A Brief Look at the Life of Imam Riḍā (P.B.U.H.)-Part 1
1. Birth and Titles
Imam ʿAlī b. Mūsā al-Riḍā (P.B.U.H.), the eighth Shi'ite Imam was born on 11th Dhīqaʿda 148 A.H. in the holy city of Medina. His name is ʿAlī, his title is Abu al-Ḥasan, and his most famous honorary name is ‘Riḍā’, meaning ‘Satisfaction’.  According to his son, Imam Jawād (P.B.U.H.), the ninth Imam, “The Glorious and Mighty Lord named him Riḍā because Allah was pleased with him in the heavens and the Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H. & H.H.) and the Imams of guidance (P.B.U.T.) were pleased with him on earth. Also, his friends and relatives and even his enemies were satisfied with him (because of his great moral qualities)”.One of his famous titles is ʿĀlim Ale Muḥammad (scholar of Prophet’s progeny).  His success in the different disputes with the scholars of various religions indicates his high knowledge. 
2. Father and Mother
His mother, Najma Khātūn was a prominent, religious and wise lady of that age. After Imam Riḍā (P.B.U.H.) was born, his mother handed him to his father, Imam Kāẓim (P.B.U.H.), who whispered the Adhān statements in the right ear of the newborn and the Iqāma statements in the left. Then Imam Kāẓim (P.B.U.H.) said, “This son will be Allah’s argument-person on the earth and the Imam after me”.
3. Children
Imam Riḍā (P.B.U.H.) was granted a child from a chaste woman by the name of Sabīka. They named him Muḥammad and entitled him Jawād. The famous theory among shiʿa scholars is that Imam Riḍā (P.B.U.H.) had only one son; although, some sources have named two or five children.
His life in Medina
Before traveling to Marv, Imam Riḍā (P.B.U.H.) lived in Medina; city where the shrine of Prophet Muḥammad (P.B.U.H. & .H.H.) and his father’s grave exists. He was occupied with guiding people, indicating Islamic educations and Prophet’s (P.B.U.H. & .H.H.) Sīra (manner and behavior). People of Medina loved him and assumed him as their father. Although he had spent most of his life in Medina, he had many followers throughout the Islamic counties. He points out this fact on a discussion about succession, “In fact succession didn’t make a distinction for me. When I was in Medina, people in east and west obeyed me and nobody was superior to me. They told me their requirements and I granted their requests and they treated me as a magnate.”