On What Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) told his Brother Zayd ibn Musa When Zayd was Being Haughty in Al-Ma’mun’s Presence and What Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said…

حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَد الْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قالَ حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَزِيد النحوي قالَ حَدَّثَني ابْنِ أَبي عَبْدون عَنْ أَبيهِ قالَ لَمَّا جِي‏ءَ بِزَيْدِ بْنِ مُوسَى أَخِي الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ إِلَى الْمَأْمُونِ وَقَدْ خَرَجَ إِلَى الْبَصْرَةِ وَأَحْرَقَ دُورَ الْعَبَّاسِيِّينَ وَذَلِكَ فِي سَنَةِ تِسْعٍ وَتِسْعِينَ وَمِائَةٍ فَسُمِّيَ زَيْدُ النَّارِ قَالَ لَهُ الْمَأْمُونُ يَا زَيْدُ خَرَجْتَ بِالْبَصْرَةِ وَتَرَكْتَ أَنْ تَبْدَأَ بِدُورِ أَعْدَائِنَا مِنْ أُمَيَّةَ وَثَقِيفٍ وَغَنِيٍّ وَبَاهِلَةَ وَآلِ زِيَادٍ وَقَصَدْتَ دُورَ بَنِي عَمِّكَ فَقَالَ وَكَانَ مَزَّاحاً أَخْطَأْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ كُلِّ جِهَةٍ وَإِنْ عُدْتُ بَدَأْتُ بِأَعْدَائِنَا فَضَحِكَ الْمَأْمُونُ وَبَعَثَ بِهِ إِلَى أَخِيهِ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ وَهَبْتُ جُرْمَهُ لَكَ فَلَمَّا جَاءُوا بِهِ عَنَّفَهُ وَخَلَّى سَبِيلَهُ وَحَلَفَ أَنْ لا يُكَلِّمَهُ أَبَداً مَا عَاشَ.

Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Zayd al-Nahawi, on the authority of Ibn Abi Abdoon, on the authority of his father, “Zayd ibn Musa - Ar-Ridha’’s brother - rebelled in Basra (in Iraq) in the year 199 A.H. (814 A.D.) and put the Abbasids’ houses on fire. That is why he was called Zayd al-Nar. When Zayd was arrested, Al-Ma’mun told him, ‘O Zayd! You rebelled in Basra (in Iraq) and instead of starting with burning the homes of our enemies from the Tribes of the Umayyads, Thaqeef, Adiy, Bahila and the Aal Ziyad, you started with burning the homes of your cousins!’ Zayd was somewhat of a joker and replied, ‘O the Commander of the Faithful (Al-Ma’mun)! I made a big mistake. If I return, I will attend to them (those tribes) this time.’ Al-Ma’mun started to laugh and sent him to his brother Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) with a message saying, ‘I forgave his crime for your sake.” When they brought Zayd in, Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) blamed him and told him, ‘You are free to go anywhere you wish.’ Then the Imam (a.s.) never spoke to him again for as long as he lived.”

