Imām Jawad
The ninth Imām from the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) of the Prophet(s) is Imām Muhammad b. Ali (‘a). He is well known by two titles: al-Jawād (The Generous One) and at-Taqī (The Pious One).
Imām Muhammad al-Jawād (‘a) was only about 7 or 8 years old when his father was martyred, yet he was the most knowledgeable person of his time. Many doubted that such a young boy could be an Imām, but they were amazed when they asked him difficult questions and received wise answers.
The First Meeting
One day in Baghdad, Caliph Ma’mūn was passing through the streets with his men. All the children ran away from him except Imām al-Jawād (‘a). When Ma’mūn asked why he didn’t run, the Imām replied wisely, “The streets are very wide, and I have no guilt to fear from you.” Ma’mūn was astonished and asked his name. The Imām said, “Muhammad, son of Ali al-Riḍā (‘a).”
Ma’mūn realised the boy was special like his father and decided to marry his daughter to Imām al-Jawād (‘a). Ma’mūn hoped that if they had a child, he could claim succession through the Imām. Also, since Ma’mūn had poisoned Imām al-Riḍā (‘a), marrying his daughter to the Imām’s son was a way to fool people into thinking he respected the family.
The Banu ‘Abbās opposed this idea, so Ma’mūn arranged a debate between the young Imām and the most learned scholar in his court.
The Famous Debate
The hall was full of scholars and people from all classes. Imām al-Jawād (‘a) was only nine years old. When asked about a person who hunted and killed an animal during pilgrimage, the Imām answered with detailed questions about the situation—whether the person was in ihrām, whether the hunting was intentional, whether the person repented, the type and age of the animal, and more.
The scholars were shocked and confused by the depth of his questions. The hall erupted in takbīr as everyone realised the Imāms of Ahlul Bayt (‘a) were truly gifted with Divine knowledge.
Later, Imām al-Jawād (‘a) married Ma’mūn’s daughter, but she had no children, so Ma’mūn’s plan to have grandchildren succeed him failed. The Imām had other wives and many children from them.
Life under Mu’tasim
After Ma’mūn died, the next ruler, Mu’tasim, disliked Imām al-Jawād (‘a) because of his growing popularity and knowledge. Mu’tasim forced the Imām to move back to Baghdad, where he could keep a close watch on him.
Mu’tasim, son of Harūn al-Rashīd by a Turkish mother, brought many Turks to Baghdad, built a new city called Samarrā, and moved the capital there. Before moving, Mu’tasim decided to remove Imām al-Jawād permanently because he feared the Imām’s influence.
Martyrdom
Mu’tasim ordered Imām al-Jawād to be poisoned. Imām Muhammad al-Jawād (‘a) was the youngest martyr among the Imāms, passing away at only 25 years old. He was buried next to his grandfather Imām Mūsā al-Kāẓim (‘a) in Baghdad, in the place known today as Kāẓimiyya.