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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books the Life of Imām 'ali Bin Mūsā Al-ridā Chapter V HIS DEBATES AND HIS ARGUMENTS The time of the Imām, peace be on him, is famous for the debates and arguments which spread among the great figures of religions, of Islamic schools, and of others. Violent discussions took place among them on numerous theological researches, especially as it concerns the fundamentals of religion.

Theology books and others are full of different kinds of such an ideological conflict accompanied by evidence which the theologians have produced in support of their own beliefs. One of the matters which led to violent arguments and discussions between the Shiites and the Sunnis was that of the Imāmate.

The Shiites maintained that the Imāmate was similar to the Prophecy, which was not subject to the choice and election of the community; rather it was decided by Allah, the Exalted, Who chose for it whomever He willed from among His righteous servants whose hearts He examined for faith. Also they made a condition that the Imām should be infallible of errors, the most learned of the community, and the most knowledgeable of it in the affairs of Islamic law and all sciences of life.

However, the Sunnis denied that in general. It is worth mentioning that the debates during the time of the Imām took place among the great figures of Islamic schools in the palaces of the kings and of their ministers. For example, the Barāmika held meetings in their own palaces and summoned to them theologians from among the Sunni (religious) scholars. The theologians debated with the great scholar, Hishām b.

al-Hakam, and discussed with him the matter of the Imāmate, and he disproved their vague errors with firm argument and inclusive proof. Without doubt the Barāmika held such sessions and discussed such a matter not because of some scientific reasons; rather they wanted to understand the definite evidence which the Shiites produced in support of their beliefs in the Imāmate. Al-Mamūn appointed Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, as his heir apparent.

However, he was not sincere in this purpose; nor did he believe that the Imām was more appropriate than him for the caliphate. He (al-Mamūn) ordered all his governors in Islamic world to summon the great (religious) scholars, who were experienced in different kinds of science, to go to Khurasān in order to question the Imām about the most difficult scientific matters.