AboutImamReza(A.

S) Author:MuhammadJawadFadlullah Introduction Preface BirthandDemise PersonalityandCharacteristics EthicalandHumaneConduct HisConductRegardingHisAppearance HisPatienceandPerseverance MethodofEducatingthePublic ReluctancetoCooperateWiththeRulers AdvocatesofWaqfismRevealTheirOwnNature MaterialisticObjectivesofWaqfis AttemptstoEliminatetheImam FromtheSeriesofTragedies AlRashidEvaluateshisSons ConfusedBehaviourofalRashidTowardsHisSons WhytheImamRejectedtheRegency Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ForcingtheImamtoAccepttheRegency TheAbbasidesTreatCaliphateLightly AlMamoon''sMotivesBehindEnforcingSurveillance AlMamoonDeterminesImam''sRoute AnalyzingImam''sNegativeStanceTowardsSuchResponsibility AnalyzingImam''sHandlingofEidPrayers Imam'sMotivesforCausingtheEliminationofalFadl AlMamoonPretendstobeaStarGazer ImamandAlawideRevolts Imam''sViewoftheAlawideRevolutionaryMethod ImamsandthePersecutionofRulers DoubtingtheAccuracyofRenderingittotheImam CommentariesontheDissertation AlNawfaliWarnstheImam Imam'sDebateWiththeSabian AlMamoonRebukesalMarooziforFumblingAbout God'sAttributesareHisOwnEssence CompulsionandEmpowerment SelectionoftheImamisDonebyGod Exegesis(Tafsir)AccordingtotheAhlalBayt Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

MessengersandDespair Shari'a(IslamicLegislativeSystem) SelectHadithoftheImam HisMoralsandCounsels

Introduction
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ImamAbulHassanII,AliibnMousaalRida,istheeighthintheseriesoftheImamsfromthe HouseholdoftheProphetinwhosepersonalitiesallthestandardsofgreatnesshavebeen personified;so,theybecameitsmostmagnificentexampleandmostgenuinefountainhead. Hislifewascharacterizedbyasombertragicstampfromitsgrievousbeginningtillitspainfulend. Bitternessseldompartedfromhissoulduringtheperiodshelived,i.e.thereignofHarunal RashidandthebeginningoftheregimeofalMamoon,thelatter'sson. Attheoutsetofhislife,hewitnessedthenormsoftrialsandtribulationswhichfilledthelifeofhis fatherImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)[1],thepatientImamwhosemereexistencewasthecauseof worryfortherulinggovernmentandthesourceofitssuspiciousdoubtsdespitehispeaceful stance,distancinghimselffromanycausesforadirectconfrontationtherewith. TheAbbasidecaliphalMehdiIIIorderedtheImam(A.S.)togotoBaghdadsothatthecaliph wouldsecurefromhimpromisesandpledgesthathewouldnotopposehisauthorityormobilize arevolutionagainsthimtoputanendtohisregime,andtheImam(A.S.)didnotgobackhometill alMehdijoinedhisLordandhisshouldersbentbytheloadoftheregime'ssinsandimmoral actionstobesucceededbyalHadi. ThelattertriedtoputanendtothelifeoftheImam,buthedidnotlivelongenough,soalRashid Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

accededtothethrone,thustheparchingflamesofthetragedystartedincineratingtheexistence oftheAlawisheadedbyImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.),andthedungeonsofBaghdad,Basrah, Wasitandothercitiescouldnotlimittheregime'spassionforseekingrevengeagainstits opponents.Itsantagonisticattitudescausedittoinventnormsofrevengeworsethanwhatthose dungeonscouldprovide,suchthathumanityshuddersfrom. Instructionsissuedbythegovernmentrequiredthebuilderstofillthehollowbuildingcylinders andcolumnswiththestillalivebodiesoftheeliteamongAlawiyouthsandnonAlawi sympathizersandtocausethemtodiethusoutofsuffocation.Thisuglymethodofeliminating thegovernment'sopponentswasnotsomethinginventedbyalRashid,butitwasacontinuation ofacustomstartedbyalMansourtoseekrevengeagainstsomeAlawiyouthsashistorytells us.[2] ImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)receivedthelion'sshareoftheatrocitiessufferedbytheAlawis duringthatperiodoftime.AlRashidimprisonedhimduetohisbeingthetopAlawileader, subjectinghimtoextremepressuresathishorribledungeonsforfourteenyearsaccordingto someaccountstillhebecametiredofthinkingofmethodsandmeansofinflictingpainonhim; therefore,heorderedalSindiibnShahik,throughhisministerYahyaibnKhalid,whowasin chargeofthelastprisoninwhichtheImamwasimprisoned,topoisonhimandridhimofthe presenceofonewhorobbedhimofhistranquilityandpeaceofmind.Meanwhile,theImam(A.S.) waspainfullyandbitterlywatchingcloselythebloodyeventswhichconsumedmanyofhisown familyandkin. Hewasdestinedtorelivethetragedythroughwhichhisfatherhadlivedfromitsbeginningtothe endwithoutbeingabletodecreaseitsintensity,forhewaspowerlesstodoso.Maybeheeven awaitedthesamefateatthehandsoftherulinggang,forthedisputewasoneofaconflictof principlesbetweentherulersononehandandtheAlawisontheother;itwasnotapersonality conflict. AfterthemartyrdomofhisfatherandtheperishingofalRashid,thentheendingofthedaysofal Amininthewaytheyended,andalMamoonreceivingthereinsofgovernment,thewindsofyet anothertragedyofadifferenttypestartedblowingattheImam(A.S.).ItwasatragedytheImam (A.S.)livedwithextremebitterness. AlMamoon,duetocertainpoliticalreasonswhichwewilldiscussseparatelyinthisresearch, decidedtousetheImam(A.S.)asabargainingchipbetweenhimandtheAbbasidesinBaghdad ononehand,andbetweenhimandtheAlawisontheother,andalsobetweenhimandtheShi'as ofKhurasanaswell.TheployofrelinquishingthethronewasfoiledwhentheImam(A.S.)refused toaccedetoit. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Thenhewasforcedtoplayaroleinthemasqueradeofthesuccessiontothethrone.Wearehere concernedaboutdispellingsomeoftheambiguitywhichshroudedit,theambiguitywhich draggedmanyresearchersintoahelterskeltersituationtheresultsofwhichbecameobscured fromtheirsuperficialsightthescopeofwhichdidnotexceedtheskimmingofthesurface,nordid theytakethetroubletodelvedeeplyintothedepthsoftheirresearch. ItisworthmentioningherethatwhentheImam(A.S.)refusedtoacceptthecaliphatefromthe abdicatingcaliph,alMamoon,ortotakechargeofthepostofheirtothethrone,hehadno reasonexcepthisownawarenessoftherealdepthofthegoalalMamoonanticipatedtoachieve byhisplan,andthatthedesiretoabdicatewasnotgenuineenoughtobetakenseriously;rather, itwasapoliticalmaneuverwherebyalMamoondesiredtoperfecthisgameduringaparticular periodoftime,agamewhichwasdictatedbypoliticalcircumstancesposingseriousthreatstohis seatofgovernment.ItwasasituationonwhichtheverydestinyofalMamoondepended. TheexpectedfinalewasthereafterenactedwhenalMamooncompletedhisactingpart,whichhe hadrehearsedbeforehand,perfectingtheplayingofhisintricateroleinsuchdexterityandskill whichsecuredaperiodoftranquilityforhisregime,somethingwhichhecouldnothaveotherwise achievedhadhenotdoneso,aswewilldiscusslaterinthisresearch. Inadditiontotheabove,weshallattempttodealwiththecomprehensiveaspectsofthelifeof theImam(A.S.)sothatthepicturebecomescleartouswhenwewishtoreviewthelifeofagreat ImamsuchasImamalRida(A.S.). MuhammadJawadFadlallah ________________________________________ [1]AcronymsofAlaihisSalam(peacebeuponhim). [2]IbnalAthir,Vol.4,p.375.Hesaid:'AlMansourMuhammadibnIbrahimibnalHassanwas broughtin,andhewasthemosthandsomemanpeopleeversaw.Heaskedhim,Areyoutheone nicknamedtheyellowsilk?'Heanswered,Yes.'Hesaid,Ishallcertainlykillyouinamannerwhich Ihavenotemployedtoanyoneelse,'thenheorderedhimtobeplacedinacylinderanditwas builtuponhimwhilehewasstillalive;thus,hediedinsideit."MaqatilalTalibiyyin,p.136, indicateslikewise.

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Preface OurBeliefinAhlalBayt[A.S.] ImamalRidaisoneofthebedrocksofIslamicthoughtandoneofitsmainrichsourcesof knowledge.AfterthedemiseofhisfatherImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.),thesecretsoftheDivine Messageandthekeystoitstreasuresbecameattainabletohim,sohequenchedhisthirst therefromandderivedthesourceofhisintellectualcontributionfromthesame. HeisoneoftheTwelveImamsoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.)whoenrichedtheIslamicthoughtwith varioustypesofknowledgeduetotheknowledgetheyinstructedtheirstudentstowritedown,or inprovidingtheiranswerstothequestionsputforthtothembyothers,ortowhathistoryhas narratedtousoftheirscientificandtheologicaldiscourseswithfollowersofotherMuslimsects. ThedistinctionwhichcharacterizedtheImamsoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.)andwhichattractsour attentionwhenwestudytheirbiographiesisthefactthattheywereobligatedtoothersto providethemwithknowledgewhilenobodywasobligatedtoacceptitfromthem.Thisisadivine blisswithwhichGodendowedtheminordertoachievethroughthemtheestablishmentofHis ProofagainstHiscreation,somethingwithwhichtheywerecreditedevenbytherulersamong theircontemporaryopponentsandbythemostprominentthinkersamongtheircontemporaries. Supportingthisphenomenonisthefactthatsomesciencesandtheirdetailswerenotdistinctly clearduringtheirtime,norweretheireffectsobvious,buttheybecameclearandtheir ambiguitiesweredispelledbytheteachingoftheImamsoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.)suchasthe scienceofchemistryofwhichImamJa'feralSadiq(A.S.)isconsideredastheveryfirstpioneerand founderofitsprinciplesandrules,andthescienceofmedicineaboutwhichImamalRidaprovides us,inhislettertoalMamoon,withaglorioussystemandaninnovativeapproachinthewayhe explaineditsparticularitiesandregulations,inadditiontovariousothersciencesofwhichtheir legacyisfullandtowhichtheircontributionsurpassedthatofanyoneelseinsettingtheircorner stonesandinpointingouttheirvariousrequirements. NoneamongthecontemporaryscientistswascreditedforbeingtheinstructorofImamalSadiq (A.S.)inchemistry,orofImamalRida(A.S.)inmedicine.Rather,itwasthefountainhead establishedforthembytheirgrandfather,BeareroftheMessage(S.A.W.)3,whiletheyinheritedit sonfromfather. WemaynoticethattheImams(A.S.),uponbeingaskedaboutthesourceoftheirknowledgeof theanswerstothequestionsputforthtothem,referittotheirownparticularcomprehensionof Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

theBook(Qur'an),ortowhattheyderivedfromthebookoftheirmotherFatima(A.S.),ortowhat theylearnedfromtheirforefatherswhointurnlearneditfromtheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.). TheydidnotreferittothenarrationofasahabioftheProphetoratabi'iortoanyotherlearned scholarormanofknowledge. Theirfamiliaritywithvariousbranchesofknowledgeandwithallnormsoflearningingeneralwas acauseforthenation'sadmirationofandreverenceforthem.Theyweregrantedthefinalsayin theirdisputes,insolvingaproblemwhichmayhavethenrisenamongtheircontemporary scholarsormenoflearning.Everytimetheywereaskedaboutsomething,theywouldproducean answerforitinsuchamostastonishingeasilyconvincingmannerwhichuntiestheknotofwhatis complex,turningitintoacommonsenseknowledge,orinturningthetheoreticalintoapractical necessity,withoutanyambiguityorconfusion. Suchauniquedistinctionwasnotsharedbesidesthembyanyonefromamongthescholarsofthe nationoritswisemendespitetheirvariousranksinknowledgeanddegreesofwisdomandpower ofreasoning. Sufficesusforaproofamagnificentdialoguewhichisrecordedinthebooksofhistoryand biographybetweenImamalJawad(A.S.),whowasthenachild,andYahyaibnAktham,the supremejudge(orjudgeofjudges)ofthethenAbbasideregimeinthemeetingpreparedbyal MamoontounderscoredistinctionandsuperiorityoftheImamoverallotherswhenalMamoon facedoppositiontohisdecisiontomarrytheImamtohisdaughterUmmulFadlduetohisyoung age.Hewaspresumedtobeinneedofsomeonetoeducatehimandteachhimtheology.The conclusionofthedialoguewasavictoryfortheveryyoungImaminhisstanceandtheshrinkingof thejudgeandthecrowdoflearnedscholarsandpillarsofFiqhandSunnahandtheiradmissionof hisdistinctionandthegreatnessofhisstatus. NobodyeverreportedthatanyImamwasslowinprovidingtheanswertoanyquestionputforth tohim,aquestionwhichdealtwithvariousbranchesofknowledgeandwithdifferentissues, despitethefactthatsomeofthemwereactuallynotoldenoughtoprovidesuchanswers.The AmaliofSayyidalMurtadanarratesthefollowing: AbuHanifasaid:"IsawonceMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)asayoungboyinthecorridorofhisfather's houseandIaskedhim:Wheredoesastrangeramongyourespondtothecallofnatureifhehas to?'Helookedupatmeandsaid:Hegoesbehindawall,hidesfromtheviewoftheneighbour, keepsadistancefromrunningrivers,residentialsewers,highways,mosques,withoutfacingthe Qiblaorleavingitbehindhim;thenheturns,raises,anddepositsashepleases.'"AbuHanifa continuestosay:"Havingheardthisanswers,IsawhimtobeamorenoblepersonthanIfirst thought,andhisstatusgrewgreater.ThenIaskedhim:Maymylifebesacrificedforyours;whatis thesourceofrenunciation?'Helookedupatmeandsaid:SitdownandItellyouaboutit.' Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 SoIsatdown,andhesaidthistome:Renunciationcomeseitherfromtheservant,orhisLord,or fromboth.IfitwerefromtheAlmightyGod,Heismorejustandfairthanrenouncingorwronging Hisservantorpunishinghimforwhathedidnotdo.Andifitweretocomefrombothofthem,He wouldbehisaccomplice,andthestrongOneismoreapttodojusticetoHisweakservant.Ifit comesfromtheservantalone,heistobearitsburden,andheshouldbetheonetoforbid,and forhimistherewardandpunishment,andforhimwerebothParadiseandHellprepared.'Isaid (citingtheHolyQur'an:...aprogeny,onefromanother...'"4 ButsomeImams,suchasImamalJawad,ImamalHadi,andImamalAskeri(A.S.),werenotold enoughtobeacquaintedwithvariousbranchesofknowledgeandfieldsofarts,hadweclaimed thattheirknowledgewastheproductofthetutoringoftutorsortheteachingofteachers,but theywereaprogeny,onefromanother,asAbuHanifasaid,thatderivedknowledgefromthe substanceoftheMessageandtheFountainheadofProphethood.Thatwasadistinctionforwhich theAlmightychosethemfromamongHiscreationinordertomakethemlightpolesofthepath ofguidance,andtomakethewordoffaithandrighteousnessthroughthemtheuppermost throughouttheworld. AlTabrani,inhisAlTarikhalKabir,andalRafi'iinhisMusnad,dependingontheauthorityofIbn Abbas,quotetheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)saying:"WhoeverispleasedtolivethewayIhave livedandtodiethewayIshalldie,toliveintheGardenofEdenwhichmyLordplanted,lethim emulatemyProgenyaftermeandfollowtheexampleofmyAhlalBayt(A.S.)aftermydemise,for theyaremydescendants;theywerecreatedoutofmyownmouldandwereblessedwithmyown powerofcomprehensionandknowledge;woeuntothosewhodenytheirdistinctioninmynation, thosewhoseveretheirtieswithmyloins!MaytheAlmightydeprivethemofmyintercession."5 ImamAli(A.S.)says:"Iandtheeliteamongmydescendants,andthevirtuousamongmyprogeny, arethemostclementwhenyoung,themostlearnedwhenold."6 Somehistoriansandresearchers,havingexhaustedthemselvesintheattempttoexplainthis phenomenoninawaywhichseemsreasonabletothem,maytrytosupposethatsomeImamshad mentorsandinstructorstoeducatethem.TheyclaimedthatImamZainulAbidin,ImamalBaqir, andImamalSadiq,peacebeuponthem,weretutoredbysomeSahabaandTabi'in,without relyingonanyhistoricaldocumentexceptmereconjecture,goingtoextremitiesintheir guessworkandpresumption. WhatprovesthefallacyofsuchpresumptionsandallegationsisthatwhenevertheImamswere questionedaboutsomething,theywouldnotbasetheiranswersonwhatanyoftheSahabaor Tabi'inhadsaid,butononeoftheirownancestorsuptotheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.),ortothe booksofknowledgewithwhichtheyweredistinguishedandwhichtheyinheritedfromtheir grandfathertheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.),somethingwhichanyonewhoresearchestheirlegacy Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

andisacquaintedwiththeirstatementscomestoknow.Anditmayquitebethecasethatsomeof themwouldstatesoveryclearlywhichsupportsourownconclusion. YetifwesupposethatsomeImamsdidindeedattendthesessionsofsomeofthoseSahabaor Tabi'in,theirattendancedoesnotbyanymeansindicatethattheybecametheirstudents,orthat theytookthemastheirownmentors,foroneoftheoutcomesoftutorshipatthattimewasthe narrationofhadith,whereasitwasneverreportedthatanyImamnarratedhadithfromany sourceotherthanhisownforefathers.Iftheydidinfactnarrateincidentsthroughotheravenues, suchastheavenuesoftheSahabaorTabi'in,suchnarrationwasnotrelatedinanywaytothe sciencesoftheIslamiclegislativesystem(Shari'a),ortoanyotherart;rather,itdealtwithmatters relatedtothebiographyoftheProphet(S.A.W.),orintheirownprocesstoproveapointagainst thosewhodidnotfollowthembycitingwhattheancestorsofsuchnonfollowershadthemselves narrated. Fromsuchastandpoint,wecanreferthereasonforsomeSunnitraditionistswhoconsideredthe hadithofImamalSadiq(A.S.)as"weak,"thusneglectingtorecordit,tothesameargument,and wecanalsoconcludeafterreadingtheirstatementsthatImamalSadiq(A.S.)wasnottutoredby anymentormentionedwithreverencebythem. Forexample,inhisTabaqat,IbnSa'd,whilediscussingImamalSadiq(A.S.),said,"Henarrateda greatdealofhadith;heisnotconsideredasanauthorityonhadithandthehadithhenarratedis consideredweak.Thereasonforthisisthathewasonceaskedwhetherhehadlearnedthe ahadithhenarratedfromhisfather,andheansweredintheaffirmative;onanotheroccasion,he waslikewiseasked,andhisanswerwasthathehadreadtheminhis(father's)books." AbuBakribnAyyashwasaskedonce,"WhydidyounotlearnhadithfromJa'ferandyouwerehis contemporary?"Heanswered,"Iaskedhimoncewhetherhehadhimselfheardtheahadithwhich henarrated,andhedeniedthatsayingthatitwasanarrationheardbyhisforefathers."7 Whatwas"wrong"withthehadithnarratedbyImamalSadiq(A.S.)accordingtoIbnSa'disthat someofwhattheImamnarratedhadbeenwhathehadreadinthebooksofhisfather,rather thanlearningitfromothers,andsinceitwasnotknownwhichhadithhehadlearnedwas narratedfromhisforefathersandwhichwaslearnedfromothers,hedecidedtorejectallofthem onthataccount. Butthiscannotbeanacceptableexcuseforhim,especiallysinceagreatdealofwhattheImam narrateddidindeedgivecredittoothers,andsincehisfatherwasquotingthehadithhisown forefathershadheardfromtheProphet(S.W.A.);so,whydidIbnSa'drejectevensuchahadith? AsregardinghisexcusefornotacceptingtheImam'shadithduetoitsabundance, Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

wecannotunderstandsuchanexcuseatall;hadthisbeenthecase,hewouldnothavenarrated theabundanthadithofAbuHurairaandhislikeswhoattributedmorehadithtotheMessengerof God(S.A.W.)thanwasactuallyreportedbythosewhokeptcompanywiththeMessengerfora muchlongerperiodoftime,andwhoweremuchclosertohim,thantheythemselvesdid.Butthe presenceoftheelementofbiasandprejudicedoesindeedinterferewhensomeonemakesan assessment,causingthepersoncalculatingtomiscalculate. ImamalSadiq(A.S.)isnotharmedbyIbnSa'dconsideringhishadithas"weak"justasdoAbu BakribnAyyashandYahyaibnSa'id.Thelattergoesfurtherthanthatbysaying:"...andI personallyhaveagreatdealofdoubtabouthim,"whilediscussingtheImam'shadith... HadImamalSadiq(A.S.)narratedhadithfromAbuHuraira,Mu'awiyaibnAbuSufyan,orMarwan ibnalHakam,hewouldhavebeenaffordedthehighestpinnacleofreverencebythesepersons, butthe"fault"ofhisnarrationsisthattheywerenarratedbyhisforefathersandwerederived fromtheirbookstheknowledgeofwhichwasderiveddirectlyfromtheMessengerofGod (S.A.W.). Thestatementsoftheseindividuals,anyway,leadustotheconclusionthathisnarrativeswere heardfromhisownforefathers,ratherthanbeingquotationsfromothers;otherwise,theywould haveindicatedwhothose"others"were.Allinall,itsupportsourviewthatheandtherestofthe Imamsdidnothavementorsbesidestheirownfathers. OurbeliefintheImamsisnot,assomewouldliketostate,duetotheirknowledgeofthe unknown,ortotheirindependentrighttolegislate,butduetotheirbeingconveyersonbehalfof theBeareroftheMessageofwhatisobscuretothenationofthesecretsandimplicationsofthe Message,thecustodiansoftheparticularitiesofthelegislativesystem,theoneswhoaremost familiarwiththerulesandtheirimplementation. Wemaygraspallofthisfromthesacredhadithwhichwasproducedandverifiedbythemasters ofhadithandSunnahfrombothsects.He(S.A.W.),inthewordingofAhmed,hassaid:"Iam abouttobecalleduponandrespond,andIamleavingwithyoutheTwoWeightyThings:theBook ofGod,andmyProgeny. TheBookofGodislikearopeextendedfromheavenstoearth,andmyProgenyaremyAhlal Bayt(A.S.),andtheMostKnowinghastoldmethattheybothshallneverpartfromeachothertill theymeetmebythePool;so,seehowyoushallfarewiththemafterme."8Accordingtoal TirmithiandalNisai,hehasalsosaid,"Opeople!Ihaveleftwithyouthatwhich,aslongasyou upholdto,willneversufferyoutostray,andthatis,theBookofGodandmyProgeny,members ofmyAhlalBayt(A.S.)." Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Tabraniaddsthefollowingtotheabove:"So,donotgoaheadofthemelseyoushouldperish,nor shouldyouteachthem,fortheyaremoreknowledgeablethanyouare." IbnHajarhassaid:"Thisprovesthatanyoneamongthemwhoisqualifiedforloftypositionsand theologicalofficesshouldbepreferredoverallothers."9 Theclarityofthishadithdoesnotneedanydetailedexplanation,nordoesitrequireprecise interpretationandinstruction,fortheBookisthefirstsourceofguidance,andtheProgeny,the AhlalBayt(A.S.)(membersoftheProphet'shousehold)areitssecondsource,andthenationis requiredtoupholdtotheirpathinordertosecureforitselftostayawayfromthepathsof misguidance. Putinaclearerway,wesaythatthishadithimpliesinitscontextthatAhlalBayt(A.S.)enjoya uniquedistinction,thattheybythemselvesareindependentoftheachievementsofothers,for theProphet(S.A.W.)madethempeersonlyoftheHolyQur'aninexplainingthecontentsofthe Messageandthefactsrelatedthereto.Thiscannotbelogicalifwepresumetheirrelianceon others,forthose"others"wouldthenbemoreeligibletobeequaltotheBookofGodthanthem. Haditbeenotherwise,whydidnottheProphet(S.A.W.)choosetheSahabaandtheirfollowersto bepeersoftheBookotherthantheProgenyorinadditiontothem? OthernarratorshavereportedthishadithinadifferentwayofwordingasinMalik'sMawtiwhere anarratorstatessaying:"MaliktoldmethatitcametohisknowledgethattheMessengerofGod (S.A.W.)said,IhaveleftforyoutwoThings;aslongasyouupholdtothem,youshallneverstray, andtheseare:theBookofGod,andtheSunnahofHisProphet." InhisAlSawa'iqalMuhriqa,IbnHajarnarratesit,takingitsnarrationforgranted10.AlTabrani, too,quoteditinhisalAwsat,andsodidIbnHishaminhisSeeratwithoutmentioninghis references.AlloftheseauthorsmayhaveallreliedwhilequotingitontheMawtiwhich mentioneditwithoutitsisnad. WhatisquiteunusualisthatProfessorMuhammadAbuZuhra,inhisworkAlImamalSadiq(A.S.), statesthattheSunnireferenceswhichnarratedthehadithwiththewordingof"mySunnah"are morereliablethanthosewhichnarrateditwith"myItrat(Progeny),"despitethefactthatonlyIbn Malik'sMawtinarratesthehadithwiththeword"Sunnati(i.e.mySunnah)."Theotherthree bookswhichquoteditwiththesamewordingof"Sunnati"alsonarrateditwiththewording "Itrati"aswell. Asregardingthebookswhichnarrateditinthewording"Itrati,"thesecomprisemostbooksof hadith,exegesis(tafsir),andtraditionsuchasMuslim'sSahih,alDarmi'sSunan,AbuDawud's Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Sunan,IbnMaja'sSunan,alNisai'sKhasais,Ahmed'sMusnad,alHakim'sMustadrak,alTabari's DhakhairandalsoHilyatalAwlia,Kanzul'Ummal,inadditiontothetafsirbooksofalRazi,al Tha'alibi,alNishapuri,alKhazin,IbnKathir,andmanyothers. ItwasnarratedthroughSunniauthoritiesinthirtytwoahadithbymorethantwentycompanions oftheProphet(S.A.W.)asIbnHajarstates.ThroughShi'aavenues,itwasnarratedineightytwo ahadith.Despiteallthis,ProfessorAbuZuhradoesnotfindinthesebooksandavenues,someof whichareheldtobethemostauthentic,anddespitethisconsecutivenarrationwhichnottoo manyotherahadithenjoy...,whatbringshimcomfortwithandconfidenceinthishadith!Yet,a narrationtakenforgrantedorsupportedbyonedocumentation,onewhichisnotreported exceptbyonesinglesource,isconsideredbytheprofessortobe"mostauthentic,"bypassingall theconsecutivenarrationsupportingitsrivalnarrativesandanalmosttotalconsensusagreement regardingtheirauthenticity... Despiteallofthis,ProfessorAbuZuhraconsidershimselftobe"subjective,"andwhathewritesis inspiredonlybyinnocentknowledgeratherthandictatedbypersonalbias;therefore,he presumeshimselftorecordonlywhatisdictatedbythebalancesofjusticeandequity,andwe shallhavealengthydiscussionofhiminourforthcomingbookAlImamalSadiq(A.S.)inwhichwe shallexamineadegreeofhisowntrespassingbeyondtheseverylimitsandwillshedalightonthe biasandfanaticismhisviewsarechargedwith. ThereisapointIwouldliketotackleinthisdiscourse:itisthedeliberateviciouspolicyofignoring theImamsoftheProphet'sHouseholdfollowedbytheadherentsofothersectswhilediscussing viewsanddebatingtheirproofs.Whileyoufindthemgivingampleattentiontothenarrations reportedthroughthecompanionsoftheProphetandthosewhofollowedsuitintheirfootsteps, andtotheirown,relyingonthemasproofsandbasesofargument,evengoingtoasfaras presumingthattheirownadditionalcontributionisaSunnahtobeemulated,thesesame individuals,whenitcomestotheImamsfromtheProphet'sownfamily,stopshortofdiscussing theirviewsandthenarrationswhichtheyhadnarratedorwerenarratedaboutthem. Thisissodespitethefactthatthefoundersofthesesects,suchasAbuHanifa,Malik,Sufyanal Thawri,AbuAyyubalSajistaniandothers,whoareconsideredasthecreativepioneerswho inspiredtheoutsetofthesesects,wereactuallygraduatesoftheschoolofImamalSadiq(A.S.) whowasoneoftheImamsoftheProphet'sfamily. EvenAbuHanifausedtobeoftheviewthatthereasonwhyhewasinthevanguardofhispeers wasduetohisbeingastudentofImamalSadiq(A.S.),andhistoryhasrecordedhisfamous statement:"Withoutthosetwoyears,alNu'man(AbuHanifa)wouldhavebeenannihilated,"11 meaningtherebytheperiodhelivedasastudentintheImam'sschool,andalsohisother Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

statementwhenhewasaskedaboutthebestFaqihheeversaw;hesaid:"Ja'feribnMuhammad (alSadiq,A.S.)." HistoryhaspreservedagreatdealofthestatementsofSunniimamsandrenownpersonalities givingcredittoImamalSadiq(A.S.)andotherImamsfromtheProphet'sfamilywhich,allinall, leadonetorealizetheirsuperiorityoverothersandtheneedofthose"others"fortheir knowledge.Yet,despiteallthis,wefindalBukhariinhisSahihabstainingfromconsideringa narrationasauthenticfornoreasonotherthanthefactthatitschainofnarratorsendsupwith ImamalSadiq(A.S.)aboutwhomhehassome"doubts." InTahtheebalTahtheeb,IbnHajarsaysthatthedifficultyindistinguishingwhatisauthenticand whatisnotforcedalBukharinottoreportanyofhis(alSadiq's)hadith12.YetIbnHajardidnot tellushowalBukhariwasabletodistinguishbetweenwhatwasauthenticandwhatwasnotof thehadithAbuHurairahandotherfabricatorsandinventorsofhadithhadreported.Hemayfind forhimselftheexcusethatthecompanionswereallequitablewhichisajustificationworsethan theerrorbeingjustifiedduetothefactthatthisissimplyafalsepretextsincethebehaviourof someofthosecompanionsandtheirexchangingofchargesofdeviationandcountercharges underminedsuchclaimof"equitability." Wecannotunderstandanexplanationforthisoddphenomenonexceptprejudiceandthe influenceofthestandingsectarianenvironmentwhichwaschargedwiththevenomofgrudgeand bitteranimositytowardstheHouseholdoftheProphet(S.W.A.),theenvironmentwhichisbutan extensionofdesperateeffortsofMu'awiyaandhisagents,thecaliphsofiniquity,whosucceeded himinwideningthegaptheycreatedbetweenthemassesoftheMuslimnationandthemembers ofthefamilyofthePropheticmissionandtheirpracticalisolationfromgeneralpopulacewhose conductcannotremainontheStraightPathwithoutthatfamily,accordingtothedeclarationof theirgreatgrandfathertheGreatestProphet(S.A.W.)asstatedinthepreviouslyquotedhadith andinotherahadithwhichfillthebooksofhadithandSunnahofbothparties. Otherthanthis,howelsecanyouexplainalBukhari'soddrefusaltoquoteImamalSadiq(A.S.) whilehe,atthesametime,doesnothesitatetoquoteindividualssuchasMu'awiyaibnAbu Sufyan,MarwanibnalHakam,ImranibnHattanwhohailedIbnMuljimformurderingthe CommanderoftheFaithful(A.S.),UmeribnSa'dwhoinstigatedthemurderofImamalHusayn (A.S.)andotherswhowerethesocialoutcastsofthenationandthemostimmoralamongthem? HowelsecanyouexplainwhatalSayyutimeantwhenhesaidthattherewasnothingwrongwith thehadithnarratedbyImamalHasanal'Askari(A.S.)exceptthathisnarrationofavirtueof FatimaalZahra(A.S.)didnotagreewithhisown"scholarly"taste,andthatforthisreasonthe narrationwasconsideredafabrication?!13 Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ItwasdestinedthattheplottoisolatetheImamsfromamongtheProphet'sfamilyfrompublic affairsshouldenjoyatotalsuccessduringtheepochsoftheUmayyadandAbbasideruling dynastiesbarringbriefperiodsduetocertainpoliticalfactors.Duringthosebriefperiods,some suchImams(A.S.)wereabletoquenchthescholarlyandintellectualthirstoftheirstudents. Despitethescarcityofsuchperiodsandtheirshortspanoftime,thoseImamswereableto benefitthenationintheareasofthesecretsofbranchesofknowledgeandintricaciesofartswith whichtheyfillednumerousbooksandchronicles. ThestrongerfactorwhichpromptedtheregimetotakeanegativestancetowardstheImamsof theProphet'sfamilyisthattheseImamsandtheirfollowerswereneverconvincedthatsucha regimewaslegitimateorthatthosewhowereholdingitsreinswerequalifiedforleadingthe nation.Accordingtothem,theconductofthese"leaders"didnotrepresenttheadequateconduct ofmessagebearerswhorulewithacommitmenttocarryouttheresponsibilitiesofsucha messagesothatthenationwouldfollowintheirfootstepsandcorrectitspathshoulditatall deviatefromthestraightpath.Thislackofconvictioncausedthemagreatdealoftroubleduring theirlifetimedespitetheiroutwardtolerationofthegovernment,andthosetroubleswerenot confinedtothemalonebutwereextendedtotheirShi'asandfollowerswhosesharewasthe lion's. Itisimportanttopointoutheretheextentoftheimpactofthisnegativestanceofthe governmenttowardstheseImamsandtheirdisciplesonthewritingsofthenarratorsand recordersofhadith,forthepensofthelatterwerepoisonedbythemotivesandillintentionsof therulers;therefore,wefindthemexcludingthenarrationsandahadithifoneoftheirnarrators happenstobeaShi'areporterortraditionistevenifheenjoyedthehighestdegreeofreliability andauthenticity. TheironlyexcuseisthathewassimplyaShi'a;therefore,theymakethefalseclaimthatthe narrationwasnotauthenticbecauseoneofitsnarratorswassoandso,i.e.aShi'a,oronewho practicedShi'aismsecretly,orafoul"Rafidi,"orapplytohimsomeotherbadname,thusrevealing theirsectarianprejudicewhichoverturnsthebalancesofaconscientiousinvestigationandinsight upsidedown. Contrariwise,Shi'aswhofollowedthoseImamsappliedadifferentcriterionwhereinthe judgementregardingtheauthenticityofanarrationorthelackthereofaccordingtothemwasto ascertainthetruthfulnessoruntruthfulnessofthenarratorregardlessofhissectorschoolof thought.Uponsuchapremise,theauthenticityorthelackthereofwasbased.Therewere numerousnarrationsamongwhosechainofnarratorswerenonShi'as,yettheywereaccepted andappliedbytheShi'aswhoevenbasedtheirownjurisdicjudgementuponthem.Thereisno roomheretoelaborateonthistopic;thosewhowishtoinvestigatetheextentofaccuracyofthis factarereferredtothebooksoftheirfamousdignitariestoseeforthemselves. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 ThisprovesthefactthattheattitudeofSunnistowardstheirShi'abrethrenregardingscholarly borrowingandloaningwasnotsubject,duringthetimeoftheImams(A.S.),tosectarianor politicalmotivesforthesetookplaceduringlaterperiodswhenargumentsaboutsectsappeared, andthescienceofkalamwasdiscussedindetail,andpartisansdemonstratedtheirbiastowhat theythoughttohaveprovedtheaccuracyoftheirownsect.Allthisledtothewideningofthegap ofdissensionwhichevencausedviolencetoeruptamongthefollowersofvarioussects. Itevenledonepartytocalltheother"Kafir"(infidel)andcorrupt,justifyingthespillingofthe bloodofitsadherents.Thesadtalesofsuchbloodshedarebitterlynarratedbyhistory.Addtothis thedeliberateattemptbytherulerstoinstigatesuchuglyprejudicesandpavethepathforthose whoseobjectivesweremalicioustospewtheirvenomandnurturetherebytheelementsof dissensioninordertokeepthenationfromquestioningthelegalityofthecorruptgovernmentor questioningitsiniquitiesandinjustices,andinordertoprolongitsownenjoymentandpleasure withoutanyonequestioningwhatitwasactuallydoing. Yetafterallthis,whydotheShi'asadheretothesectofthisparticularHouseholdratherthanany otherIslamicsect? Theanswertothisquestion,inourview,isquiteclear.Itdoesnotrequireanefforttofinditout andsimplifyitsarguments. Man,bynature,isbentuponselectingthebestpathwhenapproachingcrossroadsinorderto securesalvationforhimselfandattainthegoalheaspirestoachieve.Hehastothinklongenough beforemakingamoveinordertoknowexactlywhichpathhehastotakesothathewillnotbe confusedwhileseekingthetruth.Itisonlynaturalthatman,inordertodefinehissafestpath, shouldrefertoonewhoisfamiliarwithhisapproachesandavenueswhen,athisoutset,he standsconfusedastowheretostartfrom. Wemaynotdifferwhiledefiningthe"expert"whoshouldbefollowedwhenhedefinesthepath forusinthisregard,forsuchan"expert"isnoneotherthantheBeareroftheMessageandits Promoter(S.A.W.),andwehavetofollowhisdirectivesandinstructionsinthisregard.Whenwe failinourattempttoknowwhatweneedtoknow,wehavetorefertothecompletedefinitions followedinthisregardwhichwouldtakeustothedesiredresult. ThetextsnarratedabouttheCustodianoftheShari'amaysufficeforuswhenweseeksucha definitionsincehehimselfhadoutlinedforusthebestpathwehavetochoose.Inadditiontohis traditionoftheTwoWeightyThingsinwhichhedescribedtheBookandtheProgenyasthe dividinglinebetweenguidanceandmisguidance,thereisanotherexplanatorytraditionwitha moreexplicittextinwhichhe(S.A.W.)isquotedassaying: Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 "ThesimilitudeofmyAhlalBayt(A.S.)amongyouisliketheArkofNoah:whoeverboardsitis saved,andwhoeverlagsbehinditisdrowned."14AlTabraniaddsanother:"Thesimilitudeofmy HouseholdamongyouisliketheGateofHittafortheChildrenofIsrael:whoeverentersis forgiven."15Theclarityofthistraditionindefiningthesafestpathneedsnoexplanationsincehe madesalvationdependantuponfollowingthem,makingthesinkingintothecalamitiesof misguidanceanindicationoflaggingbehindthem. Anothertraditionstates:"Starsareprotectorsoftheinhabitantsofearthagainstdrowning,and myProgeny(AhlalBayt,(A.S.)aretheprotectorsofmynationagainstdissensioninthecreed; therefore,ifatribeamongtheArabsdiffersfromthem(inreligiousmatters),itwouldthen becomethepartyofthedevil."16 Havingquotedthesetraditions,IbnHajarcommentsthus:"Thereasonforcomparingthemwith thearkisthatwhoeverlovesthemandholdstheminhighesteemasmeanstothankingGodWho grantedthemsuchhonours,followingtheguidanceofthelearnedmenamongthem,issaved fromdissension, andwhoeverabstainsfromdoingsoisdrownedintotheseasofingratitudeandannihilatedatthe crossroadsoftyranny."17Besides,theyweretheoverflowingfountainheadwhichproducedthe leadingscholarsandfoundersofschoolsofthought;so,whatstopsusfromemulatingthesemen bystayingawayfromwhattheythemselveshadstayedawayfrom?Addtothistheconsensus viewregardingthesemen'sintegrityandimmaculateconduct,theirsuperiorityoverothersin knowledge,theirbeingthefinalarbitratorsregardinganydifficultproblemfacedinthelegislative systemoranyothersystemaccordingtothetestimonyoftheleadingscholarsandphilosophers, nay,ofevenmenofthegovernment,andtheendorsementofeveryoneoftheirviewsandthe submissionwholeheartedlythereto. Forthesereasonsandforothers,wehaveupheldtheAhlalBayt(A.S.)oftheProphet(S.A.W.) andpreferredthemoverallothers,followingthepaththeyoutlinedforuswithoutpaying attentiontoothersespeciallysincetheyenricheduswithwhatevervaluableinformationand intellectualrichesanyMuslimneedsinhisdailylifeandforwhichtheMessagewasrevealedunto theirgrandfathertheGreatestProphet(S.A.W.). Thereupon,itisworthwhiletoresearchthebiographiesofthesegreatImamsandexaminetheir detailsandcharacteristicsandhighlighttheaspectsofgreatnessoftheiruniquepersonalitiesin ordertocorrectlyemulatethem.Wehavealsotocomparetheirconductwiththatofothersso thattheirdistinctionsbecomemanifesttous,thedistinctionswhichraisedtheirstatustothevery summitofhumanperfection. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Inthisstudy,weshalltryourbesttoexaminethebiographyofoneofthoseImamswhoisthe eighthintheseriesoftheTwelveImams.HeisImamAlisonofMousaalRidawhose contemporaryepochwasfullofhistoricaleventsinwhoseshapingheplayedasignificantrolethe effectsofwhichwerereflecteduponthethencontemporaryIslamichistory.Thereasonwhich invitedustoprefertostudythebiographyofImamalRidaoverthoseofotherImams(A.S.)isthat he,despitethemanycharacteristicsofhiscontemporarytime,anddespitethemagnitudeofthe eventsandoccurrenceswhichfilledhisdays,hasnotbeenindependentlyresearchedasfaraswe know.WhatIsincerelydesireistobehonestinmyexpositionandanalysis,freefromthe psychologicalcomplexesofprejudiceandsectarianfanaticism,andIalsowishthereaderwillbe likewisesothathemaybemycompanionwhileconductingthisresearch,andGodistheMaster ofsuccessanduprightness. ________________________________________ 3AcronymsofSalallahoAlaihiWasallam(PeaceandGreetingsofGodbeuponhim). 4AamaliofSayyidalMurtada,Vol.1,p.151. 5Kanzal'Ummal,Vol.6,p.217.Alsohadithnumber3819recordeddownbyalHafizAbuNa'eem inHilyatalAwliyaa,andheisquotedbyIbnAbulHadeedinhiscommentary,quotingsimilar ahadithrecordedinAhmedibnHanbal'sMusnad. 6Kanzal'Ummal,Vol.6,p.396.ItisalsonarratedfromalMamoonandrecordedinVol.1,p.204, ofAkhbaralRidawiththeadditionof"Sodonotteachthem,fortheyaremorelearnedthanyou, andtheydonottakeyououtofguidance,nordotheyletyouenterintomisguidance,"andal MamoonattributedthisstatementtotheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.). 7TahtheebalTahtheeb,Vol.2,p.103. 8Thishadithofthetwoweightythingsisrecordedbyalargenumberofpioneersofhadith:Itis recordedbybothalTirmithiandalNisaifromJabir,byalTirmithifromZaydibnalArqam,byal TabranifromZaydibnThabit,andtheyareallquotedbyalMuttaqialHindiinVol.1,p.44,ofhis Kanzul'Ummal.ItisalsorecordedbyImamAhmed[ibnHanbal]fromthehadithnarratedbyZayd ibnThabitthroughtwoauthenticavenuesinVol.5,pp.182189ofhisMusnad. ItisalsonarratedbySa'eedalKhudrifromtwoavenuesandrecordedinVol.3,pp.1726.Al Hakim,inVol.3,p.873,ofhisMustadrak,says,"Thisisanauthentichadiththroughconsecutive narrationaccordingtobothShaikhs[BukhariandMuslim]whodidnotrecorditdown,whileal ThahbiadmittedinhisTalkheesalMustadrakitsauthenticityaccordingtotheirownstandardsof authenticity."IbnAbuShayba,AbuYa'li,IbnSa'd,allrecorditfromAbuSa'eedasisrecordedin Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Vol.1,p.47,traditionnumber945,ofKanzul'Ummal. IbnHajarquotesitonp.75ofhisAlSawa'iqalMuhriqa,andsodootherswholearnedhadithby heartandbytraditionistswithaninsignificantvariationintheirtexts.Havingquotedthishadithin hisAlSawa'iq,IbnHajarsays,"Beinformedthatthehadithenjoiningustoupholdtothembothis plentifulandisnarratedinnumerouswaysbymorethantwentycompanionsoftheProphet (S.A.W.)."Thishadithenjoysamanytestimonieswhichagreewitheachother,andDaralTaqreeb BaynalMathahibalIslamiyyainCairopublishedagraduatethesisdealingwithitsSunnisources andauthoredbysomevirtuouscontemporaries. 9AlSawa'iqalMuhriqa,p.135,byIbnHajar,chaptertitled"RecommendationoftheProphet (SAW)inTheirRegard." 10AlSawa'iqalMuhriqa,p.148.ThesamemaybereadinHadithalThaqalaynwhichwas publishedbyDaralTaqreebBaynalMathahibalIslamiyyaofCairo. 11MukhtasaralTuhfaalIthnai'AshariyyabyalAloosi,p.8. 12TahtheebalTahtheeb,Vol.2,p.103. 13AlLaalialMasnoo'afilAhadithalMawdooabyalSayyuti,Vol.1,p.396. 14AlTabranihasrecordeditrelyingontheauthorityofAbuDharralGhifarionp.151ofVol.3of hisAlSahihalMustadrak. 15AlTabranihasrecordeditinhisAlAwsatfromAbuSa'eed.Itishadithnumber18ofthefifth sectionofthefortytraditionsrecordedonp.216ofalNabahani'sbookAlArba'eenHadith. 16AlHakimrecordsitinVol.3,p.149,ofhisMustadrak,quotingIbnAbbas,thenadding,"This hadithisauthenticinitsconsecutiveness,andthey[BukhariandMuslim]didnotrecordit." 17AlSawa'iqalMuhriqa,p.91. Historical AspectoftheEmam'sBiography HisDistinctionsandCharacteristics Lineage Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 HeisAlisonofMousasonofJa'fersonofMuhammadsonofAlisonofalHusaynsonofAlisonof AbuTalib(A.S.),eighthintheseriesoftheEmamsbelongingtotheAhlalBayt(A.S.).His birthplaceisMedina,andhisrestingplaceisToos(Iran).

BirthandDemise Historiansdisagreeagreatdealabouttheyearofhisbirthandevenindeterminingthemonthas well,andtheyalsodisagreeaboutdeterminingtheyearandthemonthofhisdeath.Their disagreementsarenotconfinedtothelimitofashortspanoftimebuttheymaybefiveyears apart,andthedisagreementissoconfusingthatitisverydifficulttodetermineclearlysuch matters;however,weshallpointoutthestatementsrecordedinthisregardwithoutfavouring anyofthemduetothelackofpurposeofsuchfavouringwhichnaturallyrequiresresearchand investigationandaproofforselectingwhatseemstobethemostaccurate. HewasborninMedinaonFriday,orThursday,DhulHijja11,orDhulQi'da,orRabi'ulAwwal,of theHijriyear148ortheyear153.HediedonFriday,orMonday,neartheendofthemonthof Safar,orthe17thofSafar,orRamadan21,orJumadaI18,orDhulQi'da23,ortheendofDhul Qi'da,oftheyear202or203or206.Inhis'UyoonAkhbaralRida,alSaduqstates:"Whatis accurateisthathediedonthe13thofRamadan,onaFriday,intheyear203." Whatismostlikelyisthathisdeathtookplaceintheyear203asstatedbyalSaduq.Itisthesame yearinwhichalMamoonmarchedtowardsIraq.Tosaythathediedin206isnottoagreewith thetruthbecausealMamoonmarchedtowardsBaghdadintheyear204,andtheEmamdied whilehewasheadinginthesamedirection. HisMother Thereisagreatdealofdisputeregardingthenameofhismother.Somesayshewascalledal Khayzaran;otherssayshewasArwiandthathernicknamewas"theblondeofNubia,"while otherssayshewasNajmaandhernicknamewas"UmmulBaneen."Otherssayshewascalled SekantheNubian;stillotherssayshewascalledTakattamasmaybeprovenfromthepoetryin hispraisewhichsaid: Thebestinselfandparenthood, Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Inoffspringandinancestry, IsAlialMuaddam, Eighthinseriesoftheknowledgeableandtheclement, AnEmamdescendingfromtheProofofGod, thatisTakattam. Offspring Disputesexistalsoregardingthenumberofhisoffspringandtheirnames.Agroupofscholarssay thattheywerefivesonsandonedaughter,andthattheywere:MuhammadalQani',alHassan, Ja'fer,Ibrahim,alHusayn,and'Ayesha. SabtibnalJawzi,inhisworkTadhkiratulKhawass,saysthatthesonswereonlyfour,droppingthe nameofHusaynfromthelist.AlMufidinclinestobelievethattheEmamdidnothaveanyson otherthanEmamMuhammadalJawad(A.S.),andIbnShahrAshoobemphaticallystatesso,and sodoesalTibrisiinhisA'lamalWara. Al'UdadalQawiyyastatesthathehadtwosons,MuhammadandMousa,andthathedidnot haveanyotheroffspring.Inhisclaim,heissupportedbyQurbalAsnadinwhichtheauthorsays thatalBazantiaskedalRida,"ForyearsIhavebeenaskingyouwhoyoursuccessorisandyou keeptellingmethatitisyoursonevenwhenyouhadnosonatall,butsinceGodhasnowblessed youwithtwosons,whichoneofthemishe?"'UyoonAkhbaralRidaindicatesthathehada daughternamedFatima. Wearenotintheprocessofinvestigating,researchingandpinpointingwithaccuracythenumber ofhisoffspringandtheirnames,butwhatseemstobemorereasonableiswhatalMufidstates. WhatisestablishedasafactwithusisthatEmamMuhammadalJawad(A.S.)washisson;as regardinghisothersons,nobodyseemstobeabletoproveanyfactsregardingthem,andGod knowsbest. PersonalityandCharacteristics Generallyspeaking,anEmamenjoysauniquepersonalityanddistinctivecharacteristics,inasfar asShi'afollowersoftheEmamsareconcerned;therefore,heisnotpermittedtodowhatothers are,suchasfallingintoerror,orgettingconfusedaboutamatter.Rather,infallibilityisessentialin himsinceheconveysonbehalfoftheProphet(S.A.W.)whatseemstootherstobeobscureofthe Messageanditsintricacies.JustasweprovedtheinfallibilityoftheProphet(S.A.W.),we,bythe sametoken,proveinfallibilityfortheEmamaswellwithoneexception:theEmamconveyson Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

behalfoftheProphet(S.A.W.),whereastheProphetconveysonbehalfoftheAlmightyGod. Thewisdominthisargumentisthatshouldfallingintoerrorbeacceptedandexpectedfromthe Prophet(S.A.W.)ortheEmam,thendoubtwillresultregardingthereliabilityofwhattheyconvey topeopleofjurisdicrulesandregulationsandothersuchmatterssincetheyareliabletoerrin theirjudgementorgetconfusedaboutaparticularissue. Althoughthebelieversarenotheldaccountablefordoingwhattheyarenotsupposedtobedoing duetosucherrorofjudgement,theassumptionoftheerrorofjudgementitselfcollideswiththe verywisdombehindthereasonwhyprophetsweresenttopeopleatallwhichistoclarifyto people,accordingtothewayGodAlmightyintendedthemto,withoutanyerrororconfusion, whatHisWillis. Thetopicofinfallibilityisavastonethediscussionofwhichhasnoroomhereandwhichrequires adedicatedresearchImaybeableonedaytotackle.WhatIhavetosamefahereisthat Emamateischaracterizedbycertaindistinctiveaspectssuchasinfallibilitywhichwecannot discussbyitselfwithothersexceptafterbothpartiesagreeonthebasisfromwhichitemerged; otherwise,ourcasewouldbelikeonewhodiscussesthenecessityofperformingtheritualprayers (salat)withsomeonewhodoesnotbelieveinthemessageoftheProphet(S.A.W.). Thebasicpointuponwhichwehavefirstandforemosttoagreeisthedefinitionofgeneral Emamate,thenthedistinctionsitrequiresand,finally,theproofswhichtestifytothese distinctions.Itisonlythenthatdisagreeingpartiescanconductareasonablediscussion.Having beenconvincedbyunequivocalproofsofsuchinfallibility,andhavingseentheTwelveEmams (A.S.)tobefullyqualifiedtobetheonlyonesinwhomsuchinfallibilitycouldbeobserved,we becamefullyconvincedoftheirunshakablesuperiorityoverallothers,andthattheywerethe onesadornedwithabsolutehumanperfection. AnEmam,accordingtothisviewpoint,hasgottobethemostlearnedamongpeopleandthe mostawareofthegeneralneedsofpeoplesuchasknowledgeorothernecessitiesoflife,andthat hehastobethemostpious,themostascetic,themostperfectinpersonalconductandnormsof behaviour.Inotherwords,inordertobequalifiedforEmamate,onehastobesuperiorto everyoneelseinallaspectsofperfectionanditsrequirementswhichallraisehimtohisposition ofleadership. Onthisbasis,thecharacterofEmamalRida(A.S.),whoisoneoftheseTwelveEmams,becomes clearlydistinctiveduetoitsmerits.Butthisisnotthelimitofthescopeofthisresearch;rather, weshallattempttoresearchhispersonalityandthequalitieswhichdistinguishedhimfromall othersbyoursiftingintothelegacyhistoryhaspreservedforusofhisconductwhilestillalive, andfromthestancestakenbythemenofknowledgeandbycontemporarycaliphstowardshim. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Government'sAttitudeTowardstheEmam TheattitudeofthethenrulerstowardsEmamalRida(A.S.)andtheotherEmamsmayprovideus withaclearviewofthedistinctionswhichraisedtheirpersonalitiestothezenith.Anditis essentialtoexplainthephenomenonofthegovernment'sattitudetowardsthemwhich manifesteditselfinthesurveillanceimposeduponthemratherthanuponotherdistinguished dignitariesorchiefsoftheAlawides,monitoringtheirmovementsandcountingtheirstepsinall theirsocialandpersonalencounters.Whatwecanmentionheretoexplainthisphenomenonare thefollowingreasons: 1)ThebeliefofalargenumberofMuslimsintheirEmamateandintheirbeingthemostworthyof thecaliphate,andtheirconvictionthatallothercaliphsareconsideredusurpersofauthority, trespassersupontherightsordainedbyGodtoothers.Thisiswhythepoliticiansofthetime consideredthemtheircompetitorswhosemerepresenceincreasedthedangerssurrounding themandjeopardizedthesecurityoftheveryexistenceoftheirgovernmentstructure. 2)Theirbeingthemagnetwhichattractedleadingscholarsandthinkerswhoshrankintheir presencedespitetheirintellectualadvancementanddistinctioninthefieldsoftheartsand knowledgeanddespitetheirgeniusandintellectualprowess.Thiscausedthecaliphstofeela strongeranimositytowardsthemandbemoregrudgefultowardsthemduetothepublic fascinationbythemandtotheirattemptstobeclosetothemandtobeingemotionallydistant fromthecenterofthegovernment. 3)Theirbeingthebetteralternativefromthepublic'spoliticalstandpointtotakechargeofthe responsibilitiesofgovernment,bearitsburdens,carryoutitsobligationsanddoingallofthat mostefficiently.Thisfrightenedtherulersandmadetheobscurefutureseemtotheireyeseven moreso. 4)Theviciousincitementsaboutthembytheiropponentswhoboreanimositytowardsthemand whowishedtherebytheirelimination,andthetelltalesofevensomeoftheirownkinwhose judgementwasblindedbyjealousy,sotheykeptfabricatingstoriesandattributingthemtothose Emamsandtellingthemtotherulerswhowerepleasedtohearthemsincetheybecameoutlets tothegrudgetheyfelttowardsthoseEmamsand,atthesametime,foundinthemthepretexts forannihilatingandharassingthemandintheendajustificationtoputanendtotheirlivesand ridthemselvesofthecomplextheyweresufferingfromduetotheirexistence. Bytheseandbyotherscanweexplainthephenomenonoftherulerspursuingthemand desperatelytryingtoalienatethemfromthestageofeventsaffectingthenationinorderto secureadistancefromtheghostofcompetitionwhichcouldhauntthemhadtheypermittedthe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Emamstodoastheypleased.Thuscanweunderstandthegeneralcharacteristicsofthe significantdistinctionsthepersonalitiesofthoseEmamsenjoyedinallsectorsofthesocietyinits variouscentersofactivityandinitsvariousaspirations;otherwise,howdoyouexplainthis phenomenon,andwhyshouldthoserulerspaytheEmamssomuchattention? HisKnowledge HeinheritedtheknowledgeofhisgrandfathertheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.),thusbecomingits pioneeringfountainheadthatquenchedthethirstofthosewhowerethirstyforknowledge. Historynarratesagreatdealofhisscholarlystancesandintellectualdiscoursesinwhichhe achievedvictoryoverthosewhoopposedtheDivineMessage,excellinginvariousbranchesof scholarshipwithwhichheprovidedtheseekersofknowledgeandthethinkersofthetime. EmamMousaaKazim(A.S.)isreportedtohaveoftensaidtohissons:"AliibnMousa,your brother,isthelearnedscholaroftheDescendantsofMuhammad(S.A.W.);therefore,youmayask himaboutyourreligion,andmemorizewhathetellsyouforIhaveheardmyfatherJa'feribn Muhammadmorethanoncesaying,ThelearnedscholarofthefamilyofMuhammadisinyour loins.HowIwishIhadmethim,forheisnamedaftertheCommanderoftheFaithfulAli(A.S.).'" IbrahimibnalAbbasalSuliisreportedtohavesaid:"IneversawalRida(A.S.)unabletoprovide theanswertoanyquestionhereceived,norhaveIeverseenanycontemporaryofhismore learnedthanhewas.AlMamoonusedtoputhimtotestbyaskinghimaboutalmosteverything, andhealwaysprovidedhimwiththeanswer,andhisanswerandexamplewasalwaysderived fromtheHolyQur'an." RajaaibnAbulDahhak,whowascommissionedbyalMamoontoescortalRida(A.S.)tohiscourt, said:"ByGod!IneversawanyonemorepiousthanhimnormoreoftenrememberingGodatall timesnormorefearfulofGod,theExalted.Peopleapproachedhimwhenevertheyknewhewas presentintheirarea,askinghimquestionsregardingtheirfaithanditsaspects,andhewould answerthemandnarrateagreatdealofhadithfromhisfatherwhoquotedhisforefatherstillAli (A.S.)whoquotedtheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.).WhenIarrivedatalMamoon'scourt,thelatter askedmeabouthisbehaviourduringthetripandItoldhimwhatIobservedabouthimduringthe nightandduringtheday,whileridingandwhilehalting;so,hesaid:Yes,OsonofalDahhak!This isthebestmanonthefaceofearth,themostlearned,andthemostpious.'"18 AlHakimisquotedinTarikhNishapurassayingthattheEmam(A.S.)usedtoissuereligious verdictswhenhewasalittlemorethentwentyyearsold.InIbnMaja'sSunan,inthechapteron "SummaryOfCultivatingPerfection,"heisdescribedas"themasterofBanuHashim,andal Mamoonusedtoholdhiminhighesteemandsurroundhimwithutmostrespect,andheeven madehimhissuccessorandsecuredtheoathofallegianceforhim." Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 AlMamoonsaidthisonceinresponsetoBanuHashim:"Asregardingyourreactiontothe selectionbyalMamoonofAbulHassanalRida(A.S.)ashissuccessor,beremindedthatal Mamoondidnotmakesuchaselectionexceptuponbeingfullyawareofitsimplications,knowing thatthereisnooneonthefaceofearthwhoismoredistinguished,morevirtuous,morepious, moreascetic,moreacceptabletotheeliteaswellastothecommoners,ormoreGodfearing, thanhe(alRida,A.S.)is."19 AbulSaltalHarawiisquotedsaying:"IneversawanyonemoreknowledgeablethanAliibnMousa alRida(A.S.).Everyscholarwhomethimadmittedthesame.AlMamoongatheredoncealarge numberoftheologians,juristsandoratorsandhe(alRida,A.S.)surpassedeachandeveryoneof theminhisownrespectivebranchofknowledge,somuchsothattheloseradmittedhislossand thesuperiorityofthewinneroverhim."20 Heisalsoquotedsaying:"IhaveheardAliibnMousaalRida(A.S.)saying,Iusedtotakemyplace atthetheologicalcenterandthenumberofthelearnedscholarsatMedinawasquitelarge,yet whenaquestionovertaxedthemindofoneofthosescholars,heandtherestwouldpointatme, andtheywouldsendmetheirqueries,andIwouldanswerthemall."21 Inhisdiscourseregardingtheissueofsuccession,alMamoonsaid:"Idonotknowanymanonthe faceofearthwhoismoresuited(tobeheirtothethrone)thanthisman."22 AlManaqibrecordsthefollowing:"WhenpeopledisputedregardingAbulHassanalRida(A.S.), Muhammadibn'IsaalYaqtinisaid,Ihavecollectedasmanyaseighteenthousandofhisanswers toquestionsputforthtohim.'Agroupofcritics,includingAbuBakrtheoratorinhisTarikhandal Tha'labiinhistafsirandalSam'aniinhisdissertationandinalMu'tazzinhiswork,inadditionto others,haveallquotedhadithfromhim."23 AfteranintellectualdiscoursewithalMamoon,AliibnalJahmsaid:"AlMamoonstoodupto performtheprayersritualandtookMuhammadibnJa'fer,whowaspresentthere,bythehand, andIfollowedbothofthem.Heaskedhim:Whatdoyouthinkofyournephew?'Heanswered,A learnedscholaralthoughweneversawhimbeingtutoredbyanylearnedman.' AlMamoonsaid:ThisnephewofyoursisamemberofthefamilyoftheProphet(S.A.W.)about whomtheProphet(S.A.W.)said:Thevirtuousamongmydescendantsandtheeliteamongmy progenyarethemostthoughtfulwhenyoung,themostlearnedwhenadult;therefore,donot teachthemfortheyaremorelearnedthanyouare,norwilltheyevertakeyououtofguidance, norleadyouintomisguidance.'"24 IbnalAthirwrites:"He(alMamoon)discernedthedescendantsofBanualAbbasandBanuAli Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

anddidnotfindanyonemorethanhim(alRida,A.S.)inaccomplishments,pietyand knowledge."25 WedonotneedthetestimonyofanyonetoconvinceusofthedistinctionenjoyedbyEmamal Rida(A.S.)duetohisknowledgeoverallothers.Sufficesustoreviewthebooksofhadithwhich arefilledwithhisstatementsanddictationinvariousartswhicheveryindividual,regardlessofthe loftinessofhisdegreeofknowledge,becamedwarfeduponmeetinghim,feelinghisinferiority andthesuperiorityofEmamalRida(A.S.).

