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The Reverend Parents of Imam Reza(A.S.)
Before we speak about the birth of Imam Reza(A.S.), and the affairs accompanied it, we will mention his brilliant, exalted lineage, which is related to Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, who is the source of flow, bestowal, good, and mercy to mankind. So which lineage is more exalted and greater than that of Imam Reza(A.S.), who is one of the fruit of Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, and one of his brilliant branches. The following is an outline about his noble origin.
Imam Reza's Father
The father of Imam Reza(A.S.), was the Seventh Holy Imam Musa al-Kazim b. Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq b. Imam Mohammed al-Baqir b. Imam Zayn al-'Abidïn b. Imam al-Husayn b. Imam 'Ali b. Abu Talib, peace be on them.
In the world of lineage, there is no lineage more exalted or purer than this lineage. It is certain that the pure Imams are the successors of Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, and his testamentary trustees (of authority).
Imam Reza's Mother
As for the mother of Imam Reza(A.S.), she was endowed with all qualities of honor and virtue, through which the Muslim woman becomes exalted, such as chastity, purity, and great soul. She is among the glorious women in Islam. His mother was a slave-wife, and this quality does not decrease her position, for Islam has made piety and good deeds as a measure to differentiate men from each other, and every thing other than this measure is not important.
The narrators have reported many narrations about how Imam al-Kazim(A.S.) married this glorious lady. The following are some of them:
She was among the noble non-Arabs and was the retainer of Hamïda Khatoon, the mother of Imam Musa al-Kazim(A.S.). She was among the meritorious women in her intellect, her religion, and her honoring her mistress, Hamïda. She did not sit before her in order to honor and magnify her. So Hamïda said to her son Imam Musa(A.S.)`: "My little son, surely Takktum is a slave-girl. I have never seen a slave-girl better than her. I have no doubt that Allah will manifest her children. I have granted her to you and advise you to treat her kindly."
It was reported that Imam al-Ka`zim(A.S.), said to his companions: "By Allah, I have bought this slave-girl according to Allah's command and inspiration." He was asked about this statement and he replied: "While I was sleeping my grandfather and my father came to me, and there was with them a piece of silk cloth. They spread the piece, and suddenly there was a shirt in which was the picture of this slave-girl. Then they said: 'Mu`sa`, from this slave-girl you will have the best of the people of the earth after you.'
Then my father ordered me: 'If a baby-boy is born for you, name him 'Ali.' Then he said: 'Allah, the Great and Almighty, will manifest justice and mercy through him. Blessed is he who believes in him, and woe unto him who shows enmity toward him and denies him!"
These are some of the narrations which have been reported about how Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him, married this noble lady. He showed sincere love for her, and she enjoyed admiration and respect in his house.
Her Name
As for the name of this pure lady, the narrators have differed over it. They following are some of their opinions about it:
1. Takktum, many historians think that her name is Takktum and she was also famous as Najma Khatoon.
Concerning this name the poet composed the following lines when he praised Imam ('Ali al-Reza), peace be on him:
'Ali, the magnified, is the best of the men in soul, father, family, and grandfathers.
Takktum has brought him to us for knowledge and clemency. He will be the eighth Ima`m who will deliver the proof of Allah.
This is an Arabic name with which ladies from among the Arab women were called, and concerning it the poet says:
The two imaginations circled and increased in malady the imagination of Takkna` and the imagination of Takktum.
Her Reverential Fear
This pure lady was among the worshipful women. She devoted herself to the acts of obedience to Allah, for she followed the behavior of her husband, Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him, the Ima`m of the Allah-fearing and those who turn to Allah, the Most High, in repentance. Among the qualities of her worship is that when she gave birth to Imam Reza, peace be on him, she said: "Help me with (finding) a wet nurse." She was asked: "Has your milk decreased?" She replied, "the milk has not decreased, but I want to perform a part of my prayers and glorification."
Have you seen how this angelic lady adored Allah and devoted herself to Him. She asked (the people) to help her with finding a wet nurse for her baby lest it should divert her from performing her prayers and glorification
The Great Baby
When Imam Reza, peace be on him, was born on Thursday 11th Zee al-Qa'adah 148 A.H. /29 December 765 A.D. in Medina, the earth shined; waves of delight and happiness spread through the Household of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his Household. As for Imam al-Kazim, he received with more delight the news of the birth of his blessed baby, so he hurried to his wife and congratulated her on her baby, saying: "I congratulate you, Najma. It is a mark of nobility for you from your Lord!"
Imam al-Kazim(A.S.) took his blessed baby, folded it with a white piece of cloth, and performed the religious rites for it. He said the adhan in its right ear, said the iqama in its left ear, called for sweet water and rubbed its lower jaw with it, and then he returned it to its mother and said to her: "Take it, for it is the rest (baqiyat) of Allah on His earth."
The first picture which the Holy Prophet's grandson (Imam Reza`, peace be on him) saw in the world of existence was that of his father, the Imam of the Allah-fearing and leader of the monotheists; and the first voice which he heard was: "Allah O Akbar!"
"There is no god but Allah!"
These brilliant words are the secret of existence and song of the Allah-fearing.
Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him, named his blessed baby with the name of his grandfather Imam Ali(A.S.), the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, that he might get blessing seek good omen in this name, which stood for the greatest personality created in the world of Islam and had all good qualities of the world.
His Kunya
The Ima`ms of the Household (of the Prophet), peace be on them, would give kunya to their children when young, and this is an example of Islamic education aiming at improving personality and making child feel that he or she has position with his family. Imam Reza, peace be on him, was given the following kunya:
Abu al-Hasan
His father Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him, gave him this kunya.1 He, peace be on him, said to 'Ali b. Yaqtïn: "O 'Ali, this son of mine-and he pointed to Imam Reza-is the master of my children, and I have given him my kunya2. " Ima`m Reza(A.S.) was given the kunya of Abu al-Hasan. As this kunya was common between them, Imam al-Kazim(A.S.) was called: Abu al-Hasan the past, and Imam Reza(A.S.) was called Abu al-Hasan the second, that the people might distinguish between the two kunyas.
His Characteristics
Many historians said that Imam Reza, peace be on him, was brown or deep brown. It was said that he was white had a medium height, and that he was like his grandfather Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. As he was like his grandfather in his characteristics, he was similar to him in his noble moral traits, which distinguished him from the other prophets.
His Childhood
Imam Reza, peace be on him, grew up in the greatest and most exalted house in Islam. It was the house of the Imamate and center of revelation. The house which Allah permitted to be exalted and in which His name may be remembered. Imam Reza(A.S.) grew up in this noble house dominated by high Islamic education. For wherein the young respected and honored the old, and the old felt compassion for the young; noble moral traits spread; nothing was heard except reciting the Book of Allah; and nothing was done except good deeds and what brought man near to his Lord.
As for the house where Imam Reza, peace be on him, grew up, it was the most exalted one in the world of Islam, for it was the center of virtue and noble moral traits; it brought up the best of mankind and the Imams of truth and justice in Islam. In addition to house, environment plays an important role in bringing up person. As for the environment in which Imam Reza, peace be on him, grew up, it included the best men and scholars who studied under his father Ima`m Musa` b. Ja'far, peace be on him.
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