In this Slide Show
Lineage Al-Haadi’s Early childhood The Golden Chain of Narration The network Contemporary Schools of Thought Al-Haadi’s Person The year 232H Al-Mutawak’kil In Samurra 236H Shrines of Karbala and Najaf: 247H Weakening of the Khilaafah Al-Haadi Dies
Lineage
Al-Haadi
Al-Jawaad
Al-Ridha
Al-Saadiq
Al-Kadhim
Zainul Abideen
Al-Baaqir
Al-Husain
Ali
Ahlul Bayt
Lineage
Father
Al-JawaadAl-Jawaad
Mother
SamaanahSamaanah
Al-Haadi
Benu HashimBenu Hashim Ahlul Bayt
Progeny of Progeny of Ammar ibn Yasir
Al-Haadi’s Early childhood
Ali Al-Haadi was born in the year 214H Born in Surba, a suburb of Medina built by Imam Al-
Kadhim Al-Haadi grew up in a pious environment noted for its
holiness, virtue and piety He was cared for with love and tenderness.
Al-Haadi in his Boyhood
Ibn Dulf said he had heard Al-Jawaad saying, “The Imam after me is my son Ali, his directives and
sayings are the same as mine, and to obey him is to obey me. After him the Imamah will be in his son, Al-Hasan.”
Al-Haadi in his Boyhood
Like his forefathers Al-Haadi displayed a remarkable capacity to learn and a very sharp memory.
By an early age Al-Haadi had: memorized the Holy Quran learned the meaning of its various parts, the historical background of some Ayahs, and many of their intricacies.
Al-Haadi loved the explanations his father Al-Jawaad gave
Al-Haadi in his Boyhood
Imam Al-Jawaad was requested by Khalifa Mu’tasim to leave Medina and move to Baghdad
Al-Jawaad left for Baghdad along with his wife Umm Al-Fadhl,
He kept the rest of his family including Al-Haadi in Medina.
He left after designating Al-Haadi as the subsequent Imam and entrusting him with the Corpus of Knowledge.
The family missed him very much and so did his devotees and students.
Al-Haadi in his Boyhood
Al-Jawaad told his son Al-Haadi: When you become the Imam you will be directed by two ways as all the Imams including myself have”:
1. The first way is by an Unerring Inspiration.2. The second is by way of the Al-Muhad'dith.
Then he added, “Son, our answers to people's inquiries come from:
1. Our studies of the Corpus of Knowledge. 2. By way of inner inspiration, as if there is a compeller
within us giving the answer. The Imam's inspiration is accurate and unerring, it is correct.
3. Al-Muhad'dith, we may hear his answer but see no one. When we reiterate what we had heard the answer is
amazingly clear, to the point and correct.”
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
In his Boyhood
Al‑Jawaad advised his son Al-Haadi: Even though you are very young your mind is superior
to the minds of most people As much as I hate it I have to go to Baghdad soon as
Khalifa Al-Mu'tasim had requested. If I come to the end of my life, your duty as an Imam
will begin It will be as difficult for you on account of your age as
it was for me. You may have to initially prove your mettle to scholars
and others. Remember, Allah will support you with His Divine
Light.
The Golden Chain of Narration
Thousands of Hadiths were narrated and quoted by Ahlul Bayt
Each Imam 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.
The Golden Chain of Narration
Each quoting his father and forefathers up to the Prophet
Ali, quoting Muhammad (pbuh)
Al-Hasan and Al-Husain quoting Ali
Zainul Abideen quoting Al-Husain
Al-Baaqir quoting Zainul Abideen
Al-Saadiq quoting Al-Baaqir
Al-Kadhim Quoting Al-Saadiq
Al-Ridha Quoting Al-Kadhim
Al-Jawaad Quoting Al-Ridha
Al-Haadi Quoting Al-Jawaad
Golden Chain of Narration: (so far)
Ali
Al-Husain Al-Hasan
Zainul Abideen
Al-Saadiq
Al-Baaqir
Al-Ridha
Al-Kadhim
Al-Jawaad
Al-Haadi
The Golden Chain of Narration
By the age of about 10 years
Al-Jawaad advised his son:Benu Abbas are frightened of the advent of Al-Mahdi I think Benu Abbas will do their best to interrupt the line
of heritage before his birth. Benu Abbas are fully aware of the Prophet's Hadiths
regarding Al-Mahdi, and how he had said:
Al-Mahdi will appear to fill the earth withAl-Mahdi will appear to fill the earth withJustice and VirtueJustice and Virtue
as it will have been full of Evilnessas it will have been full of Evilness
The network
The Shi'a were all over by this time with many: Ministers called Naqeeb and Representatives called Wakeel These collected Zakat and Khums funds The representatives were in Egypt, Iraq, Persia,
Yemen, and Syria forming a vast and formidable network.
