A Short Play on the 9th Imam

(10 – 15 mins)

Introduction: Salam alaikum everybody. Today our play is going to be on the 9th Imam whose wafat is coming up on the 30th of zilqad. The 9th Imam, Imam Muhammad Taqi was the son of Imam Ali Raza and Bibi Sabika. Let us watch the play to find out more about the 9th Imam.

Grandma sitting with her grandchildren Iman and Azra

Iman: Nanima I am in the mood for a story, tell me one please.

Azra: Yea exactly a story!

Grandma: Ok I'll tell you a story only if you can tell me whose wafat is coming up now.

Iman & Azra: 8th Imam!

Grandma: Yes but who else?

(Iman and Azra look at each other in confusion)

Grandma: Then no story for you!

Iman: No please!

Azra: Wait I know, (whispers in Iman's ear) let's go and check the calendar.

(both get up and run and the Grandma looks a bit confused as to where they have gone)

Grandma (talking to herself): Now where have they gone

(girls come back)

Girls together: 9th Imam's wafat!!

Grandma: Aha so that is where you both went to check the calendar... you cheaters... ok I'll tell you the story of the 9th Imam then ok.

Azra and Iman: Yea ok.

(Curtain goes up)

Background voice: The 9th Imam's father was the 8th Imam, Imam Raza and he was 45 years of age when the 9th Imam was born. However, when the Imam was only 4-5 years old, Imam Raza was called to Iran by Mamum Rashid who was the ruler of the time and was also the one who poisoned the 8th imam. Both the imams knew that this was one journey Imam Raza would never return from as he would be killed by Mamun and Imam Jawad would become an orphan. When the Imam was leaving:

(Curtain comes down all the while Grandma is talking)

Grandma: The 8th Imam saw Imam Jawad putting sand on his head

8th Imam: Oh my son, what are you doing?

9th Imam: This is what an orphan does.

(Curtain goes up)

Grandma: The 8th Imam became shaheed when the 9th Imam was 8-9 years old. The only Imam who got imamat at a younger ago than him was the 12th Imam. I'll tell you one more thing about the 9th Imam. He had one very learned and respected uncle, one day his uncle was sitting in the mosque and (Curtain comes down) there were many people sitting around him and the Imam walked into the mosque. The uncle got up and kissed the Imam on his hand.

Imam: Uncle why don't you sit down?

Uncle: How can I sit when you are standing?

(Couple of mins of silent talking between them and Imam leaves)

The companions: (to the uncle) Why did you show him so much respect when you are older and he is younger? You should not be doing that.

Uncle: He is an Imam and was chosen by Allah to be so, hence my age has no difference as this is Allah's will and no matter what his age I still have to respect him.

(Curtain goes up)

Grandma: You see the status of Imam? When it comes to Imamat nothing matters, how young, old, tall, short, whatever he is we still have to respect them.

Azra: Yea even the 12th Imam got imamat at the age of 5 right?

Grandma: Exactly! Very good! Ok now that I have told you a couple of stories I'm going to sleep.

Iman: No, I want more stories!

Grandma: But I'm sleepy!

Azra: Please one more?!

Grandma: Ok fine. One more then I'm going to sleep...

Azra and Iman together: Yea ok, thank you!

Grandma: Ok. Imam's wife was Ummul Fadhl, the daughter of Ma'mun who was the Abbasid ruler of the time. He was also the one who poisoned the 8th Imam. Now Ummul Fadhl was always complaining about the Imam to her father. One day he was very angry and started drinking until he became drunk. (Curtains come down) He went to the Imam's house where he was sleeping at the time. Ma'mun attacked the Imam with a sword and it was thought that the Imam was dead. Ummul Fadhl and a servant both saw the attack. They believed the Imam to be dead. The next day Ma'mun was very scared wondering about what he had done, and he saw the Imam looking perfectly fine. When Ma'mun asked the Imam about it he replied that he was wearing the hirze jawad ring and that was what protected him. So see girls you should always wear your hirz e jawad rings like I keep telling you to. Don't lose them like you always do.

Azra: But I couldn't help it mine fell in the sink! But after hearing this story I want another ok Grandma, please..!

Grandma: Inshallah let's see. For now I am going to sleep!

Iman: But how did Imam die?

Azra: Oh I learnt this in madressa, I remember! After Ma'mun died Mutassim Billa succeeded him. Mutassim and Ummul Fadhl planned against the Imam and it was Ummul Fadhl who gave Imam poisoned grapes, although immediately after doing so she regretted it but it was too late right Grandma?

Grandma: Exactly. Do you know what date he died and where he was buried?

Iman: 30th zilqad right?

Azra: He is buried in Kadhmain.

Iman: Next to 7th Imam, Imam Musa Kadhim.

Grandma: Very good! Now next time you two get together and tell me a story! I'm going to sleep now, khudafiz!

Iman and Azra: Khudafiz nanima, thanks for the stories.

Conclusion: I hoped you all enjoyed the play and I also hope that we all learnt from it. Thanks for being such an amazing audience. Wasalam.