Imam Hadi (AS) and the Hidden Network of Representatives

To meet the needs of the growing Shia community, Imam Sadiq had established a network organization of his trusted companions as his representatives in various cities across the Islamic territory. This organization was further developed during the Imamat of the next Imams, and became an effective way of communication between the Shias and their Imam. Imam Hadi took leadership of this organization, effectively during his Imamat. Due to the expansion of Shi’ism at this time, Imam Hadi divided the territory where this hidden organization was active into four geographical regions. The first region covered Baghdad, Madain, and Kufa, in Iraq. The second region covered Basrah and Ahvaz. The third region spanned Hamedan and Qom, in Iran. The fourth region covered Hijaz, Yemen, and Egypt. The Imam had appointed one representative for each of these regions. Each of them would further manage the local representatives of that region. These representatives were responsible for answering questions about Islamic laws and principles, transferring the letters between the Imam and his Shias, and resolving any division between the Shias to keep the Shia community united. They were also collecting the Islamic dues (Zakat) and transferring it to the Imam, or spending it on cases prescribed by the Imam. The names of 14 of the Imam’s representatives are recorded in history. The Imam’s leadership led to the expansion of the Shia community and prepared them for the occultation, during which they would not have direct access to their Imam.
During the time when the Imam’s life at the Abbasid Capital was under intense surveillance by the government, the Imam could not always be the center for managing this hidden organization. Historical records suggest that the Imam had appointed his loyal companion, Uthman ibn Saeed al-Amri, to secretly manage the affairs of this organization from Samarra during the last 10 years of the Imam’s life. Many of the communications between the Imam and his followers were through letters. Dozens of these letters are recorded in history and remain until today.
Mutawakkil had particularly focused on revealing the members of this hidden organization to prosecute them. He arrested Muhammad ibn Faraj, one of the Imam’s representatives in Egypt, and imprisoned him for eight years. Ali ibn Ja’far was another representative of the Imam, who was imprisoned for years. When his imprisonment lengthened, he contacted the Imam and asked for the Imam’s prayers for his release. The Imam responded that he will pray for him. Upon the Imam’s prayer, Mutawakkil became sick the following day. After three days, Mutawakkil’s illness worsened, and he feared for his life. He then ordered the release of the prisoners, including Ali ibn Ja’far. After his release, Ali ibn Ja’far relocated to Mecca by the Imam’s orders to save him from further prosecution. Ayub ibn Nooh was another representative of the Imam. He sent a letter to the Imam and complained to him about the