The Hadith on the Equality of the Reward for Visiting Abdolazim al-Hasani and Visiting the Grave of Imam Hussain (a)

    From WikiPasokh
    Revision as of 09:35, 17 March 2025 by Translation (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{text start}} {{question}} Is the chain of narration (sanad) for the hadith about the equality of the reward for visiting Abdolazim Hassani and Imam Hussain (AS) reliable? This narration is attributed to Imam Hadi (AS). However, if Abdolazim Hassani passed away after the martyrdom of Imam Hadi (AS), how can the content of this narration be accepted?{{question end}} {{Answer}} '''The hadith about the equality of the reward for visiting Abdolazim Hassani and Imam H...")
    (diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
    Question
    Is the chain of narration (sanad) for the hadith about the equality of the reward for visiting Abdolazim Hassani and Imam Hussain (AS) reliable? This narration is attributed to Imam Hadi (AS). However, if Abdolazim Hassani passed away after the martyrdom of Imam Hadi (AS), how can the content of this narration be accepted?

    The hadith about the equality of the reward for visiting Abdolazim Hassani and Imam Hussain (AS) is mentioned in the books Thawab al-A'mal by Sheikh Saduq and Kamil al-Ziyarat by Ibn Qulawayh. From the perspective of the chain of narration (sanad), this hadith is considered weak (da'if). The reason for its weakness is the omission of the name of one of the narrators in the chain. However, there are contextual clues that mitigate the weakness of the chain, such as the fact that in another narration, the reward for visiting righteous friends of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) is equated to visiting the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) themselves, which supports the content of this hadith.

    The date of Abdolazim Hassani's death is also a matter of dispute. Some scholars believe he passed away after the martyrdom of Imam Hadi (AS), and based on this, they consider this narration incorrect. Their argument is based on the mention of Abdolazim Hassani among the companions of Imam Hasan Askari (AS). Others reject this argument and do not consider Abdolazim to be among the companions of Imam Hasan Askari (AS). Nevertheless, determining the exact date of Abdolazim's death is not possible.

    Brief Introduction

    Abdolazim Hassani was one of the great narrators of hadith (muhaddithin) who combined noble lineage with the virtues of knowledge and piety. He was a noble and honorable Sayyid, a prominent scholar of hadith, and an ascetic of his time. His lineage traces back to Imam Hasan Mujtaba (AS) through four generations.[1]

    Regarding his character, it is said: "It has been reported about the worship of Abdolazim that during his noble life, he spent most of his days fasting and his nights in worship and praise of Allah."[2] He had complete sincerity and belief in the Imams (AS) and met three of the infallible Imams (AS), narrating hadiths from them. The narrations clearly indicate that he was beloved and trusted by the Imams (AS). In a message sent by Imam Reza (AS) to the Shia, and in the Hadith of 'Ard al-Din where Abdolazim presented his beliefs to Imam Hadi (AS) and received his approval, there is clear evidence of his faith, sanctity, and steadfast belief in the Imams (AS) and the Ja'fari school of thought.[3]

    The Reward for Visiting Abdolazim Hassani

    The Imams (AS) have recommended visiting Abdolazim Hassani (AS). In a narration, Ibn Qulawayh Qumi in his book Kamil al-Ziyarat narrates from a man from Rayy who said: "On my return from Karbala, I visited Imam Hadi (AS) in Samarra. The Imam asked me where I had been. I replied that I had visited Sayyid al-Shuhada (AS). The Imam then said: «أَمَا إِنَّكَ لَوْ زُرْتَ قَبْرَ عَبْدِ الْعَظِيمِ عِنْدَكُمْ لَكُنْتَ كَمَنْ زَارَ الْحُسَيْنَ(ع)؛ If you had visited the grave of Abdolazim near you, it would have been as if you had visited Imam Hussain (AS).»[4][5]

    In another narration, it is mentioned that a Shia from Rayy visited Imam Hadi (AS). When the Imam asked where he had been, the man replied that he had visited Imam Hussain (AS). The Imam said to him: «أَمَا إِنَّكَ لَوْ زُرْتَ قَبْرَ عَبْدِ الْعَظِيمِ عِنْدَكُمْ لَكُنْتَ كَمَنْ زَارَ الْحُسَيْنَ»[6]

    Examination of the Chain of Narration

    The narration about the equality of the reward for visiting Abdolazim Hassani and Imam Hussain (AS) is mentioned in two books: Kamil al-Ziyarat by Ibn Qulawayh (d. 368 AH)[7] and Thawab al-A'mal by Sheikh Saduq (d. 381 AH).[8]

    Weakness of the Chain

    Sheikh Saduq[9] and Ibn Qulawayh narrated this hadith through two different chains, both from Mohammad bin Yahya al-Attar, who narrated it from a man from Rayy, from Imam Hadi (AS). In both chains, the name of the person who narrated the hadith from the Imam (AS) is not mentioned, making the narration mursal (disconnected) and weak (da'if).[10]

    Contextual Clues Mitigating the Weakness

    There are contextual clues that mitigate the weakness of the chain, including: 1. The main narrator, Mohammad bin Yahya, was a teacher of Sheikh Kulayni and is praised by Shia scholars of rijal (biographical evaluation) for his reliability, truthfulness, knowledge, and piety.[11][12] Therefore, dismissing this narration, even though it is narrated by an unknown person, is not easy. 2. Based on a narration mentioned by Sheikh Saduq in his book Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih, it is recommended for those who cannot visit the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) to visit righteous friends of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS)), as they will receive a reward similar to visiting the Ahl al-Bayt (AS)).[13][Note 1] This hadith is also mentioned in Kamil al-Ziyarat.[14] Mohammad Taqi Majlisi considered this narration to be sahih (authentic).[15] 3. Some have argued that the apparent context suggests that the man in the narration was not inclined to visit Abdolazim or was unaware of his status. Therefore, Imam Hadi (AS) used this opportunity to make him and others aware of Abdolazim's high status and spiritual personality, encouraging them to visit his grave.[16]

