In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

A sermon delivered by the late Religious Authority, His Eminence, Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah (ra), at the Imamain Al-Hassanain Mosque, Thul Qi'da, 12th 1430 H. - October, 30th 2009.

Imam Ar-Rida (a.s.): A Torch to Mankind

The heir apparent

Allah says in His Glorious Book: "Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House! And to purify you a (thorough) purifying." (33:33).

Imam Ali Bin Moussa Ar-Rida (a.s.) was born on the eleventh of the month of Thul Qi'da, 148 H. He had a dynamic life that witnessed many important events including the fact that Al-Ma'moon, an Abbasid Caliph, forced him (a.s.) to be his successor. Actually, the Caliph wanted to transmit the caliphate from the Abbasids to the children of Ali and Fatima (a.s.), as a result of the struggle over the caliphate between Al-Ma'moon and his brother Al-Ameen, which ended up un Al-Ma'moon killing his brother Al-Ameen and asking Imam Ar-Rida to be his successor. However, the Imam (a.s.) knew that the stand of Al-Ma'moon was merely impulsive; one that is induced by the negative positions of the Abbasids who refused to pass down the caliphate to a non-Abbasid. Some historians say that at the end of Imam Ar-Rida's life, Al-Ma'moon turned against him and poisoned him (a.s.).

On this anniversary, we will try to highlight the personality of Imam Ar-Rida (a.s.). It was mentioned in his biography that when he was declared a heir apparent, some poets visited him, including the famous poet Abu Nawwas who is said to be a Shiite, who said the following verses:

I was told that I am one of the best poets ever, so why do not I praise Ibn Moussa [Imam Ar-Rida]?! I said how could I praise an Imam whose father had Gabriel as his servant [an Imam who is above all praise]?!

The Imam's knowledge

When we read about the life of Imam Ar-Rida (a.s.) in Al-Madina, we realize that he used to sit in the Mosque and lecture, preach, and educate the people. Some of his companions counted the stories that quoted him and found that they were about eighteen thousand, in which he used to answer the inquirers in several domains of knowledge. He also used to sit with other scholars in the Mosque and whenever they felt incapable before any issue, they used to refer it to the Imam (a.s.).

People loved the Imam  

Moreover, Imam Ar-Rida encompassed the Islamic history with a high level of science, knowledge, faith, and spirituality. In his travel from Al-Madina to Khurasan, the people whom he met in the cities he passed by used to approach him making use of the opportunity to ask him anything and learn from him. The Imam (a.s.) called for – just as his fathers and the prophets who came before him used to call for – the unification of Allah and not to ascribe any partners to Him, and to base their lives on the purity and depth of the unification, and the greatness of the commitment to one God.

The Imam quotes the Messenger (p.)

Some narrators relate that when the Imam (a.s.) used to pass in the city of Marrow, many scholars and people used to gather around him (a.s.) and ask him to talk to them. His talk was based on the issue of the unification of Allah which deepens the Islamic commitment and brings man closer to Allah, so the Imam used to say: "My father Moussa Al-Kazim (a.s.) narrated to me from his father, Ja'afar As-Sadiq (a.s.), from his father, Muhammad Al-Baqir (a.s.), from his father, Ali Zein Al-Abideen (a.s.), from his father, the Martyr of Karbala (a.s.), from his father, Ali Bin Abi Talib (a.s.), saying: "The Messenger of Allah narrated to me once that Gabriel told him that he had heard the Lord of the Throne saying: "The Kalima (Testimony) of La Ilahah Illa-Allah (there is no God but Allah) is My citadel; whoever said it would enter my citadel, and whoever entered my citadel was safe from My retribution."

The Imam's engagement in contemporary issues

Some of Imam Ar-Rida (a.s.)'s companions described some of the Imam's traits, and how he represented the sublime Islamic morals and the spiritual values. Ibrahim Bin Al-Abbas As-Sawli once said: "I have never seen Ar-Rida asked about anything he did not know. And I have never seen anyone who knew more about the previous times, as well as the contemporary times – he lived his time, for he was not separated from the phase in which he lived as he used to know what was going on in his time, handling and dealing with all the people's affairs. This is a lesson that all scholars ought to learn; which is that the scholar should comprehend the time he lives in and realize the expectations of that time, as well as the people's minds and methods, and what could open up their minds based on the Prophet (p.)'s saying: "We prophets were ordained to deal with people according to their mind levels." Al-Ma'moon used to test him (a.s.) by asking him about everything and he would always answer by citing verses from the Holy Quran. He used to guide people to the Quran so as to realize what is related to their lives through the Quran.

