Uyun Akhbar Ar-Ridha Volume 2

Chapter 58: On What Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) told his Brother Zayd ibn Musa When Zayd was Being Haughty in Al-Ma’mun’s Presence and What Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said About Mistreating the Shiites

58-1 Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Sinani narrated that Muhammad ibn Abi Abdullah al-Kufi quoted on the authority of Abul Faydh Salih ibn Ahmad, on the authority of Sahl ibn Ziyad, on the authority of Saleh ibn Abi Hammad, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Musa ibn al-Vosha’ al-Baghdadi, “I was with Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) in his meeting in Khorasan where Zayd ibn Musa (Imam Ar-Ridha’’s brother) was present and was haughty with those present saying that we (meaning the offspring of Imam Musa Al-Kazim (a.s.)) are such and such. Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) who was talking to others heard what Zayd had said. He (a.s.)

58

1 - حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أحْمَد السَنانِي قالَ حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ

faced him and said, ‘O Zayd! Have the words of the narrators from Kufa made you so proud when they say, ‘(The Blessed Lady) Fatima (a.s.) maintained her chastity, thus God has forbidden the Fire from touching her progeny.’ By God, this holds true only for Al-Hassan (a.s.), Al-Husayn (a.s.) and Fatima’s (a.s.) own especial offspring. However, if it were the case that your father Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) obeyed God, fasted in the daytime and worshipped God at night, but you disobey God and claim to be equal with him (Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.)) in the Hereafter on the Resurrection Day, this would imply that you are dearer than him (Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.)) in the sight of God. In fact, Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.) said, ‘There are double rewards for the good-doers from amongst us, and there are double chastisements for the evil-doers from amongst us.’’”

Al-Hassan al-Washsha’ added, “Then the Imam (a.s.) turned to us and said, ‘O Hassan! How do you recite the following verse?, ‘He said, ‘O Noah! He is not of thy family: For his conduct is unrighteous.’’[^1] I (Al-Hassan al-Washsha’) answered, ‘Some people read it in such a way as to mean ‘his conduct is unrighteous’ while others read it in such a manner as to mean ‘he has done ill’. Indeed those who read it in the first form are implying that he is not really of the family of Noah and consider someone else to be his father.’ The Imam (a.s.) said, ‘No. Indeed he was truly Noah’s son. However, since he disobeyed God the Honorable the Exalted, God separated him from his father. This is exactly the same situation that holds true for us (the Members of the Holy Household of the Prophet Muhammad (S)). Whichever one of us does not obey God the Honorable the Exalted does not belong to us. O Hassan! If you obey God the Honorable the Exalted, then you are one of us - the Members of the Holy Household.’”

58-2 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Zayd al-Nahawi, on the authority of Ibn Abi Abdoon, on the authority of his father, “Zayd ibn Musa - Ar-Ridha’’s brother - rebelled in Basra (in Iraq) in the year 199 A.H. (814 A.D.) and put the Abbasids’ houses on fire. That is why he was called Zayd al-Nar. When Zayd was arrested, Al-Ma’mun told him, ‘O Zayd! You rebelled in Basra (in Iraq) and instead of starting with burning the homes of our enemies from the Tribes of the Umayyads, Thaqeef, Adiy, Bahila and the Aal Ziyad, you started with burning the homes of your cousins!’ Zayd was somewhat of

2 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَد

a joker and replied, ‘O the Commander of the Faithful (Al-Ma’mun)! I made a big mistake. If I return, I will attend to them (those tribes) this time.’ Al-Ma’mun started to laugh and sent him to his brother Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) with a message saying, ‘I forgave his crime for your sake.” When they brought Zayd in, Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) blamed him and told him, ‘You are free to go anywhere you wish.’ Then the Imam (a.s.) never spoke to him again for as long as he lived.”

