Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 48: On the Proof of Ar-Ridha’’s Rightfulness Due to the Acceptance of His Prayers by God the Honorable the Exalted Against Bakkar ibn Abdullah ibn Mos’ab ibn az-Zobayr ibn Bakkar Who Had Oppressed Him

48-1 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Khorasani that he had heard Ali ibn Muhammad al-Nowafali say, “A man from the offspring of Abi Talib had az-Zobayr swear to the truth of an issue in between the grave and the pulpit of God’s Prophet (S). Az-Zobayr swore to that and got leprosy. I saw a lot of its signs covering his legs and knees. His father also oppressed Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) on some occasion. Then the Imam (a.s.) cursed him. Immediately a rock fell down from some height over him and broke his

وَقَدْ حَمَلَتْ غَيْرَ مَرَّةٍ وَأَسْقَطَتْ وَهِيَ الآْنَ حَامِلٌ فَدُلَّنِي عَلَى مَا تَتَعَالَجُ بِهِ فَتَسْلَمُ فَقَالَ لا تَخَفْ مِنْ إِسْقَاطِهَا فَإِنَّهَا تَسْلَمُ وَتَلِدُ غُلاماً أَشْبَهَ النَّاسِ بِأُمِّهِ وَتَكُونُ لَهُ خِنْصِرٌ زَائِدَةٌ فِي يَدِهِ الْيمْنَى لَيْسَتْ بِالْمُدَلاةِ وَفِي رِجْلِهِ الْيُسْرَى خِنْصِرٌ زَائِدَةٌ لَيْسَتْ بِالْمُدَلاةِ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلى‏ كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ فَوَلَدَتِ الزَّاهِرِيَّةُ غُلاماً أَشْبَهَ النَّاسِ بِأُمِّهِ فِي يَدِهِ الْيمْنَى خِنْصِرٌ زَائِدَةٌ لَيْسَتْ بِالْمُدَلاةِ وَفِي رِجْلِهِ الْيُسْرَى خِنْصِرٌ زَائِدَةٌ لَيْسَتْ بِالْمُدَلاةِ عَلَى مَا كَانَ وَصَفَهُ لِيَ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فَمَنْ يَلُومُنِي عَلَى نَصْبِي إِيَّاهُ عَلَماً وَالْحَدِيثُ فِيهِ زِيَادَةٌ حَذَفْنَاهَا وَلا قُوَّةَ إِلا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ.

قالَ مُصَنِّفُ هذا الْكِتاب: إِنَّما عِلْمٌ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ ذلِكَ مِمَّا وصل إِلَيْهِ عَنْ آبائِهِ عَنْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وذلِكَ أَن جِبْرَئِيل‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قَدْ كانَ نزل عَلَيْهِ بأخبار الخُلَفاءِ وَأَوْلادهم من بَنِي أمية وَوُلْدِ العَبَّاسِ وَبالحوادث الَّتِي تَكُون فِي أَيَّامِهِمْ وَما يَجْرِي عَلَى أَيْدِيهِم وَلا قُوَّةَ إِلاّ بِاللَّه.

48- بابُ دِلالَة الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فِي إِجابَة اللَّه عَزَّ وَجَلَّ دُعاءِه

عَلَى بَكارِ بْنِ عَبْدِاللَّه بْنِ مُصعَب بْنِ الزُبِيْرِ بْنِ بَكارِ لَمّا ظُلمُه‏

1- حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَد الْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني أَحْمَدِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحاق الخراسانِي قالَ سَمِعْتُ عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّد النُّوفَليِّ اسْتَحْلَفَ الزُّبَيْرَ بْنَ بَكَّارٍ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الطَّالِبِيِّينَ عَلَى شَيْ‏ءٍ بَيْنَ الْقَبْرِ وَالْمِنْبَرِ فَحَلَفَ فَبَرَصَ وَأَنَا رَأَيْتُهُ وَبِسَاقَيْهِ وَقَدَمَيْهِ بَرَصٌ كَثِيرٌ وَكَانَ أَبُوهُ بَكَّارٌ قَدْ ظَلَمَ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فِي شَيْ‏ءٍ فَدَعَا عَلَيْهِ فَسَقَطَ فِي وَقْتِ دُعَائِهِ‏عَلَيْهِ حَجَرٌ مِنْ قَصْرٍ فَانْدَقَّتْ عُنُقُهُ وَأَمّا أَبُوهُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُصْعَبٍ فَإِنَّهُ مَزَّقَ عَهْدَ يَحْيَى بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ وَأَمَانَهُ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ الرَّشِيدِ

neck. And Zobayr’s father, Abdullah ibn Mos’ab, was the one who tore up the treaty of Yahya ibn Abdullah ibn Al-Hassan, insulted him in front of Al-Rashid and said, ‘O Commander of the Faithful (i.e. Al-Rashid)! Kill him. Do not spare him since this treaty is not valid.’ Yahya ibn Abdullah ibn Al-Hassan told Al-Rashid, ‘He is the one who had rebelled before along with his brother. Now he is claiming to support us.’ Then Yahya ibn Abdullah ibn Al-Hassan recited some of Abdullah ibn Mos’ab’s poems which supported Yahya’s claim. However, Abdullah ibn Mos’ab denied having authored them. Yahya challenged Abdullah ibn Mos’ab to swear to establish that he is telling the truth, and ask God for a speedy Divine chastisement in case he lied. Abdullah ibn Mos’ab did so. However, he got a fever and died after three days. His grave also collapsed several times.”

