HOW CAN IT BE ACCEPTABLE FOR A CHILD TO BECOME AN IMAM?

[Taqavi]

 

How can it be acceptable for a child to become an imam?

 

In Shia Islam, Imamate is considered a divine position and responsibility that is assigned by God to specific individuals based on their merit and divine wisdom. Some Shiite Imams, such as Imam Jawad (AS) at the age of 8[1], Imam Hadi (AS) at the age of 9[2], and Imam Mahdi (AS) at the age of 5[3], have reached the status of Imamate. To address the question of whether a child can attain the rank of Imamate, it is important to consider several key points:

Looking at the Quranic evidence

The Quran mentions that the Almighty granted authority to John the Baptist (Yahya) saying, "O Yahya! Take hold of the Book with strength, and We granted him wisdom while yet a child,"[4] and also granted prophecy to Jesus. When asked, "How can We speak with a baby in the cradle?" Jesus replied, "Verily, I am a servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet."[5]

This verse explicitly confirms the prophecy for Jesus, and most Shiite scholars and some Sunni commentators have interpreted the verse to mean prophecy during childhood.[6]

But is the divine ruling given to John the Baptist prophethood or not? There is a difference of opinion among commentators, both Shiite and Sunni.[7] The renowned Sunni commentator and theologian, Fakhr Razi writes:

"The ruling is prophethood; for God gave him wisdom in his childhood and revealed to him, and that is because God has sent Yahya and Jesus while they were children."[8]

It is possible for some people to possess the ability of prophecy, reasoning, special knowledge of religious commandments, and a mystical connection with the sacred at a young age. Examples of individuals who have had these abilities include John the Baptist and Jesus. In the narratives of the infallible Imams, there is an emphasis on the comparison between Imam Jawad (AS) and Jesus.[9]

Looking at the narratives

1. Imam Jawad (AS) was once asked about people who denied his Imamate due to his young age. In response, he said, "Why do they deny it? God Almighty told His Prophet to invite people to God with vision and insight. At that time, no one followed the Prophet except for Ali (AS), who was only nine years old, and I am also nine. So why should my young age be a reason to deny my Imamate?"[10]

2. One of the Shia followers asked Imam Reza (AS), "Who will be the Imam of the people after you if something happens to you?" To which Imam Reza (AS) replied, "My son Abu Ja'far (Imam Jawad)." The questioner expressed doubt as Imam Jawad (AS) was only around seven years old at that time. In response, Imam Reza (AS) said, "God chose Jesus as a prophet with a new scripture when he was even younger than Abu Ja'far (Imam Jawad). Therefore, there is no reason why God cannot grant Imamate to Abu Ja'far during his childhood." [11]

3. Safwan bin Yahya reported that when Imam Reza (AS) appointed Imam Jawad (AS) as the next Imam, despite being only three years old at that time, Safwan exclaimed to the Imam: 'Your son is just three years old.' The Imam responded by saying there was no issue with Imam Jawad's young age, as even Prophet Jesus had become the proof of God at the age of three.[12]

It should be noted that the Imamate of all the Imams (AS) has been reported through the narratives of previous Imams and even the Prophet (S) himself.[13]

Looking at the practice of the Imams

Sheikh Mufid (RH) writes: "The majority of the Shiites and their opponents agree that the Messenger of God (S) invited Ali (AS) to ministry, caliphate, and succession when he was young, but he did not invite other children.[14]

The lives of Imam Jawad and Imam Hadi are worth paying attention to, as they both became Imams in their childhood. Their remarkable scientific debates with eminent scholars and their answers to the most difficult questions are the best proof of their Imamate status. Imam Jawad's (AS) imamate in childhood initially caused doubt for some Shiites, leading them to send 80 jurisprudents to investigate the matter after the demise of Imam Reza (AS). However, they became convinced of his Imamate (while Imam Jawad was 8 years old) after receiving accurate scientific answers to their questions. [15]

Sheikh Kulayni records that Imam Jawad (AS) answered thirty thousand questions in one session.[16] Finally, the confession of Mamun Abbasid[17] and other opponents of the properness of Imam Jawad for the Imamate is the best evidence.

Therefore, it is not impossible for a child to speak or to attain wisdom and Imamate, rather, through the Quran and narratives, we understand that it has also occurred miraculously. We must not forget that God is infinitely powerful and capable of all things.

 

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[1]. Al-Fusul Al-Muhimah, Vol. 2, p. 1037 - Al-Irshad by Sheikh Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 273.

[2]. Al-Irshad by Sheikh Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 297 - Al-Fusul Al-Muhimah, Vol. 2, p. 1063.

[3]. Al-Irshad by Sheikh Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 339.

[4]. Al-Maryam: 12 «یَا یَحْیَى خُذِ الْکِتَابَ بِقُوَّةٍ وَآتَیْنَاهُ الْحُکْمَ صَبِیًّا».

[5] . Al-Maryam: 29 and 30. «کیْفَ نُکَلِّمُ مَنْ کَانَ فِی الْمَهْدِ صَبِیًّا ؛ قَالَ إِنِّی عَبْدُ اللَّهِ آتَانِیَ الْکِتَابَ وَجَعَلَنِی نَبِیًّا»

[6] . Masoudi, Athibat Al-wasyah, p. 220 - Tafsir Ruh al-Bayan, Vol. 5, p. 331 - Tafsir al-Kashaf, Vol. 3, p. 15 - Tafsir Kabir, Vol. 21, p. 516.

[7] . Tafsir Fath al-Qadeer, Vol. 3, p. 384; Sheikh Ismail Haqqi al-Burusawi, Tafsir Ruh al-Bayan, Vol. 5, p. 319; Allama Tabatabai, Al-Mizan, Vol. 14, p. 28.

[8] . Tafsir Kabir, Vol. 21, p. 516.

[9] . Usul al-Kafi, Vol. 1, p. 320.

[10] . Ibid, p. 384.

[11] . Masoudi, Athibat Al-wasyah, p. 220.

[12] . Usul al-Kafi, Vol. 1, p. 321.

[13]. Refer to the question “How many Imams are there after the Prophet Muhammad(s) and who are they?”

[14] . Sheikh Mufid; Fusul Al-Mukhtarah, p. 316.

[15] . Masoudi, Athibat Al-wasyah, p. 220.

[16] . Usul al-Kafi, Vol. 1, p. 496.

[17]. Al-Ahtijaj Al-Tabarsi, Vol. 2, pp. 443 “فَقَالَ لَهُمْ وَيْحَكُمْ إِنِّي أَعْرَفُ بِهَذَا الْفَتَى مِنْكُمْ وَ إِنَّ هَذَا مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ عِلْمُهُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ.