The Holy Quran (Arabic Text + Three English Translations)

The Holy Quran (Arabic Text + Three English Translations)4%

The Holy Quran (Arabic Text + Three English Translations) Translator: Mohammad Habib Shakir, Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall and Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Publisher: www.alhassanain.org/english
Category: Quran Text

The Holy Quran (Arabic Text + Three English Translations)
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The Holy Quran (Arabic Text + Three English Translations)

The Holy Quran (Arabic Text + Three English Translations)

Publisher: www.alhassanain.org/english
English

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سورة فاطر (Fatir)

Sura 35

Aya 1 to 45

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

[Shakir] In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

[Pickthal] In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

[Yusufali] In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ جَاعِلِ الْمَلَائِكَةِ رُسُلًا أُولِي أَجْنِحَةٍ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَۚ يَزِيدُ فِي الْخَلْقِ مَا يَشَاءُۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ {1}

[Shakir 35:1] All praise is due to Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, the Maker of the angels, messengers flying on wings, two, and three, and four; He increases in creation what He pleases; surely Allah has power over all things.

[Pickthal 35:1] Praise be to Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who appointeth the angels messengers having wings two, three and four. He multiplieth in creation what He will. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.

[Yusufali 35:1] Praise be to Allah, Who created (out of nothing) the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels, messengers with wings,- two, or three, or four (pairs): He adds to Creation as He pleases: for Allah has power over all things.

مَا يَفْتَحِ اللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِنْ رَحْمَةٍ فَلَا مُمْسِكَ لَهَا وَمَا يُمْسِكْ فَلَا مُرْسِلَ لَهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ {2}

[Shakir 35:2] Whatever Allah grants to men of (His) mercy, there is none to withhold it, and what He withholds there is none to send it forth after that, and He is the Mighty, the Wise

[Pickthal 35:2] That which Allah openeth unto mankind of mercy none can withhold it; and that which He withholdeth none can release thereafter. He is the Mighty, the Wise.

[Yusufali 35:2] What Allah out of his Mercy doth bestow on mankind there is none can withhold: what He doth withhold, there is none can grant, apart from Him: and He is the Exalted in Power, full of Wisdom.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْۚ هَلْ مِنْ خَالِقٍ غَيْرُ اللَّهِ يَرْزُقُكُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِۚ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤْفَكُونَ {3}

[Shakir 35:3] O men! call to mind the favor of Allah on you; is there any creator besides Allah who gives you sustenance from the heaven and the earth? There is no god but He; whence are you then turned away?

[Pickthal 35:3] O mankind! Remember Allah's grace toward you! Is there any creator other than Allah who provideth for you from the sky and the earth? There is no Allah save Him. Whither then are ye turned?

[Yusufali 35:3] O men! Call to mind the grace of Allah unto you! is there a creator, other than Allah, to give you sustenance from heaven or earth? There is no god but He: how then are ye deluded away from the Truth?

وَإِنْ يُكَذِّبُوكَ فَقَدْ كُذِّبَتْ رُسُلٌ مِنْ قَبْلِكَۚ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الْأُمُورُ {4}

[Shakir 35:4] And if they call you a liar, truly messengers before you were called liars, and to Allah are all affairs returned.

[Pickthal 35:4] And if they deny thee, (O Muhammad), messengers (of Allah) were denied before thee. Unto Allah all things are brought back.

[Yusufali 35:4] And if they reject thee, so were messengers rejected before thee: to Allah back for decision all affairs.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُمْ بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُورُ {5}

[Shakir 35:5] O men! surely the promise of Allah is true, therefore let not the life of this world deceive you, and let not the archdeceiver deceive you respecting Allah.

[Pickthal 35:5] O mankind! Lo! the promise of Allah is true. So let not the life of the world beguile you, and let not the (avowed) beguiler beguile you with regard to Allah.

[Yusufali 35:5] O men! Certainly the promise of Allah is true. Let not then this present life deceive you, nor let the Chief Deceiver deceive you about Allah.

إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّاۚ إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُوا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ {6}

[Shakir 35:6] Surely the Shaitan is your enemy, so take him for an enemy; he only invites his party that they may be inmates of the burning fire.

[Pickthal 35:6] Lo! the devil is an enemy for you, so treat him as an enemy. He only summoneth his faction to be owners of the flaming Fire.

[Yusufali 35:6] Verily Satan is an enemy to you: so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his adherents, that they may become Companions of the Blazing Fire.

الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ {7}

[Shakir 35:7] (As for) those who disbelieve, they shall have a severe punishment, and (as for) those who believe and do good, they shall have forgiveness and a great reward.

[Pickthal 35:7] Those who disbelieve, theirs will be an awful doom; and those who believe and do good works, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward.

[Yusufali 35:7] For those who reject Allah, is a terrible Penalty: but for those who believe and work righteous deeds, is Forgiveness, and a magnificent Reward.

أَفَمَنْ زُيِّنَ لَهُ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ فَرَآهُ حَسَنًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ فَلَا تَذْهَبْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسَرَاتٍۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ {8}

[Shakir 35:8] What! is he whose evil deed is made fairseeming to him so much so that he considers it good? Now surely Allah makes err whom He pleases and guides aright whom He pleases, so let not your soul waste away in grief for them; surely Allah is Cognizant of what they do

[Pickthal 35:8] Is he, the evil of whose deeds is made fairseeming unto him so that he deemeth it good, (other than Satan's dupe)? Allah verily sendeth whom He will astray, and guideth whom He will; so let not thy soul expire in sighings for them. Lo! Allah is Aware of what they do!

[Yusufali 35:8] Is he, then, to whom the evil of his conduct is made alluring, so that he looks upon it as good, (equal to one who is rightly guided)? For Allah leaves to stray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. So let not thy soul go out in (vainly) sighing after them: for Allah knows well all that they do!

وَاللَّهُ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ الرِّيَاحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَسُقْنَاهُ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ مَيِّتٍ فَأَحْيَيْنَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَاۚ كَذَٰلِكَ النُّشُورُ {9}

[Shakir 35:9] And Allah is He Who sends the winds so they raise a cloud, then We drive it on to a dead country, and therewith We give life to the earth after its death; even so is the quickening.

[Pickthal 35:9] And Allah it is Who sendeth the winds and they raise a cloud; then We lead it unto a dead land and revive therewith the earth after its death. Such is the Resurrection.

[Yusufali 35:9] It is Allah Who sends forth the Winds, so that they raise up the Clouds, and We drive them to a land that is dead, and revive the earth therewith after its death: even so (will be) the Resurrection!

مَنْ كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًاۚ إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ الْكَلِمُ الطَّيِّبُ وَالْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ يَرْفَعُهُۚ وَالَّذِينَ يَمْكُرُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَكْرُ أُولَٰئِكَ هُوَ يَبُورُ {10}

[Shakir 35:10] Whoever desires honor, then to Allah belongs the honor wholly. To Him do ascend the good words; and the good deeds, lift them up, and (as for) those who plan evil deeds, they shall have a severe chastisement; and (as for) their plan, it shall perish.

[Pickthal 35:10] Whoso desireth power (should know that) all power belongeth to Allah. Unto Him good words ascend, and the pious deed doth He exalt; but those who plot iniquities, theirs will be an awful doom; and the plotting of such (folk) will come to naught.

[Yusufali 35:10] If any do seek for glory and power,- to Allah belong all glory and power. To Him mount up (all) Words of Purity: It is He Who exalts each Deed of Righteousness. Those that lay Plots of Evil,- for them is a Penalty terrible; and the plotting of such will be void (of result).

وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَكُمْ أَزْوَاجًاۚ وَمَا تَحْمِلُ مِنْ أُنْثَىٰ وَلَا تَضَعُ إِلَّا بِعِلْمِهِۚ وَمَا يُعَمَّرُ مِنْ مُعَمَّرٍ وَلَا يُنْقَصُ مِنْ عُمُرِهِ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ {11}

[Shakir 35:11] And Allah created you of dust, then of the life-germ, then He made you pairs; and no female bears, nor does she bring forth, except with His knowledge; and no one whose life is lengthened has his life lengthened, nor is aught diminished of one's life, but it is all in a book; surely this is easy to Allah.

[Pickthal 35:11] Allah created you from dust, then from a little fluid, then He made you pairs (the male and female). No female beareth or bringeth forth save with His knowledge. And no-one groweth old who groweth old, nor is aught lessened of his life, but it is recorded in a Book, Lo! that is easy for Allah.

[Yusufali 35:11] And Allah did create you from dust; then from a sperm-drop; then He made you in pairs. And no female conceives, or lays down (her load), but with His knowledge. Nor is a man long-lived granted length of days, nor is a part cut off from his life, but is in a Decree (ordained). All this is easy to Allah.

وَمَا يَسْتَوِي الْبَحْرَانِ هَٰذَا عَذْبٌ فُرَاتٌ سَائِغٌ شَرَابُهُ وَهَٰذَا مِلْحٌ أُجَاجٌ وَمِنْ كُلٍّ تَأْكُلُونَ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا وَتَسْتَخْرِجُونَ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُونَهَا وَتَرَى الْفُلْكَ فِيهِ مَوَاخِرَ لِتَبْتَغُوا مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ {12}

[Shakir 35:12] And the two seas are not alike: the one sweet, that subdues thirst by its excessive sweetness, pleasant to drink; and the other salt, that burns by its saltness; yet from each of them you eat fresh flesh and bring forth ornaments which you wear; and you see the ships cleave through it that you may seek of His bounty and that you may be grateful.

[Pickthal 35:12] And the two seas are not alike: this, fresh, sweet, good to drink, this (other) bitter, salt. And from them both ye eat fresh meat and derive the ornament that ye wear. And thou seest the ship cleaving them with its prow that ye may seek of His bounty, and that haply ye may give thanks.

[Yusufali 35:12] Nor are the two bodies of flowing water alike,- the one palatable, sweet, and pleasant to drink, and the other, salt and bitter. Yet from each (kind of water) do ye eat flesh fresh and tender, and ye extract ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the Bounty of Allah that ye may be grateful.

يُولِجُ اللَّيْلَ فِي النَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ النَّهَارَ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لِأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّىۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ الْمُلْكُۚ وَالَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ مَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِنْ قِطْمِيرٍ {13}

[Shakir 35:13] He causes the night to enter in upon the day, and He causes the day to enter in upon the night, and He has made subservient (to you) the sun and the moon; each one follows its course to an appointed time; this is Allah, your Lord, His is the kingdom; and those whom you call upon besides Him do not control a straw.

[Pickthal 35:13] He maketh the night to pass into the day and He maketh the day to pass into the night. He hath subdued the sun and moon to service. Each runneth unto an appointed term. Such is Allah, your Lord; His is the Sovereignty; and those unto whom ye pray instead of Him own not so much as the white spot on a date-stone.

[Yusufali 35:13] He merges Night into Day, and he merges Day into Night, and he has subjected the sun and the moon (to his Law): each one runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah your Lord: to Him belongs all Dominion. And those whom ye invoke besides Him have not the least power.

إِنْ تَدْعُوهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُوا دُعَاءَكُمْ وَلَوْ سَمِعُوا مَا اسْتَجَابُوا لَكُمْ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَكْفُرُونَ بِشِرْكِكُمْۚ وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثْلُ خَبِيرٍ {14}

[Shakir 35:14] If you call on them they shall not hear your call, and even if they could hear they shall not answer you; and on the resurrection day they will deny your associating them (with Allah); and none can inform you like the One Who is Aware.

[Pickthal 35:14] If ye pray unto them they hear not your prayer, and if they heard they could not grant it you. On the Day of Resurrection they will disown association with you. None can inform you like Him Who is Aware.

[Yusufali 35:14] If ye invoke them, they will not listen to your call, and if they were to listen, they cannot answer your (prayer). On the Day of Judgment they will reject your "Partnership". and none, (O man!) can tell thee (the Truth) like the One Who is acquainted with all things.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَنْتُمُ الْفُقَرَاءُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ هُوَ الْغَنِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ {15}

[Shakir 35:15] O men! you are they who stand in need of Allah, and Allah is He Who is the Self-sufficient, the Praised One.

[Pickthal 35:15] O mankind! Ye are the poor in your relation to Allah. And Allah! He is the Absolute, the Owner of Praise.

[Yusufali 35:15] O ye men! It is ye that have need of Allah: but Allah is the One Free of all wants, worthy of all praise.

إِنْ يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ وَيَأْتِ بِخَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ {16}

[Shakir 35:16] If He please, He will take you off and bring a new generation.

[Pickthal 35:16] If He will, He can be rid of you and bring (instead of you) some new creation.

[Yusufali 35:16] If He so pleased, He could blot you out and bring in a New Creation.

وَمَا ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ بِعَزِيزٍ {17}

[Shakir 35:17] And this is not hard to Allah.

[Pickthal 35:17] That is not a hard thing for Allah.

[Yusufali 35:17] Nor is that (at all) difficult for Allah.

وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰۚ وَإِنْ تَدْعُ مُثْقَلَةٌ إِلَىٰ حِمْلِهَا لَا يُحْمَلْ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰۗ إِنَّمَا تُنْذِرُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ بِالْغَيْبِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَۚ وَمَنْ تَزَكَّىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَتَزَكَّىٰ لِنَفْسِهِۚ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ الْمَصِيرُ {18}

[Shakir 35:18] And a burdened soul cannot bear the burden of another and if one weighed down by burden should cry for (another to carry) its burden, not aught of it shall be carried, even though he be near of kin. You warn only those who fear their Lord in secret and keep up prayer; and whoever purifies himself, he purifies himself only for (the good of) his own soul; and to Allah is the eventual coming.

