Imām al-Hādī
Imām ‘Alī b. Muhammad (‘a) is the tenth divinely-appointed successor of the Prophet (s). He is well known by two titles: al-Hādī (The Guide) and an-Naqī (The Pure One).
When his father, Imām Muhammad al-Jawād (‘a), was poisoned, Imām ‘Alī al-Hādī (‘a) was only about eight years old.
Imām al-Hādī (‘a) was unmatched in his character and knowledge. No one was more learned or generous than him in his time. He was always soft-spoken, pious, and gentle with others.
His Time
When Mu’tasim poisoned Imām al-Hādī’s father, Imām al-Jawād (‘a), he did not know what to do with the young Imām. Imām al-Hādī (‘a) was only eight years old but had already won the hearts of the people. If Mu’tasim imprisoned him, the people would revolt; but if he did nothing, Imām al-Hādī (‘a) would earn everyone’s love and loyalty and might overthrow him!
Mu’tasim thought of a plan and decided to teach the Imām the Qur’ān through an educated Qur’ān teacher who hated the family of the Prophet (s) because of their piety and knowledge.
As the lessons began, the teacher thought to himself that he could translate the verses however he wished, and the Imām would not notice. But when the teacher reported to Mu’tasim, he said, “Imām al-Hādī (‘a) is not a student — he is a teacher and more knowledgeable than me.”
Mu’tasim was so angry he wanted to kill his own men.
When al-Mutawakkil became the new ruler, he was one of the cruelest Caliphs and loved to shed the blood of the descendants of the Prophet (s) and the Shī’ah.
Al-Mutawakkil was sinful and cruel like the Umayyad Yazīd. He lived a life of immodesty and intoxication, always surrounded by singing women and wine.
Imām ‘Alī al-Hādī (‘a) was kept under house arrest, with the Caliph spying on his every move. At first, Imām al-Hādī (‘a) lived in Madīnah, but later al-Mutawakkil ordered his arrest and brought him and his family to the capital, Samarrā.
Al-Mutawakkil was well known for his hatred of the Ahlul Bayt (‘a). He tortured, imprisoned, and killed anyone who went for the ziyārah of Imām Ḥusayn (‘a) in Karbalā. He even tried to flood the grave of Imām Ḥusayn (‘a) but failed.
Al-Mutawakkil could not tolerate Imām al-Hādī (‘a) any longer. It bothered him that people spoke of the Imām’s virtues and vast knowledge, and that the Shī’ah believed in his Imāmate and considered him more worthy of the Caliphate than himself. He tried to assassinate the Imām but failed.
Imām al-Hādī (‘a) turned to Allah and prayed a holy du’ā known as the Du’ā of the Wronged against the Unjust, one of the treasures of the Ahlul Bayt (‘a).
Allah responded to Imām al-Hādī’s (‘a) prayer and severely punished his enemy. After this du’ā, al-Mutawakkil lived no more than three days.
After al-Mutawakkil, a few more rulers came to power. The Abbasid government kept watching the Imām and plotting to get rid of him. At that time, the Turks were running the government and held power behind the scenes.
Another cruel Abbasid ruler came to power. Imām al-Hādī (‘a) became a heavy burden on him when he saw people praising the Imām’s virtues, knowledge, and piety. Filled with anger, envy, and spite, the ruler’s ego led him to commit the worst crimes in Islam.
This cruel Caliph poisoned Imām al-Hādī (‘a), and the poison spread throughout his body.
Imām al-‘Askari (‘a) buried his father, preserving the values of knowledge, patience, and piety in Samarrā.