Imam Reza (PBUH), Source of
Knowledge and Virtue
Over a millennium and two centuries ago
a great and divine personality graced the land of Iran. He was a member
of the Household of Almighty’s last Messenger to mankind, Prophet
Muhammad (blessing of Allah be upon him and his progeny). Although he
did not live long in Khorasan and was forced to leave the mortal world
barely two years later, Iran and the Iranian should consider themselves
fortunate in having his blessed shrine on their soil. It is the source
of inspiration for them and for many others who come to Khorasan from
different parts of the world to pay pilgrimage to the holy shrine of
Imam Reza (PBUH). As the faithful bear will vouch the fragrance of
paradise is manifest from the holy city of Mashhad where the 8th
Imam reposes in eternal peace. Today, the birth anniversary of this
immaculate figure is day of joy and celebration. Hearts are filled with
spiritual joy and although these days the Iranian people are sad due to
the loss of thousands of their compatriot in the earthquake that struck
the city of Bam in Kerman, their grief turns into tranquility when they
make pilgrimage to holy Mashhad or amidst the ruins of devastated
houses, turn towards the direction of Mashhad to salute the 8th
Imam.
Imam Ali ibn Musa ar-Reza (PBUH) was
born in Medina in 148 AH and in 183 AH on the martyrdom of his father
Imam Musa Kazem (PBUH), the divinely decreed trust of leadership came to
rest on his shoulders. In 201 he was forced to leave Medina and come to
the city of Merv in Khorasan on the orders of the wicked Abbasid caliph,
Mamoun. The caliph thought that by forcing him to leave Medina he would
deprive the people of the source of their inspiration. But he was wrong
and the presence of the 8th Imam transformed the land of
Khorasan into a centre of divine blessings. Piety, was one of the many
virtues of Imam Reza (AS). He led a very simple and modest life and at
the same time was generous and very kind towards the poor and the
deprived. A person from Khorasan relates that: One day I was the guest
of Imam Reza (PBUH). It was time for meals. The Imam arranged some food.
Then I saw the Imam invite all those who were in the house even the
maidservants to the lunch. But what attracted me most was that the Imam
asked for a large tray and then picked up the best foods and placed them
on it. A person who was sitting beside noticed my amazement and said:
Dear friend what are staring at? I said I want to know what the Imam is
doing. He said to me: Whenever Imam Reza (PBUH) sits for meals; he first
fills a tray with different foods for the poor and only then does he
begins to eat. I enjoyed this manner of the Imam and I have to say that
it taught me a great lesson.
Imam Reza
(PBUH) was asked about the best servants of God. He said: The one who
feels satisfied by doing good things and seeks forgiveness whenever an
error is committed.
The insight
and clarity of vision of Imam Reza (PBUH) in dealing with the crafty
Abbasid caliph Mamoun defeated the intricate plot of nominating the Imam
as the heir apparent in order to tarnish the image of the Prophet’s
rightful successors in the eyes of the Muslims. Mamoun first proposed to
hand over the caliphate to the Imam. The answer that he received from
the Prophet’s successor threw cold water on his plans. Imam Reza (PBUH)
said: If this caliphate is yours, you should not grant to others what
has bestowed to you by God, and if the caliphate is not yours, then you
have no right to grant to others what does not belong to you at all.
Mamoun and his crafty Iranian Vazir Fazl bin Sahl then came up with
another plot and the caliph under implicit threat of life said the Imam
has to agree to become the heir apparent. The Imam seeing no way out
reluctantly agreed but on condition that he will not interfere with
government affairs, and will neither appoint any official nor dismiss
anyone. Mamoun promptly held a grand ceremony and struck coins in the
name of Imam Reza (PBUH). The intention was to hoodwink the Muslim
masses and give them the message that the Prophet’s successor had
finally succumbed to political power.
The 8th
Imam launched his intellectual campaign and spared no efforts to
safeguard the teachings of the holy Qur’an and the pristine sunnah of
his ancestor Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his
progeny).
He entered
into debates with advocates of various schools of thought and religion
including atheists, while Mamoun hoped in vain that the Imam would be
defeated in these intellectual discussions. To the exasperation of
Mamoun and the Abbasids, the Imam’s rational analysis of events and
lively discussions made his opponents speechless. Christians, Jews,
Zoroastrians, Star Worshippers, Hindus and agnostics, were convinced of
the truth of Islam and became Muslims. The intellectual plot of Mamoun
had failed. The caliph and his courtiers now came up with another plot.
As Eid approached, Mamoun asked the Imam to lead the Eid prayer in the
principal mosque of Marv. The Imam political declined but the caliphs
insisted that he should lead the prayer. The plan was to portray the
Imam as an instrument of the hated Abbasid court and thereby tarnish his
image. The Imam said he will lead the prayer according to the way of the
Prophet. On the morning of Eid, the Imam came out barefoot and in white
attire from his house with a staff in his hand and preferred to walk to
the mosque rather than ride a horse. The military and civilian officials
that had assembled at his door on their mounts quickly dismounted and
taking off their own boots decided to join Imam Reza (PBUH). The Imam
halted at every few steps and recited Allaho Akbar or God is Great. Soon
people started joining the Imam in great numbers and with the Imam
recited Allaho Akbar to the extent that the cry of God’s Majesty seemed
to shake the walls of the city of Marv. When Mamoun learned this, he was
horrified because of the popularity of the Imam among the people and
sent a messenger requesting the Imam to return and not to lead the
prayer. Imam Reza (PBUH) smiled and mounted a horse and returned. This
caused a commotion among the people and they became more disgusted with
Mamoun and the Abbasids for preventing the Prophet’s rightful successor
from leading the Eid prayer.