Imam Jafar Sadiq- Superman of Islam

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

The ‘Khadims’(Caretakers) of Hazrat Badiuddin Zinda Shah Madar paid glowing tributes to Imam Jafar Sadiq in an innovative way to mark the anniversary of his martyrdom on 25 Shawwal. They hosted a press conference in Kanpur and declare to organize an international meet under the title “Tahafuzze Mohabbat-e-Ahlebait conference” (Conference for protecting the love for Progeny of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad) on August 24, 2015.Led by Syed Mahzar Ali, Maulana Adeeb Ullah and Maulana Raazdar, the Khadims told media persons that they have decided to organize conference to create awareness about the role played by Ahlebait in protecting the true tenets of Islam. They were of the view that only unconditional love for Ahlebait could save Islam from the onslaught of so called puritan outfits that with the help of a petro- rich country are bent upon branding the love for Ahlebait and teachings of Sufis as ‘Un-Islamic’.

The Khadims said that they decided to host press conference on the martyrdom day of Imam Jafar Sadiq because it was he who had saved true Islam at a time when Abbasid caliphs were trying to destroy the religion of Prophet Muhammad. They also vowed to continue their efforts to safeguard Islam from the descendants of Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphs who are operating under the garb of ISIS, Taliban and similar other outfits. The Khadims who trace their lineage to Imam Jafar Sadiq revealed that Madariya Sufi order was in the habit of opposing oppression of any kind from the time of Sharqi dynasty. It was Madari fakirs who had opposed the British when the latter tried to interfere with religious activities of people in India and now once again the followers of Shah Madar had taken initiative to oppose the sinister design of anti- Ahlebait terrorists.

The move of the Khadims is praiseworthy and probably the best way to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Jafar Sadiq who is called as superman of Islam in view of his vast knowledge. Abu Hanifa, one of the four great Imams of the Ahle-Sunnat , has stated about Imam Sadiq in these words :
“ I have not seen a man more learned and jurisprudent than Jafar Ibn Mohammed. On the directive of Mansur, the Abbasid caliphate, I prepare forty questions and went in the presence of Imam Jafar Sadiq and asked him about the questions, he replied to all the questions. The answers were so excellent and profound that I had never heard them from any one”.
                     

Similarly, great jurisprudent Malik Ibn – e- Aues, has also eulogized  Imam Sadiq. He says “ no eyes has seen and no ear has heard and on no human heart has passed to see a man in virtue, excellence and (earning to be greater that Jafar Ibn Mohammed ”.

Imam was born in Medina in 82 Hijra and lived for about 65 years before attaining martyrdom. After the martyrdom of father, Imam Mohammed Baqir, Imam Sadiq revived the Prophetic customs, the dissemination of the Islamic culture and trained students who created epics in the history. His theological university consisted of more than 4000 students in the different field of Figh (Jurisprudence), Tafsir (Commentary) of Holy Quran, Kalaam, Hadith (traditions) and experimental science. 

His untiring efforts, struggles and endeavors saved Islam from becoming a toy in the hands of Abbasid caliphs who were spreading sectarianism to remain in power. Further, his students also disseminated the original Islamic culture to the extent that Imamis prefer to be called as Firq-E-Jafariya. His tremendous popularity became the cause of his martyrdom. When Abbasid Caliph realized that he was ruling over a vast kingdom but the minds and hearts of his subjects were being ruled by Imam Sadiq, he got the pious Imam poisoned. He was laid to rest at Baqi cemetery but his teachings are still guiding the people and frustrating those who have been longing to ‘erase’ the Prophetic Islam from the memory of people for worldly gains. The initiative of Madariya Sufis becomes more significant if one looks at the contribution of Imam Sadiq as savior of Islam under odd circumstances and the growing influence of anti-Ahlebait elements in several Muslim countries. (Reference available on request.For more details of Shah Madar,please see the post under the title Mystic Shah Madar in this blog only)