The Role of Imam al-Sadiq (a) in the Rescission of the Prohibition of Recording Traditions in the view of two Islamic sects

After the demise of the prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family)¡ the Muslims were prevented from writing¡ recording and disseminating the prophetic traditions. This prohibition lasted for over a century. It was Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz who formally nullified the ruling at the beginning of the second Islamic century. However¡ Muslim scholars refrained from compiling and writing down the prophetic traditions for an additional 43 years after this. The author maintains that the scholarly presence of Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (a) in Hirah between the years 132 and 136 A.H. and his didactic methods including his emphasis on writing¡ dictation and offering practical examples of instruction¡ drew other intellectuals to similarly work towards recording and codifying sciences¡ just as the Shias were doing¡ as they did not want to be left behind. By providing the names of the first pioneers who codified traditions¡ most of whom were disciples of Imam Sadiq (a)¡ the author tries to show how these individuals were inspired after being in the blessed presence of the Imam (a) and then commenced a new movement of writing and codification thereby preventing any further decline and loss [of prophetic teachings and traditions].