- 19 Oct 2020, 20:49
#19743
After the demise of Imam Kadhim (a), the BANI ABBAS were at their peak and it is said that (as if) blood was dripping from HARUN's sword. There was also a battle between BAGHDAD and KHORASAN.
HARUN al-ABBASI saw that there are still many problems remaining such as internal conflict and lack of support and the uprisings of the ALAWI. 15 years after the 7th Imam (a) and the 5 years of internal conflict had strengthened the ALAWI uprisings.
It is for this reason that MAMUN saw it necessary to call the 8th Imam (a) to KHORASAN. The incident of giving the crown-prince (WALI A'HD) position to the Imam (a) was such that if it went on successfully, MAMUN would have uprooted SHI'ISM.
MAMUN’s Objectives
MAMUN had the following goals (among others) in presenting the crown-prince to the Imam (a)
1. To turn the aggressive revolutionary movement into a politically calm one
This movement had two characteristics i.e. holiness of the Imam (a) and the Shias experiencing oppression. It was due to these characteristics that it had a widespread effect to whomsoever and wherever it reached.
If the 8th Imam (a) was brought into the government, firstly, the SHIAs wouldn't be deemed oppressed. Secondly, the Imam (a) would be supporting the oppressive government and therefore he would lose his holiness.
2. To give legitimacy to his government that was considered usurped
It would also remove the belief that he and his forefathers were oppressive people. On the other hand, the 8th Imam (a) desired the world when it was presented to him and that he is not a real ascetic (ZAHID).
3. Having the 8th Imam (a) under his control - Consequently, MAMUN would have the Imam’s (a) followers under his control. None of the leaders before him had been able to do so.
4. Cutting of the Imam’s (a) communications - By surrounding him with his own people, the communication of the people with 8th Imam (a) would diminish and likewise their love for him.
5. False spiritual attribution - It would give the impression that besides having blood relations with the Imam (a), MAMUN also has a spiritual connection to him.
6. Scapegoating – The 8th Imam (a) would be put forward to take the blame for all (evil) that is committed by the government.
MAMUN kept these (intentions) secret to himself and did not even tell FAZL BIN SAHL (his advisor) and concocted a false story and reasoning for calling the 8th Imam (a). In the end, this plan turned against him and he resorted to killing the 8th Imam (a).
MAMUN showed his indecency and pride when he hired YAHYA BIN AKTHAM, met with his uncle IBRAHIM BIN MAHDI who were both evil personalities. Likewise, he spread evil practices within his capital BAGHDAD.
Imam Riza’s (a) Counter Strategy
The 8th Imam (a) responded in the following ways
1. Filling the atmosphere in Medina with sadness
After being summoned by MAMUN and before leaving Medina, the Imam (a) demonstrated in his actions and talks he was not happy with this calling. The people understood that the Imam (a) was going towards his death and hated MAMUN for it.
2. Rejecting the crown-prince position until threatened
It became known throughout the empire that the 8th Imam (a) did not accept it initially. FAZL BIN SAHL says that he hasn't seen anyone get humiliated in this way before. This reaction cleared showed MAMUN's real intention to the people.
3. Denial to take part in governmental activities
Imam Riza (a) denied taking part in any of the governmental activities and MAMUN accepted this condition thinking that he could convince him later on. MAMUN continuously tried to occupy him with duties but Imam (a) constantly denied them. It made it clear that the Imam (a) did not support and recognize this evil leadership.
The 8th Imam (a) declined leading the EID prayers but on MAMUN’s insistence, he accepted it. MAMUN later regretted doing so and cancelled this request before he could actually start the prayers.
4. Imam Riza (a) propagated Shi’ism openly
The Imam (a) could openly speak and spread Shi’ism without resorting to TAQIYYAH. He wrote and spoke about Shi’ism while people like DI'BAL wrote poems in the Ahlul Bait's (a) praise. The Shias who were always cursed were suddenly relaxed and confident.
5. Connecting to the SHIAs, lovers and strangers
Although the 8th Imam (a) was made to take a path towards MARV (MAMUN’s capital) avoiding cities filled with his lovers, he used this opportunity to connect to new people. In MARV too, he used every chance to communicate with the people.
6. The Shias emerged and spoke out openly
Those who were hiding in far-away places came out and were considered praiseworthy in that era. DI'BAL, the poet, travelled around and spoke harshly against evil (alluding to the government) and praised the 8th Imam (a) wherever he went.
In the end, those who barely recognized the 8th Imam (a) or hated him, began to recognize him as a truly holy personality connected to the holy prophet (s).
MAMUN realized that he had incurred the reverse effect of his plan and at the end, resorted to killing the 8th Imam (a).
He started by spreading false information about the Imam (a) to decrease the impact of his murder. He claimed that the 8th Imam (a) had said that the people were the Imam’s (a) slaves.
He set up debates so that the 8th Imam (a) could be defeated in them but that also had the opposite effect.