حَدَّثَنَا أبُو الْخَيْرِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أحْمَدَ النَّسَّابَةُ عَنْ مَشَايِخِهِ أنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ مُوسَى كَانَ يُنَادِمُ الْمُسْتَنْصِرَ وَكَانَ فِی لِسَانِهِ فَضْلٌ وَكَانَ زَيْدِيّاً وَكَانَ زَيْدٌ هَذَا يَنْزِلُ بَغْدَادَ عَلَى نَهْرِ كَرْخَايَا وَهُوَ الَّذِي كَانَ بِالكُوفَةِ أيَّامَ أبِي السَّرَايَا فَوَلاَّهُ، فَلَمَّا قُتِلَ أبُو السَّرَايَا تَفَرَّقَ الطَّالِبِيُّونَ فَتَوَارَى بَعْضُهُمْ بِبَغْدَادَ وَبَعْضُهُمْ بِالكُوفَةِ، وَصَارَ بَعْضُهُمْ إلى الْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَ مِمَّنْ تَوَارَى زَيْدُ بْنُ مُوسَى هَذا فَطَلَبَهُ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ سَهْلٍ حَتّى دُلَّ عَلَيْهِ، فَأُتِيَ بِهِ فَحَبَسَهُ ثُمَّ أحْضَرَهُ عَلَى أنْ يَضْرِبَ عُنُقَهُ وَجَرَّدَ السَّيَّافُ السَّيْفَ لِيَضْرِبَ عُنُقَهُ وَكَانَ حَضَرَ هُنَاكَ الْحَجَّاجُ بْنُ خَيْثَمَةَ فَقَالَ: أيُّهَا الأمِيرُ إنْ رَأيْتَ أنْ لا تَعْجَلَ وَتَدْعُوَنِي إلَيْكَ فَإنَّ عِنْدِي نَصِيحَةً. فَفَعَلَ وَأمْسَكَ السَّيَّافُ، فَلَمَّا دَنَا مِنْهُ قَالَ: أيُّهَا الأمِيرُ أتَاكَ بِمَا تُرِيدُ أنْ تَفْعَلَهُ أمْرٌ مِنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ؟ قَالَ: لا. قَال: فَعَلامَ تَقْتُلُ ابْنَ عَمِّ أمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ غَيْرِ إذْنِهِ وَأمْرِهِ وَاسْتِطْلاعِ رَأيِهِ فِيهِ؟ ثُمَّ حَدَّثَهُ بِحَدِيثِ أبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ الأفْطَسِ وَإنَّ الرَّشِيدَ حَبَسَهُ عِنْدَ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ يَحْيَى فَأقْدَمَ عَلَيْهِ جَعْفَرٌ فَقَتَلَهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أمْرِهِ وَبَعَثَ بِرَأسِهِ إلَيْهِ فِي طَبَقٍ مَعَ هَدَايا النَّيْروزِ وَإنَّ الرَّشِيدَ لَمَّا أمَرَ مَسْرُوراً الكَبِيرَ بِقَتْلِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ يحيى قَالَ لَهُ إذَا سَألَكَ جَعْفَرٌ عَنْ ذَنْبِهِ الَّذِي تَقْتُلُهُ بِهِ فَقُلْ لَهُ إنَّمَا أقْتُلُكَ بِابْنِ عَمِّي ابْنِ الأفْطَسِ الَّذِي قَتَلْتَهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أمْرِي. ثُمَّ قَالَ الْحَجَّاجُ بْنُ خَثيمَةَ لِلْحَسَنِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ: أَفَتَأمَنُ أيُّهَا الأمِيرُ حَادِثَةً تَحْدُثُ بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ أمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَقَدْ قَتَلْتَ هَذا الرَّجُلَ فَيَحْتَجُّ عَلَيْكَ بِمِثْلِ مَا احْتَجَّ بِهِ الرَّشِيدُ عَلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ يَحْيَى؟ فَقَالَ الْحَسَنُ لِلْحَجَّاجِ: جَزَاكَ اللهُ خَيْراً. ثُمَّ أمَرَ بِرَفْعِ زَيْدٍ وَأنْ يُرَدَّ إلى مَحْبَسِهِ، فَلَمْ يَزَلْ مَحْبُوساً إلى أنْ ظَهَرَ أمْرُ إبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ الْمُهْتَدِي فَخَيَّرَ أهْلَ بَغْدَادَ بِالْحَسَنِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ فَأَخْرَجُوهُ عَنْهَا فَلَمْ يَزَلْ مَحْبُوساً حَتَّى حُمِلَ إلَى الْمَأمُونِ فَبَعَثَ بِهِ إلَى أخِيهِ الرِّضَا عَلَيْه السَّلامُ فَأطْلَقَهُ. وَعَاشَ زَيْدُ بْنُ مُوسَى إلى آخِرِ خِلافَةِ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ وَمَاتَ بِسُرَّ مَنْ رَأى.

