenwastedandspentmoneylavishly.Hespentallwhatthepreviouscaliphshadsparedin

their treasuriesofmonies, jewels, furniture,weapons,warequipments, andother things.Bughaat-Turkideniedthatandsaidtohim,‘OAmir ’ul-Mu’minin,thesetreasuriesarethecapitalofMuslims.The caliphs before youhave gathered for a daywhen IslamandMuslimsmay face an unexpectedmisfortuneordisaster.’Butthecaliphpaidnoattentionandwentonwastingthemoniesofthestate.Anexampleonhiswastingwasthathehadagalleryinwhichhehadputpreciousjewelries,and

splendid tools and utensils besides gold sculptures of animals, beasts, birds and humans. Thesesculptureswereinlaidwithmostpreciousstones.Heorderedtomadevesselsofgoldtobefilledwithmuskandambergris.Villagesofgoldweremadeforhiminwhichheputstatuesofcows,buffaloes,sheep,dogs,plants,andfruits.Andallthatweremadeofgold.This isanexampleontheabsurditiesof theAbbasidgovernmentswhichovercamethewealthof

Muslimsandspentitontheirlustsandwishes.

TheDepositionofAl-Musta’een

TheTurkssnubbedal-Musta’eenandfearedhim.Oneday,hesetouttowardsBaghdad.TheTurks

sentforhimaskinghimtoreturntoSamarra’.HerefusedandwentontoBaghdad.Theydeposedhimandtookal-Mu’tazzoutofprisonandpaidhimhomageasthecaliph.TheypreparedagreatarmytooccupyBaghdad.Thetwoarmiesmetandbothsidessufferedgreatlossesbutthewarcontinued.Atlast, they agreed on that al-Musta’een should announce the deposition of himself and give thecaliphatetoal-Mu’tazzonsomeconditionsthattheyagreedon.Al-Musta’eengave thecaliphate toal-Mu’tazzwhodidnotobserve theconditionsrequiredfrom

himandheputal-Musta’eenintheprisonofWasit.Heremainedforninemonthsinthatprison.TheTurksfeltfearofal-Musta’eenalthoughhewasinprison.TheytookhimoutofprisonandbroughthimtoSamarra’.Al-Mu’tazzaskedhischamberlainSa’eedtokillhimandhedid.[626]Theauthorofal-Fakhri said hewasweak inmind, reason, and administration, and thatmany seditions happenedduringhisreignandhisstatewasfulloftroublesandconfusion.[627]Weshalltalkabouttheruleofal-Mu’tazzinacomingchapterbecauseImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasmartyredinthatperiod.Notes:[569]Al-Irshad,p.375-376.[570]Mir ’ataz-Zaman,vol.9p.553.[571]Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.113.[572]Tareekhal-Ya’qubi,vol.3p.209.[573]Mir ’ataz-Zaman,vol.9p.553,Tathkiratal-Khawas,p.359,Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.114.[574]Itwasacaravansaryofpaupers.[575]Al-Irshad,p.376.[576]Mir ’ataz-Zaman,vol.9p.553.[577]TareekhBaghdad,vol.12p.57.[578]Qur'an,111:1.[579]Biharal-Anwar,vol.4.[580]Qur'an,9:25.[581] Tareekh al-Islam by ath-Thahabi chap. The men of the twenty-sixth class, Tathkirat al-

Khawas,p.360.[582]Al-Muntadham,vol.12p.26-27.[583]Qur'an,49:84-85.[584]SharhShafiyatAbuFiras,vol.2p.167.[585]Thecallofcellsistheazaninthemosques.[586]Al-Manaqib.[587]Qur'an,27:40.[588]Qur'an,12:100.[589]Qur'an,12:101.[590]Qur'an,10:94.[591]Qur'an,25:20.[592]Qur'an,3:61.[593]Qur'an,31:27.

[594]Qur'an,43:71.[595]Qur'an,65:2.[596]Tuhafal-Uqul,al-Manaqib.[597]ThesonofSafiyyahwasaz-Zubayrbinal-AwwamwhowaskilledbyibnJarmuzontheday

ofal-Jamal.[598]Qur'an,38:39.[599]Al-ManaqibbyibnShahrashub,vol.4p.403-406,Tuhafal-Uqul,p.477-481.[600]Qur'an,12:28.[601]Kamilaz-Ziyarat,Mazaral-Bihar.[602]Mazaral-Bihar.[603]Kamilaz-Ziyarat,p.273,Mazaral-Bihar,p.141.[604]HemeanttheholyplacewhereImamal-Husayn(a.s)wasburied.[605]Kamilaz-Ziyarat,p.274,Mazaral-Biharp.141.[606]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.3p.570.[607]Kamilaz-Ziyarat,Furu’(branchesof)al-Kafi,vol.4p.567.[608]Qur'an,45:21.[609]Rawdhatal-A’yan,manuscript.[610]Qur'an,26:227.[611]Biharal-Anwar.[612]Itreferstoal-Mutawakkil.[613]Al-Kharayijbyar-Rawandi.[614]Qur'an,11:65.[615]Biharal-Anwar,vol.12p.134,al-Kharayij.[616]Qur'an,22:60.[617]Qur'an,40:60.[618]ThetenthmonthoftheMuslimlunaryear.[619]TareekhibnKathir,vol.10p.349,Rawdhatal-A’yan,p.108.[620]Fadakwasaveryvast,fertilevillagethattheProphet(s)haddonatedtohisdaughterFatima

(s).Itwasrichofdate-palmsandotherfruitfultrees.[621]Tareekhibnal-Athir,vol.5p.311.[622]Tareekhal-Khulafa’byas-Sayooti,p.357.[623]ItisthefourthmonthintheIslamiclunarcalendar.[624]Al-Anba’feeTareekhal-Khulafa’.[625]Al-Anba’feeTareekhal-Khulafa’.[626]Tareekhal-Khulafa’,p.358-359.[627]Al-Fakhri,p.222.

8ChapterTheAgeoftheImam

Itmaybeveryusefulornecessary tostudytheageofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andshedlightson the

political, social, religious, cultural, and other sides of that age. Studying an age is one of themethodicalresearchesthatistoonecessaryinthemodernstudiesbecauseituncoversimportantsidesof the external influences onman and shows his intellectual and all psychological tendencies thatarisefromhisageandenvironmentsaspsychologistssays.

PoliticalLife

The political life in the time of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)was very bad. Therewas no security in all

countries of the Islamicworld. Anarchywas everywhere because theAbbasid government lost itsauthorityandinfluenceandnolongerhaditsterriblepowerithadduringthereignsofal-Mansur,ar-Rasid,andal-Ma’mun.Thereasonsbehindthatwere:

ThePrevailingoftheTurksontheRule

TheTurkscontrolledthereinsofpowerandprevailedonallthebodiesofthestatetoadegreethat

theAbbasidcaliphhadnoauthorityorinfluence.ThedecisionswereinthehandsoftheTurks.Theyappointedanddeposedwhoever theylikedofcaliphs,viziers,andofficials.Oneofpoetsdescribedthestateofal-Musta’eenbysaying,“AcaliphinacagebetweenWaseefandBugha,herepeatedwhattheybothsaidtohimasaparrotdoes.”TheAbbasidcaliphsinthatperiodwerelikeparrots.Theyhadnothingfromthecaliphate.TheTurksdideverythingwhereas thecaliphwas innameonlywithnowilloroption.Thecaliphatedeclinedandlost itssolemnityandsuperiority,andthecaliphshadnosignificance.Itwasmentionedthatwhenal-Mu’tazzassumedthecaliphate,someofhiscompanionssentforadivinerandaskedhimhowlongthecaliphwouldsitonthethroneandhowlonghewouldlive.Ahumorousmanfromamongtheattendantssaid,‘Iknowthat.’Theyaskedhimtotellthemandhesaid, ‘Thematter is in thehandsof theTurks.Theydecidehow longhe rulesandhow longhelives.’Theallburstintolaughter.[628]Al-Mu’tasim,theAbbasidcaliph,appointedAshnastheTurkasthewaliandgavehimtherightto

appointwalis.ItwasprayedforAshnasontheminbars[629]whereasprayingwaslimitedtothecaliphsbefore.Duringhisreign,al-WathiqappointedAshnasas

thewalionBaghdadandexpandedhisauthorityuntiloverMorocco.Hegavehimtherighttoruntheaffairs of all those countries and to appointwhoever he likedwithout referring to the caliph. Thecaliph entrustedAshnaswith all the affairs of the state anddressedhimwith two sashesof jewels.[630]

IgnoranceofTheTurks

TheTurkshadnoanyexpertness in theaffairsof ruleandadministrationor in thepoliticaland

economicalaffairs.Theywerelikenomadsinalltheirbehaviors.Al-Jahidh saidabout them, ‘TheTurks arepeopleof tents, inhabitantsofdeserts, andownersof

cattle. They are the nomads of the non-Arabs. Crafts, trade, medicine, agriculture, engineering,building,diggingrivers,andyieldingdidnotattract theirattention.Their interestwas in invasions,raids,hunting,riding,fightingagainstheroes,searchingforbooties,andsubjugatingcountries.Theirdetermination towards all thatwaswell knownandallmeanings andmeanswere subjected to that.Theymastered thesemattersandwereskilled in them. It is these things thatare theircrafts, trades,pleasure,pride,discourse,andnightchat.’Theaffairsof the statewere in thehandsof these rudeswhoknewnothingaboutcivilizationor

development. Therefore, the nation faced dangerous crises, terrible problems, and too manymisfortunesandbloodyevents.

