Concealing the Death of the Imam
Al-Ma'mu`n hid the death of the Ima`m, peace be on him, for a day and a night.
1 I (i.e. the author) think that he prepared himself for emergencies and was afraid of a popular revolt against him. Accordingly, he ordered his security forces and his military forces to prepare themselves for every emergency.
The Body of the Imam is escorted
The people escorted the body of the Ima`m in a manner of which Khurasa`n had never witnessed throughout its history. For all official departments and commercial shops were closed, and all classes of people went in a hurry to escort the Ima`m's holy body; they were either weeping or silent. Black flags were hoisted; tears flowed abundantly; and crying became aloud everywhere for the late Ima`m, who was like a shelter to them. Al-Ma'mu`n was in front of the coffin while he was bare-footed and headed, and behind him were the high ranking statesmen and the military commanders who mentioned the outstanding merits of the Ima`m and the heavy loss which befell the community out of his death.
At his Final Resting Place
The holy body was brought to its final resting place under a halo of exclaiming, 'Allah is great!' and magnification. His grave was dug beside the grave of Ha`ru`n, who killed the Ima`m's father. Then al-Ma'mu`n buried the Ima`m in the grave and buried along with him all excellent qualities and noble inclinations through which people become sublime.
Then the people came and condoled with al-Ma'mu`n, the rest of the 'Alawides and the 'Abba`sids on their painful misfortune. Sadness and sorrow melted all hearts of the people, for they lost the Ima`m of the Muslims, the master of the Allah-fearing and those who turned to Allah in repentance. It is worth mentioning that al-Ma'mu`n asked the people about the reason for burying the Ima`m beside the grave of his
____________
1. Maqatil al-Talibiyyin , p. 567. Al-Mufid, al-Irshad, p. 316.
( 966 )
father, and they answered him: "Because Allah will forgive Ha`ru`n on account of his neighboring Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him." However, the inspired poet, Di'bil al-Khaza`'i, has disproved this justification, saying:
If you have a need in religion, then stop at Tu`s by the grave of the pure one wherein.
The nearness to the pure one does not benefit the unclean one; nor does the nearness to the unclean one harm the pure one.
How far! Everyone is hostage to that which his own hands earn, so take or leave whatever you desire.
Two graves are at Tu`s: (The grave) of the best of all people and the grave of the wickedest of them; this is among moral lessons.
Al-Ma'mun stays at the Grave of the Imam
Al-Ma'mu`n resided by the holy grave of the Ima`m for three days. He fasted by day, recited the Holy Qur'a`n, and asked Allah to have mercy on the Ima`m, peace be on him. That is because he wanted to show that he did not assassinate the Ima`m, that he was loyal to him and loved him. However the garment of pretense is transparent, for all the people came to know that al-Ma'mu`n showed false sadness for the Ima`m.
Al-Ma'mun and Herthama
Al-Ma'mu`n summoned Herthama and asked him to tell him about what he had heard of the Ima`m and what he had said to him regarding his being poisoned by the grapes and the pomegranates. Herthama began telling al-Ma'mu`n about that, and his face sometimes turned yellow and sometimes turned red, and he said with tones dripping regret and sorrow for what he had committed with regard to the Ima`m, saying:
"Woe upon al-Ma'mu`n from Allah! Woe upon him from Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family! Woe upon him from
( 967 )
'Ali b. Abu` Talib! Woe upon al-Ma'mun from Fatima al-Zahra`'! Woe upon al-Ma'mun from al-Hasan and al-Husayn! Woe upon al-Ma'mu`n from 'Ali b. al-Husayn! Woe upon al-Ma'mun from Mohammed b. 'Ali! Woe upon al-Ma'mun from Ja'far b. Mohammed! Woe upon him from Musa b. Ja'far! Woe upon al-Ma'mu`n from 'Ali b. Musa al-Rida`! This is, by Allah, the clear loss!"
Al-Ma'mu`n ordered Herthama to conceal what the Ima`m had said to him, and not to announce it, and then he recited these words of Him, the Exalted:
They hide themselves from men and do not hide themselves from Allah, and He is with them when they mediate by night words which please Him not, and Allah encompasses what they do. 1
Woe upon al-Ma'mu`n because of the great sin which he committed! For he assassinated the master of the Muslims, the Ima`m of the Allah-fearing, and the piece of the liver of Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family.
