Mutawakkil was the most hostile caliph against the Imam and his Shias during the Imamat of Imam Hadi. Due to his animosity toward Imam Ali, Mutawakkil named two of his sons Talha and Zubayr, after two of the Prophet’s companions who had later led the battle of Jamal against Imam Ali. Mutawakkil was not intimidated to express his feelings about Imam Ali. He would ridicule Imam Ali (AS) and curse Lady Fatimah (SA) in his private gatherings. This was an unprecedented action among the other Abbasid caliphs, as they would show pride for being the relatives of the Prophet and would portray to have respect for Imam Ali and Lady Fatimah. For instance, when Imam Ali’s hidden grave was first revealed to the public during the time of Haroon, the Abbasid Caliph who imprisoned and martyred Imam Kazim, he ordered the construction of a building on the gravesite of Imam Ali. Mutawakkil also banned the Shias from visiting the holy shrines of Imam Ali and Imam Hossein, and ordered the destruction of Imam Hossein’s holy shrine twice. He also imposed excessive economical pressure on the Shias and the Alavids. This pressure was to such an extent that the female Alavids in Medina had to wear old and torn clothes. They even lacked an appropriate cover to put on for their prayers. Consequently, they passed along and shared the appropriate cover amongst one another, and took turns for the prayer. Mutawakkil ruled for about 15 years and had the longest duration of the caliphate among the other caliphs who ruled during the Imamat of Imam Hadi. Therefore, the Imam endured many calamities from Mutawakkil, and the Shias were under excessive pressure from him.Once, a wound appeared on Mutawakkil’s body. The physicians could not treat the wound, and it gradually became life-threatening. Mutawakkil’s minister, Fath ibn Khaqan, suggested someone be sent to Imam Hadi for guidance. Mutawakkil accepted, and sent a messenger to the Imam. Although Mutawakkil was a clear enemy of the Imam, the Imam did not withhold his divine knowledge from him, which shows the Imam’s greatness. The Imam then gave instructions that were effective in curing the wound. Mutawakkil’s mother then sent a pocket of sealed gold coins to the Imam to show appreciation to him. Shortly after recovery from his illness, someone spoke ill of the Imam to Mutawakkil. He accused the Imam of receiving and storing a large amount of wealth and weapons from his followers in order to initiate an uprising. Although Mutawakkil had just observed the Imam’s greatness in recovering from his serious illness, he immediately sent his special doorkeeper to inspect the Imam’s house in the middle of the night. Mutawakkil’s doorkeeper used a ladder and climbed on the roof of the Imam’s house, but could not find a way to come down because of darkness of the night. Suddenly, the Imam called him by name and brought him a candle to help him get down. He observed the Imam in simple clothing and realized that the Imam was awake and worshippin
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