    Dispute Over the Date of Abdolazim Hassani's Death

    The date of Abdolazim Hassani's death is disputed. Agha Bozorg Tehrani recorded his death as 15 Shawwal 252 AH. If this is accurate, his death occurred before the martyrdom of Imam Hadi (AS) (254 AH).[17]

    Reza Estadi, a Shia scholar and researcher, believes that if we rely on the narrations in Kamil al-Ziyarat and Thawab al-A'mal, Abdolazim's death occurred before the martyrdom of Imam Hadi (AS). He states that there is no definitive evidence to determine the exact date of his death. He rejects dates such as 250 AH, two years before Imam Hadi's martyrdom, or the year of Imam Hadi's martyrdom.[18]

    Some believe that Abdolazim Hassani died after the martyrdom of Imam Hadi (AS), as some biographical works list him among the companions of Imam Hasan Askari (AS).[19] Reza Estadi rejects this argument, as he believes Abdolazim was not among the companions of Imam Hasan Askari (AS) and did not narrate any hadiths from him. He suggests that the error of some biographers may be due to the use of the title "Askari" for Imam Hadi (AS) in some narrations.[20]

    References

    1. Sheikh al-Sharaf Ubaydli, Mohammad bin Mohammad (1413). Tahdhib al-Ansab wa Nihayat al-A'qab. Qom: The Public Library of Ayatollah al-Uzma Mar'ashi Najafi (RA). p. 139.
    2. Sharif Razi, Mohammad. The Life of Abdolazim. p. 28.
    3. Qumi, Abbas (1379). Montahi al-Amal. Vol. 1. Qom: Dalil. p. 461.
    4. Sadeghi Ardastani, Ahmad (1380). The Life of Abdolazim (AS). Tehran: Hafez Noein. p. 208.
    5. Abu al-Qasim, Ja'far bin Mohammad Qumi (Ibn Qulawayh) (1377). Kamil al-Ziyarat. Najaf Ashraf: Al-Matba'ah al-Mubarakah al-Murtadawiyah. p. 321.
    6. Ibn Qulawayh, Ja'far bin Mohammad (1356). Kamil al-Ziyarat. Najaf Ashraf: Al-Matba'ah al-Mubarakah al-Murtadawiyah. p. 324.
    7. Ibn Qulawayh, Ja'far bin Mohammad (1356). Kamil al-Ziyarat. Dar al-Murtadawiyah, Najaf. p. 334.
    8. Sheikh Saduq, Mohammad bin Ali, Thawab al-A'mal wa 'Iqab al-A'mal, Qom, Dar al-Sharif al-Radi, 1406 AH, p. 99.
    9. Sheikh Saduq, Mohammad bin Ali, Thawab al-A'mal wa 'Iqab al-A'mal, Qom, Dar al-Sharif al-Radi, 1406 AH, p. 99.
    10. Ibn Qulawayh, Ja'far bin Mohammad, Kamil al-Ziyarat, edited by Abdulhussein Amini, Najaf, Dar al-Murtadawiyah, 1356 SH, p. 334.
    11. Najashi, Ahmad bin Ali (1365). Rijal al-Najashi. Qom, Jami'at al-Mudarrisin. p. 250.
    12. Mir Damad, Mohammad Baqir, Al-Ta'liqah 'ala Kitab al-Kafi, Qom, Khayyam, 1st edition, 1403 AH, vol. 1, pp. 76 and 365.
    13. Ibn Babawayh, Mohammad, Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih, Qom, Islamic Publications Office, 2nd edition, 1413 AH, vol. 2, p. 73.
    14. Ibn Qulawayh, Ja'far, Kamil al-Ziyarat, Najaf Ashraf, Dar al-Murtadawiyah, 1st edition, 1356 SH, p. 319.
    15. Majlisi, Mohammad Taqi, Lawami' Sahib al-Qurani, Qom, Ismailiyan, 2nd edition, 1414 AH, vol. 6, p. 144.
    16. Atardi Quchani, Azizullah (1367). Narrators of Imam Reza in Musnad al-Reza. Mashhad, World Congress of Imam Reza Publications. pp. 240–254.
    17. Agha Bozorg Tehrani, Mohammad Mohsen, Al-Dhari'ah ila Tasnif al-Shia, Najaf, Matba'at al-Ghari, vol. 7, p. 190.
    18. Reza Estadi, "Introduction to Abdolazim and Sources of His Biography," in Shenakhtnameh Hazrat Abdolazim Hassani va Shahr-e Ray, Qom, Dar al-Hadith Publications, 1st edition, 1382 SH, pp. 67–69.
    19. Tusi, Mohammad bin Hasan, Rijal al-Tusi, Qom, Mu'assasat al-Nashr al-Islami, 3rd edition, 1373 SH, p. 401.
    20. Estadi, Reza, "Introduction to Abdolazim and Sources of His Biography," pp. 67–69.


    Cite error: <ref> tags exist for a group named "Note", but no corresponding <references group="Note"/> tag was found