Al-Saadiq The Sixth Imam

Al-SaadiqThe Sixth Imam

By A.S. Hashim. MD

Who is Al-Saadiq?: Lineage

Muhammad (pbuh)

Ali Fatima

Al-Husain

Al-Baaqir

Zainul Abideen

Al-Saadiq

Umm Farwa

Great Granddaughter of Abu Bakr

Lineage

FatherAl-Baaqir

MotherUmm Farwa

Great granddaughter of Abu Bakr

GrandfatherZainul Abideen

Al-Saadiq

Early childhood

Born in 83 Hijrah Close to his father Al-Baaqir and grandfather Zainul

Abideen Visited with them Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi quite often Was tutored by both father and grandfather Memorized the Quran and learned a great deal about

Islam early on

In his Boyhood

Al-Saadiq learned about:

1. Undercover agents and informants of Benu Umayya against the lovers of Ahlul Bayt

2. Al-Hajjaj and his cruelty in Iraq

3. The loyalist and supporters of Ahlul Bayt

4. The ongoing process of teaching Islam to so many students

5. The discussions about various Islamic topics

In his boyhood

Al-Saadiq’s grandfather Zainul Abideen, and father Al-Baaqir were active in teaching him:

the Holy Quran, then Tafseer, followed by the Hadith and Al‑Ah'kaam

Al‑Saadiq was eager in learning and extremely receptive. He showed an unparalleled brilliance.

Besides his father, learning came at the hands of his family.

The three phases of Islam

Islam

1. Muhammad

2. Ali, Hasan &Husain3. Rest of Imams

ISLAMISLAM

The 1st of 3 Phases of Islam

PHASE CARRIED OUT BY: TASKS CONSISTING OF:

FIRSTFIRST

PHASEPHASE

Muhammad Muhammad

(pbuh) (pbuh)

Emphasis was on teaching Islam in depth, especially to the Sahaaba (Companions) and making Islam available to the maximum number of people—yet, bearing in mind that it would take an average person a long time to assimilate Islam. Therefore, Muhammad

(pbuh) did not fight the hypocrites.

The 2nd of 3 Phases of IslamPHASE CARRIED OUT BY: TASKS CONSISTING OF:

SECONDSECOND

PHASEPHASE

Ali, Al-Hasan, and Ali, Al-Hasan, and Al-HusainAl-Husain

They were the 3 who were to confront the negative forces caused by Islamicly weak persons which threatened to undermine Islam: Be it during Ali's Khilaafah, Al‑Hasan's acceptance of peaceful terms, or the events leading to the explosive but anticipated Karbala as led by Al‑Husain.

The 3rd of 3 Phases of IslamPHASE CARRIED OUT BY: TASKS CONSISTING OF:

THIRD THIRD

PHASEPHASE

Zainul Abideen Zainul Abideen and the Imams and the Imams

after him.after him.

Zainul Abideen took on his shoulders the heavy task of teaching the scholars (the educational endeavor) once the confrontational phase was over. This culminated by establishing the Islamic Institute (Institute of Ahlul Bayt). The main source of information was the Corpus of Knowledge Imam Ali left. The Institute was to expand and flourish by later Imams.

Al-Saadiq Understands Phase III

Having reviewed the Islamic environs Al-Saadiq focuses on Phase III

Much discussion takes place between him and his father and grandfather

Decision seems so obvious for the course of action Early on Al-Saadiq participates enthusiastically in the

teaching endeavor

Al-Saadiq in his Teens

Father Al‑Baaqir was the acknowledged head of Ahlul Bayt's Institute,

Uncle Zaid Ibn Ali was an active participant, Al‑Saadiq and his brothers were managers of the

institute’s affairs. Al‑Saadiq was actively teaching, directing, debating,

discussing, and disputing numerous Islamic issues. The Golden Chain of Narration

Al-Saadiq in his Twenties

Marries Granddaughter of Al-Hasan, Children:1. Abdullah2. Ismail

Manages the Institute along with his father Tutors his Children The Weakening of Benu Umayya's Rule Works at the orchard to earn their living, and Was frequently at the Masjid Al‑Nabawi performing

Salat and reading Du'aa.