[Pickthal 35:18] And no burdened soul can bear another's burden, and if one heavy laden crieth for (help with) his load, naught of it will be lifted even though he (unto whom he crieth) be of kin. Thou warnest only those who fear their Lord in secret, and have established worship. He who groweth (in goodness), groweth only for himself, (he cannot by his merit redeem others). Unto Allah is the journeying.

[Yusufali 35:18] Nor can a bearer of burdens bear another's burdens if one heavily laden should call another to (bear) his load. Not the least portion of it can be carried (by the other). Even though he be nearly related. Thou canst but admonish such as fear their Lord unseen and establish regular Prayer. And whoever purifies himself does so for the benefit of his own soul; and the destination (of all) is to Allah.

وَمَا يَسْتَوِي الْأَعْمَىٰ وَالْبَصِيرُ {19}

[Shakir 35:19] And the blind and the seeing are not alike

[Pickthal 35:19] The blind man is not equal with the seer;

[Yusufali 35:19] The blind and the seeing are not alike;

وَلَا الظُّلُمَاتُ وَلَا النُّورُ {20}

[Shakir 35:20] Nor the darkness and the light,

[Pickthal 35:20] Nor is darkness (tantamount to) light;

[Yusufali 35:20] Nor are the depths of Darkness and the Light;

وَلَا الظِّلُّ وَلَا الْحَرُورُ {21}

[Shakir 35:21] Nor the shade and the heat,

[Pickthal 35:21] Nor is the shadow equal with the sun's full heat;

[Yusufali 35:21] Nor are the (chilly) shade and the (genial) heat of the sun:

وَمَا يَسْتَوِي الْأَحْيَاءُ وَلَا الْأَمْوَاتُۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُسْمِعُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَمَا أَنْتَ بِمُسْمِعٍ مَنْ فِي الْقُبُورِ {22}

[Shakir 35:22] Neither are the living and the dead alike. Surely Allah makes whom He pleases hear, and you cannot make those hear who are m the graves.

[Pickthal 35:22] Nor are the living equal with the dead. Lo! Allah maketh whom He will to hear. Thou canst not reach those who are in the graves.

[Yusufali 35:22] Nor are alike those that are living and those that are dead. Allah can make any that He wills to hear; but thou canst not make those to hear who are (buried) in graves.

إِنْ أَنْتَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ {23}

[Shakir 35:23] You are naught but a warner.

[Pickthal 35:23] Thou art but a warner.

[Yusufali 35:23] Thou art no other than a warner.

إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًاۚ وَإِنْ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ إِلَّا خَلَا فِيهَا نَذِيرٌ {24}

[Shakir 35:24] Surely We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news and a warner; and there is not a people but a warner has gone among them.

[Pickthal 35:24] Lo! We have sent thee with the Truth, a bearer of glad tidings and a warner; and there is not a nation but a warner hath passed among them.

[Yusufali 35:24] Verily We have sent thee in truth, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner: and there never was a people, without a warner having lived among them (in the past).

وَإِنْ يُكَذِّبُوكَ فَقَدْ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَبِالزُّبُرِ وَبِالْكِتَابِ الْمُنِيرِ {25}

[Shakir 35:25] And if they call you a liar, so did those before them indeed call (their messengers) liars; their messengers had come to them with clear arguments, and with scriptures, and with the illuminating book.

[Pickthal 35:25] And if they deny thee, those before them also denied. Their messengers came unto them with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), and with the Psalms and the Scripture giving light.

[Yusufali 35:25] And if they reject thee, so did their predecessors, to whom came their messengers with Clear Signs, Books of dark prophecies, and the Book of Enlightenment.

ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ {26}

[Shakir 35:26] Then did I punish those who disbelieved, so how was the manifestation of My disapproval?

[Pickthal 35:26] Then seized I those who disbelieved, and how intense was My abhorrence!

[Yusufali 35:26] In the end did I punish those who rejected Faith: and how (terrible) was My rejection (of them)!

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَنْزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ ثَمَرَاتٍ مُخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَانُهَاۚ وَمِنَ الْجِبَالِ جُدَدٌ بِيضٌ وَحُمْرٌ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهَا وَغَرَابِيبُ سُودٌ {27}

[Shakir 35:27] Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the cloud, then We bring forth therewith fruits of various colors; and in the mountains are streaks, white and red, of various hues and (others) intensely black?

[Pickthal 35:27] Hast thou not seen that Allah causeth water to fall from the sky, and We produce therewith fruit of divers hues; and among the hills are streaks white and red, of divers hues, and (others) raven-black;

[Yusufali 35:27] Seest thou not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it We then bring out produce of various colours. And in the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of colour, and black intense in hue.

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ وَالدَّوَابِّ وَالْأَنْعَامِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ كَذَٰلِكَۗ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ {28}

[Shakir 35:28] And of men and beasts and cattle are various species of it likewise; those of His servants only who are possessed of knowledge fear Allah; surely Allah is Mighty, Forgiving.

[Pickthal 35:28] And of men and beasts and cattle, in like manner, divers hues? The erudite among His bondmen fear Allah alone. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Forgiving.

[Yusufali 35:28] And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colours. Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنْفَقُوا مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً يَرْجُونَ تِجَارَةً لَنْ تَبُورَ {29}

[Shakir 35:29] Surely they who recite the Book of Allah and keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them secretly and openly, hope for a gain which will not perish.

[Pickthal 35:29] Lo! those who read the Scripture of Allah, and establish worship, and spend of that which We have bestowed on them secretly and openly, they look forward to imperishable gain,

[Yusufali 35:29] Those who rehearse the Book of Allah, establish regular Prayer, and spend (in Charity) out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hope for a commerce that will never fail:

لِيُوَفِّيَهُمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدَهُمْ مِنْ فَضْلِهِۚ إِنَّهُ غَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ {30}

[Shakir 35:30] That He may pay them back fully their rewards and give them more out of His grace: surely He is Forgiving, Multiplier of rewards.

[Pickthal 35:30] That He will pay them their wages and increase them of His grace. Lo! He is Forgiving, Responsive.

[Yusufali 35:30] For He will pay them their meed, nay, He will give them (even) more out of His Bounty: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (service).

وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ هُوَ الْحَقُّ مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِعِبَادِهِ لَخَبِيرٌ بَصِيرٌ {31}

[Shakir 35:31] And that which We have revealed to you of the Book, that is the truth verifying that which is before it; most surely with respect to His servants Allah is Aware, Seeing.

[Pickthal 35:31] As for that which We inspire in thee of the Scripture, it is the Truth confirming that which was (revealed) before it. Lo! Allah is indeed Observer, Seer of His slaves.

[Yusufali 35:31] That which We have revealed to thee of the Book is the Truth,- confirming what was (revealed) before it: for Allah is assuredly- with respect to His Servants - well acquainted and Fully Observant.

ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتَابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا فَمِنْهُمْ ظَالِمٌ لِنَفْسِهِ وَمِنْهُمْ مُقْتَصِدٌ وَمِنْهُمْ سَابِقٌ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْكَبِيرُ {32}

[Shakir 35:32] Then We gave the Book for an inheritance to those whom We chose from among Our servants; but of them is he who makes his soul to suffer a loss, and of them is he who takes a middle course, and of them is he who is foremost in deeds of goodness by Allah's permission; this is the great excellence.

[Pickthal 35:32] Then We gave the Scripture as inheritance unto those whom We elected of Our bondmen. But of them are some who wrong themselves and of them are some who are lukewarm, and of them are some who outstrip (others) through good deeds, by Allah's leave. That is the great favour!

[Yusufali 35:32] Then We have given the Book for inheritance to such of Our Servants as We have chosen: but there are among them some who wrong their own souls; some who follow a middle course; and some who are, by Allah's leave, foremost in good deeds; that is the highest Grace.

جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِيهَا حَرِيرٌ {33}

[Shakir 35:33] Gardens of perpetuity, they shall enter therein; they shad be made to wear therein bracelets of gold and pearls, and their dress therein shall be silk.

[Pickthal 35:33] Gardens of Eden! They enter them wearing armlets of gold and pearl and their raiment therein is silk.

[Yusufali 35:33] Gardens of Eternity will they enter: therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk.

وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَذْهَبَ عَنَّا الْحَزَنَ إِنَّ رَبَّنَا لَغَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ {34}

[Shakir 35:34] And they shall say: (All) praise is due to Allah, Who has made grief to depart from us; most surely our Lord is Forgiving, Multiplier of rewards,

[Pickthal 35:34] And they say: Praise be to Allah Who hath put grief away from us. Lo! Our Lord is Forgiving, Bountiful,

[Yusufali 35:34] And they will say: "Praise be to Allah, Who has removed from us (all) sorrow: for our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving Ready to appreciate (service):

الَّذِي أَحَلَّنَا دَارَ الْمُقَامَةِ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ لَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا نَصَبٌ وَلَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا لُغُوبٌ {35}

[Shakir 35:35] Who has made us alight in a house abiding for ever out of His grace; toil shall not touch us therein, nor shall fatigue therein afflict us.

[Pickthal 35:35] Who, of His grace, hath installed us in the mansion of eternity, where toil toucheth us not nor can weariness affect us.

[Yusufali 35:35] "Who has, out of His Bounty, settled us in a Home that will last: no toil nor sense of weariness shall touch us therein."

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَهُمْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ لَا يُقْضَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَمُوتُوا وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ مِنْ عَذَابِهَاۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي كُلَّ كَفُورٍ {36}

[Shakir 35:36] And (as for) those who disbelieve, for them is the fire of hell; it shall not be finished with them entirely so that they should die, nor shall the chastisement thereof be lightened to them: even thus do We retribute every ungrateful one.

[Pickthal 35:36] But as for those who disbelieve, for them is fire of hell; it taketh not complete effect upon them so that they can die, nor is its torment lightened for them. Thus We punish every ingrate.

[Yusufali 35:36] But those who reject (Allah) - for them will be the Fire of Hell: No term shall be determined for them, so they should die, nor shall its Penalty be lightened for them. Thus do We reward every ungrateful one!

وَهُمْ يَصْطَرِخُونَ فِيهَا رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا نَعْمَلْ صَالِحًا غَيْرَ الَّذِي كُنَّا نَعْمَلُۚ أَوَلَمْ نُعَمِّرْكُمْ مَا يَتَذَكَّرُ فِيهِ مَنْ تَذَكَّرَ وَجَاءَكُمُ النَّذِيرُ فَذُوقُوا فَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ نَصِيرٍ {37}

[Shakir 35:37] And they shall cry therein for succour: O our Lord ! take us out, we will do good deeds other than those which we used to do. Did We not preserve you alive long enough, so that he who would be mindful in it should mind? And there came to you the warner; therefore taste; because for the unjust, there is no helper.

[Pickthal 35:37] And they cry for help there, (saying): Our Lord! Release us; we will do right, not (the wrong) that we used to do. Did not We grant you a life long enough for him who reflected to reflect therein? And the warner came unto you. Now taste (the flavour of your deeds), for evil-doers have no helper.

[Yusufali 35:37] Therein will they cry aloud (for assistance): "Our Lord! Bring us out: we shall work righteousness, not the (deeds) we used to do!" - "Did We not give you long enough life so that he that would should receive admonition? and (moreover) the warner came to you. So taste ye (the fruits of your deeds): for the wrong-doers there is no helper."

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَالِمُ غَيْبِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِۚ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ {38}

[Shakir 35:38] Surely Allah is the Knower of what is unseen m the heavens and the earth; surely He is Cognizant of what IS m the hearts.

[Pickthal 35:38] Lo! Allah is the Knower of the Unseen of the heavens and the earth. Lo! He is Aware of the secret of (men's) breasts.

[Yusufali 35:38] Verily Allah knows (all) the hidden things of the heavens and the earth: verily He has full knowledge of all that is in (men's) hearts.

هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَائِفَ فِي الْأَرْضِۚ فَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَعَلَيْهِ كُفْرُهُ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الْكَافِرِينَ كُفْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَّا مَقْتًا وَلَا يَزِيدُ الْكَافِرِينَ كُفْرُهُمْ إِلَّا خَسَارًا {39}

[Shakir 35:39] He it is Who made you rulers in the land; therefore whoever disbelieves, his unbelief is against himself; and their unbelief does not increase the disbelievers with their Lord in anything except hatred; and their unbelief does not increase the disbelievers m anything except loss.

[Pickthal 35:39] He it is Who hath made you regents in the earth; so he who disbelieveth, his disbelief be on his own head. Their disbelief increaseth for the disbelievers, in their Lord's sight, naught save abhorrence. Their disbelief increaseth for the disbelievers naught save loss.

[Yusufali 35:39] He it is That has made you inheritors in the earth: if, then, any do reject (Allah), their rejection (works) against themselves: their rejection but adds to the odium for the Unbelievers in the sight of their Lord: their rejection but adds to (their own) undoing.

