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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Story of the Sun: A Look at Imam al-Ridha Life Imam al-Ridha’s (a.s.) Social Sira and his Good Conduct towards People He would tidy up his appearance when he went to people. He would never verbally molest anyone. He would never interrupt anyone. He would never reject anyone's request if he could grant it. He would not stretch his feet or lean back before his companion. He was never seen to laugh boisterously; rather, his laughter was [more like] a smile.

He was interested in scenting himself, especially when among people. He helped out others and gave them alms a lot and he would do this in the dark of the night. He was very humble. It is related that once in a public bathhouse a man who did not know the Imam told him to rub his back (with a scrubbing glove). His holiness began to rub his back; when people introduced the Imam to him, he got so embarrassed and apologized but the Imam kept rubbing his back while comforting him.

He respected his guests a lot. One day a guest came to him and stayed until night. At this time something went wrong with light in the room; the man wanted to fix the light but the Imam stopped him and fixed it himself and said, “We do not exploit our guest.”[^1] Imam al-Ridha‘s (a.s.) Generosity and Munificence His holiness was unique in his time in generosity and favoring the poor. One year, on the day of ʿ Arafa (the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah), he gave away all his property. Fadhl b.

Sahl said, “This is damage and loss.” His holiness said, “Never consider as a loss what through which you have obtained reward and magnanimity.”[^2] One day a man said to his holiness: “Grant me something [proportionate] to your generosity.” The Imam (a.s.) replied: “I cannot.” The man said, “Then grant me to my generosity”. His holiness said, “This I can do.” Then, he ordered to give him twenty thousand dinar s.

^3 Imam al-Ridha‘s (a.s.) Special Attention and Favor towards the Needy One of the issues highly emphasized in Islam is attending to and helping out the needy and fulfilling their requirements, especially when they ask for it. The Qur'anic verses and the Infallible Imam’s (a.s.) instructions are replete with assertions on this issue and expressions of the excellence and manners of serving the needy.

A short review of the sira of Imam al-Ridha (a.s.) reveals that his holiness has been especially favored with serving and helping out the poor. Mu‘ammar b.