Islamic History
The writer, Zamena Manekia-Manji (Bujumbura, Burundi) is a writer for TMJ News. Born and raised in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and currently residing in Bujumbura, Burundi, her writing has evolved from fiction to Islamic, contemporary, and historical writings. She works in the history and Islamic events department at TMJ News, where she previously worked as a breaking News writer. Zamena is also a writer for 313juniors, a YouTube channel that works to produce Islamic content for little children, trying to improve her writing with each task. Through her words, she hopes to shed some light on Islamic History and share her thoughts on contemporary views through an Islamic lens, slowly doing her part towards building a better and stronger society.
I
mam Ja?far al-?adiq
Focused on reviving and expanding the reconstruction of Islamic knowledge and sciences – a movement initiated by his father, Muhammad ibn Ali. His father had revolted against the Umayyad government by prioritising knowledge at a time when the rulers of Arabia discouraged its pursuit. He founded a scientific institution that educated over 4,000 specialised students, who went on to spread their knowledge globally. These students acted as messengers of Ja’far ibn Muhammad’s teachings, which were rooted in Islamic logic and the example of his great-grandfather, Prophet Muhammad (saww)
Decades later, during the era of Imam Muhammad Taqi (as), the Abbasid caliphate somehow manipulated the Muslims into believing that the knowledge the Ahlul Bayt possessed was taught by other scholars. This is why the 9th Imam was the first of the Imams to receive the imamate at the tender age of 8. Debates in the presence of high-ranking scholars were held in a quest to defeat the 8-year-old boy, only to bow their heads in humility. Understanding that the Imams were truly God-chosen was finally beginning to dawn on them.
The Imams sought to protect the religion and the people from the unjust rulers accordingly. Each Imam embodied the Prophet’s insistence on justice, dignity, and resistance to oppression in different but impactful ways that have inspired, encouraged, and guided millions to this date.
Below is a combination of short profiles, highlighting the preservation of Prophetic wisdom and resistance to injustice by each of our Imams.
- Imam Musa al-Ka?im (as)
Maintained his moral integrity under the oppressive Abbasid regime while managing an entire network of students whom he taught despite being imprisoned for 14 years. These students carried his doctrine and practice at a time when the Imams were politically marginalized. He showed resilience despite dire circumstances and immense oppression against him and his companions while he was imprisoned.
- Imam Ali al-Ridha (as)
Played a pivotal role in preserving and transmitting the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (saw) during a time of political and theological turmoil. Through his deep knowledge, he defended the core principles of Islam and saved them from distortion. While maintaining a senior position in the government, he used that to promote Prophetic ethics and taught jurisprudence and exegesis, to mention a few.
- Imam Muhammad al- Taqi (as)es
At the tender age of eight, he was the first of the Imams to attain imamate so young. His profound knowledge and wisdom were evident in the way he responded to complex theological questions. Despite being under heavy Abbasid surveillance and a forced stay in Baghdad, the ninth Shiite Imam upheld the principles of the Qur’an and the teachings of the Ahlul Bayt. Through his sermons and students, he continued the mission of protecting the Prophet’s message from distortion and innovation.
- Imam Ali un-Naqi (as)
Forced to live under house arrest in Samarra, Iraq, he educated his followers through trusted representatives and correspondence. He defended the doctrine of Taw??d, the Imamate, and other primary Islamic beliefs. The tenth Shiite Imam further confronted theological deviations by providing clear guidance based on the Prophet’s teachings. His leadership and spiritual authority helped protect true Islamic knowledge
- Imam Hasan al-Askari (as)
Safeguarded the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (saw) during one of the most restrictive periods. With increased surveillance by the Abbasid regime in Samarra, his public contact was severely limited. Yet, he preserved Islamic teachings by mobilizing a strong network of trusted companions and secret communication. He was often either under house arrest or imprisoned. Imam al-Askari strove to prepare the Shia community for the occultation of his son, Imam al-Mahdi, by emphasizing precautionary dissimulation (taqiyya), piety, and adherence to the Qur’an and Ahlul Bayt.
- Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (as)
The twelfth and final Shiite Imam plays a unique and vital role in preserving the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) through his occultation. After the martyrdom of his father, he entered the Minor Occultation, guiding the faithful through appointed deputies. To this day, during the Major Occultation, his presence continues spiritually, safeguarding the religion from distortion. Shia tradition holds that he will reappear by God’s command to establish justice and restore the pure teachings of Islam as taught by the Prophet and upheld by the Ahlul Bayt.
Resistance to Unjust Rulers
As mentioned above, each Imam confronted oppression uniquely based on the circumstances and environment they lived. Imam Husayn (as) knew open armed resistance was necessary since legitimacy and human dignity were at stake. Imam Ali (as) focused on public sermons rooted in equity and the Prophet’s ethical standards.
During the times of the Imams who were forced to live under the Abbasid caliphate, quiet resilience and scholarly transmission were adopted. They trained disciples using networks of representatives—long-term strategies for preserving prophetic teachings under hostile regimes.
Why the Imams’ Example Matters for Contemporary Activists and Human Rights Movements
1. Moral language for dignity and sacrifice
Imam Husayn’s (as) legacy and sacrifice provide profound lessons of martyrdom in a quest to resist systemic injustice. Today, activists and resistance movements in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen have revered Imam Husayn and Karbala as symbols of resistance and human dignity.
2. Non-violence, principled defiance, and legal ethics
With examples like Imam Hasan’s (as) treaty to expose the hypocrites and Imam Zayn al-Abedin’s(as) efforts in restoring dignity, we learn the importance of negotiation, principled dissent, and moral resistance. These are particularly useful for human rights work rooted in ethical consistency.
3. Institutional memory and scholarly method
The Imams created durable methods for interpreting sacred texts in light of ethics. This serves as a useful tool for contemporary human rights advocates who trace back to religious resources for justice and dignity. For example, Imam J’afar al-Sadiq’s (as) scholarship provided interpretive frameworks used by later jurists striving for rights and obligations.
4. A model for marginalised communities
Each Imam preserved religious identity and maintained moral values even while politically marginalized and oppressed. They offered a roadmap for movements – such as organising study circles, documenting abuses, and building parallel networks of support. Historical evidence shows these strategies preserved community coherence and moral authority across centuries.
Each Imam’s legacy is primarily ethical and educational. Karbala’s sacrifice is more of a moral stand against tyranny and not necessarily a straightforward call to armed uprising.
The Ahl al-Bayt — and the Twelve Imams in Twelver Shi?ism – are guardians of prophetic wisdom. They preserved texts and teachings, taught juridical and spiritual disciplines, and exemplified Prophetic ethics. Their responses to unjust rulers were a combination of open resistance and patient preservation. Together, this provides a multi-modal inheritance for activists and human rights advocates today who seek sources grounded in religion to restore dignity, justice, and resilience.
The Imams’ sermons, supplications, legal teachings, and exemplary lifestyles – marked by morals, piety, and humility—remain a timeless resource for communities across the globe.
Latest posts
- Theme #24: THE INNER COMPASS
- The Prophet’s Household as Guardians of Prophetic Wisdom – Part 2
- The Prophet’s Household as Guardians of Prophetic Wisdom – Part 1
Writers Panel | A Simple Thought | Obituaries | Ziarat Ashura | Islamic Calendar | Facebook | Instagram
