Political Thought in the teachings of Imam Reza (AS) (2)

2. Politics and good for community

1-2. Justice and community cohesion

Since the mid-first century AD, there was a concern for the scholars of the Islamic world. It was the extending of oppression which could lead to the fragmentation of the community and the loss of coherence, this trend is increasing and at the age of Imam Reza (AS) also due to existence of the differences that was within the caliphate system, chaotic situation provide more suffering people. In fact, the concern that due to the oppression Islamic community loses its integrity, shortly after Imam Reza (PBUH) is located practically in the history of Islam. Of course there is not such claim that the only reason is the development of oppression, But we can say one of the most important instruments that the marginal parts of the Muslim world
As Transoxiana and Khorasan and Sindh in the East and Andalusia and Morocco in the West,
separated themselves from the political point of central caliphate and created independent states, Could be tired from oppression of the state officials that their main rulers was sitting on the throne of the Caliphate in the far point. We know through historical data that such this independent states created from the beginning of the third century and are increasingly on the rise.
In this regard, First f all, it is good to point a part of a long story that Yasser Khadem who was a close servant of Imam Reza (AS) has been quoted about coming Mamoon to the Imam’s home and dialogue between them, when Imam addressed the Mamoon and says: “If you lost the affairs of Muslims and assign it to others except you that they judge between people some mandate which is not the rule of God and sit in this countries (Khorasan) and cede the migration house and the place where revelation landed And let that Mohajeran and Ansar oppress and they do not respect to any believers and somebody has rights, it reaches a time that the oppressed live hard.”
In the covenant letter of Mamoon to Imam Reza (AS) if this is considered that in this section exists somehow underlying important principle of the policy for Imam Reza (AS), the need to bring justice from the governor for "securing the good of the nation" is stressed. In the hadith narrated from Imam, It is seen repeatedly the necessity of justice from the governor is emphasized. As an example we can mention the Hadith with this theme that: “Asked the rector of justice and this hat when he speaks, tells the truth, and if judges, be fair and if makes a promise, keeps it. It should also be noted to this Prophetic Hadith which Imam Reza (AS) has been promoted, with this theme that "Beware of oppression that certainly oppression destroy your hearts, as the houses are destroyed”. In any event, underscoring the need for justice, Emphasis on the avoidance of oppression and even struggle with it. In brief return to the Umaviyeh period, Should be noted that during the first century and early second century AH, Umaviyeh had brought conditions of political stability in the Islamic world that not only the rulers, But also many people are pushed towards secularism. The total social and economic conditions of the period had provided the theme for the expansion of the "oppression" of the rulers and also "immorality" of the rulers and the obedient which caused numerous uprisings and sporadic creates from the against lines of Umaviyeh.
The climax of the reaction of all Imams (AS) and their Shia about fighting with oppressors was movement of Imam Hussein (AS) against Yazid in 61 AH Which led to his martyrdom epic and since then Was steady as an example of the prohibiting of bad thing and the fight against oppression and vice of the governors. Of course despite different conditions, after Imam Hussein (AS), Shiite Imams (AS) do not confirm rebellion against government policies and chose other ways to improve durability to their teaching and the fight against oppression and vice of governors. It is in this regard which coincides with the rising wave of uprisings of Zaidi
against the oppression of caliphs and the rulers from the Shiite Imams (AS) and among them Imam Reza (AS) has done enlightenment about the position of the Imams.
For example, should be pointed to the uprising that in the age of conditional government of Imam Reza (AS) was organized from the brother of him “Zaid ibn Musa (AS)”. This character
that because of his violent in the uprising, Found fame To “Zaid alnar” was criticized from the Imams and his policy was not confirmed from Imam Reza (AS).
We know that some groups like Motazele especially at the beginning of the formation, existed political sensitivity about the tyranny of rulers and what that is as ordering to good thing and prohibiting from bad thing, On the other hand, was promoted as one of their principles, was more with the wrong work of the rulers. Even for the most optimistic religious groups like the companions of Hadith that did not consider that committing sin does not disrupt the faith, the major difference between committing sin on the right of God with the violation of the right of people, or in other words, there was oppression and this could never have imagined that the oppressive rulers, despite the violation to the rights of people get benefits easily from forgiveness of God.
