He would say that though Imam Muhammad al-Jawad was still young...

He would say that though Imam Muhammad al-Jawad was still young, yet he was a true successor to his father in all his virtues and that the profoundest scholars of the Islamic world could not compete with him” when the `Abbasids noticed that al-Ma’mun attributed the Imam’s superiority to his learning they chose Yahya ibn Aktham, the greatest scholar and jurist of Baghdad, to contend with him.

Al-Ma’mun issued a proclamation and organized a grand meeting for the contest which resulted in huge gathering of people from all parts of the kingdom. Apart from noble and high officials, there were as many as nine hundred chairs reserved for scholars and learned men only. The world wondered how a young child could contest with the veteran judge in religious laws and the greatest scholar of Iraq.

Imam Muhammad Al-Jawad was seated beside al-Ma’mun on his throne face to face with Yahya ibn Aktham , who addressed the Imam thus: “Do you permit me to ask you a Question?” “Ask me whatever you wish,” said the Imam in the typical tone of his ancestors. Yahya then asked the Imam: What is your verdict about a man who indulges in hunting while he is in the state of Ehram.” (In the code of religious law hunting is supposed to be forbidden for a pilgrim).

The Imam at once replied, “Your question is vague and misleading. You should have definitely mentioned whether he hunted within the jurisdiction of the Kaaba or outside; whether he was literate of illiterate; whether he was a slave of a free citizen; whether he was a minor or a major; whether it was for the first time of he had done it previously; also whether, that victim was a bird or some other creature; whether the prey was small or big; whether he hunted in the day or at night; whether the hunter repented for his action of persisted in it; whether he hunted secretly of openly ; Whether the Ehram was for umrah of for hajj.

Unless all these points are explained no specific answer can be given to this question.” Al-Qadhi Yahya was staggered in listening to these words of the Imam and the entire gathering was dumbfounded. There was no limit to al-Ma’mun’s pleasure. He expressed his sentiments of joy and admiration thus, “Bravo! Well done! O Abu Jafar!