Traditions about Ar-Ridha (a.s.)

On Ar-Ridha’s Words on the Reasons for Various Things

On What Ar-Ridha (a.s.) Wrote Regarding the Reasons (Behind the Decrees) in Response to Questions by Muhammad ibn Sinan

The Reasons Cited by Al-Fadhl ibn Shadhan

On What Ar-Ridha (a.s.) Wrote for Al-Ma’mun Regarding Pure Islam and the Religious Decrees

On Ar-Ridha’s Entry to Neishaboor and Where He Resided

On What Ar-Ridha (a.s.) said Upon Leaving Marba’at Neishaboor to See Al-Ma’mun

A Rare Tradition From Ar-Ridha (a.s.)

On the Departure of Ar-Ridha (a.s.) from Neishaboor Towards Toos and Marv

On The Reasons why Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha (a.s.) accepted the succession to the throne from Al-Ma’mun, what Went On, those who were displeased and those who were pleased

On Ar-Ridha (a.s.) Praying for Rain On the Request of Al-Ma’mun, Display of the Honorable the Exalted God’s Power by Fulfilling His Request and the Destruction of Those who Denied This

On the Plans of Al-Ma’mun for Fending off the People From the Meetings of Ar-Ridha (a.s.), Belittling him, and on the Cursing of Al-Ma’mun

On Poems About Patience and Silence in Front of the Ignorant, and Not Treating Friends With Reproach, and Attracting the Enemy So That He Becomes Friends and on Hiding Secrets

On Ar-Ridha’s Noble Characteristics and His Worshipping

His Debates With the Opponents Regarding Divine Leadership and Ali’s Nobility

On What has been Narrated by Ar-Ridha (a.s.) Regarding the Proofs for the Divine Leaders (a.s.), and the Rejection of the Exaggerators (Ghulat) and Those who Believe in God Turning Over the Affairs (Mufawidha) - May God Curse Them

On Indications of the Divine Leadership of Ar-Ridha (a.s.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Ar-Ridha’s Knowledge of All the Languages

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

On Ar-Ridha’s Answer to Abi Qorrah - a friend of the Catholic Archbishop

On What Ar-Ridha (a.s.) said on the Subject of Divine Leadership to Yahya ibn ad-Dhahhak al-Samarqandi in the Presence of Al-Ma’mun

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

On Reasons for Which Al-Ma’mun Martyred Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha (a.s.) with Poison

On Ar-Ridha’s Appointment of his son Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) as the Imam and his Successor

On The Martyrdom of Ar-Ridha (a.s.) Due to Being Murdered by Al-Ma’mun With Poison

Another Tradition From the Shiites on the Death of Ar-Ridha (a.s.)

On What Abu Salt Al-Harawi Has Narrated About Ar-Ridha Being Martyred With Poisoned Grapes

On What (Abu Habib) Harthama ibn A’yan Narrated About the Martyrdom of Ar-Ridha by Being Poisoned With Pomegranates and Grapes

On An Elegy Recited About Ar-Ridha (a.s.)

On the Reward of Visiting the Shrine of Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha (a.s.)

On the Reward of Visiting the shrine of Fatima - the Daughter of Imam Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) in Qum

On Visiting Ar-Ridha (a.s.) in Toos

On What Has Become Apparent For The People Of Our Time From The Blessings And Signs Of This Place Of Martyrdom, And The Fulfillment Of Prayers There

2 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَدالْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني المبرد قالَ حَدَّثَني الرياشي قالَ: حَدَّثَنا أَبُو عاصِمٍ وَرَواه عَن الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ أَن جَعْفَر عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ تكلم يَوْماً بَيْنِ يَدِيَ أَبِيهِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فَأَحسن فَقالَ لَهُ: يا بَنِي الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذي جعلك خلفا من الآباء وَسروراً من الأبناء وَعوضا عَنْ الأصدقاء.

