Imam al-Kadhim: The Prisoner of Baghdad

Imamah, Part 12 His Imamate lasted thirty-five years, and for years of it his own community walked past his prison to visit a grave instead. Imam Musa al-Kadhim, peace be upon him, led for thirty-five years, from 148 to 183 AH, through what the tradition counts among the most dangerous stretches of the whole 250-year struggle of the Imams. Visitors to his private chamber reported seeing three objects: a coarse garment, never worn; a sword, hung from the ceiling; a Qur'an, placed open before him — struggle, readiness, and the goal itself, side by side. The Imam judged his followers case by case. One held a senior post inside the government; the Imam ordered him to keep it, since his presence there shielded other believers. Another rented out his camels for the state's official journeys — for that alone, the Imam rebuked him: wishing for the survival of an unjust power, even just to collect a fee, was enough to place a person among them. When the Imam was martyred by poison, his body was laid on a bridge in Baghdad under a placard naming him leader of the Rafidha, "those who refuse" — a slur his household had already reclaimed: they refused falsehood, and upheld the truth. Where were the Shia while their own Imam sat in chains? What the evening covers Three objects in one room. A coarse garment, a hanging sword, an open Qur'an — the Imam's mission laid out for any visitor. Two believers, two rulings. Why the Imam ordered one man to keep his post, and rebuked another for renting out his camels. Thirty-five years, four rulers. The longest, and among the most dangerous, Imamates of the entire 250-year struggle. The bridge in Baghdad. How a slur meant to shame the Imam's household became a title of honour in their own mouths.

In this session

Full session

Full Video on YouTube

Play

Sermon: Imam al-Kadhim: The Prisoner of Baghdad

Play Read

Nohe: O Hayder

Play

Ziyarah: Ziyarah of Sayyedah Fatimah al-Ma'oumeh (Qum)

Play