The Abbasid caliphate during the time of Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) adopted a policy of imposing severe restrictions on the Shia’s ability to connect with the Imam. However, despite these constraints, the Shia, who were spread across the Islamic realm, persistently sought ways to establish contact with their Imam. This relationship had expanded significantly since the era of Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him). The geographical spread of the Shia and their connection with the Imams were largely due to Imam al-Ridha’s journey to Khurasan and the establishment of the “Network of Representatives” in various regions of Iran.
During the time of Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him), Shia followers residing in different cities maintained connections with the Imam through his representatives. In addition, they also met the Imam in Medina during the Hajj season and at other times.
For instance, Shia communities had long been present in Ray, and their numbers steadily increased over time[1]. It is narrated in some accounts that a group of Shia from Ray visited Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him), presented their questions, and received answers from him[2].
Khurasan was another center of Shia activity. According to one account, a Shia man from Khurasan visited Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) and was honored with a gift from the Imam[3].
Qom was also a major hub for the Shia, and during the era of Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him), the Shia of Qom maintained a close relationship with him. For example, Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, known as “the Sheikh of the Qummis,” was a companion of Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) and later a loyal follower of Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) and Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him). He even lived to see the time of Imam Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him). Ahmad authored numerous works on Hadith[4].
Another notable figure was Salih ibn Muhammad ibn Sahl, a companion of Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) in Qom, who was entrusted with managing the Imam’s endowments in the city[5].
In another narration, it is reported that a man from Bust and Sijistan (modern-day Sistan) met Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) during the Hajj season and sought his help with a problem. The Imam assisted him and resolved his issue[6].
Ali ibn Mahziyar, another prominent companion of Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him), was originally a Christian who converted to Islam. He became one of the closest associates of Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) and later of Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him). Originally from a village in Fars called Hindawan, Ali ibn Mahziyar eventually settled in Ahvaz. He narrated many traditions from Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) and his esteemed father[7].
(Adapted from the book “The Intellectual and Political Life of the Imams of the Shia” by Hujjat al-Islam Rasul Jafarian.)
Footnotes:
[1] History of Shi‘ism in Iran from the Beginning to the 10th Century AH, Vol. 1, pp. 245–254
[2] Al-Thaqib fi al-Manaqib, p. 519
[3] Al-Thaqib fi al-Manaqib, pp. 518–519
[4] Musnad al-Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him), p. 265
[5] Tahdhib al-Ahkam, Vol. 4, p. 140; Al-Istibsar, Vol. 2, p. 60
[6] Al-Kafi, Vol. 5, pp. 111–112
[7] Musnad al-Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him), p. 315