He approached Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.

He approached Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) who told him to accept it but refrain from ever confiscating the money or property of the Shi’as. So ‘Ali bin Yaqtin, to show his loyalty to the government, would confiscate the money of the Shi’as but would then secretly return it to them.

Once Imam al-Kazim (a.s.) told ‘Ali bin Yaqtin: “You promise me one thing; and I guarantee you three things: you won’t be killed, neither face poverty nor suffer imprisonment.” ‘Ali: “What do I have to promise you?” Imam (a.s.): “Promise me that whenever a follower of ours comes to you, you would honour him and not turn him away.” 4.

Death in Prison During Harun’s reign, Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) lived in very difficult times, in hiding, until finally Harun went on the hajj and in Medina had the Imam arrested while praying in the Mosque of the Prophet. He was chained and imprisoned, then taken from Medina to Basra and made a prisoner in the house of Isa bin Ja’far, the governor of that city. Isa was so much impressed by the Imam’s personality that he requested Harun to relieve him of this responsibility.

Imam al-Kazim (a.s.) was moved from Basra to Baghdad where for years he was transferred from one prison to another. During his imprisonment in Baghdad, he was taken to meet Harun from time to time. In one such meeting, an interesting conversation took place. We will reproduce just a section from that conversation: Harun: “Why do you allow the people to address you by words like ‘O son of the Prophet’ while you are in reality sons of ‘Ali?

People are mostly known by their paternal lineage; whereas your are related to the Prophet through your grandmother [i.e., Fatimah].” Imam (a.s.): “If the Prophet becomes alive and comes to you, and asks for the hand of your daughter in marriage — would you accept his proposal?” Harun: “Praise be to Allah! Why not?

That would be the greatest privilege for me over all the Arabs and non-Arabs!” Imam (a.s.): “The Prophet would never ask for my daughter’s hand; nor would I accept his proposal.” Harun: “Why?” Imam (a.s.): “Because the Prophet is my direct ancestor (even though from my grandmother’s side); but he is not your ancestor.” The Imam was saying that all the descendants of Fatimah would be considered the children of the Prophet, and; therefore, it would be unlawful for the Prophet to marry any one of them.