Written by: Muhammad Jawad Habib
Knowledge and wisdom are fundamental measures of human dignity and status. In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty promises to elevate the ranks of those who have faith and knowledge:
“اللَّهُ یَرْفَعِ الَّذِینَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِینَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ”
“Allah raises those who believe among you and those who are given knowledge, by degrees.” (Surah Al-Mujadila: 11)
The Scholarly Status of the Infallible Imams (A.S.)
According to Shia beliefs, the Infallible Imams (A.S.) are divinely appointed leaders who guide the Muslim Ummah after the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Their knowledge is of the highest degree, as it originates directly from divine teachings, just as the knowledge of the Prophets (A.S.).
Imam Sajjad (A.S.) himself states:
“We are the chosen ones of Allah and the successors of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). We understand the Quran and religion better than anyone else. We are at the highest ranks of knowledge, and the knowledge of all Prophets (A.S.) is preserved with us.”
The Limitations in Imam Sajjad’s (A.S.) Academic Dissemination
Despite possessing divine knowledge, Imam Sajjad (A.S.) faced extreme political oppression and restrictive conditions under tyrannical rulers. As a result, he had limited opportunities to widely transmit his scholarly legacy.
During his final illness, when some of his followers came to visit, the Imam (A.S.) turned to his son, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A.S.), and said:
“Preserve this chest carefully. It does not contain gold or silver but treasures of knowledge and wisdom.”
The Scholarly Legacy of Imam Sajjad (A.S.)
These were the very sciences that later reached the Muslim Ummah through Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A.S.) and Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (A.S.), encompassing jurisprudence, exegesis, theology, ethics, and other Islamic disciplines.
Imam Sajjad’s (A.S.) Scholarly Status Even Among Opponents
The knowledge and virtues of Imam Sajjad (A.S.) were not limited to his followers and Shia scholars; even those who opposed his leadership or harboured enmity toward the Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) acknowledged his intellectual superiority.
For example, when the Roman emperor sent a complex question to Abdul Malik ibn Marwan, he was unable to answer it. Ultimately, he sought help from Imam Sajjad (A.S.), whose response was then sent to the emperor of Rome.
Imam Sajjad (A.S.) and His Expertise in Jurisprudence
Although Imam Sajjad (A.S.) possessed expertise in various disciplines, his status in Islamic jurisprudence was particularly distinguished. Many jurists existed in his era, but Imam Sajjad (A.S.) stood out with such excellence that the renowned Sunni scholar Ibn al-Jawzi referred to him as “Sayyid al-Fuqaha” (The Leader of Jurists).
Many scholars testified:
“We have never seen anyone more knowledgeable and wise than Ali ibn Husayn (A.S.).”
Jurisprudential Authority and Academic Influence
The famous traditionist Zuhri narrates:
“I visited Imam Ali ibn Husayn (A.S.). The Imam (A.S.) asked me, ‘What were you discussing with your companions?’ I replied, ‘We were debating about obligatory fasting, and we all agreed that only the fasts of Ramadan are obligatory.’
The Imam (A.S.) said:
“What you have understood is incorrect. There are forty types of fasting.”
He then elaborated on each type in detail, providing Quranic evidence for each, and even mentioned different interpretations among Sunni jurists.
This incident highlights that Imam Sajjad (A.S.) was not only a reference for Shia scholars but that Sunni jurists also sought his guidance in religious matters. On another occasion, Zuhri approached the Imam (A.S.) to understand the ruling on unintentional manslaughter when the victim was a slave. The Imam (A.S.) provided a comprehensive legal explanation of the matter.
Esoteric Knowledge and Divine Secrets
The Infallible Imams (A.S.) were the bearers of both exoteric (outer) and esoteric (inner) knowledge. However, certain divine secrets and sciences were only imparted to selected individuals.
Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (A.S.) said:
“By Allah! We possess divine secrets and knowledge that we have been commanded to convey to people. We fulfilled our duty, but we did not find individuals capable of understanding and bearing these sciences.”
Several poetic verses are attributed to Imam Sajjad (A.S.), emphasizing that some dimensions of knowledge and spirituality cannot be revealed to the general public.
Training Disciples and Preserving Intellectual Heritage
As the repositories of divine knowledge, the Imams (A.S.) ensured the transmission of their teachings to their students. Despite facing severe challenges such as Abdullah ibn Zubayr’s rebellion, the Umayyad persecution, and the tragic events in Medina, Imam Sajjad (A.S.) successfully nurtured a group of outstanding scholars.
The renowned Shia scholar Sheikh Tusi, in his book Rijal, mentions the names of 170 disciples of Imam Sajjad (A.S.). Some of the most distinguished among them were:
- Saeed ibn al-Musayyib – Imam Sajjad (A.S.) described him as:
“He is the most knowledgeable in the sciences of previous nations and the most insightful man of his time.” - Abu Hamza al-Thumali – Imam Ali al-Ridha (A.S.) said:
“Abu Hamza was to his era what Salman al-Farsi was in the time of the Prophet (PBUH).” - Abu Khalid al-Kabuli, Yahya ibn Umm Tawil, Jubair ibn Mut’im – Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (A.S.) counted them among the most distinguished students of Imam Sajjad (A.S.).
Written Legacy: Intellectual Treasure
The most valuable aspect of Imam Sajjad’s (A.S.) intellectual legacy is the books that remain guiding lights for the Muslim Ummah. The two most significant works are:
- Sahifa Sajjadiya – A collection of supplications that not only offer spiritual guidance but also serve as a comprehensive manifesto of wisdom, social justice, and ethics.
- Risalat al-Huquq (The Treatise on Rights) – A profound discourse on human rights, detailing the responsibilities of individuals towards parents, children, teachers, neighbours, governments, and society as a whole.
These works stand as a testament to the depth of Imam Sajjad’s (A.S.) knowledge and his immense contribution to Islamic thought.
Imam Sajjad (A.S.) and the Importance of Du’a (Supplication)
Supplication is a fundamental aspect of faith, providing solace in times of hardship. Psychological and spiritual experts agree that prayer nourishes the soul and brings tranquillity to weary hearts. Sahifa Sajjadiya, in particular, is an unparalleled masterpiece that combines worship with intellectual enlightenment.
A renowned Sunni scholar and author of the Tafsir al-Jawahir narrated that when a copy of Sahifa Sajjadiya was sent to him from the Hawza Ilmiyya of Qom, he wrote:
“I received this book with utmost reverence. It is an unparalleled work containing knowledge, wisdom, and insights not found in any other book. It is unfortunate that we have not accessed the scholarly heritage of the Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) before.”
The Two Major Roles of Imam Sajjad (A.S.) in Islamic Scholarship
- Continuing the legacy of past scholars
Imam Sajjad (A.S.) continued the intellectual legacy of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Imam Ali (A.S.), Imam Hasan (A.S.), and Imam Husayn (A.S.). Scholars like Sulaym ibn Qays Hilali and Habib ibn Abi Thabit were deeply influenced by him. - Strengthening the intellectual foundations of new generations
Under Umayyad rule, a new generation emerged in dire need of authentic Islamic knowledge. Imam Sajjad (A.S.) played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual movement that later flourished under Imam al-Baqir (A.S.) and Imam al-Sadiq (A.S.).
This scholarly revival, initiated by Imam Sajjad (A.S.), laid the groundwork for the vast educational revolution that remains a cornerstone of Islamic civilization to this day.