imam ridha (as) - shia books for children · zaki,the pure siraj allah, the lamp of allah...

Let’s learn about Imam Ridha (AS)Let’s learn about

Imam Ridha (AS)

Written for childrenBy Sakina Hasan Askari

Let’s learn about Imam Ridha (AS)Let’s learn about

Imam Ridha (AS)

Written for childrenBy Sakina Hasan Askari

Let’s learn about Imam Ridha (AS)

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For my grandchildrenMuhammad Ali

Nur-FatimaSakina Zahra

MohsinZahraAadil

FatimahMehdi

And many more to comeInshaallah

This book is to help youto learn about

Imam Ridha(AS)

About the Author

Sakina Hasan Askari (nee Sakina Nurul Hasan Jafri)completed her M.A. (English) with honours from OsmaniaUniversity, Hyderabad, India. She then obtained M.A. in

English Literature from the University of Leeds, U.K.She taught for many years within the U.K. schoolsystem and is a prolific author. Raising herchildren and grandchildren in the West, she hadfelt a need for books for children to learn aboutIslam.


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Contents

Introduction..............................4Titles.....................................6His Parents...............................7In Madinah.............................10The Long Journey......................14Regent Heir.............................26In Khurasan.............................30Noble Traits............................41Eid Prayer..............................47Praying for Rain........................52Poisoned Grapes........................58Masooma e Qum........................66His Brave Brothers.....................78Mashad Muqadas.......................82Wise Sayings...........................85Ziarat...................................86Can you remember.....................87


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Introduction

Hadhrat Ali Ridha (AS) is our eighth holyImam from the Household of the ProphetMuhammad (SAW). Allah blessed him withknowledge and chose him to guide andlead us in every sphere of life. He is pureand infallible, never committing any sinthroughout his life. He established rightfrom wrong and is the Light from Allah,the means to reach His Mercy.

Imam Ridha (AS) was the best of histime, the wisest and most patient. Hespent his nights in prayer and reciting theHoly Quran.


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Introduction

Hadhrat Ali Ridha (AS) is our eighth holyImam from the Household of the ProphetMuhammad (SAW). Allah blessed him withknowledge and chose him to guide andlead us in every sphere of life. He is pureand infallible, never committing any sinthroughout his life. He established rightfrom wrong and is the Light from Allah,the means to reach His Mercy.

Imam Ridha (AS) was the best of histime, the wisest and most patient. Hespent his nights in prayer and reciting theHoly Quran.


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Imam Ridha (AS) devoted his life to Allahand cared nothing for the false glitter ofthis world. He helped the weak and thepoor. Even when he was the heir regent,his life remained simple with rough matson the floor and simple food which heshared with his servants.

Like his grandfather, the Holy ProphetMuhammad (SAW), our Eighth ImamRidha (AS) had excellent manners. He wascourteous to all and welcomed people witha smile. He never interrupted others andwas always polite.


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Titles

Ridha- the Pleasure of AllahSabir, the Patient oneZaki, the PureSiraj Allah, the Lamp of AllahSiddeeq, the Truthful oneFadhil, the SuperiorGharib al-Ghuraba, the Lonely among allthose who are lonelyMoeen-uz-Zoafa-e-wal-Fuqara,theHelper of the Weak and the PoorShah-e-Khurasaan, the King of KhurasanAalim e Ahlebait, the Learned Scholar ofthe AhlebaitImam Zamin the Guarantor


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Titles

Ridha- the Pleasure of AllahSabir, the Patient oneZaki, the PureSiraj Allah, the Lamp of AllahSiddeeq, the Truthful oneFadhil, the SuperiorGharib al-Ghuraba, the Lonely among allthose who are lonelyMoeen-uz-Zoafa-e-wal-Fuqara,theHelper of the Weak and the PoorShah-e-Khurasaan, the King of KhurasanAalim e Ahlebait, the Learned Scholar ofthe AhlebaitImam Zamin the Guarantor


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His Parents

Imam Ridha’s father was our seventhImam Hazrat Moosa e Kazim (AS). Hismother was Taktum, also known as NajmaKhatoon, Khayzaran and Ummul Baneen.

Imam Moosa Kazim (AS) spent his time inspreading knowledge and the worship ofAllah. He was kind even to his enemiesand always generous. He would go out inthe dark night carrying gifts for thepoor. He helped those in distress. Haroonthe Abbasid ruler was jealous of ImamMoosa Kazim (AS) and arrested him whilehe was visiting the Holy Prophet’s tomb.The Imam was sent to Basra then later to


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His Parents

Imam Ridha’s father was our seventhImam Hazrat Moosa e Kazim (AS). Hismother was Taktum, also known as NajmaKhatoon, Khayzaran and Ummul Baneen.

Imam Moosa Kazim (AS) spent his time inspreading knowledge and the worship ofAllah. He was kind even to his enemiesand always generous. He would go out inthe dark night carrying gifts for thepoor. He helped those in distress. Haroonthe Abbasid ruler was jealous of ImamMoosa Kazim (AS) and arrested him whilehe was visiting the Holy Prophet’s tomb.The Imam was sent to Basra then later to


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Baghdad. Cruel and harsh men wereappointed to be his jailors. Some of thesejailors later became his admirers whenthey saw his noble qualities. He was heldin Haroon’s prison for long periods buteven under these conditions, he thankedAllah saying “O Allah I used to ask forfree time toworship you.To you bepraise.” TheImam wasfinally killedthrough poison on the 25th Rajab 183 A.H.Imam Moosa Kazim (AS) had 37 children,eighteen sons and nineteen daughters.They were known for their virtue andexcellence. The best of them is Imam AliRidha (AS).


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Bibi Najma Khatoon, the mother of ImamRidha(AS) was from North Africa. Shewas chosen for her piety by Bibi Hamidathe mother of the seventh Imam, whosaid to her son “I have never seen onebetter than her.” She was pure and nobleand devoted herself to the worship ofAllah. She heard the sound of Tasbeehand Tahleel while the Imam was in herwomb. When Imam Ridha (AS) was bornon the 11th day of Zeeqad in 148 A.H. theseventh Imam said “I congratulate youNajma. It is a mark of nobility for youfrom your Lord. “He gave azan and iqamain the baby’s ears then returned the babyto the mother saying “This is BaqiyatAllah”This pious lady gave birth to anotherspecial baby-Hazrat Fatimah (AS)Masooma e Qum.


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In Madinah

Imam Ali Ridha (AS) lived in Madinah. Hewas brought up by his affectionatefather under whose supervision he passedhis boyhood and youth. Imam MoosaKazim (AS) could foresee that the hostileAbbasid ruler would not allow him to livepeacefully. He called upon his sons and hisfamily to submit to Imam Ridha (AS) in allmatters after him. In Madinah heintroduced his successor to his followers.He also wrote his will on which 60respected elders of Madinah signed aswitnesses.

Imam Moosa Kazim (AS) was poisonedwhile he was still in prison on 25th Rajab


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In Madinah

Imam Ali Ridha (AS) lived in Madinah. Hewas brought up by his affectionatefather under whose supervision he passedhis boyhood and youth. Imam MoosaKazim (AS) could foresee that the hostileAbbasid ruler would not allow him to livepeacefully. He called upon his sons and hisfamily to submit to Imam Ridha (AS) in allmatters after him. In Madinah heintroduced his successor to his followers.He also wrote his will on which 60respected elders of Madinah signed aswitnesses.