Abul Khayr Ali ibn Ahmad al-Nassaba quoted on the authority of his own elders that Zayd ibn Musa was appointed as the intimate companion for Al-Montasir. Al-Montasir was very eloquent in speech, but was of the Zaydite sect. He lived in Baghdad next to the Karkhaya River. He was the same person who had become the head of the army during the time of Abul Saraya. When Abul Saraya was killed, the Zaydites were dispersed. Some of them fled away to Baghdad, others went to Kufa while some others fled to Medina. Zayd ibn Musa (Ar-Ridha’’s brother) was also one of those who had fled. Al-Hassan ibn Fadhl chased him, finally caught him and imprisoned him. One day he (Al-Hassan ibn Fadhl) summoned Zayd to execute him. When the executioner arrived and drew out his sword in order to chop off Zayd’s neck, Al-Hajjaj ibn Khaythama who was present there said, ‘O Commander! Do not rush. Call me forward to give you some advice.’ Then Al-Hassan ibn Fadhl ordered the executioner to withdraw the sword and called Al-Haj’jaj ibn Khaythama forward. Al-Hajjaj ibn Khaythama asked, ‘O Commander! Has the Commander of the Faithful (Harun Ar-Rashid) ordered that Zayd be executed?’ He replied, ‘No.’ Then Al-Haj’jaj ibn Khaythama said, ’Then what allows you to kill the cousin of the Commander of the Faithful (Harun Ar-Rashid), while Harun has not issued this order, and you yourself have not sought his permission either?’ Then Al-Hajjaj ibn Khaythama told Al-Hassan ibn Fadhl the story of Abdullah ibn Aftas - Harun Ar-Rashid’s cousin - who had been imprisoned by Harun by Ja’far ibn Yahya. Ja’far ibn Yahya had killed Abdullah ibn Aftas during the New Year holidays, placed his head on a tray and sent it to Harun as a gift. Later, when Harun issued the order Masrur al-Kabir to kill Ja’far ibn Yahya, he told him, ‘If Ja’far ibn Yahya asks the reason for killing him, tell him that this is the reward for you for killing my cousin Abdullah ibn al-Aftas without my order to do so.’ Then al-Hajjaj ibn al-Khaythama asked Hassan ibn Sahl, ‘Are you sure that if anything happens to your relationship with the Commander of the Faithful Harun, he would not make killing his cousin an excuse to kill you just as he (Harun) did to Ja’far ibn Yahya?’ Then Al-Hassan ibn Fadhl told Al-Hassan al-Hajjaj said, ‘May God grant you a good reward!’ Then Al-Hassan ibn Fadhl ordered that Zayd be returned to jail. He stayed in jail until the reign of Ibrahim ibn Al-Mahdi when the people of Baghdad rebelled against Hassan ibn Sahl and threw him out of Baghdad. Then Al-Ma’mun’s agents released Zayd from jail, and Al-Ma’mun sent him to his brother Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.). Zayd ibn Musa lived until the end of Al-Mutawakkil’s rule and then died.”

حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِى ماجِيلوَيْه وَمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُوسَى المُتَوَكِّل وَأَحْمَدِ بْنِ زِياد بْنِ‏الهَمْدانِيَّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ قالُوا حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ إِبراهِيمِ بْنِ هاشِم قالَ حَدَّثَنِي يَاسِرٌ أَنَّهُ خَرَجَ زَيْدُ بْنُ مُوسَى أَخُو أَبِي الْحَسَنِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَأَحْرَقَ وَقَتَلَ وَكَانَ يُسَمَّى زَيْدَ النَّارِ فَبَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَأْمُونُ فَأُسِرَ وَحُمِلَ إِلَى الْمَأْمُونِ فَقَالَ الْمَأْمُونُ اذْهَبُوا بِهِ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ قَالَ يَاسِرٌ فَلَمَّا أُدْخِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ لَهُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَا زَيْدُ أَغَرَّكَ قَوْلُ سَفِلَةِ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا فَحَرَّمَ اللَّهُ ذُرِّيَّتَهَا عَلَى النَّارِ ذَاكَ لِلْحَسَنِ وَالْحُسَيْنِ‏خَاصَّةً إِنْ كُنْتَ تَرَى أَنَّكَ تَعْصِي اللَّهَ وَتَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ وَمُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ وَدَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَأَنْتَ إِذاً أَكْرَمُ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِنْ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَاللَّهِ مَا يَنَالُ أَحَدٌ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلا بِطَاعَتِهِ وَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّكَ تَنَالُهُ بِمَعْصِيَتِهِ فَبِئْسَ مَا زَعَمْتَ فَقَالَ لَهُ زَيْدٌ أَنَا أَخُوكَ وَابْنُ أَبِيكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ‏أَنْتَ أَخِي مَا أَطَعْتَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِنَّ نُوحاً عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ ابْنِي مِنْ أَهْلِي وَإِنَّ وَعْدَكَ الْحَقُّ وَأَنْتَ أَحْكَمُ الْحاكِمِينَ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يا نُوحُ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ إِنَّهُ عَمَلٌ غَيْرُ صالِحٍ فَأَخْرَجَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ بِمَعْصِيَتِهِ.

Muhammad ibn Ali Majilawayh, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Mutawakkil and Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with them - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of Yasir (the servant of Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.)), “Zayd ibn Musa - the brother of Abil Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) rebelled in Medina. He put houses on fire and killed some people. That is why he is called ‘Zayd al-Nar’ Then Al-Ma’mun had him arrested and brought to him. Then Al-Ma’mun orderd that Zayd be taken to (his brother) Abil Hassan (Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.)).” Then Yasir (the servant of Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.)) added, “When Zayd was taken to the Imam (a.s.), Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) asked him, ‘O Zayd! Have the words of the narrators from Kufa made you so proud when they say, ‘Fatima (a.s.) maintained her chastity, thus God has forbidden the Fire from touching her progeny.’ By God, this holds true only for Al-Hassan (a.s.), Al-Husayn (a.s.) and Fatima’s own especial offspring. However, if it were the case that your father Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) obeyed God, fasted in the daytime and worshipped God at night, but you disobey God and claim to be equal to him (Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.)) in the Hereafter on the Resurrection Day, this would imply that you are dearer than him in the sight of God. By God, no one can attain the ranks near God the Honorable the Exalted except by obeying Him. Do you think that you can attain such ranks by committing sins? Surely you are wrong.’ Zayd said, ‘I am your brother and the son of your father.’ Then Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) told him, ’You are only my brother when you obey God the Honorable the Exalted. Indeed in the Holy Qur’an it says, ‘And Noah called upon his Lord, and said, ‘O my Lord! surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou art the Justest of Judges!’ [2] Then God the Honorable the Exalted said, ‘…O Noah! He is not of thy family: For his conduct is unrighteous.’ [3] And God threw him out (of Noah’s family) since he was a sinner.’”

حَدَّثَنا تَمِيمُ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّه بْنِ تَمِيمُ القُرَشِي رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ حَدَّثَنا أَبُو عَلِي أَحْمَدِ بْنِ عَلِى الأَنْصارِي عَنْ أَبي الصَّلْتِ الهَرَوِيِّ قالَ سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ أَنَّ إِسْمَاعِيلَ قَالَ لِلصَّادِقِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَا أَبَتَاهْ مَا تَقُولُ فِي الْمُذْنِبِ مِنَّا وَمِنْ غَيْرِنَا فَقَالَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ لَيْسَ بِأَمانِيِّكُمْ وَلا أَمانِيِّ أَهْلِ الْكِتابِ مَنْ يَعْمَلْ سُوءاً يُجْزَ بِهِ.

