Imam Al-Ridha [as] said The friend of any individual is his mind

Imam Al-Ridha [as] said:

* The friend of any individual is his mind, and his enemy is his ignorance.

* A man who takes pain and labors for himself and his children is like some one who fights a holy war (Jihad).

* Keep yourself clean, since cleanliness is the manner of Prophets.

* Worst of the people is the one, whose existence is of no use to the people.

* The one who commits dishonesty with a Muslim is not one of us.

* The character of faith is achieved only when the believer enjoys three qualities from his Lord, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and the leader –the Imam- (peace be upon him). The quality that he should learn from his Lord is the concealment of secrets, the quality that he should learn from the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) is the courteous behavior, and the quality that he should learn from the leader (peace be upon him) is steadfastness against poverty and distress.

from: Tuhuf al Uqool

A discussion with other religion scholars

One of the days Mamoon decided to invite the scholars from different sects of the world and he brought Imam Reza (A.S.) to the assembly. He thought he might be able to get the Imam (A.S.) invalidated and un-credential from the knowledge point of view, thus finish his influence.

Therefore, he ordered his minister Fazal bin Sahal to invite all the scholars and wise men to hold a discussion with Imam (A.S.). And he did it. When the assembly had been arranged he informed Mamoon that all are present. Mamoon summoned Imam Reza (A.S.) inviting him to attend the assembly.

Hassan Naufali says, before leaving the house to attend that aggregation facing myself Imam (A.S.) said, “I know the aim and objective of Mamoon in this work.” But I know the time when he will repent upon his work that is; when you see that I talk to the Christians from their own Book and talk to the Jews from Torah and with fire worshipers in Persian language. When all of them are defeated Mamoon will become aware that he is not fit for that past. He will repent upon this work of his. What Imam (A.S.) had said exactly and accurately took place. When Imam (A.S.) arrived the assembly, all of them got up from their seats to honor him. He seated himself beside Mamoon. Mamoon addressing “Jasaleeq,” the great Christian scholar said, “Ask him what you feel like.” “Jasaleeq” said, “What is your opinion about Christ Essa (A.S.).” Imam (A.S.) said, “We believe he was the Prophet of God” Jasaleeq again asked, “What proof do you have about your own Prophet’s Prophet-hood.” Imam (A.S.) said, “Have you not read it the Bible that Yohana narrates the saying of Christ (A.S.) that, “A Prophet will come following me, who will be the accomplisher of the constitution of the other Prophets.”

He said, “Yes, but he did not name him as to who and where he will be.” Imam (A.S.) said, “Do you wish that I may read out to you from the Bible?”

He said, “Read it.” Imam (A.S.) recited the third chapter up to the place where Christ (A.S.) said, “I will proceed towards God and “Barklita” i.e. “Mohammad (P.B.U.H.)” will come towards you and he will break and dismantle the infidelism.

Jasaleeq became silent and did not utter a word.

Then Imam (A.S.) facing “Raasul Jalout” the chief scholar of the Jewish religion said, “What is the proof and argument that you have about the Prophet-hood of Moses (A.S.)?”

He replied “Moses (A.S.) had miracles such as turning the club into a serpent, splitting the river Nile and passing through it and a light shone from his hand.”

Hazrat Imam (A.S.) said, “Why did you not believe in the Prophet-hood of Essa the Christ (A.S.)?”

He said, “They say Christ (A.S.) made the dead men alive and cured the skin diseases but we have not seen these to have faith and belief in it?”

Imam (A.S.) said, “Then why do you believe in the Prophets before him? Similarly in Moses himself have you seen the miracles of Moses?”

He replied, “The way it has been narrated to us he has said, such things which other have not and brought such things which have no previous record.”

Imam (A.S.) said, “From which source did you come to know that he brought these words.”

He replied, “Through the history and those who heard those words from him.”

Imam (A.S.) said, “Others too seek refuge in history and so how do you want to invite them to your creed?”

Raasul Jalout kept calm and quiet and did not utter a word.

