Taqavi Posted Tuesday at 05:58 AM Share Posted Tuesday at 05:58 AM What is the biography of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) like? Imam Musa ibn Ja'far (AS), the seventh Imam of the Shia, was the honorable son of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (AS), who himself was the sixth Shia Imam.[1] His noble mother was a pure and virtuous lady named Hamidah al-Maghribiyah, considered one of the Umm al-Walad women. Some sources also mention her name as Nabatah.[2] Various narrations exist regarding her origins; some describe her as being from North Africa, others from the land of Rome, but the most common view is that she came from a region in Spain.[3] Hamidah al-Maghribiyah, the mother of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS), was a chaste and faultless woman, described by the infallible Imams (AS) as pure gold. [4] Imam al-Baqir (AS) emphasized her purity, nobility, and divine protection, considering her a divine blessing for the Imamate. [5] Imam Musa ibn Ja'far (AS) was born on the 7th of Safar in the year 128 AH in Abwa, between Mecca and Medina. [6] His birth was so joyous that Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (AS) celebrated for three days and hosted the people of Medina. [7] His family was large and diverse; his mother was Hamidah, and he had numerous siblings including Isma'il, Abdullah, Umm Farwah, Ishaq, Fatimah, Muhammad, Abbas, Ali, and Asma, who were born from different mothers. [8] Among Imam al-Kadhim’s (AS) brothers, two prominent figures stand out, each with their own story and status: • Isma'il, the eldest son of Imam al-Sadiq (AS), was beloved by many Shia due to the special affection and attention he received from the Imam. This high regard led some to believe he would succeed his father. However, he passed away during Imam al-Sadiq's (AS) lifetime in the region of 'Aridh and was buried in Baqee. [9] • Another esteemed brother was Ishaq, a pious and devout figure considered among the prominent jurists of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). What distinguishes him is that he shared both father and mother with Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS), thus being recognized as a "special" and very close brother to him. [10] After the passing of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (AS), Abdullah al-Aftah, who was the eldest son after Isma'il, claimed the Imamate. Some of Imam al-Sadiq’s (AS) followers were initially influenced by this claim, but upon witnessing the clear evidence supporting Imam Musa al-Kadhim’s (AS) Imamate, they accepted his leadership and turned away from Abdullah al-Aftah. It is said that Abdullah had tendencies towards the sects of Hashawiyah and Murji’ah. [11] The clear reasons for Imam Musa al-Kadhim’s (AS) Imamate include explicit texts narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (AS) and miracles attributed to him. In a narration recorded by al-Kulayni, Imam al-Sadiq (AS) explicitly tells Faiz ibn Mukhtar that the next Imam after him is Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) and invites him to accept his Imamate. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) also mentioned that until that time, no one had been allowed to disclose this truth. After hearing this, Faiz shared it with his family and friends. One of them, Yunus Dhubyan, sought further confirmation by visiting Imam al-Sadiq (AS) personally, who affirmed Faiz’s words. Subsequently, Yunus also believed in Imam Musa al-Kadhim’s (AS) Imamate. [12] Following Imam al-Sadiq’s (AS) death, some Shia mistakenly turned to Abdullah al-Aftah, but due to his incorrect answers, they grew doubtful. Imam al-Kadhim (AS) then cautiously revealed his Imamate through precise scholarly responses under secure conditions and asked his followers to share this truth only with trustworthy individuals. [13] To prove his rightful Imamate, Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) performed a miraculous act before a