The funds were distributed to the poor and needy, and to the Syeds according to their status.
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
Accepted and were on the ascendancy:
1. The Shi'a (Imamah-Asserters)
2. Mu'tazila,
3. Al-Hanafi
4. Al-Maaliki
5. Al-Shafi’i
6. As‘haab Al-Hadith
Being on decline and in disfavor:
1. Khariji,
2. Jabriah,
3. Qadariyah,
4. schools of Ibn Abbas,
5. schools of Ibn Omar,
6. Murji'ah,
Al-Haadi’s Person
Appearance: Al‑Haadi was handsome, swarthy in complexion, an appearance commanding high esteem.
Similarities with his forefathers: He showed similar personal traits to those of his forefathers:
He loved to perform Salats frequently especially at night He used to recite the Holy Quran with a melody that
appealed to everyone's heart He used to say Du'aas often, not only his own but those of
the Prophet (pbuh), Zainul Abideen and others who preceded him.
Not unusual he would be in Ih'yaa and Tahajjud all night, with coarse clothes on and the minimum means of comfort.
Discourses
Discourse Capacity: People loved Imam Al-Haadi and were very attracted by his discussions.
Al-Haadi used to hold discussions in: Masjid Al‑Nabawi, Surba, a suburb of Medina, and Mecca during Haj time.
Thuraya was built by Imam Al-Kadhim He freely answered any question posed by his
devotees or those wanting to learn.
Discourses
Al‑Haadi was always ready to counsel, give edicts, enlighten, or quote the Hadith.
He was not hampered nor hindered during the early years of his Imamah
His discourses were lively about many Islamic sciences: be it the Sunnah, Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh or Ah'kaam such as Halal and Haram.
As his forefathers before him, he understood the Sunnah best and taught it in its pure form.
Character
Ethics and Character: He was a very kind person, known for his compassion. His courtesy and affection were well known to all. The needy and indigent flocked to him. He was ever helpful
Work: Al-Haadi often worked with his hands as had his forefathers before him. In Medina by himself, the work was regarded as Ibadah In Samur’raa, used to go with his son to the farm together Be it in the farm or orchard they used the shovel and sweat it out.
Piety: He was the embodiment of high character and virtue. The outstanding merit (Al‑Fadhl) and perfection of character were gathered in him.
Restrictions
During the later period of his life Imam Al-Haadi had to communicate with his devotees mainly by writing, since:
He was detained in Samur'raa for many years (18 years), and His millions of devotees were spread all over the Islamic
Ummah. When in Samur'raa Imam Al-Haadi did not have free contact with
his devotees. He argued with:
the Zandeeqs (the socially abhorred heretics), the Jabriah and Qadariyah, and was Fighting off the Ghulaat (Exaggerationists) and exposing their
deception and falsehood, and warning people about them
Al-Haadi took with him:
Imam Al-Haadi was very keen about the Corpus of Knowledge and their immense value. On leaving Medina to Samur’raa, he made sure these
books were with him When at one time his house in Samur'raa was
searched by agents of Khalifa Al-Mutawak'kil, they saw mainly: Qurans, books of Du'aas, and the volumes of the Corpus of Knowledge.
The year 232H
Al-Hasan Al-Askari is born:Al-Hasan Al-Askari is born: Year 232H: A son is born to Al-Haadi in Medina. He received superb care by his family, and Raised under the exclusive tutelage of his father Al-
Haadi. Al-Hasan Al-Askari showed signs of high intelligence
early on, and he learned at the hands of his father: The Quran, Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh, Sunnah or other sciences.
The year 232H
Al-Mutawak'kil becomes Khalifa in 232H Al-Mutawak'kil was in prison, but through complicity
and collusion with the Turkic slaves he was able to maneuver the Khilaafah in his favor.
Once as Khalifa, Al-Mutawak'kil sided with As'haab Al-Hadith and they influenced him greatly.
As'haab Al-Hadith were given a free hand not only to enforce their beliefs but also to combat other Islamic movements.
