With hearts filled with love and loyalty, the College of Islamic Sciences, represented by its Dean, Professor Dr. Muhammad Hussein Aboud al-Taie, the Islamic Rituals Revival Committee, its faculty members, and staff, extends the highest congratulations and blessings to our Master, Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance), our esteemed religious authorities, and the entire Islamic nation on the occasion of the birth of Imam Ali ibn Muhammad al-Hadi (peace be upon him), the tenth light of the Imams of Guidance and the Lamps of Darkness (peace be upon them). We pray to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) to grant us his visitation in this world and his intercession in the Hereafter.
He is Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Jawad ibn Ali al-Ridha ibn Musa al-Kadhim ibn Ja’far al-Sadiq ibn Muhammad al-Baqir ibn Ali Zayn al-Abidin ibn al-Husayn al-Sibt ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them). He is the tenth of the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). His mother was a noblewoman known as Samanah al-Maghribiyyah, also called Umm al-Fadl.
His Birth and Upbringing:
He was born on the 15th of Dhu al-Hijjah or the 2nd of Rajab in the year 212 AH or 214 AH, in the village of Surayya, located three miles away from Medina.
His Titles and Epithets:
The Imam (peace be upon him) was known by the title Abu al-Hasan. To distinguish him from the Imams Musa al-Kadhim and Ali al-Ridha (peace be upon them), he was referred to as Abu al-Hasan al-Thalith (the third). His titles include “al-Hadi” (the Guide) and “al-Naqi” (the Pure), which are his most renowned titles, as well as “al-Murtadha,” “al-Fattah,” “al-Nasih,” and “al-Mutawakkil.” He forbade his followers from addressing him with the title “al-Mutawakkil,” as it was also the title of an Abbasid caliph.
It was said of Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him):
“He was the most joyful in appearance, the most truthful in speech, the most charming up close, and the most complete from afar. When silent, his dignity commanded reverence; when he spoke, his presence exuded brilliance.”
His Majesty Among People:
Regarding the awe he inspired in people’s hearts, Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Ashtar al-Alawi narrated:
“I was with my father at the gate of al-Mutawakkil, surrounded by a crowd of people from various groups—Hashimites, Abbasids, Ja’farites, and others. When Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad (peace be upon him) arrived, everyone dismounted from their horses out of respect. Some began questioning why they were honoring him, claiming he was neither the eldest nor the most knowledgeable among them. Yet, as soon as they saw him, they instinctively rose to their feet in admiration.”
The Life of the Imam:
The life of this great Imam can be divided into two distinct phases:
- The first phase, spent with his father, Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him), lasted less than a decade.
- The second phase spanned over three decades, during which the Imam witnessed the reigns of six Abbasid caliphs: al-Mu’tasim, al-Wathiq, al-Mutawakkil, al-Muntasir, al-Musta’in, and al-Mu’tazz.
The Imam (peace be upon him) was martyred during the rule of al-Mu’tazz at the age of 42. Like his noble forefathers, he endured persecution by the Abbasids, who sought to suppress the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) by any means, including physical elimination.
Preparation for the Era of Occultation:
The era of Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) was significant as it marked the approach of the anticipated occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (peace be upon him). He worked diligently to prepare the faithful for this new phase, ensuring the readiness of a devout community to uphold the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) during the absence of direct leadership.
Despite the isolation imposed by the Abbasid rulers, Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) skillfully utilized a network of representatives, a system initiated by Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) and strengthened by his father, Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him). Through this organized framework, he ensured the dissemination of knowledge and guidance to his followers amidst challenging circumstances.
Dr. Ayat Abdulwahhab
Islamic Rituals Revival Committee