CorruptionofTheRule

FromthedirectresultsofthedominationoftheTurksovertherulewasthecorruptionoftherule

andinadvertency.Bribewaswidespreadamongtheofficialsofthestate.Theviziers,walis,andclerksembezzledthemoniesoflandtaxesandothertaxesandtheyieldsthatcametothestatefromdifferentcountries.In 229 AH, al-Wathiq, the Abbasid caliph, confiscated from the clerks of the divans about two

milliondinars,[631]andal-Mutawakkilconfiscated ibnaz-Zayyat’smoneywhichhehadembezzledandthewealthofhisclerkUmarbinal-Farajar-Rakhji.Itwassaidthatal-Mutawakkiltookfromhimabout one hundred and twenty thousand dinars and from his brother about one hundred and fiftythousanddinars.[632]HealsotookfromthechiefofjudgesYahyabinAkthamseventy-fivethousanddinars.[633] Shawqi Dhayf comments on this by saying, ‘This means that the viziers, clerks, and walis

embezzledthewealthofthestateandnation.Onethinksthattherewasnoseniorofficialinthestateunless he committed abominable crime.Thewalis bribed the vizier in order to stay in their posts.Sometimesbribewasabouttwohundredthousanddinarsbesidesgemsandothergifts.[634] Even themuhtasibs[635] took bribes and embezzledmoney through theirwatching traders and

merchantsandthemovementofbuyingandsellinginthemarkets.ItwasnarratedthatAhmadbinat-Tayyib bin Marwan ar-Rakhsi, the philosopher, breached the trust when he was the chief of themuhtasibsinBaghdad.Hetook,bythisway,aboutonehundredandfiftydinarsbesidesothergiftsandpresents.[636]Wedonotexaggerate ifwesay thatmostofficialsof the statewere involved in thatembezzlementandbribes.’[637]Thespreadofbribeinthismannerwasaclearevidenceonthecorruptionoftheseniorofficialsin

theAbbasidgovernmentandthatmostoftheofficialsembezzledthewealthofMuslimsunjustly.

TheWalisofTheIslamicDistricts

ThewalisovertheIslamiccountriesoftenboughttheirjobsandpostsfromtheviziers.Thevizier

al-Khaqanisold thepostof thewalioverKufa tonineteenwalis inonedayand tookfromeachofthembribe.Mostwaliswenttoofarinwrongingpeopleandextortingtheirmoneyunjustlywhichmademost

peoplecomplainoftheirinjusticeandoppression.Atthedaysofal-Wathiq,hisvizierMuhammadbinAbdulMelik composedapoemandascribed it tooneof the soldiers andgave it to the caliph.Hementionedaflowofgrievancesanddistressesthatthewalispouredoverthenation.Inhispoemheexpressedthemisfortunesofthenationandtheendlesssufferingspeoplereceivedduringthedaysofthose walis whom al-Wathiq set up on the Islamic districts and entrusted with all the affairs ofMuslims. Theywere excessive in oppression. They embezzled the treasury and threw the innocentintodarkprisonsandcellsoftorture.

TheHatredTowardstheAbbasidRule

Muslimsofall trendsandtendencieshatedtheAbbasidruleandwishedit todisappearamoment

afteranotherbecauseofthebad,deviouspoliciesoftheAbbasidrulerswhichweredifferentfromthelawsoftheIslamicShariainmostcases,wherethewickedbecamemastersandthefreeweresubdued.The corruption of theAbbasid governments broughtMuslimsdisasters andmisfortunes and threwthemintogreatdangers.TheAbbasid rulers and their officials extorted thewealth of the nation and killed the great and

reformers.Theykilledmanypeople like thegreatmartyrZayd thesonof ImamAlibinal-HusaynwhoweremartyredinthewayofjusticeduringthereignoftheUmayyads.TheykilledabiggroupoftheAlawidslikeYahyabinAmrbinal-Husaynandotherswhoresistedinjusticeandoppression.Anyhow,Muslimshated theAbbasidgovernmentsanddisapproved theiroppressionanddespotismagainstpeople.

OppressingTheAlawids

Fromtheworstfacesof theclumsypolitics theAbbasidfollowedwastheoppressionagainst the

AlawidswhoweretheheraldsofthesocialjusticeinIslam.TheAlawidsweretriedveryseverelyandtheysuffereddistressesthatnoonehadeversufferedintheworldofIslamandespeciallyduringthereignofal-Mutawakkilwhosparednoeffortinoppressingandpunishingthem.Hepouredonthemaflowofmisfortunesanddistresses.Historianssaid thathisvizierUbaydillahbinYahyabinKhaqanencouragedhimtooppressthem.[638]

EconomicalBlockade

Al-MutawakkilimposedaneconomicalblockadeontheAlawidsandofficiallyforbadepeoplefromhelpingordoinganygoodtothem.Wheneverhewasinformedthatsomeonedidthemgoodevenabithesubjectedhimtoseverepunishments.[639]Therefore,peoplerefrainedfromhelpingthemwithanykindofhelporgivingthemanyofthelegalduesforfearoftherevengeandpunishmentofthetyrant.TheeconomicalblockadeharmedtheAlawidsandexhaustedthemtoadegreethatonedresswas

usedbysomewomenofthem.Oneofthemworeitandofferedtheprayerandthenanotheroneandsoon.Theyalwayspatchedit.Theysatattheirspindleseminakedwithunveiledheads,[640]whereasthe tyrant al-Mutawakkil spent on his red nights millions of dinars and gifted, without measure,thousands to singers, drinking companions, and effeminates, but prevented the progeny of themessengerofAllah(SwT)fromreceiving their rightsand legalduesuntilhemade thempoorandwretched.Oneday,al-FathbinKhaqantheviziergaveal-Mutawakkilaverybeautifulmaidasapresent.She

cametohimcarryingagoldcupandavatofcrystalfullofwine.Hespenthisnightswithsingers,femaledancers,andwinewhereas theprogenyof theProphet (S)sufferedpoverty,hunger,andallkindsofdistresses.TheAbbasidwomenandthesingersanddancersaroundthemstruttedinsilkandbrocadewhilethe

daughtersofthemessengerofAllah(SwT)hadnoclothestocoverthemselveswith.Thosedarkdayspassed and al-Mutawakkil recorded in his history black pages full of sins and crimes against theprogenyoftheProphet(a.s.).

GiftingMoniesToDisparageTheAlawids

Al-MutawakkilgiftedgreatmoniestomercenarypoetswhocriticizedtheAhlulBayt(a.s.)intheir

poetry.Hegaveabundantmoneyandgold toMarwanbinAbual-JanubandappointedhimaswalionYemenandBahrainjustforhishatredandcriticisminhispoemsagainsttheAlawids.Sodidhewith other insipid poetswho sold their consciences and distorted the truth just for some transientpleasuresofthisworld.

JailingTheAlawids

Fromthehardandseveredistresses theAlawidssufferedduring the reignofal-Mutawakkilwas

imprisonment.Al-Mutawakkilarrestedandthrewmanyofthemintodarkprisonsfornoguiltbutjustbecausetheycalledfortherightsofthenationandtheyadopteditsaimsandwishes.From among the prominent Alawids, who were imprisoned by al-Mutawakkil at that time, was

Muhammad bin Salih the great-grandson of Imam al-Hasan (a.s.),[641] and Muhammad binMuhammad bin Ja’far al-Husayni who was arrested by Abdullah bin Tahir, who was one of al-Mutawakkil’sgovernors,andimprisonedinNaysabour.Heremainedinprisonuntilhedied.[642]Some other Alawids ran away and lived disguisedly in far towns and villages for fear of the

Abbasidgovernment likeAhmadbinEesabinZaydbinAlibinal-Husayn,whodied in loneliness,[643] and Abdullah bin Musa bin al-Hasan who was from the eminent Alawids and well-knownheroes.HehidhimselfforfearoftheAbbasids,[644]besidesmanyothersasmentionedbyAbulFarajal-Isfahaniandotherhistorians.

TheRevoltofMartyrYahya

YahyabinUmarbinal-HusaynbinZaydrevoltedagainsttheAbbasidgovernmentcallingforthe

rightsoftheoppressedandpersecutedpeopleandinvitingtoestablishtheruleofAllahintheearth.Hewasabraveknightfarawayfromtherecklessnessoftheyouth.Hewasnotaccusedofanydefect.[645] People loved him and were loyal to him because he began his rising by refraining fromshedding blood or taking anything from people’s properties. He treated the all with justice andfairness.ThecauseofhisrevoltwasforanisolationandmisfortuneheandotherssufferedfromtheTurks

during the reign of al-Mutawakkil.[646] Groups from the people of Kufa followed him and herevoltedwith themduring the reignof al-Musta’een.The caliph assignedMuhammadbinTahir tofightYahya.Hemarchedtowardshimwithabigarmy.AfterviolentfightingYahyawasmartyredandapagefromthebrightpagesofjihadinIslamwasfolded.After the martyrdom of Yahya, Muhammad bin Tahir sat in a public meeting to receive

congratulations for killing the progeny of the messenger of Allah (SwT). Villains and flatterersshowed him joys and delight and congratulated him for the victory of killing the grandson of themessengerofAllah.AbuHashimal-Ja’fariwenttoMuhammadbinTahirandsaidtohim,‘Oemir,youaredelighted

forkillingaman,whoifthemessengerofAllahwasalivehewouldbeconsoledforhisdeath.’MuhammadbinTahirbecamesilentandterriblesilenceprevailedoverthemeeting.ThecaptivesfromYahya’scompanionsweretakentoBaghdadafterreceivingtoosevereharmsand

torture.Historianssaysthattheyweredrawnbarefootandwhoeverofthemwaslatewouldbekilleduntilthebookofal-Musta’eenarrivedorderingthemtobesetfreeandtheyweresetfree.[647]PeoplebecamesadforthedeathofYahyaandweptforhimtoomuch.Noonewaselegizedmore

thanhim.Manywell-knownpoetselegizedhimandcriticizedtheAbbasids.Anyhow,thekillingofYahyawasoneofthegreat,shockingeventsinthatage,forbykillinghim

thesanctityoftheProphet(S)wasviolatedwhereasAllah,intheHolyQur'an,hadmadethelovefortheProphet’sprogenyastherewardfortheProphet’seffortsincarryingoutthemissionofAllah.

