MAMOON RASHID'S OFFER OF HEIR TO IMAM REDA (AS)

On Imam Reda's (as) arrival in Marw (Khurasan), the seat of Mamoon
Rashid's caliphate, the Abbasid caliph showed him hospitality and
great respect, then he said to him: "I want to get rid of myself of
the caliphate and vest the office in you." But Imam Reda (as) refused
his offer. Then Mamoon Rashid repeated his offer in a letter saying:
"If you refuse what I have offered you, then you must accept being the
heir after me." But again Imam Reda (as) refused his offer vigorously.
Mamoon Rashid summoned him. He was alone with Al-Fadl ibn Sahl, the
Iranian noble incharge of two offices (i.e., military and civil).
There was no one else in their gathering. Mamoon Rashid said to Imam
Reda (as), "I thought it appropriate to invest authority over the
Muslims in you and to relieve myself of the responsibility by giving
it to you." When again Imam Reda (as) refused to accept his offer,
Mamoon Rashid spoke to him as if threatening him for his refusal. In
his speech he said, "Umar ibn al-Khattab made a committee of
consultation (shura) (to appoint a successor). Among them was your
forefather, the Commander of the faithful, Ali ibn Abi Talib. (Umar
ibn al-Khattab) stipulated that any of them who opposed the decision
should be executed. So there is no escape for you from accepting what
I want from you. I will ignore your rejection of it."
In reply, Imam Reda (as) said: "I will agree to what you want of me as
far as succession is concerned on condition that I do not command, nor
order, nor give legal decisions, nor judge, nor appoint, nor dismiss,
nor change anything from how it is at present." Mamoon Rashid accepted
all of that.
On the day when Mamoon Rashid ordered to make the pledge of allegiance
to Imam Reda (as) one of the close associates of Imam Reda (as), who
was present, narrates, "On that day I was in front of him. Imam Reda
(as) looked at me while I was feeling happy about what had happened.
Imam Reda (as) signalled me to come closer. I went closer to him and
he said so that no one else could hear, 'Do not occupy your heart with
this matter and do not be happy about it. It is something which will
not be achieved.'"

