Imamate at such a young Age

Imam Muhammad Taqi (A.S.), the ninth Imam and son of Imam Reza (A.S.), was appointed to Imamate at age of seven. As Imam Muhammad Taqi (A.S.), also referred to as Imam Javad and Abu Ja'far, was the first Imam to be appointed to Imamate at such a young age, many may question its possibility and reliability.

This selection will seek to answer the following questions:

 Have similar cases occurred to previous communities? Was this incident sudden and unordinary for the society of the time?

1. In general, based on human nature, to blossom in intellect and body, and to express abilities in thought and spirit; passage of time is essential. Allah (SWT) as one who created rules and regulations of nature is more powerful than to be limited to the regulations themselves. In other words, Allah (SWT) can easily change the normal regulations in life cycles of His selected servants. This case holds true in regards to prophets and Imams who as the Holy Quran recalls have been chosen by Allah (SWT).

 The Quranic references are proof of the prophets' God given gifted characteristics, which are apart from materialistic tools and reasons. The characteristics prove that prophets had the necessary liabilities and qualifications for this position.

2. The Holy Quran informs us about previous generations who experienced young prophets, like in the example of Prophet Yahya (John) (A.S.),

The Holy Quran also brings examples from the birth of Prophet Isa (Jesus) (A.S.) who defended his mother from the accusations and blasphemy of his community. For a normal human being it would take at least twelve months past his birth to begin saying his first words. What Prophet Isa(A.S.) said(refer to 19:30-32) at birth sounded like intellectual words a wise elderly man might have said.

Imam Reza (A.S.), father of Imam Javad(A.S.), was aware of this fact and thus prepared the grounds by informing Muslims, especially Shiites and devotees about the concept of Imamate at a young age. A follower of Imam Reza (A.S.) narrates:

In the city of Khurasan we were present in a gathering with Imam Reza (A.S.). One of us asked, "O Master, if something occurred to you who should we refer to?"

"To my son Abu Ja'far," replied the Imam.

The reply of the Imam was not satisfactory for the man as he felt Imam Jawad(A.S.) was too young. Imam Reza(A.S.) thus said,

Although the preaching of Imam Reza (A.S.) explained the possibilities of a divine position at a young age and prepared the grounds for the next Imam, yet because people were unaware of the teachings of previous Imams(A.S.), they questioned the authenticity. To find the truth, learned men and scholars held gatherings and meetings with Imam Javad (A.S.). Imam Javad (A.S.) firmly answered their questions and convinced them with his answers. It should be noted that the detailed answers Imams (A.S.) would give to questions of the community about the belief and thought was a routine task in their life. Likewise the question/answer sessions of the Shiite society and the movement of Imam Javad (A.S.) in clarifying doubts do not seem out of the ordinary.

(Selection taken from "The Face of the Leaders", by Mahdi Pishwayi)

Footnotes:

al-Anwar, 2nd Edition, Tehran: Maktaba al-Islamiyyah, 1395 AH vol. 50, p. 98-100; Muhammad ibn Jarir Tabari, Ibn Rustam, Reasons of Imamate, 3rd Edition, Qum, Manshoorat al-Razi, 1363 AH, pp. 204-206.

Other Links:

Imam Javad (as) Migration to Iraq

Holy Imam Javad’s Martyrdom

Imam Mohammad Taqi and Enemies of Islam