Quick Answer:
In spite of all that was mentioned in regards to fulfillment of the imamate in one’s youth, still the issue of Imam al-Jawad’s (‘a) age was not yet fully resolved. Not only was it not yet resolved for many of the ordinary Shias, but it was also debated and discussed by some of the scholars and notables as well.
Detailed Answer:
In spite of all that was mentioned in regards to fulfillment of the imamate in one’s youth, still the issue of Imam al-Jawad’s (‘a) age was not yet fully resolved. Not only was it not yet resolved for many of the ordinary Shias, but it was also debated and discussed by some of the scholars and notables as well. Therefore, after the martyrdom of Imam Rida (‘a), and the initiation of Imam al-Jawad’s (‘a) Imamate, the issue of his age manifested itself as a big and unprecedented problem amongst the Shias (in particular amongst the masses).
Ibn Rustam Ṭabarī, one of the scholars from the fourth century Hijrī, has written: When his age (referring to Imam al-Jawad (‘a)) reached 6 years and some months, Ma’mūn murdered his father and the Shias went in to a state of confusion and differences of opinion appeared amongst them. The people considered Abū Ja’far’s age as being too little and the Shias in other cities were also in a confused state.[1]
In order to alleviate this situation, the Shias organized meetings and gatherings with Imam al-Jawad (‘a) in order to test him and thereby obtain certainty that he possessed the knowledge of the Imams (‘a). In these assemblies, they went ahead and asked the Imam various questions and when they heard definitive and clear answers, they became assured of his Imamate and gained certainty in the matter.
Historians have written the following on this matter: Since Imam Rida (‘a) passed away in the year 202 (Hijrī), the age of Abū Ja’far was close to 7 years in age; subsequently in Baghdad and the rest of the cities, differences of opinion came about amongst the people. Rayyān ibn Ṣalt, Ṣafwān ibn Yaḥyā, Muhammad ibn Ḥakīm, ‘Abd al-Raḥmān ibn Ḥajjāj, and Yūnus ibn ‘Abd al-Raḥmān, along with a group of the notables and trustworthy individuals of the Shia, gathered in the house of ‘Abd al-Raḥmān ibn Ḥajjāj, which was in one of the neighborhoods of Baghdad by the name of Baraka’ Zalzal.[2] When they had gathered there, they began to cry and weep out of sorrow for the Imam (‘a)… Yūnus said to them: Leave this crying and weeping, we must see who is capable of the responsibility of the Imamate. And until this child (Abū Ja’far (‘a)) is grown, who must we ask about our affairs?
At this point, Rayyān ibn Ṣalt stood up, squeezed Yūnus’ throat, and began to hit him on the face, while angrily saying: In front of us, you manifest pretensions of faith, while you have hidden your doubt and hypocrisy? If his imamate is from God, then even if he is a one day old child, he will be like an old man of a hundred years. And if he is not from God, then even if he is one hundred years old, he will like be an ordinary individual. It is worthy that this matter be deliberated upon. At this point, the other participants in the gathering began to reprimand Yūnus (for what he had said).[3]
At that time, the season of the Ḥajj pilgrimage was nearing and seventy individuals from the jurisprudents and scholars of Baghdad and other cities departed for the Ḥajj. They headed towards the city of Medina with the intention of seeing Abū Ja’far (‘a). When they arrived in Medina, they went to the house of Imam al-Ṣadiq (‘a) (which was empty) and sat on a large carpet there. At this time, ‘Abdullah ibn Mūsā, the uncle of Imam al-Jawad (‘a) entered the house and sat at the foremost section of the gathering. One man stood up and said: This is the son of the Messenger of God (ṣ); whoever has any questions should ask him. A few of the individuals present posed various questions and ‘Abdullah ibn Mūsā gave them incorrect responses…[4] The Shias became perplexed and saddened, while the jurisprudents became upset and stood up, intending to leave. They said: If Abū Ja’far was able to answer our questions, then ‘Abdullah would not have come here and he would not have given these incorrect answers!
At this point, a door in front of the gathering opened and a servant by the name of Muwaffaq entered, and said: Abū Ja’far is coming. Everyone stood up and welcomed him. The Imam (‘a) entered the room, sat down, and all the people became silent. Then the people began to ask their questions from the Imam (‘a). They all heard definitive and clear answers to their questions and so they became immensely relieved and joyful. They prayed for the Imam (‘a) and said: Your uncle, ‘Abdullah, gave such and such religious rulings. The Imam (‘a) said: Uncle, it is heavy in the eyes of God that tomorrow you will stand in front of him and it will be said to you: Even though there existed in the Ummah (religious community) one more knowledgeable (than you), why did you give them religious rulings without knowledge.[5]
Isḥāq ibn Ismā’īl, who was with this group during that year, has said: I had written down ten questions in a letter, in order to ask the Imam (‘a). At that time, my wife was pregnant. I said to myself: If he answers my questions, I will request that he prays for me, so that God will give me a son. When the people began to ask their questions, I also took my letter and stood up, in order that I could ask my questions. As soon as he saw me, the Imam (‘a) said: Oh Isḥāq, give him the name of Aḥmad! After this incident, my wife gave birth to a boy and I named him Aḥmad.[6]
These meetings, discussions, and debates caused the Shias to gain full certainty in the Imamate of Imam al-Jawad (‘a).[7] All the doubts and questions which had previously existed were dispelled and the people were put at complete ease.[8]
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