58-3 Abul Khayr Ali ibn Ahmad al-Nassaba quoted on the authority of his own elders that Zayd ibn Musa was appointed as the intimate companion for Al-Montasir. Al-Montasir was very eloquent in speech, but was of the Zaydite sect. He lived in Baghdad next to the Karkhaya River. He was the same person who had become the head of the army during the time of Abul Saraya. When Abul Saraya was killed, the Zaydites were dispersed. Some of them fled away to Baghdad, others went to Kufa while some others fled to Medina. Zayd ibn Musa (Ar-Ridha’’s brother) was also one of those who had fled. Al-Hassan ibn Fadhl chased him, finally caught him and imprisoned him. One day he (Al-Hassan ibn Fadhl) summoned Zayd to execute him. When the executioner arrived and drew out his sword in order to chop off Zayd’s neck, Al-Hajjaj ibn Khaythama who was present there said, ‘O Commander! Do not rush. Call me forward to give you some advice.’ Then Al-Hassan ibn Fadhl ordered the executioner to withdraw the sword and called Al-Haj’jaj ibn Khaythama forward. Al-Hajjaj ibn Khaythama asked, ‘O Commander! Has the Commander of the Faithful (Harun Ar-Rashid) ordered that Zayd be executed?’ He replied, ‘No.’ Then Al-Haj’jaj ibn Khaythama said, ’Then what allows you to kill the cousin of the Commander of the Faithful (Harun Ar-Rashid), while Harun has not issued this order, and you yourself have not sought his permission either?’ Then Al-Hajjaj ibn Khaythama told Al-Hassan ibn Fadhl the story of Abdullah ibn Aftas - Harun Ar-Rashid’s cousin - who had been imprisoned by Harun by Ja’far ibn Yahya. Ja’far ibn Yahya had killed Abdullah ibn Aftas during the New Year holidays, placed his head on a tray and sent it to Harun as a gift. Later, when Harun issued the order Masrur al-Kabir to kill Ja’far ibn Yahya, he told him, ‘If Ja’far ibn Yahya asks the reason for killing him, tell him that this is the reward for you for killing my cousin Abdullah ibn al-Aftas without my order to do so.’

3- حَدَّثَنَا أبُو الْخَيْرِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أحْمَدَ النَّسَّابَةُ عَنْ

Then al-Hajjaj ibn al-Khaythama asked Hassan ibn Sahl, ‘Are you sure that if anything happens to your relationship with the Commander of the Faithful Harun, he would not make killing his cousin an excuse to kill you just as he (Harun) did to Ja’far ibn Yahya?’ Then Al-Hassan ibn Fadhl told Al-Hassan al-Hajjaj said, ‘May God grant you a good reward!’ Then Al-Hassan ibn Fadhl ordered that Zayd be returned to jail. He stayed in jail until the reign of Ibrahim ibn Al-Mahdi when the people of Baghdad rebelled against Hassan ibn Sahl and threw him out of Baghdad. Then Al-Ma’mun’s agents released Zayd from jail, and Al-Ma’mun sent him to his brother Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.). Zayd ibn Musa lived until the end of Al-Mutawakkil’s rule and then died.”

58-4 Muhammad ibn Ali Majilawayh, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Mutawakkil and Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with them - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of Yasir (the servant of Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.)), “Zayd ibn Musa - the brother of Abil Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) rebelled in Medina. He put houses on fire and killed some people. That is why he is called ‘Zayd al-Nar’ Then Al-Ma’mun had him arrested and brought to him. Then Al-Ma’mun orderd that Zayd be taken to (his brother) Abil Hassan (Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.)).”

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

4 - حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِى ماجِيلوَيْه وَمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُوسَى

58-5 Tamim ibn Abdullah ibn Tamim al-Qurashi - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Abu Ali Ahmad ibn Ali Al-Ansari quoted on the authority of Abi Salt al-Harawi that he had heard Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) quote on the authority of his father (a.s.) that Isma’il asked his father As-Sadiq (a.s.), ‘O father! What is your opinion about a sinner from our family or one not from our family?’ As-Sadiq (a.s.) replied*, ‘Neither your desires, nor those of the People of the Book (can prevail): whoever works evil, will be requited accordingly...’”*[^4]

58-6 Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Imran al-Daqqaq - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Abi Abdullah al-Kufi quoted on the authority of Abul Khayr Salih ibn Abi Hammad, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Al-Jahm, “I was in the presence of Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) and his brother Zayd ibn Musa was with him. Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) told Zayd, ‘O Zayd! Fear God. Beware that we have attained this rank purely through piety. If anyone does not fear God and does not safeguard himself (from evil) not one of us. O Zayd! Do not insult any of our Shiites (followers) whom you find mastery over, lest you will lose your status. O Zayd! The people hate our followers these days due to their love for and belief in us. They fight with our followers, consider it allowable to take away their property and kill them. If you treat our followers badly just as other people do, then you have indeed oppressed your own soul and have ruined your own right.’”

