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Imam Musa al-Kazim عليه السلام, known for restraining his anger and for patient endurance, led the community under the Abbasid caliphs al-Mansur, al-Mahdi, al-Hadi and Harun al-Rashid. He spent years imprisoned and was martyred in a Baghdad prison; his shrine in al-Kazimiyya is known as the Gate of Needs.
Zahoor and early life
The zahoor of Musa ibn Ja‘far was in 128 AH at al-Abwa, on the road between Mecca and Medina, while his parents were returning from pilgrimage. His mother, Hamida, was respected by Imam al-Sadiq for her learning, and women of the community are reported to have learned religious rulings from her.
Imamate under Abbasid pressure
He became Imam in 148 AH. Because of Abbasid hostility, his designation was guarded and the community was tested by claims from other sons of al-Sadiq. He lived mostly in Medina, teaching quietly and organising a network of trusted agents (wukala) who collected religious dues and cared for the community across distant regions.
Among his companions was Hisham ibn al-Hakam, the foremost Shia theologian of his time, and Ali ibn Yaqtin, who served as an official at the Abbasid court while secretly following the Imam.
Imprisonment and martyrdom
Harun al-Rashid had him arrested in Medina in 179 AH. He was held first in Basra and then in Baghdad, passing through the custody of several officials before the prison of al-Sindi ibn Shahak. Reports describe his long prostrations and prayer even in prison. He died in that prison in Rajab 183 AH; Twelver sources record that he was poisoned. His body was displayed on the bridge of Baghdad before burial in the cemetery of Quraysh, around which the city of al-Kazimiyya grew.
Teachings
His title al-Kazim refers to one who restrains his anger (Qur’an 3:134). His long teaching to Hisham ibn al-Hakam on the intellect (‘aql), preserved in al-Kafi, is a cornerstone of Shia thought on the relationship of reason and revelation.
Significance in Twelver Shia belief and Fiqh-e-Jafariya
He is the seventh Imam. After his death a group known as the Waqifa “stopped” at him, denying his death; the community at large affirmed the Imamate of his son Ali al-Rida. His agents’ network was an early form of the system through which religious dues and guidance reach believers to this day.
Significant dates
- 7 Safar 128 AH (745 CE)Zahoor at al-Abwa
- 148 AH (765 CE)Beginning of his Imamate
- 170 AH (786 CE)Accession of Harun al-Rashid
- 179 AH (795 CE)Arrest in Medina
- 25 Rajab 183 AH (799 CE)Martyrdom in prison in Baghdad
Narrations and texts
God has two proofs over people: an outward proof — the messengers, prophets and Imams — and an inward proof, which is the intellect.
Sources: al-Kafi (Kitab al-‘Aql wa al-Jahl); Tuhaf al-‘Uqul ‘an Al al-Rasul
Part of a long teaching; verify the hadith number in a named edition.
Narrations are given as careful paraphrases, not verbatim translations. See the Editorial Methodology
Differing reports
- Zahoor: 128 AH (al-Mufid); 127 and 129 AH are also reported.
- Martyrdom: 25 Rajab 183 AH is most widely commemorated; 6 Rajab and 186 AH are also reported.
- The length of his imprisonment is reported differently.
- Counts: al-Mufid gives thirty-seven; Sibt ibn al-Jawzi forty; other genealogists more.
Sources
- Kitab al-Irshad fi Ma‘rifat Hujaj Allah ‘ala al-‘Ibad — al-Mufid, Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Nu‘man (d. 413 AH / 1022 CE). chapter on Musa ibn Ja‘far
- al-Kafi — al-Kulayni, Muhammad ibn Ya‘qub (d. 329 AH / 941 CE)
- Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk — al-Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir (d. 310 AH / 923 CE)
- Maqatil al-Talibiyyin — Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani, Ali ibn al-Husayn (d. 356 AH / 967 CE)
- Crisis and Consolidation in the Formative Period of Shi‘ite Islam — Modarressi, Hossein
- Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk — al-Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir (d. 310 AH / 923 CE). year 200 AH