The author of the book said, “This is a long tradition, but I have summarized it.”

Chapter 49: On Proof of Ar-Ridha’’s Rightfulness Due to Predicting that He (a.s.) Would not See Baghdad, And Neither Would Baghdad See Him (a.s.)

49-1 Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Oun ibn Muhammad, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Abi Abad that one day Al-Ma’mun told Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.), “When we enter Baghdad, God willing we will do this and that.” Then Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) told him, “O Commander of the Faithful! You will enter Baghdad.” Abi Abbad added, “When others had left, I heard something which made me feel sad. Then I told the Imam (a.s.) what I had heard. Then Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, ‘O Husayn! What do I have to do with Baghdad? I will never see Baghdad, neither will Baghdad ever see me.’”

وَقَالَ اقْتُلْهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَإِنَّهُ لا أَمَانَ لَهُ فَقَالَ يَحْيَى لِلرَّشِيدِ إِنَّهُ خَرَجَ مَعَ أَخِي بِالأَمْسِ وَأَنْشَدَهُ أَشْعَاراً لَهُ فَأَنْكَرَهَا فَحَلَّفَهُ يَحْيَى بِالْبَرَاءَةِ وَتَعْجِيلِ الْعُقُوبَةِ فَحُمَّ مِنْ وَقْتِهِ وَمَاتَ بَعْدَ ثَلاثَةٍ وَانْخَسَفَ قَبْرُهُ مَرَّاتٍ كَثِيرَةً… وَذَكَرَ خَبَراً طَوِيلاً اخْتَصَرْتُ مِنْه‏.

49- بابُ دَلالَتُه فِيما أَخْبَر بِهِ مِن أَمْرَهُ أَنَّهُ لا يَرى‏ بَغدْادَ وَلا تَراهُ فَكانَ كَما قالَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ‏

1- حَدَّثَنا أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَد الْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قَالَ الْمَأْمُونُ يَوْماً لِلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ نَدْخُلُ بَغْدَادَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ نَفْعَلُ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَقَالَ لَهُ تَدْخُلُ أَنْتَ بَغْدَادَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَلَمَّا خَلَوْتُ بِهِ قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ شَيْئاً غَمَّنِي وَذَكَرْتُهُ لَهُ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا حُسَيْنٍ وَكَذَا كَانَ يَكْنِينِي بِطَرْحِ الأَلْفِ وَاللامِ وَمَا أَنَا وَبَغْدَادُ لا أَرَى بَغْدَادَ وَلا تَرَانِي.

Chapter 50: On Proof of Ar-Ridha’’s Rightfulness Due to the Acceptance by God the Honorable the Exalted of his prayers for the Barmakites

50-1 My father and Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ahmad ibn al-Waleed - may God have Mercy upon them both - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Isa ibn Obayd, on the authority of Ali ibn al-Hakam, on the authority of Muhammad ibn al-Fudhayl, “In the year in which Harun got mad with the Barmakites1 and first ordered that Ja’far ibn Yahya be killed and Yahya ibn Khalid be imprisoned, and whatever else that happened to the Barmakites. Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) was standing up on the Day of Arafat and he (a.s.) was praying and bowing his head. He (a.s.) was asked for the reason. The Imam (a.s.) said, “I was cursing the Barmakites before God the Highest for what they had done to my father (a.s.). God fulfilled my prayers today.” Then the Imam (a.s.) returned home. A short time later, Ja’far and (his father) Yahya (of the Barmakites) were faced with problems and the tables turned on them.

50-2 Muhammad ibn Musa - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Abdullah ibn Ja’far al-Hemyari quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’, on the authority of Mosafir (Abu Muslim - one of the companions of Imam Musa Al-Kazim (a.s.)), “I was with Abil Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) in Mina. Yahya ibn Khalid and a group of the Barmakites passed by. Then Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, ‘These poor fellows do not know what will happen to them this year.’ The Imam (a.s.) then added, ‘O! It is amazing that Harun and I are like these two (fingers)’ while he was putting two of his fingers side by side.” Mosafir added, “By God, I did not understand what this meant until he was buried at the side of Harun.”

