He wrote the central government saying that he Imam was...

He wrote the central government saying that he Imam was assembling apparatuses of kingdom and that his followers were in such numbers that he could rise against the government whenever he wished. IMAM ALI AN-NAQI (AS) became aware of such antagonism in sufficient time. In order to counteract, he too wrote a letter to AL-MUTAWAKKIL explaining the personal enmity the lying governor had borne against him. As a political step, AL-MUHAWAKKIL was quick to dismiss the governor.

At the same time he sent a regiment under the command of YAHYA IBN HARTHAMA who explained to the imam in a friendly way that the caliph wished him to stay in the capital for a few days and then go back to Medina. The Imam knew well the motives behind this request. He knew that the polite invitation actually meant his banishment from his ancestral city. But to refuse was useless, as it would involve a forcible departure later.

Leaving the sacred city was as painful to him as it had been for his respected forefathers viz. IMAM HUSAIN (AS) IMAM MUSA AL-KAZIM (AS), IMAM ALI AR-RIDA (AS) and MUHAMMAD AT-TAQI (AS). This type of harassment had almost become a heritage. Still the observers stated that leaving that native place was so heavy on his heart that friends and followers were shocked to see his plight. AL-MUTAWAKKIL'S letter to the Imam was full of respect and endearment.

The military detachment sent to escort him as retinue or body-guards was actually a deceitful show. So when the Imam reached SAMARRA (SURRA MAN RA'A), and AL-MUTAWAKKIL was informed, he neither arranged for his reception nor for his stay. He ordered to accommodate him in a wilderness where the city's beggars usually dwelt.

Although the Prophet's descendants gladly associated with the poor and the destitute, and they did not covet luxurious living, AL-MUTAWAKKIL meant to thus insult the Imam who stayed there for three days; thereafter, AL-MUTAWAKKIL handed him over to the custody of his secretary RAZAQI, and prohibited his meeting with others. It has been seen that during the imprisonment of IMAM MUSA AL-KAZIM (AS), his moral charm had softened the stone hearts of the guards.

In the same way, RAZAQI also was impressed by the greatness of IMAM ALI AN-NAQI (AS) and he began to provide for his comfort. This leniency could not remain hidden from AL-MUTAWAKKIL who transferred the Imam to the custody of SA'ID, a cruel and ruthless man in whose imprisonment he spent full twelve years.