Al-Mutawak’kil
Al-Mutawak’kil ordered the following: All non-Muslims to wear an identifying sign on their
garments. Non-Muslims could not hold any position or status in
the Imperial secretariat. The tombs [mainly tomb-stones] of non-Muslims were
to be razed to the ground level. The installation of Al-Mutawak'kil was a major setback
to the Alawi, i.e.: the Imamiyah-Shi'a and the Mu'tazila
Summons to Imam Al-Mahdi
Year 236H: Al-Haadi was to move to Samur'raa, along with his family, servants, and attendants.
1. The letter of request was very polite
2. Al-Mutawak'kil's summons was sent with a military contingency of 300 under the leadership of Ibn Al-Hirthama.
It was 4th year of his Khilaafah, Al-Mutawak'kil:
1. He had already decreed many oppressive measures;
2. His rule was vicious, brutal, and tyrannical.
In Samur’raa 236H
Al-Haadi was about 22 years old One reporter claims Al-Mutawak'kil received Al-Haadi
with great show of respect, and provided him with a furnished house in Samur’raa.
Other reporters claim Al-Mutawak'kil did not receive Al-Haadi the first night:
Therefore Al-Haadi and family had to stay in an inn used for travelers, called Khan Al-Sa'aleek (building of the downtrodden).
In Samur’raa 236H and after
Al-Haadi was detained and put under surveillance As disturbing as this was, Al-Haadi never complained,
nor protested During his detention Imam Al-Haadi:
had few people to visit him, He spent much of his time in prayer, reading Du'aas,
and tutoring his children He often told his children of the birth of Al-Mahdi, and
Benu Abbas trying to prevent it, since they were frightened of his advent.
Builds a House
Builds a house but with a grave dug up in the main room.
Visitation of the loyalists and seekers of knowledge increase gradually
By now the surveillance is eased: The Khalifa’s chief of protocol was to call on Al-Haadi
twice a day (some say twice a week) to detect any suspect movement against the throne.
A Year Later: 237H
Fearing ominous consequences of gatherings of the Shi'a in Karbala or Najaf, Al-Mutawak'kil orders the following:1. Banning visitation to Karbala, with a warning of death
penalty.2. Taxation of those who visited the shrines of Karbala or
Najaf.3. Razing the shrines in Karbala and Najaf, destroying them to
the ground level.4. To plough the surrounding land of such tombs and bring it
under cultivation. The Edict could not be carried out because of resistance
But in the mean time
Al-Mutawak'kil confiscates Fadak and. Warns inhabitants of Al-Hijaz not to communicate with
the Alawi or to support them financially. The Alawi are more or less deprived of their
necessary livelihood. The drastic measures proved a failure, the Wikaalah
(Shi’a administration) continued to work discretely. Al-Haadi continued his communications with his
adherents secretly, receiving Khums and other taxes.
In the meantime
Al-Haadi continued to see visitors in quest of knowledge, surveillance notwithstanding.
He used to visit Majlis at various times, help the needy and disadvantaged, help the widows and poor at night. give money at night to families in need
Along with Al-Askari, Al-Haadi used to work in his field, as he had done in Medina. He valued such work as an expression of Ibadah.
Shrines of Karbala and Najaf: 247H
After 13 years of oppressive rule, Al-Mutawak'kil decrees for the 2nd time:
No visitation to Karbala and Najaf Destroy and raze Karbala and Najaf shrines Dig out the graves, and Plough the surrounding land and water it from the
Euphrates. There were vehement objections to this order with
petitions from Basrah, Kufa, and much of Iraq.
Shrines Destroyed: 247H
After the first and second attempts to destroy the shrines had failed:
The task to do so was given to the military and was carried out. Much blood shed took place
Soon after, Al-Mutawak’kil is killed by his own son Al-Mun’tasir
Al-Mun’tasir is the Khalifa, to the relief of everyone
Al-Mun’tasir: Year 247H
As a Khalifa Al-Mun'tasir revokes all the rulings of his father Al-Mutawak’kil
Al-Mun'tasir accomplishes the following in fast order: Stop persecuting the Shi'a and others. Re-institute visitation to Karbala and Najaf, Return the Aw'qaaf (Trust) to Benu Talib, Return Fadak to the progeny of Al-Hasan and Al-
Husain, and Stop the campaign of harassments against the Shi'a
communities.
