Imam Taqi (a)’s scholarly reply in tender age astonished Mamoun

By: Bint-e-Zahra

Once Imam Muhammad Taqi (AS) was in the streets of Baghdad with some children that Mamoun Rahid passed by there. Looking Mamun Rashid, all children ran out but Imam Muhammad Taqi (AS) who was at that time of tender age kept standing on his place. Mamoun Rashid said to Imam: O child! Why did you not run out? Imam said: Path was not narrow and I was not a criminal. And I also keep good opinion about you that you will not harm innocent. Mamoun Rashid was surprised for his good words and nice appearance.

Then Mamoun went away and he had a hunting hawk. When he went far from the colony, he let off his hawk on a partridge. The hawk became invisible, and after some time when it returned from the air there was a little alive fish in its beak. Mamoun wondered and returned, with the children still on their place. As they saw Mamoun, they ran out save Imam Muhammad Taqi (AS). Mamun Rashid inquired Imam: what’s in my hand? Imam Muhammad Taqi (AS) replied: Allah, the Exalted has created a sea in the air with His omnipotence and brought into being little fish therein which are being hunted by the hawks of kings, and through it the son of Prophet (SAW) is tried. Mamoun spontaneously said: You are the son of Imam Ali Al-Reza (AS). And Mamoun Rashid showed great respect for Imam (AS). (Yanabi-ul-Mawaddah)

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