His Short Wise Sayings
The following group of short wise sayings has been reported from Imam al-Rida, peace be on him:
1. He, peace be on him, said: "People's hearts are sometimes
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coming towards you, sometimes keeping away from you; sometimes they are active, sometimes they are relaxed. If they come along, they will achieve wisdom understanding, and if they stay away, they will be exhausted and worn out; so, take them when they come to you and when they are active, and shun them when they stay away or are relaxed.
1"
2. He, peace be on him, said: "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.
2"
3. He, peace be on him, said: "Postponement is detrimental of the fulfillment of desires. Fulfillment is the gain of the strict. Wastefulness is the calamity of one who can afford it. Miserliness tears up honor. Passion invites trouble. The best and most honorable of virtues is to do others favors, to aid the one who calls for helps, to bring the hope of the hopeful to reality, not to disappoint the optimist, to have an ever increase of the number of friends when you are alive, and the number of those who will cry when you die.
3"
4. He, peace be on him, said: "Only the believer who takes admonishment can enjoin the good and forbid the evil. As for the possessor of whip and sword, he cannot.
4"
5. He, peace be on him, said: "He who opposes an unjust ruler and an affliction from him befalls him will not rewarded for it nor will be provided with patience during it.
5"
6. He, peace be on him, said: "When two groups (of people) meet (in battlefield), Allah helps the greater in pardoning.
6"
7. He, peace be on him, said: "Man's walking behind a man is a trial for the followed and abasement for the follower.
7 "
____________
1. A'yan al-Shi'a.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh, vol. 3, p. 181.
5 Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7 Ibid.
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8. He, peace be on him, said: "One who is blessed with plenty must spend generously on his family.
1"
9. He, peace be on him, said: "Showing love toward men is the half of reason.
2"
10. He, peace be on him, said: "The rank of the eldest brother is like that of father.
3 "
11. He, peace be on him, said: "Among the habits of Prophets is cleanliness.
4"
12. He, peace be on him, said: "The trustworthy do not betray you but you trust the traitor.
5"
13. He, peace be on him, said: "Every curiosity is in need of the curiosity of speech.
6"
14. He, peace be on him, said: ""Surely Allah detests idle talk, wasting money, and excessive questioning.
7 "
15. The Imam, peace be on him, was questioned about the lowly and he said: "Anyone who has something to distract him from Allah.
8"
16. He, peace be on him, said: "Among the practices (of the Prophet) is giving food during marriage.
9"
17. He, peace be on him, said: "The generous one eats from the food of men, that they may eat from his food.
10"
18. He, peace be on him, said: "We, the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt), think that our promise is a debt against us, as Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, did.
11"
19. He, peace be on him, said: "Time will come when one's
____________
1. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 78, p. 335.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Tuhaf al-'Uqul, pp. 446-450.
9. Ibid.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
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safety lies in ten things nine of which are in staying aloof from men, and the tenth in staying silent.
1"
20. He, peace be on him, said: "Assisting the weak is better for you than your act of charity.
2"
21. He, peace be on him, said to Abu Hashim, Dawud b. al-Qasim al-Ja'fari: "We have a right against you through Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, and you have a right against us. He who knows our right (against him), his right is incumbent (upon us). He who does not know our right (against him) has no right (against us).
3 "
22. He, peace be on him, said: "The miser one is never restful; the envious is never pleased; the grumbling is never loyal; the liar has no conscience.
4"
23. He, peace be on him, said: "If you mention someone who is present, then call him with his own kunya (i.e. the father of someone, usually his eldest son). When he is absent, then mention his full name.
5 "
24. He, peace be on him, said: "The believer is the brother of a believer (on the side of) his father and mother. Cursed, cursed is he who accuses his brother! Cursed, cursed is he who cheats his brother! Cursed, cursed is he who does not counsel his brother! Cursed, cursed is he who veiled himself from his brother! Cursed, cursed is he who backbites his brother!