group of Shia: he set many bundles of firewood ablaze and sat among the flames, reciting several hadiths without harm. He then challenged Abdullah to do the same if he claimed to be the Imam. Afraid, Abdullah turned pale and left without responding. This event stands as a clear miracle confirming Imam Musa al-Kadhim’s (AS) Imamate. [14] Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) had thirty-seven children, including sons and daughters from various mothers. His sons included Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (AS), Ibrahim, Abbas, Qasim, Isma'il, Ja'far, Harun, Hasan, Ahmad, Muhammad, Hamzah, Abdullah, Ishaq, Ubaydullah, Zayd, Fadl, Hussein, and Sulayman. His daughters included Fatimah al-Kubra, Fatimah al-Sughra, Ruqayyah, Hakimah, Umm Abiha, Umm Ja'far, Lubabah, Zaynab, Khadijah, Alayha, Amina, Hasnah, Barihah, Aishah, Umm Salamah, Maymunah, and Umm Kulthum. Among all his children, Imam al-Ridha (AS) holds a higher scholarly and spiritual status. [15] Regarding Ahmad ibn Musa, he was known to be generous, noble, and pious. Imam Abu al-Hasan Musa (AS) loved him and held him in high respect. Imam Musa (AS) granted Ahmad a property known as "Yasirah." It is also narrated that Ahmad ibn Musa freed a thousand slaves. [16] Hamzah ibn Musa, a son of Imam al-Kadhim (AS), accompanied Imam al-Ridha (AS) on a journey to Khorasan and served him with complete loyalty. Upon reaching the area of Susmar, a group of supporters of the Abbasid Caliph al-Ma'mun attacked them, and Hamzah was martyred. Imam al-Ridha (AS) buried his body in a garden at the same location. [17] The Imamate of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) coincided with the caliphates of four Abbasid rulers: al-Mansur al-Dawaniqi (136-158 AH), al-Mahdi (158-169 AH), al-Hadi (169-170 AH), and Harun al-Rashid (170-193 AH).[18] This period marked the peak of Abbasid power and global dominance, characterized by severe oppression.[19] Imam al-Kadhim’s cultural and social activities in guiding the Shia community caused concern for Harun al-Rashid. Consequently, in 179 AH, Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) was transferred to Baghdad, where he was imprisoned. [20] Historical reports state that Harun ordered his poisoning in 183 AH, and Imam Musa ibn Ja'far (AS) was martyred on the 25th of Rajab of that year at the age of 55. [21] [1] . Al-Irshad, Al-Sheikh Al-Mufid, vol: 2, p: 215. [2] . Umdat al-Talib fi Ansab Aal Abi Talib, Ibn Anbah, p: 196. [3] . Bab al-Hawaij, Seeri dar Zendegani va Fazayel Hazrat Imam Kazim, Sajjadi, Seyyed Mojtaba, p: 13. [4] . Al-Imam Musa al-Kadhim, Seerah wa Tarikh, Al-Kaabi, Ali Musa, p: 90. [5] . Ithbat al-Wasiyyah, Al-Mas'udi, Ali ibn al-Husayn, p: 190. [6] . Al-Irshad, Al-Sheikh Al-Mufid, vol: 2, p: 215 / A'lam al-Wara bi A'lam al-Huda, Al-Sheikh Al-Tabarsi, vol: 2, p: 6. [7] . Al-Imam Musa al-Kadhim, Seerah wa Tarikh, Al-Kaabi, Ali Musa, p: 92. [8] . I'lam al-Wara bi A'lam al-Huda, Al-Sheikh Al-Tabarsi, vol: 1, p: 547. [9] . Al-Irshad, Al-Sheikh Al-Mufid, vol: 2, p: 209. [10] . Al-Imam Musa al-Kadhim, Seerah wa Tarikh, Al-Kaabi, Ali Musa, p: 104. [11] . Al-Irshad, Al-Sheikh Al-Mufid, vol: 2, p: 211. [12] . Al-Kafi, Ta al-Islamiyyah, Al-Sheikh Al-Kulayni, vol: 1, p: 309. [13] . Tarikh Zendegani Imam Kazim, Rafii, Ali, p: 87. [14] . Al-Kharaij wal-Jaraih, Al-Rawandi, Qutb al-Din, vol: 1, p: 309. [15] . Al-Irshad, Al-Sheikh Al-Mufid, vol: 2, p: 244. [16] . Musnad al-Imam al-Kadhim Abi al-Hasan Musa ibn Ja'far, Al-Attardi, Al-Sheikh Aziz Allah, vol: 1, p: 181. [17] . A'yan al-Shi'a, Al-Amin, Sayyid Mohsin, vol: 6, p: 251. [18] . Al-Imam Musa al-Kadhim, Seerah wa Tarikh, Al-Kaabi, Ali Musa, p: 11. [19] . Ibid: pp: 13-14. [20] . Al-Imam Musa al-Kadhim, Seerah wa Tarikh, Al-Kaabi, Ali Musa, p: 59. [21] . Al-Irshad, Al-Sheikh Al-Mufid, vol: 2, p: 215 / A'lam al-Wara bi A'lam al-Huda, Al-Sheikh Al-Tabarsi, vol: 2, p: 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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