However...

However, everything he apparently did in honor and as homage to Imam al-Ridha (as) was a means to boost his own power and glory in caliphate that was actually the plans and plots carried out by the order from his cunning vizier, Fadhl b. Sahl. At last, the eighth Imam (as), traveling through Basra, Khurramshar, Ahwaz, Arak, Qum, Rey, and Neyshabur arrived in Merv on Shawwal 10, 201/May 1, 817.

People of all these cities enthusiastically welcomed and appreciated visiting the only descendant of the Holy Apostle (S) and took advantage of this opportunity to seek Imam (as)'s assistance in solving their religious and worldly problems. Hadith Silsilat al-Dhahab in Neyshabur Hadith Silsilat al-Dhahab (Golden Chain) [^3] in Neyshabur People of Neyshabur were eagerly looking forward to seeing Imam al-Ridha (as).

At his arrival they asked him to stay on for a while longer so they could better see the charming and dignified countenance of…