Prepared by: M.M. Hassan Abdulhadi Rashid

Committee for the Revival of Islamic Rituals – College of Islamic Sciences, University of Karbala

Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (peace be upon him) belonged to the noble family of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which is the most revered family in human history. He was the son of Imam Ali al-Ridha, the grandson of Imam Musa al-Kadhim, and so forth, tracing his lineage back to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them all). He is the ninth Imam in the line of the Twelve Imams and the eleventh of the Fourteen Infallibles.

Among his well-known titles are al-Jawad, al-Taqi, al-Muntajab, and al-Qani‘. He is also known by the nickname Abu Ja’far al-Thani (the second Abu Ja’far), as his grandfather, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, was known as Abu Ja’far al-Awwal (the first Abu Ja’far).

Imam al-Jawad’s mother was Sabeeka (also called Mareesiya, Durra, or Rayhana), and it is reported that Imam Ali al-Ridha (peace be upon him) named her Khayzaran.

Imam al-Jawad was born in Medina on Friday, the 19th of Ramadan or the 10th of Rajab, in the year 195 AH.

Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) was born during the last days of his father Imam Ali al-Ridha’s (peace be upon him) life. Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) had no other son before him. When Imam al-Jawad was born and brought to his father, Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) remarked: “This child is the greatest blessing for our Shia.”

Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) passed away in 203 AH, when Imam al-Jawad was only eight years old. Despite his young age, Imam al-Jawad assumed the responsibility of Imamate, which is a phenomenon within Shia thought known as early Imamate. This refers to when some of the Imams from the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) took on the position of Imamate at a very young age, sometimes not even ten years old. This raised questions that the Imams and their followers had to address.

It is narrated that when Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) was asked about the succession after him, he pointed to his son, Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him), even though he was only three years old. When questioned about the appropriateness of such a young age for leadership, Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) responded by drawing a parallel to Prophet Isa (Jesus) (peace be upon him), who spoke as a child and carried out his mission.

Despite his age, the Shia accepted Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) as their Imam after the passing of his father. Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) countered any doubts regarding his Imamate, citing examples from religious history, including the appointment of Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) (peace be upon him) as a successor to Prophet Dawood (David) (peace be upon him) while still a young child.

Imam al-Jawad’s Imamate lasted for 17 years, and during this time, he lived under the rule of two Abbasid caliphs: al-Ma’mun and al-Mu’tasim.

Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) lived in Medina, but was later forced to move to Baghdad at the request of the Abbasid rulers. His second journey, prompted by the caliph al-Mu’tasim, ended with his martyrdom.

Throughout his Imamate, Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) confronted various sects, including the followers of Hadith, the Waqifi, the Zaydi, and the Ghali sects. He worked tirelessly to counter their deviant beliefs and steer the Shia community away from their misguided ideologies. Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) clarified many issues related to Islamic theology and jurisprudence.

A famous example of his scholarly contributions can be seen in his intervention during a discussion about the legal punishment for theft. The caliph al-Mu’tasim called a gathering of jurists to debate the appropriate location for cutting off the hand of a thief, based on the verse in the Qur’an. While some jurists argued for cutting at the wrist or elbow, Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) clarified that the hand should be cut off at the wrist joint, citing a Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that mentioned the seven parts of the body that should touch the ground during prostration. If the hand were to be cut from the wrist or elbow, the person would lose the ability to prostrate properly.

Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) married Umm al-Fadl, the daughter of the caliph al-Ma’mun, at his request. However, she did not bear him any children. Imam al-Jawad’s (peace be upon him) children were from his other wife, Samana al-Maghribiya. Among his children were Ali, Musa, Fatima, and Umama.

Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) was poisoned by his wife, Umm al-Fadl, at the instigation of the caliph al-Mu’tasim. He passed away in the last days of Dhu al-Qi’dah in the year 220 AH, at the age of 25.

He is buried in the Kadhimayn shrine in Iraq, next to his grandfather, Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him).

Some of His Illuminating Sayings:

• “The best form of worship is sincerity.”
• “Whoever listens to a speaker has worshiped him. If the speaker speaks on behalf of Allah, he has worshiped Allah, and if he speaks on behalf of Satan, he has worshiped Satan.”
• “The intention towards Allah with the hearts is more profound than the exertion of the limbs in deeds.”
• “Fiqh is the price for every precious thing and the ladder to every high rank.”
• “Beware of associating with the evil-doer, for he is like a drawn sword: pleasing in appearance, but harmful in effect.”
• “Do not oppose anyone until you understand their relationship with Allah. If they are virtuous, do not oppose them; if they are evil, your knowledge of them is enough to avoid them.”

Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) remains an inspiration for Muslims due to his deep knowledge, wisdom, and his commitment to upholding the true values of Islam.