I have been told that there are some people who boast about...

I have been told that there are some people who boast about you and transgress beyond bounds.” Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, “My father Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) narrated that his father (a.s.) quoted on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.), on the authority of his father Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), on the authority of his father Al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.), on the authority of his father Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) that God’s Prophet (S) said, “Do not raise me up to a position higher than I deserve.

In fact, firstly the Blessed the Sublime God first made me a servant (i.e. a person) before making me a Prophet. And the Blessed the Sublime God says, “It is not (possible) that a man, to whom is given the Book, and Wisdom, and the Prophetic office, should say to people: ‘Be ye my worshippers rather than Allah’s’: on the contrary (He would say) ‘Be ye worshippers of Him Who is truly the Cherisher of all: For ye have taught the Book and ye have studied it earnestly.

Nor would he instruct you to take angels and Prophets for Lords and patrons. What! would he bid you to unbelief after ye have bowed your will (to Allah in Islam)?’ [^3] Ali (a.s.) said, “Two groups of people have ruined themselves because of me and I am not to blame for that: those who love me to the extreme, and those who hate me to the extreme.

I take refuge in the Blessed the Sublime God from those who boast about us and raise us up too high above our own true rank, just as Jesus (a.s.) - the son of (the Blessed Lady) Mary (a.s.) took refuge in God from the Christians. The Sublime God says, ‘ And behold! Allah will say, ‘O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah?’ Jesus (a.s.) will say, ‘Glory be to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say).

Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Thine.