50-3 Abdul Wahid ibn Muhammad ibn Abdoos al-Neishaboori al-Attar narrated in Neishaboor in the year 352 A.H. (962 A.D.) that Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Qutayba quoted on the authority of Al-Fadhl ibn Shathan, on the authority of Safwan ibn Yahya, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ya’fur al-Balkhi, on the authority of Musa ibn Mehran, “I heard Isa ibn Ja’far tell Harun (Ar-Rashid) when he was going from Raqqah to Mecca, ‘Do not forget what you have sworn to about the household of Abi Talib.

50- بابُ دَلالَتُهُ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فِي إِجابَة اللَّه عَزَّ وَجَلَّ دُعاءِه فِي آلِ بَرمَك

وَاَخبارِهِ‏ بِما يَجْرِي عَلَيْهِم وَبِأَنَّهُ لا يُصَلِّ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الرَّشِيد مَكْرُوه

1- حَدَّثَنا أَبي وَمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الحَسَن بْنِ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ الوَلِيد - رحمهما اللَّه - قالا حَدَّثَنا سَعْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّه عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى بْنِ عُبِيْد قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ ِلحكم عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الفُضَيْلِ قالَ لَمَّا كَانَ فِي السَّنَةِ الَّتِي بَطَشَ هَارُونُ بِ‏آلِ بَرْمَكَ بَدَأَ بِجَعْفَرِ بْنِ يَحْيَى وَحَبَسَ يَحْيَى بْنَ خَالِدٍ وَنَزَلَ بِالْبَرَامِكَةِ مَا نَزَلَ كَانَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَاقِفاً بِعَرَفَةَ يَدْعُو ثُمَّ طَأْطَأَ رَأْسَهُ فَسُئِلَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَدْعُو اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَى الْبَرَامِكَةِ بِمَا فَعَلُوا بِأَبِي‏فَاسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ لِيَ الْيَوْمَ فِيهِمْ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ لَمْ يَلْبَثْ إِلا يَسِيراً حَتَّى بُطِشَ بِجَعْفَرٍ وَيَحْيَى وَتَغَيَّرَتْ أَحْوَالُهُمْ.

2- حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُوسَى المُتَوَكِّل قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَبْدِ اللَّه بْنِ جَعْفَر الحِمْيَريُّ عَنْ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ الحَسَن بْنِ عَلِى الوَشَّاء عَنْ مسافر قالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِمِنًى فَمَرَّ يَحْيَى بْنُ خَالِدٍ مَعَ قَوْمٍ مِنْ آلِ بَرْمَكَ فَقَالَ مَسَاكِينُ هَؤُلاءِ لا يَدْرُونَ مَا يَحُلُّ بِهِمْ فِي هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَاهْ وَأَعْجَبُ مِنْ هَذَا هَارُونُ وَأَنَا كَهَاتَيْنِ وَضَمَّ بِإِصْبَعَيْهِ قَالَ مُسَافِرٌ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا عَرَفْتُ مَعْنَى حَدِيثِهِ حَتَّى دَفَنَّاهُ مَعَهُ.

3- حَدَّثَنا عَبْد الواحِدِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدُوسٍ النِيْسابُوري العَطَّار بِنِيْسابُورَ سِنَةَ اثنتين‏خَمْسِينَ وَثَلاثِمائَةٍ قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ قُتَيْبَةَ عَنْ الفَضْلِ بْنِ شاذان عَنْ صَفْوان بن يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يعفور البلخي عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ مِهْرانِ قالَ سَمِعْتُ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ يَحْيَىُ سَمِعْتُ عِيسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ يَقُولُ لِهَارُونَ حَيْثُ تَوَجَّهَ مِنَ الرَّقَّةِ إِلَى مَكَّةَ اذْكُرْ يَمِينَكَ

You have sworn to chop off the head of anyone who claims to be a Divine Leader after Musa ibn Ja’far. Now this is his son Ali (Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.)) who is claiming to possess the Divine Leadership, and people are saying about him the same thing that they said about his father.’ Harun looked at him angrily and said, ‘So what? Do you think that I should kill them all2 ?’ Musa ibn Mihran added, “Once I heard this I went and informed Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) about this. Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, ‘What do I have to do with them? By God, they do not have the power to do anything to me.’”

50-4 Ahmad ibn Ziyad al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Isa ibn Obayd, on the authority of Safwan ibn Yahya, “When Abul Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) passed away and Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) started to talk (about Divine Leadership), then we feared for his life and I told him, ‘You are expressing a great issue. We are afraid of this oppressor (Harun).’ Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, ‘He can struggle to do whatever he likes, but he cannot affect me at all.’” Safwan added, “A trustworthy person informed me that Yahya ibn Khalid (Al-Barmaki) told the oppressor (Harun), ‘This is his son Ali (Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.)) who has taken his position and is declaring that he himself is the (Divine) Leader.’ Harun replied, ‘What was the use of what we did to his father? Do you think that we should kill them all?’”