Perhaps the first example of the cruelty of Governors is coming to mind is a governor who has exceeded in the rights of the people, But due to the precarious political situation In the era of Imam who is in this time, It was necessary to emphasized this that anybody Who fights to achieve the government by force In line with this hegemony, are committed oppression and violence, It is undoubtedly true that he must be eradicated. Such dominate at the age of Imam Reza (AS) also could be represents that he is the Caliph Mamoon that fought with his brother for power and blood was spilled in this way, And could be said that they are the people who upraised like the brother of Imam, Zaid Alnar, who they apparently with a benevolent purpose acted violence and bloodshed and burning people's property.
In order to combat with this kind of oppression, it can be pointed to the prophetic Hadith Which was recounted and promoted by Imam Reza (AS) with this theme that "The first person who will be in Hell is Domineering ruler who has not acted in justice. Also Imam was promoting this teaching from the Language of his grandfather Imam Sadiq (AS) that "contaminated fat meat" That is under the wrath of God, are not a person with this physical characteristics But this interpretation allusion of someone who loves tyranny.
By focusing on the subject of Appreciating what is excellent and forbidding what is evil, could say that this action is such a duties that in the Holy Quran has been mentioned it repeatedly and basically one of the distinctions of this nation compared to other nations is known to operate this rule. On this basis, it is expected also in the teachings of all Imams (AS) and also in other teachings of the religious line, should try for this action to do better and develop its explanation. Due to ordinary meaning that is in the case of Appreciating what is excellent and forbidding what is evil, its meaning could be any effort which was acted for any excellent thing and fight with any evil thing, but according to the prophetic Hadith, the best action is to speak about justice for oppression ruler and this that in the hadith from Imam Sadiq (AS) ,it is interpreted to forbidding what is evil for the rulers, The best example for the forbidding what is evil could be prohibiting the rulers from the oppression. It is in the same direction that Imam Hussein (AS) also has stated repeatedly that its target in the case of uprising against Yazid has been for forbidding what is evil from unjust rulers. As was mentioned above, as the same as all Imams (AS), for a range of Islamic scholars like initiative of Mutazele, the important example of appreciating what is excellent and forbidding what is evil will be to appreciate and to forbid the rulers.
In the teachings of Imam Reza (AS), there is a reference to this topic because of speaking on the occasion of the trust and Imam addressed the Hassan ibn Jahm who was the mans associated with the government, Imam knows that the level of trust is that does not fear from anybody Except from God.
But in addition to the shared teachings, in the teachings of Imam Reza (AS), another functions
for appreciating what is excellent and forbidding what is evil was considered that totally has political nature. In a Hadith from Imam Reza (AS) has come: “"We must do appreciating what is excellent and forbidding what is evil, otherwise, the worst of you, will dominant on you, Then the righteous of you will pray and their prayers will not be accepted”. It can be said in explanation that in this Hadith, appreciating what is excellent and forbidding what is evil against the rulers
in the level that this oppression has not done yet and hadith refers that if in a community appreciating what is excellent and forbidding what is evil be common against the rulers, In that case the conditions will never come that the oppressive rulers dominate people, and if a society takes away from this important task, Taking into the disaster is its destiny and the prayer of the righteous will not change this fate.
The theme of the recent result can be found in another Hadith that Imam Reza (AS) has introduced it Quoting from the Prophet (PBUH), Where states that: “If my nation with releasing “appreciating what is excellent and forbidding what is evil” to each other leave it, Would expect the disaster from God to happen, the disaster that due to forgetting the tradition of criticism in society and they have caused; This teachings is comparable with the Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) which stated that The beginning of weakness in the Israelites was due to leave forbidding what is evil.

2-2 the task of stationed ruler

As it is investigated in the previous part of article, in the teachings of the all Imams (AS) and along them Imam Reza (AS), what is known as the position of the caliphate, in fact, was a right that is belong to the all Imams (AS), But besides this fact, There was a real task and it is this that only in a short period of nearly five years of Islamic history, Entity of Imamate and caliphate is collected in a person, Means Imam Ali (AS) and also in a short period in Imam Hassan (AS) And beyond it, anything is seen in the history of Islam is separation of these two institutions from each other. Since the teachings of the all Imams (AS) is to guide the lives of Muslims in general and Shiites in particular, with the historical fact what should to do?
