The month of Rabi-ul Awal witnessed the wiladat of two of the most sacred personalities in Islam: Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and Imam Jafar -e- Sadiq (a.s). The Muslims have been very well versed and aware of the guidance that they provided and paved the way for Islam to reach every nook and corner of the world. It is by the virtue of these sacred personalities that our religion has been recognized and accepted in the darkest of times.
Introduction of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H):
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was born in Mecca on the 17th of Rabi-ul-Awal and was first raised by his grandfather. Later, His (P.B.U.H) uncle Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s) took His (P.B.U.H) responsibility and raised him along with His (a.s) son Ali (a.s). It was for His (P.B.U.H) sincerity that people started referring to Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) as “Al-Amin” which meaning faithful and trustworthy.
Introduction of Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (a.s):
Imam Jafar -e- Sadiq (a.s) was also born on the 17th of Rabi-ul-Awal. He was the son of Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) and His (a.s) mother was Umme Farwa. Many religious scholars believed that while having extensive knowledge of Islamic Jurisprudence, Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (a.s) was also very well versed with Ilm-e-Ladunni which is also known as God’s given knowledge.
The era of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H):
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was the last one of the messengers of Almighty Allah and like others, He (P.B.U.H) also carried the message of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) for the people to realize and accept it as the pillar of Islam. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) took many visits to sacred sites and while he was on Mount Jabal Al-Noor the angel Jibraeel (a.s) arrived with the verse, “Recite in the name of your Lord Who creates, creates man from a clot! Recite for your lord is most generous”. Upon receiving these revelations, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) welcomed and shared with other believers to spread the message of Tawheed.
He (P.B.U.H) faced many restrictions and roadblocks while populating the message of Islam to bring as many people as possible towards the rightly guided path. He (P.B.U.H) also fought many battles with the enemies of Islam. Hazrat Ali (a.s) accompanied the messenger of Allah in each and every battle and ensures His (P.B.U.H) safety. He (P.B.U.H) refer Ali (a.s) as his brother and therefore regarded him in the highest manner. It was for the noble acts and the proximity of Maula Ali (a.s) with Him (P.B.U.H) and Allah that Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) announced on the plains of Ghadeer that Maula Ali (a.s) will be his successor. The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) filled this world with the divine light of Tawheed and created rightful pathways for the Muslims to follow.
The era of Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (a.s):
Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (a.s) was not only known for his religious understanding of Fiqh and multiple disciplines but also had a great command over the knowledge of multiple subjects including astronomy, chemistry, physics, and many more. At the age of 11 years old he refuted and rejected the theory that the sun, moon, and planets rotated around the earth. At the age of 12, He (a.s) proved that there are not only four elements namely earth, water, fire, and air but the earth itself is a mixture of elements. His religious grip on the matters of Fiqh was also commendable.
At the time of Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (a.s), there were many ideologies that emerged out which some of those went outside the boundary of Islam. Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (a.s) fought these ideologies to preserve the message of Tawheed and to retain the original essence of Islam as received from Rasool Allah (P.B.U.H). He (a.s), like his forefathers, stood against the corrupt system and government of the rulers. None of the rulers had the audacity to question Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (a.s). The Head of the Hanafi School, Imam Abu Hanifah, appreciated the commendable grip of Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (a.s) in his remarks which are “I Have not seen (anyone) more knowledgable than Jafar, son of Muhammad (a.s)”.
Conclusion:
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (a.s) are considered as the pillars of Islam. They contributed heavily to spreading the message of Islam and in guiding the Muslims towards the divine path of Allah.
