An old black and white photo of the Shrine of Imam al-Hadi (a.s) in Samarra
Ali b. Muhammad al-Hadi (a.s) is the tenth Shi‘a Imam. His father was Imam Muhammad b. Ali al-Jawad (a.s) and his mother was a woman named Sumanah.
He was born in the village of Sarya on the outskirts of Madinah in the month of Rajab 212/827. Historical sources describe Imam al-Hadi (a.s) as being of medium height and having a very dark complexion, similar to his father Imam al-Jawad (a.s) and grandfather Imam al-Ridha (a.s).
Imam al-Hadi (a.s) had to bear great responsibilities at a very young age due to the fact his father Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was summoned to Baghdad from Madinah when Imam al-Hadi (a.s) was no older than six years old. While his father was in Baghdad, Imam al-Hadi (a.s) took his place in Madinah, running his affairs. Less than a year later his father died, leaving him to assume the position of Imamate.
Imam al-Hadi (a.s) was a very humble man. His wealth of knowledge and great social standing increased his popularity among lay people, who believed that he truly reflected the behavior encouraged by Islam.
Al-Hasan b. AlI b. AbI Hamza narrates:
“I saw Abul Ḥasan the Third [‘Ali al-Hadī] work in the land and his feet were soaked from sweat so I asked him: May I be your ransom, where are the men? Al-Hadi replied: Oh ‘Ali, those who are better than my father and myself have laboured in their land. I asked: Who? Al-Hadi replied: The messenger of ‘Allah and the commander of the faithful and all of my forefathers laboured using their hands, as it is the work of the Prophets, Messengers, Apostles and the righteous.”
Imam al-Hadi (a.s), who lived in Madinah for most of his life, was summoned by Abbasid ruler al-Mutawakkil to the capital at the time, Samarra. Al-Mutawakkil wanted to have Imam al-Hadi (a.s) under constant monitoring as he feared that he would lead an armed rebellion against the Abbasid government. Imam al-Hadi (a.s) spent the remainder of his life in Samarra and is reported to have been poisoned by either al-Mutawakkil, or his son al-Mu‘tamid.
Imam al-Hadi (a.s) died at the age of forty in 254AH/868AD.
The dome of Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) Shrine after a terrorist attack which caused the dome to be completely destroyed on the 22nd of February, 2006
Imam Al Hadi (a.s) is the tenth Shi‘a Imam. His father was Imam Muhammad b. Ali al-Jawad (a.s) and his mother was a woman named Sumanah, whom historians believe was from the Maghreb.
He was born in the village of Ṣarya on the outskirts of Madinah in the month of Rajab 212/827. Historical sources describe Imam Al Hadi (a.s) as being of medium height and having a very dark complexion, similar to his father Imam al-Jawad (a.s) and grandfather Imam al-Ridha (a.s).
Imam Al Hadi (a.s) had to bear great responsibilities at a very young age. He was no older than six years old when his father was summoned to Baghdad from Madinah. While his father was in Baghdad, Imam Al Hadi (a.s) took his place in Madinah, running his affairs and standing in as the leader of the Alids. Less than a year later his father died leaving him to assume the lofty position of Imamate.
Imam Al Hadi (a.s) was a very humble man. His wealth of knowledge and great social standing made him popular among lay people who believed that he truly reflected the behavior encouraged by Islam.
Al-Hasan b. AlI b. AbI Hamza narrates:
“I saw Abul Ḥasan the Third [‘Ali al-Hadī] work in the land, and his feet were soaked from sweat so I asked him: May I be your ransom, where are the men? Al-Hadi replied: Oh ‘Ali, those who are better than my father and myself have laboured in their land. I asked: Who? Al-Hadi replied: The messenger of ‘Allah and the commander of the faithful, and all of my forefathers laboured using their hands, as it is the work of the Prophets, Messengers, Apostles and the righteous.”
Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) contributions to the various Islamic Sciences are numerous and cannot be adequately covered in this brief overview. However, what stands out of his legacy is the invocation attributed to him named “al-Ziyara al-Jami‘a.”
