Al-Saadiq's Educational Expertise: Insights on Ahlul Bayt and the Eclipse of Benu Umayya

1. Questions about Al-Saadiq Educational Expertise 39 Questions A.S. Hashim, MD

2. Definition of Terms in this Slide Show • Institute of Ahlul Bayt: Refers to the teachings and discussions by Ahlul Bayt. This was conducted at: • The house of the Imam • Masjid Al-Nabawi • At or near the Grand Mosque during Haj • Piety-minded: Refers to the many Schools of thought: Like that of Ibn Abbas, of Ibn Omar, Jabriah, Qadariyah, Murj’iah, Ahlul Raa’y, Ahlul Qiyas, etc. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

3. Elaborate on the strategy of Zainul Abideen. • The strategy of Zainul Abideen is for the Imams after him to teach Islam in its pristine form • To fight the government • To overthrow the ruling class • To just expose the bad nature of the rulers Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

4. Describe the Institute of Ahlul Bayt at the beginning of Al‑Saadiq's Imamah. • The Institute was firmly established, yet it could expand further if circumstances allowed. • The scope of the teachings had to sink deeply in the hearts of the public, generation after generation. • Al-Saadiq saw that Benu Umayya were steadily getting weaker • a+b+c+ therefore his strategy was to educate full force. And over the years his strategy proved exceedingly successful. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

5. List some of the most important factors leading to the eclipse of Benu Umayya. • The cruelty Benu Umayya manifested toward Ahlul Bayt and their progeny. • The atrocities dealt to Imam Al‑Husain in Karbala. • The harassment of Ahlul Bayt and their loyalists, added to unkindly subjugation of civilian population. • a+b+c+ The indirect but relentless suppression of the freedom of thought of Ahlul Bayt. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

6. List more of the factors leading to the eclipse of Benu Umayya. • Benu Umayya had a serious moral weakness, they were unworthy men religiously. • The reckless suppression of the uprising against them by Zaid Ibn Ali • The racism Benu Umayya showed in favor of Arabism, which Islam had abolished. • a+b+c+ Much of the public works were concentrated in Syria at the neglect of other territories. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

7. List yet more of the factors leading to the eclipse of Benu Umayya. • The heavy taxation (Jiziah and Ushr) and the methods used, including taxation of marriages, subpoenas, Nowrooz, • Blundering the outposts, and even sometimes taxation of the monks in Egypt. • Benu Umayya's encouragement of fabrication of the Hadiths • a+b+c+ Benu Umayya had to erect garrisons in numerous areas to control the resentful common man Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

8. Evaluate the status of the Mawaali at this period of time. • The number of the people who converted to Islam (Mawaali) was very large • Mawaali had taken to Islamic studies and dissertation writing. • Many Mawaali proved brilliant, capable, and highly learned men of letter. • a+b+c+ The Mawaali resented Benu Umayya since finding out that Benu Umayya were ruling according to the norms of Jahiliya times. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

9. Abu Hanifa attended the discourses of Al-Saadiq. How long did he stay in Medina to learn? • One year • two years • five years • ten years Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

10. What is the attraction of the Institute? • The reputation of the Institute to acquire Islamic knowledge had attracted an large number of seekers of knowledge • It had grown several folds. • a+b+ As the surveillance of Benu Umayya vanished, the knowledge seekers rushed in large numbers to Medina. • It was wonderful to combine vacation and learn Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

11. Who are the seekers of knowledge? • The seekers of knowledge left family, homes, businesses, • They went through the hazards of travel to live in Medina for variable periods of time as needed, • They did this for the sake of learning firsthand in the Institute • a+b+c+ Some stayed for two years such as Abu Hanifa, others stayed much longer, others moved to Medina permanently. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

12. What times of year the seekers of knowledge preferred to attend? • Ramadhan or time for Haj • People from far and diverse areas took advantage of their trip to meet Al-Saadiq • a+b+ and participate in discussions, dialogues, and consultations. • Try to challenge and subdue the Imam. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

13. How many surrounded the Imam? • Imam Al-Saadiq was surrounded by large groups quite often, • bombarding him with numerous questions, about Fiqh, Aqeeda, Tafseer, or other sciences. • He was tireless in helping others, a serene man who made people feel at ease in his presence. • a+b+c+ Imam Al-Saadiq was the most knowledgeable, and the most righteous man of the time. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

14. What impressed people about Al-Saadiq? • People were spellbound by his thinking, and mesmerized by his analysis with good solutions. • He uttered thousands of Hadiths about every facet of life. • He talked Islamic ethics and mannerism, integrity, goodness of character, and acts of worship, among other things. • a+b+c+ He had encyclopedic knowledge Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