DestroyingtheTombofImamHusayn

Al-Mutawakkil destroyed the tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) and this was one of many other

terrible misfortunes Muslims were afflicted with at that time. Al-Mutawakkil was full of ragewheneverheheardorsawcrowdsofpeoplevisittheshrineofImamal-Husayn(a.s.)themasteroftheyouth of Paradise, whereas the graves of his (al-Mutawakkil’s) fathers and their cousins theUmayyadsturnedintodunghillsindark,drearyplaceswhichwereresortsforbeasts.Thosegraves,with their misery and gloominess, told the oppression and violence of their inhabitants againstMuslims.Thedirectreasonthatmadeal-Mutawakkildestroytheholyshrinewasthatsomesongstresssent

himhermaidsbeforeheassumedtheruletosingforhimwhenhedrank,andwhenhebecamethecaliph,hesentforhertosendhimasongstressbutshewasnotthere.Itwassaidtohimthatshehadgone to visit the holy tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.). Shewas informed of that while shewas inKerbala.ShehurriedbacktoBaghdadandsental-Mutawakkiloneofhermaids.Heaskedthemaidwheretheywereandshesaid,‘Myladywenttoperformthehajj(pilgrimage)andtookuswithher.’ItwasthemonthofSha’ban.Al-Mutawakkilwasastonishedandsaidtoher,‘WheredidyouperformthehajjinSha’ban?’Shesaid,‘Tothetombofal-Husayn.’ThetyrantwasalarmedandangrywhenheheardthatthepilgrimagewastotheholytombofImam

al-Husayn (a.s.). He arrested the lady of themaid and confiscated all her wealth, and ordered hisofficials todestroy the tomb.They refused insistently todestroy the tombof thegrandsonof theirProphet. Then, al-Mutawakkil asked some Jews, headed by ad-Dayzaj, to destroy the tomb. Theyrespondedtohimanddestroyedtheholytombin237AH,[648]anddestroyedallbuildingsaroundthetomb.Theyplowedthelandaroundthetombandmadewaterflowovertheland[649]butwaterturnedaround the tomb without reaching to it; therefore, it was called al-Ha’ir. A pleHasant smell wasemittedfromthetombthatpeoplehadneversmeltlikeit.[650]AnomadfrombaniAsadgot thehonorofvisitingtheholytombafter ithadbeendestroyed.He

begansmellingtheearthsothatitmightguidehimtotheholytomb.Whenhetookahandfulofearth,smeltit,andfounditemittingaverypleHasantsmell.HecriedandaddressedImamal-Husayn(a.s.)saying,‘Maymyfatherandmotherdieforyou!Howfineyouare!Howfineyourtombis,andhowfineyourearthis!’Thenherecitedthefollowingverse,“Theywantedtohidehistombfromhiscompanion,butthefinesmellofthetomb’searthguidedtothetomb.”[651]Al-Mutawakkil wanted to remove the tomb of Imam Husayn (a.s.), the master of the youth

ofParadise,andtoremoveanytraceleadingtoitbutallhiseffortswereinvain.TheholyshrineofImamHusayn (a.s.) remained high throughout history. It was and is still the holiest place that allhumanbeingsofdifferenttrendsandbeliefssanctifiedandstillsanctify.Millionsofpeoplevisitthisholyshrineeveryyear.Professor Abbas Mahmud al-Aqqad says, ‘It is today a sanctuary that Muslims, agreeing or

disagreeing, circumambulate, and itdeserved tobecircumambulatedbyeveryman. It is aneternal

symbolofthatwhichthisalivehumangivesamongallcreatures.Thedomeoftheheavenhasnevershadedaplaceofamartyratallmorehonorablethanthosedomeswiththemeaningofmartyrdomandthememorandumofmartyrs…’[652]

ForbiddingMuslimsfromVisitingAl-Husayn

Al-MutawakkilforbadeMuslimsofficiallyfromvisitingtheholyshrineofImamHusayn(a.s.).He

establishedmilitarycheckpointsanddistributedspieseverywheretowatchandchasethevisitorsandpunish them severelywith killing, crucifying, cutting the hands, and other kinds of punishment. Inspite of all those severe punishments,Muslims did not refrain fromvisiting the grandson of theirholyProphet(S).Theycrowdedaroundtheholyshrine.Whenal-Mutawakkilknewabout that,he sentoneofhis leaderswithanarmy topreventpeople

fromvisitingtheshrine.Peopleresistedandsaidtotheleader,‘Ifyoukillusall,wewillnotrefrainfromvisitinghim(ImamHusayn).’Hewrotetoal-Mutawakkilaboutthesituationandal-Mutawakkilorderedhimtogiveup.In247AHal-Mutawakkilwasinformedthatpeopleingreatmassescametovisittheholyshrine.He

sent them a big army and ordered the caller to call out that al-Mutawakkil would be free fromwhoevervisitedal-Husayn.[653]Hekilled,imprisoned,andimposedbigtaxesonpeoplebuthefailedto stop themfromvisiting theholy shrineof Imamal-Husayn (a.s.).Peopleoffered their livesandwealthgenerouslyforthesakeofvisitingImamal-Husayn(a.s.).

ComplaintofMuslims

Muslimscomplainedofal-Mutawakkilandabusedhimintheirsocietiesandmeetings.Theywrote

the cursing against him on mosques and walls, in the streets of Baghdad and other towns. Thefollowing verses, which were composed by a poet who concealed his name for fear of thegovernment though itwasascribed to ibnas-Sikkitoral-Bastami,[654]werememorizedbypeopleandspreadamongallclassesofsociety:“ByAllah,iftheUmayyadshadkilledtheson[655]oftheProphetunjustly,hiscousins[656]didthe

same;hereishistombdestroyed!Theyfeltsorrythattheydidnotparticipateinkillinghim,Sotheychasedhiminthegrave.’[657]TheAbbasidsexceededwhattheUmayyadsdidinoppressinganddistressingtheAlawids.Infact,

inspiteofallseverityandmalicetheUmayyadtreatedtheAlawidswith,theywerebetterandnoblermuchmorethanmostoftheAbbasidkings.SomeUmayyadrulershadhadvirtuesthatthefounderoftheAbbasidstateal-Mansurad-DawaniqihadnotanyasImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)said.

EconomicalLife

The economical life in the age of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) was absolutely confused. There was no

scientific,economicalsystemthatthestatedependedon.Thestatesankundereconomicalconfusionthatwas governedbyneither the Islamic economical systemnor others.The caliph, theTurks, theviziers, and the officials robbed the economy of the nation and extorted its wealth, and thenaccumulatedgreatcapitalsintheirprivatetreasuriesatthetimewhenpovertyandwretchednesswerewidespreadeverywhereinthenation.Themajorityofpeoplemoanedunderthepressureofpoverty.They could not have the slightest necessities of living whereas al-Mutawakkil and other Abbasidcaliphs,whowerecontemporarywithImamal-Hadi(a.s.),excessivelywastedthewealthofMuslims.

TheWasteofAl-Mutawakkil

Al-MutawakkilspentthewealthofMuslimsonhislustsandpleasuresoverthelimit.Thetreasury

wasashisownpropertyandhe spent from it ashe liked.Al-Mas’oudi says, ‘Expendituresdidnotreachatanytimewhatitreachedatthetimeofal-Mutawakkil.’[658]Thewealthwasspentonsingers,themaidsof thepalacewhowere about four thousands, clowns, and thepoetswhodisparaged theAhlul Bayt (a.s.) and this class were given great amounts. The wealth of Muslims was spentexcessively in this way while it was supposed to be spent on Muslims to better their lives andconditions.Whenoneofhissonswascircumcised,al-Mutawakkilheldafestivalandspentuncountablemoney.

Al-Imranireportedthateventbysaying,‘AtableclothwasspreadatthebankoftheTigrisandpeopleof all classes had food.Then cups ofwinewere served and people drank.Al-Mutawakkil orderedwoolsacks full of dinars and dirhamsmixed together to be brought. Heaps of money weremadebeforepeople.Acallercalledoutthatwhoeverdrankacupofdrinkcouldtakethreehandfulsofthatmoney.Everyonetookthreehandfulsanditwassoonuntilthesunset.Al-Mutawakkilalsoordereddinars

anddirhamstobepouredinthemiddleofthemeeting.Themoneywaspouredandwassomuchthatit prevented people from seeing each other. A caller called out that Amir ’ul- Mu’minin (al-Mutawakkil) allowed the attendants to loot from those monies. People threw themselves on thoseheapsofmoneyandcarriedthemoff.Whennightcame,candlesofambergriswerelit.Someofthosecandleswerelikedate-palmtreeswhichweresetupatthebankoftheTigriswhereoneattheotherbankcouldreadabookwiththelightofthosecandles.’[659]

CelebratingtheHomagetohisSons

Al-Mutawakkilspentgreatmoniesonthecelebrationheheldontheoccasionoftakinghomageto

his sonsMuhammad al-Muntasir, az-Zubayr al-Mu’tazz, and Ibrahim al-Mu’ayyad onMonday, thefirstofMuharramin236AH.Heinvitedallclassesofpeopleandspentastonishingamounts in thatcelebration. A tablecloth of about four farsakhs[660] was spread in the garden which he hadestablishedinSamarra’andbuilthispalaceknownasal-Ja’fariin.The palacewas seven farsakhs long and one farsakhwide. It was filledwith people. Statues of

ambergris, camphor, and vessels ofmuskwere put before people.Whoever drank a cup of drink,tooksomemusk,smeltit,andputitintohispocketorgaveittohisservant.Thevesselswererefilledcontinuously. It was so since the sunrise until the sunset. Al-Mutawakkil sat on a throne of goldstuddedwith jewels and theheirs apparentwere standingbeforehimwearing crowns studdedwithjewels. People of different classeswere sitting or standing. The sunrays reflected on gold vesselsspreadinthemeeting,goldbelts,andgildedswordsandshields.Theseabundantmonies,whichwere spenton suchcelebrations and festivals,were thewealthof

Muslims thatmust, according to Islam,be spent to improve theconditionsofMuslims,grow theirpowers,andincreasetheirincomes,butunfortunatelynothingofthathappenedundertheshadowofthosecorruptedregimes.

Bondmaids

The palaces of the Abbasids were crowded of bondmaids who were brought from different

countriesof theworld.Al-Mutawakkilhadabout four thousandbondmaidsandhe sleptwithallofthem.[661]Of course, millions of dinars from the treasury of Muslims were spent on thesebondmaids,andbecauseofthesebadbehaviorsthegeneraleconomyofthenationwasparalysed.

