Why is Imam Reza (AS) called "The Guarantor of the Gazelle"?

According to SAEDNEWS, One of the famous titles of Imam Reza (AS) is "The Guarantor of the Gazelle." This story, as it is commonly known among the people, is not found in Shia sources. However, similar stories appear in the miracles attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Imam Sajad (AS), and Imam Sadiq (AS).

Sheikh Saduq narrates this incident in a different way in his book Uyun Akhbar al-Ridha. It is worth noting that this event took place years after the martyrdom of Imam Reza (AS), and, as mentioned earlier, similar incidents occurred with other infallibles during their lifetime. It is also necessary to point out that Sheikh Saduq believes in the reliability of those who narrated this story.

Sheikh Saduq’s Narration

In Uyun Akhbar al-Ridha, Sheikh Saduq narrates a story that occurred after Imam Reza’s (AS) martyrdom, around the shrine of the Imam, and it is unrelated to the well-known story among the people. According to Sheikh Saduq’s narration, a gazelle, frightened by hunters, seeks refuge near the wall of Imam Reza’s shrine. Sheikh Saduq writes:

Abu Mansur ibn Abdul Razzaq... said: "In my youth, I did not have a favorable opinion of the supporters of Mashhad (the shrine of Imam Reza). I used to rob the pilgrims on the way, taking their clothes, money, letters, and documents by force. One day, I went hunting and released a cheetah to chase a gazelle. The cheetah chased the gazelle until, in desperation, the gazelle sought refuge by the wall and stopped. The cheetah also stopped but did not approach it.

No matter how much I tried to make the cheetah move closer to the gazelle, it did not move. But whenever the gazelle moved away from its spot by the wall, the cheetah would follow it. However, whenever the gazelle returned to the wall for refuge, the cheetah would stop. Eventually, the gazelle entered a burrow-like hole in the wall of the shrine. I went to the nearby building and asked, 'Where is the gazelle that just entered the building?' They replied, 'We haven’t seen any gazelle.'

I went back to the hole the gazelle had entered, and there I saw its tracks, but the gazelle itself was gone. I then made a vow to God that I would never harm the pilgrims again and would treat them only with kindness and respect."

In Bihar al-Anwar, Majlisi also reports a similar account, adding that during the reign of Sultan Sanjar, his son, who was ill, went hunting. The gazelle fled to the shrine, and upon seeing this, the prince laid himself on the tomb and was healed. As a result of this healing, Sultan Sanjar built a shrine at the tomb.

The Most Famous Narration of "The Guarantor of the Gazelle"

Some researchers believe this title comes from various stories mentioned in historical books. The most famous of these is as follows:

"A hunter, while hunting in the desert, chases a gazelle for a considerable distance. Eventually, the gazelle runs toward Imam Ali ibn Musa Reza (AS), who is present in the area. The hunter attempts to catch the gazelle, but is stopped by Imam Reza (AS). The hunter, believing he has a right to the gazelle, insists on capturing it.

Imam Reza (AS) offers to pay more than the value of the gazelle to the hunter, so he would release it. The hunter refuses, stating, 'I swear by God, I only want this particular gazelle, which is my rightful prey.'

At that moment, the gazelle speaks and tells the Imam, 'I have two young cubs who are hungry and waiting for me to nurse them. This is why I fled. Please guarantee my return, so I can feed my cubs and then return to the hunter.'

Imam Reza (AS) guarantees the gazelle’s safety with the hunter, offering himself as collateral. The gazelle leaves, quickly returns, and surrenders itself to the hunter. The hunter, seeing the promise kept, is deeply moved and realizes that the one who guaranteed the gazelle’s safety was none other than Imam Ali ibn Musa Reza.

The hunter immediately releases the gazelle, bows before the Imam, apologizes, and asks for forgiveness. Imam Reza (AS) gives him a generous amount of money and promises to intercede for him in the afterlife. The gazelle, feeling free, asks for permission to leave and returns to its den and cubs."

Famous Titles of Imam Reza (AS)

The most famous title of Imam Reza (AS) is "Reza," which means "satisfaction" or "contentment." Imam Muhammad al-Taqi (AS), the ninth Imam and the son of Imam Reza, explains that God named him Reza because both God in the heavens and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Imams on Earth were pleased with him, and they chose him for the position of Imamate. His good character was so well-known that both his friends and even his enemies were satisfied with him.

Another famous title of Imam Reza (AS) is "Alim Ahl Muhammad" (The Scholar of the Family of Muhammad). It is narrated that Imam Kazim (AS) told his children, "Your brother Ali ibn Musa is the Scholar of the Family of Muhammad." This title reflects his vast knowledge and scholarly abilities. Imam Reza (AS) excelled in debates and discussions with scholars from various fields, especially those of different religions. In all of these debates, he emerged victorious, demonstrating his profound knowledge, which could only have come from divine inspiration and revelation.

Another famous title of Imam Reza (AS) is "The Guarantor of the Gazelle," the story of which you have just read.