This was the plan of al-Mamūn...

This was the plan of al-Mamūn, who was among the first-class diplomatic corps, so he was able to overcome the events surrounding him and to save his government from the deadliest danger encircling it.

Through his nominating Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, for succession, al-Mamūn was able to give a religious quality to his government in order to indicate that it was not oppressive like that of his fathers, that mutiny against him was illegal, and that it was obligatory on the Muslims to war against those who revolted against him.

Among the aims which al-Mamūn achieved through this pledge of allegiance (to the Imām) is that he was able to know the Shiite elements and to recognize their identities. It is worth mentioning that the places of the Shiites were very secret, that the Shiites worked in secret and in hiding-places. However, after this pledge of allegiance (to the Imām), their affair appeared, and the authorities were able to discover them.

Al-Mamūn pledged allegiance (to Imām al-Ridā) in order to indicate that the Imām, peace be on him, was not among those who renounced the world; rather he was among those who loved it through his accepting this pledge of allegiance. However, the Imām was fully aware of al-Mamūns objectives which he disproved when he stipulated that he would not appoint nor remove nor take part in government.

These are some motives which urged al-Mamūn to appoint Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, as a successor after him. [1] Now, we will return to talk about regency, the attitude of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, toward it, and some matters concerning it; that is as follows: Al-Fadls Letter to the Imām Al-Fadl b.

Sahl sent a letter to Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, in which he asked him to come to Khurasān in order to receive the caliphate from al-Mamūn; this is the text of the letter: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, To Ali b. Mūsā al-Ridā, son of Allahs Apostle, the chosen one, who has become rightly guided by his guidance, followed his practice, kept the religion of Allah, and stored the revelation of Allah. From his friend, al-Fadl b.

Sahl, who sacrificed himself for returning his right to him, and connecting his night to his day concerning it. Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you, O rightly guided one.