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Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Reza PDF Print E-mail
Author : Dr A.R.Ghavidel
Publisher : NABA Cultural Organization

In His Name The Most High

 

Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Reza

The 8th Infallible Imam, the Most Gracious, the Only Shining Star of Iran

By :Dr A.R.Ghavidel

 

Ziqadeh 11,1430.which coincides with Oct.30,2009,is the birth anniversary of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Reza(a.s) the eighth infallible Imam of the progeny of holy prophets (s),the Most Gracious and Only Shining Star of IRAN. On this auspicious occasion, let us from depth of our hearts congratulate Imam Mahdi (A.T.F.S),his grandson ,throughout the world, all his true followers, and all those awaiting His Reappearance day and night.

thirty- five years old man. 

Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Reza (a.s) was born on Thursday 11 Ziqadeh148 A.H,(769) A.D.in the city of Medina. He was famous as the "Exalted Scholar of Family of the Prophet(s). His distinguished mother was a gentlewoman from the west, named Toktam, Najmeh and was often called Tahera (chaste), by her husband and her attendants, too.

He was named Ali by his infallible father and was divinely entitled "Reza", which means Almighty Allah and his Prophet (s) were deeply pleased with him and he is pleased with the will of Allah. Subsequent to the martyrdom of his father, he attained the position of Imamat (mastership) when he was a

 

A glance at the authentic Islamic sources helps us to get acquainted with the rich words and discourses of Imam Reza (a.s) uttered and delivered on subjects like the principles of Islam, the Islamic ideology, the juristic issues, and the hygienic problems and many other subjects of research.

Mamoun's policy and his judgment of Imam Reza's vast extent of knowledge can be counted as proofs of holy Imam's competence in this regard.

Historical records confirm that Mamoun, the caliph, was himself a celebrated erudite and his views were said here. He used to say in several occasions that "I know not any person superior to this man [Imam Reza (a.s)] in the whole world".

On the other words, wise men adored him and great scholars were full of wonder and admiration for his immense, superior knowledge. Imam Reza (a.s) discourses and open debates were a source of joy for the audience intelligentsia, and ordinary folk alike.

 

Imamat (mastership) period

His 20 year- mastership, which began when he was 35, witnessed the ruler of three Abbasid caliphs: Haroun, Mohammad and Mamoun. He amended to a great extent the distorted Islamic view of the ruling clique.

In the year 200 A.H, caliph Mamoun requested Imam Reza (a.s) to visit Marv (present Khorasan- Mashhad- Iran) and then proposed that Imam Reza (a.s) being the spiritual sovereign.

Appointed by Almighty Allah, he had a much superior position as Imam - a leader appointed by God for the whole world - and did not need endorsement of his inferior who wanted to confine him to a limited realm. Imam Reza (a.s) declined to become caliph. Mamoun then restated that. Imam (a.s) again refused Mamoun's proposal.

In fact, by this apparently generous move, Mamoun wanted to kill two birds by one stone:

By the very act of offering the caliphate or succession to it, Mamoun desired to project himself as a supporter of the family of the holy Prophet (s), to ensure loyalty of the Shia for his system, who now and then rebelled against the Sunni despotism, which misrepresented Islam.

Underestimating Imam, the caliph considered that Imam's inclusion into his oppressive and cruel system supervised by Mamoun's stooges in a manner that could easily and mercilessly accuse and humiliate anyone- would discredit the Imam before his followers. The idea was to defame Imam Reza (a.s) and the true followers of Islam if they refused to a post of Mamoun's hierarchy. He even gave his daughter in marriage to Imam to forge a close tie with him.

Infallible Imam Reza (a.s) was fully aware of different motives behind Mamoun's proposal:

Even majority in the Islamic state knew that nobody could trust a man like Mamoun who had usurped the throne by killing his own brother. When insisted upon by Mamoun, the Imam accepted successor-ship to the throne, with condition that the Imam will neither interfere in the government affairs nor accept any responsibility for the doing and undoing of state affairs.

The men in charge of the ruling body were taken back at the popularity of Imam – whom they wanted to cast in the role of ceremonial figurehead – shooting into skies.

Mamoun decided to do what his predecessors had been doing as a normal practice: when he saw his plan backfired, Mamoun simply decided to kill Imam Reza (a.s).

The eighth infallible Imam Reza (a.s) was poisoned during a visit to Iran in 203 A.H./824A.D. at the age of 55. The shrine of Imam Reza (a.s) in Mashhad, Iran is a ziarat spot for thousands of Muslims around the world.

 

Moral Behavior and His Holiness Character

Followings are some of his personal and social behavior of his holiness: Narrator reports:

  • His Holiness never irritated others by verbal or practical teasing.
  • His Holiness did not interrupt other's speeches.
  • His Holiness never refused the demands of others.
  • His Holiness never swore at his servants.

  • He was very generous as it is respected: "Once a stranger went to him and demanded some money for his own travel expenses… On hearing the man's request Imam Reza (a.s) gracefully went out and after a short while he called the stranger to take the money from his hand being solely seen from behind the curtain. His Holiness did not like to be looked by the demandant, nor did his Holiness wanted to witness bashfulness on the visage of that person.

  • Being Mamoun's crown prince, the holy Imam (a.s) once generously donated all his own possessions to the needy who lived in the Khorasan Province.

  • One of the distinguished companions of Imam Reza (a.s) says:Once I was in the presence of holy Imam (a.s), and his Holiness asked me to dinner. I accepted the invitation and entered the abode of Imam Reza (a.s), there among the servants of the house we saw a blackish domestic who seemed to be an alien fellow. The holy Imam inquired about that man and asked whether his wage had been fixed in advance. They stated that blackish labor did not complain wage. On hearing this, his Holiness suddenly became angry and reminded his attendants by observing the following instruction, "Fix, Fix, the wage, and then employ the toiler."

 Saying of His Holiness

Following are a few maxims from thousands:

  • Man's wisdom is his friend and ignorance, his foe.
  • Nothing is more worthy than good moral (temper).
  • Best wealth is that which provides a good name (prestige) for its owner.
  • True faith means the accomplishment of the religious obligation (along with) the avoidance of the forbidden acts.
  • He who assesses himself carefully will finally benefit, the negligent will lose out.
  • He who blames time should spend a long time blaming.
  • The generous are the masters of the people in this world, while the pious are masters of the people on doomsday.
  • He who wishes to be the dearest to the people must be virtuous both in public and in secret.
  • Human wisdom (intellect) is a divine blessing but politeness is acquired through endeavoring.
  • Gifts cast out hatred from the heart.

 

Wishing all readers a blessed 11th Ziqadeh 1430

8.8.88 (solar calendar)

30.10.2009

 

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