Lesson twenty four:
the seventh Imām and the ninth infallible figure, Imām al-KāẒim (‘a)
He was called Mūsā and was well-known as Kāẓim. His father was Imām aṣ-Ṣādiq and his mother was Ḥamīdah who was very knowledgeable and Imām aṣ-Ṣādiq used to ask women to consult her regarding religious edicts and teachings. He was born on Ṣafar 7, 128, and attained the position of leadership at 21.
He spent some time in prison because Hārūn, the ‘Abbasī ruler, deemed his presence among people dangerous and was jealous of his popularity among them and put him into jail on different pretexts. At prison, he spent his time saying prayers and worshipping God. At one of the prisons, the ‘Abbasī ruler sent an attractive woman as a servant to Imām and his aim was to get Imām infatuated with that woman and thus exploit this against him outside.
After a few days, the ‘Abbasī ruler sent someone to inspect the prison and see about the Imām and the woman. He walked into the prison and saw that at one corner, Imām was engaged in prayers and at the other corner was sitting the woman praying.
The woman was taken to the ruler and was asked how come she had changed so dramatically. She replied, “Imām Kāẓim’s routine and his devotion and devoutness influenced and changed me.” (But I could not exert any influence upon him whatsoever).[50]
Indeed, men of God and their conduct and lifestyle attracted people toward them and they reformed and rectified the environment, and they were never swayed and corrupted by other people and the environment.
He was poisoned to death by the ‘Abbasī ruler’s agents and passed away in the corner of the prison of Baqdād on the 25th of Rajab of 183 and was buried at Quraysh cemetery which was later known as Kāẓimayn. Currently, his shrine is visited by all Muslims especially shī’ahs.
Some remarks by the Imām
Anyone whose yesterday and today are equal, that is, after twenty four hours, he has not gained anything in spirituality and humanity and has not advanced on the path of piety and faith, this person is like someone who has invested but has not obtained any value in return.
And anyone who is worse than yesterday, that is, instead of spiritual progress, has deteriorated and is inclined toward wrongdoing and impiety; such a person will be far from God’s grace.
[50] Manāqib by Ibn Shahr Āshūb, vol. 3, Najaf, p. 415.