The persons of distinction among the companions of Imam Kadhim (as) state the reason of his arrest (which was a command from Haroon Al-Rashid, the fifth Abasid Caliph) as following:
“Haroon let his son (Mohammad Amin) be with Ja’far –Ibn-Mohammad Ibn- Ash’ath (one of Shias and believers of Imam Kadhim (as)’s Imamate) to be his student and Ja’far train and educate him.”
Yahy Ibn- Khalid Barmaky could not stop his jealousy toward Ja’far and said to himself “if Haroon’s son inherits the caliphate, the administration of my children and mine (in another words the administration of Barmakids in Haroon’s court) will be overthrown.
Yahya planned a plot against Ja’far (through so –called friendship so that he makes him get trapped in Haroon’s trap). He established a friendship with Ja’far and got close to him .He often went to Ja’far’s home, watched his deeds carefully and reported them secretly to Haroon , adding some more things to it in order to provoke Haroon against Ja’far. This was the case till one day Yahya asked some of his reliable companions if they knew anyone from Abutalib’s progeny who was poor so that he could help him doing some researches and searches they introduced Ali Ibn-e Ismael Ibn-e Ja’far Sadiq(Imam Sadiq ’s grand son and Imam Kadhim (as)’s nephew ) to him.
Ali Ibn-e Isamail was in Medina . Yahya sent him a considerable amount of money and encouraged him to go to Haroon. Moreover he promised him another privilege and in this way he was prepared to leave for Baqdad.
Imam Kadhim (as) was informed about it, and summoned Ali.” Where are you going? My nephew.” asked he. "I am going to Baqdad”, answered he. “Why are you doing so?” asked Imam. “I owe to so many people and I am so poor. I am going there to earn some money “, said he.
“I shall pay for all of your debts and I shall be good to you.” Ali did not pay any attention to his uncle’s words and decided to go to Baqdad. Imam Kadhim (as) summoned him for the second time and asked him if he wished to go then. “Yes “replied he.
“My dear nephew! Please pay attention to what I say, be afraid of God and do not orphan my children”, said Imam Kadhim (Pbuh). Then Imam commanded to give him three hundred Dinars and four thousand Drachmas. Ali left Imam. ” I bring God as my witness that his effort leads to my bloodshed and orphaning my children.” Addressed Imam his companions.
“ Our lives would be sacrificed for you! You know this however you help him and are good to him?” asked Imam’s companions.
Imam Kadhim (as) answered: “Yes. According to my fathers’ words, the holy prophet stated : when the bounds of relativity has been torn and then it has been repaired and for the second time it has been torn , God will cut it.” I want to repair it after it has been torn so that in the case of another tearing situation God would cut it.”
It is said that Ali Ibn-e Ismail traveled to Baqdad and met Yahya Barmaky. Through the meeting Yahya asked about every aspect about Imam which he liked the most. He added to what ever he heard and informed Haroon of them after which he took Ali to Haroon.
Haroon asked Ali about his Uncle Mosa Ibn-e Ja’far (as). He slandered and backbit about Imam and he told a lie: “The money and the properties are brought to Mosa Ibn-e Ja’far (as) from the east and the west of the world. He has bought a farm costing thirty thousand Dinars which is called “Yasir”.
When the money was delivered to the owner of the farm he said that he did not like this kind of money, he preferred another one. According to Imam’s command he was given another kind of thirty thousand Dinars.
When Haroon heard those lies he ordered to award him two hundred thousand Drachmas so that he could settle in another area and lives comfortably.