EthicalandHumaneConduct Goodmannersconstituteasignificantpartofone'spersonality.Theyunveiltheinnermostnature oftheindividual,highlightingtheextentofitspurityoforiginwhenittranslatesbeliefintoaction. TheEmamwascharacterizedbyamostnoblepersonalitywhichwonhimtheloveofthe commonersaswellastheelite,byextraordinaryhumanityderivedfromthespiritoftheMessage itselfoneofwhosecustodianshehimselfwas,apersonwhosafeguardeditandinheritedits innermostsecrets. IbrahimibnalAbbasalSuliisquotedsaying:"IneversawAbulHassanalRida(A.S.)angering anyonebysomethinghesaid,nordidIeverseehiminterruptinganyone,norrefusingtodo someoneafavourhewasabletodo,nordidheeverstretchhislegsbeforeanaudience,nor leaneduponsomethingwhilehiscompaniondidnot,nordidheevercallanyofhisservantsor attendantsabadname,nordidIeverseehimspitorburstintolaughter;rather,hislaughterwas justasmile. Whenhewasreadytoeatandhesattobeserved,heseatedwithhimallhisattendants,including thedoormanandthegroom."Headds,"Donot,therefore,believeanyonewhoclaimsthathe sawsomeoneelseenjoyingsuchaccomplishments."26Aguestoncekeptentertaininghimpartof thenightwhenthelampstartedfadingandthegueststretchedhishandtofixit,butAbulHassan (A.S.)swiftlycheckedhimandfixedithimself,saying,"Wearefolkswhodonotlettheirguest tendonthem."27 AlManaqibstatesthatalRida(A.S.)oncewenttothepublicbathhouseandsomeoneaskedhim togivehimamassage,sohekeptgivingthemanamassagetillsomeonerecognizedhimandtold thatpersonwhothatdignitarywas.Themanfeltextremelyembarrassed;heapologizedtothe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Emam(A.S.)andgavehimamassage.28 MuhammadibnalFadlnarratesthefollowinganecdoteregardingtheEmam'ssimplepersonality. Hesays:"AlRida(A.S.),ontheoccasionofEidulFitr,saidtooneofhisattendants,MayGod acceptyourgooddeedsandours,'thenhestoodupandleft.OntheoccasionofEidulAdha,he saidtothesameman,MayGodacceptourgooddeedsandyours.'Iaskedhim,Osonofthe MessengerofGod! YousaidsomethingtothismanontheoccasionofEidulFitrandsomethingelseontheoccasion ofEidulAdha;why?'Heanswered:IpleadedGodtoaccepthisgooddeedsandoursbecausehis actionwassimilartomineandIcombineditwithmineinmyplea,whereasIpleadedGodto acceptourgooddeedsandhisbecausewearecapableofofferingtheceremonialsacrificewhile heisnot; so,ouractionisdifferentfromhis.'"29ThusdoesEmamalRida(A.S.)becomeintotalharmony withhismessageintheareaofethics,personifyingthelatterintoactionderivedfromthespiritof themessagewherebyheascendstothesummitofhumanperfection,risingtherebytotheshores oftheindividual'sownrealgreatness.Itisthroughthisandsimilarmeansthatthesincerityof faithandloftinessanddignityoftheselfarerecognized. EmamalRida(A.S.)definesforustheIslamictheoryastheruleswhichgoverntheactualdealings ofmanwithhisbrothermanfromwhichwecanachievetheinspirationthatIslamabolishesthe thenclassdistinctionsamongindividualsandgroupsintheareasofpublicrightsandthe safeguardingofman'sdignity,andthatthedifferencewhichwemustrecognizeregardingthese areasisthedifferencebetweenonewhoobeysGodandonewhodoesnot. AmanoncesaidtotheEmam:"ByGod!Thereisnobodyonthefaceofearthwhoismore honourablethanyourforefathers."TheEmamrespondedbysaying:"Theirpietysecuredtheir honour,andtheirobedienceofGodmadethemfortunate."30 Anothermansaidtohim:"ByGod!Youarethebestofallpeople!"Hesaidtohim:"Donotswear so.BetterthanmeisonewhoismoreobedienttoGodandmorepious.ByGod!Thefollowing versewasneverabrogated:AndWehavemadeyounationsandtribessothatyoumayknow eachother;verilythebestofyouinGod'ssightisthemostpious.'"31 AbulSaltonceaskedhim:"OsonoftheMessengerofGod!Whatdoyousayaboutsomething peoplehavebeencriticizingyoufor?"Heasked:"Whatisit?"Hesaid:"Theyclaimthatyoucall peopleyourslaves."Hesaid:"God!Creatoroftheheavensandtheearth,Knowerofthehidden andthemanifest!IinvokeTheetotestifythatIhaveneversaidso,nordidIeverhearthatanyof myforefathershadsaidso!God!YouaretheKnowerofthemanyinjusticesthisnationhas Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

committedagainstus,andthisisjustoneofthem..." ThenhecametoAbulSaltandsaid:"OAbdulSalam!Ifallpeople,assomeclaim,areourslaves, whodidwebuythemfrom?"AbulSaltanswered:"Youareright,OsonoftheMessengerof God..."ThentheEmamsaid:"OAbdulSalam!DoyoudenytherightwhichGodhasallottedforus tobechargedwiththeauthorityasothersdeny?"Hesaid:"Godforbid!Idoacknowledgesuch right."32 TheEmamheredeniessuchanallegationabouthimandhisforefathersandrejectsthevicious accusationwhichtheirenemiesuseagainsthimtotarnishhisimage,consideringitoneofthe manyinjusticescommittedagainsttheAhlalBayt(A.S.).Rather,heandtheHouseholdofthe Prophet(S.A.W.)considerpeopletobeequalintheirgeneralobligationsexceptintherightof governmentwhichGodordainedtobetheirssolely,forothershavenorighttoclaimitfor themselves.WiththeexceptionoftherighttoobeyGodinitsmostpristineimplicationswhich raisedtheirstatusinthesightofGodandman,allaretheslavesofGod.Theysharethesame parentsandworshipthesameGod. AbdullahibnalSaltquotesamanfromBalkhsaying:"IaccompaniedalRida(A.S.)duringhistrip toKhurasan.Onedayheorderedpreparationsforhismealtowhichheinvitedallhisattendants, blacksandnonblacks,soIsaid:Maymylifebesacrificedforyours!Maybetheseshouldhavea separateeatingarrangement.'Hesaid:GodAlmightyisOne;thefather(Adam)andthemother (Eve)arethesame,andpeoplearerewardedaccordingtotheirdeeds.'"33 TheEmamdoesnotseeanydifferencebetweenhimandhisservantsandattendantsexceptin thedegreeofgooddeeds;otherthanthat,alldistinctionsarevoidwhenthematterisrelatedto commonobligationsinwhichallindividualsareequal,foreachoneofthemiscreatedbythe sameGod,andeachhasthesamefather,Adam,whowascreatedofdust. WhenweseetheEmamsittingatthetablesurroundedbyhisservants,hisdoorman,andhis groom,heisthusteachingthenationalessoninvirtuoushumanitywhichbelievesinthedignity ofmaninordertodemonstratethetheoryofIslaminpracticeshowingthenatureofbehaviour manshouldundertakeinhisconducttowardshisbrotherman.Theloftinessofstatusandthe elevationofcareermustnotnecessitatethatamanofalessstatusoronewhosecareerisless covetedshouldbedespisedormadetofeelinferiortohisbrothermanevenifheisaservant.This issoinordertoeliminatethecomplexclassdistinctionswhichwidenthegapbetweenthe membersofthesocietywhoseenergieswouldthenbesplitintoopposingpartiestornbygrudge andconsumedbyhatred. Islamenactedthelawofequalityamongthemembersofthesocietyintheareasofgeneral obligationsinordertoemancipateman'sdignityfromclassobligationswhichdominatedtheway Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

oflifeduringthepreIslamiceraandwereadoptedbynationsofold.GodAlmightyhassaid:"The bestofyouintheeyesofGodistheonewhoismostpious."34TheProphet(S.A.W.)said:"Allof youdescendedfromAdam,andAdamwascreatedofdust."Healsosaid:"NoArabcanbeheld superiortoanonArabexceptthroughsuperiorityofhisdegreeofpiety." IbrahimibnalAbbasalSuliisquotedsaying:"IheardAliibnMousaalRidasaying,Iswearby emancipationandwheneverIsworebyit,IwouldemancipateoneofmyslavestillIemancipated eachandeveryoneofthemthatIdonotseemyselfasbetterthanthat(andhepointedtoa blackslaveofhiswhoremainedinhisservice)onaccountofmykinshiptotheMessengerofGod (S.A.W.)exceptifIdoagooddeedwhichwouldrendermebetter.'"35 ThusdoestheEmamdefineforusthegoodIslamicconductofsafeguardingthedignityofman andtheeliminationofallclassdistinctionsexceptthedistinctionofgooddeeds.He,peacebe uponhim,doesnotviewhiskinshiptotheProphet(S.A.W.)asprovidinghimwithadistinction overablackslaveexceptifsuchkinshipiscombinedwithgooddeedswhichrenderthedoer distinctionandsuperiority.Yasir,oneofhisservants,saidonce:"AbulHasansaidtousonce:IfI leavethetablebeforeyoudo,whileyouarestilleating,donotleaveonmyaccounttillyouare through.' Itmayhappenthathecallsuponsomeofustohisserviceandheistoldthattheyareeating, whereuponhesays:Leavethemtofinishtheirmealfirst.'"Nadir,anotherservant,says:"Abul Hassandidnotrequireustodoanythingforhimexceptifwehadfinishedeatingourmeal."36 Thesearesamplesofhisactualconductandhumanitywhichheinheritedasafragrantlegacythe perfumeofwhichisgoodnessandmercyfromhisgrandfatherthegreatestProphet(S.A.W.)who crownedhismessagewiththebannerofgoodconductwhenhesaid:"Ihavebeensenttoperfect thecodeofgoodconduct."Suchwasthatgenuinehumanelegacyfromwhosespiritnations derivetheirstrengthanduponwhichtheybuildthepillarsoftheirgloryandthroughwhichthey securethecontinuationoftheirveryexistence. HisConductRegardingHisAppearance Thereisnodoubtthat,generallyspeaking,theEmams(A.S.)weremoredistantthananyoneelse fromthealluringwaresofthisvanishingworld,andmostdistantfromitsornamentationsand allurements.Buttheconceptofasceticismaccordingtothemwasnotlimitedtowearingmodest coarseclothesoreatingverysimplefood. Rather,itslimitsextendedbeyondthat,fortheasceticpersonistheonewhodoesnotallowthe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

pleasuresofthisworldtotakecontroloverhimwithoutbeingabletotakecontrolofthem,one whodoesnotseethisworldastheultimategoalheseeks;rather,whenitcomestowardshim,the believerisentitledtoenjoyitsgoodthings,andwhenitforsakeshim,hecontendshimselfthat God'srewardsaremorelasting. AlAabiisquotedinNathralDurarassaying:"AgroupofsufisvisitedalRida(A.S.)whenhewasin Khurasan,andtheysaidtohim,ThecommanderofthefaithfullookedintotheauthorityGod Almightyentrustedtohim,andhefoundyou,membersoftheProphet'sAhlalBayt(A.S.),tobe themostdeservingofallpeopletobetheleaders.Thenhediscernedyou,membersofthe Prophet'sAhlalBayt(A.S.),andhefoundyourselfthemostworthyofleadingthepeople,sohe decidedtoentrustsuchleadershiptoyou. Thenationisinneedofonewhowearscoarseclothes,eatsthemostsimplefood,ridesthe donkeyandvisitsthesick.'AlRida(A.S.)wasfirstleaning,thenheadjustedthewayhewassitting andsaid:Joseph(Yousuf)wasaProphetwhousedtowearsilkmantlesbrocadedwithgold.Hesat onthethronesofthePharaohsandruled.AnEmamisrequiredtobejustandfair;whenhesays something,hesaysthetruth,andwhenhepassesajudgement,hejudgesequitably,andwhenhe promisessomething,hefulfillshispromise.Goddidnotforbid(anEmam)fromwearinga particulartypeofclothesoreatingaparticulartypeoffood.' ThenherecitedtheQur'anicverse:Say:Whohasforbiddenthebeautiful(gifts)ofGodwhichHe hasproducedforHisservants,andthegoodthings,cleanandpure(whichHehasprovided)for sustenance?'"37EmamalJawad(A.S.)wasaskedonceabouthisviewregardingmusk.He answered:"Myfatherorderedmusktobemadeforhiminabentreeintheamountofseven hundreddirhams. AlFadlibnSahlwrotehimsayingthatpeoplecriticizedhimforthat.Hewroteback:OFadl!Have younotcometoknowthatJoseph(Yousuf),whowasaProphet,usedtowearsilkclothes brocadedwithgold,andthatheusedtositongildedthrones,andthatallofthatdidnotdecrease anyofhiswisdom?'Thenheorderedagaliamoschata(perfumeofmuskandambergris)tobe madeforhimintheamountoffourthousanddirhams.'"38 ThusdoestheEmamprovethattheoutwardappearanceofasceticismhasnothingtodowith trueasceticism;rather,itmayevenbeafakewherebysomeonetriestoattracttheattentionof others.ThisiswhyEmamalRida(A.S.)andotherEmamsdidnotseeanythingwrongwith meetingthepublicwithanappearanceofluxuryinwhattheyputonorateaslongasitdidnot collidewiththerealityofasceticismwhichisthebuildingoftheselffromwithintorenouncethe worldanditsallurementandregarditasavanishingdisplaywithashortspanoflife. ThisdoesnotforbidthebelieverfromenjoyingitspleasuresinthewaywhichGodmade Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

permissible.Goddidnotcreatethegoodthingsinthisworldforthedisbelievertoenjoywhile deprivingthebelieverstherefrom.Rather,Godconsidersthebelievertobemoreworthyofsuch enjoymentwhenhesubmitshimselftoGodandexpendsitinHisPath. IbnAbbadtellsusthefollowingaboutEmamalRida'sasceticconduct:"AlRidausedtositona leafmatduringthesummerandonastrawsackduringthewinter;heusedtoputoncoarse clothes,butwhenhewentouttomeetthepublic,heputonhisverybest."39So,whenheisby himself,awayfrompubliclife,hissoulfindsharmonywithdenyingwhatisfake,thatis,the decorationsandallurementsofthislife.Butwhenhegoesouttomeetpeople,heputsonhisbest forthemfollowingtheirownnatureofholdingtheappearancesofthisworldassignificant, enjoyingitsgoodthings.ThisrealisticallyasceticconductoftheEmamprovidesuswithaglorious exampleofthetruthregardingtheAhlalBayt(A.S.)andtheirpureviewoflifewhichisfreefrom anydisturbingfakeorpretense. ClemencyandTolerance EmamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)hadrecommendedhissonalRida(A.S.)tobetheEmamafterhim, makinghimhisowndeputyinfaringwithhiswealth,women,sonsandthemothersofhissons, withoutpermittinganyofhisothersonstofarewithanythingafterhim,andhewrotehiswill indicatingsoandsealeditwithhisownseal,invokingtheWrathofGoduponanyonewhowould unlawfullybreakthesealafterhavingsecuredthetestimonyofanumberofhisownhousehold andfollowers. ButthebrothersofEmamalRida(A.S.)disputedwiththeirbrotherregardingtheirfather'swill andwhathehadleftforthem.AccordingtoalKafi,YazidibnSalitisquotedsaying:"AbuUmran alTalhiwasthejudgeatMedinawhenhis(alRida's)brotherspresentedhimastheiropponentin theirdispute.AlAbbasibnMousasaid:MayGodbringthroughyoureconciliationandhappiness. Atthebottomofthiswrittenstatementthereisatreasureandajewelandhe(alRida)wishesto keepitawayfromusandtakeitalltohimself,andourfatherentrustedeverythingtohim,leaving ushelpless. HadInotcheckedmyself,Iwouldhavetoldyousobeforeacrowdofpeople.'Ibrahimibn Muhammad,whowasoneofthewitnessesofthewill,jumpedathimandsaid:ThenyoubyGod wouldbetellingsomethingwedonotaccepttobecomingevenfromyou,andwewillholdyouas aliar,andyouwillbeamongusblamedanddespised,nicknamedbytheyoungandtheoldasa liar.Yourfatherknewyoubestiftherewasanygoodinyouandyourfatherknewyouinsideand out,andhecouldnottrustyoutoguardtwopiecesofdates.' ThenhisuncleIshaqibnJa'ferjumpedathimandpulledhimbytherobesaying,Youareasilly, weakling,andafool;addthesetoyourpreviousfaults,'andhewassupportedinhisviewbyall Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

others.AbuUmran,thejudge,saidtoAli,Standup,OfatherofalHassan!Sufficesmetodaythe curseyourfatherhadinvoked,andyourfatherwasquitegenerouswithyou.No!ByGod!Nobody knowsasonbetterthanhisfather.No!ByGod!Yourfatherwasneitherweakinhisintellectnor shallowinhisview.' AlAbbassaidtothejudge,MayGodbringconciliationthroughyou!Pleaseremovethesealand readthecontents.'AbuUmransaid,No,Ishallnotremoveit;sufficesmetodaythecurseyour fatherinvoked.'AlAbbassaid,Ishallremoveit.'Hesaid,Thatisuptoyou.'SoalAbbasremoved thesealandthecontentsspelledouttheirexclusionandtheinclusiononlyofAli,andanorder thattheyall,whethertheylikeditornot,weretolistentoandobeyEmamAlialRida(A.S.). Inshort,theremovalofthesealspelledtheirdestruction,scandalandhumiliation,whereasAli remainedthewinner."AlithenturnedtoalAbbasandsaid:Brother!Iknowthatwhatmadeyou dowhatyoudidisthefactthatyouhavefinesanddebtstopay.Sa'id!Goaheadandtakean accountoftheirdebts,thenpaytheirduesontheirownbehalf.Afterthattakeouttheirzakatand cleartheirname.ByGod!IshallneverabandonyourassistanceandIshallnevercutmytiesfrom youaslongasIwalkonthisearth;so,youmaysaywhateveryouplease.'"AlAbbassaid:Donot giveusanythingotherthanwhatrightfullybelongstous,andwhatyouholdofourowniseven more.' Hesaid:Youmaysayanythingyouwanttosay,fortheofferisyours;ifyoudogooddeeds,you shallberewardedbyGod,andifyoucommitabaddeed,GodisMostForgiving,Merciful.ByGod! YouknowverywellthattodayIhavenosonnorheirexceptyou;so,ifIkeepanythingwhich belongstoyoufromyouorsavewhatyouthinktobelongtoyou,itshallalwaysremainyoursand willalwaysbereturnedtoyou.ByGod!Ihaveneverownedanythingsinceyourfather,mayGod bepleasedwithhim,passedawayexceptthatIrelinquishedittoyouasyouhaveseen.' "AlAbbasleapedandsaid:ByGoditisnotso!NorGodhasgivenyouauthorityoverus...,but..., butitisourfather'sjealousyandhewilledawillwhichGoddoesnotacceptfromhimnorfrom you,andyouknowverywellthatIknowSafwanibnYahya,theSabiriselleratKufa.IfIeverget there,Ishallstranglehimandyouwithhim.'"Alisaid:ThereisnopowerorwillexceptbytheWill ofGod,theSublime,theGreat...Brothers!GodknowsthatIdesirenothingotherthanyour happinessandwellbeing. God!IfyouknowthatIlovetheirwellbeing,andthatIwantnothingbutgoodforthem,thatIdo notseveremytieswiththem,thatIamkindtothem,concernedabouttheiraffairsdayand night...,thengrantmegoodrewardsforit.ButifIamcontrariwise,thenIinvokeYou,Knowerof theunknown,tograntmetherewardsofmyintentions:goodforgoodandevilforevil.Lord! Bringthemtothepathofrighteousness,andmakelifegoodforthem,andkeepthesnaresofthe devilawayfromusandfromthem,andassistthemtobeabletoworshipThee,andhelpthemsee Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Thyguidance. Asforme,brother,Idesirenothingotherthanyourhappiness,workinghardforyourownwell being,andGodismyWitness.'"Tothis,alAbbassaid:HowwellIknowyourmasteryoverwords! Andthereisnomudwithmeforyourspade!'"40WiththeserudewordsalAbbasendedhis argumentwithhisbrother,EmamalRida(A.S.),despitethefactthattheEmamwasverykindand clementinhisargumentwithhim,withoutarticulatinganyunkindword,thatitwasalready establishedthatrightwasonthesideoftheEmam,andthattheirowntransgressiondraggedhim intosuchasituationwhichdidnotbefithisloftystatus.This,indeed,isindicativeofagreatdealof clemencyandtolerancetowardsanunlimitedaggression. AlthoughalAbbasdiscardedthenormsofgoodmannersinhisconfrontationwithhisbrotherby articulatingdisrespectfulwordsandbycommittingasinagainsthisownfatherEmamMousaibn Ja'fer(A.S.)byaccusinghimofbeingjealousandbiased,whichcausestheotherpartytobeonthe offensive,oratleastwouldpushhimawayfromabalancedtemper,thisisnotanartificialshowof clemencyandtolerancefromtheEmam(A.S.);rather,itisderivedfromthespiritofgenuine goodnessandlovewherebyheandtheotherEmamswerecharacterizedwhenotherschallenged them.Ontheotherhand, theEmam(A.S.)triestocauseotherstoadornthemselveswiththesametraitofclemencyand toleranceuponbeingwrongedasanelementofgoodrelationshipamongthem,justifyingthisby sayingthatitincreasesthedignityofman,forclemencyandtolerance,whentheabilitytodeal equalblowsandeffectequalretributionexpressthepowerofangerinmanandhiscontrolover hisrashtemperuponbeingchallenged,thiscausesotherstorespectandveneratesuchaperson especiallywhenthatpersonshoulderstheresponsibilitiesofauthority. AlAabisays:"AmansentencedtobebeheadedwasbroughttoalMamoonwhilealRida(A.S.) wasamonghistrain.AlMamoonaskedhim:FatherofalHassan!Whatisyourview?'Hesaid:AllI cansayisthatGodonlyincreasesthedignityofthosewhosegoodwillcausesthemtoforgive.' He,therefore,forgavetheman."41SwiftnessofResponse. EmamalRida(A.S.)wasendowedwithareadinesstorespondcoupledwiththestrengthof argumentandoratorytowhichextraordinaryexpressionsfreelysubmittedwithoutmakingthe overallmeaningtoodifficulttocomprehend.Hisargumentswiththeheadsofotherreligions, withforemostwriters,andwithatheistsinwhichheoutwittedthemwithhisclearargumentand decisivearguments,allprovideuswithagloriousindicationthatheusedtoenjoytheabilityto provideareadyanswerandaspeedinintellectualreasoning. Thisiswhylearnedscholarsheldhiminhighesteemandhesitatedtochallengehimtodebatein anyfieldofknowledgeasactuallyhappenedafterhisargumentswiththehighestauthoritiesof Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

otherreligionsatameetingalMamoonarrangedathiscourtandtheaudienceweretonguetied whenhechallengedthemtoputfordiscussionwhatevercametotheirminds.

HisPatienceandPerseverance ThepatienceandperseveranceoftheEmammanifestthemselvesclearlywhenhehadtoface psychologicalandemotionalcrises.WhenhewenttosayhisfarewellattheKa'ba,Mecca,upon beingorderedbyalMamoontobepresentathiscourtinKhurasan,hewasfacedwithan emotionalsituationinvolvinghisonlysonAbuJa'ferMuhammadibnAlialJawad,buthe maintainedwithanironwillhisselfcontrol,solacinghimselfwithapatientheart,submittingto God'sWillandDecree. UmayyaibnAlistates:"IwassittingwithAbulHassan(A.S.)atMeccaduringtheyearinwhichhe performedthehajjpriortohistriptoKhurasan,andAbuJa'ferwaswithhimwhenhewasbidding theHouse(Ka'ba)goodbye.Havingfinishedhistawaf,hewenttothemaqamandsaidhisprayers there.AbuJa'fer,accompaniedbyMuaffaq,wasmakinghistawaf,tillhereachedtheStone. Therehesatandheprolongedhissittingthere.Muaffaqsaidtohim:Maymylifebesacrificedfor yours!Itistimeyoustoodup.'Heanswered:Idonotwishtoleavethisplaceatallexceptbythe WillofGod,'andgriefcouldeasilybeseencloudingoverhisface.MuaffaqapproachedAbul Hassanandsaidtohim:Maymylifebesacrificedforyours!AbuJa'ferissittingbytheStone unwillingtoleave,'soAbulHassanstoodup,cametoAbuJa'ferandsaid:Standup,mylovedone.' Buthissonsaid:Idonotwishtoleavethisplace...'Hesaid:Dostandup,Omylovedone.' Afterawhile,hesaidtohisfather:HowcanIstandupseeingthatyouhavealreadysaidyour farewellattheHousenevertoreturnagain?'Hesaid:Dostandup,mylovedone.'Hestoodup andleftwithhisfather." TheEmam(A.S.)patientlyputupwithnumerousnormsofpersecutionandinjusticeinflictedupon himduringthereignof(Harun)alRashidstartingwiththetragedyofhisfather,passingbythe tragediestowhichtheAlawidesweresubjected,andendingwiththeunfairinstigationstoal RashidbytheEmam'sopponentstokillhimandeliminatehim. ThestrengthofthepatienceandperseveranceoftheEmambecomemanifestwhenweexamine thethinlyveiledpoliticalpersecutionfromwhichhesufferedduringalMamoon'sreignespecially Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

afterthelatterappointedhimashisheirtothethrone,fullyknowingthatalMamoonwasnot sincereinhisintentionbutratherenactedapoliticalactinwhichalMamoonplayedthemajor rolesolelytoprovidesecuritytotheshakyfoundationsofhisregimeduetothestormingevents theoutcomeofwhichwasreflectedupontheissueofwhowouldsucceedhimonthethrone. TheextentofthesufferingoftheEmam,thedegreeofhisbitternessandagony,andtheamount ofgriefandsorrowwhichfilledhisheartduetothetreatmentmetedtohimbythegovernment, canbeassessed;yetheburiedallofthatinthedepthofhismindwithmutepatienceand perseverance.Yasir,hisservant,saidonce:"WheneveralRida(A.S.)returnedhomeonFriday fromthemosque,withhisfacesweatingandstainedbyblowingdust,hewouldraisehishands andinvokeGodsaying,God!IftheonlywayIamrelievedfrommydistressisbydeath,thenI invokeTheetohastenitshour.'" Sufficestoassesstheextentofhispatienceandperseverancetosimplybeawareofthefactthat althoughhewasGod'sArgumentoverHiscreation,hewaspowerlesstodoanythingwhileseeing rightbeingabandonedandwrongupheld. Generosity InadialoguewithalBazanti,theEmamsaid:"Anyonewhoreceivesaboonisindanger:Hehasto carryoutGod'scommandmentsinitsregard.ByGod!WheneverGodblessesmewithsomething, Icontinuetobeinextremeapprehensiontill(andherehemadeamotionwithhishand)Itakeout someofitandspenditinthewayGodhasordainedinitsregard."AlBazantiaskedhim:"Maymy lifebesacrificedforyours!You,inyourstatusofhighesteem,fearthatmuch?"Heanswered: "Yes,indeed!AndIpraisemyCreatorfortheblessingsHebestoweduponme."42 TheEmam'sgenerosityandthoughtfulnessemanateoutofthisgoodaspectofhisconviction whichdependsontheprincipleoflettingothersshareinthewealthwithwhichGodblesseshim, andinwhatblessingsandfavoursHebestowsuponhim.God'srightsinthiscontextarethe sharesoftheneedyandthepoorinthisworldwhoseabilitytoearnadecentlivingwashampered byeithersevereemploymentconditions,ordisabilitytoworkduetooldage,orbecauseofbeing leftstrandedawayfromtheiroriginalhome,inadditiontootherswhowereforcedbythe necessitiesoflifetostretchtheirhandstoothersforhelp. Toaskothersishumiliating,foritshattersthedignityofthepersonwhoisstretchinghishand askingandbyhispsychologicalappealtothebreathofhumanityinthepersonheisasking.Inthis story,theEmamguidesustorealizeamagnificentfactaboutthehumanpsychology,thatis,to giveisnotafavoursomeonedoestosomeoneelsebegginghimforhelp;rather,itishiswayof thankingGodfortheblessingswithwhichHeblessedhim.Thepersonwhoisblessedisindanger untilhetakesoutofittherightsinitwhichareGod's. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 TheEmam'smethodingivingisderivedfromsuchanangleofthehumannature.Eleishaibn Hamzasays:"IwasoncetalkingtoalRida(A.S.)whenalargecrowdofpeopleassembledtoask himaboutwhatispermissibleinIslamandwhatisnot.AmanastallasAdamcametohimand said:AssalamoAlaikom,OSonoftheMessengerofGod!Iamamanwholovesyou,yourfathers andgrandfathers,andIhavejustbeenonmywaytoperformthepilgrimagewhenIdiscovered thatIhadlosteverythingwithmeandnowIdonothaveanythingenoughevenforalegofthe trip. Ifyouwill,pleasehelpmewiththeexpenseofgoingbackhome,andIamarecipientofGod's blessing(i.e.welltodo).AssoonasIreachthere,Iwillgivetothepoorasmuchasyouwillgive me,forIdonotqualifytobearecipientofalms.'Hesaidtohim:Sit,mayGodbemercifultoyou,' thenhekepttalkingtopeopletilltheydispersedexceptthatman,SulaimanalJa'feri,Khuthai'ama andmyself. Thenhe(alRida)said:Doyoupermitmetoenter(theroom)?'Sulaimansaidtohim:MayGod advanceyourendeavour.'43Soheenteredtheroomandstayedforaboutanhourafterwhichhe cameoutandclosedthedoorbehindhim,stretchedhishandabovethedoorandsaid:Whereis themanfromKhurasan?'Themananswered:HereIam!'Hesaid:Takethesetwohundreddinars, usethemforyourpreparationsforthetrip;mayGodbringyoublessingsthereby,anddonot spendanequalamounttoitonmybehalf,andleavetheroominawaythatIdonotseeyouand youdonotseeme,'thenheleft. Sulaimanthensaid:Maymylifebesacrificedforyours!Youhavemadequiteagenerousoffer, butwhydidyouhideyourface?'Heanswered:Ididsoforfearofseeingthehumiliationonthe faceofthemanduetomyassistanceforhim.HaveyounotheardthehadithoftheMessengerof God(S.A.W.)inwhichhesaid:Theonewhohidesagooddeedsreceivesrewardsequalto performingthepilgrimageseventytimes;onewhoannounceshissinishumiliated,whileonewho hidesitisforgiven'? Haveyouheardthesayingoftheexampleofthefirstcase:WheneverIapproachhim,oneday, withaplea,Ireturnhomeandmydignityisstillwithme.forhehideshimselffromtheperson whoappealstohimwhenhegiveshimsomethingsothathedoesnotseethehumiliationonhis face,andsothatthepleadingpersonretainshisdignitywhenhedoesnotseethefaceofthe benevolentonewhoisgivinghim?" Heaskshimtoleavewithoutseeinghiminordertosafeguardhimselfagainstfeelingashaving theupperhandoverthepleadingperson,andinordertorelievethepleadingpersonfromhaving toshowhisgratitudetohim. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

WhileinKhurasan,heoncedistributedhisentirewealthtothepooronthedayofArafat,soal FadlibnSahlsaidtohim:"Nowyouarebankrupt!"hesaid:"Onthecontrary!Iamnowwealthier thanever.DonotconsidertradingmywealthforGod'srewardsandpleasureasbankruptcy."44 Hedoesnotgiveothersinordertobuytheiraffectionorfriendship;rather,heconsidersgiving withgenerosityasagoodtraitwherebymangetsnearertohisMakerbyincludingHisservantsin thewealthwithwhichHeblessedhim.Thisisthedifferencebetweenhismethodofgivingandthe methodofothers.Ya'qubibnIshaqalNawbakhtiisquotedsaying:"AmanpassedbyAbulHassan andbeggedhimtogivehimaccordingtotheextentofhiskindness.Hesaid:Icannotaffordthat. 'Sohesaid:Thengivemeaccordingtomine,'whereuponheorderedhisservanttogivetheman twohundreddinars."45ThereasonwhytheEmamabstainedfromgivingthemanaccordingto theextentofhisownkindness,asthemanaskedhimthefirsttime,isprobablyduetothefact thathesimplydidnothaveasmuchmoneyashelikedtogive.Asregardinghisownaffection towardsthepoorandtheindigent,andhiswayoflookingafterthem,Mu'ammaribnKhallad narratesthisanecdote:"WheneverAbulHassanalRida(A.S.)wasabouttoeathismeal,hewould bringalargeplatterandselectthechoicestfoodonthetableandputonit,thenhewouldorderit tobegivenawaytothepoor. Afterthathewouldrecitethefollowingverse:Buthehathmadenohasteonthepaththatis steep.'46Afterthathewouldsay:God,theExaltedandtheSublime,knowsthatnoteveryonehas theabilitytofreeaslave,neverthelessHefoundmeansforthemtoachieveParadise(byfeeding others).'"47ThusdoestheEmamsensetheweightofdeprivationunderwhichthepoormoanand suffer;therefore,heshareshisbestfoodwiththeminresponsetothecallofhumanityand kindnessandinharmonywiththespiritofthemessagewithwhichGodentrustedhim. AlBazantitellsthestoryofaletterEmamalRida(A.S.)wrotetohissonEmamAbuJa'fer(A.S.) whichpersonifiesthegenerosityandspiritofgivingdeeplyrootedintheheartsoftheProphet's AhlalBayt(A.S.);hesays:"IreadtheletterofAbulHassanEmamalRida(A.S.)toAbuJa'ferwhich said:OAbuJa'fer!Ihaveheardthatwhenyouride,theservantstakeyououtofthecitythrough itssmallgate.Thisisduetotheirbeingmisersothatnobodyasksyouforsomething. IpleadyoubytherightIhaveuponyouthateverytimeyouenterintoorgetoutofthecity,you shoulddosothroughitslargegate,andwhenyouride,takegoldandsilverwithyou,andevery timeyouareasked,youshouldgive.Ifanyofyourunclesasksyouforsomething,youshouldgive himnolessthanfiftydinars,andyouyourselfmaydeterminethemaximumamountyouwould liketogive;andifanyofyourauntsasksyouforsomething,donotgiveherlessthantwentyfive dinars,anditisuptoyoutodeterminethemaximumamount.IonlydesirethatGodraisesyour status;therefore,keepgivingawayanddonotfearthattheLordoftheThronewilleverthrow youintopoverty.'"48 Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Equity TheEmam(A.S.)didnothavethechancetoruleforanyperiodoftimesothatwemaydiscusshis practicalstyleofgovernment,butwecanstillbeacquaintedwiththatthroughreviewinghis statementstosomeofhisfollowerswhoverymuchdesiredthattheEmamshouldshoulderthe responsibilitiesofcaliphate.MuhammadibnAbu'Abadaaskedhimonce: "Whydidyoudelayexecutingtheorderofthecommanderofthefaithfulandwhydidyourefuse tooblige?"Hesaid:"Becareful,OfatherofHassan!Thematterisnotso."Headdedsayingthat theEmamnoticedthathewascrossed,sohesaid:"What'sinitforyouanyway?ShouldI,asyou presume,becomewhatyouwishmetobecome,andyouareasclosetomethenasyouareright now,youwouldcertainlyberesponsibleforpayingyourduesand,inmyeyes,therewouldbeno differencebetweenyouandanyoneelse." He,peacebeuponhim,clarifiesthematter,andthatthereisnousetoacceptthecaliph'soffer sincegovernmentwillneveractuallybeunderhiscontrol.Andwhenhenoticesthebitternesson thefaceofthepersonwhoaskedhimwhyhehesitatedtoacceptthecaliph'soffer,hereminds himofhismethodofgovernmentshoulditatallbeinhishands,summarizingitthus:Nobody shallhaveanydistinctionoverothercitizensaccordingtothedictatesoftheequitable governmentsetupbyIslamicShari'aregardlessofclassoranyotherdistinctionssuchas favouritism,friendshiporsupport;rather,allsubjectsareequalintherightstheyenjoywithout anybiastooneinpreferenceoveranother,oranybiasagainstoneinordertopleaseanother. TheEmam'swayofexplaininghismethodofgovernmentisactuallyanoutspokenwayof criticizingtherulingmethodsfollowedthenthefoundationsofwhichwerenotbasedonjustice andequitybutonspecialinterestswhichguaranteefortherulerandhisfollowersthecontinuity ofhisgovernmentandauthority.Thewealth,lives,possessionsandeverythingelseunderthe government'scontrolwasallsubjecttothewhimsanddesiresoftheoppressiverulerandhis train,distantfromtheprinciplesofjusticeandthenormsofequalitysecuredbytheIslamic messageasembeddedwithinitshumanitarianmethodoflegislation. MethodofEducatingthePublic TheEmams(A.S.)playedasignificantroleintheareaofeducatingthepublic,settingexamplesin educatingthroughtheexampleofone'sownconduct;therefore,theirmethodsofeducationwere notconfinedmerelytospreadingawarenessthroughthespokenwordbutwentbeyondthatto enforcingastrictpracticalcensorshipoveractionstoobservethedefectsandshortcomingsof Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

conductinthelifeofothers.HerewepresentthreeexamplesofthenormsofconductofEmam alRida(A.S.)eachdealingwithoneaspectofman'spracticallife: Yasir,oneofhisservants,narratesthattheEmam'sattendantswereeatingsomefruitoneday andtheywerethrowingawayagoodportionofituneaten.AbulHassan(A.S.)saidtothem: "PraisebetoGod!Ifyouhaveeatentoyourfill,therearemanywhohavenot;so,youshouldfeed themofitinstead."49 Inthisincident,theEmampointsouttotherealityofwantonlivingwhichweobserveinourlife. Whenwefeelthatwehaveachievedfullsatisfactionofsomething,beitfoodoranythingelse,we donottrytosatisfytheneedofothersforit,butwemayeventrytospoilitinonewayoranother withoutrealizingthecrimetowardshumanityimpliedinanactionlikethat. SulaimanibnJa'feralJu'fiisquotedsaying:"IwasinthecompanyofalRida(A.S.)tryingtotake careofsomepersonalbusinessofmyownandIwantedtogohome.Hesaidtome,Comewith meandspendthenightovermyhouse.'SoIwentwithhimandheenteredhishouseshortly beforesunset.Henoticedthathisattendantswereworkingwithclay,probablymendingstables, andtherewasablackmanamongthem.Heaskedthem,Whatisthismandoingwithyou?'They said:Heishelpingus,andwewillpayhimsomething.'Heasked,Didyoucometoanagreement withhimregardinghiswages?'Theysaid,No.Hewillacceptwhateverwepayhim.'He, thereupon,startedwhippingthemandshowingsignsofextremeanger. Isaidtohim,Maymylifebesacrificedforyours!Whyareyousoangry?'Hesaid:Ihaveforbidden themsomanytimesfromdoingsomethinglikethatandorderedthemnottoemployanyone beforecomingtoanagreementwithhimregardinghiswages.Youknowthatnobodywouldwork foryouwithoutanagreeduponwage.Ifyoudonot,andthenyoupayhimthreetimesasmuchas youfirstintendedtopayhim,hewouldstillthinkthatyouunderpaidhim.Butifyouagreeonthe wage,hewillpraiseyouforfulfillingyourpromiseandpayinghimaccordingtoyouragreement, andthenifyougivehimalittlebitmore,hewouldrecognizethatandnoticethatyouincreased hispay."50 HeretheEmamtriestopointoutasignificantpointrelatedtothesystemoflabourwherebyeach oftheemployerandtheemployeesafeguardshisrights.Often,disputeseruptaboutdetermining thewagetheemployeedeservesintheabsenceofaprioragreementbetweentheemployerand theemployeeregardingasetwage.Bydeterminingandagreeinguponasetwage,eachparty safeguardsitsownrightwithoutfindingareasontodispute.Anincrease,thoughsmall,inthe wagewillsurelycausetheemployeetofeelgratefulandthankfultohisemployer. AlBazantiisquotedsaying: Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

"AlRida(A.S.)hadoneofhisdonkeyssenttoconveymetohisresidence,soIcametothetown andstayedwithadignitaryforapartofthenight,andwebothhadoursuppertogether,thenhe orderedmybedtobeprepared.ATiberianpillow,aCaesariansheet,andaMarwblanketwere broughttome.Havingeatenmysupper,heaskedme,Wouldyouliketoretire?'Isaid,Yes,may mylifebesacrificedforyours.'Soheputthesheetandtheblanketovermeandsaid,MayGod makeyousleepingoodhealth,'andwewereontherooftop.Whenhewentdown,Itoldmyself thatIhadachievedastatuswiththatmannobodyelsehadattainedbefore.ItwasthenwhenI heardsomeonecallingmyname,butIdidnotrecognizethevoicetilloneofhis(alRida's) servantscametome. Hesaid:Comemeetmymaster;'soIwentdownandhecametowardsme,askedmeformyhand toshakeandheshookitwithasqueeze,saying,TheCommanderoftheFaithful,God'speacebe uponhim,cameoncetovisitSa'sa'aibnSawhan,andwhenitwastimetoleave,headvised Sa'sa'anottoboastabouthisvisittohimbuttolookafterhimselfinsteadforheseemedtobe abouttodepartfromthisworldandthatworldlyhopesdonotdoadyingmananygood,andhe greetedhimagreatdealashebidhimgoodbye. "51Intheaboveanecdote,theEmam(A.S.)pointsoutthesignificanceofrealisticspiritual upbringingwhichisnotinfluencedbyexternalappearancesnorisdeceivedbyartificial psychologicalfantasies,forthereasonwhyotherspayattentionandshowconcernmaybesolely duetoseekingtheirselfinterest,ormaybeduetoasincereaffection,ortoanyotherreason, withoutanyofthesereasonsbeinglinkedtotherealityoftheselfanditssignificance. TheEmamtriestopushustoavoidbeingdeceivedbyanythingwhichwouldpushusawayfrom contemplatinguponourrealworldtowhichourdestinyistied,andwehavetobesubjectivein ouroutlooks,assessingourrealitieswithoutbeinginfluencedbycasualexternalfactors.

ReluctancetoCooperateWiththeRulers TheEmams(A.S.)didnotforevenonedayadmitanylegitimacytotheircontemporary governments,beitUmayyadorAbbaside,duetothefactthatthosegovernmentswerefaraway fromthepristineIslamicsystemofgovernmentandtotheirdeviation,inspiritandinconduct, fromthemostsimpleprinciplesandrulesofhumanjustice.Executions,deportations, confiscationsofproperties,transgressions,accordingtothem,alldidnotholdthemlegally accountable,nordidtheyconstituteadeparturefromtheprinciplesofcreedandequityaslongas Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

theyintheendservedtostrengthenandsecurethefoundationsoftheirgovernments. Anyonewhoappreciateshisdivineresponsibilitywouldtryashardaspossibletostayawayfrom participatinginshoulderingtheresponsibilitiesofsuchgovernmentsormakingthelatter'sjob easier,forthiswouldmeanhisownrecognitionoftheirlegitimacyandhisownadmissionoftheir righttoexist. Yes;iftheobjectiveofhisparticipationistoalleviate,asmuchashecan,theirinjusticeand transgressiontowhichinnocentbelieversmaybesubjected,andtominimizethedangeroftheir ethicalandsocialiniquitieswhichdistancethenationfromtheachievementofanexemplary realizationofitsmissionifthisistheobjective,thensuchparticipationmaybenecessitatedby one'sownpersistentfaith,anduponthispremisedidtheEmamsrefrainfromencouraginganyof theirfollowersfromworkingforsuchgovernmentsforthatwouldmeanassistingtheaggressor andstrengtheninghisstance.Theonlyexceptionwasthecasewhenthereligion'sinterest dictatedit. Inthelattercase,theyusedtoencouragesomeoftheirinfluentialfollowerstotakepartinthe governmentandbeemployedbyitaswasthecaseofAliibnYaqteenwhotriedseveraltimesto resignfromhispostatthecourtofHarunalRashid,butEmamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)usedto encouragehimtostayduetothefactthathisstaymeantremovinginjusticesfrommanybelievers andthefendingofsomeofthecorruptioncommittedbyothers. WecanclearlybeacquaintedwiththisnegativestanceofAhlalBayt(A.S.)towardstheirrulersby examiningwhatalHassanibnalHusaynalAnbaritellsusaboutEmamAbulHassanalRida(A.S.). Hesays:"IcontinuedwritinghimforfourteenyearsaskinghispermissionthatIacceptajobinthe serviceofthesultan. AttheconclusionofthelastletterIwrotehimIstatedthefactthatIwasfearingformylife becausethesultanwasaccusingmeofbeingaRafidiandthathedidnotdoubtthatthereason whyIdeclinedfromworkingforhimwasduetomybeingaRafidi.SoAbulHassanwroteme saying,Ihavecomprehendedthecontentsofyourlettersandwhatyoustatedregardingyour apprehensionaboutyourlife'ssafety. Ifyouknowthatshouldyouacceptthejob,youwouldbehaveaccordingtothecommandsofthe MessengerofGod(S.A.W.)andyourassistantsandclerkswouldbefollowersofyourfaith,andif youusethegainyoureceivetohelpneedybelieverstillyoubecometheirequal,thenonedeed willoffsetanother;otherwise,donot.'"52 TheEmam(A.S.)preconditionsforhispermissiontoworkforthegovernmentthatthereshould beareligiousinterestwhichdecreasesthedamagedonebythenatureofthejob;otherwise,it Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

wouldmeanapsychologicalandfactualseparationfromthepristineprinciplesofIslamandits preceptsandanattachmenttothecorruptworldinwhichthoserulerswereliving. HowcouldtheEmameverapprovetheprincipleofcooperatingwiththosewhoplayedMuslim caliphsanddeliberatelywatereddownthedivinecontentoftheIslamicmessagebytheirand behaviouraltransgressionswhichdemolishedthepsychologicalandspiritualbordersseparating thenationfromtherealizationofthesinsandpitfallsofsuchtransgressions? Theirsweregatheringsinwhichwinewasserved,entertainersentertained,singerssang,dancers danced,fillingthepalacesofUmayyadandAbbasidecaliphswithimmorality.Oneofthemwas insolentenoughtoinviteoneofthoseEmams(A.S.)toparticipateinhisdrinkingorgyaswasthe caseofalMutawakkilwithEmamAlialHadi(A.S.)whichunveilstoustheextentofcorruption andtheextremityofmoraldecayoftheAbbasidecaliphate. ItisquitepossiblethatthoserulerswereawareofthenegativeattitudeoftheEmamstowards themandtheircorruptgovernmentsystems.Wefindthem,astheanecdoteaboveproves, doubtingtheloyaltyoftheindividualswhorefusedtocooperatewiththem,chargingthemwith RafidismduetothenegativestanceadoptedbytheirEmamstowardstheconductofthoserulers. IslamiccaliphatesufferedthetragedyofahumiliatingdeviationfromIslamandamoraldecay duringtheUmayyadandAbbasidedynastieswhichhelpedthewidedisseminationofcorruption andmoraldecayamongvarioussectorsoftheummah.WhatsortofMuslimcaliphswerethose whoseeyescouldnotsleepexceptafterlisteningtothemusicplayedbytheirmaleandfemale singers,whosenightlymeetingswerenotcompletewithoutthepresenceofwineandimmorality? WhattypeofIslamicrealityisthisinwhichagrouplikethathasthefullsay? HowcananyoneexpecttheEmams(A.S.),whowerethecarefulcustodiansofrightsandwhose responsibilitywastosafeguardsuchrights,topermitthemselvesandtheirfollowerstobearany responsibilityinagovernmentledbyindividualswhosehandswerepollutedwithsinsand accustomedtosinning? ThenegativestanceoftheEmamswasanobviouscallforthenationtobeawareofitsIslamic missionandprinciples,aloudcrytowakeitupfromitsslumbertowitnessthecorruptreality livedbysuchIslamic"caliphs"duetotherecklessandcorruptbehaviourofthoserulersandtheir followerswhowereatthehelmofleadingthenation. Thesearesomeofthecharacteristicsandqualitieswhichprovideuswithsomeoftheoutlinesof theportraitofEmamalRida(A.S.),andthepicturepresentedhereisnotcompleteinitspristine componentswhichrepresenttheactualcontextforit,forsuchataskrequirestheresearcherto risetograsptheEmam'sloftinesswhichisimpossibletoattainbyanywriter,andnobodycanever Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

describeitnomatterhowhardhetries. ________________________________________ 18'UyoonAkhbaralRata,Vol.2,pp.180183.19BiharalAnwar,Vol.49,p.211,asquotedbyIbn Maskawayhi'sbookNadeemalTareef. 20BiharalAnwar,Vol.49,p.100.ItisnarratedfromalHakimbyAbuAbdullah,thehafizof Naishapur. 21Ibid. 22AlIrshadbyalMufid,p.291. 23ManaqibAaliAbiTalib,Vol.4,p.300. 24'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.1,p.203. 25IbnalAthir,Vol.5,p.183. 26'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.184. 27AlKafi,Vol.6,p.203. 28AlManaqib,Vol.4,p.362. 29AlKafi,Vol.4,p.81. 30'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.226. 31AlHujurat:13. 32Ibid.,Vol.2,p.174. 33AlKafi,Vol.4,p.23. 34AlHujurat:13. 35'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.237. 36AlKafi,Vol.6,p.298. 37KashfalGhumma,Vol.3,p.147;SuratAlA'raaf:32. 38AlKafi,Vol.6,p.516. 39'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.178. 40AlKafi,Vol.1,pp.316319. 41KashfalGhumma,Vol.3,p.143. 42AlKafi,Vol.3,p.502. 43AlKafi,Vol.4,p.24. 44AlManaqib,Vol.4,p.361. 45Ibid.,Vol.2,p.360. 46AlBalad:11. 47'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.264. 48'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.8. 49AlKafi,Vol.6,p.297. 50AlKafi,Vol.5,p.288. 51QurbalIsnad,p.222,andAlKharaijwalJaraih,p.237,withaslighttextualvariation. 52AlKafi,Vol.5,p.111. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ImamandtheWaqfis HistoricalAspectoftheImam'sBiography ImamandtheWaqfis Immediatelyafterthedemiseofhisfather,ImamalRida(A.S.)wastriedbyanacutecalamity whichdeepenedthetragedyoflosinghisfather.Ononehand,hewassufferingfromtheattempts oftherulersandtheirsupportersathislifeand,ontheotherhand,hewaspainfullyandbitterly witnessingthehorribledivisionwhichcauseddissensionamonghisfather'sfollowers.Itwas causedbythepromotionofaninventedideawhichcalledfortheImamatetobeterminatedwith ImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.),claimingthathedidnotactuallydiebutwasstillalive,thathewas theQa'im(Mehdi)oftheProgenyofMuhammad(S.A.W.),thathisabsencewassimilartothe absenceofMousaibn'Imran(MosessonofAmram),andthat,accordingly,theImamateshould nottransfertohissonImamalRida(A.S.). PioneersofWaqfism Thefirsttopromotethisideawerefewmenwhowereamongthemostdistinguishedfollowersof ImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)suchasAliibnAbuHamzaalBataini,ZiyadibnMarwanalQandi,and UthmanibnIsaalRuwasi.Thesethreepersonsareconsideredthefirsttoinventthis"sect," openlyclaimedtobeitsadherents,andinvitedotherstopromoteit. ObjectivesoftheWaqfis Thisnew"sectarian"trenddidnotresultfromapurebeliefandamereconviction;rather,itwas promptedbymaterialisticandworldlydesireswhichaffectedthethinkingofitsinventorsand causedthemtodeviatefromtheRightPath.Thoseindividualstriedtofindexcusesfortheirfalling intosuch"sect"bynarratingnarrativestheyhadheardfromImamalSadiq(A.S.)withoutbeing actuallyfamiliarwiththeirimplications,nordidtheyaccuratelycomprehendtheircontextseither. ThismaybedeliberateespeciallysinceImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.),whilestillalive,had explainedtothemtheiractualimplications. Forexample,AlGhaibaquotesalHassanibnalHassansaying:"IsaidtoAbulHassanMousa (A.S.):CanIaskyouaquestion?'Heanswered,YoumustratheraskyourownImam.'Iinquired, Whatdoyoumean?IdonotknowofanyImamotherthanyourownself.'Hesaid:Heismyson AlitowhomIgavemytitle(ofImam).'Isaid:Master!PleasehelpmesavemyselffromHellfire! AbuAbdullah(A.S.)hadsaidthatyouyourselfaretheQaim,thecaretakerofthisissue.'Hesaid: WasInot?'Thenheadded,OHassan!NoImampreachestoanationexceptwhenheistheir Qaim;so,whenheleavesthem(dies),hissuccessorwillbetheQaimandtheHujja(Proof)tillhe tooleaves.We(theImams)areallQaims;therefore,fromnowon,redirectallyourdealingstomy Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

sonAli,forbyGodIsweartwicethatIdidnotdothatbutGoddidoutofHisloveforhim.'"53 Thisnarrativerevealstoustherealitybehindtheconfusioninwhichthosewhodeviatedby Waqfismwereswept.ItalsoprovesthatthetheoryofWaqfismwasnotbornafterthedemiseof ImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)butwasaliveevenduringthetimeofImamalSadiq(A.S.)according tothenarrationofeventswhichcouldnotbeexplainedevenbytheirnarrators.Inthisnarrative, theImamtriestoexplaintotheseindividualstheirmisunderstandingofthoseimplicationsand theirerroneousinterpretationthereofinawayuponwhosepremisetheWaqfisestablishtheir claim. ImamDenouncesWaqfism TheImamdidhisbesttoemphasizetheerrorofthatconceptanditscollisionwithrealityby continuouslystatingthattheImamateafterhisdemisewouldbetheresponsibilityofhissonAli, andheevenmadeanumberofhisfollowersandfamilytestifytothat.Forexample,Haideribn Ayyubsays:"WewereinMedinaatQabawhereweusedtomeetMuhammadibnZaidibnAli.He cametousonedaymuchlaterthananticipated,soweaskedhimwhatcausedhimtobesolate. Hesaid,AbuIbrahiminvitedseventeenmenofus,alldescendantsofAliandFatima, God'sblessingsbeuponbothofthem,andherequiredustobearwitnesstohiswilland testimonythathissonAliwouldbehissuccessorandrepresentativeduringtheremainderofhis ownlifeandafterhisdemise,andthattheissuewasineffectsincethen.'ThenMuhammadibn Zaidsaid,ByGod,OHaider!HehastodaytiedtheknotofImamateforhim,andtheShi'aswill accepthimastheImamafterhisfather'sdemise.'"54 AbdullahibnalHarithsaid:"AbuIbrahimcalledustohispresenceandweresponded.Hesaid,Do youknowwhyIhavegatheredyouallhere?'Weansweredinthenegative.Hesaid,Bearwitness thatthisAli,myson,ismyregent,executorofmywill,andmysuccessorafterme;whoever entrustedmewithsomething,lethimtakeitbackfromhim,andwhoeverinsistedonseeking audiencewithme,lethimobtainhiswrittenapprovalforthat.'"55 AbdulRahmanibnalHajjajisquotedsayingthatAbulHassanMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)had nominatedhissonAlifortheImamateandwroteastatementtothiseffectinthepresenceof sixtywitnessesfromamongthemostdistinguisheddignitariesofMedina.56 Inthesecleartexts,andinothers,heisseenemphasizinghisnominationofhissonastheImam and,atthesametime,heisdeclaringthathisdeathwasimminent,thusinadvancefalsifyingthe claimoftheWaqfis.