The Age of the Imam
The historians have differed over the age of the Ima`m, peace be on him, which was full of laudable deeds and excellences. The following are some of their statements regarding it:
1. 47 years.
2
2. 48 years.
3
3. 49 years.
4
4. 50 years.
5
5. 51 years.
6
6. 55 years.
7
____________
1. Akhbar al-Rida, vol. 2, p. 249.
2. A'yan al-Shi'a, 4/Q 2/78.
3. Ibid.
4. 'Uyun al-Tawarikh, vol. 3, p. 226. Kasha al-Ghumma, vol. 3, p. 56.
5. A'yan al-Shi'a, 4/Q2/78.
6. Ibid.
7. Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 486. Kifayat al-Talib, p. 458. Nur al-Absar, p. 144. Bihar al-
( 968 )
7. 57 years and 49 days or 79 days.
1
This difference has resulted from the difference in the date of his birth. Al-Sayyid al-Amïn thinks that this difference has resulted from regarding incomplete year as complete one.
2
Poets lament for the Imam
The news of the death of the Ima`m astonished the Muslims, for they received the painful news with sorrow and deep sadness, and for they lost through his death what they hoped for and dreamed of such as returning the Islamic caliphate to its original source, getting rid of the wicked persons, the Ima`ms (leaders) of oppression and tyranny, establishing in their quarters political and social justice. The death of the Ima`m disappointed the Muslims, made their tears flow abundantly, and melted their hearts. So a group of poets lamented for the Ima`m through its melted souls. The following are some of it:
1. Ashja' Bin 'Amru al-Salami
Ashja' b. 'Amru al-Salami lamented for the Ima`m through a poem called 'Asma`', which gives an account of his deep sadness for losing the Ima`m of the Muslims and displays the heavy loss which befell Islamic world. The poem says:
O possessor of the camels, (O he who is seizing) their reins, urging them forward, and singing! Make (him) hear; listen, O possessor of the camels! Tomorrow recite (my) greetings to the grave at Tu`s; recite neither greetings nor blessings to Tus.
For therein a terror has befallen the hearts of the Muslims, and therein the terror of Iblis has disappeared.
And (for) it has abducted the unique one and master of the world, so what a man is he whom (the world) has abducted!
If death appeared when it circulated through (his body), it would face before it the faces of bold men.
____________
Ansab, p. 28.
1. A'yan al-Shi'a, 4/Q 2/78.
2. Ibid.
( 969 )
May Tu`s be miserable! For his houses were not among that through which the days terrify him with misery.
He is resident where no residence is vague. What long remoteness and residence these are!
Surly the claws of death could reach him while before him was an army with many phalanxes.
Death came to him in the place of his brave sons, and death meets the father of cubs (i.e. the lion) in his place.
He was still taking from the light of his father, who belonged to the family of the Prophet, light which was not taken (from others); in a nursery where their branches rose in high (trees) planted in the plains of the kingdom.
And the branch ascends on nothing except on firm bases and foundations in the world.
No days is worthier of tearing at clothes nor striking at cheeks nor cutting off nose than the day of Tu`s through whose terror the mourners called out to us ( as did) the mouths of the sheets (of paper).
1
Indeed the time destroyed him; death seeks none except those precious.
During these two minutes and two days, he is lying down in a grave; he is similar to a (person) who was buried two days ago.
During sunrise death came to him; the day of death was not withheld from him.
O he who has dwelled in a grave (in a place) other than his house! O victim of the day and not being killed!
You have been blessed by Him whom you served during midday heat in those deserts.
Were it not for that the world contradicted its own beauties, men of measures would not measure it.
Allah has made you dwell in an everlasting abode; in an abode
____________
1. By the mouths of the sheets (of paper) the poet means those letter written regarding the death of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, and sent to all regions; he has likened them to men.
( 970 )
with which Allah's Messenger is familiar.
1
Have you seen this painful grief which befell Islamic world out of losing the unique one and master of the world, the great Ima`m?
In his wonderful poem, Ashja' has pictured the heavy loss which befell the Muslims, and which is worthy of tearing garments and striking cheeks, for the time concealed the leader, master and Ima`m of the community.
This poem spread and the people memorized it. Ashja' was afraid of this spread, so he changed the words of the poem and composed them regarding Ha`ru`n al-Rashïd.
