Imam Kazim (peace be upon him) was the seventh Imam from the pure lineage of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and was born on the 7th of Safar, 128 AH, in a place called Abwa, located between Mecca and Medina. His name was Musa, and his famous kunyah (nickname) was Abu al-Hasan. His life coincided with the Abbasid rule, during which immense oppression and cruelty were inflicted upon him. He spent many years in imprisonment and endured much torture.
Musa ibn Ja’far (peace be upon them) not only overshadowed all the scholars and intellectuals of his time, but he was also renowned for his moral virtues and outstanding human qualities. Scholars who were familiar with the glorious life of this great figure, praised his immense character.
Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, a well-known Sunni scholar and hadith expert, writes:
“Musa Kazim inherited the knowledge and wisdom of his father and possessed his virtue and perfection. He earned the title ‘Kazim’ due to the extraordinary patience and forbearance he demonstrated in dealing with ignorant people. During his time, no one could reach his level in religious knowledge, charity, and generosity”[1].
Sheikh Saduq (may Allah be pleased with him) in his book Al-Tawhid , narrates from Hisham ibn Hakam[2], one of the prominent scholars and theologians of the time:
“There was a prominent Christian scholar named ‘Buriyeh’. He had been a Christian for seventy years, searching for Islam, truth, and the true path. He visited various sects and examined their beliefs, but found nothing of truth. He said to them, ‘If your leaders are truly right, there should be some truth among you.’ One day, he heard about the Shi’a and the reputation of Hisham ibn Hakam. He went to Hisham and had a debate with him. Then he asked Hisham, ‘Do you know of anyone whose opinion you follow, and whom you obey as your leader?’ Hisham replied, ‘Yes, I do.’ He then spoke to Buriyeh about Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), and Buriyeh became eager to meet him. So, they traveled from Iraq to Medina with the intention of meeting Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him). On their way, they met Musa ibn Ja’far (peace be upon him), who was a child at the time. Hisham greeted him, and Buriyeh also greeted him. They told him the purpose of their visit to Imam al-Sadiq, and then Hisham narrated Buriyeh’s story to Imam Kazim.
Imam Kazim (peace be upon him) asked Buriyeh, ‘How well do you know your book (the Bible)?’
Buriyeh replied, ‘I am knowledgeable about my book.’
Imam Kazim asked, ‘How much trust do you have in its interpretation?’
Buriyeh replied, ‘I trust it as much as I know about it.’
At this moment, Imam Kazim began reciting verses from the Bible. Buriyeh was so overwhelmed by the recitation that he exclaimed, ‘This is how Jesus (peace be upon him) used to recite the Bible! No one else recites like this except Jesus (peace be upon him).’
Then Buriyeh said to Imam Kazim (peace be upon him), ‘I have been searching for you or someone like you for fifty years.’ Buriyeh then embraced Islam, and his servant woman also became Muslim. Hisham, along with Buriyeh and his servant, then visited Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) and narrated the story of the conversation with Imam Kazim. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) responded, ‘They are offspring, some of whom are from others. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing’ [3].”
Footnotes:
[1] Al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqa, Cairo, Maktabat al-Cairo, p. 203.
[2] Hisham ibn Hakam, a prominent student of Imam Sadiq and Imam Kazim (peace be upon them), and one of the famous theologians of his time.
[3] Surah Aali Imran, Verse 34.