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AdvocatesofWaqfismRevealTheirOwnNature TherearemanynarrativesnarratedbysomeadvocatesandinventorsofWaqfismwhichclearly provetoustheirfalseclaims.Forexample,ZiyadibnMarwanalQandinarratesthefollowing: "OnceIvisitedAbuIbrahimandhissonAliwaswithhim.Hesaidtome,OZiyad!His(son's) statementsareasgoodasmine,hisspeechislikemyspeech,andhisinstructionsareasbinding asmine.'"57 AhmedibnMuhammadalMaithami,aWaqfi,says:"MuhammadibnIsma'ilibnalFadlalHashimi toldmethefollowing:IvisitedAbulHassanMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)andhewassufferingfroman acuteillness.Iaskedhim:IfthematterregardingwhichIprayGodthatitwouldnothappen (Imam'sdeath)comestopass,whoshallwefollow?'Hesaid:MysonAli;hiswritingisasthoughI wroteit,andheismyregentandsuccessorafterme.'"58 GhannamibnalQasimisquotedsaying:"MansouribnYounusBarzajtoldmethathehadvisited AbulHassan,thatis,MousaibnJa'fer(A.S.),andhesaidtohim,Haveyoucometoknowwhat newundertakingIhaveundertakentoday?'Heansweredinthenegative,sotheImamsaid,Ihave appointedmysonAliasmyregentandsuccessorafterme;so,enterhisroomandcongratulate himandtellhimthatIorderedyoutodoso.'Soheenteredhisroomandcongratulatedhimand informedhimthathisfatherhadorderedhimtodoso,yetMansourrenegedafterthat,andhe evenconfiscatedthefunds(ofMuslims)entrustedtohim."59 WhatismostsignificantinthisnarrativeistheImam'sinitiationofthedialoguewithMansourto tellhimabouthissuccessor,thenhisorderinghimtoenterhisson'sroomtocongratulatehim andtotellhimthathewasdoingsobecausehisfatherorderedhimto.WhattheImamwantedto accomplishbydoingallofthatwastomakeapracticalpointfortherecordagainstMansourby makinghimrecognizetheImamateofhissonafterhiminawaywhichdoesnotpermithimatall topreachWaqfismexceptifherenegedasactuallyhappenedafterthat. ImamMousaIbnJa'fer(A.S.)WarnstheWaqfis ThereisanotherstancefortheImamwhichisnotwithoutanexcitingmomentinvolvingoneof themainadvocatesofWaqfism.Hisstancewaslikeaclearwarningtothosewhocreatedthe controversyofthis"sect"andpromotedit;alBatainistates:"IsaidtoAbulHassan,Yourfather Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

hadinformedusofhissuccessor,andwewishyoucouldinformusofyours.'Sohetookmyhand andshookit,thenherecitedtheverse:GodwillnotmisleadpeopleafterHehadguidedthem,in orderthatHemaymakecleartothemwhattofear(andavoid)'."60 Therecitationofthatversecamealmostlikeaprophecyaboutthefutureofwhatthatpersonand hisfriendswoulddoandhowtheywouldfallintotheslipperypathsofmisguidance;therefore,he shakeshishandandrecitesaversewhichpredictedthatthosefolks'deviationwouldtakeplace afterproofhadbeenmademanifestagainstthem. TheImam,asamatteroffact,refersclearlytotheWaqfimovementafterhimandevenreadsthe epitaphofthefaithofthosewhoadvocateWaqfisminanarrativenarratedbyMuhammadibn Sananwhosays:"IvisitedAbulHassanoneyearbeforehewasconveyedtoIraq,andhissonwas withhim.Hecalleduponmetobeattentive,andIresponded. Thenhesaid,Therewillbeamovementthisyear...,butdonotletitbotheryou.'Thenhelowered hisheadcontemplating,pickingtheground,thenheraisedhisheadandrecitedtheverse,God leadstheoppressorsastrayanddoeswhatHepleases.'61Isaid,Andwhatisthat,maymylifebe sacrificedforyours?'Hesaid,Anyonewhodeniestherightofthissonofmineandrefusesto recognizehisImamateaftermewillbeequaltoonewhodeniedtherightofAliibnAbuTalib (A.S.)anddidnotrecognizehisImamateafterMuhammad(S.A.W.).'SoIunderstoodthathewas implyingthathisdeathwasnear,andthathewasappointinghissonashissuccessor."62 MaterialisticObjectivesofWaqfis Historytellsusthatthosewhoinventedthedissensionofthis"sect"werechiefofficersofImam MousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)andkeepersofthefundscollectedforhimfromhisShi'afollowers.When hedied,AliibnAbuHamzaalBatainihadwithhimasmuchasthirtythousanddinars;Ziyadibn MarwanalQandihadseventythousanddinars,andUthmanibnIsaalRuwasihadthirtythousand dinarsandsixconcubines. Theydidnotrelishtheideaofdeliveringthesefundstohissonandexecutorofhiswillafterhim; therefore,theyinventedthetrickofdenyingthedeathofImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.),claiming thathewasstillalive,andthattheywouldnothandthosefundsexcepttohimuponhisreturn. AhmedibnHammadsaid:"Oneoftheofficers,UthmanibnIsa,wasstayinginEgypt,andhehad withhimagreatdealofwealthandsixconcubines. SoAbulHassanalRida(A.S.)wrotehimdemandingthedeliveryoftheconcubinesandthe money,buthewrotehimbacksayingthathisfatherdidnotdie.He(alRida)wroteagainsaying, Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

"Hedied,andwehavedistributedhislegacy;thenewsabouthisdeathiscorrect,andthereare eyewitnessestothat.'Yethe(Uthman)wrotebacksaying,Ifyourfatherisnotdead,thenyou havenorighttoclaimwhatishis,andifhediddie,asyousay,thenheneverorderedmetogive anythingtoyou,andIhaveemancipatedtheconcubinesandmarriedthem.'" AccordingtotheversionofhisletterasrecordedinAlGhayba,hewrote,"Yourfatherdidnotdie; rather,heisstillaliveandincharge,andanyonewhosaysthathediedisonthewrongtrack."63 BothAliibnAbuHamzaalBatainiandZiyadalQanditriedtoresisttheImam'sattempttopursue themandrejecthisdemandthattheyshoulddeliverthefundsbydenyingthattheyhadhadany moneythatbelongedtohisfatherwiththem,butYounusibnAbdulRahman,whomtheyboth triedtoallurewithmoneytojointheircallforWaqfism,revealedtoustheircrimeoftheftand confiscationofhisImam'sfunds;hesaid:"AbuIbrahimdiedandeachofhischiefexecutive officershadagreatdealofmoneywithhim,andthisisthereasonwhytheyclaimedWaqfism, thatis,theirowndesiretokeepthemoneyforthemselves. ZiyadalQandihadseventythousanddinarsandAliibnAbuHamzaalBatainihadthirtythousand dinars.HavingseenallofthatandcometorealizethetruthbehinditandtoknowwhatIknewof thedilemmaofAbulHassanalRida(A.S.),Iencouragedpeopletosupporthim,sobothmen askedmetomeetthemandaskedme:Whyareyoudoingthat? Ifyouwantwealth,wecanmakeyouwealthy,'andtheyofferedtenthousanddinarsformeifI accepted,andtheytoldmetochangemymind,butIrefusedandIsaidtothem,Weallhavebeen narratingoneparticularhadithfromtheTruthfulImamsthat,Wheninnovationsinreligionare promoted,letthelearnedpersonpromotehisknowledgedisprovingthem,andifhedoesnot,the lightofImanwillbetakenawayfromhim;'so,IwouldnotabandontheJihadintheWayofGodat anyrate.'Forthisreason,theyopposedmeandconcealedenmitytowardsme."64 ImamRevealstheRealMotivesoftheWaqfis InoneofhisletterstoalBazanti,theImam(A.S.)revealsthetruthbehindtheseindividuals'call forWaqfism;hesays:"AsregardingIbnalSarraj,thereasonwhyhecalleduponpeopleto disobeyusandnottobeloyaltousisthatheconfiscatedfundswhichmyfatheralHassanhad entrustedtohimbeforehedied,andhearguedaboutitwithmeandrefusedtogiveitbackeven whenallothersdidsoanddeliveredtomeallitemsentrustedtothem.Butwhenmyfatheral Hassanpassedaway,hetooktheopportunityofthedisobedienceofAliibnAbuHamzaandhis friendstomeandclaimedhefeltsick.Bymylife,hewasnotsickatall,buthewantedanexcuse forconfiscatingthemoneyandrunningawaywithit. AsregardingIbnAbuHamza,heisamanwhoadoptedaninterpretationofonehadithwhichhe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

himselfinvented,andhedidnotdoagoodjobathisinterpretationforhedidnothaveenough knowledgetodigesthisowninvention,buthepasseditontopeopleanywayandhefellintothe trapwhichhedidnotknowhehadsetforhimself;so,hehatedtoprovehimselfaliarwhiletrying todisprovewhathehimselfhadclaimedthroughahadithwhichheinterpretedwithout knowledgethereof,andherealizedthatifhedidnotmakesuretorepresentmyforefathersas truthful,hewouldnotbecertainwhetherwhathehadheardaboutalSufianiandotherswastrue ornot. He,therefore,toldpeoplethatwhatmyforefathershadsaiddidnotdisproveanyofhisclaims, buthisknowledgewasshortofcomprehendingtheimplicationsoftheahadithmyforefathers hadnarratedandthetruthrelatedtothem;so,hecauseddissensionoratleastputsomedoubtin people'smindsaboutwhathewasnarrating,andintheendhefellintoapitfallhethoughthewas tryingtoavoid..."65 ThefactthattheImam(A.S.)didnotmentionthemoneyincentiveasbeingthemajorfactor whichcausedalBatainiandhisfriendstoprofessWaqfismdoesnotproveitsabsence,forthe Imam(A.S.)wasdealingwithrefutingtheseindividuals'claimsandprovingtheirarguments wrong.AsregardingIbnalSarraj,sincethemandidnotclaimanexcuseofhisown,hisown confiscationofthefundsduringthelifetimeoftheImam'sfatherwasthesubjectoftheImam's criticism. ALeadingWaqfiConfesses WhatleadsustobelievethattheWaqfisdidnotestablishtheirclaimofWaqfismonaconcrete reality,andthatWaqfismwasinventedmerelytosatisfythedesireforamaterialisticgain,isthe storyoftheconfessionofoneoftheleadersofWaqfisatthetimeofhisdeath.Headmittedthe horrorofhissinofconfiscatingthemoneyandnotdeliveringittoImamalRida(A.S.).AlToosi's workAlGhaybaquotesalHusaynibnFadalsaying,"IusedtoseeanoldmanfromBaghdadatthe houseofmyuncleAliibnalHusaynibnFadal,andheusedtoteasehimquiteoften.Hesaidto himoneday,Thereisnobodyworsethanyou,Shi'afolks(oryouRafidis,accordingtoanother versionofthestory).' Myunclesaidtohim,Whyso,mayGodcurseyou?!'Hesaid:Iammarriedtothedaughterof AhmedibnAbuBishralSarrajwho,beforebreathinghislast,toldmethathehadwithhimten thousanddinarswhichactuallybelongedto(Imam)MousaibnJa'fer(A.S.),andthathedidnot deliverittohissonafterhimandtestifiedthatthemanhadnotdiedyet.Thenhepleadedus saying,ForthesakeofGod,savemyskinfromtheFireanddeliverittoalRida!Pleasedosofor thesakeofGod!'ByGod,wedidnotdeliverabitofittohim,andweleftthemanbeingburntin Hellfire!'"66 Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

WaqfismSpreadsandGainsMomentum TheseindividualsfooledaselectgroupfromamongthefollowersoftheImam(A.S.)and convincedthemtobelieve,throughcastingdoubtsandsuspicions,inWaqfism,sotheyfinallyfell toitandembracedtheinnovation.AmongthemwereAbdulRahmanibnalHajjaj,Rifa'aibn Mousa,YounusibnYa'qoob,JameelibnDarraj,HammadibnIsa,AhmedibnMuhammadibnAbu Naseer,alHassanibnAlialWashsha,andotherdignitarieswhousedtobecompanionsofthe Prophet'sProgeny.Buttheycamebacktotheirsenses,recognizedtheImamateofalRida(A.S.), andabandonedWaqfism.OtherswhoseadherencetoWaqfismwasboughtwithalotofmoney didnotlistentoanyargumentandpreferredtoupholdtheirbeliefsanddiedwrongingtheirown soulssuchasHamzaibnBazee'whowasdescribedbyImamalRida(A.S.)asthe"wretch." IbrahimibnYahyaibnAbulBalladisquotedsaying:"AlRidaonceinquired,Whatdidthiswretch HamzaibnBazee'do?'Isaidthathebecameanoldman.Hesaid,Heclaimsthatmyfatherisstill alive!Today,theyalldoubttheirownclaim,buttomorrowtheywilldieatheists.'Safwansaidthat hetoldhimselfheunderstoodwhattheImam(A.S.)meantbysayingthattheyweredoubtful,but hedidnotunderstandhisreferencetoatheism.Afterashortwhile,Safwancontinues,oneof theirmenwasreportedtohavesaidatthetimeofhisdeaththathedisbelievedintheGodofhis Imam(meaningImamMousaibnJa'fer,A.S.).Safwansaid,Thisistheinterpretationofthe (Imam's)hadith.'"67ImamalRida(A.S.),indeed,sufferedagreatdealwhilefightingthemand refutingtheirfalsebeliefs,unveilingtheirrealintentionsanddisclosingtheirrealitybeforethe publicsothatnoweaklingswouldbedupedbythem. ConfusionofSomeWaqfis WhatisinterestingisthatafterthedemiseofImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.),someofthosefolks calledfortheImamateofhissonAhmed;so,whenthelatteraccompaniedAbulSarayaduringIbn Tabataba'suprisingagainsttheAbbasideregime,theydisprovedofhisactionandrevertedto believeinWaqfismratherthansubmittingtothebeliefintheImamateofhissonalRida(A.S.)as thesuccessorofhisfather.MuhammadibnAhmedibnAseedsaid:"AfterthedemiseofAbul Hassan,IbrahimandIsma'ilsonsofAbulAsmalsuggestedtogoandvisithissonAhmed,which theydid,spendingquitesometimewithhim. WhenAbulSarayawentout(tofighttheAbbasides),AhmedibnAbulHassanjoinedhim;so,we approachedIbrahimandIsma'ilandsaidtothem,ThismanhasjustjoinedAbulSaraya;so,what isyourviewinthematter?'Hesaidthatbothmenfoundhisbehaviourunacceptable,andthey discontinuedsupportinghimandsaid,AbulHassanisalive!Weremainfollowingthebeliefof Waqfism,'andIthinkthatthisman(meaningIsma'il)dieddoubtful."68 Thisdissensioncontinuedforalongtimeduringwhichthedisputesanddisagreementsbetween Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

themandtheonesontheRightPathwereattheirpeaktillGodcausedthefalsebeliefsto disintegrateandbecomeextinctduetothefactthattheywerenotbasedonfirmdurable foundations. ________________________________________ 53AlGhaybabyShaikhalToosi,p.29. 54'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.1,p.28. 55Ibid.,p.27. 56Ibid.,p.28. 57AlKafi,Vol.1,p.381;alsoalMufid'sIrthaa,p.286. 58'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.1,p.20. 59AlKashi'sRijal,p.398. 60Al'Ayyashi'sTafsir,Vol.2,p.115ofSuratalTawba,verse115. 61Ibrahim:27. 62'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.1,p.32. 63'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.1,p.113andalsoShaikhalToosi'sAlGhayba,p.47. 64'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.1,p.112. 65QurbalIrshad,p.206. 66ShaikhalToosi'sAlGhayba,p.48. 67ShaikhalToosi'sAlGhayba,p.50. 68AlKashi'sRijal,p.400. Imamandthe'Caliphs' HistoricalAspectoftheImam'sBiography Imamandthe'Caliphs' TheImam(A.S.)wascontemporarytoashortperiodofalRashid'sregimeduringwhichhe sufferedthetragedyoftheassassinationofhisfatherImamMousaalKazim(A.S.)andother Alawides.Afterthemurderofhisfather,hewasnotsafefromthemovesofsomeofthosewho flatteredtherulersandfollowedtheircourseandpretendedtoshowtheirloyaltybyinstigating enmityagainsttheregime'sopponents,encouragingtheirelimination,thinkingthatthatwould increasetherulers'likingforthemandnearnesstothem,thatitwouldstrengthentheirposition andgrantthemuniquedistinctionsandraisethemtothehighestpinnacles.

AttemptstoEliminatetheImam

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 Ja'feribnYahyasays:"IheardIsaibnJa'fersaytoHaroun(alRashid)uponleavingalRiqqafor Mecca,RememberyouroathbythedignityofthedescendantsofAbuTalibthatshouldanyone afterMousa(alKazim,A.S.)claimImamate,youwouldstrikehisheadwiththesword.ThisAli,his son,claimsso,andpeopleareaddressinghiminthesamewaytheyusedtoaddresshisfather.'He lookedathimangrilyandsaid,Why?Doyouexpectmetoeliminateeachandeveryoneof them?'"MousaibnMahransaysthatwhenheheardJa'feribnYahyasayso,hewenttohim(i.e. toImamalRida)andtoldhimwhathehadheard.AlRida(A.S.)respondedbysaying,"WhatdoI havetodowiththem?ByGod,theycannothurtmeintheleast." Suchincitementswerenotconfinedwithinareasonablelimitbutwentbeyondittodangerous oneswhereinstigationmightcausealRashidtopayseriousattention,fortheBarmakisweremost antagonistictowardstheDescendantsoftheProphet(S.A.W.)andthemostcruelamongthemin theirgrudge,somuchsothatitisreportedthatYahyaibnKhalidalBarmakiwastheonewho orderedthemurderofImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)69whentheAbbasidecaliphatewasunder theirmercy.70 ImamalRida(A.S.)renderedGod'sretributionagainsttheBarmakistotheirpersecutionand oppressiontheworstofwhichwassufferedbyImamalKazim(A.S.).71Sufficesforproofisthe factthatYahyaibnKhalidwastheonewhoplottedtheuglyplotagainstImamalKazim(A.S.)after causingHarounalRashidtobeangrywithhim,instigatingalRashidagainsttheImam(A.S.)and usingsomenaiveweaklingsamongtheAlawidestoachievehisgoal.72 Itwas,indeed,anattemptwhichspelledtheextentofgrudgefeltbyYahyaibnKhalidwhose purposewastopressurealRashidintomurderingImamalRida(A.S.)andmakehimjoinhis father.Hesaidtohimoneday:"ThisAli,hisson,hasseatedhimselfinplaceandclaimedthe matter(Imamate)forhimself." He(alRashid)said:"Isitnotenoughforuswhatwehavedonetohisfather?Doyouwishthatwe shouldkillthemall?"73AlRashid'sanswerpointsouttotheextentofanguishhewassuffering deepinside,anditrevealsthebitterstruggleexplodingdeepinsidehim.Sufficeshimtolive carryingtheguiltofmurderingthepuresouloftheImam'sfatherwhomhesubjectedto numeroustypesoftrialsandtribulationstillhejoinedhisLordwellpleasedandsatisfiedafter havingfaithfullyexecutedtheresponsibilitiesofImamatewhichwereentrustedtohimhonestly andfaithfully,whilethetyrant'ssoulwasnolongerabletobearanybiggersinanymore. AlRashidMovestoEliminatetheImam Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Finally,alRashidissurroundedbyalargenumberofcourtiersinstigatinghimtokillImamalRida (A.S.),andtheyfinallysucceededinstirringhisfeelingofangeragainsttheImam(A.S.), stimulatinghisbeastlyinstincttoeagerlykill.AbulSaltalHarawinarratessayingthatonedayhe wassittingwiththeImam(A.S.)athishousewhenamessengerfromHarounalRashidcamein andorderedtheImam(A.S.)topresenthimselfbeforethecaliph.TheImam(A.S.)said:"OAbul Salt!Hedoesnotcalluponmeatsuchatimeofthenightexceptfortrouble.ByGod!Hecannot doanythingwhichIhatetomebecauseofwhatIhadcometoknowofcertainstatementssaidby mygrandfathertheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)." AbulSaltcontinueshisnarrativetosaythatheaccompaniedtheImam(A.S.)whenheenteredthe courtofHarounalRashid.Whenthelatterlookedathim,alRida(A.S.)readthosewordsofthe Prophet(S.A.W.),andwhenhestoodbeforealRashid,thelatterlookedcarefullyathimandthen said,"OAbulHassan!Wehaveorderedahundredthousanddirhamsforyou,andwritedownthe needsofallyourfamily."WhentheImam(A.S.)leftthecourt,thecaliphkeptlookingathimashe wasleavingandsaidbehindhisback:"Iwished,andGodwishedotherwise,andwhatGodwished wasgood." ThusdidGodsavethelifeoftheImam(A.S.)whosoughtrefugewithHim,seekingHisassistance throughthesincerewordshehadcometoknowthathisgrandfathertheMessengerofGod (S.A.W.)hadarticulated.AlRashid,ontheotherhand,wentbacktohimselfsatisfiedafterdestiny hadopposedhisviciousintentionjusttorealizethatwhatGodhaddonewasindeedbetterthan whathehimselfhadintendedtodo. SincereAttempts Contrariwise,thereweresincereattemptstodistanceImamalRida(A.S.)fromdangerwhich wereundertakenbysomeofhisfollowerswhohadtastedthebitternessofpainduringthe adversitysufferedbyhisfatherImamalKazim(A.S.)whosufferedagreatdealofoppressionand persecutionatthehandsofthestubborntyrantHarounalRashid. ThoseattemptsrequiredtheImam(A.S.)toceasepubliclypromotinghismissionandtodistance himselffromthesituationswhichwouldclearlyattracttheattentionofthegovernmenttohim andbecomeacauseforitsrevengeanddesiretoeliminatehim.ButtheImam(A.S.)whowas confidentofhisstancedidnotpayattentiontothoseattempts,andhewasoftheviewthatthey weresimplyunnecessaryduetosomeknowledgehehadlearnedfromhisforefatherswhich assuredhimthatalRashidwouldnotbeabletoharmhiminanyway. Forexample,SafwanibnYahyaisquotedsaying:"WhenAbulHassanMousa(A.S.)passedaway andalRida(A.S.)startedpreachinghismission,wewereworriedabouthislifeandwesaidto Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

him,Youhavedeclaredsomethingofgreatmagnanimity,andweworryaboutyoursafetybecause ofthistyrant.'Hesaid,Lethimtryhisbest,forheshallnothavethemeanstohurtme.'"74 MuhammadibnSinansaid:"DuringthereignofHaroun,IsaidtoAbulHassanalRida(A.S.),You havemadeyourselfwellknownbecauseofthismatterandfollowedinthefootstepsofyour fatherwhileHaroun'sswordisdrippingwithblood.'Hesaid,Whatmademeboldinthisregardis thattheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)hadsaid:IfAbuJahlharmsevenonehaironmyhead,then bearwitnessthatIamnotaProphet,'andItellyouthatifHarountookonehairawayfrommy head,thenbearwitnessthatIamnotanImam.'"75 ViciousIntentions SomeWaqfistriedtowarnhimagainstdeclaringhimselfastheImam(A.S.)andopenlyactingas such,andheansweredthemsayingthatsuchamatterdidnotrequireawarning,andthatthe fearthatHarounmighthurthimwasgroundless.Thoseindividualshadonlyoneobjectivein mind:todiscouragethealRida(A.S.)frommakinghimselfknownastheImamandmakinghis Imamatepublicsothattheymightbeabletopromotetheir"sect"whichclaimedthattheQa'im wasImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)andthathewasstillaliveaswementionedabove.Letusreview thedialoguebetweentheImam(A.S.)andsomeofthoseWaqfis.AbuMasrooqhasstated:"A groupofWaqfisenteredthehouseoftheImam(A.S.)onceandamongthemweremenlikeAbu HamzaalBataini,MuhammadibnIshaqibnAmmar,alHusaynibnUmran,andalHusaynibnAbu Sa'idalMakari.AliibnAbuHamzasaidtohim,Maymylifebesacrificedforyou!Tellushowyour fatherisdoing.' Hesaid,He,peacebeuponhim,passedaway.'Hesaid,Whodidherecommendtosucceedhim?' Heanswered,Myself.'Hesaid,Youareclaimingsomethingwhichnoneamongyourforefathers claimed,startingfromAliibnAbuTalibdownwards.'Hesaid,Itwassaidbythebestofmy forefathersandthemostdistinguishedamongthem:theMessengerofGod(S.A.W.).'Heasked, Donotyoufearthemforyoursafety?'Hesaid,HadIworriedaboutmysafety,Iwouldhavebeen inapositiontodosomethingtoprotectmyself. TheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)wasapproachedoncebyAbuLahabwhothreatenedhim;the MessengerofGod(S.A.W.)saidtohim:IfIamscratchedbyyouevenslightly,thenIamindeeda liar.'ThatwasthefirsttimetheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)incitedsomeone,andthisisthefirst timeIdolikewiseandtellyouthatifIamscratchedbyHarounevenslightly,thenIamindeeda liar.'AlHusaynibnMahransaidtohim,Ifthiscomestopass,thenwewillhaveachievedour objective.' Hesaid,Whatdoyouexactlywant?ShouldIgotoHarounandtellhimthatIamtheImam(A.S.) andthatheisnobody?ThisisnothowtheMessengerofGodbehavedattheoutsetofhis Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

mission;rather,hesaidsotohisfamilyandfollowersandthosewhomhetrustedfromamongthe public.YoubelievethatImamatebelongstomyfather,claimingthatwhatstopsmefrom admittingthatmyfatherisaliveismyownfear.IdonotfearyouwhenIsaytoyouthatIamthe Imam;so,howcanIfearyouifmyfatherisindeedalive?'"76TheImam'sexpectationprovedto betrue;alRashidbreathedhislastwithouthurtingtheImam(A.S.)abit. FromtheSeriesofTragedies OneincidentwhichtookplaceduringthereignofalRashidremindsusofthechainoftragic eventsfromwhichtheAlawidessufferedduringthereignofalMansour.InMedina,Muhammad ibnJa'ferdeclaredrebellionagainstthegovernment;therefore,alRashidsentanarmyunderthe commandofalJallooditocrushhisrebellion,orderingalJallooditobeheadthemanifhecould layhishandonhim.AlRashid,furthermore,wasnotsatisfiedwithjustthat. HeinstructedhiscommandertoassaultthehousesofthedescendantsofAbuTalibandloot everythingtheirwomenhadwithoutleavingevenonepieceofclothingonthem.AlJallooditried toexecutealRashid'sorderinperson;therefore,heattackedthehouseofImamalRida(A.S.) usinghiscavaliers.Havingseenhim,theImam(A.S.)putallthewomeninonehouse,andhe stoodatitsdoor. AlJalloodisaidtoAbulHassan:"Ihavegottoenterthehouseandstripthewomenofeverything justasthecommanderofthefaithfulorderedme."AlRida(A.S.)said:"Icandothatforyou,andI willnotleaveanythingforthem."TheImam(A.S.)keptrequestinghimtoaccept,swearingthathe woulddojustthattillthemancalmeddownandconsented.AbulHasantooktheirwares, includingtheirearrings,anklets,shirts,andeveryvaluableiteminthehouse,smallorbig. Thisincident,iftrue,doesnotdepictanunusualbehaviourbyalRashidtowardstheAlawides sincehewasfullofgrudgeandanimositytowardsthem.Whatencouragesustobelieveinitis whatIbnalAthirnarratesaboutalRashidatthetimeofhisdeath,shortlybeforemeetinghis Maker.Hewasmoaningandgroaningwhilesaying,"Howhorriblemyevildeedsaretowardsthe MessengerofGod!HowHorrible!"77Thisisaclearexpressionoftheadmissionofthecalamities heinflicteduponthefamilyoftheProphet(S.W.A.),ofhishorriblesins,ofabitterregretwhich wasconsuminghissoulatthetimeofitsdeparture. ImamDuringalAmin'sReign AsregardinghislifeduringthereignofalAmin,wecannotreviewanyincidentregardingthe government'sstancetowardsImamalRida(A.S.),andthismaybeattributedtotheconfusing Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

environmentinwhichtheAbbasidecaliphatefounditselfduetointernaldissentswhichledinthe endtoaserioussplitamongthemembersoftherulingdynasty,thesplitwhichwascausedbyal AmindeposinghisbrotheralMamoonfromthepostofheirtothethroneandthenominationof hissonMousainhisplaceafterlisteningtotheadviceofalFadlibnalRabee'whohadapersonal vendettaagainstalMamoonandwhofearedhimforhispostshouldhebecomethecaliph instead,sincehehadalreadyopposedhimopenly.78 SuchashakysituationiscreditedforthefactthatalAminandhisrulingapparatusdivertedtheir attentionfromImamalRida(A.S.)andfrompursuinghim,andwecanregardthatperiodofthe Imam'slifeasapeacefulrespitewithwhichcircumstancesblessedhiminordertobeableto dedicatehistimetocarryouttheresponsibilitiesofhismissionanddisseminateitspristine principlesamongthenation. ImamDuringalMamoon'sRegime AsregardingtheperiodoftheImam'slifeduringwhichhewascontemporarytoalMamoon's regime,thismaybetherichestandmosteventfulofallhislife,forhispersonalityenjoyeda significantroleintheturningofeventsandtheirreflectionthereupon.Butfirstwehaveto provideageneralexposeoftheintricateeventswhichcausedImamalRida(A.S.)toenjoya significantroleintheshapingoftheeventsofthatperiod.Afterthat,wehavetoconducta generalstudyofthepersonalityofalMamoonandofitsdistinctions,sincehewasthenumber onemanaroundwhomthecontemporarypoliticaleventsrevolved.Suchastudymayevenlead ustoresearchsomeotherleadingpersonalitiesofthetimethatplayedandassumedalargerole inthepoliticalwheelofthetime. AlMamoon'sPersonality AsregardingalMamoon,thereisnodoubtatallthathewasoneofthestrongestpersonalitiesof theAbbasidecaliphateduringitsfirstepoch,andoneofthemostmoderate,highlyintellectual andhighlylearnedofitsscholars.Heencouragedscholarshipduringhisregimeandpromotedfree discussionsoutofhispassionforincreasinghisownknowledgeandexpandingitsspheres.Hewas alsoknowntodemonstrateaninclinationtowardsShi'aism,preferringImamAliibnAbuTalib (A.S.)toandrecognizinghissuperiorityoverallothersahaba.Narratorsofhadithhaverecorded lengthydialogueswithanumberofnarratorsofhadithandscholarsoftheSunnahandwith oratorswhichrevealagloriousintellectualdepthandanabsorptionofhisviewwhichhestrongly andenthusiasticallyadvocated. AlMamoon'sInclinationTowardsShi'aism Thereisadisagreementregardinghisschoolofthought.SomethinkthathewasShi'a,while Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

othersthinkthatheonlypretendedtobesooutofhisregardforthefeelingsofImamalRida (A.S.)andotherAlawideswhileinrealityhewasotherwise.Buthisdiscourses,debates,andhis seriousmethodinchallengingwhatwasregardedasacceptedfactsbythosewhoopposedhis views,alldispelanydoubtsregardinghisacceptanceofShi'aism.Moreover,therearecertain noteworthymeasuresheundertookwhichsupportthisviewsuchashisbeliefthattheHoly Qur'anwastheWordofGodcreatedbyHim,andhisinsistencethatscholarsandfaqihsshould indicateandpromotethisview,somuchsothathecausedquiteareactionamongcontemporary IslamiccirclestotheextentthatitwasreferredtoastheordealoftheHolyQur'an. Hisfather,alRashid,differedfromhiminthisregard.WhenheheardthatBishralMarisi endorsedtheconceptthattheHolyQur'anwascreatedbyGod,hesaid:"IfIeverlaymyhandon him,Ishallstrikehisneckwiththesword."79Also,hebelievedinthetemporarymarriageof mut'a,andherefutedtheviewsofthesecondcaliphinthisregardwithargumentswhichhave alreadybeenrecordedbyforemosthistorians. AddtoalltheabovehispreferenceofAliibnAbuTalib(A.S.)overallothercompanionsofthe Prophet(S.A.W.)andhisviewthatAliwasmoreworthyofsucceedingtheMessengerofGod (S.A.W.)asthecaliph.Yetanothersupportingargumentishisseriousattempttomakethecursing ofMu'awiyaatraditionandenforceitonhissubjects;heannouncedtopeopleoncethe following:"ThereshallbenopardonforanyoneguiltyofpraisingMu'awiya,andthebestof creationaftertheProphet(S.A.W.)isAliibnAbuTalib(A.S.)."80 ThatwasinresponsetoMu'awiyawhomadethecursingofAliatraditionwhichcontinuedduring thereignofallUmayyadgovernmentstillthedaysofthecaliphUmeribnAbdalAzizwhoputan endtoitinordertosafeguardthegovernmentoftheUmayyadsagainstthedisgustpeoplefelt towardssuchignominoustradition,sympathizedwiththeAlawides,andreturnedFedaktothem whentheyrequestedhimtodoso. AlMamoon,infact,sincerelyfeltguiltyaboutthecrimeshispredecessorshadcommittedagainst theAlawidesasaletterhewrotetosomeHashemitestestifiedandinwhichhesaid:"The Umayyadskilledanyone(amongtheAlawides)whounsheathedasword,whilewe,theAbbasides, havebeenkillingthemenmasse;so,askthegreatsoulsoftheHashemiteswhatsinthey committed,andaskthesoulsofthosewhowereburiedinBaghdadandKufaalive..."81 AlMamoon'sinclinationtowardsShi'aismistheresultofmanyfactorsofapermanentimpact uponhiswayofthinking,startingwithhischildhoodwhenaShi'aeducatorplanteddeeplyinhis soultheallegiancetoAliandthefamilyofAli(A.S.),andendingwithhisresidenceinpartsof KhurasanwheremostlyShi'aslived.AlMamoonhimselfnarratesananecdotewithamoralwhich taughthimtosympathizewithShi'as.ItinvolvedanencounterwithhisfatheralRashidwhowas verywellknownforhiscruelty,tyranny,arroganceandhatredoftheAlawides,especiallyImam Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

MousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)whoselifeheendedwithpoison. AlMamoonstatesthatwhenImamMousaibnJa'fer(A.S.)metalRashidatMedina,alRashid showedagreatdealofhumblenessbeforetheImam(A.S.)andagreatdealofrespectforhimtoa degreewhichattractedhisownattention;so,hecontinuestosay,"Whentherewasnobodyelse present,Isaid,Ocommanderofthefaithful!Whoisthismanwhomyouhaveheldwithsucha highesteem,respectedagreatdeal,stooduptoreceive,andevenseatedinthemostprominent placewhileseatingyourselfinfrontofhim,andyouevenorderedustoholdthereinofhis horse?!'Hesaid,ThisistheImamofthepeople,theProofofGod'sMercytoHiscreation (Hujjatullah)andHiscaliphamongHisservants.' Iasked,Ocommanderofthefaithful!Arenotalltheseattributesyoursandfulfilledinyour person?'Hereplied,IamtheImamofthemassesbyforceandthroughoppression,whileMousa ibnJa'fer(A.S.)istheImamintruth.ByGod,son,heismoreworthyofbeingthesuccessorofthe MessengerofGod(S.A.W.)asthecaliphthanIamandanyoneelseamongthepeople!ByGod!If youyourselfattempttotakesuchcaliphatefromme,Ishalltakeitawayfromyouevenifthat meanspullingyoureyesout,forpowerisblind!'"82 FromalltheseargumentswecanconcludethatalMamoonwasindeedabelieverinShi'aism, convincedoftheprinciplesofthisschoolofthoughtwhicharebasedonthepreferenceofAli (A.S.)forcaliphateoverallothersuponwhichprinciplealMamooninsistedwhiledebatingothers. AsregardinghisconductwithImamalRida(A.S.),hisforcinghimtobehisregent,andhispossible assassination,allthesefallunderthesamepreceptadoptedbyhisfatheralRashidthat"poweris blind." DifferencesofPersonalitiesofalAminandalMamoon TherewasacleardifferenceinmentalityandwayofthinkingbetweenalAminandhisbrotheral Mamoon.AlMamoonwasbroaderinmentalityandmoreopenmindedthanhisbrother,andhe wasmorereceptivetonewideas,moredeepinhispoliticalandtheologicalphilosophy.Al Mamoon,moreover,wasmoreseriousthanhisbrotherintheadministrativemanagementofthe government. AlAmindidnotenjoythesemerits,andthereasonmaybethefactthathewaspamperedand spoiledbyhisparents,thathewasbroughtuptofeeldistinctlysuperiortohisbrotheral Mamoon.Addtothishistemperofhereditarystubbornnesswhichheinheritedfromhismother whowasdaughterofJa'fersonof(caliph)alMansoor;asregardingalMamoon'smother,shewas awomenwhogavebirthtoseveralchildren,andhernamewasMarajil.AlAmin'smotherraised hersontobeawareoftheclassdistinctionsbynarratingtohimsomeinterestinganecdotes involvingherselfandalRashidwheneverthelatterfeltapsychologicalandemotionalinclination Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

towardshissonalMamoon.

AlRashidEvaluateshisSons AlRashidwasawareoftheintellectualdifferencesamonghissons,buthecouldnotclearly expressitoutofhisrespectforthefeelingsofhisfavouritewifeandtosafeguardthestatusofher son.Heisquotedashavingsaid:"IamawareofthefactthatAbdullahisgiftedwithdetermination likethatofalMansour,withasceticismlikethatofalMehdi,andwithdignitylikethatofalHadi. HadIwishedtolinkhimtothefourth(meaninghimself),Iwouldhavedonesoandpreferred Muhammadoverhim.Iamawareofthefactthathefollowshisowninclination,wasteswhatisin hispossession,andsharesslaveandfreewomeninhisviews.Haditnotbeenforthemotherof Ja'fer,andtheinclinationtowardstheBanuHashim,IwouldhavepreferredAbdullahoverhim." DifferencesofConductofBothBrothers Thevastdifferencewhichseparatesthebrothersunveilswhenwereviewthebiographyofeach oneofthemandstudyitsdistinctionsandattributes.AlMamoonwasapracticalman,strongin hisadministrativemanagementskills,serious,wiseregardinghisconduct,farsightedinhis politicaloracademicambitions,lovesknowledgeandscholars,somuchsothathewasnicknamed "scholaroftheBanualAbbas(theAbbasides)." AlAminwastheoppositeofallofthisinhisgeneralconduct.Heinclinedmoretowardsmerry makingandentertainmentwhichisthenaturaloutcomeofhisspoiledchildhoodand adolescence.Toprovethispoint,wehavetoreadthisinterestingincidentwhichspellsoutthe typeofgeneralconductofalAminduringthemomentswhichprecededhisassassination.Ibnal AthirstatesthefollowinginhisTarikh(chronicle):"IbrahimibnalMehdinarratedsayingthathe waswithalAminwhenhefellunderthepoliticalpressureofTahir. HesaysthatalAmincameoutduringonenighttocheerhimselfupandforgetabouthis depression,sohewenttoahousehehadhadintheKhuldsuburb,thenhesentforIbrahim. WhenIbrahimwasbroughttohim,hesaid,Doyouseehownicethiseveningis,howbeautifulthe moonappearsintheskyandhowitslightisreflectedonthewateroftheTigris?Wouldyouliketo haveadrink?' Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Heansweredthatthatwasuptohim,sohedrankarotlofwine,andIbrahimentertainedhim withthesongsheknewhelikedbest."83Itisbeyondimaginationtoconceivehowamonarch undergoingahorriblepoliticalcrisiswhichwasabouttouproothisthronecouldresorttosuchan extravagantbehavioursofarfrompermittinghimtocontemplateuponthefatethreateninghim andjeopardizinghisveryexistence.Someothersuchextravagantnormsofbehaviournarrated aboutalAminthecaliphsinceheaccededthethroneandtillhislastmomentsclearlyindicate thathewasnotamanofgovernmentinthewidesenseoftheword,norwashealeader. DissensionBegins IndicationsofdissensionbetweenbothbrothersstartedappearingbeforealRashid'sdeath,and historiansrenderthattothefactthatalRashidhadhandedthereinsofgovernmentovertohis sonalMamooninKhurasanandsecuredtheoathofallegiancetohimfromthearmy commandersandciviliandignitariesthere,grantinghimallwhathehadofmoneyandotheritems ofvalue.84WhenthenewsreachedhiminBaghdad,hedidnotrelishitatallbutconsidereditas aprematureactionundertakenbyhisdepartingfatherandsomethinghehimselfwasentitledto doinhiscapacityasthefirstregentwhohadtheauthoritytodeterminesuchmatters. ConfusedBehaviourofalRashidTowardsHisSons AlRashidseemedtosensedeepinsidehissoulthepsychologicalgapwhichseparatedhissonal AminfromhimwhenhedetainedthemessengerhissonhaddispatchedtoKhurasaninthe pretextofbringinghimbacknewsabouthisfather'shealthconditionswhereasinrealityhewas carryingsecretletterstoarmyleadersandciviliannotablestobedeliveredtothemimmediately afterthedeathofhisfatheralRashid.Theletterscontainedorderstocarryoutthedutiesthe recipientswereexpectedtoperform. TheobjectivewastodeposehisbrotheralMamoonfromactualauthorityvesteduponhimbyhis father.AlRashidtriedtoextractanadmissionfromthemessengerthathewascarryingsecret lettersfromalAmintoarmyleadersandciviliannotables,buthedidnotsucceedevenwhenhis patiencereacheditslimitandhethreatenedthemessengertohavehimkilled,andhealmostdid sobeforedeathovertookhimwhereuponthemessengerwassubsequentlyreleasedandthe lettersweredeliveredasplanned. Theresultwasthearmyleadersandtheirtroopsrenegingonthepromisestheysworetoal Rashid,causingagreatdealofpoliticalchaos.85Wecaneasilydiscerntheconfusingordealwhich dominatedtheconductofalRashidregardinghisarrangementoftheissueofhisownsuccession byhissons.Hewasnotsatisfiedwithjustsecuringassurancesandtakingthemostseriousof Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

oathsfromhissonsalAminandalMamoon,sohewentduringthehajjseasontoMeccato requirehissonstowritedowntheirpledges,thenhehungwhattheywrotedownonthewallsof thesacredKa'bainthepresenceofamultitudeofpeoplesothatthosewhodidnotwitnessthe eventwouldbetoldbythosewhodidsoonthatday. AlRashidDividestheState Yethewasstillnotquitesatisfied,sohewentastepfurthertodividethedomainsofthestateto threesections,grantingalAminauthorityoverIraqandSyriauptotheendofhiswestern possessions;toalMamoonhegavetheterritoriesfromHamadanuptotheeasternbordersofhis domains;toalQasimhegavethepeninsula,theseaports,andthemetropolisesafterhaving securedtheoathofallegianceforhimafterhisbrotheralMamoonandgivinghimtheoptionto keepordeposealMamoon.86 Thus,alRashidthought,theghostofdissensionwouldbeaverted,andthegovernmentafterhis deathwouldbesecuredforallhissonssincehegaveeachoneofthemaportionthereofwhereby hewouldmaintainaforcestrongenoughtodeterthetransgressionofanyotherbrother.Despite allofthat,however,alRashidcouldnotputanendtothecausesofhisdilemmadeeplyrooted withinhimselfastheincidentofthemessengerwhowassentbyhissonalAminsuggested. ApprehensionofthePublicRegardingtheDivision PeoplepredictedominousconsequencestotakeplacebecauseofwhatalRashidhaddone.Some ofthemsaidthathesowedtheseedsofevilandwaramongthem,andtheyfearedthe consequences,andindeedwhattheyfearedcametopass.87Somewisemensaidthathecaused themtofallintoaninnerconflicttheperilsofwhichvictimizedthesubjects.88 AmbitionofSomeFollowersDeepensDivision Theconflictamongthetwobrotherswasworsenedbytheincitementofsometoprankpoliticians ineachparty,andthereweremanyreasonsforincitementandentrapment.Ononehand,wefind alFadlibnalRabee',whocausedthearmytorenegeonitsswornpromiseofsupportforal MamooninKhurasanassoonasalRashiddiedandmarchedwithittoBaghdadinorderto strengthenalAmin'sposition,tryingtoaggravatethetensionbetweenalAminandhisbrotheral Mamoon,instigatingthefirsttonullifytheallegiancetoalMamoonandchangeittohisson Mousa,dependinginsodoingonvariousmeansofincitementwhichintheendpushedalAminto assaulthisbrother. AlFadl,bydoingso,wastryingtogetridofalMamoonastheregentforfearthatshouldhecome torule,hewouldcertainlyseekrevengeagainsthimduetohisgoingbackonhispromiseto Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

supportalMamoonwhomheslightedandtheallegiancetowhomhebrokeafterthedeathofal Rashid.89 Ontheotherhand,wefindalFadlibnSahl,theKhurasanileader,whowasappointedinhispost byalMamoon,tryingtosecurethegovernmentforalMamoonbyhisbrilliantmethodsafter pledgingtohelphimreachthethroneanddethronehisbrotheralAminatanypriceandstandin thefaceofalAmin'sattemptstodeprivehimofhisregency.AlFadlandhisbrotheralHassanibn Sahl,inadditiontotherestofKhurasanileadersandchiefs,wereawareoftheprecarious situationinwhichtheywouldfindthemselvesshoulddestinydecidethatalAminmusthave victoryoverhisbrotheralMamoonespeciallysincetheyhadalreadydeclaredtheirallegianceto alMamoonandrenegedintheirpromisetoalAmin. WarisWagedandalMamoonWins Thegapbetweenthebrothersbecamewider,andthepresentimentsofthetragedytobefallthe twobrotherswereinsightwhenalAminannouncedinBaghdadhisdecisiontodropthenameof hisbrotheralMamoonfromFridaysermonsandsubstituteitwiththatofhisownsonMousa whomhenamedhissuccessor,andhesentletterstoplacesfarandwideinthismeaning. AlMamoonrosetodefendhisrightandstartedplanningtooverrunBaghdad,thecapitalofthe government,whilealAminwasgatheringtroopstotakeoverhisbrother'sdomains.Botharmies finallyclashedandfiercebattlesensuedinmorethanonelocation,andintheendalMamoon cameoutvictorious,tookcontrolofBaghdadandkilledalAmin.Allofthatbecamepossibledue totheplanningofalFadlibnSahl,whowasnicknamed"DhulRiyasatain,"i.e.,themanwhohada sayintwostates,andhisbrotheralHassan,assistedbyanelitegroupofmilitaryexpertsandtop politicaladvisors. Havingwonvictoryoverhisbrother,alMamoontriedtomakeMarwthebaseofpowerforthe AbbasidedynastyinsteadofBaghdadduetotheadviceofhisarmyleadersandtoppoliticalaides whowerecreditedwithregaininghisrighttothecaliphateafteralAminhaddeposedhim,and becauseofhisownfeelingofgratitudetowardsthecitythatassistedhimandbroughthimvictory duringthedarkestperiodsofhispoliticalcrisis. ________________________________________ 69'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.226. 70'UmdatalTalib,p.185,1stedition(Najaf,Iraq). 71BiharalAnwar,Vol.48,p.249,quotingAlKafi. 72ShaikhalToosi'sAlGhayba,p.22. 73'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.226. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

74AlKafi,Vol.1,p.487.ItisalsomentionedinAl'Uyoon,AlManaqibandAlIrshad. 75RawdatalKafi,p.257. 76A'yanalShi'a,Vol.4,PartI,p.138. 77IbnalAthir,Vol.5,p.130. 78IbnalAthir,Vol.5,p.138. 79TarikhalKhulafabyalSayyuti,p.284. 80Ibid.,p.308. 81BiharalAnwar,Vol.49,p.210asquotedinIbnMaskawayhi'sbookNadeemalFarid. 82'UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.1,p.88. 83IbnalAthir,Vol.5,p.162. 84IbnalAthir,Vol.5,p.134. 85IbnalAthir,Vol.5,pp.134135. 86Ibid.,p.112. 87IbnalAthir,Vol.5,p.113. 88TarikhalKhulafaabyalSayyuti,p.290. 89IbnalAthir,Vol.5,p.138. TheRegency HistoricalAspectoftheImam''sBiography TheRegency Immediatelyaftersettingthefirmfoundationsofgovernmentandhisbecomingthesolecaliph, alMamoon,accordingtothetraditionstartedbyMu''awiyawhosecuredtheoathofallegiance forhissonYazidtosucceedhimonthethrone,hadtonamehissuccessor,andhehadtobe extremelycarefulaboutthisweightymatterduetotheprecariouscircumstancesheunderwent duringhiscollisionwithhisbrotherandthereafter.Itwasnoteasyforhimtoselectjustanyone fromhisimmediatefamilyorfromothers;rather,hehadtosubjecteachstepheundertookinthis regardtoprecisecalculationslinkingpastoutcomestofutureexpectationsandtakinginto considerationthesentimentsofShi''aAlawideswhodominatedKhurasanandtheterritories underitscontrol. Amongthelatterpartymaybeincludedmensuchas"DhulRiyasatayn"andhisbrotheralHassan ibnSahlwhowereamongthemostpowerfulelementsthatpavedthewayforhimtosurvivethe dangerousstageduringhisconfrontationwithhisbrotheralAmin,althoughwedoubtsuchan inclusionwhichwewilldiscusslater. AlMamoon,however,didnotfindtheideaoftakingcaliphateoutofBanualAbbasandgivingit toothers,AlawidesornonAlawides,easyforhe,despitehisideologicalinclinationtowards Shi''aismwhichlackedapracticalimplementation,wouldsparenoefforttosafeguardthelegacy whichheinheritedfromhisforefathersinitsframeworkandcontext.Wecanbeacquaintedwith Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

theaccuracyofthistheoryifweresearchtheplausiblereasonswhichledhimtoforceImamal Rida(A.S.)toacceptregency. RegencyBetweentheImamandalMamoon WhileresearchingthemotiveswhichpromptedalMamoontoforceImamalRida(A.S.)tobehis heirtothethrone,wewillfindoutthattheywerefarsightedpoliticalmotivesalMamoonhoped therebytoachieveselfishgainsforbothhimselfandtheAbbasidecaliphate,foralMamoonwas quiteanintelligentmaninselectingImamalRida(A.S.)forthispostsinceherepresentedthe oppositiongroup. ButImamalRida(A.S.),uponrejectinghisselectionforthispost,provedtobemoreawareofal MamoonandhisaimsthanalMamoonhadthought.AlHarawiquotestheImamsaying:"ByGod! AlRidadidnotacceptthismatterwillingly,andhewastransportedtoKufaagainsthiswish,then hewastakenfromthere,passingbyBasrahandPersia,toMarw."90

WhytheImamRejectedtheRegency ThereasonweunderstandastowhyherejecteditisthattheImamrealizedthatalMamoon,by selectinghim,aimedatusinghimasabargainingticketbetweenhimandtheAbbasidesonone hand,betweenhimandtheAlawidesonanother,andbetweenhimandtheShi''asofKhurasan andotherareasonyetanotherhand;otherwise,whatisthewisdomintheinsistenceofal MamoonthatalRida(A.S.)shouldaccede,andwhydidheeventhreatenhimifheinsistedonhis rejection? AlIrshadnarratesthatalMamoondiscussedthesubjectofregencywithalRida(A.S.),saying,"I havedecidedthatyoushouldbemysuccessor."TheImamsaid:"Exemptmefromthat,O commanderofthefaithful,forIhaveneithertheabilitynorthestrengthforthat."Hesaid:"Ihave decidedthatyoushouldbemysuccessor."TheImamsaid:"Exemptmefromthat,Ocommander ofthefaithful." AlMamoonrespondedwithastatementwhichwasmoreofathreatthananythingelse;hesaid tohim:"UmeribnalKhattabentrustedsixpersonstoconsultregardingcaliphate,oneofthem wasyourgrandfatherAliibnAbuTalib(A.S.),andhepreconditionedthatanyonewhowent againsttheirdecisionshouldbeexecuted;therefore,youwillhavetoacceptwhatIhavedecreed Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

foryou,forIseenowaythatIcaneverchangemymind."91 TheImam,therefore,hadtoagree.92Itisalsonarratedthatalengthydiscussionwenton betweenbothmeninwhichalMamoonofferedtheImamtobethecaliphandtheImamrefused toaccept,thenheofferedhimtheregencyandherefusedtoo,soalMamoonsaidtohim,"You alwayssaywhatIhatetohear,andyouthinkthatyouaresafefrommymight;therefore,Iswear byGodthatyoushouldeitheraccepttheregencywillinglyorIshallforceyoutodoso;therefore, acceptoutofyourownwill;otherwise,Ishallcertainlystrikeyourneckwiththesword."93 AlMamoonRevealsHisIntentions AlMamoonhimselfrevealedtousthefarsightedimplicationofhischoiceforregentinaletterto BanuHashimansweringtheirobjectionsregardingthepromiseofregencytotheImaminwhich hesaid:"AsregardingmyintentionbehindchoosingAliibnMousa(A.S.)astheregent,although heisqualifiedforit,outofmyownselectionofhim,thereasonforthatismydesiretosafeguard yourlivesandprotectyourpropertiesbyestablishingpermanentfriendlytiesbetweenusand them,anditisamethodIemployedtohonourthedescendantsofAbuTalibandtoheeltheir woundswithverylittleofwhattheyareentitledto.YouclaimthatIdesiredthattheywouldbe therecipientsofbenefitsthereofandtobeincharge,whileIhaveinmindtheinterestofyour posterityandchildrenafteryouevenwhileyouareunaware,blindlystumbling,notknowingwhat plansothershaveinstoreforyou."94 HedoesnotwishtotransferthegovernmentfromBanualAbbastothedescendantsofAbuTalib, astheAbbasidesimagined;rather,heaimedbysuchanactiontocontaintheconsequenceswhich mightcauseagreatdealoftroubleforthegovernment.Inotherwords,heaimedbytakingsucha politicalaction,toretainapositionofstrengthfortheAbbasides. AlMamoonandtheAstronomerNawbakhti WhatprovesthefactthatalMamoonwasnotseriousinhisoffertotheImamtobetheregentis anarrationstatingthatalFadlalNawbakhti,whowasanastronomerthoughttobeShi''a,wanted totestalMamoon''sintentions,sohewrotehimsaying:"Theorderofthestarsindicatesthat namingalRida(A.S.)astheregentatthistimecannotbedone;otherwise,thepersonnamedwill sufferacatastrophe.Therefore,ifalMamoon''sintentionsagreewithwhatheproclaimsinpublic, heoughttopostponethismattertillamoreconducivetime." Tothis,alMamoonansweredhimwarninghimagainstdiscouragingDhulRiyasataynfrom contractingthatagreementatthattime,andthatifhedidnot,hewouldknowthatthe postponementwasinstigatedbyalNawbakhti.Healsoorderedhimtoreturnhisownletterback tohimsothatnobodyelsewouldcometofindoutaboutit. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 HethencametoknowthatalFadlwasawareofthefactthattimewasnotripeforcontracting theregencybecausehehimselfhadknowledgeofthescienceofthestars;therefore,al NawbakhtifearedthatthechangeofmindofalFadlibnSahlwasbecauseofhimpersonally,and hewouldthusbekilledbyalMamoon,soherodetohimandconvincedhimthroughhisown knowledgeofastronomythattimewasindeedripeforit,contrarytothereality,becausehewas moreknowledgeablethanhimaboutastrology,andhekeptconfusinghimtillhefinallyconvinced him.95 ThisleadsustoconcludethattheofferofregencytotheImamwasnothingmorethanatrapal Mamoonhadsetforhimtoachievesomepoliticalgainsthatwouldsavehisgovernmentagreat dealoftrouble,andhecertainlywasnotsincereinhisconducttowardstheImam;rather,that wasonlyatransientstagehehadtogothroughwithprecisioninordertoachievehisanticipated objectives. AlMamoon''sObjeciveBehindRegency AsregardinghisrequestthattheImamshouldaccepttobethecaliphafterhehimselfabdicates, hisobjectivewasmorethanjustprovingtothepublicthattheImamsfromtheAhlalBayt(A.S.) werecertainlyafterthegloryofthislife,covetingit,andthattheirasceticismanddistancing themselvestherefromwasonlybecausetheywereunabletoreachtheirworldlygoalsassome storiesclaim96andonwhichyetotherconclusionsarebased. TheImam,infact,didnotunderestimatethepowertorulenordidhewillinglystayalooffromits responsibilities;howcouldhedosowhileviewinghimselfasmoreworthyofthepostofthe supremerulerandmorecapablethanhiminmanagingitsaffairswithequity?Thefactisthathe wasconfidentthatsuchthingwouldnothappenforhim,andthatthewholematterwasaclever politicaltrickperformedbyalMamoonwhichhewantedtocarryoutbyusingImamalRida(A.S.) asaploy. WhenalMamoonofferedtoabdicatethethronefortheImam,hewascalculatingthematterto endupwithoneoftwocases:eithertheImamwouldagree,orthathewouldrefuse,andineither case,hewouldgainforhimselfandfortheAbbasidegovernmentavictory,fortheImam''s agreementwouldbepreconditioneduponacceptingthathe,alMamoon,wouldbenamedthe regent,thussecuringthelegitimacyofhisowncaliphateaftertheImambeforeallparties; otherwise,alMamoonwasnotsonaiveorshortsightedtotheextentthathewouldofferhisown postonasilverplattertotheAlawidesandbecomeasubjectdealtwithassuch. IfalMamooncametobearegent,itwouldbeeasyforhimtoputanendtothelifeoftheImam inordertosucceedhimwithoutanyonefindingout,thussatisfyingtheambitionsoftheAlawides Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

forthegovernmentwhileconvincingtheirShi''asofhisownlegitimatecaliphate.AlMamoonhad hisownparticularmethodsineliminatinghispoliticalfoes,andwewillmentionthemysterious methodheemployedtoputanendtothelifeofDhulRiyasataynalFadlibnSahlandhismurder ofthosewhokilledhimdespitetheiradmissionthathewastheonewhoincitedthemto assassinatealFadl. AsregardingthecaseoftheImamrefusingtoacceptthecaliphate,this,alMamooncalculated, wouldcausehimtobeverywidelycriticizedbyhisownShi''afollowersandcompanionsdueto theirownbeliefthatcaliphatewasrightfullyhisandhehadtoacceptit,buttheImam''s companionswereendowedwithagreatdealofpoliticalawarenesstotheextentthattheywould notbetrickedbyatricklikethatcarriedoutbyalMamoon.Also,hewouldbeexcusedbyvarious Shi''afactionsfornotacceptingitforhimselfandhisfamily,andthathetriedsobutcouldnot succeedandthuswouldsilencethosewhomightdisputewithhiminthisregardfromShi''a oppositiongroups. ForcingtheImamtoAccepttheRegency HavingfailedtoconvincetheImamthathe,alMamoon,wouldabdicatethethroneforhim,al Mamoonrequestedhimtoaccepttobetheregentandtonamehimthesucceedingcaliphafter him,buttheImamagaininsistedonrefusing,somuchsothatalMamoonhadtoseekthe assistanceofsomeofhisbestaidesdespitethefactthattheythemselveswerenotconvincedthat itwassuchagoodidea,thinkingthatalMamoonwasserious.AlIrshadstates:"Agroupof historiansandcourtbiographerswhowerecontemporarytothecaliphssaythatwhenal MamoonwantedtonameAliibnMousa(A.S.)ashissuccessor,andhavingthoughtseriously aboutthematter,heorderedalFadlibnSahl97tocometohimandheinformedhimofhis intention,orderinghimtoseektheassistanceofhisbrotheralHassanibnSahlinthisregard,and hedidjustthat. Sotheymetwithhim,andalHassankeptpointingoutthemagnanimityoftheconsequencesof hisidea,acquaintinghimwiththeoutcomesresultingoutoftakinghisfamilyoutofitand affectinghisownlife.AlMamoon,thereupon,saidtohim:IpledgedtoGodthatifIlaymyhand onthepersonwhodeposedme, IwouldhandthecaliphateovertothebestpersonamongtheprogenyofAbuTalib,andIdonot knowanyonebetterthanthismanonthefaceofearth.''So,whenbothalFadlandalHassansaw hisdeterminationtocarryoutthismatter,theystoppedopposinghimandhesentthemtoalRida (A.S.).Theyofferedhimcaliphate,butherefused,andtheycontinuedpressinghimtillhefinally agreed,sotheywentbacktoalMamoonandtoldhimabouthisapprovalwhereuponhewasvery Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

pleased."98 AbulFarajalAsbahanistatedsomethingsimilartotheabovewiththisvariation:"Hedispatched themtoAliibnMousaalRida(A.S.)andtheyofferedittohim,andtheycontinuedpressinghim whilehewasrefusingtilloneofthemsaidtohim,Ifyouagree,letitbeso,butifyoudonot,we shallsurelyharmyou,''andhethreatenedtokillhim.Thenoneofthemsaid,ByGodheordered metostrikeyourneckwithmyswordifyougoagainsthiswish.''"99 Imam''sAwarenessofalMamoon''sSchemes ImamalRida(A.S.)knewbeforehandaboutalMamoon''sintentionsthroughhisknowledgeable foresightofthecircumstanceswhichledalMamoontovesttheregencyuponhim,andhewas contentedthathewouldnotactuallyaccedetothethroneinthefuture.AlMadainiquotesoneof hissourcessaying:"WhenalRida(A.S.)wasseatedduringtheregencycelebration,withthe oratorsandpoetssurroundinghimandtheflagsfanninghim,oneindividualwhowaspresent thereandthensaid,Iwasclosetohimthatday,andhelookedatmewithanoptimisticsmileon hisfaceregardingtheevent,andhebeckonedformetocomeclose.WhenIdid,hetoldmewhile nobodyexceptmecouldhearhim:Donotletthisexciteyou,anddonotbeoverlyoptimistic,for itwouldnevermaterialize.''"100 WithAhmedAmin BeforeIpresenttheactualreasonsforthestoryofregency,accordingtothehistorical understandingofitscircumstances,Iwouldliketopointoutthesuperficialityofcomprehension, orsectarianprejudice,whichismorelikely,ofsomeresearchersthatledthemtorenderthe reasonwhyalMamoonpressuredImamalRida(A.S.)toaccepthisnominationastheregentto thefollowing:"AlawideImamsclaimthatiftheygettorule,theywouldrulewithabsolutejustice, butthereisalwaysadifferencebetweenclaimandreality. AlMamooncomplainedaboutthisandobservedhowtheImamsdisappearfrompubliceyesto commitsinswithoutbeingseenandrecognizedbythepublicforwhattheyreallyare;therefore, hesaid,ItisforthegoodofthepeoplethattheseImamsshouldcomeoutandpeopleshould knowtheirliabilitytofallingintosinssothattheywouldnotrespectthemanymore,norwould theyholdthemasholy,forwhentheyappearonlife''sstage,andpeopleclearlyseehowtheyrule andhowtheycommitwhatGodhasordainedasprohibitive,theywouldnolongerberespected bythepublic.Butiftheycontinuetobepersecuted,hidingfrompositionsofprominence,satisfied withpreaching,peoplewillmaintaintheirsympathyforthem,''he,therefore,decidedtoappoint AlialRida(A.S.)ashissuccessor..."101 TheaboveiswhatprofessorAhmedAminstates.Thisstatementisnotunusualcomingfroma Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

manlikehimwhoisverywellknownforhisprejudiceandfanaticismandoppositiontothe conceptofShi''aismandallegiancetotheAhlalBayt(A.S.). Comments 1.TheexperienceoftheAlawidegovernmentwhichwaslivedbytheMuslimummaduringthe caliphateofImamAli(A.S.)provesthatAhlalBayt(A.S.)aremoreworthyofrulingthesubjects thanothersbecausetheirgoalbehindrulingistoestablishajustandequitablesociety,andtorule thenationwiththepolicyofabsolutejusticeasbroughtforthbythemessageofProphet Muhammad(S.A.W.). 2.WhenShi''assaythatthehouseholdoftheProphet(S.A.W.)aremoreworthyofbeingthe caliphs,theymeanonlytheTwelveImamsandnobodyelse. Wehavetherighttoaskhere:WhatsinorprohibitiveactdidanyoftheImamsofAhlalBayt (A.S.)commitawayfrompubliceyes?Wherearethehistoricalfactswhichsupportsuchaclaim? DoesAhmedAminconsiderthestanceofAhlalBayt(A.S.)towardstheUmayyadandAbbaside dynastiesandtheiroppositionthereofasinandaprohibitiveact? 3.AlMamoonappointedAlialRida(A.S.)astheheirapparenttothethrone;whatsinsdidthis Imamcommit,andwhatprohibitiveactswasheguiltyofandwhichcausedhimtolosepublic respect? AndwhatdidAhmedAminandhispredecessorsdiscoverofthedeedsdonebytheImamafter becomingtheregentwhichAhmedAmintriestoprojectinanegativewayoutofhishatredfor theAhlalBayt(A.S.)andinsupportfortheUmayyads? 4.Asregardingtheexamplehetriestouseanduponwhichhetriestobuildhisconclusion regardingtheconductoftheFatimidegovernmentinEgypt,orregardingotherintermittent AlawidegovernmentsduringthevariousAbbasideperiods,andthefactthattheywerenotany betterthanothergovernments,UmayyadorAbbaside,inlineorinscope,suchanexampleisnot realisticsimplybecauseShi''asdonotconsidersuchgovernmentstobelegitimate,andtheydo nothaveanyallegiancetothemaslongastheyweredistantfromthepristinelineofthe PropheticmessagecalledforbytheProphet(S.A.W.)andhisAhlalBayt(A.S.)afterhim. Whateverthecasemaybe,statementslikethesemadebyAhmedAminarenotconsideredoutof theordinary,forhisdegradingfanaticismandhisdeviationfromthelineofAhlalBayt(A.S.)give himplentyofexcusesforsayingwhathesays... Imam''sContemptfortheRegency Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 TheImam(A.S.)expressedhiscontemptfortheregencythroughstatementshemadewhich expresshisinnerbitternessandpainandduringtimeswhenhewassufferingfromemotional irritation.Hewasunabletodoanythinginthefaceofthestubborninsistenceofthegovernment toacceptitsdesignswithoutenjoyingthefreedomofchoice,ofexpression,andofmovement. Moreover,theImam(A.S.)knewbeforehandthattheregencywasonlyatransientstep undertakenbytheAbbasidegovernmentanddictatedtoitbycircumstancesofthatperiod. Andwhenthegovernmentachievesitsendobjective,thebeginningstarts,andtheImam(A.S.) feelspsychologicallyirritatedforsuchdisguiseduseofhisownperson,andsuchirritationis spelledoutduringtimesofextremebitterness.Yasirtheservantsaid:"WheneveralRida(A.S.) returnedhomefromthemosqueonFriday,hisfacewashedwithhissweat,stainedwithdust,he wouldraisehishandsandsupplicatessaying,God!Ifmydeliverancefrommysufferingisby death,thenIpleadYoutopleasehastenthathour,''andheremaineddistressedtillhebreathed hislast,blessingsofGodbeuponhim."102 ThecompanionsoftheImam(A.S.)couldnoteasilyunderstandwhyheacceptedthepostof regent,althoughinwardlytheyweresatisfiedwiththesoundnessoftheImam''sstanceandatthe sametimefullyawareofthepsychologicalagonytheImam(A.S.)wassufferingfrom.TheImam''s answerstotheirrepeatedquestionswereexcitingintheirwayofexpressingthepoliticalnecessity whichcausedthegovernmenttoforcehimtobetheregent.MuhammadibnArafanarrated sayingthatheonceaskedtheImam(A.S.):"OSonoftheMessengerofGod!Whatcausedyouto beinvolvedintheregencyissue?"TheImam(A.S.)answered:"Itisthesamethatcausedmy grandfathertheCommanderoftheFaithful(A.S.)tobeinvolvedintheshura."103 Aman,whoseemedasifhewasfindingfaultwiththeImam''saction,onceaskedhim,"MayGod makeyougodlier,whatforcedyouintothisarrangementwithalMamoon?"AbulHassan(A.S.)in turnaskedhim,"Whoisbetter,man,theProphetorthewasi?"Themananswered,''Well,of course,itistheProphet."TheImam(A.S.)askedagain,"Whoisbetter,abelieverora disbeliever?"Themananswered,"Abeliever,ofcourse."TheImam(A.S.)thensaid:"AlAziz, Egypt''svizier,wasadisbeliever,whereasYousuf(Joseph)wasaprophet;alMamoonisaMuslim whereasIamawasi,andYousufaskedalAziztoappointhimasagovernor,saying,Andappoint metotakechargeofthewealthoftheland,forIamprotector,knowledgeable,''whereasIwas forcedtoacceptit."104 Yasir,hisservant,isquotedsaying,"WhenalRida(A.S.)becameheirtothethrone,Iheardhim sayingafterhavingraisedhishandstotheskyinsupplication,Lord!YouknowthatIamforcedto accept;so,pleasedonotholdmeresponsiblejustasYoudidnotholdyourServantandProphet YousufwhenhetookchargeinthegovernmentofEgypt.''"105 Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ThesenarrativessufficeustohighlighttheImam''sviewpointregardingtheissueofregency,for heattimesdepictshisordealtousbyinvokingtheAlmightytoremovehisdistressandanguish fromhimevenbydeath,andatanothertimehecompareshissituationwiththatofProphet Yousuf(A.S.)whoacceptedapostunderthegovernmentofEgypt''sPharaohwhile,atthesame time,herevealstousthedifferencebetweenthetwosituation:WhileYousufgladlyacceptedhis postandclearlyrequestedit,he,ontheotherhand,wasforcedtoaccept. Afterallthis,nodoubtremainsinourmindabouttheImam''sconvictionthatthewholematter wasafarce,andthathedidnotagreetoitinprinciple. PoliticalMotivesBehindtheRegency WecansummarizethecauseswhichforcedalMamoontodecidetheissueofregencyinthe following: 1.InordertopleasetheShi''apublicopinioninKhurasananditsterritorieswhichwerecredited withpavingtheroadforalMamoon''saccessiontothethroneandforavictoryoverhisbrother alAmin,thushewouldsecurealegitimatestampforhisgovernmentwhentheImam(A.S.) agreedtobehissuccessor,sincetheImam''sagreementmeantarecognitionofthelegitimacyof alMamoon''scaliphate.Suchrecognitionwouldguaranteeforhimtheloyaltyofhissubjectsin thoseregions,andIpersonallythinkthatthisisthemostsignificantreasonwhichcausedal Mamoontodosobecauseitwouldputanendtotheargumentoftraditionalopponentstothe Abbasidegovernmentwhousedtoalwayscriticizesuchgovernmentandconsideritillegitimate andbaseless.Forthisreason,wecanfindnopublicdiscontentwiththeregency;onthecontrary, itwasacauseforelationandjoyfulendorsementinvariouscircles. ItisnotunlikelythatalMamoonmayhavefeltthatsomeundergroundmovementwaspreparing toassaulthisthrone,snatchthegovernmentfromhimandhanditovertotheAlawides; therefore,hetriedtoencirclethatmovementbymakingtheImam(A.S.)apartnerwithhiminthe forefrontofthegovernmentbynaminghimhisregent. SuchanactionmaywinhimthesympathyoftheKhurasanisespeciallyafterallthesufferingthey hadtoputupwithandthepersecutionoftheAbbasidecaliphatewhichmurderedthemand pursuedthemthroughoutthecountryasfugitivesinamannerwhichcausedbitternessand agony.WhatsupportsthiscausearesomeparagraphsofaletteralMamoonwrotetoBanu Hashiminwhichhesaid:"YouclaimthatIdesiredthattheywouldbetherecipientsofbenefits thereofandtobeincharge,whileIhaveinmindtheinterestofyourposterityandchildrenafter youevenwhileyouareunaware,blindlystumbling,notknowingwhatplansothershaveinstore foryou." Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Whattheseambiguousstatementsimply,especiallyafterthewriteradmittedthatthenomination ofImamalRida(A.S.)wassomethingthemanrightfullydeservedduetohisqualifications,isthat alMamoonsensedthedangeroftheprecariouspoliticalsituationaroundhim,andhefeared losinghisgriponthereinsofgovernmentsincethepopularbasewasfaithfultotheAlawides.Add tothisthefactthatmanyleadingelementsinthepoliticalandmilitaryestablishmentswere strongsupportersoftheAlawides.Wecanappreciatethisfactbyevaluatingtheextentofthe publicacceptanceofthenominationoftheImam(A.S.)fortheregency,andiftherewasany opposition,itsvoicewassoweakitvanishedamidstthetumultuousvoiceofoverwhelming support. AlMamoondidnotwishtheAlawidestotakecharge;rather,heonlywishedtopreemptively encirclethecriseswhichmightuproottheAbbasidegovernmentifheleteventsshapethemselves ontheirown. 2.ToavoidaclashwiththeAlawideswhoalwaysthreatenedtheAbbasidegovernmentbytheir rebellionsanduprisingsduringvariousepochs,presumingthattheAbbasideshadusurpedthe governmentfromthem,havingstatedthattheircalltouproottheUmayyadswasonbehalfofal Rida(A.S.),descendantoftheProgenyofMuhammad(S.A.W.),especiallysincealMamoon wantedhisgovernmenttobestableandtoavoiddisturbancesandcriseswhichmightweakenhis positionasthesupremerulersincehewasstillengagedinapoliticalstruggleofsurvivalwith Baghdad,thecapitalofthecaliphate,anditwasnotacoincidentthattheissueofregencytook placeattheoutsetofthatstruggle. ButtheAlawideshadalreadysucceededinwinningthesympathyandpublicsupportofthe Islamicworldandwereabletomaintainthattotheircredit.Anexcellentproofforthatwasthe wideresponsetheirrevolutionswonamongvariousIslamiccircles.Allofthatwasduetothe violentpersecutionandmercilesspursuits,tothemurderingandbanishment,andtothenormsof tortureandretributionfromwhichtheysufferedatthehandsoftherulingapparatus,somuchso thatevenalMamoontestifiedtothatinhislettertoBanuHashimquotedabove. ButalMamooninhisaforementionedlettertoBanuHashimsupportsourargumentinmaking thisoneofthecausesofhisdecisionregardingnamingtheImam(A.S.)ashissuccessor;hesays, aswequotedabove,"...Thereasonforthatismydesiretosafeguardyourlivesandprotectyour propertiesbyestablishingfriendlytiesbetweenusandthemwhichisamethodIemployinbeing clementtothedescendantsofAbuTalibandtoheeltheirwoundswithverylittleofwhattheyare entitledto." WhenhetiestheknotofregencyfortheImam(A.S.),hewishestoputoutthefireofrebellionin thesoulsoftheAlawidesandtheirfollowersandtokeeptheghostofdangerawayshouldthey opposetheAbbasidesandtrytocompetewiththemintheirbidforthegovernment,andhedid, Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

indeed,achievewhathewanted. 3.TowarntheAbbasidesaboutwhattheyhadalreadydonetohimandhowtheyrenegedon theiroathofallegiancetohim,bytheirrebellionagainsthimandremovalfromregency,thatallof theiractionswouldnotdisablehimfromovercomingthemandsubjectingthemtohisauthority and,moreover,takethecaliphateoutoftheirdynastyandhanditovertotheirAlawide adversaries. ItispossiblethatthetensepsychologicalatmospherebetweenalMamoonandtheAbbasidesin Baghdadposedarealchallenge,andalMamoonfoundnowaytoforcethemandstirtheirdeeply rootedsensitivitiesbetterthansendingthemathreateningsignalthathewasgoingtotakethe caliphateoutoftheircourtandthrowitintothatoftheirAlawideadversarieswhoconstituteda pointofweaknessintheAbbasidepsyche.AlMamoonfoundnobetterweapontothreatenthem withstrongerthanthatinthefaceoftheirchallengeswhichalmostuprootedhispositionwhen theyallagreedtodeposehiminresponsetothecallofhisbrotheralAmin. AbbasidesDefyalMamoon TheeffectofthatviolentchallengestampedthebehaviouroftheAbbasidessincethen,forthey deliberatelyandforthesecondtimedecidedtodethronehiminacounterchallenge,warninghim thatitwouldnotbeeasyforhimtogetthecaliphateoutoftheirhandsandhanditovertotheir adversaries,andthattheycouldseatonthethroneanyonetheywantedfromamongthemselves evenifhehadbeentheleastqualified.Infact,theywentaheadanddidjustthat;theyappointed IbrahimibnalMahdiwhowasnicknamed"IbnShakla,"andwhowasoneofthemostfamous singersduringtheentireAbbasidedynastyrule.Theysworetheoathofallegiancetohimand othersfollowedsuit.