Then Imam (A.S.) turned to Imran the chief of the Star worshipers and said, you too ask me what you wish. Imran questioned him regarding a few topics about God, the philosophy of creation and got his answers and embraced Islam at the hand of Imam (A.S.). The assembly finalized and came to an end to the benefit of Imam (A.S.) and Mamoon did not expect and foresee such a thing to happen. He turned and twisted like a snake bitten person and rebuked and scolded himself for organizing such an aggregation.

What is the Self-Accusing Soul?

It is present in the nature of all human beings, so that after bad deeds and after oppression, they regret it.  This regret is due to the blame and rebuke of the self-accusing soul.  For example, the pilot who dropped the atom bomb on Hiroshima could not sleep for several nights.  The voice of a power was coming from within him that you are the one who has murdered thousands of human beings.  America treated him with great honour and respect, bestowing immense (great) wealth upon him.  Nevertheless, he was restless for several nights until he finally went crazy.  This restlessness is due to the blame and rebuke of the self-accusing soul.  Many other similar incidents prove that the self-accusing soul is a superior blessing of God which desires to keep us on the Right Path, on condition that we safeguard this blessing.  In ordinary circumstances, the self-accusing soul can stop man; however, in stormy condition, it cannot be effective.  For instance, the scientist who made the atom bomb did not agree that the instructions (on how to make the atom bomb) should be released to the world, but he was tempted by such an evil greed for wealth and fame.  The desires for wealth and fame overcame him like a storm, muting (silencing) the voice of the self-accusing soul.  Thus, heartfelt faith is the only thing by which man can control himself from sin, even in the stormy condition.  Yet, how will we create heartfelt faith?  The Qur’an declares,

“And serve your Lord until there comes to you that which is certain” (Al-Hijr: 99).

“Whoever does good whether male or female and he is a believer” (An-Nahl: 97).

          If man desires that his heart be the Throne of God, then he should establish a strong connection by means of worship of God.  In order to achieve faith, acquiring three things is essential:

          1.  Acting upon the evident (zahiri)

        Islamic    laws

          2.  Saving oneself from sins

          3.  Performing recommended deeds

          Ayatollah Muhammad Tabatabai writes in Tafseer-e- al-Mizan that Great Scholar Yusuf had twenty-two agents (amil) by which he could have sinned.  Burhan means the Lord of heartfelt faith.  The Qur’an says,

“And certainly she made for him, and he would have made for her, were it not that he had seen the manifest evidence of his Lord; thus (it was) that We might turn away from him evil and indecency, surely he was one of Our sincere servants”  (Yusuf:24).

Perfecting the intellect is a means by which the evil self can be controlled. 

Imam Ali Riza the city of Nishapur

Once when Imam Ali Riza was passing by the city of Nishapur, his followers surrounded him and requested him to narrate a hadith. The Holy Imam narrated the following hadith which he had heard from his father and his father from his grandfather and he from his father in a regular order of son hearing from his father up to the first Imam who heard it from the Holy Prophet and he from the archangel Jibra’il and he from the Almighty Allah”Monotheism is My fortress. Whoever enters it will be saved from My wrath”. The Holy Imam moved forward and then paused and said,

“That is, Monotheism with its prerequisites is the Divine fortress and I myself am one of its pre-requisites”. (Biharul Anwar, vol. III)
Thus the Holy Imam established an inseparable link between Monotheism and Imamate just as it exists between a notor car and its wheels or between Prayers and ablutions. In other words without the support of Imamate the concept of Monotheism will not be complete. As long as Monotheism is discussed, Imamate will also be referred to in the discussions, and that Imamate will ever remain viable and effective.
Example: If a physician has asked his patient to take either an injection or a capsule, the patient will understand that the injection and the capsule contain the same ingredients and that s why both would be effective in curing the disease. The following hadith has also been quoted in the books of ahadith:
“The Imamate of Ali is a fortress and whoever enters it will be in safety”. (Tafsir Nuruth Thaqalayn; Safinatul Bihar)
Now it is worth considering that Monotheism means a fortress and Imamate of Imam Ali also means the same that is ;he protection from the wrath of Allah. This is one explanation of the close link between Monotheism and the Imamate.
Thus if we accept the Imamate of Imam Ali it is evident that he will lead us to Allah or if we seek the guidance of Allah, He will direct us to Imam Ali for guidance.

