On What Ar-Ridha عليه السلام told his Brother Zayd ibn Musa When Zayd was Being Haughty in Al-Ma’mun’s Presence and What Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام said About Mistreating the Shiites

58-4 Muhammad ibn Ali Majilawayh, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Mutawakkil and Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with them - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of Yasir (the servant of Imam Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام), “Zayd ibn Musa - the brother of Abil Hassan Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام rebelled in Medina. He put houses on fire and killed some people. That is why he is called ‘Zayd al-Nar’ Then Al-Ma’mun had him arrested and brought to him. Then Al-Ma’mun orderd that Zayd be taken to (his brother) Abil Hassan (Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام).”Then Yasir (the servant of Imam Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام) added, “When Zayd was taken to the Imam عليه السلام, Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام asked him, ‘O Zayd! Have the words of the narrators from Kufa made you so proud when they say, ‘Fatima عليه السلام maintained her chastity, thus God has forbidden the Fire from touching her progeny.’ By God, this holds true only for Al-Hassan عليه السلام, Al-Husayn عليه السلام and Fatima’s own especial offspring. However, if it were the case that your father Musa ibn Ja’far عليه السلام obeyed God, fasted in the daytime and worshipped God at night, but you disobey God and claim to be equal to him (Musa ibn Ja’far عليه السلام) in the Hereafter on the Resurrection Day, this would imply that you are dearer than him in the sight of God. By God, no one can attain the ranks near God the Honorable the Exalted except by obeying Him. Do you think that you can attain such ranks by committing sins? Surely you are wrong.’ Zayd said, ‘I am your brother and the son of your father.’ Then Abul Hassan Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام told him, ’You are only my brother when you obey God the Honorable the Exalted. Indeed in the Holy Qur’an it says, ‘And Noah called upon his Lord, and said, ‘O my Lord! surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou art the Justest of Judges!’ Then God the Honorable the Exalted said, ‘…O Noah! He is not of thy family: For his conduct is unrighteous.’ And God threw him out (of Noah’s family) since he was a sinner.’”