Maybe, his meeting with Imam ‘Ali (a), memorizing the Qur’an...

Maybe, his meeting with Imam ‘Ali (a), memorizing the Qur’an because of Imam’s (a) advice, composing poems in criticism of Ibn Muljam, going to Kufa which was the centre of Shi’a, his meeting with Imam al-Husayn (a) in his journey to Kufa, composing elegies for him and most important of all, composing poems in praise of Imam al-Sajjad (a) in the presence of Hisham b. ‘Abd al-Malik were among the top reasons for which he has been considered among Shi’a.

Relation with the Ahlul-Bayt (a) Imam ‘Ali (a) Once al-Farazdaq and his father went to Imam ‘Ali (a). Imam (a) asked, “who is it?” Ghalib answered, “it is my son who is a poet.” Imam (a) said, “Teach him the Qur’an which is better than poetry.” It is reported that after this event, he tied his feet until he memorized the Qur’an. Imam al-Husayn (a) In the events of 60/680, it is mentioned that al-Farazdaq went to Mecca for hajj and met Imam al-Husayn (a) in al-Sifah station.

Imam (a) asked him about the state of the people of Kufa and he answered, “I left them while their hearts were with you and their swords were against you (or in another version ‘with Umayyads’).” Al-Farazdaq himself mentioned this meeting in a poem. Imam al-Sajjad (a) During the rule of al-Walid b. ‘Abd al-Malik, his crown prince, and his brother Hisham b. ‘Abd al-Malik went to Mecca for hajj.

During tawaf (circumambulation around the Ka’ba), he went toward the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad) to touch it, but he could not approach it because of the crowd. Thus inevitably, he returned. They put up a seat for him in a high place and he began watching the crowd from there. Meanwhile, Imam al-Sajjad (a) arrived and after tawaf went to the Black Stone. With all the congestion that existed, the crowd opened the way for Imam (a) so that Imam (a) could approach the Black Stone.

of Hisham became surprised. One of them asked him, “who is he?” Although Hisham knew Imam (a), he answered, “I do not know him.” At that time, al-Farazdaq bravely said, “but I know him.” He stood in a high position and composed his famous poem introducing Imam al-Sajjad (a). Hisham ordered to cut al-Farazdaq’s allowance from the public treasury and imprisoned him in ‘Asfan between Mecca and Medina.

Praising Imam (a) in the suffocating political atmosphere at that time, especially in the presence of Hisham, is not only a piece of evidence of his courage and bravery deserving admiration but also proves his respect for this family.