Syed Muhammad: the Son of Imam Hadi (AS)

Muhammad was the oldest son of Imam Hadi. He was very pious and had a great character. Many of the Shias thought that he would be the Imam after Imam Hadi, because the eldest son often inherited the Imamat. However, about two years before Imam Hadi’s martyrdom, his son, Muhammad, passed away while he was travelling. He fell sick and passed away close to the city of Balad, between Samarra and Baghdad. His demise brought great sorrow and grief to his father and his younger brother, Imam Askari.
Imam Hadi would often correct his companions’ assumptions about his eldest son, Muhammad, being the next Imam. During his Imamat, he had revealed Imam Askari to his close companions as his successor. After Muhammad’s demise, which took place about two years before Imam Hadi’s martyrdom, the Imam had become more deliberate in introducing Imam Askari, his eldest son alive, as the next Imam. For example, in the memorial program that Imam Hadi held in his house for his son, Muhammad, many attended, including his companions and the elders of Banu Hashim. Imam Hadi openly addressed Imam Askari and told him to be thankful to God for His decree upon him. Imam Hadi had implied God’s decree of Imam Askari’s Imamat after himself. This became more evident for the Shias after Muhammad’s demise.