Imam Reza (AS), The Best Role Model to Follow | ||
Imam Reza (AS), The Best Role Model to Follow Shiite infallible Imams are the best role models to follow not only for Shiite followers but also for all human beings; their life and characters are full of exquisite examples of the best lifestyles one can find across the whole history. Imam Reza (AS), the 8th Infallible of Shiite, has a special position and status among Iranians, because of his shrine located in Mashhad City, in eastern Iran. Imam Reza (AS) had many qualities that people can imitate in their own life. One of qualities of Imam Reza (AS) is that he abdicated the world and turned away from its pleasures and embellishments. In this regard, Mohammed Abbad narrated: "Imam Reza (AS) used to sit on a leaf mat during the summer and on a straw sack during the winter; he used to put on coarse clothes, but when he went out to meet the public, he put on his very best. "Renouncing the world was the most prominent quality in Imam Reza (AS). The narrators have unanimously agreed that when he became the heir apparent (of al-Ma'mun), he paid no attention to any of the aspects of the authority and of magnification which men showed toward their kings. There was nothing more lovable with the Imam Reza(AS) than doing kindness to men, and especially the poor. The historians have mentioned numerous examples of his munificence. The following are some of them: When the Imam was in Khurasan, he spent on the poor all what he had on the Day of 'Arafa, so al-Fadl b. Sahl criticized him for this, saying: "Surely, this is a loss!" "Rather it is a profit," the Imam answered, "you do no damage when you spend something for reward and generosity." A man came to the Imam Reza(AS), greeted him, and said to him: "I am one of those who love you and your fathers. I have returned from the hajj. My money has finished. I have nothing with me to reach a stage, so I ask you to send me back to my homeland. When I arrive in it, I will give what you have given to me as alms to the poor on your behalf." The Imam said to the man: "Sit down, may Allah have mercy on you." Then he turned to the people and spoke to them until they scattered. None stayed with him except Sulayma`n al-Ja'fari and Herthama. The Imam asked them for permission and entered the house. Then he came out, closed the door, and said: "Where is al-Khurasani?" Al-Khurasani stood for him. The Imam, said to him: "Take this two hundred dinars, spend it on your need, and do not give it to the poor as alms on my behalf." The man went away with happiness because the blessing of the Imam had included him. Then Sulayma`n al-Ja'fari turned to the Imam and asked him: "May I be your ransom, you gave to the man a lot of money and had mercy on him, but why did you cover your face from him?" Imam Reza (AS), replied: "I did that less I should see the abasement of begging on his face because of my accomplishing his need. Have you not heard the tradition of Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family: 'He who secretly does a good deed is like him who performs the hajj seventy times; and he who openly performs an evil deed is abandoned.' Have you not heard the statement of the poet: 'When I someday come to him in order to seek my need, I return home without losing face". Yet another example of his munificence is that he ordered the most delicious food to be put on a tray and to be given to the poor, and he recited this verse: "But he would not attempt the uphill road." Then he said: "Allah knows that not everyone is able to emancipate a slave, so He has regarded munificence as a path leading to the Garden." Another example of his munificence and generosity is that a poor man said to him: "Give me according to the extent of your kindness." The Imam answered him: "I cannot afford that." The poor man paid attention to his own mistake, so he said again: "Give me according to mine." The Imam smiled at him and said: "Yes, I will do this." Then he ordered two hundred dinars to be given to the poor man. The Imam's acts of munificence cannot be counted. If the Imam had given to the poor man all his money, he would have felt that such a gift was not equal to his munificence and mercy, which was an extension to that of his grandfather, the greatest Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. According to what was said, following Imam Reza's (AS) lifestyle would be the best way to achieve redemption both in this world and otherworld.
Dr. Abouzar Ebrahimi Head of Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) | ||
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