35-2 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of al-Mobarrid, on the authority of al-Riashi, on the authority of Abu Asim who quoted on the authority of Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) that Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) once spoke well to his father (a.s.). His father (a.s.) said, “O my son! Praise be to God who designated you to be the successor of your forefathers, and as a source of pleasure among my children, and in return for my lost friends.”

3 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَدالْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوْليُ‏حَدَّثَنا عَوْنُ بْنِ مُحَمَّد الْكِنْدِيُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني أَبُو الحُسَيْن مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبي عباد وَكَانَ مُشْتَهَراً بِالسَّمَاعِ وَبِشُرْبِ النَّبِيذِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ عَنِ السَّمَاعِ فَقَالَ لاهْلِ الْحِجَازِ رَأْيٌ فِيهِ وَهُوَ فِي حَيِّزِ الْبَاطِلِ وَاللَّهْوِ أَمَا سَمِعْتَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَقُولُ: وَإِذا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِراماً

35-3 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Oun ibn Muhammad al-Kindi, on the authority of Abul Husayn Muhammad ibn Abi Ibad - who was known for drinking wine and listening to music - that he asked Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) about listening to music. He (a.s.) replied, “Those of Hijaz consider it to be legitimate. However, it is considered to be among the wrong and useless things. Have you not heard the Sublime God’s words, ‘Those who witness no falsehood, and, if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honorable (avoidance).’”

4 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَدالْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا عَوْنُ بْنِ مُحَمَّد الْكِنْدِيُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا سَهْلِ بْنِ القاسِم النوشجانِي قالَ: قَالَ لِيَ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِخُرَاسَانَ إِنَّ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ نَسَبٌ [نَسَباً] قُلْتُ وَمَا هُوَ أَيُّهَا الأَمِيرُ قَالَ إِنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَامِرِ بْنِ كَرِيزٍ لَمَّا افْتَتَحَ خُرَاسَانَ أَصَابَ ابْنَتَيْنِ لِيَزْدَجَرْدَ بْنِ شَهْرِيَارَ مَلِكِ الأَعَاجِمِ فَبَعَثَ بِهِمَا إِلَى عُثَْمانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ فَوَهَبَ إِحْدَاهُمَا لِلْحَسَنِ وَالأُخْرَى لِلْحُسَيْنِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فَمَاتَتَا عِنْدَهُمَا نُفَسَاوَيْنِ وَكَانَتْ صَاحِبَةُ الْحُسَيْنِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ نَفِسَتْ بِعَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فَكَفَلَ عَلِيّاً بَعْضُ أُمَّهَاتِ وَلَدِ أَبِيهِ فَنَشَأَ وَهُوَ لا يَعْرِفُ أُمّــاًغَيْرَهَا ثُمَّ عَلِمَ أَنَّهَا مَوْلاتُهُ وَكَانَ النَّاسُ يُسَمُّونَهَا أُمَّهُ وَزَعَمُوا أَنَّهُ زَوَّجَ أُمَّهُ وَمَعَاذَ اللَّهِ إِنَّمَا زَوَّجَ هَذِهِ عَلَى مَا ذَكَرْنَاهُ وَكَانَ سَبَبَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ وَاقَعَ بَعْضَ نِسَائِهِ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ يَغْتَسِلُ فَلَقِيَتْهُ أُمُّهُ هَذِهِ فَقَالَ لَهَا إِنْ كَانَ فِي نَفْسِكِ فِي هَذَا الأَمْرِ شَيْ‏ءٌ فَاتَّقِي اللَّهَ وَأَعْلِمِينِي فَقَالَتْ نَعَمْ فَزَوَّجَهَا فَقَالَ نَاسٌ زَوَّجَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ أُمَّهُ قَالَ عَوْنٌ قَالَ لِي سَهْلُ بْنُ الْقَاسِمِ مَا بَقِيَ طَالِبِيٌّ عِنْدَنَا إِلا كَتَبَ عَنِّي هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ عَنِ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.

