[2] All the exalted values and genuine principles of which...

[2] All the exalted values and genuine principles of which man boasts were in the Imāms of the Household (of the prophet), peace be on them, for they were some of their elements and qualities. (2) As for the inclinations and qualities of Imām al-Ridā, they were like those of his fathers, the great Imāms. He freed himself from the world, renounced its beauties, and turned away from its embellishment, dedicated himself to Allah, devoted himself to Him, and clung to obedience to Him.

He had knowledge of the precepts of the religion, inclusively encompassed the law of the Lord of the messengers, helped the weak, relieved the deprived, accomplished the needs of the needy, and other qualities which placed him at the top of honor and glory in the world of Arabs and Muslims.

Imām Ali al-Rida, peace be on him, possessed these original values in all their forms and kinds, for he completely freed himself from the world and divorced it three times, just as his grandfather [1] Majjma' al-Zawā'id, vol. 9, p. 68. Al-Hlya, vol. 4, p. 306. Tārikh Baghdad, vol. 2, p. 19. [2] Al-Majjlisi, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 12, p. 71. Imām Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, did. Hence, he paid no attention to its vanities and embellishment.

This clearly appeared when he undertook the succession, which was the greatest office in the Islamic State, hence he was the second character after al-Mamūn. Nevertheless, he rejected all the seductions of government and authority. He intensely hated the popular festivals and all kinds of honoring and magnifying which the people would hold for their kings and rulers. He announced this when he said: Mans waking behind a man is a trial for the followed and abasement for the follower.

[1] The narrators have said: Imām Ali b. Mūsā al-Rida would go to the bath-house, but the owner of the bath-house did not recognize him. It happened that there was a soldier in the bath-house and the soldier asked the Imām to rub and clean him. The Imām responded to his request. When the soldier came to know of the Imām, he became fearful and terrified. However, the Imām calmed his fear and made him know that he rendered him a human service.

Among his high moral traits is that he would eat with his boys and retainers. He hated to distinguish himself from them. There are other high moral traits which he inherited from his grandfather, the greatest Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family.