Al-Saadiq in his Thirties

Al‑Baaqir died at the age of 57 Before his death Al-Baaqir confers the Imamah on Al-

Saadiq, and trusts him with the Corpus of Knowledge By now Al-Saadiq is 31 Yrs old. Medina and Mecca have become the intellectual centers

of learning Imamah means a designation (Nass) by the Almighty

sent down to Muhammad (pbuh) through Jubra'eel, then passed down from one Imam to the subsequent one

Al-Saadiq in his Thirties

Refuses to Participate in Toppling Benu Umayya Fully aware of the underground movement against Benu

Umayya Vigorously Teaches:

1. Tafseer and Hadith2. Shari'ah and Fiqh3. Ah'Kaam and Ethics4. Other sciences and referring to the Golden Chain

of narration

Corpus of Knowledge

Corpus of Knowledge consists of the following:

1. Quran in chorological order

2. Tafseer (Mus’haf Fatima)

3. Hadith (Saheefa of Ali)4. Ah’kaam5. Al-Jafr:

a. White Jafr: Prophets and early times

b. Red Jafr: Rules of war in Islam

Al-Saadiq in his Forties

Marries Hameedah Al-Maghribiyah Al-Kadhim is Born Ismail, the oldest son, dies in his thirties Revolts to topple Benu Umayya spread The capable and cunning Abu Muslim defeats Benu

Umayya at Zap Battle Benu Umayya are chased out and put to the sword Even the graves of Benu Umayya’s Khalifas were dug

out and the remains put to the fire


Many revolts took place against the oppressive rulers Benu Umayya had become very weak at the same time Abu Muslim Al-Khurasani led the opposing powers from

Khurasan Abu Muslim was joined by forces in Iraq led by Benu

Abbas The great battle at Zab took place Benu Umayya were soundly defeated


The revolts against Benu Umayya were by Mawaali and Arabs who were fed up with the dictatorial rulers

They revolted to champion Ahlul Bayt and uphold them. محمد آل� من للرضا

Al-Saadiq did not take part, instead he was extremely busy in the Institute which reached its zenith by then

Al-Saffah of Benu Abbas becomes Khalifa, followed by Al-Mansoor

During Al-Saadiq’s Imamah

The institute of Ahlul Bayt is at its zenith Up to 4,000 scholars graduate during his Imamah

Graduates write about 400 books Al-Usool Al-Arba’mi’ah أألربعمائه األصول

Numerous knowledge seekers travel from far away (and live in Medina) to attend his discourses

He argues with the Kharijis (deviators) and Ghulaat (exaggerationists) and all other deviant groups.

The Institute graduatesEducational works of Al-Saadiq versus Al-Baaqir

During Al-Baaqir’s time, 300 Scholars graduated.

During Al-Saadiq’s time 4,000 Scholars graduated.

Many Scholars of Al-Baaqir continued Afterward with Al-Saadiq

The graph compares the relative numbers of scholars during both Imam’s times

This remarkable growth came only when pressure on Ahlul Bayt eased off

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

Al-Baaqir Al-Saadiq Early days Middle Final period

Al-Baaqir Al-Saadiq

Al-Saadiq’s Character #I

Worked with his hands in the fields Used to deal as a merchant, selling and buying various

goods Dress in immaculate manner Had an appearance commanding reverence and high

esteem Discourse Capacity: People were spellbound by his

discussions Fiqh clarification, dissemination, and systematization

were closely related to Imam Al‑Saadiq

Al-Saadiq’s Character #2

Sciences of Islam were paramount in his mind, be it the Holy Quran, Hadith, Fiqh, or Philosophy

Was the most ethical, one who scrupulously applied the Islamic ethical conduct

Was the prototype and model of piety Was renowned for his nobility, virtue, and rectitude He was hospitable and a very generous person He held the poor in good regard, and gave in charity

repeatedly

Al-Saadiq’s Character #3

Among other things he Focused on: the ethics and mannerism of Islam. stressed the perfection of character in his teachings,

and repeatedly reminded his students to incorporate

goodness of character, based on piety (Taq'wa), He urged his students to:

deal in commerce, manufacture, and science; more so to be as independent as possible, thus

avoid dealing with the government and politics. to excel in administration and management, and to

be dynamic in all aspects of life

The Golden Chain of Narration

Thousands of Hadiths were narrated and quoted through Ja'far Al‑Saadiq.

