1. Al-Saadiq The Sixth Imam
By A.S. Hashim. MD

2. Who is Al-Saadiq?: Lineage
Great Granddaughter of Abu Bakr

3. Lineage Al-Saadiq Zainul Abideen Grandfather Father Al-Baaqir
Great granddaughter
of Abu Bakr
Mother
Umm Farwa

4. Early childhood Born in 83 Hijrah
Close to his father Al-Baaqir and grandfather Zainul Abideen
Visited with them Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi quite often
Was tutored by both father and grandfather
Memorized the Quran and learned a great deal about Islam early on

5. In his Boyhood Al-Saadiq learned about:
Undercover agents and informants of Benu Umayya against the lovers of Ahlul Bayt
Al-Hajjaj and his cruelty in Iraq
The loyalist and supporters of Ahlul Bayt
The ongoing process of teaching Islam to so many students
The discussions about various Islamic topics

6. In his boyhood
Al-Saadiq’s grandfather Zainul Abideen, and father Al-Baaqir were active in teaching him:
the Holy Quran, then
Tafseer, followed by
the Hadith and
Al‑Ah'kaam
Al‑Saadiq was eager in learning and extremely receptive.  He showed an unparalleled brilliance.
Besides his father, learning came at the hands of his family.

7. The three phases of Islam
1. Muhammad
ISLAM
2. Ali, Hasan &
Husain
3. Rest of Imams

8. The 1st of 3 Phases of Islam
CARRIED OUT BY:
TASKS CONSISTING  OF:
FIRST
Muhammad 
(pbuh)
Emphasis was on teaching Islam in depth, especially to the Sahaaba  (Companions) and making Islam available to the maximum number of people—yet, bearing in mind that it would take an average person a long time to assimilate Islam. Therefore, Muhammad
(pbuh) did not fight the hypocrites.

9. The 2nd of 3 Phases of Islam
CARRIED OUT BY:
TASKS CONSISTING  OF:
SECOND
Ali, Al-Hasan, and Al-Husain
They were the 3 who were to confront the negative forces caused by Islamicly weak persons which threatened to undermine Islam:  Be it during Ali's Khilaafah, Al‑Hasan's acceptance of peaceful terms, or the events leading to the explosive but anticipated Karbala as led by Al‑Husain.

10. The 3rd of 3 Phases of Islam
CARRIED OUT BY:
TASKS CONSISTING  OF:
THIRD
Zainul Abideen and the Imams after him.
Zainul Abideen took on his shoulders the heavy task of teaching the scholars  (the educational endeavor) once the confrontational phase was over.  This culminated by establishing the Islamic Institute  (Institute of Ahlul Bayt).  The main source of information was the Corpus of Knowledge Imam Ali left.  The Institute was to expand and flourish by later Imams.

11. Al-Saadiq Understands Phase III
Having reviewed the Islamic environs Al-Saadiq focuses on Phase III
Much discussion takes place between him and his father and grandfather
Decision seems so obvious for the course of action
Early on Al-Saadiq participates enthusiastically in the teaching endeavor

12. Al-Saadiq in his Teens
Father Al‑Baaqir was the acknowledged head of Ahlul Bayt's Institute,
Uncle Zaid Ibn Ali was an active participant,
Al‑Saadiq and his brothers were managers of the institute’s affairs.
Al‑Saadiq was actively teaching, directing, debating, discussing, and disputing numerous Islamic issues.
The Golden Chain of Narration

13. Al-Saadiq in his Twenties
Marries Granddaughter of Al-Hasan, Children:
Abdullah
Ismail
Manages the Institute along with his father
Tutors his Children
The Weakening of Benu Umayya's Rule
Works at the orchard to earn their living, and
Was frequently at the Masjid Al‑Nabawi performing Salat and reading Du'aa. 