The author added, “Indeed all the Barmakites were all enemies of the Members of the Household of God’s Prophet (S) and displayed their animosity.”

Notes

1. The Barmakites were a family of Iranian origin who started with Barmak who was in charge of an Idol-House called Nobahar in the city of Balkh. Barmak’s son was called Khalid. He started to work in the court of Abdul Malik ibn Marvan, and was able to attain a high position there. He accepted Islam during the era of Hisham ibn Abdul Malik. Later he became one of the heads of the army of Abu Muslim Khorasani. After the downfall of the Umayads, he went to Abul Abbas Saf’fah and became a minister. His son Yahya who was very intelligent was Harun Ar-Rashid’s teacher. It has been said that the majesty of the Abbasids was due to the wisdom of Yahya and his son Ja’far who was a minister in the court of Harun Ar-Rashid.

2. The members of the Household of God’s Prophet (S)

Chapter 51: On the Proof of His Rightfulness Due to Ar-Ridha’’s (a.s.) Prediction that He Will be Buried Next to Harun

51-1 Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Musa ibn Mihran, “I saw that Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) in Medina's mosque while Harun was delivering a sermon. Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, ‘You will see that both him and I will be buried in one place.’”

الَّتِي حَلَفْتَ بِهَا فِي آلِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَإِنَّكَ حَلَفْتَ إِنِ ادَّعَى أَحَدٌ بَعْدَ مُوسَى الإِمَامَةَ ضَرَبْتَ عُنُقَهُ صَبْراً وَهَذَا عَلِيٌّ ابْنُهُ يَدَّعِي هَذَا الأَمْرَ وَيُقَالُ فِيهِ مَا يُقَالُ فِي أَبِيهِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ مُغْضَباً فَقَالَ وَمَا تَرَى تُرِيدُ أَنْ أَقْتُلَهُمْ كُلَّهُمْ قَالَ مُوسَى فَلَمَّا سَمِعْتُ ذَلِكَ صِرْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ فَقَالَ‏مَا لِي وَلَهُمْ وَاللَّهِ لا يَقْدِرُونَ إِلَيَّ عَلَى شَيْ‏ءٍ.

4- حَدَّثَنا أَحْمَدِ بْنِ زِيادِ بْنِ جَعْفَر الهَمْدانِيَّ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ إِبراهِيمِ بْنِ هاشِم عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى بْنِ عُبِيْد عَنْ صَفْوان بْنِ يَحْيَى قالَ لَمَّا مَضَى أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَتَكَلَّمَ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ خِفْنَا عَلَيْهِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّكَ قَدْ أَظْهَرْتَ أَمْراً عَظِيماً وَإِنَّمَا نَخَافُ عَلَيْكَ هَذَا الطَّاغِيَ فَقَالَ لِيَجْهَدْ جَهْدَهُ فَلا سَبِيلَ لَهُ عَلَيَّ قَالَ صَفْوَانُ فَأَخْبَرَنَا الثِّقَةُ أَنَّ يَحْيَى بْنَ خَالِدٍ قَالَ لِلطَّاغِي هَذَا عَلِيٌّ ابْنُهُ قَدْ قَعَدَ وَادَّعَى الأَمْرَ لِنَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ مَا يَكْفِينَا مَا صَنَعْنَا بِأَبِيهِ تُرِيدُ أَنْ نَقْتُلَنَّهُمْ جَمِيعاً وَلَقَدْ كَانَتِ الْبَرَامِكَةُ مُبْغِضِينَ لاهْلِ بَيْتِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ مُظْهِرِينَ الْعَدَاوَةَ لَهُمْ.

51- بابُ دَلالَته‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فِي أَخْبارِه بِأَنَّهُ يدفُنُ مَعَ هارُون فِي بَيْتِ واحِدٍ

1- حَدَّثَنا أَحْمَدِ بْنِ زِيادِ بْنِ جَعْفَر الهَمْدانِيَّ قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ إِبراهِيمِ بْنِ هاشِم عَنْ أَبيهِ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ مِهْرانِ قالَ رَأَيْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ مُوسَى الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فِي مَسْجِدِ الْمَدِينَةِ وَهَارُونَ وَهُوَ يَخْطُبُ فَقَالَ أَتَرَوْنَنِي وَإِيَّاهُ نُدْفَنُ فِي بَيْتٍ وَاحِدٍ.

