The recognition of Imam Sadiq (p)

The blessed Title "al-Sadiq"

السَّلامُ عَلَیْکَاَیُّهَا الإمامُ الصّادِقُ — السَّلامُ عَلَیْکَ اَیُّهَا الْوَصِیُّ النّاطِقُ —السَّلامُ عَلَیْکَ یا لِسانَ النّاطِقِینَ — السَّلامُ عَلَیْکَ یا زَعِیمَالصّادِقِینَ الصّالِحِینَ

Peace be upon you, O Imam al-Sadiq. Peace be upon you, O speaking successor. Peace be upon you, O tongue of those who speak. Peace be upon you, O leader of the truthful and righteous.

Introduction

Imam Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (p), has many blessed titles. The most famous of these is “al-Sadiq” — the Truthful One.

Even before his birth, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (p) had introduced him by this blessed title.

The Linguistic Meaning of “Sadiq”

The word “Sadiq” comes from the Arabic root ṣ-d-q (صدق).

Linguistically, sidq carries the meaning of being firm, sound, complete, and true. A truthful statement is called sadiq because it has firmness and consistency, unlike a lie, which has no real strength or foundation.

Al-Raghib al-Isfahani explains the meaning of sidq as follows:

«مطابقه القول الضّمیر و المخبر عنه معا، و متی انخرم شرط من ذلک لم یکن صِدْقاً تامّا، بل إمّا أن لا یوصف بالصّدق»

“Truthfulness means that a person’s words agree both with what is in their heart and with the reality they are describing. If either of these conditions is missing, then the statement is not completely truthful, and in some cases cannot even be described as truth.”

One way the word sidq is used is to describe a speaker. We may say, for example, that “a person is truthful in what he says.”

In this sense, truthfulness means that a person’s words correspond with what they genuinely believe within themselves. In other words, a sadiq is someone whose words truly express their sincere beliefs and convictions.

With this meaning in mind, throughout his blessed life, Imam al-Sadiq (p) explained and clarified the beliefs, jurisprudence, and luminous teachings of the Shi‘a. He therefore became known by the blessed title:

“al-Sadiq of the Family of Muhammad (p).”

Sources: Mu‘jam Maqayis al-Lughah, vol. 3, p. 339; Mufradat Alfaz al-Qur’an, p. 477.

Glad Tidings Before His Birth

Before the birth of Imam Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (p), the Holy Prophet Muhammad (p) said to Ibn Mas‘ud:

يُخْرِجُ اَللَّهُ مِنْ صُلْبِهِكَلِمَةَ اَلْحَقِّ وَ لِسَانَ اَلصِّدْقِ فَقَالَ لَهُ اِبْنُ مَسْعُودٍ فَمَااِسْمُهُ يَا نَبِيَّ اَللَّهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ جَعْفَرٌ صَادِقٌ فِي قَوْلِهِوَ فِعَالِهِ اَلطَّاعِنُ عَلَيْهِ كَالطَّاعِنِ عَلَيَّ وَ اَلرَّادُّ عَلَيْهِكَالرَّادِّ عَلَيَّ

“God will bring forth from the descendants of my son Muhammad al-Baqir (p) a son who will be the word of truth and the tongue of truthfulness.”

Ibn Mas‘ud asked:

“O Prophet of God, what will his name be?”

The Prophet (p) replied:

“He will be called Ja‘far. He will be truthful in his words and his actions. Whoever speaks against him is like one who speaks against me, and whoever rejects him is like one who rejects me.”

Source: ‘Awalim al-‘Ulum, vol. 15, p. 161.

Imam al-Baqir (p) Confirms His Title

Muhammad ibn Muslim narrates that he was sitting with Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (p) when his son, Ja‘far (p), entered.

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْبَاقِرِ إِذْ دَخَلَ جَعْفَرٌ ابْنُهُ.. فَأَخَذَهُالْبَاقِرُ وَ ضَمَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ضَمّاً ثُمَّ قَالَ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّيثُمَّ قَالَ لِي يَا مُحَمَّدُ هَذَا إِمَامُكَ بَعْدِي فَاقْتَدِ بِهِ وَاقْتَبِسْ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَهُوَ الصَّادِقُ الَّذِي وَصَفَهُلَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِنَّ شِيعَتَهُ مَنْصُورُونَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِوَ أَعْدَاؤُهُ مَلْعُونُونَ عَلَى لِسَانِ كُلِّ نَبِيٍّ

Imam al-Baqir (p) embraced him and said:

“May my father and mother be sacrificed for you.”