Darwinists have deceived the world with fraud

Let us consider a scientific theory, the Big Bang for instance. This
theory was first proposed on the basis of a suspicion and a hypothesis
based on Einstein's theory of relativity. Following that, the search
began for the evidence needed to prove that this huge explosion
happened. This evidence did really exist. The cosmic microwave
background radiation confirming the explosion in question was found
and the isotopic nature of the universe (the fact that all space is at
-270oC) was discovered. It was also scientifically proved that the
universe is constantly expanding, and this was another important and
definitive piece of evidence confirming the theory in question.
Therefore, the Big Bang theory became one whose every claim had been
tested, confirmed and thus proved.
Darwin's theory of evolution was also launched under the name of a
"hypothesis." (In fact, the reason for the launching of the theory of
evolution was entirely ideological, but it was presented under the
guise of a scientific theory.) In order for this theory to be regarded
as valid, its claims would have to be proved, just like those of the
Big Bang. For that it would have to be observed whether or not the
imaginary mechanisms of evolution did in fact cause evolution. The
progress of 20th-century science proved that "natural selection,"
Darwin's illusory evolutionary mechanism, played no evolutionary role.
The science of genetics also inflicted a disappointment on
neo-Darwinists, who had lost hope in natural selection and sought to
depict mutation as an evolutionary mechanism instead. Following the
realization that mutations had no evolutionary effect either, it was
now the turn of the fossil record—Darwin and Darwinists' greatest
hope. The conclusion demonstrated by the fossil record, however, came
as a terrible shock to Darwinists! None of the imaginary intermediate
form fossils that had been sought for so many years existed anywhere
on Earth. Deeper research changed nothing. Not one single intermediate
form fossil has ever been found as a result of all the research that
has been conducted to date.
Unwilling to abandon the false religion they adhered to, Darwinists
for years continued to hope that evidence for Darwinism would be
forthcoming. But none of the anticipated but illusory evidence ever
appeared. Despite this however, Darwinist lies never ended, and
pro-Darwinist demagoguery was stubbornly kept up. The interesting
thing is that despite the passage of 150 years, the failure to obtain
a single piece of evidence, and despite the fact that the conclusion
produced by genetics and the fossil record proved the fact of
Creation, Darwinists still imagine this false religion can survive.
But they are making a terrible error, of course. In fact, even the
proponents of the theory are aware that evolution never happened in
the history of life. They have clearly seen this as the result of
countless pieces of scientific evidence.
Despite all the foregoing, since the theory of evolution is an
ideology, a false religion needing to be propped up by its adherents
no matter what, Darwinists still need to maintain this false image of
their theory having a scientific nature. That is the reason why
Darwinists have resorted to fraud, speculation and countless
propaganda techniques to keep this false religion alive for the last
150 years. As a requirement of their false religion, Darwinists have
no other option to inculcate people with the idea that their theory is
"true." Because there is no scientific evidence for the truth of the
theory, they try to give the impression that "scientific evidence does
exist."
In his bookCreative Defense, Nicholas Comninellis from the University
of Missouri-Kansas City describes the position in which this terrible
deception will find itself in the future:
Philosophically, the dogma of evolution is a dream, a theory without a
vestige of truth. Within fifty years, children in school will read of
extraordinary popular delusions, and this will be mentioned as one of
the most absurd. Many a merry jest will be uttered bearing upon the
follies of nineteenth century science.1
Comninellis's analysis is an accurate one. The theory of evolution
consists of a false claim and the history of the theory is filled with
countless examples of fraud. Every claim and piece of evidence
produced by evolution is a fraud. The true nature, the true face of
all these frauds has been exposed. But the supporters of the religion
of Darwinism try to gloss over this or make people forget it. But no
matter how much they squirm, the whole world has begun to realize that
Darwinist propaganda rests on rotten foundations. As Comninellis says,
future generations will be amazed at the global effect of this
terrible deception and how it was supported by world-renowned
professors and scientists, and will ridicule this enormous
irrationality for quite a while.
The Dajjal tried to turn people away from Allah (God) through such
false methods. But all his plans have now been thwarted. The method he
employed, that is Darwinism, has now begun becoming a subject of
ridicule, even for children. The whole world will soon remember the
nonsense of Darwinism with horror and shame. This is very certainly a
snare from our Almighty Lord, a response to those who would rebel
against Him. As He reveals in one verse:
The evil actions they did assailed them. They were engulfed by what
they mocked. (Surat an-Nahl, 34)
1Nicholas Comninellis, Creative Defense, Evidence Against Evolution,
Master Books, 2001, p. 254

