Questions about Al-Ridha

1. Questions about Al-Ridha Up to his Imamah 24 Questions A.S. Hashim, MD

2. Definition of Terms in this Slide Show • Institute of Ahlul Bayt: Refers to the teachings and discussions by Ahlul Bayt. This was conducted at: • The house of the Imam • Masjid Al-Nabawi • At or near the Grand Mosque during Haj • Piety-minded: Refers to the many Schools of thought: Like that of Ibn Abbas, of Ibn Omar, Jabriah, Qadariyah, Murj’iah, Ahlul Raa’y, Ahlul Qiyas, etc.

3. Name the Hijrah year in which Al‑Ridha was born. • In Medina in the year 148H one month after Al-Saadiq had died.  • In Medina in 155H • In Medina in 140H • In Mecca in 145H Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

4. Chart the lineage of Imam Al-Ridha. • Born to Al-Kadhim and Umm Al-Baneen • Born to Al-Kadhim and Umm Farwa • Born to Al-Kadhim and Fatima Bint Al-Qasim • Born to Al-Kadhim and Zainab Bint Jahash Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

5. Describe the closeness of Al-Ridha with his father Imam Al-Kadhim. • Al-Ridha’s attachment to his father was firm and of mutual love. • Al-Ridha enjoyed being by himself. • Al-Ridha saw his father praying often, more so at the Prophet's Mosque, • Al-Ridha was very impressed by his father’s Prayers. Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

6. What did Al-Kadhim say about the subsequent Imam to follow him? • Al-Kadhim had said, “The one to follow me is Ali [Al-Ridha] who is: • the eldest of my children, • the most select by me and the one most beloved by me. • He examined the Jafr Case with me and only a Prophet or Wasi [Testamentary Trustee] of a Prophet may look into it.” • This narration confirms how crucial the Corpus of Knowledge was, and that only Imams and would-be Imams could refer to it. Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

7. What does the Corpus of Knowledge consist of? • The Holy Quran in chronological order of Ayah Revelations • Tafseer of the Holy Quran called Mus'haf Fatima. Written in her honor by Ali. • Saheefa of Ali of Hadiths, • a+b+c+ The books about Al‑Ah'kaam, and Jafr Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

8. Enumerate some measures Khalifa Al-Mansoor undertook against Ahlul Bayt. • He dispatched undercover agents especially in Medina.  • Because of that, the activity of the Institute of Ahlul Bayt was curtailed greatly.  • Al-Mansoor incarcerated then murdered a large number of Al-Hasan's progeny, dispersing the rest of the family, which produced upheaval in the area. • All the above . Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

9. Explain the Mu'watta and the relationship between Al-Mansoor and Malik Ibn Anas. • Malik had attended many of the discourses of the Institute of Ahlul Bayt.  • At first he supported uprising against Al-Mansoor, therefore he was lashed to such an extent that his shoulder was dislocated.  • He changed then and began to cooperate with the government • a+b+c+ He wrote Al-Mu'watta (in response to the wishes of Khalifa Al-Mansoor with a condition that Malik does not quote or mention Imam Ali at all).  Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

10. Elaborate on the possible outcome of the advice Ibn Al-Mu'qaffa' gave to Khalifa Al-Mansoor. • Through Ibn Al-Mu'qaffa' Al-Mansoor had rendered the Khilaafah into the system of the Persian Emperors, • and the Khalifa is transformed into a formidable person who was very hard to reach. • Later Al-Mansoor put Ibn Mu'qaffa' to the sword because he was a Zandeeq.  • a+b+c+ Ibn Mu'qaffa' was of questionable stalk, his coming to Islam was recent and his loyalty to it was suspect. Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

11. Elaborate about the Al-Marji'. • Al-Marji' is the ultimate knowledge reference of the Islamic world. • a+ Al-Kadhim at the time was Al-Marji’ • There were many intellectual centers of learning • The intellectual centers were in Medina and Mecca (Hijaz), Kufa, Basrah, Qum, Egypt, and the emerging Baghdad. Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

12. Explain the stance of Ahlul Bayt toward Benu Abbas. • Ahlul Bayt could not accept the rule of Benu Abbas when their heads have night pleasures with wine and women. • Benu Abbas rule was not valid from Shari'ah viewpoint • a+b+ This has been the stand and motto long time ago, as attested by the stand of all the previous Imams. • That is the only reason for which Muhammad (pbuh) said that Ahlul Bayt are the Blessed Vessel of Rescue, those in it are safe, and those who disregard it will have perished. Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

13. Explain the evolving attitude of the rest of the Piety-minded toward Benu Abbas. • Some of the Piety-minded concluded that Benu Abbas cannot hope to duplicate the times of Al-Khulafaa Al-Rashidoon. • Therefore, it is better to cooperate with them and get a slice of the action as to ensure prestigious position and a large following. • a+b+ That is why they gave the legitimacy to Benu Abbas. • Schools of Ahlul Bayt, Ibn Abbas, Ibn Omar, Schools of Murji'ah, Al‑Raa'y, Al‑Qiyas, Mu'tazila, Khariji, Jabriah, Qadariyah, and many others were all actively supporting the government. Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