Why Ma’mun invited Eman Reza (A.S.)

Emam Reza (A.S.), the eighth Shi’ite Emam was born on Thursday 11th Zee al-Qa’adah 148 A.H. /29 December 765 A.D. in Medina. The new-born child was named Ali by his holy father, Emam Musa al-Kazim (A.S.), the seventh Shi’ite Emam. He was divinely entitled al-Reza and his nickname was Abul Hasan. For many times Emam Musa Al-Kazem (A.S) explicitly introduced his eldest son “Ali” as his immediate successor to accede to the divine position of Emamat. Subsequent to the martyrdom of his father in Baghdad, on the 25th of Rajab 183 A.H. / 1 September, 799 A. D. in the prison of Abbasid caliph, Harunal_rashid, he attained the holy position of Emamat, when he was thirty five years old, and he held that divine position for twenty years. Three Abbasid caliphs were his contemporaries: for the first ten years Harun al- Rashid, for next five years Amin and finally for the last five years Ma’mun.

Why Ma’mun invited Eman Reza (A.S.)

After the death of Harun (b, 766 A.D., r. 786-809 A.D.) in 193 A.H./ 809 A.D., Ma’mun fell into conflict with his brother Amin (b 787 A.D., r. 809-813 A.D.), which led to bloody wars and finally the assassination of Amin in 813 A.D./ 198 A.H., after which Ma’mun became caliph. The Umayyad and the Abbasid caliphs were afraid of the Holy Emams (A.S.), who were publicly recognized as the true and worthy successors of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.). The Holy Emams (A.S.), were therefore constantly persecuted and tortured by the ruling caliphs of the time. Ma’mun thought ot finding a new solution for these difficulties which his Abbasid predecessors had not been able to solve. Ma’mun contrived to invite Emam Reza (A.S.)to Marw, (the city where Ma’mun’s seat of caliphate was located) with the evil intention of making false friendship with His Holiness. Thus the cruel Caliph intended to have a direct eye on His Holiness. In order to have this decision put into effect, Ma’mun forcefully exiled Emam Reza(A.S) from Medina to Marw. On his departure from Medina, Emam Reza (A.S.) gathered the members of his family and enjoined them to shed tears for his last jouney with no return. Holy Emam (A.S.) did not take any member of his household with him to Marw. His Holiness intended to make the people aware of the exile that Ma’mun had intended for him.

Towards Khorasan

According to Ma’muns’ commands the direction of Emam Reza (A.S.) caravan from Medina to Marw was predetermined. He arrived in Marw on the 10th of Shawwal in 201 A.H. / 1 May 817 A.D., via Basrah, Khorramshahr, Ahwaz, Rey, Neyshabur, Sanabad and Sarakhs. Throughout his long journey, the Holy Emam (A.S.) was cordially received by the people living in those cities and villages on the route. When His Holiness arrived in Neyshabur he narrated a Hadith Qudsi before an estimated crowd of 120,000 which also included thousands of distinguished scholars and traditionists. This historical and the most famous Hadith Qudsi in known as “Silsilat al-Dhahab”. Emam Reza (A.S.) confirmed that worshipping God will be counted as a perfect procedure when it is based on the obedience of the Immaculate Holy Emams (A.S.). This historical statement of Emam Reza (A.S.) implied the presentation and assertion of the Emamat (Socio- religious leadership) of His Holiness.

Emam-e- Zaamin(A.S.)

