Jurisprudence
Imam al-Hadi was dedicated to upholding Sharia law with regards to its verdicts, teachings, and principles. He was considered to be one of the most knowledgeable men of his time concerning the matter, and there were many occasions where even al-Mutawakkil would refer to him for help. To this day, some Shi'a practices are derived from that which was determined by the Imam. On one account, a man wanted to know that if a Shia Muslim died and there happened to be Murjites present (followers of Islamic school Murji'ah) while the washed wanted to wash the corpse, whether the washer should wash the body like the Murjites (no turban or palm branch) or not. The Imam determined that he should wash the body according to the way of the Ahl al-Bayt, and that the palm branch should be put on secretely so the Murjites couldn't see it happen. Another account detailed one man's predicament concerning Shi'a jurisprudents regarding the clothes one could wear during prayer. It is unlawful to wear clothing during prayer made of animals whose meat Muslims aren't allowed to eat, but this particular man lived in an area whereby those were the only clothes available; he feared that if he took them off for prayer, he would freeze. The Imam thus told him that if needed to wear the fur of an animal, it should come from fennec or beaver, thus establishing a tradition whereby men could pray in the fur of only those two animals. The Imam also dealt with the question that some had about the validity of a prayer when someone walks in front of them. Imam al-Hadi replied that the prayers were indeed valid, and they would be accepted by God. The Imam was asked questions regarding the act of fasting during Ramadan. Ali al-Hadi decided and set into tradition that only when a Muslim first sees the sun do they have to begin fasting. He also stated that women who were breast feeding were not obliged to fast; only if a wet nurse could be employed is a woman allowed to fast. These are but a few of the many times that Imam al-Hadi was consulted in matters of jurisprudence, and they help to explain the epithet of al-Faqeeh that was given to him.
Read more about this topic: Ali Al-Hadi