Imam Kadhim (peace be upon him) assumed the leadership of the Shi’ah after the martyrdom of his noble father in the year 148 AH. He spent his honorable life in Medina and Baghdad. Among the Alawi personalities in his era, no one could compare to him. He was regarded as the pinnacle of knowledge, piety, asceticism, and worship. Even prominent Sunni scholars, despite not accepting his divine position as Imam, have spoken highly of him and praised him.
Ibn Abi al-Hadid (a Mu’tazili Sunni scholar) writes about him:
“Fuqaha (jurisprudence), piety, worship, patience, and perseverance were all embodied in him.” [1]
Ibn Imad (a Hanbali Sunni scholar) writes in Shadharat al-Dhahab:
“Musā ibn Ja’far was among the pious, worshipful, generous, and patient people, and he had a very great personality.” He also quotes Abu Hatim saying, “He was a trustworthy figure and one of the Imams of the Muslims.” [2]
Al-Yafi’i (a Sunni scholar) says:
“He was always righteous, devout, patient, generous, and charitable.” [3]
Yahya ibn Hasan ibn Ja’far (a famous Sunni genealogist) states:
“Musā ibn Ja’far was called ‘Abd al-Sāliḥ’ (the righteous servant) because of his worship and devotion.” [4]
In this regard, Ibn Khallikan (a Shafi’i Sunni historian) quotes Al-Khatib as saying:
“He was noble and generous, always placing gold coins in bags of three hundred, four hundred, and two hundred dinars and distributing them among the people of Medina. His gold bags were well-known.” [5]
Al-Dhahabi (a famous Sunni hadith scholar) writes about Imam Kadhim (peace be upon him):
“Musā ibn Ja’far was one of the generous scholars and the righteous servants of God.” [6]
It was due to these noble ethical qualities that Musā ibn Ja’far, Imam Kadhim (peace be upon him), was greatly beloved by the people, and they attributed many miracles to him. In this regard, Ibn Jowzi (a Hanbali Sunni scholar and historian) and Ibn Hajar al-Haytami (a Shafi’i Sunni jurist) narrate:
“Shaqiq Balkhi, a renowned mystic, met Musā ibn Ja’far in the year 149 AH during his pilgrimage. He repeatedly tried to ask the Imam a question, but every time, the Imam revealed his inner thoughts by reading an ayah (verse) of the Qur’an.” [7]
In addition to the Sunni scholars, Harun al-Rashid, the Abbasid caliph during the time of Imam Kadhim (peace be upon him), once told his minister Rabi’ when referring to the Imam:
“This man is one of the ascetics of the Banu Hashim.”
Rabi’ asked, “Then why have you imprisoned him?”
Harun replied, “There is no other option.” [8]
Yes, the Abbasid caliph and his officials, who were fearful of the Imam’s spiritual influence and power over people’s hearts, despite admitting his virtues, poisoned him in the prison of Baghdad on the 25th of Rajab, 183 AH, and martyred him.
(Source: The Intellectual and Political Life of the Shiite Imams by Hujjat al-Islam Rasul Jafariyan, with excerpts and additions)
Footnotes:
[1] Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, Vol. 15, p. 273
[2] Shadharat al-Dhahab, Vol. 1, p. 304
[3] Mirat al-Janān, Vol. 10, p. 394
[4] Tahdhīb al-Tahdhīb, Vol. 1, p. 339
[5] Tarikh Baghdad, Vol. 13, p. 27 – Wafayat al-A’yan, Vol. 5, p. 308
[6] Mizan al-I’tidal, Vol. 4, p. 204
[7] Sifat al-Safwa, Vol. 2, p. 103 – Al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqa, p. 204
[8] Uyoon Akhbar al-Ridha, Vol. 1, p. 31