The Quran's companion

The Imam (a.s.) used to finish reading the Quran over three nights and say: "Had I wanted to finish reading it in less than three nights, I would have; however, I pause at every Ayah and contemplate about its meaning and for what purpose it was revealed." The Quran represented the major source of his education, so he used to pause at every Ayah to know its content and meaning, as well as its suggestions and for what purpose it was revealed, and what issue it handles; a thing we all ought to learn, i.e. how to read the Quran with contemplation and observation.

The Imam's sublime morals

In another narration by Ibn Al-Abbass As-Sawli, he said: "I have never seen or heard anyone better than Abi Al-Hassan Ar-Rida, and I have seen him act in a way like no one before – he was always the one referred and resorted to, that, once, Al-Ma'moon arranged a meeting for him with a group of people of all religions and told them to ask him anything. The Imam (a.s.) used to answer them, presenting indisputable arguments that none of the people had any chance to object or question what he (a.s.) was saying – nor did I see him interrupt anyone, or refuse to do someone a favor he was able to do, nor did he ever stretch his legs before an audience, nor leaned upon something while his companions did not, nor did he ever call any of his servants or attendants a bad name – at that time, he (a.s.) had servants and attendants, and he was lenient with them and never swore at any of them or called them bad names – nor did I see him spit – when he wanted to spit, he used to do it away from people – or burst into laughter; rather, his laughter was just a smile. When he was ready to eat and sat to be served, he seated with him all his attendants, including the doorman and the groom. He was used to having a little sleep at night and he used to fast a lot and would always fast for three days in a month, and say: "This is the fast of an entire lifetime." He was also very charitable but in absolute secrecy. During the dark nights, he would go round the houses of the poor giving charity without letting them know who he is. Thus, do not believe anyone who claims that he has seen someone who is as pious as him (a.s.)."

Raja' Bin Abi Ad-Dahhak who was commissioned by Al-Ma'moon to escort Imam Ar-Rida (a.s.) said: "By Allah! I never saw anyone more pious than him nor more often remembering Allah at all times nor more fearful of Allah, the Most Exalted. People approached him whenever they knew he was present in their neighborhood, asking him questions regarding their faith and its aspects, and he would answer them and narrate a great deal of Hadith from his father who quoted his forefathers till Ali (a.s.) who quoted the Messenger of Allah (p.). When I arrived at Al-Ma'moon's court, the latter asked me about his behavior during the trip and I told him what I observed about him during the night and during the day, while riding and while halting; so, he said: "Yes, O son of Al-Dahhak! This is the best man on the face of earth, the most learned, and the most pious."

The Imam's modesty

Al-Kalini in Al-Kafi quotes a man from Balkh saying: "I accompanied Ar-Rida (a.s.) during his trip to Khurasan. One day, he ordered preparations for his meal to which he invited all his attendants, blacks and non-blacks, so one of his companions said: "May my life be sacrificed for yours! Maybe these should have a separate eating arrangement." He said: "God Almighty is One, the father [Adam] and the mother [eve] are the same, and people are rewarded according to their deeds." 

Ali Bin Shuaib said: "Once, I visited Abi Al-Hassan Ar-Rida (a.s.). He asked me: "O' Ali, do you know who the best earner of livelihood among people is?" – some people might think that the best earner is the one who has a big amount of money, a big house, and a high prestige – I answered: "You, my master, are more knowledgeable than me." He (a.s.) said: "The best earner of livelihood among people is the one who improves others' livelihoods out of his livelihood," i.e. the one who is not selfish and does not live for his own sake, but rather tries to elevate the level of the people around him. He (a.s.) then asked him: ""O' Ali, do you know who the worst earner of livelihood among people is?" I answered: "You, my master, are more knowledgeable than me." He (a.s.) said: "The worst earner of livelihood among people is the one who deprives others from improving their livelihoods through his earnings."

The Imam's teachings

Imam Ar-Rida (a.s.) said: "Everyone's friend is his reason; his enemy is his ignorance." Reason enables man to differentiate between what is good and what is bad, and the ignorant offends himself in the first place before offending anyone else. It was also narrated that he said: "Being kind to people is half the mind," and that worship is not about fasting and praying as much as it is about thinking of Allah. Worship ought to be enclosed in man's mind; the more man gets to know his God, the closer he gets to Allah. He (a.s.) also said: "Supporting the weak is the best kind of charity," because you would be granting him dignity and pride.

Imam Ar-Rida (a.s.) encompassed the entire Islamic world and wanted people to be at a high level of knowledge and awareness and to further know Allah and get closer from Him and be more devoted to Him. This is the life of the Members of the House (a.s.) whom Allah wanted them to elevate people's level.

Peace be upon Imam Ar-Rida (a.s.) the day he was born, the day he passed away, and the day he will be brought back to life.