Celebrating Imam Kadhim Birthday

7 Safar is an auspicious day. It was on this day that the 7th infallible Imam of the Prophet”s Household was born in the city of Abwa between Mecca and Medina in the year 128 AH (745 CE).

But since the birth anniversary of Imam Mousa Kadhim (pbuh) falls in the traditional mourning season, the faithful refrain from any act of rejoicing. It is the period immediately after the tragic martyrdom of Imam Hossein (pbuh). It is the shocking period when humanity had sunk so low into the abysmal depths of bestiality that the Prophet”s Household including two infallible Imams–Imam Zayn ul-Abedin (pbuh) and his 4-year son Imam Muhammad Baqir (pbuh)–were being dragged in chains through the streets of Damascus to the court of the libertine Yazid bin Mu`awiya.

Thus, out of respect for the sufferings of the enchained grandfather and great-grandfather of Imam Mousa Kadhim (pbuh), as well as that of the entire group of noble captives including the Prophet”s granddaughter Zaynab (pbuh), we forego any kind of festivity.

This lack of festivities is not to belittle the blessed status of the 7th Imam, who was among the select group of divinely-designated leaders of mankind. Unlike the so-called leaders chosen by fallible minds, he was the Imam since the day he was born, and in the manner of Prophet Jesus (pbuh), he spoke the words of truth from the cradle itself.