Today, we discuss the era of Imamate of the 10th Infallible Successor to Prophet of Islam's Household, Imam Hadi (AS). The 34-year Imamate of this infallible Imam was concurrent with the rule of six Abbasid caliphs.

When the Abbasid ruler, Motavakel, came to power, his agents in Hejaz informed him that the inclination of Meccans and residents of Medina toward Imam Hadi (AS) is on the rise, which frightened this Abbasid caliph. Hence, he summoned the Infallible Imam to the capital of Abbasid regime which was the city of Samara, in order to somehow be able to monitor Imam Hadi. The other intention of the Abbasid caliph was to distance the Infallible Imam from masses of people. The Abbasid ruler located the Infallible Imam in a military district, which was closely monitored by the spies and agents of the Abbasid caliph.

Upon the instruction of Motavakel, all of the Infallible Imam's meetings and interactions were controlled and monitored. At times, the Infallible Imam's house was searched. The Abbasid caliph was a suppressive ruler and was particularly hard on Alawites. Despite all of these repressive measures, the popularity of the Infallible Imam remained as strong as ever, while the number of his supporters in the World of Islam increased significantly on a daily basis.

Imam Hadi (AS) was well-known for his vast knowledge and innumerable ethical virtues. He was highly generous and was very kind and gentle with the poor and needy. He forgave ill-wishers, observed nightly prayers and recited the ayahs of Holy Quran, very often.

The masses of people admired and praised the Infallible Imam. The ethical virtues of Imam Hadi (AS) even compelled the leading figures of other religions to admit to the Infallible Imam's vast knowledge and elevated status.

Although the Abbasid regime monitored Imam Hadi and his disciples, the Infallible Imam continued his righteous activities in an appropriate manner. Imam Hadi was in touch with Shias via his network of representatives. In fact, the Infallible Imam's representatives in Qom, Reyy, Basra, Kufa, Baghdad, Medina, Yemen, Egypt, and remote regions established a close bond between Imam Hadi and people. Based on historical accounts, the representatives of Imam Hadi were in touch with the Infallible Imam via correspondence, and Shias also became familiar with the religious and theological views of Imam Hadi through correspondence and the mediation of trustworthy individuals. Thus, despite of harsh conditions, Shia culture was promoted in Islam lands via the Infallible Imam's network of representatives. In accordance to historical accounts, one of the disciples of Imam Hadi visited the Infallible Imam's house, disguised as an oil seller, while concealing the letters of Imam Hadi and people underneath his dishes.

Throughout the Imamate of Imam Hadi, a number of ideological schools of thought emerged in the Islamic Ummah. The stance adopted by Imam Hadi (AS) and his transparent and persuading responses to cast doubts, once again showed the righteousness and truthfulness of Shia viewpoints, and safeguarded Muslims from falling into the trap of misguiding doubts. Numerous hadiths have been cited from Imam Hadi on ideological topics, exegesis of Holy Quran, theology, and ethics.

Despite of the numerous hurdles which Imam Hadi (AS) faced, he groomed more than 185 students; some of which rose into prominence in the scientific and theological domains. Abdul-Azim Hassani was one of the well-known disciples and students of Imam Hadi. He was a pious and knowledgeable individual who informed the Infallible Imam of the theological and ideological questions of people of Iran via correspondence with Imam Hadi. He was trusted and approved by the Infallible Imam.

One of the most important measures taken by Imam Hadi, was his ideological and cultural battle with derailed currents and groups. These deviated currents had taken shape because of the poisonous atmosphere governing the Abbasid era. One derailed current included individuals who baselessly claimed that the ayahs of Holy Quran have been distorted. Imam Hadi (AS) resolutely stood up against this blasphemous claim and put emphasis on the eternity and truthfulness of Holy Quran.

Despite of all obstacles caused by the Abbasid regime, Imam Hadi (AS) expanded and developed his righteous activities day by day, with the number of supporters and devotees of the Prophet of Islam's Infallible Household rising significantly. In the meantime, the suppressive Abbasid rulers also ratcheted up pressure on the Infallible Imam. However, the Infallible Imam courageously stood firm against these pressures. The Abbasid regime decided to martyr the Infallible Imam. Imam Hadi (AS) was poisoned and martyred throughout the rule of Abbasid caliph, Mo'ataz, in the year 254 AH. The Infallible Imam was 42 years old.

MR/ME