The Imam predicts that this Matter will not be achieved
Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, was dressed in the robes of honor and attended that meeting. Orators and poets rose and began to mention his great merit and summoned the people to pledge allegiance to him. The Ima`m, peace be on him, looked at one of his close associates, who was feeling happy about what had happened. He signaled him to come closer. He went closer to him, and he said so that no one else could hear: "Do not occupy your heart with this matter and do not be happy about it. It is something which will not be achieved.
2"
The matter was as the Ima`m, peace be on him, had said, for this pledge of allegiance to him was not achieved, and al-Ma'mu`n broke his promise when he gave him poison to drink and assassinated him.
Al-Ma'mun delivers a Speech
When the ceremonies of the pledge of allegiance to the Ima`m were over, al-Ma'mu`n rose, ascended the pulpit, and addressed the
____________
1. Maqatil al-Talibiyyin.
2. Al-Fusul al-Muhimmah, p. 238.
( 871 )
people, saying: "O people, you have come to know about the pledge of allegiance to 'Ali b. Mu`sa` b. Ja'far b. Mohammed b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn b. 'Ali b. Abu` Ta`lib, peace be on him. By Allah, if I recited these names before the deaf and the dumb, they would recover with the permission of Allah, the Great and Almighty.
1"
Imam al-Rida delivers a Speech
After the pledge of allegiance to Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, had terminated, al-Ma'mu`n asked him to ascend the pulpit and address the people, so he went up on the pulpit. He praise and glorified Allah, and then he said: "O People, we have a right due to us from you through the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family, and you also have a right due to you from us through him. If you carry out your duty to us, then it is necessary for us to carry out our duty to you."
The Ima`m did not mention anything other than these words
2 in which he has expressed his right due to him from the people, for he is the grandson of the Apostle of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family, who was faithful to their religion and their world, and took them out of the life of error and estrangement, so if they had carried out his right and installed him as a caliph, then it would have been obligatory on him to establish in their regions justice in all its senses and concepts.
Al-'Abbas delivers a Speech
Al-'Abba`s, the orator, delivered an eloquent, wonderful speech and ended it with this poetry line:
There is no escape for the people from having a sun and a moon, so you are a sun, and this is that moon.
3
____________
1. 'Uyun Akhbar al-Rida, vol. 2, p. 147.
2. Ibid.,
3. Tadhkirat al-Khawas, p. 364.
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Persons abstain from pledging Allegiance to the Imam
Some persons abstained from pledging allegiance to the Ima`m, for they harbored malice against him, hated him, and were indignant with al-Ma'mu`n because of his appointing the Ima`m as a successor after him. They are as follows:
1. 'Isa al-Juludi.
2. 'Ali Bin 'Umra`n.
3. Abu` Yunus.
1
Al-Ma'mu`n ordered them to be arrested and imprisoned.
Al-Ma'mun orders them to be executed
He ordered these three persons to be taken out of the prison. When they stood before him and saw Ima`m al-Rida` sitting beside him, they became so angry that 'Ali b. 'Umra`n addressed al-Ma'mu`n, saying: "I seek refuge for you, O Commander of the faithful, with Allah from taking out this authority, which Allah has vested in you and with which He has singled you out, and placing it in the hands of your enemies and those whom your forefathers had killed and made homeless in the land."
"O Son of the adulteress," shouted al-Ma'mu`n at him, "why have you insisted on that?"
Then he ordered his head to be struck off. Then Abu` Yunus was brought before him. When he saw the Ima`m sitting beside al-Ma'mu`n and enjoying honor and magnification, he became displeased and addressed al-Ma'mu`n, saying: "O Commander of the faithful, by Allah, this (one) who is sitting beside you worships an idol apart from Allah."
As a result al-Ma'mu`n ordered him to be executed, and he was executed. Then 'Isa al-Julu`di was brought into his presence. It is worth mentioning that he was the mortal enemy of the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. It was he whom Harun al-Rashïd had
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1. 'Uyun Akhbar al-Rida.