2
2. Di'bil al-Khaza'i
Di'bil al-Khaza`'i the poet of
ahl al-Bayt, peace be on him wept bitter tears for Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, and lamented for him, to the extent that his soul melted with sorrow and sadness. This is one of the poems which he has composed regarding lamenting for him:
He (al-Rida) is my own soul and, in addition, I hide in my heart love for the family of Mohammed.
The legacy of the Prophet has harmed them, so death has taken part in it.
(Men like) wolves from among the Umayyads have summoned them; successive crisis and years have lent on them.
The 'Abba`sids have caused mischief to the religion with a mischief; a wrongdoer and suspicious one have dominated it (the religion).
They have called (this) Rashï~d (wise) not because of his wisdom among them; and (they have called) that Ma'mu`n and that Amïn.
So no care has been accepted from them through wisdom (
rushd); nor has religion been accepted from a ruler (from among them) through the Ima`mate.
Their Rashïd (wise) is errant, and his two sons after him (are
____________
1. Maqatil al-Talibiyyin, pp. 568-570.
2. Ibid., 568
( 971 )
errant too); misfortunes belong to this; apart from that is dissoluteness.
O grave whose place is strange at Tu`s, the columns weep bitter tears for you.
I doubt, so I do not know whether you were given a drink (of poison), so I will weep for you, or the suspicion of death, so it is easy (for me).
Which of them have you said? If you say that it is a drink (of poison) or (natural) death, then it is worthy (of weeping).
Are you amazed at the rude when they hide the principal features of religion while they are very clear?
Certainly, you have preceded them through your excellence. I have a verse (regarding that), but there was no certainty.
1
Another example of what he has composed concerning lamenting for the Ima`m is these poetry lines:
Why has my eye shed tears? If it looses the water of the veins, then it will be delighted with him for whom the earth weeps, and for whom the heads of the high mountains have been brought back and they have become lowly.
The sky has mourned over missing him; the stars have wailed for him and become tired.
Allah is pleased with our late one, the grandson of our Prophet. The world had opposed (him) and turned away from him.
So today we are worthier of weeping over him because of a misfortune we regard as difficult and great.
The world after the family of Mohammed is not good; we must not pay attention to it when it vanishes.
The misfortunes of the time have become manifest, but I do not see that our misfortune regarding the chosen ones has become clear.
2
Another example of what he has composed concerning lamenting for the Ima`m is these poetry lines:
____________
1. Maqatil al-Talibiyyin.
2. Dibil, Divan, p. 99.
( 972 )
O regret which frequents and tear which does not come to an end,
(I weep) over 'Ali b. Mu`sa` b. Ja'far b. Mohammed, who passed away strange at Tu`s (and was) like the unsheathed sword.
O Tu`s, you are blessed! Certainly, you have become the grave of the son of Ahmed.
Shed tears, O my eyes! And flame, O my heart!
1
Another example of what he has composed concerning lamenting for the Ima`m is these poetry lines:
('Ali) b. Mu`sa` and exaltedness have departed; noble knowledge and religion have followed him just as the intimate, bosom friend does.
O delegation of generosity, old and young, come back with light bags!
We hoped that the Ima`m of guidance, who had wise opinions, would subsist.
You see his conditions and say: (They are) excellent and under his calmness is exalted excellence.
He has generous ones (who carry) his gifts and go early in the morning every day, and (he has generous ones who) roam by night.
So the decreed death has given as a gift to his soul a remote shrine.
Say to those who gloat over him: Slowly, death will let none walk; you have become delighted with the death of the young man over whom Allah's Messenger and the True Religion weep.
2
Yet another example of what he has composed concerning lamenting for the Ima`m is these poetry lines:
O calamity who has come from the east! You have not left nor retained (anything) of me.
The death of 'Ali b. Mu`sa` al-Rida` is of Allah's wrath upon the creation.
____________
1. Ibid., p. 101.
2. Ibid., p. 108.
( 973 )
Islam has wept over a gap which cannot be closed easily.
Heavy rain has watered the strange one whose grave has been built at Tu`s.
My eye has prevented (me) from sleeping, and my bowels have become fond of disorder.
1
This elegiac poetry gives an account of Di'bil's deep sadness for the death of the Ima`m of the Muslims, master of the Allah-fearing, Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, whose death has left a cut in Islam.
