Sayyiduna Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as-Sadiq (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
BIRTH:
He was born on a Monday, the 7th of Rabi-ul-Awwal in either 80 or 83 Hijri in Madinah Munawwarah. (Masaalik-us-Saalikeen, Vol. 1 Page 217)
HIS NAME:
His name was Jaafar bin Muhammad & he was also known as Abu Abdullah & Abu Ismail. His titles were Saadiq, Faazil & Taahir.
HIS MOTHER:
His mother's name was Umm-e-Farzah who was the daughter of Hazrat Qasim (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu), the grandson of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) & Hazrat Qasim's (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) mother, A'asma (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha) is the daughter of Hazrat Abdur Rahmaan & the son of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu).
HIS FEATURES:
He was very handsome & had a radiant appearance. He had the perfect height & was tan in complexion. He encompassed the exemplary qualities his forefathers. Haafiz Abu Nuaim Isfahani narrates in Khalifat-ul-Abraar on the authority of Umar bin Midqaam, "When I used to look at Hazrat Imam Jaafar Saadiq (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) then I used to immediately feel that he was from amongst the descendants of the Prophets."
EXCELLENCE:
He was without doubt the true successor to the Muslim empire & one of the greatest Imams of his era. Imam Jaafar Saadiq (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) was a great Aabid & Sufi. Many secrets of Tasawwuf were explained by him. It is in Tabqaat-ul-Abraar, that he received the authority of Hadees from his blessed father, from Imam Zuhri & Naaf'i & ibn Munkadir etc & Sufyaan Sawri, Ibn Ainiyyah, Shu’ba, Yahya Al-Qataan, Imam Maalik & his son Imam Moosa Kaazim (ridwaanullahi ta'aala alaihim ajmaeen) attained this authority of Hadith from him. Allama Ibn Hajar Makki (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) writes in Sawaa'iq Muhariqa . "The exalted Imams such as Yahya Bin Saeed, Ibn Jareeh, Imam Maalik ibn Anas, Imam Sufyaan Sauri, Sufyan bin Ainiyyah, Imam Abu Hanifa & Abu Ayyub Sajistani (ridwaanullahi ta'aala alaihim ajmaeen) took Hadees from him." (Masaalik-us-Saalikeen)
HIS CHARACTER:
He was a very exalted & pious personality. His inner & outer appearance exuded brightness & radiance. He addressed the poor & the downtrodden with great love. Once he called all his servants & said, "Let us give our hands in the hands of one another & promise that whichever one of us first receives salvation on the day of Qiyaamat, he will intercede for the rest of us." On hearing this, they said, "O Ibn Rasool (Salla Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam)! For what reason do you need our intercession, when your beloved forefather Rasoolullah (Salla Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) will intercede for the entire creation?" He then said, "I am ashamed to take my deeds & stand before my forefather, the Holy Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam)."
Once Hazrat Dawood Taa'i (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) came to Hazrat Jaafar Saadiq (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) & said, "Beloved descendant of the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) please give some advice, as my heart has become dark." Hazrat Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said, "O Abu Sulaiman! You are great Zaahid of your era. What need do you have for my advice?" Hazrat Dawood Taa'i (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said, "O descendant of the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam), You have been blessed with excellence amongst people & to advise everyone is compulsory upon you." He then said, "O Abu Sulaiman! I fear that on the day of Qiyaamat, my forefather Muhammadur Rasoolullah (Salla Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) will hold me by my collar & ask, "Why were you slow in fulfilling your right to submission?" What will I say then? Thus, this deed (of advice) does not depend on ones stature or family lineage, but it deals with good deeds which are done in the Court of Allah." Hazrat Dawood (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) heard this & began to weep. He then said, "O Allah! When such a great personality, who is the descendant of a Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) & whose reality is filled with light & wisdom & whose great grandmother is Bibi Faatima, is so afraid of his future & condition, then what right does Dawood Taa'i have do be proud of his deeds?" (Masaalik as-Saalikeen)
HIS IBAADAT:
He was well known for his ibaadat & his striving in the Court of Allah. Hazrat Imam Malik (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) says, "I spent a very long time serving him & I always found him in one of three Ibaadats. Either he was in namaaz, or engrossed in recitation of the Quran, or he would be fasting." He never narrated any Hadees Shareef without wudhu. (Tazkirat al-Auliyah)
HIS DUA:
He was without doubt a faithful servant of Allah & he always attained everything that he asked for from the Court of Allah. Abul Qasim Tabri narrates from Wahab, that he heard Lais bin Sa'ad (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) saying, "I was on my way to Hajj by foot in 113 Hijri & I reached Makkah Mukarammah. I reached Jabl Abu Qais close to the time of Asr Salaat. There, I saw a pious man sitting (in seclusion), making dua. He was saying "Ya Rabbi Ya Rabbi" so many times, that breathing became difficult. Then in the same way, he said "Ya Hayy Ya Hayy" then "Ya Rab'bahu Ya Rab'bahu, then in the same say, he said "Ya Allah Ya Allah" in one breath continuously. He then said "Ya Rahmaanu Ya Rahmaanu, Ya Raheemu Ya Raheemu" & then he went on to say "Ya Arhamar Raahimeen". He then said, "O Allah I desire to eat grapes. Please bless me with some & my clothes have become old & tattered Please give me new ones."