( 873 )
sent to Medina (Yathrib) in order to loot and confiscate the garments and jewels of the granddaughters of Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family. Accordingly, he went to the house of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, intended to break into it and to loot the garments of the 'Alawide ladies. The Ima`m refused that, but al-Julu`di paid no attention to him. So the Ima`m began entreating him and promising him that he would go in and bring him what he wanted. Al-Julu`di yield to the words of the Ima`m, who went in, gathered the garments and jewels of the 'Alawide ladies, and gave them to him. He took them and went away. As for the Ima`m, he asked al-Ma'mu`n to pardon al-Julu`di, but he refused him vigorously, saying: "O my master, it is this (person) who had looted (the garments and jewels) of the granddaughters of Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family!"
Al-Juludi looked at the Ima`m when he was speaking to al-Ma'mu`n and entreating him in order to pardon him, but the stupid one (i.e. al-Julu`di) thought that the Ima`m intended to avenge himself upon him because of what he had done toward him, so he said to al-Ma'mu`n: "O Commander of the faithful, I ask you through Allah and my service to al-Rashï~d not to accept the statement of this (i.e. the Ima`m) concerning me."
Al-Ma'mu`n turned to Ima`m al-Rida` and said to him: "O Abu` al-Hasan, he has asked me for pardon, and we regard his oath as true."
Then he addressed al-Julu`di, saying: "No, by Allah, I will not accept his statement concerning you."
Then he turned to the police men and said to them: "Let him join his friend!" So he was advanced and his head was struck off.
1
Important Decrees
Al-Ma'mu`n issued some important decrees on the occasion of appointing Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, as a successor. They are as follows:
1. Giving salaries to the soldiers for one full year.
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1. Ibid., vol. 2, p. 161-162.
( 874 )
2. Abandoning the black uniform of the 'Abba`sids
1 , and dressing in green. I (i.e. the author) think that the inhabitants of the Garden will be dressed in green, for Allah, the Most High, says: "And they shall wear green robes of fine silk and thick silk.
2 "
3. Striking dirhams and dinars with the name of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. Al-Sayyid 'Abd al-Qa`dir Ahmed al-Yusuf has mentioned some examples of that currency as follows:
(The Dinar)
It has been written in the center of its face: "There is no god but Allah, the One without associate with Him." It has been written in the girth: "In the name of Allah, this dinar was struck in Samarqand in the year 202." And it has been written in the circle: "Allah's is the command before and after, and on that day the believers shall rejoice at Allah's help."
It has been written in the center of the back: "Allah, Mohammed is Allah's Messenger, al-Ma'mu`n is the vicegerent of Allah, of what the Emir al-Rida`, the regent over the Muslims, 'Ali b. Mu`sa` b. 'Ali b. Abu` Ta`lib has commanded."
And it has been written in the circle of the center of the back: "Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah; He has sent him with guidance and the religion of truth, that He might cause it to prevail over all religions, though the polytheists may be averse."
(The Dirham)
'Abd al-Qa`dir has moved the shape of the dirham from Berlin Museum numbered 1295. The formula of the writing in the center of
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1. In a tradition it has been mentioned that Gabriel came down to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, and was dressed in black, so he asked him: "O Gabriel, what about this black uniform ?" "It is the uniform of children of your uncle al-'Abbass," replied Gabrail, "O Mohammed, your children will face destruction from the children of your uncle al-'Abbass," This has been mentioned in Wasa'il al-Shia, vol. 3, p. 279.
2. Qur'an, 18, 31.
( 875 )
the face is: "There is no god but Allah, the One without an associate with Him." in the year 203.
The writing in the circle is: "Allah's is the command before and after, and on that day the believers shall rejoice at Allah's help."
The writing in the back is: "Allah, Mohammed is Allah's Messenger, al-Ma'mu`n is the vicegerent of Allah, of what al-Rida` has commanded."