14. Al-Saadiq in his Thirties
Al‑Baaqir died at the age of 57
Before his death Al-Baaqir confers the Imamah on Al-Saadiq, and trusts him with the Corpus of Knowledge
By now Al-Saadiq is 31 Yrs old.
Medina and Mecca have become the intellectual centers of learning
Imamah means a designation (Nass) by the Almighty sent down to Muhammad (pbuh) through Jubra'eel, then passed down from one Imam to the subsequent one

15. Al-Saadiq in his Thirties
Refuses to Participate in Toppling Benu Umayya
Fully aware of the underground movement against Benu Umayya
Vigorously Teaches:
Tafseer and Hadith
Shari'ah and Fiqh
Ah'Kaam and Ethics
Other sciences and referring to the Golden Chain of narration

16. Corpus of Knowledge consists of the following:
Quran in chorological order
Tafseer (Mus’haf Fatima)
Hadith (Saheefa of Ali)
Ah’kaam
Al-Jafr:
White Jafr: Prophets and early times
Red Jafr: Rules of war in Islam

17. Al-Saadiq in his Forties
Marries Hameedah Al-Maghribiyah
Al-Kadhim is Born
Ismail, the oldest son, dies in his thirties
Revolts to topple Benu Umayya spread
The capable and cunning Abu Muslim defeats Benu Umayya at Zap Battle
Benu Umayya are chased out and put to the sword
Even the graves of Benu Umayya’s Khalifas were dug out and the remains put to the fire

18. Al-Saadiq in his Forties
Many revolts took place against the oppressive rulers
Benu Umayya had become very weak at the same time
Abu Muslim Al-Khurasani led the opposing powers from Khurasan
Abu Muslim was joined by forces in Iraq led by Benu Abbas
The great battle at Zab took place
Benu Umayya were soundly defeated

19. Al-Saadiq in his Forties
The revolts against Benu Umayya were by Mawaali and Arabs who were fed up with the dictatorial rulers
They revolted to champion Ahlul Bayt and uphold them. للرضا من آلِ محمد
Al-Saadiq did not take part, instead he was extremely busy in the Institute which reached its zenith by then
Al-Saffah of Benu Abbas becomes Khalifa, followed by Al-Mansoor

20. During Al-Saadiq’s Imamah
The institute of Ahlul Bayt is at its zenith
Up to 4,000 scholars graduate during his Imamah
Graduates write about 400 books Al-Usool Al-Arba’mi’ah الأصول ألأربعمائه
Numerous knowledge seekers travel from far away (and live in Medina) to attend his discourses
He argues with the Kharijis (deviators) and Ghulaat (exaggerationists) and all other deviant groups.

21. The Institute graduates Educational works of Al-Saadiq versus Al-Baaqir
During Al-Baaqir’s time, 300 Scholars graduated.
During Al-Saadiq’s time 4,000 Scholars graduated.
Many Scholars of Al-Baaqir continued Afterward with Al-Saadiq
The graph compares the relative numbers of scholars during both Imam’s times
This remarkable growth came only when pressure on Ahlul Bayt eased off

22. Al-Saadiq’s Character #I
Worked with his hands in the fields
Used to deal as a merchant, selling and buying various goods
Dress in immaculate manner
Had an appearance commanding reverence and high esteem
Discourse Capacity:  People were spellbound by his discussions
Fiqh clarification, dissemination, and systematization were closely related to Imam Al‑Saadiq

23. Al-Saadiq’s Character #2
Sciences of Islam were paramount in his mind, be it the Holy Quran, Hadith, Fiqh, or Philosophy
Was the most ethical, one who scrupulously applied the Islamic ethical conduct
Was the prototype and model of piety
Was renowned for his nobility, virtue, and rectitude
He was hospitable and a very generous person
He held the poor in good regard, and gave in charity repeatedly

