In Islamic thought, value is attributed to a person’s actions, and human beings are shaped by their own deeds. Therefore, a person is judged, elevated, and reaches happiness based on the actions they perform. Thus, no one should rely on their special family lineage (even if they are from the family of the Prophets or Imams), belong to a specific group, or be connected to a higher social class, and think that this will lead them to success or superiority. This is not the Islamic way of thinking, where an individual relies solely on these factors to expect a good outcome or to consider themselves superior in this world. Islam teaches us that the only platform for a person’s rise is their own actions and efforts.
Our true leaders have always introduced the people to this principle in their teachings. They have even advised their own families not to rely on family honor or values, not to stop practicing piety and righteousness, and not to create imaginary idols for themselves.
Imam Ali bin Musa Reza (peace be upon him) was no exception, and he measured people based on their piety and godly and human actions. He did not differentiate between black and white, rich and poor, or between different groups and tribes of any lineage; rather, he considered superiority to be in piety, true belief in God, and righteous deeds.
One day, a man said to Imam Reza (peace be upon him): “By God, no one on earth is superior to you in terms of ancestry and lineage.”
Imam (peace be upon him) replied: “It is piety that elevated my forefathers, and obedience to God that brought them to that position and status.” [1]
On another occasion, someone said to him: “By God, you are the best of people.”
Imam (peace be upon him) responded: “Do not swear an oath. The best of people is the one who is more obedient to God and avoids His disobedience. By God, this verse has not been abrogated: ‘… And We made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you…’” [2][3]
Imam Reza (peace be upon him) exhibited the same attitude even towards his own relatives.
One of Imam Reza’s (peace be upon him) brothers, named Zayd, refused to accept the Imam’s leadership due to his pride for position and called people to his side.
One day, Zayd bin Musa was brought to Imam Reza (peace be upon him). The Imam said to him: “Zayd, it seems that the wretched people of Kufa have deceived you into thinking that because God purified Fatima’s (peace be upon her) lineage, the fire of Hell is forbidden for her children. What you have heard applies specifically to Hasan and Husayn (peace be upon them)… If you think that by disobeying God you will enter Heaven, and that our father, Musa bin Ja’far (peace be upon him), who obeyed God, will also enter Heaven, it follows that you must be superior to Musa bin Ja’far (peace be upon him) in God’s sight. By God, no one gains the rewards of God except by obedience to Him; however, you think you will attain it by disobeying Him…”
Zayd said: “I am your brother and the son of your father.”
Imam Reza (peace be upon him) replied: “You are my brother as long as you obey the commandments of God, just as Noah (peace be upon him) said to his Lord: ‘… My son is of my family, and Your promise is true, and You are the best of judges!’ [4] But God Almighty said to him: ‘O Noah, he is not of your family; he is not a righteous deed…'” [5] Therefore, disobedience to God caused him to be excluded from the family of Noah.” [6]
Thus, Imam Reza (peace be upon him) considers his own superiority and that of the Imams of the Shi’a to be due to their greater obedience to God. He highlights that the ultimate criterion for excellence and superiority is God’s worship, righteousness, and godly actions, reminding us that divine rewards and superiority depend on righteous deeds, not on any other factor.
But how do you and I view others, and in what do we find human dignity and superiority? Money, wealth, beauty, appearance, power, fame… or, in reality, none of these?
And most importantly, what do we consider positive traits in ourselves, and what behavior do we choose? What are our true standards in life?
(Excerpt from the book The Life of Imam Reza, written by Amir Mahdi Hakimi (with some additions))
Footnotes:
[1] Uyun Akhbar al-Ridha (peace be upon him), Volume 2, Page 236
[2] “And We made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you…” (Quran, Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 13)
[3] Uyun Akhbar al-Ridha (peace be upon him), Volume 2, Page 236
[4] “My Lord, indeed my son is of my family, and Your promise is true, and You are the best of judges.” (Quran, Surah Hud, verse 45)
[5] “O Noah, he is not of your family; indeed, he is a work not of righteousness…” (Quran, Surah Hud, verse 46)
[6] Uyun Akhbar al-Ridha (peace be upon him), Volume 2, Page 234