Allah (SWT) has blessed His representatives with certain divine abilities. Belief of the people in their abilities was considered a sign that these special people have been believed to be truly representatives of Allah (SWT). However, there are some blessings and abilities found in the representatives of Allah (SWT) which have been especially effective in guiding and treating people.
Shaqiq Balkhi who was contemporary of Imam Kadhim (PBUH) narrates an incident through which he observed a small part of the significant graces of the Imam:
In the year 149 AH I was heading toward Mecca for performing Hajj. My first stop was at the city Qadisiyyah(1). While I was busy observing the beauty and enormous number of the crowd, I noticed a good looking young man with brown skin; he had a woolen jacket on his outfit and was sitting separate from everyone else. I told myself this young man is perhaps intending to force himself to the people traveling and get a free ride. By God I will go and reproach him for his bad intention. I got closer to him and as he saw me going toward him, said, “O Shaqiq! Avoid most of suspicion, for surely some suspicions are sins …” (2)
And then he left me. I told myself: What a strange incident! He called me with my name and he knew exactly what I had thought earlier. He must have been a righteous servant of Allah (SWT). I have to reach him and apologize. So, I ran after him rapidly; but could not reach him and lost him in the crowd.
Once I reached “Waqisa”(3), suddenly I saw him again while he was praying. His body was trembling from humbleness and he was crying continuously. I told myself: this is him. I should go to him now and apologize. I waited until his prayer ended. I got closer to him and as soon as he saw me, he said: “O Shaqiq, recite (this verse of the Holy Quran): ‘And verily, I am indeed Forgiving to him who repents, believes and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them. (4)”
Then he stood up and left me. I told myself he is definitely one of the true representatives of Allah (SWT). He has once again read what was in my mind.
After I entered Mecca, I saw him again near Qubbah al-Sharab (beside the small room near Zamzam well). It was passed mid-night. He was praying with deep humbleness and weeps. As the night ended, he sat and praised Allah (SWT); he then performed his morning prayer and circumambulated Ka’ba seven times (performed Tawaaf). He then left and I followed him. I noticed that unlike his situation on the trip, he has many servants and people gather around him and respect him. I went forward and asked one of the people around him that who was that young man? He said:
“This young man is Musa Ibn Ja’far Ibn Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn Hussain Ibn Ali Ibn Abitalib (PBUT).”
One can learn many precious lessons from the divine abilities that have been narrated for the Imams (PBUT), among which is the verse Imam Kadhim (PBUH) used in his first encounter with Shaqiq, where it holds a very deep point. How do we think of the people around us? It is best that we utilize the advice of Imam Kadhim (PBUH) through this holy verse in our daily life and prevent any early judgment about people; and avoid thoughts that might drive us into sins…
(The above is selected from “Guiders of the Path of Light, Life of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (PBUH)” by Ayatullah Mudarresi, with minor changes)
The Roshd Website offers condolences to all Muslims, especially your dear friend, upon the 25th of Rajab, the martyrdom anniversary of the Imam of guidance and the symbol of patience and grace, Imam Musa ibn Ja’far al-Kadhim (PBUH).
Footnotes:
1. One of the cities in Iraq, about 15 miles from Kufa
2. The Holy Quran, (49:12)
3. One of the common stops from Kufa to Mecca
4. The Holy Quran, (20:82)