Hazrat Laits says, "By Allah, he was still competing his dua, when I saw a basket of grapes kept before him, whereas it was not event the grape season & I did not see an grapes near him before his dua. I also saw that there were two pieces of cloth kept near the grapes. I have never seen such beautiful material before. He then sat down to eat the grapes. I went up to him & said, Huzoor! May I also have a part in this?, & he asked how this was so, so I said, I was saying Aameen as you made the dua. He said, "Well then, step forward & join me." I also began to partake in the grapes. They were so tasty, that never have I eaten such delicious grapes. I ate until I was satisfied, but the basket still remained as it was before, full of grapes. He then offered on piece of cloth to me, & I said that I had no need for it, so he tied one around his waist & he draped the other over his shoulder. He then descended from the mountain & I followed him. As he drew close to Safa & Marwa, a beggar called out to him & said, "O Descendant of the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam)! Give these clothes to me & Allah will dress you in the clothes of Jannat." He immediately gave the two pieces of cloth to the beggar. (On seeing this), I enquired about the identity of this pious man from the beggar, who informed me that he was Hazrat Jaafar Saadiq (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu). I then looked for him so that I may listen to some words of wisdom from him & attain his blessings, but he had disappeared from my sight." (Tazkirat al-Auliyah, Page 12)
Once, some people saw that Hazrat Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) was wearing a very expensive robe. One of them walked up to him & said, "Huzoor! It is not good for the Ahlebait to wear such expensive clothing." He caught hold of the man's hand & thrust it into his sleeves. The man was amazed when he found that a Hazrat was wearing clothes make from sacks under his robe. Hazrat Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) then said, "The one inside is for my Creator & the one on top is for the creation."
A man once lost his purse which contained one thousand dinaars. Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) was walking close to him, so he held the hand of the Imam & accused him of stealing his money. Hazrat Imam Jaafar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu asked how much he had in his money bag & the man said that he had one thousand dinaars. Hazrat took him home & gave him one thousand dinaars from his wealth. The next day, the man found his money bag & came rushing to Hazrat Imam Jaafar Saadiq (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) to return the money he had taken from him. Hazrat Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said, "We do not take back what we have already given." The man then asked some people who this person was & he was told that it was Hazrat Imam Jaafar Saadiq (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu). When he heard this, he became very sad & regretted his behavior. (Tazkirat al-Auliyah)
HAZRAT BAYAZEED BUSTAAMI:
Hazrat Ba Yazeed Bustaami (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) used to distribute water in the Darbaar of Hazrat Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu). Hazrat placed his saintly sight on Hazrat Bayazeed Bustaami (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) once & he became one of the greatest mystics of his time. He then served in the Court of Hazrat Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) & became one of the greatest Auliyah.
IMAM-E-AZAM ABU HANIFA:
Hazrat Imam Azam Abu Hanifa (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) attained great blessings from Hazrat Imam Jaafar Saadiq (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu). It is narrated that once he asked Imam Abu Hanifa (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) concerning who is an intelligent person. Hazrat Imam Abu Hanifa (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said, "He who can differentiate between good & evil is an intelligent man." Hazrat Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said, "Even animals have the ability to differentiate. It can differentiate between those who love them, beat them or instill fear in them?" Imam Abu Hanifa (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) then said, "O Hazrat! Would you please explain who is truly intelligent?" Hazrat Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said, "An intelligent person, is one who can differentiate between two good things & two evils, so that he may choose the better of two good things & that he may be able to repel the worse of two evils."
SHAYKH-E-TARIQAT:
He was the mureed & Khalifa of Hazrat Sayyiduna Imam Baaqir (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) & attained great blessings from his beloved father.
BOOKS & TREATIES:
Hazrat has also written books on numerous topics, as mentioned by scholars like Imam Kamaaluddin etc.
KARAAMATS:
Hazrat Imam Jaafar Saadiq (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) is an example for Muslims in every way. His greatest Karaamat was his firmness on the Shariat. His every step was in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam). A few of his Karaamats are being quoted below.