35-4 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Oun ibn Muhammad al-Kindi, on the authority of Sahl ibn Al-Qasim al-Noshajani: “In Khorasan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) told me that there are ties of kinship between you and I.” He asked, “O Master! How is that?” Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, “When Abdullah ibn 'Amir ibn Kariz conquered Khorasan, he captured two of the daughters of Yazdegerd, the Persian King and sent them to Othman ibn Affan. He granted one of them to Al-Hassan (a.s.) and the other one to Al-Husayn (a.s.). They both died during childbirth. The wife  of Al-Husayn (a.s.) delivered Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.). Since she died during delivery, one of the maids - who was Umm Walad of one of Al-Husayn’s (a.s.) grandchildren took care of him (while another woman breast-fed him). The Imam (a.s.) grew up and knew no one else to be his mother, but later he realized that she had only been his care-taker. The people considered her Umm Walad to be his mother. When he married her, they thought that he has married his own mother. Take refuge in God! It was not so. This woman was living in Ali ibn Al-Husayn’s (a.s.) house. Once after Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.) had finished making love to one of his wives and was leaving the room to go and make the ritual ablutions, that woman saw him. He asked her, “If you also wish to be married, fear God and tell me.” She replied, “Yes.” Then the Imam (a.s.) married her, too. Since the people considered her to be his mother, they spread the rumors that Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.) had married his own mother.”(Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli added,) “Oun told me that Sahl ibn Qasim that all of Abu Talib’s descendants had narrated this tradition of Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) from me.”

5 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَدالْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوْليُ‏حَدَّثَنا عَوْنُ بْنِ مُحَمَّد قالَ: حَدَّثَنا أَبُو الحُسَيْن مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبي عباد قالَ سَمِعْتُ الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَقُولُ يَوْماً: يَا غُلامُ آتِنَا الْغَدَاءَ فَكَأَنْ [فَكَأَنِّي] أَنْكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ فَبُيِّنَ [فَتَبَيَّنَ] الإِنْكَارُ فِيَّ فَقَرَأَ قالَ لِفَتاهُ آتِنا غَداءَنا فَقُلْتُ الأَمِيرُ أَعْلَمُ النَّاسِ وَأَفْضَلُهُمْ.

35-5 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Oan ibn Muhammad, on the authority of Abul Husayn Muhammad ibn Abi Abbad that one day he had heard Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) say, “O servant! Bring us our early meal.” I thought that maybe he was not using proper language. He noticed this from my face and recited the following verse (of the Qur’an), ‘…Bring us our early meal;…’ ”

