At the time of Imam al-Jawad (a), a man named Shadhuyah and his wife, whose tribe was descended from the Umayyads, contrary to the beliefs of his descendants, believed in Imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a). The reason for their inclination was the miracle that had happened to their son by the ninth Imam (a). The story was that one day, Shadhuyah and his friend had the chance to meet with Imam Mohammad Taqi (a). Muhammad b. Sinan was also present in that meeting.
Imam (a) welcomed and greeted them and said: “O Shadhuyah! You have something in mind that you want to present to us, and also you want a proof and a sign for our Imamate! You have not revealed this secret to anyone!”
When Shadhuyah heard the words of Imam (a), who was aware of his secrets, he truly believed in his Imamate and his rightfulness, and realized that Imam al-Jawad (a) was verily from the Ahl al-Bayt (a) and the true heirs of the Prophet (s).
Imam (a) said to him: “O Shadhuyah! Do you want me to reveal the motivation behind your coming and the need that has brought you to us?”
Shadhuyah, thrilled by the words of Imam (a), said: “Yes, my Master! I did not come here except for you reveal the secret of my heart, answer my question and fulfill my need!”
Imam al-Jawad (a) said: “Well, your wife is pregnant and will soon give birth to a son. She will survive delivery of the child. She is a good wife, from the Umayyad tribe. Go to your wife!”
Shadhuyah said: “Yes. O Aba Ja’far!”
Shadhuyah’s friend, who did not believe in Imam al-Jawad (a), rejected his conversation with Imam, objected to him and said, “Abu Ja’far (a) said these words in order to advance his Imamate!” But Shadhuyah did not accept his friend’s words.
After the meeting of Imam (a), Shadhuyah went to his house and saw that his wife was about to die. But, since he believed in the words of Imam al-Jawad (a), he did not worry too much and kept his calmness. After a while, his wife gave birth to a boy who was dead.
He went to Imam again. Imam (a) said: “O Shadhuyah! Was what I told about your wife and your child true?
Shadhuyah said, “Yes, my Master! But why did not you pray for my son to be born alive?”
Imam (a) said: “Do you want this from us?” Shadhuyah said, “Yes, my Master!”.
Imam (a) said, “But, his destiny is predetermined and the divine decree is ordained for him.”
Shadhuyah said in a pleading tone: “But, what about your benevolence and generosity?
Muhammad b. Sinan too went forth and supported Shadhuyah with insistence, appealing to Imam (a): “My Master! Ask God (Allah) to revive his son!”
Imam’s lips moved and whispered to God Almighty, “O God! You are aware of the secrets of Your servants! Shadhuyah wishes to see your grace, mercy, and generosity; so God, revive his son for him!”
At that moment, Imam (a) bent down, brought his head closer to Shadhuyah and said: “Go to your son God revived for you!”
Shadhuyah hastened out of the presence of the ninth Imam, astonished by hearing his son’s revival. When the child’s mother heard the news, she renounced the corrupt beliefs of her tribe and embraced the school of Ahl al-Bayt (a) and accepted Imam al-Jawad (a) as Imam.
Those, who witnessed the miracle of the ninth Imam (a) in Shadhuyah’s house, all became Shiite.
Source:
Khasibi, Husayn b. Hamdan, Hidayat al-Kubra, Al-Balagh Institute, Beirut, 1411 AH, p. 307.
