Islam Guidance

A documentary about the Life of Imam Ridha (A.S) - Part 1

Sheikh Abdulghani on the 11th night of Muharram 2012 tells of a medically recorded miracle in the shrine of the Eighth Infallible Imam Ridha (A.S)

The Eighth Holy Imam Ali Al-Ridha (A.S) son of the Imam Musa al-Kadhim (A.S) and lady Najmah. He died, by poisoning mixed in his fruit by Al-Ma'mun.
His body was prepared for burial by his son the Imam Mohammad AI-Jawad (A.S) and he was buried in Mashhad, Khorasan in Iran, where his shrine stands now.
It is needless to speak of his achievements in vast knowledge, virtue, nobility, generosity, moral perfections, humbleness and worship of Allah (S.W.T).
Ma'mun Al-Abbassi, then the Caliph asked him to take charge of the administration of the Muslim government but he did not accept it because he knew that things will not go the way he liked them to go.
It was just like the case of his great grandfather the Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (A.S) who did not accept the post of leadership with the condition set by the counsel that he should run the government according to the book of Allah (S.W.T), the traditions of The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and the policies of the two previous Caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar ibn Al-Khattab.
Imam Ali (A.S) couldn't of course and didn't accept such an offer but Othman accepted it. Hence he was appointed the third Caliph, over Imam Ali (A.S)!
When the Eighth Imam (A.S) did not accept the post of the leadership of the Muslim government, Ma'mun then asked him to be his successor and the Imam (A.S) reluctantly accepted it with the condition that he will not be asked to take part in any governmental tasks and policies, , during the life time of Ma'mun.
Because quite simply, Ma’mun’s government policies were completely contrary to Islam principles and the teachings of The Holy Prophet Mohammad Al-Mustafa (P.B.U.H&H.P).
Some examples of his vast knowledge came to light when Ma'mun invited the scholars of different schools of thought to attend a seminar of debate over the theological issues and matters of the doctrines of faith.
For his worship he would stay up for many nights and read the whole book of Holy Koran in just over three days. Very often he would fast and also pray a thousand prayers in twenty four hours.
He was very generous to everyone especially the poor. He would help the needy during the night so that no one would recognize him.
Imam Ali Al- Ridha (A.S) never did any injustice to any one in words or deeds. He was not loud spoken but always spoke softly with a polite manner and was cordial with everyone. He always sat very politely and never slouched in the presence of others. He would call all the members of his family and servants to have dinner or lunch together.

Taken from: Almujtaba Islamic Articles Page

That day Suleiman bin Ja'far and Imam Ridha (A.S) had gone out together for some work. It was sunset when Suleiman bin Ja'far wanted to return home. Imam Ridha (A.S) said to him: "Come to my house and be with us tonight." Suleiman bin Ja'far agreed and with Imam Ridha (A.S) he went to his house.
Imam Ridha (A.S) saw his servants busy in gardening. By the way, he saw a stranger, who was also busy in gardening with them. Imam Ridha (A.S) asked: "Who is he?"
Imam Ridha (A.S) and unfixed wages the servants replied: "We have hired him today so that he may help us."
Imam Ridha (A.S): "It’s all right. How much wages have you fixed for him?"
Servants: "We will give him something and would make him satisfied."
The signs of displeasure and anger appeared on Imam Ridha (A.S) face and he wanted to punish them. Suleiman bin Ja'far came forward and said:
"Why do you make yourself uncomfortable?"
Imam Ridha (A.S) said: "I have repeatedly given orders that till the work and wages are not fixed, never get the work done by anyone. First fix the wages of the person and then get the work done. Even if you have fixed the wages, you could give something extra to him after the work is over. Certainly, when he finds that you have given him more than the fixed wages, he would be thankful to you and would like you. And the affection between you and him would increase. And even if you would give him the wages you have fixed, the person would not be unhappy with you. But if you do not fix the wages and employ someone to work, whatever you would give him after the work, he would not think that you have done a favor to him. Rather, he will think that you have given him less than his actual wages."

