CHAPTER III
IMPRESSIONS OF HIS CHARACTER
Imam Abu Mohammed al-Rida, peace be on him, is famous for his outstanding merits and talents. He has dominated the minds of religious scholars throughout generations and times, and they have expressed their own beautiful laudation and glorification regarding his own character. The following are some of them:
1. Imam al-Kazim
Ima`m al-Ka`zim, peace be on him, praised his son Imam al-Rida and preferred him to the great Sayyids from among his sons. He ordered them to serve him and to refer to him in the affairs of their religion. Concerning him, he said to them: "This is your brother 'Ali b. Mu`sa`, who is the scholar of the Household of Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his Household. Question him about your beliefs and memorize what he says to you, for I heard my father Ja'far say: 'The scholar of the Household of Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his Household, is in your loins. Would that I met him, for he is the namesake of (Imam 'Ali), the Commander of the faithful.'
1"
Imam al-Kazim announced that his great son would be the scholar of the Household of Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his Household. This was the greatest medal which he gave to him, for the family of Mohammed were the origin of knowledge and wisdom in Islam; and the Ima`m (al-Rida) was their master in this noble quality. We will mention some other words reported from Ima`m al-Kazim regarding the qualities of his son.
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1. Kashf al-Gumma, vol. 3, p.107. A'yan al-Shi'a 4/Q2/100. Al-Bihar.
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2. Al-Ma'mun
Al-Ma'mun, the 'Abbasid King, announced the excellence and exalted position of Imam al-Rida, on several occasions of which are following:
A. He said to al-Fadal b. Sahl and his brother: "I do not know anyone more meritorious (
afdal) than this man (i.e. 'Ali b. Musa) on the face of earth.
1" According to this statement of al-Ma'mu`n, the Ima`m was the most learned and meritorious of the scholars in the world in all sciences and knowledge.
B. He praised Imam al-Rida`, peace be on him, in the letter which he sent to the 'Abbasids who were displeased with him when he intended to entrust the office of the caliphate to the Imam. The letter says: "Al-Ma'mun did not pledge allegiance to him (i.e. Imam al-Rida`) but discerning of his affair, knowing that none on the face of earth is clearer than him in merit, more manifest than him in chastity, more pious than him in piety, more ascetic than him in renouncing the world, freer than him in soul, more pleasing than him to the special associates and the general populace, and firmer than him in Divine essence. The pledge of allegiance to him confirms with the good pleasure of the Lord.
2"
These words specify some of the exalted qualities which were in the Ima`m, peace be on him, and which distinguished him from the rest of the people. They are as follows:
A. The Ima`m was the clearest of the people in merit and knowledge.
B. He was the most chaste of the people on the face of earth.
C. He was the most ascetic of the people in renouncing the pleasures and embellishment of life.
D. He was the most generous of the people toward the deprived.
E. The special associates and the general populace acknowledged that he was the most meritorious person, and that none had qualities similar to those of him.
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1. A'yan al-Shi'a 4/Q2/133.
2. Al-Bihar, vol. 12, p. 133.
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F. He was the firmest of the people in Divine essence, for he did not fear the blame of a blamer regarding Allah.
G. The pledge of allegiance of al-Ma'mu`n to him confirmed with the good pleasure of Allah, the Blessed and Exalted.
H. In the document in which he pledged allegiance to Ima`m al-Rida, peace be on him, al-Ma'mun has said: "His (al-Ma'mun's) choosing 'Ali b. Musa b. Ja'far b. Mohammed b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn b. 'Ali b. Abu` Talib was after asking Allah for the best and exerting himself in accomplishing His right toward His servants and His earth concerning the two houses in general (i.e., the 'Abbasid House and the 'Alawide Family, may Allah increase it in honor). That is because he (al-Ma'mun) has seen his (the Imam's) brilliant excellence, his plain knowledge, his manifest piety, his pure asceticism, his renouncing the world, and his being safe from the people. It has become clear for him that reports, tongues, and words have unanimously agreed upon him. Besides, he is still know his excellence when young and adult, so he has appointed him as his successor after him.
1 "
These words praise the noble qualities which distinguished Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, from the rest of the 'Alawide and the 'Abba`sid family. These qualities are as follows:
1. Brilliant excellence and plain knowledge.
2. Refraining from what Allah, the Exalted, prohibited.
3. He never wronged anyone, for he was the source of good and mercy for mankind.
4. Renouncing the world.
5. The Muslims agreed unanimously on him.
Al-Ma'mun realized these exalted qualities of the Imam, and it was they which urged him to appoint the Ima`m as his successor, just as he has said in the above mentioned statement.
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1. Kashf al-Ghumma, vol. 3. p. 125. Al-Bihar, vol. 12, p. 44.
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3. Ibrahïm Bin al-'Abbas al-Sawli
(Ibrahïm b. al-'Abbas al-Sawli), a creative writer and famous poet, has said: "I have never seen nor have I heard that anyone is more meritorious than Abu al-Hasan al-Rida`. Do not believe him who claims that he has seen the like of him in his excellence.
1 "
The Imam was the model of outstanding merits and talents. There was none like him in his time, for he was among the pillars of thought and virtue in the world of Islam.
4. Abu` al-Salt al-Harawi
Abu al-Salt, 'Abd al-Salam al-Harawi, who was among the great figures of his time, has said: "I have never seen anyone more learned than 'Ali b. Musa al-Rida. When a (religious) scholar sees him, he bear witness for him just as I do. Al-Ma'mun gathered for him a number of the scholars of religions, the jurists of Islamic law, and the theologians. However, he (al-Rida`) overcame them, to the extent that they acknowledged his excellence over them.
2 "
These words give an account of the great scientific abilities of the Ima`m, peace be on him, for he was the most knowledgeable and meritorious of the people of his time. This can clearly be seen in the debates which al-Ma'mun held in his palace in order to test the Ima`m. Al-Ma'mu`n had gathered the scholars of the countries and cities, and they tested the Ima`m with the most difficult questions; yet he answered them skillfully. So the scholars admired him, confessed their feebleness before him, and acknowledged his excellence over them.
5. Al-Raja' Bin Abu al-Dhhak
Al-Raja' Bin Abu al-Dhhak, a military commander, has said: "By Allah, I have never seen anyone more devout to Allah than him, praised Allah throughout his times more than he did, and feared Allah, the Great and Almighty, more than he did.
3 "
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1. Kashf al-Ghumma.
2. A'yan al-Shi'a 4/Q2/99-100.
3. Bihar al-Anwar.
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These words show the spiritual side in the Ima`m's character, for he was the most religious of all the people; he praised Allah and feared Him more than they did.
6. Al-Shaykh al-Mufïd
The leader of the Shï'a, Mohammed b. Mohammed al-Nu'man al-'Ukkburi al-Baghdadi, better known as al-Shaykh al-Mufïd, has said: "The Imam who undertook (the office) (
qa'im) after Abu al-Hasan Musa b. Ja'far, peace be on them, was his son Abu al-Hasan 'Ali b. Musa al-Rida, peace be on them, because of his merit over all his brothers and the members of his House (
ahl baytihi), because of the knowledge, forbearance and pity which he showed, and which the Shï'a (
khasa) and the non-Shï'a (
'amma) agreed on with regard to him and recognized him for.
1 "
Al-Shaykh al-Mufïd has mentioned some qualities which distinguished Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, from the rest of his brothers and the members of his House. These noble qualities and peculiarities are as follows:
1. Knowledge.
2. Forbearance.
3. Piety
7. Al-Waqidi
Al-Waqidi has said: "'Ali (al-Rida`) heard the
hadith from his father, his uncles, and others. He was trustworthy and gave religious precepts in the Mosque of Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, at the age of more than twenty. He belonged to the eighth class of the next generation from among the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt).
2 "
Al-Waqidi has mentioned two of the Ima`m's qualities which are as follows:
1. Trustworthiness.
2. His giving religious decisions at the age of over twenty.
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1.Al-Mufid, al-Irshad, p. 34.
2. Tadhkiratu al-Khawas, p. 361.
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8. Jamal al-Dïn
Jamal al-Dïn Ahmed b. 'Ali, a genealogist, better known as b. 'Anba, has said: "Imam al-Rida was given the
kunya of Abu al-Hasan. None of the Ta`libiyyïn of his time was like him. Al-Ma'mu`n pledged allegiance to him, minted dirhams and dinars in his name, and ordered his name to be mentioned on the pulpits.
1 "
Al-Sayyid Jamal al-Dïn has mentioned that none was like the Imam in his time; he was unique in his time due to his talents and geniuses.
9. Yousif b. Taghri Bardi
Jamal al-Dïn Abu al-Mahasin Yousif b. Taghri has said: "Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi, al-'Alawi, al-Husayni was a learned Imam. He was the chief of the Hashimites of his time and was the greatest of them. Al-Ma'mun magnified him, honored him, yielded to him and extremely mentioned him, to the extent that he made him his successor.
