Imam Ali al-Naqi (AS) and Responsibility of Imamate in Early Childhood

Imam Hadi (AS) received the duty of Imamate after the martyrdom of his father in 220 A.H. Although he was not more than 8 years old, he was the center of the attention of Shiites, and the Abbasid caliphs extremely feared him. They set their mind on exiling and torturing him. "Mutawakkil" the caliph of time sent Imam from Medina to Samarra and he stayed there till the end of his life.

Once, some people slandered Imam Hadi (AS) in presence of Mutawakil, saying that “he has some weapons and writings and other things in his house, sent from his Shiite followers in Qom, indicating that he wants to rise against the government.” Mutawakil sent a group to Imam Hadi’s house and they rushed in overnight, but couldn’t find anything realizing that he is alone in a room, having closed the door, wearing a woolen cloth, sitting on a sandy surface, worshiping the Almighty Allah and reciting the Holy Qur'an. They took Imam Hadi (AS) to Mutawakil and said: “We couldn’t find anything in his house and found him sitting towards the Qibla, reciting the Holy Qur'an.” When Mutawakil saw Imam Hadi (AS), he was affected by his magnificence and dignity; therefore, he respected Imam Hadi (AS) and had him seated beside himself and offered him a glass of wine. Imam Hadi (AS) swore and said: “My blood and flesh have not been combined with such a thing. Exempt me!” Mutawakil gave up and said: “Recite a poem!” Imam Hadi (AS) replied: “I just have few poems in my mind.” Mutawakil said: “You should do that!” Imam Hadi (AS) recited a poem which its translation as follows:

“(The powerful and oppressor kings) spent the nights on top of mountains while powerful men were protecting them, but being at the top could not save them from death. After being dear for a long time, they were taken down from their safe palaces and were placed in the wholes (tombs). What an unkind residence! When they were placed in the ground, someone shouted: “Where are those bracelets and crowns and costly cloth? Where are those delicately brought up faces which curtains were hung to their respect (they had palaces and doorkeepers?” Their tombs answer instead of them:” Now, the worms are fighting with each other for eating them! They ate and drank a long time; but now, they are being eaten, but by worms and insects. What houses they made to keep them from dangers! But after a while, they left those houses and hurried to their tombs! What properties they kept! But they left all of them for their enemies! Their palaces and houses were ruined and their settlers hurried to their dark tombs!”

Imam Hadi’s speech was so effective that Mutawakil cried heavily, so that his beards got wet. The rest of people there, cried too. Mutawakil commanded to take away the wine and offered Imam Hadi (AS) four thousand Dirhams and returned him to his house respectfully.

(Masoudi, Morooj al-Zahab, Beirut, Dar al-Andolos, Vol. 4, P. 11) & (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 50, P. 211)

Imam’s Pupils

Although Imam was strictly under observation and he was being put under surveillance from all aspects, but a group of his enthusiasts and devoted lovers of his knowledge contacted him secretly, and used to quench their thirst from his great knowledge.