He then turned to Muhammad ibn Muslim and said:

“O Muhammad, this is your Imam after me. Follow him and benefit from his knowledge. By God, he is indeed al-Sadiq, the one whom the Messenger of God (p) described to us. His Shi‘a will be victorious in this world and the Hereafter, while his enemies are condemned upon the tongue of every prophet.”

Source: ‘Awalim al-‘Ulum, vol. 20, p. 54.

Why This Title and Not Another?

The narrations teach us that all of the Ahl al-Bayt (p) are “one light” — kulluhum nurun wahid. Therefore, all of the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (p) are truthful.

So why, in particular, was Imam Ja‘far (p) given the title al-Sadiq?

Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin (p) answered this question while speaking to Abu Hamzah al-Thumali:

اَلْإِمَامُ بَعْدِي وَ مِنْبَعْدِي مُحَمَّدٍ اِبْنُهُ جَعْفَرٌ اِسْمُهُ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ اَلسَّمَاءِاَلصَّادِقُ

“The Imam and Divine Proof after me is my son Muhammad, and after Muhammad it will be his son Ja‘far. Among the inhabitants of the heavens, his blessed name is al-Sadiq.”

Abu Hamzah asked:

“My master, why is he called al-Sadiq when all of you are truthful?”

The Imam (p) replied:

حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي عَنْ أَبِيهِأَنَّ رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ قَالَ إِذَا وُلِدَ اِبْنِي جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِعَلِيِّ بْنِ اَلْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَسَمُّوهُاَلصَّادِقَ فَإِنَّ اَلْخَامِسَ مِنْ وُلْدِهِ اَلَّذِي اِسْمُهُ جَعْفَرٌ يَدَّعِياَلْإِمَامَةَ اِجْتِرَاءً عَلَى اَللَّهِ وَ كَذِباً عَلَيْهِ فَهُوَ عِنْدَاَللَّهِ جَعْفَرٌ اَلْكَذَّابُ اَلْمُفْتَرِي عَلَى اَللَّهِ اَلْمُدَّعِي لِمَالَيْسَ لَهُ بِأَهْلٍ اَلْمُخَالِفُ عَلَى أَبِيهِ وَ اَلْحَاسِدُ لِأَخِيهِذَلِكَ اَلَّذِي يَكْشِفُ سِرَّ اَللَّهِ عِنْدَ غَيْبَةِ وَلِيِّ اَللَّهِ

“My father narrated from his father that the Messenger of God (p) said:

‘When my descendant Ja‘far ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib is born, call him al-Sadiq.

This is because the fifth descendant from him whose name will also be Ja‘far will falsely and boldly claim the Imamate, lying against God.

Therefore, before God, he will be known as Ja‘far al-Kadhdhab — Ja‘far the Liar: the one who falsely attributes things to God, claims a position that does not belong to him, opposes his father, envies his brother, and reveals the Divine secret during the occultation of the representative of God.’”

Sources: al-Ihtijaj, vol. 2, p. 317; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 50, p. 227.

Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin (p) gave the same explanation to Abu Khalid al-Kabuli when he asked about the Ulu al-Amr — those vested with authority.

Source: ‘Awalim al-‘Ulum, vol. 15, p. 258.

The Blessed Name “al-Sadiq” in Supplications and Ziyarat

The blessed title al-Sadiq appears in the special salawat dedicated to Imam al-Sadiq (p):

اللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ جَعْفَرِبْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الصَّادِقِ، خازِنِ الْعِلْمِ، الدَّاعِي إِلَيْكَ بِالْحَقِّ،النُّورِ الْمُبِينِ

“O God, send Your blessings upon Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (p), the keeper of knowledge, the one who calls people toward You through the truth, the manifest light.”

In the Tuesday ziyārah for Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin, Imam al-Baqir, and Imam al-Sadiq (p), we also read:

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا صَادِقاًمُصَدَّقاً فِى الْقَوْلِ وَالْفِعْلِ

“Peace be upon you, O truthful one, whose truthfulness in words and actions is confirmed.”

And in the ziyārah of Imam al-Sadiq (p), we read:

الَسَّـلامُ عَلَیْکَ اَیُّهَاالإمامُ الصّادِقُ، الَسَّـلامُ عَلَیْکَ اَیُّهَا الْوَصِیُّ النّاطِقُ...الَسَّـلامُ عَلَیْکَ یا عَمِیدَ الصّادِقِینَ... الَسَّـلامُ عَلَیْکَ یا زَعِیمَالصّادِقِینَ الصّالِحِینَ

“Peace be upon you, O Imam al-Sadiq. Peace be upon you, O speaking successor. Peace be upon you, O chief of the truthful. Peace be upon you, O leader of the truthful and righteous.”