The Debilitated Khilaafah
Khilaafah at its height used to be the epitome of power Khilaafah had deteriorated by now to be a medium for
intrigue and conspiracy at the hands of the Turkic slaves.
The powerful among the salves were Waseef and Bogha.
Weakening of the Khilaafah
Khilaafah becomes very weak as the poet eloquently Khilaafah becomes very weak as the poet eloquently expressed:expressed:
The Khalifa is in a cage, at the mercy of the slaves,And just as a parrot does, he echoes what to him they
say.
وبغا وصيٍف, بينالببغا تقول كما
قفٍص, في خليفةله قاال ما يقول
During Al-Haadi’s last few Years
Quick succession of weak Khalifas Each ruling for a short period then killed or demoted
by the Turkic conspirators Anxiety is pervasive but noticeable Al-Bukhari has been active for many years to verify
the authenticity of the plethora of Hadiths Muslim Al-Nishaapori [of Sahih Muslim] was doing the
same thing
Contemporary Khalifas
Al-Haadi was contemporary to the following Khalifas of Benu Abbas:
1. Al-Ma'Moon (son of Haroon Al-Rashid)
2. Al-Mu'tasim (son of Haroon Al-Rashid)
3. Al-Waathiq (son of Al-Mu'tasim)
4. Al-Mutawak'kil (son of Al-Mu'tasim)
5. Al-Mun'tasir (son of Al-Mutawak'kil)
6. Al-Mus'taeen (son of Al-Mu'tasim)
7. Al-Mu'tazz (son of Al-Mutawak'kil)
AL‑HAADI DIES
Al-Haadi became sick, he grew weak, and within a few days he died. (It is reported that his condition was caused by poisoning during the Khilaafah of Al-Mu'tazz.
Al-Haadi died at a relatively early age of 40, in 254H Al-Haadi was buried in his house after his son, Al-
Hasan Al-Askari, performed the Janaaza Salat Dignitaries, government people, devotees, students,
and just about everyone in Samur'raa attended the Janaaza Prayer.
Before his death, Al-Haadi gave the custody of the Corpus of Knowledge to Al-Askari
Sample Dialogue Imam Al-Haadi's answer about Tawhid [Allah's Oneness]:
“Allah has not ceased to exist, and He still exists. Allah caused whatever He wanted to come into existence.There is neither resistance to Allah's Decree nor revision to Allah's Ruling. They go astray those who try to decipher Him. Short is the sight of those who want to see Him. Have perished all descriptions of the describers of Him, and have waned the words of liars about Him.Allah is beyond sight. Amazing is His affair. Sublime is His station. Allah is at such a High Status that it cannot be defined, and in a manner where no eye can take a glance at Him…..
ثم H موجودا الله يزل لم راد ال أراد، ما كونمعقب وال Rه، لقضاِئ
أوهام تاهت لحكمه،وقصر المتوهمين،الطارفين، طرفأوصاف وتالشت
واضمحلت الواصفين،عن المطلين أقاويل
أو شأنه، العجيب الدرك علو على بالبلوغ الوقوع
بالموضع فهو مكانه، وبالمكان اليتناهى الذي
فيه عليه يقع لم الذيعباره، وال إشارة عيون
هيهات … هيهات
Select Sayings of Al-Haadi
Allah Almighty made the present life a sequence of testing, and the next life the abode of the outcome. And He made the trials of this life a measure for the reward of the next life, and this recompense is the substitute for that test.
Envy razes the reward for good deeds and brings despise. Insolence
averts from seeking knowledge and calls for disdain and ignorance. Being stingy is a vile character, and being greedy is of a bad nature. Mockery is a humor of the fool and an act of the unlearned. The inflexible causes one to have little and leads him to be loathed.
Better than a good deed is the person who performs it. Lovelier than
an oration is the person who says it. Superior to knowledge is the person who displays it. Worse than evil is the person who brings it forth. More terrifying than horror is to the person who bears it.
Select sayings of Al-Haadi II
Arguing for the sake of argument spoils an intimate friendship and destroys relationship. The least effect thereof is trying to conquer one another, which is a primary cause of dissociation.
The person who obeys the Creator is not bothered about the
discontent of people. The person who feels secure from Allah's plan deems himself haughty, thus the Divine Decree befalls on him.....
Though unjust, a forbearing person is about to efface his injustice
by his patience, while a foolish person having a right is about to extinguish the light of his right by his foolishness.
