The martyrdom of Imam al- Kāẓim
Imam Mūsā al-Kāẓim (the Shia seventh Imam) was born at Medina on 129 A.H. and martyred on the 25th of Rajab 183 A.H. (799 A.D.) in Bagdad. He was the son of Imam Jaʹfar al-Ṣādiq and the name of his mother was Hamīdah. The patience and forbearance of the Imam was such that he was given the title of al-Kāzim (one who swallows down his anger). He was the embodiment of virtue and generosity. He devoted his nights to the prayers of God and his days to fasting and used to provide sustenance for the destitute people of Medina secretly.
In 179 A.H., Hārūn al-Rashīd, Abbasid caliph visited Medina. The fire of malice and jealousy against the Household of the Prophet was kindled in his heart when he saw the great influence and popularity which the Imam enjoyed amongst the people there. He got the Imam arrested while he was busy in prayer at the tomb of the Holy Prophet and kept him in prison in Bagdad for about 14 years. On the 25th of Rajab 183 A.H. he got the Imam martyred by poison. Even his corpse was not spared humiliation and was taken out of the prison and left on the Bridge of Baghdad. Imam Rizā (the 8th Imam) washed the pure body of his father, enshrouded it, and offered the prayer of the dead on his body. His pure corpse was carried to a place where grew a town around it, called Kāzemayn.