He tried to kill the 8th Imam (a) once or twice and even imprisoned him but his own people were attracted to the Imam (a) when they met with him. Imam Riza (a) was killed around 2 years after being brought from Medina and 1 year after being presented the crown-prince.
HARUN al-ABBASI saw that there are still many problems remaining such as internal conflict and lack of support and the uprisings of the ALAWI. 15 years after the 7th Imam (a) and the 5 years of internal conflict had strengthened the ALAWI uprisings.
It is for this reason that MAMUN saw it necessary to call the 8th Imam (a) to KHORASAN. The incident of giving the crown-prince (WALI A'HD) position to the Imam (a) was such that if it went on successfully, MAMUN would have uprooted SHI'ISM.
MAMUN’s Objectives
MAMUN had the following goals (among others) in presenting the crown-prince to the Imam (a)
1. To turn the aggressive revolutionary movement into a politically calm one
This movement had two characteristics i.e. holiness of the Imam (a) and the Shias experiencing oppression. It was due to these characteristics that it had a widespread effect to whomsoever and wherever it reached.
If the 8th Imam (a) was brought into the government, firstly, the SHIAs wouldn't be deemed oppressed. Secondly, the Imam (a) would be supporting the oppressive government and therefore he would lose his holiness.
2. To give legitimacy to his government that was considered usurped
It would also remove the belief that he and his forefathers were oppressive people. On the other hand, the 8th Imam (a) desired the world when it was presented to him and that he is not a real ascetic (ZAHID).
3. Having the 8th Imam (a) under his control - Consequently, MAMUN would have the Imam’s (a) followers under his control. None of the leaders before him had been able to do so.
4. Cutting of the Imam’s (a) communications - By surrounding him with his own people, the communication of the people with 8th Imam (a) would diminish and likewise their love for him.
5. False spiritual attribution - It would give the impression that besides having blood relations with the Imam (a), MAMUN also has a spiritual connection to him.
6. Scapegoating – The 8th Imam (a) would be put forward to take the blame for all (evil) that is committed by the government.
MAMUN kept these (intentions) secret to himself and did not even tell FAZL BIN SAHL (his advisor) and concocted a false story and reasoning for calling the 8th Imam (a). In the end, this plan turned against him and he resorted to killing the 8th Imam (a).
MAMUN showed his indecency and pride when he hired YAHYA BIN AKTHAM, met with his uncle IBRAHIM BIN MAHDI who were both evil personalities. Likewise, he spread evil practices within his capital BAGHDAD.
Imam Riza’s (a) Counter Strategy
The 8th Imam (a) responded in the following ways
1. Filling the atmosphere in Medina with sadness
After being summoned by MAMUN and before leaving Medina, the Imam (a) demonstrated in his actions and talks he was not happy with this calling. The people understood that the Imam (a) was going towards his death and hated MAMUN for it.
2. Rejecting the crown-prince position until threatened
It became known throughout the empire that the 8th Imam (a) did not accept it initially. FAZL BIN SAHL says that he hasn't seen anyone get humiliated in this way before. This reaction cleared showed MAMUN's real intention to the people.
3. Denial to take part in governmental activities
Imam Riza (a) denied taking part in any of the governmental activities and MAMUN accepted this condition thinking that he could convince him later on. MAMUN continuously tried to occupy him with duties but Imam (a) constantly denied them. It made it clear that the Imam (a) did not support and recognize this evil leadership.
The 8th Imam (a) declined leading the EID prayers but on MAMUN’s insistence, he accepted it. MAMUN later regretted doing so and cancelled this request before he could actually start the prayers.
4. Imam Riza (a) propagated Shi’ism openly
The Imam (a) could openly speak and spread Shi’ism without resorting to TAQIYYAH. He wrote and spoke about Shi’ism while people like DI'BAL wrote poems in the Ahlul Bait's (a) praise. The Shias who were always cursed were suddenly relaxed and confident.
5. Connecting to the SHIAs, lovers and strangers
Although the 8th Imam (a) was made to take a path towards MARV (MAMUN’s capital) avoiding cities filled with his lovers, he used this opportunity to connect to new people. In MARV too, he used every chance to communicate with the people.
6. The Shias emerged and spoke out openly
Those who were hiding in far-away places came out and were considered praiseworthy in that era. DI'BAL, the poet, travelled around and spoke harshly against evil (alluding to the government) and praised the 8th Imam (a) wherever he went.
In the end, those who barely recognized the 8th Imam (a) or hated him, began to recognize him as a truly holy personality connected to the holy prophet (s).
MAMUN realized that he had incurred the reverse effect of his plan and at the end, resorted to killing the 8th Imam (a).
He started by spreading false information about the Imam (a) to decrease the impact of his murder. He claimed that the 8th Imam (a) had said that the people were the Imam’s (a) slaves.
He set up debates so that the 8th Imam (a) could be defeated in them but that also had the opposite effect.
He tried to kill the 8th Imam (a) once or twice and even imprisoned him but his own people were attracted to the Imam (a) when they met with him. Imam Riza (a) was killed around 2 years after being brought from Medina and 1 year after being presented the crown-prince.