AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Imam
Kazim (as), the seventh Imam from the lineage of Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him and his household), was born on the 7th of Safar of
year 128 (A.H). He was born in a house located between Mecca and Medina
named as "Abva"; and he was named "Musa", but was also referred to as
"Ab al-Hassan". His lifetime was contemporary with the government of the
Abbasid caliphs. During his lifetime, he suffered greatly from the
oppression and torture of the caliphs in his time. He was put in prison
for many years of his lifetime.
Imam Kazim (as) was not only
superior to all the scholars and scientists of his time in knowledge,
but he was also famous for his moral virtues and high humane
characteristics. These superiorities became so well known that almost
all scholars who familiarized themselves with Imam Kadhim’s (as)
glorious life have praised him highly.
Famous Sunni scholar Ibn Hajar Haithami says in regards to Imam Kadhim (as):
"Musa al-Kadhim was the heir of his father’s knowledge, excellence, and
perfection. He was titled "Kadhim" because of his forgiving heart and
patience towards the ignorant people. Furthermore, during his lifetime,
no one was similar to him in divine knowledge, worldly knowledge, and in
forgiveness."1
It has been narrated in the book al-Tawhid2
by Sheikh Sadouq: Hisham ibn Hakam (the great student of Imam Sadiq
(as) and Imam Baghir (as)) has said that there was a great Christian
scholar named "Burayhah".
Burayhah was Christian for about
seventy years. He was seeking the truth and was in search of the right
sect in Islam. He would discuss and research about each sect, but every
time he talked with a group of Muslims he was not satisfied with their
beliefs. He would say, "if your leaders were the right and true leaders,
then you should have known at least some truth."
Continuing to
seek for the truth, he heard about the Shiite faith and its well-known
scholar Hisham ibn-Hakam. After debating with Hisham he asked: "Whom do
you follow, obey, and truly believe in?" Hisham introduced Imam Sadiq
(as) and described his character to Burayhah. Burayhah then became eager
to see Imam Sadigh (as) so he prepared himself for a trip from Iraq to
Medina with Hisham.
As they were going to visit Imam Sadiq (as),
in the corridor of the house of Imam Sadiq (as), they met Imam Kadhim
(as) who was a child at the time. Hisham and Burayhah greeted Imam
Kadhim (as). Hisham explained the story of Borayhah for him.
Imam Kazim asked Burayhah: "O Borayhah! How much are you aware of your book (the Bible)?"
Borayhah answered: "I am aware of my book."
Imam asked: "How much do you believe in its interpretation?"
He asked: "I believe in it as far as I know about it."
The Imam began reciting some of the verses of the bible.
Burayhah was so affected that he said, "Jesus would recite the bible
just as you have recited it. No other than Jesus had read it as such".
He then continued, "I have been looking for someone like you for over
fifty years."
Burayhah and his servant then became Muslims at
that moment. Then Hisham, Burayhah, and the servant went to Imam Sadiq
(as). Hisham explained the whole story for the Imam.
Imam Sadiq (as) recited this verse of the holy Quran: ﴾They were descendants one of another, and Allah is Hearer, Knower.﴿3,4
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1- Ibn Hajar , Sawa’igh al-Muhraghah ,(Cairo), P.203
2- P. 271
3- (The holy Quran, 3:34)
4- The last part is selected from : http://www.andisheqom.com/
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source : Al-Maaref
Thursday
27 June 2024
5:35:14 AM
1468014
Imam Kazim (as) was not only superior to all the scholars and scientists of his time in knowledge, but he was also famous for his moral virtues and high humane characteristics. These superiorities became so well known that almost all scholars who familiarized themselves with Imam Kadhim’s (as) glorious life have praised him highly.