6"
25. He, peace be on him, said: "He who benefits a brother in Allah will make use of a house in the Garden.
7"
26. He, peace be on him, said: "When the believer does a good deed, he becomes happy. When he does an evil deed, he asks Allah'
____________
1. Ibid.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Wasa'il al-Shia, vol. 8, p. 563.
7. Ibid., p. 565.
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forgiveness. The Muslim is he from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe. To us does not belong he from whose calamities his neighbors are not safe."
27. A man said to him, peace be on him, said: "Ask for me from your Lord: good reverential fear, knowledge of the rights of brothers, and putting into effect what I know of that." Al-Rida`, peace be on him, said: "Allah has given that to you, for you have asked the excellent outward and inward qualities of the righteous.
1 "
28. He, peace be on him, said: "Do not give to your brother of your own soul that whose harm against you is more than its profit for them.
2 "
29. He, peace be on him, said: "He who gives relief to a believer, Allah will give him relief on the Day of Resurrection.
3 "
30. He, peace be on him, said: "Wealth is not accumulated except by five qualities: extreme miserliness, a drawn out expectation, an overwhelming care, a boycott of the relatives, and a preference of this life over the life to come.
4 "
31. He, peace be on him, said: "If one saves the food of his year, his back is light, and he finds rest.
5 "
32. He, peace be on him, said: "He whose good qualities are many is praised by them and is in no need of praise through mentioning them."
33. He, peace be on him, said: "He who seeks the affair through its (proper) way does not slip. If he slips, stratagems do not abandon him."
34. He, peace be on him, said: "Beware of one who wants to offer you advice by speaking behind others' back; he does not recognize how bad his own end shall be."
35. He, peace be on him, said: "Poverty is the key to misery."
____________
1. Ibid., vol. 11, p. 474.
2. Ibid., p. 544.
3. Ibid., vol. 12, p. 587.
4. Ibid., p. 19.
5. Ibid., vol. 2, p. 320.
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36. He, peace be on him, said: "Do not pay attention to the view of someone who does not follow your advice for his own good."
37. He, peace be on him, said to al-Hasan b. Sahl regarding his condolence: "To congratulate one for a reward in store for him is better than to console him on a swift calamity."
38. He, peace be on him, said: "Surely, renouncing AbuMu`sa` al-Ash'ary is an act of pure Islam."
39. He, peace be on him, said: "The mobs were the killers of the prophets."
40. He, peace be on him, said: "Small sins are paths to great ones."
5 41. He, peace be on him, said: "He who does not fear Allah regarding little does not fear him regarding much."
5 With this wise saying we will end our talk about the wonderful wise sayings and manners which have reported from Imam al-Rida, peace be on him.
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CHAPTER XII
HIS COMPANIONS AND NARRATORS OF HIS TRADITIONS
Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, was, in his time, the giant of Islamic thought and the most learned person on the face of the earth, as al-M'mu`n said. He supplied Islamic world with all elements of progress and renaissance. He employed the Prophetic Mosque, may Allah increase it in honor, as an institute for his lessons and lectures. The religious scholars, the narrators, and the students of jurisprudence surrounded him, while he was twenty and some years old.
1 They recorded his verdicts, his marvelous wise sayings, and arts.
The religious scholars found in his traditions knowledge similar to that of his grandfather, the Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, the first Inspirer of the ideological and scientific matters on earth; they came to know that he was as brilliant as his forefathers, the pure Imam, the pioneers of the cultural and scientific renaissance in the world of Islam. The narrators said: "There are no seven noble persons on earth from whom the Shï'a (
khas) and non-Shï'a (
'am) wrote traditions except 'Ali b. Musa (al-Rida`), peace be on him.
2"
The religious scholars took great care of his traditions to the extent that when he passed through Nisa`bu`r (Iran), they gathered around him. Their number was more than twenty thousand persons.
They held ink pots and asked him to relate to them the traditions of his
____________
1. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib.
2. Bihar al-Anwar, vol 12, p. 29.
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grandfather, Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family. He narrated to them the tradition called
al-hadith al-dhahabi (the Golden Tradition), as we will mention it. As the tradition was of great importance, one of the Samni Emirs ordered it to be written in gold and to be buried with him.