Palaces

Al-MutawakkilandotherAbbasidcaliphsbuilthugeandunequaledpalaceswherenoonehadever

seenlikethem.Oneofal-Mutawakkil’spalaceswasbuiltonaship.Millionsofdinarswerespentonthosepalaces.Ash-Shabasti said that the palaces cost al-Mutawakkil two hundred and seventy-four million

dirhamsandfivehundredandthirteenmillionandtwenty-fivethousanddinars.[662]An-Nuwayrisaidthatal-Mutawakkilspentonbuildinghispalacesaboutonehundredandfiftymilliondinarsandtwohundred and fifty-eightmillion and five hundred thousand dirhams.[663]Herewe talk about somepalacesofal-Mutawakkil:

1.Al-Ja’fari

Itwasthemostimportantpalaceofal-Mutawakkil.Thebuildingofthispalacecosthimabouttwo

milliondinars.[664]Whenthepalacewascompleted,al-Mutawakkilsentforclownsandjesters,andwhentheyperformedsomecomicscenes,hegavethemtwomilliondirhams.[665]Buttimeattackedal-Ja’fariandturneditintoruinsthatevenbeastsrejecteditbecauseittoldtheoppressionandcrueltyofal-Mutawakkil.

2.Al-Burj

Itwasaverybeautifulpalace.Hespentonthebuildingofthispalaceaboutonemillionandseven

hundred thousanddinars.[666]Ash-Shabastidescribed itbysaying, ‘Al-Burjwas themostbeautifulbuildingofal-Mutawakkil.Hemadeinitbigstatutesofgoldandsilverandawidepoolwithplatesofgoldandsilver.Beside thepool therewasa treeofgoldwithbirds thatwhistled. Itwasadornedwith jewels.He

called the placeTuba as the nameof theParadise.A big throne of gold,with two big lions and adrawerhavingpicturesofbeastsandeagles,wasmadeforhimtherewithotherthingsasthethroneofProphet Solomon (a.s.) had been described. Thewallswere covered from inside and outsidewithmosaicandgildedmarble.’[667]

3.Al-Maleeh

Itwasawonderfulpalace.Hespentonitfivemilliondirhams.[668]

4.Ash-Shabandaz

Itwasoneofhiswonderfulpalacesthatcosttenmilliondirhams.[669]

5.Al-Mukhtar

Itwasaverywonderfulpalacethatcostfivemilliondirhams.[670]Ithadwonderfulpictures,one

of which was a picture of a church with monks.[671] This showed that he was influenced byChristianity.

6.Al-Gharw

Itwasaverybeautifulpalacethatcostonemilliondirhams.[672]

7.Barkwar

It was themost beautiful andmostwonderful of al-Mutawakkil’s palaces.He spent on it twenty

milliondirhams.[673]Itwasinthispalacethatal-Mutawakkilhadheldhisexcessivebanquetontheoccasionofcircumcisinghissonal-Mu’tazzaswehavementionedbefore.

8.Al-Hayr

Itwasabeautifulpalacethatcostfourmilliondirhams.[674]Al-MutawakkilandotherAbbasidcaliphsadornedtheirpalaceswithwonderfulpoolssurrounded

by wonderful pictures and statutes. They adorned some pools with plates of gold and silver andfurniturestudwithjewelsandgems.[675]ThosepoolswereaplaceofamusementfortheAbbasidcaliphsandtheirmockatpeople.Oneday,

al-MutawakkilorderedIbadahtheeffeminatetobethrownintooneofthosepoolsinthewinterwhileitwasverycold.Ibadahwasabouttodieandthenal-Mutawakkilorderedhimtobetakenoutofwaterandtobegivennewclothestoputon.Heapproachedandaskedhim,‘Howareyounow?’Ibadahsaid,‘Ihavejustcomefromtheafterlife?’Al-Mutawakkillaughedandaskedhim,‘Howwasmybrotheral-Wathiqthere?’Ibadahsaid,‘IdidnotvisittheHell.’Al-Mutawakkillaughedandgiftedhim.[676]He shot ibn al-Abrah the foolish poet by the mangonel and when he went high in the air, al-

Mutawakkilsaid,‘Cleartheway!Themangoneliscomingtoyou.’Thepoetfellintothepool.Netswerethrownoverhimandhewascaughtlikefish.[677]Itwas required fromal-Mutawakkil tospendhis timeandefforts toserve the Islamicnationand

workforitsdevelopmentintheeconomical,cultural,social,andotherfields,buthedidnothingofthat. Instead, he spent his time and the wealth ofMuslims on vanities, amusements, and lusts. Hispalaceswereplacesforsinging,drinking,andothervices.

GiftsToThePoets

Al-MutawakkilandotherAbbasidcaliphsgiftedgreatmoniestomercenarypoetswhoformedthe

mostimportantpartofthemediaatthattime.Thepoets,whocriticizedtheAlawidsintheirpoems,gottoomuchmoneybecausetheyfixedthepositionoftheAbbasidsandmadepeoplethinkthattheywereclosertotheProphet(S)andworthierofhispositionthantheAlawids.Once,Ibrahimbinal-Mudbirrecitedapoempraisingal-Mutawakkilwhowaspleasedwithitand

gavethepoetfifty thousanddirhamsandaskedhisvizierUbaydillahbinYahyatofindhimagoodjob.HegaveAbulShiblal-Barjamithirtythousanddirhamsafterrecitinghimapoemofthirtyverses,

[678]andgaveas-Sawlionehundredthousanddirhams,andsodidhisson.[679]WhenMarwanbinAbulJanubpraisedhiminapoem,hegavehimtwohundredthousanddirhams

and new clothes. For another poem he gave him one hundred and twenty thousand dirhams, fiftygarments,amule,ahorse,andadonkey.[680]Thepoetpraisedal-Mutawakkilonanotheroccasionand got from him one hundred and twenty thousand dirhams and some clothes,[681] and fiftythousanddirhamsonanotheroccasion.[682]As for Ali bin al-Jahm the poet, al-Mutawakkil made him so wealthy because he dedicated his

poetrytopraisethecaliphparticularly.Theexcessivegiftsofal-Mutawakkilwerenotlimitedtopoetsonly,buttheyincludedsingers,clowns,anddrinkingcompanions.Al-Mas’oudisays,‘Nooneinhis(al-Mutawakkil’s) statewas expert in seriousor lovepoetryunlesshegot agood shareofmoney.[683]Thewealthofthenationanditseconomicalabilitiesweredispelledonvanities,amusements,and

pleasures.Nothingwasspentonthepublicwelfare.ShawqiDhayfsays,“…Inthiswaymillionsofdinarsanddirhamswerespent,withoutconsiderationorcontrol,onthe

partiesofthepalace;thosepartieswhichsuppliedthestoriesof“Athousandandonenights”withallwhat might come to one’s imagination of luxury and lavish spending. That wealth, which wassupposedtobespentonpreparingarmiestoresisttheTurksandtheByzantines,waswastedfoolishlywhilepeoplestroveandworkedhard,butsufferedpovertyandwretchedness.At thesame time,al-Mutawakkilandotherthanal-Mutawakkilplayedwiththepeople’swealth.Millions after millions were spent on building high palaces which were places for singing,

dancing,anddrinking,andheapsofgoldandsilverwerescatteredhereandthere.Itwasnarratedthatone day al-Mutawakkil was drunken in his palace called al-Barkwar. He said to his drinkingcompanions where it was not the season of flowers, ‘What do you think if we hold a festival offlowers?’Theysaidtohim,‘Thesedaysarenotofflowers.’HesentforUbaydillahbinYahya,whowasone

ofhisviziers,andaskedhimtocoinfivemilliondirhamseachof twoweightsofsilver.When thedirhamswerecoined,heorderedhisviziertodyesomeofthedirhamsred,someyellow,someblack,and to leavesomeas theywere.Thevizierdidashewasordered.Thenal-Mutawakkilorderedhissevenhundredservantsandretinue toprepareanewgarmentandcapdifferent incolor fromeach

otherandtheydid.Al-Mutawakkilwaiteduntilawindydaycameandheorderedalargetentoffortydoorstobeerected.Hecameintothetentsurroundedbyhisdrinkingcompanionsandhisservantswearingtheirnew

dresses. He ordered the dirhams to be scattered a group after another like flowers. They werescatteredsuccessivelyandthewindcarriedthemfortheywerelight.Theyflewintheairlikeflowersdid.[684]It was a result of idleness, and excessive luxury. The caliphs enjoyed life to the extent of

foolishnessandmania,whereasclassesofpeoplebehindthemlivedinstraitsandpressingpoverty.[685]

TheGeneralEconomicalLife

ThegeneraleconomicallifeintheIslamicnationwasabsolutelybad.Povertybitmostofpeoplewhowereinterribleneediness.Thegeneralwealthwasaccumulatednearsingers,clowns,theretinueandagentsofrulersespeciallytheTurkswhoweresowealthythattheydidnotknowhowtospendthatwealth.Theyspentgreatmoniesoneverykindofpleasureandlust.Whenevertheybecameboredwithapleasuretheyturnedtoanotherone.Thus,theirlivespassed

betweensinging,amusement,andmeetingsofdrinkingthatwereheldinthegreatpalaceswhichwerebuiltwiththemoneyofthepoor,thedeprived,andthemiserable.Anyhow,theeconomicallifeinmostoftheIslamiccountrieswasparalyzedorconfused,andthat

madereformerstoriseinarmedrevoltsagainsttheAbbasidrule.

LandTax

Thecollectionofthelandtaxwasanimportantsideintheeconomicallife.TheAbbasidgovernmentsentrusted this job to a group of severe and harsh men. They collected taxes that Islam had notlegislated.Theycollectedthosetaxeswithallsevereandviolentmeans,andpeoplesufferedtoomuchduringthosedarkperiods.

GeneralMisery

ThemajorityoftheIslamicpeoplessufferedmisery,poverty,anddeprivationduringtheAbbasid

ages. Ulama’, men of letters, and thinkers often and always complained of their difficult lives.Povertyattackedmostpeople that theyhardlyfoundabite tosatisfy theirhungerorarag tocovertheir semi-naked bodies against the cold ofwinter. Somewell-known scholars, poets, and authorslivedlivesofmisery.Many times they could not find a bit of bread to eat or to give to their families and children.

Studyingandseekingknowledgeatthattimeledscholarstopovertyanddeprivation.Asanexample,al-Jahidh, who was one of the best and most eminent scholars, authors, and men of letters andintellect, suffered pressing neediness and misery, whereas singers, dancers, and clowns lived atabsoluteease.ManypoetsofthatageinvitedintheirpoetrytowardsasceticismandSufismbecauseofthepovertyanddeprivationtheyunderwent.

