Moreover al-Mamūn wanted to conciliate the Iranians and all...

Moreover al-Mamūn wanted to conciliate the Iranians and all supporters of the Household (of the Prophet) whom the previous Abbāsid governments had wronged, persecuted, and deprived of their natural rights. Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, was fully aware of the political reasons which urged al-Mamūn to abdicate the office of the caliphate and to hand it over to him, peace be on him. He, peace be on him, vigorously refused to undertake it.

When al-Mamūn was despair of him, he threatened him with death, so the Imām reluctantly responded to him according to the following conditions: A. He (Imām al-Ridā) would not command; nor would he prohibit. B. He would not remove any person from his office. C. He would not appoint any person in any of the state offices. These conditions indicate…