Abd al-Karim ibn Abul-Awja was one of the prominent figures in infidelity and atheism in the Arab world. In addition to his atheism, he used to attack what people glorified and respected as he was attacking the traditions and customs, which Muslims were adhering to. He was also using very bad language.
Firstly, he was one of the students of al-Hasan al-Basri. Afterward, he left the guided path and monotheism. He was told: “Why did you leave following your fellow al-Hasan al-Basri and entered what did not have any concern with it?” He replied: “My fellow was a fool, because he was talking about issues as if they sometimes occur by chance and other times compulsorily. I do not think he has a specific ideology and religion which really stays with him.” He was frustrating every occurrence. So he was threatened by Amr ibn Ubayd and went to Kufah.
There were several debates between him and Imam al-Sadiq (as), which resulted in his failure in a way that he could not speak even a word in response. Among those are the following.
A group of atheists were in Mecca during the Hajj ceremony. There were Abd al-Karim, ibn Talout, ibn Ama, ibn al-Muqaffa and a number of other infidels. At that time, Imam al-Sadiq (as) was in the al-Adham Mosque. Muslims were around him asking about their religion’s bases and Hajj instructions. He was answering their questions.
The companions of ibn Abul-Awja told him: “Can you have this man reach a contradiction? And can you ask a question that discloses his mistakes in front of those surrounding him? You see the people’s interest in him and he is the master of his era.”
Ibn Abul-Awja positively responded to that request and went towards the Imam (as). When he reached in front of the Imam (as), he said: “O Abu Abdullah! Meetings are trusteeships and you know that everyone who has a cough must cough. So, do you let me to ask?”
Imam (as) allowed him to ask his question and ibn Abul-Awja went on asking impolitely: “Until when do you want to continue stepping on here; take refugee to this stone, the Black Stone, and worship this house which was built with mud, clay; and to run over it just like donkeys? If anyone was thinking about it and had enough knowledge, he would not do this unwise action, which does not have proper insight. Well! You are the head and base of this case and your father was the one who based and organized it.”
Imam (as) was affected by the speech of this infidel that did not have the least politeness and he told him: “The one, whom Allah (SwT), leaves him in darkness; makes his heart blind; the one who hates the truth and does not feel comfortable with it; the one who takes Satan as his leader and his Lord, will be leading (original: reaching) himself to damnation. Allah (SwT) asked his slaves to come here to examine their obedience in coming towards him.
“His Majesty encouraged them to glorify and respect this. Almighty Allah specified this as Kiblah for the prayers, as it is one of the gates towards His satisfaction. This is a path that leads to Allah’s forgiveness. It is based on the straightness of the perfection and the collection of glorification and respect. Allah (SwT) created this place one thousand years before the earth was ever created. It would be better to obey what should be obeyed. The one who is the originator of the spirit.”
Ibn Abul-Awja went on interrupting the speech of the Imam (as) who was describing the high value of the Holy Kiblah, saying: “O Abu Abdullah! You have deviated the talk to what is hidden.”
The Imam (as) restrained him, saying: “Woe unto you! How come you say that the one, who is witnessing his creatures, is absent? He is closer to His creatures than their jugular veins. He hears their speeches and knows their secrets. Everywhere and everyone are under His control and at the same time He’s not limited to a specific location.
“There is nowhere closer than Him when noticing His signs, which lead us to his existence. He is the One who made the strong verses and signs descended. Muhammad, Allah’s blessing and peace be unto him and his family, was the one who came with this worship. If you are doubting about anything, ask about that and I will clarify it for you.”
Ibn Abul-Awja was confused and angry. He did not know what to say and he then went away escaping towards his companions. His sign of inability was apparent. He went on blaming his companions, saying: “I asked you to give me something to enjoy but you threw me on live coal.”
His companions complainingly replied in return to his statement: “Keep silent! We swear by Allah that you disgraced us with your confusion and interruption. We could not find anyone paltrier than you today.”
He responded, saying: “Are you saying this to ‘me’? He is the son of the one who overwhelmed, in argument, the heads of those you see,” pointing to the infidels there.
How can this ignorant, who denied the existence of Allah (SwT), stay in front of the successor of the Prophet (as) and the discoverer of sciences and wisdom on the earth?
THE LIFE OF IMAM JAF’AR AL-SADIQ (AS) – BAQIR SHARIF AL-QURASHI