Shaikh Sadooq (expired 381 A.H.) was one of the greatest Shia scholars of the fourth century, who had earned the tide of Muallim (teacher). His book, Man la Yahzarahul Faqih is one of the four canonical books of Shi’ite hadith. It is an indispensable work of reference by the Mujtahid of Shia faith.
The exalted position of Shaikh Sadooq (r.a.) can be gauged from the fact that he was born through the prayers of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), may our lives be sacrificed for him. Throughout his life he was the center of Imam’s attention and favours. The incident is as follows:
The father of Shaikh Sadooq (r.a.) was known by the name of Ali Ibn Babawayh. He was one of the well-known jurisprudents and scholars of hadith in the city of Qum. Though he had been married to his cousin for a number of years he was not yet blessed with any children
In the year 305 A.H., he visited Baghdad and met the special representative of Imam (a.t.f.s.), Husayn Ibn Rauh Nawbakhti. Ibn Babawayh sent a letter through Muhammad bin Aswad with the request that it may be presented to Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) to pray to Allah in this regard.
A reply was soon received from Imam (a.t.f.s.) as follows:
“You will not have any children by this wife. I have prayed for you in this regard and soon you will be blessed by two sons (who would become jurists) through a lady of the Dailamite tribe.”[1]
As foretold by Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), Ibn Babawayh married a Dailamite lady after some time. The Almighty Allah blessed him with two sons whom he named Muhammad and Husayn.
Both his sons soon earned fame as the Shi’ite jurists and scholars of traditions in the city of Qum. Very few scholars of that time could reach such an exalted position.
The exceptional ability and brilliance especially in the narrating and memorizing of hadith; and his truthfulness soon earned for him the title of Sadooq. He later became famous by this very honorific.
The contemporary scholars and his friends were amazed at his knowledge and infallible memory. It was evident that his brilliant mind and non-stop successes were due to the blessings of the prayers of Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.).
He himself agreed to this fact and felt much honoured for the same. He often said: “I am born through the prayers of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).”
Morals:
1) We should ask for knowledge and understanding from Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).
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Islamic Library: Introduction to Islam
[1] . Shaikh Taifah