6 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَدالْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوْليُ‏حَدَّثَنا أَبُو ذكوان القاسِم بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيل بسيراف سِنَةَ خَمْس وَثَمانِين وَمائتَيْنِ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا إِبْراهيمِ بْنِ عَبَّاس الصُّوليُّ الكاتب بِالأَهواز سِنَةَ سبع وَعِشْرِينَ وَمائتَيْنِ قالَ كُنَّا يَوْماً بَيْنَ يَدَيْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ فِي الدُّنْيَا نَعِيمٌ حَقِيقِيٌّ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُ الْفُقَهَاءِ مِمَّنْ حَضَرَهُ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ثُمَّ لَتُسْئَلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعِيمِ أَمَا هَذَا النَّعِيمُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَهُوَ الْمَاءُ الْبَارِدُ فَقَالَ لَهُ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَعَلا صَوْتَهُ كَذَا فَسَّرْتُمُوهُ أَنْتُمْ وَجَعَلْتُمُوهُ عَلَى ضُرُوبٍ فَقَالَتْ طَائِفَةٌ هُوَ الْمَاءُ الْبَارِدُ وَقَالَ غَيْرُهُمْ هُوَ الطَّعَامُ الطَّيِّبُ وَقَالَ آخَرُونَ هُوَ طِيبُ النَّوْمِ وَلَقَدْ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَن أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ أَنَّ أَقْوَالَكُمْ هَذِهِ ذُكِرَتْ عِنْدَهُ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ثُمَّ لَتُسْئَلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعِيمِ فَغَضِبَ‏ عَلَيْهِالسَّلامُ وَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لا يَسْأَلُ عِبَادَهُ عَمَّا تَفَضَّلَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِهِ وَلا يَمُنُّ بِذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَالامْتِنَانُ بِالإِنْعَامِ مُسْتَقْبَحٌ مِنَ الَْمخْلُوقِينَ فَكَيْفَ يُضَافُ إِلَى الْخَالِقِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مَا لا يَرْضَى لِلْمَخْلُوقِينَ بِهِ وَلَكِنَّ النَّعِيمَ حُبُّنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَمُوَالاتُنَا يَسْأَلُ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ بَعْدَ التَّوْحِيدِ وَالنُّبُوَّةِ لانَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا وَفَى بِذَلِكَ أَدَّاهُ إِلَى نَعِيمِ الْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي لا تَزُولُ وَلَقَدْ حَدَّثَنِي بِذَلِكَ أَبِي، عَن أَبِيهِ، عَن مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، عَن أَبِيهِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ، عَن أَبِيهِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، عَن أَبِيهِ عَلِيٍ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ أَنَّهُ قالَ: قالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا يُسْأَلُ عَنْهُ الْعَبْدُ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَأَنَّكَ وَلِيُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِمَا جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ وَجَعَلْتُهُ لَكَ فَمَنْ أَقَرَّ بِذَلِكَ وَكَانَ يَعْتَقِدُهُ صَارَ إِلَى النَّعِيمِ الَّذِي لا زَوَالَ نعمة اللهُ فَقَالَ لِي ابْنُ ذَكْوَانَ بَعْدَ أَنْ حَدَّثَنِي بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ مُبْتَدِئاً مِنْ غَيْرِ سُؤَالِ أُحَدِّثُكَ بِهَذَا مِنْ جِهَاتٍ مِنْهَا لِقَصْدِكَ لِي مِنَ الْبَصْرَةِ وَمِنْهَا أَنَّ عَمَّكَ أَفَادَنِيهِ وَمِنْهَا أَنِّي كُنْتُ مَشْغُولاً بِاللُّغَةِ وَالأَشْعَارِ وَلا أُعَوِّلُ عَلَى غَيْرِهِمَا فَرَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ فِي النَّوْمِ وَالنَّاسُ يُسَلِّمُونَ عَلَيْهِ فَيُجِيبُهُمْ فَسَلَّمْتُ فَمَا رَدَّ عَلَيَّ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَنَا مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ بَلَى وَلَكِنْ حَدِّثِ النَّاسَ بِحَدِيثِ النَّعِيمِ الَّذِي سَمِعْتَهُ مِنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ قَالَ الصَّوْلِيُّ وَهَذَا حَدِيثٌ قَدْ رَوَاهُ النَّاسُ عَنِ النَّبِيِ‏إِلا أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ فِيهِ ذِكْرُ النَّعِيمِ وَالآْيَةِ وَتَفْسِيرِهَا إِنَّمَا رَوَوْا أَنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا يُسْأَلُ عَنْهُ الْعَبْدُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الشَّهَادَةُ وَالنُّبُوَّةُ وَمُوَالاةُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.