TheReligiousLife

ThereligiouslifeintheageofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasconfusedandturbid.Manysuspicionsand

illusionswere raised against the Islamic belief by the powers that had spites and enmities againstIslam. Muslim ulama’, and at the head was Imam al-Hadi (a.s.), confronted those suspicions andspuriousargumentsandtheyrefutedthem.

HeresiesandErrors

Awicked group of atheists and apostates slipped among theShia and spread some heresies and

errors.Muslimswere tried toomuch by these polytheists because of the falsehood they spread bywhich theymisled simple and naïve people. The heads of those hereticswereAli binHasakah al-Qummi, al-Qassim al-Yaqtini, al-Hasan binMuhammad bin Baba al-Qummi, andMuhammad binNusayr.

TheHeresiesofIbnHasakah

IbnHasakahsaidthatImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)wastheGod,thecreator,andthemanagerof

the universe.He claimed that he (ibnHasakah)was a prophet sent by Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) to guidepeople.HeannulledtheIslamicobligationssuchaszakat,thehajj,andfasting,forwhoeverbelievedinhisbelief.Simplepeopleofnounderstandingbelievedhimandinclinedtohisheresies.OneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionswrotealettertotheImamsaying,“MayIdieforyoumysire!AlibinHasakahclaimsthatheisfromyourguardiansandthatyouare

the First and theOld.He claims that he is your bab and your prophet, and that you yourself haveorderedhimtoinviteforthat.Heclaimsthatprayer,zakat,hajj,andfastingaretheknowingofyouandtheknowingofonewhoislikeibnHasakahwhoisthebabandtheprophet.Hesaysthatwhoeverbelievesinthisisaperfectfaithfulandthereforeprayer,fasting,hajj,andotherobligationsarenotrequired fromhim.Many people inclined to him.Would you please favor your followerswith ananswertosavethemfromperishment?’[686]

TheImamDisavowsHim

Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) disavowed ibn Hasakah and invited people to reject him and reject his

followersandkillthem.Hewrotealetterasareplytothepreviouslettersaying,“IbnHasakahtellslies.ThecurseofAllahbeonhim!Heisnotoneofmyguardians.MayAllah

cursehim.ByAllah,AllahdidnotsendMuhammadandtheprophetsbeforehimexceptwithprayer,zakat,fasting,hajj,andguardianship.MuhammaddidnotinviteexcepttoAllahalonewithnopartner.Sodowe,theguardiansfromhisprogeny.WeareslavesofAllahnotassociatingwithHimanything.IfweobeyHim,Hewillhavemercyon

usandifwedisobeyHim,Hewilltortureus.WedonothaveanyauthorityonAllahbutAllahhastheauthorityonusandonallHiscreatures. I,beforeAllah,disavowwhoeversays thatandI resort toAllahfromthissaying.Desertthem!MayAllahcursethem.Blockthemupintonarrowpassagesandifyoufindanyofthem,splithisheadwithstone!’[687]

TheHeresiesofAl-Fihri

Muhammad bin Nusayr al-Fihri an-Namiri was from the heads of atheists and the chiefs of

unbelievers.HespreadamongpeoplethatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wastheCreatorandGod.Hepermittedthemarriagewith one’smahrams (close relatives that it is unlawful to getmarried to) like one’smother, sister, daughter, and the like. He permitted sodomy and considered it as one of the goodpleasures thatAllah had not forbidden and that it was ameans of being humble beforeAllah.Hebelievedintransmigration(ofsoulsatorafterdeathintoanotherbody).BytheseheresieshetriedtofightIslamanddistorttherealityoftheinfallibleImams(a.s.).

InterpretingtheObligations

These deviant atheists interpreted the Islamic obligations according to their own corrupted

tendencies.Theysaidthattheprayer,whichAllahhadorderedtobeperformed,wasnotthatknownkindofworshipbutitwasaparticularman.TheyalsosaidthatthezakatwasnotthetaxthatAllahhadimposed, but it was a particular man. They also interpreted the sins that Allah had prohibitedaccordingtotheirowntendencies.IbrahimbinShaybahwrotealettertoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)saying,“May I die for you!There is a group of people among us disagreeing on acknowledging your

virtues and position by different sayings that hearts are disgusted of and chests cannot bear. Theynarratetraditionsonthatthatwecannotacceptbecausetheysayterriblethingsandwecannotrefuteordenyiftheyareascribedtoyourfathers.Wearesuspiciousaboutthesesayings.TheyinterpretthemeaningofthesayingsofAllah,(…surelyprayerkeeps(one)awayfromindecencyandevil),[688]and (Andkeepupprayerand

paythezakat)[689]andsaythatprayermeansamanandneitherbowingnorprostration.Theyalsosaythatzakatisa

manandnot thepayingofmoney.They interpretotherobligations in the samewayandevensins.Wouldyoupleasefavoryourfollowerswiththatwhichhastheirsafetyandrescuefromthesayings(beliefs) that take themtoperishment?Fromamong thosewhoclaim theyareguardiansand invitepeopletofollowthemareAlibinHasakahandal-Qassimal-Yaqtini.Whatdoyousayaboutthem?”Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘Thisisnotfromourreligionandyouhavetorejectit.[690]Imamal-

Hadi(a.s.)wastriedseriouslybythosedeviantswhodisbelievedinAllahanddeniedhissigns.

TheImamWarnsAgainstThem

Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) warned his followers and the rest of Muslims from associating with those

excessiveatheists.HewrotetoAlibinMuhammadbinEesa,‘MayAllahcurseal-Qassimal-YaqtiniandAlibinHasakahal-Qummi.Satanhasappeared tohimandsohe inspires falsehood todeceiveothers.’[691]Healsowrotetoal-Ubaydiwarninghimfromtheheresiesofthoseexcessiveatheistsandinviting

him to disavow them. He said in the letter, “I disavow, before Allah, al-Fihri and al-Hasan binMuhammadbinBabaal-Qummiandyouhavetodisavowthem.Iwarnyouandallmyfollowersfromthem,andIcursethem.ThecurseofAllahbeonthem.Theyeatthemoniesofpeopleinthenameofus.Theyareseditiousandharmful.MayAllahharm

them,throwthemintocurse,andplungethemintomischief.IbnBabaclaimsthatIhavesenthim(asanapostle)andthathe isabab.ThecurseofAllahbeonhim.Satanhasmockedandseducedhim.Allahmaycursewhoeveracceptsfromhim.OMuhammad,ifyoucansplithisheadwithstone,do!Hehasharmedme.MayAllahharmhiminthislifeandintheafterlife.”[692]Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)askedhisfollowers(theShia)tokilltheheadoftheextremistsFarisbinHatim.

Hesaid,‘Farisclaimsthatheactsinthenameofme.Heisseditiouscallingforheresies.Hisbloodisto be shed by whoever can kill him. Who will relieve me from him by killing him and I willassureParadise forhimby thewillofAllah?’[693]Oneof the faithful responded to the ImamandkilledFarisandrelievedMuslimsfromhim.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)permittedthekillingoftheextremists.Hewrotetooneofhiscompanions,‘…

ifyoucanovercomeanyofthem,breakhisheadwithastone!’[694]Once,as-SariybinSalamahsentalettertoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)askinghimabouttheextremistsand

what theycalled for.The Imamreplied tohim, ‘MayAllahkeepyou safe from their extremism. ItsufficesthattheguardiansofAllahhavedisavowedthem.MayAllahfixyouonwhatyouarein…inthislifeandintheafterlifeandmakeyounotgoastrayafterHehasguidedyou.’[695]

CausesofExtremism

ThecausesthatledsuchpeopletosaythatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasthegodandthecreatorofthe

universewere-aswethink-asthefollowing:1.Thecharismataandmiracles thatAllahhadendowed Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) andhis fatherswith,

whichthedeviantsandthosewhohadspitetowardstheImamadvantagedoftofabricateheresiesinordertoattackIslamanddoawaywithit.2.ThedisengagementfromtheIslamicvaluesandprinciples;andsotheypermittedallwhatIslam

hadprohibited.3.Thegreedforpeople’swealth;therefore,theytookitwronglyandextortedthelegalduesthatthe

ShiapaidtotheirImams(a.s.).

WiththeWaqifites

After thedeathof ImamMusabinJa’faral-Kadhim(a.s.),asect fromtheShiacalled theWaqifitesappearedonthestageoftheIslamiclife.TheydeniedthedeathofImamMusaal-Kadhim(a.s.)andclaimedthathewasraisedtotheHeavensasJesusChrist(a.s.)was.ThechiefsofthissectclaimedsobecausethereweregreatmoniesofthelegalduesofImamMusaal-Kadhim(a.s.)withthem.Theyembezzledthesemoniesanddidnotdeliver themtoImamar-Ridha(a.s.)after thedeathof

Imamal-Kadhim(a.s.).ThissectkeptonresistingtheTwelverShiauntiltheShiacalledthemasal-Mamturah(dirtydogs thatwerewettedbyrainand theybecame(ritually) impureandconsequentlytheywouldimpurifywhoevertheymighttouch).OneoftheShiawrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)askinghimifitwaspermissibleforhimtocursethose

al-Mamturahinprayer,andtheImamrepliedtohimthatitwaspermissible.[696]

TheCreationofTheQur'an

FromtheterribleproblemsMuslimsweretriedwithintheirreligiouslifewastheproblemof“the

creation of the Qur'an” which the Abbasid rulers contrived and spread to do away with theiropponents.Manypeoplewerekilledbecauseof thisheresyandspitesandhostilities spreadamongMuslims.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotealettertoAhmadbinIsma’ilbinYaqtinin227AHsayingtohim,“May

Allahsafeguardusandyoufromthesedition!IfHedoes,itshallbeagreatblessingandifnot,itshallbetheperishment.WeseethatdisputingontheQur'anisaheresythatboththeaskerandtheanswererparticipatein;theaskerdealswithwhatisnothisandtheanswererburdenshimselfwithwhatitisnothisduty.ThecreatorisbutAllahtheAlmightyandwhatsoeverelseiscreated,andtheQur'anisthespeech

ofAllah.Donotmake forHimaname fromyourself so thatyou shallbe from thedeviants.MayAllahmakeusandyoufromamongthosewhofear theirLordinsecretandtheyarefearfulof thehour(ofdoom).[697]

TheLifeofAmusement

TheAbbasidkings,whoruledatthetimeofImamal-Hadi(a.s.),indulgedinpleasures,amusement,

singing, and all lusts. Their red nights were full of drinking, singing, and dancing, but with noseriousnessoranyremembranceofAllah.Notonlyhadthecaliphsbehavedso,butalsotheirviziers,clerks,walis,officials,andinfacttherestofpeople.TheypounceduponpleasuresandamusementsandturnedawayfromthepurelifethatIslamhaddeterminedforthem.