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ شُرَكَاءَكُمُ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَرُونِي مَاذَا خَلَقُوا مِنَ الْأَرْضِ أَمْ لَهُمْ شِرْكٌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ أَمْ آتَيْنَاهُمْ كِتَابًا فَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَتٍ مِنْهُۚ بَلْ إِنْ يَعِدُ الظَّالِمُونَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا إِلَّا غُرُورًا {40}

[Shakir 35:40] Say: Have you considered your associates which you call upon besides Allah? Show me what part of the earth they have created, or have they any share in the heavens; or, have We given them a book so that they follow a clear argument thereof? Nay, the unjust do not hold out promises one to another but only to deceive.

[Pickthal 35:40] Say: Have ye seen your partner-gods to whom ye pray beside Allah? Show me what they created of the earth! Or have they any portion in the heavens? Or have We given them a scripture so they act on clear proof therefrom? Nay, the evil-doers promise one another only to deceive.

[Yusufali 35:40] Say: "Have ye seen (these) 'Partners' of yours whom ye call upon besides Allah? Show Me what it is they have created in the (wide) earth. Or have they a share in the heavens? Or have We given them a Book from which they (can derive) clear (evidence)?- Nay, the wrong-doers promise each other nothing but delusions.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ أَنْ تَزُولَاۚ وَلَئِنْ زَالَتَا إِنْ أَمْسَكَهُمَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِنْ بَعْدِهِۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا {41}

[Shakir 35:41] Surely Allah upholds the heavens and the earth lest they come to naught; and if they should come to naught, there Is none who can uphold them after Him; surely He is the Forbearing, the Forgiving.

[Pickthal 35:41] Lo! Allah graspeth the heavens and the earth that they deviate not, and if they were to deviate there is not one that could grasp them after Him. Lo! He is ever Clement, Forgiving.

[Yusufali 35:41] It is Allah Who sustains the heavens and the earth, lest they cease (to function): and if they should fail, there is none - not one - can sustain them thereafter: Verily He is Most Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.

وَأَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَئِنْ جَاءَهُمْ نَذِيرٌ لَيَكُونُنَّ أَهْدَىٰ مِنْ إِحْدَى الْأُمَمِ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ نَذِيرٌ مَا زَادَهُمْ إِلَّا نُفُورًا {42}

[Shakir 35:42] And they swore by Allah with the strongest of their oaths that if there came to them a warner they would be better guided than any of the nations; but when there came to them a warner it increased them in naught but aversion.

[Pickthal 35:42] And they swore by Allah, their most binding oath, that if a warner came unto them they would be more tractable than any of the nations; yet, when a warner came unto them it aroused in them naught save repugnance,

[Yusufali 35:42] They swore their strongest oaths by Allah that if a warner came to them, they would follow his guidance better than any (other) of the Peoples: But when a warner came to them, it has only increased their flight (from righteousness),-

اسْتِكْبَارًا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَكْرَ السَّيِّئِۚ وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِۚ فَهَلْ يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَّا سُنَّتَ الْأَوَّلِينَۚ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا وَلَنْ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَحْوِيلًا {43}

[Shakir 35:43] (In) behaving proudly in the land and in planning evil; and the evil plans shall not beset any save the authors of it. Then should they wait for aught except the way of the former people? For you shall not find any alteration in the course of Allah; and you shall not find any change in the course of Allah.

[Pickthal 35:43] (Shown in their) behaving arrogantly in the land and plotting evil; and the evil plot encloseth but the men who make it. Then, can they expect aught save the treatment of the folk of old? Thou wilt not find for Allah's way of treatment any substitute, nor wilt thou find for Allah's way of treatment aught of power to change.

[Yusufali 35:43] On account of their arrogance in the land and their plotting of Evil, but the plotting of Evil will hem in only the authors thereof. Now are they but looking for the way the ancients were dealt with? But no change wilt thou find in Allah's way (of dealing): no turning off wilt thou find in Allah's way (of dealing).

أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَكَانُوا أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةًۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعْجِزَهُ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَلِيمًا قَدِيرًا {44}

[Shakir 35:44] Have they not travelled in the land and seen how was the end of those before them while they were stronger than these in power? And Allah is not such that any thing in the heavens or in the earth should escape Him; surely He is Knowing, Powerful.

[Pickthal 35:44] Have they not travelled in the land and seen the nature of the consequence for those who were before them, and they were mightier than these in power? Allah is not such that aught in the heavens or in the earth escapeth Him. Lo! He is the Wise, the Mighty.

[Yusufali 35:44] Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the End of those before them,- though they were superior to them in strength? Nor is Allah to be frustrated by anything whatever in the heavens or on earth: for He is All-Knowing. All-Powerful.

وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ وَلَٰكِنْ يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِ بَصِيرًا {45}

[Shakir 35:45] And were Allah to punish men for what they earn, He would not leave on the back of it any creature, but He respites them till an appointed term; so when their doom shall come, then surely Allah is Seeing with respect to His servants.

[Pickthal 35:45] If Allah took mankind to task by that which they deserve, He would not leave a living creature on the surface of the earth; but He reprieveth them unto an appointed term, and when their term cometh - then verily (they will know that) Allah is ever Seer of His slaves.

[Yusufali 35:45] If Allah were to punish men according to what they deserve. He would not leave on the back of the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: when their Term expires, verily Allah has in His sight all His Servants.

Chapter 1: Why Is Ali Ibn Musa (a.s.) Called Al-Ridha’

The author of this book (a.s.heikh Sadooq) lived in Ray. He was a jurisprudent whose name was Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Husayn ibn Musa ibn Babwaih al-Qumi, a resident of Ray - may God help him in obedience of God, and grant him success in His gratification.

1-1 My father, Muhammad ibn Musa ibn al-Motawakkil, Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Majiluwayh, Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem; Al-Husayn ibn Ibrahim Natanat; Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani; Al-Husayn ibn Ibrahim ibn Hisham al-Mokattib, and Ali ibn Abdullah - may God be pleased with them all - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father that Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr al-Bezanti told Abi Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Musa (a.s.), “Some of your opponents think that Al-Ma’mun called your father Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) that means ‘acceptable’ or ‘liked’ since he liked your father and chose him to be his crown-prince. Imam Al-Jawad (a.s.) said, “No, by God, they are liars. God the Almighty the Sublime named him Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) since he was accepted by God the Almighty in His Heavens1 , and he was accepted by his Prophet (S) and the Imams (a.s.) that followed the Prophet (S) on His Earth.” Al-Bezanti said, “Were not your father and grandfathers accepted by God, the Prophet and the Imams?” Imam Al-Jawad (a.s.) said, “Yes, they were.” He then asked, “Why then only was your father called Al-Ridha’ and they were not?” Then Imam Al-Jawad (a.s.) said, “That is because his friends and followers as well as his opponents accepted him, while this was never the case for my forefathers. Therefore, he is the only one who is called Al-Ridha’.”

1-2 Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Imran ad-Daqqaq - with whom God may be pleased - narrated that Muhammad ibn Abi Abdullah al-Kufi

1- بابُ العِلَّةِ الَّتِي مِنْ أَجْلِها سُمِّيَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى ‏عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ «الرِّضا»

قالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ مُوسَى بْنِ بابَويه القُمِّيُّ الفقيه [نَزِيلُ الرَّيُّ ] مُصَنِّفُ هذا الْكِتاب - أَعانَهُ اللَّهِ عَلى‏ طاعَتِهِ وَوَفَّقَهُ لِمَرْضاتِهِ-:

1 - حَدَّثَنا أَبي وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنِ مُوسَى بْنِ المُتَوَكِّل؛ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنِ عَلِيِّ ماجِيلَوَيْه؛ وَأحْمَدُ بْنِ على بن إِبْراهيمَ بْنِ هاشِم؛ وَالحُسَيْنُ بْنُ إِبْراهيم ناتانَةَ؛ وَأَحْمَدُ بْنِ زِيادِ بْنِ جَعْفَر الْهَمَذانيُّ؛ وَالحُسَيْنُ بْنِ إِبْراهيمَ بْنِ هشام المُكَتَّبُ؛ وَعَلِيُّ بْنِ عَبْدِاللَّهِ الْوَرَّاقُ - رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ جَمِيعاً - قالُوا: حَدَّثَنا عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبراهيمَ بْنِ هاشِم، عَنْ أَبيهِ، عَنْ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبي نَصْرِ البِزَنْطِيِّ قالَ: قُلتُ لأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُوسَى‏ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ: إِنَّ قَوْماً مِنْ مُخالِفِيكُمْ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ أَباكَ إِنَّما سَمَّاهُ الْمَأمُون الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ لَمّا رَضِيَهُ لِوِلايَةِ عَهْدِهِ فَقالَ: كَذَبُوا وَاللَّهِ وَفَجَرُوا، بَلِ اللَّهُ تَبارَكَ وَتَعالى‏ سَمَّاهُ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ ، لأَنَّهُ كانَ رضىِ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي سَمائِهِ، وَرَضِىَ لِرَسُولِهِ وَالأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ - صَلَواتُ اللَّه عَلَيْهِم - فِي أَرْضِهِ، قالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ: أَلَمْ يَكُنْ كُلُّ واحِدٍ مِنْ آبائِكَ الماضِينَ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ رَضِىَ لِلَّهِ تَعالى‏ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَالأَئِمَّةِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ فَقالَ: بَلى‏، فَقُلْتُ: فَلِمَ سُمِّيَ أَبُوكَ مِنْ بَيْنِهِم الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ ؟ قالَ: لأَنَّهُ رَضِيَ بِهِ الُْمخالِفُونَ مِنْ أَعْدائِهِ كَما رَضِيَ بِهِ الْمُوافِقُونَ مِنْ أَوْلِيائِهِ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ ذلِكَ لأَحَدٍ مِنْ آبائِهِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ، فَلِذلِكَ سُمِّيَ مِنْ بَيْنِهِمُ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ الرِّضا.

2 - حَدَّثَنا عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِمْرانَ الدَّقَّاق رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدُ بْنِ أَبي عَبْدِاللَّهِ الكُوفِيُ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيادِ الأَدَمِيِ عَنْ عَبْدِالعَظِيم الْحَسَنِيِّ عَنْ سُلَيْمانَ بْنِ

quoted on the authority of Sahil ibn Ziyad al-Adami, on the authority of Abdul Azeem ibn Abdullah Al-Hassani, on the authority of Soleiman ibn Hafs al-Marwazy that Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) used to call his son Al-Ridha’ and said, ‘Call my son, Al-Ridha’’, or ‘I called my son Al-Ridha’.’ When he talked to his son Al-Ridha’, he called him Abul Hassan (that is the same as Abul Hassan or Abil Hassan).2

Notes

1. “He Who created the seven heavens one above another: No want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious. So turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw?” [The Holy Quran: Mulk 67:3]

2. According to some references Imam Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) had as many as 39 children. They include Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha’ (a.s.), Abdullah, Husayn, Farz, Ali, Hassan, Ahmad, Muhsen, Saradin, Abdullah, Aqeel, Tayyeb, Muhammad, Nasir, Yasir, Hamza, Mahmood, Ahmad, Ridha’, ShahRidha’, Sam, Lam, Yaqoob, Ja’far, Ibrahim, AbuJavab, Yusuf, Fatima, Amina Khatoon, Khanoom Aqa, Tavoos Khatoon. According to the hypertext material at the following url address: http://www.coej.org/islamic_resources/7thimam.htm, he (a.s.) had 19 sons & 18 daughters. The most famous of his sons is his successor, Imam Ali Al-Reza (a.s.) buried in Mashhad and the most famous of his daughters is Fatima Kubra known as Masuma who is buried in Qum. Yasir and Nasir are also buried in the suburbs of Mashhad on the road to Torqaba. Another one is said to be buried in Babol in the north of Iran in a place known as Imamzadeh Sultan Muhammad Taher. This shrine is located 3 km east of Babol and has been officially registered as an Iranian historical relic. Its tower is octagonal and each line is erected on a rectangular artificial arch at the bottom. The shrine was built in the year 1470 A.D.

Chapter 2: Traditions About Imam Al-Ridha’'s Mother And Her Name

2-1 In the year 235 A.H. (849 A.D.) al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated from his home in Neishaboor that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowly said that Abul Hassan Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) is Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja'far ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Al-Husayn ibn Abi Talib (a.s.). His mother was an Umm Walad1 who was called Toktam. She was named Toktam when Abul Hassan Musa ibn Ja'far (a.s.) became her master (i.e. husband).

2-2 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi quoted on the authority of al-Sowly, on the authority of Own ibn Muhammad al-Kendy quoted on the authority of Abul Hassan Ali ibn Maysam2 - Imam Al-Kazim's mother - who was one of the noble Persian ladies called Hamideh, bought a female slave of the Mowalledeh3 type named Toktam. Toktam was one of the noblest ladies in regards to intelligence, religion and respect for her master and his mother Hamideh. She respected Lady Hamideh so much that she would never sit down in her presence. Then Lady Hamideh told her son - Imam Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.), “O my son! Toktam is a female slave. I have never seen any female slave better than her. I have no doubt that God will purify any generations from her offspring. Therefore, I will bestow her on you. Treat her with kindness. When she gave birth to Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.), Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) called her Taherah.”

