Abandonment of Our Master Al-Kāẓim (may his glory be exalted) in Prison and Failure of Shī‘ah

The clearest example of the Shī‘ah’s abandonment of our Master Al-Kāẓim (may his glory be exalted) is his imprisonment and their failure to do anything about it. The Master described them by saying:

"If I were to distinguish my followers, I would not find them but as mere describers. If I were to test them, I would not find them but as apostates. If I were to refine them, not even one out of a thousand would remain pure. If I were to sift them with a sieve, none would remain except what is for me. They have always reclined on couches and said: 'We are the followers of ‘Alī.' Indeed, the follower of ‘Alī is the one whose action confirms his word."¹

Assassination of Our Master Al-Kāẓim (Exalted beyond killing and mutilation) by Muḥammad ibn Ismā‘īl ibn Ja‘far Al-Ṣādiq

Alī ibn Ja‘far said: Muḥammad ibn Ismā‘īl came to me. We had performed the ‘Umrah of Rajab, and we were in Mecca at that time. He said: "O uncle, I want to go to Baghdad, and I would like to bid farewell to my uncle Abū Al-Ḥasan," meaning Mūsā ibn Ja‘far (may his glory be exalted), "and I would like you to go with me to him." So, I went out with him towards my brother, who was in his house at Al-Ḥawbah, a little after sunset. I knocked on the door. My brother answered me and said: "Who is this?" I said: "‘Alī." He said: "I am coming out now." He was slow in performing ablution. I said: "Hurry!" He said: "I am hurrying." He came out wearing a striped wrapper, which he had tied around his neck, until he sat under the doorstep. ‘Alī ibn Ja‘far said: So, I bent over him, kissed his head, and I said: 'I have come to you concerning a matter. If you see it as right, Allah has guided it, and if it is otherwise, how often we err.' He said: 'What is it?' I said: 'This son of your brother wants to bid you farewell and leave for Baghdad.' He said to me: 'Call him.' So, I called him, and he was standing away. He approached him, kissed his head and said: 'May I be sacrificed for you, advise me.' He said: 'I advise you to fear Allah regarding my blood.' He replied: 'May Allah do so and so to whoever intends evil for you,' and he began to curse whoever intended evil for him.