TheAbbasidesTreatCaliphateLightly ItisveryregrettablewhattheAbbasidesdid.Itisanactofthemosthorriblenaturetotakeso lightlythesacredinstitutionofIslamiccaliphate,andaflagrantsincommittedagainstthemost sacreddivinepostafterProphethood.Itonlyshowstheterribleextentofapathyreachedbythe Muslimmasseswhentheyacceptedthenominationofsuchapromiscuouspersonasthecaliphto whomtheywouldpayhomageandwhomtheywouldobey. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

AlMamoonBacksOffandApologizes SuchareactionstirredthereservationsofalMamoonasseeninaletterhewroteafterthedeath ofImamalRida(A.S.)andduringhismarchtoIraq.IbnalAthirwrites:"Whenhe(alRida(A.S.)) died,alMamoonwrotealHassanibnSahlinforminghimofAli''sdeathandhiscalamityoflosing him,andhewrotetotheresidentsofBaghdad,totheAbbasidesandtheirsubjectsinforming themofhisdeathandinvitingthemtoenterintohisloyalty,andtheywrotehimbackinthemost rudemanner."106 SuchaviolentchallengeinwhichtheAbbasidesreactedtoalMamoonandthelatter''sfearsthat theymightpersistintheirrebellionleadthehistoriantoconcludethatalMamoonusedoneofhis trickstoeliminateImamalRida(A.S.)inordertoputanendtotheangeroftheAbbasidesand otherresidentsofBaghdadwhowereoutragedbecauseofthenominationofalRida(A.S.)which wasthereasonwhytheyterminatedtheirloyaltytohim. DoubtinalMamoon''sSincerity HadalMamoonbeensincereinhisintentiontobringjusticetotheoppressed,andhadhebeen seriousinhishandlingoftheissueofsuccessiontothethrone,whydidhenotnameMuhammad alJawad(A.S.),sonofImamalRida(A.S.),afterthedeathofhisfatherandwhowasregardedas hisfather''ssuccessorandwhowaspraisedbyalMamoonforhisknowledgeandpietyand superioritytoallotherHashemites?OrdidalMamoondesirenottoenterintoasimilar experiencewhichmightunderminehispositionanddraghimintohisdownfallandcollapse?Or didalMamoonthenfulfillthepurposefromwhichhenamedtheImam(A.S.)ashissuccessorand therewasnoneedanymoretoenterintoanothersuchscheme? 4.ByrestrictingthemovementofImamalRida(A.S.)andforbiddinghim,afterforcinghimto acceptregency,fromdemandingcaliphateforhimself,thusalMamoonsecuresthestrangulation oftheelementofcompetitionfromwhosenightmareshisprecedingcaliphsusedtosufferand whichexplainedtheircruelandoppressiveconducttowardstheImams. AlMamoonPlacestheImamUnderSurveillance AlMamoonwasnotsatisfiedwithallofthat;hewentaheadandsubjectedtheImam(A.S.)toa strictsurveillancewherebyhewascloselywatchingallhisinternalandexternalmovements,and heindirectlydefinedtheextentofhiscontactswithothers;alRayyanibnalSaltnarratesthe following:"HishamibnIbrahimalRashidiwastheclosestpersontoalRida(A.S.)beforehewas takentothecaliph''spalace,andhewasacourteousandbrilliantscholar. AlRida(A.S.)''scontactsusedtobetransactedthroughhimandunderhissupervision,andhe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

usedtocollectallmoniesonhisbehalfbeforehe,AbulHassan,wastakenaway.Whenhewas takenawaytothepalace,HishamibnIbrahimcontactedDhulRiyasataynandhetriedhisbestto winhisfavourandstartedinforminghimandalMamoonaboutalRida(A.S.)''smovements,thus hewontheirconfidenceanddidnotconcealanythingregardingtheImam(A.S.)fromthem. AlMamoon,therefore,appointedhimastheImam''schamberlain,andnobodycouldhave audiencewiththeImam(A.S.)exceptwhoeverheliked,andheenforcedatightsurveillanceover theImam(A.S.),somuchsothatnoneofhissupporterscouldreachhimwithoutHisham''s approval,andheusedtoinformalMamoonandDhulRiyasataynofanythingandeverythingal Rida(A.S.)saidathome."107 AlMamoon''sMotivesBehindEnforcingSurveillance WhatpromptedalMamoontotakesuchaharshmeasurewashisgreatapprehensionthatthe AlawideswhopredominatedKhurasan,encouragedanddirectedbytheImam(A.S.),mightmove totopplehisgovernment,whichissomethingwedonotthinkitwaslogicallyimprobable. StrictnessofFollowersoftheImams AlMamoonwasprobablyawareofhowfollowersoftheImamsmeasuredtheirownmovements andtransactionsaccordingtothepriorinstructionsoftheirImamssothattheiractionswouldbe legitimate.Forthisreason,alMamoondidnotneedtoenforcesurveillanceoverthemovements oftheAlawidepopularbasewhichpaidhomageandallegiancetotheImam(A.S.),asmuchashe neededtoenforceastrictsurveillanceovertheImam''sactionsandcontacts. InordertoverifythisconductwhichShi''ashavealwaysundertakenintheirpracticaldealingswith theirImams,weoughttoquotewhatalRayyanibnalSaltstated. HementionedthatoneAbbaside,IbrahimibnHisham,usedtodefameanddegradetheImam (A.S.),soalRayyantoldalRida(A.S.)aboutthatandsoughthispermissiontosilencethatmanfor good,whereupontheImam(A.S.)stronglyforbadehimfromdoingso.Thenhesaidtohim,"This FadlibnSahlisdispatchingmetoIraqtocarryouterrandsforhimandthisAbbasidemanis leavingthreedaysafterthatforIraq. WhatdoyousayifIshouldinstructyourfollowersinQumtodispatchtwentyorthirtymenand disguiseasthievesorhighwayrobbersandwhenhepassesbythemtheywouldattackandkill him,andpeoplewouldsaythathewaskilledbyhighwayrobbers?''TheImam(A.S.)keptsilence; heneithersaidYes''norNo;''therefore,hewenttotheinnkeeperandhiredahorsemantogoto Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ZakariyyaibnAdamwithaletterinforminghimthatthereweremattershecouldnotpossibly includeintheletterandthathewoulddisclosethemtohimifhemethimatsuchandsucha placeonaparticularday. Hesaid,"Leavemeandthemanalone,"sohebadehimfarewellandleft.Themanwentbackto QumwhereMu''ammarhadjustarrived,soheconsultedthematterwithhim,whereupon Mu''ammarsaid,"Wedonotknowforsurewhetherhissilencemeantheisorderingustodoitor not.Hedidnotexplicitlyorderyoutodoanything;therefore,itisnotwisetoharmtheman,"so hechangedhismind,andZakariyyaabstainedfromgoingtomeethim.HepassedbytheAbbaside manwithoutharminghimintheleast.91 DespitethefactthattheImam(A.S.)thesecondtimedidnotexplicitlytellalRayyanwhattodo andremainedsilent,havingfirststronglyforbiddenhimfromdoingit,whichgavehimthe impressionthatheapprovedoftheplanalRayyanhadsuggestedtoeliminatetheAbbasideman becauseofhissilence,ZakariyyaibnAdamdidnotdoanythingexceptafterconsultingMu''ammar inthismatterwhotoldhimnottodoanythingsincetheImam''ssilencecouldnotbeinterpreted forsureasanorderornot.Thisshowsusthedegreeofprecisioninfollowingtheordersand instructionsoftheImams. Thesearetherealisticreasons,withinthehistoricalunderstandingoftheperiodthroughwhich thegovernmentwaspassing,whichcanbeused,inpartorasawhole,torealizeexactlywhyal MamoonnamedtheImam(A.S.)ashisregent. NaiveAnalysesoftheRegencyIssues ItisnaivetosaythattheincentivefortheregencywasalMamoon''sdesiretofulfillhispledgeto GodtohandthecaliphateovertothebestpersonamongthedescendantsofAbuTalibifhewas abletoregainhispost,asalSaduq(R.A.)concluded,forsuchastatement,ifitwasindeedsaidby alMamooninhisanswertoalFadlandhisbrotheralHassanibnSahl,wassaidonlytoconfuse themattertoothers.Equallynaiveisthatwhichallegedthatthereasonforitwastoexposethe realityoftheImamsandtheirpretenseofasceticismandthattheirpretensewasonlyduetotheir inabilitytoattainit. ButalMamoonwasmorekeenandmoreknowledgeablethanothersoftherealityoftheImams. Heknewthatsuchpostswouldnotintheleastaffecttheirstanceandthepublic''sregardtowards them.Yetaccedingtothepostofcaliphwouldnotbeintheeyesofthenationinconflictwiththe principleofasceticismiftheobjectiveistoestablishanequitablesocietyandtorulethenationby theprincipleofabsolutejustice. TheImamsandtheirfollowers,however,regardgovernmentasoneoftheirrightswhichwas Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

usurpedfromthembyothers;otherwise,howcanyouprovethatthereisaconflictbetween one''sasceticismandhisacceptanceofagovernmentpost?Diditunderminetheasceticismof ImamAliibnAbuTalib(A.S.)andthatofotherswhobecamecaliphsandwhowereknownfor theirasceticism? These,finally,arethereasonswhichwecanmentiontoclearlyshowustheotherfaceofal Mamoonrevealingtherealbackgroundofhispoliticswhichwereambiguousindimension regardinghisregencyarrangement. Queries IfalMamoonhadreallybeenseriousinhisofferforImamalRida(A.S.)thatheshouldacceptthe postofcaliphwhilehehimselfwouldabdicate,oreveninhisofferofregency,wesillhaveto answersomequerieswithouttheanswerstowhichwecannottakealMamoon''sofferthat seriously;theyarethefollowing: 1.WhydidalMamoonsendamessengertoMedinatobringtheImam(A.S.)tohimescortedbya policeforce? 2.WhydidhespecifythattherouteheshouldtakewouldpassbyBasrah,alAhwaz,Persia,then Marw? 3.IfalMamoonwastrulyconvincedthattheImam(A.S.)wasmostqualifiedforcaliphate,why didhenotaddressthepubliconhisbehalfwithoutforcinghimtotakesuchahardjourneyto Marwundersuchspecificroutearrangement? 4.WhydidheforbidhimfromleadingtheEidprayersafterinsistingrepeatedlythatheshoulddo so? Thesequestionsmayseemtosomeasnaiveandsuperficial,buttheyaredeepenoughtobe consideredinthecalculationofthehistorianwhoaimsatevaluatingtheeventanditsintricacies. AlMamoonWastheOneWhoSuggestedIt Whatappearstousafterobservingthegeneralpoliticalcircumstancesandfromdiscerningal Mamoon''spoliticalawarenesswhichwasadulteratedwithbothcautionandprecision,thatal Mamoonwastheonewhocameoutwiththeideaoftheregencyastheabovequotednarratives indicate.AlFadlibnSahltriedtodissuadehimfromdoingsowhenhewasmagnifyingforhim theirconsequences,buthefinallyhadtoyielduponfacingalMamoon''sinsistence. AlFadlCouldNotHaveSuggestedIt ItisfarfetchedtosuggestthatalFadlibnSahlwastheonewhocamewiththeideaespecially sincehewasalackeyandarecipientofthecashoftheBarmakisandoftheirfollowers''whowere Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

allverywellknownfortheiropendeviationfromthelineoftheAlawides;so,howcoulditbe possiblethathewouldrecommendtoalMamoontochoosealRida(A.S.)ashissuccessorexcept ifthegeneralpoliticalatmosphereofthecaliphatenecessitatedthatitshouldbypassthe sectarianissues? IbnalAthirgoesbeyondthisinhisTarikhtosuggestthatalFadlwasactuallyShi''aandthathe wasdefinitelytheonewhosuggestedtoalMamoontochooseAliibnMousaalRida(A.S.)ashis successor.109Hemayevenhavenarratedthisinsomeofhisnarratives;forexample,AbuAlial HassanibnAhmedalSalamiwritesinhisbookTarikhKhurasan(historyofKhurasan)saying:"Al FadlibnSahlsuggestedtoalMamoontonameAliibnMousaalRida(A.S.)ashisregent110,and thisviewisadoptedbyagroupofhistorians." AlSalamialsonarratessayingthatalFadlibnSahl,whenonedayalMamoonwasdiscussinghow hesuccessfullytransferredthecaliphatewithsomeofhisveryclosefriends(amongwhomalFadl waspresent),hewondered,"HowwouldyoucomparemyactioninthisregardtothatofAbu Muslim[alKhurasani]?"Oneofthemanswered,"AbuMuslimtransferredcaliphatefromone tribetoanother,whereasyouhavetransferreditfromonebrother(alAmin)toanother,and thereisadifferencebetweenthetwocasesofwhichyouareaware."AlFadlsaid,"Ifitwereupto me,Iwouldrathertransferitfromonetribetoanother,"andhesuggestedtohimtonameAliibn MousaalRida(A.S.)ashisregent,sohesecuredtheoathofallegianceforhimandthusdropped thatofalMutaminBillah.111 AbdullahibnTahirisquotedsaying:"AlFadlibnSahlsuggestedtoalMamoontoseeknearnessto theAlmightyGodandtothekinofHisMessenger(S.A.W.)bynamingAliibnMousa(assuccessor) inordertowipeouttheharmtheyhadreceivedatthehandsofalRashid,andhecouldnoteasily rejectasuggestionhemade;therefore,hedispatchedfromKhurasanRajaaibnAbulDhahhakand YasirtheservantandorderedthemtoseekthecompanyofMuhammadibnJa''ferandAliibn MousaibnJa''fer(andgotoalRida,A.S.),andthatwasintheyear200A.H."112 AlMamoonAssertstheIdeaWasHis Incontrastwiththeabove,alRayyanibnalSaltsays:"Therewasahugemultitudeofarmy leadersandciviliandignitariesaswellashugecrowdsofcommonersassembledtowitnessthe nominationofalRida(A.S.),andtheyweresayingthatthatwasduetothearrangementofalFadl DhulRiyasatayn,andalMamooncametoknowaboutit,sohesentformeinthemidstofthe night,andIstoodbeforehim.Hesaid,ORayyan!Ithascometoourknowledgethatpeoplesay thatthenominationofalRida(A.S.)wasthearrangementofalFadlibnSahlDhulRiyasatayn.''I said,Ocommanderofthefaithful! Theyindeedsayso.''Hesaid,Fieuponyou,ORayyan!Howdareanyonecometothecaliph,after Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

hissubjectsarecompletelyloyaltohimandsoarehisleadersandheiswellseatedinhispost, andtellshimtohandoverthecaliphatetosomeoneelse?Isthisconceivable?''Isaid,ByGod,no, Ocommanderofthefaithful!Nobodydarestodothat.''Hesaid,No,byGod!Whattheysayisnot true,butIshalltellyouofthereasonforthat.''Thenhementionedthereasontobehispledgeto Godthatifheregainedhispostandbecameincharge,hewouldconductregencythewayGod wantedittobe."113 HistoricalAnalysisofItsAttributiontoalFadl IfweobservetheImam''sconducttowardsalFadl,hisviewabouttheImam(A.S.),andhis warningtoalMamoonagainstgivinghimthereinsofleadershipofhisgovernment,wecannot helpendorsingtheviewwhichsaysthatthechoiceofregentwassomethingalMamoonthought aboutandpoliticallycalculated.AlFadlwasnotignorantofthestatusoftheImam(A.S.)andthe powerofhisinfluenceshouldhesidewithalMamoon,andhewasnotnaivetotheextentthathe wouldjeopardizehispowerfulinfluencebygettinginvolvedinalMamoon''sapparatusina confrontationwithamorepowerfulinfluence. AsregardingwhatothershavestatedthatitwashewhosuggestedtoalMamoontodoso,this maybeattributedtothefactthatifanyeventhappenedtotherulingapparatus,itscreditwas oftengiventothepersonwiththestrongestinfluenceinthatapparatus,theonewhowasstrong enoughtofacethepublicopinionbearingfullresponsibilityforanyactiontakenbythe government. AbulFadl,accordingtopublicopinionofthetime,enjoyedthewidestinfluenceandthestrongest wordwiththecaliphalMamoon,andwhenalMamoonwasabouttomakeadecisionregarding theappointmentoftheImam(A.S.)ashissuccessor,peoplewouldthinkthatalFadlmusthave beeninspiredtheidea.ItwasheldthathemusthavebeentheonewhosubjectedalMamoonto hisviewsinallhispoliticalmeasures,enforcingacompletecontroloverthem. Forthisreason,weseethatwhentheletterofalHassanibnSahlreachedIsaibnMuhammadibn Khalid,inwhichhewasinforminghimthatalMamoonwasgettingreadytonominatealRida (A.S.)ashissuccessorandthathehadalreadyorderedhimtoremovetheofficialblack governmentuniformsandsubstitutethemwithgreenonesandorderedthearmyandits commandersaswellasBanuHashimtosweartheoathofallegiancetohimassuchandtorequire alltheresidentsofBaghdadtodolikewise,somepeoplesaidtheywouldswearallegiancebut wouldnotweargreenwhileotherssaidthattheywoulddoneitherandthattheywouldnotlet thedescendantsoftheAbbasideslosetheirgripoverthegovernment,addingthatitwasa "conspiracy"inspiredbyalFadlibnSahl.114 TheaccusationofthepeopleofBaghdadofalFadlwasinspiredonlybecauseofhishavingthe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

strongestinfluenceoverthegovernment,andwethinkitisnottoofartobelievethatthe publicityoftherumourthattheideawassuggestedtoalMamoonbyalFadlwasactuallythe doingofalFadlhimselfinordertosafeguardhisownstatusinpublicopinionsincehedid,indeed, havethestrongestinfluenceoverthecaliph''sactions. WhenalMamoonasksoneofhisclosefriendsabouthisownopinionregardingthecomparison betweenwhathedidandwhatAbuMuslimhaddone,hebragsabouttransferringthecaliphate fromonetribetoanotherjustasAbuMuslimhaddoneinordertoboasttohislistenersofhaving theabilitytodowiththecaliphatewhateverhepleased,andthatthearrangementoftheregency issuewasdoneaccordingtohisowninstructionsratherthanthoseofanyoneelse. AlFadlSowsMischiefBetweentheImamandalMamoon AlFadlactuallydidtrytotransferthecaliphatefromonetribetoanotherinordertosatisfybyso doinghisownpersonalconceitandinpursuitofhisownpersonalambitiontobeasecondAbu Muslim,soheenterstheresidenceofalRida(A.S.)accompaniedbyHishamibnAmrtosay:"O sonoftheMessengerofGod!Ihavecometoyoutospeakinprivate;so,pleasecleartheplace," thenalFadlbringsoutofhispocketanoathswornbythesanctityofemancipation,divorce,and whateverhasnokaffara,andbothmensaytohim,"Wehavecometoyoutosayawordoftruth andhonesty,andweknowthatyourwordismosteffective,andtherightbelongstoyou.Osonof theMessengerofGod!Whatwesaywithourtonguesisattestedtobyourownconscience; otherwise,wewouldemancipateallthatwehave,andallourwomenarehenceforthdivorced, andIshallberequiredtoperformthepilgrimagethirtytimesonfoot...thatweshallkillal Mamoonandputyouinchargesothatrightgoesbacktoyou,"buthedidnotlistentothembut cursedthemandsaid,"YoubothhaveprovenungratefultotheblessingsGodhasblessedyou with;therefore,youwillnotbesafefromwhatyouhavesaid,andIshallnotgetwhatyou promiseevenifIweretoagreetowhatyousay." WhenalFadlandHishamheardtheImam(A.S.)sayso,theyrealizedthattheyweremistakenin theircalculations;therefore,theywentbacktoalMamoonaftertellingalRida(A.S.)thatthey wereonlytestinghim.Beforeleaving,theyweretoldbytheImam(A.S.),"Youhavelied,foryour heartscertainlyrelishwhatyouhavejustsaidtome,butyoufoundmenotexactlyasyouhad hoped." WhentheyenteredalMamoon''scourt,theysaid:"Ocommanderofthefaithful!Wehavejust visitedalRida(A.S.)andwetestedhimandwantedtosifthismindaboutyou,sowesaidwhatwe saidandhesaidtoo,"whereuponalMamoonsaid,"Youhavedonewell."Sowhentheycameout, alRida(A.S.)wenttoseehimandtheyremainedbythemselvesandalRida(A.S.)informedhimof whattheybothhadsaidandenjoinedhimtoprotecthimselffromtheirmischief.Whenal Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

MamoonheardthatfromalRida(A.S.),heknewthattheImam(A.S.),notthosetwomen,wasthe truthful. SubjectiveAnalysisoftheDialogue Shouldthisstorybetrue,itwouldbeaproofshowingustheprecisepoliticaldimensionofa dangerousmovewherebyalFadltriedtoscoreavictoryforhimselfandstrengthenhisown positionwhichwasbeingweakenedbyhisbeingdistancedfromthepowernucleusafterthe nominationofImamalRida(A.S.)asthesuccessor.AlFadl,bysodoing,waseitherseriousinhis offerorapretender. Ifwesupposethathewasserious,whatwouldthenhisobjectivebe?Whatwecanunderstandas aninterpretationofthesituationisthatalFadlwastryingbysodoingtoinvolvetheImam(A.S.) intheplottingofaconspiracytoassassinatealMamoon,andwhencaliphatewastobe transferredtotheImam(A.S.),sincehewastheheirtothethrone,alFadlwouldbeinaposition toholdthereinsofgovernmentandenforcehiscontroloveritsauthority,makingtheImam''s participationintheplotasablackmailagainsttheImam(A.S.)wherebyhecouldthreatenhim shouldhetryinanywaytorestricthisinfluence.Or,aftereliminatingalMamoon,itwouldbe easyforhimtoeliminateImamalRida(A.S.)aswellthroughalittlehelpfromgroupsopposing theImam''scaliphate. HadalFadlbeentrulyhonestinhisoffertotransferthecaliphatetotheAlawidedynastyandto eliminatealMamoon,andhadhebeenconfidentofthepracticalityoftheidea,whatmadeit necessaryforhimtoconsulttheImam(A.S.)regardingallofthatsincecaliphatewouldbe transferredtotheImam(A.S.)automaticallyandwithoutanyobstacleaftertheeliminationofal Mamoonsincehewastheappointedsuccessor? Ifwesupposethathewasapretenderinhisoffer,asalFadltriedtoassertaftertheImam''s rejectionofhisplot,thenthegoalhewastryingtoachievebecomesquiteclear,forhewould thendesiretodisturbthestandingrelationshipbetweentheImam(A.S.)andalMamoonand,at thesametime,provetoalMamoonhisloyaltytohisgovernmentandconcernaboutitssecurity. ImamFoilsalFadl''sAttempt TheImam(A.S.)foiledhisattempttoachievehisgoalineitherpossibility,andImamalRida''s assertiontoalMamoonthatalFadlwasquiteseriousabouthisofferisastrongreasonaddedto theotherreasonswhichcausedalMamoontoeliminatealFadlatalatertime.Havingabsorbed alltheabove,wecanbeeasilysatisfiedthattheregencyconceptwasduetoalMamoon''s convictionofthepersistingneedforitinordertoachievesomepoliticalgainsthegovernment wasconcernedaboutachieving. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 WecanalsobesatisfiedthatthepublicityalFadlibnSahlawardedthatarrangementcannotbe provenevenwhenmanyhistoriansinsistitcould,forattributingShi''aismtohimwasduetothe rumourswhichsaidthatalFadlwastheonewhoofferedalMamoonthemostencouragementto namealRida(A.S.)ashissuccessor,butweoptfortheoppositeduetothelackofevidenceafter havinganalyzedallsituationsasstatedabove. AlMamoonCallsImamtoHim Havingevaluatedthegeneralstatusofthepoliticalpoliciesofhisgovernment,whichwere surroundedwithtumultuouseventsstartingwithBaghdadgoingbackagainstitspromiseof supporttohimandpassingbytheShi''aAlawidethrongssurroundinghisbaseofgovernmentin KhurasanandendingwiththeAlawiderebellionsinIraq,HijazandYemen,alMamoonthoughtof curingthisweakpointbyabrilliantacceptablepoliticalmovewhichwouldbesomethingtodivert theattentionoftheAlawidesandtheShi''aresidentsofKhurasanand,atthesametime,aterrible threattotheAbbasidethrongsinBaghdadthatwouldguaranteeinfluenceforhispositionand controloverallparties,andthiscouldnotbeachievedwithoutnamingImamAliibnMousaal Rida(A.S.)asthesuccessortothethrone. Andsoithappened;hesentletterstotheImam(A.S.)orderinghimtogotoMarw.TheImam (A.S.)refused,andagreatdealofcorrespondenceensuredbetweenbothmentillalMamoon convincedhimfinallyandthroughhisownspecialwaystogothere,sendinghimaspecialforceto escorthimonhiswaywhichincludedalDhahhak,or,accordingtoalMufidandAbulFarajal Asbahani,alJalloudi.Historybooksdonotsaymuchaboutthattripexceptsmallbitsandpieces whichdonotprovideuswithaclearvisionofitsnatureandmission.

AlMamoonDeterminesImam''sRoute AlMamoonhadalreadyorderedhismessengertotakeagroupofdignitarieswhowere descendantsofAbuTalibtotheBasrahhighway,thentoalAhwazandPersia,keepinginmind thatthealternateroute,whichwasKufaalJabalKermanShahQum,wasmostlyinhabitedby Shi''asandithastheirstrongholds,andtheymightbecarriedawaybytheirenthusiasmupon findingoutthattheImam(A.S.)wasamongthemandmightdecidetokeephimthereandthus involvethegovernmentindangerousconsequenceswhichmightcauseitsweakeningand collapse. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 ImaminNishapur WhenheenteredNishapur,hestayedataneighbourhoodcalledalQazwiniwheretherewere crowdsofpigeons,thepigeonswhichtheycalltodayalRida(A.S.)pigeons,andtherewasaspring therethewaterofwhichhadreceded,sohehiredworkerswhorepairedittillitswaterbecame plentiful.Hehadapoolbuiltonitsoutsidewherestairswerealsobuiltaccordingtohis instructionsleadingtothelowlevelofthespringwater,sotheImam(A.S.)wentdown,madehis ablution,cameoutandsaidhisprayersontheoutside. StoryoftheGoldChain AccordingtoTarikhNishapur,asquotedinAlFusoolalMuhimmabyIbnalSabbaghtheMalekite, whentheImam(A.S.)enteredNishapuronhiswaytoMarw,hewasinsideadomewithcurtains conveyedonagraymule,andhewentthroughNishapurwherethetwoImamswhomemorized theahadithoftheProphet(S.A.W.)andthestudentsoftheSunnahoftheProphet(S.A.W.), namelyAbuZar''aalRaziandMuhammadibnAslamalToosi,withcountlessscholarsandseekers ofknowledge,traditionistsandcritics,andtheybothapproachedtheImam(A.S.)saying,"Omost honourabledignitaryandthesonofthemasterImams!Bytherightsofyourpurifiedforefathers (A.S.)andyourgloriousancestors,couldyoupleaseletusseeyourblessedface,andcouldyou narrateforushadithfromyourforefathersquotingyourgrandfatherMuhammad(S.A.W.) wherebywecanrememberyou?"Soheorderedtohavethemulehalted,andhecooledtheeyes ofthethrongswithhisblessedsight.Hehadtwolocksofhaironhisshoulders,andpeoplefrom allclasseswerestandingandlookingathim,someloudlycryingandrollinginthedustbeforehim whileotherswerekissingthehoovesofhismule. Thenoisebecamemuchlouder,andtheleadingscholarsloudlycalleduponpeople,"Ofolks! Listenandlearn!Listentowhatbenefitsyouanddonotharmusbyyourloudscreamsandcries!" ThepersonwhorequestedpermissiontowritedownthenwasAbuZar''aMuhammadibnAslam alToosi.AliibnMousaalRida(A.S.)said:"MyfatherMousaalKazim(A.S.)narratedtomefrom hisfatherJa''feralSadiq(A.S.)fromhisfatherMuhammadalBaqir(A.S.)fromhisfatherAli ZaynulAbidin(A.S.)fromhisfather,theMartyrofKerbala(A.S.), fromhisfatherAliibnAbuTalib(A.S.)saying:Mylovedone,andthepleasureofmyeyes,the MessengerofGod(S.A.W.),narratedtomeoncethatJibrail(Gabriel)toldhimthathehadheard theLordoftheThrone,GlorifiedandPraisedbeHisName,saying,ThekalimaofLAILAHAILLA ALLAHisMycitadel;whoeversaiditwouldenterMycitadel,andwhoeverenteredMycitadelwas safefromMyretribution.''"Thenheletthecurtainslooseonthedomeandwentawaywhilethe scribesoutnumberedtwentythousand. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 AbuNa''imsaidinHilyatalAwliya,afterquotingthenarrativeabove,"Thisisafirmhadithfamous inthiswayofnarrationthroughthelineofnarratorsfromamongthePurifiedOnes(A.S.)who quotetheirforefathers,andsomeofourpredecessorswhoweretraditionistsusedtosay wheneverthistraditionwasnarratedthatifthisnarrativewasnarratedtoamadman,hewould comebacktohissenses." ImamContinuesHisTriptoMarw TheImam(A.S.)afterthatcontinuedhistriptillhefinallyreachedMarwwherealMamoonhad preparedacomfortableplaceforhimandsurroundedhimwithexcellentmanifestationsof respectandvenerationandallmeansofhonouringandglorification.ItwasthenthatalMamoon startedtoexecutetheplanhehadplannedfortheregency. ImamPreconditions FinallytheImam(A.S.)bowedhisheadwiththeagreementtobethecaliph''ssuccessor,butit wasnotbeforehehadtakenfromthegovernmentanexcitinglynegativestance;he preconditionedthathewouldnotberequiredtobearanyresponsibility,generalorspecific, relatedtothegovernmentanditsrulingsystems,andalMamoonacceptedtheconditionquite reluctantly,buthedidtryattimestoinvolvetheImam(A.S.)insuchresponsibilities,andthe Imam(A.S.)keptrefusing,remindinghimtohonourhiscondition. Havingbeenconvincedtoaccept,theImam(A.S.)saidtoalMamoon:"Ialsoagreenottoname anyoneinapostnorremoveanyonefromapost,thatIdonotcancelanydecreeortradition,and tostayasanadvisor,"andheagreedtoallofthat.115 Inanotherencounter,alMamoontriedtopressuretheImam(A.S.)intoparticipatinginthestate affairs;Mu''ammaribnKhalladsaidthatAbulHassanalRida(A.S.)hadsaidtohim,"AlMamoon saidtome,OfatherofalHassan!Youmayconsidersomeofthoseindividualswhomyoutrustto begovernorsoftheareaswherecorruptionismanifest,''andIsaidtohim,Ifyouhonouryourpart oftheagreement,Ishallcertainlyhonourmine.IagreedtowhatIagreedontheconditionthatI donotissueordersoroverruleothers,nordeposeanyoneorappointanyone,nordoIgo anywhereexceptwhereverGodsendsme.ByGod!CaliphatewassomethingIneverdesired,andI usedtoliveinMedinawhereIgothroughitsalleysonthebackofmyanimal,andwhenits residentsorothersaskmetodothemafavour,Idothemafavour,andthustheybecomelikemy ownuncles. Mylettersstillcarryweightinvariouslands,andyouhavenotincreasedmeinwhateverblessing Godhasbestoweduponme.''Sohesaid,Ishallhonourit.''"116 Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 AnalyzingImam''sNegativeStanceTowardsSuchResponsibility Wehavenochoicehereexcepttoclearsomeoftheambiguitywhichencompassesthisnegative stanceoftheImam(A.S.)towardsthegovernment,forwhyshouldherefusetocooperatewithal Mamoonincarryingoutthestateaffairs? Beforedoinganything,wehavetoevaluatetheImam''sviewpointtowardsthegovernmentand its"legitimacy"undertheleadershipofalMamoonandthecounselsofalFadlibnSahlandhis viewsregardingitsleadersandheads. Ofcourse,hisviewpointwasnotpositiveduetohisbeliefthatagovernmentwasnotlegitimate aslongasitremaineddistantfromhisownleadershipinhisstatusasthepristineImam(A.S.) namedsobytheMessenger(S.A.W.)himselfaccordingtoaseriesofinstructionsconveyedbyone Imam(A.S.)tothenext.Forthisreason,weseehowhiscompanionsunanimouslydisagreedthat heshouldacceptthepostofregentwhichcarriedanimpliedrecognitionofthethencaliphate. WecanseetheonlyjustificationtheyacceptedwasthattheImam(A.S.)wasforcedtoacceptit, andthatthatpostwhichwasforcedonhimwouldnotchangehisstancetowardsthegovernment oneiota,forhedidnotenterintoitexceptlikethatwhoenteredtoexit117andthatwhatcaused himtoagreewasthesamethatcausedhisgrandfathertheCommanderoftheFaithful(A.S.)to agreetobepartoftheshuracommittee.118 HadImamalRida(A.S.)wishedtosharetheburdensofgovernmentwithalMamoon,itwould havebeenregardedashisrecognitionofthelegitimacyofthemakeupofthatgovernment,and anendorsementofallitsactionsundertakenbyitshigherauthorities,buthepreferredtoassume theroleofanadvisorwhokepthisstancesinordertosafeguardtheinterestsofIslamthe safeguardingofwhichwashisownverymissioninlife.ButtheImam(A.S.)didnotwanttogrant alMamoonthestatusofacustodianoverhisbehaviourandactions,norwouldhebethe executorofhiswillandthepersontofulfillhiseveryambition,forhedidnothavetheambitionto achieveastrongerrulingstatus,ortheonewhocontrolsthegovernmentapparatus,sothathe wouldprovidealMamoonsimilarlytowhatalFadlibnSahlandothersprovided. Thoseindividualsusedtopresstowinhisfavour,flatterhim,andcarryouthisdesireswhatever theymightbesothattheywouldbethefirsttowinastrongerpositioninthegovernmentvehicle. LetussupposethattheImam(A.S.)hadacceptedtheprincipleoftakingpartinmanagingthe stateaffairs.Thatwouldmeanhisexposuretoanoverwhelmingandfierceoppositionbyothers Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

whoconsiderImamalRida(A.S.)asanelementdifferingfromtheirsystemsinconduct,program, frameworkandcontext,andhemightpushthemawayfromthecycleofgovernmentespecially sincehecouldnotacceptalltheiractionsmostofwhichmaygobeyondthelimitslegislatedfor them. OrsuchaconfrontationmayexposetheImam''sstancetodangerousrepercussionswhichmay historicallyaffecthisbeingandpersonalityevenifthroughcheapmeansandmethodstheyplot behindthescenestoaccusehiminordertoincitethewrathofthegovernmentagainsthimand alsodistortthesacredhalowithwhichotherssurroundhim. DothesepersonslackspecialmeanstocastashadowofdoubtonthemovementsoftheImam (A.S.)andmisinterprethisbehaviourtothecaliphalMamoon?Takethecaseofthatpersonwho raisedalMamoontothethroneafterturningthetablesupsidedownonthegovernmentin Baghdad,removedalAminfromhisthronethroughwhateverpoliticalandmilitarymeanshehad, washethennotcapableofplottingtoeliminatetheImam(A.S.),orhurthisreputation,inorder tosecureforhimselftoremaininthecenterofpower?!Infact,despitethegenerousamountof intelligencealMamoonenjoyedbyforcingtheImam(A.S.)toacceptregency,theImam(A.S.)was likewiseawareofhissituation,keentotheconsequenceswhenhepracticallydistancedhimself fromtheareasofresponsibility. RegencyCelebrated WhentheImam(A.S.)acceptedregency,alMamoonwantedtocelebratetheeventinagrand style,soheconductedameetingwithhisclosestaidesonaThursday,thenalFadlibnSahlwent outandinformedthepublicofthedecisionalMamoonhadmaderegardingAliibnMousaalRida (A.S.)andthathechosehimtobehissuccessorandnamedhim"alRida"andorderedthemto weargreenandcomeonThursdaytosweartheoathofallegiancetohimassuchandtakea year''sallowancefromthestatetreasury. Onthatday,peopleintheirvarioussocialclasses,leaders,chamberlains,judgesandothers,all drapedingreenoutfits,rodetothedesignatedplacewherealMamoonhadseatedhimself, puttingforalRida(A.S.)twohugepillows.HeevenspreadthecarpetinpersonforalRida(A.S.) andseatedhimonitnearhimwhilewearingaturbanandcarryingasword.Thenheorderedhis sonalAbbasibnalMamoontobethefirsttoswearallegiance. AlRida(A.S.)raisedhishand,withitsbackfacinghisfaceanditspalmfacingthem.AlMamoon saidtohim:"Stretchyourhandsothatpeopleswearallegiancetoyou."AlRida(A.S.)said:"The MessengerofGod(S.A.W.)usedtoputhishandlikethatbeforeacceptingpeople''sallegiance." Peoplesworetheoathofallegiancetohimwhilehispalmwasthusfacingthem.Tensof thousandsofdirhamswerebroughtin;oratorsdeliveredspeechesandpoetssaidtheirpoems Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

exaltingthemeritsofalRida(A.S.)andthestatustowhichalMamoonhadchosenhimfor.Then AbuAbbadcalleduponalAbbassonofalMamoon. Hestoodandcameclosetohisfatherandkissedhishand.Hisfatherorderedhimtosit,thenAli MuhammadibnJa''feribnMuhammadwascalledupon,andalFadlibnSahlsaidtohim,"Come up,"andhedidtillhewasclosetoalMamoon.Hestoodtherebuthedidnotkisshishand.He wastoldtogoandtakehismoney.AlMamoonthencalledhimandtoldhimtogobacktohis place,whichhedid.AbuAbbadkeptinvitingoneAlawideandoneAbbasidetotaketheirmoney tillallcashwasdepleted.ThenalMamoonaskedalRida(A.S.)todeliverasermon. TheImam(A.S.)praisedGodandglorifiedHim,thenhesaid:"Wehaveoveryouaright designatedbytheMessengerofGod,andyouhavearightoverusaswell;so,ifyouperformyour obligationtowardsus,wewillbeboundtoperformyours." Historiansdonotrecordanyothersermonhedeliveredbesidesthisoneonthatoccasion.Al MamoonorderedanewdirhamcurrencytobemintedwithalRida''snameonit.IshaqibnMousa ibnJa''fermarriedthedaughterofhisuncleIshaqibnJa''feribnMuhammadandorderedhimto accompanypeopletothepilgrimage,andsermonsweredeliveredatalRida''shometown mentioninghisnameinthemasthedesignatedsuccessorofthecaliph.119AlMamoonordered thatallcountriesmustmentionalRida(A.S.)duringtheirsermonsandprayforhiminhiscapacity asthesuccessorofthecaliphoftheMuslims. PoemsinhisPraise Poetspraisedhiminamostexcellentway.AmongsuchpoemswereversescomposedbyAbu Nuwaswhichareconsideredthebest,forpeopleblamedthepoetfornotpraisingalRida(A.S.), whereuponhesaid:Itwassaidtomethatminewasthebestrhyme, Articulateinartsofbrilliantspeechandchime, ThatIhavepearlsofbeautifulspeech Bearingfruitsinthehandsthatcanreach; "Sowhydidyouleavethepraiseoftheson OfMousa,andequaltohismeritsisnone?" IsaidhowcouldIpossiblypraiseandbefair ToonewhosefatherJibreeldidserveandcare? AlMamoonsaid:"Verywellsaid,"andhepaidhimasmuchashepaidallthepoetscombinedand consideredhimasaclosefriend.TheschoolofthoughtofAbuNuwaswasShi''a,andmythsof promiscuitywerenarratedaboutandattributedtohimregardingwhichwehaveourownview whichdissociatesthepoetfromwhatwasattributedtohim. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 AbuNuwaswentoutofhishouseonceandnoticedthattherewasahorsemanwhowasriding besidehim.Heaskedwhothemanwaswithoutseeinghisface,andhewastoldthathewasAli ibnMousaalRida(A.S.),whereuponheinstantlycomposedtheseverses:Hadtheeyessought youforagoal, Andtheminddoubtedyouandthesoul, TheheartwouldsurelyyourecognizeEvenwhennotseenbytheeyes. Ifpeoplewishtoseeyoubutdonotknow, Yourfragrancewilltellthemwheretogo. OncehesawtheImam(A.S.)leavingthecourtofalMamoonandridinghismule,hecameclose tohim,greetedhimandsaid,"OsonofthemessengerofGod!Ihavecomposedafewverses aboutyouandwouldlikeyoutohearthem."Hesaid,"Letushearthem,"sohesaid:Cleansedand Purifiedtheyare, Whenmentioned,theyaresanctified, Wherevertheymaybe,nearorfar; Whenrootsandlinesareidentified, IfnotAlawides,theyindeedare Withnothingtoboastorpride Intheirlineage,intheirdeed; ForwhenGodcreatedmanandeyed YouHeselectedandfavouredindeed Andraisedabovetherestandall WiththeknowledgeofHisQur''an Andofitsversesyoustandtall. AlRida(A.S.)said,"Youhavecomposedversesnobodyelsebeatyoutothembefore,"thenhe askedhisservanthowmuchspendingmoneyhehadwithhim,andtheservanttoldhimitwas threehundreddinars.TheImam(A.S.)said,"Giveittohimall,"thenheorderedhimtohandhim hismuleaswell.120 AsregardingDa''bal,thepoetoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.),Ididnotcomeacrosshispoetryinpraiseof alRida(A.S.)ontheoccasion,butIhavecomeacrosshispoetryasrecordedinbooksofhistory whichhavebroughtushisfamouspoemrhymingwiththet''inwhichhedepictedforusthe horribletragediesfromwhichtheAhlalBayt(A.S.)sufferedthebitternessofinjusticeand oppressionatthehandsoftheircontemporarycaliphsandtheiroppressiverulers. Da''balseemsinhispoemtoaimatstirringthesympathyofthenationinordertowakeupthe senseofloyaltytotheAhlalBayt(A.S.)andtosupportthemagainsttheirenemieswhousurped Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

theirrightsbyhismagnificentnarrativestyleofthebloodytragedieswherebytheywere terrorizedduringvariousepochsoftheUmayyadandAbbasidedynasties.Thepoembeginswith: Theyansweredeachotherwithanechoandsighed, MournersinnonArabtonguedwailedandcried... ThenheexplainsthefactstheAhlalBayt(A.S.)wentthroughsincethedemiseoftheProphet (S.A.W.),passingbytheincidentofthesaqifaandthenation''sstancetowardsthecaliphatethen, andendingwiththecalamitythatbefellImamMousaibnJa''fer(A.S.).Afterthathededicatesthe restofthepoemtopraisingtheAhlalBayt(A.S.),highlightingtheirparticularmeritsandqualities. ImamalRida(A.S.)wasmovedparticularlybytwoversesofthepoem,andthatwasreflected clearlyonhisface,whenDa''balsaid,Ifindotherssharetheirshare,Theirhandsofwhatistheirs arebare...; theImam(A.S.)criedandsaid,"Youhavesaidthetruth,ODa''bal..."AndDa''balhadindeed struckontheImam''ssensitivechordofthedilemmafromwhichtheAhlalBayt(A.S.)were sufferingwhenhesaid:Whentheywerepulledtaut,theydidstretchTensehandsthatcouldn''t theirmusclestouch, theImam(A.S.)keptmakingamotionwithhishandsandrepeating,"tense,indeed;theyare tense..."ThepoemisconsideredoneofthebestinArabicpoetryinitseaseofexpression,the realityofexposition,thecraftsmanshipofitsorganization,andtheexcellenceofitsperformance. WhenDa''balfinished,alRida(A.S.),accordingtotheauthorofAlAghani,rewardedhimwithten thousanddirhamsoftheonesmintedwithhisnameonthem,andgavehimoneofhisownshirts whichsomeresidentsofQumofferedtobuyfromthepoetforthirtythousanddirhamsbuthe refused;therefore,theywaitedtilltheyhadachancetotakeitawayfromhimbyforce. Hethensaidtothem,"ItismeanttobeforseekingnearnesstoGod,theExalted,anditis prohibitedfromyou,"andhesworethathewouldneversellsucharelicexceptiftheyagreedto givehimaportionofittoputinhiscoffin,sotheygavehimonesleevewhichwaslaterputinside hiscoffin. HewrotehispoemtitledMadarisuAyatin,asissaid,aboutagarment(fromtheImam)whichhe woreastheihramrobe,andheorderedittobeputinhiscoffinuponhisdeath.Da''balwas fearedforhistongue,andcaliphsusedtodreadhiscriticism.IbnalMudabbirsaid,"ImetDa''bal onceandsaidtohim,Youhavemoregutsthananyoneelsewhenyoucomposedtheseverses aboutalMamoon:IbelongtothepeoplewhosepowerandmightKilledyourbrotherand honouredyouwithyourright; Fromitslongapathytheymadeyourstatusbright, Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Andliftedyoufromthedeepestpitandplight.Sohesaidtome,OAbuIshaq!Ihavebeencarrying mycrossboardwithmeduringthepastfortyyearswithoutfindinganyonetocrucifymeon it!''"121 AnInterestingAnecdote OneoftheinterestingandoftennarratedanecdotessaysthatDa''balleftMarwafterDa''balhad alreadysaidhisfamouspoemrhyminginthet''andpassedbythewateringplacebelongingto Fawhanwhenhighwayrobbersinterceptedhiscaravanandtookitallasabootyaftertyingits menincludingDa''bal.Therobberstookpossessionofallthewaresofthecaravanandkept dividingitamongthemselveswhenoneman,quotingDa''bal,said:Ifindotherssharetheirshare, Theirhandsofwhatistheirsarebare..., Da''balheardhimandaskedhim,"Whosaidthatline?"Themananswered,"Amanfromthetribe ofKhuza''acalledDa''balibnAli."Da''balsaid,"IamDa''balwhocomposedthatpoem,andthis verseisoneofitsverses,"whereuponthemanleapedandrushedtotheirchiefwhowassaying hisprayersontopofahill,andhewasaShi''a.Hetoldhimwhathehadheard.Thechiefcame andaskedDa''balifhewasthemanandDa''balansweredintheaffirmative,sotheman challengedhimtorecitetheentirepoem.Whenhedid,heuntiedhimanduntiedalltheother meninthecaravanandreturnedalltheirbelongingsbacktothemjusttopleaseDa''bal.122 Thisstory,althoughwearenotsureifitistrue,expressesanywaytheimplicationthisverse carries. OpponentsoftheRegencyArrangement Theregencyarrangementwasthesourceofhorrormixedwithoutrageandangerofthe Abbasidesandtheirfollowers,andthisbecamemanifestbytheirremovalofallpoliticalinfluence ofalMamoonfromBaghdadandbyrenegingontheirpledgeofallegiancetohimwhichcaused himagreatdealofpoliticaldisasters. Therewasalsoagroupofmenamonghisclosestcourtiersandleaderswhorefusedtoendorsehis decisionandspokeoftheirdisagreementwithhimandinsistedontheirdisagreementtillhe foundhimselfforcedintheend,accordingtosomereports,toarrestthemforfearoffoilinghis plan.Amongthosearrestedwerethreemen,namelyalJalloudi,AliibnAbuImran,andIbnMunis. AlSaduqnarratessayingthattheywerekilledafterbeingarrested123,althoughsomehistorical factsconcludethatthiswasnotso,forbothTabariandIbnAthir,discussingtheeventsoftheyear 205A.H.,saythatalMamoonappointedYazidibnIsaalJallouditofightalZattinYemen124,and sodoesalYaqubi. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 ResearchingHistory WefindithardtobelievethatthealJalloudiwhomalMamoonkilledwasnotthesamealJalloudi whofoughtalZatt,anditispossiblethathewasnotkilledbecauseoftheintercessiononhis behalfbyalRida(A.S.). ItisstrangethatthoseleadersshouldrevoltagainstthewishofalMamoonandinsistontheir rebellionanddissensiontotheextentthattheywereexecuted,andherewehavenochoice excepttoendorsetheauthenticityofthisstoryaccordingtothecommonbooksofcriteriain understandinghistory.AlSaduqnarratedthestoryoftheirexecutioninawaywhichwascloserto astageplay,inwhichheusedprecisiontodistributetherolesamongitcast,thananythingelse.It islikelythatAliibnAbuImranwhomalSaduqnamedamongthosethreemenwasactuallyAbdul AzizibnImranwhowillbediscussedlaterandwhowaskilledwithothersbyalMamoonafter havingbeenaccusedoftakingpartinthemurderofalFadlibnSahl. SilentOpposition TherewereotherelementsofdissentwhodidnotrelishthenominationoftheImam(A.S.)asthe successorandtothepossibilityoftakingcaliphateoutoftheAbbasides,buttheysubmittedto realitywhilehidingillintentionsjusttoavoidaclashwiththegovernmentinwhichtheyarenot strongenoughtoopposeitswill.Buttheycouldnotkeepittothemselvesfortoolong;instead, theyexpressedthebitternesstheyfelttowardssuchan"irresponsible"act,accordingtotheirway ofthinking,ofthecaliph. IshaqibnMousaibnIsaibnMousaaccompaniedagroupofpeopleforthehajjwhereheprayed foralMamoonandforhissuccessorAliibnMousaalRida(A.S.),whereuponhewaschallenged byHamdawayhiibnAliibnIsaibnMousaibnIsaibnMahanwholeapedathimandcalledfora black(Abbasidecolour)robetowear,andwhenhecouldnotfindone,hetookablackflagand wrappedhimselfinitsaying:"Opeople!IhavenowconveyedtoyouwhatIwasorderedto convey,andIdonotrecognizeanyoneotherthanthecommanderofthefaithfulandalFadlibn Sahl,"thenhedescended.125Thisincidentleadsustobelievethattherewasasilent undergroundoppositionwhichdidnotwishtoenterintoastruggletodefineitsposition regardingthegovernment,inadditiontotheoppositionwhichhadalreadyandpubliclytakena stancecontrarytothewillofthegovernmentashadhappenedinBaghdadandelsewhere. Atanyrate,thosewhorejectedtheregencyarrangementdidnotrealizewhatpromptedal MamoontobringitaboutduringthoseshakypoliticalcircumstanceswhichtheAbbaside governmentlived,andalMamoonwasnotnaiveenoughtorevealtothesepartiesthesecret whichhehadverywellkepttohimselftillhereachedthefinaldestinationpointoftheplanhe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

hadplanned. EidPrayers Oneofthemanifestationswhichwasnotdestinedtofinalizeoftheregencycelebrationwasthe EidprayerswhichalMamooninsistedthattheImam(A.S.)shouldconductinpersonbecausehe himselfhadcaughtaverybadcold,orhemayhavehadanotherexcuse.AlIrshadquotesAliibn IbrahimwhointurnquotesYasirtheservantandalRayyanibnalSaltsayingthatwhentheEid approached,andalRida(A.S.)hadalreadybeennamedasthecaliph''ssuccessor,alMamoon invitedhimtoridetotheplacewheretheoccasionwastobecelebratedandtosaytheprayers anddeliverthesermon,andalRida(A.S.)senthimawordsaying,"Youknowwhattermsexist betweenbothofus;so,pleaseexemptmefromconductingtheprayerstopeople." AlMamoonansweredsaying,"Myintentionisthatpeople''sheartsmustrestatpeaceregarding youandtheyshouldcometoknowyourexcellences."Messengerskeptgoingbetweenbothmen carryingmessagesandwhenalMamooninsistedonhissuggestion,hesenthimamessagesaying, "Ifyouexemptme,Iwouldappreciateit,andifyoudonot,IshallcomeoutjustastheMessenger ofGod(S.A.W.)andtheCommanderoftheFaithfulAliibnAbuTalib(A.S.)did,"whereuponal Mamoonsaid,"Comeouthoweveryouplease," andheorderedtheleadersandchamberlainsandthepublictogoearlytoalRida''shouse.People waitedtoseeAbulHassanalRida(A.S.)inthealleysandonrooftops,andwomenandchildren toogatheredwaitingforhimtocomeout.Thearmycommandersandtheirtroopsstoodguardat hisdoormountedontheirhorsestillthesunstartedrising. AbulHassanwashed,putonhisoutsideclothesandworeaturbanmadeofcotton,leavinga portionofitdrapedownonhischestandasmallportionofitbetweenhisshoulders.Herubbed hishandswithsomeperfumeandtookinhishandacaneandtoldhisservantstodolikewise.So theyallcameout, andhewasbarefoot,andheraisedhistrousersuptohalfthelegandhisclotheswerehanging looselyonhim.Hewalkedforashortwhile,raisedhisheadaboveandmadethetakbirandhis servantsdidlikewise.Thenhewalkedtillhereachedhisdoorstep.Whentheleadersandtroops sawhimlookinglikethat,theyallalightedinthespeedoflightning,somuchsothatluckywasthe oneamongthemwhohappenedtohaveaknifetocuttheleatherstirrupssothathecouldjump fasterthanothers,takehissandalsoffandremainbarefootjustastheImam(A.S.)haddone.Al Rida(A.S.)madetakbiragain,andeveryoneelsedidlikewise,somuchsothatitseemedto everyoneasiftheskyandthewallsechoedwithhim,andMarwwasshakenwiththenoiseof weepingandhasslewhenitsresidentssawAbulHassanandheardhimsayAllahuAkbar!Allahu Akbar!... Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 SendingImamBack AlMamooncametoknowaboutallofthat.AlFadlibnSahlDhulRiyasataynsaidtohim,"O Commanderofthefaithful!IfalRida(A.S.)reachesthemosqueinsuchacondition,peoplewillbe fascinatedbyhimandweallwillhavetofearforourlives;so,sendhimamessengerandtellhim togoback."AlMamoonsenthimamessagesaying,"Wehaveoverburdenedyouandworeyou out,andwedonotwishthatyoushouldsufferanyhardshiponouraccount;so,gobackhome, andletpeoplesaytheirprayersbehindwhoevertheyhavebeenpraying."AbulHassan,therefore, askedforhissandalsback,putthemonandwentback.Peopleonthatdaydifferedregarding theirprayers,andhedidnotparticipateintheirprayers.