Imam Moosa Kazim (AS) was poisonedwhile he was still in prison on 25th Rajab


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183 AH, and on the same day Imam Ridha(AS) was declared as the Eighth Imam ofthe Muslim world.

During the time of Haroon after themartyrdom of the 7th Imam, people couldnot visit Imam Ridha (AS) to freely seekhis knowledge and he had little chance toteach his followers openly, The agents ofof the Caliph kept a close watch on theImam. His followers were sent to prisonand those who were free were harassed.

Haroon sent his troops under Juloodi toloot the family of the Imam in Madinah.The Imam persuaded Juloodi not to enterthe holy house and went inside himselfand brought out the jewellery, even theearrings of the small daughters whichJuloodi then took back to Baghdad.


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When Haroon died, his two sons Ameenand Mamoon started to fight for power.Ameen who had an Arab mother had thesupport of the Arabs while Mamoon had aPersian mother and was supported by thePersians. Haroon took a pledge from bothhis sons that after his death Ameen willrule the Arab part of the Empire whileMamoon will rule the Persian side. WhenHaroon died in Toos, Iran. Mamoon was


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When Haroon died, his two sons Ameenand Mamoon started to fight for power.Ameen who had an Arab mother had thesupport of the Arabs while Mamoon had aPersian mother and was supported by thePersians. Haroon took a pledge from bothhis sons that after his death Ameen willrule the Arab part of the Empire whileMamoon will rule the Persian side. WhenHaroon died in Toos, Iran. Mamoon was


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with him and buried him there. Ameen inBaghdad immediately proclaimed himselfthe Caliph of the whole empire anddeposed Mamoon.

Mamoon realized that the majority ofPersians favoured the teachings of theAhlul Bayt. If he could persuade theImam Ridha (AS) to side with him, hecould confirm his rule there. So orderswere sent out for the Imam to leave hishome in Madinah and go to the Abbasidruler in faraway Toos.


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The Long Journey

Mamoon sent an armed force withJuloodi, (a cruel commander who hatedthe Ahlulbayt) with an order that ImamRidha (AS) should leave Madinahimmediately and come to Toos (also calledMarv). Orders included details of theroute the Imam must take.

The Imam knew what was to come. Hewent to bid farewell to the grave of hisgrandfather, the Holy ProphetMuhammad (SAW). He also called manyelders of Madinah and told them that hewould not be able to return back to hisfamily and homeland. He appointed his son


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The Long Journey

Mamoon sent an armed force withJuloodi, (a cruel commander who hatedthe Ahlulbayt) with an order that ImamRidha (AS) should leave Madinahimmediately and come to Toos (also calledMarv). Orders included details of theroute the Imam must take.

The Imam knew what was to come. Hewent to bid farewell to the grave of hisgrandfather, the Holy ProphetMuhammad (SAW). He also called manyelders of Madinah and told them that hewould not be able to return back to hisfamily and homeland. He appointed his son


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Muhammad Taqui (AS) as the next Imam.It was the month of Rajab 200 A.H.

It was the longest journey taken by anyof the Imams. Imam Ridha (AS) set outon this journey with some of his friendswho were loyal to him throughout his life.The main roads in those days were theroads to Kufa, Jabal, Kermanshah, andQum, which were all mainly Shiite cities.Mamoon thought that Shiites may getexcited when they see the Imam andprevented him from using this route.

The Imam’s journey began from Madinahto Makkah where he performed the Umra.He took almost the same route as ImamHussain (AS) had taken in 61 A.H. Halfway through the hills of Hejaz, his routechanged. Imam Ridha (AS)’s caravan


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moved towards the east and reached thetown of Basra in the month of Shawwal.

From Basra he crossed over the Shatt-al-Arab and reached the Persian soil headingtowards the town of Qum. During his stayin Qum, Iran, he established Majalis eAza e Hussain (AS)in the first ten daysof Muharram to commemorate themartyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS). Thenthe Imam continued his journey.

Zamin e Ahoo

As he passed through a forest he saw ahunter chasing a deer. The panting animalcame to Imam Ridha (AS) and pleaded. Itwanted to go and feed its young and thenpromised to return. The Imam told thehunter to let the deer go and guaranteedthat it would come back. The hunter was


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not sure but accepted the request. Wouldan animal that has escaped from a huntercome back? He was amazed when thedeer returned, this time with its youngones. Thehunter letthe deer gofree. Nowonderthat theImambecamefamous asthe Zamine Ahoo. the Guarantor of theDeer.

The Imam continued his journey.


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Eighteen DatesOn his way he passed through a citywhere a man called Muhamad ibn Eesa ibnHabeeb relates he had a dream that theHoly Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was inthe masjid. He greeted the Prophet(SAW) andnoticedthat therewas a largedish ofdates kept near him. The Prophet took ahandful of dates and gave it to him. WhenMuhammad ibn Eesa counted, there were18 dates. A few days later, Imam Ridha(AS) arrived and stayed in the samemasjid where he had seen the Prophet inhis dream. People ran to greet him and


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Eighteen DatesOn his way he passed through a citywhere a man called Muhamad ibn Eesa ibnHabeeb relates he had a dream that theHoly Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was inthe masjid. He greeted the Prophet(SAW) andnoticedthat therewas a largedish ofdates kept near him. The Prophet took ahandful of dates and gave it to him. WhenMuhammad ibn Eesa counted, there were18 dates. A few days later, Imam Ridha(AS) arrived and stayed in the samemasjid where he had seen the Prophet inhis dream. People ran to greet him and


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Muhammad ibn Eesa went too. He foundthat the Imam was seated in the sameplace and had a dish of dates next to him.When he greeted, the Imam called himcloser and picked up a handful of datesand gave it. When he counted, he foundthere were 18! Muhammad ibn Eesarequested the Imam to give him more. Tohis amazement, Imam Ridha (AS) said “Ifthe Prophet had given you more, I toowould have given you more!”

The Imam then proceeded towardsNishapour, Iran. People there came outto welcome him and knelt to kiss thestirrup of the mule he was riding.Thousands came out to greet the Imam.They all wanted to see him and learn fromhim. He was wearing a turban in the styleof his grandfather the Prophet


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Muhammad (SAW). Cries of Allahu Akbar!Allahu Akbar! went up. Scholars andreciters of the Quran waited to hear theImam. They asked him to narrate ahadeees. The Imam said:

My father Imam Moosa Kazim (AS) hastold me he heard his father Imam JafarSadiq (AS) say he heard his father ImamMuhamad Baqir (AS) say he heard hisfather Imam Ali Zainulabideen (AS) sayhe heard his father Imam Hussain (AS)say he heard Imam Hasan (AS) say heheard their father Imam Ali (AS) say heheard Prophet Muhammad (SAW) say heheard Jibraeel say that Allah said: Thedeclaration, La ilaha illalallah (there isno Allah except Allah) is My Fortress;whoever enters My fortress is safe


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from My punishment ”This is known asthe Silsilatul Dhahab,( the Golden Chain).More than 20000 people wrote down thehadees. Then he added“ But the Kalimahas conditions, and I am (accepting myImamat and obeying my wilayat is) oneof those conditions". The Imam showedthat there was a vital and clear linkbetween Touheed, Nabuvat and Imamat.


