al-haadi the tenth imam

Al-HaadiThe Tenth Imam

By A.S. Hashim. MD

In this Slide Show

Lineage Al-Haadi’s Early childhood The Golden Chain of Narration The network Contemporary Schools of Thought Al-Haadi’s Person The year 232H Al-Mutawak’kil In Samurra 236H Shrines of Karbala and Najaf: 247H Weakening of the Khilaafah Al-Haadi Dies

Lineage

Al-Haadi

Al-Jawaad

Al-Ridha

Al-Saadiq

Al-Kadhim

Zainul Abideen

Al-Baaqir

Al-Husain

Ali

Ahlul Bayt

Lineage

Father

Al-JawaadAl-Jawaad

Mother

SamaanahSamaanah

Al-Haadi

Benu HashimBenu Hashim Ahlul Bayt

Progeny of Progeny of Ammar ibn Yasir

Al-Haadi’s Early childhood

Ali Al-Haadi was born in the year 214H Born in Surba, a suburb of Medina built by Imam Al-

Kadhim Al-Haadi grew up in a pious environment noted for its

holiness, virtue and piety He was cared for with love and tenderness.

Al-Haadi in his Boyhood

Ibn Dulf said he had heard Al-Jawaad saying, “The Imam after me is my son Ali, his directives and

sayings are the same as mine, and to obey him is to obey me. After him the Imamah will be in his son, Al-Hasan.”


Like his forefathers Al-Haadi displayed a remarkable capacity to learn and a very sharp memory.

By an early age Al-Haadi had: memorized the Holy Quran learned the meaning of its various parts, the historical background of some Ayahs, and many of their intricacies.

Al-Haadi loved the explanations his father Al-Jawaad gave


Imam Al-Jawaad was requested by Khalifa Mu’tasim to leave Medina and move to Baghdad

Al-Jawaad left for Baghdad along with his wife Umm Al-Fadhl,

He kept the rest of his family including Al-Haadi in Medina.

He left after designating Al-Haadi as the subsequent Imam and entrusting him with the Corpus of Knowledge.

The family missed him very much and so did his devotees and students.


Al-Jawaad told his son Al-Haadi: When you become the Imam you will be directed by two ways as all the Imams including myself have”:

1. The first way is by an Unerring Inspiration.2. The second is by way of the Al-Muhad'dith.

Then he added, “Son, our answers to people's inquiries come from:

1. Our studies of the Corpus of Knowledge. 2. By way of inner inspiration, as if there is a compeller

within us giving the answer. The Imam's inspiration is accurate and unerring, it is correct.

3. Al-Muhad'dith, we may hear his answer but see no one. When we reiterate what we had heard the answer is

amazingly clear, to the point and correct.”

Corpus of Knowledge

Corpus of Knowledge consists of the following:

1. Quran in chorological order

2. Tafseer (Mus’haf Fatima)

3. Hadith (Saheefa of Ali)4. Ah’kaam5. Al-Jafr

a.White Jafr: Prophets and early times

b.Red Jafr: Rules of war in Islam

In his Boyhood

Al‑Jawaad advised his son Al-Haadi: Even though you are very young your mind is superior

to the minds of most people As much as I hate it I have to go to Baghdad soon as

Khalifa Al-Mu'tasim had requested. If I come to the end of my life, your duty as an Imam

will begin It will be as difficult for you on account of your age as

it was for me. You may have to initially prove your mettle to scholars

and others. Remember, Allah will support you with His Divine

Light.

The Golden Chain of Narration

Thousands of Hadiths were narrated and quoted by Ahlul Bayt

Each Imam said, "My Hadith is the Hadith of my father, and his is the Hadith of his father, up to Ali, who directly narrated the Hadith from Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)." This is called the Golden Chain of Narration.

These Hadiths were of immense importance, since they corrected the inaccuracies and set right the contaminations which had crept into this science.


Each quoting his father and forefathers up to the Prophet

Ali, quoting Muhammad (pbuh)

Al-Hasan and Al-Husain quoting Ali

Zainul Abideen quoting Al-Husain

Al-Baaqir quoting Zainul Abideen

Al-Saadiq quoting Al-Baaqir

Al-Kadhim Quoting Al-Saadiq

Al-Ridha Quoting Al-Kadhim

Al-Jawaad Quoting Al-Ridha

Al-Haadi Quoting Al-Jawaad

Golden Chain of Narration: (so far)