Due striving for Allah' s approval

Man strives hard to attain worldly favors, on which he sets his mind
as being the ultimate goal in life. He does his utmost to gain
material prosperity, recognition of social status or some other
worldly benefit. For"a paltry price" (Surat at-Tawba: 9)that will slip
out of his hands in a very short while, he makes an all-out effort.
Muslims, who aspire to a much greater reward, that is, to the approval
of Allah and His Garden, also strive hard for their cause.A believer
strives with "all due striving" for the approbation of Allah and for
the Hereafter. He "sells" his property and his life for the cause of
Allah.
No difficulty a believer encounters in the way of Allah thwarts his
commitment, provided that he has sold "his property and self" to
Allah. Nothing but Allah's approbation has any attraction for him.
Aware that he is not the "owner" of his body and property, he never
follows the vain desires of the self (nafs). Allah is the owner of his
body and everything he owns, and they will be put to service in
compliance with Allah's will.
The only criterion for being a believer is to feel a sincere desire to
seek Allah's approval and not to refrain from making any sacrifices on
the way of Allah when circumstances call for such sacrifices.
Believers are those who are"purified with a pure thought, remembrance
of the Home (of the Hereafter)" (Surah Sad: 46).A believer does not
seek any benefit other than Allah's approbation. He hopes to please
Allah, have His mercy and attain Paradise, because"anyone, male or
female, who does right actions and is a believer, will enter Paradise.
They will not be wronged by so much as the tiniest speck." (Surat
an-Nisa': 124)
Paradise is the abode of those who"believe with certainty"in Allah and
the Hereafter(Surah Luqman: 4)and then "strive with all due striving"
in the way of Allah. The end of those who "worship Allah right on the
fringe of true faith" and place their trivial worldly interests right
next to the pleasure of Allah is described thus in the Qur'an:
Among the people there are some who profess to serve Allah but who
stand on the very fringe of good faith. If good befalls them, they are
content, but if an ordeal befalls them, they revert to their former
ways, losing both this world and the hereafter. That way true
perdition lies. (Surat al-Hajj: 11)
Believers are covetous of the Hereafter. Allah promises believers a
beautiful endless life in the hereafter. Our Lord promises believers
that He will give a good life to His believing servants in this world,
too. Yet this in no way means that they will not encounter any
hardship and troubles in this world. The afflictions they encounter
are devised to put them to the test and make them more mature.
The obstacles a believer encounters are ostensibly difficult
situations; but once met with submission, Allah relieves him of all
difficulties. For instance, when his people attempted to cast the
Prophet Ibrahim (as) into the fire because of his faith, his response
was the one peculiar to a Muslim; he favored being thrown into the
fire over turning away from his faith or Allah's commands. Being cast
into a fire is the most terrible physical suffering that might befall
any human being in this world. However, Ibrahim (as), who faced this
trial from Allah in the most submissive manner, was saved from this
seemingly trying experience by the will of Allah, and no harm came to
him.
He said, "Do you then worship, instead of Allah, what cannot help or
harm you in any way? Shame on you and what you worship besides Allah!
Will you not use your intellect?" They said, "Burn him and avenge your
deities if you are resolved to punish him!" We said, "Fire, be
coolness and peace for Ibrahim!" They sought to trap him but We made
them the losers. (Surat al-Anbiya': 66-70)
Conclusively, no distress, difficulty or sorrow affect a believer who
seeks Allah's consent and observes His commands. This is demonstrated
in the course of events by which Allah puts a believer's
determination, patience and submission to the test. These are
outwardly troublesome and difficult events; but if met with patience
and submission they allow the individual to discover Allah's mercy.
This aside, Allah informs us in the Qur'an that He does not burden any
soul with more than it can bear:
Allah does not impose on any self any more than it can stand. (Surat
al-Baqara: 286)
Allah does not punish a believer who duly serves Him, neither in this
world nor in the Hereafter. On the contrary, He rewards him most
bountifully both in this world and beyond:
When the righteous are asked, "What has your Lord sent down?" their
reply is, "That which is best." There is good in the world for those
who do good, but far better is the reward of the life to come. How
wonderful is the abode of the righteous: The Gardens of Eden which
they enter, with rivers flowing under them, where they shall have
whatever they desire. That is how Allah repays the righteous. (Surat
an-Nahl: 30-31)
As a reminder from Allah, torment, difficulty and trouble are
inflicted on those who fail to seek the approval of Allah, who do not
demonstrate absolute submission to Him but rather observe the wishes
of their own souls. When believers make a mistake, they consider the
trouble and difficulties they suffer as a consequence as a merciful
warning from Allah, carefully derive lessons from them, repent and
amend their conduct. Unbelievers, however, never learn from the
ordeals they undergo, thereby deserving eternal torment in the
Hereafter.

