Islamic Articles

Imam al-Rida (A.S.) did not author a book on exegesis, but he explained the meanings of the verses about which he was questioned by others who wanted to know his views in their regard, and we will indicate here some such explanations in order to acqu...

Imam al-Rida (A.S.) did not author a book on exege...

One who studies tafsir according to the Ahl al-Bayt (A.S.) will clearly notice the phenomenon that they may interpret some verses on their own, while others may be a reference to obeying and loving them. Some people try to use this phenomenon to make...

One who studies tafsir according to the Ahl al-Bay...

When we examine the method employed by Imam al-Rida (A.S.) and the other Imams from the Ahl al-Bayt (A.S.) in interpreting the text of the Holy Qur'an, we find out that it depends on the general overall meaning in interpreting one particular verse, d...

When we examine the method employed by Imam al-Rid...

The reason which caused the Imam (A.S.) to involve himself in the horribly violent struggle which was raging between al-Fadl and the army commanders was the desire to safeguard the strength of the then Islamic entity and to distance it from the eleme...

The reason which caused the Imam (A.S.) to involve...

The Imam (A.S.) assured the person who inquired about these qualifications that the nation cannot be left to choose its imam without statements in this regard made by the Prophet (S.A.W.) who in turn conveys God's commandments related to this issue, ...

The Imam (A.S.) assured the person who inquired ab...

Finally, al-Fadl entered the bath-house just to be received by the swords of the assassins as the letter he had received from his brother al-Hassan ibn Sahl had predicted. We do not think it is unlikely that that letter was prepared by al-Mamoon imit...

Finally, al-Fadl entered the bath-house just to be...

It is interesting that chance should play a major role in the execution of al-Mamoon's plan to eliminate al-Fadl, and it may even have been a deliberate "chance" arranged by al-Mamoon himself, and we do not think that is unlikely. While on his way to...

It is interesting that chance should play a major ...

The discussion of "seeing" God is one of the subjects of the science of kalam in which views of Islamic schools of thought differed since the battle and argument on kalam started, shattering the unity of the Creed's interpretation of many doctrinal b...

The discussion of "seeing" God is one of the subje...

As regarding those men who exposed to al-Mamoon the reality of al-Fadl's conduct and the dangers it implied, they were terrified when al-Fadl tore down the assurances of and were written by al-Mamoon guaranteeing their safety against his wrath and re...

As regarding those men who exposed to al-Mamoon th...

In another part of the discussion, the Imam (A.S.) tells us about the difference between the Will of God and the will of humans. Safwan ibn Yahya said, "I asked Abul-Hassan (A.S.), `Tell me about God's Will and the will of His creation.' He said, `Th...

In another part of the discussion, the Imam (A.S.)...

The only hope those leaders had had to save the deteriorating situation was to request Imam al-Rida (A.S.) to disclose the reality of the situation to al-Mamoon since he was the only one who could not be harmed by al-Fadl nor could anyone incite al-M...

The only hope those leaders had had to save the de...

Al-Fadl, possibly because of his intelligence and cunning, sensed the intriguing intentions of Harthama and that he was determined to incite the caliph against him and his brother, or maybe he came to know about that from his own watchdogs and inform...

Al-Fadl, possibly because of his intelligence and ...

No matter what the reason was, there are historical evidences asserting to us the fact that al-Mamoon was not reserved in adopting some suggestions inspired by al-Fadl. For example, Harthama was one of the leaders who did a very good job in creating ...

No matter what the reason was, there are historica...

We cannot understand the secret in the continuation of such a loose stance of al-Mamoon towards al-Fadl and whether it was due to a secret plan al-Mamoon had prepared to trap al-Fadl and get rid of him after going beyond reasonable limits in his cont...

We cannot understand the secret in the continuatio...

In another hadith reported by Muhammad ibn Arafa, the Imam (A.S.) explains to us how one will be committing shirk if he considers the Essence of the Almighty and His Attributes as separate from each other. Muhammad said, "I asked al-Rida (A.S.), `Did...

In another hadith reported by Muhammad ibn Arafa, ...

Al-Fadl was not completely unaware of the secret warnings to al-Mamoon regarding his suspicious movements and what political gains he aspired to achieve in order to satisfy his aspirations and ambitions for which he had prepared plans with sure resul...

Al-Fadl was not completely unaware of the secret w...

While researching the hadith of Imam al-Rida (A.S.) in this regard, we come across his treatment of the issue of His Attributes which are none other than a description of His Own Essence, and that it is impossible that they should be anything else. F...

While researching the hadith of Imam al-Rida (A.S....

With the talent of cunning and conniving, al-Fadl was able to control the sentiments of the leaders and heads who made up the governing apparatus, forcing upon them his own power and awe without anyone being able to go beyond the limits al-Fadl had d...

With the talent of cunning and conniving, al-Fadl ...

The first to come across in researching the hadith narrated by Imam al-Rida (A.S.) in the subject of tawhid is this one: "Anyone who makes a similitude of God with His creation is a mushrik (polytheist), and anyone who attributes to Him what He has p...

The first to come across in researching the hadith...

But Sulayman kept fumbling about in his answers to the Imam's questions after the Imam had closed before him all avenues of his argument, and al-Mamoon was quick to notice his fumbling about which indicated Sulayman's loss, so he rebuked him and crit...

But Sulayman kept fumbling about in his answers to...

The Imam (A.S.) has proven the accuracy of badaa in which Ahl al-Bayt (A.S.) believe by first quoting the Holy Qur'an, for God Almighty said, "So leave them alone, for you shall not be blamed for that,"153 meaning thereby that He intends to annihilat...

The Imam (A.S.) has proven the accuracy of badaa i...