أَخْبَرَنِي مَنْ سَمِعَ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَهُوَ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى هَارُونَ بِمِنًى أَوْ بِعَرَفَاتٍ فَقَالَ أَنَا وَهَارُونُ هَكَذَا وَضَمَّ بَيْنَ إِصْبَعَيْهِ فَكُنَّا لا نَدْرِي مَا يَعْنِي بِذَلِكَ حَتَّى كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ بِطُوسَ مَا كَانَ فَأَمَرَ الْمَأْمُونُ بِدَفْنِ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ إِلَى جَنْبِ قَبْرِ هَارُونَ.

51-2 Muhammad ibn Ali Majilawayh - may God be pleased with him - narrated that his uncle Muhammad ibn Abil Qasim quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ali al-Qurashi, on the authority of Muhammad ibn al-Fodhayl, “I heard someone narrate that he had heard Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) say the following while he was looking at Harun in Mina or Arafat, ‘He and I will be buried this way’ while he held two of his fingers side by side. We could not understand what Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) meant until his life ended in Toos as it did1 . Then Al-Ma’mun ordered to bury Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) next to Harun Ar-Rashid.

Note

1. Al-Ma’mun murdered Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.)

Chapter 52: On Traditions Related to Ar-Ridha’’s (a.s.) Being Martyred With Poison and Being Buried Next to Harun Al-Rashid

52-1 Muhammad ibn Ali Majilawayh - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Abdis-Salam ibn Saleh al-Harawi that he had heard Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) say, “I shall be murdered by poison as a victim of injustice, and I will be buried next to Harun. God will establish my grave as the place for visiting by my followers and those who love me. Whoever visits me in my loneliness, then visiting him on the Resurrection Day will become incumbent upon me. By Him who honored Muhammad (a.s.) with the Prophetic mission and chose him over all his creatures, whichever one of you who says two units of prayers next to my tomb will deserve to be forgiven by God the Honored the Exalted on the Day (of Judgment) you meet Him. And by Him who honored us with the Divine Leadership mission after Muhammad (a.s.) and made us (the twelve Imams) especial by granting us the Testamentary Trustee mission, whoever visits my shrine will be of the noblest ones who reach God on the Resurrection Day. God the Highest keeps away the Fire from the corpse of any believer who visits me, hits himself on the face and sheds a tear.”

2- حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِى ماجِيلوَيْه رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ عَنْ عَمِّهِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبي القاسِم قالَ حَدَّثَني مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِى القُرَشِي عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الفُضَيْلِ قالَ.

52- بابُ إخباره‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِأَنَّهُ سيقتل مَسْمُوماً وَيقبر إِلى جَنْبِ هارُون الرَّشِيد

1- حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِى ماجِيلوَيْه رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ إِبراهِيمِ بْنِ هاشِم عَنْ أَبيهِ عَنْ عَبْد السَّلامُ بْنِ صالِح الهَرَوِيِّ قالَ سَمِعْتُ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَقُولُ إِنِّي سَأُقْتَلُ بِالسَّمِّ مَسْمُوماً وَمَظْلُوماً وَأُقْبَرُ إِلَى جَنْبِ هَارُونَ وَيَجْعَلُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ تُرْبَتِي مُخْتَلَفَ شِيعَتِي وَأَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَمَنْ زَارَنِي فِي غُرْبَتِي وَجَبَتْ لَهُ زِيَارَتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَالَّذِي أَكْرَمَ مُحَمَّداً صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ بِالنُّبُوَّةِ وَاصْطَفَاهُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ الْخَلِيقَةِ لا يُصَلِّي أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ عِنْدَ قَبْرِي رَكْعَتَيْنِ إِلا اسْتَحَقَّ الْمَغْفِرَةَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَوْمَ يَلْقَاهُ وَالَّذِي أَكْرَمَنَا بَعْدَ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ بِالإِمَامَةِ وَخَصَّنَا بِالْوَصِيَّةِ إِنَّ زُوَّارَ قَبْرِي لاكْرَمُ الْوُفُودِ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَمَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يَزُورُنِي فَتُصِيبُ وَجْهَهُ قَطْرَةٌ مِنَ السَّمَاء إِلاّ حَرَّمَ اللَّه تَعالى‏ جَسَدَهُ عَلَى النَّارِ.

Chapter 53: On Ar-Ridha’’s Insight and His Recognition of the Faithful Believers and the Hypocrites

53-1 (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 Abdullah ibn Aamir ibn Sa’d, on the authority of Abdul Rahman ibn Abi Najran, “Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) wrote a letter to some of his companions which he read to me. It said, ‘We know (all about) men when we see them. We recognize their true faithfulness or hypocrisy.’”

