Sunni Scholar's Point Of Views About Sayyid Radi
The followers of each religion and school of thought naturally lowers their wings in humility towards their great learned scholars, open their tongues for their praises, and keep their memories alive through arranging memorial celebrations at special occasions so that they could take a pride in the superiority of that particular religion or school of thought. From these considerations, the orator eloquently speaks about their righteous characteristics and spiritual perfection, while the writers use the power of their pen to write about their superior qualities and virtues by publishing their biographies.
But sometimes there are exceptions to this general rule like the charming personality of Sayyid Radi -- the luminous unique Shi’i personality of fourth century - who distinguished himself by achieving the highest positions of knowledge and ascending to the highest -spiritual stations; to the extent that rulers and subjects, enemies and friends, and scholars and commoners lowered their head in humanity before his exalted and opened their tongues in his praises. Sunni elderly personalities have always made interesting statements in his praise.
Abdul Malik Thalibi, a famous poet of Sayyid Radi's period in his research and literary book titled “Yatimateh alDahl” praises Sayyid Radi as follows:
“He was barely 10 years old when he started composing poetry. Today he is the most celebrated poet of our time, a great statesman of Iraq, possessor of superior lineage and dignity, an exalted scholar and Jurisprudent, and a manifestation of all goodness.1
Khatib Baghdadi in his book titled “History of Baghdad” writes.
"He (the brother of Abul-Qasim famous as Murtada) was a learned scholar and a great literary personality. Ahmad bin Rooh narrated that Sayyid Radi at a very early age started studying the Holy Qur’an and was able to memorize it thoroughly within a short span of time. Also he said that Sayyid Radi has written several books about the meanings of the Holy Qur'an which are unique and matchless"2
In his preface written for the "Comments on Nahj al-Balaghah" vol-1, Ibn Abi'l-Hadid Motazalli Madayani writes:
“He never accepted any gift or rewards from anyone even from his father, which in itself indicates the dignity of his self. The kings of Ale-Buyeh dynasty were always very keen and eager, and applied pressures for acceptance of their gifts and rewards, but Sayyid Radi never yielded. Sayyid Radi possessed a lofty spirit and exalted thoughts which he had reflected in his poetry, but unfortunately his period did not provide him the opportunity for the implementation of those cherished ideals. He lived till the very last moment of his life with a burning ambition looking and striving for the appropriate opportunity for revolting against the existing corrupt system.”3
Abu al-Farj bin Jodi in his book “al Muntazim” writes about Sayyid Radi:
“He has profound knowledge of Jurispn1dence; was a learned scholar, eminent poet, writer, and righteous religious person possessed with valor and courage.”4
The great Sunni historian Hafiz Dhaibi in his book “Alabr fi-Khabar min-Ghabar” writes:
“Sayyid Radi is the kind of poet who introduced freshness and renewal in poetry and therefore they titled him: the eminent poet of Quraish. He started composing poetry at an early age of nine years. He was naturally gifted with unique foresight, wisdom, common sense, and a lot of benevolence. The precious poetical works left by him consist of four volumes.”5
Jamal al-Din abi al-Mahasin Yusuf bin Taghri Bardi Atabaki in his book “al-Najoom al-Zahareh fi Malook Mithr wa al-Qayreh” writes:
“Sayyid Radi was an outstanding Grammarian, learned scholar, eminent eloquent poet, great Jurisprudent, and possessor of utmost courage, valor and dignity. Sayyid Radi, Sayyid Murtada and their father all were favorite leaders of their Shi’i community in their period.”6