Wining

Drinkingwinewaswidespread in that age.Al-Mutawakkil the caliph,hisviziers, andhis retinue

drankwineoftenand itwassomethingcommonfor them.Theywere indifferent to theprohibitionandtheseverepenaltythatIslamhadlegislatedfordrinkingwine.Thebottlesofwinewerefromthemost preciouspresents for theAbbasids.AbdullahbinAhmadbinHamdunnarrated that his fathersaid, ‘Wewent with al-Ma’mun andwith al-Mu’tasim to fight the Romans.Muhammad binAbdulMelikaz-ZayyatgifteduswithmaturedIraqidrinksandwrotewiththemsomeversesofpoetry.’ Al-Mutawakkil was the fondest of wine among the Abbasid kings, and all bodies of his

governmentwerelikehim.Hespentmostofhislifebetweenthecupsofwine,andhewaskilledwhilehewasdrunk.

Debauchery

Debauchery and corruption spread widely during the reigns of the Abbasid kings. It was an

outstanding phenomenon not only near the kings, but also near the rest of people. The generalconductofpeopleatthattimewascoloredwithdebauchery,dissoluteness,andvices.Itwasthekingsthemselves,whopounceduponamusement,desires,andallunlawfulpleasures, thatencouragedtherestofpeopletofollowtheseways.Thespirituallifehadinfluenceneitherinsidetheirpalacesnorontheirconductsintheoutside.Notes:[628]Al-Fakhri,p.181.[629]An-Nujumaz-Zahirah,vol.2p.229.[630]Tareekhal-Ya’qubi,vol.3p.205.[[631]Tareekhat-Tabari,vol.9p.125.[632]Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.19.[633]Tareekhat-Tabari,vol.9p.197.[634]Al-Fakhri,p.178.[635]Amuhtasibwastheofficialwhocontrolledprices,weights,andmeasuresinthemarket.[636]Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.170.[637]Al-Asral-Abbasiath-Thani(thesecondAbbasidage),p.120-121.[638]Maqatilat-Talibiyin,p.597.[639]Ibid.,p.599.[640]Maqatilat-Talibiyin,p.599.[641]Maqatilat-Talibiyin,p.600.[642]Ibid.,p.615.[643]Ibid.,p.619-627.[644]Ibid.,p.628.[645]Maqatilat-Talibiyin,p.639.[646]Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.93[647]Maqatilat-Talibiyin,p.p.644.[648]Akhbarad-Duwal,p.359.[649]Maqatilat-Talibiyin,p.598.[650]Ibid[651]SharhShafiyyatAbuFiras,vol.2p.144[652]Abuash-Shuhada,byAbbasMahmudal-Aqqad.[653]SharhShafiyyatAbuFiras,p.144.[654]Fawatal-Wafiyyat,vol.1p.203.[655]ImamHusayn(a.s)[656]TheAbbasidswhowerethecousinsoftheProphet(a.s)andofImamHusayn(a.s).[657]Akhbarad-Duwal,p.159,Tareekhal-Khulafa’,p.347.[658]Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.159.[659]Al-Anba’feeTareekhal-Khulafa’.[660]Farsang:aunitofdistanceequalto6km.[661]SiyerA’laman-Nubala’,vol.8p.153,Tareekhal-Khulafa’,p.349,Akhbarad-Duwal,p.116.

[662]Ad-Diyarat,p.102.[663]Nihayatal-Arab,vol.1p.406.[664]Mu’jamal-Buldan,vol.2p.143.[665]Tareekhat-Tabari,vol.9p.212.[666]Tareekhal-Ya’qubi,vol.3p.222,ad-Diyarat,p.103.[667]Ad-Diyarat,p.103[668]Mu’jamal-Buldan,vol.3p.175.[669]Ibid.,p.319.[670]Mu’jamal-Buldan.[671]Ibid.,vol.5p.70.[672]Ibid.,vol.4p.192.[673]Ibid.,vol.2p.328.[674]Mu’jamal-Buldan.[675]Nihayatal-Arab,vol.1p.406.[676]Al-Iqdal-Fareed,vol.6p.430.[677]Fawatal-Wafiyyatbyal-Kutubi,vol.2p.356.[678]Al-AghanibyAbulFarajal-Isfahani,vol.14p.193.[679]Ibid.,vol.10p.64.[680]Al-aghani.[681]Tareekhal-Khulafa’,p.349.[682]Al-Aghani[683]Tareekhal-Khulafa’,p.349.[684]Ad-Diyarat,p.160.[685]TheSecondAbbasidAge,p.68-69.[686]Rijalal-Kashshi.[687]Rijalal-Kashshi.[688]Qur'an,29:45.[689]Qur'an,2:43andotherverses.[690]Rijalal-Kashshi.[691]Rijalal-Kashshi.[692]Rijalal-Kashshi.[693]Ibid.[694]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.18p.554.[695]Ad-Durran-Nadhim.[696]Rijalal-Kashshi.[697]At-Tawhid,p.224.

9ChapterTotheParadise

Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) suffered pressingmisfortunes anddistresses from theAbbasid tyrants.They

sparednoeffortinoppressingandharminghim.Al-MutawakkilwasthemostspitefultowardsImamal-Hadi(a.s.)fromamongalltheAbbasidcaliphs.Heoppressedhimtoomuch.HemovedtheImamfrom Yathrib to Samarra’ and imposed on him house arrest, and surrounded his house withpolicemenwhowatchedevenhisbreaths.Al-Mutawakkilpreventedulama’,jurisprudents,andnarratorsfrommeetinghim,takingfromhis

knowledge and narrating his fatwas and opinions. Doing this, al-Mutawakkil committed a terriblecrimeagainstknowledge.HeimposedeconomicalblockadeagainsttheImamandpreventedpeoplefromtakingthelegaldues,whichcamefromthedifferentIslamiccountries,tohim.HelefttheImaminapressingneediness.HeorderedhismentosearchthehouseoftheImamfromtimetotimethattheymight find arms or books objecting to theAbbasid rule so that al-Mutawakkilmight find anexcusetokilltheImambutnothingwasfound.Sometimes,heorderedhismentobringhimtheImaminwhateverstatehewas.Once,theImam

wasbroughtwhileal-Mutawakkilwasdrunkandbeforehimtherewerevesselsandcupsofwineandhewas surrounded by groups ofmale and female singers, but the Imamwas sharpwith him andbeganadvisinghim,remindinghimof theafterlife,andscoldinghimfor thecorruptionhewasin.Whenal-MutawakkilsawtheImaminsistonkeepingawayfromhim, refuse toassociatewithhim,anddevotehimselftoAllah,heorderedhismentoarrestandputhimintoprison.NarratorssaidthatsomemanheardImamal-Hadi(a.s.)sayingfrominsidetheprison,‘Iammore

exaltednearAllahthantheshe-camelof(Prophet)Salih.’ThenherecitedthisQur ’anicverse,(Enjoyyourselvesinyourabodeforthreedays,thatisapromisenottobebelied).[698]]Afterthreedays,thetyrantwaskilledbyhissonal-Muntasir.[699]After the death of al-Mutawakkil, the distress of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) did not end. The Abbasid

governmentkeptonwatchinghimandplottingdayandnighttodoawaywithhim.TheAbbasidsboremalice towards him because he was highly regarded and sanctified by all the nation, whereas theAbbasidsgotnorespectorregardlikethat.BesidesthattherewasabigpartofthenationbelievingintheImamateofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andbelievingthathewasworthieroftheIslamiccaliphatethantheAbbasids who indulged in pleasures and lusts and governed the nation, like the Umayyads, withviolence,oppression,andhaughtiness.

TheAssassination

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)becameaheavyburdenonal-Mu’tamidtheAbbasidcaliphafterhesawpeople

talk about the virtues, knowledge, asceticism, and piety of the Imam and prefer him to all otherMuslim ulama’. He became angry, envious, and spiteful against the Imam His ill will led him tocommittheworstcrimeinIslam.HeinsertedfatalpoisontotheImam,who,afterhavingthepoison,kept tobed.Thepoison reacted inallhisbodyandhe suffered intolerablepains.TheShiaand thenotablesofthestatevisitedhim,andtheallwerecoveredwithdeepsorrow.

TheNextImam

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)appointedhissonAbuMuhammadal-Hasan(al-Askari)astheImamafterhim

andsethimasthegeneralauthorityfortheShiaafterhisdeath.Heinsinuatedtohisclosecompanionsabout the Imamate of his son AbuMuhammad (a.s.) before. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) entrusted his sonImamal-Hasanal-Askari(a.s.)withtheproceduresoffunerals,prayer,andburialafterhisdeath,andrecommendedhimofotherrecommendationsconcerninghisaffairs.

ToParadise

Thepoison reacted inside the bodyof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.).Violent pains attackedhimanddeath

approached him quickly.When he felt the inevitable death, he turned towards the qibla and beganrecitingsomesurasoftheQur'an.HebreathedhislastwhilethementionofAllahwasstillonhislips.Hisgreat,puresoulascendedtoitsCreatorsurroundedbytheangels.TheearthlyworldturneddarkwhiletheHeavensshonebrighttoreceivehiscoming.Peoplelostmuchgoodbyhisdeathbecauseitwastheleader,guide,anddefenderoftherightsoftheweakandtheoppressedthatdied.ImamAbuMuhammadal-Hasanal-Askari(a.s.)washedthepurebodyofhisfather,enshroudedit,

andofferedtheprayerofthedeadonitwhilehisheartwasfullofpain,sorrow,andregret.

ProcessionsofEscort

Samarra’ was shocked by the great disaster. People of all classes hurried to get the honor of

escortingthepurebodyofthegreatImamwhowastheremainderofprophethoodandImamate.Stateofficesandshopswereclosed.Viziers,ulama,judges,prominentleadersofthearmy,andtheeminentmembersof theAbbasidfamilywalkedbefore thebier feeling thebigdisaster,andmentioning thevirtues and favors of the Imam, and expressing the great loss that afflicted the Islamic nation.SplendidfuneralswereheldthatSamarra’hadneverseenlikebefore.

