On Ar-Ridha’s Noble Characteristics and His Worshipping

“Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) sat on straw mats in the summer, and sackcloth in the winter. He (a.s.) usually wore rough clothes except for when he (a.s.) wanted to visit the people. Then he (a.s.) wore better clothes.”

When someone asks me for something, I rush to fulfill it fearing that he might no longer have that need and I do not get to fulfill his need on time.”

I was purchased along with other female slaves in Kufa where I was born. They took us to Al-Ma’mun. We benefited from food, drinks, perfumes and a lot of money in his paradise-like house. Al-Ma’mun bestowed me upon Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.). When I went to his house, I lost all those benefits. A woman was hired as our teacher. She woke us up at night to pray. This was really hard on us and we all wished we could leave there. Then he (a.s.) donated me to your grandfather Abdullah ibn Abbas. When I went to his house, it was as if I had gone to Heaven.”Al-Sowli added, “I have never seen any woman more generous and intelligent than my grandmother. She died in the year 270 A.H. (882 A.D.) after living nearly one hundred years. The people often asked her about Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.). She replied, “I do not remember anything about him except that he used to evaporate Indian aloes-wood, and then put on rose water and musk. He always said his morning prayer on time at the beginning of the time to pray. Then he prostrated and did not raise his head from that state until sunrise. He would then get up and go to attend to the needs of the people or ride. No one was able to raise his voice in his house - no matter whom he was. He always spoke gently and slowly with the people.My grandfather always sought blessings on account of this female slave. On the same day that she was donated to him, he made a covenant with her to set her free after his death. Once when my grandfather’s maternal uncle, who was a poet called Al-Abbas ibn al-Ahnaf, went to see him and saw her he became interested in her. He told my grandfather, “Can you give her to me?” My grandfather said, “She has been designated to be set free after my death.” Then Al-Abbas ibn al-Ahnaf said,O Qadr! Deceit got adorned by your name being deceitHowever, the world mistreated him who well did you treat.

I never saw that Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) be asked a question and he did not know the answer. I have never seen anyone more knowledgeable than him (a.s.) from the beginning of history up until his time. Al-Ma’mun constantly tested him (a.s.) by questioning and he (a.s.) always responded. He cited all his words, answers and similitude from the Qur’an. He read the Qur’an completely once every three days. He (a.s.) used to say, “I can read all the way through the Qur’an even faster if I wish. But in the way I read it now, I ponder over the meanings and on the occasions in which the verses have been revealed, and the time of their revelation. That is why it takes three whole days and nights.” One of his famous sayings is, “Minor sins are the road to major sins. Whoever does not fear God when he commits a minor sin will not fear Him when committing a major sin. Even if God had not admonished the people regarding Heaven and Hell, it was obligatory for the people to obey Him and stay away from disobeying Him. This is due to the nobility and kindness that He has bestowed upon them and having brought them into existence from being non-existent which they did not deserve!”