‘Allamah al-Majlisi also narrates from Sayyid ibn Tawus a ziyārah recommended to be recited on behalf of our master Imam al-Mahdi (p) on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam al-Sadiq (p):

السَّلَامُ عَلَى الصَّادِقِ بْنِالصَّادِقِينَ، وَ أَبِي الصَّادِقِينَ، حُجَّةِ اللَّهِ وَ ابْنِ حُجَّتِهِ عَلَىالْعَالَمِينَ، الصَّادِقِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، خَلِيفَةِ مَنْ مَضَى، وَأَبِي سَادَةِ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ

“Peace be upon al-Sadiq, the son of the truthful ones and the father of the truthful ones; the Proof of God and the son of His Proof over all the worlds; Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq, the successor of those who came before him and the father of the noble masters among the successors.”

Source: Mafatih al-Jinan — Special Salawat of Imam al-Sadiq (p); Tuesday Ziyārah of Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin, Imam al-Baqir, and Imam al-Sadiq (p).

The Hadith Legacy of Imam al-Sadiq (p)

One of the reasons Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (p) became so widely known by the title al-Sadiq is the great number of teachings and narrations that he explained and passed on to the Shi‘a and the believers throughout the generations.

On Awaiting the Reappearance

Imam al-Sadiq (p) said:

مَنْ سُرَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ مِنْأَصْحَابِ الْقَائِمِ، فَلْيَنْتَظِرْ وَ لْيَعْمَلْ بِالْوَرَعِ وَ مَحَاسِنِالْأَخْلَاقِ وَ هُوَ مُنْتَظِرٌ فَإِنْ مَاتَ وَ قَامَ الْقَائِمُ بَعْدَهُ،كَانَ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ مَنْ أَدْرَكَهُ فَجِدُّوا وَانْتَظِرُوا هَنِيئاً لَكُمْ أَيَّتُهَا الْعِصَابَةُ الْمَرْحُومَةُ

“Whoever wishes to be among the companions of al-Qa’im should await his coming while living with piety and good character.

If such a person dies before al-Qa’im rises, they will receive a reward like the reward of one who lived to witness his coming.

So strive and continue to wait. Glad tidings to you, O group upon whom God has shown mercy.”

Source: al-Ghaybah, al-Nu‘mani, p. 205.

On the Straight Path

Imam al-Sadiq (p) said:

هُوَ اَلطَّرِيقُ إِلَى مَعْرِفَةِاَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ هُمَا صِرَاطَانِ؛ صِرَاطٌ فِي اَلدُّنْيَا وَ صِرَاطٌفِي اَلْآخِرَةِ وَ أَمَّا اَلصِّرَاطُ اَلَّذِي فِي اَلدُّنْيَا فَهُوَاَلْإِمَامُ اَلْمُفْتَرَضُ اَلطَّاعَةِ مَنْ عَرَفَهُ فِي اَلدُّنْيَا وَاِقْتَدَى بِهُدَاهُ مَرَّ عَلَى اَلصِّرَاطِ اَلَّذِي هُوَ جِسْرُ جَهَنَّمَ فِياَلْآخِرَةِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفْهُ فِي اَلدُّنْيَا زَلَّتْ قَدَمُهُ عَنِاَلصِّرَاطِ فِي اَلْآخِرَةِ فَتَرَدَّى فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ

“The Straight Path is the path that leads to the knowledge of God, the Mighty and Majestic.

There are two paths: one in this world and one in the Hereafter.

As for the path in this world, it is the Imam whose obedience has been made obligatory.

Whoever recognizes him in this world and follows his guidance will cross the path in the Hereafter — the bridge over Hell.

But whoever does not recognize him in this world will slip from the path in the Hereafter and fall into the fire of Hell.”

Source: Ma‘ani al-Akhbar, vol. 1, p. 32.

On Faith and Certainty

Imam al-Sadiq (p) said:

الْإِسْلَامُ دَرَجَةٌ وَالْإِيمَانُ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ دَرَجَةٌ وَ الْيَقِينُ عَلَى الْإِيمَانِدَرَجَةٌ وَ مَا أُوتِيَ النَّاسُ أَقَلَّ مِنَ الْيَقِينِ

“Islam is one level. Faith is a level above Islam, and certainty is a level above faith. Of all that people have been given, nothing is rarer than certainty.”

Source: Tuhaf al-‘Uqul, p. 358.

