Imam Muhammad Taqi (A.S.), the Generous and Benevolent Holy Imam (A.S.)
The ninth Infallible Imam of Shi'as in the world, Muhammad Taqi (A.S.), his sobriquet is Aba Ja'far and his titles are: Taqi, Javad, Qane, Morteza and Montakhab, but the most noteworthy of them is `Taqi', signifying a pious person, and `Javad', meaning generous and benevolent.
The Ninth Imam (A.S.) was renowned for having a sweeping command of science, philosophy and ethics, even when he had not reached the age of puberty. His peers were in no way comparable to his prodigious thought.
It is related that one day, Mamun, the Abassid Caliph offered the Imam who was a boy a toy. The latter politely remarked, "We have not been created for playing. There is a significant and ultimate purpose for our creation."
These words stunned Mamun. Furthermore, a great number of scholars would call on the Imam, seeking solution for various problems, and they always received propitious answers from him.
The Imam's (A.S.) sweeping power, revealed in his scientific and philosophical discussions at the age of nine, has astounded scholars. It has also been related that at a session, Imam Muhammad Taqi(A.S.) responded to 30,000 questions posed by Hajjis at a time when he was not more than 10 years of age.
Another outstanding trait of the Imam was his exceptional prowess and courage in expressing what was truthful, fearing no one but Almighty Allah. He dauntlessly embarked on the delineation of the secondary aspects of religion and scientific problems. A salient and vividly penetrating characteristic of the Imam (A.S.) was his overflowing generosity.
During his 17 years of Imamate (religious leadership), Imam Muhammad Taqi(A.S.) mostly engaged in praying, the advancement of Islamic precepts, teaching religious decrees and the exegesis of the Qur'an. The major pursuit of the Imam (A.S.) was the dissemination and advancement of Islamic thought, safeguarding the prestige of Islam from infidels and enemies. He also spent time solving problems with his impeccable exactitude.
The period of the Imam's Imamate coincided with the rule of two of the Abassid caliphs, namely, Mamun and Muta'sem. Through pressuring Muslims, these caliphs aimed at dealing a blow to Islam. Under such a repressive atmosphere, Imam Muhammad Taqi (A.S.) embarked upon the guidance of Muslims in divulging the crimes and atrocities of the Abassid caliphs.
The Abassid caliphs propagated the pre-destination concept of the Ashairah, which is clearly an imperialistic thesis, incompatible with the precepts of the Qur'an. With relentless participation in various meetings, the Imam (A.S.) launched his inexorable and adamant assault on such notions.
In this regard, Imam Muhammad Taqi (A.S.) has aptly and beautifully stated: "The tyrant and his assistant, and the one seeking gratification from tyranny are all participants in the sin of tyranny."
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