A MANSION IN JANNAT:
Once, a man came to Hazrat Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) before journeying for Hajj. He gave Hazrat 10,000 dirhams & asked him to purchase a mansion for him before he returned. Instead of purchasing a mansion, Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) distributed the entire 10,000 dirhams in the way of Allah. After the man returned from Hajj, he went to meet Hazrat Imam Jaafar Saadiq (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu). Hazrat Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) told him that he had purchased his mansion & then handed the title deed over to him. The title deed read as follows: "One wall of the house is adjoined to the house of the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam), the other wall is adjoined to the house of Hazrat Ali (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu), the third wall is adjoined to the house of Imam Hassan (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) & the fourth wall is adjoined to the house of Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)." The man took this title deed & asked his family members to place it in his grave when he passed away. After his demise, his family members found the title deed on the top of his grave & on the rear of the title deed the following words were written,
“Hazrat Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) was honest & loyal in what he said." (Masaalik as-Saalikeen, Vol. 1, Page 220)
AMAZING INCIDENT:
Once, he was on his way to Hajj, when he stopped to rest under a date tree which was completely dried out. At the time of Chasht, he asked the tree to present him with some dates. Immediately, the tree became green & lush & full of dates. Hazrat Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) then ate from it. A villager was passing by & saw this. He saw this great karaamat & said that it was magic. Hazrat Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said,
"This is not magic. Almighty Allah has blessed me with such a quality, that he accepts all my duas. If I make dua, even you can be transformed into a dog." Hazrat had not yet completed what he was saying, when the villager began to resemble a dog. He quickly repented & asked Hazrat Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) to forgive him. Hazrat made dua for him & he was transformed to his normal self. (Masaalik as-Saalikeen, Vol. 1, Page 223)
KHALIFA MANSOOR:
Khalifa Mansoor once sent one of his ministers to summon Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) to his Court. He informed his servants that when Imam Jaafar arrived, they should wait for him (Mansoor) to remove his crown. The moment he did this, they should martyr Hazrat Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu). When the minister heard this, he was not pleased & thus tried to explain to Mansoor, how wrong it was to kill a pious person, who is also a Sayyid. The Khalifa did not take heed & had Hazrat Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) summoned. When Hazrat Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) arrived, the servants waited for their cue, so that they may martyr Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu). Instead, Mansoor woke up from his throne & rushed towards the Imam. He brought him towards his throne & allowed him to sit on it with great respect, whilst he sat on the ground in front of the great Imam. The servants & ministers were surprised to see this sudden change in plan. Mansoor then asked the Imam if he had any requests. Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said, "In future you should not summon me to your court, as I wish to remain engrossed in Ibaadat."
When he heard these words, his body began to tremble & he allowed the Imam to leave with respect. When the Imam left, the minister asked about the sudden change in plan & Mansoor said, "When Imam Jaafar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) entered my court, I saw a huge python with him. The python had its one lip over my throne & one under my throne & it spoke to me & said that if I tried to ever harm the Imam, then he would consume me with my throne & that is why I behaved in the manner which I did."
- Hazrat Ismail,
- Hazrat Muhammad,
- Hazrat Ali,
- Hazrat Abdullah,
- Hazrat Ishaaq,
- Hazrat Moosa Kaazim
- & Bibi Umm-e-Farzah (Ridwaanullahi Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een)
- Hazrat Imam Moosa Kaazim (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu),
- Hazrat Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu),
- Hazrat Sultaan Bayazeed Bustaami (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu).
Golden Words of Wisdom by Sayyiduna Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)
- He would often make the following dua: "O Allah bless me with respect which is in your obedience & do not disgrace me due to my shortcomings. O Allah let me assist him through your grace & Mercy, whose sustenance you have decreased, for you have blessed me in abundance."
- There is not provision greater than piety. There is nothing better than silence & there is no enemy more dangerous than ones ignorance & there is no disease worse than lies.
- He who has attained the closeness to Allah divorces himself from everything in the world.
- There is no Ibaadat without repentance, since Allah has caused repentance to be above Ibaadat.
- He who sits in the companionship of all types of people will not be safe.
- One who walks on the wrong path will always arouse suspicion.
- Whoever attacks a matter without knowledge cuts off his own nose.
- Intellect is the guide of the believer.
- The perfection of intellect is in three (things): Humbleness for Allah, Good certainty & silence except for good.
- Ignorance is in three (things): Arrogance, the intensity of dispute & the ignorance about Allah.
- Certainly, knowledge is a lock & its key is the question.
- When the believer becomes angry, his anger should not take him out of the truth & when he becomes satisfied & his satisfaction should not bring him into falsehood.
- Some manners of the ignorant are: the answer before he hears, the opposition before he understands & the judgment with what he does not know.