AnalyzingImam''sHandlingofEidPrayers ThusdidtheImam(A.S.)desiretogivetheEidprayerstheirgreatspiritualmeaningandseparate themfromthefakeappearanceswhichwereattachedtothembyrulingcaliphswhowereusing themtomakeadisplayofthepowertheycommandedandtosecurethesenseofaweand greatnessinthemindsofthepublic.SuchasplendidshowwherebytheImam(A.S.)triedtobring thelegislativesystembacktoitspristinegenuinenesswassomethingwithwhichthepublicwere notfamiliaratall,anditwasamagnificentsurprisethattheemotionsofthemasseswere amalgamatedwiththeImam''spositionwhichwasrebelliousinnatureagainstthetraditions followedbythecaliphsonsuchoccasions. Peoplelivedduringthosemomentsasupremespiritualoutburstwhichdeepenedwithintheir soulsthesenseofbeliefanddistancedthemfromartificialandfakeappearances.Suchan objectivestancetheImam(A.S.)tookwasanopeninvitationtothenationtoreevaluatetheruling apparatusthatplayedhavocwiththeirlivesandproperties,andinspiretothemtoseehowfake thegovernmentapparatuswasandhowdistantfromtherealityoftheIslamicmessage.Thisis whyalFadlwasswifttowarnalMamoonabouttheembarrassmentofthesituationandalerthim againstpeoplefallinginlovewiththeImam(A.S.)andturninginhatredagainstthegovernmentif hedidnotsendtheImam(A.S.)back.AlMamoonwasmovedbyalFadl''swarning;therefore,he hadtosendsomeonetoasktheImam(A.S.)togobackhome. SomeoftheImam''sDawahMethods Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

TheImam(A.S.)hadhisownparticularmethodinpromotingthedawah,forhetookadvantageof someexcitingsituationsinordertoopenpeople''seyestoseehowcorruptthegovernmentand itsrulingsystemwas,havingnofreedomofmovementduetotherestrictionsalMamoonandhis ministeralFadlibnSahlhadenforcedonhimofstrictsurveillanceoverallhisactionsand speeches.Amongsuchsituationswhichweredictatedbythenatureofhismissionwashis conditionalacceptanceoftheregencythathewouldnothavetoissueordersnorcancelthe ordersofothers,thathewouldnotdeposeornominateanyone,norhaveanythingtodowiththe stateaffairs. Allinall,thisindicatesthathedidnotfeelthatthegovernmentwaslegitimateenoughforhimto cooperatewithandwhichwouldraisesomequestionsbypeoplearoundhim. Afinalnote.Thisisthestoryoftheregencyissue.Ihavetriedwhilewritingittobefaithfulto historyindiscussingitscomplexitiesanddevelopmentswithouthavinganygoalexcepttoclear theImam(A.S.)oftheaccusationsagainsthimwhichmaystillberaisedbysomepeoplewhohave aparticularwayofunderstandinghistorywithintheframeworksoftextswithoutexaminingthe mainsubjectmatterswhilestudyinghistory.Theseinclude:theevaluationofthegeneral circumstances,thepoliticalimpactswhichstampthenatureofagovernment,thesocialpressure whichmayhavesomethingtodowithdefiningsomesituationsandtakingafewstepsdictatedby thenecessityofcopingwithagovernment.Howniceitwouldbeifthelongstoryofhistorywere researchedonthebasisofanalyzingthesituationsandevaluatingthecircumstances!Itisonly thenthatthecloudwouldberemovedfromagreatdealofscenesandpictures,andwecanbe morerealisticinourjudgementofevents. ________________________________________ 90UyoonalAkhbar,chapteronalRida,Vol.2,p.141 91AlIrshad,p.290.AlsoMaqatilalTalibiyyinbyAbulFarajalAsbahani,p.375 92AlMaqatil,p.375 93IlalalSharai'',p.266 94AlBihar,Vol.49,p.208quotingIbnMaskawayh''sbookNadeemalFareed 95UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,P.148 96IlalalSharai'',Vol.1,p.226 97ItappearsthatalHassanibnSahlwasalMamoon''sruleroverIraqatthattime,andwecannot explainwhythenameofalHassanismentionedinthisstoryexceptinthecasealMamoonhad calledhimtomeetwithhimtoconsulthimregardingtheissueofselectingImamalRida(A.S.)as theregentaspresumesSayyidalAmininhisworkA''yaanalShi''a,ButalFadl''slettertohis brotheralHassanregardingregency,asIbnalAthirandTabariandotherhistoriansindicate, negatesallthat,andtheadditionmayhavebeentheactionofthenarratorwhowasignorantof Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

allofthatwhichconstitutesamajorprobleminflictingnarratives. 98AlIrshad,p.291 99MaqatilalTalibiyyin,p.375 100AlIrshad,p.291 101AlMahdiandtheMahdis,"Iqra"series,pp.61&62,byAhmedAmin 102UyoonalAkhbar,Vol.3,p.141 103UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.167 104AlAyyashi''sTafsir,Vol.2,p.180ofSuratYousuf,verse55 105AlSadooq''sAmaali,p.72 106IbnalAthir,Vol.5,p.193 107UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.153 108QurbalIsnad,p.200 109Ibid. 110AsquotedinUyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.165 111Ibid.,p.147 112Ibid.,p.147 113UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.151 114Tabari,Vol.8,p.555,undertheheading"EventsoftheYear201." 115''IlalalSharai'',Vol.1,p.226 116UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.167 117UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.139 118Ibid.,Vol.2,p.140 119AlIrshad,p.291,andMaqatilalTalibiyyin,pp.375376 120UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.143.Somemaydoubtthattheseverseswereactually composedbyAbuNuwassincehediedatleastthreeyearsbeforeImamalRida(A.S.)wasnamed astheregent,foritissaidthathediedin195,orin198,whereasothersputtheyearofhisdeath quitedifferentlyfromeither.Theregencyeventissupposedtohavetakenplaceintheyear201.If thisisaccepted,thenhecouldnothavebeenpresenttherenorcouldhehavecomposedverses ontheoccasion. Therearetwopossibilitieshere:1.ThefirstisthatthepoetwasindeedAbuNuwas,therenown poet,buthecomposedthematadifferenttime,whichisquitepossiblesinceheisknowntohave composedversesinpraiseoftheImam;2.ThesecondisthatitwassaidbyanotherAbuNuwas whowasknownasAbuNuwasalHaqqwhowasafollowerofImamalHadi(A.S.),andhisname wasAbualSariSahlibnYa''qub,andheusedtobehaveinamorallyloosemannerandflatter peopleandevenpretendthathewasaShi''ainordertosavehisskin.WhenImamalHadi(A.S.) heardthatabouthim,hecalledhimthetrue(alHaqq)AbuNuwas,accordingtoAlKunawal Alqab(nicknamesandtitles)byalQummi,Vol.1,p.170. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Whatoughttobeverifiedistheclaimthatthe"true"AbuNuwaslivedlongenoughtobe contemporarytoImamalRida(A.S.),andwehavenoevidencethatthatwasthecase.Itis possiblethathewascountedamongthefollowersofImamalHadi(A.S.)bysomeonewhodidnot actuallyliveduringthetimeoftheImam(A.S.)whichprovesthecontrary;therefore,thefirst possibilityseemstobemorelikely,andGodknowsbest. 121AlAghani,Vol.2,pp.6981 122UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.264 123UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol2,pp.159164 124IbnalAthir,Vol.5,p.197 125UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.44 Imam''''sRoleineliminating... HistoricalAspectoftheImam''''sBiographyImam''''sRoleinEliminatingalFadlibnSahlAl MamoongrantedalFadlthenucleusofpowerandhiscompletepersonalconfidencewhenhe permittedhimtofarewithallgovernmentissues,vestinguponhimtheresponsibilityofallstate affairswithoutdoubtingevenalittlebithisloyaltyandreadinesstoconsumehimselfwhile safeguardinghimandhisthrone.Fadl,ontheotherhand,madeverygooduseofthatconfidence andgenerousawardfortheenhancementofhisownstatus.Hetookholdofthereinsof governmentandsurroundedalMamoonwithacurtainofdeception,completelyisolatinghim fromtherealityofthegeneralpoliticalsituation,actingonhisownaccordingtothedictatesofhis owninterestasanabsoluterulersinglehandedlyissuingdecisionssuitabletostrengthenhisown position. AlFadlControlstheGovernment Withthetalentofcunningandconniving,alFadlwasabletocontrolthesentimentsoftheleaders andheadswhomadeupthegoverningapparatus,forcinguponthemhisownpowerandawe withoutanyonebeingabletogobeyondthelimitsalFadlhaddefinedforhim,forthepricewould thenbethelossofhisjobandmaybehislifeaswell. TheonlypersonwhomhecouldnotcontrolnorinfluencewasImamalRida(A.S.)whowasclosely watchingthesuspiciousmovementsofalFadl,tryingfromadistancetowarnalMamoonagainst thesuredangerawaitinghimduetotheactionsofalFadlandhissupporters,butalMamoondid notwanttoshowanysignofmistrustofthemanwhosavedhispowerandreturnedhisusurped thronetohimafterthewindsofdissensionemanatingfromBaghdadalmosteliminatedhimand hisgovernment. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

AlFadlTestsalMamoon''''sAttitudeTowardsHim AlFadlwasnotcompletelyunawareofthesecretwarningstoalMamoonregardinghissuspicious movementsandwhatpoliticalgainsheaspiredtoachieveinordertosatisfyhisaspirationsand ambitionsforwhichhehadpreparedplanswithsureresults. AlFadlmayhavebeencontentedwiththestrengthofhisownpositionandtheinvulnerabilityof theplanshehadpreparedtosecurethesafetyofhisstatus,withoutimaginingthatalMamoon mightonedayconsidereliminatinghim.InKhurasan,hecontrolledallthecentersofpowerby winningthesupportoftheleadersandchiefsthere.InIraq,hewasablethroughhiscunningto deposeTahiribnalHusaynfromthepostofleadershipafterhehadsubduedBaghdadtohis controlwhenalMamooninstructedalFadltodeposeTahirandbanishhimtoRiqqaandinstall hisownbrotheralHassanibnSahlinhisplace,andalMamoonimmediatelyresponded favourablytothat. SuchaswiftpositiveresponsefromalMamoonwasaclearsignaltoalFadlthathewastheonly manwhomonopolizedcontroloverthecenterofpowerandwhocouldcontrolalMamoon''''s mindregardinghowtorunthegovernment,andthatthewhisperingswhichstartedbeing circulatedinsideclosedhallssuggestingachangeinalMamoon''''shearttowardsalFadlwere completelyfarawayfromthetruth. AmbiguityofalMamoon''''sHandlingofalFadl WecannotunderstandthesecretinthecontinuationofsuchaloosestanceofalMamoon towardsalFadlandwhetheritwasduetoasecretplanalMamoonhadpreparedtotrapalFadl andgetridofhimaftergoingbeyondreasonablelimitsinhiscontrolovertherunningofthe generaladministrationofthegovernment.Wasthattheoutcomeoftheelementoftrustinal Fadl''''sactionsandthecompleteconfidenceinhisloyaltyafterallthesacrificeshehadofferedin ordertobringauthoritybacktohim? Infact,alMamoons''''spoliticalinsightandgenius,andhisalertawarenessofevents,makeus doubtthesecondportionofthisrhetoricalquestion,foralMamoonwasnotanaivepersonwho triedhardtofreezehimselfandpracticallyisolatehimselffromgovernment,whilehisminister hadafreehandtodowhateverhewishedandwhateverhisownambitionsdictatedtohim. EliminationofHarthama Nomatterwhatthereasonwas,therearehistoricalevidencesassertingtousthefactthatal MamoonwasnotreservedinadoptingsomesuggestionsinspiredbyalFadl.Forexample, Harthamawasoneoftheleaderswhodidaverygoodjobincreatingamilitaryatmosphere Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

conducivetoalMamoon''''sgovernmentandinsecuringitsfoundations.Atthesametime,he wasoneofthosewhowerecriticalofthepoliciesofalFadlandhisbrotheralHassanibnSahl. Likeotherleaders,hedidnotappreciatesuchanextravagantnormofconductadoptedbyal HassanibnSahlinhisdealingwithotherleadersandchiefsand,inhisview,thatwasaccordingto instructionsfromhisbrotheralFadlandtoaplanagreeduponbybothofthem.Forthisreason, hedecidedtospeakhismindtoalMamoonandtoacquainthimwiththedisturbingsituation cloudingthegovernmentandwiththefailureoftheextravagantpolicyadoptedbyalFadlandhis brother. AlFadlIncitesAboutHarthama AlFadl,possiblybecauseofhisintelligenceandcunning,sensedtheintriguingintentionsof Harthamaandthathewasdeterminedtoincitethecaliphagainsthimandhisbrother,ormaybe hecametoknowaboutthatfromhisownwatchdogsandinformantswhomhechosetomonitor themovementsoftheleadersandchiefsandtoinformhimoftheirnews;afterall,itwasonly naturalthatalFadlshouldhaveanintelligencesystemtoguaranteeinternalsecurity.Theresultis thatinordertofoiltheman''''sattempt,alFadlaskedalMamoontoorderHarthamatogoto SyriaandHijaz,butHarthamawasmorestubbornthanalFadlhadexpected. IbnKhaldunnarratesthefollowinginhisTarikh:"HavingfinishedwithAbulSaraya,Harthama returned,andalHassanibnSahlwasinMadainandhedidnotgotovisithimthere.Hewentfrom ''''AqrQoobtoNahrawanheadingtowardsKhurasanjusttobefacedwithabarrageofletters fromalMamoonorderinghimtogotoSyriaandHijaz,butheinsistedinsteadonmeetinghim, rememberinghowheusedtoprovidehimandhisfatherwithcounsel,withtheobjectiveto acquainthimwiththeschemesofalFadlibnSahlwhowasdeliberatelyhidingnewsfromhim, abouttheworryofthepublicbecauseofthat,andbecauseofhisextravagance,andalsoabouthis stayinKhurasan. AlFadlcametoknowaboutthat,andheincitedalMamoonabouthim,claimingthattheman hadgivenaposttoAbulSarayabecausehewasamonghissoldiers,andthathehaddeliberately goneagainsthisinstructionsexpressedinthelettershehadsenthim.Toforgivehim,alFadlwent on,wouldbetoencourageotherstodolikewise.AlMamoonbecameangryandwaitedtosee him. WhenhereachedMarw,heorderedthedrumstobebeatensothatnobodycouldhidethenews ofhisarrivalfromalMamoon.WhenalMamooninquiredaboutthebeatingofthosedrums,he wastoldthatHarthamahadarrivedroaringandsnarling,soheorderedhimtoseehimathis court.AlMamoonsaidtohim,Harthama...!YouhaveantagonizedtheAlawides!Bythelifeof AbulSaraya,haditbeenuptoyoutoannihilateallofthem,youwouldhavedonejustthat.'''' Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Whenhestartedtoapologize,hewasnotgivenamomenttosayanything;instead,alMamoon orderedhimtobekickedinthestomach,tohavehisnosecut,andtobedraggedtoprisonwhere hesentsomeonetokillhim."126 AnalysisofHarthama'sStance WedonotclaimthatHarthamawasaloyalist,andthathewasindeedtryingtosavethe governmentfromcollapsingbyincitingagainstalFadlandhisbrother.Hismotive,rather,may havebeenthewaveofterroramongtheleadersandchiefsregardingthehorriblefatewhich threatenedtheirpositionsandinfluenceasaresultofdeposingTahiribnalHusaynandexcluding himfromprominentgovernmentpositionsandtheappointmentofalHassanibnSahlonthe affairsofIraq,accordingtothesuggestionofalFadltoalMamoon.Thatprovideduswithan accuratespecimenoftheselfishnatureofalFadl''''spolicywhichheusedtoapplytowardsthose whoshowedstrengthintheirmilitaryorpoliticalstancessothatbothheandhisbrotherwould remainthestrongerpoleroundwhichthegovernmentrevolved. Harthamaaimedbyhisincitementtoprotecthispositionwhichherightfullydeservedduetohis sincereservicestothegovernment,butalFadlwassuccessfulininstigatingalMamoonagainst himbeforehearrivedthere,andtherestiswhatyouhavejustheard. LeadersMovetoEliminatealFadl Harthama''''sdefeatbeforealFadlwasastrongfactorbehindaswiftmoveundertakenbythe leaderswhowereexpectingforthemselvesafatesimilartothatofHarthamaandTahiribnal Husayn,butnoneofthemalonepossessedenoughcouragetodisclosethisdangeroussituation thestatewasgoingthroughtoalMamoonduetoalFadl''''sbehaviour. ImamasSaviour TheonlyhopethoseleadershadhadtosavethedeterioratingsituationwastorequestImamal Rida(A.S.)todisclosetherealityofthesituationtoalMamoonsincehewastheonlyonewho couldnotbeharmedbyalFadlnorcouldanyoneincitealMamoonagainsthim.IbnKhaldun writes:"WhenthesediscordstookplaceinIraqbecauseofalHassanibnSahl,anddueto people''''sresentmentofhisandhisbrother''''sexcessiveinfluenceoveralMamoon,thenthe nominationofAliibnMousaalRida(A.S.)andthetransferofthecaliphatefromtheAbbasides,al FadlibnSahlwasconcealingallofthatfromalMamoon,andhewasgoingtoextremesinsuch concealment,forfearalMamoonmightchangehisheartabouthimandhisbrother. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 WhenHarthamacame,heknewthathewasgoingtotellalMamoonaboutallofthat,andthatal MamoontrustedtheadviceofHarthama;so,heperfectedhisincitementagainsthimwithal Mamoontillhemadehimchangehismindaboutthemanandkillhim,andhedidnotevenlisten towhathewantedtosay;therefore,thedispleasureoftheShi''''asthereaswellasofthe residentsofBaghdadincreasedagainsthim,anddissensionsbecamewidespread. ThecommandersofalMamoon''''sarmystartedtalkingaboutit,buttheycouldnotinformhimof it,sotheyapproachedAlialRida(A.S.)andaskedhimtoconveythemattertoalMamoon.Andso itwas.HeinformedhimoftheriotingandkillinginIraqandthatpeoplecriticizedhimforthe favouritestatusofalFadlandalHassan,andforhis(alRida''''s)nomination.AlMamoonasked, Whoelsebesidesyouknowsallofthat?''''Hesaid,YahyaibnMa''''ad,AbdulAzizibnImranand otherprominentarmyleaders.''''Sohecalledthemtohim,andtheydidnotrevealanything exceptafterhehadpledgedforthemtheirownsecurity,andtheytoldhimexactlywhatalRida (A.S.)hadalreadytoldhim."127 TabariprovidesuswithaclearandmoreprecisepictureofImamalRida''''ssituation;hesays:"It wasrumouredthatAliibnMousaibnJa''''feribnMuhammadtheAlawidetoldalMamoonabout thedissensionandinterkillingamongpeople,thatsincetheassassinationofhisbrother,alFadl wasconcealingthenewsfromhim,thathisownfamilyandthepubliccriticizedhimforcertain reasonsandsaidhewasabewilderedmadman,andthatsincetheysawthathewasdoingallof that,theysworetheoathofallegiancetohisuncleIbrahimibnalMahdiasthecaliph. AlMamoonsaid,Theydidnotsweartheoathofallegiancetohim;rather,theyacceptedhimasa governorrulingtheminthewayalFadlhadinstructedhim.''''HeinformedhimthatalFadlhad indeedliedtohimandthathecheatedhimaswell,adding,ThewarbetweenIbrahimandal HassanibnSahlisraging;peoplecriticizehimforthestatusyougavehim(alFadl)andhisbrother, andtheycriticizeyournominationofmyselfasyoursuccessor.''''Heasked,Whoelseinmyarmy isawareofthat? Hesaid,YahyaibnMa''''ad,AbdulAzizibnImran,andanumberofprominentmilitary commanders.''''Sohecalledthemtohiscourt,andtheywereYahyaibnMa''''ad,AbdulAzizibn ImranandMousaandAliibnAbuSa''''idwhowassonofalFadl''''ssister,andKhalaftheEgyptian, andheaskedthemaboutwhathehadheard,buttheyrefusedtotellhimanythingunlesshe guaranteedtheirsafetyagainstthethreatrevengeofalFadlibnSahl.Heguaranteedthatfor them,andhewroteeachoneofthemastatementinhisownhandwritingtothateffect. Thentheytoldhimaboutthediscordsamonghissubjects,aboutthedeliberatemisinformationhe heardfromalFadlregardingHarthama,andthatTahiribnalHusaynhaddoneanexcellentjob servinghimandopenedmanylandstohisgovernmentandstrengthenedhiscaliphate,andwhen Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

heaccomplishedallofthat,hewasrewardedbybanishmenttoRiqqawherehewasnot permittedtoreceivefundsfromanyone, tillhisauthoritywasweakenedandhistroopsmutinied,thathadhiscaliphatebeeninBaghdad, hewouldhavehadabettercontrolandnobodywouldhavedaredtomisleadhimasalHassanibn Sahlhad,thatthelandfromoneendtotheotherwasshakingunderhisfeet,thatTahiribnal HusaynhadbeenforgottenthatyearsincethemurderofMuhammadinRiqqawithoutbeing utilizedinthesewarswhilesomeonewhowasalotlessqualifiedwasincharge..."128 AlMamoonisConvincedoftheGravityoftheSituation ThepicturenowwasturnedupsidedownintheeyesofalMamoon,buthedidnottrytochange hisconductwithalFadlbecausethelatterwasinchargeofthegovernmentbaseinboth KhurasanandBaghdad.InKhurasan,thepsychologicalwarwhichhewagedbydeposingTahiribn alHusaynandbyhavingHarthamamurderedquenchedthedesireamongtheleadersandchiefs formutiny,pushingthemtoyieldtohiswishesandexpectationsafterhavingfeltthatalMamoon representednomorethanamagicwandinthehandsofalFadl.AsregardingBaghdad,itwasin thegripofhisbrotheralHassanibnSahlwhowasconsideredtherighthandofalFadlandthebig stickwherebyhethreatenedalMamoon. AlFadlSeeksRevengeAgainstInstigators AsregardingthosemenwhoexposedtoalMamoontherealityofalFadl''''sconductandthe dangersitimplied,theywereterrifiedwhenalFadltoredowntheassurancesofandwerewritten byalMamoonguaranteeingtheirsafetyagainsthiswrathandrevengeuponcomingtoknow abouttheirincitementandtheirsupportofwhatImamalRida(A.S.)hadsaidabouthim. Tabarisays:"WhenthatbecamecertaintoalMamoon,heorderedpreparationstogoto Baghdad,andwhenalFadlibnSahlcametoknowaboutthosepreparations,hecametoknow onlyaboutsomeofthem,soheinterrogatedthemandevenwhippedandjailedsomeofthem andpulledthehairoutofthebeardsofothers,soAliibnMousacametohiscourtandtoldhim whathadhappenedtothosemenandremindedhimofhisassurancestothem,andheanswered himbysayingthathewasonlytolerating."129 hishistoricaltextclearlytellsusabouttheextenttowhichalMamoonwentinavoidinga headlongcollisionwithalFadlorlettinghimknowthatanyonehadincitedhimagainstalFadl, especiallysincehecametoknowthathewasharmingtheleaderswhowerepressuredbyhimto speakthetruthaboutalFadl,givingthemwrittenassurancesthatalFadlwouldnotharmthem. ThistextalsotellsusthatalMamoonwastheonewhoplannedtheassassinationofalFadlwhich tookplacelaterassomeassassinsadmittedtoalMamoonfacetoface. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com


AlMamoonPretendstobeaStarGazer ItisinterestingthatchanceshouldplayamajorroleintheexecutionofalMamoon''''splanto eliminatealFadl,anditmayevenhavebeenadeliberate"chance"arrangedbyalMamoon himself,andwedonotthinkthatisunlikely. WhileonhiswaytoBaghdad,alFadl,whowasinthecompanyofalMamoon,receivedaletter fromhisbrotheralHassanibnSahlinwhichhesaid,"Ihavelookedinthechangingofthisyear accordingtothecalculationofthestarsandIfoundoutthatyouwillinsuchandsuchmonth,ona Wednesday,tastethepainofredhotironandoftheburningfire,andIamoftheviewthatyou shouldtodaygointhecompanyofalRida(A.S.)andthecommanderofthefaithfultothebath housetotakeabathandthenpourbloodoveryourbodysothattheillluckofthisomenleaves you."AlFadl,therefore,sentalettertoalMamoonaskinghimtogowithhimtothebathhouse, andtorequestAbulHassan(A.S.)tojointhemtoo.ImamRefusestoGototheBathHouseand GivesaWarning AlMamoonwrotealetterinthatmeaningtoalRida(A.S.),andAbulHassanwrotehimback sayingthathewouldnotenterthebathhousethenextday,norwouldherecommendthatthe commanderofthefaithfulshouldenteriteither,norevenalFadl.ButalMamoonrepeatedhis requesttwice,andAbulHassanwrotehimagainsaying,"Ishallnotenterthebathhouse tomorrowforIsawinavisiontheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)lastnighttellingmenottoenterthe bathhousetomorrow;therefore,IdonotadvisethecommanderofthefaithfulnoralFadlto enterthebathhousetomorrow,"whereuponalMamoonwrotehimsaying,"Youhave,master, saidthetruth,andsohastheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.);Ishallnotenterthebathhouse tomorrow,andalFadlknowsbestwhathedoes..."130 AlFadlisMurdered Finally,alFadlenteredthebathhousejusttobereceivedbytheswordsoftheassassinsasthe letterhehadreceivedfromhisbrotheralHassanibnSahlhadpredicted. WedonotthinkitisunlikelythatthatletterwaspreparedbyalMamoonimitatingthestyleof theman''''sbrother,alHassan,inordertoavoidbeingaccusedofmurderingalFadl.Itisalso possiblethatalMamoonwishedtogetridofbothalFadlandImamalRida(A.S.)bythatmethod Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ofmysteriousassassination,buttheImam(A.S.)wasalertinthefaceofalMamoon''''scunning andschemingandheresistedtheinsistenceofalMamooninenteringthebathhousewithhim andwithalFadlbytactandcaution.Thelastparagraphoftheanecdotetellsusclearlythatthe letterwasaplotbyalMamoontokillbothalFadlandtheImam(A.S.);otherwise,whydidal MamoonabstainfromwarningalFadlagainstenteringthebathhousealthoughtheImam(A.S.) hadaskedhimtodojustthat? AssasinsareCloseFriendsofalMamoon WhatprovidesevidenceisthefactthatthosewhokilledalFadlwereamongtheclosestcourtiers andtrainofalMamoonand,accordingtoonestory,theylateronfacedalMamoonwiththeir accusationthathewastheonewhoaskedthemtodoit.AlTabarisays:"Whenhereached Sarkhas,agroupofmenassaultedalFadlibnSahlatthebathhouseandstruckhimwiththeir swordstillhewasdead,andthatwasonaFridaytwonightsbeforetheendofSha''''baninthe year202A.H. TheywerearrestedanditbecameclearthatthosewhoassassinatedalFadlwereamongal Mamoon''''sclosestcourtiersandtheywerefourinnumber:GhalibalMas''''ooditheblackman, Qistantine(Constantine)theRoman,FarajalDaylami,andMuaffaqofSicily;theykilledhimand hewassixtyyearsoldandtheyranaway.AlMamoonpostedarewardoftenthousanddinarsfor anyonewhowouldbringthemtohim,andtheywerebroughttohimbyalAbbasibnHaithamibn BazarJamharalDaynuri,andtheysaidtoalMamoon,Butyouorderedustokillhim! ''Heorderedthemtobekilled.ItisalsosaidthatwhenthosewhokilledalFadlwerearrested,al Mamooninterrogatedthem,andsomeofthemsaidthatAliibnAbuSa''''idthesonofalFadl''''s sisterhaddispatchedthem,whileothersamongthemdeniedthat,andheorderedtheir execution.AfterthatheorderedAbdulAizibnImran,Ali,Mousa,andKhalaf,tobebroughtto him,andheinterrogatedthem.Theydeniedhavinganyknowledgeofthematter,buthedidnot believethemandorderedtheirexecutiontoo,sendingtheirheadstoalHassanibnSahlinWasit asatrophyandinforminghimabouthisownpainbecauseofthetragedyofthemurderofalFadl andthatheappointedhiminhisplace."131 husdidalMamoongetridofthestrongestpowerbasewithinhisgovernmentwhichthreatened hisauthorityandhisfate,leavingonlyoneobstacleinhiswaytoguaranteetouprootthe rebellioninBaghdadbydealingwithitsrootcauseswhichincludedthepresenceofImamalRida (A.S.)who,accordingtotheAbbasides,wasadifficultknottheycouldnotbeloyaltoalMamoon exceptifheuntiedit,foritspresencemeanttheendoftheAbbasideruleandthebeginningof theAlawiderule.

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Imam'sMotivesforCausingtheEliminationofalFadl ThereasonwhichcausedtheImam(A.S.)toinvolvehimselfinthehorriblyviolentstrugglewhich wasragingbetweenalFadlandthearmycommanderswasthedesiretosafeguardthestrength ofthethenIslamicentityandtodistanceitfromtheelementsofdisintegrationandcollapse whichmightcauseitsoutsideenemytoconsiderassaultingitandmightpushhimtoconducthot adventureswhosedearpricewouldbepaidbytheMuslims.Throughhisfarsight, theImam(A.S.)sawthatalFadl''''sunloyalpolicywouldcertainlycausesomethinglikethatin additiontowhatwasbeingcommittedofiniquities,oppressionandtransgressionfromwhose perilstheMuslimsweresuffering,whiletheImam(A.S.)viewedhimselfasbeingresponsibletodo somethinginthefaceofsuchanirresponsiblebehaviour.Therewasnomethodwherebythe Imam(A.S.)couldhavelimitedsuchconductexceptbyacquaintingalMamoonwiththesituation asitactuallywasandtouncoverforhimalFadl''''scheatingcard. TheImam(A.S.)hadmadethatclearforusinadiscussionhemadewithalMamooninwhichhe said,"Ocommanderofthefaithful!FearGodinyourtreatmentofMuhammad''''snation.Goddid notgrantyousuchgovernmentandpreferredyouoverothersforitsothatyoumightignorethe rightsoftheMuslimsandhandsucharesponsibilityovertosomeoneelsewhowouldrulethem contrarytowhatGodhasordained..."132 TheImam(A.S.)wasnotconcernedaboutastatusorapostasmuchashewasconcernedabout maintainingtheunityoftheMuslims,abouttheirstrengthandtheircollectivepowerbeforethe enemywhichwatchedthemwithinorwithouttheirranks,asmuchashewasconcernedabout promotingsocialjusticeamongthecirclesoftheMuslimsandliftingthenightmareofoppression fromthem. Forthesereasons,wefindhimsuggestingtoalMamoonthatitwasnecessarytocontainandput anendtodissensions,andthatthatwouldbepossibleonlybydealingwiththeircausesamong whichhisownregencywhichwasnotinthebestinterestofthegovernment,orthatthecauses whichhadnecessitatedthemmayhaveservedtheirpurposealready,forthepostdidnotmean anythingtotheImam(A.S.)aslongasitcollidedwiththesupremeIslamicinterest. Fromhere,wecanseetheImam(A.S.)refusingtheprincipleofsharingtheresponsibilitiesofthe governmentuponbecomingtheregent,buthedidnotrefusetobeanadvisorcounsellingfroma distance.Thatwasonlybecausehedidnotwanttohaveashareinbearingtheburdensofthe oppressionandthesinswhichhewasnotgoingtoaccepttobecommittedinhisnameasa memberoftherulingsystem.Buthewasnotunableofcarryingtheresponsibilityofoffering adviceandcounselwhendoingsowouldresultinremovingoppressionandeliminatingthe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

dangerofweakeningtheMuslimsordisunitingthem. AllofthisdidnotcontradicttheImam''''sattituderegardingtheillegitimacyofthegovernment becauseofitsbeingbasedontheusurpationofauthorityfromitsrightfulowners,fortheissuein theeyesoftheImam(A.S.)wasnotanissueofgovernmentbutoftheinterestofIslamandthe safeguardingoftheunityoftheMuslimsinthefaceoftheevilsofadventurersandgrudging people.ThisiswhatdistinguishestheImam(A.S.)fromothers.Hecouldnotpossiblysacrificethe interestofIslaminordertomaintainapostofinfluence.Duringvariousepochs,theImams(A.S.) putupwiththeircontemporarygovernmentsdespitetheirbeliefintheirillegitimacyonlyforthe sakeoflookingafterandmaintainingtheinterestsoftheMuslims. ________________________________________ 126IbnKhaldun,Vol.3,p.245 127IbnKhaldun,Vol.3,p.249 128Tabari,Vol.8,p.564 129Tabari,Vol.8,p.565 130AlKafi,Vol.1,p.491,andAlIrshad,p.294 131Tabari,Vol.8,p.565.IbnKhaldunmentionsasimilarstoryinVol.3,p.250,ofhiswork 132''''UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.6,p.159 TheTragicEnding HistoricalAspectoftheImam''sBiography TheTragicEnding ItwasnotpoliticallyfeasibleforalMamoontoreachBaghdadaccompaniedbyImamalRida (A.S.),forthatwouldstirthewindsofdissensionagainsthimandhemightnotbestrongenough towithstandthem.Fromthisstandpoint,ourbeliefthatalMamoonwastheonewhoplottedto endthelifeoftheImam(A.S.)bygivinghimpoisonedgrapesisstrengthened,andthehistorical environmentatthetimehelpsusconfirmthisbeliefevenwhenIbnalAthir,inhisTarikh,thinks thatthatwasnotpossible.ProminentscholarsandhistorianssuchasShaikhalMufidandothers havealsodoubtedit,whileotherssuchasSayyidibnTawoos,SibtibnalJawzi,andalArbiliin KashfalGhumma,havealldismisseditoutright.Thelatterstronglydefendedhisview,butitwas neverthelessnomorethanasimplisticandsuperficialdefense. AlMamoon''slettertotheAbbasidesandtheresidentsofBaghdad,whichhewroteafterthe demiseofImamalRida(A.S.),givessuchanimpression."HewrotetheAbbasidesandtheir supportersandtothepeopleofBaghdadinformingthemofthedeathofAliibnMousaandthat theyhadresentedhisnominationofhimashissuccessor,askingthemnowtogobacktotheir Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

loyaltytohim."133 ThismaybeunderstoodasaclearadmissionthatthedeathoftheImam(A.S.)wasnotnatural duringthosecircumstances,andthetextIbnKhaldunprovidesinexpressingthecontentsofthis letterprovidesevenclearercluestoaccusingalMamoonofmurderinghim;hesaysinhisTarikh: "...AndalMamoonsentmessagestoalHassanibnSahl,tothepeopleofBaghdad,andtohis supportersapologizingfornaminghimhisregentandinvitingthemtogobacktohisloyalty."134 WhatcanbeunderstoodregardingalMamoon''sregretandrealizationofhismistakeregarding theregencyarrangementisthatsuchregretismeaninglessifithadhappenedaftertheImam''s death;rather,itmusthaveoccurredpriortothat,sohepavedthewaytocorrectitby assassinatingtheImam(A.S.)inordertopleasetheAbbasides,theirsupporters,andthepeopleof Baghdad.IfwearetostayalonewithjustthepoliticalcircumstancesthroughwhichalMamoon waslivingduringthatshakyperiodofhisreign,overlookingthehistoricaltextswhosecontexts leadustosuchaconclusion,wewouldstillbeabletopointthefingertoalMamoonregardingthe crimeofassassinatingImamalRida(A.S.)withoutbeingbiasedtoanygrouporprejudicedagainst theaccused. AlSaduqnarratessaying,"WhilealRida(A.S.)wasbreathinghislast,alMamoonsaidtohim,By God!Idonotknowwhichofthetwocalamitiesisgreater:losingyouandpartingfromyou,or people''saccusationthatIassassinatedyou...''"135InanothernarrativebyAbulFarajalAsbahani, alMamoonsaidtohim,"Itisveryhardformetolivetoseeyoudie,andtherewassomehope hinginguponyourstay,yetevenharderformethanthatisthatpeoplesayIhavemadeyoudrink poison,andGodknowsthatIaminnocentofthat."136 ThisexcitingsituationofalMamoondisclosesthefactthattheaccusationofhisownmurderof theImam(A.S.)wasthesubjectofargument,maybeevenofconviction,eventhen,foral Mamoonassertspeople''saccusationofhimandhetriestoextractanadmissionfromtheImam (A.S.)clearinghimofit,asAbulFarajmentions. SimplisticJustificationofalMamoon''sSituation ItisinterestinghowsomepeoplefindithardtobelievethatalMamoonwouldassassinatethe Imam(A.S.)simplybecauseofallthegrief,crying,abstentionfromeatinganddrinking,whichhe feignedtoshowhisdistressattheImam''sdeath,asiftheyexpectedalMamoontoshowhis happinessandexcitementathisdeathinordertogivecredibilitytotheaccusationothers concealed.Buttheexcuseofthesefolksistheirsuperficialityinunderstandinghistory,andtheir shortsightedness. HowtheImamWasMurdered Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 StoriesregardingthemethodalMamoonemployedtokillImamalRida(A.S.)areabundant.Abul FarajandalMufidsaythathekilledhimbypoisonedpomegranatejuiceandpoisonedgrape juice.InhisAlIrshad,alMufidquotesAbdullahibnBashirsaying:"AlMamoonorderedmetolet mynailsgrowaslongastheycouldwithoutlettinganyonenoticethat;soIdid,thenheordered toseemeandhegavemesomethingwhichlookedliketamarindandsaid,Squeezethiswithboth yourhands,''andIdid. Thenhestoodup,leftmeandwenttoseealRida(A.S.)andsaidtohim,Howareyou?''He answered,IhopeIamalright.''Hesaid,I,too,bytheGraceofGod,amalright;didanywellwisher visityoutoday?''Heansweredinthenegative,soalMamoonbecameangryandcalleduponhis servantstocome,thenheorderedoneofthemtoimmediatelytakethepomegranatejuiceto him,adding,...forhecannotdowithoutit.''Thenhecalledmetohimandsaid:Squeezeitwith yourownhands,''andsoIdid.ThenalMamoonhandedthejuicetoalRida(A.S.)inperson,and thatwasthereasonforhisdeathforhestayedonlytwodaysbeforehe(A.S.)died.''" AbulSaltalHarawiisquotedsaying,"IenteredthehouseofalRida(A.S.)afteralMamoonhad alreadyleftandhesaidtome,OAbulSalt!Theyhavedoneit...!''andhekeptunifyingand praisingGod."MuhammadibnalJahmisquotedsaying,"AlRida(A.S.)usedtolovegrapes.Some grapesweresaidtobepreparedforhim;needleswerepiercedinsidethemattheirverytipsand werekeptlikethatforseveraldays.Thentheneedlesweretakenout,andtheywerebroughtto himandheatesomeofthemandfellintothesicknesswehavementionedabouthim.Thegrapes killedhim,anditwassaidthatthatwasoneofthemosteffectivemethodsofpoisoning."137 Regardlessofthemethodofassassination,whatseemstobeacceptable,havingexaminedall textsandthehistoricalbackgroundofthepoliticalcircumstancesatthattime,alMamoonwas indeedtheonewhokilledImamalRida(A.S.),andwedonothavetheslightestdoubtor hesitationaboutthat." HisdeathoccurredatToosinavillagecalledSanabad,oftheNooqanarea,andhewasburiedat thehouseofHameedibnTahtabaunderthedomewhereHarounalRashidhadbeenburied,and hewasburiedbesidehimfacingtheqibla."138"WhenalRida(A.S.)died,alMamoondidnot discloseitwhenithappened,leavinghimdeadforonedayandonenight,thenhecalledfor MuhammadibnJa''feribnMuhammadandagroupofdescendantsofAbuTalib.Whentheywere present,heshowedhimtothem;hiscorpselookedalright;thenhestartedweepingand addressedthecorpsesaying,OBrother!Itisindeedveryhardformetoseeyouinsucha condition,andIwashopingtogobeforeyou,butGodinsistedoncarryingoutHisdecree,''andhe showedagreatdealofagonyandgriefandwentoutcarryingthecoffinwithotherstillhereached theplacewhereitisnowburied..."139"... Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

SoalMamoonwaspresenttherebeforethegravewasdug,andheorderedhisgravetobedug besidethatofhisfather,thenheapproachedusandsaid,Thepersoninsidethiscoffintoldme thatwhenhisgraveisdug,waterandfishwillappearunderneath;so,dig...''Theydug.Whenthey finisheddigging,aspringofwaterappeared,andfishappearedinit,thenthewaterdissipated, andalRida(A.S.),peacebeuponhim,wasthenburied."140 ImamisEulogized WhenalRida(A.S.)died,poetscomposedeulogiesandmournedinhimthehopethatentertained theconscienceofthenationthatonedayhewouldbethecaliphsothatequitymightrestoreits shininglightafterbeingputoutbythecaliphswhoemployedcheatinganddeceptionastheir methodstomisleadandconfusethenation.Whentheysetthelimitsofconductforothers,they themselvesatthesametimetrampleduponthembycommittingeveryactprohibitedbyGodin HisBookandbyHisProphet(S.A.W.),farfromtheeyesofthepeople,andmaybeeveninpublic. AmongthosewhoeulogizedhimwasDa''balibnAlialKhuza''i,therenownpoetoftheAhlalBayt (A.S.)andtheiradvocate.HecomposedmanyeulogiesaboutImamalRida(A.S.).Amongthemis whatAbulFarajquotes:"AliibnSulaymanalAkhfashrecitedversesformebyDa''balibnAlial Khuza''iinwhichhementionedalRida(A.S.)andthepoisonhewasgivenandmourningoneofhis sonsandchastisingtheAbbasidecaliphs: UnwillinglydidyoupartwithAhmed,andtheearth Engulfedabuilding,sublimeanddignified, Youhousedhiminaplacemeaninwares AndIagainstmywishcompromised, Afugitivejustforlovinghim... HadInotbeenconsoledbytheProphet Andbyhisnearinkin,Iwouldhave Pouredmytearsforhimabundantly; Ilovedmyself,butIlovedevenmore ThefamilyofMuhammadwhoseloveresides Inmyheart,livingwithme,beinginme. TheProphet''slegacyavailedthemnaught, ForDeathinitwiththemhasashare, Andashareforthehopefordeath... Huntedandpursuedformanyayear ByfoxesfromUmayya,timeandagain. BanuAbbasplayedhavocwiththecreed, Reapingoppression,miserlinessandgreed. NamedRashid''whowasnevertowisdomkeen, NamedthisMamoon''andnamedthatAmin''! Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

NeverdidIacceptthemtobefor Wisdomaname,butforguidanceashame. Nortotheirtrustsweretheyevertrue, TheirRashid''ismisguidedandhissons Onewithsinsmorethantheother''simpudence. OgraveintheforeignlandofToos! Mournedareyoubycaravansshunningdaylight... Iamindoubt...ShouldIofferadrink Ofwatertoone,soIrememberyouandcry? OrisinthecupmyremedysoIdie? EitherImeant,whenIsayadrink, Ifitisdeath,thenletitbeswift. HowmarvelloustheycallyouPleased! Fortheynevermadeyourlifeeased. Isitoddwhenroguesdistortthelight OfGod''sCreed,thoughitisbright? Yourfavoursmiraclesmadeforthemandme, Butwhoisamongthemthatcaneversee?" ThusdoesDa''balexposeintheseversesthememoriesofhorribletragediestowhichAhlalBayt (A.S.)wereexposed,andthewoestheysufferedfromatthehandsofthegovernmentsofboth UmayyadsandAbbasides,chastisingalRashidandbothhissons,thengoingafterthattoeulogize ImamalRida(A.S.)inastylewhichshowsgenuinedistressandagony,includingthesame accusationthatalMamoonhadmurderedhim. AmongotherswhoeulogizedhimwasAmralSalamiwhosaysinhiseulogy: Oyou,caravansinger,singingatthereins! Listen,andletotherstomorrowlistentothee... ReciteSalamonagraveatToosanddonot ReciteSalamorwishwellthepeopleofToos, TerrordidtheheartsofMuslimsfill, AndfearofIblisnowhashatchedatwill, Forsilencenowisthebestmanthatlived So,whataloss,andwhataloser! ShouldDeathcometorulethethrone, Hewillfacemenwithfacesofstone. AwaywithToosforneverwereitshomes Tellingofmiserytocomeandtobe Aweddingforthedead,notalifeforthedoer. Howlongtheflute,howmerrythewedding! Fatesreachedhimwiththeclaws, Whiletroopsthrongandhardtocount Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Deathfoundthemostgentlecubinhisden, Anddeathmeetsthefatherofcubsintheden. Stillderivinglightfromhisfather, ReachingtheProphet,lightwithoutfire. Insoiltheirbranchesstoodtallandhigh Ofloftytrunk,intheKing''slandthrives. Branchesstandwhenrootsarefirm Andtheworldbysurefaithlives. Nodayismorefitforgrief Forbeating,fortearingthesleeve Forwoundingcheeks,forcuttingthenose MorethanthedayofToos Whenmournersmourned,scribescried, IsitreallytruealRidadied?'' Deathtakesonlytheenviedaway. Thatwholivedfortwominutesoraday Islyinglikeonewhowilljoinandstay Maybeintwodays...,whocansay? Whenthesunshone,hisowndidset, Thedayhadcomewhenhewastorest. Why?Givethegarbofdeathpleasetome, Whytakehimintoagrave,woeuntome? Victimofadaythatcouldn''tdaretobe Victimized.Wrappedhiminthegarbofdeath, Letmebethewearer,please,nothe, Ofagarbneversewnorwornbefore. GreetsyoutheOneyoudidworshipandadore, Ondaysofheat,nightsofchill,intheplains, Hadthingsinlifenotstoodincontrast Invirtues,nonewouldhaveeverpassed Ajudgementinitthatcouldendure. TheAlmightyhaswelcomedtheetoaplace Thatiseverlastingwithblissandgrace ToHisMessengeryouarenownear, Aplacesolovely,aplacesodear. InhisMaqatil,AbulFarajindicatedthatwhenthispoemwonpublicityandbecamewellknown, Ashja''altereditandmadeitinpraiseofalRashid!141 Da''balalKhuza''isaid:"WhenthenewsofthedeathofalRida(A.S.)reachedme,IwasatQum andIrecitedonemypoems;someofitsverseswere: IseetheUmayyadsexcusediftheyweretokill, Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ButIseenoreasonwhytheAbbasidesshouldatwill; SonsofHarb,Marwanandtheirbreed BanuMa''eet,grudgeandhateistheircreed. Peoplewhomyouhadtofightinearlydays OfIslamtobringthemtoHisways. Whentheybecameinchargeanddidrule, TheyrevertedtoKufrandlefttheusool. HeadtowardsToos,tothegravesite Ofthepureone,ofthefaiththatisright, IfyoueverwishtorememberIslamlikeme, Pristine,IslamofMuhammadandAli. TwogravesinToos:oneforthebestofall, Andtheworstmanpeoplewilleverrecall. Nogoodwillreachthevillainwhoislyingnigh Ingravetoonewhosevirtuesreachthesky, Norwillthepuresufferanyharm Whennearthesoulthatwillnevercalm. Noindeed!Everysoulshallreapwhatitdidearn Sotakewhatyouwill,orleaveittoburn!" Da''balcomposedmanyeulogiesaboutImamalRida(A.S.),usinghispoetryasavehicleto disseminatethemissioninwhoseprincipleshestronglybelievedwhichwere:toattractthe nation''sattentiontotheinjusticedonetotheAhlalBayt(A.S.)andtothetransgressionupon theirrights,tothecorruptionofselfimposedgovernmentsystemswhichwentbeyondall reasonablelimitsintheiriniquityanddespotism.Da''balisconsideredthegreatestpoetofthat timeandthemostarticulateindefendinghisbeliefsandtheprinciplesinwhichhebelieved.Inhis poetry,heprovidesuswithanhonestpictureoftherealityoftheoppressivegovernmentsystem whichwasfollowedbytheAbbasidedynastythen,andofthetragediestheAhlalBayt(A.S.) underwentbecauseoftheiroppression. AmongotherswhoeulogizedtheImam(A.S.)wasAliibnAbuAbdullahalKhawwafiwhosaid: MayGod''sGracewaterthee,OlandofToos! Whattreasureshasyourlanddowndeep?! Intheworldyourlandsarecalledgood MadegoodbyoneinSanabadasleep, AmanwhosemurderwashardonIslam AmanwrappedanddrenchedinGod''smercy. Othegraveofhis!Intheeareclemency, Knowledge,purity,andgloryabound. Oenviedgrave!Angelsdotheeguard! AbuFirasalHamadanisaid: SinnedandkilledalRida(A.S.)andwerenotkind, Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Menwhosehatredofhimmadethemblind. Firstpleasedthendistressedforeternity Abandthatperishedafteritssafety. Noallegiance,kinship,ormercydidindeed Stoptheroguesfromcommittingthefouldeed. Whatthepoetmentionshereisnothingbutthebittertruthaboutthetragedywhichwas representedintheregencyandthestancetakenbythesameoneswhoarrangedit,fortheywere happywithitwhentheyfirstnominatedhimasthesuccessortothecaliph,thelaststeptowards caliphatewhich,accordingtotheDivineWill,wasthenaturalrightofAhlalBayt(A.S.),butthey becamedistressedwhentheroguesdeliberatelyassassinatedtheImam(A.S.)despitetheiroath ofallegiancetohimanddespitetheassurances,thepromises,andthesacredoathstheyhad sworn... TherearemanyeulogiesinwhichthepoetsmentionedthetragedytheImam(A.S.)liveddueto theoppressionofthecaliphsofhistimesufficesuswhatwehavequotedofthembecauseto elaboratemeanstounnecessarilyprolongthediscussion. ________________________________________ 133Tabari,Vol.8,p.558,"EventsoftheYear203A.H." 134IbnKhaldun,Vol.3,p.250 135UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.242 136MaqatilalTalibiyyin,p.380 137AlIrshad,p.297.AsimilarnarrativeismentionedinMaqatilalTalibiyyin,pp.377378 138UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.1,p.18 139MaqatilalTalibiyyin,p.378 140Ibid.,p.380 141MaqatilalTalibiyyin,pp.378380

ImamandAlawideRevolts WehavealreadyindicatedthatoneofthereasonswhichpromptedalMamoontobringImamal Rida(A.S.)toKhurasanandnominatehimashissuccessorwastoavoidadirectcollisionwiththe AlawideswhowereoftheviewthattheAbbasideshadmonopolizedauthorityandrobbedthem Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

oftheirrighttoruletheMuslims. AlMamoontriedtodealwiththisproblemwhichalwaysusedtopushtheAlawidestoassaultthe governmentfromtimetotime.RebelswerealwaysinvitingallfellowAlawidestojointhemin theirrebellions,aswasthecaseregardingtheAbbasideswhentheymovedagainsttheUmayyad rule.AlMamoonsufferedtheagoniesofthemostseriousAlawiderebellionagainsthis government, namelytherebellionofMuhammadibnIbrahimalHassani.HewaswellknownasIbnTabataba theAlawide;hischiefexecutivewasAbulSarayaalSariibnMansour,andhiscallwasinthename ofalRida(A.S.)fromtheProgenyofMuhammad(S.A.W.).SeveralAlawideuprisingsbranchedout ofthatrevolution.AftertherebellionofAbulSaraya,hisAlawidegovernorsdeclaredautonomyin theareasundertheircontrol. AlawideUprisings InYemen,IbrahimibnMousaibnJa''ferroseandtookcontrolofthegovernmentafterbanishing alMamoon''sgovernor.InMecca,alHusaynibnalHassanalAftasrose,andMuhammadibn Ja''ferwasnamedcaliph.InBasrah,ZaydibnMousaibnJa''ferroseinrebellion.Hewas nicknamed"Zaydofthefire"duetothenumberofthehomesoftheAbbasidesandtheir followerswhichhehadburnt.Wheneverhecameacrossamandrapedinblack,hewouldburn him,andheconfiscatedagreatdealofmoneyfromthemerchantsexceptAbbasidemoney.Ali ibnSa''idmarchedtowardshim.Zaydrequestedhimtogivehimanassurancetosafeguardhislife shouldhegiveup,andAlididso. Butheneverthelessarrestedhim142andsenthimtoalHassanibnSahlwhoorderedtohavehim executedwhilealHajjajibnKhaythamawaspresent,sohesaid,"Prince!Donotrush,forIhavea pieceofadviceforyou."Hestoppedtheexecutionerandcameclosetohim.Hesaid,"Prince!Did youreceiveinstructionsfromthecommanderofthefaithfultodowhatyouareaboutto?"He answeredinthenegative,soheaskedagain,"Thenwhyareyouexecutingthecousinofthe commanderofthefaithfulwithouthisknowledgeorconsultation?" ThenhenarratedforhimthestoryofAbuAbdullahalAftaswhomalRashidputinjailunderthe watchfuleyesofJa''feribnYahya.Ja''ferkilledhimwithouthisknowledgeandsenthisheadona plattertohimtogetherwithotherNawroozpresents.WhenalRashidorderedMasrourtokill Ja''fer,hesaidtohim,"IfJa''feraskedyouabouthiscrimeforwhichyouarekillinghim,tellhim thatyouarekillinghimforhisownkillingofmycousinIbnalAftaswhomhekilledwithoutmy knowledge." ThenalHajjajibnKhaythamasaidtoalHassanibnSahl,"OPrince!Doyoufeelsecureshould Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

anythinghappenbetweenyouandthecommanderofthefaithfulifyoukillthismananduseitas anexcusejustasalRashidusedagainstJa''feribnYahya?"AlHassansaidtoalHajjaj,"MayGod rewardyou!"ThenheorderedZaydtobereturnedtohisprisonwherehewaskepttillhewas transportedtoalMamoon.Whenhewasthere,hesenthimtohisbrotheralRida(A.S.)whoset himfree.143 ZaydandalMamoon Oneoftheinterestinganecdotesnarratedabouthimisthefollowing:Whenhewasbroughttoal Mamoon,thelattersaidtohim,"OZayd!YouledtheuprisinginBasrah,andinsteadofstarting withthehomesofourcommonenemiestheUmayyads,BanuThaqeef,Uday,BahilaandAal Ziyad,youtargetedthehomesofyourowncousins."Zayd,whohadahumoroustemper,said,"I indeederredfromeachdirection,Ocommanderofthefaithful!IfIgoback,Iwillstartwithour enemies!"AlMamoonlaughedandsenthimtohisbrotheralRida(A.S.),saying,"Ihavepardoned himtopleaseyou."WhenhewasbroughttotheImam(A.S.),herebukedhimandreleased him.144 ImamRebukesHisBrotherZayd YasirtheservantnarratesthatwhenZaydenteredtheImam''shouse,AbulHassan(A.S.)said,"O Zayd!WereyoudupedbythespeechofsomelowlypeopleinKufawhosaidthatFatima safeguardedhermodesty,thereforeGodshunnedHellfirefromherprogeny?Thosewereonlyal HassanandalHusayninparticular.IfyouthinkthatyoucouldgoagainstGod''sWillandstillenter Paradise,whileMousaibnJa''fer(A.S.)obeyedGodandenteredParadise,doyouthinkyouare moreworthyintheeyesofGodAlmightythanMousaibnJa''fer?ByGod!Nobodyachievesthe rewardswithGodexceptafterobeyingHim,whileyouclaimthatyouwillachieveitbyyour disobedience..." Zaydsaidtohim,"ButIamyourbrotherandthesonofyourfather!"AbulHassan(A.S.)saidto him,"YouaremybrotheraslongasyouobeytheDearandGlorifiedGod.Noahhadsaid,Lord! Mysonisofmyfamily,andyourpromiseistrue,andyouarethebestofjudges,''andGod Almightysaidtohim,ONoah!Heisnotofyourfamily!Itisindeedawrongfuldeed,''thusGod excludedhimfromhisfamilyduetohisdisobedience..."145 Imam''sViewoftheAlawideRevolutionaryMethod WhatwetrytogetacquaintedwithbyexaminingtheImam''sstancetowardshisbrotherZaydof Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

thefirewastherealityregardingtheImam''sviewpointoftherevolutionarymethodemployedby theAlawidesintheirrevolutionsagainsttheAbbasides.WefindtheImam(A.S.)takingastrictly negativestancetowardshisbrotherZayd.Yethedidnotrebukehimandblamehimsimply becausehehadrevoltedagainstthegovernment,butratherbecausehehadcommittedseveral unlawfulactsaccordingtoIslamicShari''asuchaslooting,confiscating,burning,inwhichactshe didnotdistinguishbetweentheinnocentandtheguilty. Otherthanthat,thesincereAlawiderevolutionswhichaimedatstandinginthefaceofinjustice andoppressionusedtoenjoythesupportoftheImamswhoconsideredthemtheonlywaywhich coulddisclosetothenationhowcorruptthegovernmentwasandmakethembecomeawareof itsmistakesandtransgressions.FromherewefindImamalRida(A.S.)inhisstancewithhis brothernotexpressinghisdispleasureagainsthisbrotherfortheprincipleoftherevolutionand themovementagainstthegovernment,buthisrebukingwasduetocommittingsomeIslamically unlawfultransgressionswhichdidnotpleaseGod.AlMamoon''stolerancetowardsthosewho rebelledagainsthimwasnotincontradictionwithhisgeneralconduct. Ononehand,hewantedtocompetewiththeAlawidesinwinningthepublicopiniontohisside. Ontheotherhand,hewastryingtostayawayfromgettinginvolvedinsheddingtheirbloodand seekingrevengeagainstthemwhichdidnotagreewithhistheoreticalinclinationtowardsthe Alawides. Imam''sStanceTowardsAbulSaraya''sRevolution ThereisapreviousstanceinwhichtheImam(A.S.)hadsidedwiththeAlawiderevolutionofIbn TabatabaunderthecommandofAbulSaraya.MuhammadibnalAthram,chiefofthepoliceforce ofMuhammadibnSulaymanalAlawiatMedinaduringthedaysofAbulSaraya,isquotedsaying, "HisnearinkinandsomepeoplefromQuraishgatheredaroundhimandsworeallegiancetohim saying,IfyousendwordtoAbulHassan(A.S.),hewouldsurelysupportusandwewillbeunited.'' Sulaymansaidtome,Gotohimandconveymygreetingstohimandtellhimthathiskinfolkhave gatheredanddesiredthatheshouldjointhem;so,ifyouwish,pleasedoso.''SoImethimatal HamraandIconveyedthemessagetohim. Hesaid,ConveymygreetingtohimandtellhimIwilljoinhimaftertwentydays.''SoIconveyed tohimthemessagewithwhichIwassent,andwestayedforafewdays.Onthe18thday,Warqa, alJalloudi''scommander,marchedtowardsus,whereuponIraninthedirectionofthetwoSoors. WhenIheardsomeonecallingme,OAbuAthram!''Iturnedback,anditwasAbulHassan(A.S.) askingme,Didthetwentydayspassalready?!"146 WhyDidtheImamRefusetoParticipateintheRevolution? Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

TheImam(A.S.)wasnotobjectingtotherevolutionbuthesimplywantedtoassurethosepersons thattherevolutionwhosesuccesshecouldnotsecurewasonehewouldnotjoin.Accordingtohis seriousforesightintoevents,itseemedtohimthattherevolutionwhosemovementwasarbitrary wouldendupwitheliminationandfailure. Forthisreason,hewashinginghisparticipationintherevolutiononthepassageoftwentydays, forhecalculatedthattheoppositemovefromtheAbbasideswouldshowduringsuchaperiodof timeandwouldgaugetheextentofsuccessachievedsofarbytherevolution.Thiscautious stanceoftheImam(A.S.)wasnotduetoevadinghisparticipationintherevolutionarymovement butwastheresultofarealisticcalculationofthedevelopmentofeventsinthesphereofthe movementofrevolutionsalongtheAbbasideruleandbeforethemtheUmayyad.Forthisreason, wecannotconcludethattheImam''slackofparticipationinarebellionmeantthathewasnot convincedoftheprincipleofitsnecessity. WhyDidtheImamDeclineFromDemandingCaliphate? Itisworthourresearchtimetodispeltheambiguitywhichcloudsthemotiveswhichprompted theImams(A.S.)nottoclaimauthoritybyforceandthusupsettheoppressivegovernmentswhich werecontrollingthesustenanceoftheMuslimnationanditsgeneralconditions.Theseareas follows:LackofaPopularFrontofConfrontationTomovewithintheframeworkoftherevolution needstheexistenceofanalertpublicbaseofconfrontationwhichrespondsimmediatelytothe plansputbyitsleadernomatterwhattheoutcomemightbe.TheImamsalwayscomplainedthat itsimplywasnotthere.Asregardingthefragilepublicsupportbase,whichisnotunitedbya unifyingbeliefinthemeansandobjectives,thiscannotbemadethebasefromwhicharevolution canstartbecauseitisdoomedwithfailureinadvance. Sufficesusforproofonthattheshakycircumstancewhichsurroundedthecaliphateofthe CommanderoftheFaithfulImamAli(A.S.)whosegovernmenttookfullcontroloverallIslamic landswiththeexceptionofSyriawhichwasunderthecontrolofMu''awiyaibnAbuSufyan.The reasonwhyMu''awiyawasabletostandfirmandscoreavictoryinsomeofhisbattlesagainstthe Imam(A.S.)wasduetothefactthathehadthatpublicbasewhichwasunitedinconceptandin objective.AsregardingtheImam(A.S.), hispublicbasewasfragmentedanditlackedharmonyinitselementswhoseideasandgoals differed,andprobablywhathappenedtotheImam''sarmyduringthemasqueradeofarbitration issufficientproofforthat.SufficesusalsotherevolutionarymovementledbyImamalHassan (A.S.)toconfrontMu''awiyaafterhisfatherhaddied,leadingintheendtoapeacetreatywith Mu''awiya.Thereasonforthefailurewasnoneotherthanthelackofthatbasewhichwould enablehimthroughitscementationtosteerthesituationtohisownadvantage,andwehave alreadyexplainedthatclearlyinourbookSulhalImamalHassan. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Imam''sMainResponsibilitywasDisseminatingAwareness Withasituationlikethat,wecannotblametheImamsforkeepingsilentaboutrevolutions,orfor theirreluctancetoprepareforthem,orpermitourselvestopassajudgementabouttheirown lackofnecessaryqualificationstoassumegovernmentresponsibilities,oreventellthemthatthe rolewhichwasassignedtothemwasonlytobeleadersofthespiritualauthorityalone,andthat theysimplydonothavethequalitiesrequiredfortemporalauthority.Rather,theirresponsibility isconfinedtocreateapublicbasethatisalertandwiththesenseofdirection,andthiscannotbe achievedexceptwhentheyarefreetodirectothersanddisseminateawarenessamongthe varioussegmentsofthenation. Governments''PersecutionofImams Theircontemporarycaliphs,UmayyadorAbbaside,madesuretorobthemofthatfreedomand besiegethemwithasiegeofstrictsurveillancewhichcountedtheirmovementsandmonitored theirbreath,somuchsothattobelongtotheirschoolofthoughtwasconsideredacrime punishablebytherulingauthoritywithexecutionorbanishment.Thematterbecamesodifficult andsostraitenedthattheirsincerefollowerstriedtohidetheircreedfearingfortheirlivesshould theyotherwisediscloseitandevendemandingthattheirImams,too,shouldhideitifanyamong themwasdestinedtodeclarehisImamate. AllofthatwasoutoftheirconcernaboutthelivesofthoseImamslesttheyshouldbeendangered asactuallyhappenedtoImamalRida(A.S.)whenhedeclaredthathewas,indeed,theImam (A.S.)succeedinghisfather.Moreover,theImamswerecontemporarytotherevolutionary experiencesoftheAlawideswhorebelledagainstbothUmayyadandAbbasidedynastiesand whichendedintheirutterdefeatdespitethefactthatsomerebelssuchasMuhammadand IbrahimsonsofAbdullahibnalHusaynwereabletosubjectlargetractsofIslamicterritoriesto theircontrol. Imams'SupportofAlawideRevolutions TheImamsdid,indeedprivatelysupportthosesuccessiverevolutionswithoutpubliclyannouncing theirsupport.Theyviewedthemasmeansofpublicawarenessagainstoppressivegovernment systems.Forexample,ImamalKazim(A.S.)isquotedsayingtohiscousinalHusayn,whowas murderedinanambush,uponsayingfarewelltohim,"Ocousin!Youarecertainlygoingtobe killed;so,fightverywell,forthesefolksarecorrupt.Theyfeignbeliefandhideatheism...Weare God''sanduntoHimisourreturn...IpleadtheAlmightyonyourbehalftograntyouthestrength ofunity."147Havingsaidallofthis,weseenoreasontoopposeandcriticizethenegativestance oftheImamstowardstherebellionswhichtookplaceagainsttheircontemporarygovernments, Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

fortheyevaluatedtheirpoliticalcircumstancesandtheyknewthattheendresultofeach revolutionagainstthegovernmentwouldbedefeat...,andnothingbutdefeat. ________________________________________ 142IbnalAthir,Vol.5,pp.175177 143UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.233 144UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.233 145Ibid.,Vol.2,p.234 146UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.208 147MaqatilalTalibiyyin,p.443 HisWorks IdonotthinkthatIwillbeableinthisresearchtodojusticeinrecordingalltherichaspectsofthe intellectuallifeofImamalRida(A.S.),butIwilltrymybesttoprovideaquickandclearideaabout theintellectualoutputpresentedbytheImamformankindinvariousfieldsofknowledge.Thus, wewouldbeablefromadistancetoconductacompletedefinitionoftheaspectsoftheportrait inwhichwecanviewthelifestyleofImamalRida(A.S.),havingfinishedresearchingitshistorical side. IbnKhaldunDoubtsImams''Knowledge SomehistoriansdoubtedthescholarshipoftheImams,letalonetheirscholarlysuperiority,basing theirdoubtsontheclaimthathadtheybeentrulyscholars,theirbookswouldhavebeenmade availabletothepublicasisthecasewithallotherscholars. AnyonewhoconsiderstherevolutionofImamHusain(A.S.)againstYazidasamistakecommitted bytheImam(A.S.)andagrossmiscalculationcannotbeexpectedtorefrainfrommakingsucha statementwhichwecannotattributetoignoranceorlackoftheabilitytoknow,butitisnothing otherthanthecloudofsectarianprejudicewhichstoodasacurtainbetweenhimandseeingthe events,issues,andtheirreflectionsastheyreallywere.The"fairminded"historianisaskedtotell usaboutthebooksauthoredbythesahabaandtheirworksfromwhomhederivedtheprinciples andpreceptsofthecreedoftheProphet(S.A.W.),oreventheworksofthetabi''inwhomhe regardsasthesecondclassthatisknowledgeableoftheissuesoftheshari''a,custodiansofits structure. Hemayseekhisexcusebysayingthatthenarrativesofhadithandnewsofeventsnarrated throughthemaresuitableasacriterionforjudgingtheextentoftheirknowledge.Thisisactually howwe,too,defendourImams,forthelegacytheyhaveleftusinvariousfieldsofknowledge Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

andwhichisnarratedaboutthemissufficienttoacquaintuswiththeextentoftheirknowledge andevensuperiorityoverothers.IsitreallypossiblethatIbnKhaldundidnotreviewsuchlegacy ofahadithwhichreachedusthroughthemandrecordedbyscholarsandthinkersanduponwhich thestructureoftheirschoolofthought,inwhichalargesectionofthenationbelieves,stood?We doubtit;nay,wemayevenbepositivelysureabouttheunrealisticnatureofsuchanoddquestion especiallysinceIbnKhaldunisoneofthemostknowledgeable,mosthighlyintellectual,andmost maturewriters.

