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8/13/2019 A Brief Biography of Ali Ibn Husain_a_s
1/33
8/13/2019 A Brief Biography of Ali Ibn Husain_a_s
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Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com & http://www.islamicblessings.com
ABriefBiographyofAliibnHusain(A.S)
Author
:
Muhammad
Reza
Dungersi.
PH.D
Preface
Chapter1:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S.):Childhood
Chapter2:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S): Adulthood
TheImam
As
Prisoner
of
War
Chapter3:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S):LifeinMedinaAfterTheTragedyofKerbala
EffectofTheImam'sApproachToPreachThroughPrayers
Chapter4:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S):HisCharacterandPersonality
HisPatience("Sabr")andForgiving Nature
HisGenerosity
Chapter5:SomeMiraclesofImamAliBinHusain(A.S)
TheMiraclesofImamZainulAbidin(A.S)
Chapter6:ImamAliBinHusain'sSermons,Supplications(Duas)andsaying
SahifaEKamila
Chapter7:His
Family
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Preface
Inthelate50'sandearly60's,whenIwasamadressastudentinSchoolFarzeinZanzibarAfrica,
therewasnosuchasubjectasIslamicHistoryonthemadressacurriculum.Naturally,therefore,
whenIjoinedtheteachingstaffoftheHuseiniMadressainDaresSalaamTanzaniainearly80's
andwhenIwassubsequentlyassignedtoteachIslamicHistory,Iwasataloss,notknowing
exactlywhattoteach.
Notthattherewasnosyllabusforthissubject.Rather,mymainconcernwasthescopeofthe
syllabus.ForatthecoreofIslamicHistorysyllabuswasthestudyofthelifeoftheProphet(may
peacebeuponhimandhisprogeny)andthoseoftheotherthirteenMASOOMINfromhis
progeny.
Inmyview,besidesYusufLaljee'sexcellentbook,KNOWYOURISLAM,therewasnoothersimple
butinformativetextthatcouldbeusedcomfortablybyboththeteachersandthestudentsalike.
Eventhen,thesectiononthelife historyofMASOOMINwasrathersketchyinKNOWYOUR
ISLAM.
Sincethosedays,IhavefelttheneedtocompilebriefteachingnotesonthelivesofourTwelve
Imams(maypeacebeuponthemall)withtwoobjectivesinmind:First,tofocusonalithoseareas
ofinformation,notexclusivelyhistoric,thatwouldenablethelearnertoappreciatethecomplex
situationsinwhichourImamslivedandperformedtheirdutiesasdivinelyappointedguidesfor
theuniverse.
Secondly,topresentthisinformationinastylewhichhasatitscoretheinterestaswellasthe
aptitudeoftheteachersandstudentsalike.Ifoundthistaskeasytoconceiveinmind,butvery
difficulttoimplement.Needlesstosay,IcouldaccomplishlittleinthisfielduntilwhenImigrated
to
the
U.S.A.
Asluckwouldhaveit,atHuseiniMadressainNewYork,Iwasoncemoreassignedtotteach
IslamicHistory.ForreasonsIneednotdisclosethemhere,Ifoundthistaskevenmoredaunting
thanitwasinAfrica.
Thelinked imagecannotbedisplayed.Thefilemay havebeen moved,renamed,or deleted.Verify thatthelink pointsto thecorrectfileand location.
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Fortunately,atthiscriticaltimewhenIwasgropingindarknessinsearchofsuitablereachingtext
formyclass,IwascommissionedbySayyyidSaeedAkhtarRizvi,theChiefMissionaryofBilal
MuslimMissionofTanzaniatowriteteachingunitsencompassingthelivesofourTwelveImams
(maypeacebeuponthem)fortheCorrespondenceCourseoftheMission.TomethiswasAllah
sentbountyintwoways.
Firstly,thiscommissiongavemecourageandconfidencethatIhithertolacked.NowIhadthe
supportofoneofthemostrenownedShiascholarsofourtimes SayyidSaeedAkhtarRizvi.
Secondly,Iwouldnothavetoworryaboutsearchingforsponsorstofinancetheprinting,the
publishingandthecirculationofmywritings;theBilalMuslimMissionofTanzaniawoulddothat.
ThisunitandotherstofollowMethereforetheresultoftheinitiativeandcompletesupportof
SaeedAkhtarRizvi,theadministrationofBilalMuslimMissionofTanzaniaanditsoldchairman
FidahuseinAbdullahHameer.
Boththesubstanceaswellasthestyleofthisunit(andtheonestofollow)havebeenoverly
simplified,tocomplywithSaeedAkhtar'sadvicethat"Wehavetokeepinmindthattheseunits
aremeantforyouthsandnotforscholars."Allsaidanddone,despitethemaximumprecautions
thatweretakentokeepthisunitfreeoffactualoranyothererrors,if,however,somehave
remaineduncorrected,theresponsibilityismine.
MayAllahforgivemefortheseunintentionalerrorsandmayHerewardhereandinthehereafter
allthosewhohaveinonewayoranother,assistedmeinthewriting,theproductionandthe
circulationofthisunit.
WASSALAMUALAYKUMWARAHMATULLAHIWABARAKATUH.
MOHAMEDRAZADUNGERSI.PH.D.
Chapter1:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S.):Childhood
INTRODUCTION
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HISCHILDHOOD
Whenhewasborn,ImamAli(A.S)wasstillaliveandheremainedincompanyofhisgrandfather
foranothertwoyears.ItissaidthattimeandagainImamAli(A.S)wouldhughimandsay,"My
sonyou
are
Zainul
Abidin."
OnedaywhenImamAli(A.S)waspraying,theyoungZainulAbidin,whothenwasonlyoneand
halfyearsold,startedimitatinghisgrandfather.HeprayedthesamewayImamAli(A.S)did.On
completinghisprayers,ImamAli(A.S)said,"HowtruthfulwastheProphetwhenhesaidour
youngandouroldareallthesame,allbeingMuhammed."Asayoungboytillwhenhebecame12
yearsofage,hespentalothistimewithhisuncleImamHassan(A.S).
ThereafterhestayedwithImamHusain(A.S)till61A.H.AtthetimeofImamHusain'smartyrdom,
ImamZainulAbidinwasayouthof22years.Hischildhoodwasnotfreefromtrouble.Hismother
diedwhenhewasonlyaninfant.Helostthecareandloveofhisgrandfatherwhenhewasonly
two.AsayoungboyhesawtheinjusticesthatweredonetohisuncleImamHassan(A.S).
Asayoungboyof12,hesawhisUncle'sbierbeinghitwitharrows.Itmusthavepainedhimtosee
hisUncle'slastwishesofwantingtobeburiednexttohisgrandfather,theProphet(S.A.W.W),
beingunfulfilled.Allthesedisturbedhimandmadehimsadbut,theynevershookhisfaithin
Allah.Asamatteroffact,theincidentsthatweareabouttodescribeshowhowpeacefulhewas
inhismindandhowstronghislovewasforAllah.
Asayoungboy,heshowedgreatloveandrespectAsayoungboyforthesickpeople.Once,
someoneinhisneighbourhoodfellsick,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)spentalotofhistimecaringand
comfortinghim.Whenthesickmanbecamewell,hewassopleasedwiththeyoungImamthathe
wantedtopayhimbackinanywaythattheImamwanted.
AlibinHusain(A.S),andthathecameforHajjinthismannereveryyear.
ImamHasan(A.SthatforthetimeAliBinHusain(A.S)stayedwithhim,thoughstillonlyachild,he
showedgreatloveforprayers.Hewouldgetupinthemidstofthenightandpraytilldawn.
Chapter2:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S): Adulthood
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LIFEWITHHISUNCLEIMAMHASAN(A.S.)ANDHISFATHERIMAMHUSAIN(A.S)
AlltheTwelveImamswhowerethetruesuccessorsoftheProphetwerebornImams,theydidnot
becomeImams.
They
did
not
attend
any
school
or
centre
of
learning.
Their
knowledge
was
directlyfromAllah.However,therewascertaintrainingandinformationthatanImamgotfrom
hisfatherandgrandfatherwhothemselveswereImams.InthismannerImamZainulAbidin'slife
wasinfluencedbythreeImams:ImamAli(A.S),ImamHasan(A.S)andImamHusain(A.S).
Sofarashisfatherwasalive,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)spentsignificantpartofhislifeinprayers
andinserviceofhumanbeings.Hewasthechampionofthepoorandthesick.
HISRESPONSIBILITIESASTHEIMAMOFHISTIMES.
Whenhisfather,ImamHusain(A.S)leftMedinaforIraqinA.H.60,ImamZainulAbidinwent
togetherwithhim.Becausetheworldcannotsurviveeven.foroneatomofasecondwithoutthe
presencea"Masoom"Imam,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)couldnotejoinhisfartherandothermale
membersofhiscaravaninbecomingmartyrsofIslamonthedayofAshura.Allahmadeaspecial
forthat.ImamZainulAbidin(A.s)wasveryonthedayofAshuraandhecouldnottakepartinthe
Jihad.
Eventhen,whenhisfather,ImamHusain(A.S)cametovisithim,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)
requestedhisfathertoallowhim,too,togivehislifefightinginthewayofAllah.ImamHusain
(A.S)toldhimthatforIslamhehadamoredifficult"Jihad"tofightthantheonehewaswishingto
doatthattime,namelytakingresponSibilityofthewomenfolkfromthefamilyoftheProphetand
stayingwiththemtoKufa,andthentoDamascusandthenreturnwiththemtoMedina.