24. Al-Saadiq’s Character #3
Among other things he Focused on:
the ethics and mannerism of Islam. 
stressed the perfection of character in his teachings, and
repeatedly reminded his students to incorporate goodness of character, based on piety (Taq'wa),
He urged his students to:
deal in commerce, manufacture, and science;
more so to be as independent as possible, thus avoid dealing with the government and politics.
to excel in administration and management, and to be dynamic in all aspects of life

25. The Golden Chain of Narration
Thousands of Hadiths were narrated and quoted through Ja'far Al‑Saadiq. 
He often said, "My Hadith is the Hadith of my father, and his is the Hadith of his father, up to Ali, who directly narrated the Hadith from Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)."   This is called the Golden Chain of Narration.
These Hadiths were of immense importance, since they corrected the inaccuracies and set right the contaminations which had crept into this science.   

26. Golden Chain of Narration: (so far)
The Chain

27. The Institute: holding discourses
Discourses used to be held at:
Al-Saadiq’s Home
Masjid Al-Nabawi
Mecca during Haj
Discourses consisted of:
Answering questions, quoting Hadith, Tafseer, Matters pertaining to Fiqh and many others

28. The Institute: The whereabouts
To seek his knowledge people came hundreds or thousands of miles from:
Kufa
Basra
Qum
Yemen
Syria
Egypt and many more
Many made their home in Medina for the sake of studying at Al-Saadiq’s hands

29. To seek his knowledge, they Hailed from:

30. The Institute: The Students
Students became Muj’tahid, many formed their own School of Thought (Madh’habs):
Abu Hanifa
Anas Ibn Malik
Sufyan Al-Thawri
Ibn U'yainah
Al-Aw'zaa'i
Some of these Schools of Thought survived till today, other perished after 1-3 centuries, for lack of government support

31. The Institute: The Students
The core were Shi’a, close, devotees, special
They were the Special who wrote books, led discussions, argued, the activists
The activists even practiced the technique of the way to argue and to present their point of view
Majority were not Shi'a, they were Aammah (general public):
Some were scholarly whose teachings later formed Madh’habs, such as Abu Hanifa and Malik
Others attended just to learn

32. Al-Saadiq argued with men of Ideologies
Ideology
Their belief
The Ghulaat
Exaggerationists
Khariji
Deviators
Murji'ah
Postpone it to God
Mu'tazila
Theological Logic
Jabriah
Absolute Predestination believers
Qadariyah
Absolute Free‑will believers
The Zandeeqs
Agnostics

33. Of the 4,000 Al-Saadiq’s Students:
Ibn Uqda in his book Al-Mu’tabar:
Names the 4,000 student-scholars who attended the institute
Book (Al-Mu’tabar) was written at the end of the 2nd Century H
Ibn Uqda was Shafi’i
Sahih Bukhari quotes 70 of Al-Saadiq’s student-scholars
Al-Sihaah Al-Sittah quote 300 of Al-Saadiq’s student-scholars
Names of these students are in Book Al-Ghadeer, by Amini

34. The Institute of Ahlul Bayt
Al-Saadiq: The Greatest Personality the 2nd Islamic Century Produced
4000 Scholars tutored
The 400 Books of Usool
Abu Hanifa and Malik ibn Anas
Quranic Sciences and Tafseer
Hadith and Ah’kaam
Theological Logic, Philosophy, and other subjects

35. Subjects Taught The Quran and its Tafseer Fiqh and Jurisprudence
Science of Hadith
Philosophy
Science of Kalaam
Chemistry
Biology
The study of Arabic Language
Seerah of the Prophet
encouraged his students to write and author books for the benefit of others

36. Subjects of Discussions

37. Noteworthy Students Abu Hanifa (Head of Hanafi Madh’hab)
Malik ibn Anas (Head of Maaliki Madh’hab)
Jabir ibn Hayyan (known as Geber in Europe)
Wa’sil ibn Ata (Head of Mu’tazila)
Hisham ibn Hakam
Mu'min Al-Taaq
Sufyan Al-Thawri (Head of his own Madh’hab)
Al-Aw'zaa‘i (Head of his own Madh’hab)
Ibn U'yainah