“Al-Ma’mun sent me in person to bring Ali ibn Musa (a.s.) from Medina. He ordered me to take him there by way of Basra, Ahwaz and Fars, but not by way of Qum. He ordered me to personally accompany and guard him (a.s.) day and night the whole way, until we reached our destination. I was constantly with him all the way from Medina to Marv. I swear by God that I have never seen any man more God-fearing than him, or anyone who remembers God as often as he (a.s.) does at all times, or fear God the Exalted the Honorable more than he (a.s.) does. He said his morning prayer as soon as the morning arrived. Then he (a.s.) sat down where he (a.s.) prayed and praised God, glorified Him, said that God is the Greatest and sent blessings upon the Prophet (S) until sunrise. Then he (a.s.) prostrated and remained in that state until the sun came up. He (a.s.) then got up and attended to the needs of the people and spoke with them. He (a.s.) advised them until the approach of noon. Then he (a.s.) made ablutions and returned to where he (a.s.) prayed. At noon he (a.s.) said six units of prayers. He (a.s.) recited, ‘In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the world; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. Show us the straight way, the way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.’ and continued with (the verses), ‘Say: O ye that reject Faith! I worship not that which ye worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship, nor will ye worship that which I worship. To you be your Way, and to me mine.’ In the first unit, he (a.s.) recited the Chapter ‘Al-Fatiha and followed it with (the verse), ‘Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him’ in the second unit. He (a.s.) recited likewise in the other four units and said the Salam after each two units. In each one, he said the Qunut in the second unit after reading the above verses and before bowing down. After saying each two units, he (a.s.) said the ‘Azan again and said another two units of prayers.Then he (a.s.) recited the Iqamah and said his noon prayers. When he (a.s.) finished, he (a.s.) recited God’s glorifications, praises, ‘God is the Greatest’,‘There is no god but God’ for as many times as God had willed. He (a.s.) then prostrated and expressed his gratitude to God by saying ‘Thanks be to God’ one hundred times. Once he (a.s.) finished his prostrations and lifted his head up, he (a.s.) stood up and performed another six units of prayers.In each unit, he (a.s.) recited (the verse), ‘In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the world; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. Show us the straight way, The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.’ He (a.s.) continued with the verse, ‘Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.’ He (a.s.) said the ‘Salam after each two units. In each one, he (a.s.) said the ‘Qunut in the second unit after reading the above verses and before bowing down. After saying each two units, he (a.s.) said the ‘Azan again and said another two units of recommendable (‘Nafilah) prayers. He (a.s.) said the ‘Qunut in the second unit, and after finishing the two units he (a.s.) stood up and started to say his afternoon prayers. When he (a.s.) finished saying his afternoon prayers, he (a.s.) sat down there and recited God’s glorifications, praises, ‘God is the Greatest’, ‘There is no god but God’ as many times as God had willed. He (a.s.) then prostrated and expressed his gratitude to God by saying ‘Thanks be to God’ one hundred times. When the sun set, he (a.s.) made ablutions again and said three units of evening prayers along with the ‘Azan, ‘Iqamah and ‘Qunut in the second unit after reciting the verses and before bowing down. After finishing his prayers, he (a.s.) sat down there and recited God’s glorifications in the same manner as expressed above. He (a.s.) then prostrated. When he (a.s.) finished his prostrations, he (a.s.) lifted his head up, but did not talk to anyone until he (a.s.) said four units of recommendable prayers (nafila) for the evening. In each two units, he (a.s.) said the ‘Qunut in the second unit after reading the verses and before bowing down. He (a.s.) also finished each two units by saying the ‘Salams. After reciting the ‘Al-Fatiha in the first unit, he (a.s.) recited the verse ‘Al-Jahd (of the Qur’an), ‘Say: O ye that reject Faith!…’. After reciting the Al-Fatiha in the second unit, he (a.s.) recited the verses ‘Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor isHe begotten; And there is none like unto Him’ as he (a.s.) did in the rest of the units. Then he (a.s.) sat down after he had said the Salam and recited the glorifications following his prayers as much as God had willed. He (a.s.) then ate and rested until about one-third of the night was gone. He (a.s.) then got up and said four units of night prayer. He (a.s.) said the Qunut in the second unit after reading the verses and before bowing down. When he (a.s.) finished, he (a.s.) sat down there and mentioned the Exalted the Honorable God, glorifications, praises, ‘God is the Greatest’, ‘There is no god but God’ as many times as God had willed. He (a.s.) then prostrated and expressed his gratitude to God. He (a.s.) then went to sleep and woke up when two thirds of the night had passed. He (a.s.) brushed his teeth while reciting God’s glorifications, praises, ‘God is the Greatest’, ‘There is no god but God’ and asking for repentance. He (a.s.) then made ablutions and stood up to say night prayers. He (a.s.) said four sets of two units of night prayers. In the first unit of each prayer, he (a.s.) recited the verse Al-Fatiha once and recited the verse ‘Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him’ thirty times. He (a.s.) also said four units of Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) prayers as two sets of two units. He said the Qunut in the second unit of each set, before bowing down and after saying the glorifications. He (a.s.) considered it a part of the night prayer. He (a.s.) then stood up and said the other two units of prayers. In the first unit he (a.s.) recited the Al-Fatiha and recited the Sura of Mulk.In the second unit, he (a.s.) recited the ‘Al-Fatiha and recited the Sura of ad-Dahr (No. 76). Then he (a.s.) finished praying, stood up and started saying ‘Al-Shaf’ prayers in which he recited the Al-Fatiha once and the Al-Ikhlas three times in each unit. Then he (a.s.) said the Qunut in the second unit after reciting the verses and before bowing down. When he (a.s.) finished, he (a.s.) stood up and said one unit of Al-Witr prayer in which he (a.s.) recited Al-Fatiha once and Al-Ikhlas three times, and Al-Falaq once, and ‘An-Nas once. He (a.s.) said the ‘Qunut after reciting the verse and before bowing down. In the Qunut he (a.s.) said, ‘O my God! Please send blessings upon Muhammad (a.s.) and the Household of Muhammad (a.s.)