14. Evaluate the life of Al-Ridha when he was 31 years old. • Al-Ridha spent much of his life in the company of his father Al-Kadhim, • He very actively participated in the Institute's activities, and • Frequently was at Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi performing Salat and reading Du'aa. • All the above. Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

15. Enumerate the countries in which most of the Imam's representatives used to be at the time. • The Shi'a (Imamah-Asserts) were dispersed all over the Ummah, • They were in Egypt, Iraq, Persia, Yemen, and Syria. • a+b+ The agents collected Khums and Zakat, and the funds were distributed to the poor and disadvantaged.  • It is like a government inside the Abbasi government. Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

16. Review the administrative apparatus of Ahlul Bayt when Al-Ridha was 31 years old • The reputation and success of the Institute were such that Khalifa Al-Rashid was frightened by it. • a+ He was frightened because the Institute exposed his un-Islamic excesses and brought to mind that all, including the government, should be Shari'ah-minded. • a+ The Institute ignored the government. • a+ The Institute went along with the government. Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

17. Describe the early relationship between Haroon Al-Rashid and Khalid Al-Barmaki. • Haroon Al-Rashid was under the tutelage of Khalid Al-Barmaki, • Khalid Al-Barmaki was a convert to Islam whose family were Buddhist monks from Balkh. • This man was suspect in his understanding of Islam, and his influence could be very large on Al-Rashid. • a+b+c+ Al-Rashid grew close to Khalid Al-Barmaki and his family, especially after Al-Barmaki prevented Khalifa Al-Haadi (Al-Rashid’s brother) from removing Al-Rashid from the Khilaafah.”  Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

18. Comment about the life of the Court and the Khalifa. • Haroon Al-Rashid became the Khalifa at the young age of 21 • The night life of Al-Rashid and his Court of wine drinking and womanizing with women-slaves is also well known. • But what is serious was his manner of rule which is very much like the Persian Emperor of years past. • a+b+c+ And who can raise a voice when the Khalifa has the executioner waiting for his command at any moment's notice? Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

19. Describe the headquarters of the high government officials during Al-Rashid’s Khilaafah. • Enormous amounts of money were pouring into the public treasury, • these are public funds but they are squandered by the Khalifa, his family, and the Al-Barmaki's family. • The headquarter of each high official in the government holds about 400 slave-maids, all vying for the master's favor. • All the above Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

20. What were the general conditions in Baghdad at the time? • Baghdad is rich and prosperous, but much of the wealth should be for the public works and employment of its citizens. • The public treasury (like tax money these days) belongs to the people, to the public. • Al-Barmaki family had a corrupting influence on not only Al-Rashid but also on the whole Ummah. • a+b+c+ The intrigues that go on in the Khalifa Court and the rivalries for his favor had dire consequences. Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

21. Discuss the reason Khalifa Haroon Al-Rashid appointed Abu Yusuf as the Chief Justice. • Al-Rashid appointed Abu Yusuf as the Chief Justice because he would often bend the rules of Islam in Al-Rashid’s favor, • Abu Yusuf continued in this position for the last 15 years of his life. • Abu Yusuf decreed to appoint none but the judges who subscribe to the Hanafi Fiqh, • a+b+c+ And that was one big reason for the spread of Hanafi Fiqh. Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

22. What was the age of Imam Al-Kadhim when he was detained by Haroon Al-Rashid • Al-Kadhim was 51 years old when Al-Rashid arrested him without any charges. • Al-Kadhim was 42 yrs old • Al-Kadhim was 37 yrs old • Al-Kadhim was 25 yrs old Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

23. Describe the feeling in Medina when Imam Al-Kadhim was taken to be detained • Medina was outraged, for they loved Al-Kadhim and revered him • Everyone was highly incensed and very upset. • a+b+ Al-Kadhim’s family, his children, and the close ones were highly inflamed. Yet none could do anything. • a+b+ The inflamed feeling however spread all over, and people took up arms. Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

24. Who was in charge of the Institute of Ahlul Bayt when Al-Kadhim was detained? • Al-Ridha carried on the responsibilities of the Institute in the absence of his father. • Al-Ridha along with his brother Ali • Al-Ridha along with all his brothers • Al-Ridha along with his mother Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

25. State the age of Al-Ridha when his father Imam Al-Kadhim died. • Al-Ridha at age of 35 • 21yrs • 28 yrs • 31yrs Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

26. Give the meaning of Nass (designation? • Imamah means a designation (Nass) by the Almighty sent down to Muhammad (pbuh) through Jubra'eel, then passed down from one Imam to the subsequent one. • This is what the Shi'a or Imamah‑Asserters believe in. • Previously Al-Kadhim had given Al-Ridha the trust of the Corpus of Knowledge that came down from Ali to each Imam. • a+b+c+ Imam Al-Ridha was now not only in possession of them but in charge of them.    Questions, Al-Ridha, Up to his Imamah

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