Ref: Islamicoccasions.com

The Merits of Ziyarah of Imam Ridha (A.S) - Shaikh Khalfan Ridhwa

In the year 201 A.H., lady Fatimah Masuma (S.A) accompanied by her brothers and other elders from the Ahlul Bayt (A.S) left Medina for Marv (Khorasan) to meet Imam Ridha (A.S). On their way they were welcomed and greeted by the people of the different cities and villages.
Lady Masuma (S.A) like her noble aunt lady Zainab (S.A) delivered the message of innocence of her brother Imam Ridha (A.S) and revealed the evil intentions of the Abbasid caliph to the public. When the caravan reached Saveh a group of armed men who were deputed by Mamun, the Abbasid caliph savagely attacked them and all the brothers of lady Masuma (S.A) were martyred and according to some historical reports she was poisoned and became severely ill.
Due to her ill health she was unable to continue her journey towards Khorasan and decided to go towards Qom which is near Saveh. Lady Masuma (S.A) narrated while going towards Qom that her father, Imam Musa al-Kadhim (A.S) has said that city of Qom is the center of the Shi'ites.
The inhabitants of Qom who were Shi'ites became very happy that lady Masuma (S.A) is visiting their city and they gave warm welcome to her. Musa bin Khazraj Ash'ari, the doyen of Ashari family in Qom took the rein of the she-camel litter in his hand in which lady Masuma (S.A) was travelling and large number of people gathered around the she-camel litter. Lady Masuma (S.A) entered the city of Qom on 23rd Rabi al-Awwal, in the year 201 A.H.
She then resided in the house of Musa bin Khazraj in the locality which is now called as "Maidan Mir".
She remained alive only for 17 days because she was poisoned in Saveh. But even in this condition she spent most of her time in praying and supplicating to Allah (S.W.T).
She (S.A) passed away on 10th Rabi al-Thani, in the year 201 A.H. and she could not meet her elder brother before death. The Shi'ites in Qom greatly mourned her death and she was buried in a place which at that time was located outside the city. When the grave was ready there arose a difference that who should keep the body of lady Masuma (S.A) in the grave. It is reported that suddenly two men whose face were covered and riding the horses came to that place and performed the prayers for the dead person and then one of them went in the grave and the other person gave the body of lady Masuma (S.A) to that standing person in the grave who laid her to rest in the grave.
After the burial ceremony was over both those persons without talking to anybody sat on their horse and went away.
It is said that those two holy personalities who performed the burial ceremony for lady Masuma (S.A) were Imam Ridha (A.S) and Imam Muhammad Taqi al-Jawad (A.S). According to sacred rules the burial ceremony of an infallible has to be performed by another infallible person for example the burial ceremony of lady Fatima Zahra (S.A) was performed by the commander of the faithful, Imam Ali (A.S).
After the burial of lady Masuma (S.A), Musa bin Khazraj built a shed over the grave made out of mat. In the year 256 A.H., Lady Zainab (S.A), the daughter of Imam Muhammad Taqi al-Jawad (A.S) constructed a dome over the grave of her aunt Lady Masuma (A.S).
Since the burial of that divine lady of Islam in Qom, the holy grave of her have become a center of pilgrimage for the lovers of the Holy Ahlul Bayt (A.S)

Taken from: Almujtaba Islamic Network

A great deal of emphasis has been given in the Holy Qur’an and the traditions to both marriage and having children. The Almighty Allah states in the Holy Qur’an: “And among His signs is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves.” (30:21)
The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) stated: “There is no better structure founded in Islam other than marriage.” (Wasail al-Shia)
“Imam Ali (A.S) said, “Engage in marriage, because this is the tradition of the Prophet of Allah.” (Wasail al-Shia)
The Prophet of Allah further stated: “Whoever chooses to follow my tradition must get married and produce offspring through marriage (and increase the population of Muslims), so that on the Day of Resurrection, I shall confront other Ummah (nations) with the (great) numbers of my Ummah.” (Wasail al-Shia)
Imam Ali Ridha (A.S) stated: ‘The greatest gain for a man is a faithful woman who, when she sees him, becomes happy, and protects his property and her own honor in his absence.”(Wasail al-Shia)
What has been dealt with so far in this discussion has been only the worldly and animalistic side of marriage which the animals also share: the benefits of companionship and reproduction. As such, the true purpose of marriage for the human race is of a different kind. Mankind is not meant to have entered this world solely in order to eat, drink, sleep, seek pleasure or act lustfully, and then to die and be destroyed. The status of man is higher than such deeds. Human beings are meant to train themselves and their souls by gaining knowledge, committing good deeds, and behaving with good manners. Man is meant to take steps along the straight path to achieve nearness to Almighty Allah. Mankind is a creation that is able to cleanse his soul, and by avoiding evil deeds and exercising good behavior, reach a level of such high status that even the angels are not able to attain. Man is a creature that is eternal. He has come to this world so that – by the guidance of the prophets and the implementation of the programs set by the religion (of Islam) to secure his happiness in this world and the Hereafter he could live a peaceful life in the next world eternally.
Therefore, the purpose of marriage should be searched for in this spiritual context. The aim of marriage for a religious person should be a means of avoiding evil deeds and purging one’s soul of sins. It should be a means of acquiring nearness to the Almighty Allah. It is in this context that a suitable and good partner assumes an important role. When two believers form a family through marriage, their sexual relationship would benefit them in strengthening their mutual love and kindness. For such a couple, there would not exist any dangerous threats of sexual perversion, dangerous addictions, or unlawful deeds. The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) of Islam and all of the Imams (A.S) have laid great emphasis on the institution of marriage.
A pious person would always invite his partner to goodness, just as a corrupt person would tempt his partner towards corruption. It is then reasonable that in Islam, men and women who want to get married are advised to regard the piety and good manners of their future partners as essential conditions.
A person went to the Prophet and said: “I have a wife who always welcomes me when I come home and escorts me to the door when I leave. When she finds me sad and unhappy, she then consoles me by saying: ‘If you are thinking of sustenance, then do not despair, because Allah provides sustenance; and if you are thinking about the next life, then may Allah increase your intellect and efforts.'” Then the Prophet stated: “Allah surely has functionaries and agents in this world, and your wife is one of those. Such a woman would be rewarded half as much as a martyr.” (Wasail al-Shia)
Imam Ali (A.S) was thinking the same when he spoke of Lady Fatima Zahra (S.A). He stated that she was the best help for worshiping the Almighty Allah. History tells us that the Prophet, one day after the wedding of Imam Ali and Lady Zahra, went to congratulate them in their house and know about their welfare. He asked Imam Ali: “How do you find your spouse?” The Imam replied:” found Zahra as the best help in worshiping the Almighty Allah.” The Prophet then asked the same of Lady Zahra (S.A), and she replied: “He is the best husband.” (Bihar al-Anwar)
In one sentence, Imam Ali (A.S) thus introduced the best woman in Islam and expressed the main purpose of marriage.

Derived from: Principles of Marriage & Family Ethics
By: Ayatullah Ibrahim Amini

The shrine of Imam Ridha (A.S) during the month of Muharram - 2017