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Then the Imam went towards Sanabadpassing the place now known asQadamgaah. Here to this day we can seethe imprint of the Imam’s footprints instone. Abu Salt Harvi reports that theImam left Nishapour, Iran and reached avillage called Din-Surkh, it was the timeof Zohr prayers.


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Then the Imam went towards Sanabadpassing the place now known asQadamgaah. Here to this day we can seethe imprint of the Imam’s footprints instone. Abu Salt Harvi reports that theImam left Nishapour, Iran and reached avillage called Din-Surkh, it was the timeof Zohr prayers.


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Imam descended from the horse he wastravelling and asked for water to performthe Zohr prayers. No water was found.Then the Imam with his holy hands dugsome earth and aspring gushedout Imam and allhis companionsperformed thewudhu. Waterfrom the thespring stillgushes and people drink from the springfor blessing and for obtaining cures fromsickness and skin diseases.

Arriving in Sanabad the Imam sawHaroon’s grave. He marked a spotsaying:”I will be buried here and AlmightyAllah will make this place a site of


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pilgrimage for my Shia. Whoever comesfor my pilgrimage and recites ziyaratupon me will be guaranteed divine mercyand forgiveness through the intercessionof the progeny of the Holy Prophet(SAW).”

Two days later, Imam Ridha (AS) leftSanabad passing through a mountaincalled Kohe Sangi on his way to Toos.Here he prayed to Allah to bless the


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mountain for the benefit of the localpeople. He then called for carving a potfrom the stone and even today with theblessings of the Imam handicrafts aremade from the mountain stone.

The Imam reached Marv, one of thebiggest cities with over 300000 people.The city was decorated and peoplecelebrated and welcomed him with greatexcitement, showering him with cries ofsalawat.


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mountain for the benefit of the localpeople. He then called for carving a potfrom the stone and even today with theblessings of the Imam handicrafts aremade from the mountain stone.

The Imam reached Marv, one of thebiggest cities with over 300000 people.The city was decorated and peoplecelebrated and welcomed him with greatexcitement, showering him with cries ofsalawat.


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Regent-Heir

Mamoon the Abbasid Khalif was cunningand ambitious. He desired power and waslike his father Haroon and grandfatherMansoor, who were arch enemies of theHousehold of the Prophet. He had sentfor Imam Ridha (AS) to join him in Marwto pursue his own ambitions in gainingtotal power over the Abbasid Empire. Hewanted to gain the support of the Shiasand tried to do this through appointingthe Imam as his Regent.At the beginning Mamoon said he wantedto offer the Khilafat to the Imam. Whenthe Imam arrived in Marw, Mamoon said“O son of Allah’s Messenger I haverealised your excellence and know you are


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Regent-Heir

Mamoon the Abbasid Khalif was cunningand ambitious. He desired power and waslike his father Haroon and grandfatherMansoor, who were arch enemies of theHousehold of the Prophet. He had sentfor Imam Ridha (AS) to join him in Marwto pursue his own ambitions in gainingtotal power over the Abbasid Empire. Hewanted to gain the support of the Shiasand tried to do this through appointingthe Imam as his Regent.At the beginning Mamoon said he wantedto offer the Khilafat to the Imam. Whenthe Imam arrived in Marw, Mamoon said“O son of Allah’s Messenger I haverealised your excellence and know you are


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more worthy of Khilafat and give it toyou.” The Imam knew Mamoon’s realintentions and refused. The Imam replied“If Khilafat belongs to you from Allah,then you are not allowed to pass it toanother and if it is not from Allah, youcannot give what is not yours.”

This silenced Mamoon but he then forcedthe Imam to accept being the Heir, underthreats that he would kill the Imam if herefused. Sadly the Imam accepted withthe condition that he would not be part ofthe government.

He would not appoint anyone as a governorHe would not dismiss anyoneHe would not abolish any riteHe would be a distant advisor in affairsof state


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These conditions were accepted andsigned by the Imam and Mamoon in awritten document witnessed by highranking statesmen.

Mamoon held a popular festival attendedby the rich and poor, by the powerfulcommanders and the rest of the people.Mamoon was seated and two greatcushions were placed for the Imam.Mamoon’s son was the first to giveallegiance to the Imam followed by thepeople. The Imam’s hand was at the top asthey took the pledge. It was on the 27thof Ramadan, 201A.H,

The Imam’s name wasincluded on gold andsilver coins. ImamRidha(AS) was dressedin robes of honour. The


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colour of the Abbasi regime was changedfrom black to green. But when his closeassociates smiled feeling happy, the Imamwhispered to them that this would nothappen.

Once succession was announced, Mamoonsecured the help of the Persians fullybehind him. Some criticised him andrefused homage to the Imam. Juludi wasone of them. He was wicked and had beensent by Haroon to loot the Ahlulbayt inMadinah. Imam Ridha (AS) had persuadedhim not to enter the house. Imam Ridha(AS) asked Mamoon to spare his life butJuloodi thinking that the Imam wasavenging himself said to Mamoon: “Do notaccept his statement.” Juludi was killedby Mamoon’s orders.


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In Khurasan

Marv the capital of the Islamic Empire,was the meeting place of people from allwalks of life and all corners of the earth.Mamoon kept the Imam under constantwatch and arranged many sessions ofdebates and discussions in his court.Scholars from many parts of the world,like Greece, Italy and India came to seekanswers and the Imam always was readyto answer the queries. Jews andChristians came to the court withquestions; Muslims needed details aboutmatters of Fiqh. The Alim e AaleMuhammad (SAW), the Scholar of theAhlebayt, satisfied all.


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In Khurasan

Marv the capital of the Islamic Empire,was the meeting place of people from allwalks of life and all corners of the earth.Mamoon kept the Imam under constantwatch and arranged many sessions ofdebates and discussions in his court.Scholars from many parts of the world,like Greece, Italy and India came to seekanswers and the Imam always was readyto answer the queries. Jews andChristians came to the court withquestions; Muslims needed details aboutmatters of Fiqh. The Alim e AaleMuhammad (SAW), the Scholar of theAhlebayt, satisfied all.


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A number of poets visited the Imam andcongratulated him. De’bal was one ofthem. He was a follower of the Imam, whoawarded him coins and his own shirt onthe poet’s request. De’bal’s poem, inpraise of the Ahlebayt, is still regardedas a masterpiece of Arabic literature.