The 8th Shi’ite Imam, Imam Ali ibne Musa ar-Reza (A.S.) is also called as Imam-e-Zaamin(A.S.).When Muslims go on journeys they take with them something called Imam-e-Zaamin (another name for Imam Reza (A.S.)) which is some money tied in a cloth. This tradition probably came from the time of Imam Reza (A.S.) when people used to carry money with them especially because it had Holy Imam’s (A.S.) name on it. As Ma’mun,the Abbasid caliph the contemporary of Imam Reza(A.S.), had coins minted with the name of Imam Reza (A.S.) on them, it was very easy for the Muslims to carry the name of Holy Imam (A.S.) with them, especially when they went on journeys. Imam Reza (A.S.) is also known as Imam-e- Zaamin (A.S.). Zaamin means “The Guarantor”. One day when Imam Reza (A.S.) was on his historical journey from Madina to Marw(Khurasan),while in a jungle the Holy Imam(A.S.) came across a hunter who was about to kill a deer. The deer was trying to get away and when she saw Holy Imam (A.S.), she said something to him.Holy Imam(A.S.) asked the hunter to free the deer so that she could go and feed her little baby deer who were very hungry. Imam Reza(A.S.) also told the hunter that once the deer had fed her babies she would come back. The hunter allowed the deer to go becauseHoly Imam (A.S.) had told him to, but he did not think the deer will come back. But Imam Reza (A.S.)) waited with the hunter until the deer returned with her young ones. The hunter was amazed on witnessing this miraculous event and he set the deer free as a mark of respect for Imam Reza(A.S.).After this historical event Imam Reza(A.S.) became famous as Imam Zaamin(A.S.). The most famous artist of the contemporary world, Ustad Mahmud Farshchiyan has depicted this historical event in this beautiful masterpiece iconograph entitled “Zaamin-e-Aahu”(The Guarantor of the Deer).

Successorship to Caliphate

His Holiness was welcomed at Marw by the caliph himself and by Fazl ibn Sahl and some distinguished Abbasid nobles in a place a few leagues outside the metropolis. After some days, Ma’mun offered Emam Reza (A.S.), first the caliphate, His Holiness seriously rejected Ma’mun’s proposal. Then Ma’mun proposed Emam to accept the successorship to caliphate, the Holy Emam (A.S.) turned down this proposal also but he was finally forced to accept the successorship to caliphate. The Holy Emam (A.S.) put forward certain conditions that he would not interfere in governmental affairs or in the appointment or dismissal of government agents.

Ritual of Fitr Prayer

In the late Ramadan 202 A.H./ March 817 A.D., Ma’mun requested Emam Reza (A.S.) to conduct the religious service of the celebration of “Fitr Prayers” (Festival at the end of the month of Ramadan) in Marw. The Holy Emam (A.S.) accepted only with the condition to perform the related ritual just on the basis of the method of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.). Early in the morning of the celebration day of “Fitr”, Holy Emam (A.S.) appeared in plain clothing and bare-footed before that congregation and glorified God loudly; saying “Allah Akbar” (God in the Greatest of all.). From every direction of the city the call “Allah Akbar” could be heard because the congregation present there followed His Holiness and shouted “Allah Akbar”. Ma’mun was deeply alarmed by the magnificence and splendour of that demonstration and requested Holy Emam (A.S.) to cease the continuation of that ritual.

The Holy Emam’s (A.S.) Scholarly Discourses

Ma’mun often managed sessions of debates to be held in his own royal palace and celebrated scholars of various religions were invited there to exchange and discuss their different views on religious issues,Emam Reza (A.S.) was always victorious in all those debates and soon his opponents recognized the scientific status of His Holiness. Emam Reza (A.S.) directed Muslims to the right path and removed deviated views of the antagonists who endeavoured to distort Islam. In this way the Holy Emam (A.S.) safeguarded and propagated the principles of Islam.

