The Fortress of Heart
When Ma’mun the Abbasid Caliph called upon Imam Ali Ibn Musa al-Reza (PBUH) to migrate from Medina to the city of Marv in the land of Persia, people gathered in the city of Nishapur to see the descent of the
When Ma’mun the Abbasid Caliph called upon Imam Ali Ibn Musa al-Reza (PBUH) to migrate from Medina to the city of Marv in the land of Persia, people gathered in the city of Nishapur to see the descent of the
What constitutes our beliefs as a Muslim? How well do we know our faith? During the lifetime of the eighth Imam, the Caliph, Ma’mun, summoned a written summary of Islam from Imam Reza (PBUH). In response, the Imam wrote: “Pure
An Imam has various characteristics (1), among which the most important of them is the guidance of people. In addition to the apparent guidance the Imam has for the people, he has a specific kind of guidance and spiritual pull,
Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr, similar to many other people, kept on praying for a need, but his prayers seemed to never be answered. Slowly he was beginning to doubt the mercifulness of Allah (SWT). The feelings of anxiety
Ma’mun set various trials for Imam Reza (PBUH), so that he would overpower the Imam (PBUH) by defeating him in those trials. One of the most important among those trials was technical debates with scholars of other religions. Ma’mun ordered
The highest wisdom is the knowledge of oneself. (1) (Imam Ali bin Musa al-Reza (PBUH)) Paying attention to one’s parlance, behavior and actions or more accurately knowing ourselves and our actions, and the art of self-awareness is the duty of
It has been narrated by Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Khurasani, a servant of Imam Reza (PBUH), that one of the atheists entered into the presence of the Imam when there were some people with him. He asked the Imam (PBUH), “Tell
Do you really think like this? I was not expecting that from you… These are sentences that we may have heard them in our social conversations. Perhaps we have been in a situation in which, we had every reason and
Imam Reza (PBUH) says in a narration: “An hour of thinking is worth more than a year of worship.” He was asked about the meaning of this narration. Imam replied: “When you see ruined and abandoned homes you might ask
Sometimes, in the ups and downs of our daily lives, we forget important matters. Or in some other instances, some advantages and blessings of Allah (SWT) are taken for granted so that we hardly think about them, and we start
Sometimes, in the ups and downs of our daily lives, we forget important matters. Or in some other instances, some advantages and blessings of Allah (SWT) are taken for granted so that we hardly think about them, and we start
According to Islamic thought, value is based on deeds. This is the person who builds up his/her own character. Every person is judged, gains superiority, and reaches salvation based on his/her deeds and actions. No one can rely on his/her
The manifestation of Imamate was slowly approaching the city of Marw. Excitement and anticipation for the Imam’s arrival filled the city. Ma’mun(1), the Abbasid Caliph, and his companions went ahead to greet the Imam; and Ma’mun was the first to
Imam Reza’s (PBUH) Cooperation with Ma’moon’s Government Many criticized Imam Reza (PBUH) for allowing Ma’moon to introduce Imam Reza (PBUH) as his crown prince. Even though Imam Reza (PBUH) had accepted the position under a strict condition-he would not have
Many criticized Imam Reza (PBUH) for allowing Ma’moon to introduce Imam Reza (PBUH) as his crown prince. Even though Imam Reza (PBUH) had accepted the position under a strict condition-he would not have any part in the actual government-, yet