“When I saw the ruined house of thesons of the Prophet. I weptThe house whose owners were ousted

and hypocrites took their placeThe house where tafseer of Quran wasexplained........I salute the stars of the sky ofImamatwho are sleeping in Kufa and Madinahand KarbalaWho have laid down their lives forIslam


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There is a grave in Baghdad wherein apure soul is lyingThe grave which is one of the palacesof Paradise

The Imam was moved to tears and addedthe following lines, foretelling his ownmartyrdom“There is a grave in Toos too which hasa tragedy and griefIt burns the hearts till the Day ofJudgement and raises the lament andweeping of people. “

Imam Ridha (AS) gave the majlis e Aza eHussain a new impetus by encouragingpoets who wrote about the moral aspectsof the tragedy and the suffering of ImamHussain and his companions. The sight ofthe crescent of Muharram would bring


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tears to the Imam’s eyes. People wouldjoin the azadari of Imam Hussain (AS) insorrow, The Imam would say“Indeed it has made our eyes sleepless,our tears flow ...O land of grief and tribulation,Karb o bala,You have made us inherit grief andtribulationTill the Day of Resurrection. So theweepers should weep for Hussainfor weeping for him erases great sins”The Imam himself convened these Majalisin which sometimes he himself recited,and also encouraged others. He said“Weep for al Hussain as angels weep forhim by his grave till the time of theQaim’s rising.”


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On Mamoon’s request, Imam Ridha(AS)compiled books on Islamic Law, thetraditions of the Holy Prophet (SAW) andon Medicine. Such was the impact of theknowledge of the Imam that it was copied

on gold leaves and multiple copies weremade.

Here are a few excerpts from histeachings; The Imam described man’s


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On Mamoon’s request, Imam Ridha(AS)compiled books on Islamic Law, thetraditions of the Holy Prophet (SAW) andon Medicine. Such was the impact of theknowledge of the Imam that it was copied

on gold leaves and multiple copies weremade.

Here are a few excerpts from histeachings; The Imam described man’s


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body as a kingdom. The heart is the kingof the body; the blood vessels, the limbsand the brain are workers. The heartpumps the blood to all parts of the bodyand the blood conveys nutrients andoxygen to all parts of the body. Theheartbeat is one of the secrets ofcreation and beats 73 times per minute.The brain dominates the whole body,controls its movements and is a world ofwonders. The hands and legs carry outcommands from the brain.

The ear has three parts: outer ear,middle ear and inner ear. The outer earhas the lobeand the canalwhich leads tothe eardrum.The middle


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ear has three bones like the tools of theblacksmith. The inner ear has threesemicircular canals connected andinterlocked. It is the inner ear thatreceives sounds. The outer and middleparts of the ear convey the sounds.

The eye is among Allah’s greatest signs.Through it, man receives light; recognisessurroundings, realises forms andcolour....When the light enters the pupil itfaces a crystal body (the lens) ....Allahhas placedthe eye in alow facialareasurroundedby higher features like eyebrows, noseand forehead. He has given tears topurify and moisten it.


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ear has three bones like the tools of theblacksmith. The inner ear has threesemicircular canals connected andinterlocked. It is the inner ear thatreceives sounds. The outer and middleparts of the ear convey the sounds.

The eye is among Allah’s greatest signs.Through it, man receives light; recognisessurroundings, realises forms andcolour....When the light enters the pupil itfaces a crystal body (the lens) ....Allahhas placedthe eye in alow facialareasurroundedby higher features like eyebrows, noseand forehead. He has given tears topurify and moisten it.


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The Imam advised against extravagancein food to protect health. Have light foodduring summer and heavier meals inwinter. Be light bodied, decrease yoursupper by night. Eat only when you arehungry. He listed what to eat and what toavoid during different months of thesolar year according to the season. Toprevent migraine and colic, the Imamadvised to eat fresh fish. He explainedthat raisins help memory and ginger andhoney decrease forgetfulness. He advisedon how to look after the teeth. Headvised people on hygiene to be pure andclean.

The Sahifat al Ridha is a collection ofthe teachings of the Imam about thetraditions from the Holy ProphetMuhammad (SAW) and the Imams. The


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Imam explained you can never have fullknowledge of Allah’s essence. SeeingAllah is impossible. No one is like Allah.He is the best of the creators. Hisattributes are eternal. He has alwaysbeen and will always be.

The Imam taught people about theProphets and their high status. Heexplained they are sinless. He taught thepeople about the excellence of HadhratFatimah (AS). He reminded people thatthe Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said;“Verily Allah becomes angry because ofher anger and He becomes pleased onaccount of her pleasure.” About Imamathe said that it is the most importantoffice in Islam for Imamat safeguardsand protects the community. It wasthrough Imamat that religion is complete.


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The Prophet before he passed away haddeclared Ali as the Imam. Imamat is inthe hands of Allah. The Imam allows whatAllah allows, prohibits what Allahprohibits; The Imam is the shining sun,the rain bearing cloud, Purified from sinsand free from shortcomings the Imam isAllah’s custodian over His creation. TheImam is the Vice regent of Allah on theearth.

While Imam Ridha (AS) was with Mamoonin Marv, a conference on religions washeld to which he invited many leaders ofdifferent sects, including Zoroastriansand Christians and Jews. The Imamconvinced them and impressed them byhis spiritual ability and excellence. TheImam had knowledge of all languages.When a man from India came to Mamoon’s


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court and greeted him in Sindi, an Indianlanguage, the Imam replied to him in hisown language and answered his questions.The Imam was asked to summarize thelegal and the illegal matters in Fiqh andgive details of the practical laws of Islam,Imam Ridha (AS)agreed and asked for aninkwell and a paper. Thelaws were written downso people could learnand benefit from hisvast knowledge.

As people gained from the knowledge ofthe Imam, Mamoon became more jealousand fearful of the increasing influence ofImam Ridha (AS).


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Noble Traits

Even as the heir apparent with thetreasures of the world at his feet, theImam lived a simple life. The peoplerecalled how his grandfather Imam Ali(AS) in Kufa had lived among the poor.Imam Ridha (AS) did not like to decoratehis house with expensive carpets; insteadhe covered its floor with rough matsduring the winter and grass mats duringthe summer.

When food was served, he would call allhis servants, including the gatekeeper tosit and eat with him. He insisted on eatinghis meals only after the entire membersof his family, young and old, servants and


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Noble Traits

Even as the heir apparent with thetreasures of the world at his feet, theImam lived a simple life. The peoplerecalled how his grandfather Imam Ali(AS) in Kufa had lived among the poor.Imam Ridha (AS) did not like to decoratehis house with expensive carpets; insteadhe covered its floor with rough matsduring the winter and grass mats duringthe summer.

When food was served, he would call allhis servants, including the gatekeeper tosit and eat with him. He insisted on eatinghis meals only after the entire membersof his family, young and old, servants and


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grooms were present. One day someonesuggested that it would be better tomake separate eating arrangements forthe servants, The Imam replied, "All arecreated by God, Adam is their father and

Eve is their mother. The reward is forour deeds.” Today thousands eat togetheras they break their fast in the shrine ofImam Ridha (AS) in Mashhad.

Once a man said to him, "By God, there isnone who is superior to you in the


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nobleness of your ancestry.” The Imamsaid to him, “My ancestors are honouredmerely for their Godliness, piety andworship.”

One day a man approached the Imam andsaid, “I am one of your followers and havelove for the Ahlul Bayt of the Prophet. Iam now returning from pilgrimage toMakkah and I have no money to returnhome. Please give me enough money sothat I can reach home. After reachinghome, I will givethe same amountto the poor in yourname. Imam got up,and went insidethe house. He thencalled the man tothe door, extended his hand from behind


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the curtain and handed him the requiredamount, saying, “Take these two hundredDinars. These are your travel expenses,and may this bring you the blessings ofGod. There is no need to give equivalentmoney to the poor but if you feel youmust, then you may give it to the orphansand the widows of your town.” The mantook the money and left. The Imam cameout from behind the curtain and resumedhis seat. People asked, “Why did youadopt such a way that the man could notsee you while you were giving the money.”The Imam replied, “I did not want to seethe shame of supplication on his face.”

