He did not speak or advocate the cause of some particular race or ethnic group, but stood up for all humanity irrespective of race, colour, class, language or geographical barriers. The Message he preached was universal, transgressing all obstacles whether artificial or otherwise. A Message so complete and comprehensive that it not only revolutionized the era in which it was proclaimed, but even today its timeless beauty has lost none of the original charm and continues its profound appeal to the human intellect.

Imam Ali ar-Ridha(A.S.) the eighth Holy Imam was poisoned by Mamun,the Abbasid caliph in Sanabad in Toos region(Khurasan,Iran). Imam Ridha (A.S.) attained martyrdom on the last day of the month of Safar 203 A.H./ 818 A.D. and was buried in Sanabad. After the burial of Imam Ali ar-Ridha (A.S.) in this place, Sanabad was soon transformed into a metropolis and the sacred shrine of Imam Ali ar-Ridha(A.S.) in the holy city of Mashhad is also one of the most extensively visited pilgrimage centre in the world.

1. DO NOT ACCEPT HUMILIATION : In one of his speeches, Imam Hussein a.s. said that the authorities in Kufa had given him only two options - humiliation or death. He carried on to say,'And we do not accept humiliation'. A tradition reported by Imam Sadiq a.s records that, other than not accepting humiliation, Allah Almighty has given to believers a choice in all matters.

2. BROAD-MINDNESS : This means thinking independently and being just in one's judgements. Not simply following others blindly and keeping one's eyes closed. On the Day of Ashura Imam Hussein a.s. addressed Yazid's troops:O followers of Abu Sufyan, if you are not following the teachings of Islam then as freemen, be independent of judgement. On what basis do you fight me now?