The 14 Masoomen
Explore the lives, teachings, and legacies of the fourteen infallibles in Shia Islam
Hijri Calendar
Explore the 14 Masoomen
Biography
Imam Ali al-Hadi was the son of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad and the tenth Imam. He assumed the Imamate at the young age of eight. During his Imamate, the Abbasid caliphs intensified their surveillance and restrictions on the Ahlul Bayt. The Abbasid caliph al-Mutawakkil, known for his hostility toward the Shia, forced Imam al-Hadi to move from Medina to Samarra (in present-day Iraq) to keep him under close watch. Despite these restrictions, he continued to guide his followers through letters and limited meetings. He established a network of representatives across the Islamic world.
Shrine of Imam Ali al-Hadi (AS)
Imam Ali al-Hadi is buried in the Al-Askari Shrine in Samarra, Iraq, alongside his son Imam Hassan al-Askari. The shrine was characterized by its golden dome and minarets, but has been damaged in attacks in recent years and is currently being rebuilt.
There is no honor like knowledge, no nobility like patience, and no legacy like good manners.— Imam Ali al-Hadi (AS)
Teachings & Legacy
Imam Ali al-Hadi established a network of representatives across the Islamic world to maintain communication with the Shia community despite being under strict surveillance. His teachings and traditions have been preserved in various collections of hadith.
About the 14 Masoomen
Understanding the significance of the fourteen infallibles in Shia Islam
Who are the 14 Masoomen?
In Shia Islam, the 14 Infallibles (Arabic: Chahārdah Maʿsūmīn) are the Prophet Muhammad, his daughter Fatima al-Zahra, and the Twelve Imams. They are considered to be divinely appointed guides who are free from sin and error.
These revered figures are central to Shia theology and spirituality, representing the unbroken chain of divine guidance and leadership after the Prophet Muhammad.
The concept of infallibility (ismah) in Shia Islam means that these 14 individuals are believed to be protected by God from committing sins or errors in matters of religious guidance.
Further Resources
Explore these classical texts to deepen your understanding of the 14 Masoomen
Nahj al-Balagha
A collection of sermons, letters, and sayings attributed to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, compiled by al-Sharif al-Radi in the 10th century CE.
Learn MoreAl-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya
A collection of supplications attributed to Imam Ali ibn Hussein (Zayn al-Abidin), known as "The Psalms of Islam."
Learn MoreAl-Kafi
One of the most important Shia hadith collections, compiled by Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni in the 10th century CE.
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