Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as), an 8th century leader, was a righteous descendent of Muhammad (pbuh) the Messenger of God and founder of Islam. Imam Jafar earned the title al-Sadiq for his honesty and trustworthiness. He continued the teachings of the Prophet and created the first system of university learning in the world. Here, he taught diverse subjects such as medicine, chemistry, physics, botany, jurisprudence, traditions (Hadith), and Quranic sciences. In addition to these subjects, he also embedded business dealings/contracts, morality, living style, behaviors and ethics, and prayers in his teachings. These teachings positively affected the society, leading to social progress and industrial advancement during his era. Many countries, both near and far, sent their youth and scholars to study in his university. The number of students reached as high as ~4000 which was not seen in any institution at that time. Eventually, his students authored all his lectures and lessons in collections of books, similar to an encyclopedia. Among his famous students were Jabir ibn Hayyan (master of chemisty) and al-Mufaddhal ibn Umar (master of anatomy and physiology of the human body) as well as Islamic scholars like Abu Hanifa, Malik b. Anas, and Sufyan al-Thawari. He is truly an inspiration and 1400 years later his legacy continues, inspiring us and many to give back.
To learn more, please visit this link to access a Google Doc with additional resources.
*More Quotes by Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (as)**
“The perfection of intellect is in three (things): humbleness for Allah, good certainty, and silence except for good. Ignorance is in three (things): Haughtiness, the intense of dispute, and the ignorance in Allah. Three (things) are of the noble acts of here and hereafter: Forgive him who has wronged you, visit him who has abandoned you, and be patient when you are treated with ignorance.”
“Verily, knowledge is a treasure (or lock), and its key lies in curiosity (or question).”
“Nothing is better than silence, no enemy is more harmful than ignorance, and no illness is more dangerous than telling lies.”
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