Martyrdom Anniversary of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Rida (p) 1448 A.H.

Saturday, August 1st, 2026, is the 17th of Safar, which marks the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Rida (p).

Would Your Neighbor Feel Safe With You?

There are people whose presence brings comfort, and there are people whose presence brings worry. Long after a conversation ends or an interaction is over, what others remember most is not what we owned or achieved, but how we made them feel. Islam calls believers to be a source of peace, mercy, and security for those around them—especially the people who live closest to us.

Imam al-Rida (p) is reported to have said, “He is not of us whose neighbor is not safe from his troubles”[Al-Sadouq, Oyoon Akhbar al-Rida, vol. 1, p. 27]. This teaching reminds us that true devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt (p) is reflected in how we treat the people closest to us. A neighbor should feel safe in our presence,not fearful of our words, our actions, or the harm we may cause. Whether it is through kindness, respect, consideration, or simply avoiding behavior that disturbs others, Islam teaches that good neighborly conduct is an essential part of faith.

The Imam (p) does not say that such a person has weak manners; he says, “He is not of us.” This powerful expression emphasizes that causing harm to others contradicts the values of the Ahl al-Bayt (p). Love for them is demonstrated not only through mourning and remembrance, but by embodying their character in our daily lives.

As we commemorate the martyrdom of Imam al-Rida (p), let us honor his legacy by becoming a source of comfort rather than hardship, mercy rather than harm, and peace rather than disturbance. Perhaps one of the greatest tributes we can offer the Imam (p) is to ensure that everyone around us, especially our neighbors, feels safer because of our presence.

 For more information about Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Rida (p), click here.

(Click here to learn about varying dates for Islamic events.)