Gate of Knowledge Foundation

One year had passed since the 8th Imam had left for Merv. All the Prophets family members living in Medina yearned and were eager for his return.

It was already a year now that they had not seen their dear Imam and their hearts only desired and yearned to see the Imam’s face. But Fatimah Ma’soomah had waited long enough and now her patience was running out and like the other family members she could only get peace if she met her brother.

During that time Imam Ridha (A.S.) wrote a letter to his sister Fatimah Ma’soomah and sent it to Medina with one of his slave. He ordered the slave not to stop anywhere till he reached Medina and gave him proper instructions and the proper address so the slave could find the house without asking anyone.

The slave arrived with the letter as fast as he could, and in Medina he immediately delivered to Fatimah Ma’soomah. What were the contents of the letter nobody knew, but the Imam’s family became more grieved and yearned more for the Imam. Fatimah Ma’soomah, her brother and other family members decided to go to Merv to visit the Imam. They started preparations for their journey and taking water and minimum provisions decided to leave the city of the messenger of Allah (that is Medina) for Merv. Amongst all the people, Fatimah Ma’soomah was the most excited. That dear Lady with her five brothers whose names were Fadhl, Ja’far, Ha’adi, Qasim and Zayd and their brothers’ children and servants and slave girls were all part of this journey.

This caravan of the lovers of Imam Ridha (A.S. started their journey and apart from waiting for prayers, meals and rest they never stopped. They passed hills, mountains, and deserts and day by day went further away from Medina. This difficult journey through the deserts was so arduous that not only them but also the strong camels were tired and they still had to go a long way to Merv. But their eagerness and their hope of reaching the Imam urged them to move forward.

In those days there was a lot of looting of the caravans. These thieves would take away all belongings and even the camels. If they did not find anything, they would kill the people. This frightened them a lot as they did not want their journey to break or for anything to happen to stop them from going forward.

This thought frightened Fatemah Ma’soomah but putting trust to Allah, they carried forward and gradually progressed towards their goal. Now the distance to Iran was becoming closer. The difficulties of the journey affected Bibi Ma’soomah a lot. For this young woman also there was a lot of suffering. But despite all this the thought of meeting her brother was worth all the pain. She was ready to go through this a hundred times to get this reward. On her journey she remembered the face of her brother and the good and difficult times they had together and now she was happy that in a few days she would look at his handsome face again.

Finally, the difficult part of the journey ended and the caravan reached Iran. Before reaching Merv (later Toos and now Mash-had) they passed through many villages where they would rest and then proceed, finally they reached. The caravan reached Sawa (name of a city in Iraq) and it was here that Fatimah Ma’soomah became very sick. She was so sick that she refused to continue with the journey. The long journey from Medina to Sawa had weakened her but this sickness made her even weaker. With this condition, she was worried. Would she be able to go forward? And would she now be able to see her brother? These were questions that the daughter of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) often asked herself when she saw her condition. She made a decision now to proceed to Qum and inquired from people the distance to Qum. They replied 10 miles. Hearing that the distance was not too much they decide to proceed.

In those days Qum was a place, which offered sanctuary and peace for the family of the Prophet. The news of Fatimah Ma’soomah’s arrival from Sawa and her sickness reached Qum.

The people of Qum who had strong unity decided to go to receive Fatimah Ma’soomah and to bring her to Qum. A person called Musa ibn Khazraj undertook this task of going and inviting the daughter of seventh Imam to Qum and requesting her to stay with them in Qum and Fatemah Ma’soomah agreed to the request and the caravan left from Sawa to Qum. Musa ibn Kharaj himself held the camel’s reins and led this noble woman with pride and respect to the people of Qum who were eagerly waiting her arrival.

Merv is the name of a city in Khurasaan. After Imam Kadhim’s death, Imam Ridha (A.S.) assured the office of the Imamate. He was 35 years old. He was now the protector of Islamic Ummah and the guide of the Muslims. He was the only successor who was given this responsibility by his father Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as). He was also the guardian of his children after his death.

