Imam Abu Abdullah J'afar bin Mohammed us Sadiq (SA) is the son and successor of Imam Mohammed ul Baqir (SA), and the grandson of Imam Ali Zain ul Abedeen (SA). The great-grandson of Imam Husain (SA), he is descended from Amir ul Mumineen (SA) and Maulatuna Fatema (SA), the daughter of Rasulullah (SAW).
Rasulullah (SAW) was known as "Al Sadiq" and "Al Amin" among the people of Mecca since childhood. Imam J'afar us Sadiq (SA) was known as "Al Sadiq", the Truthsayer, and "Al Kamil", he who is Complete. The ilm and hikmat that his forefathers possessed, that which had come from Rasulullah (SAW), the messenger of Allah and harbinger of Islam and Shariat, was his esteemed inheritance.
One day Imam Sadiq (SA) was walking with a cane, and was met by someone who asked him: "O son of Rasulullah (SAW), are you yet so old as to use this walking stick?" Imam Sadiq (SA) answered : "No! You are correct, but this is the cane of Rasulullah (SAW) and I use it for barakat." The person said, feigning surprise: "Allow me to kiss the walking stick of Rasulullah." But Imam Sadiq (SA) retracted his hand and would not permit him. "By Allah!" he said, pointing to his arm. "Surely you know that this is the flesh of Rasulullah (SAW) and this is his hair, and yet you do not kiss it!"
Imam Sadiq (SA) dominated all circles of knowledge from a young age. The learned and elite scholars, many of whom were his students (SA), bear witness to his unbounded 'ilm. Abu Hanifa, an Islamic scholar of his age, attests that Imam Sadiq (SA) answered the unanswerable questions, those which other men of letters failed to answer. The Quran says: "We gave him judgment when he was a boy."
Like Amir ul Mumineen (SA), the bearer of the 'ilm of Rasulullah (SAW) used to say: "Ask me before you loose me!" Imam Sadiq (SA) spoke the immortal words and said: "Ask me before you do not find me anymore, for no one will address you with 'ilm the way that I do, until the arrival of your sahib" (i.e. Imam Mahdi (SA)).
Scholars of Islamic jurisprudence unanimously accept Imam Sadiq (SA) as an authentic source of knowledge.
His esteem and maqam are undeniable; were undenied even by those who were not under his allegiance and had not sworn fealty to him.
Imam Sadiq (SA), seeing the love and fealty of many of his followers commented: "Religion is nothing but love!" He, who binds himself to us, loves us; who are we? We are Ahl e Bayt." With the tongue of Wisdom, he declared: "Allah will renew the deeds of this man each day seventy fold, like that of a worshipper who has prayed for seventy years. Because of whom? Because of the love of Ahl e Bayt."
Imam Jafar us Sadiq (SA) performed nass on his son Imam Ismail (SA).The succession of Imams will remain in the progeny of Imam Ismail till the day of Qayamat.
Imam Jafar us Sadiq passed away at the age of 65 years. His qabr mubarak is next to his father in Jannat ul Baqe'. He reigned as Imam for 34 years and seven months.
|
