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Name: Jaffer Buried: In the cemetery of Baqi in Madina |
Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (A.S.) was born in Madina in 83 AH to Imam Muhammad Baqir (A.S.) and Umm-e-Farwa who was the daughter of Al-Qasim bin Muhammad bin Abi-Bakr. Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (A.S.) was 15 years of age when his grandfather Imam Sajjad (A.S.) was martyred and 34 years old when his father Imam Muhammad Baqir (A.S.) was martyred. His Imamate lasted for 34 years.
The Imam of Scholars and Knowledge
After the tragedy of Kerbala, the people turned against the Bani Ummaya government and this led to its downfall. This presented an opportunity for the formation of the Bani Abbasid government. Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (A.S.) took advantage of the transition between these two powers to open a school for Islamic studies. He wished to train the students in different fields of knowledge. The institution attracted hundreds of youth from all parts of the world. At the climax of its expansion, Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (A.S.)’s university had up to four thousand students who were trained in Islamic studies. Imam also taught many well-known men in various fields of knowledge. Some of these famous men included:
1. Zurara and Mohammad Bin Muslim in jurisprudence.
2. Hisham and Momin ut Taq in beliefs and kalam (discourse).
3. Muffazil and Safwan in Gnosticism and Islamic learning.
4. Jabbir Bin Hayyan in mathematics and sciences.
Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (A.S.) also taught two Sunni Imams: Abu Hanifa Al-Numan and Malik Ibn Anas, who benefited from the vast knowledge of our Imam (A.S.).
The Character of Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (A.S.)
Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (A.S.) was considered to be the specimen of the Islamic ethic, moral and conduct. He was the practical example for the Muslims with respect to eating, resting, walking, speaking, and conducts with others.
One of Imam’s companions, Moally bin Khunais, says, “On a rainy and dark night I saw that Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (AS) was carrying a heavy sack on his back in the streets of Madina. I followed him to find out as to where he was heading. He threw a quantity of bread on earth and I collected it and went towards Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (AS) and saluted him and gave that to him. Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (AS) took that kept it in the sack, and continued walking on. Not very long after that, he reached a point where a group of oppressed men were sleeping. Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (AS) put two breads underneath the head of each one and turned back I asked the Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (AS) "Were they your shias?" He said, "No, if they were our shias I would have attended to them better than that."
Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (A.S.) was seen working in the garden like an ordinary man, perspiring all over. His companion said to him, “Oh, Son of Prophet Mohammed (SAW), allow me to work for you.” Imam (A.S.) replied, “I love working for my livelihood and to taste the hardship of the burning heat of the sun like others."
Martyrdom of Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (A.S.)
Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (A.S.) was put under a lot of oppression during the Caliphate of Al-Mansur. The people were banned from visiting Imam (A.S.). Al-Mansur imprisoned most of Imam (A.S.)’s companions and tortured them until they died. He also made several attempts to take Imam (A.S.)’s life but was not successful. In the end, Al-Mansur arrested and poisoned our beloved Imam (A.S.) on the 25th of Shawwal 148 AH. Imam (A.S.) was buried in the graveyard of Baqi in Madina alongside his father, grandfather and his (great-great) uncle.
Some Sayings of Imam Jaffer As-Sadiq (A.S.)
1. A Muslim who puts in endeavours to materialize the desire of his brother is like someone who performs holy war (Jihad) on the way to God.
2. Be benevolent to your father and mother so that your children may as well be benevolent to you.
3. Pray to God that your sustenance does not lie in the hand of people.
Sources
http://www.ezsoftech.com/stories/infallible8.asp
http://www.ziaraat.com/mdnjaf01.php