38. Al-Maaliki about Al-Saadiq
"I used to attend discourses given by Ja'far Al‑Saadiq, who most of the time had a cheerful look and serene countenance, but whenever the Prophet's (pbuh) name was mentioned his color would immediately change becoming pale in of awe Him.
I frequently attended his discourses over a long period of time and often saw him either praying, fasting, or reading the Holy Quran. I never saw him talking about Allah's Messenger (pbuh) without him being in a state of Wudu.
Al‑Saadiq never spoke about anything of no concern to him.
Al‑Saadiq was a pious and devout man, who donated himself to Allah.
لقد كنت آتي جعفر بن محمد فكان كثير التبسُّم فإذا ذُكِر النبي (ص) تغير لونه،
وقد اختلفتُ إليه زماناً فما كنتُ أراه إلا على إحدي ثلاث خِصال:
إما مصلياً وإما صائماً وإما يقرأ القرآن
وما رأيتهُ يُحدِّثُ عن رسول الله إلا وهو على طهارة ولا يتكلم في ما لا يعنيه
وكان من العباد الزهاد الذين يخشون الله

39. Ismah Emphasized Ismah: Ayah of Tat’heer: Surah 33 : Ayah 33.
Ahlul Bayt are to be obeyed, not just revered;
Imamah:  was of immense importance. A designated Imam was Ma'soom, i.e., safeguarded by Allah from :
Religious error,
sin, and
forgetfulness.
Those who ignore the Imamah will have ignored a basic pillar in their faith.

40. Contemporary schools of thought
Numerous Piety-minded communities were already in existence; headed by
its leader called Aalim.
They were each active and many were highly influential. To mention just a few there were:
The Shi'a (Imamah-Asserters),
School of Ibn Abbas,
School of Ibn Omar,
Murji'ah,
Khariji,
Mu'tazila,
Jabriah,
Qadariyah,
Jah'miyyah
Along with less important others

41. Contemporary Khulafaa
During his Lifetime, Al-Saadiq was contemporary to the Following Rulers of Benu Umayya
Benu Marwan:
Abdul Malik son of Marwan
Waleed son of Abdul Malik
Suleiman son of Abdul Malik
Omar son of Abdul Aziz
Yazid II son of Abdul Malik
Hisham son of Abdul Malik
Al‑Waleed grandson of Abdul Malik
Yazid III son of Al‑Waleed
Ibrahim, son of Al‑Waleed
Marwan the Ass, as named by the people.

42. Select sayings of Al‑Saadiq #1
Fear Allah as if you see Him: 
For, if you do not see Him, He certainly sees you. 
And if you think that He does not see you, you will have disbelieved in Him. 
And if you know that He sees you, yet you commit disobedience, you will have disrespected His overseeing you.
The believer is good at helping others,
He is light of burden to others, and
A good manager of his livelihood,
And he sees to it that he won't get stung by a bad experience more than once.

43. Select sayings of Al‑Saadiq #2
Islam is a definite rank. Faith is one rank higher than Islam. Conviction is one rank higher than faith. People have been given a rank lower than conviction.
The desire for the worldly pleasures causes grief and sadness. Abstinence from the worldly pleasures brings about the serenity of both heart and body.
He who gains oppression is not gaining welfare. He who mistreats people should not complain when people mistreat him.
A Muslim always has three characteristics:
knowledge about the religion,
good management of life, and
perseverance in the faces of calamities.

44. Select sayings of Al‑Saadiq #3
When asked about eloquence Imam al-Saadiq answered: Eloquence is to express the idea in as few words as possible. The eloquent person is the one who attains his demand in the most straightforward way.
Fear Allah even if to some extent. Construct a screen between Him and you even if transparent.
Treat your fathers piously so that your sons will treat you piously. Keep yourselves away from the strange women so that your women will be chaste.
Salutation is voluntary; while responding is obligatory.
Shake hands, because this will confiscate malice.