Then Ali ibn Maysam added, “Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) drank a lot of milk and was a chubby baby. Then his mother asked for a wet-nurse to breast-feed the baby. She was asked if she had run out of milk. She replied, ‘No, I

حَفْصٍ الْمَرْوَزِيِّ قالَ: كانَ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلىِّ بْنِ الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلىِّ بْنِ أَبي طالِب عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ يُسَمِّي وَلَدَهُ عَلِيّاً عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ، الرِّضا وَكانَ يَقُولُ: «اُدْعُوا لِي وَلَدِيَ الرِّضا» وَ«قُلتُ لِوَلَدِيَ الرِّضا» وَ«قالَ لِي وَلَدِيَ الرِّضا» وَإِذا خاطَبَهُ قالَ: «يا أَبَا الحَسَنِ».

2- بابُ ما جاءَ فِي اُمِّ الرِّضا عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُوسَى‏عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ وَاِسْمِها

1 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِمُ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الحُسَيْنُ بْنُ أحْمَدَ الْبِيْهَقِيُّ فِي دارِهِ بِنِيْسابُورَ فِي سَنَةِ اِثْنَتَيْنِ و خَمْسِينَ وَثَلاثِمِائَةٍ و قالَ: أَخْبَرنا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قِراءَةً عَلَيْهِ قالَ: أَبُو الحَسَن الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ هُوَعَلِيُّ بْنِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِىِّ بْنِ الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِىِّ بْنِ أَبِي طالِب عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ وَاُمُّهُ اُمُّ وَلَدٍ تُسَمّى‏ تُكْتَمُ، عَلَيْهِ اسْتَقَرَّ اِسْمُها حِينَ مَلَكَها أَبُو الحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرِ عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ.

2 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِمُ أَبُو عَلِيِّ الحُسَيْنُ بْنُ أحْمَد الْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا الصُّوليُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَني عَوْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ الْكِنْدِيُّ قالَ: سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الحَسَنِ عَلِىَّ بْنَ مِيْثَم - يَقُولُ: وَما رَأَيتُ أَحَداً قَطُّ أَعْرَفَ بِاُمُورِ الأَئِمَّةِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ وَأَخْبارِهِمْ وَمَناكِحِهِمْ مِنْهُ - قالَ: اشْتَرَتْ حَمِيدَةُ المُصَفَّاةُ وَهِيَ اُمُّ أَبِي الحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَر عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ، وَكانَتْ مِنْ أَشْرافِ العَجَمِ جارِيَةً مُوَلِّدَةً وَاِسْمُها تُكْتَمُ وَكانَتْ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ النِّساءِ في عَقْلِها وَدِينِها وَإِعْظامِها لِمَوْلاتِها حَمِيدَةَ المُصَفَّاةِ، حَتّى‏ إِنَّها ما جَلَسَتْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْها مِنْذُ مَلَكَتْها إِجْلالاً لَها، فَقالَتْ لِإِبْنِها مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: يا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ تُكْتَمُ جارِيَةٌ ما رَأَيتُ جارِيَةً قَطُّ أَفْضَلَ مِنْها و لَسْتُ أَشُكُّ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَعالى‏ سَيُطَهِّرُ نَسْلَها إِنْ كانَ لَها نَسْلٌ وَقَدْ وَهَبْتُها لَكَ، فَاسْتَوْصِ خَيْراً بِها فَلَمَّا وَلَدَتْ لَهُ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ سَمَّاها الطَّاهِرَةَ، قالَ: وَكانَ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَرْتَضِعُ كَثِيراً وَكانَ تامَّ الْخَلْقِ فَقالَتْ: أَعِينُونِي بِمُرْضِعٍ، فَقِيلَ لَها: أَنْقَضَ الدَّرُّ؟! فَقالَتْ: ما أَكْذِبُ، وَاللَّهِ

swear by God that I have not run out of milk, but since the birth of this baby I cannot attend to my own prayers and supplications.’”

Al-Hakim Abu Ali quoted on the authority of al-Sowly, “One proof that the name of Imam Al-Ridha’'s mother is Toktam can be found in this poem composed about Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.):

The Noble Ali is the best of the people

Who has the best father, forefathers and tribe.

Toktam gave birth to him

Who is the eighth Leader.

With his knowledge and patience

He will stress God's covenant with the people.”

Al-Sowly said, “And some people have ascribed this to my paternal uncle - Ibrahim ibn Abbas - but no such thing has been narrated for me about him. I neither accept nor will I reject what has been narrated for me or what I have not heard. However, the following poem was undoubtedly composed by my paternal uncle - Ibrahim ibn Abbas:

The deeds of just men are just witnesses for their doers.

O yes, they have some considerable amount of new wealth

That is not at all similar to what they had before.

They4 give you5 only one percent of your own wealth,

Yet they mention it as if they are doing you a favor.

Whoever eulogizes your enemies, has not eulogized God.

You are nobler than your eighth-generation cousin (al-Ma’mun)

Just as your forefathers were nobler than his forefathers.”

Al-Sowly said, “I found these verses written in my father's notebook in his own handwriting. My father used to say that his brother had recited these poems and said that our uncle had composed them about Ali6 . There is a note in the margin of one of the pages of that notebook stating, ‘What is meant by eighth-generation cousin is Al-Ma’mun, since both Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) and Al-Ma’mun were eighth generation descendants of Abdul Muttalib.”

وَاللَّهِ ما نَقَصَ الدَّرُّ، لكِن عَلَىّ وِرْدٌ مِنْ صَلاتِي وَتَسْبِيحِي، وَقَدْ نَقَصَ مُنْذُ وَلَدْتُ.

قالَ الْحاكِمُ أَبُو عَليِ: قالَ الصُّوليُّ: وَالدَّلِيلُ عَلَى أَن اِسْمَها تُكْتَمُ قَوْلَ الشَّاعِرِ يَمْدَحُ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ:

ألا إنَّ خَيْرَ النَّاسِ نَفْساً وَوالِداً

وَرَهْطاً وَأَجْداداً عَلِيُّ المُعَظَّمُ

‏أَتَتْنا بِهِ لِلْعِلْمِ وَالْحِلْمِ ثامِناً

إِماماً يُؤَدِّي حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ تُكْتَمُ‏

وَقَدْ نَسَبَ قَوْمٌ هذا الشِّعْرَ إِلى عَمِّ أَبي إِبْراهيمَ بْنِ العَبَّاسِ وَلَمْ أَرْوِهِ لَهُ، وَما لَمْ يَقَعْ لِي بِهِ رِوايَةً وَسَماعاً فَإِنِّي لا أُحَقِّقُهُ وَلا اُبْطِلُهُ بَلِ الَّذِي لا أَشُكُّ فِيهِ أَنَّهُ لِعَمِّ أَبي إِبْراهيمِ بْنِ العَبَّاسِ قولَهُ:

كَفى‏ بِفِعالِ امْرِءٍ عالِمٍ

عَلى‏ أَهْلِهِ عادِلاً شاهِدا

أَرى‏ لَهُم طارِفاً مُونِقاً

وَلا يُشْبِهُ الطّارِفُ التَّالِدا

يُمَنُّ عَلَيْكُمْ بِأَمْوالِكُمْ‏

وَتعطون من مائَةٍ واحِدا

فَلا يَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ مُسْتَبْصِرٌ

يَكُون لأَعْدائِكُمْ حامِدا

فَضَلْتَ قَسِيمَكَ فِي قُعْدَدٍ

كَما فَضَلَ الوالِدُ الوالِدا

قالَ الصُّوليُّ: وَجَدْتُ هذِهِ الأَبْياتَ بِخَطِّ أَبي، على‏ ظَهْرِ دَفْتَرٍ لَهُ يَقُولُ فِيهِ: «أَنْشَدَنِي أَخِي لِعَمِّه فِي عَلِيِّ (يَعْنِي الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ) - تَعْلِيقٌ مُتَوَّقٌ - فَنَظَرْتُ فَإِذا هُوَبِقَسِيمِهِ فِي القُعْدَدِ الْمَأمُون، لأَنَّ عَبْدَ المُطَّلِبِ هُوَالثَّامِنُ مِنْ آبائِهِما جَمِيعاً.

Moreover, Toktam is an Arabic name that is often seen in Arabic poetry. Al-Sowly said, “My uncle - Ibrahim ibn Abbas - had composed a lot of eulogies about Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.). He used to recite them in public. However, he was finally forced to hide them. Later he searched for them and compiled them again.”

Some people have narrated that the name of Imam Al-Ridha’'s noble mother was Sakan An-Nawbiyeh. She was also called Arwa, Najma, and Somayeh. Her nickname was Ummul Banin.

2-3 Tamim ibn Abdullah ibn Tamim al-Qurashi - may God be pleased with him - narrated that his father quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Ali Al-Ansari, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Ali Al-Ansari, on the authority of Ali ibn Maysam, on the authority of his father, “When the mother of Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) - Lady Hamideh - bought (the female slave) Najma who later gave birth to Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.), she said, ‘I had a dream. In my dream God's Prophet (S) told me to give Najma to my son Musa (a.s.). The Prophet (S) told me that Najma and Musa (a.s.) will have a child who will be the best man on the Earth. Then I gave her to my son Musa (a.s.).’ When Najma gave birth to Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.), Imam Musa Al-Kazim (a.s.) named her Taherah. She also had other names including Najma, Arwa, Sakan, Samaneh and Toktam. Toktam was her last name.” Ali ibn Maysam added on the authority of his father, “I heard my mother say that Najma was a girl when Lady Hamideh bought her.”

2-4 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa'd ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Mahboob, on the authority of Yaqoob ibn Ishaq, on the authority of Zakariya al-Wasety, on the authority of Hisham bin Ahmed that Abul Hassan the first (Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) said, “Do you know anyone from the West who has come here?” I said, “No.” Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) said, “Yes, a red man has come here. Let’s go to see him together.” We mounted our horses and rode over to see him. He was a Western man with several slaves. Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) said, “Show us your slaves.” The man showed the Imam (a.s.) nine of his female slaves. About each one of them Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) said, “I do not need her.”7 Then he said, “Show us the rest of them.” The man said, “I do not have any more.”

وَتُكْتَمُ مِن أَسْماءِ نِساءِ العَرَبِ قَدْ جاءَتْ فِي الأَشْعارِ كَثِيراً مِنْها فِي قولَهُمْ:

طافَ الخَيالانِ فَهاجا سَقَما

خِيالُ تُكْنى‏ وَخِيالُ تُكْتَما

قالَ الصُّوليُّ: وَكانَتْ لإِبْراهِيمَ بْنِ العَبَّاسِ الصُّوليِّ عَمِّ أَبي فِي الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ مَدائِحُ كَثِيرَةٌ أَظْهَرَها، ثُمَّ اضْطُرَّ إِلى أَنْ سَتَرَها، وَتَتَبَّعَها فَأَخَذَها مِنْ كُلِّ مَكان.

وَقَدْ رَوى‏ قَوْمٌ أَنَّ اُمَّ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ تُسَمّى‏ سَكَنَ النَّوابِيَةِ، وَسُمِّيَتْ أَرْوى‏، وَسُمِّيَتْ نَجْمَة وَسُمِّيَتْ سَمانَة، وَتُكَنّى اُمُّ البَنِينَ.

3 - حَدَّثَنا تَمِيمُ بْنِ عَبْدِاللَّه تَمِيمُ القُرَشِي رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ: حَدَّثَني أَبي، عَنْ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ عَلِى الأَنْصارِي قالَ: حَدَّثَني عَلِىُّ بْنِ مِيْثَم، عَنْ أَبيهِ قالَ: لَمّا اشْتَرَتِ الحَمِيدَةُ اُمُّ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرعَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ اُمِّ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ نَجْمَة، ذَكَرَتْ حَمِيدَةُ: أَنَّها رَأَتْ فِي المَنامِ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ، يَقُولُ لَها: يا حَمِيدَةُ هَبي نَجْمَةَ لِإِبْنِكَ مُوسَى، فَإِنَّهُ سَيُولَدُ لَهُ مِنْها خَيْرَ أَهْلِ الأَرْض، فَوَهَبَتْها لَهُ، فَلَمَّا وَلَدَتْ لَهُ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ سَمَّاهَا الطَّاهِرَةَ، وَكانَتْ لَها أَسْماءُ مِنْها نَجْمَةُ وَأَرْوى‏ وَسَكَنُ وَسَمانَةُ وَتُكْتَمُ وَهُوَ آخِرُ أَساميَها، قالَ عَلِىُّ بْنُ مِيْثَم: سَمِعْتُ أَبي يَقُولُ: سَمِعْتُ اُمِّي تَقُولُ: كانَتْ نَجْمَةُ بِكْراً لَمّا اشْتَرَتْها حَمِيدَةُ.