The Holy Emam’s (A.S.) Martyrdom

The vicious caliph was scared of the ever-increasing Holy Emam’s (A.S.) popularity. Thus he decided to eliminate the Holy Emam (A.S.). In 203 A.H./ 818 A.D., Ma’mun first imprisoned Emam Reza (A.S.) in Sarakhs. Then the Holy Emam (A.S.) was taken to Sanabad and confined in the palace of Humaid bin Qahtabah. During the morning of the last day of the month of Safar 203 A.H./ 818 A.D., the Holy Emam (A.S.) was poisoned by Ma’mun in that palace. The Holy Emam (A.S.) was seized with intensive pain and languor and in the evening of the same day the holy soul of the innocent Holy Emam (A.S.) departed to heaven. The Holy Emam (A.S.) was buried in the solitude of night at the same place of the palace which His Holiness had prophecied during his first visit to Humaid bin Qahtabah’s palace at Sanabad in 201 A.H. / 817 A.D. Once a small village called Sanabad soon transformed into a great metropolis by the presence of the holy shrine of Emam Reza (A.S.) called as Mashhad al-Reza (tomb sanctuary of Emam Reza (A.S.)., also briefly called Mashhad which is also one of the most extensively visited pilgrimage centers in the world.

Post By Reza Bagherzadeh 2004/12/29 Tehran – Iran

Auspicious Birthday Anniversary of Imam Reza(A.S.)

Auspicious Birthday Anniversary of Imam Reza(A.S.)

On the Happy and Auspicious Occasion of the Birthday Anniversary of Imam Reza (A.S.) we extend our Heartiest Felicitations and Happy Greetings to our living Imam Mahdi (a.s) and to all the lovers of the Holy Ahlul Bayt(A.S.) in the world.

Name: Ali

Title: Ar-Reza, Imam-e-Zamin

 

11th Zee al-Qa’adah the Auspicious Birthday Anniversary of Imam Reza(A.S.)

Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Reza (A.S.), the eighth Shi’ite Holy Imam was born on 11th Zee al-Qa’adah 148 A.H. in the holy city of Madinah.

He was divinely entitled ‘Al-Reza“(meaning that Allah Almighty and His Holy Messenger (S.A.W.) were deeply pleased with him).The Holy Imam (A.S.) is also considered as the Aalim (the Greatest Erudite) of the Holy Ahlul Bayt (A.S.).

Holy Imam was poisoned by Mamun, the Abbasid caliph in Sanabad in Toos region (Khurasan).The Holy Imam (A.S.) attained martyrdom on the last day of the month of Safar 203 A.H./ 818 A.D. and was buried in Sanabad.

After the burial of Imam Reza (A.S.) in this place, Sanabad soon transformed into a metropolis. The holy shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.) in the holy city of Mashhad is also one of the most extensively visited pilgrimage center in the world and annually more than 20 millions pilgrims and lovers of Holy Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) from all parts of the world visit the holy shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.).

For Video Articles and digital Photoes

Visit

http://www.alqaem.org/reza.html

Imam Reza’s Social Behavior

 

Ibrahim bin Abbas, who was one of the high-ranking officials of the Abbasid caliphate, has left the following eyewitness account of Imam Reza’s (pbuh) impeccable character.
- His Holiness never irritated others by verbal or practical teasing.
- His Holiness did not interrupt others’ speeches.
- The Holy Imam (pbuh) never refused the demands of others.
- I never witnessed him to have his legs stretched out before the others.
- And I could never find him in a resting position in the presence of other people.
-His Holiness never swore at his servants.
-His Holiness never cachinnated in happy circumstances.
-I never saw him spit his saliva out.
-At dinner all his servants including porters and even the stablemen were served in his attendance.
- His Holiness used to stay up all nights invoking Allah the Almighty. The Holy Imam (pbuh) also observed regularly the religious duty of fasting and always gave alms in secret.

 

Imam Reza’s donation

The Imam Reza (pbuh) spent all what he had on the poor and the miserable in Khorasan, so Fadl bin Sahl censured him for that, saying: “Surely this is (a kind of) damage!”
So the Imam answered him with a strong argument, saying: “Rather it is a profit; do not regard as damage that which results in reward and generosity.
It is not an act of damage when the Imam spent all what he had on the poor and the deprived in order to save them from poverty and misery; rather the damage was the enormous properties which the Abbasid kings spent on their desires and their red nights, while they spent nothing on the poor from among the Muslims.

Admin

www.alqaem.org

www.alqaim.info

www.smma59.wordpress.com