Joseph the truthful was thrown into a well and then sent to prison. What had happened? Was there any crime other than being loved by his father, purity, piety, and recognition of the truth? History repeats itself again. This time, Imam Kazim (peace be upon him) is thrown into prison. It seems that throughout history, there is no crime greater than faith, piety, speaking the truth, and love for the people!
But can a man of truth and righteous thought be imprisoned? A prison, as long as it is not due to a bad deed or crime, nor a place for vile and disgraceful actions, is actually a place of honor for the men of God. Sometimes, someone steals, betrays, or commits murder, and thus, justice sends them to prison. But at other times, a person is imprisoned because of their character, greatness, truthfulness, and standing against oppression and tyranny. This is a source of pride and distinction.
This prison is a place where the base metal of a person is turned into gold. Those who are imprisoned due to their inherent honor, nobility, and truth-telling become purer, more determined, and their dignity grows. Because the hardships, tortures, and struggles faced by someone who speaks the truth, seeks justice, and stands firm against injustice are not disgraceful—they are honorable. For this reason, it suffices to take a look at history. The world’s history is full of the noble deaths and imprisonments of great individuals. These trials are not only a source of pride for those great individuals but also a testament to the honor of humanity.
Another point is that such hardships and pressures serve as a means to further perfect and purify the soul, to refine the essence of human existence. Just as, on the contrary, one of the things that weakens the spirit, corrupts morals, and fosters weakness is indulgence and pampering. Hardships and challenges exercise the spirit, strengthen it, and purify the essence of the human being. Therefore, growth and the full realization of human potential cannot be achieved except through trials and the confrontation with difficulties. It is these hardships and struggles that create heroes, inspire genius, and give birth to great minds and monumental movements.
For this reason, Imam Musa ibn Ja’far (peace be upon him) says to his followers: “Protect yourself from the anger of Allah, and speak the truth fearlessly, even if it leads to your destruction. But know that the truth does not cause destruction; it is a means of salvation. Always abandon falsehood, even if it seems to offer salvation, for falsehood is never a means of salvation, and it ultimately leads to destruction.”
Yes, this is the crime of Imam Kazim (peace be upon him): freedom! History repeats itself again, but with a difference. Joseph was released from prison, but the regime of Harun ultimately caused the martyrdom of Imam Kazim (peace be upon him) in prison by poisoning him.
(Adapted from the book “Twenty Discourses” by Martyr Professor Murtaza Mutahhari (with slight modifications and additions))