4 - حَدَّثَنا أَبي رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا سَعْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّه، عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى، عَنْ الحَسَن بْنِ مَحْبُوب، عَنْ يَعْقُوبَ بْنِ إِسْحاق، عَنْ أَبي زَكَريَّا الواسِطِىَّ، عَنْ هِشامِ الأَحْمَرِ قالَ: قالَ ابوالحَسَن الأَوَّلُ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: هَلْ عَلِمْتَ أَحَداً مِنْ أَهْل المَغْرِبِ قَدِمْ ؟ قُلتُ: لا، فَقالَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: بَلى‏ قَدْ قَدِمَ رَجُلٌ [أحمرُ] فَانْطَلِقْ بِنا إِلَيْهِ، فَرَكِبَ وَرَكِبْنا مَعَهُ حَتّى‏ انْتَهَيْنا إِلَى الرَّجُلِ، فَإِذا رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْل المَغْرِبِ مَعَهُ رَقِيق فَقالَ لَهُ: اِعْرِضْ عَلَيْنا فَعَرَضَ عَلَيْنا تِسْعَ جَوار كُلِّ ذلِكَ يَقُولُ أَبُوالحَسَن‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: لا حاجَةَ لي‏

The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes you do. Show them to us. The man swore to God and said, “I swear by God that I do not have any more. There is just an ill female slave left.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “What would happen if you also show her to us?” The man refused and then the Imam (a.s.) left. The next day Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) sent me to that man, instructed me to ask him what the last price was for her and to accept whatever price he quoted for her. Then I went to see that man. He said, “I will not sell her for an less than so much.” I said, “O.K. I accept the amount. Here is the money. It is yours.” He said, “O.K. That female slave is ours. But please tell me who the man with you was.” I said, “He is from the Hashemite8 tribe.” He asked, “Which branch? “I answered, “He is from the noble men of the Hashemite tribe.” The man said, “Please explain more.” I said, “I do not know anymore than this.” Then the man said, “O.K. Let me tell you then. I bought this female slave from one of the farthest towns away in the West.” A woman of the People of the Book saw me and asked me, “What is this female slave doing with you?” I said, “I have bought her for myself.” She said, “It is neither proper nor possible for her to be with people like you. She must live with the best of the people on the Earth. She will give birth to a child after living in their house for a short while to whom all the people of the East and the West will be humble.” Hisham said, “After buying her, I took her to Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.). Then after a short while, she gave birth to (Imam) Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha’ (a.s.). Muhammad ibn Ali Majiluwayh - may God be pleased with him - quoted the same tradition in the same form for me on the authority of his uncle Muhammad ibn Ali al-Qasim, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ali al-Kufi, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Khalid, on the authority of Hisham bin Ahmed.

Notes

1. Umm Walad in Arabic is used for a slave-wife who delivers her master's child.

2. Al-Kindy said that he had not seen anyone more knowledgeable about the history of the Divine Leaders (a.s.) than Abal Hassan Ali ibn Maysam.

3. This applies to slaves born among the Arabs and raised by them. Such slaves are familiar with Arab traditions and customs: quoted from BIHAR UL-ANWAR by Muhammad Baqir al-Majlesi.

4. The Caliphs

5. The Divine Leaders

6. meaning Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.)

7. Implying I do not want her

8. The name “Hashem” is actually that of Qusay’s grandson, who was the great-grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad (S). The Hashemites are the direct descendants of the Prophet (S) through his daughter Fatima (a.s.) and her husband Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.). Ali (a.s.) and Fatima (a.s.) had two sons: Al-Hassan (a.s.) and Al-Husayn (a.s.). The direct descendants of their eldest son, Imam Al-Hassan (a.s.), are called the Hashemites.

Chapter 3: On The birthdate of Imam Al-Ridha’(a.s.)

3-1 Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq Taleqani - may God be pleased with him - quoted on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Zakariyya from Medina who quoted on the authority of Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Khalilan, on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grand-

فِيها، ثُمَّ قالَ لَهُ: اعْرِضْ عَلَيْنا، قالَ: ما عِنْدِي شَي‏ءٌ فَقالَ لَهُ: بَلى‏ اعْرِضْ عَلَيْنا، قالَ: لا وَاللَّهِ، ما عِنْدِي إِلاّ جارِيَةٌ مَرِيضَةٌ، فَقالَ لَهُ: ما عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَعْرِضَها؟ فَأبي عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ انصَرَفَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ ثُمَّ اِنَّهُ أَرْسِلْنِي مِنَ الغَدِ إِلَيْهِ، فَقالَ لي‏: قُلْ لَهُ: كَمْ غايَتُكَ فِيها؟ فَإِذا قالَ: كَذا وَكَذا فَقُلْ: قَدْ أَخَذْتُها.

فَأَتَيْتُهُ،[وَ] قالَ: ما اُرِيدُ أَنْ أَنْقُصَها مِنْ كَذا [وَكَذا] ، فَقُلْتُ: قَدْ أَخَذْتُها وَهُوَ لَكَ، فَقالَ: هِيَ لَكَ، وَلكِن مَنَ الرَّجُل الَّذِي كانَ مَعَكَ بِالأَمْسِ؟ فَقُلْتُ: رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي هاشِم؛ فَقالَ: مِنْ أيِّ بَنِي هاشِم؟ [فَقُلْتُ مِنْ نُقَبائِهِم‏] فَقالَ: اُرِيدُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْهُ، فَقُلْتُ: ما عِنْدِي أَكْثَرُ مِنْ هذا، فَقالَ: أَخْبِرُكَ عَنْ هذِهِ الوَصِيفَةِ، إِنِّي اشْتَرَيْتُها مِنْ أَقْصى‏ بِلاد الْمَغْرِبِ، فَلَقِيَتْني اِمْرَأَةٌ مِن أَهْلِ الْكِتاب، فَقالَتْ: ما هذِهِ الوَصِيفَةِ مَعَكَ؟ فَقُلْتُ اشْتَرَيْتُها لِنَفْسِي. فَقالَتْ: ما يَنْبَغِي أَن تَكُون هذِهِ الوَصِيفَةُ عِنْدَ مِثْلِكَ، إِنَّ هذِهِ الجارِيَةَ يَنْبَغِي‏أَن تَكُون عِنْدَ خَيْرَ أَهْلِ الأَرْض، فَلا تَلْبَثُ عنْدَهُ إِلاّ قَلِيلاً حَتّى‏ تَلِدَ مِنْهُ غُلاماً يَدَيْنُ لَهُ شَرْقُ الأَرْض وَغَرْبُها، قالَ: فَأَتَيْتَهُ بِها، فَلَمْ تَلْبَثْ عنْدَهُ إِلاّ قَلِيلاً حَتّى‏ وَلَدَتْ لَهُ عَلِيّاً عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.

وَحَدَّثَني بِهذَا الْحَدِيثِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِى ماجِيلوَيْه رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ: حَدَّثَني عَمِّي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبي القاسِم، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِى الكُوفِيِّ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خالِد، عَنْ هِشامِ الأَحْمَرِ مِثْلَهُ سَواءٌ.

3- بابُ فِي ذِكْرِ مَوْلِد الرِّضا عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُوسَى‏عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ‏

1 - حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِبْراهيمَ بْنِ إِسْحاقَ الطَّالِقانِيُّ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ: حَدَّثَني الحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِىِّ بْنِ زَكَرِيَّا بِمَدِينَةِ السَّلامُ قالَ: حَدَّثَني أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ خَلِيلان قالَ: حَدَّثَني أَبي، عَنْ أَبيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، عَنْ عَتابِ بْنِ اُسَيِّد قالَ: سَمِعْتُ جَماعَةً من أَهْلِ المَدِينَةِ يَقُولُونَ:

father, on the authority of Attab ibn Osayd who narrated that he had heard from a group of the Sheikhs from Medina, “Al-Ridha’ Ali ibn Musa (a.s.) was born in Medina on Thursday the 11th of Rabi’ul Awwal1 in the year 153 A.H. (769 A.D.) - five years after the death of Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) He died in Toos in a village called Sanabad in the town of Nawqan. He was buried in Hamid ibn Al-Ta’ee’s house in the same vault in which Harun Al-Rashid was buried. He was buried on the Qibla2 side of the grave of Harun Ar-Rashid. This occurred on Friday the 21st (or the 20th) of the (Arabic) month of Ramadhan in the year 203 A.H. (817 A.D.). He lived for forty-nine years and six months. He spent twenty-nine years and two months with his noble father Imam Musa ibn Ja'far (a.s.). Then he succeeded his father, and was Imam for a period of twenty years and four months. He became Imam when he was twenty-nine years and two months old. This period of his Divine Leadership coincided with the period of the ruling of Harun Ar-Rashid. After Ar-Rashid, Muhammad known as Al-Amin who was the son of Zobayda ruled for three years and twenty-five days. Al-Amin was then dethroned and his uncle Ibrahim ibn Shaklah was put in power for fourteen days. Then he released Muhammad ibn Zobayda (al-Amin) from prison, and had the people pledge allegiance to him again. He ruled for another year and a half and twenty-three days. Then Abdullah Al-Ma’mun ruled for twenty years and twenty-three days. It was then that he (al-Ma’mun) took a pledge of succession from Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) without his consent.

This he did after threatening him (Imam al-Ridha’) with death. He insisted on this over and over. The Imam (a.s.) refused to accept this offer every time, until he finally faced the threat of being killed. Then he said, “O My God! Verily you have admonished me against getting myself killed. Indeed I dislike it but I am forced to accept the succession of Abdullah Al-Ma’mun, else he would kill me. Indeed I dislike it but I am forced to do it, just as Joseph (a.s.) and Daniel (a.s.) were forced to when they each accepted the succession of the tyrant rulers of their time. O My God! There is no pledge for me except Your Pledge, and there is no succession for me except what You may grant to me. Help me succeed in establishing Your Religion, and reviving the tradition of your Prophet Muhammad - may God's Peace and Blessings be upon him and his Household- since You are my Master and my Helper. How good a Master and Helper!” Then he (a.s.) accepted the succession from Al-Ma’mun with

وُلِدَ الرِّضا عَلِىُّ بْنُ مُوسَى‏عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ يَوْمَ الْخَمِيس لِإِحْدى‏ عَشَرةَ لَيْلَةً خَلَتْ مِنْ رَبِيعِ الأَوَّلِ سَنَةَ ثَلاثٍ وَخَمْسِينَ وَمائَةٍ مِنَ الهِجْرَةِ بَعْد وَفاة أَبي عَبْدِاللَّه‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِخَمْسِ سِنِينَ وَتُوُفِّيَ بِطُوسَ فِي قَرْيَةِ يُقالُ لَها: سَناباذَ مِن رُسْتاق نَوْقانَ، وَدُفِنَ فِي دارِ حُمِيد بْنِ قَحْطَبَة الطَّائيّ فِي القُبَّةِ الَّتِي فِيها هارُونُ الرَّشِيد إِلى جانِبِهِ مِمَّا يَلي القِبْلَةَ وَذلِكَ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضان لِتِسْعٍ بَقِينَ مِنْهُ يَوْمَ الجُمْعَةِ سَنَةَ ثَلاثِ وَمائتَيْنِ، وَقَدْ تَمَّ عُمْرُهُ تِسْعاً وَأَرْبَعِينَ سِنَةَ وَسِتَّةَ أَشْهُرٍ، مِنْها مَعَ أَبِيهِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرعَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ تِسْعاً وَعِشْرِينَ سَنَةَ وَشَهْرَيْنِ، وَبَعْد أَبِيهِ أيَّام إِمامَتِهِ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةَ وَأَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهَر، وَقامَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِالأَمرِ وَلهُ تِسْعٌ و عِشْرُونَ سَنَةِ وَشَهْرانِ وَكانَ فِي‏أيَّام إِمامَتِهِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بَقِيَّةُ مُلْكِ الرَّشِيد ثُمَّ مَلَكَ بَعْدَ الرَّشِيد مُحَمَّد المَعْرُوفُ بِالأَمِين وَهُوَ ابْنُ زُبَيْدَةَ ثَلاثَ سِنِينَ وَخَمْسَةً وَعِشْرِينَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ خُلِعَ الأَمِين وَاُجْلِسَ عَمُّهِ إِبْراهيمُ بْنُ شَكْلَةَ أَرْبَعَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً، ثُمَّ اُخْرِجَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ زُبَيْدَةَ مِنَ الحَبْسِ و بُويِعَ لَهُ ثانِيَةً، وَجَلَسَ فِي المُلْكِ سَنَةَ وَسِتَّةِ أَشْهُرٍ وَثَلاثَةً وَعِشْرِينَ يَوْماً، ثُمَّ مَلَكَ عَبْدُاللَّهِ الْمَأمُونُ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةَ وَثَلاثَةً وَعِشْرِينَ يَوْماً، فَأَخَذَ البَيْعَةَ فِي مُلْكِهِ لِعَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى الرِّضاعَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ بِعَهْدِ الْمُسْلِمِين مِنْ غَيْرِ رِضاهُ وَذلِكَ بَعْد أَنْ هَدَّدَهُ بِالْقَتْلِ وَأَلَحَّ عَلَيْه مَرَّةً بَعْد اُخْرى‏، فِي كُلِّها يَأْبى‏ عَلَيْهِ حَتّى‏ أَشْرَفَ مِنْ تَأَبِّيهِ عَلَى الهَلاكِ، فَقالَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ:

«اَللَّهُمَّ إنَّكَ قَدْ نَهَيْتَنِي عَنِ الإلْقاءِ بِيَدِي إِلى التَّهْلُكَةِ، وَقَدْ أُكْرَهْتُ وَاضْطُرَرْتُ كَما أُشْرَفْتُ مِنْ قِبَلِ عَبْدِاللَّه الْمَأمُونِ عَلَى القَتْلِ مَتى‏ لَمْ أَقْبَلْ وِلايَةَ عَهْدِهِ، وَقَدْ أَكْرَهْتُ وَاضْطُرِرْتُ، كَما اضْطُرَّ يُوسِفُ وَدانِيال‏عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ، إِذْ قَبْلَ كُلِّ واحِدٍ مِنْهُما الوِلايَة مِنْ طاغِيَةَ زَمانِه، اَللَّهُمَّ لا عَهْدَ لِي إِلاّ عَهْدَكَ وَلا وِلايَةَ لِي‏ إِلاّ من قِبَلِكَ فَوَفِّقْنِي لِإِقامَةَ دِينِكَ وَإِحْياءِ سُنَّةَ نَبِيَّكَ مُحَمَّد صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ فَإِنَّكَ أَنْتَ المَوْلى‏ وَأَنْتَ النَّصِير وَنِعْمَ المَوْلى‏ أَنْتَ وَنِعْمَ النَّصِير».

tears and silence on condition that he will not appoint anyone, dismiss anyone, or change any customs or traditions. He accepted to be a counselor on the affairs from a distance. Then Al-Ma’mun had all the people including his personal entourage, and the general public pledge allegiance to Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.). However, whenever one of the nobilities of Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.), his knowledge and good management ability was manifested in front of Al-Ma’mun; Al-Ma’mun became jealous of the Imam (a.s.) - up to the point that he could not bear it anymore. He then tricked Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) and poisoned him to death to go to the Almighty God's Heaven and His Nobility.”