He often said, "My Hadith is the Hadith of my father, and his is the Hadith of his father, up to Ali, who directly narrated the Hadith from Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)." This is called the Golden Chain of Narration.

These Hadiths were of immense importance, since they corrected the inaccuracies and set right the contaminations which had crept into this science.

Golden Chain of Narration: (so far)

Muhammad (pbuh)

Ali

Al-Husain Al-Hasan

Zainul Abideen

Al-Saadiq

Al-Baaqir

The Chain

The Institute: holding discourses

Discourses used to be held at:

1. Al-Saadiq’s Home

2. Masjid Al-Nabawi

3. Mecca during Haj Discourses consisted of:

Answering questions, quoting Hadith, Tafseer, Matters pertaining to Fiqh and many others

The Institute: The whereabouts

To seek his knowledge people came hundreds or thousands of miles from:

Kufa Basra Qum Yemen Syria Egypt and many more

Many made their home in Medina for the sake of studying at Al-Saadiq’s hands

To seek his knowledge, they Hailed from:

The Institute: The Students

Students became Muj’tahid, many formed their own School of Thought (Madh’habs):

Abu Hanifa Anas Ibn Malik Sufyan Al-Thawri Ibn U'yainah Al-Aw'zaa'i

Some of these Schools of Thought survived till today, other perished after 1-3 centuries, for lack of government support

The Institute: The Students

The core were Shi’a, close, devotees, special1. They were the Special who wrote books, led

discussions, argued, the activists2. The activists even practiced the technique of the way

to argue and to present their point of view Majority were not Shi'a, they were Aammah (general

public):1. Some were scholarly whose teachings later formed

Madh’habs, such as Abu Hanifa and Malik2. Others attended just to learn

Al-Saadiq argued with men of Ideologies

Ideology Their belief

The Ghulaat Exaggerationists

Khariji Deviators

Murji'ah Postpone it to God

Mu'tazila Theological Logic

Jabriah Absolute Predestination believers

Qadariyah Absolute Free‑will believers

The Zandeeqs Agnostics

Of the 4,000 Al-Saadiq’s Students:

Ibn Uqda in his book Al-Mu’tabar: Names the 4,000 student-scholars who attended the

institute Book (Al-Mu’tabar) was written at the end of the 2nd

Century H Ibn Uqda was Shafi’i

Sahih Bukhari quotes 70 of Al-Saadiq’s student-scholars Al-Sihaah Al-Sittah quote 300 of Al-Saadiq’s student-

scholars Names of these students are in Book Al-Ghadeer,

by Amini

The Institute of Ahlul Bayt

Al-Saadiq: The Greatest Personality the 2nd Islamic Century Produced 4000 Scholars tutored The 400 Books of Usool Abu Hanifa and Malik ibn Anas Quranic Sciences and Tafseer Hadith and Ah’kaam Theological Logic, Philosophy, and other subjects

Subjects Taught

1. The Quran and its Tafseer 2. Fiqh and Jurisprudence 3. Science of Hadith 4. Philosophy 5. Science of Kalaam 6. Chemistry 7. Biology 8. The study of Arabic Language 9. Seerah of the Prophet 10. encouraged his students to write and author books for

the benefit of others

Subjects of Discussions

Quran-TafseerQuran-TafseerHadith

Fiqh

Theological Logic

Chemistry

Arabic Language

Seerah

Philosophy

DiscussionsDiscussions

Noteworthy Students

Abu Hanifa (Head of Hanafi Madh’hab) Malik ibn Anas (Head of Maaliki Madh’hab) Jabir ibn Hayyan (known as Geber in Europe) Wa’sil ibn Ata (Head of Mu’tazila) Hisham ibn Hakam Mu'min Al-Taaq Sufyan Al-Thawri (Head of his own Madh’hab) Al-Aw'zaa‘i (Head of his own Madh’hab) Ibn U'yainah

Al-Maaliki about Al-Saadiq "I used to attend discourses given by Ja'far Al‑Saadiq, who most of the time had a cheerful look and serene countenance, but whenever the Prophet's (pbuh) name was mentioned his color would immediately change becoming pale in of awe Him.

I frequently attended his discourses over a long period of time and often saw him either praying, fasting, or reading the Holy Quran. I never saw him talking about Allah's Messenger (pbuh) without him being in a state of Wudu.