Tamim ibn Abdullah ibn Tamim al-Qurashi - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Abu Ali Ahmad ibn Ali Al-Ansari quoted on the authority of Abi Salt al-Harawi that he had heard Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) quote on the authority of his father (a.s.) that Isma’il asked his father As-Sadiq (a.s.), ‘O father! What is your opinion about a sinner from our family or one not from our family?’ As-Sadiq (a.s.) replied, ‘Neither your desires, nor those of the People of the Book (can prevail): whoever works evil, will be requited accordingly...’” [4]

حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِمْران الدَّقَّاق رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبي‏الكُوفِي قالَ حَدَّثَنا أَبُو الخَيْر صالِح بْنِ أَبي حَمَّادٍ عَنْ الحَسَن بْنِ الجَهْمِ قالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَعِنْدَهُ زَيْدُ بْنُ مُوسَى أَخُوهُ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ يَا زَيْدُ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ فَإِنَّا بَلَغْنَا مَا بَلَغْنَا بِالتَّقْوَى فَمَنْ لَمْ يَتَّقِ وَلَمْ يُرَاقِبْهُ فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا وَلَسْنَا مِنْهُ يَا زَيْدُ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تُهِينَ مَنْ بِهِ تَصُولُ مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا فَيَذْهَبَ نُورُكَ يَا زَيْدُ إِنَّ شِيعَتَنَا إِنَّمَا أَبْغَضَهُمُ النَّاسُ وَعَادُوهُمْ وَاسْتَحَلُّوا دِمَاءَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ لَِمحَبَّتِهِمْ لَنَا وَاعْتِقَادِهِمْ لِوَلايَتِنَا فَإِنْ أَنْتَ أَسَأْتَ إِلَيْهِمْ ظَلَمْتَ نَفْسَكَ وَأَبْطَلْتَ حَقَّكَ قَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْجَهْمِ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ لِي يَا ابْنَ الْجَهْمِ مَنْ خَالَفَ دِينَ اللَّهِ فَابْرَأْ مِنْهُ كَائِناً مَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَيِّ قَبِيلَةٍ كَانَ وَمَنْ عَادَى اللَّهَ فَلا تُوَالِهِ كَائِناً مَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَيِّ قَبِيلَةٍ كَانَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يُعَادِي اللَّهَ قَالَ مَنْ يَعْصِيهِ.

Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Imran al-Daqqaq - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Abi Abdullah al-Kufi quoted on the authority of Abul Khayr Salih ibn Abi Hammad, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Al-Jahm, “I was in the presence of Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) and his brother Zayd ibn Musa was with him. Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) told Zayd, ‘O Zayd! Fear God. Beware that we have attained this rank purely through piety. If anyone does not fear God and does not safeguard himself (from evil) not one of us. O Zayd! Do not insult any of our Shiites (followers) whom you find mastery over, lest you will lose your status. O Zayd! The people hate our followers these days due to their love for and belief in us. They fight with our followers, consider it allowable to take away their property and kill them. If you treat our followers badly just as other people do, then you have indeed oppressed your own soul and have ruined your own right.’”

حَدَّثَنا أَبُو مُحَمَّد جَعْفَرِ بْنِ نُعَيْم الشاذانِي رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ أَخْبَرنا أَحْمَدِ بْنِ إِدْرِيس قالابْراهيمِ بْنِ هاشِم عَنْ إِبْراهيمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّد الهَمْدانِيَّ قالَ سَمِعْتُ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَقُولُ مَنْ أَحَبَّ عَاصِياً فَهُوَ عَاصٍ وَمَنْ أَحَبَّ مُطِيعاً فَهُوَ مُطِيعٌ وَمَنْ أَعَانَ ظَالِماً فَهُوَ ظَالِمٌ وَمَنْ خَذَلَ عَادِلاً فَهُوَ خَاذِلٌ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ بَيْنَ اللَّهِ وَبَيْنَ أَحَدٍ قَرَابَةٌ وَلا يَنَالُ أَحَدٌ وَلايَةَ اللَّهِ إِلا بِالطَّاعَةِ وَلَقَدْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ لِبَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ ائْتُونِي بِأَعْمَالِكُمْ لا بِأَنْسَابِكُمْ وَأَحْسَابِكُمْ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى فَإِذا نُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَلا أَنْسابَ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَلا يَتَساءَلُونَ فَمَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوازِينُهُ فَأُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ وَمَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوازِينُهُ فَأُولئِكَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ فِي جَهَنَّمَ خالِدُونَ.

