On the joyous occasion of the birth anniversay of the ninth Infallible Imam, Imam Muhammad al-Taqi al-Jawad (a.s), World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL) congratulates the Imam of our time (atfs), all righteous scholars and all believers.

Imam's father was Imam Ali Reza (as) and his mother was lady Sabika (sa). Imam was born on 10th Rajab 195 AH (811 CE) in  Madina and was martyred on 29th Dhulqa'da 220 AH (835 CE) in Baghdad. He is buried in Kazimain.

He was the only son of Imam Ali Reza (as) The Prophet (sawa) had said:

“My father be sacrificed on the mother of the 9th Imam who will be a pure and pious Nubian.”

Imam Muhammad Taqi (as) was born when his father was 45 years old. Till then Imam Ali Reza (as) had constantly been taunted that he had no children.

Imam Muhammad Taqi (as) was 5 years old when his father was called to Baghdad by the ruling caliph Mamun Rashid (l.a)  to be his 'heir apparent'. When Imam Ali Reza  (as) was leaving he saw his son putting sand in his hair. He asked why and the young Imam replied that this was what an orphan did.

In fact this came to pass soon as he became an Imam at the age of 9. Mamun Rashid thought that as all the rulers before him had oppressed the Imams and their schemes had backfired that he would try to bribe the Imams. He tried to make the 8th Imam his heir apparent and give him power and wealth but that also backfired.

He now tried to use power and wealth with the 9th Imam again but from a much younger age thinking that he would be able to influence him. However no one can influence the divinely appointed infallibles.  Mamun Rashid's main purpose was also to make sure that the 12th Imam (whom he knew would bring justice to the world) would be from his progeny and therefore intended to give his daughter Ummul Fadhl to the Imam for a wife. Mamun still continued oppressing the family and followers of the Ahlul Bayt (as).

Mamun called the young Imam (as) to Baghdad from Madina and offered his daughter in marriage to Imam. Imam (as) read his own Nikah (the khutba of which is used today) with the Mehr of 500 dirhams. Imam wrote a letter to Mamun that he would also give Ummul Fadhl Mehr from the wealth of Aakhira. This was in the form of 10 duas which were for fulfilling any hajaat.

Imam lived for a year in Baghdad with Ummul Fadhl. However she was very disobedient to him When she found out that the Imam had another wife (from the progeny of Ammar-e-Yasir) and that there were also children she was jealous and angry realizing that her father's plan had failed. She complained to her father who also realized that his plan, to keep the 12th Imam in his progeny, had failed. He was enraged and in his rage he drank heavily and went to the 9th Imam's house and attacked Imam with a sword. Both Ummul Fadhl and a servant saw the attack and believed Imam was dead. Mamun on waking next morning realized the consequences of his attack and was thinking of arranging the disposal of Imam's body when he saw Imam well without a scratch on him. He was confused and asked Imam who showed him an amulet which is called Hirze Jawad Imam told him it was from his grand mother Bibi Fatima Zahra (as) and kept the wearer safe from all except the angel of death. Mamun asked Imam for it and Imam gave him one.

Mamun let Imam return to Madina. The Imam used this time to prepare the masails of Taqleed and Ijtihaad in preparation for the 12th Imam knowing that both the 10th and the 11th Imam would spend most of their lives in prison. He also prepared the people of Madina teaching true Islam knowing that this would be the last time they would be able to receive guidance directly from an Imam for a long time.

Ummul Fadhl continuously complained of Imam to her father. But M’mun died in 218 AH and was succeeded by his brother Mo'tasam Billah. He openly announced that all Shias were not Muslims. He said it was required for people to kill and prosecute Shias, and to destroy property belonging to Shias.

Ummul Fadhl now started complaining to her uncle who was sympathetic to her. Mo'tasam called Imam to Baghdad. He asked Imam to pass judgement of how to punish a thief. Imam said only fingers could be cut as the palms were for Allah (as in Qur'an - it is one of the wajib parts to touch the ground during sajda). As this decision was contrary to the decision of the other 'Ulema' it strengthened the position of the Shias. The other 'Ulema' complained to Mo'tasam.

With instigation from both the 'Ulema' and Ummul Fadhl, Mo'tasam sent poison which Ummul Fadhl put in Imam's drink and gave it to him. Imam was martyred on 29th Dhulqa'ada at the age of 25 years, the youngest Imam to be martyred at such a young age.

Some of Imam's sayings are:

He who detested a matter that he witnessed is as same as those who were absent from it, and he who was absent from a matter that he loved is, as same as those who witnessed it.

He whoever listens to a caller is serving him. If the caller was Allah's representative, he is then serving Allah. If the caller was the Shaitan's representative, he is then serving the Shaitan.

We congratulate everyone on this auspicious day and pray that we are able to follow the life example of Imam's steadfastness.

Sayed Mohammad Al-Musawi 
World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL)
London, UK 

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