40-21 Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of Al-Rayyan ibn al-Salt, “Those of the people from the public or the soldiers who pledged allegiance to Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.), but were not, pleased to do so said, ‘
This is one of the plans of Thul-Riasatayn Al-Fadhl ibn Sahl.’ This was told to Al-Ma’mun. Then he sent for me at midnight. I went to him. He said to me, ‘O Rayyan! I have been informed that the people say that the pledge of allegiance to Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) was one of the plans of Al-Fadhl ibn Sahl.’ I told him, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! So they say.’ He said, ‘O Rayyan! Woe be to you! Does anyonedare to suggest to a Caliph - born of a Caliph - who possesses the rule (to whom all the people and the troops are obedient), to turn his rule over to someone else with his own hands? Does the intellect allow this?’ I said, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! By God! No one dares to do that.’ Al-Ma’mun said, ‘No, it is not as they say, however, I will tell you the reason. When my brother Muhammad ordered me to go to him, I refused to do so. He issued an order to Ali ibn Isa ibn Mahan to arrest me and place a yoke around my neck. I was informed about this order. I dispatched Harthama ibn A’yan to Sejistan, Kerman and its suburbs. He did not properly manage this affair and was defeated. The governor of Sarir rebelled and captured one of the regions of Khorasan. All this happened within one week. When this happened, I did not have the power to resist. I did not have any wealth either to get some power. I saw nothing but fear and cowardliness in my troops. I decided to seek refuge with the king of Kabul (in Afghanistan) who was a pagan. But then It occurred to me that if my brother Muhammad sends some money for him in return for me, the King might turn me over to him since he is an atheist. I found no better way than to repent to God the Highest of my sins, seek His assistance regarding these affairs, and seek refuge with God the Highest. Then I ordered that they clean this house - (as he pointed to a room). They cleaned it. I made ablutions with water, put on white pants and a smock and said four units of prayers in which I recited whatever of the Qur’an I knew. I prayed to God the Highest, sought refuge in Him, and sincerely made a strong covenant with Him to return the right to its true place and to turn over the Divine Leadership to its proper owner whom God has set - if He helps me overcome these difficulties. Then I calmed down. I sent Tahir towards Ali ibn Isa ibn Mahan. With him things went on as I mentioned before. Again I sent Harthama ibn A’yan to defeat Rafi’. He defeated him and killed him. I invited the governor of Sarir to make peace and sent him gifts. I treated him with kindness until he quit opposing me. I got stronger and stronger until what happened to (my brother) Muhammad happened. And God the Highest turned all the affairs over to me and I was in power. Since God the Highest had fulfilled what I had asked Him for, and I wanted to honor my covenant with God, I saw that no one but Abil Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) deserved the right to be in charge. That is why I offered the rule to him, but he refused. Then he accepted it in the way that you know of. This was the reason.’ Then I (Rayyan) said, ‘May God make theCommander of the Faithful successful!’ He said, ‘O Ray’yan! When the morning comes and the people come out, go among the army heads and tell them about the nobilities of the Commander of the Faithful - Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.).’ I told him, ‘I know nothing about him except for what I have heard from you. Should I just restate that?’ He said, “Glory be to God! I find no one to help me in this affair. I considered the people of Qum to be trustworthy.’ I said, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! Should I tell them the traditions that I have heard from you?’ He said, ‘Yes. Tell them about the nobilities of Ali (a.s.) that you have heard from me.’ When the morning came, I went amongst the army heads and said, ‘The Commander of the Faithful has narrated that his father quoted on the authority of his forefathers, on the authority of God’s Prophet (S): ‘Whoever I am the master of, Ali is the master of.’ The Commander of the Faithful has narrated that his father quoted (the following) on the authority of his forefathers, on the authority of God’s Prophet (S): ‘The position of Ali relative to me is similar to that of Aaron to Moses.’ I did not remember the traditions exactly and made some mistakes. I narrated the tradition about Khaybar and other well-known traditions.’” Then Abdullah ibn Malik al-Khoza’ee said, “May God have Mercy upon Ali. He was a good man.” Al-Ma’mun had sent a servant to our meeting to hear what we said and report it to him. Then he sent someone after me. When I went there and he saw me, he said, “O Rayyan! You know many traditions by heart. I was informed about what that Jew, Abdullah ibn Malik, said, ‘May God have Mercy upon Ali. He was a good man.’ By God! I will kill him - God willing.”Hisham ibn Ibrahim al-Rashedi al-Hamadani was one of Ar-Ridha’’s (a.s.) especial people before Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) was brought (to Khorasan). He was an intelligent and well-versed scholar. He was in charge of the affairs of Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.). Whatever was brought in from the different areas was first handed to him, before the taking of Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) to Khorasan. Then, after they brought Abul Hassan (a.s.) to Khorasan, Ibrahim joined Thul-Riasatayn. Thul-Riasatayn established him as one of his closest workers. He used to report the news about Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) to Thul-Riasatayn and Al-Ma’mun. That is how he got closer to them, and nothing was hidden from them. Al-Ma’mun made him the main guard for Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.). He did not let anyone visit Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.), if he himself did not approve of it. He made things terribly difficult for Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) in his house. No one could talk tohim without the consent of Thul-Riasatayn and Al-Ma’mun. Al-Ma’mun entrusted his son - Al-Abbas to Hisham to train. That is why he was called Abbasid Hisham. Thul-Riasatayn made his real animosity with Abil Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) apparent, because Al-Ma’mun respected the Imam (a.s.) more than him.Al-Ma’mun had a nephew whom he loved, and she also loved him. They had thus opened a door from her house to Al-Ma’mun’s court. That nephew was more inclined towards Abil Hassan (a.s.), and used to gossip about Thul-Riasatayn with Al-Ma’mun. Thul-Riasatayn was informed about this. He went to Al-Ma’mun and said, “It is not proper for the Caliph that a door be opened to his court from the lady’s quarter. Al-Ma’mun had that door closed. It was a current practice for Al-Ma’mun to visit Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) one day, and the next day Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) went to see Al-Ma’mun. Abil Hassan’s residence was next to Al-Ma’mun’s. Once, when Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) entered Al-Ma’mun’s house and saw the shut door, he (a.s.) said, “O Commander of the Faithful! Why is this door shut?” He said, “This was Al-Fadhl’s idea. He did not like it (to be open).” Then Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, “To God We belong and to Him is our return.” What does Al-Fadhl have to do with the Commander of the Faithful and his family?” He asked, “What do you think?” He (a.s.) replied, “Open it and let your nephew visit you. Do not accept what Al-Fadhl forbids or allows.” Then Al-Ma’mun ordered that the door be re-opened and let his nephew enter. Al-Fadhl heard this and became sad.