Sample Advice
The person who gathers for you his friendship and advice, gather for him your obedience. And the person who displays little self-respect do not feel secure from his malice. And the person who glorifies himself, many will be irritated with him. People —in this life— are esteemed by wealth, while —in the Hereafter— they are esteemed by their previous deeds.
ودvه لك جمع منله فاجمع ورأيه
طاعتك ،عليه هانت ومنتأمن فال نفسه
شره ،عن رضي ومن
كثر نفسهعليه الساخطون ،
الدنيا في والناسوفي باألموال
باألعمال اآلخرة
Ziyarah (Visitation) for Al-Haadi
.… Rاِء~ �قRي ~ت األ� R Rم~ام و~إ Rاِء~ و�صRي~ األ� و~صRي� م�ح~مvد, Rن� ب ع~لRي� ع~ل~ى ص~ل� vه�مv ~لل ا~ج�م~عRين~ أ RِقR ~ِئ �َخ~ال ال ع~ل~ى Rةvح�ج� و~ال Rالد�ين RةvمR ~ِئ أ Rو~خ~ل~ٍف
QQQQQQ QQQQQQQQQQ QQQQQ QQQQQQQQQQن�Rم RيلRج~ز� Rال ب ر~ vَّش~ ف~ب �ون~ �م�ْؤ�مRن ال RهR ب ~ضRيِء� ت ~س� Hي �ورا ~ه�ن �ت ~م~اج~ع~ل ك vه�مv اللRك~ ~و~اب ث
~ك~ ~ل َح~ال vَح~ل~ و~أ Rك~ ~ات Rآي ب vر~ و~َذ~ك َس~ك~� ~أ ب و~َح~ذvر~ Rك~ عRق~اب مRن� R Rيم ~ل Rاأل� ب �ذ~ر~ ن
~ و~أام~ك~ َح~ر~ م~ vو~َح~ر
Rك~ Rط~اع~ت ب م~ر~~ و~أ Rك~ ~اد~ت ب Rع ع~ل~ى vو~َح~َّض Rض~ك~ اِئ و~ف~ر~ Rع~ك~ اِئ ر~ ش~ vن~ ~ي و~ب
Rك~ ~ت م~ع�صRي ع~ن� ~ه~ى و~نRك~ ~اِئ Rي �ب ن
~ أ Rةv ي و~َذ�ر� Rك~ ~اِئ Rي و�ل~ أ مRن� ~َح~د, أ ع~ل~ى �ت~ vي ص~ل م~ا ~ف�ض~ل~ أ Rه� ~ي ع~ل ف~ص~ل�
~مRين �ع~ال ال ~ه~ Rل إ ~ا ……. Translation in next slide ي
Translation of Ziyarah (Visitation)
O Allah bless Ali ibn Muhammad, the successor of the previous successors, the Imam of the Pious, the Vicegerent of the Imams of religion, the decisive argument over the created beings.
O Allah just as Thou made him the Beacon to give light to the believers, to give them the glad tidings of Thy recompense,
To warn them about Thy punishment, to put the awe of Thy Might in their hearts, to make mention of Thy verses, to prescribe what Thou have made lawful, to proscribe what Thou have made unlawful,
To make known Thy laws and what Thou have made obligatory, to encourage people to worship Thee, obey Thee, and not to transgress the limits laid down by Thee,
So, Bless him and send more blessings than Thou had conferred on any of Thy representatives, and on the progeny of Thy Prophets, O Lord of the Worlds!
In Conclusion
Al-Haadi: Outline of his Life Discussed in this slide show:
Lineage Al-Haadi’s Early childhood The network Contemporary Schools of Thought Al-Haadi’s Person The year 232H Al-Mutawak’kil In Samurra 236H Shrines of Karbala and Najaf: 247H Weakening of the Khilaafah Al-Haadi Dies
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, Rع~ص�ر� و~ال
Verily Man is in loss, except: ,ر خ�س� ~فRي ل ان~ �س~ Rن اِإْل� vنR إ
those who believe and do good, and enjoin one another to truth and enjoin one another to patience.
Rح~اتR الصvال �وا و~ع~مRل �وا آم~ن vذRين~ ال vالR إ Rر� Rالصvب ب ~و~اص~و�ا و~ت �ح~ِق� Rال ب ~و~اص~و�ا و~ت