SAEDNEWS: Our tenth Imam, Imam Ali al-Naqi (peace be upon him), is also known by the title Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him). He assumed the Imamate at the age of eight and passed away at the age of 41.
According to Saednews, Imam Ali al-Hadi (a), also known as Imam Ali al-Naqi, was the tenth Imam of the Shiite Muslims. He was the son of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a) and a virtuous woman named Samana. He became Imam at the age of eight and led the Shiite community for 33 years. The following is an overview of the life and distinguished qualities of this tenth luminous figure of Islamic leadership.
Ali ibn Muhammad, widely known as Imam al-Hadi or Imam Ali al-Naqi, was born on 15 Dhu al-Hijjah 212 AH in an area called Surayya, near Medina. His father was Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a), and his mother was a bondwoman named Samana al-Maghribiyya.
The most famous title of the tenth Shiite Imam was al-Hadi, meaning “the Guide,” because he was regarded as one of the finest guides of people toward righteousness during his lifetime.
Other titles attributed to him include al-Naqi, al-Murtada, al-Alim, al-Faqih, al-Amin, al-Nasih, al-Mutawakkil, al-Khalis, and al-Tayyib.
Imam al-Hadi (a) and his son, Imam Hasan al-Askari (a), are collectively known as the Imamayn al-Askariyyayn, or the “Two Askari Imams,” because they lived in an area of Samarra known as al-Askari.
The kunya of Imam al-Hadi (a) was Abu al-Hasan.
Imam al-Hadi (a) was of medium height, with slightly prominent cheeks, a fair and reddish complexion, and large eyes. He wore simple, coarse clothing and lived a modest life, even using a simple mat beneath his feet.
He wore a ring engraved with the words:
“Allah is my Lord, and He is my protection from His creation.”
Another inscription attributed to his ring was:
“Keeping one's covenants is among the qualities of the worshipped God.”
Imam al-Hadi (a) was extremely generous and was often seen smiling. His presence brought happiness to those who were distressed. He also possessed great dignity and authority, and even the rulers of his time respected him.
He was known for his excellent character, asceticism, and extensive knowledge. He had deep command of Islamic and jurisprudential matters. His nights were devoted to prayer, worship, recitation of the Qur'an, and intimate supplication to God.
Ali ibn Muhammad became Imam in 220 AH at the age of eight. Since Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a) had also assumed the Imamate at a young age, the Shiite community was already familiar with the possibility of an Imam attaining this position during childhood.
After the ninth Imam, the vast majority of Shiites accepted Imam al-Hadi (a) as their leader. A small group initially considered Musa ibn Muhammad, also known as Musa al-Mubarraqa, to be the Imam, but they later accepted Imam al-Hadi's leadership.
Imam al-Hadi's period of Imamate lasted approximately 33 years. During this time, he lived under the rule of several Abbasid caliphs: al-Mu'tasim, al-Wathiq, al-Mutawakkil, al-Muntasir, al-Musta'in, and al-Mu'tazz.
The political atmosphere during Imam al-Hadi's lifetime was marked by severe oppression and restrictions imposed by the Abbasid rulers. Despite this, he maintained communication with his followers through a network of representatives, known as the Wikala (deputy) system, as well as through correspondence.
Among his representatives were Ali ibn Ja'far al-Hamani, Abu Ali ibn Rashid, and Hasan ibn Abd Rabbih—or, according to some reports, his son Ali.
The name of Imam al-Hadi's wife is reported as Susan or Salil. He had five children.
Shiite scholars mention four sons:
Hasan
Muhammad
Husayn
Ja'far
A daughter is also attributed to him. Shaykh al-Mufid gives her name as A'isha, while Ibn Shahrashub refers to her as Illiyya.
Sunni authors likewise report that Imam al-Hadi had four sons and one daughter.
Muhammad, the son of Imam al-Hadi (a), was described as a handsome and pious young man. He died approximately one year before his father, and many people had believed that the leadership of the Shiite community would pass to him.
Imam al-Hadi (a) was highly respected by Sunni scholars. They praised his knowledge, generosity, asceticism, and devotion to worship and regarded him with great respect. Accounts of his generosity were also recorded by Sunni scholars such as Ibn Hajar al-Haythami.
Among the companions and associates of Imam al-Hadi (a) were figures such as Ali ibn Ja'far al-Mina'i, Ibn al-Sikkit, and Abd al-Azim al-Hasani.
The number of his companions has been estimated at approximately 190. According to Shaykh al-Tusi's biographical work, around 185 people transmitted hadiths from him.
Ibn Shahrashub also mentions several trusted companions and associates, including Ahmad ibn Hamza ibn Yasa, Salih ibn Muhammad al-Hamadani, Muhammad ibn Jazik al-Jammal, Ya'qub ibn Yazid al-Katib, Abu Husayn ibn Hilal, Ibrahim ibn Ishaq, Khayran al-Khadim, and Nadr ibn Muhammad al-Hamadani.
Other companions included Dawud ibn Zayd, Abu Salim Zankan, Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Hamadani, Ahmad ibn Ismail ibn Yaqtin, Bishr ibn Bashar al-Nishapuri, Sulayman ibn Ja'far al-Marwazi, Fath ibn Yazid al-Jurjani, Muhammad ibn Sa'id al-Kalthum, Mu'awiya ibn Hakim al-Kufi, Ali ibn Ma'd ibn Muhammad al-Baghdadi, and Abu al-Hasan ibn Raja al-Ibrati.
Among his representatives, Ja'far ibn Suhayl al-Sayqal is mentioned, while Muhammad ibn Uthman is described as his bab, or intermediary.
Several of Imam al-Hadi's companions were from Iran, including Bishr ibn Bashar al-Nishapuri, Fath ibn Yazid al-Jurjani, Husayn ibn Sa'id al-Ahwazi, Hamdan ibn Ishaq al-Khurasani, Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Taliqani, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Kashani, Ibrahim ibn Shayba al-Isfahani, and Abu Maqatil al-Daylami.
Imam al-Hadi (a) died in Rajab 254 AH, after spending approximately 20 years and nine months in Samarra. He was 41 years old.
According to some historical accounts, Imam al-Hadi was poisoned and martyred during the reign of the Abbasid caliph al-Mu'tazz. Other accounts attribute responsibility to al-Mu'tamid, stating that the Imam was poisoned toward the end of his reign.
According to one account, Imam al-Hadi (a) was poisoned through pomegranate juice containing poison, resulting in his death. On the day of his martyrdom, many members of the Banu Hashim and other people gathered at his home and mourned his death, expressing their grief over his loss and the suffering of the poor and orphans.
Historical sources differ regarding who was responsible for Imam al-Hadi's martyrdom.
Some scholars believe that al-Mu'tamid ordered his death and that the event occurred during his caliphate. Others consider al-Mu'tazz responsible, believing that he ordered the Imam's death while al-Mu'tamid carried out the order. According to this interpretation, the martyrdom occurred during the reign of al-Mu'tazz.
Imam Hasan al-Askari (a) participated in his father's funeral. Before the Abbasid caliph could take part in the funeral, Imam Hasan al-Askari performed the funeral prayer over his father.
Imam al-Hadi (a) was then buried in the house where he had spent approximately twenty years under confinement and surveillance.
After his father's death, Imam Hasan al-Askari (a) became the next rightful leader of the Shiite community and assumed the responsibilities of the Imamate.
Today, the burial place of Imam al-Hadi (a) and his son, Imam Hasan al-Askari (a), in Samarra is known as the al-Askari Shrine.
