An opponent of the Imam Reza (as), named Hamid bin Mehran
committed a number of audacities and uttered statements of
infidelity in the presence of Mamun.
Among them he said to Mamun: “Has anyone committed such a
serious crime like you that he expelled caliphate from his family and gave it to someone else?”!
Mamun said: “This man [Imam Reza (a.s.)] invites people
towards himself surreptitiously. I wish to appoint him as my crown
prince so that he invites people to me and also confesses to our
caliphate. In this way, even those, who are enchanted by him, would
realize that his claim is not valid. I fear that if I do not appoint him as
the crown prince, he would create a great rift in our caliphate and we
wouldn’t be able to repair it. Now that our worries are over it is not
proper to leave him to his devices. So, as long as I can, I would not
be deficient in reducing his status.”
Hamid bin Mehran said: “Leave this matter to me. If there was
no fear from you, I would have thrown him from reliability and
respect.” Mamun said: “In my view this is the most important of all
matters.” He said: “Gather the elders of the kingdom, judiciary,
intellectuals and people of the country and society, so that I may
expose his defects.”
Thus, a huge gathering was organized and Mamun gathered the
elders of the kingdom and made Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) sit on his
throne. Hamid, the profligate, turned to the eighth Imam, the Wali of
Allah and the Divine Proof and said:
“People have resorted to extremism regarding you and
exaggerated your praise. Rain, which sometimes falls and sometimes
does not, people think that it fell due to your supplications and
regarded it as your miracle. You should reject these liars.”
Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) said:
“I will not stop those, who narrate about divine
bounties and graces upon me, neither do I intend to
pride or boast upon it.”
That villain said: “If you are truthful, make the image of the
lions on Mamun’s throne alive and to attack me, so that it may be a
miracle for you and not rain, which fell due to supplications of some
people and the effect of your supplications in it was definitely not
more than that of others.”
Suddenly, that caliph of God and the Waliullah became infuriated and called out to the images of the two lions:
“Seize this transgressor, tear him up and don’t leave any of his
trace!”
Suddenly, those two images leaped out from the picture and
changed into two living beasts. They tore up the profligate Hamid,
broke up his bones and ate up his flesh, skin and hair.
In other words, they did not leave any trace of his; they even
licked each drop of his blood. Others also witnessed this in utter
bewilderment and silence.
When the lions finished off that villain, they said aloud in
eloquent tongue: “O Wali of the Lord, we are waiting for your
command. If you permit, we will make Mamun join his friend!”
When Mamun heard this, he fell down unconscious in fright.
However, Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) said: “Be still.” And he ordered
them to sprinkle water on Mamun’s face to revive him. Again those
two lions said: “Master, allow us to make this man join his friend!”
His Eminence replied: “No, destined matters remain, which must
come to pass.” They said: “Then what do you command us?” He
replied: “Return to your places and assume your previous form.”
They returned and assumed the form of two images.
Mamun said: “Thanks to Allah that He removed the mischief of
Hamid bin Mehran from us!” Then he said: “O son of Allah’s
Messenger, this issue of caliphate was the right of your grandfather,
His Eminence, Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and after that it is your
right. If you like, I will abdicate in your favor [so that I may come
under your discretion].”
Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) said:
“If I wanted, I would not have posed request to you
(that is I was not needful of your abdication). As
Almighty Allah made these pictures of the lions
obedient to me, He has placed all creatures under my
command; except for the ignorant human beings, who
have put themselves into loss. [Allah wanted human
beings to act according to their will and this discretion
130
was not taken away from them]. Divine destiny will
come to pass and Almighty Allah has commanded that I
should not raise objection against you and remain as
we are; as He commanded Yusuf (a.s.) to act according
to the orders of the Firon of Egypt.” Thus, Mamun was
humiliated.
Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 49, p. 18.
Isbaatul Wilayah (Part One) – Ayatullah AliNamazi Shahroodi (r.a.)