The text provided discusses the renowned title of Imam Reza (A.S.) as “The Scholar of the Family of Muhammad,” highlighting his profound knowledge and wisdom. Below is the precise English translation of the text:
“… One of the famous titles of Imam Reza (A.S.) is ‘The Scholar of the Family of Muhammad.’ This title reflects the emergence of his immense knowledge. One of the signs of this knowledge was the many debate sessions organized by the Abbasid Caliphate under the leadership of Mamun, the ruling caliph. Scholars and intellectuals from all over the world were gathered to debate with the Imam, with the hope of overwhelming him in knowledge. However, in all these sessions, Imam Reza (A.S.) triumphed over the scholars, and they all testified to the Imam’s intellectual dominance and their own weaknesses in the face of his wisdom. Some of these debates are discussed in the section ‘The Intellectual Aspect of Imam Reza (A.S.)’ of this work.
… During the Imam’s journey to Merv, wherever he stopped, he brought blessings to the local people. One of these instances occurred when Imam Reza (A.S.) passed through Nishapur. As the Imam traveled through the center of Nishapur in a palanquin, many people who had heard of his arrival rushed to welcome him. Among them were two scholars and narrators of Hadith, accompanied by large groups of students and scholars, who asked the Imam: ‘O great Imam, O son of noble and pure ancestors, we swear by the rights of your pure forefathers, show us your blessed face and narrate a Hadith from your revered forefathers and grandfathers, the Prophet of God, so that we may have a keepsake from this moment.’
The Imam ordered that his palanquin be halted, and the people’s eyes were blessed with the sight of his radiant face. The people were overjoyed, and some, out of intense emotion, began to weep. Those closest to him kissed his mount. An uproar spread through the city, and the elders of Nishapur called for silence so that the people could hear the Hadith from the Imam. After a brief pause, the Imam, word by word, narrated the following Hadith from his father, his noble ancestors, and from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as transmitted through Gabriel by God’s command:
‘The words “There is no god but God” (La Ilaha Illa Allah) are My fortress. So, whoever says it, has entered My fortress, and whoever enters My fortress will be safe from My punishment.’
Then the Imam added:
‘But this has conditions, and I myself am one of those conditions.’
This Hadith signifies that among the conditions of acknowledging the phrase “There is no god but God,” which represents the core of the monotheistic principle in Islam, is the acknowledgment of the Imam’s authority, obedience to him, and acceptance of his words and actions as divinely appointed. In essence, Imam Reza (A.S.) teaches that the condition for salvation from divine punishment is monotheism, and the condition for monotheism is the acceptance of the Imam’s authority and leadership.”
The above text is part of the article “The Life of Imam Reza (A.S.),” gifted by the Roshd website on this occasion, which is published on their site.