Ghulam Yaseen Nizami
Imam JaafarSadiq (R.A) is known from various history books and various sources of Hadith that when Imam As-Sadiq was a young boy, he used to come to the schools and Madrasas founded by his father the 5th Imam and instead of learning as many other youngsters and older pupil did, he used to discuss serious matters of jurisprudence with much older students of the Madrasas. In one such discourses when he was only 11 years old, when he entered a class room where pupils were discussing on the subject of astronomy, he pointed out to the surprise of everyone except his own father, that the earth cannot be flat, because of the way the sun rises in the East and sets in the west and day and night change in 24 hours, it cannot be possible. Up to the age of 12 years,ImamJaafarSadiq (R.A)was brought up under the guidance of his grandfather Imam Zain-ul-Abideen(R.A) whose main concern was to worship his maker and reflect on the tragic events of Karbala’ and whose main avenue of teaching was through supplications. 22 years had lapsed since then, yet the remembrance of the tragedy of Karbala’ was still fresh in his memory. So, as soon as Imam JaafarSadiq (R.A) gained understanding, he was profoundly impressed by the continuous grief of his grandfather, so much so that he felt as if he himself was present during that tragedy. He also contemplated on the presence of his father Imam Baqir (R.A), who was only three years old, at that tragic time. Imam JaafarSadiq (R.A) was one of those infallible people who were created by Allah to be models of moral excellence. The character and conduct of all those sages in different stages of their lives was the standard of excellence. The particular virtues of the Imam which were recorded by the historians included hospitality, charity, the helping of the needy in secrecy, the fair treatment of poor relatives, forgiveness, patience and fortitude. His profound knowledge of religion and other sciences was famed throughout the entire Islamic world. People came from distant regions to learn from him. The number of his students reached over Four Thousand. Heads of other religions also came there to discuss with the Imams students many matters of dispute and on many occasions returned home embracing Islam. Sometimes he himself argued with the opponents especially atheists. Apart from religious sciences, he used to teach to some students mathematics, chemistry, medicine and astronomy. On one occasion, Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A) remarked that if the Imam did not teach three things he would be able to accept him. 1. Good is from God and evil is from the deeds of men, whereas I say that men have no choice but both good and evil are from God. 2. In the final judgement the devil suffers in the fire, whereas I say that the fire will not burn him, in so much as the same material will not injure itself (the Devil being from fire). 3. It is impossible to see God in this world or the next, whereas I say that anyone who has existence may be seen, if not in this world, then in the next. On the question of the freedom of will which was much under discussion at the time, the Imam taught, that God has decreed some things for us and He has likewise decreed some things through our agency, What He decreed for us or on our behalf He has concealed from us, but what He has decreed through our agency He has revealed to us. We are not concerned, therefore, so much with what he has decreed for us, as we are with what he has decreed through our agency. As to the question of the power of directing one’s own actions, the Imam took a middle position, which is neither compulsion nor committing the choice to ourselves. He was accustomed to say in prayer, O’ God, this is the praise that I give thee, and to thee is the excuse if I sin against thee. There is no work of merit on my own behalf, or on behalf of another, and in evil there is no excuse for me or for another. The light descended, the Imam Jaafar continued, upon our most noble men, and shown through our Imams, so that we are in fact the light of Heaven and of Earth. To us is salvation committed, and from us are the secrets of science derived, for we are the destination that all must strive to reach. Our Mehdi will be the final proof, the seal of the Imams, the Deliverer of the Imamate, the Apex of the Light, and the Source of all good work. Those who follow us will have our support in the hereafter. Imam died in the 10th year of the reign of Caliph Mansur, 148 Hijiri. He had worn a signet ring with inscription. Allah is my master and my defense from His creation. He lived to be 65 years old. It is mentioned by historians that on Caliph’s orders he was given poison in grapes which caused his death. Imam Ja’farSadiq (R.A) was buried in the cemetery of Baqee in Medina by the side of his father Imam Muhammad Baqir (R.A).
