The infallible Imams such as Imam Reza (PBUH) were the selected ones of the God and outstanding, distinguished.
Imam Ali ibn Musa al Reza (peace be upon him), the eighth Shia Holy Imam and truthful successor of the holy prophet of Islam was born on 11th Zee al Qa'adah 148 AH of Islamic calender. in the holy city of Madinah.
Imam ‘Ali al Reza (PBUH) too, led a simple life. He did not like to decorate his house with expensive carpets, instead he covered its floor with rough mats during the winter and grass mats during the summer.
Imam Khomeini in this regard once in a historic message said as following:
Imam Rida (PBUH), who faced all those unpleasant occurring and sufferings for spiritual cause, paved the way with great patience. He was also committed to keep the people’s persistence and perseverance as well.
(Sahifeh ye-Imam, Vol. 13, P. 426)
The infallible successors used to become the practical example for others during their lives. These divine personalities taught the lesson of life to the people.
The great Imams did not segregate and separate themselves from them and did not lead their lives on the style and pattern of the tyrants and oppressors. They did not overlook or show heedlessness and disrespect to anyone.
Imam Khomeini described the holy shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH) in city of Mashhad as a site of knowledge, wisdom and landing place of divine angels. Every year, Iranians hold mourning processions in all cities and towns across the country to pay tribute to Imam Reza, who was martyred after being poisoned by the Abbasid Caliph Ma’mun in the year 818 AD. In the days leading up to the occasions, caravans of pilgrims begin a journey on foot to Iran’s northeastern city of Mashhad, which is home to Imam Reza’s holy shrine.
Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic, recommended all believers and faithful people to adopt the holy prophet of Islam and Imam Reza and all members of his pure progeny as a perfect role model and follow their footsteps in order to gain true salvation.
Imam ‘Ali Al-Reza’’s (PBUH) life contains countless anecdotes of this sort. Once a man said to him, "By God, there is none who is superior to you in the nobleness of your ancestry.”
The Imam said to him, “My ancestors are honored merely for their Godliness, piety and worship.”