35-6 In the year 285 A.H. (897 A.D.), al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Abu Thakwan Al-Qasim ibn Isma’il in Seiraf on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Abbas al-Sowli al-Katib in (the city of) Ahwaz in the year 227 A.H. (841 A.D.), “One day we were in the company of Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) and he (a.s.) told me, ‘There is no true joy in this world.’ Some of the jurisprudents present there said, ‘It is not so. Did not God the Honorable the Exalted say? ‘Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!).’ Is it not just the cold water we drink in this world?’” Then Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) told them in a loud voice, ‘That is how you interpret it and bring about several forms of interpretation for it.’ Some said, ‘It is cold water.’ Others said, ‘It is delicious food.’ Still others said, ‘It is good sleep.’ Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, ‘I quote on the authority of my father (a.s.), on the authority of his father Abi Abdullah As-Sadiq (a.s.) that what you said about the Sublime God’s words, ‘Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!)’ were told to him.Then Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) got angry and said, ‘The Exalted the Honorable God will neither question His servants about what He has nobly bestowed upon them, nor will He mention it to them. Even mentioning a good deed is bad for the people to do. How could they ascribe to God the Exalted the Honorable what God’s creatures will not be pleased with? However, the true joy is the love for us - the Members of the Holy Household. This is what God will question the people about after questioning them about the Unity of God and the Prophethood. If one has been loyal to this he will be rewarded with Heaven which is the Eternal Joy. My father had indeed hear this from his father (a.s.) who had heard it from his forefathers (a.s.) all the way back to the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) who said, “God’s Prophet (S) said, ‘O Ali! Indeed, the first thing that one will be questioned about after death is to testify that ‘There is no god but God’ and that ‘Muhammad (a.s.) is God’s Messenger.’ He will also be questioned about testifying that ‘You (Ali) are the one with authority over the believers due to the authority which God has established and I have established for you.’ Whoever believes in these will be sent to the Joy in which there is no end.’”(Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli added,) Abu Thakwan narrated this tradition for me without me asking him to do so. When he finished, he said, “I told you this tradition for several reasons. First of all, you have come to visit me from Basra. Secondly, its narrator is your uncle (Ibrahim bin Abbas al-Sowli). Thirdly, I was always interested solely in poetry and linguistics and did not pay any attention to anything else, until I dreamt of the Prophet (S). The people were greeting him, and he greeted them back. I went forward and greeted the Prophet (S) but he did not return my greetings. Al-Sowli asked, “O Prophet of God! Am I not from among your nation?” He (a.s.) said, “Yes, you are. But tell the people the tradition about “joy” that you have heard from Ibrahim.” Al-Sowli said, “This is the tradition which the people narrate on the authority of God’s Prophet (S). However, there is not such a description of “joy” in it with verses and interpretations. They just say that God’s Prophet (S) said, “The very first thing one is questioned about on the Resurrection Day is to testify to the Unity (of God), the Prophethood and the Authority of Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.).”

7 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَدالْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوْليُ‏حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُوسَى الرَّازِيُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني أَبي قالَ ذَكَرَ الرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَوْمـاًالْقُرْآنَ فَعَظَّمَ الْحُجَّةَ فِيهِ وَالآْيَةَ الْمُعْجِزَةَ فِي نَظْمِهِ فَقَالَ هُوَ حَبْلُ اللَّهِ الْمَتِينُ وَعُرْوَتُهُ الْوُثْقَى وَطَرِيقَتُهُ الْمُثْلَى الْمُؤَدِّي إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَالْمُنْجِي مِنَ النَّارِ لا يَخْلُقُ مِنَ الأَزْمِنَةِ وَلا يَغِثُّ عَلَى الأَلْسِنَةِ لانَّهُ لَمْ يُجْعَلْ لِزَمَانٍ دُونَ زَمَانٍ بَلْ جُعِلَ دَلِيلَ الْبُرْهَانِ وَحُجَّةً عَلَى كُلِّ إِنْسَانٍ لا يَأْتِيهِ الْباطِلُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلا مِنْ خَلْفِهِ تَنْزِيلٌ مِنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ.