2"
These words shed light on some qualities of the personality of the Ima`m , peace be on him, which are: He was learned. He was the chief of the Ha`shimites and was the greatest of them. As he had a great character, al-Ma'mu`n appointed him as his successor.
10. Ibn Maja
Ibn Maja has said: "He (Imam al-Rida) was the chief of the Ha`shimites. Al-Ma'mu`n magnified and honored him. He designated him as his successor and took the Pledge of allegiance to him (from the people).
3 "
Ibn Maja took care of one of the Imam's qualities, which is that he was the chief of the Hashimites. Of course, the Imam was the master of the people of his time, for the Hashimites were the master of the people because of their good manners, their exalted ethics, and their excellent behavior.
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1. Umdatu al-Talib fiAnsab Al-Abu Talib, p. 198.
2. Al-Nujum al-Zahirah, vol. 2, 74.
3. A'yan al-Shi'a 4/Q2/85. Khulasat Tahdhilb al-Kamal, p. 278.
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11. Ibn Hajar
Ibn Hajar has said: "Al-Rida was among the men of knowledge and merits; he had noble lineage.
1 "
12. Al-Yafi'i
Al-Ya`fi'i has said: "The great, magnified Ima`m, the descendant of the noble Sayyids, 'Ali b. Mu`sa al-Rida`, was one of the twelve Imams, the possessors of the laudable deeds; the Ima`mi Shï'a have followed them and adopted their doctrine.
2 "
Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, was the most brilliant star in the world of Islam. He was among the Imams of the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, who enlightened intellectual life and strengthened the pillars of truth and justice on earth. The Shi'ites proudly follow them, and adopt their traditions on religious precepts. They follow them not because of bigotry or blind imitation; rather, it is incumbent on them to follow them because of the definite arguments and decisive proofs. For example, the Holy Qur'a`n has made it obligatory on men to show love for them; (Allah) has purified them from uncleanness and deviation from the right path; the Prophet has regarded them as ships of deliverance and security for mankind and associated them with the Firm Revelation (the Qur'an). If religious proofs permitted the Shi'ites to follow other than their doctrine, they would do.
13. 'Amir al-Ta'i
'Amir al-Ta`'i has commented on the book entitled
Sahïfat Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them, which is one of Imam al-Rida's works, saying: "'Ali b. Musa al-Rida, the Imam of the Allah-fearing and model of the grandsons of the Master of messengers related to us... "
Imam al-Rida was the chief of the Allah-fearing and Imam of worshippers. In the previous chapters we mentioned examples of his
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1. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 7, p. 389.
2. Mir'at al-Jinan, vol. 2, p. 11.
3. A'yan al-Shi'a 4/Q2/188.
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acts of worship and his reverential fear, which are evidence for what al-Ta`'i has mentioned.
14. One of the Imams
One of the Ima`ms has said: "'Ali b. Mu`sa`` al-Rida`'s deeds are laudable. His excellence and outstanding merits are like successive phalanxes. Showing friendship toward him is praiseworthy from beginning to end. His qualities are wonderful. His mastership and nobility became high out of honor.
"As for the glory of his fathers, it is more famous than luminous lamp and more shining than the round side of the sun. As for his ethics, his characteristics, his qualities, his signs, and his marks, they are excellent in pride and sufficient in high degree! He walked on the path which he inherited from his forefathers, and the children inherited (this path) from him. They are equal, like the teeth of a comb, in good, noble origin. So I magnify this family, who is high in rank and exalted in position. He was as high as heaven in nobility and was higher than the bright stars in position and place. He had perfect qualities, so he is not excluded from them.
1 "
These words are arranged. They contain rhymed prose. They display that the writer showed love to the Imams, peace be on them. May Allah accept their intercession with Him for the writer.
15. Hashim Ma'ruf
'Alla`m, late al-Sayyid Hashim Ma'ruf al-Husayni has said: "Imam al-Rida`, peace be on him, was distinguished by wonderful noble moral traits which helped him attract both Shï'a (
khasa) and non-Shï'a' ('
'amma). He took these ethics from the essence of the Message with which he was entrusted, and which he safeguarded and inherited.
2"
This statement reports one of the qualities of the Imam, peace be on him, which is his exalted morals. It is worth mentioning that his
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1. Al-Fusul al-Muhimma, p. 245.
2. Sirat al-A'imma al-Ithna 'Ashar, vol. 2, p. 359.
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morals were similar to those of his grandfather, the greatest Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, who was the master of all prophets.
