The seventh Imam: Imam Musa al-Kazim (as) was the seventh 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 Abwa: He was born in 128 AH (745 CE) in Abwa, a place between Makkah and Madinah, during the journey of his family. His father was Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (as), the sixth Imam, and his mother was Hamida, a noble and learned lady.
Life under the Abbasids: His life was lived under the Abbasid rulers, who were afraid of the love people had for the Ahlul Bayt (as). Much of his life was spent guiding people quietly, teaching, and bearing hardship with patience.
Example
A teacher behind closed doors: Think of a teacher who keeps teaching even when the school doors are closed to him. He finds another way — a small room, a quiet word, a letter — because the students need him. That was the life of Imam al-Kazim (as).
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-Kazim (الکاظم) — "the one who swallows his anger", a title of Imam Musa (as)
Quran or Hadith
Quran, Surah Aal-e Imran (3:134), describing the pious as "those who restrain their anger" — a verse often connected with the title Al-Kazim. Exact wording and translation — to be checked.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: Family tree — from Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (as) to Imam Musa al-Kazim (as) to Imam Ali al-Rida (as).
- Imam Musa al-Kazim (as) was the seventh Imam of the Ahlul Bayt (as).
- He was the son of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (as) and the father of Imam Ali al-Rida (as).
- His title Al-Kazim means "the one who swallows his anger".