The writing in the circle is: "Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah; He has sent him with guidance and the religion of truth, that He might cause it to prevail over all religions, though the polytheists may be averse."
Another shape of the dirham available in the British Museum in London, number 289 is as follows:
The writing in the center of the face is: "There is no god but Allah, the One without an associate with Him."
The writing in the girth is : "the year 2"
The writing in the circle is: "Allah's is the command before and after."
The writhing in the center of the back is: "It was commanded by the Emir of the Muslims, 'Ali b. Musa...'Ali b. Abu` Ta`lib...Dhu al-Riya`satayn."
The writing in the circle is: "Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah."
These dots show that some letters have been erased, for they have copied in this manner in the world catalogs. This writing has been erased because the currency is very old and used very much. There are examples of the dirhams which were struck in the year 704 A. H., the same as the currency of the Ima`m, and it has been written in them what had been written in the original currency.
1
____________
1. Al-Imam 'Ali al-Rida Wali 'Ahad al-Ma'mun, pp. 62-65
( 876 )
The Imam marries al-Ma'mun's Daughter
Al-Ma'mu`n asked Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, to marry the Princess, Mrs. Umm Habïb
1; the Ima`m accepted that and married her. Al-Ma'mu`n intended to seek nearness to the Ima`m, that the relationships between them might be strong. Some traditionalists think that al-Ma'mu`n married his daughter to the Ima`m in order to spy on his behavior and activities. This step suits al-Ma'mu`n, who is famous for deception and trickery.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Imam in all Cities
Al-Ma'mu`n ordered all his governors over all Islamic cities and regions to take from all citizens the pledge of allegiance to Ima`m al-Rida` regarding regency. The following are some cities where the pledge of allegiance to him was taken:
1. Medina (Yathrib)
All popular classes in Medina (Yathrib) happily received the news of regency of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. The governor of Medina, 'Abd al-Jabba`r al-Masa`hiqi, hurried to the mosque of the Prophet in order to take from the inhabitants of the city the pledge of allegiance (to the Ima`m). That was after al-Ma'mu`n's command concerning that. He ascended the pulpit and addressed the people, saying: "O People, this is the matter for which you have wished, the justice for which you have waited, and the good for which you have hoped. This is 'Ali b. Mu`sa` b. Ja'far b. Mohammed b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn b. 'Ali b. Abu` Ta`lib, the peace of Allah be upon them.
2"
The pledge of allegiance to Ima`m al-Rida` was the most important and valuable hope for which the Muslim community waited,
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1. Abu al-Farraj al-Asfahan has mentioned: " Imam al-Rida married Umm al-Fadl, al-Ma'mun's daughter." This is incorrect ; the correct is that the Imam married Umm Habib.
2. Al-'Aqqd al-Farid, vol. 5, p. 226.
( 877 )
for it impatiently waited for the return of the rule to the Ima`m, that he might establish pure justice among it, spread security and welfare among its regions, and save it from the oppression and tyranny of the 'Abba`sids.
2. Egypt
Al-Ma'mu`n wrote to his governor over Egypt, al-Sari, and ordered him to take from the Egyptians the pledge of allegiance to his successor Ima`m al-Rida`. The letter came to al-Sari in the month of Muhrrah, in the year 202. So al-Sari started taking the pledge of allegiance to the Ima`m, peace be on him. But Ibra`him b. al-Mahdi, the leader of the singers in Baghdad, spoiled this pledge of allegiance, for he wrote to the prominent soldiers and their commanders in Egypt and ordered them to depose al-Ma'mu`n and his heir apparent and to revolt against al-Sari. So some of them responded to him, among them were al-Ha`rith b. Zar'a b. Mahzam at al-Fista`t, 'Abd al-'Aziz al-Wazir al-Jarawi at the bottom of the land, Sala`ma b. 'Abd al-Malik al-Azdi al-Taha`wi at al-Sa'ïd, Sulayma`n b. Gha`lib b. Gabriel, and 'Abd al-'Aziz b. 'Abd al-Rahma`n b. 'Abd al-Jabba`r al-Azdi. As a result they revolted against al-Sari, summoned the people to pledge allegiance to Ibra`him, and appointed 'Abd al-'Aziz al-Azdi as a governor over Egypt. So al-Sari warred against them, captured 'Abd al-'Aziz and a group of his family. He killed some of them, sent some of them along with 'Abd al-'Aziz's daughter to al-Ma'mu`n, and he ordered them to be killed. The rest went to al-Harawri in order to protect them.
