Imam Jaffer Al-Sadiq (AS) was born in Madinah on Rabi-ul-Awwal 17, 83 AH. It is reported that he used to visit his father’s school and would discuss serious matters of Fiqh and jurisprudence with senior students. In one such discussion, at the age of 11, he entered a class where astronomy was being discussed, and he surprised every one, except his father, that earth was not flat, because the way sun rises in the East and sets in the West and day and night change in 24 hours, it cannot be possible.

Up to the age of 12, he was raised under the guidance of his grand father, Imam Zain-ul-

Abedin (AS). After his grandfather’s death, up to the age of 31 years, he was directly under the supervision of his father, Imam Mohammad Baqir (AS).

In the year 114 AH, his father died and the responsibilities of Imamate devolved on his shoulders. The fall of Bani Umaiyya was eminent as there were wide spread revolts and his uncle, Zaid was also preparing to rise against them but the Imam advised against it.

His uncle, Zaid was brutally murdered and after him, his son Yahya also followed father’s path and met the similar fate. The Imam concentrated on the spread of spiritual sciences of Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Abbasids came to power on the slogans of “Right to rule is for the family of the Holy Prophet” but once they attained the reign of power, they were worse enemy of Ahlul Bayt.

Abbasid caliph, Mansur did not like the respect and esteem the Muslims showed to the Imam. He tried every possible means to harass the Imam, arranged debates with the Imam but failed.

The Imam was one of those infallible created by Allah to be models of moral excellence.

His particular character traits included hospitality, charity-helping the needy in secrecy, the fair treatment of poor relatives, forgiveness, patience and fortitude.

Once a pilgrim visiting the Prophet’s Mosque fell asleep. On waking up he hurriedly searched his belongings and found his purse which contained One Thousand Dinars missing. Looking around he saw the Imam praying in one corner of the Mosque. He accused the Imam of having picked up his purse. The Imam took him to his house and gave the missing Dinars. The stranger greatly satisfied came back and searched his other bags and found his money. Greatly ashamed of his conduct, he tried to return the money to the Imam. The Imam replied, “We never take back what ever we once give away, but if you feel guilty you may give it to the poor of the town.” 

His profound knowledge of religion and other sciences was famed across the Muslim world. People came from distant places and the number of his student reached Four Thousands. Among them was Abu Hanifa, Malik ibne Anas. Apart from religious sciences, he used to teach mathematics, chemistry, medicine and astronomy. Jabir Ibn Hayyan, the famous pioneer of physics, chemistry, and mathematics, was his disciple who wrote about four hundred treatises based on his mentor’s instructions.

Perhaps the most interesting of all his pupils was Abu Hanifa. In giving decisions he claimed the right to exercise the privilege of deductions and of using of his own judgment to supplement the Prophet’s Traditions.

Once, Abu Hanifa remarked that if the Imam did not teach three things he would be able to accept him:

1.            “Good is from God and evil is from the deeds of men,” where as I say that men have no choice but good and evil are from God.

2.            “In the final judgment the devil suffers in the fire,” where as I say that the fire will not burn him, in so much as the same material will not injure itself.(the Devil being from fire)

3.            “It is impossible to see God in this world or the next,” where as I say that anyone who has an existence may be seen, if not in this world then in next.

At this point Shaikh Bahlul, who was the companion of the Imam but pretended to be simple minded person, picked up a clod of earth and threw on the head of Abu Hanifa, declaring as he made the hasty exit, that all three points are refuted. Abu Hanifa complained about him to the caliph, who called Behlul before him and asked him, “Why did you throw the clod of earth at Abu Hanifa? He replied, “I did not throw it.” Abu Hanifa protested, “You did throw it.” Behlul replied, “You yourself have maintained that evil is from God and men have no choice, so why you are blaming me? And you have also said that same material will not injure itself. The Devil is from fire and fire of Hell will not hurt him. Accordingly you are from dust of earth, tell me how it could injure you? You have also claimed that you can see God as a proof of His existence. Show me the pain you are complaining about that exists in your head.”

Abu Hanifa had no answer to that and he eventually agreed to what Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (AS) had taught about these things.

On the question of freedom of will (Irada) which was much under discussion at the time, the Imam taught, “that God has decreed some things for us and He has likewise decreed some things through our agency. What He has decreed for us or on our behalf He has concealed from us, but what He has decreed through our agency He has revealed to us. We are not concerned, therefore, so much with what He has decreed for us, as we are with what He has decreed through our agency.”

In response to the objection of Sufis, the Imam narrated sayings of the Holy Prophet (SAWS), “If a person have some loafs of bread, dates, or money, which he wants to distribute, he must first share with his parents, then his wife, children and himself, then relatives in descending order in the blood chain, and then in fourth place, on others as charity.” The Imam continued, “ The Holy Qur’an clearly states: The pious and god- fearing are those who are neither niggardly and miserly, nor over generous and extravagant in charity, but always moderate and balanced” The Imam continued, “The Holy Prophet classified the persons whose prayers are not accepted are:

·                     Persons who wish ill for their parents.

·                     Persons who lend their money without any witness or written pledge.

·                     Persons who sit idle at home and pray for sustenance.

·                     Persons who are granted abundant wealth waste it through abundant generosity.

Hazrat Salman Farsi used to set aside an amount that would cover his annual expenditure. People questioned him saying that he was a pious person but he provided himself for the whole year. If he dies within a week what good that provision serve him. He replied, “I may not die. If I survive the year, I will need the essentials of life. You do not realize that a person suffering from financial problems cannot worship or obey his Lord as peacefully and easily as one whose needs have been taken care of.”

The life of Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (AS) is so rich in knowledge and wisdom that this small space is insufficient to cover his entire life. Because these two Imams-Mohammad Baqir (AS) and Jaffer al-Sadiq (AS) had more opportunities to spread the wealth of knowledge of Ahlul Bayt (AS). Otherwise we would refer the Tradition of the Holy Prophet (SAWS), “Awwaluna Mohammad, Ausatuna Mohammad, Akheruna Mohammad, Kulluna Mohammad” It means that the entire “Golden Chain of Ahlul Bayt” possessed the Divinely given Knowledge. It was a matter of environment and opportunity that certain Imams disclosed the Family Treasures.