AGE.

EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS.

0

Imam Ridha (as) is born to Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) and Umm al Baneen at Tahira

10

Al-Mansoor, the Abbasi 2^nd Caliph dies – ruled 22 yrs.

10

Al- Mahdi 3^rd Abbasi Caliph – son of Mansoor – comes to power – ruled 10 yrs.

10 up

As a teenager Imam Ridha (as) participates actively in the Islamic Institute

10 up

Baghdad, the capital, is the center of learning and luxurious living.

10 up

Al-Mahdi detains Imam al Kadhim (7^th Imam) in Baghdad.

20

Al-Mahdi dies - the 3^rd Abbasi Caliph

20

Al-Haadi the 4^th Abbasi Caliph - son of Mahdi – comes to power – ruled 1yr.

21

Al-Haadi dies – the 4^th Abbasi Caliph

21

Haroon al Rashid the 5^th Abbasi Caliph – son of Mahdi – comes to power – ruled 23yrs.

31

Imam al Kadhim (as) officially announces Imam Ridha’s (as) Imamah to the intimate and devoted followers only.

22 – 35

Cautious approach necessitates restricted activity of AhlulBayt’s Institute.

35

7^th Imam al Kadhim (as) martyred while imprisoned – poisoned by al Rashid.

35

Imam Ridha (as) is the Imam.

35 – up

Imam Ridha (as) teaching activity restricted.

35 – 44

Haroon Rashid decreed that the Islamic Empire be divided between his sons al Amin & al Mamoon – he posted his decree in the Kaaba to give it sacred authority.

45

Haroon al – Rashid dies – the 5^th Abbasi Caliph.

45 – 50

Imam Ridha (as) teachings were now more open and were increased fast.

45

Al-Ameen the 6^th Abbasi Caliph – son of Haroon al Rashid – comes to power by divide & rule – His rule extended from Iraq, Syria, Arabia, Yemen and the Western provinces – ruled for 5-1/2 yrs – He died at the age of 33 yrs.

45

Al-Mamoon the 7^th Abbasi Caliph – son of Haroon al Rashid – He ruled from Khurasan (Iran) and the Eastern provinces.

46

Imam Ridha (as) intensifies his works for Islam since he was not hampered – the activity of the Islamic Institute was at much higher level than before – taking advantage of the circumstances, students and scholars of various fields flocked to Medina to learn at the hands of Imam Ridha (as).

47

Imam Muhammad Taqi al Jawad (as) is born in Medina – the 9^th Imam.

48 – 50

Al-Mamoon rejected the contract his father had made, and declared civil war for 2-1/2 yrs in order to topple his brother Al Ameen in Iraq.

48 – 50

Baghdad suffers because of the civil war, al-Amin losses, and is decapitated, Baghdad is no longer the capital, Marv in Khurasan is declared as the NEW capital of Islamic Empire.

52

52

Imam Ridha (as) [unwillingly] complies with Mamoon’s request and leaves Madina, his family members were left behind including his son Imam Al-Jawad (as) who was only 5 yrs old.

52

When Imam Ridha (as) was offered heir to the crown at Marv, then, he strongly opposed the offer and didn’t accept it, until Mamoon forced him and threatened him with death.

52

Imam Ridha (as) used to say whenever he got the opportunity, that, "I was threatened to death, only then, I accepted the post of heir to the crown." He did state that he will not interfere in governmental matters.

53

By accepting the heir to the crown, Imam Ridha (as) made a movement which had no parallel in history. He introduced in public the claim of leadership in Islam rightfully belonging to Shiite Imams and torn the thick curtain of dissimulation and spread the message to all the Muslims.

53

Now everywhere the Ahlul Bayt were remembered with greatness and benevolence, this made the ignorant aware and inclined towards the Imam (as) and the worst enemy felt weakened and defeated.

54

Mamoon liked to see that Imam (as) is isolated from the public and he saw the isolation as his last weapon.

54

Al-Ridha (as) is extremely active in Islamic debates with scholars in the court of Mamoon.

55

Mamoon at last did not have any other way out but to poison Imam (as) himself without any intermediary.