Al‑Saadiq never spoke about anything of no concern to him.

Al‑Saadiq was a pious and devout man, who donated himself to Allah.

محمد بن جعفر آتي كنت لقدذ5ك�ر فإذا التبس:م كثير فكان

( لونه ( تغير ص النبي ،فما F زمانا إليه اختلفت5 وقد

ثالث إحدي على إال أراه كنت5:خ�صال

وإما F صائما وإما F مصليا إماالقرآن يقرأ

رسول عن 5حدXث5 ي رأيته5 وماوال طهارة على وهو إال الله

ال ما في يعنيه يتكلمال العباد من الذين زوكان هاد

الله يخشون

Ismah Emphasized

Ismah: Ayah of Tat’heer: Surah 33 : Ayah 33. Ahlul Bayt are to be obeyed, not just revered; Imamah: was of immense importance. A designated

Imam was Ma'soom, i.e., safeguarded by Allah from :1. Religious error, 2. sin, and 3. forgetfulness.

Those who ignore the Imamah will have ignored a basic pillar in their faith.

Contemporary schools of thought

Numerous Piety-minded communities were already in existence; headed by

its leader called Aalim.

They were each active and many were highly influential. To mention just a few there were:

1. The Shi'a (Imamah-Asserters),

2. School of Ibn Abbas,

3. School of Ibn Omar,

4. Murji'ah,

5. Khariji,

6. Mu'tazila,

7. Jabriah,

8. Qadariyah,

9. Jah'miyyah

10.Along with less important others

Contemporary Khulafaa

During his Lifetime, Al-Saadiq was contemporary to the Following Rulers of Benu Umayya

Benu Marwan:

1. Abdul Malik son of Marwan

2. Waleed son of Abdul Malik

3. Suleiman son of Abdul Malik

4. Omar son of Abdul Aziz

5. Yazid II son of Abdul Malik

6. Hisham son of Abdul Malik

7. Al‑Waleed grandson of Abdul Malik

8. Yazid III son of Al‑Waleed

9. Ibrahim, son of Al‑Waleed

10. Marwan the Ass, as named by the people.

Select sayings of Al‑Saadiq #1

Fear Allah as if you see Him: 1. For, if you do not see Him, He certainly sees you. 2. And if you think that He does not see you, you will

have disbelieved in Him. 3. And if you know that He sees you, yet you commit

disobedience, you will have disrespected His overseeing you.

The believer is good at helping others, 1. He is light of burden to others, and 2. A good manager of his livelihood, 3. And he sees to it that he won't get stung by a bad

experience more than once.


Islam is a definite rank. Faith is one rank higher than Islam. Conviction is one rank higher than faith. People have been given a rank lower than conviction.

The desire for the worldly pleasures causes grief and sadness. Abstinence from the worldly pleasures brings about the serenity of both heart and body.

He who gains oppression is not gaining welfare. He who mistreats people should not complain when people mistreat him.

A Muslim always has three characteristics: 1. knowledge about the religion, 2. good management of life, and 3. perseverance in the faces of calamities.


When asked about eloquence Imam al-Saadiq answered: Eloquence is to express the idea in as few words as possible. The eloquent person is the one who attains his demand in the most straightforward way.

Fear Allah even if to some extent. Construct a screen between Him and you even if transparent.

Treat your fathers piously so that your sons will treat you piously. Keep yourselves away from the strange women so that your women will be chaste.

Salutation is voluntary; while responding is obligatory. Shake hands, because this will confiscate malice.


We love those who are intelligent, knowledgeable, perceptive, expert, clement, courteous, patient, veracious, and loyal. Allah gave the noble characters exclusively to the Prophets. He who enjoys such characters should thank Allah for them.

He who does not enjoy them should supplicate to Allah for them.

As he was asked about these noble characters, Imam al-Saadiq said:

The noble characters are piety, satisfaction, patience,

gratitude, clemency, prudence, generosity, bravery, enthusiasm, veracity, charity, fulfillment of the trusts,

conviction, good mannerism, and chivalry.