The oppression and the cruelty of Harun’s rule went on but Imam Ridha (A.S.) continued with the responsibility of carrying out divine duties and went on spreading the word of God and the rights without any fear. He was always busy and never rested until he reached his aim.

Harun could not bear to watch Imam becoming so popular and his followers adoring him but he could not openly show his enmity or do anything to stop the Imam.

Finally in 193 (A.H.), Harun became sick and died. By his death the Muslims were relieved of one of the most evil oppressor and his tyranny.

After Harun, his brother Amin became the Caliph. He ruled for only 4 years, as there was bitter fighting between Amin and his brother for the Caliphate. This led to bloodshed and Amin was subsequently killed in the year 198 (A.H.), after which Mamun became the ruler.

It was during this time when the 2 brothers were fighting that Imam Ridha (A.S.) made the most use of this opportunity to spread the word of God and guide the Muslim Ummah.

The Abbasid government at this time was busy fighting amongst themselves for the kingdom, so there were fewer hardships for the Imam’s family.

Mamun with his trickery came to power. He was not a Caliph who was just but someone who had fooled his people to get the power. This deceiving continued and to show that he was not only a wise king but also a man who encouraged intellectual and scientific education. He invited scholars, learned men, organized meetings, and seminars. So on one side he supported the scholars and on the other side, to attract the many Muslims, he openly showed the love he had for Ahlul bayt, started praising Imam Ali and cursing Muawiyah. This was a concerted effort to trick the Shias that he also was interested in the spread of Islam through the region. His supporters were not happy with his strategy but Mamun knew that if his enemies and the Shias would get together then he would be overthrown so he had to take first the Shias into his confidence and to do this he devised a plan to offer Imam Ridha (A.S.) to be the successor after him. This was to win confidence from both the enemies and the Shias.

So Mamun started writing letters upon letters to Imam Ridha (A.S.) to become his successor. But despite all the forces of Mamun it did not bear fruit as Imam Ridha refused to take their responsibility, which would be harmful for Muslims, so he bluntly refused. But Mamun was not going to give up so easily when he realized that his plan was not working he sent a man called Raja bin Dhahhak to Medina in 200 (A.H.) with an order to bring Imam to Merv (later called Toos and now Mashad). This was at that time the seat of his empire and he hoped the Imam would agree to be the governor of this city.

On receiving the information the Imam visited the grave of the Prophet and the Imams (buried in the Jannat-ul-Baqi) and said goodbye to his children, brothers and sisters including Fatimah Ma’soomah and left Madina for Merv. There was a sad atmosphere as the whole family was unwilling to see their protector and guide leave them but had no choice.

For Fatimah Ma’soomah this separation was very difficult as after the passing away of her father, the 7th Imam she was continuously under the guardianship of her brother Imam Ridha (A.S.). Now he had to leave Madina and for her the happy days were over.

Mamun had devised a plan for the Imam’s journey. He had made sure that on Imam’s route to Merv the Imam’s caravan should not pass the two towns of Shias, which were Kufa and Qum. He was afraid that if the Imam passed these places there could be a revolution and he would be overthrown.

He also knew that the Shias of Kufa and Qum had a great love for the offspring of the Prophet. So the Imam should under no circumstances take this route.

The Muslim population however made all arrangements for the Imam to welcome on the route he was supposed to pass and took full advantage of the Imam’s presence when the caravan stopped.

The whole route of Iran was decorated and he was warmly welcomed. One of the towns on the route to Iran was Neshapur. When the people of Neshapur heard that the Imam was coming they gathered and were anxious to learn something from the Imam. When Imam camped, the people gathered at his camp and asked Imam to teach them something and the Imam agreed. He told them a Hadith of the Prophet (S.A.W.). He said, LA ILAHA ILLALLAH is a strong fort and whosoever enters the fort will be saved from the fire of Hell. Then the Imam moved a few steps forward and continued with the Hadith and addressing, the crowd said “but there are conditions to it and I am one of those conditions”. Imam was actually emphasizing the importance of Imamate by this Hadith, and teaching them that only belief in Allah is not sufficient for the passage to heaven.

