O Level Islamiat P1 Imamat
To view other notes of Islamiat Click Here.
Hazrat Ali
- Accepted Islam at only 10 years of age.
- When the Holy Prophet (SAW) publicly invited Banu Hashim to Islam, only Hazrat Ali (RA) stepped forward.
- In 622 A.D., when the Holy Prophet (SAW) migrated to Madinah, Hazrat Ali (RA) risked his life by sleeping in the Prophet‟s bed.
- While creating brotherhood in Madinah, the Holy Prophet (SAW) appointed him as his brother.
- Was married to Hazrat Fatima (RA), the daughter of Muhammad (SAW).
- Killed about 30 pagans in the battle of Badr.
- Wrote down the Treaty of Hudaibiya
- During the conquest of Makkah, the Holy Prophet (SAW) asked him to ensure that there would be no bloodshed.
- In 631 A.D., he was sent to Yemen to impart teachings of Islam,
- It is believed that the Holy Prophet (SAW) transferred his spiritual power and authority to Hazrat Ali (RA)
Hazrat Iman Hassan
Imam Hassan was the son of Hazrat Ali and Bibi Fatima and the elder of the two grandsons of the Holy Prophet (SAW). He was born in Madinah on the 15th of Ramazan 3 A.H. The Holy Prophet named him Hassan but he was also known as Shabbar which in Hebrew language means “handsome”.
He was brought up in an ideal atmosphere. His only teachers were his grandfather and parents. He would listen as the Holy Prophet recited the latest revelations and would learn them by heart immediately.
The Holy Prophet and Bibi Fatima died at an early age, so Imam Hassan had spent his life under the guidance of Hazrat Ali. After the death of the Prophet(S), Hazrat Ali devoted his time in the compilation of Quran and Hadis, so therefore from childhood, Imam Hassan also learnt to follow his father's example.
When Hazrat Usman was besieged in his house, Hazrat Ali sent Hazrat Hassan several times with food and water. In attempt to save Hazrat Usman, Imam Hassan sustained several injuries at the hand of rebels.
During Hazrat Ali‟s Khilafat, he took part in all the battles, fought and he also held charge of Bait-ul-Maal.
On the 21st Ramazan, after the death of Hazrat Ali, Imam Hassan was declared the Khalifa with the consent of forty thousand people. However, Ameer Muawiya did not want him to be the Khalifa, and so he consolidated his forces for an encounter with Imam Hassan. Imam Hassan asked his followers to prepare for war against Muawiya. However, this order was received very coldly by the people and except for a few sincere follower's, nobody gave an eager response to the Imam. It was obvious that the influence of Muawiya had turned the Iraqis away from their leader.
At last, a force of 20,000 men was mobilized. Imam Hassan sent a chief of kindi tribe with 4000 men to Anba, where Ameer Muawiya was encamped. However, Muawiya bribed him with the promise of governorship and won him over. The next man sent by the Imam was also won by Muawiya.
Then Ammer Muawiya sent a messenger to inform the Imam to give up the fight and come to terms with him. This action demoralised many followers leading to more desertions.
Therefore, a treaty of peace was signed. Imam Hassan announced that in order to restore peace and prevent bloodshed, he was abdicating the Khilafat. He was Khalifa for only fourteen months.
He was poisoned to death by one of his wives‟ who was promised a great reward. He was buried in the grave yard of Jannat-ul-Baqi – Prophet(s) said,
“O Allah, I love him, so I beseech you to love him”.
Hazrat Imam Hussain
Hazrat Imam Hussain was born to Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Fatima on Thursday 3rd Sha‟aban in 4 A.H. Immediately, after his birth, Bibi Fatima became ill and the baby was given to Umm-e-Fazal for nursing.
It is said that the physical features of Hussain were those of his grandfather, the Holy Prophet. “Hussain belongs to me and I to him May Allah love him who loves Hussain”.
On his deathbed, Imam Hassan handed over the charge of Imamat to his brother, Hussain. Following the footsteps of his brother Hassan, he too retired into seclusion in Madinah.