3-2 Tamim ibn Abdullah ibn Tamim al-Qurashi - may God be pleased with him - narrated that his father quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Ali Al-Ansari, on the authority of Ali ibn Maysam on the authority of his father, “I heard Najma, the mother of Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.), say, ‘When I was pregnant with my son Ali, I did not feel any burden. I used to hear God's praises, glorification and supplications from my stomach when I slept. I got scared hearing these sounds and woke up to hear nothing more when I was awake. Once I gave birth to my child, he put both of his hands on the ground, and raised his head towards the sky and moved his lips as if he was saying something.’ His father, Musa ibn Ja'far (a.s.) came to me said, ‘O Najma! Congratulations for this Divine Blessing that God has bestowed upon you.” Then I wrapped the baby in white cloth and handed him to Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.)3 He (a.s.) said the ‘Azan4 in his right ear and the Iqamah5 in his left ear. Then he (a.s.) asked for some water from the Euphrates River and gave the infant (Imam Ridha’) some of it. Then he gave the baby back to me and said, “Take him. He is God's Continuation (baqiyyatulah) on the Earth.”

Notes

1. One of the months in the Arabic calendar

2. The direction in which Muslims pray to or the Kaaba in Mecca.

3. Imam Al-Ridha’'s father (a.s.)

4. The general call to prayer

5. The call to stand to pray

Chapter 1: Why Is Ali Ibn Musa (a.s.) Called Al-Ridha’

The author of this book (a.s.heikh Sadooq) lived in Ray. He was a jurisprudent whose name was Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Husayn ibn Musa ibn Babwaih al-Qumi, a resident of Ray - may God help him in obedience of God, and grant him success in His gratification.

1-1 My father, Muhammad ibn Musa ibn al-Motawakkil, Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Majiluwayh, Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem; Al-Husayn ibn Ibrahim Natanat; Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani; Al-Husayn ibn Ibrahim ibn Hisham al-Mokattib, and Ali ibn Abdullah - may God be pleased with them all - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father that Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr al-Bezanti told Abi Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Musa (a.s.), “Some of your opponents think that Al-Ma’mun called your father Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) that means ‘acceptable’ or ‘liked’ since he liked your father and chose him to be his crown-prince. Imam Al-Jawad (a.s.) said, “No, by God, they are liars. God the Almighty the Sublime named him Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) since he was accepted by God the Almighty in His Heavens1 , and he was accepted by his Prophet (S) and the Imams (a.s.) that followed the Prophet (S) on His Earth.” Al-Bezanti said, “Were not your father and grandfathers accepted by God, the Prophet and the Imams?” Imam Al-Jawad (a.s.) said, “Yes, they were.” He then asked, “Why then only was your father called Al-Ridha’ and they were not?” Then Imam Al-Jawad (a.s.) said, “That is because his friends and followers as well as his opponents accepted him, while this was never the case for my forefathers. Therefore, he is the only one who is called Al-Ridha’.”

1-2 Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Imran ad-Daqqaq - with whom God may be pleased - narrated that Muhammad ibn Abi Abdullah al-Kufi

1- بابُ العِلَّةِ الَّتِي مِنْ أَجْلِها سُمِّيَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى ‏عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ «الرِّضا»

قالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ مُوسَى بْنِ بابَويه القُمِّيُّ الفقيه [نَزِيلُ الرَّيُّ ] مُصَنِّفُ هذا الْكِتاب - أَعانَهُ اللَّهِ عَلى‏ طاعَتِهِ وَوَفَّقَهُ لِمَرْضاتِهِ-:

1 - حَدَّثَنا أَبي وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنِ مُوسَى بْنِ المُتَوَكِّل؛ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنِ عَلِيِّ ماجِيلَوَيْه؛ وَأحْمَدُ بْنِ على بن إِبْراهيمَ بْنِ هاشِم؛ وَالحُسَيْنُ بْنُ إِبْراهيم ناتانَةَ؛ وَأَحْمَدُ بْنِ زِيادِ بْنِ جَعْفَر الْهَمَذانيُّ؛ وَالحُسَيْنُ بْنِ إِبْراهيمَ بْنِ هشام المُكَتَّبُ؛ وَعَلِيُّ بْنِ عَبْدِاللَّهِ الْوَرَّاقُ - رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ جَمِيعاً - قالُوا: حَدَّثَنا عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبراهيمَ بْنِ هاشِم، عَنْ أَبيهِ، عَنْ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبي نَصْرِ البِزَنْطِيِّ قالَ: قُلتُ لأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُوسَى‏ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ: إِنَّ قَوْماً مِنْ مُخالِفِيكُمْ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ أَباكَ إِنَّما سَمَّاهُ الْمَأمُون الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ لَمّا رَضِيَهُ لِوِلايَةِ عَهْدِهِ فَقالَ: كَذَبُوا وَاللَّهِ وَفَجَرُوا، بَلِ اللَّهُ تَبارَكَ وَتَعالى‏ سَمَّاهُ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ ، لأَنَّهُ كانَ رضىِ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي سَمائِهِ، وَرَضِىَ لِرَسُولِهِ وَالأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ - صَلَواتُ اللَّه عَلَيْهِم - فِي أَرْضِهِ، قالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ: أَلَمْ يَكُنْ كُلُّ واحِدٍ مِنْ آبائِكَ الماضِينَ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ رَضِىَ لِلَّهِ تَعالى‏ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَالأَئِمَّةِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ فَقالَ: بَلى‏، فَقُلْتُ: فَلِمَ سُمِّيَ أَبُوكَ مِنْ بَيْنِهِم الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ ؟ قالَ: لأَنَّهُ رَضِيَ بِهِ الُْمخالِفُونَ مِنْ أَعْدائِهِ كَما رَضِيَ بِهِ الْمُوافِقُونَ مِنْ أَوْلِيائِهِ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ ذلِكَ لأَحَدٍ مِنْ آبائِهِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ، فَلِذلِكَ سُمِّيَ مِنْ بَيْنِهِمُ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ الرِّضا.

2 - حَدَّثَنا عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِمْرانَ الدَّقَّاق رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدُ بْنِ أَبي عَبْدِاللَّهِ الكُوفِيُ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيادِ الأَدَمِيِ عَنْ عَبْدِالعَظِيم الْحَسَنِيِّ عَنْ سُلَيْمانَ بْنِ

quoted on the authority of Sahil ibn Ziyad al-Adami, on the authority of Abdul Azeem ibn Abdullah Al-Hassani, on the authority of Soleiman ibn Hafs al-Marwazy that Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) used to call his son Al-Ridha’ and said, ‘Call my son, Al-Ridha’’, or ‘I called my son Al-Ridha’.’ When he talked to his son Al-Ridha’, he called him Abul Hassan (that is the same as Abul Hassan or Abil Hassan).2

Notes

1. “He Who created the seven heavens one above another: No want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious. So turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw?” [The Holy Quran: Mulk 67:3]

2. According to some references Imam Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) had as many as 39 children. They include Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha’ (a.s.), Abdullah, Husayn, Farz, Ali, Hassan, Ahmad, Muhsen, Saradin, Abdullah, Aqeel, Tayyeb, Muhammad, Nasir, Yasir, Hamza, Mahmood, Ahmad, Ridha’, ShahRidha’, Sam, Lam, Yaqoob, Ja’far, Ibrahim, AbuJavab, Yusuf, Fatima, Amina Khatoon, Khanoom Aqa, Tavoos Khatoon. According to the hypertext material at the following url address: http://www.coej.org/islamic_resources/7thimam.htm, he (a.s.) had 19 sons & 18 daughters. The most famous of his sons is his successor, Imam Ali Al-Reza (a.s.) buried in Mashhad and the most famous of his daughters is Fatima Kubra known as Masuma who is buried in Qum. Yasir and Nasir are also buried in the suburbs of Mashhad on the road to Torqaba. Another one is said to be buried in Babol in the north of Iran in a place known as Imamzadeh Sultan Muhammad Taher. This shrine is located 3 km east of Babol and has been officially registered as an Iranian historical relic. Its tower is octagonal and each line is erected on a rectangular artificial arch at the bottom. The shrine was built in the year 1470 A.D.

Chapter 2: Traditions About Imam Al-Ridha’'s Mother And Her Name

2-1 In the year 235 A.H. (849 A.D.) al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated from his home in Neishaboor that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowly said that Abul Hassan Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) is Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja'far ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Al-Husayn ibn Abi Talib (a.s.). His mother was an Umm Walad1 who was called Toktam. She was named Toktam when Abul Hassan Musa ibn Ja'far (a.s.) became her master (i.e. husband).

2-2 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi quoted on the authority of al-Sowly, on the authority of Own ibn Muhammad al-Kendy quoted on the authority of Abul Hassan Ali ibn Maysam2 - Imam Al-Kazim's mother - who was one of the noble Persian ladies called Hamideh, bought a female slave of the Mowalledeh3 type named Toktam. Toktam was one of the noblest ladies in regards to intelligence, religion and respect for her master and his mother Hamideh. She respected Lady Hamideh so much that she would never sit down in her presence. Then Lady Hamideh told her son - Imam Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.), “O my son! Toktam is a female slave. I have never seen any female slave better than her. I have no doubt that God will purify any generations from her offspring. Therefore, I will bestow her on you. Treat her with kindness. When she gave birth to Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.), Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) called her Taherah.”

Then Ali ibn Maysam added, “Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) drank a lot of milk and was a chubby baby. Then his mother asked for a wet-nurse to breast-feed the baby. She was asked if she had run out of milk. She replied, ‘No, I

حَفْصٍ الْمَرْوَزِيِّ قالَ: كانَ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلىِّ بْنِ الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلىِّ بْنِ أَبي طالِب عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ يُسَمِّي وَلَدَهُ عَلِيّاً عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ، الرِّضا وَكانَ يَقُولُ: «اُدْعُوا لِي وَلَدِيَ الرِّضا» وَ«قُلتُ لِوَلَدِيَ الرِّضا» وَ«قالَ لِي وَلَدِيَ الرِّضا» وَإِذا خاطَبَهُ قالَ: «يا أَبَا الحَسَنِ».

2- بابُ ما جاءَ فِي اُمِّ الرِّضا عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُوسَى‏عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ وَاِسْمِها

1 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِمُ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الحُسَيْنُ بْنُ أحْمَدَ الْبِيْهَقِيُّ فِي دارِهِ بِنِيْسابُورَ فِي سَنَةِ اِثْنَتَيْنِ و خَمْسِينَ وَثَلاثِمِائَةٍ و قالَ: أَخْبَرنا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قِراءَةً عَلَيْهِ قالَ: أَبُو الحَسَن الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ هُوَعَلِيُّ بْنِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِىِّ بْنِ الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِىِّ بْنِ أَبِي طالِب عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ وَاُمُّهُ اُمُّ وَلَدٍ تُسَمّى‏ تُكْتَمُ، عَلَيْهِ اسْتَقَرَّ اِسْمُها حِينَ مَلَكَها أَبُو الحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرِ عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ.

2 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِمُ أَبُو عَلِيِّ الحُسَيْنُ بْنُ أحْمَد الْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا الصُّوليُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَني عَوْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ الْكِنْدِيُّ قالَ: سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الحَسَنِ عَلِىَّ بْنَ مِيْثَم - يَقُولُ: وَما رَأَيتُ أَحَداً قَطُّ أَعْرَفَ بِاُمُورِ الأَئِمَّةِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ وَأَخْبارِهِمْ وَمَناكِحِهِمْ مِنْهُ - قالَ: اشْتَرَتْ حَمِيدَةُ المُصَفَّاةُ وَهِيَ اُمُّ أَبِي الحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَر عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ، وَكانَتْ مِنْ أَشْرافِ العَجَمِ جارِيَةً مُوَلِّدَةً وَاِسْمُها تُكْتَمُ وَكانَتْ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ النِّساءِ في عَقْلِها وَدِينِها وَإِعْظامِها لِمَوْلاتِها حَمِيدَةَ المُصَفَّاةِ، حَتّى‏ إِنَّها ما جَلَسَتْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْها مِنْذُ مَلَكَتْها إِجْلالاً لَها، فَقالَتْ لِإِبْنِها مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: يا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ تُكْتَمُ جارِيَةٌ ما رَأَيتُ جارِيَةً قَطُّ أَفْضَلَ مِنْها و لَسْتُ أَشُكُّ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَعالى‏ سَيُطَهِّرُ نَسْلَها إِنْ كانَ لَها نَسْلٌ وَقَدْ وَهَبْتُها لَكَ، فَاسْتَوْصِ خَيْراً بِها فَلَمَّا وَلَدَتْ لَهُ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ سَمَّاها الطَّاهِرَةَ، قالَ: وَكانَ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَرْتَضِعُ كَثِيراً وَكانَ تامَّ الْخَلْقِ فَقالَتْ: أَعِينُونِي بِمُرْضِعٍ، فَقِيلَ لَها: أَنْقَضَ الدَّرُّ؟! فَقالَتْ: ما أَكْذِبُ، وَاللَّهِ

swear by God that I have not run out of milk, but since the birth of this baby I cannot attend to my own prayers and supplications.’”