After a few days in Neshapur, Imam went on with his journey to Merv. Mamun again requested the Imam to be his successor but Imam as before refused. This arrangement between Mamun and Imam continued for two months and with Mamun’s force Imam had no choice. So on the 7th of Ramadhan 201 (A.H.) tearfully and sadly he agreed but with a condition that he would not involve himself into day to day deliberation of the government.

At that time, the Prophet’s offspring were tortured by the governors and the kings, especially Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) who was also being continuously suffered at the hands of the cruel Khalifas. Fatimah Ma’soomah’s heart hurt to see her father in discomfort and pain. She was grieved and very sad and it was only her brother, Imam Ridha (A.S.) who calmed and comforted her and her other family members.

During the time of the 7th Imam, till his death, he saw the reign of 5 Khalifas whose names were Abul Abbas Saffah, Mansur Dawaniqi, Hadi, Mahdi and Harun Rashid. Each of them tortured the Imam in their own way and not only the Imam but also the Alawites (followers of Imam Ali [A.S.]) were subjected to harsh cruelty and harassment, which was beyond human endurance.

Three years of Harun’s caliphate had elapsed when Fatimah Ma’soomah was born. Harun was the most tyrannical of all the Khalifas that had gone before him in cruelty, bullying, looting, robbing the public treasury and trampling on the rights of people. He was a Caliph of the worldly desires and mammoth. Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) could not bear to watch quietly the oppression of the Muslims and the plunder of the wealth of the Ummah. He started a movement and used different methods to oppose and revolt against the cruel government. Harun, aware of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) and his follower’s opposition, also did as much as he could against them. He gave a lot of money to poets to write poetry against the offspring of the Prophets. The Alawites were either imprisoned or exiled and some were put in cages and tortured till they suffered martyrdom. Later he also used his strength and power to arrest Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as).

After his arrest, till his death, Fatemah Ma’soomah (S.A.) could not meet her father. She, who was brought up and educated by her father, was now deprived of meeting her father and also getting the education. Her father’s arrest saddened her. She was less than 10 years old at that time and was always in grief and parting from her father saddened her even more.

As for Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) it was difficult for him to call or see his pure and pious children, Imam Ridha and Ma’soomah. The dark room of his prison became bright and scented with his prayers.

He changed his hard days into sweet ones by continuous prostration but whenever he remembered Fatimah Ma’soomah and her innocent sinless appearance, his heart throbbed and palpitated.

During the last years of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as), he was transferred from one prison to another, for a year he was in the prison of Isa bin Jaf’ar the governor of Basra. Isa bin Jaf’ar became affected by the great qualities of the high leadership of Muslims that he had no alternative but to persuade the officer of the prison to be lenient to the Imam.

After that, Harun gave the order for Imam to be taken to Baghdad. First he was in the prison of Fadhl bin Rabi. Then Fadhl bin Rabi transferred him to the prison of Sindi bin Shahik.

This shifting and transferring continued and every time Harun would tell all the jailers to kill Imam. Nobody was ever ready to think about that until Sindi bin Shahik complied with the order of Harun to poison the Imam.

Harun definitely knew that the result would be dangerous if the people found out that the Imam was killed by him, so before the martyrdom of Imam he took a group of leading personalities to give witness that the dear Imam was so sick that it was possible he would die and that there was no intention of anyone to kill the Imam. But Imam was also clever, and before Harun could say anything. Imam himself told the group who were near to him that “I have been poisoned by nine pieces of dates. Tomorrow my body will turn green and I will leave the world the day after tomorrow”.

And exactly two days later, on the 25th of Rajab 183 (A.H.) as the Imam had predicted the day of his martyrdom had come. The Imam went to join the soul of his great grandfathers. When the Muslims heard about the martyrdom of the Imam, they were grief stricken, and with mourning clothes and tears in their eyes, they went into mourning. They loved the Imam and had sworn allegiance to Him and now they had lost him. Nothing could console them on the loss of this noble Imam. Also amongst them was a ten year old girl, Fatimah Ma’soomah (S.A.) who was engrossed in grief.