3. Ibn al-Mushayya' al-Medeni
Among those who were burnt by the fire of sadness for missing the Ima`m, peace be on him, is Ibn al-Mushayya' al-Medeni, who has composed on lamenting for the Ima`m:
O spot wherein is my master; there is no master like him among the people.
Guidance and generosity died after him, so death has gotten ready to deaden (all good manners).
O his grave, the rain of Allah still frequents you from Him.
He was for us (like) rain with which we quench (our thirst), and he was like the star through which we find the right way.
Surely 'Ali Bin Mu`sa` al-Rida` and righteousness have rested in one grave.
So O my eye, weep blood over the extinction of glory and righteousness after him!
4. Al-Khawafi
Among the poets who lamented for the Ima`m, peace be on him, is 'Ali b. 'Abd Allah al-Khawa`fi, who says:
May Allah water you with mercy, O land of Tu`s!
What has you contained of the blessings, O Tu`s!
Your spots have become good in the world, and they have been made good by a person buried at Sana`ba`d.
A person, whose demise is difficult for Islam, is immersed in
____________
1. Ibid., pp. 108-109.
( 974 )
and plunged into the mercy of Allah.
O his grave, you are a grave embraced by clemency, knowledge, purity, and sacredness.
You pride yourself (upon him), for surely you are delighted with his corpse, and you are guarded by the pious angels.
5. Al-Dabi
This is one of the good poems which have been composed concerning lamenting for the Ima`m. Shaykh al-Sadu`q said: "I have found the poem in a book which belongs to Mohammed b. Habïb al-Dabi." It is more likely that it belongs to him, for he has mentioned that in the last lines of the poem:
In the grave at Tu`s has resided an Ima`m to whom visitation is obligatory and general.
The grave in which the Peace has resided, to which greetings and
salam are given as a gift.
The grave whose flashing lights remove blindness and through whose earth maladies are repelled.
The grave which represents to eyes that Mohammed, his testamentary trustee, and al-Ma'mu`n are standing.
Eyes are lowly before this and that (i.e. Mohammed and his testamentary trustee) out of dignity; understandings are bewildered by their essences.
When visitors stop at the quarter of the grave and depart, their sins are forgiven, they supply themselves with security against punishment, and they are safe from that execution will not befall them.
Allah gives security to them (visitors) through it, and because of it the pens have become dried to them.
Had it not for it, no cloud would water the country, though it is in no need of the watering of rain.
'Ali b. Musa has resided in the grave of whose earth boast the sanctuary and the area outside sanctuary (
al-hill).
The running (
al-sa'i) to it has been made obligatory just as the (Sacred) House, which has, apart from it, the right of magnification.
( 975 )
If one visits it recognizing its right, then it is forbidden for the Hellfire to touch his body, his rank, without doubt, is praiseworthy tomorrow, he will have a place in the Gardens of Everlastingness, and he has, regarding that, Allah the Most Faithful Guarantor; (this is) an oath which all oaths reach.
Allah blesses the Prophet Mohammed and 'Ali, who supported Islam.
Likewise, al-Zahra' is eternally blessed by the Lord, Who knows her obligatory right.
He blesses him ('Ali), and then He starts with al-Hasan, and (blesses) al-Husayn, may Allah honor him.He blesses 'Ali al-Taqi, Mohammed, and every gallant Sayyid.Even though the dwarfs may be averse (to blessing), He blesses with the best blessing the educated, pure one, Ja'far al-Sa`diq (the truthful one), from whom your knowledge is reported and to whom peoples cling.
Similarly, He blesses Mu`sa`, your father, and after him, He blesses you with a permanent blessing.
He has doubled blessing for Mohammed al-Zaki; He blesses 'Ali as long as a speech continues.He blesses al-Rida` b. al-Rida` al-Hasan because of whose missing darkness has dominated the country.And He blesses his (i.e. al-Rida`'s) successor through whom the system has become complete and perfect.
For it is he who is the hoped one through whom guidance will return fresh and the (religious) precepts become firm.
Had it not for the Ima`ms, Islam would become effaced and submissive.
Each (Imam) takes the place of his predecessor until the days end in al-Qa`'im.
O son of the Prophet and Allah's proof who stands for prayer and fasting, if an Ima`m from among you disappears, his place is taken by his successor through whom maladies are cured.
Surely the Ima`ms are equal in excellence and knowledge when old-aged and young.
( 976 )
You are the means and mediation to Allah; you have taught guidance (to men), so you are the Emblems of it.
You are the guardians of the religion, the world, and those who are respected and protected for Allah.
The people (are nothing) except those who acknowledge your excellence; the diners are beasts and livestock.
Rather they are straying farther off from the path because of their unbelief, and those from among them who follow them are featherless arrows (used by ancient Arabs in divination).
They claim regarding your world as if they (did you) favor through denying your favors.
O Allah's Blessing whom He bestows upon whom He, the Munificent, chooses from among His creatures.
If your body is absent from us, your soul constantly presents.Your souls themselves are present even if (your) bodies have been hidden from eyes.
The difference between you and the Prophet is prophecy, for after that feet are equal.
Two graves are at Tu`s: The Guidance is in one, and the Error is in a grave which he sees as a flame.
Two graves are connected with each other: This (grave) is a lovable garden
1 where the Ima`m is visited.
And likewise that (grave) is a pit of the Hellfire therein burning thirst renewed for the errant one (i.e. Harun al-Rashïd).
The nearness of the errant one to the pure one (i.e. Imam al-Rida) doubles his chastisement in spite of him.
Though he is near to him, he is far, and on him is a pile of robes of chastisement.
And likewise, you are not harmed by the unclean one who has been brought nigh to you by rocks and marble.
No, rather they show you that they are greater in regret for you when you are honored and the cursed one is subjected to severe, doubled torment throughout hours, days, and years.
____________
1. In the tradition: "Surely, this pulpit of mine is on one of the gfardens."
( 977 )
I wish I knew: Will your Qa`'m be a sufficient sword for fighting tomorrow?
Through the sword, my hands will quench the thirst in the bowels (for revenging) you; I have not quenched my burning thirst yet.
Your graves excite me just as landmarks and tents excite those other than me.
If someone is very fond of praising the rich, then through praising you I have ardent love.I have given to Abu` al-Hasan al-Rida` the poem as a gift, which is pleasing and (which) understandings enjoy.
Take it from al-Dabi, your servant, who has found easy blames regarding you.
If I perform Allah's right regarding you, then I have the right of the entertainment of guest when he comes at night.
Therefore, accept my purpose, for I regard your accepting my purpose as a gain.
If one comes to know about love for you through teaching, then my love for you is an inspiration.
1
I (i.e. the author) have never read poetry better than this poem, which flows with the soul of friendship and pure affection toward the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, the summoners to Allah and guides to His good pleasure. The poem also contains clear words and a beautiful style, for, in this poem, there is no foreign word which one's ear rejects or from which one's nature turns away; rather all the words therein are harmonious, sweet, and light to temper. Moreover, the poem has a group of high values in which the Shï'ites have believed in respect of their love for the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them.
With this poem we will end our talk about what the poets have composed concerning lamenting for the Ima`m. Generally speaking, the poems display the heavy loss which befell the Muslims when they lost their great Ima`m.
____________
1. 'Uyun Akhbar al-Rida, vol. 2, pp. 252-254.
( 978 )
The Excellence of the Visitation to the Imam's Holy Shrine
The Shrine of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, in Khurasa`n has become one of the dear shrines in Islam, for it has acquired a halo of admiration and sanctification, to the extent that none of the shrines of Allah's friends has such admiration and sanctification, for millions of Muslims visit it in order to seek nearness to Allah through it. Mohammed b. al-Mu'ammal says: "We went out along with the Ima`m of the traditionalists, his brother-in-law Abu` 'Ali al-Thaqafi, a group of our Shaykhs, who were then coming to visit the grave of 'Ali b. Mu`sa` al-Rida` at Tu`s. Ibn Khuzayma magnified that place, behaved humbly before it, and pleaded (to Allah) beside it, to the extent that he bewildered us.
"Surely Allah, the Exalted, has singled out the grave of His friend Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, with an excellence, for He has made it as a refuge for those who are afflicted (with disaster). All people have come to know of this wide-spread miracle. Two poetry lines has been written on one of the sides of the Holy Shrine as follows:
If one wants to be pleased by seeing a grave throughwhich Allah removes the distress of him who sees it,then let him come to this grave, surely Allah has made dwell in it a distinguished one belonging to Allah's Messenger.
