In historical books, it is recorded that initially, Ma’mun offered the caliphate to Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Reza (peace be upon him), but the Imam declined the offer. Later, Ma’mun offered him the position of heir apparent, but the Imam again refused to accept it. Subsequently, Ma’mun implicitly threatened to have him killed, and since this threat was serious, the Imam felt compelled to accept the position of heir apparent.
With this plan, Ma’mun sought to gain a strong, widespread, and national base for himself. He believed that, just as Imam Reza (peace be upon him) had strong support and influence, attaching his rule to the Imam could help secure his position among the people. For example, when he was questioned by Hamid ibn Mehran and some Abbasid figures about why he had made such a move, he responded, saying: “This man was hidden from our eyes. He was calling people to himself. Therefore, we wanted him to be our heir apparent so that whatever he attracts from the people, it would all work to our advantage, and at the same time, his supporters would acknowledge our rule and see the futility of his claims. We feared that if we left him alone, he would create a situation for us that would be beyond our control…”
Imam Reza (peace be upon him) accepted Ma’mun’s offer under the condition that he would protect himself, his Shi’ah, and his followers from harm. The Imam felt it was necessary to stay alive to be a guiding light and leader for the people in times of difficulty and doubt. Thus, Imam Reza (peace be upon him) used the brief opportunity he had to fulfill his duty of educating the people.
During his time as heir apparent, Imam Reza (peace be upon him) gained widespread influence among the people, spreading his writings across the Islamic lands, and attracting followers from all groups. Despite all of this, the Imam was able to reveal the true nature of Ma’mun and expose his intentions. By uncovering Ma’mun’s goals and actions, the Imam dispelled any doubts or confusion among the people.
However, Imam Reza’s (peace be upon him) virtues were so great that even Ma’mun, his greatest adversary, repeatedly acknowledged them in various situations. In 200 AH, when Ma’mun gathered over thirty-three thousand Abbasid supporters, he said in their presence: “… I searched among the children of Abbas and the children of Ali, but I found none more virtuous, pious, religious, worthy, or deserving of this position (the position of heir apparent) than Ali ibn Musa al-Reza”[1].
In his description of Imam Reza (peace be upon him), Ma’mun wrote for the Abbasids: “… As for why I seek allegiance for Ali ibn Musa, it is because I have recognized his qualifications for this matter and chosen him. As for whether I had sufficient insight to make this decision, know that I have never taken an oath of allegiance to anyone except with full insight and knowledge that no one in the world remains who is more virtuous, pure, or pious than him. No one attracts the approval of both the people and God like he does, and no one is more steadfast before God than he is”[2].
It is clear that these admissions by Ma’mun were not sincere but were made for his political purposes. However, by recalling these statements, we can clearly see the qualities of Imam Reza (peace be upon him), his position, and his character. As they say, “Virtue is that which even enemies testify to.”
(Source: “Political Life of Imam Reza (peace be upon him)” by Sayyid Ja’far Murtada Ameli, translated by Sayyid Khalil Khalilian)
Footnotes:
[1] Murooj al-Dhahab, Vol. 3, p. 441 – Al-Kamil, Ibn Athir, Vol. 5, p. 183 – Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 11, p. 1013 (London edition) – Mukhtasar Tarikh al-Duwal, p. 134 – Tajareb al-Umam, Vol. 6, p. 436
[2] Nadhariyat al-Imama, p. 388