Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq, the Oracle of Islamic Science

Reza Soltani

Imam JafarSadiq (A.S), the sixth Imam of the Shiites, was born on the 17^th of Rabi al-Awalin 83 Hegira. Imam JafarSadiq (AS) succeeded his father Imam Mohammad Baqir(AS) after his death, and became sixth infallible Imam of Shiites in 114 Hegira when he was 31 years old. Constant revolts and uprising by followers of Imam Ali (A.S), his offspring and the Abbasid family had shaken the foundations of the Umayyad government and its institution. Eventually the government was toppled in 132 Hegira and paved the way for Abbasids to take power.

Interval Period and Development of Islamic Sciences

The downfall of the one and the ascendancy of the other to power led to what is known as the interval period, and served as an opportunity for distribution of Islamic sciences among the people. Imam JafarSadiq(AS) took the best possible advantage of the prevailing situation to attract several hundreds of students. They benefited from being taught by the Imam into competent scholars and from that time that there emerged true Islam in its real phase.

Imam JafarSadiq (AS) gained fame as a teacher of Islamic science. Great scholars of later days were his students. Since it was Imam JafarSadiq (AS) who expanded the scope of Islamic law and explained, interpreted, and expounded its legal codes, and many other issues Shiite came to be named after him, as the Jafari religion. As a result the Shiites religion occupied a unique and original place, derived from the teachings and traditions of Imam. The Shiite belief, therefore, remained safe from corruption and no influences from outside could interfere.

Imam JafarSadiq (AS) was not only an oracle in religious sciences, but he was also a great specialist in medicine. The famous chemist of those times, JaberibnHayyan refers to Imam as his teacher and master in his writings.

Imam was also concerned about his social obligations. Revolts and uprising against the Abbasids were frequent at the time, and though he did not involve himself openly, he could not remain indifferent to what was going on around him. Among the many uprisings one stands out; the uprising of Zeyd, the grandson of Imam Hossein (A.S) who headed a particularly bloody rebellion.

All those uprisings, revolts and rebellions were directed against the tyrants of that time and made courageous attempts to get rid of tyranny. The followers of the prophet’s household prepared to kill and be killed. The cruel and wicked Umayyad and Abbasid caliphs had long endeavored to train and build around them a coterie of jurisprudents, who would be partial to them, and endorse and promote whatever they proposed to do, and shield their actions in plans perpetuated by them whatever their nature.

As a Teacher

Imam trained pious and sincere jurisprudents that were versed in Islamic law, and would oppose deeds against Islam. As a result, a group of the talented jurisprudents emerged from the Imam's school, which fanned out throughout the cities and towns of the region, mingled with the people, and awakened and educated them on day-to-day issues in addition to the Islamic legal codes.

The decrees [Fatwas] which the holy Imam issued were circulated among scholars who studied their basis and implications. Imam JafarSadiq (AS) was a reputable authority on questions of Islamic law (jurisprudence) in his time.

Imam took the following as a framework for his view: 'purity of the body is as necessary as purity of soul.' Morality and the need to propagate the religion were important, but there should be an eye to eternity and eternal value without misinterpretation of Islamic instruction. Worship should not be made an instrument to deceive or cheat people. The campaign taken by Imam JafarSadiq(AS) was difficult and sensitive, but he accomplished it with the greatest prudence.