ImamsandthePersecutionofRulers TheImamsweretestedduringvariousperiodsoftheirlivesbypressingcrisesduetothe trespassingofoppressiverulersontheircivilliberties.Theypursuedtheirfollowersandsincere adherents,straiteningontheminvariousaspectsoftheireverydaylife,somuchsothattheword rafidicametorepresentintheeyesoftherulersthefinalindictmentofanyoneproventobe "guilty"ofitscontext,abelieverinitsbackground. Becauseofthat,thechancewaslostformanyofthosewhosoughtknowledgetoderivefromthat leadingfountainhead,andthechancetofindthescholarlysolutionsfortheintellectualproblems becauseofwhichtheyweredisturbingtheirminds.Despiteallthesepressuresandviolent trespassing,mankindisnotintellectuallydeprivedofagreatdealofintellectualmasterpieces whichtheImams(A.S.)dictatedtotheirstudentsanddisciplesinvariousaspectsofscholarship. Someofthosestudentsusedtogivejailerswhatevertheydemandedsothattheymightagreeto carrywrittenquestionstothejailedImam(A.S.)andbringthembackhisanswersthereto,outof theirdesiretobenefitfromthepresenceoftheImam(A.S.),andduetotheirdesiretobefaithful tothetrustofscholarship,andinordertoprotectitfromthelabyrinthsofdoubt. ThebiographyofthejailedImamMousaibnJa''fer(A.S.)bearswitnesstothataccordingtothose whoquotedhim.HistoriansandbiographersofImamalRida(A.S.)doinfactmentionsomebooks authoredbytheImam(A.S.)besideshisnarrationofhadithandissueswhichhedictatedtothose whoaskedhimandtohisclosecompanionswhousedtofrequentlyquestionhimaboutthetypes ofknowledgewhichtheycouldnotunderstand.Topositivelyidentifythesebooksasauthoredby theImam(A.S.)mayrequireaconvincingevidencewhichwemaynotsometimeshave. AlFiqhalRadawi Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 AmongthosebooksisAlFiqhalRadawiwhichwasforquitesometimethesubjectofdebate amongscholars,forthereareamongthemthosewhoconsideredittobeauthoredbytheImam (A.S.),reliedonit,andestablishedtheirargumentsonsuchabasis,suchastheMajlisis,Sayyid BahralUloom,theauthorofAlHadaiq,ShaikhalNawari,andothers.Butthelargenumberof scholarsofverificationconcededthatitcouldnothavebeensaidforsurethatitwasauthoredby ImamalRida(A.S.)becauseofthelackofsufficientevidenceinadditiontotheirdoubt,orthelack ofconviction,oftheargumentsbroughtforthbythosewhoconsidereditoneoftheImam''s works. ThefactthatitwasnotatallcommonknowledgethatthatbookwasauthoredbytheImam(A.S.) priortothelatetimeoftheMajlisis,inadditiontothelackofknowledgeofscholarsbeforetheir timeofanyinformationaboutsuchanauthorship,allofthatnegatesthebeliefthatitwas attributedtoorpersonallyauthoredbytheImam(A.S.).Therewasnoreasonwhythatbook wouldnothavebeenfamousduringthelifetimeoftheImam(A.S.)especiallysincethe knowledgeoftheImam(A.S.)wasverywellknowntoeveryone,somuchsothatwhenhe narratedhadithtothescholarsofNishapur,morethantwentythousandscribeswroteitdown thereandthen,besidesothers,asscholarsofhadithtellus. HowtheBookAppeared ThestoryhowthisbookappearedsaysthatagroupoftheresidentsofQumbroughtacopywith themtoMeccawheretherulerjudge(qadiamir)SayyidHusainalIsfahanisawitandtestifiedto itsbeingauthoredbyalRida(A.S.)andmadeacopyofitforhimselfwhichhebroughttoIsfahan. Thereheshowedittothefirst(senior)MajlisiwholikewisewassureitwasauthoredbytheImam (A.S.)andsowashissonthesecond(junior)Majlisi,andhequotedtheahadithitcontainedinthe volumesofhisbookBiharalAnwar,makingthebookoneofhisownbook''sreferences,andthis ishowitsfamespread. InhisIntroductiontoBiharalAnwar,alMajlisiwrites,"IwastoldaboutthebookFiqhalRidaby thevirtuoustraditionisttherulerjudgeHusayn,mayGodbeGraciousuntohissoul,aftercoming toIsfahan.Hesaidtome,IthappenedthatduringthetimewhenIwasneighbouringtheHouseof God,agroupoftheresidentsofQumvisitedmewhileperformingtheirhajjandtheyhadwith themanoldbookthedateofitswritingagreedwiththedateduringwhichalRida(A.S.)was alive.''"ThenalMajlisicontinuestosay,"Iheardmyfathersayingthatitwasinthehandwritingof alRida(A.S.),andalargenumberofdignitariestestifiedtothesame." SayyidHusaynalIsfahanisaid:"Throughthoseevidences,Icametoknowthatitwasindeed authoredbytheImam(A.S.);therefore,Itoothebookandmadeacopyofitandcorrectedmy copybycomparingitwiththeoriginal,thenmyfathertookmycopyandmadeyetanothercopy Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ofitandcomparedthecopywiththeoriginal,andmostofitsstatementsagreewithwhatis mentionedbyalSaduqAbuJa''feribnBabawayhinhisbookManlaYahdaruhualFaqihwithout givingcredittothebook,andinagreementwithwhathisfatherstatesinhislettertohim.Alarge numberofahkamwhichourfellowshavementionedandwhosesourceisunknownare mentionedinit." DoubtingtheAccuracyofRenderingittotheImam WhatmakesusdoubttheattributionisthatShaikhalSaduq,whotookpainsindocumentingall thelegaciesofImamalRida(A.S.)andwhoresearchedhiminhisbook''UyoonAkhbaralRida, andinothers,didnotmentionthathehadauthoredsuchabook.Also,otherscholarswhocame afterhim,beitresidentsofQumorothers,didnotmentionanythingaboutit,andSayyidal IsfahanididnotsayanythingaboutthosepilgrimsfromQumwhoshowedhimthebookastohow theyacquiredthebook,andwhothepersonwhowastellingitsstorywas. Itisalsounusualthatthebookshouldremainobscureforsuchalongperiodoftimeinthehands ofsomeresidentsofQumwithoutanyofthecity''sscholarsortraditionistsgettingtohavealook atit,althoughthosescholarswereknownnottoleaveanythingsmallorbigwithoutwritingit downinordertosafeguarditagainstloss. Therearethreepossibilitiesregardingthebook:ThatitisauthoredbytheImam(A.S.)onthe accountofevidencesinitwhichgivethatimpressionsuchashisstatementatitsbeginning, "AbdullahAliibnMousaalRidasays...,"and"...oneofourowncustoms,wepeopleoftheAhlal Bayt."Initschapteronzakat,itstates,"Itisnarratedaboutmyfatherthescholar..."Initschapter onusury,itstates,"MyfatherorderedmeandIobeyed."Inthechapteronhajj,itstates:"My fathersaidthatAsmadaughterofAmees..." Italsosays,"...myfatherfrommygrandfatherfromhisfathersaid:IsawAliibnalHusaynwalking withoutrunning.''"Italsocontains:"Iheardthescholar.Iheardhimsay...""Scholar"isthetitleof ImamalKazim(A.S.),uptotheendofsuchstatementswhichgivetheimpressionthatthebook washis,thathewasitsauthor,andtheymaybetheevidenceswhichencouragedmanyscholars tobepositivelysurethatthebookwaswrittenbytheImam(A.S.),andtoactaccordingly.Thatit wasauthoredbytheman''sfather,whosenamehappenstobeAliibnMousa.Heauthoreditfor hissonalSaduq,anditisacompilationofnarrativeswhichcamethroughImamalRida(A.S.). Thisviewwastoleratedbysomescholars,buttheword"alRida(A.S.)"inthetitleofthebook negatesthepossibilityofitsbeingauthoredbyhimexceptthismaybethefaultofthosewho madecopiesofthebookandofthescribessincethecompletenameoftheImam(A.S.)comesto Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

mind.ThatitwascompiledbyIbnBabawayh,orsomeoneelse, whichhecompiledonbehalfoftheImam(A.S.)andinwhichherecordedthetraditionswhich werenarratedaboutImamalRida(A.S.)andclassifiedtheminawaywhichgivestheimpression thathewasanauthorfortheImam(A.S.)sincethetraditionsabouthimareactuallyhisownwith onlyonedifference:referencesofthosetraditionswereeliminated.Thismaybethebest possibilitysinceotherpossibilitiesdonotsayanythingaboutwhythebook''ssubjectmatters wereclassifiedthewaytheyare. ViewsofSomeScholarsAbouttheBook OurmastermentorImamalKhoihasstatedthat,"ItisnotproventhatitisalRida''sfiqhby narration,butitcontainsevidenceswhichpointouttoitsbeingacollectionoffatawaofsome ulema,andduetotheagreementofmostofitscontentstotheletterIbnBabawayhwrotetohis son148;haditbeenotherwise,alSaduqwouldhavehadtoacquaintuswithit." Theverifier(muhaqqiq)MirzaAbdullahalAfandi,inhisbookRiyadal''Ulemaa,ispositiveabout thebookbeingthesameletterreferredtoabove,addingthatthereasonfortheoccurrenceof theImam''snameinitisduetothefactthatbothmensharethesamefirstandsecondnames, andthisiswhyitisattributedtotheImam(A.S.). SayyidHassanalSadrwroteadissertationaboutthelackofevidence(thatitwastheImam''s), sayinginhisauthorizationtoShaikhAghaBazragofTehranthatitisthesamebookauthoredby IbnAbu''AzaqirbetterknownasalShalmaghani.Anyhow,attributingthebooktotheImam(A.S.) isdoubtfulenoughtoalmostafirmbeliefthatthebookwasnotauthoredbyhim.Butthebook, althoughwedisagreewithourmastermentor,mayGodprolonghisshade,inhisdescriptionofit asacollectionoffatawaofsomeulema,isnolessthananarrationwhosenarratorisanonymous; therefore,wecannotattributeittotheImam(A.S.)andacceptitasareferencetorelyuponfor issuingreligiousverdictsortoknowwhatisIslamicallyunlawful. AlRisalaalDahabiyyafilTibb AmongsuchbooksisAlRisalaalDahabiyyafilTibb(thegoldmedicaldissertation)forwhich sourcesarecountedreachingsometimestoMuhammadibnJumhoor,andsometimestoal HassanibnMuhammadalNawfaliwhowasacceptedastrustworthybyalNajjashiwhodescribed himas"highlyesteemedandtrustworthy;henarratedonetextaboutalRida(A.S.),"whichcould be"thegoldmedicaldissertation." Itispossiblethatthedissertation''sfameamongscholars,andtheirconsensusinvariouscenturies thattheImam(A.S.)wasitsauthor,andthatnobodydoubtedsuchanauthorship,areenough Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

proofsleadingtheresearchertocomfortablyandalmostpositivelyconcludethatitwasindeed fromtheintellectualoutputofImamalRida(A.S.)himself. DissertationWasAuthoredbytheImam Despiteallofthis,weseenoreasontodoubtthatitwasauthoredbytheImamifweapplythe criteriongenerallyappliedtoderivelegislativeverdicts(ahkam),ortobefamiliarwiththe principlesofthecreed(usool),forinthatcasethereareconditionswhicharenotrequiredhere; otherwise,doubtwouldhavenecessitatedtheattributionofauthorshiptoalargenumberof booksduetothelackofamethodwhichwouldassureusofthereliabilityofsuchanattribution. Yetthefamewhichmanyverifiersconsiderasameanstowardsconfirmationcanbyitselfprove toustheaccuracyofattributingthisdissertationtotheImam(A.S.). IfitisprovenforusthatalNajjashimeantthissamegolddissertationwhenhewasquotingal NawfalisayingthathenarratedonetextfromalRida(A.S.),theknotwouldsurelybeuntied. WhatsupportsthisassumptionaboutalNajjashiisthatsomescholarshavesaidthatthelibraryof allamaal''AskariinSamarra(Iraq)containsacopyofamanuscriptdealingwiththemedical knowledgeofImamalRida(A.S.)narratedbyAbuMuhammadalHassanibnMuhammadal Nawfali149,providedthereisnoothercopybyalNawfaliinwhichhequotestheImam(A.S.) otherthanthisdissertation;otherwise,wewouldbeconfusedandwewouldnotbeableto reasonablyunderstandwhyalNajjashididnotprovidesufficientdetailsaboutthebookswhichhe attributedtotheirrespectiveauthorsornarrators,oratleastindicatetheirtitles! ThisdissertationisoneofthemostpreciouspiecesofIslamiclegacydealingwiththescienceof medicine.Thisinclusive,scientificandinvaluabledissertationisasummaryofanumberof medicalsciencessuchasanatomy,biology,physiology,pathologyandthescienceofhealthcare. Itprovidedmostoftheknowledgerelatedtothescienceofprotectivemedicine,nutrition, chemistry,andalargeportionofothersciencesaswell. TheImam(A.S.)sentthisdissertationtothecaliphalMamoonaroundtheyear201A.H.when medicinewasaprimitivescienceanditsresearchwasnotconductedscientificallybutbasedon practicealoneratherthanonscientificdiscoveries,andwhenthescienceofbacteriologywasnot discoveredyet,norwasthereanysignificantknowledgeofnutritionalsupplementssuchas vitamins,orothersignificantmedicaldiscoveriesforfightingmicrobessuchaspenicillin, streptomycin,oromycin,etc. Onthesurface,thedissertationseemedtobeverysimpleinordertobeinlinewiththementality ofthattime,butitisquitedeepandcomplicatedinitsimplicationsanditneedsascientificstudy andlengthyresearchestounveilitssecretsanduncoveritstreasures,anditshouldbecompared withmodernscientificfacts.150 Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 AlMamoonEvaluatedDissertation AlMamoonwasverypleasedtoreceivethatdissertationandheexpressedhowmuchhe cherisheditbyorderingtohaveitwrittendowningoldandtobedepositedathis"depositoryof wisdom,"thusitsname"thegolddissertation."Inpraisingit,alMamoonsaid,"Ihavereviewed thedissertationofmylearnedcousin,thelovedandvirtuousone,thelogicalphysician,which dealswiththebettermentofthebody,theconductofbathing,thebalanceofnutrition, andIfounditverywellorganizedandoneofthebestblessings.Icarefullystudiedit,reviewed andcontemplateduponit,tillitswisdommanifesteditselftome,anditsbenefitsbecame obvious,anditfounditsplaceinmyheart,soIlearneditbyheartandIunderstooditbymymind, forIfoundittobeamostpreciousitemtopost,agreattreasure,andamostusefulitem,soI orderedittobewritteningoldduetoitsbeingprecious, andIdepositeditatthedepositoryofwisdomafterIhaditcopieddownbythedescendantsof Hashim,theyouthsofthenation.Bodiesbecomehealthybybalanceddiets,andlifebecomes possiblebyovercomingdisease,andthroughlifewisdomisachieved,andthroughwisdom Paradiseiswon,anditisworthyofbeingsafeguardedandtreasured,andanobjectofvalueand esteemandareliablephysicianandacounsellortorefertoandasubstanceofknowledgeinits injunctionsandprohibitions. "Becauseitcameoutofthehouseofthosewhoderivetheirknowledgefromtheknowledgeof theChosenOne(S.A.W.),themissiveoftheprophets,theproofsofsuccessorstotheprophets, themannersofscholars,thecuretotheheartsandthesickfromamongthepeopleofignorance andblindness...,mayGodbepleasedwiththem,blessandbemercifultothem,thefirstofthem andthelast,theyoungandtheold,Ishowedittotheeliteamongmyclosesttrainwhoareknown fortheirwisdom,knowledgeofmedicine,authorsofbooks,thosewhoarecountedamongthe peopleofknowledgeanddescribedwithwisdom,andeachoneofthemlaudeditandthought highlyofit,elevateditwithesteemandappreciateditinordertobefairtoitsauthor,submitting tohim,believinginthewisdomheincludedtherein."151 AlMamoonAskedtheImamtoWriteIt ThestoryofthisdissertationisthatalMamoonhadaveryinquisitivemindeagerforknowledge, fondofobtainingmoreofit.Duringoneofhisscientificdebates,agroupofphysiciansand philosophersinNishapur,includingYohanna(John)ibnMasawayhthephysician,Jibraeel(Gabriel) ibnBakhtishoo''thephysician,SalihibnSalhamatheIndianphilosopher,inadditiontoothers,had gathered. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Discussionturnedtomedicineandhowinitthebodiesareimproved.AlMamoonandhis attendantswereinvolvedinaverylengthydiscussionofthesubject,andhowGodcreatedthe humanbodyandthecontradictorythingsinit,thefourelements,theharmsandbenefitsof varioustypesoffood,whiletheImam(A.S.)keptsilentanddidnottakepartinanyofthat.Al Mamoon,therefore,saidtohim,"Whatdoyouhavetosay,OfatherofalHassan, intoday''ssubjectofourdiscussion?"AbulHassan(A.S.)said,"Ihaveofthistheknowledgeof whatIhavepersonallytestedandcametoknowaboutitsaccuracybyexperienceandbythe passageoftimeinadditiontowhatIwastoldbymyancestorsofwhatnobodycanaffordtobe ignorantofnorexcusedforleavingout.Ishallcompilethatwithanequalshareofwhateveryone needknow." AlMamoonthenrushedtoBalkhandAbulHassan(A.S.)didnotaccompanyhim;therefore,al Mamoonsenthimfromtherealetteraskinghimtofulfillhispromiseandmakethatcompilation, soalRida(A.S.)wrotehimsaying:"IntheNameofAllah,MostGracious,MostMerciful;My relianceisuponAllahIhavereceivedtheletterofthecommanderofthefaithfulregardingwhat heorderedmeaboutacquaintinghimwithwhatisneededofmattersIhavetestedandheard aboutfoodsanddrinks,medicines,venesection,bloodletting,bathing,poisons,whatshouldbe avoided,andotherthingswhichmanagethehealthofthebody,andIexplainedwhatisneededto bedoneregardingone''sownbody,andGodistheOneWhogivessuccess."Afterthatheinitiates thedissertation.

CommentariesontheDissertation Agoodnumberofscholarsattemptedtowritecommentariesonthedissertation;hereisapartial listingofsomeofthem: 1.TarjamatalAlawililTibbalRadawibySayyidDiaudDinAbulRidaFadlallahibnAlialRawandi (d.548A.H.). 2.TarjamatalDhahabiyyabymawlaFaydallah''UsarahalTasatturiwhowasanauthorityon medicineandastrologyduringtheregimeofFathAliKhan.Thisbookwaswrittenunderthecover ofsecrecyinabout107A.H.Ahandwrittencopyofthemanuscriptdated1133A.H.isavailableat MishkatLibraryoftheTehranUniversity. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

3.TarjamatalDhahabiyyabyMuhammadBaqiralMajlisi.Itisavailableattheprivatelibraryof thelateSayyidHassanalSadrinKazimiyya(Iraq). 4.''AfiyatalBariyyafiSharhalDhahabiyyabyMirzaMuhammadHadisonofMirzaMuhammad SalihalShirazi.ItwasauthoredduringtheregimeofSultanHusaynalSafawi.Itisinhandwritten manuscriptformanditisavailableattheSayyidHusaynalHamadaniLibrary,NajafalAshraf (Iraq).5.SharhTibbalRidabymawlaMuhammadSharifalKhatoonabadi.Heauthoreditaround 1120A.H. 6.TarjamatalDhahabiyyabySayyidShamsudDinMuhammadibnMuhammadBadi''alRadawi alMashhadi.Itwasfinishedin1155A.H.,anditisavailableattheShaikhMuhammadAliAkbaral NahawandilibraryinKhurasan(Iran). 7.SharhTibbalRidabySayyidAbdallahalShubbarwhodiedin1242A.H.ShaikhalNawari mentionedthathesawthatcopyhimself. 8.SharhTibbalRidabymawlaMuhammadibnalHajjMuhammadHassanalMashhadiwho taughtatMashhadanddiedin1257A.H. 9.SharhTibbalRidabymawlaNawroozAlialBastami. 10.AlMahmoodiyyabyalHajjKazimalMoosawialZanjaniwhodiedin1292A.H.Itisin manuscriptformanditisavailablewiththeauthor''sgrandsons. Thereareothersbesidesthesescholarswhoexplainedandcommentedonit,revealingwhatis hiddenofitssecretsandobscuretreasures.Probablythelatestpersonwhoexplaineditand conductedacomparativestudybetweenitstheoryandthelatestmodernscientificdiscoveriesis Dr.AbdulSahibZainiinthe"Multaqaal''Asrayn"series. SahifatalRida AmongthoseworksisSahifatalRidawhichdealswithfiqh.Apparently,itisnotconfirmedbyour famousscholarsalthoughtheauthorofMustadrakalWasaildescribeditas"amongthewell knownbookswhichisrelieduponandwhichnootherbook,beforeitorafterit,ismoreesteemed orreliable,"andwedonotknowhowrealisticsomeofthejudgementissuedbytheauthorofthis Mustadrakaboutsuchanevaluationare.WhatisunusualisthatalMajlisi,inhisMuqaddimatal Bihar,statedthatdespiteitsfame,itisonthelevelofalectureratherthanamusnad. AlSaheefa''sMusnads Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ButSayyidalAmin,inhisA''yanmentionsanisnad(ascription)relatedtoitalonefromShaikh AbdulWasi''alYamanialZaydiforthecopybroughtbythesaidShaikhfromYemenand publishedinDamascus.Also,someofitscopiescontainitsascriptiontoAbuAlialTibrisi,but ShaikhalMajlisisaysthathedoesnotknowanythingaboutthat. AlMustadrakstates:"TheesteemedMirzaAbdallahalAfandi,inhisRiyadal''Ulema,has compiledallitssourcesandsaid,AmongthatisacopyofthisSaheefawhichIsawatthetownof Ardabil,anditssanadwas...,''andhegoesontoindicateitssanadafterthat.Buttheascriptionhe mentionedisdebatableinasfarashisnarratorsareconcerned,andwhatweoptforregarding thedissertationisthatitsauthenticityisnotverifiedandisnotsuitableinitscontextfordeciding aboutahkam.Sufficesusthefactthatgreatscholarsandverifiersofpastcenturiesrefusedto acknowledgeitsauthenticity,refusingalsotobelieveitwasauthoredbytheImam(A.S.); therefore,wehavenoexcuseifweincludeitamongtheworksoftheImam(A.S.)andhisscholarly production. MahdalIslam AmongotherworksattributedtotheImam(A.S.)isthebooktitledMahdalIslamwaShara''iad DinwhichisreferredtobyalSaduqinhisUyoonfromalFadlibnShathan,buthedidnotindicate thatitwaswritteninresponsetoalMamoon''srequest.152 DoubtingItsAttributionToTheImam Whatappearstousafterscrutinizingthelistofitsascriptionisthatwecannotrelyonits attributiontotheImamsimplybecausesomeofitsnarratorsarenotheldreliable.Yeteventhe styleofthisdissertationisshaky,withdisturbedexpressionsintermingledinit.thisgivesusthe impressionthatitishighlyunlikelythattheImam(A.S.)dictateditdespiteitsinclusionofsome ahkamtheupholdingtowhichisnotconsideredobligatoryinourschoolofthoughtsuchas makingobligatorythequnootinallfivedailyprayers,theobligationofsendingblessingsuntothe Prophet(S.A.W.),i.e.salawat,atallplaces,atsneezing,sacrificialanimals,etc.,andtheobligation oftakbirduringtheEidalFitrprayersafterfivesalawat,duringtheEidalAdhaaftertensalawat, andatMinaafterfifteensalawat,thatawomanwhosemenstrualperiodcontinuesforeighteen daysmustnotsaythedailyprayers,butifshebecamecleanbeforethen,shecouldsaythem,and ifsheisnotcleantillaftereighteendays,shewouldbatheandsayherdailyprayersanddoes whateverawomandoesduringherperiod. Inhissecondnarrative,headdstothefirstonesaying,"Andhestatedinitthatthesmallsinsof prophetsareforgiven,"whichiscontradictorywiththeImam(A.S.)declaringthattheyare infallibleanddonotcommitsmallorbigsins. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

AllofthisstrengthensourbeliefthatthedissertationwasnotauthoredordictatedbytheImam (A.S.),butitcontainsanullificationofthecaliphateofalMamoonandotherprecedingcaliphs, callingthemmisguidedandoneswhoforsookrighteousnessandguidance,clearlyconfiningthe trueImamatetotheTwelveImams(A.S.). Thedissertationalsocontainsaviolationoftheprincipleoftaqiyyaandofitscurtainwhichwas upheldbytheImamsduringtheirlengthyhistory.Thisaddsmoredoubtintheaccuracyofthe attributionofthedissertationtotheImam(A.S.).Whatwethinktobequitepossibleisthatthe dissertationmayhavebeenacollectionoffatawa(verdicts)ofonescholarandhisviewsregarding doctrinalandlegislativeissues.Thelackoforderofthedissertation''sstyleandorganizationin listingsubjectmattersandtheirsequence,inadditiontothefactthatsomeofitsahkamare simplyindisagreementwiththeestablishedones,allthisleadsustoandconfirmsthispossibility. AjwibatMasailIbnSinan (Or"AnswerstoibnSinan''sQueries")WhatmaybedescribedasworksbytheImam(A.S.)arehis answerstoquestionsputforthtohimbyIbnSinan.Butthiscannotbedescribedasabook authoredbytheImam(A.S.);otherwise,thecollectionofhisanswerstothequestionsofmany others,whichdealwithvariousfieldsofknowledgeandscholarship,mustbedescribedlikewise. ''IlalIbnShathan Also,the(Imam''sanswersto)ailmentsaboutwhichIbnShathanhadaskedhimcannotbe consideredasabookheauthored,assomescholarsconcluded,sincetheywereorganizedbyIbn ShathanhimselfthoughtheywerederivedfromtheknowledgeofImamalRida(A.S.)andhis answerstothequestionsaboutailments.Forthisreason,wefindIbnShathanpresentingthose ailmentsinaproblemandasolutionformat,andwedonotknowwhetherthetextshe mentionedweretheexactanswersoftheImam(A.S.)verbatimornot,foritisquitepossiblethat hepresentedtheminhisownpersonalstylewhilemaintainingtheessenceoftheideawhichthe Imam(A.S.)presentedinhisanswer,whichwethinkwasthecase. Summary Fromwhatwehavediscussedhonestlyandfranklyregardingtheauthenticityofthebookswhich wereattributedtohavebeenauthoredbytheImam(A.S.),itbecomesclearthattheonlybook whichwedaretodescribeasauthoredbytheImam(A.S.)isAlRisalaalDhahabiyyafilTibbwhich hewroteinresponsetocaliphalMamoon''srequest.Thisdoesnotmeanatallthattheother booksattributedtohimdidnotcarryviewsandtheorieswhichhehaddictatedtothosewho questionedhimaboutthisandthat,ortothosewhowereseekinghissupremefountainheadof knowledge,andourdiscussionisonlyinform,notincontextandsubstance. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 ________________________________________ 148AlMuhadaratfialFiqhalJa''feribyalSayyidalShahroodi,"ReportonImamalKhoi''s Lecture,"Vol.1,p.7 149TibbalRida("MedicineofalRida"),"Multaqaal''Asrayn"series,issuenumber2,p.130 150Ibid.,pp.1920 151A''yanalShi''a,Vol.4,pp.2,143and144 152UyoonAkhbaralRida,Vol.2,p.121 Altercations Onvariousoccasions,alMamoontriedtoforceImamalRida(A.S.)intothearenaofcomplex debateswithvariousgroupsandcreeds.Heusedtoconductscientificandintellectualsessionsto whichheinvitedgiantthinkers,leadingscientists,theatheistsofthecentury,anddebaterswhose scientificmightwasfearedandbeforethestubbornnessofwhosecomplexargumentsthe evidencewasmutedandduetothefiercenessofwhosedoubttheproofwasweakened.Inall suchdebates,theImamwouldcomeoutvictoriousoverhisopponentsduetothetremendous powerofknowledgehepossessedwithoutforcinghimselfintothesophistryofargumentsto whichsomemighthaveresortedinordertodemolishthestructureofhisopponent''sargument andweakenhisabilitytoprovideevidence.Rather,hedependedinhisdebateuponhonest argumentsinordertoproverighttoberight,hismiraculousabilityofconviction,andhiscalm stylisticmethod. AlNawfaliWarnstheImam AlNawfalitriedtowarntheImamagainstattemptingtodealwiththedebatesofsuchpeople whentheImamaskedhimwhyalMamoonhadinvitedhimtodebatethem,foralMamoonhad askedtheCatholicarchbishop,theHighRabbi,leadingSabians,theHinduhighpriest,followersof Zoroaster,NestustheRomanmedicalscientist,andagroupoforators,toenterintoascientific debatewithImamalRida(A.S.).HesentYasirtheservanttotheImamtotellhimaboutthetime whenthedebatewouldstart,requestinghimtoattend.WhenYasirwentoutandalNawfaliwas alonewiththeImam,theImam(A.S.)turnedtohimandaskedhimintheformofadialogue,"O Nawfali!YouareanIraqi,andtheheartofanIraqiisnotsevere;so,whatcanyougainfrom causingyourcousintorequireustomeetwithdisbelieversandrhetoricians?" AlNawfalianswered,"Maymylifebesacrificedforyours!Hewantstoputyoutotest,andhe lovestoknowhowmuchknowledgeyoupossess.Hehas,indeed,builthisassumptiononashaky Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

foundation,anddoomed,byGod,whathehasbuilt."Heasked,"Andwhathashebuilt?"He answered,"Scholarsofkalamandinnovatorsareoppositeofthescholars.Ascholardoesnot denytheundeniable,whereasrhetoriciansandpolytheistsarepeoplewhodenyandtrytoprove whatisnottrue.IfyouarguewiththemandtellthemthatGodisOne,theywouldsay,ProveHis Oneness,''andifyousaythatMuhammad(S.A.W.)istheMessengerofGod,theywouldsay, ConfirmhisMessage,' thentheywouldpresstheirliesonapersonwhilehetriestodisprovetheirlies,andtheywould continuetoprovethatheismistakentillheabandonshisargument;so,bewareofthem,maymy lifebesacrificedforyou."Hesmiledandasked,"ONawfali!Doyoufearthattheywilldisprovemy argument?"Heanswered,"No,byGod!Ihaveneverworriedaboutyou,andIhopeGodwill enableyoutohavetheupperhandoverthem."TheImamaskedagain,"ONawfali!Wouldyou liketoknowwhenalMamoonwillfeelregretful?"Heanswered,"Yes."Hesaid,"Whenhehears mearguewiththepeopleoftheTorahquotingtheirownTorah, withthepeopleoftheGospel(Bible)quotingtheirownGospel,withthepeopleofthePsalms quotingtheirownPsalms,withZoroastriansarguingintheirPersianlanguage,withtheRomansin theirownLatin,andwithrhetoriciansusingtheirveryrhetoric.So,ifIclosedalltheavenuesof argumentinthefaceofeacharguingpartyanddisprovedhisclaim,makinghimrenouncehis statementfromitsonsetandreferringtomyownstatement,thenalMamoonwouldknowthat hewouldnotachievewhatheaspires.Itisthenthathewillfeelregretful;WeareGod''s,and UntoHimisourreturn." ThusdoestheImamshowthathewastakinglightlyandwasnotconcernedaboutsuchpersons whomalMamoonwishedtogathertogetheragainsthimtryingtoembarrasshimwiththeir falsificationandargumentswhichhehopedmightclosefortheImam(A.S.)alltheavenuesof argument.WhenthesessionstartsandtheImam(A.S.)isinvitedtojoinit,discussionstartsand theImam(A.S.)startshisdebatewiththeCatholics,makingtheBiblehisreferencetoprovehis owndefenseoftheUnityofGodanddisprovetheGodheadofChrist(A.S.)bythosewhoregarded himasagodbesidesGod. ThenhefollowswithamagnificentdiscussionprovingthattheBibleincirculationtodayisnotthe samewhichGodhadrevealedtoChrist(A.S.)andthatitisauthoredbysomeofthedisciplesof Jesus(A.S.)whoaretheauthorsofthefourgospels,dependinginhisargumentonthefactthat thedetailspresentedbyeachoneofthemstandinflagrantcontradictionwiththoseoftheother. TheCatholicarchbishopslippedintoanobviousselfcontradiction;forheononehandsanctified theauthorsofthefourgospelsandheldthemabovelyingwhile,ontheotherhand,headmitted totheImamthattheydidtellliesaboutChrist(A.S.). ThentheImam(A.S.)goestodebatetheHighRabbi,scholaroftheJews,toprovethe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

prophethoodofProphetMuhammad(S.A.W.)fromthepreviouslyrevealeddivinetestaments, afterwhichhefollowswithaverylogicaldebate.Havingarguedwithhimthatoneofthe requirementsofaProphetwastoperformsomethingallothercreationareunabletoperform,he askedhimaboutthereasonwhythey,theJews,refrainedfrombelievingintothemiraclesofall prophetsotherthanMoses(A.S.)sonofImran(Amram),andtheHighRabbiansweredhimsaying, "Wecannotadmittheprophethoodofanywhoprofessesprophethoodexceptafterbringingus knowledgesimilartothatbroughtbyMoses." AlRida(A.S.)saidtohim,"Thenhowcomeyouadmittedtheprophethoodofotherprophetswho precededMoses(A.S.)whodidnotsplitthesea,norcleavethestonessothattwelvesprings wouldgushforthfromit,nortooktheirhandsoutshiningwhiteasMosesdid,nordidtheyturna caneintoasnake?!"ItwasthenthattheHighRabbiovercamehisstubbornness,submittedtothe argument,andadmittedthatanysupernaturalactbeyondhumancapacitywasindeedaproofof prophethood. TheImam(A.S.)askedhimthenaboutthereasonwhytheydidnotbelieveintheprophethoodof Jesus(A.S.)despitethefactthathebroughtforthmiraclesbeyondhumancapacitysuchas bringingthedeadbacktolife,healingthosewhowerebornblindandthelepers,andaboutthe reasonwhytheydidnotbelieveintheprophethoodofMuhammad(S.A.W.)despitehisbringing anextraordinarymiracle,thatis,theHolyQur''anwhilehewasneitherascholarnorawriter.The HighRabbihadnoansweratall. ThencametheturnoftheZoroastrianhighpriestwhomtheImamdebateddependingonthe priest''sbeliefintheprophethoodofZoroaster.TheZoroastriantellstheImamthatZoroaster broughtthemwhatnoothermanhadeverbroughtthembefore."Wedidnotseehim,"he continues,"butthestoriesofourancestorstoldusthathelegalizedforuswhatnootherperson beforemadelegal;so,wefollowedhim."TheImamasked,"Youbelievedinthestorieswhich cametoyouabouthim,soyoufollowedhim,didn''tyou?""Yes,"heanswered.TheImam(A.S.) said,"Thisisthecasewithallothernations. Storiescametothemaboutwhattheprophetshadaccomplished,whatMoses(A.S.),Jesus(A.S.), andMuhammad(S.A.W.)hadallbroughtthem,sowhydidyounotbelieveinanyofthese prophets,havingbelievedinZoroasterthroughthestoriesthatcametoyouabouthimsayingthat hebroughtforthwhatothersdidnot?"

Imam'sDebateWiththeSabian

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 TheZoroastrianhighpriesthadnomoretosay.TheImamthenturnedtothedebate''switnesses, havingfinisheddebatingwiththechiefrepresentativesofthosecreeds,askinganyoneelsetogo aheadandputforthanyquestionhehad,everyoneabstainedfromdoingso.Itwasthenthat ImrantheSabian,whowasoneofthemostdistinguishedscholarsofthescienceofkalamofhis time,approachedtheImam(A.S.)andaskedhimhowhecouldprovetheexistenceoftheCreator, andthediscussionbetweenthemdelvedintothedeepestdepthsofthiscomplexquestion,while theImamansweredtheman''squestionsthroughobviousscientificfactsinagloriouslysimple way. AmongthequestionsImranaskedwas:"Master!WastheBeingknowntoHimselfbyHisOwn Self?"TheImamsaid,"Knowledgeisacquiredbysomethingwhichwouldnegateitsopposite,and sothatthethingitselfwouldbeexistingthroughwhatitisnegatedaboutit,withouttheexistence ofanythingwhichcontradictsitsexistencesothataneedarisestonegatethatthingaboutitself bydefiningwhatisknownaboutit.Doyouunderstand,OImran?"Hesaid,"Yes,byGod,master! Tellme,then,bywhatmeansdidHecometoknowwhatHeknew, byapronounorbysomethingelse?"TheImam(A.S.)said,"Ifithadbeenbyapronoun,wouldHe thenfindanywaynottoestablishforthatpronounalimitwhereknowledgeends?"Imran answered,"Yes,Hewillhavetofindsuchway."TheImamthenaskedhim,"Thenwhatisthat pronoun?"Imrancouldnotprovideanyanswer. TheImam(A.S.)said,"IsitalrightifIaskyouaboutthepronounandyoudefineitbyanother pronoun?Ifyouanswerintheaffirmative,thenyouwouldmakebothyourclaimandstatement void.OImran!OughtyounotcometoknowthattheOnecannotbedescribedbyapronoun,and wouldnotbedescribedexceptbyaverb,bydeed,byaction,andHecannotbeexpectedtobe partsandkindslikehumanbeings?" ThenImranaskedhim,"Master!TheknowledgeIhavesaysthatthebeingischangedinhis essencebyhisactionofcreating..."TheImam(A.S.)said,"Doesyourstatement,OImran,mean thatthebeingdoesnotinanywaychangeitsessenceexceptwhenitaffectsitsownessenceina waywhichchangesit?OImran!Canyousaythatthefirechangesitsownself,orthattheheat burnsitself,orhaveyouseenanyoneseeinghisownvision?"Imransaid,"No,Ihavenotseen that;couldyoupleasetellme,master,isitinthatinthecreation,orisitthenatureofcreationin it?" TheImam(A.S.)said,"Yes,OImran,Heisaboveallofthat;Heisnotinthecreation,noristhe creationinHim;Heiselevatedabovethat,andbadindeedisyourknowledgeaboutHim,andno mightexceptinGod.Tellmeaboutthemirror:areyouinitorisitinyou?Ifneitheroneofyouis Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

intheother,thenhowdidyoucometoseeyourownself''sreflectioninit?" Imransaid,"Throughthelightbetweenmyselfanditself."TheImam(A.S.)said,"Canyouseeof thatlightmorethanwhatyoucanseewithyourowneyes?"Heanswered,"Yes."TheImam(A.S.) saidtohim,"Thenshowittous..."Itwasthenthatthemanwastoobaffledtosayaword.The Imam(A.S.)said,"Idonotseethelightexceptleadingyouandthemirrortocometoknoweach withoutbeingineitheroneofyou.Therearemanysuchexampleswhichtheignorantsimply cannotobserve,andGodHasthegreatestexample." ThusdidtheImamfacethechallengeofImrantheSabian''sdoubtingmethod,demolishingits structureanddispellingtheambiguityofthecomplexdoubtswhichhecouldnotunderstandtill visionbecamecleartohim.TheImam(A.S.)didnotdetermineanevidenceexceptafterbuildingit withsimpleeasytounderstandproofsoutoftheeverydaylifeofmaninordernottoleaveany wayfortheopponenttodoubtaftertransformingamostcomplextheoryintoaneasyand commonsenseidea,allofthatbyemployingaverybeautifulandmiraculousstyle. DebatingalMaroozi Inanothersession,alMamooninvitedhimtodebateSulaymanalMaroozi,Khurasan''sscientist inkalam,andthedebatebetweenthemdealtwithsomesignificanttopicswhichwerebeing debatedthenbyscholarsofthescienceofkalam,andthestartingpointofthediscussionwasthe issueofbadaa.TheImam(A.S.)explaineditssoundmeaning,indicatingthattheSublimeandDear GodhadinnermostknowledgewhichnobodybutHeknew,andthatwasthesourceofbadaaand knowledgewhichHetaughtHisangelsandProphets. Toexplainitinawaywhichwouldremoveallconfusionandambiguity,wecansayaboutbadaais thatGodmakesmanifestthatHisWillislinkedtoanadvantagewhichnecessitatesit,andthe apparentrealityisthatHisWillishingingonwhatisoppositetoit.ThenHeafterthatmakes manifestHisactualWillwhentheadvantageissatisfiedfromallaspectsandthereasonsforwhich itwasnotpreviouslymanifestedareremoved,anditappearstothecreationasifGodwilledto abandonHisfirstWill,henceitisintheviewofcreation,notintherealityofWill,badaa.Thisis thetheoryofbadaainitssimplelogicalcontextwhichImamis(Shi''as)upholdandwhichsome peoplemisunderstoodandmisinterpreted,givingitawrongmeaningwhichnecessitated attributingignorance(!!!)totheAlmightyGodandanexcusetowageanunfaircampaignof defamationagainstImamiShi''asbytheiropponentsfromamongthefollowersofothersects. ImamProvesBadaa TheImam(A.S.)hasproventheaccuracyofbadaainwhichAhlalBayt(A.S.)believebyfirst quotingtheHolyQur''an,forGodAlmightysaid,"Soleavethemalone,foryoushallnotbeblamed Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

forthat,"153meaningtherebythatHeintendstoannihilatethem,thentheAlmighty,accordingto thebadaatheory,Hehassaid,"Soremind,forremindingmayavailthebelievers,"154which indicatesashiftfromthefirstdecisionasobservedfromstudyingthecontextofbothverses. Second,hetriestoproveitbytraditionsnarratedfromhisforefathersfromtheMessengerofGod (S.A.W.)whosaid:"GodsenthiswahitooneofHisprophetstoinformhimthathewoulddieona particularday,andwhenthatprophetwastoldso,hepleadedGod,theKing,whileonhisbed, saying,Lord!PostponemydemisetillIseemysongrowinguptocarryoutmywill,''tillhefell fromhisbed,whereuponGodsenthiswahiagaintothesameprophettoinformhimthatHe decidedtopostponeit." Itisapparentthatbadaainthemeaningwhichweindicatedrequiresnoalarmwhatsoeverandit doesnotjustifywagingacampaignofdefamationtothosewhobelieveinit. EternityVersusTransienceoftheWill Thesamediscussionledtodiscussingthewill''seternityandtransience,andtheImam(A.S.)stood todisprovethetheorywhichcalledfortheeternityofthewill,provingitsbeingtransientby revealingitsownselfcontradiction,removingtheconfusionwhichmayoccupyanyone''smindin itsregard. Will,astheImam(A.S.)says,isoneoftheactionsoftheAlmighty.ItisnotoneofHisattributes; therefore,itistransient,notperpetual,sinceanactionisaformofevent,andthedeedcannotbe identicaltothedoer,sothewillcannotbeidenticaltothewillingperson.Willisnotlikehearingor seeingorknowingasalMaroozitriedtoprove,becauseitdoesnotmakesense,theImamsays,to saythatHewantedHimself.DoesHewanttobe"something,"ordoesHewanttobeAlive, Seeing,Hearing,orAble?IfthisisaccordingtoHisWill,itwouldrequiretheimpossiblewhichis thechangeoccurringtotheself,forthemeaningthenwouldbethatHewantedHimselftobe somethingwhichwasnot...SublimeisGodgreatlyaboveallofthis. ThusdidthedebatesbetweentheImamandalMaroozioccurfrequentlyabouttheeternityof thewillversusitstransienceaboutrelevantmatters.AlMaroozi''sArgumentativenessInhis debateswiththeImam,alMaroozikeptarguingandcomingbacktothesamepointfromwhich hehadstartedhisargumentinaninflexibleargumentativemanner.Whileacceptingthattodesire something(to"will",towish)isaverb,hegoesbacktodenythatandclaimthatitisanadjective, andhemayadmitsomethingandsaysomethingelse. TheImamaskshim,"OAbuSulayman!Canyoutellmeifthewillisaverbornot?"Hesays,"Yes,it isaverb."Heasks,"Isitcausative,sinceverbsare?""Itisnotaverb,"comestheanswer.The Imam(A.S.)asks,"IsthereanywithHimwhoiseternal?"Sulaymananswers,"Willingisdoing." Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Hesays,"OSulayman!ThisisthesamewhichyoucriticizedDirarandhisfollowersaboutfor sayingthateverythingGodAlmightyhascreatedinHisheavensandearth,oceanorland,dogor pig,monkey,human,orananimal,isGod''swill,andthatGod''swillgiveslifeandtakeslifeaway, anditgoeshereordrinksfromthere,marries,enjoysfood,commitsimmoralacts,disbelievesand commitsshirk..."Sulaymansaid,"Itislikehearing,seeing,orknowing;thatis,itisanadjective,an attribute."HavingabstainedfromprovidingananswertotheImam''squestion,Sulaymangoes backtothebeginningoftheargumentregardingwhetherthewillisanadjective,anattribute,ora verb,buttheImamneverthelessrepeatshisargumentwithhimbyfollowinganotherroute differentfromtheonehetookfirst,whichindicateshowcommonsensetheideaseemstohim andhisabilitytoproveithoweverhewilled. Imam''sStyleinDebating ThedebatecontinuesbetweentheminthesamecalmmannerinwhichtheImam(A.S.)coinshis questions,whichisthemostmagnificentmethodofdebate.Inhiswayofprovidinganswers,the Imamneverblocksthewaybeforehisopponenttocontinuethedebate;rather,heleaveshim completelyfreetodebateinwhatevermannerhewishesthroughhisquestionstillhebringshim toadeadendwherehecannotproceedanymorejusttogobackseekinganotherroutewhichthe Imamhimselfwantshimtoseekoutofhisownwillandafterhisownconviction. AlMamoonRebukesalMarooziforFumblingAbout ButSulaymankeptfumblingaboutinhisanswerstotheImam''squestionsaftertheImamhad closedbeforehimallavenuesofhisargument,andalMamoonwasquicktonoticehisfumbling aboutwhichindicatedSulayman''sloss,soherebukedhimandcriticizedhim.Itisreportedthat duringthedebate,whenalRida(A.S.)askedhimtocontinuehisquestions,hesaid,"Willisoneof Hisattributes."TheImamsaid,"HowmanytimeshasitbeensaidthatitisoneofHisattributes,so isitanewattribute,orhasitalwaysbeenso?"Sulaymansaid,"New." TheImam(A.S.)said,"AllahuAkbar!YouaretellingmethatHisattributeisnew!Haditbeenone ofHisattributes,andaneternalone,thenHewilledandHecreatedaslongasHiswillandHis creationareeternal...!Thismeansitisanattributeofsomeonewhodidnotknowwhathedid! GodisElevatedabovethis..."Sulaymansaid,"Thingsarenotawill,andHedidnotwillanything." HeretheImamsaid,"Youhavehissed,OSulayman!HedidandHecreatedaslongasHiswilland Hiscreationareeternal...?! Thisistheattributeofsomeonewhodoesnotknowwhathedid!ElevatedisGodaboveallof Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

that."Sulayman,turningtoalMamoon,thensaid,"Master!Ihavealreadyinformedhimthatitis likehearingandseeingandknowing."AlMamoonsaid,"Woeuntoyou,Sulayman!Howyouhave erredandhowoftenyouhaverepeatedyourself!Stopitandtakeanotherroute,foryouseemto beunabletoprovideanyanswerbetterthanthat." ThedebatecontinuesafterthattillSulayman''stongueistied,whereuponalMamoonsays,"O Sulayman!ThisisthemostlearneddescendantofHashim,"andthesessiondisperses. ImamDebatesAliibnalJahm TheImam(A.S.)conductedaverymagnificentdebatewithAlialJahmdealingwiththeinfallibility ofprophetsinwhichheexplainedinaverybeautifulwaytheactualmeaningofsomeverses whichmayonthesurfacegivetheimpressiontothecontrary. InterpretingtheHolyQur''anAccordingtoOne''sOpinion TheImam(A.S.)startedhisdiscussionwithAliibnalJahmbycriticizinghimandthosewho interpretedtheBookofGodaccordingtotheirownviewpoint,statingthatheandthosehaveto refertothosewhomGodendowedwiththefacultyofknowledgeandunderstandinginorderto learntheactualandaccurateinterpretationofitsversesaccordingtothesacredversewhichsays, "AndnoneknowsitsinterpretationexceptGodandthosedeeplygroundedinknowledge."155 InterpretingVersesWhoseSuperficialMeaningSuggestsProphet''sFallibility ThentheImam(A.S.)startedexplainingtheverseswhosesuperficialmeaningindicatesthe fallibilityofandpossibilityofsinningbyprophets.HeindicatedthatAdam''stransgressiontook placewhilehewasinParadise,notonearth,andtheinfallibilityinquestionisearthly,andthathe didnotcommitanyactaslongashelivedonearthwhichcontradictedhisinfallibilityasprovenby thesacredverse:"GoddidindeedchooseAdamandNoah,thefamilyofAbraham,andthefamily ofImranaboveallpeople."156Asregardingtheversewhichstates:"AndrememberZunnun whenhedepartedinwrath;heimaginedthatWehadnopoweroverhim,buthecriedthrough thedepthsofdarkness,ThereisnogodbutThou!GlorytoThee;Iwasindeedwrong,''"157what ismeantby"heimaginedthatWehadnopoweroverhim"isthatherealizedthatGodwasnot goingtosustainhim."HadhethoughtthatGodwasunabletooverpowerhim,hewouldhave thencommittedkufr(disbelief)andhewouldhavealsocommitted''isyan,transgression. Asregardingtheverse"And(withpassion)didshedesirehim,andhewouldhavedesired her,"158thecaseregardingwhatthewifeofal''Azizwanted,andwhatYousuf(A.S.)desiredto do,aretwodifferentthings,forshewantedtocommitasinwhilehedesiredtokillherifshe forcedhim;therefore,Godsavedhimfromthedeedofkillingheranditsterribleconsequences, Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

andsavedherfromherownwishfuldesiretocommitasin.AsregardingDavid,hisstatementthat thedefendanthadcommittedinjusticebyaskingforthegoat,itwasanerroronlywithinthe frameworkofthecase,andittookplacebeforehehadaskedthedefendantabouthisdefense againsttheplaintiff''sclaim,anditisnotatransgression,forGodcorrectedforhimhisdecisionby bringinghimtheexampleofthetwokings. AsregardinghismarriagewiththewidowofOorya,whichwasregardedbypeopleatthattimeas asinandcriticizedhimforit,itwasdoneforthesakeofeffectingalegislativeinterestwhereby Davidwantedtoshatterthethenprevalentcustomofawidownotgettingmarriedafterthe deathofherhusband. ItissimilartowhathappenedtotheProphetwithZainabdaughterofJahsh,wifeofZaydibn HarithawhohadbeenadoptedbytheProphet(S.A.W.),fortheProphet,bymarryingZainabafter grantingherdivorcefromZayd,wantedtoshatterthepreIslamiccustomwherebyamanwould notbepermittedtomarrytheformerwifeofsomeonehehadadoptedasisclearinthetextof theHolyQur''an.TheProphet(S.A.W.)wasapprehensiveofthecriticismofthehypocritesofhis action,sotheAlmightyaddressedhimbysaying, "Donotfearpeople;itismorefittingthatyoushouldfearGod,"159sinceitwasGodWhoordered himtomarryherasweunderstandfromtheverse,"ThenwhenZaydhaddissolved(hismarriage) withher,withthenecessary(formality),Wejoinedherinmarriagetotheeinorderthat (henceforth)theremaybenodifficultytothebelieversin(thematterof)marryingthewivesof theiradoptedsons,whenthelatterhavedissolvedwiththenecessary(formality,theirmarriage) withthem,andGod''scommandmustbefulfilled."160 ByprovidingsuchgloriousknowledgeoftheexegesisofsacredQur''anicverses,andbygiving suchhonestinterpretationswhichsafeguardtheintegrityofthecontext,theImam(A.S.)usedto dispeltheunusualconfusionofthosewhodidnothaveadeepactualunderstandingofthe GloriousBookofGod. AnArtificialArgument InhisbookAl''IqdalFarid,IbnAbdRabbihalAndalusirecordedadebateonthesubjectof ImamatebetweentheImamandthecaliphalMamoonwhichseemstobestampedwith artificiality,andwethinkitispossiblethatsomefanaticsamongthosewhodeviatedfromtheline oftheAhlalBayt(A.S.)hadfabricatedit,forhestatedthefollowinginhisbook:"AlMamoonsaid toAliibnMousa,Whydoyouclaimit(Imamate)foryourownselves?''Heanswered,DuetoAli andFatima(A.S.)beingnearinkintotheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.).' AlMamoonsaid,Ifitisonlyamatterofkinship,thentheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)hadleft Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

behindhimthosewhowerecloserinkinshiptohimthanAlioranyofhisrelatives,andifyou meanthekinshipofFatima(A.S.)totheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.),thenthematter(Imamate) afterhershouldhavebelongedtoalHassanandalHusayn(A.S.)whoserightwasconfiscatedby Alievenwhiletheywerestillalive,takingcontrolofwhatwasnothis.''AliibnMousacouldnot provideananswer."161Letusrecordthefollowingregardingthisquotation: TheImamdidnotclaimhisrighttocaliphateonlyonaccountofhiskinshiptotheProphet (S.A.W.)butratheronaccountoftheclearstatementsmadebytheProphet(S.A.W.)emphasizing thathewastobethecaliphafterhim,inadditiontothepersonalqualificationsImamAli(A.S.) hadhadwhichdistinguishedhimabovetherestofsahaba. TheconceptofcaliphateaccordingtoAhlalBayt(A.S.)isthatitisdecreedaccordingtoadivine text,notdictatedduetofactorsofkinship,politics,etc.GodistheOneWhochooses,andHis choiceisvoicedbyHisProphet,whoeverHeseestobemostfittosafeguardtheMessageandthe interestofthenation,asweexplainedwhenwequotedImamalRida(A.S.)discussingthesubject ofImamate. TheclaimofthosewhosaidthattheydeservedcaliphateduetotheirkinshiptotheProphet (S.A.W.)issimilartotheclaimofthosewhosaidthatthemuhajirun(immigrants)weremore qualifiedthantheansar(supportersofMedina)duetothenearnessofthefirstpartytothe MessengerofGod(S.A.W.). TheImam,ifthisstoryistrueatall,wouldnothavebeenunable,asthestorysuggests,toanswer alMamoon''sobjectionthatthereareamongtheAhlalBayt(A.S.)thosewhohavemorepriority thanAli(A.S.)oranyofhisrelative,anapparentreferencetohisgrandfatheralAbbasibnAbdul Muttalib,toit. ItwasalAbbashimselfwhoapproachedtheImamrequestinghimtostretchhishandtohimso thathewouldsweartheoathofallegiancetohimwhenhefeltthatthefatelookedominousand thattheenvironmentwasthreateningofarevolt,buttheImamrefusedtoacceptsuchanoath privately;rather,hepreferredthatsuchanoathbesworntohiminpublicandbeforeeye witnessesafterfinishingthefuneralritesofthecorpseoftheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)which wasstilllyinginstatewaitingtobebathed.IfyousupposethatalAbbashadanyrightto caliphate,hewouldthenhaverelinquishedit. AsregardingalHassanandalHusayn,theywerethenveryyoung,andneitherwilayatnorwisayat canbeenforcedoncaliphatetilltheywereoldenough,forcaliphateisapostwhichpermitsno wisayatatall;therefore,theissueofcaliphatewasconfinedtoAli(A.S.)alone.Thisisour argumentifwesupposethatcaliphateisamatterdecidedduetokinshiptotheProphet(S.A.W.). Butifwesaythatitisdecreedbyadivinedecree,theseproofswillnotberelevant. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 ButthefactthatalMamoon''swayofthinkingregardingtheissueofcaliphate,andhisviewswith whichheconfrontedthefaqihsinhisdebateswiththem,astheauthorofAl''IqdalFaridhimself mentions,provingthatcaliphatewasthelegitimaterightofonlyAliratherthananyoneelse amongthesahaba,thisfactitselfconvincesusthatthisfabricateddialoguequotedabovewas writtenbysomefanaticfollowersofothersects. ThesearesomedebatesanddiscussionsofImamalRida(A.S.)whichwerenarratedabouthimin whichhedebatedsomescholarsofkalamofhistimewhichwewantedtoindicateherebrieflyin ordertogivethereaderageneralideaaboutthestyleemployedbytheImamsamongtheAhlal Bayt(A.S.)intheirdebatesanddiscussionswithothers,sothatthereadermaylivethefree democraticenvironmentwhichdominatedthatperiodoftimeinitsintellectualandscientific spheres. ________________________________________ 153AlThariya:54 154AlThariyat:55 155AaliImran:7 156AaliImran:33 157AlAnbiyaa:87 158Yousuf:24 159AlAhzab:37 160AlAhzab:37 161Al''IqdalFarid,Vol.2,p.285andalsoVol.5,p.103 BasicBeliefs Islamisthereligionwhichpreachestawhid,theUnityofGod.Tawhid,then,isthestartingpoint fromwhichaMuslimsetsouttobuildhiscreeddeepinsidehisinnerself;otherwise,hecannotbe calledaMuslim,norcanthelightoffaithshineinhissoul.Thesounddefinitionoftawhidiswhat hasbeenendorsedbytheAhlalBayt(A.S.)throughtheirteachingsandstatements;anything otherthanthatisbutfalsificationandadulterationandinsinuationswhichmayhavebeen necessitatedbyerroneousphilosophicalideologiestheinventorsofwhichtriedtoreachthe furthermostdepthoftheessenceoftheDivine,buttheresultstheyreachedcausedthemto deviatefromreachingeventhebeginningofbelief,sotheyindulgedthemselvesintothe labyrinthsofatheismandloss. Inresearchingsuchanextremelycomplexissue,wehavetofollowintothefootstepsoftheAhlal Bayt(A.S.).Ifweacceptthemasourguides,weshallhavenofearaboutfallingintodestructionor Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

departingfromtheStraightPathaccordingtowhatisalreadyreportedabouttheProphet(S.A.W.) whosaid:"MyAhlalBayt(A.S.)amongyouarelikethearkofNoah:whoeverboardsitissaved, andwhoeverlagsbehinditisdrownedandruined." ImamalRida(A.S.)didnothaveasystemofhisownregardingthephilosophyoftawhid;rather, hiswastheverysamepristinesystemaboutwhichallImamsoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.)unanimously agreedandtowhosesafeguardingtheydedicatedtheirlivesinthefaceofallothersectswhich mayhavedeviatedfromtheachievementofthenobleobjective. Wearenotgoingheretomakeacomparisonbetweenthesesectsinasfarasthebeliefintawhid isconcerned,forthismayrequireaverylengthyresearchwhosediscussionwillrequireustogo beyondthelimitswehavesetforourstudyhere;rather,whatisimportantforushereisto presentthelimitsoftheconceptoftawhidfromthestorieswehavealreadynarratedaboutImam alRida(A.S.). MisconceptionoftheSimilitudeofGodtoHisCreation ThefirsttocomeacrossinresearchingthehadithnarratedbyImamalRida(A.S.)inthesubjectof tawhidisthisone:"AnyonewhomakesasimilitudeofGodwithHiscreationisamushrik (polytheist),andanyonewhoattributestoHimwhatHehasprohibitediskafir(disbeliever)" whichis,asreportedabouttheProphet(S.A.W.),aclearanswertothosewhoclaimthat"God createdAdaminHisOwnImage."Inanothertext,theImam(A.S.)explainstousthe misconceptioninwhosepitfallothershavefallen;alHusaynibnKhalidreportedsaying,"Isaidto alRida(A.S.),OsonoftheMessengerofGod!PeoplesaythattheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)said thattheAlmightyandExaltedGodcreatedAdaminHisOwnimage.''Hesaid,MayGodfight them!Theydistortedthebeginningofthishadith.TheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)passedbytwo menexchanginginsultsandabusivelanguage,andheheardoneofthemsayingtotheother,God madeyourfaceuglyanduglyisanyonewhoislikeyou,''whereuponhe(S.A.W.)said,Oservantof God!Donotsaysotoyourbrother,fortheAlmightyandExaltedGodcreatedAdam''simagelike his.''" TheMessenger(S.A.W.)hereisforbiddingthemanfromarticulatingsuchanabusivelanguage whichabusesAdam,fatherofallmen.Thepronounintheoriginaltext(i.e.,"imagelikehis") belongstothemanbeingabused,nottoGod;therefore,itiserroneoustosaythatthemeaning hereisthatGodcreatedAdaminHisOwnImage.TheImamemphasizesthisbynarratingone qudsihadithinwhichtheAlmightytellstheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.),"Theonewhomakesa similitudeofMyselftoMycreationisindeedignorantofWhoIam." ThehadithregardingtheDivineisentangledandcomplex,butifyoureaditinthehadithnarrated bytheAhlalBayt(A.S.),youwillfinditinfullharmonywiththehumannature,lucidlyinterpreting Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

theobscureconceptinbriefexpressionswithafullvisiondespitetheirinclusionofaspacious philosophicalcontext.

