Al-Amālī 1, narration 118

Translation

Ahmad b. Ziyad al-Hamadani narrated to us. He said: `Ali b. Ibrahim b. Hashim from his father from al-Rayyan b. al-Salt. He said: I visited `Ali b. Musa al-Rida (as) and I said to him: O son of the Messenger of Allah! The people say: “You accepted the position of crown prince whilst you present yourself as being ascetic in this world!” So, he (as) said: Allah knows my dislike for that. When I was made to choose between accepting that and being killed, I chose to accept rather than to be killed. Woe to them! Do they not know that Yusuf (as) was a prophet and messenger, and yet when necessity prompted him to take over the treasuries of al-`Aziz, he said to him: “Appoint me over the treasuries of the land. Surely, I will be a knowledgeable guardian.” (12:55) The necessity prompted me to accept that begrudgingly, by force, at threat of destruction. I did not enter this affair except as one who wants to leave it. I complain to Allah, for He is the Helper.

Translation: Bilal Muhammad — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.