1 In this manner the revolt was suppressed, and the people pledged allegiance to the Ima`m.
3. Mecca
Al-Ma'mun sent 'Isa al-Juludi to Mecca in order to take from its people the pledge of allegiance to the Ima`m, and in Mecca was Ibra`him, the brother of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. 'Isa al-Juludi summoned the Meccans to pledge allegiance to the Imam, peace be on
____________
1. Al-Wilat wa Kitab al-Qudat, p. 168.
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him, and to dress in green. So they responded to him with happiness and thankfulness, invoking (Allah) for al-Ma'mu`n for accomplishing their wish and hope through this pledge of allegiance.
1
4. Kufa
The overwhelming majority in Ku`fa received the news of the pledge of allegiance to the Ima`m with happiness and delight. Al-Ma'mun entrusted al-'Abbas, the son of Ima`m Musa, peace be on him, with taking from the Kufans the pledge of allegiance (to the Imam). Ibrahim b. 'Abd al-Hamid gave him one hundred thousand dirhams and said to him: "Fight on behalf of your brother, for the Kufans respond to you for that, and I am along with you." Al-'Abba`s undertook this task, so a large group of them responded to him. A group of people said to him: "If you summon (us) to al-Ma'mun and then after him to your brother, then we are in no need of your summons; and if you summon (us) to your brother or to some of the members of your household or to yourself, then we will respond to you." So al-'Abbas said to them: "I summon (you) to al-Ma'mu`n in the first place, and then after him to my brother, al-Rida.
2 "
These people abstained from pledging allegiance to the Imam, condemned those who pledged allegiance to him, and summoned them to break the pledge of allegiance. When Ibra`him b. al-Mahdi came to know about the desertion of the Kufans, he ordered his army residing at the Nile and under the leadership of Sa'ïd and Abu al-Bït to occupy Kufa and suppress the mutiny. The armies of Ibrahim marched and arrived at al-Qantara near Dïr al-A'war. There they were hindered by a military force headed by the 'Alawide, 'Ali b. Mohammed b. Ja'far and Abu 'Abd Allah, the brother of the great leader Abu` al-Sara`ya`, so it met them, and finally the armies of Ibra`him b. al-Mahdi won a victory (over it).
Then the armies of Ibra`him advanced towards Ku`fa; they were dressed in black; their motto was: "O Mansu`r there is no obedience to
____________
1. Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh, vol. 3, p. 277.
2. Al-Tabari, Tarikh.
( 879 )
al-Ma'mu`n." The Ku`fans cowered and were unable to war against them, so they sent a delegation to the commander-in-chief of the army of Ibra`him in order to give security to al-'Abba`s and his group, and he responded to them for that and made it a condition on them that al-'Abba`s and his companions should leave Ku`fa. Then the delegation came back to al-'Abba`s, who had no knowledge of that, and said to him: "Surely all your followers are mobs; you will see that the people will face war, loot, and murder; therefore, leave us; we are in no need of you.
1 "
Accordingly, al-'Abba`s left Ku`fa while he was sad and sorrowful. He came to know that the Ku`fans would not protect him; nor would they fulfill their promise and covenant toward him. Then the armies of Ibra`him entered Ku`fa, but no clashes took place between them and those who pledged allegiance to the Ima`m as a heir apparent.
These are some of the regions where the pledge of allegiance to the Ima`m was taken as a heir apparent.