16. AL-Dhahabi
AL-Dhahabi has said: "He (al-Rida) is Imam Abu al-Hasan b. Musa al-Kazim b. Ja'far al-Sadiq b. Mohammed al-Baqir b. 'Ali Zayn al-'Abidïn b. al-Husayn b. 'Ali b. Abu Talib al-Hashimi al-'Alawi. He was the master of the Hashimites of his time; he was the most clement and noblest of them. Al-Ma'mun honored him, yielded to him, and magnified him to the extent that he appointed him as his successor.
1 "
Al-Dhahabi, known for showing enmity toward the
ahl al-Bayt (peace be on them), has acknowledged the outstanding merits of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
17. Mahmud Bin Wihayb
Mahmud Bin Wihayb al-Baghdadi has said: "He (al-Rida`), may Allah be pleased with him, had numerous miracles, so he was the unique of his time.
2 "
Imam al-Rida was the unique of his time because of his abundant knowledge, his reverential fear, his piety, his clemency, and his munificence. None was like him in excellence and talents.
18. 'Arif Thamir
'Arif Thamir has said: He (Ima`m al-Rida) is regarded as one of the Ima`ms who played a great role on the arena of the Islamic events in his time.
3 "
During the short period of his undertaking the office of regency, Ima`m al-Rida` could manifest the origin values of Islamic policy, for he ordered al-Ma'mu`n to establish justice and fairness among the people, prevented him from wasting the properties of the state and
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1. Tarikh al-Islam, vol. 8, p. 34
2. Jawahir al-Kalam, p. 143.
3. Uyyun al-Tawarikh, vol. 3. 226.
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from other matters which we will mention in the chapters of this book, and which support al-Sayyid 'Arif Tha`mir's statement concerning the Ima`m and his fathers, who played a great role on the arena of the Islamic events of his time.
19. Mohammed Bin Sha`kir al-Kutubi
Mohammed Bin Shakir al-Kutubi has said: "He (Imam al-Rida, peace be on him) is one of the twelve Ima`ms. He was the master of the Ha`shimites of his time."
20. 'Abd al-'Al
'Abd al-'Al al-Sa'ïdi has said: "He (Ima`m al-Rida), peace be on him, had abundant knowledge and piety. Abu Nu'as was asked: 'Why have you left praising 'Ali b. Musa al-Rida while he has all (good) qualities?' He replied: 'I cannot praise the Ima`m whose father Gabriel served. By Allah, I have left praising him in order to magnify him. The like of me can say nothing concerning the like of him.
1"
The Imam had outstanding qualities which none can count. For example, he had abundant knowledge and piety which distinguished him from the rest of the people.
21. Yousif al-Nabahani
Yousif al-Nabahani has said: "'Ali b. Musa al-Kazim b. Ja'far al-Sadiq, peace be on them, was one of the great Ima`ms, the lamps of the community from among the Household of the Prophet, the origin of knowledge, gonsticism, and generosity. He had a great position and famous reputation. He had many miracles of which is that he foretold that he would die of eating (poisoned) grapes and pomegranates. The matter happened just as he had predicted.
2"
The Imam, peace be on him, was a brilliant branch of the Prophetic family through whom Allah exalted the Arabs and the Muslims, in addition to his clear lineage, so he was among the pillars
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1. Al-Mujaddidun fi al-Islam, p. 87.
Jami' Karamat al-Awliya', vol. 2, p.156.
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of excellence and honor. He had famous miracles, just as al-Nabahani has said in the above-mentioned statement.
22. 'Abd al-Qadir Ahmed
'Abd al-Qa`dir Ahmed al-Yousif has said: "The history of the Ima`m is full of great qualities (such as) abundant knowledge, inherited infallibility, and unique holiness like that of the infallible Ima`ms who descended from his loins. He was the great figure of guidance during his time; he was the model of reverential fear, piety, clemency, and ethics. What could I possibly say concerning the life of one of Allah's testamentary trustees? What could my pen possibly write concerning introducing him?
"Is mentioning his name not full introduction? His name is part of Allah's light, which guides him who seeks sanctuary from it toward the rightist way leading to public righteousness.
"The Imam devoted his own life to exalting the position of the Muslims. All his deeds issued from the thought of faith leading to the righteousness of the people and the good pleasure of the Lord of the worlds.
1 "
The history of the Imam is full of outstanding merits such as knowledge, reverential fear, piety, clemency, and high moral standards. The Imam is the model of all man's values; none has qualities like those of him except the Sayyids from among his fathers and children. Therefore, man has the right to boast of such qualities of the Imam.