35-7 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Muhammadibn Musa al-Razi, on the authority of his father that one day Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) mentioned the Qur’an and talked about the greatness of the proofs in it, its verses and the miracle in its order and said, “It is God’s Strong Rope. It is the Reliable Grip. It is the ideal way. It guides you to Heaven, and saves you from the Fire. It will not age as time goes by. It will not lose its value in different languages, since it has not been revealed for a specific era of time. It is established as the proof of reasoning. And it is a proof for all mankind. ‘No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it: It is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise.’”

8 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَدالْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوْليُ‏حَدَّثَني سَهْلِ بْنِ القاسِم النوشجانِي قالَ: قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ يُرْوَى عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ زُبَيْرٍ أَنَّهُ قَالَ تُوُفِّيَ النَّبِيُ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَهُوَ فِي تَقِيَّةٍ فَقَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدَ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ ما أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ وَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَما بَلَّغْتَ رِسالَتَهُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّهُ أَزَالَ كُلَّ تَقِيَّةٍ بِضَمَانِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَهُ وَبَيَّنَ أَمْرَ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنَّ قُرَيْشاً فَعَلَتْ مَا اشْتَهَتْ بَعْدَهُ وَأَمَّا قَبْلَ نُزُولِ هَذِهِ الآْيَةِ فَلَعَلَّهُ.

35-8 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Sahl ibn Al-Qasim al-Nowshajani that a man told Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.), “O son of God’s Prophet (S)! They have narrated that Orwat ibn al-Zobayr had said that God’s Prophet (S) passed away while he was in a state of concealment of faith!” Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) replied, “After the following verse from God the Exalted the Sublime was revealed, ‘O Apostle! proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And God will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For God guideth not those who reject Faith.’, all the requirements for the concealment of faith between him and the people were eliminated by the Honorable the Exalted God’s guarantee. However the Quraysh (tribe) did as they wished after his demise. However, he (a.s.) might have been practicing the concealment of faith before this verse was revealed.”

9 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَدالْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني القاسِم بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيل قالَ: حَدَّثَنا إِبْراهيمِ بْنِ العَبَّاسِ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا عَلاىِّ بْنِ‏ِلرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّد عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ أَنَّهُ قالَ إِذَا أَقْبَلَتِ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى إِنْسَانٍ أَعْطَتْهُ مَحَاسِنَ غَيْرِهِ وَإِذَا أَدْبَرَتْ عَنْهُ سَلَبَتْهُ مَحَاسِنَ نَفْسِهِ.

35-9 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Al-Qasim ibn Isma’il, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Al-Abbas that Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) narrated on the authority of his father (a.s.), on the authority of Ja’far ibn Muhammad (a.s.), “When the world’s affairs run in one’s favor, he even reveals other people’s good traits, but when the world’s affairs run against someone’s favor, he even forgets about his own good traits.”

10 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَدالْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا أَبُو ذكوان قالَ: حَدَّثَنا إِبْراهيمِ بْنِ العَبَّاسِ قالَ سَمِعْتُ عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُوسَى الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَقُولُ: مودّةُ عِشْرِينَ سِنَةَ قَرابَة وَالعِلْمُ أجمع لأهله من الآباء.

35-10 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Abu Thakwan, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Al-Abbas that he had heard Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) say, “Two decades of friendship will cause close ties, and knowledge will bring about more for its possessor than what his parents might leave for him.”

11 - حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ يُوسِفالبَغدْادي قالَ حَدَّثَني الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ‏الفَضْلِ إِمام جامِع أهواز قالَ: حَدَّثَنا بَكْرِ بْنِ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِبْراهيم القصري غُلام الخليل المحلمي قالَ: حَدَّثَنا الحَسَن بْنِ عَلِى، عَن مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُوسَى، عَن عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُوسَى موسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّد عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ لا يَكُون الْقائِم إِلاّ إِمام بْنِ إِمام وَوَصِيُّ بْنِ وَصِيُّ.

