Ali ibn Yaqtin was a devoted follower and Shiite of Imam Kazim (peace be upon him). When the Umayyad dynasty collapsed and the Abbasid caliphate was established, he returned to Kufa with his wife and two children, and established a good relationship with the Abbasids, eventually being appointed to several important governmental positions. During this time, he served as a protector and supporter of the Shiites, resolving their difficulties and problems, until Harun al-Rashid, the Abbasid caliph, appointed him to his ministry.
Ali ibn Yaqtin sought permission from Imam Kazim (peace be upon him) before accepting the position in the oppressive Abbasid government, which had a deep enmity and hostility toward the Ahl al-Bayt and their Shiites. With the Imam’s permission, he accepted the post. Imam Kazim (peace be upon him) instructed him to use his position to help the Shiites in those difficult times, when they were enduring immense hardship. During his tenure, Ali ibn Yaqtin secretly served and helped the Shiites and the friends of Imam Kazim (peace be upon him) with great devotion.
After some time, he wrote a letter to the Imam, saying, “I am weary of the actions of the Sultan (Harun al-Rashid). May God sacrifice me for you! If you permit, I will resign from this position.” In response, Imam Kazim (peace be upon him) wrote back: “Do not do that! We are attached to you, and your brothers have dignity because of you. Perhaps Allah will compensate for some deficiency through you or use you to reduce the harm of our opponents toward His allies. O Ali! The expiation of your deeds lies in your kindness toward your brothers. You guarantee one thing for me, and I will guarantee three things for you: You guarantee that whenever you see one of our friends, you will fulfill their needs and honor them, and I will guarantee that the roof of a prison will never overshadow you, that no sword will ever touch you, and that poverty will never enter your house. O Ali! Whoever makes a believer happy has pleased God first, then the Prophet (peace be upon him), and then us.” Ali ibn Yaqtin’s heart was at peace with these words of the Imam.[1]
Abdullah ibn Yahya al-Kahli says: “I was in the service of Imam Kazim (peace be upon him) when Ali ibn Yaqtin came toward him. The Imam turned to his companions and said, ‘Whoever wishes to see one of the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) should look at the person coming toward us.’ One of those present asked, ‘Is he from the people of Paradise?’ The Imam (peace be upon him) replied, ‘I testify that he is from the people of Paradise.'”
Indeed, Paradise is the reward for sincere servants.
(Adapted from the book “The Practical Biography of Ahl al-Bayt: Imam Musa Kazim (peace be upon him)” by Sayyid Kazim Arfa)
Footnote:
[1] Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 48, p. 136