IntheLastAbode

ThepurecorpsewascarriedunderahalooftakbirandglorificationtothelastabodeoftheImam

(a.s.) thatwashishousewhichhehadassigned tobeagraveyardforhimandhis family. Imamal-Hasanal-Askari (a.s.)put thepurecorpseofhis father into the tomb,whilehis tearswere flowingoverhischeeks.Heburiedhis fatherandburiedwithhim thevaluesofknowledge,patience,piety,andprobity.Aftertheburial,themassesofpeoplecametoImamal-Hasanal-Askari(a.s.)andcomfortedhim,

whilehewasstandingwithhisfamilytothankthecomforters.

TheDateofHisDeath

Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)diedonMonday,thetwenty-fifthofJumadial-Akhirah[700]in254AHwhenhe

wasfortyyearsold.[701]Otherthanthisdateisalsomentionedinsomesourcebooks.Notes:[698]Qur'an,11:65.[699]A’lamal-Wara,p.363.[700]ThesixthmonthintheIslamiccalendar.[701]Nooral-Absar,p.150,Kashfal-Ghummah,vol.3p.174.

10ChapterTheZiyarahofImamAlial-Hadi(a.s)

يلع نسحلا ابأ ای كیلع مالسلادشارلا يكزلا دمحم نب Peacebeuponyou,OAbu’l-Hasan,`AlisonofMuhammad,Othepiousguide

هللا ةمحرو بقاثلا رونلاهتاكربو ، Othebrightlight;andalsomercyandblessingsofAllahbeuponyou!

هللا يفص ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OthesincerelyattachedfriendofAllah!

هللا رس ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OtheconfidantofAllah!

هللا لبح ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OtheropeofAllah!

هللا لآ ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OhewhobelongstothefamilychosenbyAllahexclusivelyforHimself!

هللا ةریخ ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OtheselectofAllah!

هللا ةوفص ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OthechoiceofAllah!

هللا نیمأ ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OthetrusteeofAllah!

هللا قح ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OtheproofofAllah!

هللا بیبح ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othemost-belovedbyAllah!

راونالا رون ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othelightofthelights!

راربالا نیز ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheprideofthevirtuousones!

رایخالا لیلس ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othedescendantoftheuprightones!

راهطالا رصنعای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheessenceofthepurifiedones!

نمحرلا ةجح ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OtheargumentoftheAll-beneficentGod!

نامیالا نكر ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheessentialofthetruefaith!

نینمؤملا ىلوم ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othemasterofthebelievers!

نیحلاصلا يلو ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheguardianoftherighteousones!

ىدهلا ملع ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othesymboloftrueguidance!

ىقتلا فیلح ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheallyofpiety!

نیدلا دومع ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othemainstayofthereligion!

نییبنلا متاخ نب ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OthesonofthesealoftheProphets!

دیس نب ای كیلع مالسلانییصولا ، Peacebeuponyou,OthesonofthechiefoftheProphets’Successors!

ةمطاف نب ای كیلع مالسلانیملاعلا ءاسن ةدیس ءارهزلا ،

Peace be upon you,O the son of Fatimah, the Luminous, the prime leader of thewomenoftheworld!

يفولا نیمالا اهیأ كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othefaithfultrustee!

يضرلا ملعلا اهیأ كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othefavoriteepitome!

يقتلا دهازلا اهیأ كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheascetic,thepious!

ىلع ةجحلا اهیأ كیلع مالسلانیعمجأ قلخلا ،

Peacebeuponyou,Othedecisiveargumentoverallpeopleofeveryageandclime!

نآرقلل يلاتلا اهیأ كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OhewhostudiedandinterpretedtheHolyQur'an!

لالحلل نیبملا اهیأ كیلع مالسلامارحلا نم ،

Peace be upon you, O he who taught to distinguish between the lawful and theunlawful!

حصانلا يلولا اهیأ كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheguardianwhoalwaysgavesincereadvice!

قیرطلا اهیأ كیلع مالسلاحضاولا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheevidentexample!

حئاللا مجنلا اهیأ كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othebrightstar!

كنأ نسحلا ابأ ای يالوم ای دهشأهقلخ ىلع هللا ةجح ،

Ibearwitness,Omaster, Abu’l-Hasan, thatyouareverily thedecisiveargumentofAllahoverHiscreatures,

هتیرب يف هتفیلخو ، HisrepresentativeamongHiscreatedbeings,

هدالب يف هنیمأو ، HistrustedadministratorinHislands,

هدابع ىلع هدهاشو ، HiswitnessoverHisservants,

ىوقتلا ةملك كنأ دهشأو ، Ibearwitnessthat,verily,youarethewordsofpiety,

ىدهلا بابو ، Thedoortotrueguidance

ىقثولا ةورعلاو ، andtheFirmestHandle,

ضرالا قوف نم ىلع ةجحلاوىرثلا تحت نمو ،

Andyouaretheevidentproofagainstthosewhoareontheearthandthosewhoarelaydownthelayersofthesoil

بونذلا نم رهطملا كنأ دهشأو ، Ibearwitnessthatyouarepurifiedfromsins

بویعلا نم أربملا ، Andyouareinfallibleagainstdefects

هللا ةماركب صتخملاو ، AndyouarebestowedexclusivelywiththehonorofAllah

هللا ةجحب وبحملاو ، AndyouarethepreferredchoiceofAllahtodemonstrateHisproofs,

هللا ةملك هل بوهوملاو ، AndyouarethespokesmanofAllah,

دابعلا هیلإ أجلی يذلا نكرلاو ، Andyouaretheessentialprinciplewhoprotectsthepeople,

دالبلا هب ىیحتو ، andonaccountofwhomthesociallifesustainsitselfandgrows;

كئابآبو كب ينأ يالوم ای دهشأورقم نقوم كئانبأو ،

I say under oath, O master, that I have faith in and I submit to (the divinelycommissionedleadershipof)you,yourforefathersandyoursons,

، يسفن تاذ يف عبات مكلوينید عیارشو ، Ifollowallofyouinmypersonalaffairs,inmyreligiousperformance,

ياوثمو يبلقنمو يلمع ةمتاخو ، Andinmyday-to-dayconduct;andinmyreturnandinmyfinalplace.

ودعو ، مكالاو نمل يلو ينأومكاداع نمل ، Imakefriendswiththosewhobefriendyou,Istriveagainstthosewhoopposeyou;

مكلوأو ، مكتینالعو مكرسب نمؤممكرخآو ،

Ibelieve inallofyou,whether invisibleorvisible, in thoseofyouwhocamefirst; inthoseofyouwhocamelast.

كیلع مالسلاو ، يمأو تنأ يبأبهتاكربو هللا ةمحرو .

MayAllahacceptmyfatherandmotherasransomsforyou.PeaceandAllah’smercyandblessingsbeuponyou.

دمحم لآو دمحم ىلع لص مهللا ، O Allah: (please do) send blessings on Muhammad and on the Household ofMuhammad,

يفولا كتجح ىلع لصو ، andsendblessingsonYourfaithfuldemonstrator,

يكزلا كیلوو ، Yoursagaciousrepresentative,

ىضترملا كنیمأو ، Yourwell-pleasedtrustee,

يداهلا كیفصو ، Yoursincerelyattachedguide,

میقتسملا كطارصو ، YourRightPath,

ىمظعلا ةداجلاو ، themostimportantapproach,

ىطسولا ةقیرطلاو ، thejustandequitablecourse,

نینمؤملا بولق رون ، thelightofthefaithfulbelievers’hearts,

نیقتملا يلوو ، thefriendofthepiousones,

نیصلخملا بحاصو . thecomradeofthesincere.

لهأو دمحم اندیس ىلع لص مهللاهتیب ، OAllah:(pleasedo)sendblessingsonourMaster,MuhammadandonhisHousehold,

دمحم نب يلع ىلع لصو andsendblessingson`AlisonofMuhammad,

للزلا نم موصعملا دشارلا ، theinfallibleguide,

للخلا نم رهاطلاو ، Thefreefromerrorsandfaults;

لمالاب كیلإ عطقنملاو ، AndhewhokepthimselfalooffromtemptationsandservedYou,

نتفلاب ولبملا ، Andwhowastried(byYou)throughseditiousmatters

نحملاب ربتخملاو ، Andwhowastested(byYou)throughtribulations

ىولبلا نسحب نحتمملاو ، Andwhowasexamined(byYou)throughhisreactionstowardsmisfortunes

ىوكشلا ربصو ، Andthroughhissteadfastnessagainstcomplaining

كدابع دشرم ، HeisthespiritualguideofYourservants,

كدالب ةكربو ، theblessingforthehumancivilization,

كتمحر لحمو ، thedestinationofYourmercy,

كتمكح عدوتسمو ، YouentrustedhimwithYourwisdom,

كتنج ىلإ دئاقلاو ، AndheleduntoYourParadise,

كتیرب يف ملاعلا ، Heistheall-knowledgeableamongYourcreatedbeings

كتقیلخ يف يداهلاو ThetrueguideofYourcreatures

هتبجتناو هتیضترا يذلا whomYouchoseandpreferred

هتمأ يف كلوسر ماقمل هترتخاو ، andelectedtotaketheplaceofYourProphetamonghispeople,

هتعیرش ظفح هتمزلأو ، andgavehimtheresponsibilityofkeepingintacttheprescriptofhisreligion.

ةیصولا ءابعأب لقتساف So,heaccomplishedtheoneroustaskofrepresentation(oftheProphet),

اهلمحب اعلطضمو اهب اضهان ، Withfullandperfectconfidence

لكشم يف رثعی مل ، difficultiesdidnotconfusehim,

لضعم يف افه الو ، complicationsdidnotobscurehisjudgment,

ةمغلا فشك لب ، Ratherherelievedintricateissues,

ةجرفلا دسو ، Andhesealedtheloopholes,

ضرتفملا ىدأو . Andhefulfilledthemission

هب كیبن رظان تررقأ امكف مهللاهتجرد هقرف ،

OAllahjustasYoumadehimasourceofdelightforYourProphet,raisehimtothemostelevatedposition,

هتبوثم كیدل لزجأو ، Andgivehimthemostfittingrewardthatsuitshim,

ةیحت انم هغلبو هیلع لصوامالسو ، Andblesshimandconveyourgreetingsandsalutationstohim.

