The Imams (peace be upon them) as the successors of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him & his progeny) are the protectors of the religious principles and teachings and so was Imam Reza (PBUH), who was called by the Prophet (PBUH&HP) as the knowledgeable. Ma’moon, the so-called caliph of that time, forcefully invited him from Medina to Marw (Khurasan), and arranged for some debates to challenge him by scholars of the other religions and prove his lack of knowledge and therefore lessen his influence. Imam Reza (PBUH) proved the contrary and the more Ma’moon tried the less he was successful to bring Imam Reza (PBUH) down. Finally, afraid of the divine and social influence of the Imam (PBUH), the so-called Islamic caliph poisoned the Imam (PBUH), as all the other Imams were martyred by poison or sword.

Imam Reza (PBUH), left a great deal of knowledge behind and his sermons and sayings are and will be helpful in many Islamic matters and other sciences. The book ‘عیون اخبار الرضا’ compiled by Sheikh Sadooq –a prominent Islamic figure- has a number of his sayings and his debates with other religious and non-religious figures.

In a famous saying, he (PBUH) says, “God bless who revives our cause!” the narrator asks, ‘and how would that be?” he (PBUH) replies, “(he who) Learns our knowledge and teaches them to the people, for if people realize the greatness of our words, they will follow us.” May God help us to revive their cause.

Imam Reza (PBUH) was martyred on 29th of Safar in 203 (A.H.) and his holy shrine is a sacred center of pilgrimage for the faithful visitors who earnestly and humbly arrive in millions every year in the holy city of Mashhad.