Trulyspeaking,forhim,itwouldhavebeenveryeasytodieonthebattlefieldasamartyrthanto
betakenasprisonerofwarandseealltheinsultandhumiliationsthrownonhimandonthe
womenfolkofthehouseoftheProphet.However,hedidwhatAllahwishedhimtodo.
AfterthemartyrdomofImamHusain(A.S),thesurvivalofIslamdependedonImamZainulAbidin
(A.S),andthatalsoatatenderageoftwentytwo.Hehadaveryhardjoboflettingtheworld
knowthemissionofImamHusain(A.S.)andexposingtheevilintentionsofYezidandtheBani
Umayyah.HehadtokeepthemessageofIslamaliveandsaveitfrombeingconfusedbytheevil
BaniUmayyah.
TheImamAsPrisonerofWar
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AlthoughthearmyofYeziddidnotkillhimbecausehewassick,theytreatedhimverybadlyby
puttinghiminheavychains.Asaprisoner,hewasmadetotravelontheopenbackofacamelin
burningsunshinefromKerbalatoKufaandthenfromKufatoSham(Damascus) adistanceof
about750kilometres.Sometimes,hewouldbemadetowalkontheburningsandsofthedesert.
Thiswas
not
all.
Women
and
children
belonging
to
the
family
ofthe
Prophet,
Hazrat
Muhammad
(S.A.W.W),too,werehandcuffedandtreatedliketheywereslaves.ThedaughtersofImamAli
(A.S)andHazratFatima(A.S)weretreatedworsethancriminals,theirHijabhavingbeentaken
awayfromthem.Acallerwouldaccompanythemintroducingthemtothepassersbyas"Those
whohaddisobeyedtheMuslimruler,Yezid".Theywerethenpresentedasprisoners,firsttoIbne
ZiyadinKufaandthentoYezidinDamascus.
IMAMZAINULABIDIN(A.S)INTHECOURTOFIBNEZIYADINKUFA.
Yezid'sgovernorofKufa,IbneZiyad,wasknownforhiscrueltyandhisenmitytowardsImamAli
(A.S)andhisfamily.InordertoshowthepeopleofKufahowpowverfulhewas,IbneZiyadasked
howcomeAliBinHusainwasnotkilledbyAllah.
AnyoneelseinthepositioninwhichImamZainulAbidin(A.S)was,wouldhavekeptquietand
beartheinsult.ButnotImamZainulAbidin.AstheImamofthetimeheknewwhenitwasproper
forhimtoshowthepatience(Subr)ofhisuncleImamHassan(A.S)andwhentoshowthebravery
ofhisfather,ImamHusain(A.S)andtofacehisenemieslikeasoldier.Withoutanyfear,hereplied
IbneZiyadsaying"Ihadanotherbrotherbythename.ofAliandhewasmartyredbybeingkilled
byyoursoldiers"
Hisshortbutstrongreplywasenough toletpeopleknowwhatkindofliarandabeastIbneZiyad
was.IbneZiyadbecameveryangrybytheyoungImam'sbravery.Heorderedhissoldierstokill
theImam.HazratZainab(A.S)challengedIbneZiyad,sayinghissoldierswouldfirsthavetokillher
beforetheycouldgetholdofhernephew,ZainulAbidin.ShethentooktheImam(A.S)inthefold
ofherarms.Therewassuchanuproarinthecourt,allblamingIbneZiyad,thatIbneZiyadcould
notdoanyharmtoImamZainulAbidin(A.S).
ButeventhentheImamrepliedIbneZiyadsaying,"Doyoufrightenmewithdeath,OIbneZiyad?
Don'tyouknowthattobekilledisourtraditionandmartyrdomisanhonourfromAllah?"
IMAMZAINULABIDININTHECOURTOFYEZIDINSHAM(DAMASCUS)
Followingtheinstructionsofhismaster,Yezid,IbneZiyadsentImamandtheladiesandchildren
ofthehouseoftheProphet(S.A.WW)asprisonerstoDamascus.
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Toshowhispowerandtofrightenothers,Yezidtreatedtheseprisonersverybadly.Theywere
firsttakenfromonebazaartoanother.Thewomenandchildrenweretiedbyoneropeand
treatedverybadly.TheImamwastorememberthisincidentfortherestofhislife.Withtearsin
hiseyesheusedtosay"InSham(Damascus)wewereinsultedandtreatedlikewewereslaves
whosemasterwasnotthere(toprotectthem)"Theywerethenputinprison.
YezidwouldregularlycallImamZainulAbidin(A.S)toinsulthiminfrontofthepublic.Ononesuch
occasion,apreacherwhowasemployedbyYezidwentonthe'Mimber'(pulpit)oftheMosqueand
abusedtheImamAli(A.S)andhisfamily.
Whenthepreacherfinishedhislecture,theImamturnedtohimandsaid,"Beashamedof
yourself,youevilspeaker.WithyourwordsyouhavedispleasedAllahsoastopleasepeople".
ThentheImam(A.S)askedYezidtolethimtalktothepeople.Yezidrefusedtodoso.Thepeople
ofSyria,however,forcedYezidtoallowtheImamtogoontheMimber.
OnceontheMimber,ImamZainulAbidinfirstpraisedAllahandHisMessenger.Afterthatthe
ImamgavealongandverypowerfulspeechlettingtheSyriansknowthegreatpositionofImam
Husain(A.S)toAllah,andhowevilYezidandhisfamilywere.Partofthespeechissummarised
below:"OlistenersIAllahhasgivenus(AhleBart)sixthingswhichnooneelsehas.Hehasgiven
usspecialWisdom,Patience,Dignity,Powerofspeech,CourageandRespect.
HegaveusspecialbenefitofbelongingtothefamilyofhisProphet.TousbelongHamzaandJafar.
TousbelongAsadullah(ThelionofAllah,ImamAli(A.S)).Tousbelongtheleaderoftheyouthsof
paradise(ImamHassan(A.S)andImamHusain(A.S)).
"Thosewhoblowme,knowme.Thosewhodonot,thenknowthatIamthesonofMeccaand
Mina.IamthesonofZamzamandSafa.IamthesonofhewhogaveZakattothepoor.Iamthe
sonofthebestofthosewhohaveeverputonIhramandperformedceremoniesofHajj.Iamthe
sonofhewhowastakenonthenightjourneyfromhouseofAllahtotheMosqueofAqsaand
thentoMiraj.IamthesonofhewhowastakenaroundbyGibraeltotheLotetreeofthe
boundary(SidratulMuntaha).
"IamthesonofMuhammadMustafa(S.A.WW).IamthesonofAliAlMurtazawhofoughtthe
polytheistsinthebattletilltheysubmittedtoIslamandfoughtinthepresenceoftheProphet
untilhisswordwasbrokenandtowhomZulfikarwasgiven.Iamthesonofhewhohadthe
honourtomigratetwiceinIslam.IamthesonofFatimathebestwomenoftheworld...".
TheeffectofthespeechwassopowerfulthateverybodyintheMosquebegantoweepandto
blameYezid.YezidwasafraidthatiftheImamcontinuedhisspeech,therewouldbearevolution.
AtthesametimeYezidcouldnomorestoptheImamandgethimdownfromtheMimber.He
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thereforeordereda"Muazzin"togiveAzan,knowingthatthiswouldautomaticallycuttheImam's
speech.ButheunderestimatedtheImam,sbraveryandintelligence.TheImamstoppedhis
speechbutdidnotgetdownfromtheMimber.
WhentheMuazzinsaid"AllahuAkber"theImamtestifiedAllah'sgreatness.WhentheMuazzin
said,"Ash
hadu
anna
Muhammaddan
Rasulullah",
the
Imam
stopped
the
Muazzin
from
going
any
further.HethenturnedtoYezidandaskedhim.
"TellmeoYezid,wasMuhammad(S.A.WW)yourgrandfatherormine?Ifyousayhewasyour
grandfatheritwillbeanopenlieandifyousayhewasmygrandfatherthenwhyhaveyoukilled
hissonandimprisonedhisfamily?Whyhaveyoukilledmyfatherandbroughthiswomenand
childrentothiscityasprisoners?"
Yezidhadnoreplytogive.
TheeffectofthiswastoturnSyriansagainstYezid.EveryoneofthemnowfoundoutaboutYezid's
crimesthathehadcommittedagainsttheProphet(S.A.WW)andhisfamily.Theybegantoblame
himandaskforthereleaseofImamZainulAbidin(A.S)andthewomenfolkofthehouseofthe
Prophet.Yezidwasnowafraidthatifhedidnotactfasthisrulershipwouldbelostfromhim.He
thereforefreedImamZainulAbidin(A.S)andlet.himreturntoMedinawithfullhonourand
respect.
IMAMZAINULABIDIN(A.S)RETURNSTOMEDINA.
HavingspentnotlessthanoneyearintheprisonofYezidinDamascus,ImamZainulAbidin
returnedtoMedina.OnreachingMedina,hecampedoutsidethetownandletthepeopleof
Medinaknowthathewasback.Whenpeoplecametomeethim,withoutfearingthegovernorof
Kufa,heletpeopleknowofalltheinjusticesthatweredonetothefamilyoftheProphet.
