Birth of Imam Al-Ridha (AS)

Question

When was Imam Al-Ridha (AS) born?

Answer 1

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Imam Al-Ridha (AS), the eighth of the twelve Imams, who were designated by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is Ali ibn Musa, son of Ja'far, son of Muhammad, son of Ali, son of Al-Hussein, son of Ali, son of Abu Talib, may God's blessings be upon them all. He was born on the 11th of Dhul-Qi'dah in the year 148 AH in Medina.

Upon reflection, there are three opinions regarding his birth.

(First Opinion): In the year 148 AH.

This is the same year in which his grandfather, Imam Al-Sadiq (AS), passed away, according to the majority of scholars and historians, such as:

Al-Mufid in Al-Irshad, Al-Shabrawi in Al-Inhaf bi-Hubb Al-Ashraf, Al-Kulayni in Al-Kafi, Al-Khafami in Al-Misbah, Al-Shahid in Al-Durus, Al-Tabrasi in A'lam Al-Wara, Al-Fattal Al-Naysaburi in Rawdat Al-Wa'izin, Al-Saduq in Ilal Al-Sharai, Taj Al-Din Muhammad ibn Zahra in Ghayat Al-Ikhtisar, Ibn Al-Sabbagh Al-Maliki in Al-Fusul Al-Muhimmah, Al-Ardabili in Jam' Al-Rawati, Al-Mas'udi in Muruj Al-Dhahab, despite some inconsistencies in his statements, Abu Al-Fida in his history, Al-Kanji Al-Shafi'i in Kifayat Al-Talib, Ibn Al-Athir in his complete works, Ibn Hajar in Sawaiq, Al-Shablanji in Nur Al-Absar, Al-Baghdadi in Subaik Al-Dhahab, Ibn Al-Jawzi in Tadhkirat Al-Khwas, Ibn Al-Wardi in his history, and references from the history of Al-Ghafari and Al-Nobakhti.

(Second Opinion): That his birth was in the year 153 AH. This view is held by: Al-Ardabili in Kashf Al-Ghummah, Ibn Shahr Ashub in Al-Manaqib, Al-Saduq in Uyun Al-Akhbar, despite some inconsistencies in his statements, Al-Mas'udi in Ithbat Al-Wasiyyah, Ibn Khalkan in Wafayat Al-A'yan, Ibn Abdul Wahab in Uyun Al-Mu'jizat, and Al-Yafi'i in Mir'at Al-Jinan.

(Third Opinion): That his birth was in the year 151 AH.

The first opinion is the strongest and most well-known, and only a few have adopted the latter two opinions.

All praise is due to God, the Lord of the worlds.

And blessings and peace be upon Muhammad and his pure family.