“He did not speak harshly to anyone, and he never interrupted anyone’s speech before they had finished. He never refused a request from someone if he was capable of fulfilling it. He never stretched his legs out in front of anyone sitting next to him, nor did he lean against anyone. I never saw him speak harshly to his servants. He never laughed loudly, but his laughter was a smile. If anyone says they have seen someone as virtuous as him, do not believe them.”[1]
These are the words of Ibrahim bin Abbas Sulay, describing the social behavior of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Reza (peace be upon him), an Imam whose humanity and kindness were unique and unparalleled. Through his humble behavior, he established equality and fairness among people, striving to elevate the status of human beings.
Ibn Shahr Ashub in his book Manaqib says: “Imam Reza (peace be upon him) entered a public bath. A man, not recognizing him, asked him to massage his body. Imam Reza (peace be upon him) began doing so. When people informed the man that this was Imam Reza (peace be upon him), he apologized, but the Imam continued his work, comforting him.”[2]
Yasir, the servant of the Imam (peace be upon him), also narrates: “The practice of Imam Reza (peace be upon him) was such that when the assembly would become empty, he would gather his servants, both young and old, and converse with them, making himself familiar and comfortable with them. His practice when eating was that when his food was brought, he would have the servants, both young and old, sit beside him and eat together with them. When someone suggested that a separate table be set for them, he said: ‘Our Lord is one, our father and mother are the same (referring to Adam and Eve), and the reward is according to deeds.'”[3][4]
Such social behaviors of Imam Reza (peace be upon him) showcase examples of human ethics in Islam. Regarding social rights and the observance of human dignity, Imam Reza (peace be upon him) considered any form of class privilege and individual or social superiority meaningless, emphasizing human dignity and freeing people from the constraints of a class-based society. According to Islamic teachings, the only difference that grants superiority over others is obedience to God, as the Qur’an states: “The most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you.” [5]
(Adapted from the book “An Analysis of the Life of Imam Reza (peace be upon him)” by Muhammad Jawad Fadlallah, with some modifications and additions)
Footnotes:
[1] Uyoun Akhbar al-Reza, Vol. 2, p. 184
[2] Manaqib Aal Abi Talib, Vol. 4, p. 362
[3] Uyoun Akhbar al-Reza, Vol. 2, p. 399
[4] Kafi, Vol. 8, p. 230
[5] (Quran, Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 13)