In the Name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate –
Salaam friends and heartfelt condolences to you all on a very tragic day.
Today the 25th of Rajab is the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Musa Kazem (AS), the 7th Infallible Heir of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). Here is a special feature on the Imam whose shrine in Kazemain, north of Baghdad is overflowing with millions of pilgrims from Iraq and all over the world, undaunted by the bomb blasts of the dastardly Takfiri terrorists.
“Indeed, God has two authorities over the people; an apparent one and a hidden one. His apparent authority are the Apostles, Prophets and Imams; and the concealed authority is the intellect of the people.”
These words are food for thought. They clearly point out to the proper paths of guidance. These dynamic words are indeed a safeguard against the pitfalls that the devil has set up to trap the children of Adam, both apparent and concealed – kings, presidents, dictators, pseudo scholars, caliphs, and the mindless pursuit of carnal pleasures.
Today we are commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of the person who presented to us such pearls of perfection. He was the Imam or Divinely-Designated Leader of his age, and was poisoned to death in prison by a tyrannical caliph of his times. Born in 128 AH in Abwa between the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, he was the 7th Infallible Heir of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) and was named “Musa” in honour of another Prophet – Arabic for Moses.
During the 35 years of his imamate that coincided with the reigns of four Pharaohs of the usurper Abbasid regime – Mansour Dawaniqi, Mahdi al-Abbasi, Hadi al-Abbasi, and Haroun ar-Rasheed – he displayed such remarkable patience in controlling his emotions that he is known till this day as “Kazem”. If his God-given knowledge was a byword amongst the people, his wisdom exceeded that of Prophet Solomon, and so dedicated was he in worship that he acquired the epithet “Abd Saleh” (most pious servant of God).
In addition, he has been immortalized as “Bab al-Hawa’ej” (Gateway of Boons), a title by which he is addressed universally by one and all from all over the world, who reverently bow towards his holy shrine in Kazemayn, the northeastern suburb of Baghdad, where no traces remain of the magnificent palaces built by his assassin, Haroun Rasheed.
Haroun in trying to show off to Imam Kazem (AS) his palace, asked him about the owner of such a majestic building. The Imam without being the least impressed said: “this is the home of a corrupt person, it is about such people that God says in the Qur’an – in ayah 146 of Surah A’raaf:
“Soon I shall turn away from My signs those who are unduly arrogant in the earth: [even] though they should see every sign, they will not believe in it, and if they see the way of rectitude they will not take it as [their] way, and if they see the way of error they will take it as [their] way. That is because they deny Our signs and are oblivious to them.”
At the recitation of these words of God, the self-styled caliph became so incensed that he lost his composure. This was not the only instance when the boastful Haroun had lost face vis-à-vis the Prophet’s rightful successor. Another famous encounter between the two took place in Medina at the Prophet’s shrine, where to deceive the people Haroun saluted the sacred tomb with the words: Greetings to you O Messenger of God; greetings to you O Cousin.” Soon Imam Musa Kazem (AS) entered the holy shrine and saluted the Prophet’s tomb with the words: “Greetings to you O Messenger of God; greetings to you O Grandfather.”
The tyrant was dumbfounded and left the Prophet’s Mosque. Some years later, he devised a plan, and after kidnapping the Imam, arranged two canopied litters atop a string of camels, sending one in the direction of Baghdad and the other in the direction of Basra.
To be brief, the 7th Imam was confined to the house of the governor of Basra, who refused to do any harm to the Prophet’s venerable descendant. Haroun then had the Imam transferred to Baghdad to the custodianship of Fadhl ibn Rabi’, who also treated Imam Kazem (AS) with respect. Haroun went mad with rage and ordered the flogging of Fadhl ibn Rabi’. He then gave charge of the Prophet’s heir to the despicable Sindi bin Shahik, who poisoned the Imam’s food.
As a result, after three days of writhing in pain, Imam Musa Kazem (AS) achieved martyrdom on the 25th of Rajab 183 AH. Today, it is the sprawling twin-domed shrine of Kazemayn that majestically tower over the former Abbasid capital, Baghdad, with both Sunnis and Shi’ite Muslims saluting the Prophet’s 7th Infallible Heir, and thronging the shrine despite the bomb blasts triggered by the dastardly terrorists. As for the tyrant Haroun, his rotten bones lie at the feet of son of his victim in Khorasan, where pilgrims to the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) invoke the curse of God on the tyrannical caliph, while sending blessings on Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and the Infallible Ahl al-Bayt.
Let us now present you a tribute to the 7th Imam in verse by Iran’s English language poet Dr. Hassan Najafi:
Through poisoning he martyred the 7th Imam,
The tyrant Haroun Rasheed, may his soul never remain calm,
Over the bridge of Baghdad the Imam’s coffin forsaken lies
The earth, blessed by the Imam, expends to the skies.
Eternal blessings crown me till the end
Because of the Imam’s attention, magnanimity attend,
Blest be that abode where your agonies are told
And each listener finds in angelic hold
Blest are those in your love abound
Shed tears and at your name gather around.
Lakes, forests, cities, plains extending wide
And the pomp of kings, all nothing – but you our pride,
In your love to the unseen regions I ascend
At the feet of Zahra long-desired prostrations I spend.
In you love turns every bosom into a heaven
No matter in order One or Seven.
Like a miser who visited his store
Bends at his treasure, counts behind a closed door.
O Imam Musa Kazem; enhance upon me your care
Let me have your attention’s ample share.
Now the Imam’s words:
“The grave is the first station of Doomsday,
Do fear the stations still on the way.”
“If time opens its fold
Awaits shame as desires denude their hold.”
“Don’t abuse each other
If you do, each is a loser.”