58-7 Abu Muhammad Ja’far ibn Nu’aym al-Shathani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Idris quoted on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Hashem, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Hamadani that he had heard Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) say, “Whoever likes a sinner is himself a sinner. Whoever likes an obedient person is himself obedient. Whoever aids an oppressor is himself an oppressor. Whoever supports a just person is himself just. Whoever deserts a just person is an oppressor. In fact, there are no family ties between God and anyone. No one can attain friendship with God unless he obeys Him. God’s Prophet (S) told the Children of Abdul Mutallib, ‘Come to me with your good deeds not your relationships. God the Highest said, ‘Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another! Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy, they will attain salvation: But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide.’’”[^5]

5 - حَدَّثَنا تَمِيمُ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّه بْنِ تَمِيمُ القُرَشِي رَضِىَ

6 - حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِمْران

7 - حَدَّثَنا أَبُو مُحَمَّد جَعْفَرِ بْنِ نُعَيْم الشاذانِي رَضِىَ

58-8 Abul Hassan Muhammad ibn Amr ibn Ali al-Basri narrated that Abul Hassan Salih ibn Sho’aib al-Ghaziyani from the village of Ghaziyat quoted on the authority of Zayd ibn Muhammad al-Baghdadi, on the authority of Ali ibn Ahmad Al-Askari, on the authority of Abdullah ibn Dawood ibn Qabeesah Al-Ansari, on the authority of Musa ibn Ali al-Qurashi, “Abil Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, ‘The pen has been lifted off of our followers.[^6]’ Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) was asked, ‘O my Master! How is this?’ He (a.s.) replied, ‘It is because they have undertaken an oath to practice the concealment of faith (‘Taqiyeh) under an unjust government. The people are secure, but they live in fear. They are reviled on our behalf, but we are not reviled on their behalf. They are killed for our sake, but we are not killed for their sake. Whenever one of our followers commits a sin, he becomes so upset and sorry that his sins get removed from him, even if they are as many as the drops of water in a rainfall, or as many as the number of pebbles and sand in the desert, or as many as the number of thorns and trees. And if this does not happen to himself, it will happen to his family or property. Even if does not suffer in his worldly affairs, he will have a bad dream that would cause his sins to be eliminated.’”

58-9 Ali ibn Abdullah al-Warraq - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Al-Husayn ibn Abi Qatadah, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Sinan that Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, “We are the Members of the Holy Household. By God’s Prophet (S), honoring our rights has become incumbent upon the people. However, whoever attains some rights due to God’s Prophet (S) but does not likewise honor the people’s rights himself has no rights incumbent upon the people to honor.”

58-10 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Musa ibn Nasr al-Razi that he had heard his father say, “A man told Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.), ’By God, considering who your father is, there is no one on the Earth who is nobler than you are.’ Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) replied, ‘Piety granted them this nobility, and obedience to God enabled them to benefit from it.’ Someone else said, ‘By God, you are the best of the people.’ Then Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, “Do not swear. Whoever fears God the Sublime more than me is better than I am, and is more obedient than I am. By God, the following verse has not been abolished, ‘…and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you…’”[^7]

8 - حَدَّثَنا أَبُو الحَسَن مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عمرو بْنِ عَلِى البَصَرِيِّ

9 - حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّه الوَرَّاقُ رَضِىَ اللهُ

10 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَد

58-11 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Abu Thakwan that he had heard Ibrahim ibn Al-Abbas say that he had heard Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) say, “I have made a covenant not to swear by emancipation unless I set a slave free. Now I have freed all my slaves, so that no one thinks that I am superior to this slave due to being closer to God’s Prophet (S). No, I can only be superior due to having good deeds which give me nobility.” Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said this while pointing at one of his slaves.

[^1]: Qur’an, 11:46

[^2]: Qur’an, 11:45

[^3]: Qur’an, 11:46

[^4]: Qur’an, 4:123

[^5]: Qur’an, 23:101-103

[^6]: Meaning that they will be forgiven by God

[^7]: Qur’an, 49:13