Rayyan ibn Salt narrated: I went to see Ali ibn Musal Ridha (AS) and told him: O’ the son of the Prophet (PBUH), people are asking why you have accepted to become crown prince of Ma’moon (the Caliph of the time) whilst you declare that you are disinclined towards worldly affairs?

Imam Ridha (AS) replied: God is aware that I do not like this act, but as I had the choice to choose between accepting this act or face death; I chose this act. Woe to people, do they not know that Yusuf (AS) was a prophet and the situation of the time made him to become the treasurer of the prince of Egypt. And he told the prince: As mentioned in Ayah 55 of Surah Yusuf: “Yusuf said: Appoint me over the store-houses of the land; I will indeed guard them, as one that knows (their importance).” And the necessity made me to accept this act, as well as that, I did not enter it unless like the one who is out of it; meaning with this condition that I do not install any one, and do not sack any one, and do not break any tradition or protocol [1].

[1] Oyoun Akhbaral Ridha (AS), Vol. 2, Page 378.

Source: Shafaqna