Yahya al-San'ani narrated, "I visited Abu al-Hasan al-Rida (as) when he was in Makkah. I saw him peel a banana and feed it to Abu Ja'far. I asked him, 'May I be your ransom, is this the blessed newborn?' He said, 'Yes, O Yahya! This is the newborn the like of whom there is no other born into Islam and upon our Shia, more blessed than him." al-Kafi, vol. 6, p. 360, hadith no. 3.

Including an analysis of the different views of Ma'mun al-Abbasi and his motivations behind offering Imam al-Rida (as) the Caliphate and thereafter the position of the heir apparent.

This episode includes three methods by which we can better connect with the later Imams (as)

Hisham b. Salim narrated, "When it was dark and part of the night had passed, Abu Abdillah (as) would take a sack of bread, meat and money, and carry it on his back to the needy of Madina. He would distribute it among them whilst they did not recognise him. When Aby Abdillah (as) passed away, they missed [the aid] and realized that it had in fact been Abu Abdillah (as)." al-Kafi, vol 4, p. 8, hadith no. 1.

Imam al-Baqir (as) said: "Verily the truth, harbouring falsehood in its midst, cried out for assistance from me. I cleaved it open from the side and disclosed the truth from its veils until it became manifest and widespread after having being concealed and hidden." Rabi al-abrar, vol 2, p 603.

The Prophet (saw) said: "On the Day of Judgement a caller will call, 'Where is the adornment of the worshippers (zayn al-abidin)?' And it is as if I am looking at my son Ali b. al-Husayn b. Ali b. Abi Talib emerging from between the rows." Bihar al-anwar, vol 46, p 3, hadith no. 1.

The Prophet (saw) said: "O Ubayy I swear by Him who has rightfully sent me down as a messenger, certainly [the worth of] Husayn b. Ali is greater in the heavens than on the earth. And verily it is written [about him] on the right side of Allah's Throne: lamp of guidance, ark of salvation, an Imam, not weak, a [source of] dignity and pride, a landmark and a great treasure." Uyun akhbar al-Rida (as), vol 1, p. 59, hadith no. 29.

The Prophet (saw) said: "O Allah, I love him, so You love him and love whoever loves him." Kanz al-Ummal, hadith no. 37640

The Prophet (saw) said: "Fatima is a part of me - whoever pleases her pleases me, whoever grieves her grieves me. Fatima is the dearest of all people to me." Bihar al-anwar, vol 43, p 23, hadith no. 17.

Imam Ali (as) said: "Verily my example among you is as that of a lamp in the darkness, whoever enters its vicinity is enlightened by it." Ghurar al-hikam, hadith no. 3883.