53- بابُ صِحَّةِ فَراسَةِ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَمَعْرِفَتِهِ بِأَهلِ الإِيمان وَأَهْل النِّفاقُ‏

1- حَدَّثَنا أَبي رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ حَدَّثَنا سَعْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّه قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَبْدِ اللَّه بْنِ عامِر بْنِ سَعْد عَنْ عَبْد الرَّحْمن بْنِ أَبي نَجْرانَ قالَ كَتَبَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَأَقْرَأَنِيهِ رِسَالَةً إِلَى بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ إِنَّا لَنَعْرِفُ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا رَأَيْنَاهُ بِحَقِيقَةِ الإِيمَانِ وَبِحَقِيقَةِ النِّفَاقِ.

Chapter 54: On Ar-Ridha’’s Knowledge of All the Languages

54-1 (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 Muhammad ibn Jazak, on the authority of Yasir - the servant, “There were servants in Abal Hassan Ar-Ridha’’s (a.s.) home who were Slavic and Roman. Abul Hassan’s (a.s.) room was near theirs. One night Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) heard them say in the Slavic and Roman languages, ‘We used to donate blood once a year when we were in our own towns. However, we have never donated any blood for the many years that we have been here.’ Then when the morning came, Abal Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) called in some doctors and told them to take blood from each of those servants. He precisely instructed the doctors as to which of the veins to use for each of the servants. Then he (a.s.) told me, ‘O Yasir! You should not donate blood.’ However, I did not pay any attention to the Imam (a.s.) and donated blood. However, my hand swelled up and turned purple. Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) asked me, ‘What has happened to you?’ I answered, ‘I donated blood.” The Imam (a.s.) asked, ‘Did I not admonish you against donating blood? Please bring your hand forward.’ I put my hand forward. Then the Imam (a.s.) rubbed his hands on my hand and spit on it. Then the Imam (a.s.) ordered me not to eat dinner for a while. I tried not to eat dinner at night as much as I could. Whenever I failed to do so and ate something for dinner, that pain returned.”

54- بابُ مَعْرِفَتِهِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِجَمِيعِ اللُّغات‏

1- حَدَّثَنَا أبِي رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَعْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللهِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جَزَكَ عَنْ يَاسِرٍ الخَادِمِ قَالَ كَانَ غُلْمَانٌ لأبِي الْحَسَنِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ فِي الْبَيْتِ صَقَالِبَةً وَرُومِيَّةً وَكَانَ أبُو الْحَسَنِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ قَرِيباً مِنْهُمْ فَسَمِعَهُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ يَتَرَاطَنُونَ بِالصَّقْلَبِيَّةِ وَالرُّومِيَّةِ وَيَقُولُونَ إنّا كُنَّا نَفْتَصِدُ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ فِي بِلادِنَا ثُمَّ لَيْسَ نَفْتَصِدُ هَاهُنَا فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنَ الْغَدِ وَجَّهَ أبُو الْحَسَنِ إلى بَعْضِ الأطِبَّاءِ فَقَالَ لَهُ افْصُدْ فُلاناً عِرْقَ كَذا وَافْصُدْ فُلاناً عِرْقَ كَذَا وَافْصُدْ فُلاناً عِرْقَ كَذا وَافْصُدْ هَذا عِرْقَ كَذَا. ثُمَّ قَالَ: يَا يَاسِرُ لا تَفْتَصِدُ أنْتَ؟ قَالَ فَافْتَصَدْتُ فَوَرُمَتْ يَدِي وَاحْمَرَّتْ. فَقَالَ لِي يَا يَاسِرُ مَالَكَ؟ فَأخْبَرْتُهُ. فَقَالَ: أَلَمْ أنْهَكَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ؟ هَلُمَّ يَدَكَ. فَمَسَحَ يَدَهُ عَلَيْهَا وَتَفَلَ فِيهَا ثُمَّ أوْصَانِي أنْ لا أتَعَشَّى. فَمَكَثْتُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ مَا شَاءَ اللهُ لا أتَعَشَّى ثُمَّ أُغَافِلُ فَأتَعَشَّى فَيَضْرِبُ عَلَيَّ.

54-2 (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 Abi Abdullah al-Barqi, on the authority of Abu Hashem Dawood ibn Al-Qasim al-Ja’fari, “I used to eat lunch with Abal Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.). Sometimes he (a.s.) spoke to some of his servants in Slavic and Persian (Farsi) languages. Sometimes I sent my servant who spoke Persian to the Imam (a.s.) and Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) knew Persian. Sometimes it became difficult for the servants to understand Persian. Then the Imam (a.s.) used to explain things for them himself.

54-3 Ahmad ibn Ziyad al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Aba Salt al-Harawi, “Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) spoke with people in their own languages. By God, he was the most eloquent and the most knowledgeable person in any language. One day I told him, ‘O son of the Prophet of God! I am amazed at your mastery over all these various languages.’ Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, ‘O Aba Salt! I am the Proof of God for His creatures. God would not designate a Proof for Himself to any nation who does not know their language. Have you not heard that Ali - the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) said?, ‘We have been granted elaborate speech.’ Then how can this be without mastery of all the languages?’”