Dressedinmourningdress,hesatonachairandaddressingthepeopleofMedina,hesaid,
"'PraisebetoAllahatalltimes.Hegaveusstrengthtobeargreathardships.Agreatlosshastaken
placeinIslam.Myfather,AbaAbdillah,hisdearonesandhisfriendshavebeenkilled.Hiswomen
andchildrenweretakenasprisoners.Myfather'sheadwascutandputontheedgeofaspear
andparadedfromoneIslamiccitytoanother.
"Opeople!Weweretreatedlikewewerenon MuslimsandKafirs,althoughwehadcommitted
nocrimeorsinandhadnotinanywaywrongedIslam.ByAllah!IftheProphetofAllahhad
orderedthemtofightagainstus,theywouldstillhavedonenothingmorethanwhattheydid".
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Chapter3:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S):LifeinMedinaAfterTheTragedyofKerbala
THEPROBLEMSFAUNGTHEIMAMTOCARRYOUTTHEPREACHINGOFISLAM.
ItwillberecalledthatYezidhadgiventheImamhisfreedomtoreturntohishomeinMedinanot
outoflovebutoutoffear.TheImam,therefore,wasstillnotoutofdanger.TheImam,therefore,
hadtofindoutawaytopreachthetruemessageofAllahwithoutappearingtobeworking
againstthegovernment.
ThisproblembecameevenmoredifficultasMuslimsthroughouttheempirebegantoriseagainst
Yezid.
For
example,
Abdullah
Ibne
Zubair
declared
himself
the
ruler
of
Mecca.
In
A.H
63
the
MuslimsofMedinadroveawayYezid'sgovernorfromMedinaandappointedamanof.theirown
choiceinhisplace.
Tosavehiscrown,Yezidturnedtousingforce.Hedecidedtokillanyonewhoopposedhim.The
Imamhadtoplacehimselfinsuchapositionthatnoonecouldsaythathewasalsoamongst
thoseplottingtooverthrowYezid.Otherwise,theImamwouldnotbeabletocompletethe
missionofsavingIslamfromitsenemies.Hewouldeitherbeimprisonedagainorevenbekilled.
WhowouldthenbetheretoserveIslamthewayAllahwishedittobeserved?
HOWTHE
IMAM
KEEPS
THE
MISSION
OF
ISLAM
ALIVE
WITHOUT
ANGERING
THE
GOVERNMENT.
WhenmartyrdomwasnecessarytokeepIslamalive,ImamHusain(A.S)publiclyopposedYezid
andgave.hislife.WhensilencebecamenecessarytokeepIslamalive,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)
retiredinhishousetoserveIslaminthebestwaypossible.
FromA.H.62toA.H.95whenheleftthisworld,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)ledaquietlife,
preachingtheIslamintwoways.
Firstly,hekeptalivethemessageofImamHusain(A.S)regardingIslamtroughmourning.There
wasnot
aday
that
passed
without
the
Imam
crying
in
memory
of
his
father
Imam
Husain
(A.S)
and
otherswhogavetheirlivesinKerbala.Heencouragedhisfollowersalsotoregarditastheirduty
torememberthemartyrsofKerbalaasoftenastheycould.
ThefirsttimeheenteredMedinawhenreturningfromDamascus,helaiddownthetraditionof
mourningforImamHusain(A.S).HepitchedatentoutsideMedinaandmoUmingdressheletthe
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MuslimsofMedinawhatwasexpectedofthemfromthenonwards.
AmanbythenameofNoamanwenttoMedinathreeyearsaftertheeventsofKerbala.Hesaw
theImamstandingnearthegraveoftheProphetweepingandcomplainingtotheProphetabout
theIIItreatmentthatImam(A.S)andtheothermembersoftheProphet'sfamilyhadreceived
fromthe
Bani
Umayyah.
The
Imam
(A.S)
remained
in
this
position
until
when
he
fainted
and
was
thentakenbyhisfollowerstohishouse.
NoamanwenttoImam'shouse.ThenaskedtheImamwhatwasthemostdifficulttimehehadto
faceinKerbalaandduringhisimprisonmenttoKufaandDamascus.TheImamsaid,"ASham,A
Sham,ASham"andthenexplainedthatinShamthefamilyoftheProphetwastreatedlike
animalsandpresentedtothecourtofYezidlikeslaves.
InthiswaypeopleofMedinaweretoseehimmourningforhisfatherfromthentillhisdeath
somethirtyfiveyearslater.
ItisreportedthatwhentheImamsawwaterhewouldweep,rememberingthethirstofthe
martyrsofKerbala.Whenhesawagoatorsheepbeingslaughtered,hewouldasktheslaughterif
hehadfedtheanimalandgivenitwater.Onbeingassuredthatthishad,indeed,beendone,the
Imamwouldweep,sayingthathisfatherandothermartyrsofKerbalawereslaughteredhungry
andthirstyofthreedays.
Heheldregularmourningsessioninhishouse.Thosewhoattendedthesesessionswouldthenbe
servedwithfoodinthenameofhisfather,ImamHusain(A.S)
Onedaysomebodytoldhim."OsonofAllah'sMessenger!.Uptowhenwouldyouweeplike
this?"
TheImamreplied"'OservantofAllah.ProphetYakubhadtwelvesonsbutonlyoneofthem
(Yusuf)wastakenawayformhim,heweptsomuchandforsuchlongthathiseyesturnedwhite,
hisheadturnedgrayandhisbackwasbentalthoughhissonYusufwasstillalive.WhereasI
watchedmyfather,mybrotherandseventeenmembersofmyfamilybeingslaughteredall
aroundme.Howcouldmysorrowcometoanend?".
ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)throughsuchmourningsessionslettheworldknowthereasonwhyit
wasnecessaryforImamHusain(A.S)tosacrificehislifebutnotacceptYezidastherightfulrulerof
theMuslims.
TheplotofYezidandhisfamilyofBaniUmayyahtodestroyIslamwasbroughtoutintheopen
throughtheImam'sweepingforhisfather.
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ThesecondmostimportantthingthattheImamdidafterreturningfromDamascuswastospend
alotofhistimeprayingtoAllah.Hisprayerswerenotonlyintheformof"Namaz"butalsointhe
wayof"Duas"orsupplications.Hewouldreadthesesupplicationsandthenteachthemtohissons
HazratMuhammadBaqir(A.S)andHazratZaid.Thesesupplicationswerelatercompliedinabook
calledSAHIFA
KAMILA.(The
complete
book).
ThisbookisalsoknownbyothernamessuchasSAHIFASAJJADIA(thebookofSajjad;Sajjadbeing
anothernameofImamZainulAbidin(A.S);Sajjadmeansonewhospendsalotofhistimein
"Sijda"),orZABUREALE(PsalmsofthehouseholdofMed).TheSAHIFAasweknowit,todayismade
of54Duas,14additional'Duas'and15'Munajat'.OverandabovetheSAHIFA,therearemany
othersupplicationsoftheImamwhichappearunderdifferentcovers.
Withthehelpofthese'Duas',ImamZainul.Abidin(A.S)taughtMuslimsnotonlyhowtoprayto
AllahbutalsowhatistheessenceofIslam.Alsothemajorelementsofreligionarecontainedin
theseDuas.Moreover,theDuasteachuswhoAllahisandwhotheProphetisandwhatkindof
lifeweshouldlead.Forexample,intheDuacalled"AKHLAQ"(Theexcellenceofcharacter),the
Imamlooksatdifferenttypesandqualitiesofbehaviourwhichmakeaman'scharacterand
personality,andtellshisfollowerstohavethosequalities.
TheDuaalsoteacheshowMuslimsshouldlinkthemselveswiththehouseoftheProphet,the
AhlulBayt.Theseideas,ifpreachedinanyotherform,wouldwithoutanddoubt,invitethe
governmentofBaniUmayyahtoputtheImamintrouble.ButwhowouldcomplainiftheImam
addressedhiscreator,Allahusing"Duas"?
InthiswaythroughmourningforhisfatherandprayingtoAllah,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)keptthe
truemessageofAllahalivefromtheevilmindedBaniUmayyah.
EffectofTheImam'sApproachToPreachThroughPrayers
ThegreatestresultoftheImam'sdecisiontoleadaquietlifewas:thegovernmentbecamesure
thathewasnotgoingtobedangeroustothem.They,therefore,lefthimalone.Forexample,
whenMuslimbinAqabaattackedMedinainA.H.63,hedidnoharmtotheImam.Whereas
MuslimshowedcompletedisrespectfortheMosqueoftheProphet,hedidnoharmtoImam
ZainulAbidin'shouse.ThosewhosoughtshelteroftheImam'shousealsoremainedsafefromthe
army'scruelties.InfactMuslimBinAqabacalledImamtohisheadquartersandtreatedhimwith
courtesyandrespect.
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AllthiswasbecausetheImam(A.S)hadshownnosignofwantingtooverthrowthegovernment.
WhatthegovernmentfailedtounderstandwasthatImamZainulAbidin(A.S)wasestablishingthe
foundationsoftruthwhichwould,infuture,providestrongbasisofIslamwhichwouldlivefor
ever.