15. Describe the Ghulaat' (exaggerationists) ideology. • The Ghulaat (Exaggerationists) were people who produced confusion, were undermining the basics of Islamic teachings, • They attributed Prophethood or Highly Exaggerated and Unacceptable claims to the Imams.  They also fabricated Hadiths.  • They gave sleepless nights to Imam Al‑Saadiq, who fought them relentlessly through arguments and persistent effort to correct their erroneous claims.  • a+b+c+ Thanks to Al‑Saadiq's effort, fortunately the Ghulaat were stopped and finally disappeared. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

16. Discuss the Kharijis. • Khariji, (Deviators) is the group that was in Ali's camp in Siffin • They rose against Ali and caused a great deal of turmoil in the Ummah for many centuries. • a+b+ They subdivided into about 20 subgroups, each claiming its correctness, and forcing people to accept their doctrine or else face destruction. • Khariji are extremely active in France and Germany, Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

17. Define the Mu'tazila. • Mu'tazila are believers of an ideology that believed in the Creation of the Quran. • At first they were part of the Murji'ah but later they separated from them. • Mu'tazila, formed their own philosophy and path of innovative thinking, • a+b+c+ They were intellectuals embraced by many Khalifas, but exterminated by Al-Mutawak’kil. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

18. Evaluate the ideology of the Jabriah. • Jabriah, (Absolute Predestination believers) were still strong at the time of Al-Saadiq • Benu Umayya encouraged the Jabriah since they provided Benu Umayya with an excuse for their un-Islamic behavior.  • a+b+ Imam Al‑Saadiq frequently maintained that: Neither Jabriah nor Qadariyah, but it is a matter in between. • Benu Umayya hated the Jabriah and exterminated them. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

19. Evaluate the ideology of the Qadariyah. • Qadariyah, (Absolute Free‑will believers) were the opposite of Jabriah. • a+ Imam Al‑Saadiq corrected them and frequently maintained the Islamic Directive that: Neither Jabriah nor Qadariyah, but it is a matter in between. • Al‑Saadiq dealt them in a friendly manner, • Qadariyah loved Benu Abbas Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

20. Discuss the Zandeeqs and their ideology. • The Zandeeqs, (Agnostics) began to appear as a new trend during Al-Saadiq’s time • Many of their leaders traveled to Medina to argue their point of view with Imam Al‑Saadiq, • a+b+ He successfully convinced them of their wrong beliefs. • Benu Umayya embraced their theology Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

21. At what 2 places were the discourses of Al‑Saadiq regularly held? • Al-Saadiq held discussions at his home, where the students were not only his apprentices but also his guests. • Discussions were also held in the Masjid Al-Nabawi, the Mosque of the Prophet. • When it was Haj time, seekers of knowledge flocked around Al- Saadiq in the Grand Mosque, • a+b+c+ or within a short distance of the Ka'ba, for discussions, questioning, and clarification of concepts and beliefs. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

22. Give comparative account of graduates of the Institute during the times of Zainul Abideen, Al‑Baaqir, and Al-Saadiq. • Zainul Abideen, 160, Al‑Baaqir 300, and Al-Saadiq 4000 • Zainul Abideen, 26, Al‑Baaqir 30, and Al-Saadiq 400 • Zainul Abideen, 15, Al‑Baaqir 23, and Al-Saadiq 300 • Zainul Abideen, 10, Al‑Baaqir 12, and Al-Saadiq 40 Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

23. Give the number of Scholars (registered by name) graduating at the Institute. • Over the years as many as 4,000 scholars graduated at his hand, as recorded by name. • There were a multitude of others who were not written about. • Only 2300 scholars • Only 789 scholars Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

24. Define the works of the scholars • The scholars wrote books, taught others, and traveled all over • They spread what they quoted from Imam Al Saadiq. • a+b+ Such scholars were very instrumental in counteracting the fabricators of the Hadith who were paid by Benu Umayya. • The scholars failed in their endeavor because of the oppression of Benu Umayya Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

25. Which territories did the scholars come from? • Students who attended the Institute of Ahlul Bayt came in large numbers from Iraq (Kufa and Basrah) • It is recorded that about 1,000 scholars came from Iraq, • A good many from Khurasan of Persia, Egypt, and Yemen attended despite the distance between the two areas • a+b+c+ Even Syria saw 10 scholars had attended. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

26. Mention some of the most important subjects the scholars wrote. • Tafseer, Fiqh and Jurisprudence , Hadith, • Philosophy, Science of Kalaam, • Chemistry, The Sciences of Biology, • a+b+c+ And the Seerah of the Prophet (pbuh), Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

27. How did the scholars train? • Al-Saadiq would form groups to train in the art of argument • Many of his students became famous, well known for the convincing way they presented their point of view. • a+b+ Well known among these are Hisham, Al-Thauri, Ibn U'yainah, and Mu'min Al Taaq to name a few. • Well known among these are Einstein, Darwin, and Carlyle to name a few. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

