The Martyrdom of Imam Musa Kadhim (a.s.)
Imam Musa Kadhim (a.s.) in Imam Khomeini’s Sayings
The tyrannical rulers thus saw that if Imam Musa ibn Jafar were free, he would make life impossible for them and might lay the groundwork for a rebellion and the overthrow of their rule. So they did not give him the slightest opportunity. Have no doubt that if he had had the chance, he would indeed have rebelled and overthrow the ruling usurpers.
ID: 30674
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Date: 2012/06/16
Tyrannical rulers, for their part, stood in terror of the Imams. They were aware that if they gave the Imams the slightest opportunity, they would rebel and deprive them of their life, which was synonymous with pleasure-seeking and licentiousness. This is the reason we see Harun arresting Imam Musa ibn Jafar (a.s.) and imprisoning him for several years, and after him, Mamun transporting Imam Rida (a.s.) to Marv and confining him there for many years before finally poisoning him. Harun and Mamun acted as they did not because the Imams were sayyids—i.e., descendants of the Prophet—and the rulers were opposed to the prophet; indeed, both Harun and Mamun were Shia. They were motivated entirely by considerations of state: they knew that the descendants of Ali laid claim to the caliphate and that their earnest desire was to establish an Islamic government, considering this to be their duty. One day, it was suggested to Imam Musa ibn Jafar that he delineate the boundaries of Fadak so that it might be returned to him. According to a certain tradition, he drew a map of the entire Islamic realm and said, “Everything within these boundaries is our legitimate right. We should rule over it, and you are usurpers.” The tyrannical rulers thus saw that if Imam Musa ibn Jafar were free, he would make life impossible for them and might lay the groundwork for a rebellion and the overthrow of their rule. So they did not give him the slightest opportunity. Have no doubt that if he had had the chance, he would indeed have rebelled and overthrow the ruling usurpers.