Birthday Anniversary of Imam Ali Al-Ridha (AS)

11th Zilqaeda

The eight Imam, Hazrat Abul-Hasan famous as Reza was born in Medina in 148 A.H. He stayed for 17 years in Medina, the place where scholars resided and wherein the religion by propagated by his great grandfather (the holy Prophet s.a.w.a.). During the last 3 years of his Imamate, he was forcibly sent to Tus in Iran on instructions of Manthur, the Abbasid Caliph.
He was an intermediary between the people and the Almighty Allah and none were equal to him in piety and knowledge. His discussions and debates with various sects in Ma’mun’s court reveals Imam’s supreme knowledge. In this regard, Ma’mun has confessed that, “I do not know anyone more knowledgeable than Hazrat Reza on earth”.
In one gathering, Ma’mun the Abbasid Caliph collected 33,000 men from various eminent tribes and sects and asked them to select the most worthy person for the heir-apparent. It is recorded in history that all of them unanimously agreed that Ali-ibn-Musa Reza (a.s.) was most worthy of this post. However, Imam (a.s.) was forced to accept this post and he accepted after laying down certain conditions.
Regarding Hazrat’s worship and devotion, suffice it is to say that once, while donating his turban to “Dub’ail Khuzaee” the famous poet he said, “Value this turban very high as with this turban, 1000 units of prayers have been recited for 1000 nights. During his 55 years of living, he was very humble and would always eat in company with his servants and workers. In Islamic morals and ethics, he was extraordinarily the best and he would never return any needy empty handed from his house.
On his journey from Medina to Tus, while conversing with the people at Naishabour who had come to welcome him, Imam (a.s.) said, “My forefathers have narrated from the holy Prophet that Allah, the Almighty said that the phrase ‘La-Ilaha-Ilallah’ is My fortified castle and anyone entering it is safe from My chastisement.” This has conditions and I am one of the conditions. In other words, the Wilayat of Imam Ridha (a.s.) for guiding the people in his grandfather’s (holy Prophet s.a.w.a.) religion which is continuation of the Prophet’s Wilayat and Hazrat Ali and the six Imams after him. This is the main condition for remaining safe from the Divine chastisement. However, it is obvious that love and Wilayat without obedience is meaningless and the Wilayat of Ahl al-bayt (a.s.) and the holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is the same Wilayat of the Almighty Allah upon His slaves. Thus, Imam Reza (a.s.) has presented in one phrase the full faith, full salvation, full Quran and the full Sunnah. May we be amongst his true followers.

Naba Organization 2001