40-23 Hamza ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Zayd ibn Ali ibn Al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib narrated in Qum in the month of Rajab of the year 339 A.H. (949 A.D.) that Ali ibn Ibrahim informed me on the following through a book in the year 307 A.H. (918 A.D.) in which he wrote on the authority of Yasir - the servant, “Whenever Ar-Ridha’ had a private session, he gathered all his workers - whether young or old - and talked with them and was friendly with them. When Ar-Ridha’ sat down to dine, he invited them all -whether young or old - to sit down at the same tablecloth. He did not leave anyone out. He even invited the horse caretaker and the phlebotomist. One day we were with the Imam and heard the door which connected Al-Ma’mun’s house to Abil Hassan’s house open. Then Ar-Ridha’ told us, “Stand up and disperse.” We stood up. Al-Ma’mun came in with a long letter in his hand. Ar-Ridha’ decided to get up, but Al-Ma’mun swore to him by the right of God’s Prophet (S) - not to stand up. Then he went to Abil Hassan , kissed him and sat down in front of him leaning on the cushion, and read that letter for him. The letter said that we have opened the gates of such and such a castle, have conquered such and such towns, etc. When he finished reading, Ar-Ridha’ asked him, “Does conquering one of the towns of the pagans make you happy?” Al-Ma’mun replied to him, “Is there not happiness in it?” He said, “O Commander of the Faithful! Fear God in the way you deal with the nation of Muhammad and the mission that God has given you, and made you especial in that. You have left the Muslims’ affairs unattended to, and have turned running their affairs over to others who rule over them in ways different from God’s Decrees. You have totally forgotten about these towns, have left the town of the Emigration (Medina) and the site of descension of the revelations where the Emigrants (Muhajerin) and their Helpers (Ansar) were oppressed there. There is no taking into consideration of the believers or the Divine Covenants. The oppressedpeople there are having hard times. They cannot provide for their basic expenses. They find no one to complain to regarding their conditions and they cannot reach you. O Commander of the Faithful! Fear God. Attend to the affairs of the Muslims. Return to the home of the Prophethood and the source of the Emigrants and the Helpers. O Commander of the Faithful! Beware that the ruler of the Muslims is like the main pillar of a tent. Whoever wants to attack the tent captures the main pillar.” Al-Ma’mun asked him , “O my Master! What do you think now?” Ar-Ridha’ replied, “I think that you should leave these towns and return to the place of your father and forefathers. Take care of the affairs of the Muslims. Do not leave them up to someone else. Indeed God the Highest will question you regarding your rule.” Al-Ma’mun stood up and said, “Yes, my Master! You are right!” He went out and ordered everyone to get prepared to go. The news of this reached Thul-Riasatayn. He became really depressed about this, since he was totally in charge of all the affairs; and Al-Ma’mun’s views were not important at all since he did not dare oppose. That is why Al-Ma’mun sought to strengthen himself through Ar-Ridha’ . Then Thul-Riasatayn went to Al-Ma’mun and asked him, “O Commander of the Faithful! What is this order that you have issued?” Al-Ma’mun replied, “My Master Abul Hassan (Ar-Ridha’ ) has ordered me to do so, and it is right.” Thul-Riasatayn said, “O Commander of the Faithful! This is not right. Yesterday you killed your brother and seized the Caliphate (the rule) from him. Your father’s children, all the people of Iraq, your family and all the Arabs are your enemies. Then there is a second issue being that you designated Abil Hassan (Ar-Ridha’ ) as the successor to the throne and took the Caliphate from your own family. The public, the jurists, the scholars and the Abbasids were not in agreement with you. They hate you in their hearts. The best thing to do is to stay in Khorasan until the people’s hearts calm down about this issue, and they slowly get accustomed to you and forget what you did to your brother Muhammad. O Commander of the Faithful! There are elders with whom your father used to consult. You also must seek their advice on this issue. If they agree with this, then go ahead with it.” Al-Ma’mun asked, “Like who?” Thul-Riasatayn replied, “People like Ali ibn (Abi) Imran, Abu Yunus and Al-Joloodi (who had refused to pledge allegiance to Abil Hassan (Ar-Ridha’ ), since they were not pleased with him and