His Kunyas
(His kunyas are): Abu al-Hasan, Abu al-Hasan al-Madi, Abu Ibrahim, Abu ''Ali, Abu Isma'il.
His Nicknames
As for his nicknames, they indicate the aspects of his personality and sides of his greatness; they are as follows:
Al-Sabir (the Patient)
Because he was patient toward the pain and the misfortunes he met form the tyrannical rulers, who punished him severely and treated him with all kinds of wrong and detested things.
Al-Zahir (the Brilliant)
Because he was brilliant through his holy ethics and his bright generosity through which he represented the ethics of his grandfather, the Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family.
Al-'Abd al-Salih (the pious worshipper)
He was given the nickname of al-'Abd al-Salih because of his (too much) worship and exertion in obedience (to Allah) to the extent that proverbs were coined about him throughout times and generations. He is famous for this nickname with the narrators of hadith; those who narrated on his authority said: "Al-'Abd al-Salih has related to me."
Al-Sayyid (the Master)
Because he was one of the Muslim masters and one of their Imams; due to this nickname he was praised by the famous poet, Abu al-Fath who says:
I am the servant of the noble master; wherever I am, he is given my best regards. And if I am the servant of the noble, them I am free and the time is my servant.[1]
Al-Wafi (the Faithful)
Because he was the most faithful human being who was created in his time; he was loyal and kind to his companions and followers; rather he was loyal even to his opponents and those who harbored malice against him.
Al-Amin (the Trusted one)
He was trusted in the full meaning of the word; rather his great personality was full of trust-he was entrusted with the affairs and precepts of the religion and with the affairs of the Muslims. He gained this nickname just as his grandfather, the great Prophet, had gained it and attained through it the confidence of all the people.
Qa'id al-'Askar (the Commander of the Troops)
Among his nicknames is Qa'id al-'Askar.[2] Shaykh 'Abbas al-Qummi, Thiqatual Islam and a famous researcher, may Allah make bloom his grave, has said: "The reason for giving such a nickname to the Imam, peace be on him, is that he represented al-Mansur on the Day of al-Nouruz. Meanwhile the troops and their commanders paid a visit to him. None of his forefathers and sons had undertaken such a ceremony, so he was given this nickname on this occasion."[3]
Al-Kazim (the Restrained)
He was given this nickname because he restrained his anger toward those wrongdoers who severely punished him and subjected him to exhaustion, to the extent that he died a martyr of poison in a dark prison. He did not show his pain and sorrows to anyone; rather he thanked Allah for that. Ibn al-Athir has said: "He (Musa) is known for this nickname due to his patience, gentleness, and repelling evil with kindness."[4]
Dhu al-Nafs al-Zakiya (the One with a pure soul)
He was given this nickname because he had a clear soul which was not spoiled by neither the sins of life nor by the defilement of material, to the extent that it became high and unique.
Bab al-Hawa'ijj (the Gate of Needs)
This is the greatest of his nicknames in mentioning, the most famous of them in circulation and spreading. The non-Shi'a and the Shi'a know well that when a distressed or a sad person visit the grave of Musa, Allah relieves his pain and sorrows, and that when someone seeks sanctuary in his holy shrine, his needs are granted. He returns home cool-hearted and tranquil, free from sudden events and the calamities of days. All Shi'a, rather all Muslims, of different classes and tendencies, believe in that; for example, Shaykh and head of the Hanbalis, says: "When a certain matter worries me, and I visit the grave of Musa b. Ja'far, Allah, the Exalted, make easy to me what I like."[5]
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[1] Ibid., p. 133.
[2] Tuhfat al-Azhar wa Zulal al-Anhar.
[3] Al-Kuna wa al-Alqab, vol. 1, p. 167.
[4] Mukhteser Tarikh al-'Arab, p. 209.
[5] Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 1, p. 120. Al-Shi'a wa al-Tarikh.
[3] Al-Kuna wa al-Alqab, vol. 1, p. 167.
[4] Mukhteser Tarikh al-'Arab, p. 209.
[5] Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 1, p. 120. Al-Shi'a wa al-Tarikh.