Imam Ridha (AS) used to give everythinghe had in charity. When Fazl (Mamoon’sminister) criticised him calling it a loss,the Imam said to him it is a “gain” for by


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giving, you gain virtue and goodness fromAllah.

Moosa ibn Yasar relates that he was withImam Ridha (AS) near Toos when theyheard the sound of mourning. Theyfollowed the sound and came upon afuneral procession. The Imamimmediately got down from his horse andwalked toward the corpse. Just like amother embracing her son, the Imamembraced the corpse and said, "Allah willforgive all the sins of the one whoescorts the funeral of our friends." Thenhe followed it to the edge of the grave.There he placed his palm on the chest ofthe corpse and promised it paradise.

When he was asked whether he hadknown him, the Imam replied, "Do you not


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know that every morning and evening thedeeds of our followers are presented tous? If they have done good we givethanks to Allah, but if they have donewrong we pray to Allah to forgive them."


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know that every morning and evening thedeeds of our followers are presented tous? If they have done good we givethanks to Allah, but if they have donewrong we pray to Allah to forgive them."


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Eid Prayer

It was nearly the end of the month ofRamadhan in 202 AH. Mamoon sent amessage to Imam Ridha(AS) to lead theEid prayer on the first day of Shawwal.The Imam reminded Mamoon of theconditions made between them andwanted to be excused. But Mamooninsisted.

The Imam sent word that accepting withthe condition that he would go out in themanner of his grandfather the HolyProphet. Mamoon agreed. He ordered hisarmy and people to go to the door ofImam Ridha (AS). The people waited on


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Eid Prayer

It was nearly the end of the month ofRamadhan in 202 AH. Mamoon sent amessage to Imam Ridha(AS) to lead theEid prayer on the first day of Shawwal.The Imam reminded Mamoon of theconditions made between them andwanted to be excused. But Mamooninsisted.

The Imam sent word that accepting withthe condition that he would go out in themanner of his grandfather the HolyProphet. Mamoon agreed. He ordered hisarmy and people to go to the door ofImam Ridha (AS). The people waited on


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the roads and rooftops. Women andchildren gathered to see the Imam.

Early in the morning of the day of Eid theHoly Imam (AS) washed and put on his

clothes. He wore a white turban and putone end down and the other end betweenhis shoulders. He rubbed on perfume andtook his staff and said to his men ”Dowhatever I do”. He was barefoot as hewalked out of the door. He raised his


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the roads and rooftops. Women andchildren gathered to see the Imam.

Early in the morning of the day of Eid theHoly Imam (AS) washed and put on his

clothes. He wore a white turban and putone end down and the other end betweenhis shoulders. He rubbed on perfume andtook his staff and said to his men ”Dowhatever I do”. He was barefoot as hewalked out of the door. He raised his


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hands and said “Allah u Akbar.”His menrepeated “Allahu Akbar”

When the military commanders saw himwalking, they too dismounted from theirhorses and followed him barefoot. As hewent forward, all the people followed himcalling Allahu Akbar. From every directionof the city the call "Allah u Akbar" couldbe heard because everyone present therefollowed His Holiness and shouted “Allahu Akbar”. The sound of Takbeer seemedto be coming from the earth and sky.


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Mamoon was deeply alarmed by themagnificence and splendour. His adviserstold him “If al Ridha reaches the place ofprayer for Eid the people will break out inrebellion. Mamoon, send word to theImam not to go for the prayers butreturn to his house.”

Mamoon forced Imam Ridha (AS) to goback without leading the prayers. Peoplewere sad.


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Praying for Rain

When Imam Ridha (AS) was in Khurasanthere was a period when it did not rain.Some enemies started to blame theImam. Mamoon asked the Imam to prayfor rain.

The Imam said he would do so on Mondayas the Prophet had appeared to him in hisdream saying “My son, wait till Mondaycomes. Go to the desert and ask for rain,Surely Allah will send down rain so thatthey increase their knowledge of yourexcellence and position.” When Mondaycame, all the people went outside the cityto the desert. When the Imam arrived


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Praying for Rain

When Imam Ridha (AS) was in Khurasanthere was a period when it did not rain.Some enemies started to blame theImam. Mamoon asked the Imam to prayfor rain.

The Imam said he would do so on Mondayas the Prophet had appeared to him in hisdream saying “My son, wait till Mondaycomes. Go to the desert and ask for rain,Surely Allah will send down rain so thatthey increase their knowledge of yourexcellence and position.” When Mondaycame, all the people went outside the cityto the desert. When the Imam arrived


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there, a pulpit was installed. Peoplesurrounded him shouting La ilaha illallahAllahu Akbar

The Imam ascended the pulpit andpraised Allah. He prayed: O Allah O LordIt is You who have magnified our right,the AhlulBayt. So they have soughtaccess through us to you as you havecommanded, hoped for Your bounty andmercy, expected your kindness andfavour. So give them water with a


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watering which is useful, general, neitherslow nor harmful. And let their rain startafter they leave for their houses andtheir abodes.”

Then the Imam raised his hands andprayed. The wind wove clouds in the airand there was thunder and lightning.

The people wanted to hurry home. TheImam said “The cloud which has towered


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over you is not for you, rather it is foranother city.” Ten successive cloudsappeared. Each time the Imam named theplaces where the cloud would rain. Whenthe eleventh cloud appeared, Imam Ridha(AS) said:”O people this is the cloud thatAllah has sent for you. So thank Allah forHis favour. Go to your houses. It has beenprevented from raining till you enter yourabodes.“ He descended the pulpit. Whenthey reached their homes, it began torain. So the valleys, basins streams anddesert were filled with water.


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When Imam Ridha (AS) entered thecourt, the guards would lift the curtainsto welcome him. Mamoon ordered thatthis practice should stop. The next timethe Imam came, a wind blew and all thecurtains one after the other rose up forthe Imam. People were amazed. Thepeople believed in the miracles of theAhlulBayt and their rank with Allah, theMost High. They said “We congratulatethe children of the Apostle (SAW) on themiracles of Allah toward them.”

But there were some who were jealousand they increased in their enemity. Aman called Hamid ibn Mehran said, ”itwould have rained any way. It was not amiracle. It would be a miracle if you makethe picture of this tiger on the carpetalive and order it to devour me.”


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Imam Ridha (AS) said “Beware! I neverasked anyone tospeak about mymiracles. As faras the rain isconcerned, it wasAllah’s kindness.But since youwant to see thetiger alive, I willnow make it alive.”Saying this, he said“Devour this disbeliever and leave no signof him.” No sooner had the Imam saidthis, the tiger came alive, roared andattacked Hamid and tore him to shreds.Seeing this miracle, Mamoon swoonedwith fright.


