21 - حَدَّثَنا أَحْمَدِ بْنِ زِيادِ بْنِ جَعْفَر الْهَمَذانيّ رَضِىَاللهُ عَنْهُ قالَ حَدَّثَني عَلِىِّ بْنِ إِبراهِيمِ بْنِ هاشِم عَنْ الرَّيانِ بْنِ الصَّلْتِ قالَ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسُ فِي بَيْعَةِ الرِّضَا a.sُ مِنَ الْقُوَّادِ وَالْعَامَّةِ وَمَنْ لا يُحِبُّ ذَلِكَ وَقَالُوا إِنَّ هَذَا مِنْ تَدْبِيرِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ ذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ فَبَلَغَ الْمَأْمُونَ ذَلِكَ فَبَعَثَ إِلَيَّ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ فَصِرْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ يَا رَيَّانُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ النَّاسَ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ بَيْعَةَ الرِّضَا a.sُ كَانَتْ مِنْ تَدْبِيرِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَقُولُونَ هَذَا قَالَ وَيْحَكَ يَا رَيَّانُ أَيَجْسُرُ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَجِي‏ءَ إِلَى خَلِيفَةٍ قَدِ اسْتَقَـامَتْلَهُ الرَّعِيَّةُ وَالْقُوَّادُ وَاسْتَوَتْ لَهُ الْخِلافَةُ فَيَقُولَ لَهُ: ادْفَعِ الْخِلافَةَ مِنْ يَدِكَ إِلَى غَيْرِكَ أَيَجُوزُ هَذَا فِي الْعَقْلِ قُلْتُ لَهُ لا وَاللَّهِ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا يَجْسُرُ عَلَى هَذَا أَحَدٌ قَالَ لا وَاللَّهِ مَا كَانَ كَمَا: يَقُولُونَ وَلَكِنْ سَأُخْبِرُكَ بِسَبَبِ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ لَمَّا كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ مُحَمَّدٌ أَخِي يَأْمُرُنِي بِالْقَدُومِ عَلَيْهِ فَأَبَيْتُ عَلَيْهِ عَقَدَ لِعَلِيِّ بْنِ عِيسَى بْنِ مَاهَانَ وَأَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُقَيِّدَنِي بِقَيْدٍ وَيَجْعَلَ الْجَامِعَةَ فِي عُنُقِي فَوَرَدَ عَلَيَّ بِذَلِكَ الْخَبَرِ وَبَعَثْتُ هَرْثَمَةَ بْنَ أَعْيَنَ إِلَى سِجِسْتَانَ وَكِرْمَانَ وَمَا وَالاهُمَا فَأَفْسَدَ عَلَيَّ أَمْرِي وَانْهَزَمَ هَرْثَمَةُ وَخَرَجَ صَاحِبُ السَّرِيرِ وَغَلَبَ عَلَى كُوَرِ خُرَاسَانَ مِنْ نَاحِيَتِهِ فَوَرَدَ عَلَيَّ هَذَا كُلُّهُ فِي أُسْبُوعٍ فَلَمَّا وَرَدَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيَّ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِي قُوَّةٌ بِذَلِكَ وَلا كَانَ لِي مَالٌ أَتَقَوَّى بِهِ وَرَأَيْتُ مِنْ قُوَّادِي وَرِجَالِيَ الْفَشَلَ وَالْجُبْنَ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَلْحَقَ بِمَلِكِ كَابُلَ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي مَلِكُ كَابُلَ رجُلٌ كَافِرٌ وَيَبْذُلُ مُحَمَّدٌ لَهُ الأَمْوَالَ فَيَدْفَعُنِي إِلَى يَدِهِ فَلَمْ أَجِدْ وَجْهاً أَفْضَلَ مِنْ أَنْ أَتُوبَ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِنْ ذُنُوبِي وَأَسْتَعِينَ بِهِ عَلَى هَذِهِ الأُمُورِ وَأَسْتَجِيرَ بِاللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَأَمَرْتُ بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ وَأَشَارَ إِلَى بَيْتٍ تُكْنَسُ وَصَبَبْتُ عَلَيَّ الْمَاءَ وَلَبِسْتُ ثَوْبَيْنِ أَبْيَضَيْنِ وَصَلَّيْتُ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ قَرَأْتُ فِيهَا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا حَضَرَنِي وَدَعَوْتُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَاسْتَجَرْتُ بِهِ وَعَاهَدْتُهُ عَهْداً وَثِيقاً بِنِيَّةٍ صَادِقَةٍ إِنْ أَفْضَى اللَّهُ بِهَذَا الأَمْرِ إِلَيَّ وَكَفَانِي عَادِيَتَهُ وَهَذِهِ الأُمُورَ الْغَلِيظَةَ أَنْ أَضَعَ هَذَا الأَمْرَ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ الَّذِي وَضَعَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِيهِ ثُمَّ قَوِيَ فِيهِ قَلْبِي فَبَعَثْتُ طَاهِراً إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ عِيسَى بْنِ هامان [مَاهَانَ‏] فَكَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ مَا كَانَ وَرَدَدْتُ هَرْثَمَةَ إِلَى رَافِعِ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ فَظَفِرَ بِهِ وَقَتَلَهُ وَبَعَثْتُ إِلَى صَاحِبِ السَّرِيرِ فَهَادَنْتُهُ وَبَذَلْتُ لَهُ شَيْئاً حَتَّى رَجَعَ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ أَمْرِي يَقْوَى حَتَّى كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِ مُحَمَّدٍ مَا كَانَ وَأَفْضَى اللَّهُ إِلَيَّ بِهَذَا الأَمْرِ وَاسْتَوَى لِي فَلَمَّا وَافَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لِي بِمَا عَاهَدْتُهُ عَلَيْهِ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ أَفِيَ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى بِمَا عَاهَدْتُهُ فَلَمْ أَرَ أَحَداً أَحَقَّ بِهَذَا الأَمْرِ مِنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا a.sُ فَوَضَعْتُهَا فِيهِ فَلَمْ يَقْبَلْهَا إِلاّ عَلَى مَـا قَدْ عَلِمْتَفَهَذَا كَانَ سَبَبَهَا فَقُلْتُ وَفَّقَ اللَّهُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقَالَ يَا رَيَّانُ إِذَا كَانَ غَداً وَحَضَرَ النَّاسُ فَاقْعُدْ بَيْنَ هَؤُلاءِ الْقُوَّادِ وَحَدِّثْهُمْ بِفَضْلِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ‏ a.sُ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا أُحْسِنُ مِنَ الْحَدِيثِ شَيْئاً إِلا مَا سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْكَ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ مَا أَجِدُ أَحَداً يُعِينُنِي عَلَى هَذَا الأَمْرِ لَقَدْ هَمَمْتُ أَنْ أَجْعَلَ أَهْلَ قُمَّ شِعَارِي وَدِثَارِي فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنَا أُحَدِّثُ عَنْكَ بِمَا سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْكَ مِنَ الأَخْبَارِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ حَدِّثْ عَنِّي بِمَا سَمِعْتَهُ مِنِّي مِنَ الْفَضَائِلِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنَ الْغَدِ قَعَدْتُ بَيْنَ الْقُوَّادِ فِي الدَّارِ فَقُلْتُ حَدَّثَنِي أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ آبَائِهِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ قَالَ مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلاهُ فَعَلِيٌّ مَوْلاهُ حَدَّثَنِي أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، عَن أَبِيهِ، عَن آبَائِهِ قالَ: قالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ‏ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ عَلِيٌّ مِنِّي بِمَنْزِلَةِ هَارُونَ مِنْ مُوسَى وَكُنْتُ أُخَلِّطُ الْحَدِيثَ بَعْضَهُ بِبَعْضٍ لا أَحْفَظُهُ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ وَحَدَّثْتُ بِحَدِيثِ خَيْبَرَ وَبِهَذِهِ الأَحَادِيثِ الْمَشْهُورَةِ فَقَالَ لِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَالِكٍ الْخُزَاعِيُّ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَلِيّاً كَانَ رَجُلاً صَالِحاً وَكَانَ الْمَأْمُونُ قَدْ بَعَثَ غُلاماً إِلَى الَْمجْلِسِ يَسْمَعُ الْكَلامَ فَيُؤَدِّيهِ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ الرَّيَّانُ فَبَعَثَ إِلَيَّ الْمَأْمُونُ فَدَخَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا رَآنِي قَالَ يَا رَيَّانُ مَا أَرْوَاكَ لِلأَحَادِيثِ وَأَحْفَظَكَ لَهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ: قَدْ بَلَغَنِي مَا قَالَ الْيَهُودِيُّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَالِكٍ فِي قَوْلِهِ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَلِيّاً كَانَ رَجُلاً صَالِحاً وَاللَّهِ لاقْتُلَنَّهُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَكَانَ هِشَامُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الرَّاشِدِيُّ الْهَمْدَانِيُّ مِنْ أَخَصِّ النَّاسِ عِنْدَ الرِّضَا a.sُ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يُحْمَلَ وَكَانَ عَالِماً أَدِيباً لَبِيباً وَكَانَتْ أُمُورُ الرِّضَا a.sُ تَجْرِي مِنْ عِنْدِهِ وَعَلَى يَدِهِ وَيَصِيرُ الأَمْوَالُ مِنَ النَّوَاحِي كُلِّهَا إِلَيْهِ قَبْلَ حَمْلِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ‏ a.sُ فَلَمَّا حُمِلَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ‏ a.sُ اتَّصَلَ هِشَامُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بِذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ فَقَرَّبَهُ ذُو الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ وَأَدْنَاهُ فَكَانَ يَنْقُلُ أَخْبَارَ الرِّضَا a.sُ إِلَى ذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ وَالْمَأْمُونِ فَحَظِيَ بِذَلِكَ عِنْدَهُمَا وَكَانَ لا يُخْفِي عَلَيْهِمَا مِنْ أَخْبَارِهِ شَيْئاً فَوَلاهُ الْمَأْمُونُ حِجَابَةَ الرِّضَا a.sُ وَكَانَ لا يَصِلُ إِلَى الرِّضَا a.sُ إِلا مَنْ أَحَبَّ وَضَيَّقَ عَلَى الرِّضَــا a.sُ فَكَانَ مَنْ يَقْصِدُهُمِنْ مَوَالِيهِ لا يَصِلُ إِلَيْهِ وَكَانَ لا يَتَكَلَّمُ الرِّضَا a.sُ فِي دَارِهِ بِشَيْ‏ءٍ إِلا أَوْرَدَهُ هِشَامٌ عَلَى الْمَأْمُونِ وَذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ وَجَعَلَ الْمَأْمُونُ الْعَبَّاسَ ابْنَهُ فِي حَجْرِ هِشَامٍ وَقَالَ أَدِّبْهُ فَسُمِّيَ هِشَامَ الْعَبَّاسِيِّ لِذَلِكَ قَالَ وَأَظْهَرَ ذُو الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ عَدَاوَةً شَدِيدَةً لابِي الْحَسَنِ‏ a.sُ وَحَسَدَهُ عَلَى مَا كَانَ الْمَأْمُونُ يُفَضِّلُهُ بِهِ فَأَوَّلُ مَا ظَهَرَ لِذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ‏ a.sُ أَنَّ ابْنَةَ عَمِّ الْمَأْمُونِ كَانَتْ تُحِبُّهُ وَكَانَ يُحِبُّهَا وَكَانَ مَفْتَحُ بَابِ حُجْرَتِهَا إِلَى مَجْلِسِ الْمَأْمُونِ وَكَانَتْ تَمِيلُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ‏ a.sُ وَتُحِبُّهُ وَتَذْكُرُ ذَا الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ وَتَقَعُ فِيهِ فَقَالَ ذُو الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ حِينَ بَلَغَهُ ذِكْرُهَا لَهُ لا يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يَكُونَ بَابُ دَارِ النِّسَاءِ مُشْرَعاً إِلَى مَجْلِسِكَ فَأَمَرَ الْمَأْمُونُ بِسَدِّهِ وَكَانَ الْمَأْمُونُ يَأْتِي الرِّضَا a.sُ يَوْماً وَالرِّضَا a.sُ يَأْتِي الْمَأْمُونَ يَوْماً وَكَانَ مَنْزِلُ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ‏ a.sُ بِجَنْبِ مَنْزِلِ الْمَأْمُونِ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ‏ a.sُ إِلَى الْمَأْمُونِ وَنَظَرَ إِلَى الْبَابِ مَسْدُوداً قَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا هَذَا الْبَابُ الَّذِي سَدَدْتَهُ فَقَالَ رَأَى الْفَضْلُ ذَلِكَ وَكَرِهَهُ فَقَالَ الرِّضَا a.sُ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ راجِعُونَ مَا لِلْفَضْلِ وَالدُّخُولِ بَيْنَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَحَرَمِهِ قَالَ فَمَا تَرَى قَالَ فَتْحَهُ وَالدُّخُولَ عَلَى ابْنَةِ عَمِّكَ وَلا تَقْبَلْ قَوْلَ الْفَضْلِ فِيَما لا يَحِلُّ وَلا يَسَعُ فَأَمَرَ الْمَأْمُونُ بِهَدْمِهِ وَدَخَلَ عَلَى ابْنَةِ عَمِّهِ فَبَلَغَ الْفَضْلَ ذَلِكَ فَغَمَّهُ.


40-21 Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of Al-Rayyan ibn al-Salt, “Those of the people from the public or the soldiers who pledged allegiance to Ar-Ridha’ (a.s), but were not, pleased to do so said, ‘This is one of the plans of Thul-Riasatayn Al-Fadhl ibn Sahl.’ This was told to Al-Ma’mun. Then he sent for me at midnight. I went to him. He said to me, ‘O Rayyan! I have been informed that the people say that the pledge of allegiance to Ar-Ridha’ (a.s) was one of the plans of Al-Fadhl ibn Sahl.’ I told him, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! So they say.’ He said, ‘O Rayyan! Woe be to you! Does anyonedare to suggest to a Caliph - born of a Caliph - who possesses the rule (to whom all the people and the troops are obedient), to turn his rule over to someone else with his own hands? Does the intellect allow this?’ I said, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! By God! No one dares to do that.’ Al-Ma’mun said, ‘No, it is not as they say, however, I will tell you the reason. When my brother Muhammad ordered me to go to him, I refused to do so. He issued an order to Ali ibn Isa ibn Mahan to arrest me and place a yoke around my neck. I was informed about this order. I dispatched Harthama ibn A’yan to Sejistan, Kerman and its suburbs. He did not properly manage this affair and was defeated. The governor of Sarir rebelled and captured one of the regions of Khorasan. All this happened within one week. When this happened, I did not have the power to resist. I did not have any wealth either to get some power. I saw nothing but fear and cowardliness in my troops. I decided to seek refuge with the king of Kabul (in Afghanistan) who was a pagan. But then It occurred to me that if my brother Muhammad sends some money for him in return for me, the King might turn me over to him since he is an atheist. I found no better way than to repent to God the Highest of my sins, seek His assistance regarding these affairs, and seek refuge with God the Highest. Then I ordered that they clean this house - (as he pointed to a room). They cleaned it. I made ablutions with water, put on white pants and a smock and said four units of prayers in which I recited whatever of the Qur’an I knew. I prayed to God the Highest, sought refuge in Him, and sincerely made a strong covenant with Him to return the right to its true place and to turn over the Divine Leadership to its proper owner whom God has set - if He helps me overcome these difficulties. Then I calmed down. I sent Tahir towards Ali ibn Isa ibn Mahan. With him things went on as I mentioned before. Again I sent Harthama ibn A’yan to defeat Rafi’. He defeated him and killed him. I invited the governor of Sarir to make peace and sent him gifts. I treated him with kindness until he quit opposing me. I got stronger and stronger until what happened to (my brother) Muhammad happened. And God the Highest turned all the affairs over to me and I was in power. Since God the Highest had fulfilled what I had asked Him for, and I wanted to honor my covenant with God, I saw that no one but Abil Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s) deserved the right to be in charge. That is why I offered the rule to him, but he refused. Then he accepted it in the way that you know of. This was the reason.’ Then I (Rayyan) said, ‘May God make theCommander of the Faithful successful!’ He said, ‘O Ray’yan! When the morning comes and the people come out, go among the army heads and tell them about the nobilities of the Commander of the Faithful - Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s).’ I told him, ‘I know nothing about him except for what I have heard from you. Should I just restate that?’ He said, “Glory be to God! I find no one to help me in this affair. I considered the people of Qum to be trustworthy.’ I said, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! Should I tell them the traditions that I have heard from you?’ He said, ‘Yes. Tell them about the nobilities of Ali (a.s) that you have heard from me.’ When the morning came, I went amongst the army heads and said, ‘The Commander of the Faithful has narrated that his father quoted on the authority of his forefathers, on the authority of God’s Prophet (S): ‘Whoever I am the master of, Ali is the master of.’ The Commander of the Faithful has narrated that his father quoted (the following) on the authority of his forefathers, on the authority of God’s Prophet (S): ‘The position of Ali relative to me is similar to that of Aaron to Moses.’ I did not remember the traditions exactly and made some mistakes. I narrated the tradition about Khaybar and other well-known traditions.’” Then Abdullah ibn Malik al-Khoza’ee said, “May God have Mercy upon Ali. He was a good man.” Al-Ma’mun had sent a servant to our meeting to hear what we said and report it to him. Then he sent someone after me. When I went there and he saw me, he said, “O Rayyan! You know many traditions by heart. I was informed about what that Jew, Abdullah ibn Malik, said, ‘May God have Mercy upon Ali. He was a good man.’ By God! I will kill him - God willing.”Hisham ibn Ibrahim al-Rashedi al-Hamadani was one of Ar-Ridha’’s (a.s) especial people before Ar-Ridha’ (a.s) was brought (to Khorasan). He was an intelligent and well-versed scholar. He was in charge of the affairs of Ar-Ridha’ (a.s). Whatever was brought in from the different areas was first handed to him, before the taking of Ar-Ridha’ (a.s) to Khorasan. Then, after they brought Abul Hassan (a.s) to Khorasan, Ibrahim joined Thul-Riasatayn. Thul-Riasatayn established him as one of his closest workers. He used to report the news about Ar-Ridha’ (a.s) to Thul-Riasatayn and Al-Ma’mun. That is how he got closer to them, and nothing was hidden from them. Al-Ma’mun made him the main guard for Ar-Ridha’ (a.s). He did not let anyone visit Ar-Ridha’ (a.s), if he himself did not approve of it. He made things terribly difficult for Ar-Ridha’ (a.s) in his house. No one could talk tohim without the consent of Thul-Riasatayn and Al-Ma’mun. Al-Ma’mun entrusted his son - Al-Abbas to Hisham to train. That is why he was called Abbasid Hisham. Thul-Riasatayn made his real animosity with Abil Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s) apparent, because Al-Ma’mun respected the Imam (a.s) more than him.Al-Ma’mun had a nephew whom he loved, and she also loved him. They had thus opened a door from her house to Al-Ma’mun’s court. That nephew was more inclined towards Abil Hassan (a.s), and used to gossip about Thul-Riasatayn with Al-Ma’mun. Thul-Riasatayn was informed about this. He went to Al-Ma’mun and said, “It is not proper for the Caliph that a door be opened to his court from the lady’s quarter. Al-Ma’mun had that door closed. It was a current practice for Al-Ma’mun to visit Ar-Ridha’ (a.s) one day, and the next day Ar-Ridha’ (a.s) went to see Al-Ma’mun. Abil Hassan’s residence was next to Al-Ma’mun’s. Once, when Ar-Ridha’ (a.s) entered Al-Ma’mun’s house and saw the shut door, he (a.s) said, “O Commander of the Faithful! Why is this door shut?” He said, “This was Al-Fadhl’s idea. He did not like it (to be open).” Then Ar-Ridha’ (a.s) said, “To God We belong and to Him is our return.” What does Al-Fadhl have to do with the Commander of the Faithful and his family?” He asked, “What do you think?” He (a.s) replied, “Open it and let your nephew visit you. Do not accept what Al-Fadhl forbids or allows.” Then Al-Ma’mun ordered that the door be re-opened and let his nephew enter. Al-Fadhl heard this and became sad.