(.A.S) A LESSON FROM THE GUIDANCE OF IMAM KAZIM

(.A.S) A LESSON FROM THE GUIDANCE OF IMAM KAZIM

How should the Shias deal with the oppressive government?

The era of Hadhrat Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s) was a more political era, and the rulers of that time did not leave any opportunity to disturb and harass the Shias and their beloved Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s), however, Imam Musa (a.s) always managed and led his community well, and he taught and explained to them how to preserve the religious red line and face or fight against oppressive rulers and usurpers of people’s rights.

The basic question was: How to deal with tyrannical rulers or a tyrannical Government?!

The answer to this question can be found in the recommendations, advice, and emphasis of Imam Mussa al-Kazim (a.s) to Saf’wan bin Mehran Jammal:
When he was given the honor as a Shia to serve Imam Kazim (a.s), the Imam said to him:
«يَا صَفْوَانُ كُلُّ شَیْْءٍ مِنْكَ حَسَنٌ جَمِيلٌ مَا خَلَا شَیْءً وَاحِداً»

“O Saf’wan, everything about you is good, except for one thing”.

Saf’wan asked: O son of the Messenger of Allah! What is that thing?

Imam said: “You will rent your camels to this man – he meant Harun -“

Saf’wan said: I do not rent my camels to him for the nonsense like frivolity, hunting and the like, but I do so only for the Hajj journey. In this matter, he (Harun) is not involved in it himself directly, instead, he hires others to do it for him.

Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (a.s) said: “O Saf’wan, do you think it is right for you to rent your camel to them?

Saf’wan said: Yes.

Imam (as) said:

“Do you want them to live until the end of the rental period of your Camels, so that they can return your Camels and your payment?

Saf’wan said: Yes.

Imam (a.s) said:

“Anyone who wants them to continue living, will be one of them, and will be in a row among them, and whoever is among them, will enter the fire of Jahannam”.

After that, Saf’wan sold all his camels and when Harun asked the reason for this, he was told:

“I am old now, and my teenagers can no longer do this job of taking care of the Camels as they should.

Harun said:

I know who advised you to sell your Camels; it is Musa bin Jafar, the one who inspired you to do that.

Saf’wan said: What is the business between me and Musa bin Jaafar?!

Haroun said: “Stop that, but I swear to you by Allah, if it wasn’t for your kindness and your good friendship with me, I would have killed you”.