Imam Abdullah Ibn Musa
Imam ʿAbdullāh ibn Mūsā
Peace Be Upon Him
During the reign of al-Mutawakkil the ʿAbbāsid, Imam ʿAbdullāh ibn Imam Mūsā ibn ʿAbdullāh ibn al-Ḥasan ibn al-Ḥasan al-Sibṭ passed away while living in concealment. He was the unrivalled man of his age and a unique figure of his time.
He was one of the distinguished members of the Prophet’s Household who gathered in the house of Muḥammad ibn Manṣūr al-Murādī and pledged allegiance to Imam al-Qāsim ibn Ibrāhīm. Those present were the three men previously mentioned, along with Aḥmad ibn ʿĪsā ibn Zayd and al-Ḥasan ibn Yaḥyā ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn Zayd.
After the death of Imam ʿAlī ibn Mūsā al-Riḍā, al-Maʾmūn had intended to establish relations with him and wrote him a lengthy letter. Imam ʿAbdullāh ibn Mūsā replied with an answer in which he said:
“By what excuse can you justify what you did to Abū al-Ḥasan” — meaning Imam ʿAlī ibn Mūsā al-Riḍā — “was it by the grapes that you fed him until you killed him with them?”
I came to know that the Book of God encompasses all things, so I read it and found in it: “O you who believe, fight those of the disbelievers who are nearest to you, and let them find harshness in you.” [al-Tawba: 9:123]
Yet I did not know which of them were nearest to us. So I examined the matter again and found it saying: “You will not find a people who believe in God and the Last Day loving those who oppose God and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers, their sons, their brothers, or their kindred.” [al-Mujādala: 58:22]
Then I realized that I must begin with those closest to me. I reflected further and found that you are more harmful to Islam and the Muslims than every enemy I have.
You entered into it outwardly, yet you have continued to unravel its bonds one by one. Therefore, you are more damaging to Islam than anyone else.