Select sayings of Al‑Saadiq #5 Imam al-Saadiq said to his companion Mufaddal: I instruct you to stick

to six characters and relate them to my adherents – Shi’a. 1. You should fulfill the trust of him who entrusts you with anything.2. You should like for your brother whatever you like for yourself. 3. You should know that every matter has an end; therefore, you

should beware of the outcomes of matters. 4. Similarly, every matter has a sudden event; hence, beware of the

sudden events. 5. Beware of climbing an easy mountain if its slope is uneven. 6. Never promise your brother of a matter that you cannot fulfill.

People are equal like the teeth of a comb. With the support of his brothers, a man can be regarded as great. No goodness is expected in the friendship of those who do not like for their friends whatever they like for themselves.

Imam Al‑Saadiq dies

Imam Al‑Saadiq died at the age of 65 years. His Imamah was for 34 Years His death was mourned by numerous people He designated his son, Al‑Kadhim, as the subsequent

Imam He handed Al-Kadhim the books constituting the Corpus

of Knowledge which Imam Ali had written before. Imam Al‑Saadiq was buried in Al‑Baqii, by the burial site

of his forefathers, the previous Imams

Picture of Al-Baqii Before & After 1925

Al-Baqii after it was destroyed Al-Baqii before 1925

Ziyarah of Al‑Saadiq in Baqi’i

ىcوdقe الت cلdهc أ d5م dك cي عcل cم5 ال eالس dه5دcى ال cةeم� ئc أ d5م dك cي عcل cم5 ال eالس

ط� dق�سd �ال ب eة� cر�ي dب ال ف�ي dق5وeام5 ال :هcا يc أ d5م dك cي عcل cم5 ال eالس cا dي الد:ن cهdل� أ عcلcى dح5جcج5 ال :هcا ي

c أ d5م dك cي عcل cم5 ال eالسeجdوcى الن cلdهc أ d5م dك cي عcل cم5 ال eالس eه� الل س5ول� cر cآل d5م dك cي عcل cم5 ال eالس الصeفdوcة� cلdهc أ d5م dك cي عcل cم5 ال eالس

QQQQQQQQQQQQQ QQQQQQQ QQQQQ QQQ QQQQQQQQQQQQ QQQQQQQQQQQQ QQQQQQQQQQQ QQQQ QQQQQQQQQ QQQQQQQQd5م dك cي �ل إ c5س�يء وcأ d5م dت 5ذXب eه�وcك الل ف�يذcات� d5م ت dرc وcصcب d5م ت dحcصc وcن d5م eغdت cل قcدdب d5م eك cن هcد5أ dشc أd5م ت dرcفcغcف

الصXدdق5 5م5 cك قcوdل eنc وcأ pةcوض مcفdر5 d5م cك طcاعcت eنc وcأ cد5ونc dم5هdت ال cد5ون اش� eالر �مeة5 cئ dاأل 5م5 eك cن أ هcد5 dشc وcأ dمc فcل d5م ت dرcم

c وcأ 5وا اب c5ج ت dمc فcل d5م دcعcوdت d5م eك cن 5طcاع5وا وcأ ت

Ziyarah of Al‑Saadiq in Baqi’i

Peace be upon you O Leaders of Guidance; Peace be upon you O Masters of Piety,

Peace be upon you O Proofs of Allah on the people of the earth; Peace be upon you who were Steadfast in dealing with justice. Peace be upon you O people of the Chosen One. Peace be upon you the Family of the Prophet of Allah, Peace be upon you O people whose souls converse to the Almighty, I bear witness that you had Proclaimed and Advised and had

Persevered for the sake of Allah And that you were belied and mistreated, yet you forgave And I bear witness that you are the rightly guided leaders; and that

obedience to you is incumbent and that your speech is correct and you had invited to the Truth but were not answered and you commanded but were not followed……

Finally Let us Read Surah al-Asr Together

In the name of God: Lord of Mercy and Lord of Grace

By the Eons of Time, ر�dصcعd وcال

Verily Man is in loss, except: rر dخ5س cف�ي ل cان cسd �ن dاإل eن� إ

those who believe and do good, and enjoin one another to truth and enjoin one another to patience.

�حcات� الصeال 5وا وcعcم�ل 5وا آمcن cذ�ينe ال eال� إdر� �الصeب ب cوcاصcوdا وcت Xقcحd �ال ب cوcاصcوdا وcت

Be in Allah’s Care

Thank you and May God Bless you.

Dr. A.S. Hashim

Al-Saadiq The Sixth Imam

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