Comparing Caliphate of Imam Ali, Imam, Imam Hussein, and Imam Ridha | ||
Comparing Caliphate of Imam Ali, Imam, Imam Hussein, and Imam Ridha
Mina Vakilinejad The subject of caliphate of infallible Imams (AS) is a complicated and important issue, which has always been regarded as a priority by religious scholars and thinkers. However, it is still unclear and also there are many questions concerning this issue. Acknowledgement of the caliphate by two Shiite Imams has been certainly proven by virtue of documents and historical literature. In both cases, they had refused the caliphate first, but then they acknowledged it reluctantly. The first case is Imam Ali (AS), who acknowledged the caliphate by in response to people's insistence, while the second case, Imam Ridha (AS), refused to acknowledge caliphate, but eventually he agreed to be the heir apparent of Al-Mamun after pressures imposed by al-Ma'mun. Imam accepted to be his heir apparent on several conditions. There are some important points regarding the two cases that will be discussed later in this article. As you know, on the other hand, one of the infallible Imams of Shiism, Imam Hussein (AS) rose up against the oppressor ruler of His time, Yazid; the difference of his movement with strategies taken by two abovementioned Imams needs to be considered here.
Imam Ridha (AS), the Heir Apparent Concerning the issue of Imam Ridha's heir apparent, there are either or ambiguous items, which both will be considered here: The clear Items: 1. There is no doubt that al-Ma'mun has offered Imam Ridha (AS) to be caliphate and has declared his intent of this suggestion. 2. There is no doubt that the Imam had refused al-Ma'mun's proposition. 3. Definitely, after refusal al-Mamun's proposition by the Imam (AS) to be caliphate, al-Ma'mun asked Imam Ridha (AS) to be his heir apparent. 4. There is no doubt that Imam Ridha (AS) also accepted to be his heir apparent by defining some conditions. There are some items which are not certain and most of the Shiite scholars dispute about them: 1. Why al-Ma'mun offered such proposition to the Imam and whether his intention was malicious? 2. Why the Imam (AS) did not accept proposition of caliphate? 3. Why Imam Ridha (AS) finally accepted to be al-mamun's heir apparent? 4. Whether Imam Ridha (AS) was martyred by poisonous grapes or al-Ma'mun did not play any role in Imam's martyrdom?
There are two theories for the first case: First theory: Seyed Ibn Tavoos and Arbeli, his student, believe that al-Ma'mun was serious in his intention and truly decided to delegate the power to Imam Ridha (AS). Second theory: most Shiite clerics believe that Ma'mun had no good intention and he had other motives. Confirmations of the second theory (popular theory):
Why did Imam Ridha (AS) refuse to accept the power? The interesting point is that some people asked Imam Ridha (AS) about why he has accepted to be al-Mamun's heir apparent, but nobody asked him about why he did not accept the power. This shows that nobody had any doubt in this case, because if it was ambiguous, they should ask about it, as though it was clear to all that Imam should not accept it. However, this question comes to mind that why people knew why Imam should not accept taking the power. Al-Ma'mun asked Imam about this matter and Imam said that I do not accept to take the power because I do not have the power to govern the people. Why Imam Ali (AS) Refused to be Muslims Caliph At First There are some points that must be carefully considered: 1) Asking Imam Ali (AS) for the first time to be Muslim's caliph. 2) Imam's denial to accept the caliphate and the reasons Imam proposed for this denial. 3) Acceptance of caliphate after insistence of a lot of people, and the reason he proposed for this acceptance.
The movement of Imam Hussein (AS): There is a serious and important question on Ashura Rising, which asks why Imam Hussein (AS) arose against Yazid? Because regarding the special character and features of Imam Hussein (AS), it was impossible that people remain faithful to Imam Hussein and, more importantly, if Imam Hussein could establish a regime, he certainly used to rule like his father, Imam Ali (AS), so, he would face same problems his father experienced.
Conclusion Imam Ali's (AS) refusal to accept caliphate was not a "political gesture". He knew that people could not tolerate the justice and fair government and he will face a new conspiracy every day, as he faced those after accepting the caliphate. When he saw people's insistence to swear allegiance, he had no choice but to accept the caliphate; Otherwise, the question that why the Prophet's successor abandoned people would remain unanswered through the history. The reason of why Imam Ali (AS) refused the caliphate uncovered the reason of why Imam Ridha's (AS) refused to accept to take the power. Imam could not accept the caliphate because he wanted to serve the justice, and the first one who should be judged was al-Ma'mun himself, because he had killed so many innocent people. And if he did not seeking for justice, it was obvious that his manner was in the conflict with his ancestor's manner and many verses of the Quran. People asked insistently Imam Ali (AS) to accept the caliphate and al-Ma'mun had suggested Imam Ridha (AS) to accept the caliphate, but both of them refused to accept the caliphate for some reasons. If Imam Hussein had that reasons to refuse the acceptance of the caliphate, he did not initiate a movement against Yazid to form a government. | ||
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