Imam Jafar Sadiq - The Imam of the Ummah

 

 

Imam Jafar Sadiq – The Imam of the Ummah

 

His name is Ja’afar Sadiq and his Kuniyah is Abu Muhammad.  Whatever one writes in praise of him and about his excellence still falls short as he is not only the emperor of the Ummah but also a shining proof of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  He is the very essence of sainthood, from the progeny of Hadhrat ‘Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) and is the beloved son of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and is also the true heir of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  In light of his greatness and high status, the aforementioned words can’t be considered untrue at all.

 

The majesty of the Imam

 

Once the caliph Mansur ordered is minister to bring Imam Ja’far Sadiq (May Allah shower His mercy on him) to him so that he could get him killed.  The minister requested the king:  It is not reasonable to kill a person who has secluded himself from the world.  However, the king insisted that his order be carried out.  The minister went to get the Imam.  Here, Mansur told his slaves that his removing the crown from his head will be the signal for them to kill the Imam.  When the minister returned with the Imam, the Imam’s majesty and dignity affected the king so much that he himself stood up to receive the Imam.  The king seated him on the throne and sat respectfully sat in front of him and asked about his needs.  The Imam said:  My most urgent need is that you shouldn’t call me again as it disturbs my worship.  Thus, Mansur promised this and saw off the Imam with utmost respect and reverence.  Mansur was so affected by the Imam that for 3 days and 3 nights he remained unconscious and as per another narration, he missed 3 Salaat in this unconsciousness.  The slaves were surprised on seeing this.  When they asked the king about his condition, he told them that along with the Imam a huge python had come whose jaws were so huge that it could swallow the whole dais of the king.  He also told that the snake warned him that if the Imam was disrespected, it would swallow him along with his dais.  Thus, the snake awed me and I asked the Imam for forgiveness.

 

The Imam’s fear of reckoning

 

Once Hadhrat Dawood Tai (May Allah shower His mercy on him) came to the Imam and requested him to give him some advice.  The Imam held his peace.  Then Dawood Tai told the Imam that as he holds a high status being from the family of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), it is obligatory on him to advise him.  On hearing this, the Imam said:  I have this fear that if on the Day of Judgment my Forefather (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) holds my hand and asks me why I didn’t follow Him, what will I tell Him?  Deliverance is not based on one’s parentage but on deeds. 

 

On this, Hadhrat Dawood Tai (May Allah shower His mercy on him) started crying and supplicated:  When the state of fear of the Family of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is like this, then where do I come and what can I be proud of?

 

The outward is for the creation while the inward is for the Creator

 

Once someone objected to the Imam being in an expensive garment that these kind of clothes aren’t suitable for the family of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  The Imam took his hand and passed it over his own sleeve.  The garment felt coarser than a sack.  Then the Imam said:  That is for the creation and this is for the Creator, meaning that in the eyes of the creation, this is a fine garment but for the Lord Almighty, it is very coarse.

 

Who is a wise person?

 

Once, the Imam asked Imam Azam Abu Hanifa:  What is the definition of a wise person?  Imam Abu Hanifa said:  The one who can distinguish between good and evil.  The Imam said:  Even animals do this.  Whoever takes care of their needs, they don’t hurt it and whoever hurts them, they gobble them up.  Imam Abu Hanifa asked:  What is the sign of wisdom in your opinion.  The Imam answered:  The one who selects the better one from 2 good things and chooses the lesser evil when faced with 2 evils.

 

Being glad of the majesty of the Lord Almighty is not pride

 

Once, somebody told the Imam:  In spite of outward and inward excellence, pride can be seen in you.  The Imam said:  I am not proud, but when I forwent pride, the majesty of my Lord Almighty enveloped me.  Thus, I am not proud of myself, but I am glad on the majesty of my Lord.

 

An incident

 

A person’s money bag was stolen.  He accused the Imam of stealing it.  The Imam asked him:  How much money was in it?  That person said:  Two thousand Dinar.  The Imam took him to his own house and gave him the money.  Later on, that man found his money bag at some other place.  He came to the Imam, apologized and requested him to take the money back.  However, the Imam said:  We don’t back what we have given.  When that man learnt who the Imam was, he regretted his actions greatly.

 

The rights of the fellow-traveler

 

Once, the Imam was going somewhere reciting, “Allah, Allah”.  On the way another person joined him and that person also started reciting, “Allah, Allah”.  At that time, the Imam uttered:  O Allah!  I don’t have any good garment now.  As soon as he said it:  A very expensive garment appeared from nowhere and the Imam wore it.  That person who was with him said:  I was also along with you in remembering Allah.  Thus, you please give me your old garments.  The Imam took his old garments and gave it to that person.