Ali

Al-Husain Al-Hasan

Zainul Abideen

Al-Saadiq

Al-Baaqir

Al-Ridha

Al-Kadhim

Al-Jawaad

Al-Haadi


By the age of about 10 years

Al-Jawaad advised his son:Benu Abbas are frightened of the advent of Al-Mahdi I think Benu Abbas will do their best to interrupt the line

of heritage before his birth. Benu Abbas are fully aware of the Prophet's Hadiths

regarding Al-Mahdi, and how he had said:

Al-Mahdi will appear to fill the earth withAl-Mahdi will appear to fill the earth withJustice and VirtueJustice and Virtue

as it will have been full of Evilnessas it will have been full of Evilness

The network

The Shi'a were all over by this time with many: Ministers called Naqeeb and Representatives called Wakeel These collected Zakat and Khums funds The representatives were in Egypt, Iraq, Persia,

Yemen, and Syria forming a vast and formidable network.

The funds were distributed to the poor and needy, and to the Syeds according to their status.

Ismah Emphasized

Ismah: Ayah of Tat’heer: Surah 33 : Ayah 33. Ahlul Bayt are to be obeyed, not just revered; Imamah: was of immense importance. A

designated Imam was Ma'soom, i.e., safeguarded by Allah from :

1. Religious error,

2. sin, and

3. forgetfulness. Those who ignore the Imamah will have ignored a

basic pillar in their faith.

Contemporary Schools of Thought

Accepted and were on the ascendancy:

1. The Shi'a (Imamah-Asserters)

2. Mu'tazila,

3. Al-Hanafi

4. Al-Maaliki

5. Al-Shafi’i

6. As‘haab Al-Hadith

Being on decline and in disfavor:

1. Khariji,

2. Jabriah,

3. Qadariyah,

4. schools of Ibn Abbas,

5. schools of Ibn Omar,

6. Murji'ah,

Al-Haadi’s Person

Appearance: Al‑Haadi was handsome, swarthy in complexion, an appearance commanding high esteem.

Similarities with his forefathers: He showed similar personal traits to those of his forefathers:

He loved to perform Salats frequently especially at night He used to recite the Holy Quran with a melody that

appealed to everyone's heart He used to say Du'aas often, not only his own but those of

the Prophet (pbuh), Zainul Abideen and others who preceded him.

Not unusual he would be in Ih'yaa and Tahajjud all night, with coarse clothes on and the minimum means of comfort.

Discourses

Discourse Capacity: People loved Imam Al-Haadi and were very attracted by his discussions.

Al-Haadi used to hold discussions in: Masjid Al‑Nabawi, Surba, a suburb of Medina, and Mecca during Haj time.

Thuraya was built by Imam Al-Kadhim He freely answered any question posed by his

devotees or those wanting to learn.

Discourses

Al‑Haadi was always ready to counsel, give edicts, enlighten, or quote the Hadith.

He was not hampered nor hindered during the early years of his Imamah

His discourses were lively about many Islamic sciences: be it the Sunnah, Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh or Ah'kaam such as Halal and Haram.

As his forefathers before him, he understood the Sunnah best and taught it in its pure form.

Character

Ethics and Character: He was a very kind person, known for his compassion. His courtesy and affection were well known to all. The needy and indigent flocked to him. He was ever helpful

Work: Al-Haadi often worked with his hands as had his forefathers before him. In Medina by himself, the work was regarded as Ibadah In Samur’raa, used to go with his son to the farm together Be it in the farm or orchard they used the shovel and sweat it out.

Piety: He was the embodiment of high character and virtue. The outstanding merit (Al‑Fadhl) and perfection of character were gathered in him.

Restrictions

During the later period of his life Imam Al-Haadi had to communicate with his devotees mainly by writing, since:

He was detained in Samur'raa for many years (18 years), and His millions of devotees were spread all over the Islamic

Ummah. When in Samur'raa Imam Al-Haadi did not have free contact with

his devotees. He argued with:

the Zandeeqs (the socially abhorred heretics), the Jabriah and Qadariyah, and was Fighting off the Ghulaat (Exaggerationists) and exposing their

deception and falsehood, and warning people about them

Al-Haadi took with him:

Imam Al-Haadi was very keen about the Corpus of Knowledge and their immense value. On leaving Medina to Samur’raa, he made sure these

books were with him When at one time his house in Samur'raa was

searched by agents of Khalifa Al-Mutawak'kil, they saw mainly: Qurans, books of Du'aas, and the volumes of the Corpus of Knowledge.

The year 232H

Al-Hasan Al-Askari is born:Al-Hasan Al-Askari is born: Year 232H: A son is born to Al-Haadi in Medina. He received superb care by his family, and Raised under the exclusive tutelage of his father Al-

Haadi. Al-Hasan Al-Askari showed signs of high intelligence

early on, and he learned at the hands of his father: The Quran, Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh, Sunnah or other sciences.