In 60 A.H, after the death of Ammer Muawiya, his son Yazid succeeded as the Khalifa at Damascus. Tradition demanded that all Muslms should swear allegiance to the new Khalifa. This nomination to Khalifat was against the Islamic tradition, therefore Imam Hussain refused to take oath of allegiance to Yazid. This would have led to a war and bloodshed so therefore the Imam went from Madinah to Makkah. Later, a deputation from the people of Kufa approached him and requested him to come to rescue as Yazid‟s governor was persecuting them. Because of the deceitful nature of the people of Kufa, Imam Hussain had sent his cousin Muslim to Kufa to review the situation. Impressed with the enthusiasm of the deceitful people of Kufa, Muslim wrote a letter to the Imam to come over to Kufa. As soon as the letter was despatched, Muslim learnt of their treachery. Almost all the leaders had been bribed. Ultimately Muslim was killed.
Meanwhile, Imam Hussain had already left for Kufa. When he heard about Muslim‟s assassination, many of his companions deserted him but he proceeded as before.
Soldiers were despatched in all directions to stop the Imam and to bring him either to Kufa or Damascus. Imam Hussain stopped and camped at Karbala. Soon Yazid‟s army too began togather on the plain of Karbala and surrounded the Imam‟s camp.
On 7th Muharram, 61 A.H., Yazid‟s forces cut off all sources of water supply to the Imam‟s camp. All efforts of the enemy through temptation and torture to persuade the Imam to pledge to Yazid were in vain. The Imam then decided to fight against Yazid but when he made announcement that the end was near, people began deserting him when he was left with only 72 faithful followers. Their water supply was stopped.
The battle finally began one after another, the Imam‟s followers laid down their lives. On 10th of Muharram when all his devotees were slain, Imam went to his sick son, Zain ul Abedin and handed over the charge of the office of Imamat to him. He went back into the battle field where he was attacked to an extent that he lay wounded head to toe. After his death, his head was cut off and taken to Yazid's court.
The tragedy of the death of Imam Hussain carries a lesson for the Muslim world. He could have saved himself, his friends and family by giving allegiance to Yazid, but he stood firm to his principles and ultimately sacrificed himself. The martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his followers at Karbala was viewed by Bannu Umayya as a great victory. He lived, fought and sacrificed his life for truth and righteousness.
Imam Zain Ul Abideen
The only son of Imam Hussain who survived the battle of Karbala was Ali. He could not participate in the battle due to severe illness. He was put into chains and taken as captive, with the ladies of his family, to Yazid's court, Damascus. Later, he was returned to Madinah.
Imam Zain ul Abideen was born in Madinah in 36 A.H. After the tragedy of Karbala, he spent his remaining life in imparting the knowledge that he learnt from his father, Imam Hussain and grandfather, He died in 83 A.H after thirty five years of Imamat. He was buried in Jannat ul Baqi in Madinah.
Imam Zain ul Abideen was extremely pious and spent all his time in worship. At the time of prayers, his face would turn pale and his body would tremble in fear of Allah. Whenever he would remember Allah and His bounties, he would fall in prostration therefore he was known as Sajjad i.e. who performs excessive prostrations. Many people used to come to him to acquire knowledge. He would go out at night to distribute everything he had to the needy and poor. His sayings, his prayers and historical narration are preserved in a compilation called Sahifah-Sajjadiyah.
Imam Muhammad Baqir
He was the son of the fourth Imam. He was born in Madinah in 57 A.H. His mother was Fatima, daughter of Imam Hassan. He was four years old at the time of Battle of Karbala. He was a very knowledgeable and pious person. Many people would come to Madinah.
Many traditions have been quoted from him. He had great knowledge of Islam, Quran, Ahadith and the life of the Holy Prophet. He died in 114 A.H.
Imam Jaffar Sadiq
He was the son of Imam Baqir. He was born in 83 A.H. His period of Imamat was 34 years. The period of his Imamat coincided with the end of the Umayyad Khilafat and the beginning of Abbasid Khilafat.
Imam Jaffar was harassed by the Umayyad Khalifa and later during the rule of the Abbasids taken to Iraq. After sometime, he was allowed to go to Madinah, where he spent the rest of his life in hiding. He was subjected to severe restrictions placed by the Abbasid Khalifa. He died in 148 A.H. and was buried at Jannat ul Baqi at Madinah.