Al-Hakim Abu Ali quoted on the authority of al-Sowly, “One proof that the name of Imam Al-Ridha’'s mother is Toktam can be found in this poem composed about Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.):

The Noble Ali is the best of the people

Who has the best father, forefathers and tribe.

Toktam gave birth to him

Who is the eighth Leader.

With his knowledge and patience

He will stress God's covenant with the people.”

Al-Sowly said, “And some people have ascribed this to my paternal uncle - Ibrahim ibn Abbas - but no such thing has been narrated for me about him. I neither accept nor will I reject what has been narrated for me or what I have not heard. However, the following poem was undoubtedly composed by my paternal uncle - Ibrahim ibn Abbas:

The deeds of just men are just witnesses for their doers.

O yes, they have some considerable amount of new wealth

That is not at all similar to what they had before.

They4 give you5 only one percent of your own wealth,

Yet they mention it as if they are doing you a favor.

Whoever eulogizes your enemies, has not eulogized God.

You are nobler than your eighth-generation cousin (al-Ma’mun)

Just as your forefathers were nobler than his forefathers.”

Al-Sowly said, “I found these verses written in my father's notebook in his own handwriting. My father used to say that his brother had recited these poems and said that our uncle had composed them about Ali6 . There is a note in the margin of one of the pages of that notebook stating, ‘What is meant by eighth-generation cousin is Al-Ma’mun, since both Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) and Al-Ma’mun were eighth generation descendants of Abdul Muttalib.”

وَاللَّهِ ما نَقَصَ الدَّرُّ، لكِن عَلَىّ وِرْدٌ مِنْ صَلاتِي وَتَسْبِيحِي، وَقَدْ نَقَصَ مُنْذُ وَلَدْتُ.

قالَ الْحاكِمُ أَبُو عَليِ: قالَ الصُّوليُّ: وَالدَّلِيلُ عَلَى أَن اِسْمَها تُكْتَمُ قَوْلَ الشَّاعِرِ يَمْدَحُ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ:

ألا إنَّ خَيْرَ النَّاسِ نَفْساً وَوالِداً

وَرَهْطاً وَأَجْداداً عَلِيُّ المُعَظَّمُ

‏أَتَتْنا بِهِ لِلْعِلْمِ وَالْحِلْمِ ثامِناً

إِماماً يُؤَدِّي حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ تُكْتَمُ‏

وَقَدْ نَسَبَ قَوْمٌ هذا الشِّعْرَ إِلى عَمِّ أَبي إِبْراهيمَ بْنِ العَبَّاسِ وَلَمْ أَرْوِهِ لَهُ، وَما لَمْ يَقَعْ لِي بِهِ رِوايَةً وَسَماعاً فَإِنِّي لا أُحَقِّقُهُ وَلا اُبْطِلُهُ بَلِ الَّذِي لا أَشُكُّ فِيهِ أَنَّهُ لِعَمِّ أَبي إِبْراهيمِ بْنِ العَبَّاسِ قولَهُ:

كَفى‏ بِفِعالِ امْرِءٍ عالِمٍ

عَلى‏ أَهْلِهِ عادِلاً شاهِدا

أَرى‏ لَهُم طارِفاً مُونِقاً

وَلا يُشْبِهُ الطّارِفُ التَّالِدا

يُمَنُّ عَلَيْكُمْ بِأَمْوالِكُمْ‏

وَتعطون من مائَةٍ واحِدا

فَلا يَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ مُسْتَبْصِرٌ

يَكُون لأَعْدائِكُمْ حامِدا

فَضَلْتَ قَسِيمَكَ فِي قُعْدَدٍ

كَما فَضَلَ الوالِدُ الوالِدا

قالَ الصُّوليُّ: وَجَدْتُ هذِهِ الأَبْياتَ بِخَطِّ أَبي، على‏ ظَهْرِ دَفْتَرٍ لَهُ يَقُولُ فِيهِ: «أَنْشَدَنِي أَخِي لِعَمِّه فِي عَلِيِّ (يَعْنِي الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ) - تَعْلِيقٌ مُتَوَّقٌ - فَنَظَرْتُ فَإِذا هُوَبِقَسِيمِهِ فِي القُعْدَدِ الْمَأمُون، لأَنَّ عَبْدَ المُطَّلِبِ هُوَالثَّامِنُ مِنْ آبائِهِما جَمِيعاً.

Moreover, Toktam is an Arabic name that is often seen in Arabic poetry. Al-Sowly said, “My uncle - Ibrahim ibn Abbas - had composed a lot of eulogies about Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.). He used to recite them in public. However, he was finally forced to hide them. Later he searched for them and compiled them again.”

Some people have narrated that the name of Imam Al-Ridha’'s noble mother was Sakan An-Nawbiyeh. She was also called Arwa, Najma, and Somayeh. Her nickname was Ummul Banin.

2-3 Tamim ibn Abdullah ibn Tamim al-Qurashi - may God be pleased with him - narrated that his father quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Ali Al-Ansari, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Ali Al-Ansari, on the authority of Ali ibn Maysam, on the authority of his father, “When the mother of Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) - Lady Hamideh - bought (the female slave) Najma who later gave birth to Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.), she said, ‘I had a dream. In my dream God's Prophet (S) told me to give Najma to my son Musa (a.s.). The Prophet (S) told me that Najma and Musa (a.s.) will have a child who will be the best man on the Earth. Then I gave her to my son Musa (a.s.).’ When Najma gave birth to Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.), Imam Musa Al-Kazim (a.s.) named her Taherah. She also had other names including Najma, Arwa, Sakan, Samaneh and Toktam. Toktam was her last name.” Ali ibn Maysam added on the authority of his father, “I heard my mother say that Najma was a girl when Lady Hamideh bought her.”

2-4 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa'd ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Mahboob, on the authority of Yaqoob ibn Ishaq, on the authority of Zakariya al-Wasety, on the authority of Hisham bin Ahmed that Abul Hassan the first (Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) said, “Do you know anyone from the West who has come here?” I said, “No.” Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) said, “Yes, a red man has come here. Let’s go to see him together.” We mounted our horses and rode over to see him. He was a Western man with several slaves. Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) said, “Show us your slaves.” The man showed the Imam (a.s.) nine of his female slaves. About each one of them Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) said, “I do not need her.”7 Then he said, “Show us the rest of them.” The man said, “I do not have any more.”

وَتُكْتَمُ مِن أَسْماءِ نِساءِ العَرَبِ قَدْ جاءَتْ فِي الأَشْعارِ كَثِيراً مِنْها فِي قولَهُمْ:

طافَ الخَيالانِ فَهاجا سَقَما

خِيالُ تُكْنى‏ وَخِيالُ تُكْتَما

قالَ الصُّوليُّ: وَكانَتْ لإِبْراهِيمَ بْنِ العَبَّاسِ الصُّوليِّ عَمِّ أَبي فِي الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ مَدائِحُ كَثِيرَةٌ أَظْهَرَها، ثُمَّ اضْطُرَّ إِلى أَنْ سَتَرَها، وَتَتَبَّعَها فَأَخَذَها مِنْ كُلِّ مَكان.

وَقَدْ رَوى‏ قَوْمٌ أَنَّ اُمَّ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ تُسَمّى‏ سَكَنَ النَّوابِيَةِ، وَسُمِّيَتْ أَرْوى‏، وَسُمِّيَتْ نَجْمَة وَسُمِّيَتْ سَمانَة، وَتُكَنّى اُمُّ البَنِينَ.

3 - حَدَّثَنا تَمِيمُ بْنِ عَبْدِاللَّه تَمِيمُ القُرَشِي رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ: حَدَّثَني أَبي، عَنْ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ عَلِى الأَنْصارِي قالَ: حَدَّثَني عَلِىُّ بْنِ مِيْثَم، عَنْ أَبيهِ قالَ: لَمّا اشْتَرَتِ الحَمِيدَةُ اُمُّ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرعَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ اُمِّ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ نَجْمَة، ذَكَرَتْ حَمِيدَةُ: أَنَّها رَأَتْ فِي المَنامِ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ، يَقُولُ لَها: يا حَمِيدَةُ هَبي نَجْمَةَ لِإِبْنِكَ مُوسَى، فَإِنَّهُ سَيُولَدُ لَهُ مِنْها خَيْرَ أَهْلِ الأَرْض، فَوَهَبَتْها لَهُ، فَلَمَّا وَلَدَتْ لَهُ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ سَمَّاهَا الطَّاهِرَةَ، وَكانَتْ لَها أَسْماءُ مِنْها نَجْمَةُ وَأَرْوى‏ وَسَكَنُ وَسَمانَةُ وَتُكْتَمُ وَهُوَ آخِرُ أَساميَها، قالَ عَلِىُّ بْنُ مِيْثَم: سَمِعْتُ أَبي يَقُولُ: سَمِعْتُ اُمِّي تَقُولُ: كانَتْ نَجْمَةُ بِكْراً لَمّا اشْتَرَتْها حَمِيدَةُ.

4 - حَدَّثَنا أَبي رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا سَعْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّه، عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى، عَنْ الحَسَن بْنِ مَحْبُوب، عَنْ يَعْقُوبَ بْنِ إِسْحاق، عَنْ أَبي زَكَريَّا الواسِطِىَّ، عَنْ هِشامِ الأَحْمَرِ قالَ: قالَ ابوالحَسَن الأَوَّلُ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: هَلْ عَلِمْتَ أَحَداً مِنْ أَهْل المَغْرِبِ قَدِمْ ؟ قُلتُ: لا، فَقالَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: بَلى‏ قَدْ قَدِمَ رَجُلٌ [أحمرُ] فَانْطَلِقْ بِنا إِلَيْهِ، فَرَكِبَ وَرَكِبْنا مَعَهُ حَتّى‏ انْتَهَيْنا إِلَى الرَّجُلِ، فَإِذا رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْل المَغْرِبِ مَعَهُ رَقِيق فَقالَ لَهُ: اِعْرِضْ عَلَيْنا فَعَرَضَ عَلَيْنا تِسْعَ جَوار كُلِّ ذلِكَ يَقُولُ أَبُوالحَسَن‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: لا حاجَةَ لي‏

The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes you do. Show them to us. The man swore to God and said, “I swear by God that I do not have any more. There is just an ill female slave left.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “What would happen if you also show her to us?” The man refused and then the Imam (a.s.) left. The next day Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.) sent me to that man, instructed me to ask him what the last price was for her and to accept whatever price he quoted for her. Then I went to see that man. He said, “I will not sell her for an less than so much.” I said, “O.K. I accept the amount. Here is the money. It is yours.” He said, “O.K. That female slave is ours. But please tell me who the man with you was.” I said, “He is from the Hashemite8 tribe.” He asked, “Which branch? “I answered, “He is from the noble men of the Hashemite tribe.” The man said, “Please explain more.” I said, “I do not know anymore than this.” Then the man said, “O.K. Let me tell you then. I bought this female slave from one of the farthest towns away in the West.” A woman of the People of the Book saw me and asked me, “What is this female slave doing with you?” I said, “I have bought her for myself.” She said, “It is neither proper nor possible for her to be with people like you. She must live with the best of the people on the Earth. She will give birth to a child after living in their house for a short while to whom all the people of the East and the West will be humble.” Hisham said, “After buying her, I took her to Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.). Then after a short while, she gave birth to (Imam) Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha’ (a.s.). Muhammad ibn Ali Majiluwayh - may God be pleased with him - quoted the same tradition in the same form for me on the authority of his uncle Muhammad ibn Ali al-Qasim, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ali al-Kufi, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Khalid, on the authority of Hisham bin Ahmed.

Notes

1. Umm Walad in Arabic is used for a slave-wife who delivers her master's child.

2. Al-Kindy said that he had not seen anyone more knowledgeable about the history of the Divine Leaders (a.s.) than Abal Hassan Ali ibn Maysam.

3. This applies to slaves born among the Arabs and raised by them. Such slaves are familiar with Arab traditions and customs: quoted from BIHAR UL-ANWAR by Muhammad Baqir al-Majlesi.

4. The Caliphs

5. The Divine Leaders

6. meaning Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.)