The year 232H

Al-Mutawak'kil becomes Khalifa in 232H Al-Mutawak'kil was in prison, but through complicity

and collusion with the Turkic slaves he was able to maneuver the Khilaafah in his favor.

Once as Khalifa, Al-Mutawak'kil sided with As'haab Al-Hadith and they influenced him greatly.

As'haab Al-Hadith were given a free hand not only to enforce their beliefs but also to combat other Islamic movements.

Al-Mutawak’kil

Al-Mutawak’kil ordered the following: All non-Muslims to wear an identifying sign on their

garments. Non-Muslims could not hold any position or status in

the Imperial secretariat. The tombs [mainly tomb-stones] of non-Muslims were

to be razed to the ground level. The installation of Al-Mutawak'kil was a major setback

to the Alawi, i.e.: the Imamiyah-Shi'a and the Mu'tazila

Summons to Imam Al-Mahdi

Year 236H: Al-Haadi was to move to Samur'raa, along with his family, servants, and attendants.

1. The letter of request was very polite

2. Al-Mutawak'kil's summons was sent with a military contingency of 300 under the leadership of Ibn Al-Hirthama.

It was 4th year of his Khilaafah, Al-Mutawak'kil:

1. He had already decreed many oppressive measures;

2. His rule was vicious, brutal, and tyrannical.

In Samur’raa 236H

Al-Haadi was about 22 years old One reporter claims Al-Mutawak'kil received Al-Haadi

with great show of respect, and provided him with a furnished house in Samur’raa.

Other reporters claim Al-Mutawak'kil did not receive Al-Haadi the first night:

Therefore Al-Haadi and family had to stay in an inn used for travelers, called Khan Al-Sa'aleek (building of the downtrodden).

In Samur’raa 236H and after

Al-Haadi was detained and put under surveillance As disturbing as this was, Al-Haadi never complained,

nor protested During his detention Imam Al-Haadi:

had few people to visit him, He spent much of his time in prayer, reading Du'aas,

and tutoring his children He often told his children of the birth of Al-Mahdi, and

Benu Abbas trying to prevent it, since they were frightened of his advent.

Builds a House

Builds a house but with a grave dug up in the main room.

Visitation of the loyalists and seekers of knowledge increase gradually

By now the surveillance is eased: The Khalifa’s chief of protocol was to call on Al-Haadi

twice a day (some say twice a week) to detect any suspect movement against the throne.

A Year Later: 237H

Fearing ominous consequences of gatherings of the Shi'a in Karbala or Najaf, Al-Mutawak'kil orders the following:1. Banning visitation to Karbala, with a warning of death

penalty.2. Taxation of those who visited the shrines of Karbala or

Najaf.3. Razing the shrines in Karbala and Najaf, destroying them to

the ground level.4. To plough the surrounding land of such tombs and bring it

under cultivation. The Edict could not be carried out because of resistance

But in the mean time

Al-Mutawak'kil confiscates Fadak and. Warns inhabitants of Al-Hijaz not to communicate with

the Alawi or to support them financially. The Alawi are more or less deprived of their

necessary livelihood. The drastic measures proved a failure, the Wikaalah

(Shi’a administration) continued to work discretely. Al-Haadi continued his communications with his

adherents secretly, receiving Khums and other taxes.

In the meantime

Al-Haadi continued to see visitors in quest of knowledge, surveillance notwithstanding.

He used to visit Majlis at various times, help the needy and disadvantaged, help the widows and poor at night. give money at night to families in need

Along with Al-Askari, Al-Haadi used to work in his field, as he had done in Medina. He valued such work as an expression of Ibadah.

Shrines of Karbala and Najaf: 247H

After 13 years of oppressive rule, Al-Mutawak'kil decrees for the 2nd time:

No visitation to Karbala and Najaf Destroy and raze Karbala and Najaf shrines Dig out the graves, and Plough the surrounding land and water it from the

Euphrates. There were vehement objections to this order with

petitions from Basrah, Kufa, and much of Iraq.

Shrines Destroyed: 247H

After the first and second attempts to destroy the shrines had failed:

The task to do so was given to the military and was carried out. Much blood shed took place

Soon after, Al-Mutawak’kil is killed by his own son Al-Mun’tasir

Al-Mun’tasir is the Khalifa, to the relief of everyone

Al-Mun’tasir: Year 247H

As a Khalifa Al-Mun'tasir revokes all the rulings of his father Al-Mutawak’kil

Al-Mun'tasir accomplishes the following in fast order: Stop persecuting the Shi'a and others. Re-institute visitation to Karbala and Najaf, Return the Aw'qaaf (Trust) to Benu Talib, Return Fadak to the progeny of Al-Hasan and Al-

Husain, and Stop the campaign of harassments against the Shi'a

communities.

