The ninth Imam: Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (as) was the ninth Imam of the Ahlul Bayt (as). In Shia belief, the Imams are the guides of the Muslim community after the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww), chosen by Allah to protect and explain the true teaching of Islam.
Born in Madinah: He was born in 195 AH (811 CE) in Madinah. His father was Imam Ali al-Rida (as), the eighth Imam, and his mother was Sabika, also known as Khayzuran, a lady remembered for her piety.
Al-Jawad and Al-Taqi: He is called Al-Jawad because he gave generously to people, and Al-Taqi because he lived his whole life in piety and obedience to Allah, even as a young man at the court in Baghdad.
Example
Generous in every way: Some people are generous with money. Others are generous with time, knowledge, and kindness. Imam al-Jawad (as) was generous in all of these ways.
Key Terms
- Imam (امام) — a divinely appointed guide of the Muslim community after the Prophet (saww)
- Ahlul Bayt (اہل بیت) — the family of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww)
- Al-Jawad (الجواد) — "the Generous One"
- Al-Taqi (التقی) — "the Pious One"
Quran or Hadith
Quran, Surah Al-Ahzab (33:33), the Verse of Purification about the Ahlul Bayt (as) — often quoted in the Seerat of the Imams. Exact wording and translation — to be checked.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: Family tree — from Imam Ali al-Rida (as) to Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (as) to Imam Ali al-Hadi (as).
- Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (as) was the ninth Imam of the Ahlul Bayt (as).
- He was the son of Imam Ali al-Rida (as) and the father of Imam Ali al-Hadi (as).
- His titles are Al-Jawad (the Generous One) and Al-Taqi (the Pious One).