ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Hisham ibn Hakam Characteristics of Hisham Hisham enjoyed the special favour of the Imams (a). Those distinguished remarks which have been quoted in the books of great writers in praise of Hisham have not been quoted regarding any other person.

The 6th Imam (a) has prayed for him and said: "Hisham, I have said about you that very thing which the Prophet (s) said about Hassan (a) May the Holy spirit assist you always as long as you assist us by the help of your tongue (speech)."[^1] Imam al-Sadiq (a) said, "Hisham is the protector of our cause (right) and the annihilator of the babbling and idle speeches of our enemies.

To follow him is just like following us and likewise to be at enmity with him is like being at enmity with us."[^2] One day the Imam said to Hisham, "O Hisham, discuss and argue about religious topics and problems. I am so glad that a person like you were among our Shi'as."[^3] Sulaiman ibn Ja'far has narrated when people asked Imam Reza (a) about Hisham, he replied, "May God bless him; he was a benevolent fellow.

His fellowmen envied and insulted him."[^4] Hisham, from the very beginning of his life as a Shi'a, was favoured by the Shi'a leaders; all followers of the Prophet's household respected him. The Prophet's household and the religious leaders looked upon him with respect and honour.

Remarks of the Scholars Regarding Hisham "Hisham ibn Hakam was one of the greatest followers of Imam al-Sadiq (a) and a pious man and an expert on Islamic laws."[^5] Hisham was one of the closest helpers of the 6th Imam (a) and the 7th Imam and had discourses with his opponents on the basic principles and the other religious matters.

He was alive for sometime even after the death of the 7th Imam (a).[^6] "Hisham is respected and of a high rank and reliable in quoting Hadith (tradition)".[^7] "There was a group of brilliant students of the Holy Family and Shi'a Imams who were outstanding in speculative theology (Ilm-Kalam) due to their skillfulness, proficiency and reasoning power like Hisham ibn Hakam and..."[^8] Hisham has many writings, discourses and books on the topics of Imamate and speculative theology.

The contemporary scholars of Hisham have counted him as the greatest defender of "Wilayah" (trusteeship) and the honour of Shi'a (i.e. eye and face); the "eye of the Shi'a" (Ain-al-Taefe) in the sense that he was a watchful and vigilant protector against the deeds of the opponents.