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Imam Ridha (AS) said “Beware! I neverasked anyone tospeak about mymiracles. As faras the rain isconcerned, it wasAllah’s kindness.But since youwant to see thetiger alive, I willnow make it alive.”Saying this, he said“Devour this disbeliever and leave no signof him.” No sooner had the Imam saidthis, the tiger came alive, roared andattacked Hamid and tore him to shreds.Seeing this miracle, Mamoon swoonedwith fright.


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Poisoned Grapes

Imam Ridha (AS) was allowed to live onlythree years after coming to Marw inKhurasan, Iran. Mamoon was treacherousand as the virtues of the Imam becamemore and more apparent, his jealousygrew. Mamoon had forced the Imam toaccept the office of Regent to accomplishhis own selfish ends and consolidate hispower over the Muslims. He used theImam’s presence to please Shia opinionand avoid clashes from the Alawids.

When Mamoon acted against theteachings of Islam, the Imam checkedhim. Once the Imam saw that Mamoonhad a servant pouring water, as he


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Poisoned Grapes

Imam Ridha (AS) was allowed to live onlythree years after coming to Marw inKhurasan, Iran. Mamoon was treacherousand as the virtues of the Imam becamemore and more apparent, his jealousygrew. Mamoon had forced the Imam toaccept the office of Regent to accomplishhis own selfish ends and consolidate hispower over the Muslims. He used theImam’s presence to please Shia opinionand avoid clashes from the Alawids.

When Mamoon acted against theteachings of Islam, the Imam checkedhim. Once the Imam saw that Mamoonhad a servant pouring water, as he


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performed the wudhu. When the Imamsaw that Mamoon was breaking the rulesof Islam, the Imam said this is notallowed. Mamoon was very angry. He thendecided he would kill the Imam.

The Imam knew what was to happen. Hecalled his companion Aba Salat and said tohim:"O Aba Salat, this is the time of mydeparture to Allah, the Exalted, and ofmy joining my grandfather and my fore-fathers, peace be on them. The fixedterm has come; this tyrannical one(Mamoon) has decided to kill me withsqueezed grapes and pomegranates. Hewill have needles prodded into the grapesat the place of their stalks. He will putsome poison on the hand of one of his menand order him to knead pomegranateswith it, that they may be stained with


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poison. He will summon me on the nextday, bring the grapes and pomegranatesnear to me, and ask me to eat them. I willbe forced to eat them,”

The Imam continued "When I die, he(Mamoon) will say: 'I will wash him withmy hand.' When he says that, be alonewith him and say to him on my behalf: 'He(al-Ridha) said to you: 'Do not wash,shroud, and bury me. For if you do that,He (Allah) will hasten for you thepunishment which He has delayed fromyou, and the painful thing of which youare cautious will befall you.' So surely hewill refrain (from doing that)."

The Imam added, saying: "When he(Mamoon) let you wash me, he will sit onone of his lofty houses in order to towerover the place where I will be washed. So,


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O Aba Salat, do not wash me until you seethat a white tent is installed beside thehouse. When you see that, then carry me(while I am wearing my garments in whichI am) place me from behind the tent, andstop behind it” When the tent is raised,you will see that I have been wrapped inmy shroud. Then put me into my coffinand carry me.

When he (Mamoon) wants to dig my grave,he will make the grave of his fatherHaroon al-Rashïd as qibla for my grave,and that will never occur. When theystrike the ground with the picks, they willdig nothing of it then say to them: 'He(Ridha) has ordered me to strike one pickin the qibla of the grave of Haroon. Whenyou strike (with the pick), you will make itreach a dug grave. When the grave is


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open, then do not lay me in it until thewhite water gushes out and it becomesfull of water. When the water sinks, thenlay me in that grave and bury me.” TheImam ordered Aba Salat to memorize hiswords, and he responded to what theImam wanted.

On the following day, Mamoon sent forthe Imam. When the Imam came, Mamoonwas full of cunning. He rose for him,embraced him and kissed him on theforehead. He seated the Imam besidehim, talked with him, and then orderedone of his men to bring him grapes andpomegranates.

Aba Salat said: "I became impatient andshook (with fear)." Mamoon gave a bunchof grapes to the Imam and said to him: "Oson of Allah's Messenger, I have never


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seen grapes better than these."

"Perhaps, there are grapes better thanthem in the Garden," said the Imam.Mamoon insisted, then he began to shout"Perhaps, you are accusing us ofsomething." The Imam ate three grapesand stood up to leave.

Mamoon asked :"Where are you going?"“Where you wanted to send me “repliedthe Imam.


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Imam Ridha (AS) returned to his room.The poison acted on his body and gave himintense pain. He knew that he was aboutto meet his Lord. He recited some versesof the Holy Quran: “Say: Had weremained in your houses, those for whomslaughter was ordained would certainlyhave gone forth to the places where theywould be slain. And the command of Allahis a decree that is made absolute.“(3:153) Then he fainted. It was the 17th

day of Safar, 203 A.H.

Allah sent Imam Muhammad Taqui (AS)by miracle to be with his father in his lastmoments. Then his pure soul set out forits Creator. Innalillahi wa inna ilaihirajaoon. He arranged the burial bath andthe shroud and said the funeral prayer.


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Alas the world became dark and thescholars and the thinkers and the peoplelost the one who took care of theirinterests and strove for their affairs.Cunning as he was, Mamoon pretended toweep and mourn.He came outbarefoot. Blackflags were putup. Men, womenand children lefttheir houses toattend the Imam’s funeral. Cries rose tothe sky as the people wept at the loss oftheir leader and Imam who died all alone,so far from home. He was only 55 yearsold.


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Alas the world became dark and thescholars and the thinkers and the peoplelost the one who took care of theirinterests and strove for their affairs.Cunning as he was, Mamoon pretended toweep and mourn.He came outbarefoot. Blackflags were putup. Men, womenand children lefttheir houses toattend the Imam’s funeral. Cries rose tothe sky as the people wept at the loss oftheir leader and Imam who died all alone,so far from home. He was only 55 yearsold.


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Masooma Qum

Hadhrat Masooma e Qum, namedFatimah(AS), was the daughter of ourseventh Imam Moosa e Kazim (AS). Shewas born on 1st Zeeqaad 173A.H., twenty-five years after the birth of her brotherImam Ali Ridha(AS);Their mother wasNajma Khatoon, a lady praised for herintellectual and spiritual excellence.

Imam Ali Ridha (AS)and Hazrat FatimahMasooma (AS) were very close, rightfrom their childhood. As a child sheimbibed the teachings of Islam from hernoble father Imam Moosa e Kazim (AS)and her brother Imam Ridha(AS). Oursixth Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) had said,“A


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Masooma Qum

Hadhrat Masooma e Qum, namedFatimah(AS), was the daughter of ourseventh Imam Moosa e Kazim (AS). Shewas born on 1st Zeeqaad 173A.H., twenty-five years after the birth of her brotherImam Ali Ridha(AS);Their mother wasNajma Khatoon, a lady praised for herintellectual and spiritual excellence.

Imam Ali Ridha (AS)and Hazrat FatimahMasooma (AS) were very close, rightfrom their childhood. As a child sheimbibed the teachings of Islam from hernoble father Imam Moosa e Kazim (AS)and her brother Imam Ridha(AS). Oursixth Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) had said,“A


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lady from my children, whose name will beFatimah, daughter of Moosa will die inQum. On the day of Qiyamat, this ladywill intercede for all my Shia to enterHeaven.”

