A Comparative Study of the Ethical Values Embedded in Imam Reza's Sayings and Abi al-'Atahiyah's Poetry

Within the lifestyle of the Shiite eighth Imam, Ali bin Musa al-Reza, very delicate and thoughtful referring has been made to the components of human morality which indicate how profoundly he would ponder as an Imam and how precious they can be in the Islamic society. Such teachings can be very rich sources used in nurturing the next Muslim generation.
Also, in the poetry of Abi al-'Atahiyah, the poet of the Abbasid time, the same moral contents can be traced, the issues which reflect the political,
economical, and cultural situation of the society of that time and can also be reminiscent of the verses of the Quran and the Imam's pure thoughts. The purpose of this comparative study which was done through descriptive-analytical method, is to investigate the ethical approaches taken towards a perfect man in the light of Imam Reza's precious sayings and Abi al-'Atahiyah's wise poetry.