The Debilitated Khilaafah

Khilaafah at its height used to be the epitome of power Khilaafah had deteriorated by now to be a medium for

intrigue and conspiracy at the hands of the Turkic slaves.

The powerful among the salves were Waseef and Bogha.

Weakening of the Khilaafah

Khilaafah becomes very weak as the poet eloquently Khilaafah becomes very weak as the poet eloquently expressed:expressed:

The Khalifa is in a cage, at the mercy of the slaves,And just as a parrot does, he echoes what to him they

say.

وبغا وصيٍف, بينالببغا تقول كما

قفٍص, في خليفةله قاال ما يقول

During Al-Haadi’s last few Years

Quick succession of weak Khalifas Each ruling for a short period then killed or demoted

by the Turkic conspirators Anxiety is pervasive but noticeable Al-Bukhari has been active for many years to verify

the authenticity of the plethora of Hadiths Muslim Al-Nishaapori [of Sahih Muslim] was doing the

same thing

Contemporary Khalifas

Al-Haadi was contemporary to the following Khalifas of Benu Abbas:

1. Al-Ma'Moon (son of Haroon Al-Rashid)

2. Al-Mu'tasim (son of Haroon Al-Rashid)

3. Al-Waathiq (son of Al-Mu'tasim)

4. Al-Mutawak'kil (son of Al-Mu'tasim)

5. Al-Mun'tasir (son of Al-Mutawak'kil)

6. Al-Mus'taeen (son of Al-Mu'tasim)

7. Al-Mu'tazz (son of Al-Mutawak'kil)

AL‑HAADI DIES

Al-Haadi became sick, he grew weak, and within a few days he died. (It is reported that his condition was caused by poisoning during the Khilaafah of Al-Mu'tazz.

Al-Haadi died at a relatively early age of 40, in 254H Al-Haadi was buried in his house after his son, Al-

Hasan Al-Askari, performed the Janaaza Salat Dignitaries, government people, devotees, students,

and just about everyone in Samur'raa attended the Janaaza Prayer.

Before his death, Al-Haadi gave the custody of the Corpus of Knowledge to Al-Askari

Sample Dialogue Imam Al-Haadi's answer about Tawhid [Allah's Oneness]:

“Allah has not ceased to exist, and He still exists. Allah caused whatever He wanted to come into existence.There is neither resistance to Allah's Decree nor revision to Allah's Ruling. They go astray those who try to decipher Him. Short is the sight of those who want to see Him. Have perished all descriptions of the describers of Him, and have waned the words of liars about Him.Allah is beyond sight. Amazing is His affair. Sublime is His station. Allah is at such a High Status that it cannot be defined, and in a manner where no eye can take a glance at Him…..

ثم H موجودا الله يزل لم راد ال أراد، ما كونمعقب وال Rه، لقضاِئ

أوهام تاهت لحكمه،وقصر المتوهمين،الطارفين، طرفأوصاف وتالشت

واضمحلت الواصفين،عن المطلين أقاويل

أو شأنه، العجيب الدرك علو على بالبلوغ الوقوع

بالموضع فهو مكانه، وبالمكان اليتناهى الذي

فيه عليه يقع لم الذيعباره، وال إشارة عيون

هيهات … هيهات

Select Sayings of Al-Haadi

Allah Almighty made the present life a sequence of testing, and the next life the abode of the outcome. And He made the trials of this life a measure for the reward of the next life, and this recompense is the substitute for that test.

Envy razes the reward for good deeds and brings despise. Insolence

averts from seeking knowledge and calls for disdain and ignorance. Being stingy is a vile character, and being greedy is of a bad nature. Mockery is a humor of the fool and an act of the unlearned. The inflexible causes one to have little and leads him to be loathed.

Better than a good deed is the person who performs it. Lovelier than

an oration is the person who says it. Superior to knowledge is the person who displays it. Worse than evil is the person who brings it forth. More terrifying than horror is to the person who bears it.

Select sayings of Al-Haadi II

Arguing for the sake of argument spoils an intimate friendship and destroys relationship. The least effect thereof is trying to conquer one another, which is a primary cause of dissociation.

The person who obeys the Creator is not bothered about the

discontent of people. The person who feels secure from Allah's plan deems himself haughty, thus the Divine Decree befalls on him.....

Though unjust, a forbearing person is about to efface his injustice

by his patience, while a foolish person having a right is about to extinguish the light of his right by his foolishness.