7. Implying I do not want her

8. The name “Hashem” is actually that of Qusay’s grandson, who was the great-grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad (S). The Hashemites are the direct descendants of the Prophet (S) through his daughter Fatima (a.s.) and her husband Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.). Ali (a.s.) and Fatima (a.s.) had two sons: Al-Hassan (a.s.) and Al-Husayn (a.s.). The direct descendants of their eldest son, Imam Al-Hassan (a.s.), are called the Hashemites.

Chapter 3: On The birthdate of Imam Al-Ridha’(a.s.)

3-1 Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq Taleqani - may God be pleased with him - quoted on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Zakariyya from Medina who quoted on the authority of Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Khalilan, on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grand-

فِيها، ثُمَّ قالَ لَهُ: اعْرِضْ عَلَيْنا، قالَ: ما عِنْدِي شَي‏ءٌ فَقالَ لَهُ: بَلى‏ اعْرِضْ عَلَيْنا، قالَ: لا وَاللَّهِ، ما عِنْدِي إِلاّ جارِيَةٌ مَرِيضَةٌ، فَقالَ لَهُ: ما عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَعْرِضَها؟ فَأبي عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ انصَرَفَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ ثُمَّ اِنَّهُ أَرْسِلْنِي مِنَ الغَدِ إِلَيْهِ، فَقالَ لي‏: قُلْ لَهُ: كَمْ غايَتُكَ فِيها؟ فَإِذا قالَ: كَذا وَكَذا فَقُلْ: قَدْ أَخَذْتُها.

فَأَتَيْتُهُ،[وَ] قالَ: ما اُرِيدُ أَنْ أَنْقُصَها مِنْ كَذا [وَكَذا] ، فَقُلْتُ: قَدْ أَخَذْتُها وَهُوَ لَكَ، فَقالَ: هِيَ لَكَ، وَلكِن مَنَ الرَّجُل الَّذِي كانَ مَعَكَ بِالأَمْسِ؟ فَقُلْتُ: رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي هاشِم؛ فَقالَ: مِنْ أيِّ بَنِي هاشِم؟ [فَقُلْتُ مِنْ نُقَبائِهِم‏] فَقالَ: اُرِيدُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْهُ، فَقُلْتُ: ما عِنْدِي أَكْثَرُ مِنْ هذا، فَقالَ: أَخْبِرُكَ عَنْ هذِهِ الوَصِيفَةِ، إِنِّي اشْتَرَيْتُها مِنْ أَقْصى‏ بِلاد الْمَغْرِبِ، فَلَقِيَتْني اِمْرَأَةٌ مِن أَهْلِ الْكِتاب، فَقالَتْ: ما هذِهِ الوَصِيفَةِ مَعَكَ؟ فَقُلْتُ اشْتَرَيْتُها لِنَفْسِي. فَقالَتْ: ما يَنْبَغِي أَن تَكُون هذِهِ الوَصِيفَةُ عِنْدَ مِثْلِكَ، إِنَّ هذِهِ الجارِيَةَ يَنْبَغِي‏أَن تَكُون عِنْدَ خَيْرَ أَهْلِ الأَرْض، فَلا تَلْبَثُ عنْدَهُ إِلاّ قَلِيلاً حَتّى‏ تَلِدَ مِنْهُ غُلاماً يَدَيْنُ لَهُ شَرْقُ الأَرْض وَغَرْبُها، قالَ: فَأَتَيْتَهُ بِها، فَلَمْ تَلْبَثْ عنْدَهُ إِلاّ قَلِيلاً حَتّى‏ وَلَدَتْ لَهُ عَلِيّاً عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.

وَحَدَّثَني بِهذَا الْحَدِيثِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِى ماجِيلوَيْه رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ: حَدَّثَني عَمِّي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبي القاسِم، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِى الكُوفِيِّ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خالِد، عَنْ هِشامِ الأَحْمَرِ مِثْلَهُ سَواءٌ.

3- بابُ فِي ذِكْرِ مَوْلِد الرِّضا عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُوسَى‏عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ‏

1 - حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِبْراهيمَ بْنِ إِسْحاقَ الطَّالِقانِيُّ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ: حَدَّثَني الحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِىِّ بْنِ زَكَرِيَّا بِمَدِينَةِ السَّلامُ قالَ: حَدَّثَني أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ خَلِيلان قالَ: حَدَّثَني أَبي، عَنْ أَبيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، عَنْ عَتابِ بْنِ اُسَيِّد قالَ: سَمِعْتُ جَماعَةً من أَهْلِ المَدِينَةِ يَقُولُونَ:

father, on the authority of Attab ibn Osayd who narrated that he had heard from a group of the Sheikhs from Medina, “Al-Ridha’ Ali ibn Musa (a.s.) was born in Medina on Thursday the 11th of Rabi’ul Awwal1 in the year 153 A.H. (769 A.D.) - five years after the death of Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) He died in Toos in a village called Sanabad in the town of Nawqan. He was buried in Hamid ibn Al-Ta’ee’s house in the same vault in which Harun Al-Rashid was buried. He was buried on the Qibla2 side of the grave of Harun Ar-Rashid. This occurred on Friday the 21st (or the 20th) of the (Arabic) month of Ramadhan in the year 203 A.H. (817 A.D.). He lived for forty-nine years and six months. He spent twenty-nine years and two months with his noble father Imam Musa ibn Ja'far (a.s.). Then he succeeded his father, and was Imam for a period of twenty years and four months. He became Imam when he was twenty-nine years and two months old. This period of his Divine Leadership coincided with the period of the ruling of Harun Ar-Rashid. After Ar-Rashid, Muhammad known as Al-Amin who was the son of Zobayda ruled for three years and twenty-five days. Al-Amin was then dethroned and his uncle Ibrahim ibn Shaklah was put in power for fourteen days. Then he released Muhammad ibn Zobayda (al-Amin) from prison, and had the people pledge allegiance to him again. He ruled for another year and a half and twenty-three days. Then Abdullah Al-Ma’mun ruled for twenty years and twenty-three days. It was then that he (al-Ma’mun) took a pledge of succession from Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) without his consent.

This he did after threatening him (Imam al-Ridha’) with death. He insisted on this over and over. The Imam (a.s.) refused to accept this offer every time, until he finally faced the threat of being killed. Then he said, “O My God! Verily you have admonished me against getting myself killed. Indeed I dislike it but I am forced to accept the succession of Abdullah Al-Ma’mun, else he would kill me. Indeed I dislike it but I am forced to do it, just as Joseph (a.s.) and Daniel (a.s.) were forced to when they each accepted the succession of the tyrant rulers of their time. O My God! There is no pledge for me except Your Pledge, and there is no succession for me except what You may grant to me. Help me succeed in establishing Your Religion, and reviving the tradition of your Prophet Muhammad - may God's Peace and Blessings be upon him and his Household- since You are my Master and my Helper. How good a Master and Helper!” Then he (a.s.) accepted the succession from Al-Ma’mun with

وُلِدَ الرِّضا عَلِىُّ بْنُ مُوسَى‏عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ يَوْمَ الْخَمِيس لِإِحْدى‏ عَشَرةَ لَيْلَةً خَلَتْ مِنْ رَبِيعِ الأَوَّلِ سَنَةَ ثَلاثٍ وَخَمْسِينَ وَمائَةٍ مِنَ الهِجْرَةِ بَعْد وَفاة أَبي عَبْدِاللَّه‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِخَمْسِ سِنِينَ وَتُوُفِّيَ بِطُوسَ فِي قَرْيَةِ يُقالُ لَها: سَناباذَ مِن رُسْتاق نَوْقانَ، وَدُفِنَ فِي دارِ حُمِيد بْنِ قَحْطَبَة الطَّائيّ فِي القُبَّةِ الَّتِي فِيها هارُونُ الرَّشِيد إِلى جانِبِهِ مِمَّا يَلي القِبْلَةَ وَذلِكَ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضان لِتِسْعٍ بَقِينَ مِنْهُ يَوْمَ الجُمْعَةِ سَنَةَ ثَلاثِ وَمائتَيْنِ، وَقَدْ تَمَّ عُمْرُهُ تِسْعاً وَأَرْبَعِينَ سِنَةَ وَسِتَّةَ أَشْهُرٍ، مِنْها مَعَ أَبِيهِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرعَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ تِسْعاً وَعِشْرِينَ سَنَةَ وَشَهْرَيْنِ، وَبَعْد أَبِيهِ أيَّام إِمامَتِهِ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةَ وَأَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهَر، وَقامَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِالأَمرِ وَلهُ تِسْعٌ و عِشْرُونَ سَنَةِ وَشَهْرانِ وَكانَ فِي‏أيَّام إِمامَتِهِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بَقِيَّةُ مُلْكِ الرَّشِيد ثُمَّ مَلَكَ بَعْدَ الرَّشِيد مُحَمَّد المَعْرُوفُ بِالأَمِين وَهُوَ ابْنُ زُبَيْدَةَ ثَلاثَ سِنِينَ وَخَمْسَةً وَعِشْرِينَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ خُلِعَ الأَمِين وَاُجْلِسَ عَمُّهِ إِبْراهيمُ بْنُ شَكْلَةَ أَرْبَعَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً، ثُمَّ اُخْرِجَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ زُبَيْدَةَ مِنَ الحَبْسِ و بُويِعَ لَهُ ثانِيَةً، وَجَلَسَ فِي المُلْكِ سَنَةَ وَسِتَّةِ أَشْهُرٍ وَثَلاثَةً وَعِشْرِينَ يَوْماً، ثُمَّ مَلَكَ عَبْدُاللَّهِ الْمَأمُونُ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةَ وَثَلاثَةً وَعِشْرِينَ يَوْماً، فَأَخَذَ البَيْعَةَ فِي مُلْكِهِ لِعَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى الرِّضاعَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ بِعَهْدِ الْمُسْلِمِين مِنْ غَيْرِ رِضاهُ وَذلِكَ بَعْد أَنْ هَدَّدَهُ بِالْقَتْلِ وَأَلَحَّ عَلَيْه مَرَّةً بَعْد اُخْرى‏، فِي كُلِّها يَأْبى‏ عَلَيْهِ حَتّى‏ أَشْرَفَ مِنْ تَأَبِّيهِ عَلَى الهَلاكِ، فَقالَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ:

«اَللَّهُمَّ إنَّكَ قَدْ نَهَيْتَنِي عَنِ الإلْقاءِ بِيَدِي إِلى التَّهْلُكَةِ، وَقَدْ أُكْرَهْتُ وَاضْطُرَرْتُ كَما أُشْرَفْتُ مِنْ قِبَلِ عَبْدِاللَّه الْمَأمُونِ عَلَى القَتْلِ مَتى‏ لَمْ أَقْبَلْ وِلايَةَ عَهْدِهِ، وَقَدْ أَكْرَهْتُ وَاضْطُرِرْتُ، كَما اضْطُرَّ يُوسِفُ وَدانِيال‏عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ، إِذْ قَبْلَ كُلِّ واحِدٍ مِنْهُما الوِلايَة مِنْ طاغِيَةَ زَمانِه، اَللَّهُمَّ لا عَهْدَ لِي إِلاّ عَهْدَكَ وَلا وِلايَةَ لِي‏ إِلاّ من قِبَلِكَ فَوَفِّقْنِي لِإِقامَةَ دِينِكَ وَإِحْياءِ سُنَّةَ نَبِيَّكَ مُحَمَّد صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ فَإِنَّكَ أَنْتَ المَوْلى‏ وَأَنْتَ النَّصِير وَنِعْمَ المَوْلى‏ أَنْتَ وَنِعْمَ النَّصِير».

tears and silence on condition that he will not appoint anyone, dismiss anyone, or change any customs or traditions. He accepted to be a counselor on the affairs from a distance. Then Al-Ma’mun had all the people including his personal entourage, and the general public pledge allegiance to Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.). However, whenever one of the nobilities of Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.), his knowledge and good management ability was manifested in front of Al-Ma’mun; Al-Ma’mun became jealous of the Imam (a.s.) - up to the point that he could not bear it anymore. He then tricked Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) and poisoned him to death to go to the Almighty God's Heaven and His Nobility.”

3-2 Tamim ibn Abdullah ibn Tamim al-Qurashi - may God be pleased with him - narrated that his father quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Ali Al-Ansari, on the authority of Ali ibn Maysam on the authority of his father, “I heard Najma, the mother of Imam Al-Ridha’ (a.s.), say, ‘When I was pregnant with my son Ali, I did not feel any burden. I used to hear God's praises, glorification and supplications from my stomach when I slept. I got scared hearing these sounds and woke up to hear nothing more when I was awake. Once I gave birth to my child, he put both of his hands on the ground, and raised his head towards the sky and moved his lips as if he was saying something.’ His father, Musa ibn Ja'far (a.s.) came to me said, ‘O Najma! Congratulations for this Divine Blessing that God has bestowed upon you.” Then I wrapped the baby in white cloth and handed him to Imam Al-Kazim (a.s.)3 He (a.s.) said the ‘Azan4 in his right ear and the Iqamah5 in his left ear. Then he (a.s.) asked for some water from the Euphrates River and gave the infant (Imam Ridha’) some of it. Then he gave the baby back to me and said, “Take him. He is God's Continuation (baqiyyatulah) on the Earth.”

Notes

1. One of the months in the Arabic calendar

2. The direction in which Muslims pray to or the Kaaba in Mecca.

3. Imam Al-Ridha’'s father (a.s.)

4. The general call to prayer

5. The call to stand to pray


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