Shia Strength: [MahdiUniteMuslims] A small Review on the life of IMAM REZA (a.s.).

Saturday, October 31, 2009

[MahdiUniteMuslims] A small Review on the life of IMAM REZA (a.s.).

THE EIGHT IMAM 'ALI MUSA AR-RAZA (peace be on him)

Name

:

'Ali.

Title

:

Ar-Raza

Agnomen

:

Abu'l-Hasan

Father's name

:

Musa al- Kazim

Mother's name

:

Ummu'l-Banin Najma.

Birth

:

In Medina, on Thursday, 11th Zilqad 148 AH.

Death

:

Died at the age of 55, in Mashad (Khorasan), on Tuesday, 17th Safar 203 AH; poisoned by al-Ma'mun, the 'Abbasid caliph; buried in Mashad, (Iran).

        Imam 'Ali Ar-Reza was brought up under the holy guidance of his father for thirty-five years. His own insight and brilliance in religious matters combined with the excellent training and education given by his father made him unique in his spiritual leadership. Imam Ar-Reza was living example of the piety of the great Prophet and the chivalry and generosity of Imam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib.
Succession.

        Imam Musa al-Kazim was well aware of the aggressive designs of the government in power against the imamate and therefore during his lifetime he declare Imam ar-Reza as his successor in the presence of hundred and seventy-one prominent religious divines and called upon his sons and his family to submit to him and refer to him in all matters after him. He also left behind a written document declaring the succession of Imam ar-Reza duly signed and endorsed by not less than sixteen prominent persons. All these necessary steps were taken by the great Imam to avoid any confusion that may have arisen after his death.

Imamate:

        Imam Musa al-Kazim was poisoned while he was still in prison and expired on 25th Rajab 183 AH, and on the same day Imam ar-Reza was declare as the eight Imam of the Muslim world, Imam ar-Reza had the great task before him of coming out with the correct interpretation of the Holy Qur'an; specially under the most unfavourable circumstances prevailing under the government of Harun ar-Rashid. Many belonging to the faith were imprisoned and those who were free and could not be jailed faced untold atrocities and sufferings. Imam ar-Raza, of course, stamped his impression upon his age by carrying on the mission of the Great Prophet in a peaceful manner even during the most chaotic periods, and it was mostly due to his efforts that the teaching of the Holy Prophet and his descendants became widespread.

        Imam ar-Reza had inherited great qualities of head and heart from his ancestors. He was a versatile person and had full command over many languages, Ibnu'l-Athir al-Jazari penned very rightly that Imam ar-Reza was undoubtedly the greatest sage, saint and scholar of the second century (AH)

        Once, on his way to khurasan, when he (the Imam) was brought by force by the guards of al-Ma'mun from Medina, he arrived on horseback at Nishapur. Myriads of people gathered round him and all roads were overcrowded as they had come to meet and see their great Imam. Abu Dhar'ah ar-Razi and Muhammad ibn Aslam at-Tusi, the two great scholars of the day, stepped out of the crowd and begged the Imam to halt there for a moment so that the faithful may be able to hear his voice. They also requested the Imam to address the gathering. The Imam granted the request and in his brief address told the mammoth gathering the real interpretation of laa ilaaha illallah. Quoting Allah, he continued to say that the kalimah is the fortress of Allah and whoever entered the fortress saved himself from His wrath.

        He paused for a moment and continued that there were also a few conditions to entitle the entrance to the fortress and the greatest of all conditions was sincere and complete submission to the Imam of the day; and very boldly and frankly explained to the people that any disloyalty to the Prophet and his descendants would withdraw the right of the entrance to the fortress. The only way to earn Almighty Allah's pleasure was to obey the Prophet and his progeny and that was the only path to salvat