1 Some students of his grandfather, Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, and of his father Imam Musa, peace be on him, narrated (traditions) on his authority.
2 A group of the religious scholars who were coincided with him also narrated from him. We will present the biographies of his companions and the narrators of his traditions. That is because, as we think, they will complete the research on the personality of the Imam and shows a side of his scientific life. (They are as follows:)
1. Ibrahïm Bin al-'Abbas
b. Mohammed al-Sawli, the great, inspired poet. He was given the
kunya of Abu Ishaq. He was the most brilliant poet of his time and best of all the poets in showing friendship and love toward the Imams of the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. There were close ties between him and Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. He showed deep, sincere love toward Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. We will present some sides of his life.
His Paying a Visit to the Imam
Ibrahïm along with Di'bil al-Khaza'i, the poet of the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, visited Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. That was when al-Ma'mun pledged allegiance to him and appointed him as his successor. Di'bil recited to him his everlasting poem, which is regarded as one of the Arab excellent poems. We will mention it in his biography. Then Ibrahïm recited to him his poem of which nothing is known except this line:
The murders of the children of the Prophet, Mohammed,
have removed the comfort of the heart after endurance.
____________
1. Akhbar al-Diwal, p. 115.
2. Al-Barqi, Rijal, p. 53.
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This poetry line shows the sufferings and sorrow of al-Sawli toward the trials and tribulations which the enemy of Islam wreaked upon the Household of the Prophet. I (i.e. the author) think that the whole poem is good and firm and is regarding the lamentation for the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. When he had finished reciting it, the Imam gave them twenty thousand of the dirhams which held his holy name. As for Di'bil, he took his prize and went to (the holy city) of Qum. There the people bought each dirham for ten dirhams, hence he bought his portion for one hundred thousand dirhams. As for Ibrahïm b. al-'Abbas, he kept some of the dirhams until he died.
1
The following lines are some of his poetry on praising Imam al-Rida, peace be on him:
One's actions are a sufficient, just witness for his being the most knowledgeable of his people.
2
I can see that they have a modern one, but the modern is not similar to the old (in their good deeds).
3
He (al-Ma'mun) bestows upon you through your own properties, and you are given one percent.
4
May Allah not praise him who seeks the help of your
enemies and praises them.
____________
1. Al-Murtada, al-Amali, vol. 1, p. 485. In ( the book) A'yan al-Shi'a
(vol. 6, p. 16), it has been mentioned: "The (poetry) lines which hace been compsed by the Ibrahim were written on the back of a notebook and there was a signature at the bottom of them ('mutuq kha'if), and that he used them metaphorically for his praising him.
2. Regarding his explaning this poetry line, al-Sayyid al-Amin has said: "The deeds of the family of Abu Talib are an enough witness of their good origin".
3. Al-Sayyid al-Amin has commented on this poetry line, saying: " He ( the poet) has used it metaphorically for the children of al-' Abbas that they had a modern one who undertook the caliphate, but he was not similar to their religion in his good deeds."
4. Ibrahim has not mentioned the names of the addressed ones: surely he means the family of Abu Talib and at their top is Imam al-Rida, peace be upon him, and that al-Ma'mun bestowed upon them when he gave them some gifts which were of their properties."
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You have preferred your partner, who is a close relative, just as the parent prefers his own son.
1
These lines show his deep faith in the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, and his friendship toward them. He metaphorically used these lines for them, for he was afraid of the tyrannical authority which punished due to doubt and accusation all those who showed friendship toward the Family of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family.
Examples of his Poetry
Al-Sawli's poems are regarded as part of wonderful Arab poetry. The following lines are some of his chosen poems:
A visit has brought near men to each other in spite of their being far, and the shrine of Layla` has become distant in spite of its being near.
And (the houses) standing at Mun'rajj al-Liwa` are nearer (to me) than (the shrine of) Layla`; and that is her house.
2
The following lines belong to him:
One maybe tired of a misfortune and the escape from it is with Allah.
It (the misfortune) became more intense.
When its episodes intensified, it was driven away, while I thought that it would not be driven away.
3
The following lines belong to him too:
You were the iris of my eyeball, so the eye wept for you.