Life in the society of ignorance

One of the most significant characteristics of someone who can
appreciate Allah's might and thus reorients all his deeds to earn
Allah's blessing, is his liberating himself from all beings other than
Allah. Having his life focused on earning His approval and being a
servant to Him, he develops a different outlook on the universe, which
he knows is created and controlled by Allah. Since he considers Allah
as the only god, the false deities surrounding him lose their meaning.
The lives of those lacking true faith, unlike those of the believers,
are subservient to countless false deities. Such people devote their
entire lives to gaining the approval of countless people, and when
they seek help, it is from other people. In reality, however, the
creatures an unbeliever idolizes in his mind are nothing but weak
"servants," just like himself. The deadlock these people face is
related in the Qur'an as follows:
They have taken [other] deities besides Allah [Alone], hoping that
they may be helped. They cannot help them, even though they are an
army mobilized in their support. (Surah Ya Sin: 74-75)
Unbelievers base their entire lives on this very distorted rationale.
There emerges from this another important difference between believers
and unbelievers: Believers adopt the criteria laid down by Allah as
their only guidance. They observe the commands of the Qur'an, the just
Book and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saas). Their religion is Islam,
which is explained in detail in the Qur'an and is presented to us
through the exemplary of the life of the Prophet (saas).
People who lead their lives in a state oblivious of Allah will surely
accept the criteria laid down by the imaginary deities rather than the
criteria set forth by Allah. Unlike Islam, the one and immutable law
of Allah, theirs is a polytheistic religion. These people have various
conflicting rules and goals imposed by society. This being the case,
the polytheistic religions they abide by take various forms.
Some of them aim at money and power, while others desire a prestigious
and influential status. Some aspire to find a "good spouse" and have a
"happy family life." This diversity that engenders different life
styles and accordingly different "religions" is, in fact, based on the
failure to grasp Allah's existence and His limits.
However, man is, by nature, inclined to trust Allah and be a servant
to Him. Unable to fulfill his infinite needs and desires by himself,
by nature, he tends to turn to Allah alone. Accordingly, the nature of
man is inclined to recognize Allah as his Lord:
So, as a pure and natural believer, set your face firmly towards the
faith, Allah's natural pattern on which He made mankind. There is no
changing Allah's creation. That is the true faith—but most people do
not know it. (Surat ar-Rum: 30)
Said Nursi, the renowned Turkish scholar, explains how man fails to
understand that his real duty is to be a servant to Allah and adds:"…
They unwisely concluded that life is a struggle."
This rationale, subscribed to by those who do not live according to
the values of the Qur'an, is one of the fundamental tenets of their
religion. It is due to the rationale in question that these people
always suffer feelings of distress and tension:
- The majority of these people, unlike believers, are selfish,
self-seeking people whose only concern is to benefit themselves.
- They lack the delicate disposition that develops with
self-sacrifice. Their love is based on gaining advantage; they love a
person not because of his good values or attributes but because it is
in their interest to love him.
- Those whom they consider to be their loved ones, too, approach them
with the same rationale, which creates a relationship bereft of
loyalty. They always feel concerned about the potential unfaithfulness
of their partners, since they know that at any time they may find
others who are wealthier or more beautiful…
- They are consumed by jealousy, a trait that prevents them from
taking pleasure in beauties and blessings. For example, instead of
taking pleasure in someone's beauty and saying "How beautifully Allah
has created him or her," they feel restless and ask, "Why am I not as
good looking and beautiful as him or her?"
- They do not feel grateful to Allah or are not contented with their
blessings. With such a disposition, they always want to possess more.
This insatiable desire becomes a constant source of uneasiness.
- Unable to accept their feebleness and weaknesses, they do not ask
for help from Allah. They assume they will get rid of their weaknesses
if they turn away from Allah haughtily without asking Him for help.
However, this is not the way to get rid of their weaknesses. At this
time too, they turn to others and pin their hopes on them. Yet those
they turn to are also weak individuals who only think about their own
benefit. Moreover, they are far from being merciful and compassionate.
This being the case, they often feel "depressed," and lose their
spirit through a failure to satisfy their expectations.
- They lack forgiveness and tolerance. For this reason, even a minor
disagreement among them is likely to develop into a clash or conflict.
Most of the time, each party makes it a matter of pride to refuse to
accept being the one in the wrong. For this reason, they often feel
distressed.
- They do not believe that they live in a world under Allah's
protection and control, but rather in a ruthless jungle where they
have to "defeat" others to survive. According to their misguided idea,
they assume they have to develop a tough, aggressive and egoist
character to be able to survive in this "jungle." Indeed, their
attitude matches what they encounter. They are either, as the society
of ignorance calls it, swallowed up, as in the example of the "small
fish," or they grow into a "big and cruel" fish and swallow others.
These laws apply to almost all societies where people do not
experience true faith, and behave according to the mistaken morality
described above. The Qur'an calls these societies "ignorant and
behavent," because they are entirely unaware of Allah and the
Hereafter.