Imam Jafar as Sadiq (as) was born on the 17th of Rabiul Awal, 83rd year after Hijrah, in the city of Medina. He (as) has the same birth date as
that of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). His father was Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) and his mother Umm-e-Farwah.
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) has three titles; they are: As-Sadiq, Al-Fadil, At-Tahir. He is the 6th Imam (as) from the 12 Imams from the Progeny of
Muhammad (saw).
Upon the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) the government of Bani Umayyah was shaken and caused the people to question their
intentions and resulted in them becoming opposed by the public. This then lead to the formation of the Bani Abbasid government. The
conflict between these two powers cleared a way in which Imam Sadiq (as) was able to propagate Islam. He (as) could, through a learning
movement spread the teachings of Islam in such a way to extend and make it reach all the people in the world, and this is in no means an
exaggeration. A statement which will be explained shortly Insh’Allah.
The life of Imam Jafar Sadiq (as), just as all the Imams (peace be upon them), was the enlightened lesson of the real and true Islam. He (as)
himself was considered to be the example and specimen of the Islamic ethic, moral and conduct.
It would be rather difficult an attempt to find a father and a son from all the people, of all the tribes who are able to resemble each other
in so many virtues, whether it is ideas, thoughts, character or conduct. The family of the Prophet of Islam (pbuh) and his successors all
were on the same line and performed their heavenly duty with one aim, one ideology and there existed not any kind of difference in their
speech, character and ethical conduct. We all know the saying of the Prophet of Allah (saw) “I am the city of knowledge and Ali (as) is the
door”. So what we have here is the knowledge from Prophet Muhammad (saw) being poured out through the Imam Ali (as) and passed
down through the progeny of Ali (as). Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and Imam Ali (a.s) with his sons, compliment one another.
If I may use a comparison, think of a loaf of bread, very delicious, which is wholesome and nourishing, not many are able to eat and
digest an entire loaf of bread. Which is why it has various slices that make up that bread, so you can take from it, in parts. Just like that,
Muhammad (s.a.w) and Ali (a.s) with his Progeny are from the same essence. And only when we look at them collectively can we really
appreciate how wonderful they truly are, Subhan’Allah.
The Holy Qur'an, considers all the people as equal, except for those who are
decorated with the ornament of piety. Let’s look at what many well-known
personalities had to say about Imam Jafer as Sadiq (as)
Malik bin Ans says, "Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) was always busy praying to God and
considered to be one of the great ascetic and devoted ones."
Abdul Ala says, “On a hot day of summer I saw Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) on one of the
roads of Medina while he was going for a job. I said, "May I lay my life for you, why
have you put yourself into inconvenience in such a hot weather, with all the faith
upon God and association with the Prophet Muhammad (saw)?"
He replied, "I have come out for the job and to earn my livelihood, so that I must
not remain needy towards others."
Another says, "I saw Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) wearing rough dress and he was working in a garden like an ordinary labor and perspiring all
over." I said to him "Oh, the son of Prophet Muhammad (saw) allow me to work for you."
He said, "I love working for my livelihood and to taste the hardship of the burning heat of the sun like others."
I have mentioned these narrations to give an idea of the modesty of the Imam (as). That he worked for that which he had. Surely he was
well-known and many would offer their lives for him, yet he never asked anything of them. Which is another lesson that I myself have
learnt from the Ahlul-Bayt (as), and that is, never stick your hand out and ask of creation before you raise your hands and ask from the
Creator, for he who sticks his hand out to creation will always be dependent on creation.
I mentioned I would explain how the knowledge of the Imam would spread across the entire world. This is how it occurred. Imam Jafar
Sadiq (as) was the teacher of the two Sunni Imams, i.e., Abu Hanifa al-Numan and Malik Ibn Anas.
It is reported that Abu Hanifa al-Numan said: "Except for the two years I have spent with Imam Sadiq (as), I would have perished”,
referring to the two years he had benefited from the knowledge of Imam Jafar Sadiq (as). Malik Ibn Anas also confessed straightforwardly
that he had not met anyone learned in Islamic Jurisprudence better than Imam Jafar Sadiq (as).
The people of that time had become so infatuated with Imam Sadiq (as) and placed him in such a high esteem, which lead to the Mansur,
the caliph at the time requesting from Abu Hanifa to prepare some very difficult questions which was posed to the Imam (as) in the
presence of the caliph as well as in front of other scholars."
These were the i