35-11 Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Al-Husayn ibn Yusuf al-Baghdadi narrated that Abul Hassan Ahmad ibn Al-Fadhl - the congregational prayer leader of (the city of) Ahwaz quoted on the authority of Bakr ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Qasri - the servant of al-Khalil al-Mahlami who quoted on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Musa (a.s.), on the authority of Ali ibn Musa (ar-Ridha’) (a.s.), on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad (al-Kadhim) (a.s.), “The Riser will be none but an Imam - the son of an Imam and a Trustee - the son of a Trustee.”

12 - وَبِهذَا الإسناد، عَن جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّد، عَن أَبيهِمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِى‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ أَوْصى‏ النَّبِي‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ إِلى عَلِيِّ وَالحَسَن وَالحُسَيْن‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ ثُمَّ قالَ فِي قَوْلَ اللَّه عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ قالَ الأَئِمَّةِ من وُلْدِ عَلِيِّ وَفاطِمَة عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ إِلى أَن تقوم السَّاعَةَ.

35-12 According to the same chain of documents on the authority of Ja’far ibn Muhammad (a.s.), on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) it is narrated that in his will the Prophet (S) advised the people to follow Ali (a.s.), Al-Hassan (a.s.) and Al-Husayn (a.s.); and said the following regarding the following verse from the Holy Qur’an, ‘O ye who believe! Obey God, and obey the Apostle, and those charged with authority among you.’ What is meant by this verse is the Imams (a.s.) from the progeny of Ali (a.s.) and (the Blessed Lady) Fatima (a.s.) until the Hour (the Day of Resurrection) arrives.

13 - وَحَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ يُوسِفالبَغدْادي قالَ حَدَّثَني أَحْمَدِ بْنِ الفَضْلِ قالَ حَدَّثَني بَكْرِ بْنِ أحْمَد القصري قالَ حَدَّثَني أَبُو مُحَمَّد الحَسَن بْنِ عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ‏مُوسَى‏عَنْ آبائه‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ سَمِعْتُ جَدِّي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ يَقُولُ لَيْلَةَ أَسْرَى بِي رَبِّي عَزَّ وَجَلَّ رَأَيْتُ فِي بُطْنَانِ الْعَرْشِ مَلَكاً بِيَدِهِ سَيْفٌ مِنْ نُورٍ يَلْعَبُ بِهِ كَمَا يَلْعَبُ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِذِي الْفَقَارِ وَأَنَّ الْمَلائِكَةَ إِذَا اشْتَاقُوا إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ نَظَرُوا إِلَى وَجْهِ ذَلِكَ الْمَلَكِ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَبِّ هَذَا أَخِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَابْنُ عَمِّي فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ هَذَا مَلَكٌ خَلَقْتُهُ عَلَى صُورَةِ عَلِيٍّ يَعْبُدُنِي فِي بُطْنَانِ عَرْشِي تُكْتَبُ حَسَنَاتُهُ وَتَسْبِيحُهُ وَتَقْدِيسُهُ لِعَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ.

35-13 Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Al-Husayn ibn Yusuf al-Baghdadi narrated that Ahmad ibn Al-Fadhl quoted on the authority of Bakr ibn Ahmad al-Qasri, on the authority of Abu Muhammad Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Musa (a.s.), on the authority of his father (a.s.), on the authority of Al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) that he (a.s.) heard God’s Prophet (S) say, “On the Night of the Journey when my Lord caused my Ascension, I saw an angel in the midst of the Throne holding a sword of light with which he played just as Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) played with his sword - the Zil-Faqar. I saw that whenever the angels were eager to see the face of Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.), they looked at that angel. I asked, O my Lord! Is this my cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib? The Lord replied, “O Muhammad! This is an angel whom I have created like Ali. He is busy worshipping Me in the midst of the Throne. All the reward for his good deeds, glorifications and sanctifications are recorded for Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) all the way up until the Resurrection Day.”

