Muhammad al-Taqi

Imam Muhammad al-Taqi (Arabic: امام محمد التقي)(April 12, 811 - November 27, 835) was the ninth Shia Imam in the Ithna Ashari (Twelver) tradition. His given name was Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Musa, and he was also known by the title al-Jawad (the generous).

1 Birth and family life
2 Expertise
3 During Abbasid rule
4 Death
5 Notes
6 External links

[edit] Birth and family life

Muhammad al-Taqi was born in 811, in Medina to the eight Imam Ali al-Rida and a Nubian slave named Khaizuran. He was only eight when his father died, and as such, many doubted his ability to carry the Imamah. However, he held on to his position with the help of Al Ma'mun whose patronage proved valuable to the young Imam, and who brought him to live in Baghdad. Eventually, Muhammad al-Taqi would be married to Al Ma'mun's daughter, Umm al Fadl.

[edit] Expertise

According Twelver Shia Islam, the various Imams are perfecly able to give judgement on all matters of religious law and their judgement is always legally correct. Concerning the time and manner of the transfer of knowledge from Imam to Imam there is some disagreement. With respect to Muhammad al-Taqi, who became an Imam while still a child, the emphasis was on a miraculous transfer of knowledge at the moment of the death of the previous Imam.^[1] Shi'i' writers have also supported claims about his extraordinary knowledge at a young age by referring to the fact that the Quran states that Jesus was given his mission while still a child.^[2]

During his time in Baghdad, he was well known for possessing an amazing amount of Islamic knowledge (ilm), especially when considering his young age. It has been related that Al-Taqi proved his worth during a public debate with one of the leading scholars of Baghdad.

[edit] During Abbasid rule

After living in Baghdad for eight years, Muhammad al-Taqi and his bride returned to Medina. Here, he found his relationship with his wife strained, and upon the death of Al Ma'mun in 833, he saw his fortunes deteriorate. The successor to his father-in-law was Al Ma'mun's half brother, Al-Mu'tasim. With the new Abbasid ruler in power, Muhammad al-Taqi was no longer protected, and his relationship with the new ruler was further deteriorated by the dislike that al-Mu'tasim had for him.

In 835 al-Mu'tasm would call Muhammad al-Taqi back to Baghdad where he hoped to convert him to the lavish lifestyle of the palace. Muhammad left his son Ali al-Hadi with his mother in Medina and set out for Baghdad. He resided there for one more year, not influenced as al-Mu'tasm had hoped, rather becoming a well known scholar and popular in debates.

[edit] Death

Muhammad al-Taqi would die suddenly on November 27, 835. Many have attributed al-Taqi's death to poisoning by his wife, Umm al-Fadl, on the instigation of al-Mu'tasm.^[3] Muhammad al-Taqi would be buried alongside his grandfather, Imam Musa al Kazim, in the cemetery of the Quraysh at Baghdad. The grave is now contained in the double shrine of Kazimain.

[edit] Notes

^ Muhammad ibn Yaqub Kulayni, al-Kafi, Vol. I (usul), p.225, No. I Maktabat as-Saduq, Tehran 1961
^ Quran, Surah Al-Ma'idah Verse 110 (5:110)
^ Sheikh Muhammad ibn Nu'man al-Mufid, Kitab al-Irshad, p.308, al-Haydari Press, Najaf 1963