Imam Ali al-Hadi (a.s.)
Al-Hadi, Al-Naqi
The tenth Imam, who spent most of his life under strict military surveillance in the garrison town of Samarra.
- Born
- 15 Dhu al-Hijjah 212 AH
- Died
- 3 Rajab 254 AH (Samarra)
- Cause of death
- Poisoned by Al-Mu'tazz
Life in Samarra
The Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil, deeply hostile towards the Ahl al-Bayt, forced Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) to relocate from Medina to Samarra, the military capital of the empire. The Imam was kept under virtual house arrest for over 20 years to sever his connection with his followers.
Network of Deputies (Wukala)
To counter this isolation, the Imam established and strengthened a vast underground network of representatives (Wukala) across the Islamic world. This system ensured that religious dues were collected and guidance was securely transmitted to the Shia community without the Imam's direct physical presence, preparing them for the upcoming occultation of the 12th Imam.
Ziyarat Jami'ah Kabira
One of his greatest legacies is the Ziyarat Jami'ah Kabira. When asked how to properly greet and understand the status of an Imam, he dictated this profound Ziyarat. It is a masterpiece of Shia theology, comprehensively detailing the divine authority, purity, and universal role of the Ahl al-Bayt.