Debate

During the lifetime of Imam Ja’far Sadiq (AS), theological debates and discussions involving the Imam himself were carried out quite often. One of the most serious topics around which discussions and debates took place was the existence of God. Due, mainly, to the free atmosphere prevailing in Arabia, the discussions would often take place among members of the opposite groups. There is no doubt that these discussions ultimately ended up ... Read More »

Without doubt people become ignorant and astray when they depend on their own viewpoints and do not consult the people of true knowledge. So, the ignorant person goes astray in the methods of ignorance. However, he thinks that he is knowledgeable in the true religious law. There was a debate between al- Sadiq, peace be on him, and an ignorant person who affected knowledge in truthfulness. Al- Sadiq himself has ... Read More »

Abu Shakir al- Daysany, an Arab unbeliever, sometimes debated with al-Sadiq, peace be on him, and sometimes with Hisham b. al- Hakam. However, Hisham went to al- Sadiq, peace be on him, when al- Daysany asked him a certain question. One day, al- Daysany said to Hisham: “There is a verse in the Koran, which is our saying, (that there are two gods).” Hisham said: “What is it (the verse)?” ... Read More »

A Christian monk came to Imam Musa Kadhim (a.s) claiming to have very deep knowledge about Torah and Gospel. Imam (a.s) asked him the name of Maryam’s (s.a.) mother and also the date, time and place of the birth of Prophet Jesus (a.s). The monk said that he didn’t know. Imam said, “I will inform you about it. The name of Maryam’s mother in Greek language was “Martha” which is ... Read More »

 One day Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.s), then aged nine, was standing with some boys in a lane of Baghdad. Seeing the entourage of Mamun all the others ran away, but as was his habit, Imam (a.s) continued to stand at his place. Mamun came forward and asked him, “Boy! Why did you not run away?” He replied, “O Chief! The passage was not narrow. There was no expectation that you ... Read More »

During the time Imam Hasan Askari (a.s) was in imprisonment at Baghdad, for three years at a stretch there was a severe famine. A Christian scholar arrived there and showing a miracle of causing rain he created a great turmoil in the beliefs of Muslims. Everyone began to extol his spiritual feats and the truth of Christian faith. The news reached Motamid. He summoned him and requested him to cause ... Read More »

Hisham b. al- Hakam said: “There was an unbeliever in Egypt. The unbeliever heard something of Abu Abd Allah (al- Sadiq), peace be on him. He went to Medina to debate with Abu Abd Allah, but he did not find him there. It was said to him: `He (Abu Abd Allah) has been in Mecca.` So, he went to Mecca. We (Hisham b. al- Hakam) were with Abu Abd Allah ... Read More »

After the death of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him, Imam Reza(A.S.) traveled to Basrah in order to produce evidence in support of his Imamate and in order to disprove the vague errors of those who deviated from the truth. He stopped at the house of al-Hasan b. Mohammed al-‘Alawi and held in it a session for a group of the Muslims among whom was ‘Amru` b. Hadda`b, who ... Read More »

One day the Abbaside Caliph Mamun asked Imam Ridha’ (a.s): Mamun: Do you believe in the infallibility of the Prophets? Imam: Doubtlessly Mamun: But the Holy Quran itself says regarding Adam (a.s): Adam disobeyed his Lord and then he became misguided. This clearly shows that Adam was a sinner. Imam: It was Allah’s command that: O Adam, you and your wife, both remain in Paradise and eat whatever you like ... Read More »

Once Mutawakkil said to Ibn Sikkit, “In my presence, ask Imam Ali Naqi (a.s) such a difficult question that he cannot reply.” Thus he posed the following questions: Ibn Sikkit: Allah gave to Musa the miracle of the staff, to Isa the miracle of curing the lepers and the blind and the enlivening of the dead. To the Holy Prophet (S), He gave the miracles of the Holy Quran and ... Read More »