The 25th of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar marks the martyrdom anniversary of Ja’far ibn Muhammad, the great-grandson of Prophet Muhammad.

Widely known as as-Sadiq—the Truthful One—he led an intellectual awakening in the 8th century that preserved Islam for generations to come.

Ja’far ibn Muhammad is revered by both Sunnis and Shiites for his profound academic achievements, intellectual leadership, and deep piety. His extensive knowledge spread far and wide, leading to groundbreaking inventions and discoveries previously unknown to mankind.

Founder of the Ja’fari School

A few hundred years after the Prophet Muhammad, Islam was on the verge of extinction.

Tainted by the oppressive reigns of the Umayyad caliphs, the religion began to lose its purity, as the Umayyad dynasty sought to diminish the Prophet’s teachings.

From the first Shiite Imam, Ali ibn Abi Talib, to the fifth, Muhammad al-Baqir, each one resisted the injustices of their time and worked tirelessly to protect and preserve the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

Ja’far ibn Muhammad focused on reviving and expanding the reconstruction of Islamic knowledge and sciences—a movement initiated by his father, Muhammad ibn Ali. His father had revolted against the Umayyad government by prioritizing knowledge at a time when the rulers of Arabia discouraged its pursuit.

While the power-hungry Umayyad caliphs fought over the throne, Muhammad ibn Ali—known as “the Splitter of Knowledge”—introduced multiple Islamic sciences and taught people the Islamic way of life.

After his father’s demise, Ja’far ibn Muhammad expanded his forefathers’ teachings throughout the city of Madina and beyond. The revival and reconstruction of Islamic knowledge were firmly established during his time.

He founded a scientific institution that educated over 4,000 specialized students, who went on to spread their knowledge globally. These students acted as messengers of Ja’far ibn Muhammad’s teachings, which were rooted in Islamic logic and the example of his great-grandfather, Prophet Muhammad.

This flourishing school of scholars and the revival of authentic Islamic teachings earned Ja’far ibn Muhammad the title of the head of the Ja’fari school of thought, now commonly known as Shi’ism.

His students became guardians of religion, scientific heritage, and true Islamic knowledge. They stood as defenders of Islam, resisting the aristocratic and corrupt influences of the time through knowledge and intellectual awakening.

Many Prominent Scholars and Scientists Were His Students

Ja’far ibn Muhammad was a prominent scholar, well-versed in Islamic jurisprudence as well as various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, astronomy, and mathematics.

Among his 4,000 students were notable figures such as:

• Jabir ibn Hayyan, the renowned chemist often referred to as the “Father of Chemistry,”

• Abu Hanifa, the founder of the Hanafi school of Islam,

• Malik ibn Anas, founder of the Maliki school, and

• Wasil ibn Ata, the founder of the Mu’tazila school of thought.

Jabir ibn Hayyan is believed to have studied under Ja’far ibn Muhammad in Kufa after returning from Yemen. He later became a court alchemist, physician, polymath, and engineer.

Another distinguished student, Hisham ibn Hakam, was a renowned scholar and a central figure in theological debates. He authored over 30 books on theological matters, many of which continue to be studied and discussed to this day.

Importantly, his students were not limited to Shiites. A significant number of Sunnis also benefited from his teachings.

He Lived Through Several Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphs

Ja’far ibn Muhammad’s life spanned the reigns of five Umayyad caliphs and two Abbasid rulers who assumed power during his era.

The Abbasids initially presented themselves as humble and noble—unlike their oppressive Umayyad predecessors. This façade made it more difficult to openly oppose them or expose their true intentions.

Recognizing the political climate, Ja’far ibn Muhammad understood that his followers were not prepared for a full-scale revolution against the Abbasids. Instead, he chose a path of patience—speaking out against tyranny but devoting his life to the peaceful spread of knowledge.

His era was marked by significant turmoil. Multiple revolutions and uprisings took place, many sparked by the unjust killing of Hussain ibn Ali. This volatile period only underscored the importance of spreading knowledge and offering intellectual grounding to guide future generations.

His Growing Popularity Was a Threat to the Abbasid Dynasty

Al-Mansur al-Dawaniqi, the second Abbasid caliph, grew increasingly alarmed by Ja’far ibn Muhammad’s growing popularity—a threat that infuriated the Abbasid leadership.

Although the Abbasids rose to power by claiming loyalty to the Prophet’s family, once established, their hostility toward his descendants became evident.

Al-Mansur attempted to undermine Ja’far ibn Muhammad by pitting him against some of the most educated scholars of the time—many of whom were his own former students. But these efforts failed.

Unable to discredit him, the caliph resorted to harassment. He dispatched agents to monitor Ja’far ibn Muhammad’s followers across towns and cities. These agents labeled his followers as “Rafidhoon,” or “the rejecters.” Anyone who supported Ja’far ibn Muhammad risked imprisonment, torture, or execution.

Ja’far ibn Muhammad himself was repeatedly summoned to Baghdad, the new Abbasid capital, where he endured constant interrogation and harassment as al-Mansur sought justification to imprison or assassinate him.

Eventually, al-Mansur, now widely seen—even among his own people—as a ruthless tyrant, sent poisoned grapes to Ja’far ibn Muhammad, leading to his martyrdom at the age of 65.

He Performed Secret Acts of Charity

In addition to his intellectual contributions, Ja’far ibn Muhammad was widely admired for his humility and secret acts of charity—teaching the world that faith without service is incomplete.

Historical accounts narrate that, under the cover of night, he personally delivered food and money to those in need, ensuring they were helped without shame or exposure.

He was known to restore dignity among the poor, empowering them to live with independence and self-worth.

He once said, “The most generous act is one that remains hidden even from your own self.”