2
Many traditions ensured by many lines of transmission have been mentioned regarding the visitation to Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. The following are some of them:
1. Ja`bir b. Yazïd al-Ju'fi has narrated, saying: [I heard the testamentary trustee of the testamentary trustees and inheritor of the knowledge of the prophets, Abu` Ja'far Mohammed b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn b. 'Ali b. Abu` Ta`lib, peace be on him, say: The master of the worshippers 'Ali b. al-Husayn related to me on the authority of the master of martyrs al-Husayn b. 'Ali on the authority of the master of
____________
1. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 7, p. 388.
2. Al-Durr al-Nazim, p. 214.
( 979 )
the testamentary trustees, the Commander of the faithful 'Ali b. Abu` Ta`lib, peace be on him, who said: Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, said:] "A piece of me will be buried in the land of Khurasa`n. If a distressed person visits it, Allah will remove his distress; if a sinful one (visits it), Allah will forgive him his sins.
1
"2. Mohammed b. 'Amma`ra has narrated on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, on the authority of his fore-fathers, on the authority of Ima`m ('Ali), the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, who said: [Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, said:] "A piece of me will be buried in the land of Khurasa`n. If a believer visits it, Allah, the Great and Almighty, will make the Garden obligatory to him, and his body will be prevented from (touching) the Fire.
2
"3. Al-Hasan b. 'Ali al-Washsha`' has narrated, saying: [Abu` al-Hasan al-Rida, peace be on him, said:] "I will unjustly be killed by poison. So he who visits me out of knowledge of my right, Allah will forgive him his past sins and those to follow.
3
"4. Sulayma`n b. Hafs al-Marwazi has narrated, saying: [I heard Abu` al-Hasan Mu`sa` b. Ja'far, peace be on him, say:] "Surely my son 'Ali will unjustly be killed by poison and buried beside Ha`ru`n (al-Rashïd) at Tu`s. He who visits him is like him who visits Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family.
4
"5. Al-Saqr b. Dalaf
5 has narrated, saying: [I heard my master 'Ali b. Mohammed b. 'Ali al-Rida`, peace be on him, say:] "He who has a need with Allah must wash his body, visit the grave of my grandfather al-Rida`, peace be on him, at Tu`s, perform two rak'as by his head, and ask Allah for his need during his personal prayers (qunu`t), for surely He will respond to him, unless he asks (Him) regarding a sin and cutting the bonds of blood relatives; his (al-Rida`'s)
____________
1. 'Uyun Akbar al-Rida, vol. 2, p. 258.
2. Ibid., p. 255.
3. Ibid., p. 261.
4. Ibid., 260.
5. In a narration is Masqar b. Khalaf.
( 980 )
place is one of the places of the Garden. If a believer visits it, Allah will release him from the Fire and make him stay in the Abode of Stability.
1
"Other traditions have been transmitted from the Ima`ms of guidance; they urge men to visit the Shrine of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, and mention an increasing reward for those who visit it.
The Shrine of the Ima`m, peace be on him, was of great importance with the Muslim kings. For example, King 'Abba`s ordered the holy dome over the grave to be brocaded with gold. He spent his pure property on it, and it took him six years to build it. After it had been built, King 'Abba`s walked from Asfaha`n to Khurasa`n in order to visit the Holy Shrine.
2
The Iranian kings, their ministers, and rich good-doers took care of the Holy Shrine. They endowed buildings and wide lands, specified for it special banks in order to supply it with millions of funds. A group of the Iranian army guarded it and rendered services to it. A precious library has been built near to the Holy Shrine. The library is regarded as the best one in the Middle East, for it contains more than forty thousand manuscripts, hundred thousands of printed books, all kinds of old and modern sciences. A guest-house has also been built near to the Holy Shrine of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, and the guest-house undertakes giving food to visitors. As for the expenses of the guest-house, they are given by the above-mentioned banks.
With this paragraph we will turn over the last page of this book; I (i.e. the author) want to repeat what I have mentioned in the introduction to the book that there is no sufficient room in this book in order to mention all the excellences of the Ima`m, peace be on him, and what has been transmitted from him such as marvelous, wise sayings, and good manners; therefore, this book contains a simple, brief research (on the Ima`m). We ask Allah to accept it; surely He, the Exalted, is the One Who grants success.
____________
1. 'Uyun Akhbar al-Rida, vol. 2, p. 262.
2. A'yan al-Shi'a 4/Q2/214.