were prisoned by Al-Ma’mun for this).” Al-Ma’mun said, “Fine.”The next morning Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’ went to Al-Ma’mun and said, “O Commander of the Faithful! What did you do?” Al-Ma’mun informed Ar-Ridha’ about what Thul-Riasatayn had said, and ordered that those three people be taken out of prison and brought to him. At first, Ali ibn (Abi) Imran entered. When he saw Ar-Ridha’ sitting next to Al-Ma’mun, he said, “O Commander of the Faithful! I will entrust you to God. Don’t ever let this affair that God has established for you and has made you especial for it, be taken out and placed into the hands of your enemies who were ordered to be killed and were thrown out of their hometowns by your forefathers (referring to Imam Ar-Ridha’ and his forefathers ). Then Al-Ma’mun said, “O bastard! You still think this way? O guard! Behead him.” Then he was beheaded. Then Abu Yunus came in. When he saw Ar-Ridha’ sitting next to Al-Ma’mun he said, “O Commander of the Faithful! This man at your side is an idol that they worship besides God.” Al-Ma’mun said, “O bastard! You still think this way, too? O guard! Behead him.” Then he was beheaded. Then al-Joloodi entered.(When Muhammad ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad revolted in Medina during the rule of Al-Rashid, Al-Joloodi was sent there with orders to behead Muhammad if he overcame him. He was also ordered to loot the Talibites’ homes of the, to strip their women and take away all their clothing but one article. Al-Joloodi did that. That was the time when Abul Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far was killed. Al-Joloodi reached Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’’s house. He attacked his house with his troops. Ar-Ridha’ took all the women into the house and stood at the door himself. Al-Joloodi told Abil Hassan , “I must enter and take away in person everything that they possess, as the Commander of the Faithful has ordered this.” Ar-Ridha’ told him, “I will take all of it myself and promise that I will not leave anything behind.” Al-Joloodi, however, did not agree to this and kept trying to do that himself. The Imam promised him and he finally agreed. Then Abal Hassan Ar-Ridha’ went in and took away all their possessions including their earrings, anklets and other ornaments; and handed them over to Al-Joloodi. They took away everything else that was in the house, too.)When Al-Joloodi entered that day, Ar-Ridha’ told Al-Ma’mun, “O Commander of the Faithful! Grant this old man to me. Al-Ma’mun said, “O my Master! This is the same man who did the same to the family ofGod’s Prophet (S) as he did when looting the goods of the women.” Al-Joloodi was looking at Ar-Ridha’ who was talking to Al-Ma’mun and insisting that he be forgiven and be turned over to Ar-Ridha’ . However, he imagined that Ar-Ridha’ was talking against him knowing what he had done. Thus he told Al-Ma’mun, “O Commander of the Faithful! I ask you in the Name of God and due to the services that I have rendered to Al-Rashid that you do not accept what he says.” Then Al-Ma’mun said, “O Abal Hassan (Ar-Ridha’ )! I forgive him but he is swearing that I reject your request.” Then he told Ar-Ridha’ , “No, by God, I will not accept what he says about you. Let him join his friends.” He was taken away and beheaded, too. Then Thul-Riasatayn went to his father Sahl. Al-Ma’mun had already issued orders to ride. However Thul-Riasatayn had refused. Since Al-Ma’mun had killed those three men, Zul-Riasatasyn knew that he was determined to leave. Then Ar-Ridha’ asked him, “O Commander of the Faithful! What did you do about getting ready to go?” Al-Ma’mun said, “O my Master! Please tell them yourself to do that.” Then Abul Hassan went out and loudly announced to the people, “Bring forth the animals.” It was as if he had spread fire amongst the people. The agents brought forth the riding animals. Thul-Riasatayn was still sitting at home. Al-Ma’mun sent someone and called him in and asked why he was sitting in the house. He replied, “O Commander of the Faithful! My sins are innumerable in the sight of the members of your household and the general public. The people blame me for killing your dethroned brother and for pledging allegiance to Ar-Ridha’ . I am not secure from the bad wishers, the jealous ones, and the oppressors who may gossip behind my back before you. Please leave me here in Khorasan and let me run the affairs here.” Then Al-Ma’mun told him, “We are not yet not in need of you. And regarding what you said that they might make trouble for you, you have been tested