God'sAttributesareHisOwnEssence WhileresearchingthehadithofImamalRida(A.S.)inthisregard,wecomeacrosshistreatment oftheissueofHisAttributeswhicharenoneotherthanadescriptionofHisOwnEssence,and thatitisimpossiblethattheyshouldbeanythingelse.Forexample,alHusaynibnKhalidsaid,"I heardalRida(A.S.)saying,"GodhasalwaysbeenKnowing,omniPotent,Living,Eternal,Hearing, Seeing,''soIsaidtohim,OsonoftheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)!Peoplehavebeensayingthat GodknowsthroughHisfacultyofknowledge,omniPotentthroughHisfacultyofpower, EternalthroughHisabilitytowithstandtime,HearingthroughHisfacultyofhearing,andSeeing throughHisfacultyofvision.''He(A.S.)said,Anyonewhosayssoandbelievesinithasindeed acceptedothergodsbesidesGod,andhehasnothingtodowithourreligion.''Thenheadded, GodhasalwaysbeenKnowing,omniPotent,Eternal,Hearing,andSeeinginHisOwnEssence; ExaltedisGodabovetheclaimsofthepolytheistsandthosewhomakesuchsimilitudesagreat dealofexaltation.' Knowledge,might,andotherattributesofGodarenotactuallydifferentfromHisEssence;rather, theyarethesameliketheEssenceintheirexistenceandreality;otherwise,theywouldhavebeen partnerswithGodinHiseternitywhichcontradictstheveryconceptoftawhidwhichagreeswith thenatureofHisbeing,thatis,theeternityoftheSelfonitsown,withouthavinganythingelseas partnertherewith. BeliefinPluralityoftheEssenceandAttributesisShirk InanotherhadithreportedbyMuhammadibnArafa,theImam(A.S.)explainstoushowonewill becommittingshirkifheconsiderstheEssenceoftheAlmightyandHisAttributesasseparate fromeachother.Muhammadsaid,"IaskedalRida(A.S.),DidGodcreatethingsbysomesortof powerornot?''Heanswered,ItisnotpossiblethatHemusthaveusedsomesortofpowertodo sobecauseifyousaythatHecreatedthingsbyapower,youwouldbesayingthatyouimagineda toolwherebyHecreatedthings,whichisshirk. AndifyousaythatHecreatedthingswhichHesubjectedtoHispower,youwouldbesayingthat Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

HemadesureHewouldbeabletooverpowerthem,whileHeisnotweakorincapableorinneed ofanyoneelse;rather,He,GlorybetoHim,isAlmightyduetothefactthatHisownEssenceis Mighty.''" TheDifferenceBetweenGod''sWillandPeople's Inanotherpartofthediscussion,theImam(A.S.)tellsusaboutthedifferencebetweentheWillof Godandthewillofhumans.SafwanibnYahyasaid,"IaskedAbulHassan(A.S.),Tellmeabout God''sWillandthewillofHiscreation.''Hesaid,Thewillofapersonissomethinghepossesses, henceitisapossessivepronoun;asregardingGod,HisWillisHisAction,nothingotherthanthat, becauseHedoesnotcontemplateupondoingsomething,nordoesHedecidetodosomething, nordoeshesetsHismindtodosomething, andalltheseverbshavenothingtodowithHisEssence;theyareamongthefacultiesofhumans, andtheyareamongthecharacteristicsofthecreation.God''sWillisHisAction,nothingother thanthat.HesaysBe!''anditiswithoutarticulatingsomething,orusingatongue,orsetshismind uponsomethingorcontemplatesupondoingsomething,nordoesHethinkaboutthemeansto doso,nordoesHethinkabouthow.' ThepreviouschaptercontainedadiscussionoftheissueofeternityofGod''sWillinadebate betweentheImam(A.S.)andSulaymanalMaroozi,theKhurasaniscientistofkalamwhowas invitedbyalMamoontodebatetheImam. Queries TheremaybesomeinnocentquestionswhichcometothemindofanyonewhichtheImammay havetriedtoanswerinaverysimplewayrelyingonclearQur''anicverseswherebywemaypass withoutbeingawareoftheirprecisemeaningandthedepthoftheircontext.Forexample, regardingtheKnowledgeofGod,hewasaskedbyalHusaynibnBashshar,"DoesGodknowabout thethingwhichneverwashowitwouldlooklikewhenitis?"Heanswered,"GodAlmightyknows ofthingsbeforetheirexistence;Hehassaid:Wewerewonttowritedownallthatyedid,''162and HesaidtotheinmatesofHell, Iftheywerereturned(backtoearth),theywouldcertainlyrelapsetothethingstheywere forbidden,fortheyareindeedliars.''163TheExaltedandtheAlmightyGodknowsthatifthose inmatesweretobereturnedtoearth,theywouldgobacktotheiroldwaysandcommitwhatthey wereprohibitedfromcommitting.Whentheangelssaid,WiltThouplacethereinonewhomakes mischiefthereinandshedbloodwhilewecelebrateThypraisesandglorifyThyholyName?''He said,Iknowwhatyeknownot.''164SoGodalwaysknowssinceeternityaboutthingsbeforeHe createsthem.''" Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 WemayfindinsomeQur''anicversesthatGodisdescribingHimselfwithattributeswhichdonot fitHisExaltedStatussuchasmockingandridiculingasintheverse,"Godwillthrowbacktheir mockeryonthem"165and"Godwillthrowbacktheirridiculeonthem"166and"(theunbelievers) plottedandschemed,andGodtooplotted"167and"TheystrivetodeceiveGodwhileHeis deceivingthem."168ButtheImam(A.S.)answersbysayingthatGodAlmightydoesnotridicule, mock,cheat,oranythinglikethat,butHerewardsthosewhocommitthesesinswiththereward theydeservefortheirridicule,mockery,cheating,etc. TheImam''sanswerisderivedfromthemeaningoftheQur''anicversewhichstates,"Theplotting ofevilwillhemonlytheauthorthereof."169Whentheseindividualsridicule,mock,plot,orcheat, theydonotsensethedestinedconsequencesforsuchabehaviourwhenthetablesareturned andtheyhavetosufferperpetualpainandtorture.Thisisprovenbytheverses,"Theyplottedand planned,butWetooplanned,evenwhiletheyperceiveditnot.Thenseewhattheendoftheir plotwas!Wedestroyedthemandtheirpeople,allofthem."170 ThereareQur''anicverseswhichdeserveaseriouslookintothemwhentheirsuperficialmeaning givestheimpressionthattheyinviteonetoupholdwhatmustnotIslamicallybeupheld,departing fromtheconceptoftheDivinePerfection.Forexample,theAlmightyhassaid,"Theyhave forgottenGod, soHehasforgottenthem,"171and"Weshallthatdayforgetthemastheyforgotthemeetingof thisdayoftheirs."172ToattributeforgetfulnesstoGodiserroneousbecauseitisanattributeof Hiscreation;besides,suchasuperficialmeaningcontradictsanotherversewhichsays,"...andthy Lordneverforgets."173ButtheImaminterprets"forgetfulness"inthesetextstomean abandonment,andthatGodabandonsthembynotallocatingforthemtherewardsHeallocates tothosewhoyearnforsuchmeeting.SincetheyforgotaboutGodanddidnotdogooddeeds priortosuchmeeting,GodwillmakeHisgoodrewardsdistantfromthemandwillrewardthem withtortureandeternalHellfire. Whatismeantby"forgetfulness"inthesetextsisnotoverlookingorbypassing,nordoesthe meaningofabandonmentisnegligence.TheImampointedthisoutwhenheansweredsomeone whoaskedhimaboutthemeaningoftheverse"...andGodlefttheminutterdarknesssothey couldnotsee"174bysaying,"God,theSublimeandPraisedOne,cannotbedescribedas abandoningascanHiscreation,butwhenHeknowsthattheywouldneverleavedisbeliefand straying,HewouldstopHissupportforthemandHiskindness,leavingthemtohavetheirown way." SeeingGod Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Thediscussionof"seeing"Godisoneofthesubjectsofthescienceofkalaminwhichviewsof Islamicschoolsofthoughtdifferedsincethebattleandargumentonkalamstarted,shatteringthe unityoftheCreed''sinterpretationofmanydoctrinalbasesuponwhichthestructureofthe IslamicMessagewasestablished.TheAhlalBayt(A.S.)tookastancetowardsthesubjectof "seeing"GodwhichwasinharmonywiththepristineconceptoftawhidasIslamintendsittobe, regardingHimabovebeingphysicallyseensimplybecausethatwouldbepossibleonlyforan objectoflimiteddimensions. Asregardingtheverseswhichgivetheimpressionthat"seeing"Godispossible,suchas"Some facesonthatDayshallbebright,lookingtowardstheirLord,"175and"Verily,from(theLightof) theirLord,thatDay,willtheybeveiled,"176and"ThyLordcomes,andHisangels,rankupon rank,"177aswellasothersuchverses,ImamalRida(A.S.)interpretedtheminawaywhichkept theminthecontextinwhichtheywererevealed.Forexample,themeaningof"...lookingtotheir Lord"isthattheywerebrightwithhopeandanticipationwaitingtobeawardedwiththeirLord''s rewards,thatis,anticipatingHisgenerosityandprizes. ThemeaningofthesecondverseisthattheyareveiledfromreceivingtherewardsoftheirLord, forGodAlmightycannotbesaidtooccupyaphysicalspace,aplace,inwhichHewouldsettle, veilingHimselffromHisservants.Inthethirdverse,whatiscomingisGod''sDecree,thatis,your Lord''sDecreeiscomingtopass;otherwise,GodAlmightycannotbesaidtocomeandgo,for thesemovementsarecharacteristicofHiscreatures,anditisimpossiblethatHeshouldhavetheir attributes,forthiswouldmeanthattherewouldbeaplacewhereHeisnotthere!Godishighly elevatedabovethisdegradation. ThusaretheQur''anicversesinterpretedaccordingtotheoccasionuponwhichtheywere revealed.Moreover,suchaninterpretationwhichtakesintoconsiderationbothcontextand occasion(orreasonforrevelation)doesnotdepartevenalittlebitfromtheparticularappearance ofsuchversessimplybecausesuchanunderstoodappearanceisnotderivedfromtheverbaltext alone;rather,otheraspectswhichencompassthesubject''sangles,andforwhoseexplanationthe textwasrevealed,havealsotobetakenintoconsideration. CompulsionandEmpowerment WhileresearchingthewayImamalRida(A.S.)employedtoexplainthesubjectandrelevanttopics relatedtotheunityofGod,wearefacedbyotherswithmanyquestionsinquiringaboutthe theoryofcompulsionandempowermentwhichoccupiedthemindsofMuslimsforalongperiod oftimeandcausedagreatdealofmoredivisionamongthemduetothedebatesamongthe scholarsofthescienceofkalamofvarioussectsatthattime.Someendorsedcompulsion,others Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

endorsedempowerment,whilestillotherspreachedtakinganinbetweenapproach. TheApproachAdoptedbyAhlalBayt TheschoolofthoughtpreachedbyAhlalBayt(A.S.)regardsthelatterconceptasthebasisof DivineJusticewherebyGodrewardsgooddoersfortheirgooddeedsandpunishestheevildoers fortheirevil.Compulsionisakintooppressionandisanegationofjustice,whileempowermentis apostponementofeffectingjustice,disablingitfromgettingtheupperhandandthepowerit rightfullydeserves.BothcontradicttheconceptoftheabsoluteperfectionoftheDivine. AmanvisitedImamalRida(A.S.)andaskedhim,"OsonoftheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)!Ithas beenreportedtousthatthetruthful(alSadiq)Ja''feribnMuhammad(A.S.)said,Thereisneither compulsionnorempowermentbutawaytochooseoneoftwo.''Whatdoesheexactlymean?" Heanswered,"WhoeverclaimsthatGoddoesourdeedsandthenpenalizesusfordoingthemhas infactacceptedtheconceptofcompulsion,andwhoeverclaimsthatGodAlmightyempowersHis ProofstodistributeHissustenancehasinfactadoptsthebeliefofempowerment. Onewhobelievesincompulsionisakafir(disbeliever),andonewhobelievesinempowermentis amushrik(polytheist)."SoIaskedhim,''OsonoftheMessengerofGod!Thenwhatisthiswayto chooseoneoftwomeans?''Heanswered,Itisfindingawaytodowhattheyareenjoinedtodo andforsakewhattheyareenjoinedtoforsake.''Iaskedhim,DoesGodAlmightyhaveaWayanda Willinthisregard?''Hesaid,AsregardingdeedsdoneinobediencetoHiscommandments,His WillintheirregardisHisapprovalofandassistanceintheirperformance.AsregardingHisWill aboutsins,itisHisorderthattheyshouldbeshunned,thatHecondemnsthem,andthatHe forsakesthosewhocommitthem.''" Empowerment Yasirtheservantsaid,"IaskedalRida(A.S.),Whatdoyousayaboutempowerment?''Hesaid, GodAlmightyentrustedHisCreedtoHisProphetstoconveytopeople,saying,Whateverthe Messengerpermittedforyou,takeitwithapproval,andwhateverheorderedyounottodo,do notdoit.''Asregardingcreationandsustenance;no,Hedidnotempoweranyoneintheirregard.'' Thenhesaid,GodAlmightysays:GodistheCreatorofallthings,''178andHealsosays,ItisGod Whohascreatedyou:further,Hehasprovidedforyoursustenance;thenHewillcauseyoutodie; andagainHewillgiveyoulife.Arethereanyofyour(false)partnerswhocandoanysingleoneof thesethings?GlorytoHim!AndHighisHeabovethepartnerstheyattribute(toHim)!''"179 ImamWarns Inanothernarrative,theImamdisclosesforustheconductwhichabelieverhastoundertake Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

withthosewhobelieveinempowermentinordertocreateapsychologicalbarrierbetweenthem andotherswhichwouldparalyzetheiractionanddeprivethemoftheelementwherebythey influenceothersbythemisleadingandfalsecreedtheypreach.AbuHashimalJa''ferisays:"I askedAbulHassan(A.S.)abouttheghulatandaboutthosewhobelievedinempowerment,and hesaid,Theghulatarekafirs(disbelievers),whilethosewhobelieveinempowermentare mushriks(polytheists).Thosewhositwiththem,mixwiththem,eatordrinkwiththem,visit them,marrytheirdaughterstothemormarrytheirdaughters,accepttheirtrustsorentrustthem tokeeptheirs,believeinthem,supportthemevenbyafractionofaword,haveabandonedthe nearnesstoGod,totheMessengerofGod,andtousAhlalBayt(A.S.).''" Inanothernarrative,whensomeonementionedcompulsionandempowerment,theImam(A.S.) saidtotheattendants,"ShallIprovideyouwithanoriginalviewinwhichyoushallnotdispute witheachother,andthroughwhichyouwillwintheargumentoverthosewhoarguedwithyouin itsregard?''Werequestedhimtodoso,whereuponhesaid,GodAlmightywasnotobeyedby compulsion,norwasHedisobeyedbybeingoverpowered.HedidnotneglectHisservantsliving inHisdomain;HeistheKingabovetheirkings,thePowerfulOneabovethosewhohavepower amongthem.WhenHisservantsopttoobeyHim,Hewouldnotstopthemnorforbidthem,andif theyopttodisobeyHim,Hemayinterfereandfoiltheirattempt,orHemaynotandtheywilldo justthat;therefore,HeisnottheOnewhocausedthemtodisobeyHim.''Thenhesaid,Anyone whomastersthiswillhavethewinningargumentoverhisopponent.''" ImamsDidNotEndorseMakingSimilitudesWithGod ImamalRida(A.S.),inadialoguewithalHusaynibnKhalid,deniedwhatsomepeopleattributed tohisforefatherswhentheyclaimedthattheymadesimilitudestoGodandbelievedin compulsion,describingthosepeopleasghulatwhounderestimatedtheGreatnessofGod Almighty,andthattheirfabricationabouthisforefathersandtheirattributingtothemwhatthey didnotsaywassimilartothefabricationofothersabouttheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)bytheir narrationofallegationsendorsingmakingsuchsimilitudesandalsoendorsingcompulsion. Regardingthesubjectoftawhidanditsrelevanttopics,ImamalRida(A.S.)hasalongdiscussion whichrequiresanindependentandsufficientresearch,andsufficesusthisbriefpresentationof whatwasreportedabouthiminthisregard.Thosewhowishtopursuetheirresearchofthis subjectarereferredto''UyoonAkhbaralRida(A.S.)byShaikhalSaduqinwhichhecompiled whatwasnarratedabouttheImaminthisregard. TransmigrationofSouls AlTanasukhkufr,thatis,"TobelieveinthetransmigrationofthesoulsistodisbelieveinGod," saystheImaminananswertothequestion"Whatisyourviewregardingthetransmigrationof Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

thesouls?"puttohimbysomeone.Heansweredsaying,"Anyonewhobelievesintanasukhis kafir(disbeliever)inGodtheGreat,adisbelieverinHeavensandinHell."Thereasonforthisis thatthebeliefinthetransmigrationofthesoulsmeansthatthehumansoul,afteritsdeparture fromthebodyatthetimeofdeath,goestothebodyofananimaltoliveinit.Inotherwords,itis likeabirdthatassoonasitissetfreefromitscagewillseekanothercage.Thisimpliesanegation oftheJudgementwhichisoneofthebasicprinciplesoftheIslamiccreed,henceitisanegationof ParadiseandHell. ThosewhobelieveinthetransmigrationofthesoulsinterpretParadiseandHellbysayingthatif thesoulthatwassetfreefromthebodysettlesinsideagoodanimal,thenitisParadise,andifit settlesinsideabadanimal,thenitisHell,whichisnothingbutahallucinationwhichtheHoly Qur''anclearlyrefutes,forbothParadiseandHellarerealitiesratherthansymbolsasthese personswouldliketothink. Imamate Imamateisoneofthebasicbeliefs(usool)whichwasthestartingpointforallthedeep differencessincetheearlyperiodofIslamandimmediatelyafterthedemiseoftheProphet (S.A.W.).TheMuslimummah,therefore,splitintocontradictoryandcontrastingsectsduetothe deepeningofthegapseitherduetotheactionsoftherulingauthorities,ortopersonalambitions aspiredbysomeofthosewhocovetedtobeImams. TherearetwomajorschoolsofthoughtinIslamwhichareregardedasthestemsfromwhich thosesectsbranch.TheyaretheSunnischoolofthought,whichpreachesthatImamateafterthe Prophet(S.A.W.)wastherightofAbuBakrthentothethreecaliphswhosucceededhim,andthe ImamiShi''aschoolofthoughtwhichpreachesthatImamateaftertheProphet(S.A.W.)wasthe rightofAliibnAbuTalib(A.S.)andtohiselevendescendantsafterhim. Eachoftheseschoolshasitsownargumentsregardingprovingitsauthenticityandthelack thereofoftheother.TheAhlalBayt(A.S.)derivetheirargumentsfromclearandobvious statementintheirregardsaidbytheProphet(S.A.W.)andalsoduetotheirmeritsand qualificationswhichraisedthemabovebothcommonandeliteindividuals.ImamalRida(A.S.) explainedtoustheactualprogramtoidentifyanImamwhichagreeswiththehumannaturein consideringthedistinctivemeritsandthesufficientqualificationspresentinapersontoqualify forsuchaveryimportantstatus. Imam''sQualifications IndefiningthequalificationsoftheImam,ImamalRida(A.S.)tellsusthathehastobethemost knowledgeableamongpeople,themostwise,themostpious,themostcourageous,themost Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

generous,andthebestinworshippingGod.Thesequalificationshavetobepresentintheimam sinceheistheonechargedwithsafeguardingtheIslamicMessageaftertheProphet(S.A.W.)and theonewhoclarifiesitsprecisedetailsandhiddenmeaningstopeople.

SelectionoftheImamisDonebyGod TheImam(A.S.)assuredthepersonwhoinquiredaboutthesequalificationsthatthenation cannotbelefttochooseitsimamwithoutstatementsinthisregardmadebytheProphet(S.A.W.) whointurnconveysGod''scommandmentsrelatedtothisissue,fornobodyotherthanGod knowsthesecretsoftheindividualsandwhattheyhideinsidetheirhearts. TheImam(A.S.)said:"DotheyreallyrealizethesignificanceofImamatesothattheypermit themselvestomakeachoiceinitsregard?Imamateisgreaterinprestige,moresignificant,higher instatus,moredifficulttoattain,hardertoachieve,thancanpeopleconceiveintheirmindsor defineaccordingtotheirviews,orselectanImamastheyplease,forImamatebecamethesole prerogativeofProphetIbrahim(A.S.),theFriendofGod,secondinsignificanceonlyto Prophethood,wherebyHehonouredhim,saying, He(God)said,IwillmaketheeanImamtothenations.''Hepleaded:Andalso(Imams)frommy offspring?!''Heanswered:ButMyPromiseisnotwithinthereachofevildoers.''180Thisverse, therefore,hasnullifiedtheimamateofanyoppressortilltheDayofResurrectionandbecamethe prerogativesolelyofthoseelitepersons.God,thus,honouredIbrahim(Abraham)byallotting ImamatetothoseofhisprogenywhoaretheeliteandwhoarethePurified,saying,AndWe bestoweduponhimIsaacand,asanadditionalboon,(agrandson), Jacob,andWemaderighteousmenofeveryone(ofthem).AndWemadethemImamsguiding (men)byOurCommand.''181Imamate,thenremainedamongthedescendantsofIbrahim(A.S.), soninheriteditfromfather,onecenturyafteranother,tilltheProphet(S.A.W.)inheritedit.Itwas thenwhentheAlmightyGodsaidtohim,Withoutdoubt,amongmen,thenearestofkinto AbrahamarethosewhofollowhimasarealsothisProphetandthosewhobelieve,andGodisthe Protectorofthosewhohavefaith.''182Thus,ImamatebecametherightoftheProphet(S.A.W.) who,accordingtothecommandsoftheAlmightyGod,andinthemannerHedeemed,vestedit uponAli(A.S.)anditsettledamongtheeliteofhisdescendantswhomGodgiftedwiththegiftof knowledgeandtruebelief." Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

TheImam(A.S.)continuestosay:"ImamateisthestatusoftheProphets,thelegacyofthewasis (successorsofProphets);ImamateisthecaliphateofGodAlmightyandofHisMessenger (S.A.W.)." "ThecaliphateofGodAlmighty"hastobetheprerogativeofthebestofpeopleaftertheProphet (S.A.W.)simplybecausehe,thesuccessoroftheProphet(S.A.W.),isGod''scaliphonearthafter thedemiseoftheProphet(S.A.W.).Hisselection,therefore,hastobedonebyGodforhowcan anyonejudgeanyoneelsetobeeligibleforitifhedoesnotknowthatperson''strueinnerself? WesimplydonotunderstandatallthewisdomofleavingtheselectionoftheImamtothenation withoutafinaljudgementinthisregardcomingfromtheAlmighty... AnImam''sAttributes HavingdefinedtheattributesanImamhastohavewhichrepresenthisdaytodayconduct neededbypeople,ImamalRida(A.S.)says:"AnImamisascholarwhoisnotignorant,someone wholooksafterothersuntiringly,thesubstanceofsanctityandpurity,asceticismand renunciationoftheworld,ofknowledgeandadoration.Hisknowledgegrows,hisclemencyis perfect;heisawareoftheresponsibilitiesofImamate,knowledgeableregardingpolitics, commandingobedience,executingtheCommandmentsofGod, advisingtheservantsofGod,protectingthecreedofGod.ProphetsandImamsareassistedby GodWhobestowsuponthemfromthetreasuresofHisknowledgeandsovereigntyinawayHe doesnotendowanyoneelse,makingtheirknowledgesuperiortothatofanyonecontemporaryto them,forHe,theExaltedandtheSublime,hassaid,regardingTalut(Samuel),Godhaschosenhim aboveyouandhasgiftedhimabundantlywithknowledgeandbodilyprowess;GodgrantsHis authoritytowhomsoeverHepleases. Godcaresforall,andHeknowsallthings.''183RegardingtheImamsfromtheHousehold,progeny andelitedescendantsofHisProphet(S.A.W.),theAhlalBayt(A.S.),theDearandSublimeOne hassaid,OrdotheyenvymankindforwhatGodhasgiventhemofHisbounty?ButWehad alreadygiventhepeopleofAbrahamtheBookandWisdomandconferreduponthemagreat kingdom,''184andwhenGodselectsoneofHisservantstodealwiththeservantsofGod,He broadenshisheartforsuchresponsibility,depositinginitspringsofwisdom,inspiringknowledge tohim." IndicationsofImamate AsregardinghowanImamcanbeidentified,andwhattheindicationsare,thisisexplainedby ImamalRida(A.S.)inhisanswertothequestionsomeoneputtohimwhichwas:"Bywhat indicationcanImamateberegardedauthenticforonewhoclaimsittohimself?"Hesaid:"Bytext Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

andevidence."Themanasked:"WhatisthecharacteristicofanImam?"Heanswered: "Knowledge,andGod''sanswertohisplea."Themanasked,"Bywhatcanyouyourselvesprove yourImamate?"Heanswered:"ByaPromisemadetousbytheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)." Themanasked:"Whatistheevidencethatyoucantellwhatisonthemindofpeople?"He answered:"HaveyounotcometoknowthattheMessenger(S.A.W.)said,Bewareofthe discretionofamuminforhelooksthroughthelightofGod''?"Themanansweredinthe affirmative,sotheImam(A.S.)continuedsaying,"Everybelieverhasashareofdiscretion,looking throughthelightofGodaccordingtotheamountofhisbeliefandtheextentofhisforesightand knowledge.GodhascombinedinuswhatHehasdistributedtoallthebelieverscombinedand saidinHisBook,Behold!Inthisaresignsforthosewhobytokensdounderstand.''185Thefirstof thesemutawassimeenistheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.),thentheCommanderoftheFaithful (A.S.)afterhim,thenalHassanthenalHusayn,thentheImamsfromamongthedescendantsof alHusayntilltheDayofJudgement." ByallofthesestatementsdoesImamalRida(A.S.)defineforusthequalificationsofanImamand thegroupthatchooseshiminstatementswhichagreewiththehumannatureandthebalancesof reasonwhicharethefinaljudgeonsuchissues. ________________________________________ 162AlJathiya:29 163AlAn''aam:28 164AlBaqara:30 165AlBaqara:15 166AlTawba:79 167Aali''Imran:54 168AlNisaa:142 169Fatir:43 170AlNaml:5051 171AlTawba:67 172AlA''raaf:51 173Maryam:64 174AlBaqara:17 175AlQiyama:2223 176AlMutaffifin(orTatfif):15 177AlFajr:22 178AlZumar:62 179AlRum:40 180AlBaqara:124 Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

181AlAnbiyaa:7273 182Aaali''Imran:68 183AlBaqara:247 184AlNisaa:54 185AlHijr:75 Exegesis Exegesis(Tafsir)AccordingtotheAhlalBayt WhenweexaminethemethodemployedbyImamalRida(A.S.)andtheotherImamsfromthe AhlalBayt(A.S.)ininterpretingthetextoftheHolyQur'an,wefindoutthatitdependsonthe generaloverallmeaningininterpretingoneparticularverse,distancingitselffrominterpretations whichdonotsuititsowngeneralorparticularmeaning.ThisdoesnotmeanthattheHolyQur'an canbeinterpretedbyanyoneaccordingtowhatheunderstandsofitsapparentmeaning;rather, itsinterpretationisnotlimitedtotheverbatimunderstandingofthetext.Instead,somematters havetoalsobetakenintoconsiderationwhichmaybehiddeninawaywhichrequiresseeking assistancefromthosewhomGodendowedwiththefacultyofknowledgeandunderstanding, namelytheProphet(S.A.W.)andhisAhlalBayt(A.S.)whoaretheactualtestimonytotheverse whichsays:"NobodyknowsitsinterpretationexceptGodandthosedeeplygroundedin knowledge." AnExegesisPhenomenonRegardingAhlalBayt OnewhostudiestafsiraccordingtotheAhlalBayt(A.S.)willclearlynoticethephenomenonthat theymayinterpretsomeversesontheirown,whileothersmaybeareferencetoobeyingand lovingthem.Somepeopletrytousethisphenomenontomakenotoriousremarks,todeliberately distort,andopenlycondemntheImamsoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.),tryingtoattributetothemtheir attempttomaketheHolyQur'anabookregardingtheirownsectandnobodyelse's.Thereis nothingfurtherfromthetruth. TheinterpretationprovidedbytheAhlalBayt(A.S.)ofcertainversestobeadirectorindirect referencetothemisduetoone'sperfectpracticalimplementationoftafsir,andthefactthatthey themselvesarelivingwitnessestothetruthinsuchverses,orthatshouldsuchversesmakea referencetothem,theyareallproofsofthetruthcontainedintheHolyQur'ananditdoesnot taketheverseoutofitsintendedgeneralmeaning. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Forexample,whenImamalSadiq(A.S.)interpretstheummah(nation)inthetextoftheHoly Qur'antomeanthea'immah(Imams),hegivesitthemeaningthattheyarethemost distinguishedpracticalmanifestationofitsQur'anicmeaning.Tousetheword"interpretation"in suchcontextmayimplyametaphoricmeaningoftheword,forwhatisintendedbyitistoprovide thebestpossiblepracticalmeaningwhichagreeswiththespiritofthetext,whichissomething neitherreasonnorcitationobjecttoit. ExegesisofImamalRida ImamalRida(A.S.)didnotauthorabookonexegesis,butheexplainedthemeaningsofthe versesaboutwhichhewasquestionedbyotherswhowantedtoknowhisviewsintheirregard, andwewillindicateheresomesuchexplanationsinordertoacquaintyouwiththemagnificent methodandinnovativestyleoftheImam(A.S.)inthisregard. ItisreportedthatalMamoonaskedhimoncetoexplainsomeQur'anicversesoutofhiscuriosity abouttheknowledgeGodbestowedupontheImamregardingtheirmeanings.Amongsuchverses was:"HeitisWhocreatedtheheavensandtheearthinsixdays,andHisthronewasoverthe waters,thatHemighttryyouwhichofyouisbestinconduct."186Hesaid,"ThePraisedand ExaltedGodcreatedtheThrone,thewater,andtheangelsbeforethecreationofheavensand earth,andtheangelsusedtoknowGodthroughtheirowncreation,throughtheThroneandthe water.ThenHemadeHisThroneoverthewaterinordertomanifestHismighttotheangelsso thattheymightknowthatHeiscapableofdoingwhateverHepleased.ThenHeraisedtheThrone throughHismight,moveditandmadeitabovethesevenheavens.ThenHecreatedtheheavens andtheearthinsixdayswhileHewasomniPotentonHisThrone. Hewascapableofcreatingtheminatwinkleoftheeye,buttheExaltedOnecreatedtheminsix daysinordertoshowtheangelswhatHewascreatingoneaftertheothersothattheywould knowtimeandagainthatGodwastheOriginatorofeachandeverything.Goddidnotcreatethe ThronebecauseHewasinneedforitsinceHeisindependentoftheThroneandofeverythingHe created;HecannotbedescribedbyanythinginthecosmossimplybecauseHehasnophysical body;ExaltedHeisabovethecharacteristicsofwhatHecreatedagreatdealofExaltation. "AsregardingHissaying,...thatHemighttryyouwhichoneofyouisbestinconduct,'Hehas createdtheminordertotestthemthroughtheresponsibilityofobeyingandworshippingHim, notoutofHisdesiretotestortrythem,sinceHealreadyknowsallthings."Thisglorious explanationoftheImam(A.S.)forthecreationoftheheavensandtheearthinsixdaysis considered,wethink,amongthebestexplanationsbecausegradualcreationandperfection deepensthefeelingofaweregardingthegreatnessoftheCreatorandOriginatormorethanhadit beenatonce. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

AlMamoonalsoaskedhimaboutthemeaningoftheverse:"HaditbeenthyLord'sWill,they wouldallhavebelieved,allwhoareonearth!Willyouthencompelmankind,againsttheirwill,to believe?!NosoulcanbelieveexceptbytheWillofGod."187Quotinghisforefathers,alRida(A.S.) said:"MuslimssaidtotheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.),Wewishyouforcedthosewhomyouhave conquered,OMessengerofGod,toacceptIslam,sothatournumberwouldincrease,andwe wouldbecomestrongerinthefaceofourenemies.' TheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)said:IamnotgoingtomeetGod,theAlmightyandtheExalted, havinginventedaninnovationwhichHedidnotcommandmetodo,noramIthetypeofperson whoforcesotherstodoanythingatall.'Itwasthenthatthisversewasrevealed:Haditbeenthy Lord'sWill,theywouldallhavebelieved,allwhoareonearth,'bymeansofforcingthem,orwhen theyfindnootherchoicewhileinthisworldjustasthosewhobelievedonlyafterseeingGod's mightandretributioninthelifeafterdeath.IfIdosuchathingtothem,theywouldnotdeserve anyreward,butIwishtheyacceptitoutoftheirownchoiceratherthanbeingforcedtodosoin orderthattheywilldeservetobeclosetomeandblessedthroughme,andtheywouldremainin Paradiseforever.' "AsregardingthemeaningofNosoulcanbelieveexceptbytheWillofGod,'itdoesnotmeanthat itisprohibitedfrombelieving(withoutapriorconsentofGod);itsimplymeansthatGodinvitesit tobelievewithoutforcingittodoso." TheImam(A.S.)saidthefollowinginhisexplanationoftheversewhichsays:"[GodisHe]Who hasmadetheearthyourcouch,andtheheavensyourcanopy":188 "Hemadetheearthsuitabletothecreationofyournature,agreeabletoyourbodies;Hedidnot makeittoohottoburnyou,nortoocoldtofreezeyou,nortoowindytocauseyoudizziness,nor toostinkytodamageyourheads,norasliquidaswatertocauseyoutodrown,nortoosolidto enableyoutobuildhousesandgravesforyourdead;rather,theExaltedandSublimemadeit strongenoughtobeusefulforyou,foryourbodies,andforyourbuildings,makingitusablein yourhomesandgravesandagreatdealofotheradvantagesaswell;thus,Hemadetheeartha couchforyou. "Asfortheheavens,HemadethemlikeaprotectiveceilingaboveyourheadsinwhichHeletthe sunanditsmoonandthestarsorbitforyourowngood.He...sentdownwaterfromtheheavens, andbroughtforththerewithfruitsforyoursustenance,'meaningtherebywaterwhichHecaused todescendfromahighaltitudeinordertoreachthesummitsofyourmountainsandhills,valleys andplains,whichHecausedtodescendasshowersandasmoisturewhichsoilinhales, andHedidnotcauseittopourdownatoncetoruinyourlands,treesandothervegetationand fruits.Andbroughtforththerewithfruitsforyoursustenance'189meanswhatevergrowsonearth Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

foryoursustenance,soDonotsetuprivalsuntoGodwhenyeknow(thetruth),'190thatis,rivals' suchassimilitudesandsuchthingslikeidolswhichhavenocomprehension,hearing,sight,orare abletodoanythingatall,whileyouknowthattheycannotcreateanyofthesegreatblessings withwhichHe,yourLord,theExalted,theMostHigh,hasblessedyou." ThissimpleexplanationprovidedbytheImam(A.S.)givesthemeaningoftheverseclarityand easewhichcanbecomprehendedbyanyone,evenonewhoseshareofintelligenceismost modest,enablinghimtoappreciatethemagnificence,beauty,andperfectionofthecreation.He mayevenexplaintheimportantpointsinaversewhichmaycausethewisdomoftheirmakingas wefindhimdoingwiththelastverseinordertopointoutthedepthofmiraculousaspectofthe versesoftheHolyQur'an. TheHolyQur'anandtheInfallibilityoftheProphets InthesubjectoftheinfallibilityofProphets,theImam(A.S.)wasaskedtoexplainthemeaningsof someverseswhosesuperficialmeaningssuggestedthatProphetswerenotinfallibleatall,that theywereliabletocommitsins.Inourdiscussionofqueriesabove,wedealtwiththissubject whenwediscussedthedialoguebetweentheImam(A.S.)andAliibnalJahm,whileherewe wouldliketomentionmoreofthesameregardingquestionsalMamoonputforthtotheImam (A.S.)inquiringaboutsuchverses: Adam AtoneofthemeetingsarrangedbyalMamoon,thelatteraskedtheImam(A.S.):"OSonofthe MessengerofGod(S.A.W.)!Don'tyouclaimthatProphetsareinfallible?"TheImam(A.S.) answeredintheaffirmative.AlMamoonthenasked,"Thenwhatisthemeaningoftheverse, ThusdidAdamdisobeyhisLordandallowhimselftobeseduced'?"TheImamansweredthis questionbyexplainingthatGodhadforbiddenAdamandEvefromcomingclosetoaparticular treewithoutforbiddingthemfromeatingitsfruitorthefruitofsimilartrees. TheyobeyedGodbynotcomingnearthattree,butIblis(Eblis)confusedtheminthisregardand suggestedthattheyshouldeatnotfromthattreebutfromothersimilartrees,swearingtothem byGodthathewasonlyprovidingthemwithanadvice.Sotheybelievedinhisoathandtheyate thefruitofasimilartree,andthatwasbeforeAdamwasconsideredasaProphetandbeforehis descenttoearth,andwhathedidwasnotasinforwhichthepenaltyisHellfire,butitwasaminor disobediencewhichcouldbeforgivenandcouldbecommittedbyProphetsbeforewahi (revelation)reachesthem.WhenGodchosehimandmadehimaProphet,hebecameinfallible andwasnotpermittedtocommitasin,minorormajor,tellinghim,"ThusdidAdamdisobeyhis Lordandallowhimselftobeseduced.ButhisLordchosehim(forHisGrace);Heturnedtohim, andgavehimguidance. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Ibrahim,theFriendofGod ThenheaskedhimaboutIbrahim(Abraham)alKhalil(A.S.),theFriendofGod,andaboutthe stageofdoubtthroughwhichhepassedasappearssuperficiallyintheHolyQur'anwhenheis mentioned,tilltruthbecamemanifesttohimandhebelievedtherein.TheAlmightysays:"When thenightcoveredhimover,hesawastar.Hesaid:ThisismyLord.'Butwhenitset,hesaid,Ido notlovethosethatset.'Whenhesawthemoonrisinginsplendour,hesaid,ThisismyLord.'But themoonset,sohesaid,UnlessmyLordguidesme,Ishallsurelybeamongthosewhogoastray.' Whenhesawthesunrisinginsplendour,hesaid,ThisismyLord;thisisthegreatest(ofall).'But whenthesunset,hesaid,Omypeople!Iamindeedfreefromyour(guilt)ofgivingpartnersto God. Forme,IhavesetmyfacefirmlyandtrulytowardsHimWhocreatedtheheavensandtheearth, andnevershallIgivepartnerstoGod.'"191Aboutthis,theImamcommentsthus:"Ibrahim(A.S.) didnotpassbyastageofdoubtinGod;rather,hisstorymaybesummarizedthus:Helivedina societywherethreetypesofworshipdominated:theworshipofVenus,theworshipofthemoon, andtheworshipofthesun. TheoutwardpretenseofIbrahim(A.S.)tofollowthesereligionsbeforedeclaringhisbeliefinGod wasonlytodenythevalidityofeachoneofthemandtoprovetoothersthefactthattheywere invalid,notduetohistemporarybeliefinthem.Hesimplywantedtoprovetotheirfollowers, throughthemethodofargumentwhichheemployedinaspiritfilledwithbeliefinHim,thattheir typeofcreedandtheirnormofworshipofVenus,themoon,andthesun,werenotappropriate duetothevariationwhichoccurredtothemandwhichisoneoftheattributesofthecreature, nottheCreator." ThentheImam(A.S.)addssaying,"WhatIbrahimalKhalil(A.S.)didwasactuallyaccordingtothe inspirationhehadreceivedfromGodbythetokenoftheversethatsays,Thatwasthereasoning aboutUswhichWegavetoAbraham(touse)againsthispeople.'"192Whathedid,therefore,was merelyamethodtowintheargumentagainsthispeopleregardingtheinvalidityoftheirnormsof worshipandintheirbeliefingodsotherthanGod,whichisauniquemethodamongQur'anic methodstoinviteotherstobelieve.

MessengersandDespair

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 AlMamoonthenaskedhimaboutthemeaningoftheversewhichsays,"...tilltheapostlesgive uphope(oftheirpeople)and(theirpeoplecometo)thinkthattheyprovedthemtobeliars,Our helpwillthencometothem."193Whatmaybeacauseforquestioninginthisverseistoattribute despairtoGod'sMessengersafterbeingpromisedhelpfromGod.Despairanddespondencyare formsofkufr(disbelief),fortheAlmightyhassaid,"NevergiveuphopeofGod'ssoothingmercy; trulynonedespairsofGod'ssoothingmercyexceptthosewhohavenofaith."194So,howcan despairfinditswaytotheheartofamessengerofGodoraprophet,knowingthat,accordingto thisverse,onlykafirscandoso,andwhatisagreatersinthancommittingkufr?! Whatissuperficiallyobviousfromthetextofthisverseisthatthetimewhentheydespairedwas afterreceivingtheMessageandinspiration.Tothis,theImam(A.S.)answersbysayingthatthe subjectofdespairinthisverseisnotGod'shelppromisedtoHismessengers,butratherlosing hopeoftheirpeopleeverbelievinginthemandacceptingtheirmessage;i.e.tobelieveinHimand renouncetheirpreviousdisbeliefanddisobediencebytheirworshipofgodsotherthanGod.The meaningofthisverse,then,willbesomethinglikethis:Whenthemessengerslosthopethattheir peoplewouldeverbelieveinthem,andwhenthosepeoplethoughtthattheysucceededin provingthosemessengersasliars,itisthenthatOurhelpcametothem. Thusistheoutwardambiguityoftheverseremoved,andthusdoestheImam(A.S.),through providingsuchgloriousmeaningstothesacredversesoftheHolyQur'anwhoseoutwardmeaning isactuallytheoppositeofthatoftheircontext,dispelthecloudofdoubtwhichmaycometo one'smindregardingtheinfallibilityofProphets.Theyarenotmerejustificationsorone'sown personalopinionsbutactualfactstheupholdingtowhosecontraryisnotpossible. God's"Hand"isHisMight ThereareotherversesthesuperficialmeaningofwhichgivestheimpressionthatGodhaslimbs justashumansdowhichHeusestoachieveHispurpose,suchasHisstatementaddressingIblis whenthelatterrefusedtoprostratetoAdamascommandedbyGod:"Whatprohibitedyoufrom prostratingtowhatIhavecreatedinMyownhands?"andalsoliketheversesaying,"Whenaleg willbeuncoveredandtheyareinvitedtoprostrate..." TheImam(A.S.)explainsthemeaningofGod'shandtobeHismight.Themeaningoftheprevious versewouldbe,"WhatprohibitedyoufromprostratingtowhatIhavecreatedbyMymightand potence?"Goddoesnothaveeyes,legs,hands,oranysuchthingsaswemayimaginewhich wouldputlimitstoGodlikethosetoman,andtherevealedtextscontainingareferencetosuch thingsaregivenmeaningswhichagreewithconceivingGodtobeExaltedabovehavingphysical dimensionsagreatdealofExaltation. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 The"leg"isinterpretedbytheImamasabarrieroflightwhich,whenremoved,willcausethe believerstofallprostrating,whilethelegsofthehypocritesbecometoostiffenedtoprostrate. ThusdoesImamalRida(A.S.)portrayforusanaccurateportraitwhichishonestininterpreting themeaningsembeddedintheGloriousBookifwewishtohonestlyandwiselyinterpretits verses. Onemorethingremainstobeindicatedhere.Therearesomenarrativeswhichcontainsome interpretationsofQur'anicversesattributedtoImamalRida(A.S.)theauthenticityofwhichis questionedsimplybecausesomeofthosewhoreportedthemarenotfreeofthepracticeof distortionorfabrication.Whatwefeelcomfortableaboutisthatthefactthatifsuchnarrationsdo notcontainanythingwhichdisagreeswiththebeliefsoffollowersoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.) regardingtheinterpretationofQur'anicverses,theytestifytotheirauthenticreporting. Addtothisthefactthatwethinkitisquiteunlikelythatsomenarratorswoulddeliberatelytell liesabouttheImam(A.S.)incaseswheretellingliesdoesnotbenefitthenarratorabit, particularlyintheinterpretationsoftheverseswehavequotedabove.Thisiswhywefind scholarsofexegesisrelyonsuchnarrativesandtheirlikesinexplainingtheHolyQur'an,andif theycontradictoneanother,theyaccepttheonewhichseemstohavethemostsoundmeaning, ortotheoneswhichagreewiththebasicprinciplesoftheschoolofthought. Inthecasewheretheinterpretationofcertainversesbecomesthebasisofalegislativerule,orin theprocessofderivingone,thentheauthenticityofnarrationorinterpretationhastobeverified firstasoneprovidedbytheProphet(S.A.W.)orbymembersofhisAhlalBayt,peacebeupon them,andattemptsshouldbemadetomakesurethattheintegrityoftheirnarratorsisnot questioned. ________________________________________ 186Hud:7 187Younus:99100 188AlBaqara:22 189AlBaqara:22 190Ibid 191AlAn'aam:7679 192AlAn'aam:83 193Yousuf:110 194Yousuf:87

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 Shari'a(IslamicLegislativeSystem) WedonotattemptheretopresentthelegislativeheritageleftusbyImamalRida(A.S.)ortrace theahadithwhichwerereportedabouthiminthisregard,forthisisthejobofauthorsofbooksof hadithandfiqh.Whatwewouldliketodealwithhere,rather,istoevaluatetheknowledgewhich reachedusfromhimandfromotherImamsoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.)intheareaoflegislation,and thesaferoutetheytookinprovidinguswithabasisforderivingsuchlegislativerulesfromtheir accuratesource. AswestatedintheIntroduction,whatcausedustofollowthecreedoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.)and usetheirhadithasasourceforlegislationisduetotheclearandunequivocalstatementsofthe Prophet(S.A.W.)regardingthenecessityofupholdingtheirwayandfollowingtheirguidancesuch asthetraditionofthetwoweightythings(hadithalthaqalayn)andofthearkofNoah(A.S.),and otherahadithwhichcannotbedoubtedintheirauthenticity,structure,orobjective. ThisiswhyanyhadithreportedbyImamalRida(A.S.)orbyanyotherImamisregardedasthough ithadbeensaidbytheProphet(S.A.W.)notbecausetheseImamshavetheauthoritytoinitiate legislation,orbeindependentinenjoyingtheresponsibilityofinventingalegislativerule,butby consideringitanextensionofthepristinelegislationbroughtforthbytheProphet(S.A.W.)from hisLord,duetowhattheylearnedofthesecretsoflegislationanditsfruitsleftforthemasa legacybytheProphet(S.A.W.),afterbeingmadebytheAlmightyascustodiansoftheMessage aftertheProphet(S.A.W.). TheirHadithisMuhkamandMutashabih Thehadithnarratedaboutthemis,asisthecasewiththeHolyQur'an,bothmuhkamand mutashabih.Themuhkam,asitsnamesuggests,doesnotacceptbutonesinglemeaning,while themutashabihisonthecontrarypermittingmanyfacetsofinterpretation,anditsactual meaningisnotknownexactly.Thisisthemeaningweacceptforthesetwoterms. ImamalRida(A.S.)isquotedinanarrationashavingsaid,"Amongournarrativesaremutashabih liketheQur'an's,andalsomuhkamliketheQur'an's;so,seekhelpfromthemuhkamto understandthemutashabih,anddonotfollowthemutashabihwithoutthemuhkamelseyou shouldstray." JustifyingtheMutashabihintheQur'an Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

TheCommanderoftheFaithful(A.S.)justifiestheexistenceofQur'anicverseswhichcanbe interpretedinmorethanonewaybysaying:"TheAlmightyhasdonesoinordertofoilthe attemptofwrongdoersfromamongthosewhowouldtakecontroloverthelegacyofthe knowledgeoftheBookleftbytheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.),whichhedidnotintendthemto acquire,renderingthemunabletoexplainthevariouspossiblemeaningsthereof."ItisasifGod willedthattheProphet(S.A.W.)andthosewhowouldbeartheMessageafterhimwouldhavea specialdistinctionwhichistheunderstandingofwhatothersarenotabletounderstandsothat peoplewouldresorttothemwhentheyareunabletounderstandcertainversesoftheHoly Qur'anwhichtheyneedtounderstandforthebettermentoftheirlifeandthecomprehensionof theircreed. JustifyingtheMutashabihintheHadith AsregardingtheexistenceofthemutashabihinthehadithreportedabouttheAhlalBayt(A.S.), astheImampointedoutinhistraditioncitedabove,thiscanbejustifiedinthefollowingmanner: TheseImams(A.S.)usedtosufferagreatdealofpersecutionatthehandsoftheircontemporary rulerswhoincessantlypursuedthemandtheirfollowers,forcinguponthemaverystrict surveillance,countingtheirbreath.Inmanycases,inthefaceofsuchanintolerabletreatmentat thehandsofthoserulers,theImamshadtoresorttothetaqiyyainmanyoftheirdeedsand sayings.Theymighthavebeenasked,forexample,abouttheirjudgementofaparticularincident, oraboutsomethingrelatedtothecreedandschoolofthought,andtheywouldanswerinaway whichpermittedmorethanonewayofunderstandingtheanswerduetotheirownapprehension oftheruler'swatchdogsandinformers. Themeaningmaybederivedatthetimethequestionisputforthwhenarelatedmatterisat hand.Itwillbebuiltaccordingtooneofthepossibilitiesinspiredbythetextwhichwouldprovide theinquirerwiththedesiredsatisfactionoftheanswerwhile,atthesametime,suchpossibilities arehiddenfromotherswhowillbeconfusedaboutthemandabouttheactualmeaningtheImam (A.S.)meantthereby.Itisthenthatitmustbecomparedwithotherahadithsaidonsimilar occasions,orwiththecontextofbaseswhichagreewithitandwhichweresetbythem,peacebe uponthem.Themeaningofthemutashabihmaybesimilartothegeneralandtheparticular,the unrestrictedandtheabsolute,whilethegeneralandtheabsolutewouldthenbesimilartothe mutashabih,thespecialandtherestrictedwouldbesimilartothemuhkam. GenuinenessoftheCreedofAhlalBayt WecannotfindinanyothersectthegenuinenesswhichcharacterizesthecreedoftheAhlalBayt (A.S.)intheareaoflegislation,foritreliesonadeepunderstandingoftheHolyQur'anandthe pristinePropheticSunnahwhichderivesfromitsoriginalleadingfountainheadasourceofits Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

legislationandsuchrules. Forexample,accordingtoanarrative,amanaskedImamalRida(A.S.)aboutanothermanwho saidatthetimeofhisdeath,"AnyoldslaveIhaveisnowemancipatedforthesakeofpleasing God."TheImamsaid,"Yes,thereisawaytodeterminewhoisold'accordingtotheAlmightyand PraisedGodWhosaysinHisBook,...tillitbecamelikeanolddatecluster;'therefore,anyone amonghisslaveswhohasbeenwithhimforatleastsixmonthsmustnowbefreed." Thedateclusterbecomesoldanddryduringtheperiodofsixmonths.Inthisexample,theImam (A.S.)didnotcontendhimselfbyjustprovidingalegislativerule;healsoderivesitsrulefromthe textoftheHolyQur'an. IndependenceoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.)FromQiyasandOthers TheAhlalBayt(A.S.)didnotsensetheneedtoseekavenueswhichweredistantfromthe legislativerealitiesintheconclusionstheyreachedsuchasqiyas(comparison),istihsan (preference),etc.,whichwereregardedbyothersasindicativeofthelegislativerulewhenthey lackaconcretetext,duetothefactthat,becauseoftheknowledgeandthesecretsofthe MessagewhichtheyinheritedfromtheirgrandfathertheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)aswellas theirownlevelofiman(firmbelief),theywereselfsufficient,independent,andduetowhatGod hadendowedthemwithofthefacultyofknowledgeinordertheymightbeHisProofsover people. TheAhlalBayt(A.S.)stronglycondemnedtheuseofqiyasandothersuchmethodsinventedby othersasmeanswherebytheywouldjustifytheirderivationswhentheylackedaconcrete evidence.Becauseofthis,manystrongconfrontationshappenedbetweenthemandthese people,andwemaydiscussthissubjectindetailinourforthcomingbookaboutImamalSadiq (A.S.)becausethemostviolentofsuchconfrontationstookplaceduringhistimewhenpromoters ofvarioussectswerefreetoexpresstheirviews. ImamalRida(A.S.)'sHadithRegardingLegislation TherehavebeenmanyahadithreportedaboutImamalRida(A.S.)dealinginvariousaspectsof fiqhwhichareusedasfinalargumentsindeterminingobligationwhentheymeetallnecessary conditionssuchastheauthenticityoftheavenueofitsreportinganditslackofignoranceor weaknessandtheabsenceofambiguityinitsindicationandconnotation. HisHadithRegardingCausations Thereisalsoagreatdealof'ilal(causesorfoundations)forthelegislationofmanyahkam Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

(legislativerules)inhisanswerstoquestionsraisedbyMuhammadibnSinan,andalsoinhis answerstoIbnShathanattheendofwhichthenarratormentionedthathelearnedthemone aftertheotherfromImamalRida(A.S.). OurViewRegardingCauses Butwecannotdeterminethattheyaretheactualbasesforthederivationofthelegislativerules; rather,theyareotherfacetsofthewisdomofwhichthelegislativesystemisfull,anditisquite possiblethattheImammaymentiononecauseandaddssayingthatitisonecauseamongothers. QuestioningtheCausesisHumanNature Thehumannaturebyinstinctiseagertoknowtheunderlyingmotiveswhichliebehindthe existenceofthings,ascertainingsuchmotives,lookingforthereasonsbehindwhatnecessitated thecauses,beitintheareaoftheirgenesis,i.e.,theprocessoftheircreation,ortheirlegislation, outoftheprinciplethatthereisamotiveforeverythinginexistenceespeciallywhenthecreation isthatoftheWiseOneWhodoesnotdothingforselfamusement.Thisiswhywefindthosewho askedImamalRida(A.S.)aboutthecausesbehindthelegislationofsomerules(ahkam)in accordancewithman'squestioningnature. Imam'sAnswersareHarmoniousWiththeNatureofLegislation TheImam'sanswerswereallinharmonywiththeenvironmentoftheoccasionsurroundingtheir legislation.Causesmaybetoachieveasocialbenefit,whenthesocialaspectoflegislationismore apparentthananyother,orforahealth,spiritualorpsychologicalbenefit,eachaccordingto whateverthenatureoflegislationinspires. Forexample,whenheexplainsthecausesfortheprohibitionofadultery,theImam(A.S.)says: "Adulteryisprohibitedduetothecorruptionitcausessuchasmurders,lossoflineage,child desertion,chaosregardinginheritance,andothersuchaspectsofcorruption."Herehe determinesthesocialcausesbehindtheprohibitionofadulterysincethesocialaspectismore apparentinthiscaseoflegislationthananyother. Fromthesamestandpoint,theImam(A.S.)explainstouswhyusury(riba)isprohibitedbysaying: "Thereasonforprohibitingusuryisbecauseiteliminatesfavours,ruinsfunds,causesgreedfor profit,causespeopletoabandontheirdealingwithloanstoeachotherorinpayingcash,ordo eachotherfavours,andduetoallthebadconsequencesofcorruptionandoppressionandthe exhaustionoffunds." Asregardingtheprohibitionofeatingthemeatofpigs,rabbits,deadanimals,spleens,theImam Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