28. How about the arguments with different ideologies? • Disputations arose between men representing odd ideology and Imam Al-Saadiq himself. • These representatives came to verify or clarify their beliefs. • Some did it to show off, especially the Atheists (Zandeeqs). • a+b+c+ Al-Saadiq and his students were successful in steering these errant people back to authentic Islam Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

29. What are the 400 Usool? • The 400 Usool were books written by students of Imam Al-Saadiq • The 400 Usool were 400 articles • The 400 Usool were written in 1925 • The 400 Usool formed an encyclopedia in the 1st Century Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

30. Name some of the books written. • Meanings of the Quran, Book of Readings, 400 books of Usool, • Classification of Fiqh, Warfare, • Tradition of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), • a+b+c+ Jurisprudence, Being a Judge, Tafseer, Al Tawhid, Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

31. Name more of the books written. • Imamah, Rebuttal of the Zandeeq (Disbelievers), • Biography of the Prophet (pbuh), Knowledge and Comprehension, • Science of Kalaam (Logic and philosophy), Rebuttal of Mu'tazila, • a+b+c+ Moral purity, etc. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

32. How many of Al-Saadiq’s students were quoted in Al‑Sihaah Al‑Sittah? • 300 of students of Al-Saadiq were quoted in Sihaah • 30 of students of Al-Saadiq were quoted in Sihaah • 13 of students of Al-Saadiq were quoted in Sihaah • 320 of students of Al-Saadiq were quoted in Sihaah Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

33. Name one of the students of Al‑Saadiq who was well‑known in the West for centuries. • Jabir Ibn Hayyan in the field of chemistry • Jabir became famous for his research and discoveries.  • Even Algebra was initiated by Imam Al‑Saadiq in conjunction with Jabir, a science that was named after Jabir.  • a+b+c+ Jabir Ibn Hayyan wrote numerous books, one of which contained 500 epistles of Imam Al‑Saadiq in 1,000 pages. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

34. Name some of the advice Al‑Saadiq gave to Al‑Kadhim • O son! The person who is satisfied with what Allah gives him will become rich [figuratively], while the one who looks at what others possess will die poor [figuratively]. • The person who is not satisfied with what Allah gives him is in effect questioning Allah's fairness. • The person who considers his own sins as trivial, tends to consider other people's sins as large. • a+b+c+ The person who unveils other people's plight often ends up with his household's plight unveiled. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

35. Name more of the advice Al‑Saadiq gave to Al‑Kadhim • The one who starts aggression will pay for the consequence. • The person who digs a pit for others will fall in it. • The one who associates himself with the fools will be degraded, while the one who accompanies the learned will gain respect. • a+b+c+ The person who enters in the evil entries will cultivate being accused. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

36. Briefly discuss the final years of Al‑Saadiq. • A1-Saadiq's lifetime was one of rigorous hard work, heavy responsibility, busy schedule, and constant giving from the well-spring of his knowledge. • His final years saw the fruit of his magnificent accomplishments • a+b+c+ but it also saw sorrowful happenings Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

37. Discuss the age and the manner in which Al‑Saadiq died. • Before his death Ja'far Al-Saadiq designated his son, Al Kadhim, as the subsequent Imam, • He gave him a will containing a treasure of wisdom, and handed him the books constituting the Corpus of Knowledge which Imam Ali had written before. • Imam Al Kadhim performed the funeral rituals and • a+b+c+ buried his father Ja'far Al-Saadiq in Al Baqii, Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

38. Quote some of the sayings of Imam Al‑Saadiq. • The person who avoids sinful deeds is pious. • A prudent man delays action when the proposals are doubtful. • The prime duty of a person is to shun evil completely. • a+b+c+ A greedy lover of life becomes abject and dejected at last. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

39. Quote further some of the sayings of Imam Al‑Saadiq. • Many of the bounties of Allah come to men without any anticipation. • Respect the sanctity of other women and people will respect that of your womenfolk. • In this world two persons never get satisfied: • a man greedy for knowledge, and • a man greedy for honor. • a+b+c+ The person who plants enmity will harvest what he plants. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

40. Quote further of the sayings of Imam Al‑Saadiq. • Love for others what you love for yourself. • The pious ones will look forward to the day of judgment. • You can be called courteously humble when you initiate in saluting others. • a+b+c+ Riches if followed by arrogance get transformed into poverty. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

41. Quote further of the sayings of Imam Al‑Saadiq • Allah loves moderation, and dislikes excess even in charity. • Good deeds are registered in the book of the faithful (Mu'min) as long as he remains silent, but both good and bad deeds are registered when he begins to speak. • Mankind would be of little value were it not for those who possess knowledge and those who seek knowledge. • a+b+c+ A miser never gets satisfaction. Comforts remain away from him and he will not experience true joy. Questions, Al-Saadiq, Educational Expertise

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