Persons criticize the Imam
Some Shï'ites criticized the Ima`m for his accepting the succession after al-Ma'mu`n, the 'Abba`sid. They are as follows:
1. Mohammed Bin 'Arafa
Mohammed b. 'Arafa came to the Ima`m and asked him: "O son of Allah's Messenger, what has made you accept regency?"
"That which made my grandfather the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, accept the consultative council," replied the Imam.
2
Imam 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, was forced to take part in the consultative committee which 'Umar b. al-Khatta`b chose in order to elect the caliph after him. The Ima`m announced his sadness and sorrow because of his joining the members of the consultative council, saying: "But good heavens! What had I to
____________
1. Ibid.
2. Wasa'il al-Shia, vol. 12, p. 148.
( 880 )
do with this consultation? Where was any doubt about me with regard to the first of them that I was now considered akin to these ones?" Ima`m al-Rida` was forced to accept regency just as his grandfather was forced to accept the consultative committee.
2. A Man
A man criticized him for his accepting regency, saying: "May Allah set you right, how have you become the successor of al-Ma'mu`n?"
Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, denied his accepting the succession after al-Ma'mu`n. Then he asked the man: "Who is better¾the Prophet or the testamentary trustee?"
"No, the Prophet," replied the man.
"Who is better the Muslim or the polytheist?"
"No, rather the Muslim," answered the man.
Then the Imam, peace be on him, stated a decisive argument, saying: "The Chief of Egypt was a polytheist, and Yusuf was a prophet. Al-Ma'mu`n is a Muslim, and I am a testamentary trustee. Yusuf asked the Chief to vest him with an office, to the extent that he said to him:
Place me (in authority) over the treasures of the land, surely I am a good keeper, knowing well. As for al-Ma'mu`n, he has forced me to be his successor.
1 "
3. Al-Rayyan Bin al-Salt
Al-Rayya`n Bin al-Salt visited Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, and said to him: "O son of Allah's Apostle, surely the people say: 'Verily, you have accepted regency though you show asceticism in the world.'"
So the Imam answered him: "Allah was already aware of that I hated that. So when I had to choose between that and murder, I preferred acceptance to murder. Woe upon them! Surely Yusuf was a prophet and messenger, but when necessity pushed him to undertake the treasures of al-'Aziz (the Chief of Egypt), he said to him:
Place me
____________
1. Ibid., p. 146.
( 881 )
(in authority) over the treasures of the land, surely I am a good keeper, knowing well. Similarly, necessity pushed me to accept that (i.e. regency), though I was forced and was about to be destroyed. I have accepted this matter and will leave it. So I complain to Allah, and it is He Whom we ask for help.
1 "
The Ima`m vigorously expressed his hate and detest toward this office, but he was forced to accept it.
4. A Kharijite
A Kha`rijite angrily walked towards the Ima`m and asked him: "Tell me about your entering into (negotiations) with this tyrant (i.e. al-Ma'mu`n) while you regard them as unbelievers and you are the grandson of Allah's Messenger, so what made you do that?"
The Ima`m replied: "Who are more unbelieving in your viewpoint they or the Chief of Egypt and the inhabitants of his kingdom? Don't they, any how, claim that they are monotheists and those were polytheists and did not profess Allah? Wasn't Yusuf b. Ya'qu`b a prophet and son of a prophet; yet he demanded the Chief, who was an unbeliever, and said to him:
Place me (in authority) over the treasures of the land, surely I am a good keeper, knowing well, and took the place of the Pharaohs? As for me, I am one of the children of Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family. He (al-Ma'mu`n) forced me to accept this matter. What have I denied and you have become indignant with me?"
The Kha`rijite began saying: "I witness that you are the son of Allah's Apostle, and that you are truthful.
2"
Through his conversations with those who were indignant with him, the Ima`m, peace be on him, has shown that he was forced to accept being a heir apparent. That is because he had to chose between killing and accepting regency, so he accepted regency in order to save his own soul from the destruction which would cause no advantage to Islam.
