Another issue in the lives of the Imams is their imprisonment...

Another issue in the lives of the Imams is their imprisonment, exile and persecution. In my opinion this issue must be studied thoroughly. Yet another issue is the straightforward and firm language as well as confrontation of the infallible Imams with the caliphs. A noteworthy point in this regard is that, if these honorable figures were conservative or compromising, they should have adopted a soft language, free from any confrontation as other clerics and ascetics of the time did.

As you know there were a number of clerics and ascetics who were respected and welcomed by Harun. He used to tell them: "All of you are very cautious; all of you look for a prey, except Amr ibn Ubayd." They used to advise the caliphs, and even sometimes these clerics used to make the caliphs cry; however, they were careful not to address the caliphs using concepts such as oppressor, outlaw, usurper, diabolic or similar concepts.

But the infallible Imams were not influenced by the splendor and might of the caliphs; they did not keep silent. Yet another issue is the violent measures employed by the caliphs against the Imams, which include those taken by Mansur against Imam Sadiq (as) and the ones taken by Harun against Imam Kadhim (as). I have already alluded to some of them. Previous…