8th Ramadhan: Birth of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq, 5th Grandshaykh of the Naqshbandi Golden Chain

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

The 8th of Ramadhan marks the blessed birth of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiqق.

Heق was the great-grandson of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and the 5th Grandshaykh of the Naqshbandi Golden Chain.

His Noble Lineage

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiqق’s lineage connects him directly to both Sayyidina Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) and Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA), making him an unparalleled inheritor of Prophetic knowledge and spiritual secrets.

He was the son of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (AS), son of Imam Zain al-Abidin (AS), son of Imam Hussain (AS), son of Sayyidina Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA).

His mother, Umm Farwa, was the daughter of Mawlana Qasim ibn Muhammad Ibn Abu Bakrق, the 4th Grandshaykh in the Naqshbandi Golden Chain, and the great-granddaughter of Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA).

Hence, he received from the Prophet ﷺ two lines of inheritance: the secret of the Prophet ﷺ through Sayyidina Ali (RA), and the secret of the Prophet ﷺ through Sayyidina Abu Bakr (RA).

In him the two lineages met and for that reason he was called, “The Inheritor of the Prophetic Station (Maqam an-Nubuwwa) and the Inheritor of the Truthful Station (Maqam as-Siddiqiyya).”

The Inheritor of Prophetic Knowledge

Imam Ja‘far as-Sadiqق spent 14 years under the tutelage of his grandfather, Imam Zain al-Abidinق, followed by 34 years of guidance from his father, Imam Muhammad al-Baqirق.

Additionally, he trained for 27 years under his maternal grandfather, Mawlana Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Bakrق, the 4th Grandshaykh in our Naqshbandi Golden Chain.

His extensive training in both exoteric and esoteric sciences made him a master of Fiqh, Tafsir, Hadith, and Tasawwuf.

One of his contemporaries, Hadrat Umar ibn Abi-l-Muqdam, remarked:

“When I look at Imam Ja’far as-Sadiqق, I see both the noble lineage and the divine secret of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ united within him.”

Hafiz Abu Nu’aym Isfahani further narrated:

“Whenever I gazed upon Imam Ja’far as-Sadiqق, I was immediately struck by the unmistakable presence of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ’s descendants in him.”

Shaykh Fariduddin Attar, in Tadhkirat al-Awliya, wrote:

“If I were to attempt to describe even a fraction of his virtues, my words would fail me. Without the slightest exaggeration, he was perfect in every branch of knowledge. He was a guide for all masters, a source of reliance for all seekers. He stood as the ideal model—the Shaykh of all the saints (Awliya) and the true inheritor of Islam’s spiritual legacy.”

Imam Ja’farق and the Sulṭān

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiqق was a deeply spiritual and pious figure who dedicated his life to seeking the pleasure of Allāh ﷻ and the afterlife (ākhirah), rather than worldly pursuits (dunyā).

He remained distant from political authority and the rulers of his time, preferring solitude and devotion. Despite his detachment, he faced false accusations, leading the Sulṭān to order his execution.

However, as soon as Imam Ja’far Sadiqق appeared, the Sulṭān, who had moments before spoken of executing him, rushed forward, trembling. He welcomed Imam Ja’farق with great respect, placed him upon his throne, and inquired about his well-being.

Imam Ja’farق then asked the Sulṭān what he wanted.

The Sulṭān, still shaken, replied, “Oh no, nothing. I only summoned you to seek blessings (barakah) from you.”

Imam Ja’farق responded, “If you have no need of me, then I shall take my leave.”

The Sulṭān escorted him to the door with utmost reverence, kissing his hands and feet before allowing him to depart safely.

Afterward, the bewildered wazīr asked, “O Sulṭān, what happened? You had sworn to kill him!”

The Sulṭān replied, “When he entered, a great lion stood beside him, glaring at me as if to say, ‘If you harm him, I will tear you apart.’ I was terrified and understood at once that this man is of immense spiritual stature. That is why I trembled.”

Thus, not only was the execution order revoked, but the Sulṭān honored and respected Imam Ja’far as-Sadiqق, recognizing his exalted spiritual status.

This event stood as a testament to the awe-inspiring presence and divine support surrounding Imam Ja’far as-Sadiqق.

Pearls of Wisdom

In addition to his spiritual strength, Imam Ja’far as-Sadiqق was a man of deep wisdom and humility. When Sayyidina Sufyān al-Thawrīق, a well-known ‘ālim and ‘awliyā’ visited him, Imam Ja’farق initially distanced himself due to Sayyidina Sufyānق’s close association with the Sultan.

However, upon Sayyidina Sufyānق’s insistence, Imam Ja’farق imparted valuable advice, which Mawlānā Shaykh Muhammadق spoke about recently:

He gave him naṣīḥah, telling him, “You must be thankful for everything Allāh ﷻ has given you. Because when you are thankful for Allāh ﷻ, He ﷻ will continue His ﷻ favour upon you. If not, you will not get it.”

And he also said, “We are not obligated.” This is also very important from Sayyidina Ja’far as-Sādiqق. He is from the Golden Chain.

He said to him, “We are not obligated to do good for everyone. We cannot do good for everyone but we are ordered to not do any harm to anyone. You cannot do good to everyone.

We are also not ordered to do good for everyone. Maybe do as much as you can.

But to not harm people, you must do this.” 

[Taken from Mawlanaق’s Sohbah]

These words encapsulate the essence of his spiritual philosophy—balancing devotion, gratitude, and moral responsibility.

Legacy & Remembrance

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiqق was not only a renowned jurist, theologian, and mystic but also a crucial bridge in the Golden Chain, passing down divine knowledge and spiritual secrets to the Awliya and scholars after him.

Through his wisdom, piety, and deep understanding of our faith, Imam Ja’farق became a guiding light for generations to come, leaving an indelible mark on Islamic scholarship and spirituality.

Tonight, do send gifts of Surah Al-Fatiha and Yasin to our 5th Grandshaykh of the Golden Chain, Imam Ja’far as-Sadiqق.

With Love, Al-Fatiha.