Bybeing
left
on
his
own,
not
only
did
Imam
(A.S)
widened
the
horizons
of
Islam,
but
al
so
found
a
placeforhimselftolettheMuslimscommunityseeforthemselveswhotrulywasthe
representativeoftheProphet.
ThiswasaveryimportantjobtobedonebytheImam.ThisISbecausetherulersofhistimeYezid,
Marwan,AbdulMalikbinMarwanandWalidbinAbdulMalikallleadveryunIslamiclivesyetthey
presentedthemselvesastherepresentativesoftheProphet(S.A.W.W).ThepresenceoftheImam
wasacontinuouslessonforMuslims.TheMuslimscouldcomparetheexcellentlifeoftheImam
withthatoftherulersanddecideforthemselveswhowasthetruesuccessoroftheProphetand
thereforetheleaderofthecommunity.
TheeffectoftheteachingandthepurelifestyleoftheImamwassuchthathecametobe
regardedasanexcellentpersonandanauthorityofthereligionofIslam.Athistime,therewere
sevenscholarinMedinawhowerecalled""ThesevenlawyersofMedina",andwhowere
consideredtobethebestauthoritiesonIslamictraditionsandlaw.ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)was
notonlyoneamongthesesevenscholars,hewasthebestofthemall.
OneofthesesevenlawyerscalledSaidbinAlMusayyabconsideredtheImamwithhighest
respect:therespectthatalesserpesonshowstoahigherperson.Anotherveryfamousand
knowledgeablelawyer,AlZuhri,gavethetitleofZainulAlAbidintotheImam!.
SufyanSurisaysthatheonceaskedZuhriastowhyhealwayscalledtheImambythenameof
ZainulAbidin.Zuhrireplied:"OntheDayofJudgementacallerwillsay.WhereisZainulAbidin?
ThenHusain'ssonAli,willcomeforward."
BythetimetheBaniUmayyahrealisedthewisdomofImamZainulAbidin'sapproachtoestablish
IslamthroughthememoryofhisfatherandprayersofAllah,itwastoolate.Withoutthe
knowledgeofthegovernmenttheImamhadraisedhispositionintheMuslimscommunitysohigh
thatnoneoftherulerscouldreach,withalltheirwealthandpower.Thefollowingincident
illustratesthispointverywell.
Hasham,theBaniUmayyahprince,wenttoMeccaforpilgrimage.AftercompletinghisHajjhe
wantedtokissthe"HajareAswad"buttherewassuchabigcrowdthathecouldnotreachthere.
Hewasthereforewaitingforthecrowdtodecreasesothathecouldthengetnear"Hajare
Aswad".Withhimwerestandinghisroyalattendants.
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Thencameapersondressedinsimpleclothes.HewasapproachingtheKaabaveryslowlywhen
thecrowdsawhimtheyallscattered,makingwayforhim.Themanslowlyandwitheasewent
roundthe"HouseofAllah"(Kaaba)seventimes,kissedthe"HajareAswad"andwentaway
Hasham,theprinceoftheMuslimsempire,couldnotbelievewhathesaw.wasn'thetheprince?
Whyhad
he
to
wait
and
astranger
be
shown
such
respect?
Who
was
he
after
all?
He
asked
his
attendantswhothestrangerwasthatheshouldenjoysucharespectwithpeoplethateventhe
princecouldnot.
Theattendantssaidtheydidnotknowwhothepersonwas,thoughtheyknewverywellthatthe
personwasImamZainulAbidin(A.S)butwereafraidthatiftheysaidthetruthHashamwouldbe
offended.
However,thefamouspoetFarazdaq,whowasbeingpaidbythekingtowritepoemsinpraiseof
theroyalfamilycouldnotkeepquiet.HereadlongpoeminpraiseofImamZainulAbidin(A.S)the
mostimportantpartofwhichis...
"..ThisisAli(BinHusain)whoseparentistheProphet,ThisisthesonofFatima,ifyoudonotknow
whoheis.
WhoeverrecognizeshisGodknowsalsothegreatnessandimportanceofthisman,Becausethe
religionhasreachedthenationsthroughhishouse."
Hishamburnedwithjealousy.HegotFarazdaqinprisonforpraisingtheImam(A.S).
WhentheBaniUmayyahrulersrealisedtheirmistaketheydecidedtokilltheImam.Bythe
instructionsofWalidBinMerwan,thegovernorofMedinapoisonedtheImam(A.S).TheImam
(A.S)diedfromthispoisonon25thMuharramA.H95(A.D.713).
Chapter4:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S):HisCharacterandPersonality
GENERALREMARKS
ThebeliefthatourProphetMuhammad(S.A.WW),hisdaughter,HazratFatima(A.S),ImamAli
(A.S)andotherelevenImams(whosebiographieswearegoingtostudyinthiscourse)areall
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sinlessandmakenomistakes,isaveryimportantpartofourfaith.Tousthesefourteen
personalitieswereperfect.
However,aseachofthemhadaspecialjobtodoandmostofthemlivedindifferentperiodsof
time,eachofthemhadachancetoshowonlyafewsidesofhisorhercharacter.Intheworldin
whichImam
Zainul
Abidin
(A.S)
lived,
the
parts
of
his
character
which
people
could
be
seen
very
clearlyaredescribedinthefollowingpagesofthischapter.
HISPIETY
HehadgreatloveandfearofAllah.Thesecouldbeseenthewaythecarriedouthisdaily'Wajib'
prayersandotherrecommendedprayers.ThreethingscanbesaidabouthisprayerstoAllah:
1)OncehesetuphismindtopraytoAllah,heforgotabouteverythingelse.Hegavehimself
totallytoAllah.Nothingwoulddisturbhisprayers.Considerthefollowingincidents.
*Oncewhilehewaspraying,hishousecaughtfire.Toputdownthefireandmoreimportantlyto
savetheirliveseverybodyinthehousewasrunninghereandthere.ButnottheImam(A.S).He
continuedhisprayersasifnothinghadhappened.Whenhefinishedhisprayers,thefirehad
alreadybeenputdown.Somebodyaskedhim,nothesonProphet,whydidn'tyoucutshortyour
"Sajda"whenyouheardthepeopleshoutingthatthehousewasonfire?"
TheImamreplied,"WhenIheard'fire,fire'IrememberedthefireofHell.Icomparedthatwith
fireinmyhouse.IfoundthefireofHellmoreseveresoIcontinuedpraying."
*Atanothertimehisson,HazratMuhammedBaqir(A.S)hadfalleninawell.Thechild'smother
wasdeeplyupsetandcriedfortheImam'shelp.TheImamwasinthemiddleofhisprayers.He
neitherbrokehisprayersnordidherushtocompletehisprayersfast.Hecontinuedhisprayers,at
hisusualspeed.Oncompletinghisprayershewenttothewellandbroughtoutthechild.The
childwassafeandwasnothurtatall.
*ItissaidthatonceShaitan(Devil)decidedtodisturbtheImam'sprayers.TheDevilthentookthe
formofasnakeandstungtheImam'slegscontinuously.TheImamfeltthepainbuthecontinued
prayingasifnothinghadhappened.WhenhehadfinishedhetoldtheShaitantogoaway.Then
cameavoicefromHeavenssaying,"YouareZainulAbidin(A.S)(thedecorationofthepious)";
everybodywhowaspresentheardthisandtheImam(A.S)becamefamousbythatname;*Itis
commonwithhumanbeings,toshortentheirprayersoreventoneglectthematthetimeof
difficulties.ThiswasnotsowiththeImam(A.S).OntheeveningofAshurainKerbala,Imam(A.S)
wentthroughaveryhardtime.
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HerememberedthesehardtimesthroughouthislifeButhisprayersremainedaspureasever He
Spentthewholenightin"Sajda"praisingAllahinthesewords:
"ThereisnootherGodbutAllahandthatisthetruth.ThereisnootherGodbutAllahinterms.of
faithandtruth.ThereisnootherGodbutAllah.ItestifythisbyprayingtoHim".
ThroughouthisdifficultjourneyfromKerbalatoKufaandfromKufatoDamascusandallthetime
hewasinprison,hisprayersremainedthesameastheyhadbeenduringthenormaltimes.
2)Hespentalotofhistimeinprayers.Besidethedailyobligatoryprayerslikehisgrandfather
ImamAli(A.S),heprayed1000rakatsofrecommendedprayers(Mustahab)dailyinthedayandat
night.Iftherewasanytimeleftthat,too,hewouldspendin"Duas"and"Sujud".*TaoosYamani
reportsthatoncehewenttotheHouseofAllahandtherehesawAliBinHusain(A.S)near"Hajare
Aswad"(Blackstone).Hefirstprayedandthenboweddownin'Sajda'.Taussaysthathewent
neartheImamtohearwhathewassayingandheheardtheImamsayinpresenceofAllah:
"Yourhumbleservantisatyourcourtyard"
"Yoursadoneisatyourcourtyard"
"Yourpooroneisatyourcourtyard"
"Yourbeggarisatyourcourtyard"
TaoossayssincethattimewheneverIneedhelpfromAllahIaddressHiminthiswayandIgetthe
helpthatIneed.