She sat and waited in hope for years that one day the door of the house would open and her father would enter and hug her. But finally her little heart accepted this grief as she had no choice but to be patient.

After the martyrdom (Shahadat) of our 7th Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as), his son and our 8th Imam Ali ar-Ridha (as) took care of his family and his sisters. Bibi Fatima al-Masooma loved her brother immensely [similar to the love of Bibi Zainab (sa) towards her brother Imam Husayn (as)].

In 200AH Mamoon Rashid, the Abbasid caliph called Imam Ali ar-Ridha (as) to Khorasan from Medina and no family member was allowed to accompany him. Bibi Fatima al-Masooma missed her brother very much and left Medina for Khorasan, Iran.

When she reached Sawa, she learnt the news of Shahadat of her brother. On learning this, she became very ill and asked to be taken to Qum. Within a few days after her brother’s death, she died. She was buried in Qum on 8th Rabi-ul-Awwal 201AH. She was only 22 years old at the time of her death. People pay great respect and visit her grave from all the different corners of the world and have their wishes (Hajat) fulfilled.

The beginning of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Qi’dah marks the birth anniversary of Bibi Fatima al-Masooma (sa). She was born in the holy city of Medina.

The holy household was awaiting the arrival of a new born. In the house of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as), Najma, the wife of the honorable Imam was eagerly looking forward to the arrival of the child; she was counting days and nights for that special day. The Imam’s house was overwhelmed with happiness and joy.

Finally, the day arrived, on the 1st of Dhu al-Qi’dah 173 (AH) when Allah (SWT) blessed our 7th Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) with a daughter. The child’s appearance was brilliant and cheerful and she opened her pure bright eyes to this world in the house of Imam.

All the members of the Holy Household were in utter happiness for the newborn and after the Imam, may be there was not anybody as happy as his wife Najma. This was because this was the second child that was granted by the grace of Allah to Najma after 25years. 25years ago, in the same month of Dhil-Qa’dah, Najma had given birth to a baby boy who after his father was to become the Imam and was to shoulder the responsibility of Imamate and guiding the Muslims.

Yes! That was 148 (A.H.), when the eight Imam, Ali (A.S.) was born and who was given the title of Ridha. Najma got immense pleasure in her first child and after years God blessed her and her husband Musa Kadhim (A.S.) with a daughter and a sister to Imam Ridha (A.S.).

Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) named his daughter Fatimah, for the sake of love and special attachment he had with his grandmother Fatimah Zahra (S.A.). Fatimah’s purity, modesty, and piety were such that after sometime she was referred as “Ma’soomah” (the infallible). This was because like her honorable Father, she used to keep away from all evils and sins.

Fatemah, was a name that was remembered among the Ahlul bayt who had hundreds of sad and sweet memories of the life of Bibi Fatimah (S.A.).

If anybody chose the name Fatimah for their daughters, they used to give the same respect as the prophet (S.A.W.) used to give his daughter. She was never neglected. Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) also followed this tradition and used to love the new girl very much and never failed to show and express his kindness to and love for her.

Fatimah Ma’soomah was growing under the shelter of her father and dear mother and was day by day learning new things from both of them. If the father of Fatemah was the Imam of the Muslims and was matchless in his piety and chastity, then her mother was also pious and faithful who had accomplished her essential studies of Islam in the school of the wife of Imam Ja’far Sadiq (A.S.). In those days she was the most intelligent amongst all women and it was for reason that the mother of Imam Kadhim (Hamideh) asked him to propose and marry her.

Hazrat Fatimah Ma’soomah took advantage of studying in the presence of her father, brother and pious mother. All her young life was full of Islamic education. Every Friday Muslims would come to Medina with their religious questions. After getting their questions answered by Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as), they would return to their town. Incidentally, once Imam Kadhim was away and Imam Ridha (A.S.) was also not around. The Muslims without getting their question answered were returning home very sad.