Chapter 55: On the Proof of Ar-Ridha’’s Rightfulness Due to His Replying to Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Vosha’s Questions Before he could ask them

55-1 (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 Abul Khayr Salih ibn Abi Hammad, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’, “I had written down many questions and I used to have them with me all the time. Before becoming certain about the Divine Leadership of Abil Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.), I had compiled those questions in the form of a book that contained narrations from his forefathers, etc. I wanted to test him concerning his Divine Leadership. I picked up that book, hid it in my sleeves, and went to his house. I wanted to hand him the book when I was alone with him and ask him what he (a.s.) thought

2- حَدَّثَنا أَبي رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ حَدَّثَنا سَعْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّه قالَ حَدَّثَنا أَحْمَدِ بْنِ أَبي عَبْدِ اللَّه البَرْقِي‏حَدَّثَنا أَبُو هاشِم داوُدِ بْنِ القاسِم الجَعْفَرِيِّ قالَ كُنْتُ أَتَغَدَّى مَعَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فَيَدْعُو بَعْضَ غِلْمَانِهِ بِالصَّقْلَبِيَّةِ وَالْفَارِسِيَّةِ وَرُبَّمَا بَعَثْتُ غُلامِي هَذَا بِشَيْ‏ءٍ مِنَ الْفَارِسِيَّةِ فَيُعَلِّمُهُ وَرُبَّمَا كَانَ يَنْغَلِقُ الْكَلامُ عَلَى غُلامِهِ بِالْفَارِسِيَّةِ فَيَفْتَحُ هُوَ عَلَى غُلامِهِ.

3- حَدَّثَنا أَحْمَدِ بْنِ زِيادِ بْنِ جَعْفَر الهَمْدانِيَّ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ إِبراهِيمِ بْنِ هاشِم عَنْ أَبي الصَّلْتِ الهَرَوِيِّ قالَ كَانَ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ بِلُغَاتِهِمْ وَكَانَ وَاللَّهِ أَفْصَحَ النَّاسِ وَأَعْلَمَهُمْ بِكُلِّ لِسَانٍ وَلُغَةٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَوْماً يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لاعْجَبُ مِنْ مَعْرِفَتِكَ بِهَذِهِ اللُّغَاتِ عَلَى اخْتِلافِهَا فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا الصَّلْتِ أَنَا حُجَّةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَتَّخِذَ حُجَّةً عَلَى قَوْمٍ وَهُوَ لا يَعْرِفُ لُغَاتِهِمْ أَوَمَا بَلَغَكَ قَوْلُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ أُوتِينَا فَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ فَهَلْ فَصْلُ الْخِطَابِ إِلا مَعْرِفَةُ اللُّغَاتِ.

55- بابُ دَلالَتُهُ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فِي إِجابَتِهِ الحَسَن بْنِ عَلِى الوَشَّاء

عَنِ المَسائِلِ‏ الَّتِي أَرادَ أَن يَسْأَلُهُ عَنْها قَبل السُّؤالِ‏

1- حَدَّثَنا أَبي رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ حَدَّثَنا سَعْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّه قالَ حَدَّثَنا أَبُو الخَيْر صالِح بْنِ أَبي حَمَّادٍ عَنْ الحَسَن بْنِ عَلِى الوَشَّاء قالَ كُنْتُ كَتَبْتُ مَعِي مَسَائِلَ كَثِيرَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ أَقْطَعَ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَجَمَعْتُهَا فِي كِتَابٍ مِمَّا رُوِيَ عَنْ آبَائِهِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ وَأَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ أَتَثَبَّتَ فِي أَمْرِهِ وَأَخْتَبِرَهُ فَحَمَلْتُ الْكِتَابَ فِي كُمِّي وَصِرْتُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ وَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ آخُذَ مِنْهُ خَلْوَةً فَأُنَاوِلَهُ الْكِتَابَ فَجَلَسْتُ نَاحِيَةً وَأَنَـا مُتَفَكـِّرٌ فِي طَـلَبِ الإِذْنِ

about it in order to find out about the degree of his scientific mastery. Therefore I sat in a corner of the house thinking about seeking permission. There were some people sitting near the door of Ar-Ridha’’s (a.s.) room talking with each other. Then as I was thinking about asking for permission to see him (a.s.), one of the servants came out with a book in his hand and loudly announced, ‘Who is Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’ - the son of the daughter of Elias from Baghdad?’ I stood up and said, ‘That’s me. What do you want?’ The servant said, ‘I have been told to hand you this book. Take it.’ I took the book, went out and sat in a corner to read it. I swear by God that he had posed all the questions which I had recorded in my book to ask him, and had answered all of them. Then I became certain that he was the Divine Leader and stopped being one of the Waqafites.”

