Ja'far Al-Sadiq - Scholarly Attainments

Scholarly Attainments

As a child, Ja'far Al-Sadiq studied under his grandfather, Zayn al-Abidin. After his grandfather's death, he studied under and accompanied his father, Muhammad al-Baqir, until Muhammad al-Baqir died in 733.

Ja'far Al-Sadiq became well versed in Islamic sciences, including Qur'an and Hadith. In addition to his knowledge of Islamic sciences, Ja'far Al-Sadiq was also an adept in natural sciences, mathematics, philosophy, astronomy, anatomy, alchemy and other subjects.

The foremost Islamic alchemist, Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan, known in Europe as Geber, was Ja'far Al-Sadiq's most prominent student. Ja'far Al-Sadiq was known for his liberal views on learning, and was keen to have discourse with Scholars of other views.

Abū Ḥanīfa was an Islamic scholar and Jurist. He was a student of Ja'far Al-Sadiq, as was Malik ibn Anas, who quotes 12 hadiths from Jafar Sadiq in his famous Al-Muwatta.

Ja'far Al-Sadiq is also cited in a wide range of historical sources, including al-Tabari, al-Yaqubi and Al-Masudi. Al-Dhahabi recognizes his contribution to Sunni tradition and Isma’ili scholars such as Qadi al-Nu'man recorded his traditions in their work.

• Scholars believed to have learned extensively from Ja'far Al-Sadiq:

1. Jābir ibn Hayyān – known in Europe as Geber, a great alchemist.
2. Musa al-Kadhim – his son, the seventh Shi’ah Imam according to the Twelvers
3. Isma'il ibn Jafar – his son, the sixth Ismaili Imam according to the Ismailis.
4. Ali al-Uraidhi ibn Ja'far al-Sadiq- his youngest son.
5. Mufadhal ibn Amr- his Gate keeper and a prominent student.

• Sunni scholars who either attended Ja'far Al-Sadiq's lectures or learnt from him:

1. Nuʿmān ibn Thābit(Abu Hanifa)- founder of Hanafi school of thought.
2. Malik ibn Anas – founder of the Maliki school of thought.

• Others that attended lectures by Ja'far Al-Sadiq:

1. Wasil ibn Ata – founder of the Mu'tazili school of thought.