The Historical Explanation of the Components of Convergence from the Perspective of Imam Javad (AS)

The emergence of various intellectual ideas in the Islamic world after the death of the Prophet (PBUH) until today has posed the challenge of the convergence of the Ummah. The period of the Imamate of Imam Javad (AS) (825-842 AD) was also the season of prosperity, internal revolts, and foreign aggression against the Islamic Caliphate. The suspicious activities of these groups threatened religion. One of the threats was the division of the Ummah. The present study, by asking what the components of convergence from the perspective of Imam Javad (AS) are, seeks to identify these components in situations such as debates, confrontation with caliphs, and currents of thought. His teachings were manifested in the form of components of correcting theological beliefs with respect, lack of tension in political relations, good manners, adherence to the Holy Qur'an and tradition, and innocence from Islamic extremism. The study hypothesizes that Imam Javad (AS) considers the roots of divergence in not understanding the truth of religion, hegemony, and separatist tendencies. Imam's actions in the direction of convergence have been in the form of corrective measures in interaction with different currents, removing doubts, and avoiding any divergent action towards the unity of the Ummah.

The political situation of the Islamic society changed after revealing the nature of Bani Abbas especially with Mansour’s actions (136-158 AH) and the foundations of the Abbasid caliphate. The situation was not in accordance with the Imamate doctrine. Therefore, contrary to previous claims, the Abbasid caliphs, the same as Umayyads, were forced to pursue two strategic principles in confrontation with the doctrine of the Imamate. The first was making doubt in the doctrine of Imamate and the second was creating deviant sects to keep these sects busy with each other and diverging among Shiites. In such an atmosphere, Imam Javad (AS), who was supposed to protect the doctrine of Imamate and unite the Ummah, became Imam at an early age. The young age of the Imam was a problem for the public of Shiites. But considering the influence of gentlefolks in the society and their impact on the positions of the masses, the Imam, in the face of doubts created by gentlefolks, removed doubts and explained the doctrine of Imamate. This study seeks to provide a model for Islamic convergence by searching the lifestyle of Imam Javad (AS) in situations such as debates, confrontation with caliphs, and currents of thought.Imam Javad (AS) debates with Mutazilite and Sunni elders were held in the form of theological and jurisprudence subjects. Subjects such as divorce a woman, hunting in the shrine (Masjed Al-haram), the quality of becoming halal and haram for a woman several times a day, exaggerated virtues about sheikhs, signs of Imamate, issues related to Monotheism, cutting off the hand of a thief and punishing bandits. Caliphs held debates intending to challenge the knowledge and position of Imam Javad (AS) in the society and create doubts among Shiites about the legitimacy of their Imam. This seemingly threat, of course, was an opportunity for the Imam to prove his knowledge and legitimacy. Beyond these debates, in addition to dispelling doubts and enlightening thoughts about Islamic teachings in the field of Monotheism, Prophecy, Imamate, and the Qur'an, he sought to create convergence, because he explained and corrected some Sunni beliefs without any insults, humiliation, or bringing religious sensitivities.

The method of the present study is descriptive-analytical with reference to historical, hadith, and rijali books.

Imam Javad (AS) pursued a strategic plan to create and strengthen convergence through debates, confrontations with caliphs, and currents of thought. He considered the divergence of the Ummah as a result of mutual disrespect for beliefs, sanctities, and incitement of religious feelings and stressed the necessity of respect and courtesy. This religious courtesy leads to preserving the dignity of the Islamic society, its immunity from insults, avoiding the field of discord, and leading to convergence. Although the Imam claimed an appointed leadership (by Prophet Mohammad) over the Muslim Ummah, according to the requirements of the time in preserving the Islamic government, he did not take any divergent action towards the caliphate and did not use the currents and forces seeking independence for politic aims.According to the teachings of Imam Javad (AS), wise behavior and best scientific debate along with softness, love, and avoidance of harsh words, even towards those who hated him, lead to convergence. He emphasized the unity of Muslims based on the two original sources that are Qur'an and Sunnah (Prophet's lifestyle) and the necessity to follow its instructions. In the face of the phenomenon of Islamic extremism, he used two methods of enlightenment and decisive approaches. The Enlightenment method included guiding and responding to doubts. The decisive approach included cases such as cursing and giving murder sentences. The Imam tried to guide and retrain the teachings of religion through enlightenment. Since extremist Shiites paved the way for the enemies to slander and oppose the Shiites, exposing, cursing, and finally issuing a murder statement for some of them was the agendum. He eliminated misunderstandings and provided convergence by clarifying the nature of extremist Shiites and declaring the illegitimacy of them. The Imam also tried to reject the exaggerated beliefs of the Sunnis without stimulating religious sensitivities. He refuted these beliefs logically with convincing citations. Therefore, the divergent behaviors of Islamic currents are due to the lack of proper understanding of the nature of religion and manners of the Innocents (AS). Thus, the life of the Imams (AS) can play an effective role in creating Islamic convergence.