Allah, the Most Exalted, says in His Glorious Book:

And We made them leaders, guiding by Our command. And We inspired them to do good deeds, establish prayer, and give zakat; and they were worshippers of Us

Today, on the 11th of Zu al-Qa‘dah, we commemorate the blessed birth of one of those whom Allah has appointed as Imams and guides, and as role models for humanity—those entrusted with the message of the Messenger of Allah (p.), and its guardians against deviation and distortion. He is Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Rida (a)

The Imamate and Its Challenges

Imam al-Rida (a.s.) assumed the responsibility of the Imamate after the death of his father, Imam al-Kazim (a.s.). His Imamate lasted twenty years and saw the succession of several Abbasid caliphs. He suffered under the rule of the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid, continuing the hardship endured by his father who spent long years in Harun’s prisons. Harun was so tyrannical that he once told his son, “By Allah, if you disputed me over this matter \[caliphate], I would pluck out your eyes.” It was said that the blood never dried from Harun’s sword throughout his reign.

Al-Ma’mun appointed Imam al-Rida (a.s.) as his successor (heir apparent), which granted the Imam a decade of relative freedom of movement, allowing him to engage with the people of all walks of life, to hold dialogues, and to present the knowledge of Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.). It was a valuable opportunity to confront the emerging deviations in Islamic belief, law, concepts, and traditions.

Yet al-Ma’mun later retracted his decision, fearing the growing popularity of the Imam and the threat it posed to his own position. The Imam’s moral and religious authority was giving him the legitimacy al-Ma’mun had hoped to use for himself. According to many reports, this led al-Ma’mun to poison the Imam.

On this blessed occasion, we reflect on some of the Imam’s actions that highlight his deep humility, humanity, love for people, and his closeness to them.

The first instance occurred when the Imam (a.s.) hosted a banquet. Sitting at the table were leaders, ministers, and high-ranking individuals. This was shortly after his appointment as the heir to the caliphate. Yet the Imam (a.s.) insisted on not sitting until everyone who served him, including workers, the doorkeeper, and the stableman, were invited to the same table.

One of his companions, whom the Imam had instructed to invite them, said: “O my master, would you not set a separate table for those people?”

He implied that the Imam’s status as the Caliph’s heir and the stature of his guests were too high to sit at the same table as servants.

The Imam (a.s.) replied:

“Stop that. Surely, the Lord—blessed and exalted—is One, and the mother is one, and the father is one, and the reward is based on deeds,”—not on status, lineage, wealth, or followers.

He then recited the verse:

Indeed, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you[Qur’an 49:13]

This was not a one-time event. It was the Imam’s consistent approach in dealing with people—with humility and respect for their dignity, regardless of their social standing or lineage.

Second Incident

The second incident took place when the Imam (a.s.) once needed to go to a bathhouse. He went to a public bath, just like ordinary people, even though it was expected that someone of his stature would have a private bath in his residence. The bathhouse owner did not expect a man of such status to visit and therefore did not treat him with special attention.

While the Imam (a.s.) was inside, one of al-Ma’mun’s soldiers entered. Not knowing who the Imam was, the soldier took the Imam’s place and even asked him to pour water over his head. The Imam (a.s.) did not identify himself and fulfilled the soldier’s request without hesitation.

A man who knew the Imam then entered the bathhouse and shouted at the soldier:

“You are ruined! How dare you have the grandson of the Messenger of Allah, the Most Exalted, serve you?!” The soldier was terrified. He fell at the feet of the Imam (a.s.), kissed them, and pleaded,

“O son of the Messenger of Allah! Why did you not disobey me when I ordered you?” The Imam (a.s.) gently responded:

“Calm down. It is a deed that earns reward, and I did not want to disobey you in something that brings reward”

This is who Imam al-Rida (a.s.) was—a leader, a guide, and a symbol of generosity, kindness, and humility. He did not give with pride or act with superiority. He lived among the people, serving them, respecting them, and lifting their spirits and faith.

Third Incident:

This is what one of Imam al-Rida’s (a.s.) companions, al-Yasa‘ ibn Hamzah, narrated:

“I was in the gathering of Abū al-Hasan al-Rida, and many people had gathered around him asking him about their religious matters. Suddenly, a man entered, greeted him, and said: ‘I have lost my provisions, and I do not have what will help me reach my destination. If you see fit, assist me so I can return to my hometown. I promise by God that when I reach my town, I will give in charity on your behalf whatever you give me, for I am not someone who deserves alms.’

The Imam said to him, ‘Sit down, may God have mercy on you,’ and then turned back to the people and continued speaking to them until they dispersed.

One of the companions who witnessed this was surprised that the Imam had hidden his face when giving the man the money. This would be understandable if the amount was small, out of shyness perhaps, but the Imam had given a large sum. So he asked, “May I be your ransom! You were generous and merciful—why did you hide your face from him?”

The Imam replied:

“I feared seeing the humiliation of begging on his face, after I fulfilled his need.”

 

The Best Way to Live:

The final incident is when a man came to Imam al-Ridha (a), and the Imam asked:

“Who is the best among people in their livelihood?”

The man replied, “O my Master, you are more knowledgeable about that than I.”

The Imam said:

“The one whose livelihood brings good to others.”

And when asked, “Who is the worst among people in their livelihood?”

He said:

“The one whose life does not benefit others.”

In the Imam’s view , the best person is the one who leaves a positive impact—someone who is missed when absent and mourned when gone. The worst person is one who passes through life leaving no memory or benefit—his death like his life, his absence like his presence—neither missed nor remembered.