Her knowledge of Islam was so deep thateven as a child of six, she was able toanswer the queries of a group of Muslims,who had been visiting Madinah. It sohappened that both her father and herbrother were away on a journey. Thepeople had some queries to put to theImam and wrote their questions andhanded them in at the Imam’s house.When it was time for them to leaveMadinah, they were handed the paperback, with their queries answered. Theanswers had been given by the 6 year olddaughter of the Imam. They were happy


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with the answers and on their way out ofthe city chanced to meet the seventhImam and showed him the paper. WhenImam Moosa e Kazim (AS) read herreplies, he was so pleased that she had soeloquently answered the questions thathe remarked, echoing the Holy Prophet,fidaha abuha “May her father besacrificed for her.”

This statement also points us towards thehigh status of Hazrat Fatimah Masooma eQum. In 1335 A.H. Ayatullah SyedMahmud Marashi Najafi did amaal forforty days to find out the location of themazar of Fatimah Zahra (AS), he was toldin a dream by the Imam “Alaika KareematiAhlelbait” I advise you to go to theKareema (Noble one) of the Ahlebait”identified as the mazar of Fatimah


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Masuma (AS) in Qum, Iran.Other titlesfor her include Tahira, Raazia, Marziya,Sayyada, Taqiya, Naqiya, Hameeda,Rasheeda. Each of these epithets echoesthe titles of her holy grandmother,Fatimah Zahra (AS).

Like Hazrat Zainab (AS), Hazrat FatimahMasooma (AS) was very knowledgable inthe teachings of Islam. There were somehadees that children in the Ahlebait,both male and female knew by heart.Many traditions are narrated from herincluding the hadees of Ghadeer andMeraj. These have reached us with theircomplete chain of transmission.

Fatimah (Masooma) the daughter of ImamMoosa e Kazim


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Narrates from Fatimah, daughter ofImam Jafar Sadiq,

who narrates it from Fatimah, thedaughter of Imam Muhammad Baqar,

who narrates it from Fatimah, thedaughter of Imam Ali Sajjad

who narrates it from Fatimah, thedaughter of Imam Hussain

who narrates it from Zainab, thedaughter of Fatimah Zahra,

the daughter of the Prophet of Allah,

who has narrated that the Prophet said,

"Ala man mata ala hubbe Aal eMuhammad mata shaheeda"Know thatwhoever dies having the love of thefamily of Muhammad dies a martyr.”


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Hazrat Masooma (AS) was only six yearsold when she suffered the separationfrom her father Imam Moosa e Kazim(AS). In 179 A.H. Haroon sent his soldiersto Madinah to take the Imam prisoner. Hewas taken away to Basra and then toBaghdad to suffer torture and pain. Theseparation was very hard for her, for shecould not see her father for many years.In fact, he was killed through poison andnever returned home to his family.Hazrat Masooma was hardly 10 years oldand deeply grieved.

After the imprisonment of her father tohis shahadat on 25th Rajab 183 A.H.,Hazrat Masooma (AS) was under theguardianship of her brother ImamRidha(AS).She continued to benefit fromdirect learning from the Imam for the


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next 21 years. Indeed, she acquired sucha high spiritual level, that she was giventhe title Masooma from Imam Ridha (AS)himself.

He also said “Whoever visits Masooma inQum is like the one who has visited me.”The ziarat for her is narrated from himand the words denote her high status andesteem in the eyes of Allah, who will lether intercede on their behalf.

The Imam addresses her as the daughterof the Messenger of Allah, the daughterof Fatimah and Khadija, the daughter ofthe Commander of the faithful, thedaughter of Hasan and Hussain. Heconveys salams to her as the Daughterand Sister and the Aunt of the viceregent of Allah.


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When Imam Ridha (AS) had to leaveMadinah, she was very sad and found theseparation very difficult. A year passedand Hazrat Masooma (AS) received aletter from her brother. She then beganpreparations for her journey to Toos withfive of her brothers, Fazl, Jafar, Hadi,Qasim and Zayd, all sons of our seventhImam.

With her immense knowledge, piety andability, she would be able to play animportant part in spreading Islam,especially among the ladies. It wastraumatic to leave the city of the Prophetand embark on such a long journey.

But like Hadhrat Zainab (AS), this sisterof the eighth Imam was very close to herbrother and keen to meet him. Accordingto some reports, other members of the


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family, under the leadership of Ibrahimibn Imam Moosa e Kazim (AS) also went inanother group to Khurasan. The caravanof Hazrat Masooma (AS) travelledthrough the long and rough expanse ofdesert, but the thought of meeting herbrother kept them going.

When they reached Saveh, they wereambushed and attacked by Mamoon’ssoldiers and many members of the Imam’sfamily were martyred, wounded and eventaken prisoner. Twenty three of her closerelatives and companions were killed. Thebrutal attack had a devastating effect onMasooma (AS) and she became ill.According to another report she wasgiven poison.

When Hazrat Masooma (AS) asked howfar Qum was from there, she was told


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about 10 farsaq, 60-70 km. She askedthem to take her to Qum, where manyshias lived.

A leading Shia family from Qum welcomedher and Moosa ibn Khazraj had thehonour of being her host. His house istoday the Madrasa e Sittiye, ”School ofthe Lady” Her mehrab e ibadat, whereshe spent her last hours worshippingAllah, is known as “Baital Noor.”

Only two weeks after she reached Qum,Hazrat Masooma (AS) died on 4th

Rabiulaval 201 A.H. She was 28 years old.


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She was buried, in Babelan, Qum, Iran.

According to another version, when shereached Qum, she saw that all the peoplewere in mourning. When she asked thereason, she was told that Mamoon hadkilled her brother Imam Ridha (AS). Thismade her so sad that she died of grief.


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As they were about to bury this noblelady, two masked riders appeared onhorseback and dismounted at the burialsite. They came forward, recited thefuneral prayer for her, and buried her,then left. It is believed that they wereher brother Imam Ridha (AS) and hernephew Imam Muhammad Taqui (AS).


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As they were about to bury this noblelady, two masked riders appeared onhorseback and dismounted at the burialsite. They came forward, recited thefuneral prayer for her, and buried her,then left. It is believed that they wereher brother Imam Ridha (AS) and hernephew Imam Muhammad Taqui (AS).


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Brave Brothers

The sons of our Imams are known asImam zadeh. Imam Ali Ridha (AS) hadsent a message to his brothers andsisters, about 22 of them in Madinah tovisit him since he was not allowed to leaveToos.

So Imam zadeh Ishaq, ImamzadehHussain and others left Madinah andtravelled via Basra to Shiraz and fromIsfahan to Saveh. Many Imamzadehs whotravelled with Hazrat Masooma-e-Qumwere martyred in front of her very eyes,in such a manner that she could notovercome her sorrow.


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Brave Brothers

The sons of our Imams are known asImam zadeh. Imam Ali Ridha (AS) hadsent a message to his brothers andsisters, about 22 of them in Madinah tovisit him since he was not allowed to leaveToos.

