Why He Was Called Kazim

 Imam Musa al-Kazin was born in 128 A. H. on the seventh day of the month of safar His holy father was Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq and the name of his distinguished mother was Hamidah.

Holy Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, according to the command God and the dictates of the Prophet, appointed his son to Imamate and leadership, and introduced him to the people as such. Holy Imam Musa al-Kazim was a very wise and chaste man. His knowledge and wisdom was divine and heavenly, and his worship and piety were so much that he was named Al Abd Us-Salih,, which means God's righteous creature, or servant.

He was extremely patient and forebearing, and endured many hardships in order to guide the people, and forgave their wrongs and errors. If a person, due to his ignorance, annoyed Imam by his unpleasant behavior he would suppress his anger and, with love and kindness, would guide that person. For this reason he was called Kazim, for "Kazim" means a person who suppresses his anger and doesn't quarrel or speak harshly.

Holy Imam Musa al-Kazim lived in this world for a period of 55 years. and during the period of his Imamate, with great patience. he occupied himself in guiding and helping the people. In 183 A.H., on the twenty-fifth of the month of Rajab, he was martyred in Baghdad, and was buried nearby in what is today called "Kazimayn".... God's peace and blessings be eternally upon him!

How Did Imam Teach that Man a Lesson?

He was a poor and uneducated farmer, and whenever he saw Imam Musa al-Kazim,'he was impolite and abusive. Every day he used to annoy the Imam and his friends and make them unhappy. Imam Musa al-Kazim continually suppressed' his anger and didn't reply to the man's rudeness and abuses, but the Imam's friends used to become very agitated and angry. One day, when the impolite man was, like always, speaking badly, the Imam's friends decided to punish him; they were going to deal him so many blows that he would die and be silenced forever.

They said, "This man must receive what he deserves for all this rudeness." Imam Musa al-Kazim became aware of their decision, and he prohibited them, saying, "My friends, be patient. I myself will teach him a lesson." Days passed and that man continued his undesirable behavior, making the Imam's friends nervous and uncomfortable, and every time they decided to silence him, Imam told them, "My friends! Be patient, I myself will teach him a lesson." One day Imam Musa al-Kazim asked.

"Where is he?" He was told, "Outside the town, he is working on his land." Imam Musa al-Kazim rode out to the man's farm. When the man saw the Imam, he sank his spade in the earth and put his hands on his hips, ready to be abusive again. Imam dismounted, went towards him, affectionately greeted him and with an open and smiling face, began to make conversation, "Don't overwork yourself! What green. lush land you have'.

How much have you spent on it?" The farmer, who was amazed at the Imam's politeness and sincerity, said to him. "About a hundred gold pieces." Imam asked.

With all the work you have done and the trouble you have' taken to cultivate this crop, how much are you expecting to receive for it?" The farmer waited a little, then said, "Around two hundred gold pieces." Imam, (A.S.), brought out a purse and gave it to that farmer, saying, "In this bag are three hundred gold pieces, more than the value of your crop.

Take it, the crop is also yours, I hope you receive more for it," The farmer, who in the face of all his bad-manners and abuse had experienced such wonderful behavior and lovely ethics, became very ashamed. In a trembling voice he said, "I was wrong to abuse you.

But you, you are a great man, and the son of a great man, and you have been good to me, and have helped me. Please,... forgive me. Then, after a few short words, the Imam bade him farewell and returned to Medina. After that, whenever the farmer saw the Imam, he politely greeted him, and was respectful towards the Imam and the Imam's friends, and used to say, "God knows best who to appoint as Imam and Guide of the people."

The Imam's friends were amazed to see that the annoying and abusive man had become so polite and affectionate.
Perhaps they didn't know how the Imam had taught him a lesson.