by us and are known to be a sympathetic counselor. Write whatever form of letter of immunity that you wish to and I will sign it for you to be sure.” Then Thul-Riasatayn went and wrote a letter himself and had it signed by all the scholars. He then brought it to Al-Ma’mun and recited it. Al-Ma’mun granted whatever he had wanted and wrote it in his own handwriting and added to it that he would grant him whatever property, land or power that he desired in the world. Then Thul-Riasatayn said, “It is necessary for Abil Hassan’s (Ar-Ridha’ ) handwriting to be in this letter of immunity. He should accept this as youdid since he is the successor to the throne.” Al-Ma’mun said, “You know that Abal Hassan (Ar-Ridha’ ) made a condition not to interfere in any of our affairs, or say anything. We cannot ask him to do what he does not like to do. Ask him yourself. It is hoped that he does not turn you down.” Then he went and asked for permission to see Abil Hassan (Ar-Ridha’ ). Yasir added, “Ar-Ridha’ told us to go away and we did. Al-Fadhl came in and stood in front of Ar-Ridha’ . After a while, Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’ raised his head and asked him, “O Al-Fadhl! What do you want?” He said, “O my Master! This is a letter of immunity that the Commander of the Faithful has written for me. It is also best if you could grant me the same as he did, since you are the successor to the throne for the Muslims.” Then Ar-Ridha’ told him, “Read it.” He stood up and recited it, even though it was long. When he finished, Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’ told him, “O Fadhl! As long as you fear God the Honorable the Exalted, this holds true for you with me.” Yasir added, “The Imam restricted Thul-Riasatayn with what he said.” Then Thul-Riasatayn left. Al-Ma’mun set out and we left along with Ar-Ridha’ . A few days passed. We were at one of the way-stations when Thul-Riasatayn received a letter from his brother Al-Hassan ibn Sahl saying, “I have taken a look at the astrology chart. You will experience the heat of the iron and fire on the Wednesday of such and such a month. I think that you, Ar-Ridha’ and the Commander of the Faithful should go to the bath on that day and you should do a phlebotomy so that blood can flow out of your body and the bad omen that is in you on that day gets removed.” Then Al-Fadhl dispatched someone to Al-Ma’mun and reported this and asked that he accompany him to the bath and also ask Abal Hassan Ar-Ridha’ to do the same. Then Al-Ma’mun wrote to Ar-Ridha’ and asked him to do so. Abal Hassan (Ar-Ridha’ ) wrote him back and said, “I will not go to the bath tomorrow, since just tonight I dreamt of God’s Prophet (S) who told me, ‘O Ali! Do not go to the bath tomorrow. Therefore I do not consider it wise for you or Al-Fadhl to go to the bath.” Al-Ma’mun wrote him back, “O my Master! You are right. God’s Prophet (S) is right. I will not go to the bath, but Al-Fadhl knows best for himself.”Yasir added, “When the sun set and the night came Ar-Ridha’ told us, ‘Say I seek refuge in God from the evil that will descend tonight.’ We started saying that until dawn when Ar-Ridha’ said his prayers. He said, ‘Say I seek refuge in God from the evil that will descend today.’ Thennear dawn, Ar-Ridha’ told me, ‘Go to the roof and see if you can hear anything.’ When I went on up onto the roof, I heard a lot of mourning and crying that was increasing. Then I saw that Al-Ma’mun entered the house through the gate from his house to Abil Hassan’s house and said, ‘O my Master! O Abal Hassan (Ar-Ridha’ )! May God grant you rewards for the calamity that has happened to Al-Fadhl. He had entered the bath when some people attacked him with swords and killed him. They were three in number. One of them was Al-Fadhl’s maternal cousin (his aunt’s son) called Thul-Qalamayn.” Then the troops and the heads of the army who were under the control of Thul-Riasatayn gathered in front of Al-Ma’mun’s house and said, “Al-Ma’mun has tricked him and killed him. We will take revenge.” Then Al-Ma’mun told Ar-Ridha’ , “O my Master! Please consider going out and dispersing them.” Then Ar-Ridha’ got on the horse and told me to get on the horse, too. Then when we got out of the house, Ar-Ridha’ saw that they had gathered there and had made a fire to put the door on fire and burn it. Then Ar-Ridha’ yelled at them and pointed at them with his hand saying, “Disperse!” They all dispersed. The people ran away with such fear that they ran into each other and fell over one another. Whoever Ar-Ridha’ pointed at ran away. Everyone left and no body was left.