14 - وَحَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ يُوسِفالبَغدْادي قالَ: حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ‏عنبسة قالَ: حَدَّثَنا الحَسَن بْنِ سُلَيْمان الملطي قالَ: حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُوسَى الرِّضَـا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا أَبي مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَر عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ عَن أَبيهِ، عَن آبائِهِ، عَن عَلِىِّ بْنِ أَبِي طالِب‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ: قالَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: كاد الحَسَدُ أَنْ يسبق القدر.

35-14 Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Al-Husayn ibn Yusuf al-Baghdadi narrated that Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Anbasa quoted on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Soleiman al-Malti that Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) quotedon the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.), on the authority of his father (a.s.), on the authority of his forefathers (a.s.), on the authority of Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.), “God’s Prophet (S) said, ‘Jealousy is about to overtake Divinely-Ordained Destiny.’”

15 - وَحَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ يُوسِف البَغدْادي قالَ: حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ‏عنبسة قالَ: حَدَّثَنا دارِم بْنِ قبيصة النهشلي قالَ حَدَّثَني عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُوسَى الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ، عَن أَبيهِ، عَن آبائِهِ، عَن عَلِىِّ بْنِ أَبِي طالِب‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ: قالَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: يَا عَلِيُّ لا يَحْفَظُنِي فِيكَ إِلا الأَتْقِيَاءُ الأَبْرَارُ الأَصْفِيَاءُ وَمَا هُمْ فِي أُمَّتِي إِلا كَالشَّعْرَةِ الْبَيْضَاءِ فِي الثَّوْرِ الأَسْوَدِ فِي اللَّيْلِ الْغَابِرِ.

35-15 Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Al-Husayn ibn Yusuf al-Baghdadi narrated that Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Anbasa quoted on the authority of Darim ibn Qabeesa an-Nahshali that Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) quoted on the authority of his father (a.s.), on the authority of his forefathers (a.s.), on the authority of Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.), “God’s Prophet (S) said, ‘O Ali! None but the pious, the immaculate, the devoted and the sincere ones would honor you as you deserve to be honored. However, there are rarely any such people in my nation. They are as rare in numbers as there are white hairs on a black cow in the darkness of the night!’”

16 - حَدَّثَنا مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ يُوسِف البَغدْادي قالَ: حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ‏عنبسة قالَ: حَدَّثَنا الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّد العَلَوِي بالجحفة قالَ: حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُوسَى الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ، عَن أَبيهِ، عَن آبائِهِ، عَن عَلِىِّ بْنِ أَبِي طالِب‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَفِي يَدِهِ خَاتَمٌ فَصُّهُ جَزْعٌ يَمَانِيٌّ فَصَلَّى بِنَا فِيهِ فَلَمَّا قَضَى صَلاتَهُ دَفَعَهُ إِلَيَّ وَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ تَخَتَّمْ بِهِ فِي يَمِينِكَ وَصَلِّ فِيهِ أَمَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ الصَّلاةَ فِي الْجَزْعِ سَبْعُونَ صَلاةً وَأَنَّهُ يُسَبِّحُ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُ وَأَجْرُهُ لِصَاحِبِهِ. وَباللّه العصمة وَالتوفيق.

35-16 Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Al-Husayn ibn Yusuf al-Baghdadi narrated that Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Anbasa quoted on the authority of Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Alawi at Johfa that Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) quoted on the authority of his father (a.s.), on the authority of his forefathers (a.s.), on the authority of Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.), “God’s Prophet (S) came to us having an agate ring from Yemen on his finger. He (a.s.) prayed with us. When he finished praying, he gave it to me and said, ‘O Ali! Pray while wearing this. Don’t you know that praying with an agate ring (on one’s finger) has the reward of seventy prayers? The agate recites glorifications, repents and its reward will be given to its owner. Piety is due to God and by Him we may succeed.’”

ʿUyūn akhbār al-Riḍā - Volume 2

Book 1, Chapter 5