45. Select sayings of Al‑Saadiq #4
We love those who are intelligent, knowledgeable, perceptive, expert, clement, courteous, patient, veracious, and loyal. Allah gave the noble characters exclusively to the Prophets.
He who enjoys such characters should thank Allah for them. He who does not enjoy them should supplicate to Allah for them.
As he was asked about these noble characters, Imam al-Saadiq said:
The noble characters are piety, satisfaction, patience, gratitude, clemency, prudence, generosity, bravery, enthusiasm, veracity, charity, fulfillment of the trusts, conviction, good mannerism, and chivalry.

46. Select sayings of Al‑Saadiq #5
Imam al-Saadiq said to his companion Mufaddal: I instruct you to stick to six characters and relate them to my adherents – Shi’a.
You should fulfill the trust of him who entrusts you with anything.
You should like for your brother whatever you like for yourself.
You should know that every matter has an end; therefore, you should beware of the outcomes of matters.
Similarly, every matter has a sudden event; hence, beware of the sudden events.
Beware of climbing an easy mountain if its slope is uneven.
Never promise your brother of a matter that you cannot fulfill.
People are equal like the teeth of a comb. With the support of his brothers, a man can be regarded as great. No goodness is expected in the friendship of those who do not like for their friends whatever they like for themselves.

47. Imam Al‑Saadiq dies Imam Al‑Saadiq died at the age of 65 years.
His Imamah was for 34 Years
His death was mourned by numerous people
He designated his son, Al‑Kadhim, as the subsequent Imam
He handed Al-Kadhim the books constituting the Corpus of Knowledge which Imam Ali had written before.
Imam Al‑Saadiq was buried in Al‑Baqii, by the burial site of his forefathers, the previous Imams

48. Picture of Al-Baqii Before & After 1925
Al-Baqii after it was destroyed
Al-Baqii before 1925

49. Ziyarah of Al‑Saadiq in Baqi’i
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَئِمَّةَ الْهُدَى السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ التَّقْوَى‏
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَيُّهَا الْحُجَجُ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَيُّهَا الْقُوَّامُ فِي الْبَرِيَّةِ بِالْقِسْطِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الصَّفْوَةِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ آلَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ النَّجْوَى‏
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ بَلَّغْتُمْ وَنَصَحْتُمْ وَصَبَرْتُمْ فِي ذَاتِ اللَّهِ وَكُذِّبْتُمْ وَأُسِي‏ءَ إِلَيْكُمْ فَغَفَرْتُمْ‏ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ الرَّاشِدُونَ الْمُهْتَدُونَ وَأَنَّ طَاعَتَكُمْ مَفْرُوضَةٌ وَأَنَّ قَوْلَكُمُ الصِّدْقُ‏ وَأَنَّكُمْ دَعَوْتُمْ فَلَمْ تُجَابُوا وَأَمَرْتُمْ فَلَمْ تُطَاعُوا

50. Ziyarah of Al‑Saadiq in Baqi’i
Peace be upon you O Leaders of Guidance; Peace be upon you O Masters of Piety,
Peace be upon you O Proofs of Allah on the people of the earth;
Peace be upon you who were Steadfast in dealing with justice.
Peace be upon you O people of the Chosen One.
Peace be upon you the Family of the Prophet of Allah,
Peace be upon you O people whose souls converse to the Almighty,
I bear witness that you had Proclaimed and Advised and had Persevered for the sake of Allah
And that you were belied and mistreated, yet you forgave
And I bear witness that you are the rightly guided leaders; and that obedience to you is incumbent and that your speech is correct and you had invited to the Truth but were not answered and you commanded but were not followed……

51. Finally Let us Read Surah al-Asr Together

52. Thank you and May God Bless you.
Be in Allah’s Care
Thank you and May God Bless you.
Dr. A.S. Hashim