55-2 (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 Abul Khayr Salih ibn Abi Hammad, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’, “Abal Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) sent his servant to me with a note on which it was written, ‘Please send me a robe of such and such a color and made in such and such a place.’ I wrote him back a letter and told the messenger, ‘Tell him that I do not have such a robe. I do not know about any such robe and do not have one.’ Then the messenger left, returned again and said, ‘Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) says that you have one. Please search some more. You will find it.’ I replied, ‘I have searched for it. I do not have such a robe.’ The messenger left, came back again and said, ‘Search some more. You will find it.’ Someone had left such a robe with me for sale, but I had totally forgotten about it. I searched some more and found it in a closed bag under all the other clothes. Then I sent it for Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.).”

55-3 Ahmad ibn Ziyad al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Safwan ibn Yahya, “I was with Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) when Al-Husayn ibn Khalid al-Sayrafi entered and said, ‘May I be your ransom! I intend to go to A’wadh.’ The Imam (a.s.) told him, ‘Stay wherever you have found health and security.’ He did not pay any attention to this recommendation and traveled towards there. Some highway robbers attacked him along the way and stole whatever he had.”

عَلَيْهِ وَبِالْبَابِ جَمَاعَةٌ جُلُوسٌ يَتَحَدَّثُونَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا كَذَلِكَ فِي الْفِكْرَةِ وَالاحْتِيَالِ فِي الدُّخُولِ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا أَنَا بِغُلامٍ قَدْ خَرَجَ مِنَ الدَّارِ فِي يَدِهِ كِتَابٌ فَنَادَى أَيُّكُمُ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءُ ابْنُ ابْنَةِ إِلْيَاسَ الْبَغْدَادِيِّ فَقُمْتُ إِلَيْهِ وَقُلْتَ أَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءُ فَمَا حَاجَتُكَ قَالَ هَذَا الْكِتَابُ أُمِرْتُ بِدَفْعِهِ إِلَيْكَ فَهَاكَ خُذْهُ فَأَخَذْتُهُ وَتَنَحَّيْتُ نَاحِيَةً فَقَرَأْتُهُ فَإِذَا وَاللَّهِ فِيهِ جَوَابُ مَسْأَلَةٍ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ قَطَعْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَتَرَكْتُ الْوَقْفَ.

2- حَدَّثَنا أَبي رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ حَدَّثَنا سَعْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّه قالَ حَدَّثَنا أَبُو الخَيْر صالِح بْنِ أَبي حَمَّادٍ عَنْ الحَسَن بْنِ عَلِى الوَشَّاء بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ غُلامَهُ وَمَعَهُ رُقْعَةٌ فِيهَا ابْعَثْ إِلَيَّ بِثَوْبٍ مِنْ ثِيَابِ مَوْضِعِ كَذَا وَكَذَا مِنْ ضَرْبِ كَذَا.

فَكَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ وَقُلْتُ لِلرَّسُولِ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي ثَوْبٌ بِهَذِهِ الصِّفَةِ وَمَا أَعْرِفُ هَذَا الضَّرْبَ مِنَ الثِّيَابِ فَأَعَادَ الرَّسُولَ إِلَيَّ بَلْ فَاطْلُبْهُ فَأَعَدْتُ إِلَيْهِ الرَّسُولَ وَقُلْتُ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي مِنْ هَذَا الضَّرْبِ شَيْ‏ءٌ فَأَعَادَ إِلَيَّ الرَّسُولَ اطْلُبْ فَإِنَّ عِنْدَكَ مِنْهُ. قَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءُ وَقَدْ كَانَ أَبْضَعَ مَعِي رَجُلٌ ثَوْباً مِنْهَا وَأَمَرَنِي بِبَيْعِهِ وَكُنْتُ قَدْ نَسِيتُهُ فَطَلَبْتُ كُلَّ شَيْ‏ءٍ كَانَ مَعِي فَوَجَدْتُهُ فِي سَفَطٍ تَحْتَ الثِّيَابِ كُلِّهَا فَحَمَلْتُهُ إِلَيْهِ.

3- حَدَّثَنا أَحْمَدِ بْنِ زِيادِ بْنِ جَعْفَر الهَمْدانِيَّ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ إِبراهِيمِ بْنِ هاشِم‏عَنْ صَفْوانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى قالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ الصَّيْرَفِيُّ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْخُرُوجَ إِلَى الأَعْوَضِ فَقَالَ حَيْثَُما ظَفِرْتَ بِالْعَافِيَةِ فَالْزَمْهُ فَلَمْ يُقْنِعْهُ ذَلِكَ فَخَرَجَ يُرِيدُ الأَعْوَضَ فَقُطِعَ عَلَيْهِ الطَّرِيقُ وَأُخِذَ كُلُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ كَانَ مَعَهُ مِنَ الْمَالِ.