He possessed vast knowledge of the Shariah. It is said that his classes and sessions of instructions produced four thousand scholars of Hadis and other sciences. Some well known scholars such as Imam Abu Hanifa, founder of one of the Sunni sects, and the scientists Jabir bin Hayyan were among his disciples. He was a pious, generous, truthful and charitable person. It is known that he would often lose consciousness in remembrance of Allah.
Imam Musa Kazim
He was the son of Imam Jafar Sadiq. He was born in 128 A.H. He had to live in hiding for a long time from the Abbasid Khalifa, until he was arrested while praying in Masjid-e-Nabvi. He was taken from Madinah to Basra and later to Baghdad and transferred from one prison to another. He died inside a prison where he remained for fourteen years suffering hardships and oppression. He died in 183 A.H. His period of Imamat lasted for 35 years.
Imam Musa Kazim was very pious, knowledgeable, generous, brave and a very gentle person. He exercised a great control over his temper and hence he is known as Al-Kazim, the controller of anger. For his righteousness, he was known as Abd-us-Salih, righteous slave of Allah. He would recite the Quran and pray for long hours. He died while in a state of prostration.
Imam Ali Raza
He was the son of Imam Musa Kazim. He was born in Madinah in 148 A.H. he died in 203 A.H.
His period of Imamat coincided with three Abbasid Khalifa‟s who attitude towards the household of the prophet was very harsh.
Mamun the Abbasid Khalifa, offered Imam Ali Raza first the post of Khilafat and on his refusal, to be his successor. This was done to prevent the descendants of the Prophet from rebelling against the government, and secondly to involve the imam in politics of the Khilafat. At first, the Imam declined but later accepted the offer on the condition that he would not partake in any way in the administration of the government.
The Imam was a very knowledgeable person and would partake in all discussions arranged by Khalifa Mamun. Travellers returning to their homes would relate facts about his knowledge.
Imam Raza would worship and prostate before Allah for long hours. His knowledge, generosity, humility and worship were acknowledged by everyone.
Imam Muhammad Taqi
He was the son of Imam Ali Raza. He was born in 195 A.H. at Madinah. The Abbasid Khalifa Mamun, called him to Baghdad and married his daughter to him. Later, he returned to Madinah but was recalled to Baghdad.
Imam Taqi's knowledge was well known. He was very generous and benevolent. He would ride his horse carrying money and food with him and give it to the poor and needy. He died in 220 A.H. The period of his Imamat was 17 years.
Imam Ali Naqi
He was the son of the ninth Imam. He was born in Madinah in 214 A.H. At the time of his father's death, he was in Madinah where he resided, teaching religious studies to the people.
The Abbasid Khalifa called Imam Naqi to Iraq where he tried to create trouble for him and dishonour him, but the Imam bore al persecutions patiently.
The Imam was soft spoken, pious, gentle and generous. Once the Khalifa sent him thirty thousand dirhams which the Imam gave away to an Arab, to pay his debt and spend it on his children and dependents.
He died in 254 A.H. in Iraq, His Imamat lasted for 33 years.
Imam Hassan Askari
He was the tenth Imam‟s son. He was born in Madinah in 232 A.H. He lived in hiding during the seven year of his Imamat. The Abbasid Khalifa had placed restrictions on his movements and kept close watch upon him, as according to the tradition, he was supposed to have son who was to be promised Imam Mehdi.
Imam Askari was a gentle and humble person. He would offer prayers for most part of the night. He died in 260 A.H. and was buried by his father's side.
Imam Muhammad Mehdi
He was born in 255 A.H. in Iraq. He was the son of Imam Askari. His mother was the grand-daughter of the Roman king.
Among the Shias, Imam Mehdi bear the title Muntazar; the expected, Hujja, the proof (of truth), Qaim – the living, Mehdi, the guided one. He lived under the care of his father till his death. His birth was kept secret. He was hidden from public view, only a few companions of Imam Askari could see him. He is in Alam-i-Ghaibat.
After the death of his father, he became the Imam and went into the hiding. For the period known as lesser occultation, he continued to communicate with his followers to whom he appeared in exceptional circumstances. From the year 329 A.H. he no longer communicated and the period of greater occultation began. He will appear when the world would be full of injustice and sin. He will preach Islam, fight with Dajjal and after killing him will establish Allah's order on earth. He will rule over the world and establish justice and wipe off the oppressors.