*ItisreportedthattheImamwouldgetoutofhisbedatmidnightdailyandgotohisprayer
carpetsaying,"Omycreator,thethoughtthatIwillhavetofaceyouontheDayofJudgementhas
gotmeoutofmybedandmademesleepless."Havingsaidso,hewouldbowdowninprayersand
puthischeeksontheground.HewouldthenweepinfearofAllahandweepsomuchthatthe
groundwouldbecomewetwithhistears.Hisfamilywouldgatheraroundhimbuthewouldnot
evennoticethem.HewouldcontinueaddressingAllahsaying,"Omycreator,Idon'twishforthe
restfullifeofthisworld.IaskforyourmercyatthattimewhenIshallbebroughtinyour
presence."
*AmanbythenameofZuraraBinAyanonceheardatmidnightacallersaying,"Wherearethose
peoplewhogiveawaythisworldforthenextworld?"anothercallcameasareplyfromthe
graveyardofBaqisaying,"SuchapersonisAliBinHusain(A.S)."
*Ifanymemberofhisfamilyaskedhimastowhyhewasprayinglikethiseventhoughhewas
sinless,hewouldreply,"Whyshouldn'tItrytobenearertoAllahthanIamnow?"
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*ItisreportedbySheikhMufidthatonceImamMuhammedBaqir(A.S)sawthathisfather'sface
hadturnedyellowthroughweepingallnight.Hisforeheadwashurt.Hislegsandfeetwere
swollenfromstandinglonghoursinprayers.ImamBaqirstartedweeping.ImamZainulAbidin
(A.S)askedhisweepingsontobringtohimthebookcontainingtheprayersofImamAli(A.S).
Hethen
read
from
the
book
for
awhile
and
closing
it,
he
said,."
who
is
strong
enough
to
worship
thewayAliIbneAbiTalibusedtodo?"themassagefromImamZainulAbidinwas:comparedto
mygrandfathermyprayersaretooshortandtoolittle.SoletmedoasmuchasIcan.
FatimaBintiAli,theImam'sauntcalledJabirBinAbdullahAnsariandrequestedtotalktothe
Imamandpersuadehimnottopraysomuchthathishealthcouldsuffer.WhenJabirtalkedtothe
Imam,theImamremindedJabirabouttheProphet'slongprayerswhichledtotherevelationof
thoseQuranicversesinwhichAllahtellstheProphettoreducehisnightprayers.TheProphet's
Allah.InthereasonforsuchlongprayerswastothanksamewaytheImam'slongprayerwere
onlytothankAllah.
Wheneverheheardofgoodnews,hewouldbowdownin"Sajda"topraiseandthankAllah.
Wheneverhisdesireswerefulfilledhewouldgoinsajda.Wheneverhisproblemsweresolvedhe
wouldgoinsajda.Somuchdidhespendhistimeinsajda;prayingorpraisingorthankingAllah
thathebecameknownas"SayyiduSajidin"ortheleaderofthosewhodo"Sajda".
Becausehebentsomuchinprayerstheskinoverhiskneesandonhisforeheadwasashardas
thatofthecamel.FromtimetothisskinhadtobepeeledoffHisforehead,too,waswounded
becauseofremaininginthepositionof"Sajda"forlonghours.
3)BothbeforeprayersandduringprayerstheImam'sbehaviourwouldchangeinfearofAllah.For
example,whenhedidhis"Wudhu"hisfacewouldbecomepaleandhisbodywouldshake.When
hewasaskedforareasonhewouldreply,"Don'tyouknowbeforewhomIampreparingto
stand?".Throughouthisprayershisfacecontinuedtoremainpale.Aftercompletinghisprayers,
inhis"Duas"and"Sajdas"hewouldweepsomuchthathisbeardwouldbewetwithtears.
Oncesomeonesawhimprayinginthemountainsonabarerockwhichhadbecomehotwiththe
sun'sray's.Themanaskedforthereason.TheImnamexplainedsaying,"Thisheatfromtherock
remindsmeoftheheatoftheHellandgivesmeabetterunderstandingwhenIprayfor
forgivenessfromHellfire."
Itwasbecauseofhisprayersthathebecameknownas"ZainulAbidin"orthedecorationofthe
piouspeople.
Hispietywasnotjustinprayers.Heusedtospendalmostallhisdaysfasting.Amaidwhospent
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severalyearsservingImamreportsthatthroughoutherserviceshenevercookedanyfoodforhim
norpreparedhisbeddingatnight.
BysomeaccountshefastedeverydayexceptonforbiddendayssuchasonIdddays.
Whenhe
went
for
'Hajj'
he
would
do
so
most
of
the
time
walking.
When
he
did
use
abeast
of
burden,hewouldneverbeattomakeitmovefasterItthereforetookhimtwentydaystotravel
betweenMedinaandMecca.
OncehewasonsuchapilgrimagetoMecca.Heputonhis"Ihram"andwasabouttosay"Labaik
AllahummaLabaik"whichisrequiredfromeverypersondoing"Hajj",hisfaceturnedyellowand
hecouldnotsay"Labaik"loudly.Whenhewasaskedwhyhedidnotdoso,hereplied,"SupposeI
saidLabaikandAllahrepliedLaLabaik(Idon'tacceptyourLabaik)whatwouldhappentome?"Itis
reportedthathiswholeHajjwasspentinfearofAllah.
HisPatience("Sabr")andForgiving Nature
ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)wassimilartohisuncleImamHassan(A.S)andhisgrandsonImamMusa
Kazim(A.S)(Our7thImam)byshowingalotofpat,iencetotheirenemies.
YouwillrememberthataftertheeventsofKerbala,hewentthroughverybadtimesinthehands
ofhisenemies,butatnooccasiondidheshowsignofangerorimpatience.Whenevernecessary,
herepliedtohisenemiesbravelybutwithoutshowinganyangerorlossofpatience.Considerthe
followingincidents.
*WhentheImamwasaprisonerofYezidinDamascusandwasbeingtakentothecourt,aSyrian
cameforwardandabusedtheImamsaying,"TellmewhohascomeoutsuccessfulyouorYezid?"
WithoutgettingangrytheImamreplied,"WhenyouheartheAzanyoumakeyourowndecision
asto
who
is
and
who
afailure."
In
the
same
way,
another
old
man
of
Syria
addressed
the
Imam
saying"PraisebetoAllahwhodestroyedyou,whokilledyourbroughtpeaceinthecountryby
givingvictorytothecaliphofMuslims."
TheImamfirsttheverseofQur'an(42:23)meaning:"OProphettothem"Idonotasktobepaid
backformyservicesexcepttheyyoushouldlovemyverses?"
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Theoldmanrepliedthat,indeed,hehadreadthoseversesbuthedidnotknowhowtheseverses
hadanythingtodowiththeImam.TheImamthenreadtwomoreversesfromtheQur'an,
meaning:
"Knowoyou
believers'.
Whatever
of
athing
you
acquire,
afifth
of
it
is
for
the
Prophet
and
for
the
Prophet'sfamily(8:41).And"Allahwishestokeepyouawayfromuncleanness,Oyouthepeople
ofthehouse,andtopurifyyouwithcompletepurification.(33:33)ThentheImamtoldthethathe
prisonerswerethefamilyoftheProphetintheseversesandtheyweretheonesforwhomthe
Prophethadaskedforrespectandlove.
TheoldmanthenfeltverysorryandapologizedandtheImamforgavehim.
*HishamBinIsmail,thegovernorofMedinausedtogivealotoftroubletotheImam.Astime
wentby,hewasremovedfromhispositionbyWalid,theking.Ashispunishment,hewasmadeto
standatapublicplace.Peopleweregivenpermissiontodowhatevertheywishedtohim.Imam
(A.S)hadsufferedthemostfromhishandsandthechancetotakehisrevenge.Instead,theImam
nowwas(A.S)wenttohimandgreetedhimwithrespectandkindnessknowingthatifhedidso
thenotherswouldfollowhimandsaveHishamfrominsultsandinjury.
Togetherwithhispatiencewashisforgivingnatureandhiskindness.Thefollowingincidentsfrom
Imam'slifeshowthisveryclearly.
*Onceaslavegirl,whileservinghim,droppedonhimaheavyjugfullofwaterandcuthisface.
Shesaidtohim,,"Allah,themosthighsays:
thosewhocontroltheiranger.""BeforeshecouldcompletethisverseoftheQur'an,hesaid,"I
havecontrolledmyanger."
Shecontinued,saying,"Andthosewhoforgivethepeople.."Hereplied."'MayAllahforgiveyou."
Shewenton,saying,",Allahlovesthose,whodogood."Hereplied,"'Go,youareafreepersonin
thepresenceofAllah,TheHigh,TheMighty."
*OncetheImamcalledhisslavebuttheslavedidnotreplyhim.TheImamcalledhimtwomore
times;onlythenhereplied.TheImamaskedhimifhedidnothearbeingcalled.Theslavereplied
thathedidhearbutheignoredtoanswerbecauseheknewthatnoharmwouldcometohim
fromtheImam(A.S).
WhentheImamheardthishesaid,"PraisebetoAllahwhomademyslavesafefromme."
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DuringthetimesoftheImam(A.S)slaverywascommon.Slaveswouldcomefromwars.TheImam
usedtogetthemas"Khums"fromthosewhotookpartinthesewars.AlsotheImamusedto
purchasesomeslavesandthensetthemfree.
Hetreatedhisslavesverywellandwouldneverbeatthemforanymistakes.Instead,hewould
recordall
their
mistakes.
