Imam Moosa ibn Ja‘far al-Kâzim (A), the name of whose title is the one who controls or swallows his anger, and the seventh Shiite Imam after his father Ja'far al-Sadiq (A), was born at Medina in the year 129 (A.H). [1] He is regarded by Sunnis as a renowned scholar, and was a contemporary of the Abbasid caliphs who imprisoned him several times; as a result, the seventh Imam (A) was martyred in Baghdad in the prison. Imam Kazim (A) is the father of eighth infallible Imam Ali al-Ridha (A), and Lady Fatemah Masume. [2]
With respect to his morality and ethical excellence, Ibne-Hajar writes,
"The patience and forbearance of Imam Moosa al-Kazim(A.S.) was such that he was given the title of Al-Kazim (one who swallows his anger). He was the embodiment of virtue and generosity. He devoted his nights to the prayers of God and his days to fasting. He always forgave those who did wrong to him." [3]
In one of his traditions Imam Kazim (A) mentions that:
"the assistance of the weak is one of the best forms of charity". [4]
But one may ask that based on the Imam Kazim (A)'s traditions and sayings how could we have such a happy and blissful life within the Islamic society. In fact, what are the possible suggestions or solutions that Imam (A) may put forth to have a blissful times and be contented with our lifetimes. Imam Kazim (A) emphasizes on moral principles in his sayings, because through observing the ethical rules we can have a happy and peaceful life.
Practically, the seventh Imam was such kind and generous towards the poor and destitute people that he provided them with food, clothes and other necessities secretly.
According to Imam Kazim (A)
"He who makes a Muslim believer happy, has pleased first Allah (J), secondly the Prophet (P), and thirdly us (Ahl al-Bayt)". [5]
As it is mentioned by the infallible Imam, every Muslim must try his best to be in a good mood, and then try to make others happy in order to have blissful times and to be delighted with their jobs and lives. It shows that in the Islamic moral teachings happiness and pleasance is something that all of the followers of the Holy Prophet (P) and his successors, the twelve Imams (A), must try to achieve it and help others to have a joyful life.
But one may ask that based on the Imam Kazim (A)'s traditions and sayings how could we have such a happy and blissful life within the Islamic society. In fact, what are the possible suggestions or solutions that Imam (A) may put forth to have a blissful times and be contented with our lifetimes. Imam Kazim (A) emphasizes on moral principles in his sayings, because through observing the ethical rules we can have a happy and peaceful life. That is why imam (A) says
"Cursed is the one who backbites against his brother-in-religion". [6]
Backbiting is one of the great sins that Imam Kazim (A) prevent us from committing it in order to have a sound and safe society.
Finally, it must be noted that according to the Islamic teachings and especially Imam Kazim's sayings
"Believer is like the two pans of a scale; the more added to his faith, his ordeal will increase". [7]
Based on this narration from Imam Kazim (A) sufferings and troubles in the true believers' lives are a divine bliss, that is why it should not be considered as a pain, rather it must be understood that a Muslim achieves perfection through these sorts of pains and sufferings. If we believe truly in Islamic doctrines and teachings, sufferings in our life could become also joyful and pleasant.
[1] A Brief History of The Fourteen Infallibles. Qum: Ansariyan Publications. 2004. pp. 135–143.
[2] See also Donaldson, Dwight M. (1933). The Shi'ite Religion: A History of Islam in Persia and Irak. BURLEIGH PRESS. pp. 152–160.
[3] See: http://english.tebyan.net/newindex.aspx?pid=60997
[4] Tohafol oqool p. 414 عَوْنُکَ لِلضَّعِیفِ مِنْ أفْضَلِ الصَّدَقَة.
[5] مستدرک الوسائل، ج 12، ص 399 مَنْ سَرَّ مُؤْمِناً فَبِاللهِ بَدَأ وَبِالنَّبِیِّ ثَنّی وَبِنا ثَلَّثَ
[6] بحار الأنوار، ج 74، ص 232 . مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ اغْتابَ أخاهُ
[7] تحف العقول، ص 408 المُؤمِنُ مِثْلُ کَفَّتَی الْمِیزانِ؛ کُلَّما زِیدَ فی إیمانِهِ زِیدَ فی بَلائِهِ
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