Fatimah Ma’soomah noticed the sadness and took the papers from them and answered their questions. The Muslims became happy and left. On the outskirts of Medina they met Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) and they informed him of all that had transpired in his house. The Imam asked to read his daughter’s answers and after reading expressed his happiness, praised her and in a short sentence said, “May her father be sacrificed for her.”

When Eid day fell, Mamun Rashid ordered that the Imam Raza (as) should lead the Eid Fitr (Festival at the end of the month of Ramadan) prayers, and all the notable offer their prayers with him. To begin with, Imam Raza (as) did not accept it. But when Mamun Rashid insisted, he was obliged to accept it. But he made it conditional that he will hold the prayer (assembly) the way his grandfather the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) did. Mamun Rashid accepted this. Imam Raza (as) put on clean clothes in the morning of Eid Fitr, perfumed himself and wore a white (Amama) turban upon his head and calling Takbir “Allah-o-Akbar”, moved towards the outskirts of the city, bare footedly. All the people moved along with him calling the slogans of Takbir (Allah-o-Akbar). The thundering of Takbir made the city tremble. The people were so lost and immersed in emotions that they were weeping loudly and were uttering praise and salutations to Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his descendants. The condition was such as if the sky and earth and all the beings and creatures had joined voice in calling Takbir with the Imam Raza (as). When Fazal Bin Sahal, the minister of Mamun Rashid, observed that the state of affairs had become dangerous he informed him that, if Imam Raza (as) offers his prayers in this manner a riot and revolt would take shape. The official were all afraid that their lives were at risk. Therefore, he (Mamun Rashid) must at once send a word for Imam Raza (as) to turn back. Mamun Rashid at once sent an official to tell Imam Raza (as) to come back as soon as possible and not to hold the prayer assembly. Imam Raza (as) put on his shoes and rode the horse and returned and showed to the people that all of those things were a part of Mamun Rashid’s game. The anger and hate of the people for Mamun Rashid went up and their love and attraction towards Imam Raza (as) increased. All the people perceived and understood the hypocrisy and public deceiving attitude of Mamun Rashid. They appreciated that all that he had been doing about Imam Raza (as) had political motives.

Ibrahim bin Abbas, who was one of the high-ranking officials of the Abbasid caliphate, has left the following eyewitness account of Imam Raza’s (as) impeccable character. – His Holiness never irritated others by verbal or practical teasings. – His Holiness did not interrupt others speeches. – The Holy Imam Raza (as) never refused the demands of others. – I never witnessed him to have his legs stretched out before the others. – And I could never find him in a resting position in the presence of other people. – His Holiness never swore at his servants. – His Holiness never cachinnated in happy circumstances. – I never saw him spit his saliva out. – At dinner all his servants including porters and even the stablemen were served in his attendance. – His Holiness used to stay up all nights invoking Allah the Almighty. The Holy Imam Raza (as) also observed regularly the religious duty of fasting and always gave alms in secret.

The people of king Mamun Rashid were very angry that he had made our 8th Imam, Imam Raza (as), his heir.

To show Imam Raza (as) that they did not respect him, the servants of Mamun Rashid decided that when 8th Imam, Imam Raza (as) came to the court they would not open the doors, or lift up the curtains for Imam Raza (as) to pass through.

That day when Imam Raza (as) came to the court, the doors and curtains were opening by themselves for Imam Raza (as) under the command of Allah.

The servants became very scared and ashamed and resumed their duty of opening the doors and curtains for Imam Raza (as).

Moral: No-one can do anything to you when Allah is looking after you, as Allah is the most powerful and in control of everything.

Once when our 8th Imam, Imam Raza (as) was travelling through a town called Nishapur, the people of the town asked Imam Raza (as) to tell them a hadith from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).