! O my God! Please guide us amongst those whom Thou hath guided! Make us healthy and place us amongst those whom Thou hath made healthy! Be kind to us and place us amongst those whom Thou hath been kind to! Bless for us what Thou hath granted us! Protect us from the evilwhich Thou hath destined (for the wicked ones)! As Thee are the One who destines. There is none to command Thee! Whomever Thee loveth will not be humiliated! Whomever Thee hath considered as an enemy will not be honored! O Our Lord! Thee are Blessed! Thee are High!’ Then he (a.s.) said, ‘I ask God for forgiveness and seek repentance from Him.’ seventy times.When he (a.s.) finished, he (a.s.) sat down and continued saying supplications after his prayers as many times as God had willed.When the morning approached, he (a.s.) got up and said two units of morning prayers. He (a.s.) recited the Opening Chapter and the ‘Al-Kafirun Chapter in the first unit and the Opening Chapter and the ‘Al-Ikhlas Chapter in the second unit.When the morning came, he (a.s.) said the ‘Azan and the ‘Iqamah and said two units of morning prayer. When he (a.s.) finished, he (a.s.) sat down and continued saying supplications until sunrise. He (a.s.) then fell in prostration and said Gratitude Prostrations until noon.In all his obligatory prayers, he (a.s.) recited the Opening Chapter and ‘Al-Qadr Chapter in the first unit and recited the Opening Chapter and the ‘Al-Ikhlas Chapter in the second unit except for in the morning, noon and afternoon of Fridays on which he (a.s.) recited the Opening Chapter, the ‘Al-Jom’a Chapter and the ‘Al-Munafiqin Chapter. In the night prayer on Fridays, he (a.s.) recited the Opening Chapter and the Al-Jum’a Chapter in the first unit and the Opening Chapter and Al-A’ala Chapter in the second unit. In the morning prayer on Mondays and Thursdays, he (a.s.) recited the Opening Chapter and the Al-Insan Chapter in the first unit and the Opening Chapter and Al-Ghashiya Chapter in the second unit.He (a.s.) said his evening, night, midnight, even, odd and morning prayers aloud. He (a.s.) said his noon and afternoon prayers quietly. He (a.s.) recited the Glorifications at the end of each of them by saying ‘Glory be to God, praise be to God, there is no god but God, God is the Greatest’ thrice. The ‘Qunut in all his prayers consisted of the following, ‘O Lord! Forgive. Have Mercy regarding what evil You saw us do as You are the Magnificent the Most Generous.’ When he (a.s.) entered any town while he (a.s.) was fasting, he (a.s.) would make an explicit intention to stay there for ten days and not break his fast. When the evening came, he (a.s.) said his prayers before breaking his fast. However, he (a.s.) said his prayers in ashortened fashion while he (a.s.) was on the road saying all of them except the evening prayer in two units; and he (a.s.) said the evening prayer in three units. He (a.s.) also said the recommendable prayers for the evening as well as the recommendable the prayers for the night, as well as the even and odd prayers and the recommendable prayers for the morning. He (a.s.) never abandoned saying them whether he (a.s.) was staying somewhere or traveling. However, he (a.s.) did not say the recommendable prayers in the daytime while he (a.s.) was traveling. He (a.s.) recited the Glorifications by saying ‘Glory be to God. Praise be to God. There is no god but God. God is the Greatest’ thirty times after each of his shortened prayers; and said that this would complete the praying. I never saw him say any ‘Al-Dhuha prayers whether staying somewhere or traveling. He (a.s.) never fasted while traveling. In each of his supplications, he (a.s.) started out by sending blessings upon Muhammad (a.s.) and his Holy Household. He (a.s.) did this many times whether in his prayers or at other times. When he (a.s.) went to bed at night, he (a.s.) would recite the Qur’an a lot. Whenever he (a.s.) came across a verse in which there was any mention of Paradise or Hell, he (a.s.) would cry and ask God for Paradise, and seek refuge in Him from Hell. He (a.s.) would say, ‘In the Name of God the Beneficent, the Merciful’ in a loud voice in all his prayers whether in the daytime or at night. When he (a.s.) recited the Chapter Al-Ikhlas, he (a.s.) would say, ‘Say: He is Allah, the One and Only’ He (a.s.) said ‘God is the One and Only’ silently. When he (a.s.) finished reciting it, he (a.s.) would say, ‘God - our Lord - is as such’ thrice.When he (a.s.) recited the Chapter ‘Al-Jahd (al-Kafirun), he (a.s.) would say, ‘Say: O ye that reject Faith!…’ silently. When he (a.s.) finished it, he (a.s.) would say, ‘My Lord is God and my religion is Islam’ thrice.When he (a.s.) finished reciting the Chapter At-Tin (No. 95), he (a.s.) would say, ‘Yes. It is so, and I bear witness to it.’ When he (a.s.) recited the Chapter Al-Qiyama, he (a.s.) would say, ‘Glory be to Thee, My God! Yes, I do.’ When he (a.s.) recited the following verse in Chapter ‘Al-Jom’a, ‘…Say: ‘The (blessing) from the Presence of Allah is better than any amusement or bargain!…’’ he (a.s.) said, ‘for those who are pious’ and then went on with the rest and said, ‘… and Allah is the Best to provide (for all needs).’ When he (a.s.) finished reciting the Opening Chapter, he (a.s.) said, ‘Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds.’When he (a.s.) recited the Chapter Al-A’la (No.87), he (a.s.) said, ‘Glorified is my Lord the Highest’ in a low voice.When he (a.s.) recited ‘O ye who believe!’ in any of the verses, he (a.s.) said, ‘Here I am my Lord! Here I am’ in a low voice.In each city Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) entered, the people in that region came to see him (a.s.), to ask their religious and scholarly questions. He (a.s.) narrated for them a lot of traditions on the authority of his father (a.s.), on the authority of his forefathers (a.s.), on the authority of Ali (a.s.), on the authority of God’s Prophet (S). When I took Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) to Al-Ma’mun, Al-Ma’mun asked me about how he (a.s.) had been along the way. I told him what I had seen of him in days and at nights, during his traveling and staying. Then Al-Ma’mun told me, “O Ibn Abil Dhahhak! This is the best person on the Earth with the best deeds and the best worshipping. However, do not tell anyone what you have seen of him, so that no one can recognize his nobility unless he hears it directly from me. I seek help from God to do what I intend to do - that is to raise his rank and spread around his fame.”