This is similar to what Imam Ali (a.s.) said:

“Live among people in such a way that if you die, they weep for you, and if you live, they long for your company. Be among the people like the bee among birds.”

Following the Imam’s Example:

Dear beloved, we are most in need of embodying this humanistic behavior in our lives, which is the true expression of the religious values that aim to nurture our humanity.

No one can be a true believer without humility, without recognizing all people as equals in humanity and honoring them equally—only distinguished by their closeness to God and their obedience to Him. A true believer is someone who gives generously to others.

By doing this, we express our love and loyalty to this noble Imam.

We are accustomed, dear brothers and sisters, to commemorate the memories of Ahl al-Bayt (a) through celebrations, meals, visits, and gatherings during joyful or sorrowful occasions. This is fine—but it is not enough.

We must also strive to convey their words, teachings, lives, and knowledge to the people. This is what Imam al-Rida (a.s.) called for when he said:

“Revive our cause. May God have mercy on those who revive our cause.”

When asked how their cause should be revived, he replied:

“By learning our knowledge and teaching it to people. For if people knew the beauty of our words, they would follow us.”

Let us, on this occasion, turn to him with our hearts and promise to be a reflection of him in this life, a voice for his teachings—teachings that are in fact the teachings of Islam wherever we are—so we can be worthy of our connection to him and our loyalty.

Let us ask God sincerely to grant us the honor of visiting him in this world and his intercession in the Hereafter—that is the true success.

 

Second Sermon

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Worshippers of God, I advise you and myself with what Imam al-Rida (a.s.) advised his student Sayyed ʿAbd al-ʿAẓīm al-Ḥasanī—who is buried in Tehran and is known as al-Shāh ʿAbd al-ʿAẓīm, and whom the Imam used to send to deliver his messages. The Imam said:

“Convey my greetings to our followers and tell them not to give Satan any control over themselves. Command them to be truthful in speech and faithful in delivering trusts. Command them to keep silent and to avoid arguing about things that do not concern them. Instruct them to turn to one another with love and to visit one another—for this brings them closer to me.

And tell them not to waste their time tearing each other apart, for I have sworn that whoever does so, angers one of my followers, or bears malice toward him, I will ask God to punish him severely in this world.

Inform them that God has forgiven their righteous among them and has overlooked their wrongdoers—except those who associate others with Him, harm one of my followers, or harbor ill intentions toward them. God will not forgive such a person unless he repents.”

The Imam wanted to portray the true image of those who follow Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) Let us reflect on this and adhere to it so we may become more conscious, responsible, and capable of facing challenges.

Ongoing Aggression

We begin with what continues to afflict us—the ongoing Israeli aggression against this country.

The enemy persists in its assassinations and bombings, targeting homes and temporary shelters in the southern border villages—destroying what little remains.

Recently, it attacked areas around Nabatiyeh, using powerful bombs that caused terror among civilians.

The enemy still operates with complete freedom, unchecked by any deterrent, taking advantage of the deafening silence from the international bodies responsible for upholding the ceasefire—despite Lebanon and the Resistance adhering fully to the terms of that ceasefire, including pursuing anyone who threatens it.

In light of all this, we renew our call to the Lebanese state to strengthen its diplomatic efforts and raise its voice in international forums.

Even the UNIFIL commander stated that it is Israel that obstructs the implementation of Resolution 1701, and prevents the Lebanese army from fulfilling its obligations—so that Israel’s aggression is not normalized and forgotten.

 

Importance of National Unity

We also stress the importance of national unity in confronting these aggressions and Israel’s continued occupation of Lebanese territory, which violates Lebanon’s sovereignty.

The focus should remain on this enemy—not, as some parties do, directing criticism at the Resistance, which the enemy fears and respects.

We cannot face such a powerful enemy, supported politically and militarily, with weakness and internal division—especially in rhetoric and media.

Hence, we again remind political forces: it is your right to have different views and approaches, and this diversity is natural. But this must not be expressed through inflammatory and divisive rhetoric that increases fear, tension, and division among Lebanese.

Provocative speech invites more provocation, and harsh words invite harsher responses. We want the language of reason, calm dialogue, and constructive discourse to dominate in all disagreements, for this is what brings about real solutions.

We also call on media outlets to play a unifying role during this critical time—to spread messages of internal unity, and not offer their platforms to those who stir sectarian or political strife and threaten the country’s cohesion.

Elections and National Duties

As for the municipal elections, we commend the efforts of the state, especially the Ministry of Interior, for conducting them freely and without interference. This provides positive momentum for the next rounds and national deadlines to come.

It reinforces the role of the state, which we want to see strengthened.

We hope the Lebanese people can rise above the divisions caused by this election and prepare for the next phase with national and sportsmanlike spirit—expressed at the ballot box, not through ground tensions or provocations.

Gaza: Between Siege and Steadfastness

We come to Gaza, where the enemy continues its massacres and suffocating siege—waging a war of extermination and seeking to displace its people and strip them of their will.

All this, sadly, no longer shakes the conscience of the so-called defenders of human rights.

Yet the Palestinian people remain steadfast, resisting, enduring, and refusing to let the enemy achieve its goals.

They deserve every form of support.

Here, we must salute the Yemeni people and their resistance.

Despite their immense sacrifices and suffering, they insist on standing with the Palestinian people—offering an inspiring example of solidarity that we hope others will follow.

A Greeting to the New Pope

Lastly, we extend congratulations to the Catholic Christians on the election of their new Pope.

We hope that he carries the message of Jesus Christ (a.s.)—a message of love, justice, and defense of the oppressed.

A message much needed in a world threatened in its security and economy, and where the marginalized and poor cry out for support.