Uyūn-e Akhbār-ur Ridhā (AS)

This book has been compiled by Sheikh-e Sadūq (Abū Ja'far Muhammad son of Alī son of Husain, also known as Ibn-e Bābiwayh-e Qummī) who is one of the greatest Ulamā and luminaries of Shi'a, and a brilliant narrator in the 4th century Hegira.

Subject:

This book deals with narrations, which are related to Imām Ridhā (A.S.).

Sheikh-e Sadūq has gathered narrations that others have stated about Imām Ridhā (A.S.) as well as narrations that Imām Ridhā (A.S.) himself has stated.

Motive:

Sheikh-e Sadūq has compiled this book with the intension of presenting it as a gift to the library of Sāhib Ibn-e Abbād Deylamī', the incumbent minister and the Shi'a governor of that time.

Sāhib Ibn-e Abbād had composed some poems, eulogizing Imām Ridhā (A.S.), and presented them to Sheikh-e Sadūq; in return, Sheikh compiled this book and donated it to him.

Authenticity:

Identical to Sadūq's other works, Uyūn Akhbār-ur Ridhā (A.S.) has a high reputation, and is ranged among the most authentic sources of narrations of Shi'a.

Value:

This book is much useful in exposition of many beliefs and ideas of Shi'a. By gathering the controversies and debates of Imām Ridhā (A.S.) against the savants of other sects, Sheikh-e Sadūq has presented a great deal of important Islāmic issues in Uyūn.

Acclaims:

Mīr-Dāmād, the great philosopher, has eulogized Uyūn in this way:

"Uyūn-e Akhbār-ur Ridhā (A.S.) is a pure fountainhead, which cleanses the heart of man,

Truly, it is matchless everlastingly, either in the west, or in the east,

Enjoying a wonderful style, it suffices everyone, and, like the Sun,

It shines and scatters the lights of guidance everywhere, and fulfills the ambitions of man.

Translations:

Uyūn-e Akhbār-ur-Ridhā (A.S.) has received the best attention of Islamic Ulamā and intellectuals, and therefore there are numerous translations of it, such as:

1- Translation of Muhammad Sālih son of Muhammad Bāqir Qazwīnī

2- Translation of Sayyid Jalīl Mirzā Dhabīhullāh son of Mirzā Hidāyatullāh

3- Translation of Mawlā Alī son of Tayfūr-e Bastāmī

4- Translation of Sayyid Alī son of Muhammad son of Asadullāh Imāmī

5- Translation of Hāj Sheikh Muhammad Taqī son of Muhammad Bāqir Isfahānī

6- A translation titled as Kāshif-ul Niqāb'

7- A translation titled as Barakāt-ul-Mash'had-ul- Muqaddas'

8- A translation by one of the scholars of Mash'had in 1245 Hegira, which was accomplished following the command of Sayyid Muhammad son of Sayyid Deldār Alī Naqawī Nasīr-Ābādī

9- Translation of Allāmah Majlesī, who has translated only some chapters of Uyūn, such as:

The Khutbah (oration) of Imām Ridhā (A.S.) about Tawhīd (monotheism)

Mission of Rajā son of Abī Zah'hāk to Medina, with the intension of inviting Imām Ridhā (A.S.) to Khorāsān.

Explications:

There are many explications on Uyūn, such as:

1- Explication of Uyūn, by Alī Asghar son of Sayyid Husain Hakīm son of Sayyid Alī Shūshtarī

2- Explication of Uyūn, by Muhammad Alī Hazīn son of Sheikh Abū Tālib Zāhedī Guīlānī

3- Explication of Uyūn, by Sayyid Ne'matullāh Jazā'erī

4- Explication of Uyūn, by Mawlā Hādī Bunabī

5- Explication of the Khutbah (oration) of Imām Ridhā (A.S.) about Tawhīd (monotheism), by Hasan son of Alī Gowhar Qarāchedāghī