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{{Short description|Collection of hadiths attributed to Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha}}
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Sahifah'' of al-Ridha}}
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{{Shia Islam}}
'''''Sahifah of al-Ridha''''' ({{langx|ar|صَّحِيفَة ٱلرِّضَا}}, ''{{transl|ar|Ṣaḥīfah ar-Riḍā|}}'', {{abbr|lit.|Literally}}&nbsp;"Pages of [[Ali al-Ridha|al-Ridha]]"), also known as '''''Sahifat of al-Reza''''' and '''''Sahifat''''' '''''al-Imam al-Ridha'''''<ref>{{cite book|last=Al-Khabushani|first='Azizallah al-'Utaridi|title=Musnad al-Imam al-Rida|location=Beirut|publisher=Mu'assasat al-Wafa'|year=1983}}</ref><ref name=iv>{{cite book|url=http://www.alseraj.net/maktaba/kotob/english/FourteenInfallibles/TheLifeofImamAlal-Rida/books/other-lang/imam-ridha/24.html#179 |title=The Life of Imam 'Ali bin Musa al-Rida|last=al-Qarashi|first=Bāqir Sharīf|others=Translated by Jāsim al-Rasheed|chapter=IV, §3. The Sahïfa of al-Rida|pages=313–367|isbn=9789644383298|publisher=Ansariyan Publications|date=2001|access-date=4 February 2015}}</ref> ("Book of Imam al-Ridha"), is a collection of 240 [[hadith]]s attributed to [[Ali al-Ridha|Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha]], the eighth [[Shia]] [[The Twelve Imams|Imam]].<ref name="Iranica"/>
The ''Sahifah'' is one of the major sources of Shia belief and has attracted the attention of Shia scholars such as [[Ibn Babawayh]] and [[Sheikh Tabarsi]].<ref name="shi'a hadith">{{cite web|script-title=fa:صحيفة الإمام الرضا عليه السلام|trans-title=The ''Sahifat'' of Imam al-Reza (PBUH)|url=http://www.hadith.net/n3590-e30422.html|website=Shi'a Hadith Database|date=27 March 1393 |language=Persian}}</ref> It contains hadiths on various topics including the invocation of [[Allah]]; the importance of praying five times a day and of saying the prayer for the dead; the excellence of the [[ahl al-bayt|household of Muhammad]], of the believer, of good manners, of the names [[Muhammad (name)|Muhammad]] and [[Ahmad (name)|Ahmad]], of various foods, fruits, and ointments, of obeying parents, of strengthening the bonds of kinship, and of [[jihad]]; a warning against cheating, backbiting, or tattling; and other miscellaneous traditions. The section on Muhammad's household discusses each of its fourteen members separately.<ref name=iv/>
==Chain of authority==
The book was allegedly first written by Abdallah ibn Aḥmad ibn Amer, who said he had heard its contents from his father Aḥmad ibn Amer, who said he had heard them from Ali al-Ridha in [[Medina]] in {{nowrap|194&thinsp;[[Islamic calendar|AH]]}} (809-{{nowrap|10&thinsp;[[Common Era|CE]]).}} Abdallah ibn Aḥmad ibn Amer was subsequently recognized as a [[biographical evaluation|credible narrator]] of hadith by [[Ahmad ibn Ali al-Najashi|Najashi]], one of the important Shia scholars.<ref name="Iranica">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Madelung|first=Wilferd|title=ALĪ AL-REŻĀ, the eighth Imam of the Emāmī Shiʿites|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Iranica|authorlink=Wilferd Madelung|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ali-al-reza|orig-year=First published 15 December 1985|date=1 August 2011|access-date=3 February 2015|publisher=Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation|editor1-first=Ehsan|editor1-last=Yarshater|pages=877–880|volume=I/8|location=New York}}</ref>