I asked the prison guard for permission to visit. He said, “There is no way for you to visit him.” I asked him, “Why?” He said, “It is because the Imam (a.s.) says one-thousand units of prayers in each twenty-four hours. He (a.s.) only stops to pray for a short time early at daybreak, before the end of the day near dusk, and at times of the yellowness of the sun. Even at these times, he (a.s.) sits at the place where he prays and chants for his Lord.” Then I said, “Please ask him to grant me permission to visit him.” The prison guard sought his permission and I went to see the Imam (a.s.) at the appointed time. He (a.s.) was sitting where he prayed and was thinking. I asked the Imam (a.s.), “O son of God’s Prophet! What is this that the people have spread around about you?” He (a.s.) asked, “What is it?” I said, “They say that you claim that the people are your slaves.” He (a.s.) said, “O God! The Creator of the heavens and the Earth! You are aware of the invisible and the visible world. You are a witness that I have never said this. I have never heard any of my forefathers (a.s.) say this. You are aware of the oppressions imposed upon us by these people. And this is one such caseof oppression.” Then he (a.s.) faced me and said, “O Abdul Salam! If they are right about their claim that the people are all our slaves, then have them tell you from whom we have bought them.” I said, “O son of God’s Prophet! You are right.” Then Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, “O Abdul Salam! Do you deny what the Sublime God has made incumbent upon you in regards to our Mastery as others do?” I said, “I take refuge in God! No. I bear witness to your Mastery.”

This fasting is like fasting all year long.” He (a.s.) often did good deeds and gave charity in secret. He (a.s.) did most of this in the darkness of the night. If anyone claims that he has seen anyone as noble as him (a.s.), do not believe him.”