One of Imam al-Sadiq’s (as) most striking characteristics in intelligence and wisdom was his familiarity with all of the live languages. When speaking with a foreigner, it seemed that he was one of them. Here are some of the languages he was speaking:
1. Nabataean Language: Imam al-Sadiq (as) was fluent in Nabataean language. Younus ibn Zabyan, the Nabataean, narrated that Imam al-Sadiq (as) used to speak to him in Nabataean language when he described the first rebellious facts that revolted against Prophet Moses (as), Prophet Jesus (as) and Imam Ali (as) in Nahrawan. He continued his speech saying: “Maleh Dir Bir Maki Maleh” which means; this took place near your hometown.
2. Hebrew was another language fluently spoken by Imam al-Sadiq (as).
Amir ibn Ali al-Jamii narrated the following: I told Abu Abdullah (al-Sadiq (as)): We eat all the sacrifices of the People of the Book (i.e. Scripturists), but we do not know whether they call the name of Allah (SwT) or not when they slaughter these animals.
He answered: “If you hear that they called the name of Allah (SwT) then you can eat. Do you know what they say for their sacrifices?”
I said: “No.”
He read something I did not understand and then said: “This is what they are commanded.”
I said: “Would you please allow us to write this?”
He replied: “Write! (Nooh Away Adino Balhiz Malhoo Alam Ashraso Awvsobanwa yosea mosegh theal astahoo)”
According to another report, the Imam (as) dictated a statement in Hebrew, which means the following:
Blessed be You! You are Allah (SwT) the Master of the worlds, Who has sanctified us with His commands and ordered us to slaughter animals.
3. Farsi (Persian): This was one of the eastern languages that Imam al-Sadiq (as) was perfect in.
Abu Basir narrated the following: I was with Abu Abdullah (as) when a man from Khurasan was talking with him with a language that I could not understand. The language with which the Imam (as) spoke with that man was Farsi.
When a number of people came from Khurasan, the Imam (as) addressed them saying: “If one collects money protecting it, Allah (SwT) will punish him to the same extent.”
They said in Farsi that they could not understand Arabic. So, the Imam (as) repeated the same in Farsi.
Abu Yazid Farqad narrated the following: I was with Abu Abdullah (as) when he sent a Persian slave to perform a task. The slave came back and the Imam (as) tried to understand what he had done; but the slave could not clarify what he was trying to say. The Imam (as) asked the slave to clarify what he was trying to say so many times that I thought that the Imam (as) would be angry with him. Finally, the Imam (as) said to him, “You can speak in any language, for I can understand you.”
4. Fluency in all Languages: Imam al-Sadiq (as) was familiar with all languages on the earth. Aban ibn Taghlib narrated: I left my house in Medina, heading for Abu Abdullah (as). When I reached his house, I found there peoples whom I had not seen before, wearing the best clothes I had ever seen; handsome and completely quiet. Abu Abdullah (as) began his speech and then we all came out. The fifteen persons of different languages could understand what the Imam (as) had said. Among them were Arab, Persian, Nabataean, Abyssinian and Sicilian persons. The Arab said, “He (i.e. the Imam (as)) talked with us in Arabic.” The Persian said, “He talked with us in Farsi.” The Abyssinian stated, “He talked with us in Abyssinian.” The Sicilian said, “He talked with us in Sicilian.”
Imam al-Sadiq (as) informed some of his companions that the subject was the same and he just translated it into each one’s language.
When a discussion started between Imam al-Sadiq (as) and Ammar al-Sabati in Nabataean, Ammar was astonished; he thus said surprisingly, “I have not seen any Nabataean person more fluent in Nabataean language more than you are.”
Commenting, Imam al-Sadiq (as) said, “Ammar; not only Nabataean but also all languages.”
Imam al-Sadiq (as) owned indescribable intelligence and creativity when he was a child and also when he became a youth and then old. He excelled all genius individuals of the world in this characteristic.
The Life of Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq
The Life of Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (as) – Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi