Unfortunately, the governments that have ruled throughout history in the name of Islam, such as the Umayyads, the Abbasids, the Ottomans in Turkey, and in the current era, the Wahhabis and Takfiri and Salafi groups, have portrayed a distorted and negative image of Islam, causing others to accuse Islam. These so-called Muslim governments not only failed to forgive the sins and mistakes of wrongdoers, but they also imprisoned and tortured the innocent, suppressing them with the whip and boot of despotism.
Had the true history, the conduct and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his pure family not been documented as the perfect exemplars and standards of the true Islam, there would have been no trace of Islam or its mercy remaining today.
The pure family of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) endured various tortures, imprisonments, bloody tragedies, and other hardships so that future generations would have clear evidence, and that they would always remain the leaders and guides of the Muslim community. In this regard, their noble morals, kindness, and forgiveness—especially regarding pardoning sinners—were among the most important factors that led to the advancement of Islam and the attraction of people to this holy religion.
In this context, Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him), like his noble ancestors, forgave wrongdoers and loved the people. For example, history testifies to the following:
During the reign of Harun al-Rashid, after the martyrdom of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him), a group of people under the command of a man named “Jaludi,” who was known for his brutality and ruthlessness, were tasked with attacking the Banu Hashim neighborhood in Medina and plundering all the houses.
Jaludi set out for Medina and, along with his men, attacked the Banu Hashim neighborhood, including the house of Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him), where Imam Ridha (peace be upon him) was also present. They surrounded the house.
Imam Ridha (peace be upon him), aware of Jaludi’s intentions, gathered all the women and descendants of Ali (peace be upon him) in one room and stood at the door. At this point, Jaludi stood in front of the Imam and said, “I have orders from the Commander of the Faithful, Harun, to enter this room and confiscate everything. This must be done.”
Imam Ridha (peace be upon him) replied, “Wait here and be patient. I swear that I will bring whatever the women have, including jewelry, clothes, and anything else they possess.”
However, Jaludi was insistent and demanded to proceed. Imam Ridha (peace be upon him) continued to ask him to wait, promising that everything in the room would be brought to him. Eventually, Jaludi agreed.
Imam Ridha (peace be upon him) entered the room and instructed the women to hand over everything they had, except for one garment each. They gave up their jewelry, anklets, earrings, and even their headscarves, along with all the household belongings.
Time passed until Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him) arrived in Khorasan and became the so-called “Crown Prince” under the Abbasid caliph Ma’mun. Ma’mun ordered all his courtiers and officials to pledge allegiance to him. Everyone did, except for a few, one of whom was Jaludi. As a result, Ma’mun ordered the imprisonment of those who refused to swear allegiance, including Jaludi.
Despite his disgraceful past, the hostility he had shown towards Imam Ridha (peace be upon him), and his refusal to swear allegiance, Jaludi was granted mercy and forgiveness by Imam Ridha (peace be upon him). The story is as follows:
One day, after Jaludi was imprisoned, Ma’mun came to see Imam Ridha (peace be upon him) and informed him about the imprisonment of those who had refused to pledge allegiance, including Jaludi. Ma’mun then ordered that the prisoners be brought to him.
While sitting next to Ma’mun, Imam Ridha (peace be upon him) saw Jaludi in the distance. Despite the suffering Jaludi had caused him, the disrespect he had shown, and the fact that he had been an open enemy of the Imam, Imam Ridha (peace be upon him) forgave him and decided to overlook his sins. Imam Ridha (peace be upon him) turned to Ma’mun with a smile and said, “Release this old man, Jaludi, and set him free.”
Ma’mun quietly replied, “This is the one who has harmed the daughters of the Prophet and plundered your house!”
At this moment, Jaludi, with his hatred and grudge against Imam Ridha (peace be upon him), thought that the Imam was asking Ma’mun to punish him. Therefore, Jaludi said to Ma’mun, “I swear by God, and by the service I have rendered to your father Harun, do not accept the request of this man for me!”
Ma’mun, surprised by Imam Ridha’s (peace be upon him) nobility and the wickedness of Jaludi, turned to him and said, “I swear to God, I will not fulfill his request for you.” He then ordered his executioner to strike off his head.[1]
(Taken from the book: “The Leadership Role of Imam Ridha (peace be upon him),” by the late Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi)
Footnote:
[1] A`yan al-Shi’a, Volume 1, page 42.