The story of Mamun al-Rashid's first meeting with the young son of Imam Ali Rida
(as) is interesting. Once when our 9th Imam, Imam Taqi (as) was only nine years
old, he was walking down a street of Baghdad, when Mamun al-Rashid and his
soldiers came by. All the other children on the
street ran away but Imam Taqi (as) did not.
Noting this, Mamun al-Rashid stopped his carriage and asked, "Young man, why did
you not run away like the other children?"
Imam Taqi (as) replied calmly, "Neither had I committed a crime, nor was I
blocking the way. Why should I have run away or be afraid? And I also know that
you will not cause any unnecessary trouble when your way is not blocked."
Mamun al-Rashid was surprised with this mature reply and asked, "What is your
name?"
"Mohammad," came the reply. Whose son are you? asked Mamun al-Rashid. "Son of
Imam Ali Rida (as)."
Mamun al-Rashid rode on. During his hunt the hawk returned to him with a fish in
its beak. Mamun al-Rashid was surprised. He returned back toward the city. Once
again, he found children playing on the same spot, who ran away seeing the
caliph's soldiers, except this young man who said he was Mohammad son of Imam
Ali Rida (as) who remained where he was.
Mamun al-Rashid hid the fish in his palm, stopped his carriage near Imam Taqi
(as) and said, "Tell me, what is there in my fist?"
Imam Taqi (as) replied, "Allah (SWT) has created tiny fish in the river. The
hawks of kings sometimes catch fish from there and bring it to the Kings. They
hide it in their fist and ask a member of the Ahlul Bayt of the Prophet, "Tell
me what is there in my fist."
Mamun al-Rashid said, "Truly, you are the worthy son of Imam Ali Rida (as).
Mamun al-Rashid took the young Imam Taqi (as) with him, and let him live in a
nearby house next to the Royal Palace.
Moral: You should not be scared of anything or anyone as Allah (SWT) is the
strongest and will look after you.