This Ziyara has become one of the most important and widespread invocations among Imami Shi‘as and has been described by ‘Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi (d. 1110AH/1698-99AD) as:
“Having the most authentic chain of narration… having the most eloquent vocabulary… and having the highest status [among invocations].”
This invocation is narrated to have been a response from the Imam to one of his companions who had asked to be taught an invocation he could use when visiting the grave of any one of the Imams from the Prophet’s household. The invocation has been increasingly used in modern times as supplementary proof to the status and rank of the Imams.
Historically it was popularised in the Safavid era after “‘AllAma MajlisI” had included it in his “Bihar al-Anwar.”
Political Life
Imam Al Hadi (a.s) resided in Madinah for most of his life using the Prophet’s mosque as his base in which he taught and spread his knowledge. Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) activities in Madinah led him to be very popular amongst residents as well as others who came from various parts of the Muslim Empire to see him and learn under his guidance.
The Abbasid ruler at the time grew more and more suspicious of Imam Al Hadi (a.s), fearing that he would use his popularity and influence among the people to start an armed revolt against the Abbasid government. Al-Mutawakkil wrote to him claiming that he longed to see him and informed him that he had sent Yahya b. Hirthima and his soldiers to escort him and his family and servants to Samarra. This of course was not an invitation, but a summoning, as an invitation to visit does not usually include a person’s entire household.
Al-Mutawakkil’s intensions were further revealed when Imam Al Hadi (a.s) and his household arrived in Samarra. The Abbasid ruler ordered for them to stay at an inn known as “Khan al-sa‘alik” (wretch’s inn) in an attempt to humiliate Imam Al Hadi (a.s) and give ignorant people cause to mock him.
Al-Mufīd mentions that during Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) “entire stay in Samarra, he was superficially respected, however al-Mutawakkil strived to entrap him.”
Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) death
Narrations regarding the death of Imam Al Hadi (a.s) vary to a great extent, to the point that some narrations are clearly conflicting. Al-Mufīd’s biography of the Shi‘a Imams, “al-Irshad,” which is considered to be the earliest surviving work of its kind, does not mention the conditions or the circumstances in which the death of Imam Al Hadi (a.s) took place. However, accounts suggest that he was poisoned by the ruler of the time (there is disagreement about whether it was al-Mutawwakil or al-Mu‘tamid) and died in 254AH/868AD.
He was forty years old at the time of his death and was survived by his sons al-Hasan, al-Husayn, Muhammad, Ja‘far and his daughter Aishah.
Bibliography and Further Reading
Al-Kulayni, Muhammad b. Ya‘qub, al-Furu‘min al-Kafi, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, Tehran, 1988, Vol. 5, pp
- Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir, Bihar al-Anwar al-Jami‘a li Durar Akhbar al-A’immah al-Athar, Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-‘Arabi, Beirut, 1983, Vol. 99
- Al-Mufid, Abu ‘Abd Allah Muhammad b. Muhammad, al-Irshad fi Ma‘rifat Hujaj Allah ‘ala al-‘Ibad, Mu’asasat Al al-Bayt li Ihya’ al-Turath, Vol. 2
Imam Al Hadi (a.s) is the tenth Shi‘a Imam. His father is Imam Muhammad b. Ali al-Jawad (a.s), and his mother was a woman named Sumanah, whom historians believe was from the Maghreb.
He was born in the village of Ṣarya on the outskirts of Madinah in the month of Rajab 212/827. Historical sources describe Imam Al Hadi (a.s) as being of medium height and having a very dark complexion, similar to his father Imam al-Jawad (a.s) and grandfather Imam al-Ridha (a.s).
Imam Al Hadi (a.s) had to bear great responsibilities at a very young age. He was no older than six when his father was summoned to Baghdad from Madinah. While his father was in Baghdad, Imam Al Hadi (a.s) took his place in Madinah, running his affairs and standing in as the leader of the Alids. Less than a year later his father died leaving him to assume the lofty position of Imamate.