At
the
end
of
the
month
of
Ramadhan,
he
would
call
them
and
let
them
knowofalltheirmistakes.HewouldthentellthemtopraytoAllahtoforgivetheImamtheway
theImamforgavethem(theslaves).Hewouldthensetfreeallslavesandgivethemgenerous
gifts.
ItissaidthatoneofhissuchslaveswhomtheImamhadsetfreeprogressedsomuchthatonone
occasionheloaned10,000dinarstoImamZainulAbidin(A.S).TheImam(A.S)laterrepaidthis
loan.
*ApersononcespokeveryharshlytotheImamandwronglyblamedtheImamforthingshehad
neverdone.TheImamlistenedtoallthesequietlyandwithoutansweringhim.Themangottired
andwentaway.
AfterhehadgonetheImamaskedhisfollowerstogowithpunishtheperson.Theyallwentwith
theImam(A.S).OnhiswaytheImamstartedreadingthefollowingversesofQur'an:
"'Thosewhocontroltheirangerandforgivethepeople,Allahlovesthosewhodogood."(3'133).
HiscompanionsimmediatelyknewthattheImamwouldforgivetheperson.
Whentheyarrivedattheperson'shouseandwhenthepersonsawthemall,hewassure,the
Imamhadcometopunishhim.However,theImamaddressedhimverygentlysaying,"Brother,
yousaidthingsaboutme,iftrulyIhavethosefaults,thenIpraytoAllahtoforgiveme.If,
however,Idonothavethosefaults,IpraytoAllahtoforgiveyou."
Themanwasputtoshame.Hesaid,"Youarefreefromallthosefaults.MayAllahforgivemefor
makingthosefalseclaimsagainstyou."*OnceamanabusedtheImam(A.S)inhispresence.The
Imamactedlikehedidnothearit.Thenthemanshouted,"Imeanyou."TheImam(A.S)replied,
"AndfromyouIamturningaway."BythistheImam(A.S)wasactingaccordingtotheQur'an
whichsays"'Gotowhatishonourableandturnawayfromtheignorant"(7:199).
HisGenerosity
HisactsofpietydidnotendwithonlyspendinghistimecommunicatingwithAllah.Hespentalot
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ofhistime34servinghumanbeingsalso.Heregularlyvisitedthepoorandthesickandprovided
fortheirnecessitiesoflifewithouttheirknowledge.Inthedarknessofthenight,hewouldcarry
onhisbackbagsofbreadandfood,coverhisfacesothatnoonecouldrecognizehimandgofrom
doortodooroftheneedyandservethemfood.
Noneknew
that
this
person
was
Imam
Zainul
Abidin(A.S)
until
his
death
Zuhir
says
that
once
when
itwasrainingheavilyatnight,hesawtheImamcarryingaheavyloadonhisback.Heofferedto
help.TheImamsaidhewasonhiswaytoajourney.
ThenextdayZuhirstillsawtheImaminMedina.HadtheImampostponedhisjourney?No.The
Imamexplainedthathewaspreparingforthejourneyofthenextworld.Hewasonhiswayto
feedthepooranddidnotwantZuhirtogowithhimasthiscouldleadtothepoortorecognize
whotheirbenefactorwas.
SheikhMufidrecordsthatImamZainulAbidin(A.S)paidavisittoZaidBinUthamaBinZaidwho
wasverysick.Zaidwasweepingbecausehehaddebtoffifteenthousanddinars.TheImam
promisedZaidthathewouldpaythefulldebtimmediatelyandhedidso.
TheseactsofgenerositywerenotmeantforthepoorandfortheImam'sfriendsonly.Itwas
extendedevento hisenemies.Aswillbeillustratedinthefollowingincidents.
YouwillrecallthatinA.H64thepeopleofMedinaremovedYezid'sgovernorfromhispostof
governorshipinMedina,Fearingfortheirlives,theBaniUmmayyahstartedrunningawayfrom
Medina.MarwanBinHakamhadalargefamilyofwomenandchildrenandcouldnotrunawayfor
hislifeunlesshecouldfindsomeonewhowouldagreetohousehiswomenandchildren.Marwan
approachedseveralpeopleincludingAbdullahBinOmarBinKhattabbutallrefusedtohelphim.
FinallyMarwanturnedtoImamZainulAbidinforhelp.
MarwanwasenemynumberoneoftheProphet(S.A.W.W)andhisfamily.Asamatteroffact,the
Prophet(S.A.WW)hadorderedMarwanandhisfatherHakamBinAastoleaveMedinaas
unwantedpersons.ItisthesameMerwanwhohadfoughtagainstImamAli(A.S)intheBattleof
Jamal.MerwanalsowasoneofthosewhopreventedImamHassantobeburiednexttohis
grandfather'sgrave.Again,itwasMerwanwhohadtoldWalid,theGovernorofMedinainA.H.60
toforce"Bayah"fromImamHusain(A.S)inthecourtortocutoffhisheadifherefused.
Despitethis,theImam(A.S)agreedtohelpMarwan.Merwan'sfamilystayedwiththeImamin
Imam'shouseforaslongastheywished.TheImamthenarrangedforthemtogotowhere
Merwanwas.
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Infact,Imam'shousewasopenforanyonewhocameseekingforprotectionatthistime.
ToputdowntherebellioninMedina,Yezidsentastrongarmyundertheoneeyedgeneralcalled
MuslimBinAqaba.MuslimbroughtbackMedinaunderthecontrolofYezidbutbeforehecould
dothesametoMeccahedied.
HasinBinNamirtookoverfromMuslimandwenttoMecca,todealwithAbdullahIbneZubair
whohadtakencontrolofMeccafromYezid.BeforeHasincouldwinbackMecca,hegotthenews
thatYezidhaddied.
HasinhurriedbacktoDamascuswithwhateverthathewasleftwithoutfoodwasleftofhisarmy.
Onthewayandwater.Heandhisarmywereabouttodieinthedesertoutofthirstandhunger.
Thenhesawamancominginhisdirection.Themanhadacamelloadedwithfoodandwater.
Hasinbeggedthemantoselltohimthefoodandwaterwhichhehadwithhimforanyprice.The
manrepliedthathisprovisionswerenotforsale.However,asHasinneededthemsobadlyhe
couldhaveitallforfree.!
Inhisconversationwiththestranger,Hasinrecognizedthestrangerasbeingnootherpersonthan
AliBinHusain(A.S).ThinkingthattheImamhadnotrecognisedhim,HasinaskedtheImamifhe
knewtowhomtheImamwasextendinghisgenerosity.
TheImamreplied,"Iknowthatyouarethemurdererofmybrotherandfatherandthatyou
deniedmyfatherwaterandfoodtillhismartyrdombutthatshowswhoyouareandmy
generosityshowswhatIam".
HasinofferedtohelptheImamtakecontrolofDamascus.TheImamrefusedsaying,allthathedid
forhimwasbecausehewasahumanbeingneedinghelp.TheImamneedednorewardorthanks.
Sayingsohewentaway leavingbehindHasintobitehisfiguresindisbeliefSuchwasthe
generosityofourfourthImam,AliBinHusain,ZainulAbidin(A.S).
Chapter5:SomeMiraclesofImamAliBinHusain(A.S)
WHATISAMIRACLE?
Allahhasmadelawsforallhiscreation.Theselawscanbedividedintotwotypes.First,thereare
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thoselawswhichnoonecanchange.Thesearesometimescalledthelawsofnature.Forexample,
thesunrisesintheeastandsetsinthewest.Thecharacterofwateristocoolandthatoffireisto
burn.Noonecanbringthedeadbackfromdeath;thesearebutafewexamplesofthelawsof
nature.
Thenthere
are
the
laws
of
Allah
which
are
in
the
hands
of
man
and
they
can
change
them
against
thewillofAllah.Forexample,thelawofAllahforbidstohaverelationshipwithanothermanasif
hewasawoman.(ThisactwasverycommonwiththepeoplewholivedduringthetimesofNabi
Loot)Butmancanchangethislaw,thoughbydoingsohecommitsasin.
Miracleissaidtohavetakenplacewhenalawofnature,whichinnormalconditionscannotbe
changed,isindeedchanged.Forexample,theQur'antellsusofthemiraclesofNabiIsa(A.S).He
wasbornwithouthismotherhavinganyrelationshipwithaman.Again,whenhewasborn,he
startedtalking,tellingpeoplethathewasaProphetwithabookfromAllah.Orthathemadethe
deadreturntolife.Theseactsarenotnormalandtheyarecalledmiraclesor"Mojiza".
MiraclestakeplaceonlywhenAllahwishesandHedoessoforveryspecialreasons.Themain
reasonisthat:Allahwantstoprovehisexistence.TheProphetsand12Imamsshowmiraclesonly
whenAllahwishesthemtodoso.Forexample,NabiMusacouldturnhisstickintoasnaketo
showthathehadthispowergiventohimbyAllah.
Anothergoodexampleofmiracleisthat':OurProphet,HazratMuhammad(S.A.WW),splitthe
moonintotwopartstoprovetothe"Kuffar"ofMeccathathewasatrueMessengerofAllah.
BesidestheProphet(S.A.W.W),theother13Masoomin(ThatisHazratFatimaandour12Imams)
alsodidshowmiracleswhenitwasnecessarytodosoandwhenAllahwishedthemtodoso.