Abu Muhammad Ja’far ibn Nu’aym al-Shathani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Idris quoted on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Hashem, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Hamadani that he had heard Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) say, “Whoever likes a sinner is himself a sinner. Whoever likes an obedient person is himself obedient. Whoever aids an oppressor is himself an oppressor. Whoever supports a just person is himself just. Whoever deserts a just person is an oppressor. In fact, there are no family ties between God and anyone. No one can attain friendship with God unless he obeys Him. God’s Prophet (S) told the Children of Abdul Mutallib, ‘Come to me with your good deeds not your relationships. God the Highest said, ‘Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another! Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy, they will attain salvation: But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide.’’” [5]

حَدَّثَنا أَبُو الحَسَن مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عمرو بْنِ عَلِى البَصَرِيِّ قالَ حَدَّثَنا أَبُو الحَسَن صالِح بْنِ شعيب الغريانِي من قرى الغازيات قالَ حَدَّثَنا زِيْد بْنِ مُحَمَّد البَغدْادي قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ ِحمد العسكري قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَبْدِ اللَّه بْنِ داوُدِ بْنِ قبيصة الأَنْصارِي عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عَلِى القُرَشِي عَنْ أَبي الحَسَن الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ رُفِعَ الْقَلَمُ عَنْ شِيعَتِنَا فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي كَيْفَ ذَاكَ قَالَ لانَّهُمْ أُخِذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْعَهْدُ بِالتَّقِيَّةِ فِي دَوْلَةِ الْبَاطِلِ يَأْمَنُ النَّاسُ وَيَخَافُونَ وَيُكَفَّرُونَ فِينَا وَلا نُكَفَّرُ فِيهِمْ وَيُقْتَلُونَ بِنَا وَلا نُقْتَلُ بِهِمْ مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا ارْتَكَبَ ذَنْباً أَوْ خَطْباً إِلا نَالَهُ فِي ذَلِكَ غَمٌّ مَحَّصَ عَنْهُ ذُنُوبَهُ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُ أَتَى بِذُنُوبٍ بِعَدَدِ الْقَطْرِ وَالْمَطَرِ وَبِعَدَدِ الْحَصَى وَالرَّمْلِ وَبِعَدَدِ الشَّوْكِ وَالشَّجَرِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَنَلْهُ فِي نَفْسِهِ فَفِي أَهْلِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَنَلْهُ فِي أَمْرِ دُنْيَاهُ مَا يَغْتَمُّ بِهِ تَخَايَلَ لَهُ فِي مَنَامِهِ مَا يَغْتَمُّ بِهِ فَيَكُونُ ذَلِكَ تَمْحِيصاً لِذُنُوبِهِ

Abul Hassan Muhammad ibn Amr ibn Ali al-Basri narrated that Abul Hassan Salih ibn Sho’aib al-Ghaziyani from the village of Ghaziyat quoted on the authority of Zayd ibn Muhammad al-Baghdadi, on the authority of Ali ibn Ahmad Al-Askari, on the authority of Abdullah ibn Dawood ibn Qabeesah Al-Ansari, on the authority of Musa ibn Ali al-Qurashi, “Abil Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, ‘The pen has been lifted off of our followers. [6] ’ Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) was asked, ‘O my Master! How is this?’ He (a.s.) replied, ‘It is because they have undertaken an oath to practice the concealment of faith (‘Taqiyeh) under an unjust government. The people are secure, but they live in fear. They are reviled on our behalf, but we are not reviled on their behalf. They are killed for our sake, but we are not killed for their sake. Whenever one of our followers commits a sin, he becomes so upset and sorry that his sins get removed from him, even if they are as many as the drops of water in a rainfall, or as many as the number of pebbles and sand in the desert, or as many as the number of thorns and trees. And if this does not happen to himself, it will happen to his family or property. Even if does not suffer in his worldly affairs, he will have a bad dream that would cause his sins to be eliminated.’”

حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّه الوَرَّاقُ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ حَدَّثَنا سَعْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّه قالَ حَدَّثَني‏أَبي قتادة عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سَنان قالَ: قالَ أَبُو الحَسَن الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ إِنَّا أَهْلُ بَيْتِ وَجَبَ حَقُّنَا بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ فَمَنْ أَخَذَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ حَقّاً لَمْ يُعْطِ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ مِثْلَهُ فَلا حَقَّ لَهُ.

Ali ibn Abdullah al-Warraq - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Al-Husayn ibn Abi Qatadah, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Sinan that Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, “We are the Members of the Holy Household. By God’s Prophet (S), honoring our rights has become incumbent upon the people. However, whoever attains some rights due to God’s Prophet (S) but does not likewise honor the people’s rights himself has no rights incumbent upon the people to honor.”

حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَد الْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّه مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُوسَى بْنِ نَصْرِ الرَّازِيُّ قالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبي يَقُولُ قالَ رَجُلٌ لِلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلَى وَجْهِ الأَرْضِ أَشْرَفُ مِنْكَ آبَاءً فَقَالَ التَّقْوَى شَرَّفَهُمْ وَطَاعَةُ اللَّهِ أَحْظَتْهُمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ آخَرُ أَنْتَ وَاللَّهِ خَيْرُ النَّاسِ فَقَالَ لَهُ لا تَحْلِفْ يَا هَذَا خَيْرٌ مِنِّي مَنْ كَانَ أَتْقَى لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَأَطْوَعَ لَهُ وَاللَّهِ مَا نَسَخَتْ هَذِهِ الآْيَةَ آيَةٌ وَجَعَلْناكُمْ شُعُوباً وَقَبائِلَ لِتَعارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَتْقاكُمْ.

Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Musa ibn Nasr al-Razi that he had heard his father say, “A man told Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.), ’By God, considering who your father is, there is no one on the Earth who is nobler than you are.’ Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) replied, ‘Piety granted them this nobility, and obedience to God enabled them to benefit from it.’ Someone else said, ‘By God, you are the best of the people.’ Then Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, “Do not swear. Whoever fears God the Sublime more than me is better than I am, and is more obedient than I am. By God, the following verse has not been abolished, ‘…and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you…’” [7]

حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَد الْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قالَ حَدَّثَنا أَبُو ذكوان قالَ سَمِعْتُ إِبْراهيمِ بْنِ العَبَّاسِ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُوسَى الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَقُولُ حَلَفْتُ بِالْعِتْقِ وَلا أَحْلِفُ بِالْعِتْقِ إِلا أَعْتَقْتُ رَقَبَةً وَأَعْتَقْتُ بَعْدَهَا جَمِيعَ مَا أَمْلِكُ إِنْ كَانَ يَرَى أَنَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِنْ هَذَا وَأَوْمَأَ إِلَى عَبْدٍ أَسْوَدَ مِنْ غِلْمَانِهِ بِقَرَابَتِي مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ إِلا أَنْ يَكُونَ لِي عَمَلٌ صَالِحٌ فَأَكُونَ أَفْضَلَ بِهِ مِنْهُ.

Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Abu Thakwan that he had heard Ibrahim ibn Al-Abbas say that he had heard Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) say, “I have made a covenant not to swear by emancipation unless I set a slave free. Now I have freed all my slaves, so that no one thinks that I am superior to this slave due to being closer to God’s Prophet (S). No, I can only be superior due to having good deeds which give me nobility.” Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said this while pointing at one of his slaves.