 

Imam Raza (as) and Hadith QudsiImam Raza (as) told them the following hadith:

“My father Musa al-Kadhim (as) told me,

from his father Jafar Sadiq (as),

from his father Muhammad al-Baqir (as),

from his father Ali Zainul Abideen (as),

from his father the martyr of Kerbala (Hussain) (as),

from his father Ali ibn Abu Talib (as),

from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).

from Angel Jibrail (as),

from Almighty Allah:

 

“The Kalima of ‘La ilaha illallah’ is My fort, and whosoever says it will enter My fort, and whosoever enters My fort is safe from My punishment.”

 

This hadith is known as the Golden chain hadith. This is because each member of the chain was a Masoom (infallible). The people of Nishapur began reciting the Kalima and thought that His Holiness talk was over, but to their amazement the Holy Imam Raza (as) added the following words to what he had previously stated:

 

“But all this depends on some conditions, and I am considered to be one of those conditions”.

 

This historical and the most famous Hadith Qudsi is called “Silsilat al-Dhahab”. Imam Raza (as) confirms that worshipping God will be counted as a perfect procedure when it is based on the obedience of the immaculate Holy Imams (as). This historical statement of Imam Raza (as) implied the presentation and assertion of the Imamat (socio-religious leadership) of His Holiness.

 

Imam Raza (as) and Golden chain hadith

 

Moral: Just to say something will be of no use. Only when you understand what you are saying and believe in it enough to follow it then will it be of use to you.

Imam Reza (as) was the best worshipper of his time. Even his enemies acknowledged this fact and could not ignore this prominent trait of his. Mamoon Rashid, the Abbasid caliph, for instance praises the virtues of Imam Reza (as) in the “Covenant of Allegiance”, in which he declared His Holiness as his successor. Reja bin Zahhak, who forced Imam Reza (as) into exile from Medina to Marw (Khorasan) on the orders of Mamoon Rashid, the Abbasid caliph, also describes the Holy Imam’s piety and worship saying “I accompanied him from Medina to Marw.” I swear by Allah! I have never seen a man who remembered Allah all the time like him, nor have I seen a man more fearing Allah, the Mighty and High, than he. At day break he would say his morning-prayers. Finishing his prayer, he would stay in his place glorifying Allah, and reciting these phrases repeatedly ‘Praise is to Allah’, ‘Allah is Great’, ‘There is no god but Allah’, “O Lord, Bless Muhammad (saw) and his progeny” till sunrise. Then he would go down in prostration till sunrise. Then he would go down in prostration till forenoon. Then he would see the people, asking about their concerns and enjoining them to do good. This would last till noon. Ibrahim bin Abbas, one of the high-ranking officials during Mamoon Rashid’s reign, said about the Holy Imam Reza’s worship. Imam Reza (as) slept little at night, staying awake most of it. Most of the time, he stayed awake till the morning. He also often fasted. He used to fast three days of every month. He called this fasting “Fasting of Lifetime”. He was very charitable, giving out alms in secret to the needy, often at night. Who ever claims that he has seen someone else who matches him in his virtues, do not believe him.

Imam Reza’s (as) behavior with the poor, the slaves, the servants, and the destitute, was humane in the deepest sense of the word. Imam Reza (as) looked on them as his co-religionists and brothers in humanity. One of his followers related the following: I was with Imam Reza (as), when he travelled to Khorasan. One day he laid the table-cloth and gathered all his servants. “May I be your ransom”, I said, “would not it be better if you lay a separate table-cloth for these?” Do not say that, the Holy Imam Reza (as) replied, “The Lord, the Blessed and High, is One, and all the human beings are the children of Adam and Eve, and everyone shall be rewarded or punished according to his deeds. One of his servants Nadir, says: Imam Reza (as) would never assign a task to any of us, the servants, while we were eating, until we had finished. Another servant, Yasir, reported the same about Imam Reza (as), saying, Imam Reza (as) said to us: “If I request you to do something and you are eating, do not get up until you have finished”. Sometimes he called for some of us, but when he was told that we were eating, he would say. “Leave them till they finish their food”. When Imam Reza (as) had spare time, he would gather all his servants, and talk to them. Imam Reza (as) would show his pleasure with them, which he did to please them. And when he sat at the dining table-cloth, he would invite all those around him, to eat food with him.