Literary Attainments and excellence The span of the life of...

Literary Attainments and excellence The span of the life of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad was shorter than that of his predecessors as well as his successors. He became Imam at the age of eight. And was poisoned at the age of twenty – five; yet his literary attainments were many and his commanded great respect and esteem. The Holy Imam al-Jawad was the symbol of ’s affability and Imam Ali’s attainments.

His hereditary qualities comprised of gallantry, boldness, charity, learning, forgiveness and tolerance, The brightest and most outstanding phases of his nature and character were to show hospitality and courtesy to all without discrimination, to help the needy; to observe equality under all circumstances, to live a simple life; to help the orphans, the poor and the homeless; to impart learning to those interested in the acquisition of knowledge and guide the people to the right path.

Migration to Iraq For the consolidation of his empire, it was realized by al-Ma’mun, the Abbasid king, that it was necessary to win the sympathy and support of the Iranians who had always been friendly to the Ahlul-Bayt. Consequently, al-Ma’mun was forced , from a political point of view, to establish contacts with the tribe of Banu-Fatimah at the expense of the ties with Banu-Abbas and thereby win the favor of the shias.

Accordingly, he declared Imam Reza as his heir even against the Imam’s will and got his sister umm Habibah married to him. Al-Ma’mun expected that Imam Reza would lend his support in political affairs of the state. But when he discovered that the Imam was little interested in political matter and that the masses were more and more submitting them to him due to his spiritual greatness, he got him poisoned.

Yet the exigency which directed him to nominate Imam Reza as his heir and successor still continued. Hence he desired to marry his daughter ummaul-fadhl to Muhammad Al-Jawad, the son of Imam Reza and with this object in view, he summoned the Imam from Medina to Iraq. Meeting between young Imam and the most learned of men The Banu-Abbas were extremely disconcerted when they come to know that al-Ma’mun was planning to marry his daughter to Imam Muhammad al-Jawad.

A delegation of some leading persons waited on him in order to dissuade him from his intention. But al-Ma`mun continued to admire the learning and excellence of the Imam.