الضف هتالاوم يف كندل نم انتآواناسحإو andgiveus,onaccountofourloveforhim,Yourbountiesandfavors,

اناوضرو ةرفغمو Andamnestyandapproval,

میظعلا لضفلا وذ كنإ . Verily,Youarttheownerofsuperabundantbenefitsandbounties.

Afteraccomplishingthetwo-Rak`ahZiyarahPrayer,thefollowingsupplicationmaybe,advisably,

said:

ةعماجلا ةردقلا اذ ای ، OLordofomnipotentpower!

ةعساولا ةمحرلاو ، OLordofall-inclusivemercy!

ةعباتتملا ننملاو OLordofsuccessivefavors!

ةرتاوتملا ءالآلاو ، OLordofuninterruptedbounties!

ةلیلجلا يدایالاو ، OLordofmagnificentbestowals!

ةلیزجلا بهاوملاو ، OLordofabundantconferrals!

دمحم لآو دمحم ىلع لصنیقداصلا ،

(Pleasedo)sendblessingsuponMuhammadandtheHouseholdofMuhammad—theveraciousones,

يلؤس ينطعأو ، AndgrantmethatwhichIaskfromYou

يلمش عمجاو ، Andre-unifyme(withmyfamily),

يثعش ملو ، Anduniteme(withmyfamily)

يلمع كزو ، Andpurifymydeeds

ينتیده ذإ دعب يبلق غزت الو ، AndcausenotmyhearttostrayafterYouhaveguidedme,

يمدق لزت الو ، Andcausenotmyfootsteptoslip

نیع ةفرط يسفن ىلإ ينلكت الوادبأ ، Andneverrefermetomyselfevenforatimeasshortasawinkofaneye

يعمط بیخت الو ، Anddisappointnotmydesire

يتروع دبت الو ، Andexposenotmyprivateparts

يرتس كتهت الو ، Anddisclosenotmycovering

ينسیؤتالو ، ينشحوت الو ، Andcausemenottofeellonely,anddespairmenot,

امیحر افوؤر يب نكو ، Andbetomekindandmerciful

ينرهطو ينكزو يندهاو Andguideme(totherightpath),andpurifyme,andmakemegetridofimpurities,

ينصلخو ينفطصاو ينفصوينصلختساو ، Andcleanseme,andincludemewiththechosen,theselect,andthechoicestones

ينعنطصاو ينعنصاو ، AnddedicatemetoYouandrendermesuitable

كنم يندعابت الو كیلإ ينبرقو ، AnddrawmenearYouandtakemenotfarawayfromYou

ينفجتالو يب فطلاو ، Andbekindtomeanddonotturnawayfromme

ينهت الو ينمركأو ، Andhonormeanddonothumiliateme

ينمرحت الف كلأسأ امو ، AnddonotdeprivemeofallthatwhichIaskfromYou

يل هعمجاف كلأسأال امو ، AndalsogivemethatwhichIhavenotaskedfromYou

نیمحارلا محرأ ای كتمحرب ، (pleasedothat)onaccountofYourmercy,OthemostMercifulofallthosewhoshowmercy.

میركلا كهجو ةمرحب كلأسأو ، IalsobeseechYouinthenameofYourHonorableFace

كتاولص دمحم كیبن ةمرحبوهلآو هیلع ،

AndinthenameofthesanctityofYourProphet,Muhammad,mayYourblessingsbeuponhimanduponhisHousehold

كلوسر تیب لهأ ةمرحبو AndinthenameofthesanctityofYourProphet’sHousehold

نسحلاو يلع نینمؤملا ریمأنیسحلاو Namely,`AlitheCommanderoftheBelievers,andal-Hasan,andal-Husayn

رفعجو دمحمو يلعو And`Ali,andMuhammad,andJa`far,

دمحمو يلعو ىسومو AndMusa,and`Ali,andMuhammad,

يقابلا فلخلاو نسحلاو يلعو And`Ali,andal-Hasan,andtheAliveSuccessor,

مهیلع كتاكربو كتاولص MayYourbenedictionsandblessingsbeuponthem

نیعمجأ مهیلع يلصت نأ ، (IbeseechYouinthenameofthem)thatYousendblessingsuponallofthem,

كرمأب مهمئاق جرف لجعتو ، AndhastentheReliefoftheirRiserbyYourpermission

كنیدل هب رصتنتو هرصنتو ، AndsupporthimandbetakehimasthemeansofvictoryofYourreligion,

هب نیجانلا ةلمج يف ينلعجتو ، Andincludemewiththosewhoshallberedeemedthroughhim,

هتعاط يف نیصلخملاو ، Andthosewhoactsincerelyinobediencetohim,

يل تبجتسا امل مهقحب كلأسأويتوعد ، AndIbeseechYouinthenameoftheirrightthatYourespondtomyprayer

يتجاح يل تیضقو ، Andsettlemyneeds

يلؤس ينتیطعأو ، Andanswermyrequests

رمأ نم ينمهأ ام ينتیفكويترخآو يایند ،

Andsavemefromwhateveraggrievesmefromtheaffairsofthisworldaswellastheworldtocome,

نیمحارلا محرأ ای ، OthemostMercifulofallthosewhoshowmercy

ناهرب ای رون ای OLight,OEvident,

نیبم ای رینم ای OGranteroflight,OGranterofevidence

رورشلا رش ينفكا بر ای ، OLord:(pleasedo)savemefromallevils,

روهدلا تافآو ، Andfromvicissitudesoftime

يف خفنی موی ةاجنلا كلأسأوروصلا . AndIbeseechYouforredemptiontheDaywhentheTrumpetisblown.

Youmaythenmentionyourneeds,andyoumaythenrepeatthefollowingasmuchaspossible:

ددعلا دنع يتدع ای ، OmymeanswhenIlackmeans

دمتعملاو يئاجر ایو ، Omyhopeandmytrust

دنسلاو يفهك ایو ، Omyhavenandmysupport

دحأ ای دحاو ای ، OtheOne;OtheOneandOnly

دحأ هللا وه لق ایو ، O(thedescribedin)“Say:HeisAllah,theOne.”

نم تقلخ نم قحب مهللا كلأسأكقلخ ،

I beseech You in the name of those whom You created from among Yourcreations

ادحأ مهلثم كقلخ يف لعجت ملو ButYouhavenotmadeanyonelikethematall,

مهتعامج ىلع لص ، (pleasedo)sendblessingsuponthemall,

اذكو اذك يب لعفاو And…

Youmayherementionyourneeds.

11ChapterTheCommonZiyarahOfImamAl-HadiAndImamAl-Askari

هللا يیلو ای امكیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou(both);OtherepresentativesofAllah!

هللا يتجح ای امكیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou(both);OtheArgumentsofAllah(againstHiscreatedbeings)!

تاملظ يف هللا يرون ای امكیلع مالسلاضرالا ، Peacebeuponyou(both);OtheLightofAllahinthemurkoftheearth!

يف هللا ادب نم ای امكیلع مالسلاامكنأش ، Peacebeuponyou(both);OthetwowhomAllahhasdecidedonyou!

امكقحب افراع ، ارئاز امكتیتأ ، Ihavecometoyouvisitingyourtombsandrecognizingyourright,

امكئایلوأل ایلاوم ، امكئادعأل ایداعم ، And incurring the hostility of those who antagonize you and declaring myfriendlinesstothosewhoadheretoyou,

امترفك امب ارفاك ، هب امتنمآ امب انمؤمهب ،

And believing in whatever you believed in and disbelieving in whatever youdisbelieved,

امتلطبأ امل الطبم ، امتققح امل اققحم ، Anddeemingrightallthatwhichyoudeemedrightanddeemingwrongallthatwhichyoudeemedwrong.

يظح لعجی نأ امكبرو يبر هللا لأسأهلآو دمحم ىلع ةالصلا امكترایز نم ،

IthusbeseechAllah,myandyourLord,thatHemaydecidethattherewardsofmyvisittoyoutobeHissendingblessingsuponMuhammadandhisHousehold

عم نانجلا يف امكتقفارم ينقزری نأونیحلاصلا امكئابآ ،

And that Hemay grantme the favor of accompanying you both in the gardensofParadisewithyourrighteousfathers,

رانلا نم يتبقر قتعی نأ هلأسأو ، AndIbeseechHimthatHemaysavemefromHellfire,

امكتبحاصمو امكتعافش ينقزریو ، AndthatHemaygrantmeyourintercessionandyourcompany,

امكنیبو ينیب فرعیو ، AndthatHemayintroducemetoyou

امكئابآ بحو امكبح ينبلسی الونیحلاصلا ،

AndthatHemaynevertakeoutmyloveforyouandmyloveforyourrighteousfathersfrommyheart

امكترایز نم دهعلا رخآ هلعجی ال نأو ، AndthatHemaynotmakethistimethelastofmyvisitstoyou,

هتمحرب ةنجلا يف امكعم ينرشحیو . AndthatHemayincludemewithyourgroupinParadise,outofHismercy.

ىلع ينفوتو ، امهبح ينقزرا مهللاامهتلم .

O Allah: (please do) grant me love for them, and make me die following theircourse.

مهقح دمحم لآ يملاظ نعلا مهللامهنم مقتناو ،

OAllah:(pleasedo)curseandpunishthosewhousurpedtherightoftheFamilyofMuhammad.

نیرخآلاو مهنم نیلوالا نعلا مهللا OAllah:(pleasedo)cursethepastandthecominggenerationsofthosepeople

باذعلا مهیلع فعاضو Andapplytothemtwofoldsoftorture,

مهیبحمو مهعایشأبو مهب غلباومیحجلا نم كرد لفسأ مهیعبتمو

And send them, as well as their fans, their adherents, and the followers, to thedeepestareaofHellfire.

ریدق ءيش لك ىلع كنإ . Verily,Youhavepoweroverallthings.

كیلو نباو كیلو جرف لجع مهللا OAllah:(pleasedo)hastentheReliefofYourrepresentativeandthesonofYourrepresentative,

محرأ ای هجرف عم انجرف لعجاو Andcauseourrelieftoaccompanyhisrelief;OthemostMercifulofallthosewho

نیمحارلا . showmercy.

www.islamicmobility.com"WisdomisthelostpropertyoftheBeliever,lethimclaimitwhereverhefindsit"-ImamAli(as)