If a mental process be with such goal that was mentioned, So focused on its goals that it does not have any direction and strategy for the none idealized situation, in fact, its followers have wondered and in this way, it is expected that all Imams (AS) about stationed government even if they have lack of legitimacy, Imams (AS) had offered some teachings. Along with all Imams (AS), Personality of Imam Reza (AS) is exceptional in this regard and from this Imam (AS) more than other Imams (AS) was imported the teachings about the rule of the caliphs. Even beyond the speech teachings, behavior of Imam Reza (AS) in the era of his conventional government also is a practical teachings about facing with the stationed government.
Bani Abbas government that in the Hadith reached from Imam Reza (AS) was read Pharaohs rule and the durability of its domination is considered as a respite from God. Nor about legitimacy, but from it that has the control of the institutions of the society's management and is the only political office of Muslim’s community that has some task which should be established and also must be asked from the government about the commitment to it.
As mentioned earlier, in a Hadith from Imam Reza (AS), even if the ruler achieved to rule by oppression and domination and now be in a situation that his government exists, He has a duty that among the people treats in justice, He has a duty If says any word, Right says and If he judges, he should have a fair judge. If what is available in the hands of the ruler, it is considered from him as a grace and blessing, In the Hadith from Imam Reza (AS) has come that “with employment of justice and charity cause that blessing become durable" and the ruler who follows the path of oppression and narrow-mindedness, has Played trumpet of his own destruction. This speech recalls that the wise and famous words which “The government is viable with disbelief, But is not viable with injustice”.
Of all these teachings, this message comes back to the dominant rulers that if the arrival principle of them to the government has been based on violence and the oppression to the people, in the durability place, it is expected from them that accept some principles and do their duties with the credibility that they have. Imam Reza (AS) as influential leaders among the Shiite and others, reminds this hint to the rulers of his time which the way that you achieved the government, is not Justifying your oppressive behavior in the governor position.
In line with these general teachings, Imam Especially in the era of his conventional government, has been advised Mamoon and several times in different occasions has reminded his duties
for Muslims. Once again, it should be pointed out a long story that Yasser Khadem has quoted in a describing meeting among Mamoon and Imam (AS); especially since he says to Mamoon "... from God about the nation of Muhammad (PBUH) and this (government) that God has placed it in your hands and it is your own, fear. Surely if you violated the Muslim Affairs and leave it to others except you and they judge among the people except the judgment of God and sit in this city (Khorasan) and leave the migration home and the place of landing revelation and allow that the Mohajerin and the Ansar do oppression from you and do not observe the situation of believers and any person who has the right rather than the government, Time comes that all oppressed cannot live easily and become incapable of paying, and cannot find a person to complain about the situation and (they) cannot reach you. Therefore the caliph of all believers fear from God in the affairs of Muslims, (You) control the affairs of the Muslims and do not leave it to others, That God will question you about the authority which he placed it in your hand. In the words of Imam can be seen the Criticism addressed to the government about obedience of the people and method to ensure this compliance. Including should be noted to the short and fine Hadith from Imam Ali (AS) and promoted by Imam Reza (AS) which shows that vicious governments, with paying money and spending public funds, were purchasing obedience for themselves.
In such circumstances that there is the stationed government, Can we expect the government to perform its duties, while there is not any compliance to the demands of the government by the people? Was except solutions of withdrawal of the ruling that were proposed by the Zeidi Shia and solutions to legitimize the government, which was raised by a range of public, there was any median and moderate solutions in this regard?
In the teachings of Imam Reza (AS) that was continuation of the teachings of their fathers (AS), No legitimacy known for a government that has obtained unjustly, But there were two principles that supported the level of cooperation between the people and the ruler and lent legitimacy: Swear allegiance and congregation. Swear allegiance from the early Islamic period was known as a responsible behavior and when swear allegiance was done for any reason and every incentive to the ruler and person who do swear allegiance with any belief and origin must adhere to his swear allegiance. As a record in the history of all Imams (AS), their swear allegiance to the rulers of his time caused that It prevented them from leaving. In the face of Yazid, Imam Hussein (AS) from the beginning, refused to Swear allegiance with Yazid, and the rulers of the Umayyad for this reason insisted on taking the Swear allegiance that they knew such swear allegiance can guarantee that he do not rise.