The version printed in [[Cairo]] by al-Ma'ahid Press in the year {{nowrap|1340&thinsp;AH}} (1921–1922) begins with the following chain of authorities:<ref name=iv/> Its editor al-'Allāma 'Abd al-Wāsi' stated he received its contents on the authority of [[Sheikh]]&nbsp;'Abd al-Wāsi', who received it from Imam&nbsp;al-Qāsim ibn Mohammed, who received it from [[Sheikh]]&nbsp;al-Sayyid Amīr al-Dīn ibn 'Abd Allah, who received it from al-Sayyid Ahmed ibn 'Abd Allah al-Wazīr, who received it from Imam&nbsp;al-Mutahhar ibn Mohammed ibn Sulayman, who received it from Imam&nbsp; al-Mahdi Ahmed ibn Yahya, who received it from Sulayman ibn Ibrahīm ibn 'Umar al-'Alawi, who received it from his father Ibrahīm, who received it from Rida' al-Dīn Ibrahīm ibn Mohammed al-Tabari, who received it from Imam Najm al-Dīn al-Tabrīzi, who received it from al-Hafiz Ibn 'Asakir, who received it from Zahir al-Sinjani, who received it from al-Hafiz al-Bayhaqi, who received it  from Abu al-Qasim al-Mufassir, who received it from "Ibrahīm ibn Khu'ra" (by mistake in text "Ju'da"), who received it from Abu al-Qasim 'Abd Allah ibn Ahmed ibn 'Amir al-Ta'i in [[Basra]], who received it from Ali al-Ridha, who claimed his father [[Musā ibn Ja'far|Musā]] claimed his father [[Ja'far ibn Mohammed|Ja'far]] claimed his father [[Muhammad al-Baqir|Muhammad]] claimed his father [['Ali ibn al-Husayn|'Ali]] claimed his father [[al-Husayn ibn 'Ali|Husayn]] claimed his father [['Ali ibn Abū Tālib|'Ali, son of Abū Tālib]], had heard or witnessed its contents in the company of [[Muhammad]].
==Context==
{{main|Ali al-Ridha}}
The principal narrator of the work was Abdallah ibn Aḥmad ibn Amer, who retells the words of [[Ali al-Ridha]] with each entry beginning with a variation of "Through his chain of authorities, he said".<ref name=iv/>{{efn|A separate narrator of some of the hadiths of Ali al-Ridha was Abu Abd ar-Rahman as-Sulami who taught them to Abu Bakr Ahmed ibn Nasser ibn Abdallah ibn al-Fath Baghdadi al-Zare' who had participated in the [[Battle of Nahrawan]]. A third narrator of these hadiths was [[Shaykh Saduq|Sheikh Saduq]]. A fourth was Yahya ibn Isma'il who had heard some of these hadiths from his uncle, Hussein ibn Ali Juvayni, by a separate chain of authority.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kazim Rahmati|first=Mohammad|authorlink1=Mohammad Kazim Rahmati|title=" صحیفة الرضا به روایت شیخ صدوق و ابو عبدالرحمان سلمی" [Al-Sahifat Al-Redha by narrative of Shaykh Saduq and sulami]|url=http://library.tebyan.net/newindex.aspx?pid=102834&ParentID=0&BookID=97457&MetaDataID=28715&Volume=1&PageIndex=0&PersonalID=0&NavigateMode=CommonLibrary&Content=|website=Tebyan}}</ref>}} His father, who was said to have related these words to him, was killed at the [[Battle of Siffin]]. The family were descendants of Wahb ibn Amer who was killed with [[Husayn ibn Ali|Husayn, son of Ali]], at the [[Battle of Karbala]].