BeforeIgiveexamplesofthemiraclesthatImamZainulAbidinshowed,Ishallexplainthe
differencebetweenamiracleandmagic.
WhereasamiracleistheworkofthemenofAllah,magicistheworkofShaitanoronlyatrick
performedsocleverlythatforsometimeweseeachangeinnaturallaws.Forexample,inthe
Qur'anwearetoldthatFirawn(Pharo)calledmagicianswhocouldturnthreadsintosnakes.
Thedifferencebetweenmagicandmiracleisthesameasthedifference.betweenthesnakesof
magiciansandthatofNabiMusa.Themagician'ssnakeswerenotreal,theoneofNabiMusawas.
Asaresult,themagician'ssnakesonlyappearedlikesnakesandthereforecoulddonoharmor
evenfightwithNabiMusa'ssnakewhichswallowedthethreadsofthemagicians.Thethreads
disappearedforgood.
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TheMiraclesofImamZainulAbidin(A.S)
Severalmiracles
were
shown
by
the
Imam
(A.S)
but
we
shall
look
at
only
two
of
them.
MIRACLE1
AfterthemartyrdomofImamHusain(A.S),thearmyofYezidcutofftheheadsofallthemartyrs
ofKerbalaandremovedthemfromtheirbodies.Thentheyleftthosebodieswithoutburying
them.TheydidnotallowImamZainulAbidin(A.S)toburythesemartyrs.Instead,theytookhima
prisonertoKufa.
AfterthearmyofYezidhadleftforKufa,thetribeofBaniAsad,wholivedintheneighbourhoodof
Kerbala,came
to
bury
the
martyrs.
Since
there
was
no
way
by
which
they
could
know
whose
body
belongedtowhom,theywereworried.
Suddenly,theysawamanonahorsecomingintheirdirection.Fearingthatthiscouldbeaspyof
Yezidcomingtocheckonthem,theBaniAsadwentintohiding.Themancamewheretheywere
hidingandcalledthemtocomeout.HetoldthemthathewasAliIbnHusain(A.S)andhadcome
throughmiraclefromKufatohelpthemidentifyandburythemartyrs.
InthiswayImamZainulAbidin(A.S)buriedthemartyrsandhisfatherwheretheylieburiedtoday.
Hiscoming
to
Kerbala
was
very
important
for
two
reasons.
Firstly,
an
Imam
from
Allah
has
to
be
giventheburialservices,whenhedies,bytheImamwhotakesoverfromhim.Noonecouldgive
theburialservicestoImamHusain(A.S)excepthim.Buthewasmilesawayandinchainsasa
prisonerofIbnZiyadinKufa.HethereforecametoKerbalabymiracle.Secondlyonlyheknew
whowaswho.Otherwise,wewouldneverknowwhowasburiedwherethewayweknowtoday.
MIRACLE2
AfterthemartyrdomofImamHusain(A.S)andafterImamZainulAbidin(A.S)hadreturnedto
Medina,somepeoplebegantoconsiderHazratMuhammadHanafiyaastheirImam.Hazrat
MuhammadHanafiyawasImamHusain'syoungerbrotherHewasverypiousandhadnothimself
saidthathewasImam.OnlysomemisguidedpeoplebegantoconsiderhimastheirImam.
Itbecamenecessarytoremovethismisunderstanding.Therefore,Imam(A.S)andhisuncle,
MuhammadHanafiyadecidedtogotogethertowhere"HajarAswad"(Theblackstonenear
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Ka'aba)was.
Atfirst,HazratMuhammadHanafiyaaddressedtheHajaraskingittoconfirmwhotheImamwas.
Buttherewasnoreply.ThenImamZainulAbidin(A.S)addressedtheHajar.Aloudandclearvoice
camefrom"HajarAswad"salutingtheImambyhisfullnameandconfirmingthatheandhealone
wasthe
Imam
of
the
time.
LetitberememberedthatHazratMuhammadHanafiyahimselfhadneverclaimedtobeImam.He
fullysupportedImamZainulAbidin(A.S)butheaddressedHajarAswadonlytoletthemisguided
peopleseeforthemselvesthathewasnotanImam.
Chapter6:ImamAliBinHusain'sSermons,Supplications(Duas)andsaying
INTRODUCTION
Ashehaveseenbefore,thepoliticsofhistimesweresobadthatImam(A.S)couldnotopenly
preachIslam.Ifhedidso,hisenemieswouldgetachanceofpreventinghimfromdoingsoby
puttinghimawayinprisonorevenkillinghim.Hecouldnotthereforeallthetimepreachas
openlyashisgrandparentshaddonebeforehim.
AsanImamappointedbyAllah,heknewwhentoopenlyexposetheenemiesofIslamandwhen
topreachIslamwithoutopenlynamingtheenemies.Wheneverpossible,hegavesermonsin
whichheopenlynamedtheenemiesofIslamandthewrongsthattheydidtothefamilyofthe
Prophet,thoughsuchmomentswererare.Otherwise,theImamusedthesupplications(Duas)
andsayingstoteachproperIslamasopposedtoIslamwhichwasbeingpreachedbythe
oppressivegovernmentofBaniUmayyah.
SERMONS
Theonly
chance
that
the
Imam
had
to
give
an
open
sermon
was
in
the
court
of
Yezid.
It
was
very
importantforhimtodosobecauseallalong,thepeopleofSyriawerebeingtoldliesaboutthe
Prophet(S.A.WW)andhisfamily,especiallyaboutImamAli(A.S),HazratFatima(S.A),Imam
Hassan(A.S)andImamHusain(A.S).IntheeyesoftheSyrians,MuawiyaandYezidwerethetrue
representativesoftheProphet(S.A.W.W)andImamAli(A.S)andhischildrenweretheenemiesof
Islam.
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Asamatteroffact,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)andthefamilyoftheoftheProphetwerepresented
inthecourtofYezidasthosewhohadfoughtagainstIslam.ItwasveryimportantfortheImam
thereforetotelltheSyrianswhatwasthetruth.ThatistosaythatMuawiyyahandYezidwerethe
enemiesofIslamandtheyhadmurderedtheinnocentmembersofthefamilyoftheProphet
(S.A.WW);
and
the
Imam
gave
avery
powerful
sermon
which
you
have
already
seen
in
chapter
2.
Noticethatinthissermon,theImamdescribesveryopenlyhighpositionoftheProphet(S.A.WW)
hisfamilyandotherrelativesoftheProphet.HealsoprovesthatYezid,hisparentsandhis
grandparentsweretrulytheenemyofIslam.Althoughhenevergotanotherchancetogivea
sermonlikethis,thisonesermonwasenoughtoawakentheSyriansfromthesleepofignorance.
ThissermonwillalwaysbeaguidetothoseMuslimswhoneedtoknowtrulyhoweviltheBani
UmayyahwereandhowvirtuoustheAhlulBaytwere.
TheothersermonthattheImamgavewasveryshortbutveryeffective.WesawthatinChapter2.
ThiswasgiventothepeopleofMedinaonthedaytheImamreturnedfromtheprisonofYezid.
ThepeopleofMedinawerenotindarknessregardingthegoodnessofthefamilyoftheProphet,
thewaythepeopleofSyriawere.ItwasnotatthistimenecessaryfortheImamtoremindthe
peopleofMedinaabouttheevilsofBaniUmayyah;whatthepeopleofMedinaneededtobetold
weretwothings.
First,theyhadtobemadetoknowwhatBaniUmayyahdidtoImamHusain(A.S).Secondly,they
neededtobetoldofwhatwasexpectedofthemnowthatImamHusain(A.S)hadgivenhislife.
AndtheImamdidjustthatinthisshortaddresstothemwhichyouhavealreadyseeninChapter
2.
SUPPLICATION(DUAS)
Supplications("Duas")areakindofprayerstoAllah.Apersonwhoreadsa"Dua"isactually
addressingAllah.
IntheQur'anitselfAllahtellsusofthe"Duas"ofseveralProphetssuchasNabiNuh,NabiIbrahim
andNabiMusa.TheProphettaughthiscompanionSseveralDuas.ImamAlitaughtKumaylBin
ZiyadtheDuaofNabiKhizrwhichcametobeknownas"DuaeKumayl"andwhichisreadevery
Thursdayevening.ImamHusain's(A.S)DuaofthedayofArafatwasintroducedtoyouwhen.we
werelearningaboutthebiographyofImamHusain(A.S).ImamZaiunlAbidin(A.S)thereforewas
notthefirstperson.tostartthisartofaddressingAllahthroughasupplication.
WhatmakesImamZainulAbidin(A.S)sospecialisthat:hemade"Duas"onalmostevery
importantoccasioninaMuslim'slifeandfilledtheseDuaswithknowledgeofverybranchof
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Islam.NoImambeforehimorafterhimhastaughtusasImamZainulAbidin(A.S)didthrough
Duas.
MostofthesupplicationsofImamZainulAbidin(A.S)todayexistinabookcalled"Sahifa
Sajjadiya"(ThebookofSajjad)or"SahifaKamila"(Acompletebook)or""ZabureAle
Muhammad"(The
psalms
of
the
house
of
Muhammad).
The
Imam
used
to
teach
these
Duas
to
his
sonsImamMuhammadBaqir(A.S)andZayd,themartyrThesebooksremainedinthefamilyof
ImamZaiunulAbidinfromgenerationtogenerationandhassurvivedtilltoday.