This is in line with this attitude of swear allegiance that Imam Reza (AS) when he speak about Imam Mahdi (AS) and the events of the Apocalypse, cause of absence (or one of its causes), is that when the Imam (AS) will rise, the Swear allegiance of anybody has not been on his neck.
The second principle that was appropriate cooperation of Shiite and the stationed ruler was the principle of respect to the congregation Muslims and maintaining the nation's integrity that one of the most central teachings of Imam Reza (AS) and has been the result of his behavior during his Imamate period. In this regard, in the words quoted from Imam Reza (PBUH) and according to a hadith from the Prophet has come that "Whoever seeks to disrupt the community and usurping the government on the nation and sit on the throne without consultation, he is meritorious of death.” In this Hadith, we must add another word which quoted from Imam Reza (AS) about those who have left against the government In Kufa, Has taken a critical stance.
It is interesting that the teachings of Imam Reza (AS) also reflected in a letter of Mamoon about the reciprocal duties of Caliph and Muslims, where Mamoon noted that the caliphs have some duties and the duty of Muslims is to obey the caliphs ... and this that if they are not obeyed, Cause "confusion and weakness will be done about the string of Muslims." The recent words obviously is refers to a verse of the holy Quran.
In any event, we know that anyone who followed the government with force and dominance, At the beginning of it, is a person who exist and after the establishment of his rule, is a stationed ruler, But among this, It is a limbo period that name him the ruler and not a person who exist and also not a stationed ruler and obedience of this ruler was not even a secondary legitimacy. In a review of the teachings of Imam Reza (AS) In this regard, It is especially mentioned a Hadith Where Imam Reza (AS), specifically, he has been avoided the intermingling with the king in the confusion at the beginning of his government means particularly so long as we cannot still recognize him as stationed ruler.
With the existence of two principle mean Swear allegiance and congregation, the obedience that wanted from the Muslims about the stationed government, is minimal obedience. In the teachings of Imam Reza (AS), participation in this war that occurs at the time of this rulers, basically, it is not permitted and if a person is forced to participate, it is necessary to work in the communications and preparing for war and not participating in the war and also strictly avoids the presence on the battlefield. In the hadith has come when one of the believers asked the Imam (AS) about the company in the war with Daylam which were considered as infidels at the time, the Imam (AS) has prohibited him from participating and wants him to pay attention to his family work and wait for the opening in the Imam’s action.
Only if a believer is allowed that company in this war as a supervisor and that war is defensive and Islam is in danger or there is fear of harm to the Muslims. In the hadith narrated from Imam Reza (AS) has said that even if the believer with this defensive conditions presents in the war, this defense is from his own and cannot be regarded as a war in the pedal of the King.
Since in the time of Imam Reza (AS) Many Hadiths in the virtues of war had come from the Prophet (PBUH) and Imam Ali (AS), the Imam (AS) inevitably and occasionally has done enlightenment about this true war. Including in the interpretation of the Hadith quoted from Imam Ali (AS) that was the observer a great virtue for the war and blamed to die on the bed, Imam Reza (AS) focused that war must be in the path of God and implicitly has warned That the war in his period was not in the path of God. In a part of a Hadith of Imam Reza (AS) has also come that obligatory condition for the war is that this war be under the banner of "Imam" which its sample for the Shiite is all Imams (AS).
Proportionally that were told about the people, Demands of Imam Reza (AS) from the ruler has been this that in his possessions give priority to addressing the Muslim affairs and their possessions be minimal in comparison with the government in early Islam, Perhaps the most obvious manifestation of this recommendation was the issue related to the primary war and the conquests in the non-Islamic lands. For example, we can point once again to the part of a long Hadith of Yasser Khadem that includes a conversation between Imam Reza (PBUH) and Mamoon that says in the beginning of Hadith: Mamoon was happy about conquered the region around Kabul and the Imam (AS) asked the reason for his happiness from The conquest on one of the unbelief countries. Mamoon replied. Is this not happiness? The Imams (AS) said: “ Leader of all believers, you must fear from God about the nation of Muhammad (PBUH) and this thing (government) that God has placed it in your hands and it is your own ...”. Therefore, the Imams invited Mamoon to solve the current policy of Muslims and avoiding the conquests. In another hadith from Imam Reza (AS) can be seen that the Imam (AS) has expressed the implicit prohibition of war that was conquests in unbelief countries.