THE HOLY QURAN – PART 42

IMAM AL-JAWAD (A.S.) & THE HOLY QURAN- (SECTION 2)

A significant number of scholars and jurisprudents, who had been selected by the Shia’h milieus in Baghdad and other countries, came to Yathrib following the death of Imam ar-Ridha (as) in order to ascertain the new Imam. They were about eighty in number. In Yathrib, they went to the house of Imam Abu ‘Abdillah as-Sadiq (as). A red rug was spread out for them. ‘Abdullah, the son of Imam al-Kadhim (as) came to them and sat at the head of their meeting, claiming himself to an Imam after ar-Ridha (as) and the religious authority of the Ummah. A man stood up and called out to the scholars, “This is the son of the messenger of Allah. Whoever has a question, should ask him”.  One scholar stood up and asked, “What do you think about the man who says to his wife: I divorce you as many times as there are stars in the sky?” Abdullah replied, “She is divorced thrice before the Gemini”, an answer, which is against the jurisprudence of the Ahlul-Bayt (as). All the scholars were astonished. Another scholar asked, “What is your opinion about a man who has sexual intercourse with an animal?” Abdullah replied, “His hand should be cut-off and he should be whipped a hundred times”, an answer, which is also contrary to the law of Allah (SWT).

All the present scholars were upset and very confused. In that state, suddenly a door near the front of the meeting opened. Muwaffaq, the servant emerged and then Imam al-Jawad (as) made his appearance. The loftiness of Imam al-Jawad (as) was such that all heads bowed to him submissively. People started praising him and a man introduced him as the rightful Imam after ar-Ridha (as). The man who had asked the first question rose again and asked, “What do you think about the man who says to his wife: I divorce you as many times as there are stars in the sky?” Imam (as) said, “O Man! Read in the Book of Allah: ‘Divorce may be only twice; then (let there be) either an honourable retention, or a kindly release’. (2:229) And then it is at the third (that divorce becomes irrevocable)…”

The attendants marvelled the intelligence of the Imam and were certain that they had reached the aim, which they had sought. They also informed the Imam (as) about the fatwa, which his uncle had given earlier on. Imam (as) turned towards his uncle and said, “O uncle! Fear Allah and do not give any fatwa when there exists in the Ummah one who is more aware than you”. They then also asked the second question, “What is your opinion about a man who has sexual intercourse with an animal?” Imam (as) replied, “He should be subjected to a discretionary punishment, and the animal should be marked with a lasting mark on its back and taken out of the country so that the shame of it does not remain with the man”.