Sample Advice

The person who gathers for you his friendship and advice, gather for him your obedience. And the person who displays little self-respect do not feel secure from his malice. And the person who glorifies himself, many will be irritated with him. People —in this life— are esteemed by wealth, while —in the Hereafter— they are esteemed by their previous deeds.

ودvه لك جمع منله فاجمع ورأيه

طاعتك ،عليه هانت ومنتأمن فال نفسه

شره ،عن رضي ومن

كثر نفسهعليه الساخطون ،

الدنيا في والناسوفي باألموال

باألعمال اآلخرة

Ziyarah (Visitation) for Al-Haadi

.… Rاِء~ �قRي ~ت األ� R Rم~ام و~إ Rاِء~ و�صRي~ األ� و~صRي� م�ح~مvد, Rن� ب ع~لRي� ع~ل~ى ص~ل� vه�مv ~لل ا~ج�م~عRين~ أ RِقR ~ِئ �َخ~ال ال ع~ل~ى Rةvح�ج� و~ال Rالد�ين RةvمR ~ِئ أ Rو~خ~ل~ٍف

QQQQQQ QQQQQQQQQQ QQQQQ QQQQQQQQQQن�Rم RيلRج~ز� Rال ب ر~ vَّش~ ف~ب �ون~ �م�ْؤ�مRن ال RهR ب ~ضRيِء� ت ~س� Hي �ورا ~ه�ن �ت ~م~اج~ع~ل ك vه�مv اللRك~ ~و~اب ث

~ك~ ~ل َح~ال vَح~ل~ و~أ Rك~ ~ات Rآي ب vر~ و~َذ~ك َس~ك~� ~أ ب و~َح~ذvر~ Rك~ عRق~اب مRن� R Rيم ~ل Rاأل� ب �ذ~ر~ ن

~ و~أام~ك~ َح~ر~ م~ vو~َح~ر

Rك~ Rط~اع~ت ب م~ر~~ و~أ Rك~ ~اد~ت ب Rع ع~ل~ى vو~َح~َّض Rض~ك~ اِئ و~ف~ر~ Rع~ك~ اِئ ر~ ش~ vن~ ~ي و~ب

Rك~ ~ت م~ع�صRي ع~ن� ~ه~ى و~نRك~ ~اِئ Rي �ب ن

~ أ Rةv ي و~َذ�ر� Rك~ ~اِئ Rي و�ل~ أ مRن� ~َح~د, أ ع~ل~ى �ت~ vي ص~ل م~ا ~ف�ض~ل~ أ Rه� ~ي ع~ل ف~ص~ل�

~مRين �ع~ال ال ~ه~ Rل إ ~ا ……. Translation in next slide ي

Translation of Ziyarah (Visitation)

O Allah bless Ali ibn Muhammad, the successor of the previous successors, the Imam of the Pious, the Vicegerent of the Imams of religion, the decisive argument over the created beings.

O Allah just as Thou made him the Beacon to give light to the believers, to give them the glad tidings of Thy recompense,

To warn them about Thy punishment, to put the awe of Thy Might in their hearts, to make mention of Thy verses, to prescribe what Thou have made lawful, to proscribe what Thou have made unlawful,

To make known Thy laws and what Thou have made obligatory, to encourage people to worship Thee, obey Thee, and not to transgress the limits laid down by Thee,

So, Bless him and send more blessings than Thou had conferred on any of Thy representatives, and on the progeny of Thy Prophets, O Lord of the Worlds!

Burial site before 2-22-2006

Result of Terrorist attack: 2-22-06

In Conclusion

Al-Haadi: Outline of his Life Discussed in this slide show:

Lineage Al-Haadi’s Early childhood The network Contemporary Schools of Thought Al-Haadi’s Person The year 232H Al-Mutawak’kil In Samurra 236H Shrines of Karbala and Najaf: 247H Weakening of the Khilaafah Al-Haadi Dies

Finally Let us Read Surah al-Asr together

In the name of God: Lord of Mercy and Lord of Grace

By the Eons of Time, Rع~ص�ر� و~ال

Verily Man is in loss, except: ,ر خ�س� ~فRي ل ان~ �س~ Rن اِإْل� vنR إ

those who believe and do good, and enjoin one another to truth and enjoin one another to patience.

Rح~اتR الصvال �وا و~ع~مRل �وا آم~ن vذRين~ ال vالR إ Rر� Rالصvب ب ~و~اص~و�ا و~ت �ح~ِق� Rال ب ~و~اص~و�ا و~ت

Be in Allah’s Care

Thank you and May God Bless you.

Dr. A.S. Hashim

al-haadi the tenth imam

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