Ali al-Ridha was born around {{nowrap|151&thinsp;AH}} (768–769) although possibly as late as {{nowrap|159&thinsp;AH}} (775–76), to the [[Twelve Imams|Imam]]&nbsp;[[Musa al-Kadhim]] and one of his [[slavery in Islam|slaves]], probably [[medieval Nubia|Nubia]]n.<ref name="Iranica"/> His father died in a [[Baghdad]]i prison in [[Rajab]], 183&thinsp;AH (September, 799), during the [[caliph]]ate of [[Harun al-Rashid]], one of the [[Abbasid Caliphate|Abbasid dynasty]]. Ali al-Ridha succeeded to his father's property but not fully to his title. He began to teach and issue ''[[fatwa]]s'' from [[Al-Masjid al-Nabawi|the mosque]] in [[Medina]], where he lived, but the caliphs did not confirm his title and many of his father's [[wakil|trustees]] withheld their support (and [[Tithe#Islam|tithe]]s) under the pretense that his father would soon return as the [[Mahdi]].<ref name="Iranica"/> Following Harun's death in 809, a [[Fourth Fitna|civil war]] broke out between his sons [[Al-Amin]] and [[Al-Ma'mun]]. Al-Amin was beheaded in September 813 during the [[Siege of Baghdad (812–813)|siege of Baghdad]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Kennedy|first=Hugh|title=The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates, 2nd ed.|year=1986|publisher=Pearson Longman|location=London and New York|pages=148–150}}</ref> but his followers continued their resistance under local governors or in favor of [[Ibrahim ibn al-Mahdi|Al-Ma'mun's uncle]] as late as 827.
The death of Al-Amin permitted Ali al-Ridha greater opportunity to teach.<ref name="shia news">{{cite web | last1=Mohammad hossein | url=http://www.shia-news.com/fa/news/14923 | script-title=fa:هشتمین امام و هشت شاگرد برجسته |trans-title=The Eighth Imam and the Eight Outstanding Disciples | access-date=28 January 2015 | first1=Yasrebi | language=Persian | website=Shi'a news.com}}</ref> In {{nowrap|200&thinsp;AH}} (815–816), Ali al-Ridha was invited or forced by [[Al-Ma'mun]] to quit his home and estates in Medina and leave for the imperial capital in [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]]. Al-Ma'mun proclaimed him as the new Imam throughout the empire upon his arrival at [[Merv]] in {{nowrap|201&thinsp;AH}} (817).<ref name="Iranica"/> He went further and named Ali al-Ridha as his crown prince and successor to the caliphate.<ref name="Iranica"/> Following the assassination of [[Fazl ibn Sahl|the imperial vizier]] and during a relocation of the capital back to Baghdad, Ali al-Ridha died suddenly, most probably on the last day of [[Safar]], {{nowrap|203&thinsp;AH}} (September, 818).<ref name="Iranica"/>{{efn|Accounts vary, placing it anywhere from [[Safar]], {{nowrap|202&thinsp;AH}} (September 817), to [[Dhu al-Qi'dah]], {{nowrap|203&thinsp;AH}} (May, 819).<ref name="Iranica"/>}} Most sources accuse Al-Ma'mun of having poisoned him.<ref name="Iranica"/>
==Contents==
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|quote=''[T]he likeness of the believer with Allah is like an angel brought nigh; and the believer with Allah is better than an angel brought nigh; and there is nothing more lovable to Allah than a repentant believing man or a repentant believing woman!''&nbsp;—&nbsp;Chapter V {{efn| Al-Qarashi (2001), [http://www.alseraj.net/maktaba/kotob/english/FourteenInfallibles/TheLifeofImamAlal-Rida/books/other-lang/imam-ridha/27.html Ch.&nbsp;V, p.&nbsp;346]}}
