In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Forgiveness, the treatment of Imam

It has been recorded in history that Boreiheh Abbasi, who was appointed by Motewakkel as the leading performer of Salat in Mecca and Madinah, one of his advocates, wrote to him: If Mecca and Madinah are important for you order for the exile of Muhammad Ibn Ali (Imam Hadi (PBUH)), for he invites and attracts many people, and many have become his followers. Boreiheh wrote a few letters with this content to Motewakkel.

These wrongful circularization of reports to Motewakkel who was already an enemy for Imam Hadi and his fathers (PBUT) made him send Yayha bin Harthamah with a letter to Imam Hadi (PBUH) in which he wrote: “I am looking forward to meeting you, I request you to come to me.” He also wrote a letter to Boreiheh to make Imam understand what Motewakkel means.

Yahya bin Harthamah came to Madinah and gave the letter to Boreiheh; He and Boreiheh came to Imam Hadi (PBUH) and delivered the letter. Imam (PBUH) requested a three-day limit, and after three days he had his horses loaded with packs and started travelling to the Motewakkel establishment in Iraq. Some of the people and elites of Madinah accompanied Imam (PBUH) including Boreiheh Abbasi. On the road, Boreiheh said to Imam (PBUH): “I know that you understand that it I who was behind your exile to Iraq. I swear that if you complain from me to Motewakkel or one of his close people, I will have your palm trees cut, and kill your friends, and have your stream and channels (of your lands) destroyed. And for sure what I say will be done.”

Imam Hadi (PBUH) turned to Boreiheh and said: “Indeed I will complain from you to God; when I complain from you to God, I never complain to anyone apart of Him.”

Boreiheh prostrated on the feet of Imam in lamentation. He shed tears and asked for forgiveness. Imam (PBUH) said: “I forgave you.” And continued his way.

Accordingly, although Boreheh was guilty with an unforgivable injustice that lead to the Imam’s (PBUH) exile and separation from his family and friends, the exile that finally lead to his martyrdom, Imam forgave him, and treated the offense and threatening of Boreiheh with generosity and magnanimity. We can regard this behavior of Imam (PBUH) an instance for the Quranic verse “Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.”¹

 
(The above is a selection taken from "Ithbat al-Wasilah", by Ali Masoudi (with minor additions))

The Roshd Website offers condolences to all Muslims, especially you dear friend, upon 3^rd of Rajab, the martyrdom anniversary upon martyrdom of the inviter of people to guidance and the illuminator of path of generosity,

Imam Ali ibn Muhammad al-Hadi (PBUH).

Roshd Islamic Shia Website

Footnote:

1. The Holy Quran, (7:199)