Ma’mun & Imam at-Taqi (a.

Ma’mun & Imam at-Taqi (a.s.) Caliph Ma’mun ar-Rashid, in pursuing the same policies as mentioned in the previous lesson, asked that Imam Muhammad at- Taqi (a.s.) be brought from Medina to Baghdad. This journey took place in 204 A.H., a year after the death of the eighth Imam. When Ma’mun met the young Imam, he was impressed with the latter’s knowledge; and he proposed to marry his daughter Ummul Fazl to the Imam.

When the elders of the ‘Abbasid clan learned of this decision, they tried to change Ma’mun’s views: they reminded him of dangers in promoting the decendants of ‘Ali, and the possible loss of power. Realizing that their words had no effect on Ma’mun, they finally said, “Although you are impressed by this child; but he is still a child. Wait till he grows up and gets educated, then you may marry your daughter to him.” Ma’mun: “Woe unto you!

I know this child better than you; he comes from a family which is bestowed with knowledge by God. His ancestors were never in need of knowledge and character from others. If you wish, you may examine him.” The elders of the ‘Abbasid agreed to examine him. They approached Yahya bin Aktham, the chief judge (qazi) of the ‘Abbasid court, and asked him to prepare some difficult questions which the Imam would not be able to answer.

At an appointed time, the meeting between Imam Muhammad at-Taqi (a.s.) and Yahya bin Aktham took place in the presence of Ma’mun and the elders of the ‘Abbasid clan. After the formalities, Yahya asked: “What is your view about a person who hunts while he is in the ihram?” (Ihram means pilgrim’s garment; a person in ihram is not allowed to hunt.) Imam at-Taqi: “This question has many facets: “Was the person outside the boundary of the holy territory or inside?

“Did he know that it was forbidden to hunt while in ihram or he did not? “Did he do it intentionally or was it an accident? “Was he a free man or a slave? “Was he minor or an adult? “Was this his first hunting in the state of ihram or a second time? “Was the hunted creature a bird or something else? “Was it big or small? “Was the person sorry that he committed the offence or was he careless about such issues? “Was it in the night or during the day?

“Was he in the state of ihram for the minor pilgrimage or for the major pilgrimage?” Yahya bin Aktham was dumbfounded by this thorough analysis of the question by the ten year old Imam Muhammad at- Taqi!