The eighth Imam: Imam Ali al-Rida (as) was the eighth Imam of the Ahlul Bayt (as). In Shia belief, the Imams are the guides of the Muslim community after the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww), chosen by Allah to protect and explain the true teaching of Islam.
Born in Madinah: He was born in 148 AH (766 CE) in Madinah, in the same year his grandfather Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (as) passed away and his father Imam Musa al-Kazim (as) became Imam. His mother was Najma, known for her piety and good character.
Known from his youth: From his youth he was known for his knowledge, his worship, and his kindness to the poor. People from many lands travelled to Madinah to ask him questions.
Example
Known by his answers: A person becomes known not by saying "I know", but by answering well every question that comes. Young Ali al-Rida (as) became known in Madinah in exactly that way.
Key Terms
- Imam (امام) — a divinely appointed guide of the Muslim community after the Prophet (saww)
- Ahlul Bayt (اہل بیت) — the family of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww)
- Al-Rida (الرضا) — "the one with whom Allah and people are pleased"
Quran or Hadith
Quran, Surah Al-Ahzab (33:33), the Verse of Purification about the Ahlul Bayt (as) — often quoted in the Seerat of the Imams. Exact wording and translation — to be checked.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: Family tree — from Imam Musa al-Kazim (as) to Imam Ali al-Rida (as) to Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (as).
- Imam Ali al-Rida (as) was the eighth Imam of the Ahlul Bayt (as).
- He was the son of Imam Musa al-Kazim (as) and the father of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (as).
- His title Al-Rida means "the one with whom Allah and people are pleased".