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.
A
s Twelvers, we need to understand how each Imam of the Ahlul Bayt preserved, endorsed, and spread the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (saww) based on the eras they lived in. For example, during the time of Imam Ali (as), the Muslims were brainwashed and lured to the point that it took them 25 years to finally recognise Imam Ali (as) as the rightful caliph chosen by the Holy Prophet himself.
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 Ali (as)
Widely revered and recognised as the foremost early interpreter of the Qur’an and ethics, his sermons and letters (preserved in Nahj al-Balagha) primarily focused on social justice, governance ethics, and moral courage. Since the Umayyads forcefully began to take the reins of governance, corruption and immorality rapidly increased. He laid the foundational material for his successors. When battles were waged against him, he mastered and displayed virtues laced with bravery and valour, which further made people realise how he truly was the rightly chosen caliph by the Prophet Muhammad (saww). Additionally, his kindness always outshone his unmatched valour. The same man who fought as the Lion of God during battles loved orphan children like his own – with a tenderness that filled the void of an absent father. Since Arabs were known to be haughty and emotionless, Imam Ali (as) showed them that one can be both fierce and kind, bold and brave, yet humble and dignified – and also approachable to one and all, including the less fortunate.
- Imam Hasan (as)
The grandson of the Prophet and the second Shiite Imam. He was known for maintaining peace and preserving the teachings of his grandfather while facing one of the most hypocritical of the Umayyad leaders – Mu’awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan. Imam Hasan (as) foresaw the need for a diplomatic approach to prevent further bloodshed among Muslims. It was vital to expose Mu’awiyah’s true colours and unjust rule. A treaty was signed, carefully curated as a means to expose Mu’awiyah. This was a pivotal act that paved the way for the eventual downfall of the Umayyad dynasty since Mu’awiyah violated the treaty. Using strategy instead of the sword – despite his bravery and ability to wage war – is what inspires several leaders today when dealing with politically corrupt and hypocritical rulers.
- Imam Hussain (as)
Among his many works, His refusal to pay allegiance to the open sinner and oppressor Yazid preserved the teachings of his grandfather and saved humanity at large. He embodied human dignity and justice. The tragedy of Karbala now serves as a moral touchstone for resisting open tyranny across centuries, prevailing till today.
- Imam Ali Zayn-al-Abideen (as)
The fourth Shiite Imam had a unique strategy to preserve humanity. Since his imamate began right after the battle of Karbala, humanity was tainted to the point that severing the head of a six-month-old baby was considered an anti-rebel act. He preserved the spiritual and ethical core of the Prophet’s legacy through timeless supplications and ethical teachings. His book, Risalatul huqooq, consists of 51 fundamental rights in Islam. This book deals with poignant points on relationships that a man’s existence generates, as a creation of God, as an individual member of a family and as a member of society and the Muslim community at large.
- Imam Mu?ammad al-Baqir (as)
The fifth Shiite Imam preserved the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (saww) by reviving and systemising Islamic knowledge during intense political instability between the downfall of the Umayyad dynasty and the uprising of the Abbasid regime. He used this time to teach several students jurisprudence, Qur’anic exegesis, science, math, etc. He even clarified several distorted narrations and ensured that true Islamic knowledge must shine through the Ahlul Bayt.
- Imam 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)
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