Ali al-Hadi

Ali al-Hadi, born on September eighth in the year eight hundred twenty-nine in Medina, was a prominent theologian and imam, recognized as the tenth Imam in Twelver Shia Islam. He was a direct descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and succeeded his father, Muhammad al-Jawad, after his passing in eight hundred thirty-five. Despite being a child at the time, Ali's followers accepted his imamate, drawing parallels to the story of young Jesus in the Quran, which attributed to him an exceptional innate knowledge.

In eight hundred forty-eight, Ali al-Hadi was summoned from Medina to the Abbasid capital of Samarra by the caliph al-Mutawakkil, known for his antagonism towards Shia Muslims. Under close surveillance, Ali lived a restricted life until his death in eight hundred sixty-eight during the reign of al-Mu'tazz. Despite the oppressive environment, he maintained communication with an underground network that managed the financial and religious affairs of the Shia community.

Ali al-Hadi's legacy is marked by his image as a pacifist Imam who faced numerous attempts by the Abbasid court to undermine him. Twelver sources recount incidents of house searches, temporary imprisonment, and even plots against his life. Most Shia narratives attribute his death at the age of about forty to poisoning by the Abbasids, although some, like al-Shaykh al-Mufid, offer different perspectives.

His contributions to theology include a treatise on free will and several shorter texts, alongside accounts of miracles and precognitive abilities. Following his death, his son Hasan al-Askari was accepted as the next Imam by the majority of his followers, while another son, Ja'far, known as Ja'far al-Kadhab, led a dissenting faction. The tombs of Ali al-Hadi and Hasan al-Askari are located in the revered Al-Askari Shrine in Samarra, Iraq, a site of pilgrimage that has faced threats from extremist groups.