(A.S.)says:"Asregardingpigs,theircreationwasdistortedbyGodinordertoprovideamoral lessontomanandinordertoremindmantofearGodandasanevidenceofGod'smightto distortwhatHecreatesatwill,andbecausethefoodtheyeatisthefilthiestoffilth,inadditionto manyotherreasons.Asregardingtherabbits,theyarelikecats:theirclawsarelikethoseofthe catsandlikewildanimals,sotheirbehaviourisequallywild,inadditiontotheirowninner dirtinessandduetotheirbleedingwhichissimilartothebleedingofwomenduringtheir menstrualperiodbecausetheyaremiscreants. Asregardingdeadanimals,theprohibitionofeatingtheirmeatisduetothedamagesuchmeat willcausetothebody,andduetothefactthatGodhasmadelawfulthemeatofanimals slaughteredinHisnamesothatthatwouldbeadistinctionbetweenwhatislawfulandwhatis not.Asregardingthespleen,itisprohibitedbecauseofthebadblooditcontains,andthecauseof itsprohibitionissimilartothatofdeadanimalsbecauseitisequallybadinitsconsequences." Thesecauses,asawhole,justifyforusthehealthaspectnecessitatedbythelegislativeinterest, itswisdominsafeguardingmanagainstfallingavictimtodiseaseandasapreventivemeasure againstailments. TheImam(A.S.)hassaidthefollowingregardingthelegislationofthepilgrimage(hajj):"The reasonforthehajjistoseektobetheguestofGod,torequestmoreblessings,toabandonpast sins,tofeelrepentantaboutthepast,andlookforwardtothefuture.Itisduetospendingonthe tripseekingnearnesstoGod,tiringthebody,abstainingfrompleasuresanddesires,seeking nearnesstoGodbyworshippingHim,yieldingandsubmittingtoHim,lookinguptowardsHimin casesofhotweatherandchillingcold,duringsecurityandfear,incessantlydoingso,anddueto allthebenefitsinitofdesiringtherewardsandfearingthewrathofGod,theDearOne,the Exalted." Thecausesheredefineforusthespiritualbenefitsofthelegislationofthepilgrimage,forman needsinhislifemomentstoleavematerialisticambitionbehindhiminordertobeinharmony withhisLordthroughhisdeepbeliefinGod,hispurelyspiritualaspirations,sothatthevoiceof beliefmayremainwithinhisinnerselfstrongandindefatigable.Thus,thelegislationoftheriteof hajjcameasadestinedobligationperformedbymanwhenhesatisfiesthelegislativeconditions ofbeingabletoperformit. Whenheachieveshismaterialisticneeds,onemaythinkofhimselfasbeingsuperiortoothers, andhebecomesarrogantduetothetransientwealthhehashad;therefore,hehasnochoice excepttoexposehimselftoasituationwhichstripshimoftheartificialitywhichoverwhelmshim andbringshimbacktothepristinespiritualreality,hencethelegislationofthehajjwhichcauses mantofeelhumblebeforethegreatnessofGod,andthatheandtheothersareequalbeforeGod whentheyareallstrippedofanymaterialisticdistinctions. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Asregardingmaritalrelationsbetweenmanandwoman,theImam(A.S.)justifiesforussome legislativerulesinthisregard.Forexample,thereasonwhyamanmaymarryuptofourwomen, whileawomanisprohibitedfrommarryingmorethanoneman,isthatwhenamanmarriesfour women,hischildrenwillallberelatedtohim;hadawomanmarriedtwohusbandsormore simultaneously,nobodywouldknowforsurewhofatheredthesonsshegavebirthto,sincethey allwereparticipatingincohabitingwithher,andthiscausesacompletedisorderforrelatingone tohisfather,andwhoshouldinheritwho,andwhoisthekinofwho. Thereasonforrepeatingthedivorcestatementthriceisduetothetimeintervalbetweeneach, andduetoapossibledesireforreconciliationorthecalmingofanger,ifany,andtoteachwomen tofeartheirhusbandsanddeterthemfromdisobeyingthem. Thereasonwhyahusbandcanneverremarryhiswifewhomhedivorcedthrice(articulating,in theprocess,thedivorcestatementninetimesallinall),isthatitishisrightpenaltysothatmen donottakedivorcelightlyortakeadvantageofwomenandthinkofthemasweak,andsothat themanwouldbeconsideringhisaffairs,remainingawakeandaware,sothathewouldloseall hopeofareunionaftertheninthpronouncementofthedivorcestatement. Thereasonwhyawifeduringherwaitingperiod('iddat)cannotremarryherprevioushusband whohaddivorcedhertwicebeforetillshemarriessomeoneelse,isduetothefactthatGodhad permitteddivorcetwice,saying,"Adivorceisonlypermissibletwice:afterthat,thepartiesshould eitherholdtogetheronequitableterms,orseparatewithkindness,"195thatis,afterhehad alreadydivorcedherforthethirdtime,duetohiscommittingsomethingGodAlmightyhatesfor himtodo;therefore,Heprohibitedhimfrommarryingheragainexceptaftershemarries someoneelseinordertoprohibitpeoplefromtakingdivorcelightlyandinordertoprotect women'srights. Theseexplanationswhichclarifythewisdomofsomelegislationsrelatedtothemarriage relationshipgiveustheimpressionregardingthegreatdegreeofconcernIslampayssuch relations,organizingthemandsafeguardingthemandprotectingtheirsanctity,emphasizingon givingthemthedignifiedhumaneattitudewhichsafeguardstherightsofbothparties. Regardingthemonetarydistributionofinheritancebyallottingthemaleheirtwicetheshareof thefemale,theImam(A.S.)saysthefollowinginordertoexplainthewisdominit:"Thereasonfor givingwomenhalfwhatmengetofinheritanceisthatwhenthewomanmarries,shereceives, whilethemangives;therefore,Goddecidedtoassistthemalestobeabletogive." Hegivesanotherreasonwhythemanisgiventwiceasmuchasthewoman:Thewomanis considereddependentonthemanwhensheneeds,andhehastotakecareofherlivingexpenses Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

andtospendonher,whilethewomanisnotrequiredtotakecareoftheexpensesoftheman, norcansheberequiredtopayhisexpensesifhewasinneed;therefore,Goddecreedtogivethe manmoreaccordingtotheQur'anicverse,"Menaretheprotectorsandmaintainersofwomen becauseGodhasgiventheonemorethantheother,andbecausetheysupportthemfromtheir means."196 Throughthesetwocauses,theImam(A.S.)definesforustheprincipleofbalanceinthe distributionoftheinheritedwealthaccordingtotheIslamiclegislativesystemandthejusticeof suchdistribution.Havingburdenedthemanwiththeresponsibilityofspendingandgivingand exemptingthewomanfromit,Islamhadtocompensatethemanforthatinordertoavoidany unfairnesshemightsuffer;otherwise,todistributetheinheritancebetweenthemequallyisan unfairlegislationwhichcontradictstheprincipleofjusticeoftheIslamicMessage.Thus,Islam's precisioninsafeguardingjusticeinthelegislativesystembecomescleartous.Atthesametime, thesuperficialityofthethinkingofthosewhocallforequalitybetweenmanandwomaninthe distributionofinheritanceunveilsitselftous,andthatsuchacallisnomorethanacheapnoise withoutascientificorrealisticbasis. Havingfavouredthemaninthedistributionofinheritancebygivinghimtwicethewoman'sshare, Islamontheotherhandprovidesthewomanwiththerighttobeprovidedforbythemanwho mustgiveherherdower,inadditiontotheshareofinheritanceshehasalreadyreceived,without requiringhertoshoulderanyfinancialresponsibilitywhatsoever...;so,howcananyonesaythat suchalegislationisunfair? Regardingthecommoncustomofdefiningthevalueofthedowertobeequivalenttothevalueof fivehundreddirhams,theImam(A.S.)saysinanarrative:"GodtheAlmightyandtheExaltedhas promisedthatifonebelieverpronouncedAllahuAkbar!onehundredtimes,andSubhanaAllah onehundredtimes,andAlhamduLillahonehundredtimes,andLaIlahaIlaAllahonehundred moretimes,andsendblessingsuntoHisProphet(S.A.W.)yetahundredmore,thenhepleadsHim tomarryhimtothehurin'iin(hurisofParadisewithlargelovelyeyes),Hewouldsurelymarryhim toone,thenHedeterminedwomen'sdowerstobefivehundreddirhams.Ifanybelieverasksthe handofawomanfromanotherMuslimbrother,payshimthefivehundreddirhams,andthe brotherdoesnotmarryhimtothatwoman,hewouldhavecommitted'uqooqtowardshim,and Godwillnotmarryhimtoahuri." Thisisabeautifulwayofexplainingthereasonforthecustomwhichismeanttoprovidea solutionforthemarriageproblemoftheneedywhocannotaffordtopaylargesumsofmoneyas dowersandwhichmaycausethemtopostponegettingmarriedorcausethemanunnecessary financialstrain.Thehadithhasconsideredtherequirementofiman(deepbelief)asthemost importantreasontoconsidermarriageinsuchsituations. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Thishadithdefinesforusthecrimeofonewhodoesnotmarryawomantoonewhohasasked forherhandandpaidthefivehundreddirhams,callingit'uqooqwhichistherenunciationofthe feelingofcompassionandkindnesstowardsanotherMuslim,andtolookdownuponhimwhich areattributesabovewhichagoodMuslimmustriseinhisconductanddealingwithhisMuslim brother.Thelackofcompassion,kindnessandrespectbetweentwoMuslimbrothersissomething Godhatesmostofallthings. ThusdoestheImam(A.S.)explaintoussomeinjunctionsofthelegislativesystemwhereinthereis agreatdealofwisdomandthesafeguardingofvitalinterestsinaverybeautifulandinteresting styleperfectlyharmoniouswiththespiritoftheeternalIslamicmessagewhichcameforthe happinessandgoodnessofman. ________________________________________ 195AlBaqarah:229 196AlNissa':34

SelectHadithoftheImam Itisnotpossibleheretorecountalltheahadithdealingwithvariousfieldsofknowledge,the intellect,andhistory,thathavereachedusthroughImamalRida(A.S.),butthisdoesnotstopus fromquotingsomeahadithwhichcontainsomeobjectivewisdomintheareasofthecreed,the legislativesystem,andhistory. ThehadithofImamalRida(A.S.)containspreciousjewelsandinvaluabletreasuresinwhichman sensesthedepthoftheidea,themagnificenceoftafsir,thebeautyofperformance,withoutan artificialmannerofexpression,northeambiguityofmeaningnorstubbornnessininstruction. WhenheisaskedaboutthereasonablecomprehensionofsomeahadithoftheProphet(S.A.W.) inwhichacloudofambiguityhoversabovetheirnarration,hedefinestheiractualobjectivewith flexibilityandease,asifhadithhasnootherconnotationexcepttheoneheprovides. Someaskedhimaboutthemeaningofthistradition:"Mycompanionsarelikethestars:Ifyou followanyofthem,youshallreceiveguidance,"andanotheronesaying,"Leavemycompanions tome."BothofthesetraditionsareconsideredbySunnisasthefoundationoftheirgeneralization oftheirjudgementregardingallcompanionsoftheProphet(S.A.W.),thusjustifyingeventheir Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

actswhichcontradictedIslamicjustice,callingwhattheycouldnotjustifyas"anerrorinijtihad." ButtheImam(A.S.)providesuswiththeactualexplanationoftheseandothersuchahadithwith honestyandintegrity,outlininginaneasymannertheirexactmeaning.Inhisanswerregarding thefirsttradition,hesaid,"Yes;hedidsaythishadith,meaningtherebythecompanionswhodid notmakeanyalterationafterhimoranychange."Hewasasked,"Howcanyoutellthatthey alteredandchanged?"Hesaid,"Thisisduetowhatisreportedabouthim(S.A.W.)thathesaid, CertainindividualsamongmycompanionswillbeforciblypushedawayfrommyPool(ofKawthar) ontheDayofJudgementjustasstrangecamelsarepushedawayfromthewateringplace,andI shallcry,OLord!Mycompanions!Mycompanions!''anditshallbesaidtome,Youdonotknow whatinnovationstheyinventedafteryou,''sotheywillbepushedawaytowardstheleftside (whereHellis),andIshallsay,Awaywiththem;ruinedtheyshallbe.''"TheImamcontinuedto say,"Suchwillbethepenaltyofthosewhoalterandchange(hadith)." Thishadithisnarrated,withaminorvariationinitswording,byalBukhariwhoquotesAbdullah ibnMas''oodcitingtheProphet(S.A.W.)saying,"IshallbethefirsttoreachthePool,thenthe soulsofsomemenamongyouwillberaisedandtheyshallbeprohibitedfromcomingnearme, andIshallsay,Lord!Thesearemycompanions!''Anditshallbesaidtome,Youdonotknowwhat theydidafteryou...''"197Anumberofhuffazandnarratorsofhadithreportedthistraditionin variouswordingswhichmaintainedthesamecontextualmeaning,provingthusthatitis consecutiveaccordingtothem. TheImam(A.S.),throughhisfrankandprovenanswer,savedustheefforttolookforlame excusesfortheflagranttransgressionsinwhichanumberofthesahabafell,andfromfarfetched arificialitiestojustifytheerrorsofconductwhichtheydeliberatelycommittedwithdetermination andwhichthesamehuffazcouldnotjustifyexceptbysayingthattheywerecasesof"mistaken ijtihad"which,accordingtothem,didnotcontradictthejusticeexpectedofthem,havingbeen pressedbytheirattempttoattributeabsolutejusticetothesahabinomatterwhathedid... Acompanion(sahabi)oftheProphet(S.A.W.)whowasdistinguishedwiththehonourofbeingso closetotheProphet(S.A.W.)isonewhoisthecustodianoverthefruitsoftheMessageanda protectorofitsstructurethroughhisfaithanddeeds.Heisamanwhooughttobetakenasa modelofconduct.Heisaman,astheImam(A.S.)usedtosay,whodoesnotalterorchangeany ofthestatementsoftheProphet(S.A.W.).Asregardingthosewhoalteredandchanged,these cannotbeawardedauniquedistinction,justbecausetheywerecompanionsoftheProphet (S.A.W.),whichraisedthemaboveotherMuslimssimplybecausetheywerenotuptoparwiththe levelofresponsibilityofbeinghonest,whichisexpectedofthem,tocarryoutafterthedemiseof theProphet(S.A.W.)andthecessationofwahifromcomingtothisworld. ThehadithwhichtheImam(A.S.)narratedaboutIbnMas''ood,andwhichisrecordedbya Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

numberofthosewholearnedtheHolyQur''anandhadithbyheartintheirbooksisconsideredas anexplanationofthishadithandanexplanationofitsconnotation.Moreover,itputsthesahaba onequalfootingwiththeothersinsubjectingtheirbehaviourtocriticismanddiscussion,andit shatterstheselfimmunitywhichwasgrantedtotheminaccordancetoPropheticstatements manufacturedbyanumberofhuffazandtraditionistswithoutpermittingthemselvesorothersto discussbuttakeforgranted. Inanotherhadith,theImam(A.S.)provestous,throughaclearstatementbytheProphet (S.A.W.),thatsomeindividualswhowereregardedassahabawerenotactuallyso,whichshatters alltheexcusesusedonlytojustifythemistakesandtransgressioncommittedbythem.For example,MuhammadibnIshaqalTaliqanireportedthatamaninKhurasansworebydivorcethat Mu''awiyawasnotamongthetruecompanionsoftheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.),andthis happenedwhenImamalRida(A.S.)waspresentthere. Thejuriststhereissuedtheirverdictthatthemanhadactuallydivorcedhiswife,andtheImam (A.S.)wasaskedtoprovidehisownopinioninthisregard.Hedecidedthatthatman''swifewas notdivorced; therefore,thosejuristswroteastatementandsentittohim.Init,theyaskedhim,"Howdidyou cometosay,OsonoftheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.),thatthewomanwasnottobedivorced?" Hewrotedownonthesamesheetsaying,"Itissobecauseofwhatyouyourselvesnarratefrom AbuSa''eedalKhudriquotingtheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)sayingaboutthosewhoaccepted IslamonthedayofopeningMecca,whenhewassurroundedbyalargenumberofpeople,You aregood;mycompanionsaregood;andthereshallbenomigrationafterthisFath,''without includingthese(meaningMu''awiya)amonghiscompanions."Thejuristshadtoadoptthe decisionoftheImam(A.S.). ThusdidtheImam(A.S.)denythatMu''awiyawasacompanionoftheProphet(S.A.W.),which claimusedtosurroundthemanwithahaloofsanctityofhispersonalityandwhichusedtobe usedtojustifytheveryserioustransgressionshecommittedwhichlefttheirterriblemarksonthe structureoftheIslamicgovernmentsincethen,andtojustifysuchtransgressionsbysayingthat hewasasahabi,andthatassuchwhateverhedidorsaidcouldnotpossiblycastadoubtabout hisjustice,adding,"Ifweseethegoodaspectofhisactionmissing,wemaysaythatheattempted ijtihad,andheerred,"evenifsucherrorwasattheexpenseofthePropheticMessageitself... Ifweacceptthisargument,wewouldbejustifyingallthetransgressionsanderroneousbehaviour ofsomecompanionsoftheProphet(S.A.W.)regardlessoftheirmotivesorhorribleconsequences. ThetransgressionsofMu''awiyaandhisnormsofconduct,inwhichhedepartedfromthelineof theIslamicMessage,andwhichagreedwiththeattitudeofanimositytowardsIslam,andwhose motivesandimpulseswerereasonstocastdoubtsandsuspicions,nobodyisreallyobligatedto Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

defendanddescribeaswithintheIslamicShari''asimplybecausetheyweretheresultofan erroneousijtihadwhereinthemujtahidisrewardedwithonereward,duetohis"immunity" whichdoesnotincludeMu''awiyasimplybecausethelatterwasnotacompanionoftheProphet (S.A.W.)butwasjustlikeanyotherMuslimwhoseconductwassubjecttoaccountabilityand criticism,andtheverdictinhisregardisbasedontheanticipatedresultsofhisdeeds. ThedirectivetheImam(A.S.)intendedbydenyingthatthosewhoacceptedIslam,including Mu''awiya,werenotcompanionsoftheProphetonthedaywhenMeccawasconqueredisoneof thestrongestanddeepestofhisdirectives,forhedrewalinebetweentheProphet(S.A.W.)and histruecompanionsononeside,andthosewhoacceptedIslamaftertheconquestofMeccaand underthepressureofasuperiorpowerandauthorityontheotherhand.Haditnotbeenfortheir feelingoftheirprecarioussituationversusthemightoftheiropponent,realizingthattheyhadno choiceexcepttomakeasylumandsubmittothewordofIslam,theywouldhaveotherwisedealt withIslaminaquitedifferentmanner... AlMamoononceaskedhimwhytheCommanderoftheFaithfulImamAli(A.S.)iscalledthe dividerofParadiseandofHell,andhowthatattributecametobeappliedtohim.TheImam(A.S.) inturnaskedhim,"Ocommanderofthefaithful!Haveyounotnarratedfromyourfatherfromhis forefathersquotingAbdullahibnAbbassayingthathehadheardtheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.) saying,LovingAli(A.S.)isiman,andhatinghimiskufr?''"AlMamoonansweredintheaffirmative, sotheImam(A.S.)said,"IfthedistributionofParadiseandofHellisdoneaccordingtolovingor hatinghim,thenheisthedistributorofParadiseandofHell."AlMamoonthensaid,"MayGod neverpermitmetoliveafteryourdemise,OfatherofalHassan!Itestifythatyouaretheheirof theknowledgeoftheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)." AbulSaltalHarawisaid,"AftertheImam(A.S.)hadgonebackhome,Icametovisithim,andIsaid tohim,OsonoftheMessengerofGod!Whatanexcellentansweryouhavegiventhecommander ofthefaithful!''Hesaid,OAbulSalt!Ispoketohiminthewayheunderstoodbest,andIhave heardmyfathertellinghadithfromhisforefathersaboutAli(A.S.)saying,TheMessengerofGod (S.A.W.)said:OAli!YouarethedistributorofParadiseandHellontheDayofJudgement;yousay toHell:Thisismine,andthatisyours...''" AlMamoonwasprobablyunabletoabsorbtheideathattheImam(A.S.)wasadirectdistributor ofParadiseandHell,ashisquestiontotheImam(A.S.)suggested;thisiswhyheaskedhim,"O AbulHassan!TellmeaboutyourgrandfathertheCommanderoftheFaithful(A.S.);inwhichway andinwhichsenseishedistributorofParadiseandHell,forIhavebeencontemplatingalotabout that...?"TheansweroftheImam(A.S.)wasrealisticonitsowngrounds,anditdoesnotcontradict thestatementhemadetoAbulSaltinwhichheindicatedthathisdistributionisdirect,notjustin meaning,andtheImam(A.S.)didnotopenlytellalMamoonthatthedistributionwasnotdirect, buthiswisestatementwasregardingtheoriginofbeingcalledassuch. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Inanothernarrative,heaskedtheImam(A.S.)abouttheCommanderoftheFaithfulImamAli (A.S.)astowhyhedidnotrestoreFadaktoitsrightfulownersafterbecomingthecaliph.He answeredsaying,"Wearemembersofafamilywho,uponbecomingrulers,donottaketheir rightsfromthosewhoconfiscatedthem.ShouldwebecomeinchargeoftheMuslims,weshall rulethemandrestoretheirconfiscatedrightstothem,butwedonotdosoforourownselves." ItispossiblethattheImam(A.S.)didnotopenlywishtotelltheinquirerthatitwasnotrealistic thatalZahra(A.S.)shoulddemandFadakandthatFadakbyitselfdidnotrepresentsomething thatvaluablefortheAhlalBayt(A.S.),andthattheywerenotlessgenerousthanothersin spendingeverythingtheyhadtolookaftertheinterestsoftheMuslimsandsafeguardtheir strengthandunityinthefaceoftheenemyfromwithinorwithout.DemandingFadak,then,was thestartingpointforprovingthatgovernmentrightfullybelongedtotheAhlalBayt(A.S.)andit wasthebeginningofareawakeningcampaignwithanobjective.Haditbeensuccessful,itwould havecausedverysignificantchangestotheIslamicgovernmentand,accordingly,historywould havebeenquitedifferent. WhentheroleFadakwasexpectedtoplayinshapingthefateoftheIslamicworld,andtherewas nolongeranyfurtherfunctionforit,andthebigmotivesfordemandingithavingceasedtoexist, thestanceoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.)initsregardwasnowoverturnedafteritbecamenomorethan thematerialisticvalueitrepresented.ButFadakremainedthesymbolofthelostjusticeaccording totheAhlalBayt(A.S.);foralZamakhsharisaysinhisRabi''alAbrar,"HarunalRashidkept pressingMousaibnJa''fer(A.S.)totakeFadakback,andhekeptrefusing.Whenheinsistedthat heshould,hesaid,Ishallnottakeitbackexceptinitsboundaries.'' Heaskedhim,Andwhatareitsboundaries?''Hesaid,ThefirstisAden;''alRashid''sfacechanged colourandheaskedhim,Andwhatisthesecondboundary?''Hesaid,Samarkand;''nowhisface startedshakinginoutrage.Heaskedhim,Andwhatisthethirdboundary?''Hesaid,Africa;''and thecaliph''sfacenowturnedblackinanger,yetheaskedhim,Andwhatisthefourthboundary?'' Hesaid,Theocean,andwhateverisbeyondtheCaspianSeaandArmenia.''HarunalRashidthen said,Thereisnothingleftforus;so,comeandtakemythroneaswell!''TheImam(A.S.)said,Ihad toldyoubeforethatifIdefineditsboundaries,youwouldrefusetogiveitbacktome.''" FromthisdialoguebetweenImamMousaibnJa''fer(A.S.)andHarunalRashid,wecan comprehendthevastdimensionofthesignificanceofFadaktoAhlalBayt(A.S.),andthatitdid notrepresentsimplyapieceoflandandafewpalmtreesbutabigmissionaryobjectivewhose significancewaslinkedtothesignificanceoftheMessageitselfinitsconnotationanddepth. AnotherpersonaskedhimabouttheCommanderoftheFaithfulImamAli(A.S.)astowhypeople desertedhimafterknowinghisdistinction,hispastfeats,andthestatusheenjoyedintheeyesof Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

theMessengerofGod(S.A.W.).Heanswered,"Theydesertedhimandfavouredotherstohim afterhavingcometoknowofhismeritssimplybecausehehadkilledagreatnumberoftheir fathers,grandfathers,brothers,uncles,andotherrelativeswhodefiedGodandHisMessenger (S.A.W.);therefore,theykepttheirgrudgeagainsthiminsidetheirheartsandtheydidnotlikeit whenhebecametheirruler.Theydidnothavegrudgeagainstanyoneelseasmuchastheyhad againsthim,fornobodyelsewassoforcefulinmakingjihadinthedefenseoftheMessengerof God(S.A.W.)asmuchashewas;so,theydesertedhimforsomeoneelse." Inhisanswer,theImam(A.S.)wasmakingthepointthatthenationdeepdownwasstillsuffering fromdeviationsthecausesofwhichrestedintheperiodofthefoolishdaysofignorance; otherwise,theremovalofImamAli(A.S.)fromtheresponsibilityofgovernment,despitethe qualificationsandmeritsheenjoyed,whichraisedhimaboveanyoneelseinthenation,wasnota naturalmatternecessitatedbyaninnocentpoliticalmistake.Itwastheresultofamovewhich knewitsdirectionandwhoseindicationsbecameapparentduringthemomentswhenAli''ssword wasdrippingwiththebloodoftheenemiesofGod,somuchsothattherewashardlyahousein ArabiawhereAli''ssworddidnotcauseamourning. TheProphet(S.A.W.)realizedtheseriousnessofAli''sstance,thedifficultyofthesituationafter hisdemise,andthedireconsequencesawaitinghimduetohisfirmjihadintheCauseofGod.The statementshe(S.A.W.)maderegardingAli(A.S.),therefore,weremeanttodeterthosewhowere waitingforachancetogetevenwithhim.Hadtheynotbeenveiledbygrudges,andbyhisown gloriouspast,theywouldhavebeendescribedasthebeginningofthetragedyofjusticeand righteousness. WecannotfindabetterexplanationforthechangeinpublicopinionregardingAli''sstanceafter thedeathoftheProphet(S.A.W.)betterthanwhatImamalRida(A.S.)provided.Ifwesetaside theclearahadithwhichnamedtheImam(A.S.)asthecaliphsucceedingtheProphet(S.A.W.) withoutanyquestion,andweconsultedthefacultyofreasoninallthecriteriaandlogicalordersit hastodefineforusthepersonwhoshouldsucceedtheProphet(S.A.W.)asthecaliph,the unavoidableoutcomewouldcertainlybenoneotherthanAli(A.S.).Besides,hadthegrudgesand thepastnotbeenthecauseoftheremovalofAlifromthepostofruler,thequestionwouldhave remainedunansweredbyanyhonestandequitableperson. Anotherpersonaskedhim,"Tellme,OsonoftheMessengerofGod!Whydidn''tAliibnAbuTalib (A.S.)fighthisenemiesduringthetwentyfiveyearsafterthedemiseoftheMessengerofGod (S.A.W.)ashedidduringthedaysofhiscaliphate?"Heanswered,"Itisduetohisfollowingthe exampleoftheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)whodidnotfightthepolytheistsofMeccaduringthe thirteenyearsafterhisProphethood,ortheonesinMedinaduringthenineteenmonthsperiodof hisstay;itisduetothenumberofhissupportersbeingtoosmall. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Likewise,Ali(A.S.)didnotengagehimselfinfightinghisenemiesbecausehisownsupporterswere toofew.SincetheProphethoodoftheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.)wasnotnullifiedbythefact thathedidnotmakejihadduringtheperiodofthirteenyears(inMecca)andnineteenmonths(in Medina),theImamateofAli(A.S.)wasnotnullifiedbecausehedidnotperformjihadfortwenty fiveyears,forthedeterringfactorinbothexampleswasoneandthesame." WhattheImam(A.S.)hasindicatedherecanbeusedasananswertothosewhoregardedthe peacefulstancetakenbytheImam(A.S.)towardshisopponentsfortwentyfiveyearsasan evidencetotheImam''ssatisfactionwiththelegitimacyofthethengovernment,ortohis relinquishingofhisownrighttobethecaliph.Whatismostbeautifulinthisnarrativeisthe comparisonbetweenthepeacefulstanceofImamAli(A.S.)towardshisopponentsbefore assumingthecaliphateandthestanceoftheProphet(S.A.W.)priortothehijra(migrationto Medina)andthereafter,givingtheexplanationthatthereasoninbothinstancesisthesmall numberofsupportersandthescarcityoffollowers,andthathadtheImam''sreluctancetowagea holywarinordertoachievehisobjectivebeenthereasonfortheinvalidationofhisImamate,the reluctanceoftheProphet(S.A.W.),likewise,towageaholywarduringthatperiodoftimewould havebeenareasonfortheinvalidationofhisProphethood,fortheProphet(S.A.W.)hadsetthe example,andtheImam(A.S.)andallotherImamsoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.)followedsuit. AmongtheahadithofImamalRida(A.S.)isonenarratedbyIbrahimibnMuhammadal Hamadani;hesaid,"IaskedAbulHassanalRida(A.S.),WhatisthereasonforwhichtheAlmighty andExaltedGoddrownedPharaohevenafterPharaohhadbelievedinHimandadmittedHis unity?''Heanswered,BecausehebelievedonlywhenhesawGod''sretribution,andbeliefto avoiddangerisnotaccepted.ThisisGod''sjudgementregardingpastandfuturegenerations. TheExaltedandtheAlmightyGodhassaid:WhentheysawOurPunishment,theysaid,We believeinGod,theOneGod,andwerejectthepartnersweusedtojoinwithHim,''buttheir professingthefaithwhenthey(actually)sawOurPunishmentwasnotgoingtoprofitthem.''198 TheExaltedandAlmightyhasalsosaid,ThedaythatcertainoftheSignsofthyLorddocome,no goodwillitdotoasoultobelieveinthemthen,ifitbelievednotbeforenorearnedrighteousness throughitsfaith.''"199SowhenPharaohwasabouttobedrowned,hesaid,"Ibelievethatthereis nogodexceptHimWhomthechildrenofIsraelbelievein,andIamofthosewhosubmit(toGod inIslam).''(Itwasthensaidtohim),Ahnow!Butalittlewhilebeforewastthouinrebellion!And thoudidstmischief(andviolence)!ThisdayshallWesavetheeinthybody,thatthoumayestbea Signtothosewhocomeafterthee!''"200 Thisnarrativehasamoralforthosewhowishtolearn,forimanisnotthatonebelievesand returnstohisLordonlywhenheseesnoavenueofsalvationbeforehimanddespairovercomes him;rather,imanisbeliefinGodandgoingtowardsHimvoluntarilyinbothcasesofdespairand ofhope. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 AnotherhadithImamalRida(A.S.)narratedstated,"AnyonewhomeetsapoorMuslimand greetshiminagreetingdifferentfromtheonewherebyhegreetstherich,hewouldmeetthe ExaltedandtheAlmightyGodontheDayofJudgementandHeisangrywithhim."Inthis tradition,theImam(A.S.)providesuswithaverybeautifulexampleofhumanityenjoinedby genuineIslamicconductgoverningtheMuslim''sconductwithhisMuslimbrother,forIslam unitedallmembersofthenationinitslawofpersonalconduct;thereisnodistinctionforthe wealthymanoverthedeprivedpoorman,andallpeopleareequalunderthejudgementofIslam. AnotherhadithoftheImam(A.S.)isoneinwhichhewasaskedbyIbnalSakit,"Whydidthe AlmightyandExaltedGodsendMousa(Moses)ibnImran(A.S.)withamiraculouscaneandwhite handandthetoolofsorcery,Isa(Jesus,AS)withmiraculousmedicine,andMuhammad(A.S.)with miraculousspeechandoratory?" TheImam(A.S.)said,"WhentheAlmightyandtheExaltedGodsentMoses(A.S.),sorcery dominatedthemindsofpeopleofhistime,sohebroughtthemfromtheAlmightyandthe Exaltedsomethingwhichtheyneverhad,norcouldtheybringaboutanythinglikeit,thus renderingtheirsorceryvoidandprovinghisargumentagainstthem. WhentheAlmightyandtheExaltedGodsentJesusduringaperiodwhenchronicdiseasesbecame widespreadandpeoplewereindireneedofacure.Jesus(A.S.)broughtthemfromGodthe AlmightyandtheExaltedsomethingtheyneverhad,bringingthedeadbacktolife,curingthose bornblindandthelepersbytheWillofGod,provinghisargumentagainstthem.Andwhenthe AlmightyandExaltedGodsentMuhammad(S.A.W.)duringthetimewhenspeechesandoratory (andIthinkhesaidwithpoetry,too),hebroughtthemtheBookoftheAlmightyandtheExalted Godandwithpiecesofwisdomandcounseltherebyhevoidedtheirarguments."IbnalSakitsaid, "ByGodIhaveneverseenanyonelikeyou!Whatistheargumentagainstpeoplethesedays, then?"Heanswered,"Reason.ThroughitcanyoucometoknowwhotellsthetruthaboutGod andyoubelieveinhim,andwhotellsliesaboutGodandyoudisbelieveinhim."IbnalSakitsaid, "This,byGod,istherightanswer..." Amiracleisasupernaturalthingwhichtheordinaryindividualisunabletoperformduetohis limitedenergiesandmotivationalpowers.Miraclesaredifferentfromsorcery.Sorceryisnotan actualsupernaturalactbutaswiftmovementwhichcausestheviewertoseetherealitiesturned upsidedown,orchangesthevisiblepictureintoitscontrary.Thismaytakeplacebysubjectingthe viewertoobscureeffectswhichveilfromhissightacertaincolouroracertainpicture. WhatleadsustothatconclusionisthestatementoftheAlmightyinthecontextofnarratinghow Moses(A.S.)faredwiththewizardsfromthedescendantsofIsrael,saying,"Sotheirropesand theircanesseemedtohim,becauseoftheirsorcery,asthoughtheywerecrawling."201Sorcery, Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

then,isnothingmorethanstimulatingtheimagination,makingthingslookdifferentthanthey are,andcausingonetofallunderamagicalspell.Asregardingwhatamiracleis, itisanactualresultofasupernaturaldeedintendedtowintheargumentagainstpeopleinthe processofprovingone''strueprophethoodandmission,anditisanactwhichGodcausesto happen.Itisdifferentfromsorcerybecauseitisnotsubjectedtopsychologicaleffects,or complicationsinthemovement,butabroadeningoftheenergywhichaffectsmattersviewedby manduetotheeffectoftheMightofGod.InnarratingthestoryofMoses(A.S.), theAlmightystated,"And(appointhim)anapostletothechildrenofIsrael,(withthismessage):I havecometoyou,withaSignfromyourLord,inthatImakeforyououtofclay,asitwere,the figureofabird,andIbreatheintoit,anditbecomesabirdbyGod''sleave;andIhealthoseborn blind,andthelepers,andIbringthedeadbacktolifebyGod''sleave.''"202AndtheAlmightyhas alsosaid,"AnditwasneverthepartofanapostletobringaSignexceptasGodpermitted.For eachperiodisaBook(revealed)."203 EveryoneoftheProphetshadamiraclewhichdistinguishedhimfromotherprophetsand messengersandwhichwasinharmony,initsownparticularway,withthecommonphenomena whichprevaileduponthesocialconditionofthetimesothatthepsychologicaleffectcausedbyits miraculouseffectwouldbecomeareality,astheImam(A.S.)meantinthetraditionabove.The miraclesofprophets,accordingtothecontextsoftheversesandnarratives,werenottheresultof theeffectofanaturalhumanenergy;rather,theyweretheresultsofacreativeenergywhereby GoddistinguishedHisProphetsforthepurposeofestablishingthesuperiorityoftheirargument whensuchamiraclewasnecessitatedbythemission.AsregardingthemiraclesoftheImams whicharereportedinordertotestifytotheirImamateandtotheirbeingthemostrightfulforthe postofcaliphate,thisisnotsomethingunusualaboutthemsincetheywereselectedbyGodtobe Hisvicegerentsonearth,entrustingthemwiththemessageafterHisProphet(S.A.W.),butwhat mustberesearchedisthatmanysuchmiracleswereproventohavebeenperformedbythemand wereattestedtobyanacceptablemedium. ButtheImamsneverneededamiraclebeyondthequalificationsofknowledgeandconductwhich distinguishedtheminordertoprovetheauthenticityoftheirImamate,forthequalifications whichcharacterizedthemwerebythemselvesthemiraclesprovingtheirright. Wehavesaidthatthemiracleisthesupernaturalphenomenonwhichinitsownparticularway agreeswiththegeneralphenomenawhichdominatedthesocialrealityofitstime,andthe commonphenomenonwhichenjoyedaclearpriorityduringthetimeoftheImamswas knowledge;therefore,itismandatorythattheirmiraclesprovingtheirImamateshouldbesuper naturalknowledgewherebytheyriseaboveallotherlevelsoftheircontemporaryfolks.Imamal Rida(A.S.)wasaskedaboutthephenomenonwherebyanImamcouldbeidentifiedasanImam Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

whenhistimecomesasanaccurateindicationofhisImamate,andheansweredbysaying,"Itis knowledge,andGod''sresponsetohisplea." InatraditionregardingthedistinctionsofanImam,hesaid,"Hisindicationsareintwoattributes: knowledgeandGod''sanswertohisplea,andalltheeventswhichheforetoldbeforetheir occurrence,forthatisaccordingtoapromisemadetohimbytheMessengerofGod(S.A.W.) whichheinheritedfromhisforefathers,peacebeuponthem,whichinturnwouldbeamong matterstoldtotheProphet(S.A.W.)throughGabrielfromGod,theKnoweroftheUnseenandthe Unknown,GlorybetoHim." ThisstatementoftheImam(A.S.)leadsustorealizethatthemiracleshouldbeinharmonywith thephenomenonofthetime,thusprovingtheargument.Eachofthetworequirements mentionedbytheImamwereactuallysatisfiedinhimandinallotherImams;throughthem,their supernaturalmiracleiscompleted,withouttheneedtoprovetheirImamate,ortoproveits authenticitybyothermiraclesthetruthaboutmanyofwhichwemaynothaveawaytoprove.It isalsoaclearanswertothosewhoaccusedtheImams(A.S.)ofclaimingtoknowtheunknown duetotheirforetellingofeventswhichwereyettooccurandwhichdidtakeplaceafterthat.All this,accordingtothecontextofthestatementoftheImam(A.S.),istheknowledgewhichthey gainedasaprerogativeprivilegetheyinheritedfromtheirgrandfathertheMessengerofGod (S.A.W.)accordingtothecommandmentsoftheAlmightyandExaltedGodsothattheir distinctionmightbeevidenttothepublicandtheywouldbedistinguishedfromallother segmentsofthenation. AmongtheahadithnarratedbytheImam(A.S.)regardingalMahdi,mayGodhastenhis reappearance,isonenarratedbyalHusaynibnKhalidwhosaid,"Isaidtohim,Maymylifebe sacrificedforyou,tellmeaboutonehadithnarratedbyAbdullahibnBakkirfromUbaydibn Zarara.''Heasked,Whatisit?''Isaid,"UbaydibnZararasaidthathemetAbuAbdullah(A.S.) duringtheyearinwhichIbrahimibnAbdullahibnalHassancameoutforjihad,andhesaidto him,Maymylifebesacrificedforyou!Thispersonhascausedpeopletotalk,andpeoplehave rushedtohisaid;so,whatdoyouorderustodo?''Hesaid,FearGod,andstaycalmaslongasthe heavensandtheearthstaycalm.' Thenheadded,AbdullahibnBakkirusedtosay,HadUbaydibnZararabeentruthful,nobody wouldhavecomeoutandnoQaaim(Mahdi)wouldtherebe.''AbulHassanalRida(A.S.)said,The hadithaccordingtothenarrationofUbaydisaccurate,butnotaccordingtothewayAbdullahibn Bakkirunderstoodit.WhatAbuAbdullahmeantwasaslongastheheavensechothecallsofyour fellow,andaslongastheearthisfirmunderthefeetofhismarchingarmy.''"Thishadithmaybe countedamongthemutashabihahadithtowhichtheImam(A.S.)madereferenceabove. AbdullahibnBakkirusedtorefertotheircleartraditionsregardingalMahdi(A.S.)inorderto avoidfallingintodangerousconfusionandmisunderstandings. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 AmongtheahadithoftheImam(A.S.)whichdealwiththeIslamiclegislativesystemisone narratedbyAbdullahibnTaooswhosaid:"ItoldAbulHassanalRida(A.S.)thatIhadanephew whomImarriedtomydaughterandwhousedtofrequentlypronouncethedivorcestatement.He said,Ifheisadescendantofoneofyour(Shi''a)brethren,thereisnothingtoworryabout,butif heisfromthese(Sunni)brothers,thenrecallyourdaughterfortheyshallbeseparated.''Isaid, But,maymylifebesacrificedforyours,didnotAbuAbdullah(A.S.)usetosay,Bewareofthose divorcedthriceatonetime,fortheyshallmarrymorethanonce?''''Hesaid,Yes,thisisthecaseif themanisoneofyourbrethren,notoneofthese;whoeverfollowsthecreedofcertainpeopleis boundtofollowtheir[juristic]rules.' Juristshavereliedonthisandsimilarnarrativestoconsideralltheverdictsissuedbyfollowersof otherschoolsofthoughttobeaccurateinbothareasofobligationsandpersonalstatusexceptin thecaseofzakataboutwhichtheyhavedecidedthatitwillhavetobetakenoutagainifits believingrecipientsarenotresidentsofthesamearea(wherethepayerresides)accordingtothe beliefsoffollowersofthecreedoftheAhlalBayt(A.S.)whorelyoncertaintextsinthismatter whichrulethisissueinparticular. Asregardingtheissueofdivorce,whichisthesubjectmatterofthishadith,theschoolofthought oftheAhlalBayt(A.S.)determinesthatifthedivorcestatementcontains"thrice"init,rather thanbeingrepeatedtwiceagain,isnotconsideredbindingbutitwouldbeifthestatementwere repeatedtwiceprovideditmeetstheotherconditionssuchasthepresenceoftwojustwitnesses, theabsenceoftheuseofforce,andthewomanbeingtahir(clean), thatis,shehasnotcohabitedwithherhusbandpriortohispronouncementandhasnottakenher ghusul(ceremonialbathing)yet,inadditiontootherconditionswhichvalidatedivorce.Thisis whatiscommonlyaccepted,whileothershavedecidedthatitwillbenullastheapparent understandingofthishadithsuggests.Butifthehusbandrepeatshisstatement,"Sheisdivorced!" threetimes,itis,accordingtoImami(Shi''a)Muslimsconsideredasonetimedivorcewith renderingtherepetitionnullifsuchrepetitionistobedoubtful.TherestofMuslimsectsregard divorceinbothinstancesasbindingandthehusbandcannotgobacktoherbeforeshemarries anotherhusband. AnotherhadithnarratedbytheImam(A.S.)says,"TheAlmightyandExaltedGodhasdecreed threeriteseachdependsonyetanotherone:Hedecreedtheprayersandthepaymentofzakat; so,Hedoesnotaccepttheprayersofanyonewhosayshisprayersbutdoesnotpayzakat;He decreedthatonemustthankHimandthankhisparentstoo;so,Hedoesnotacceptthethanksof onewhothanksHimbutisnotgratefultohisparents;andHedecreedthatoneshouldfearHim andremaininconstantcontactwithhiskin;so,anyonewhodoesnotremaininclosetouchwith hisrelativesdoesnotinturnfearGod,theExalted,theAlmighty." Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Anotheronesays,"Abeliever(mu''min)cannotbetrulysoexceptafteracquiringthreeattributes: fromhisLord,fromhisProphet(S.A.W.),andfromhisfellowhumans.FromhisLord,hemust learnhowtokeepasecret;theAlmightyandtheExaltedsaid,He(alone)knowstheUnseen,nor doesHemakeanyoneacquaintedwithhisMysteries,exceptanapostlewhomHehas chosen.''204FromhisProphet,hemustlearnpatiencewhiledealingwithpeople;theExaltedand theAlmightyGodorderedHisProphettobepatientwithpeople,saying,Upholdforgiveness; commandwhatisright;butturnawayfromtheignorant(folks).''205Fromhisfellows,hehasto learnpatienceduringperiodsofpovertyandadversity,fortheDearandtheAlmightyOnesays,... Andtobefirmandpatientinpainandinadversity.''206 AmonghisinterestingandentertaininghadithisonenarratedbyYasirwhosays,"Ihaveheard AbulHassanalRida(A.S.)saying,Youngman!Aatinalghadaa[whichpermitstwomeanings],''and Ilookedsomehowastonishedathisrequest.Henoticedthepuzzlementonmyfacewhereupon herecitedtheverse,...Mosessaidtohisattendant,Bringusourearlymeal.''207SoIsaid,The princeisthemostknowledgeableofpeopleandtheirverybest.''" ThenarratorofthisincidentinterpretedthestatementoftheImam(A.S.)tomeansomethinglike whattheAlmightymeantwhenHesaid,"...thenproduceaSuralikethereunto,"208whereashe intendedhisservantsimplytobringthemtheirfood[whichdoesnotrequireamiraclelike producingaQur''anicverse!]. ThisisjustaspecimenofbeautifultraditionsnarratedbyoraboutImamalRida(A.S.)whichwe hopewehavebeensuccessfulinselectingamongtheonesthatoverflowwithgoodnessin variousfields. ________________________________________ 197Bukhari,Vol.8,p.119,Amiriedition 198AlMumin(orGhafir):8485 199AlAn''aam:158 200Younus:9092 201Taha:66 202Aali''Imran:49 203AlRa''d:38 204AlJinn:2627 205AlA''raf:199 206AlBaqara:177 207AlKahaf:62 208AlBaqara:23 Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com


HisMoralsandCounsels Thevalueofwisdomandmoraliswhenitsetsoutofitsleadingspringstomakeitswayinlifeto plantgoodness,beauty,andlove,andtouprootevil,corruption,andhatred.Theindividualwho wishestospirituallybuildhisinnerselfwhollyhastosearchforthewisdomwherebyhediscovers hisshortcomingswhichdistancehimfromvirtuoushumanity,andhehastolookforthemoral whichbringshimclosertohisLordandwhichdeepenstherootsofimanwithinhim. Thisisthevalueofwisdomandofmoral,andthisistheirplentifulproduct.Itisthedividingline betweenthemanofrighteousness,andthemanofevil.Goodwisdomistheonewhichsows withinthedepthsoftheindividualtheseedoflightinordertogrowtherefromaplantblossoming withgoodness,love,andbeauty. SoletusreadthepurewisdomandthemagnificentmoralinthewordsofImamalRida(A.S.), thenletusopenupoursoulsinordertoplantthereintheseedoflight.Afterthat,letuslookafter thatplantthatwillcomeoutofthatseedsothatwemayharvestfromitthefruitofiman,the beliefinGod,thebeliefintheprinciplesandmoralswhichGodhaslegislatedforusinordertobe abletobuildourselvesfromwithin,andtobeabletorisetherebyabovethelevelofwishesand desirestothelevelwherebytheindividualbecomesatruehumanbeinginhispurelinkwithhis Lord,inhishonestdealingwithhisbrotherman,andinhisownemancipationfromworshipping hisownego. ThefirstmoralwemeetaswereadthewordsoftheImam(A.S.)ishisstatement:"Itisnot adorationtoperformthefastortheprayersagreatdeal;adorationistocontemplateuponGoda greatdeal."WhattheImam(A.S.)meantfromsuchadefinitionofwhatadorationinitsdeep contextisallaboutishiscorrectionofthegeneralattitudetowardsaritesuchasthefastorthe dailyprayers,sayingthatprayersarenotmerelytheprescribedmovementsaccompanying quotationsrelevantparticularlytoprayers,noristhefastmerelytheabstentionfromeatingand drinkingandsuchthings. Theseparticularmovementsandthisperformancearenothingmorethantheouterframeofthe picture,whiletheadorationisthecontextwhichliesbeyondthepicture.WhattheImam(A.S.) aimsatbymakingthisstatementismakingusawareoftherealityfromwhichwehavetosetout inperformingtheritewearesupposedtoperform,andtodistanceusfromthestagnationofthe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

emptyroutinewhichcausesustolosethegreatlyspiritualmeaningstheritesweperformare intendedtohelpuslive.So,whatisadoration,afterall? TheImam(A.S.)saysthatitisagreatdealofcontemplationupontheAlmighty.Itisnotagreat dealoffastingorprayerswhichdonotgobeyondtheparticularmovementsandtimingsasa routineactionanindividualhasbecomeaccustomedtobedoingduringcertaintimesawayfrom thedeepcontextofbelief.Suchisnotadoration,forhowmanyarethosewhoperformtheir prayersandupholdtheirfastandatthesametimecommitthegreatestofsinsandperform variouskindsofimmoralities,yieldingtowishesanddesires,withoutbeingabletowardsthemto takecontrolofthemselves,withouttryingtogiveauthorityoverthemtothedeterringpowerof imaninordertoavoidslippingintothepathsofmisguidance?Theprayersofsuchindividualsand theirfastarenothingmorethanmovementsandperformanceswhichhavelosttheirsenseof wisdomandspiritualintegrity. AbundantcontemplationupontheWillofGodisbyitselfaformofworshipand,atthesametime, astartingpointofeveryadorationandritual.Whensomeonefeelsharmonywhilecontemplating uponthecosmosanditsCreator,andtheparticlesoflifeandtheirsecretsfillingthegeneral existenceofthecosmos,hecannotavoidfeelinghowsmallheisbeforethisgreatPowerwhich createdthissysteminsuchperfection,determineditsruleswithsuchprecisionandexactness; andwhenhe,throughhispowerofreason,feelsthatthePoweroftheGreatCreatorsurrounds thiscosmos,thateverythinginexistenceisoverwhelmedbyitsAuthorityandMight,withoutany avenuethroughwhichonemayescapefromthecenterofthePowercontrollingit...,thenhe cannothelpfeelingadeepbeliefintheperfectingCreator,andagenuineawebeforethe manifestationsofsuchGreatness. WhenmanconsidersthebountiesGodhasbestoweduponhimwhichcanneverbeexhausted whilesatisfyinghiscontinuousneeds,andHisabsoluteabilitytodeprivehimofthemanymoment Hewishes,withouttheexistenceofanypowerthatwouldforbidHimfromdoingso,hewould surelythenthankHimsincerelyandbegratefultoHim,distancinghimselffromthehated elementsofdisbelief. Whenmanrealizesthewisdombehindhisowncreationandtheendawaitinghimthatwilltake himtoanotherlifesothatthedoersofgoodwillberewardedfortheirgooddeedsandthedoers ofevilwillbepunishedfortheirevil,hecannothelpconsideringwhatsecureshissalvationwhile doingwhathedoes,andfeelingangryatwhateverdispleasesGod.Thefeelingonedevelopsofall ofthisandthecomprehensionofallofthisisbyitselfaformofadorationbecausethisfeelingis theconscientiouspathwhichtakesmantoknowledge,andknowledgeisthefoundationofbelief. Atthesametime,suchcomprehensiongivesadorationthevastspiritualmeaningforwhichitwas decreed. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Amanaskedhimonceaboutthemeaningoftheverse,"WhoeverreliesonGod,Hesufficeshim." Hesaid:"RelianceonGodisinvariousdegreesoneofwhichisthatyourelyonHimineverything relatedtoyou,andwhenHedoessomethingtoyouwhichyouknowwillnotbringyouanything good,yourelyonHiswisdomindoingit,soyouneverthelessputyourtrustinHimwillingly. AnotheristobelieveintheUnseenregardingGodofwhichyouhavenoknowledge,soyourelied onHimandonHiscustodians,trustinginHimintheirregard,andinothers." Hewasaskedonceabouttheextentofsuchreliance.Hesaid,"ItisthatyoufearnonesaveGod." WhattheImamheremeansisthatyousubmittotheWillofGodandacceptHisdecree.Ahmed ibnNajmaskedhimaboutthepridewhichspoilsone''sdeeds.Hesaid:"Prideisdegrees;among themisthatoneseeshisbaddeedasgood,sohelikesitandfeelsproudofit;anotheristhatone believesinGodandfeelsheisdoingHimafavourbybelievinginHim,whereasHeistheOnewho enabledthatpersontobelieveinHim."He,peacebeuponhim,saidonce,"Ifonelacksfive attributes,donotexpecttogainanythinggoodoutofhimforyourlifeinthisworldorinthelife tocome:ifhislineageisknowntobeuntrustworthy,ifhisnaturelacksgenerosity,ifhistemper lacksbalance,ifhelacksanobleconduct,andifhelacksfearofhisLord." Hewasaskedoncewhoalowlypersonis.Hesaid,"Anyonewhohassomethingtodistracthim fromGod."Amonghiswisesayingsarethefollowing:"Godabhorshearsay,thelossofone''s funds(throughfoolishness),andexcessivequestioning.""Tobecourteoustopeopleistocross halfthewaytoachievingwisdom." "ThemindofaMuslimisnotcompleteexceptafterheacquirestenmerits:Godacceptshisgood deeds,heistrustworthy,heseesasplentifulwhatlittlegoodothersdoforhim,whileseeinghis ownabundantgoodaslittle;hedoesnotfretfrombeingaskedforfavours,nordoeshefeeltired ofconstantlyseekingknowledge;povertyreachedinordertopleaseGodisbetterforhimthan wealthaccumulatedotherwise;tobesubjectedtopowerwhiletryingtoserveGodisbetterinhis regardthanachievingpoweroverhisfoe,andobscurityheprefersoverfame."Thenhesaid,"And thethirdone...,doyouknowwhatthethirdoneis?"Itwassaidtohim, "Whatisit?"Hesaid,"Wheneverhemeetssomeone,hesays,Heisbetterthanmeandmore pious.''Peoplearetwotypes:apersonbetterthanhimandmorepious,andonewhoismoreevil thanhimandmorelowly.Ifhemeetstheonewhoismoreevilthanhimandmorelowly,he wouldsaytohimselfMaybethegoodnessofthis(statement)isimplied,anditisbetterthathe hearssuchacompliment,whilemyowngoodnessisapparentanditisdetrimentaltome.''And whenheseessomeonebetterthanhimandmorepious,hewouldhumblehimselfbeforehim tryingtoraisehimselftohislevel.Soifhedoesthat,hisglorywillbehigher,hisreputationwillbe better,andhewillbecomedistinguishedabovehiscontemporaries." "Silenceisoneofthegatesofwisdom.Silencewinstheloveofothers.Itisanindicationof Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

everythinggood.""Everyone''sfriendishisreason;hisenemyishisignorance." "AmongthehabitsofProphetsiscleanliness." "Onewhoisblessedwithplentymustspendgenerouslyonhisfamily.""Ifyoumentionsomeone whoispresent,useakunya(surname)forhim,andifheisabsent,mentionhisfullname." "Timewillcomewhenone''ssafetyliesintenthingsnineofwhichareinstayingalooffrom people,andthetenthinstayingsilent." "Whoeverscrutinizeshisbehaviourwins;whoeverdoesnotloses.Whoeverfearsconsequences willlivesafely.Whoeverlearnsamoralfromothersachievesinsight,andwhoeverachievesinsight achieveswisdom,andwhoeverachieveswisdomachievesknowledge.Onewhobefriendsthe ignorantwillbewornout.Thebestofwealthisthatwhichsafeguardsone''shonour.Thebestof reasonisone''sknowledgeofhisownself.Ifatruebelieverbecomesangry,hisangerdoesnot causehimtoabandonrighteousness;whenheispleased,hispleasurewillnottempthiminto wrongdoing,andwhenheachievespower,hedoesnottakemorethanwhatrightfullyishis." "Ifone''sattributesbecomeplentiful,theywillrelievehimfromhavingtowinpraiseby mentioningthem.""Donotpayattentiontotheviewofsomeonewhodoesnotfollowyour adviceforhisowngood.Whoeverseeksguidancefromtheappropriatesourcewillneverslip,and ifheslips,hewillfindawaytocorrecthimself." "People''sheartsaresometimescomingtowardsyou,sometimeskeepingawayfromyou; sometimestheyareactive,sometimestheyarerelaxed.Iftheycomealong,theywillachieve wisdomandunderstanding,andiftheystayaway,theywillbeexhaustedandwornout;so,take themwhentheycometoyouandwhentheyareactive,andshunthemwhentheystayawayor arerelaxed." "Accompanywithcautionthepersonwhohasauthorityoveryou;behumblewheninthe companyofafriend;stayalertwhenfacinganenemy,andminglewiththepublicwithasmileon yourface." "Postponementisdetrimentaltothefulfillmentofdesires.Fulfillmentisthegainofthestrict. Wastefulnessisthecalamityofonewhocanaffordit.Miserlinesstearsuphonour.Passioninvites trouble.Thebestandmosthonourableofvirtuesistodoothersfavours,toaidtheonewhocalls forhelp,tobringthehopeofthehopefultoreality,nottodisappointtheoptimist,tohavean everincreaseofthenumberoffriendswhenyouarealive,andthenumberofthosewhowillcry whenyoudie." Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

"Themiseroneisneverrestful.Theenviousisneverpleased.Thegrumblingisneverloyal.Theliar hasnoconscience.""Onewhostrugglestosatisfytheneedsofhisfamilyshallhavemorerewards thanthosewhomakejihadintheWayofGod."He(A.S.)wasaskedoncewhothebestof believersare;hesaid,"Theyaretheoneswhoareexcitedwithexpectationwhentheydoagood deed,whoprayforGod''sforgivenesswhentheycommitabadone,whoshowgratitudewhen theyaregrantedsomething,whoarepatientwhentheyaretried,whoforgivethosewhoanger them." He(A.S.)wasaskedonce,"Howdidyoustartyourday?"Heanswered,"Withashorterlifespan, withourdeedsbeingrecorded,withdeathroundournecks,withFirebehindourbacks,andwe donotknowwhatwillbedonetous." He(A.S.)said,"Wealthisnotaccumulatedexceptbyfivemeans:extrememiserliness,along standingoptimism,anoverwhelmingcare,aboycottoftherelatives,andapreferenceofthislife overthelifetocome." AliibnShu''aybsaidthatheoncevisitedAbulHassanAlialRida(A.S.)whoaskedhim,"OAli!Do youknowwhosesubsistenceisthebest?"Heanswered,"You,master,knowbetterthanme."He said,"Itisthatoftheonewhoseothers''subsistenceisimprovedthroughhisown.Doyouknow whohastheworstsubsistence?"Alianswered,"Youknowbetterthanme!"TheImam(A.S.) answeredsaying,"Itisthatoftheonewhodoesnotincludeothersinit."Thenheadded,"OAli! Bethoughtfultotheboonsfortheyarewild:iftheyleavepeople,theynevercomebacktothem. OAli!Theworstofpeopleissomeonewhostopshiscontributionstocharity,eatsbyhimself,and whipshisslave." He(A.S.)alsosaidthefollowing: "Yourassistanceoftheweakisbetterthanyouractofcharity." "NoservantofGodachievestruebeliefexceptwhenheacquiresthreeattributes:Hederives juristicdeductionsofthecreed;heiswiseregardinghislivelihood,andheispatientwhenfaced withcalamities." "Bewareofonewhowantstoofferyouadvicebyspeakingbehindothers''backs;hedoesnot realizehowbadhisownendshallbe."He(A.S.),uponthedeathofalHassanibnSahl,said,"To congratulateoneforarewardinstoreforhimisbetterthantoconsolehimonaquickcalamity." ThisisamagnificentbouquetofshiningstatementsofImamaRida(A.S.)whichemanatewith wisdom,overflowwithiman,andoverbrimwithgoodfruits.Inthem,theImam(A.S.)defines gloriousethicalandeducationalmanners,theuprightconductoftruebelief,offeringsome Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

glimpsesofhumanityforsocialcooperationandcoexistenceaMuslimissupposedtoimplementif hewantstobeinharmonywiththeprinciplesofIslamwhicharetheturningpointofsocial changefromanoppressiveignorantsocietytoanadvancedcivilizedsocietybuiltuponvirtueand love,justiceandequity. Wehavetotranslatethesestatementsandtheirpeersintoactionsinourdailylifeandbein harmonywiththeirethicalandhumanepracticalimplicationsifwewishtodirectourindividual andsocialconducttotherightdirectionwhichsafeguardsitsprinciplesandpreceptsinorderto createanationbasedonvirtuesandhumanity,andbuilditfromwithininafirmspiritual structure.Suchastructureisreflectsitspracticalrealityandaffectsitsintellectualandsocial objectivessothatitwouldbe"thebestnationthateverwas."209 Finally,thishasbeen,webelieve,anhonestandclearpictureofthebiographyofImamalRida (A.S.)inbothitshistoricalandintellectualaspectsinwhichwetriedtogobeyondthestyleof narratingthefactsasthebooksofhistoryandbiographyhaverecordedforus,whicharenot alwaysfreefromcontradictions,andtoemploythescholarlycriticalmethodwithhonestyand sinceritywithouthavinganyobjectiveinmindotherthantoarriveatthefactswhicharefreeof falsehood,andtodefinetherealisticboundariesoftheconceptwhichliesbehindthebackground ofevents. WehavealsotriedinittoprovideaquickglimpseoftheintellectuallifeoftheImaminitsvarious aspects,andtoprovidethereaderwithabriefpictureofthemagnificentintellectualoutput presentedbytheImam(A.S.)tomankind. IdonotclaimthatIhave,inwhatIhavewrittenabouttheImam(A.S.)here,coveredallthe aspectsofthegreatnessofhispersonality;rather,itisaquickresearchnecessitatedbycertain circumstances.TheinitialobjectivewastoresearchhisselectionbyalMamoon,inresponseto transientpoliticalcircumstancesdictatedbythenatureofthethengovernment,tobehisheirto thethrone.ButtheabsenceofaninclusiveandindependentstudyofthisgreatImamforcedme toexpandthescopeoftheresearchandpresentthevariousaspectsofhispersonalityina researchwhichIhopehasproventobeasuccessfulexperienceandastartingpointforamore inclusivestudyandamorevastpresentation. IhopeIhave,withwhatevereffortandenergyavailabletome,beenfaithfultothisstudyinits presentation,researchandstyle,andfromGodAlonedoIderiveaidandassistance;Hesuffices me,andwhataGreatSupportHeis! Beirut,JumadaI20,1393 June20,1973 Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

________________________________________ 209Aali''Imran:110

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