10th of Rajab Marks Birth of Ali Asghar (peace be upon him) and Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (peace be upon him)

10th of Rajab Marks Birth of Ali Asghar (peace be upon him) and Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (peace be upon him)
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The 10th day of the month of Rajab is observed in the Shia Islamic calendar as the anniversary of two significant events connected to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them): the birth of Ali Asghar (peace be upon him), the infant son of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), and the birth anniversary of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (peace be upon him), the ninth Imam.

According to Shia historical narrations, on the 10th of Rajab in the year 60 AH, a son was born to Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) in Medina. Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) named the child Ali, in line with the names of his other sons—Ali Akbar (peace be upon him) and Ali al-Awsat, Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him)—and out of his deep devotion to his father, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him). Ali Asghar (peace be upon him), whose given name was Abdullah, later became the youngest martyr of Karbala. He was six months old when he was martyred on the day of Ashura after being struck by a three-headed poisoned arrow while in the arms of his father, Imam Hussein (peace be upon him). In Shia tradition, he is known by titles such as Bab al-Hawa’ij, al-Radhi‘ (the infant), and “al-Madhbuh min al-Udhun ila al-Udhun.” His martyrdom is specifically mentioned in the Ziyarat al-Nahiya al-Muqaddasa, attributed to Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance).

The same day also marks the blessed birth of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (peace be upon him), who was born on the 10th of Rajab in the year 195 AH in Medina, in the house of his father Imam Ali al-Ridha (peace be upon him). His mother was a virtuous woman named Sabikah, also known as Khayzuran. The birth of Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) came at a time when doubts were being raised about the continuation of the Imamate, and his birth reaffirmed the Imamate of Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him). Following the martyrdom of his father, the Imamate passed to Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him) while he was still at a young age. Despite this, he became known for his knowledge and for addressing religious and legal questions through scholarly debates.

We extend congratulations to the Imam of the Time, may Allah hasten his reappearance, as well as the Shia community on this auspicious occasion.