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The version printed in [[Cairo]] by al-Ma'ahid Press in the year {{nowrap|1340&thinsp;AH}} (1921–1922) contained 163 [[hadith]]s divided into ten sections, the first nine of which concern particular topics and the last of which includes the remainder on miscellaneous topics.<ref name=iv/> The last section ends with a note that the author "dropped some traditions mentioned in these two books of the Imām", considering them to be fabricated. He further noted that other scholars do not ascribe the book to Ali al-Ridha at all.{{efn| Al-Qarashi (2001), [http://www.alseraj.net/maktaba/kotob/english/FourteenInfallibles/TheLifeofImamAlal-Rida/books/other-lang/imam-ridha/28.html Ch.&nbsp;X, p.&nbsp;366]}}
The ten sections are:
:I: On the Invocation of [[Allah|God]]
:II: On the [[adhan|Call to Prayer]]
:III: On the [[Salat#Types of prayers|Mandatory Prayers]]
:IV: On the Excellence of the [[ahl al-Bayt|Household of the Prophet]], in 3 parts:
::Part One: On the Excellence of [[Ali|Ali bin Abu Talib]]
::Part Two: On the Excellence of [[Fatimah|Fatima]]
::Part Three: On the Excellence of [[Hasan ibn Ali|Hasan]] and [[Husayn ibn Ali|Husayn]] and [[ahl al-Bayt|the Household]] in General
:V: On the Excellence of [[Muslims|Believers]], [[Adab (Islam)|Good Manners]], and Those Named [[Muhammad (name)|Muhammad]] or [[Ahmad (name)|Ahmad]]
:VI: On [[Islamic dietary laws|Foods]] and [[Islamic medicine|Ointments]]
:VII: On Filial Obedience and Strengthening [[Kinship|Family Ties]]
:VIII: On Avoidance of Cheating and Backbiting
:IX: On the Excellence of [[Jihad]], which is not given in full but condensed into a paraphrase{{efn| Al-Qarashi (2001), [http://www.alseraj.net/maktaba/kotob/english/FourteenInfallibles/TheLifeofImamAlal-Rida/books/other-lang/imam-ridha/28.html Ch.&nbsp;IX, pp.&nbsp;360–361]}}
:X: Miscellaneous Hadith
Some hadiths from the ''Sahifah:''
{{blockquote|6. Through his chain of authorities, he, peace be on him, said [that Muhammad said]: "The best deeds with [[Allah]] are: belief without doubt, [[jihad|invasion]] without stealing from war booty before it is distributed (''ghulul''), and proper ''[[hajj]]''. The first to enter [[Paradise in Islam|the Garden]] will be a [[martyrdom in Islam|martyr]]; a [[slavery in Islam|slave]] who worships his Lord well and is sincere to his master; and a chaste man who abstains from what is forbidden, has a family, and strives to secure the daily bread of his own family. The first to enter [[Hell in Islam|the Fire]] will be a domineering [[Imam]] [or leader] who does not treat with justice; a possessor of wealth of property who does not pay the right against it; and a boastful, poor [person]."{{efn| Al-Qarashi (2001), [http://www.alseraj.net/maktaba/kotob/english/FourteenInfallibles/TheLifeofImamAlal-Rida/books/other-lang/imam-ridha/24.html Ch.&nbsp;I, p.&nbsp;317]}}}}
{{blockquote|99. Through his chain of authorities, he, peace be on him, said [that Muhammad said]: "The best of the people in faith are the best of them in [[Adab (Islam)|good manners]] and the gentlest of them toward their families, and I am the gentlest of you toward [[ahl al-Bayt|my family]]"{{efn| Al-Qarashi (2001), [http://www.alseraj.net/maktaba/kotob/english/FourteenInfallibles/TheLifeofImamAlal-Rida/books/other-lang/imam-ridha/27.html Ch.&nbsp;V, p.&nbsp;350]}}}}
{{blockquote|122. Through his chain of authorities, he, peace be on him, said [that [[Ali|Ali, son of Abu Talib]], said:] "[[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]], peace be on him, came to [[Muhammad|the Prophet]], may Allah bless him and [[ahl al-Bayt|his family]], and said: 'Cling to [[Date cultivation in Dar al-Manasir#Bireir .28.D8.A8.D8.B1.D9.8A.D8.B1.29|al-Barni dates]], for it is the best kind of your [[date palm|dates]]; it brings [men] nigh to Allah and send [them] away from [[Hell in Islam|the Fire]]'".{{efn| Al-Qarashi (2001), [http://www.alseraj.net/maktaba/kotob/english/FourteenInfallibles/TheLifeofImamAlal-Rida/books/other-lang/imam-ridha/27.html Ch.&nbsp;VI, p.&nbsp;356] }}}}
