The eighth Imam of the Shias , the 8th successor of the Holy Prophet S.A.W was the 10th link in the chain of purity and perfection. The glorious event of the birth of this 8th star was taken place in Madina-e-Munawwara on the 11th Zilqaad in 153 A.H. Imam Moosa-e-Kazim A.S named His holy son , Ali according to the holy tablet : Lauh-e-Mahfooz. Our 8th Imam A.S is the 3rd Ali in the progeny of our Holy Prophet S.A.W. The most famous title of our holy Imam was Raza and this was because every living being in the heaven and on earth were pleased by Him.
Imam Ali Raza A.S was brought up by His holy father but this holy patronage was deprived by Haroon Rashid when He seperated the holy 7th Imam from His son and family. In 183 A.H Imam Moosa-e-Kazim A.S was martyred inside the prison of Baghdad and from here the responsibilities of Imamat was handed over to Imam Ali Raza A.S who would now continue to enlighten the path of the truth to His followers.
Imam Moosa-e-Kazim A.S who was bestowed with Ilm-e-Ghayb (knowledge of the hidden) knew that the last years of His life would be spent by suffering the tortures of Haroon Rashid inside the dungeons of Baghdad. The freedom to preach and to propagate Islam would be seized therefore the appointment of the next coming Imam of the Shias (i.e. His son Imam Ali Raza A.S) was announced during His lifetime in Madina. In the presence of 17 people who all were connected to the holy progeny of Imam Ali A.S and Hazrat Fatema S.A , were invited to witness the appointment of the next Imam who would succeed Imam Moosa-e-Kazim A.S. This holy nomination was also performed in writing where more than 60 people signed their testifying.
After the martyrdom of the 7th Imam A.S the reign of Haroon Rashid lasted 10 more years and in 193 A.H after his death his son Ameen came to power but soon he died too and now the rulership was in the hands of Haroon Rashid’s next son , Mamoon Rashid.
Now Mamoon was well aware of that the holy guidance continued in Madina by Imam Ali Raza A.S and he also knew how much the people loved and respected the holy Imam. Mamoon was afraid that the people in Iran would not pay any attention to him and that he might loose his popularity among the people unless he didn’t showed his love for the Imam. By his fake pretending of his love he now invited Imam Ali Raza A.S to Iran and offered the heirship to the throne.
Imam Ali Raza A.S knew Mamoon’s plan and after being forced to accept this offer the Imam now decided to leave Madina. The moment of His departure was very heart-rending as His holy family knew that this seperation would never unite them again. Imam Ali Raza A.S arrived in Iran and continued the holy mission of the Holy prophet S.A.W. He continued guiding His people by the Divine knowledge. This Divine knowledge and the miracles shown by the Holy Imam A.S aroused jealousy and enmity among the enemies of Imam Ali Raza A.S. They continuously put the Imam’s knowledge to trial but it always resulted in the usual way that they failed and the Imam was triumphant of course.
It is narrated (in the urdu translation of the book “Bihar-ul-Anwar” vol.nr.5 at page 89) by Ibrahim bin Abbas that I never saw Imam Ali Raza A.S to be at a loss for an answer , the holy Imam A.S had an answer to all kinds of questions and all the answers were always related to a verse from the Holy Quran. It is known that Imam Ali Raza A.S used to finish reading the Holy Book in just 3 days .Imam Ali raza A.S has said that I could also finish reading the Quran in less than 3 days but the reason is that while reciting I pay deeply attention to each verse that’s why I need that time.
All our Imams were the highest spiritual leader of their lifetime and today it is our 12th Imam A.S who is our heavenly leader and guider.Let's pray that may Allah hasten His rearrival . Ameen. On the birth anniversary of Imam Ali Raza A.S we offer our salutations to our Living Imam and extend our felicitations on this joyful day.
Our heartly greetings on this happy day is also offered to all momeneen and momenaat all around the world.