On the Qualities of a Righteous Believer

Imam al-Sadiq (p) said:

لَا يَصْلُحُ الْمُؤْمِنُ إِلَّاعَلَى ثَلَاثِ خِصَالٍ التَّفَقُّهِ فِي الدِّينِ وَ حُسْنِ التَّقْدِيرِ فِيالْمَعِيشَةِ وَ الصَّبْرِ عَلَى النَّائِبَةِ

“A believer cannot truly be righteous without three qualities: a deep understanding of religion, wise management of one’s livelihood, and patience during hardship.”

Source: ‘Awalim al-‘Ulum, vol. 20, p. 803.

On Self-Control

Imam al-Sadiq (p) said:

مَنْ مَلَكَ نَفْسَهُ إِذَا غَضِبَوَ إِذَا رَغِبَ وَ إِذَا رَهِبَ وَ إِذَا اشْتَهَى حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ جَسَدَهُعَلَى النَّارِ

“Whoever controls themselves when angry, when tempted, when afraid, and when overcome by desire, God will forbid their body from the Fire.”

Source: Wasa’il al-Shi‘ah, vol. 11, p. 123.

On Gratitude and Patience

Imam al-Sadiq (p) said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَنْعَمَ عَلَىقَوْمٍ بِالْمَوَاهِبِ فَلَمْ يَشْكُرُوهُ فَصَارَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَبَالًا وَابْتَلَى قَوْماً بِالْمَصَائِبِ فَصَبَرُوا فَكَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ نِعْمَةً

“God blessed some people with gifts, but they did not show gratitude, so those blessings became a burden upon them.

And He tested other people with hardships, but they remained patient, so those hardships became blessings for them.”

Source: Tuhaf al-‘Uqul, vol. 1, p. 359.

On Well-Being

Imam al-Sadiq (p) said:

الْعَافِيَةُ نِعْمَةٌ خَفِيفَةٌإِذَا وُجِدَتْ نُسِيَتْ وَ إِذَا عُدِمَتِ ذُكِرَتْ

“Well-being is a blessing that is easily taken for granted. When we have it, we forget it; when we lose it, we remember it.”

Source: Tuhaf al-‘Uqul, vol. 1, p. 361.

On Certainty and Modesty

Imam al-Sadiq (p) said:

الْإِيمَانُ فِي الْقَلْبِ وَالْيَقِينُ خَطَرَاتٌ

“Faith rests in the heart, while certainty comes through inspirations and insights.”

Source: Mahasin al-Barqi, vol. 1, p. 249.

He also said:

الْحَيَاءُ عَلَى وَجْهَيْنِفَمِنْهُ ضَعْفٌ وَ مِنْهُ قُوَّةٌ وَ إِسْلَامٌ وَ إِيمَانٌ

“Modesty is of two kinds. One kind comes from weakness, while the other comes from strength, Islam, and faith.”

Source: Tuhaf al-‘Uqul, vol. 1, p. 360.

Conclusion

In this discussion, we have seen how Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (p) was introduced through the words of the Holy Prophet (p) and the Ahl al-Bayt (p).

The blessed title al-Sadiq was chosen for him by the Messenger of God (p), and its meaning and significance were later explained by the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (p).

Through the vast number of blessed and luminous narrations that Imam al-Sadiq (p) taught to the Shi‘a throughout the generations, he purified and illuminated their hearts and guided them toward the Straight Path.

السَّلامُ عَلَیْکَاَیُّهَا الإمامُ الصّادِقُ — السَّلامُ عَلَیْکَ اَیُّهَا الْوَصِیُّ النّاطِقُ —السَّلامُ عَلَیْکَ یا لِسانَ النّاطِقِینَ — السَّلامُ عَلَیْکَ یا زَعِیمَالصّادِقِینَ الصّالِحِینَ

Peace be upon you, O Imam al-Sadiq. Peace be upon you, O speaking successor. Peace be upon you, O tongue of those who speak. Peace be upon you, O leader of the truthful and righteous.

Sources

• Mu‘jam Maqayis al-Lughah, vol. 3, p. 339

• Mufradat Alfaz al-Qur’an, p. 477

• ‘Awalim al-‘Ulum, vol. 15, pp. 161 and 258; vol. 20, pp. 54 and 803

• al-Ihtijaj, vol. 2, p. 317

• Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 50, p. 227

• Mafatih al-Jinan — Special Salawat of Imam al-Sadiq (p); Tuesday Ziyārah of Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin, Imam al-Baqir, and Imam al-Sadiq (p)

• al-Ghaybah by al-Nu‘mani, p. 205

• Ma‘ani al-Akhbar, vol. 1, p. 32

• Tuhaf al-‘Uqul, pp. 358, 359, 360, 361

• Wasa’il al-Shi‘ah, vol. 11, p. 123

• Mahasin al-Barqi, vol. 1, p. 249