- One who cannot keep his tongue in control will always be disgraced.
- Stay away from five kinds of people: A liar, as he will also betray you, A witless person, as he will try to benefit you, but will always cause you harm, A miser, for he will cause you intense loss in order to gain even the slightest benefit, A coward who will leave you in distress during a difficult situation, A man who is involved in illicit dealings, for he will sell you for one morsel & will still be hopeful of even less than that.
- Dishonest & untruthful people never find favour while jealous people never find content. Rude & vulgar people never find acceptance & brotherhood in leadership or amongst citizens.
- Whosoever holds affection towards the creator then he is horribly frightened of the creation.
- For the sake of the creator save yourself so that you may become a true worshipper ('Aabid) & that which fate had decreed, has occurred then accepts that as well.
- Do not keep the company of an open sinful person since you would be overcome by sin & disobedience. Consult & seek advise from only those who are constantly obeying Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala.
- To seek forgiveness is simple but to leave sin is difficult.
- The concealment of sins is the direct consequences of man's destruction.
- Not to show greed to somebody else's wealth is also a form of charity.
- The eye of the heart opens with ibadat (prayers) & its access is infinite (La Makan - up in the 'Arsh & beyond) & nothing in the entire World remains a secret to him.
- Man has also such power that he can gaze into the future & it only awakens when the 5 other senses are asleep & the mind is free from observations.
- Changing perceptions in this World. Somewhere clouds are forming or pearls. At others tears are changing the rays into darkness while still darkness is changing into light.
- A man has freedom of deeds & actions but these are also restricted because according to his comprehension he may be suspicious or doubtful of its might or force.
- Too much credence & ecliance is destructful & excessive criticisms unfortunate.
- Holding the power of revenge yet drinking up ones anger is an excellent form of Jihad.
- Strokes of misfortune or temptation are a rank, therefore the specific of truth are involved with it.
- Nafs (desires) are in direct conflict with Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala therefore the best opposition to you nafs is becoming friends with Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala.
- The reality of Taqwa is this, that if you have expose what's in your heart, place it on a tray & take it to the market then you should not be ashamed of a single item you have displayed.
- Jihad with ones wealth is better than Jihad with a sword.
- Food is the sustenance of the body while contentment comforts the soul.
- Fortunate is he whose heart becomes knowledgeable, whose body becomes patient & he is content with what he has present.
- Respect the young for they have lesser sins to their name because of their age in comparison to you.
- Revelation is not made for destruction but as an examination.
- Kindness or favours is incomplete without these 3 things - If you regard it as minor it becomes great - or you keep it hidden or concealed this it becomes whole & sufficient or by doing it quickly one finds pleasure in it.
- Sin is a sore & if it is not stopped it spreads.
- To complain is to stop being patient.
- The person who keeps the company of all types of people is not safe. The person who traverses upon the wrong path is accused & suspicion descends upon him. The person who cannot control his tongue becomes disgraced.
- A criminal & a remorseful sinner become submissive.
- Flatterers are the origin of pride & arrogance.
- Someone once asked who is better, a patient dervish or a grateful wealthy person? He said: The patient dervish because the heart of the rich is stuck in his pocket while the heart of the dervish is stuck on Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala.
- Prayers without repentance are not appropriate for Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala has made repentance the preamble upon prayers.
- Imam Abu Hanifa (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) was once asked who is an intelligent & wise person. Imam Abu Hanifa (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) answered: That person who can differentiate between good & bad. Imam Ja'afar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said that the ability exists in animals as well because they can distinguish between those that hit it & those that feed it. Imam Abu Hanifa (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) requested to be told who it is. Imam Ja'afar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said: A wise & intelligent person is he who can distinguish between 2 good & 2 bad so that he may choose the better from the 2 good or 2 bad.
- One sin is one too many & one thousand good is one thousand too few.
- Besides the fervour of Sufism there is no other road to follow the Qur'an & Sunnah.
- The poverty of the 'Ulama is by choice while that of the ignorant is forced or uncontrolled.
- A mans fortunes are also in his enemy being clever.
- A boastful worshipper is a sinner & a sinner is he who finds every possible excuse not to worship.
- It is happiness for him who, though he sees a pleasurable thing yet he does not desire it with his heart.
- Our religion is completely respected. That person who does not consider this will be very disappointed.
- A very great Zahid (One who remembers Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala excessively) is he who withdraws from the people.
- Although there is excellence in congregation there is safety in seclusion.
- Complete satisfaction of the stomach & starving are both hindrances of worship.
- To openly display your animosity is better than to hypocritically agree.
- In difficult times the search for rest & peace enhances that difficulty.
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