Imam Al Hadi (a.s) assumed the position of Imamate at a young age, and among the people who narrated the statements of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) appointing his son Imam Al Hadi (a.s) as his successor, were: Isma‘il b. Mahran, al-Saqar b. Abi Dilf and Ahmad b. Abi Khalid. Al-Mufīd mentions a number of narrations indicating his special and unique knowledge as further proof of Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) imamate. Al-Mufid narrates, through a chain of five people, the story of Khayran al-Asbaṭi who said:
“I came to Abi al-Ḥasan ‘Ali b. Muhammad in Madinah and he asked me: What news do you have of al-Wathiq [the Abbasid ruler of the time]? I replied: I left him in good health and I am among those who have had the closest contact with him recently, as I saw him ten days ago. Al-Hadi said: The people of Madinah say that he is dead. I replied that I am among those who saw him last. Al-Hadi once again said that: the people of Madinah say that he is dead. When he said that “the people say” I knew that al-Hadi meant himself.”
Al-Asbati continues by saying:
“Then al-Hadi asked about Ja‘far [Ja‘far al-Mutawakkil, al-Wathiq’s brother] and I replied: I left him in the worst shape in prison. Al-Hadi replied that Ja‘far is the ruler and then enquired about Ibn al-Zayyat [al-Wathiq’s minister] to which I replied that people are with him and he is in control, to which al-Hadi said: That will bring him misfortune. Then al-Hadi was silent for a while, then he said: The decrees of Allah must take affect no doubt; oh Khayran, al-Wathiq has died, and Ja‘far al-Mutawakkil has assumed power and he has killed Ibn al-Zayyat. I asked al-Hadi when this took place and he replied: Six days after you departed.”
Imam Al Hadi (a.s) was a very humble man. His wealth of knowledge and great social standing made him popular amongst lay people, who believed that he truly reflected the behavior encouraged by Islam. Al-Hasan b. Ali b. Abi Hamza narrates:
“I saw Abal Ḥasan the Third [‘Alī al-Hadī] work in the land, and his feet were soaked from sweat so I asked him: May I be your ransom, where are the men?”
Al-Hadi replied:
“Oh ‘Ali, those who are better than my father and myself have laboured in their land.”
I asked:
“Who?”
Al-Hadi replied:
“The messenger of ‘Allah and the commander of the faithful, and all of my forefathers laboured using their hands, as it is the work of the Prophets, Messengers, Apostles and the Righteous.”
Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) Legacy
Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) contributions to the various Islamic sciences are numerous and cannot be adequately covered in this brief overview. However, what stands out of his legacy is the invocation attributed to him named al-Ziyara al-Jami‘a. This Ziyara has become one of the most important and widespread invocations among Imami Shi‘as and has been described by ‘Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi (d. 1110AH/1698-99AD) as:
“Having the most authentic chain of narration… having the most eloquent vocabulary… and having the highest status [among invocations].”
This invocation is narrated to have been a response from the Imam to one of his companions, who asked to be taught an invocation he can use when visiting the grave of any one of the Imams from the Prophet’s household. The invocation has been increasingly used in modern times as supplementary proof to the status and rank of the Imams. Historically it was popularised in the Safavid era after ‘Allama Majlisi had included it in his Bihar al-Anwar.
Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) Political Life
Imam Al Hadi (a.s) resided in Madinah for most of his life using the Prophet’s Mosque as his base in which he taught and spread his knowledge.
Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) activities in Madinah led him to be very popular amongst its residents, in addition to many others flocking from various parts of the Muslim Empire to see him and learn under his guidance. The attention given to Imam Al Hadi (a.s) caused the governor of Madinah, a man named ‘Abd Allah b. Muhammad, to be to highly suspicious of Imam Al Hadi (a.s).
The governor, who envied Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) popularity and influence amongst the people of Madinah decided to write to the Caliph al-Mutawakkil to complain about Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) actions. His letter warned al-Mutawakkil that Imam Al Hadi (a.s) is not only popular and influential among people, but he also receives large amounts of money, which could be used to buy arms and pay warriors to fight against Abbasid rule. The governor further expressed his fears that Imam Al Hadi (a.s) was laying the groundwork to start a rebellion against al-Mutawakkil.
