IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST GRACIOUS, MOST MERCIFUL,
THE PUBLISHER'S WORD
Gentle reader,
This book, between your hands, is among the masterpieces of the late shaykh Mohammed Husayn al-Muzaffar. The Shaykh was a prominent scholar with outstanding merits. He rendered great services to the Muslim world. Among them is this book he has written on Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, to show his unique qualities.
The book, written in Arabic, was published several times by the Theological School in Najaf. Then it has been published by the Theological School in Qum.
Because of the historical importance of the book, we have decided to publish it in English to avail Muslims all over the world. Besides we have shortened some of its subject so as not to be boring.
So, gentle reader, read the book carefully and send us your viewpoints and suggestions to put them into effect, for as they say: "Many heads are better than one." Thank you.
DEDICATION
My master Abu Abd Allah: I raise these brief pages with both my hands to dedicate them to your exalted holiness. I am sure that I am not among those who match these high ascents, or whose goods are sold in such an expensive market, but I am cleaving to the handle of this pure progeny, holding fast to this Blessed Tree, and hoping very much to be among those lucky ones who serve them. This book, which is between my hands, is the result of my collecting, writing, and commenting-and the value of each person is what he does well-then if there is a good feature in it, it is from you and to you; if there is a slip in it, it is from my disobedient pen. Still you are the best in forgiving short comings. My hope is that you will be kind enough to buy these goods from your follower. Its price is your acceptance. How high this price is! Your servant, Mohammed al- Husayn al- Muzaffar
PREFACE
As understanding the life of this Imam needs studying the affairs of the Omayyad and the Abbasid dynasties when Abu Abd Allah, peace be on him, lived, the attitude of these two powers towards the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt
), the number of ahl al Bayt, the religious sects and schools during his lifetime, and the opinions of people about the Imamate, it is necessary for us to mention these subjects in the preface, because through them we are able to understand his political, scientific and social life, and the reason for which he published sciences and knowledge, he summoned Muslims to adopt ethics and merits, and urged them to spread virtues secretly and keep their attribution to (ahl al-Bayt
) secret. Also he prevented his followers from showing their support for them and going frequently to them openly. This is what we call dissimulation (taqiyah).
So, through this preface, the reader is aware of the lifetime of this Imam before he studies its details.
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. The Beneficent, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we serve and Thee do we beseech for help. Keep us on the right path. The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed favors. Not (the path) of those upon whom Thy wrath is brought down, nor of those who go astray.
Surely Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who believe! Call for (Divine) blessings on him and salute him with a (becoming) Salutation.
Peace be upon Al Yasin.
In The Name Of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful,
Praise be to Allah, the lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our master Mohammed and his Household.
The rank and position of Imam Abu Abd Allah Ja'far b. Mohammed al-Sadiq, peace and blessings be upon him, is not hidden. All Muslims, the pioneers of science, and the like, know that he was the torch of guidance and the lamp of the religion that spread during his lifetime and whose lights radiated all over the world. In the meantime the transmitters of traditions, the representatives of the science of Hadith (tradition), and the theologians of Shi'a and non- Shi'a graduated from his schools. As we are not able to know every thing about this great Islamic figure, then we will take a glance at his lifetime.
For this reason, the Foundation has printed the book of the scholar, the researcher Shaykh Mohammed al- Husayn Muzaffar, because he has briefly studied many achievements of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, such as his scientific schools, his debates, his sermons, his sayings, and those who have narrated ahadeeth on his authority from among Shi'as and non-Shi'as.
We implore Allah, the Exalted, to grant us success to publish Islamic books and offer them to the pioneers of knowledge and the theological schools, verily He is the Lord of success.