Sayyid has inherited the valuable treasures of noble etiquette, friendliness, and cheerfulness from his exalted sinless ancestors (i.e. Ahl al-Bayt) and used to welcome everyone with open arms, warm heartedly, and with a smiling face in a friendly manner.

Because of his charismatic personality and Islamic and human conduct everybody liked and loved him including those who were not even Muslims. Abu-Ishaq Ibrahim bin Hallal-Harrari famous as Sabi (Star-Worshipper) -- a celebrated writer-scholar, Chief of the Royal Association of Writers in Baghdad, as well as the Head of the Court of Abbasid Caliph Alqadir-hillah was one of the intimate longtime friends of Sayyid Radi.

He was the follower of the religion of Sabaism (Star­Worshipping), and was also the Chief Priest of Baghdad's Star Worshippers, but for the special esteem he had for Sayyid Radi, took fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadan, offered prayers, memorized the entire Holy Qur'an, and in his writings quoted from its contents very frequently while at the same time remained strictly committed to his own religion.

In Sabaism eating of bean, fish, pork, and camel meat forbidden. One day, while sitting on the dinner table of Mahalbi (the minister of Moezod-dowleh) beans were served for the dinner; in spite of Mohalbi's insistence for eating beans, Abu-Ishaq did not accept and instead replied firmly:

"For the sake of tasting one eatable thing, I don't want to sin against God-Almighty."1

Because of Sabi's knowledge, wisdom, and literary talents, Sayyid Radi had a special regard and respect for him and at the time of his demise in 384 A.H., compiled a detailed eulogistic poem, discharging his due obligations towards his deceased loyal and faithful friend. Some of the narrow-minded and malicious-minded people started criticizing that someone like Sayyid Radi- a descendant of the Prophet (S) ­ compiles eulogistic poem, and laminates for an infidel like Abu-Ishaq. Sayyid Radi in his reply to these prejudiced group said:

"I have compiled this eulogistic poem for his knowledge, wisdom, literary talents and other numerous virtues and not for his body."

Also, it was interesting to note that every time Sayyid Radi passed through the Shunizeh graveyard located west of Baghdad near Kazimayn,2 where Abn Ishaq is buried, while nearing his grave always stepped down from his horseback and never traveled as a rider in that vicinity.

Perhaps it was because of this exalted human conduct of Sayyid Radi that grandson of Star-Worshipper Abu Ishaq named Halal Sabi accepted Islam and was able to achieve exalted positions in his life. Allahmeh Shaykh Agha Buzurg Tehran in his bool Elam al-Shi’a has mentioned his name as one of the great Shi’i scholar.

• 1. Ale-Buyeh, p. 282
• 2. Kazimayn: Is the holy shrine in Iraq where Imam Musa al-Kaizim (‘a) and Imam Muhammad al-Taqi are buried