____________
1. Ibid., p. 147.
2. Ibid., pp. 149-150.
( 882 )
The Indignant with al-Ma'mun
The anti
ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them, forces were indignant with al-Ma'mu`n because of his designating Ima`m al-Rida` as a heir apparent; they regarded this procedure as taking the caliphate from the 'Abba`sid family who enjoyed its shadow.
The 'Abba`sid family was the most indignant with al-Ma'mu`n, for they regarded that as a danger against their kingdom and the end of their lives. They were so angry with him that they took the following measures:
Deposing al-Ma'mun
The 'Abba`sids refused al-Ma'mu`n's pledge of allegiance to the Ima`m, regarded it as abolished, made public their mutiny against al-Ma'mu`n before the people, asked them to reject the pledge of allegiance to him and to his heir apparent. So many people responded to them. Accordingly, they stated that they were not responsible for the pledge of allegiance to al-Ma'mu`n.
The Pledge of Allegiance to Ibrahim Bin Shakkla
The 'Abbasids intended to pledge allegiance to their leader Ibrahim b. Shakkla
1, the Shaykh of the singers and the musicians in Baghdad. They summoned the people to accept him as a caliph and called him al-Murdi (the satisfactory one).
2 The aware and the intellectual circles made fun of him and disdained him, for he was reckless and free from all values and traditions; concerning him Di'bil al-Khaza`'i, a revolutionary and social poet, has composed:
Ibn Shakkla cried in Iraq and (among) its people, so those blind and foolish hurried to him.
If Ibrahim (Ibn Shakkla) undertakes it (the caliphate),
____________
1. Shakkla was the mother of Ibrahim ans was a black female-slave. As for Ibrahim, he was so strong with a great body that he was called al-Tinnin ( the dragon), Wafayat al-Ayan, vol. 1, p. 20.
2. Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh.
( 883 )
then, after him, Makha`riq and Zalzal will be appropriate for it.
How do, and that does not occur, the dissolute inherit the
caliphate one by one?
Di'bil al-Khaza`'i mocked the caliphate which was undertaken by this dissolute person. He has shown that if the caliphate had been suitable for him, then it would have been suitable for his equal singers such as Zalzal, and Makha`riq. It is an act of mockery that Ibra`him assumed the caliphate and undertook the affairs of the Muslims. The historians have said: "Ibra`him was the mortal enemy of the family of 'Ali, peace be on him. When he had heard that regency was entrusted to Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, he became so angry that he composed these poetry lines:
"So may the 'Abba`sids not be rewarded well, according to my claim, nor may they be delighted with my kindness.
They quickly came to me; and the barren time has brought them clear news.
It has untied the bands of the properties from them and put them round the heads of the 'Alawides.
So they (the bands) have clamored when they have been put round the heads which will demand the Prophet's legacy.
1"
In his time the central budget became bankrupt, and the soldiers gathered around his court asking him for their salaries, so his messenger came out for them and said to them: "He has no money." A joker demanded and said: "In stead of money, let the Caliph comes out and sing three songs for the people on this side and three songs for the people on that side.
2"
Di'bil has composed a poem regarding this funny view, saying:
O soldiers, do not be hopeless; take your salaries and do not be displeased.
He will sing you a song the
____________
1. Al-Wilat wa Kittab al-Qudat, p. 168.
2. Wafayat al-A'yan, vol. 1, p. 21.
( 884 )
beardless and the bearded enjoy.
Your leader's songs, neither enter the bag nor tie it.
In this manner the caliph, who plays on the lute, provides his soldiers with the means of subsistence.
He has stamped the record of your salaries and corrected the determination; therefore do not be displeased.
The pledge of allegiance to Ibra`him is an ill omen, during it the people will be killed or subjected to famine.
1
____________
1. 'Asr al-Ma'mun, vol. 3, pp. 255-256.