Upon hearing about the governor’s letter to al-Mutawakkil, Imam Al Hadi (a.s) also wrote to al-Mutawakkil complaining about the ill treatment that his governor had shown him and denied claims that he intended to lead a rebellion against the Abbasids. Unfortunately, Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) letter which was intended to spare the Alids the persecution of the authorities had led the Abbasids to believe that there was an armed rebellion being plotted against them.
Al-Mutawakkil used this incident to carry out his own plan to summon Imam Al Hadi (a.s) to the Abbasid capital, Samarra, to keep him under his watchful eye. Al-Mutawakkil replied to Imam Al Hadi (a.s) saying that he had deposed the Governor of Madinah, as he “is ignorant of your right and underestimates your status.”
Further al-Mutawakkil claimed in his letter that he longed to see Imam Al Hadi (a.s) and that he had sent Yahya b. Hirthima and his soldiers to be at Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) service and escort him to Samarra along with his family and servants. This of course was not an invitation to visit, but was a summoning, as an invitation to visit does not usually include a person’s entire household. Al-Mutawakkil’s intensions were further revealed when Imam Al Hadi (a.s) and his household arrived in Samarra. The Abbasid ruler ordered for them to stay at an inn known as khan al-sa‘alik (wretch’s inn) in an attempt to humiliate Imam Al Hadi (a.s) and give ignorant people cause to mock him.
Yahya b. Hirthima, who was assigned with the task of searching Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) property in Madinah, escorted him to Samarra reporting back to his paymaster that he had not found any evidence that Imam Al Hadi (a.s) had planned a rebellion, putting al-Mutawakkil’s suspicions to rest. However, he still feared Imam Al Hadi (a.s) and decided to force him to stay in Samarra under constant surveillance. Having no choice but to accept the demands of al-Mutawakkil, Imam Al Hadi (a.s) bought a house from a man named Dalil b. Ya‘qub al-Nasrani where he lived for the remainder of his life.
Al-Mufīd mentions that during Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) “Entire stay in Samarra, he was superficially respected, however al-Mutawakkil strived to entrap him.”
Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) death
Narrations regarding the death of Imam Al Hadi (a.s) vary to a great extent, to the point that some narrations are clearly conflicting. Al-Mufīd’s biography of the Shi‘a Imams, “al-Irshad,” which is considered to be the earliest surviving work of its kind, does not mention the conditions or the circumstances in which the death of Imam Al Hadi's (a.s) took place. However, accounts suggest that he was poisoned by the ruler of the time (there is disagreement about whether it was al-Mutawwakil or al-Mu‘tamid) and died in 254AH/868AD.
He was forty years old at the time of his death and was survived by his sons al-Hasan, al-Husayn, Muhammad, Ja‘far and his daughter Aishah.
Bibliography and Further Reading
- Al-Mufīd, Abu ‘Abd Allah Muhammad b. Muhammad, al-Irshad fi Ma‘rifat Hujaj AllAh ‘alA al-‘IbAd, Mu’asasat Al al-Bayt li IHyA’ al-Turth, Vol. 2
- Al-Qarashī, Baqir Sharīf, Mawsu‘at Sirat Ahl al-Bayt, Dar al-Ma‘ruf, Qum, 2009, Vol. 33
- Al-Kulayni, Muhammad b. Ya‘qub, al-Furu‘ min al-Kafī, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, Tehran, 1988, Vol. 5
- Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir, Bihar al-Anwar al-Jami‘a li Durar Akhbar al-A’immah al-Athar, Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-‘Arabi, Beirut, 1983, Vol. 99
- Al-Mufid, Abu ‘Abd Allah Muhammad b. Muhammad, al-Irshad fī Ma‘rifat Hujaj Allah ‘ala al-‘Ibad, Mu’asasat Al al-Bayt li Ihya’ al-Turath, Vol. 2