Imam Jawad and Divine Mercy | ||
Epithets
The noble epithets of Imam show
his great and exalted personality.
The most common ones are
as follows: Al-Jawad (the generous),
Al-Taqiy (the pious), Al-
Murtadha (being satisfied with),
Al-Zakiy (the pure), and the Bab
al-Murad, meaning the gate of desires
and hopes. He was known
as Bab al-Murad amongst the
Muslims who believed that he
was a gate from the gates of the
divine mercy, to which afflicted
and needy people resorted in
order to rid themselves of their
misfortunes and afflictions.
Character and Virtues
The life span of Imam Mohammad
al - Jawad was shorter
than that of his predecessors as
well as his successors. He became
Imam at the age of eight
and was poisoned at the age
of twenty - five; yet his literary
attainments were many and he
commanded great respect and
esteem. The Holy Imam was the
symbol of Prophet Mohammad’s
(PBUH) affability and Imam Ali’s
(PBUH) attainments. His hereditary
qualities comprised of gallantry,
boldness, charity, learning,
forgiveness and tolerance.
The brightest and most outstanding
phases of his nature
and character proved his hospitality
and courtesy to all without
discrimination. Helping the
needy, observing equality under
all circumstances, living a simple
life, helping the orphans, the
poor and the homeless, imparting
learning to those interested
in the acquisition of knowledge
and guiding the people towards
the right path were among his
prominent characteristics.
Impressions of his Personality, Intelligence and Genius in Childhood
The story of Ma’moon’s first
meeting with the young son of
Imam Jawad is interesting. One
day, when the young Imam was
only nine years old, Ma’moon the caliph- went out hunting. Imam was standing silently by the roadside where some children were playing. The caliph’s entourage came that way. Seeing the soldiers of the caliph, all the children ran away, but the young Imam stood at his place. Noting this, Ma’moon stopped his carriage and asked, “Young man, why did you not run away like other children?” The Imam replied calmly, “Neither had I committed a crime, nor was I blocking the way. Why should I have run away or be afraid? And I also know that you will not cause any unnecessary trouble when your way is not blocked.” Ma’moon was surprised with this mature reply and asked, “What is your name?” “Mohammad,” was the reply. “Whose son are you?” asked Ma’moon. Imam replied: “Son of Ali ibn Musa.” Ma’moon rode on. During his hunt the hawk returned to him with a fish in its beak. Ma’moon was surprised. He returned back toward the city. Once again, he found children playing on the same spot, who ran away seeing the caliph’s soldiers, except this young man who said he was Mohammad, son of Ali ibn Musa. Ma’moon hid the fish in his palm, stopped his carriage near the Imam and said, “Tell me, what is in my fist?” The Imam replied, “God created clouds between earth and sky. The hawks of kings sometimes catch fish from there and bring it to the kings. They hide it in their fist and ask a member of the Prophet’s household, “Tell me what is in my fist.” Ma’moon said, “Truly, you are the worthy son of Imam Ali Al- Reza
(Bihar-al Anwar, Majlisi).
Martyrdom When Ma’moon died, Mu’tasim ascended the throne. Mu’tasim, like his Abbasid ancestors, was worried about the leadership of Ahlul-Bayt (the Prophet’s Household) and their political and scholarly status. Therefore, he exiled Imam al-Jawad from Medina to Baghdad in 219 A.H. fearing his popularity and high influence. He did this in order to draw the Holy Imam near the centre of power and scrutiny and isolate him from practicing his popular, political and scholarly role. The Holy Imam was martyred in Baghdad in 220 A.H., on the 29th of Zee al-Qa’adah and was buried in the graveyard of Quraish behind his grandfather, Imam Musa bin Ja’far the seventh holy Imam which has since then became famous as Kazemain. Imam Jawad’s Precious Words There are three acts, which make the servants reach the pleasure & approval of Allah: plenitude of repentance, soft nature & forbearance, abundance of alms giving. There are 3 acts the doer of which does not repent: refraining from haste (not hurrying), consulting (taking advice), trusting Allah while making decisions.
(Ehqaq ul Haq. Vol.12, P-438)
One who commits aggression and tyranny, and the one who helps him upon it and the one who is pleased over it, are all participants in it.
(Ehqaq ul-Haq, Vol. 12, P.432)
Do know that you are not away from the sight of Allah, so see to it that in what condition you are living (sinfulness or piety). (Tuhaf ul-Uqul, P. 455)
| ||
Statistics View: 638 |
||