Imam Ali al-Riza (a.s.) was born on 11 Dhu al-Qa’dah 148
A.H. in Madinah al-Munawara, one month after the sad demise of his grandfather
Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s.). Imam Musa ibne Ja’far could see that the hostile behavior
of the Abbasid ruler would not allow him to live peacefully and the
circumstances would take such a turn that his followers would not be able to
see him. Hence, he invited seventeen prominent dignitaries from the descendants
of Imam Ali (a.s.) and proclaimed that his son Ali ibne Musa (a.s.) would
succeed him. He also wrote his will on which 60 respected elders of Madinah signed
it as witnesses.
Imam al-Riza (a.s.) was 35 years old when his father was martyred
in the prison of Harun Rashid in Baghdad. Imam al-Riza carried the
responsibilities of administering the Divine Law of Sharia as taught by the
Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and his (a.s.)’s forefathers. The Imam was under
the constant surveillance of the government and people could not freely visit
the Imam to seek his guidance.
Although, Harun had obtained pledge from his two sons; Amin
and Mamun that after his death the western part of the kingdom will be ruled by
Amin and the eastern part by Mamun. Upon Harun’s death, Amin immediately
proclaimed himself as the king of the whole empire and deposed Mamun. Realizing
that most of the Persians favored the teachings of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), the
Imam was called from Madinah to Tus. Leaving his son Imam Muhammad Taqi
al-Jawad (a.s.) and his mother, the Imam left along with some of his loyal friends.
When he reached Qumm, he stayed there for some time and established for
the first time the Majlis to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.).
Mamun received the Imam with great honor and later offered his throne to
him. The Imam firmly and resolutely declined the offer. He forced the
Imam to at least accept to be his heir apparent. The Imam informed him
that the Imam will die before the king but accepted the offer to console
him. In an assembly of three thousand dignitaries, he declared that he had
surveyed the descendants of Imam Ali (a.s.) and Abbas and found no one except Imam
al-Riza (a.s.) to be his successor. He gave his daughter Umme Habib in marriage
to the Imam. With the Persians support, his army attacked Baghdad, killed Amin,
and became the sole king of the whole empire. The chiefs of the Abbasid family
in Iraq felt that by appointing Imam al-Riza as successor, the kingdom will
depart from Abbasid and hence deposed Mamun and appointed his uncle as a king.
While the Imam was still in Merv, Abul Fadl bin Sahil
arranged a multi-religious conference in which Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians
attended and the Imam clarified about the infallibility of the prophets and of
the guided Imams. This was proved to be a success but Mamun feared increasing
influence of the Imam. This was further witnessed when once Mamun asked the
Imam to lead the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers. The Imam first refused but on insistence
he prepared to proceed to lead the prayers. All senior civil and military officers
gathered at the Imam’s house. The Imam came out in white dress, bare footed and
everyone followed him barefooted and in white dress. A huge crowed was
following him loudly shouting “Allah-o-Akbar” The situation became so tense
that Mamun sent a message to the Imam to withdraw from leading the prayers!
According to Yaqubi, Mamun’s henchman Ibn Hisham
administered poison in grapes and the Imam was martyred. Mamun declared that “The
Caliphate of Banu Abbas “would remain within the family!
Imam al-Riza (a.s.) led a simple life even though he was the
heir apparent of the vast Abbasid Kingdom just like his grandfather Imam Ali
ibn Abu Talib (a.s.) during the five years he was the Caliph of the large
Muslim empire. The Imam would eat food with his servants as a mark of equality
Some of the Sayings of Imam al-Riza (a.s.) are, “This
world is a prison for a believer (momin) and Paradise for the unbeliever.”” Among the habits
of Prophets is cleanliness.” “One who is blessed with plenty must spend generously
on his family.” The best of wealth is that which safeguards one’s honor.” “Accompany
with caution the person who has authority over you; be humble when in the
company of a friend; stay alert when facing an enemy and mingle with the public
with a smile on your face.
Sources: Story of the Holy Ka’ba and its People by S.M.R.
Shabbar
Imam ar-Ridha, a Historical and Biographical
Research by Muhammad Jawad Fadhlallah
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