Whoever desires to die after you, then let him die. For I took care of you.
____________
1. The one addressed in his words you have preferred' is al-Rida the great Imam, peace be upon him, and his partner is al-Ma'mun.
2. Ibn Khullakan, Wadayat al-A'yan, vol. 1. p. 25.
3. Ibid., p. 29.
4. Ibid.
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His Burning the Divan of his Poetry
Ibrahïm was the friend of Isha`q b. Ibrahïm, so he wrote a copy of his poetry concerning Imam 'Ali b.Musa al-Rida`, peace be on him, and gave it to him. The copy remained with him until al-Mutawakkil, the tyrannical, became a caliph. Ibrahïm was in charge of expenditure for al-Mutawakkil. Separation and hate took place between Ibrahïm and Ishaq, hence Ibrahïm removed him from some expenditures which were at his hand, asked him for some money, insisted on it, and demanded him in a bad manner. Hence Ishaq summoned one of his trustworthy brothers and said to him: "Go to Ibrahïm b. al-'Abba`s and say to him: 'Your poetry concerning 'Ali b. Musa in your own handwriting and other than your handwriting is with Ishaq. By Allah, if you continue wronging him and do not refrain from asking him (for money), he will hand over (your) poetry to al-Mutawakkil.'" As a result the man went to Ibrahïm b. al-'Abba`s and told him about that. Ibrahïm was so worried that he entrusted the affair to the man. He released him (Ishaq) from all that which he asked from him, took the poetry from him, and made him swear by Allah that he had no poetry with him. When he received the poetry, he burnt it in his presence.
1
Examples of his Writings
Ibrahïm was an eloquent writer. The following is a piece of his writing on behalf of an 'Abbasid king who threatened the rebels:
"Now, then, the Commander of the faithful has patience. If it is not sufficient, a threat will follow it. If it is not sufficient, his resolutions will be sufficient. Greetings."
Ibn Khullakan commented on this letter, saying: "This statement, though brief, is very marvelous.
2"
His Death
Ibrahïm died in Samara' in Sha'ban 15, in the year 243 A. H.
3
____________
1. Murtada, Amali, vol. 1, p. 485.
2. Ibn Khulakan, Wafayat al-A'yan, vol 1, p. 29.
3. Ibid.
( 602 )
2. Ibrahïm Bin Abu al-Bilad
The real name of Abu al-Bilad is Yahya b. Salïm al-Ghatafani. He (Ibrahïm) was given the
kunya of Abu Isma'ïl. In his book
al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi number him as one of the companions of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him. He said: "He (Ibrahïm) was trustworthy, a jurist, and a reciter (of the Qur'an). He lived for a long time until 'Ali b. Musa al-Rida sent him a letter. His two sons (Yahya and Mohammed), Sahl b. al-Yasa', and others narrated (traditions) on his authority.
1"
Al-Najashi said: "Ibrahïm was trustworthy, a reciter (of the Qur'an), and an author. His father was blind and a narrator of poetry; al-Farazdaq said to him: 'O sorrow of my soul at your eyes, O man!'"
Ibrahïm narrated (traditions) on the authority of Abu'Abd Allah, Abu al-Hasan Musa, and al-Rida, peace be on them. Imam al-Rida sent him a letter and lauded him. He has a book. A group (of narrators) reported the book on his authority.
2
3. Ibrahïm Bin Abu Mahmud
al-Khurasani. Al-Najashi regarded him as reliable and said: "He (Ibrahïm) reported (traditions) on the authority of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. He has a book. Ahmed b. 'Isa narrated the book on his authority.
3"
Al-Kashi said: [Nasr b. al-Saba`h said:] "Ibrahïm b. Abu Mahmud was blind. Ahmed b. 'Isa narrated on his authority the questions of Musa, peace be on him, which are about twenty-five pages. He lived after (the death of) al-Rida."