So Imam zadeh Ishaq, ImamzadehHussain and others left Madinah andtravelled via Basra to Shiraz and fromIsfahan to Saveh. Many Imamzadehs whotravelled with Hazrat Masooma-e-Qumwere martyred in front of her very eyes,in such a manner that she could notovercome her sorrow.


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SavehSaveh is a town at equal distance fromTehran and Qum like the three verticesof a triangle. As you pass the grave ofAyatollah Khomeini on your right you seesigns for Saveh. We can visit the gravesof many Imam zadeh in Saveh

Shiraz

In the city of Shiraz we can pay ourrespects at the tombs of Imam Ridha‘s(AS) brothers. Sayyid Ahmed and SayyidMuhammad, sons of Imam Moosa e Kazim(AS). Sayyid Ahmed was noble and piousand is known as Shah Chiragh, King of theLight. The site was given this name byAyatullah Dastghā'ib (the greatgrandfather of Shaheed AyatullahDastghā'ib). He used to see light from a


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distance and decided to find out thesource. He found that the light was froma grave within a graveyard. In this grave abody wearing an arm our was discovered.The body was wearing a ring saying al-‘Izzatu Lillāh, Ahmad bin Mūsā, meaning"The Pride belongs to Allah, Ahmad son ofMusa".


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distance and decided to find out thesource. He found that the light was froma grave within a graveyard. In this grave abody wearing an arm our was discovered.The body was wearing a ring saying al-‘Izzatu Lillāh, Ahmad bin Mūsā, meaning"The Pride belongs to Allah, Ahmad son ofMusa".


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Sayyid Muhammad spent his life in prayerday and night. He is buried in the samecourtyard as Shah Chiragh and themartyred Ayatullah Dastaghaib is buriednear him.

Sayyid Hussain Aalauddin another son ofthe 7th Imam is also in Shiraz. When ourninth Imam Muhammad Taqui (AS) wasasked which of his uncles loved him themost he said “My uncle Hussain”

.


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Mashad Muqadas

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) hadsaid "One of my own flesh and blood willbe buried in the land of Khurasan. Allahthe Highest will surely remove thesorrows of any sorrowful person who goeson pilgrimage to his Al-Ridha's (AS)shrine. Allah will surely forgive the sinsof any sinful person who goes onpilgrimage to his shrine".

Imam Ridha (AS) said, "Whoever visitsme despite the far distance to my tomb, Iwill come to save him on the ResurrectionDay on three occasions and help:


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Mashad Muqadas

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) hadsaid "One of my own flesh and blood willbe buried in the land of Khurasan. Allahthe Highest will surely remove thesorrows of any sorrowful person who goeson pilgrimage to his Al-Ridha's (AS)shrine. Allah will surely forgive the sinsof any sinful person who goes onpilgrimage to his shrine".

Imam Ridha (AS) said, "Whoever visitsme despite the far distance to my tomb, Iwill come to save him on the ResurrectionDay on three occasions and help:


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1. When the Letters of Deeds are handedto his right and to his left hands,

2. At the moment of crossing the Bridgeover Hell

3. At the time, when the Scale of Deeds(measuring the amount of good vs. baddeeds) is set up".

The holy shrine has magnificentcourtyards with fountains and structuresspread over a grand complex of buildings.You can visit the museum and libraryhousing millions of books and manuscripts.People gather to listen to lectures andsermons in many languages, to recite andponder over the verses of the HolyQuran, to pray together. Arrangementsare made to feed thousands of pilgrimsdaily and in the month of Ramadan; food


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is served to over 12000 Muslims at thetime of iftar.

Every year between 20 and 30 millionpilgrims from across Iran and othercountries come to Mashhad to visit ImamRidha’s shrine. Many miracles are seeneven today as the sick are healed andwishes are granted through the name ofthe holy Imam. Visiting the shrine bringsmanifold rewards for the pilgrim, equal tothe sawab of going for Hajj.

May Allah give us all the opportunity tovisit the shrine of Imam Ridha (AS) andconvey our salaams personally, Inshallah.


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Wise Sayings

Imam Ridha (AS) saidBe truthful and avoid telling lies.Everyone’s friend is his reason, his enemyis his ignorance.The Quran guides and leads towardparadise and is the saviour from the fire(of Hell). Reciting the Holy Quran, eatinghoney and drinking milk makes yourmemory better.Indeed Imamate is the growing andongoing root of Islam and its elevated andsublime branch.If you weep for Hussain (AS) to theextent that tears run down your cheeks,Allah will forgive your sins.


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Wise Sayings

Imam Ridha (AS) saidBe truthful and avoid telling lies.Everyone’s friend is his reason, his enemyis his ignorance.The Quran guides and leads towardparadise and is the saviour from the fire(of Hell). Reciting the Holy Quran, eatinghoney and drinking milk makes yourmemory better.Indeed Imamate is the growing andongoing root of Islam and its elevated andsublime branch.If you weep for Hussain (AS) to theextent that tears run down your cheeks,Allah will forgive your sins.


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Ziarat

Salam on you o Ali ibn Moosa al RidhaSalams on you, o the Light of AllahSalams on you o the Pillar of FaithSalams on you o the inheritor of theProphetsSalams on you o the inheritor of theImamsSalams on you o the lonely MartyrSalams on you the virtuous and piousguardianSalam on you the Helper of the Weakand the PoorThe one buried in ToosMay Allah have mercy and blessings on

you.


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Ziarat

Salam on you o Ali ibn Moosa al RidhaSalams on you, o the Light of AllahSalams on you o the Pillar of FaithSalams on you o the inheritor of theProphetsSalams on you o the inheritor of theImamsSalams on you o the lonely MartyrSalams on you the virtuous and piousguardianSalam on you the Helper of the Weakand the PoorThe one buried in ToosMay Allah have mercy and blessings on

you.


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Can you remember

Where and when was Imam Ridha(AS) born?Name 5 of his titles.Who were his parents?Why did Mamoon call him to Marv?What happened in Nishapour?Why was Imam Ridha(AS) calledZamin e Ahoo?What happened on the Day of Eid?Why was Mamoon jealous of theImam?How was the Imam poisoned?Who was Masooma e Qum?


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Can you remember

Where and when was Imam Ridha(AS) born?Name 5 of his titles.Who were his parents?Why did Mamoon call him to Marv?What happened in Nishapour?Why was Imam Ridha(AS) calledZamin e Ahoo?What happened on the Day of Eid?Why was Mamoon jealous of theImam?How was the Imam poisoned?Who was Masooma e Qum?


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Title:Let’s learn about Imam Ridha (AS)Author: Sakina Hasan AskariPublisher: Salman PublicationsFirst Edition: March 2016Pages: 88Copies: 1000ISBN: 81-88823-19-8

Other Books in the Learn about SeriesProphet Muhammad(SAW)Imam Ali (AS)Bibi Fatima(AS)Imam Zany al-Abideen (AS)Imam Mahdi (AS)The 12 ImamsThe 12 Days of MuharramTheHoly Quran and Month of RamadanBibi Sakina(AS)Bibi Zainab(AS)Hadhrat Abbas(AS)Jannatul Baqee

imam ridha (as) - shia books for children · zaki,the pure siraj allah, the lamp of allah...

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