In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Imam Kadhim (AS) Advice to not Supporting a Tyrant (for teens)

 

Most humans are not cruel or evil by nature and they do not believe it is good to be unjust to others. But most humans end up helping or supporting the few that are truly unjust or evil. This happens because of a lack of courage, a lack of intelligence or out of greed for the world.

As Muslims we must be careful not to be “used” by others for their own unjust goals in life otherwise we become a part of their evil. Even a tyrant cannot commit injustices to Allah's creatures unless he finds someone to support him. Examples in history like Fir'awn and Yazid all prove this point. Yazid for example was not in Karbala himself. Yet he was able to kill Imam Hussain (AS) by bribing people, promising them wealth and positions of authority, threatening and intimidating others, and so on.

If we learn to be courageous, knowledgeable and content with little in life so that we are not constantly greedy for more, then others cannot “buy” our support in any manner.

One way to check if we truly love Allah more than the world and if we have the courage and faith to oppose the unjust, is to study examples in history and ask ourselves: what would I have done?

For example, what would I have done when everyone was too afraid to oppose the tyrant Namrud who was trying to burn Nabi Ibrahim (AS) and he was alone?

What would I have done when the tyrant Fir’awn wanted to crucify the magicians who repented and wanted to kill Nabi Musa (AS)?

What would I have done when the Quraysh surrounded the house of Rasulullah [PBUH] and wanted to kill him on the night of hijrah?

What would I have done in the Battle of Uhud?

What would have done when Rasulullah [PBUH] passed away and Imam Ali (AS) was denied his right?

What would I have done if I were in Karbala?

And so on...

The following is a story about a companion of our seventh Imam, Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) called Safwan. Safwan was both courageous and pious. He was not greedy for the world so when the tyrant Harun ar-Rashid almost used him for his own sinful goal, a simple reminder from Imam al-Kadhim (AS) was sufficient to help Safwan save his faith (iman).

   

Safwan the Camel Owner

The Abbasi Caliph Harun ar-Rashid was a sworn enemy of the Ahlul Bayt (AS). He used to misuse the wealth of the Muslims for his own enjoyment and drink alcohol and have singers and dancers perform before. He would never show mercy to others and was very proud and arrogant any Muslim would oppose is wishes, he would punish them severely.

Harun also claimed to be the Caliph and the successor of Rasulullah [PBUH] when in fact the rightful Successor was Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS). Harun used to imprison, punish and even bill anyone who loved or followed the Imams from the Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) knew Harun ar-Rashid very well and used to warn others about the hatred of Harun for the Shi'ah of the Ahlul Bayt (AS).

One year, Harun decided to go for Hajj to Makkah and to show people that he was a good Muslim. He decided to go with all his ministers and officials and carry a lot of food and clothes and money and so he needed many camels to help carry all his possessions.

So he called for a man who owned many camels and whose name was Safwan al-Jammal and asked to rent all his camels so that he could go for Hajj from Baghdad to Makkah. And Harun promised to give him a large sum of money for renting his camels, after he returned from Hajj.

Safwan agreed to the Caliph Harun's request because he was not able to refuse. He knew that this Caliph was a tyrant and that if he refused Harun would either kill him or take all his camels away by force. Especially because Harun knew that Safwan was a Shi'ah and loved Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS), the man whom Harun hated the most.

So, Safwan said to Harun, “I will keep all the camels for you when you go for Hajj.”

One day, Safwan decided to go and meet Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) just to see how the Imam was doing and to learn from him. When he met Imam al-Kadhim (AS), the Imam received him with honour and then said to him, “O Safwan! All your deeds are good and I am pleased with you. Except for one deed.”

Safwan was surprised and asked Imam al-Kadhim (AS) what that one action was that the Imam was unhappy with and did not like about him?

Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) said to him, “You are renting your camels to Harun to go to Hajj and he will use your camels to carry the wealth that belongs to Muslims to entertain himself and for his own sinful habits.”

                                                                                                                                                          .-

Safwan was surprised. He said, “Dear Imam, I did not rent my camel with the intention of supporting any sin. I rented them for going for Hajj. And I won't take the caravan myself. My workers will go with them.”

Imam al-Kadhim (AS) said to him, “When Harun returns from Hajj, are you hoping to receive payment for renting your camels?”

“Yes mawla”, replied Safwan. “So do you hope for Harun's well-being and Success until he returns so that he can pay you for the camels?” asked the Imam. Safwan admitted, “Yes, I wish he does come back and pay me.”

"But”, said the Imam (AS), “no one wishes for the well-being of such an evil tyrant except someone who is evil like him and such a person will go to Jahannam on the Day of Judgement!”

Safwan realized his mistake. He felt ashamed before Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS). So he apologized to him and left. Then he decided that he would sell all his camels before the evil Harun would need the camels. He realized that Harun imprisons innocent Muslims and tortures and kills them and steals their property and wealth and therefore he is a tyrant who should not be supported in any way.

Safwan went to the market and started selling all his camels. Traders and caravan groups came and began buying all his camels until all were sold. Safwan did this because he wanted to please his Imam and not to do something that would displease and hurt his Imam.

When Harun came to know that Safwan had sold all his camels, he was shocked. He summoned Safwan to his palace and said angrily “Safwan I understand that you have sold all your camels!”

“Yes, I sold them all” replied Safwan.

“Why?!” Demanded Harun.

“Well”, said Safwan, “I am now getting old and I cannot look after them. It was getting too difficult and tiring for me.”

Harun stood up angrily and shouted, “Get out of here! I know who gave you this idea. It is my enemy Musa bin Ja'far, who does not want you to support me in anything. Get out of my palace quickly before I have you killed”

And so Safwan left smiling to himself and pleased that he had been brave and done the right thing and pleased his Imam by not supporting a tyrant.