{{blockquote|123. Through his chain of authorities, he, peace be on him, said [that [[Husayn ibn Ali]] said:] "[[Ali|The Commander of the Faithful]], peace be on him, ordered us to rinse out mouth three times after we had eaten".{{efn| Al-Qarashi (2001), [http://www.alseraj.net/maktaba/kotob/english/FourteenInfallibles/TheLifeofImamAlal-Rida/books/other-lang/imam-ridha/27.html Ch.&nbsp;VI, p.&nbsp;356] }}}}
{{blockquote|142. Through his chain of authority, he, peace be on him, said [that [[Ali ibn Husayn]] said that [[Ali|Ali, son of Abu Talib]], was asked:] "'O [[Ali|Commander of the Faithful]], tell me about the excellence of [[jihad|the invasion]] in the path of Allah.' He, peace be on him, answered: 'I was riding behind [[Muhammad|Allah's Messenger]], may Allah bless him and [[ahl al-Bayt|his family]], on his she-camel [[Animals in Islam#Camels|al-'Adbā']] when we came beck from the Campaign of [[Battle of Chains|Dhāt al-Salāsil]]. I asked him about what you have asked me about, and he answered: 'Surely, if the invaders intend to make an invasion, Allah writes for them freedom from [[Hell in Islam|the Fire]], and if they prepare themselves, Allah vies with the angels through them, etc.'" The [[hadith|tradition]] is long; the [[Muhammad|greatest of Messengers]], may Allah bless him and [[ahl al-Bayt|his family]], has presented therein the excellence of [[jihad|invasion and jihād]] in the path of Allah, which is one of the gates to [[Paradise in Islam|the Garden]], and which Allah has opened for his special friends, as it was said by the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him".{{efn| Al-Qarashi (2001), [http://www.alseraj.net/maktaba/kotob/english/FourteenInfallibles/TheLifeofImamAlal-Rida/books/other-lang/imam-ridha/28.html#202 Ch.&nbsp;IX, p.&nbsp;360] }}}}
==Manuscripts==
The following versions are available:<ref name="shi'a hadith"/>
*At the [[Allameh Amini]] library, written by Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Qahhar Shirazi, in 761 AH
*At the library of the Grand Mosque in [[Qom]], written by Ridha bin Nizam bin Fakhruddin Hasani Amolie in 848 AH
*At the library of [[Astan Quds Razavi]], written by Ismail bin Abdul Momin Qaany in 881 AH
*At the National Library of the Academy of [[Rome]], narrated by Judge Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Hamza bin Abi Najma
*In [[Egypt]]. The chain of narrators of this manuscript ends with [[Al-Bayhaqi]].
==See also==
{{portal|Shia Islam}}
*[[Al-Risalah al-Dhahabiah]]
*[[Al-Risalah al-Huquq]]
*[[Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya]]
*[[List of Shia books]]
==Notes==
{{notelist|30em}}
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==External links==
*[http://www.sibtayn.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=600&Itemid=688&layout=default ''The Sahifah of Imam Reza (AS)''], an English translation by the Sibtayn International Foundation
*{{lang|fa|[http://vu1.qhu.ac.ir/files/sahifehalreza-s%205.pdf صحيفة الرضا عليه السلام-ترجمه حجازى،]}} {{in lang|fa}} [''The Sahifeh<!--sic--> of Imam Reza (PBUH), a translation from the Hejazi, p.&nbsp;5'']
{{Shia hadith literature|state=uncollapsed}}
[[Category:Shia literature]]
[[Category:Shia hadith collections]]
[[Category:9th-century Arabic-language books]]
[[Category:Ali al-Ridha]]