Hamdawayh narrated, saying: [Al-Hasan b. Musa al-Khashshab informed us, saying: Ibrahïm b. Abu Mahmud informed us, saying:] "I visited Abu Ja'far and there were books with me for him from his father. He began reading them and putting a big book on his eyes. He
____________
1. Al-Najashi, Rijal.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
( 603 )
wept until his tears flowed down his cheeks, so l said to him: 'May I be your ransom, your father, perhaps, said to me in one session several times: 'May Allah make you dwell the Garden.' So he said: 'I also say to you: 'May Allah make you dwell the Garden!' Then I asked him: 'Do you guarantee that your Lord will make me enter the Garden?' 'Yes,' he replied. He (Ibrahïm b. Abu Mahmud) said: 'I took his foot and kissed it. '
1"
4. Ibrahïm Bin Ishaq al-Nahawandi
He narrated (traditions) on the authority of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, and Salih b. Mohammed al-Nahawandi reported (the traditions) on his authority.
2
5. Ibrahïm Bin Isma'ïl Bin Dawud
He narrated (traditions) on the authority of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, and Musa b. Ja'far al-Mada'ini reported (the traditions) on his authority.
3
6. Ibrahïm Bin Bashïr
Al-Najashi said: "He narrated questions on the authority of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, Mohammed b. 'Abd al-Hamï~d narrated on his authority.
4
7. Ibrahïm Bin Salama al-Nïshaburi
Shaykh al-Tusi numbered him as one of the companions of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, and added that he was an agent. Al-Sayyid al-Khu'i said:
"The men differed over his state. Some regarded him as an argument; others did not regard him (as argument). Those who regarded him (as argument) gave evidence through two premises:
____________
1. Ibid.
2. Al-Tahdhib, vol. 6, Chapter on the Excellence of the visitation of Abu al-Hasan, ' Ali b. Musa, peace be on him.
3.Ibid., vol. 4, Chapter on the Fasting of three Days in every Month.
4. Al-Najashi.
5. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
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The first (premise) is that he was the agent of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. The second (premise) is that they (the Imams) did not appoint the sinner as an agent."
The Sayyid discussed both premises.
1
8. Ibrahïm Bin Shu'ayb al-Waqifi
He (i.e. Ibrahïm Bin Shu'ayb) said: "I was sitting in the Mosque of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, and there was beside me a man from the people of Iraq. I asked him: 'Who are you?' 'The retainer of Abu al-Hasan al-Rida, peace be on him,' he replied. I said to him: 'I have a need of you.' 'What is it?' he asked. I want you to hand over a letter (
ruq'a) to him. 'Yes,' he said, 'as you like.' So I went out, took a sheet of paper, and wrote in it: 'In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Your fathers, who were before you, would tell us of something therein were signs and proofs. I want you to tell me my name and my father's name."
He (i.e. Ibrahïm Bin Shu'ayb) said: "Then I stamped the letter and gave it to him. On the following morning, he (the retainer) brought me a sealed letter. I opened the letter and read it. At the bottom of the letter (it was written): 'In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. AbuIbrahïm, among your fathers are Shu'ayb and Sa`lih; among your sons are Mohammed, 'Ali, and so-and-so.
"
9. Ibrahïm Bin Shu'ayb al-'Aqarqufi3
Shaykh al-Tusi numbered him as one of the companions of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. Shaykh al-Mamaqani said: "His state is unknown to us, and knowledge belongs to Allah.
4"
____________
1. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol 1, p. 91.
2. Al-Kashi.
3. He was from 'Aqraquf. It was said that it was a village of the district of al-Dujayl, and it was said that it was one of the district of the river of Isa. There were four leagues between it and Baghdad. Beside it there was a great, high hill which could be seen five leagues away. This has been mentioned in Marasid al-Ittila
4. Tanqilah al-Maqal.
(605 )
10. Ibrahïm Bin Salih
In his (book) al-Rijal without mentioning any nick-name or description, Shaykh al-Tusi numbered him as one of the companions of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him.
1 Al-Najashi said: "Ibrahïm b. Salih al-Anmati 2 al-Asadi was trustworthy and narrated (traditions) on the authority of Abu al-Hasan, peace be on him. He has a book. A group (of narrators) reported the book. 3"