SahifaEKamila
The"Sahifa"asweknowittodayisacollectionof54Supplications,I4othersupplicationsand15
Munajat.
These"Duas"canbeputintotwogroups:TheDuasthatcanbereadonanyoccasion(E.g.
SupplicationforonesParents,SupplicationinaskingforPardon)andthosewhichareforspecial
occasions(E.g.SupplicationsfordayofArafat,ThedayofIdd).These"Duas"arefullofknowledge
onIslam.ThesubjectslistedherearebutafewexamplesofwhatiscontainedintheseDuas:
HowtoaddressAllah
MeritsoftheProphet(S.A.W.W)andhisfamily
WhatarethemainpartsofIman(Faith)
WhatbehaviorisexpectedfromMuslims
ThroughtheseDuas,theImamtaughtthestandardsandprinciplesforMuslimswhowouldthen
beabletosavethemselvesfrom"CorruptedIslam"thatwasbeingtaughtbytheBaniUmmayya.
SAYINGS
Wheneverhegotachance,theImamwouldadvisehisfollowersonhowtheyweretoleadtheir
lives.Theseadvisesorsayingsareinplenty.Overandabovethat,theImamgavealengthyadvice
onhumanrights.ThesetodayappearinabookformandiscalledRISALATALHUQUQ(Ora
treatiseonrights).Inthisbook,theImam(A.S)givesexamplesof51differentrights.
WeshallreproducehereafewsayingsoftheImamandfewrightsthattheImam(A.S)describes
fullyinhisRISALATALHUQUQ.
ASMALLSELECTIONOFHISSAYINGS:
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1)Once,oneofhiscompanionscomplainedtohimthatoutofjealousysomepeoplewhomhe
hadservedverywellweretreatinghimbadly.TheImamgavehimsomeadvicewhichwas:
*Guardyourtongueanddonotspeakaboutpeoplewhatevercomesoutofyourmouth,
otherwiseyou
will
turn
your
friends
into
your
enemies.
*Avoidsayingthingswhichthemindsofpeoplearenotpreparedtoaccept.
*Hewhodoesnothavewisdomwillberuinedbytheasmallestthing(Mistake).
*WhatharmwillcometoyouifyoutakeallMuslimstobeyourfamilyandyourrelations?
Consideryourelderstobeyourparents,thoseyoungerthanyouasyourchildrenandthoseof
yourageasyourbrothers.Ifyoudosowhoisgoingtoharmorabuseyou?
*Wheneverathoughtcomesinyourmindthatyouarebetterthananyotherperson,thenthink
alongtheselines:Ifthepersonisolderthanyouthenremindyourselfthatthispersonisbetter
thanyouinmattersofIslambecausehehasdonemoregooddeedsthanyouhave.Ifthepersonis
youngerthanyouthenremindyourselfthatthispersonisbetterthanyoubecausehehas
committedlesssinsthanyouhave.Ifheisofyouragethanyourargumentshouldbe:heisbetter
thanyouinmattersofIslamsinceyouknowofyourownsinsbutnotofhis.
*Ifpeopleshowrespecttoyou,thinkthatthisisbecausethepeopleareverygoodnotthatyou
aregood.Ifthepeoplesaybadthingsaboutyou,thinkthatsomethingisreallywrongwithyou.If
youliveinthisway,lifewillbecomepleasantforyou,youwillmakemanyfriendsandyour
enemieswillbefew.
(2)TheImamsaid,"Donothaverelationshipwith,nortalkwithnorgivecompanyto5typesof
people:
*TheLiar:becausetheyarelikemirage:Withtheirwordstheyshowthingsdifferentfromwhat
theyreallyare.Whatisneartheymakeitlookfarandwhatisfartheymakeitlooknear.Inthis
way,theytakeyouawayfromtruth.
*TheGreedyandtheSinner:becauseyoucannotrelyontheirfriendship;forasmallpieceoffood
orevenlessthanthat,theywillsellyou.*TheMiser:becausetheywillletyoudownwhenyou
needthemmost.
*TheFool:becauseevenwhentheytrytodoyougood,theywillendyouindifficulties.
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*ThoseWhohavecutrelationshipwiththeirrelatives,becauseAllahhascursedtheminthe
Qur'an.
(3)TrytoearnahighpositioninParadise(Jannah).
Remember:Highest
positions
will
be
given
to
those
who
have
been
most
useful
to
their
brothers
infaithandwhohavebeenmosthelpfultotheneedy.Remember:Therearetimeswhenaperson
saysbutonegoodsentenceandthatbringshimveryneartoAllahandbringshisfreedomonthe
DayofJudgement.
Neverthinkthatwhatyoudoforyourbrotherinfaithisunimportantbecausethesearethethings
thatwillbeofmuchusetoyouonadaywhennothingelsewillbeofanyuse.
(4)Drinking(Alcoholandotherforbiddendrinks)andGamblingaresuchsinsthattheydestroythe
powertostopcommittingothersins.
(5)(Speaking)Goodwordsincreaseaperson'swealthandsustenance(Rizk),prolonghislife,make
himtobelovedbyhiswifeandchildrenandtakehimtoparadise.
SELECTIONSFROMRISLATEHUQUQ
*MayAllahhavemercyonyou knowthatAllahhasrightsagainstyou.Theserightssurroundyou
inallyourmovements,inyourrest,inallyourbodypartsandeverythingthatyouuse.Someof
theserightsarebigothersaresmall.
*ThegreatestrightwhichisonyouisfromAllahHimselfandthisistherootofallotherrights....
ThegreatestrightofAllahonyouistoworshipHimwithoutassociatinganythingwithHim.Ifyou
dothatwithpurityofheart,Hepromisestogiveyousufficientlywhatyouneedhereandinthe
nextworld...
*Therightsofyourteacheronyouare:Youshouldlookathimwithhonour,listentohimwithfull
attention,sitfacinghimwithrespectanddonotraiseyourvoiceinhispresence.Ifsomeoneasks
himaquestion,youshouldnotreplyitbutlettheteacherdoit.Donotspeaktoanyoneortalk
badthingsaboutothersinfrontofhim.Youshouldhidehisfaultsandspeakofhisgoodqualities.
Keepawayfromhisenemiesanddonotmakeenemieswithhisfriends.Ifyoudoallthese,angels
willbeyourwitnessthatyoudidwhatyouwererequiredtodoandthatyouobtainedknowledge
fromhimforthepleasureofAllahonly.
*Therightsofyourmotherare:shecarriedyouwherenoonecarriesanyoneelse;shefedyou
thefruitofherheartwhichnoonegivestoanyoneelse;sheprotectedyouwithallpartsofher
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body.Shedidnotcareifsheremainedhungryaslongasyouwerefed;ifshewasthirstyaslongas
youdrank;ifshewasnakedaslongyouhadclotheson,ifshewasinthesunsolongasyouwere
inshade.Shelosthersleepforyou,sheprotectedyoufromcoldandheatsothatyoushouldlive.
YouwillneverbeabletothankherunlessifAllahhelpsyou....
*The
right
of
your
neighbour
is
that
you
should
guard
him
(His
belongings)
when
he
is
absent,
respecthimwhenheispresentandhelphimwhenheiswronged.Donotdoanyshamefulactto
him.Ifyouknowofanybadthingsabouthimkeepthatsecret.Ifyouknowhewillacceptyour
advicethengiveittohim.Donotleavehimalonewhenheisintrouble.Helphimoutofhis
troubles,forgivehimifhehaswrongedyouandtreathimgenerously.
Chapter7:HisFamily
HISMARRIAGES
TheImam'sfirstwifewashiscousin,thedaughterofImamHassan(A.S).HernamewasFatima.
Shewasaverypiousperson.ShewasthemotherourfifthImam,HazratMuhammadBaqir(A.S).
Itisreportedthatonceshewassittingleaningagainstthewall.Allofasudden,thewallbeganto
fallon
her.
She
called
out
saying.
"O
wall,
by
the
honour
of
the
Messenger
of
Allah
you
have
no
permissiontofalldownrightknow"andthewallstoodstill.Shemovedawayonlythendidthe
wallfall.Shethengaveincharity100currencies.
OtherthanImamMuhammedBaqir(A.S),hehadfromthismarriage,threeothersonswhose
nameswereAbdAllah,AlHassanandAlHusain.
AccordingtoSheikhMufid,besidesLadyFatima,hehadashiswives,atdifferenttimes,several
slavegirls.Themainreasonbehindthesemarriagewastoraisethepositionofthesehelpless
womenwhohadbecomeslavesbecauseofwars.Bygivingthemaplaceinhishouse,hegave
themaway
to
live
alife
of
independence
and
honor.
For
these
ladies
gave
birth
to
children
who
becamepartofImam'sfamily.Forexample,HazratZaid,whocametobeknownasZaidthe
martyr,wasbornfromaslavegirlfromSindh(India)calledHuriya.
HISCHILDREN
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SheikhMufidinhisbook"AlIrshad"saysthatbesidesImamMuhammadBaqir(A.S),ImamZainul
Abidinhadtenmoresonsandfourdaughters.InthenextunitweshalllearnmoreaboutImam
MuhammadBaqir(A.S);fortherestofthischapterweshalllearnaboutZaid,ImamMuhammad
Baqir'shalfbrother.
ZAIDTHE
MARTYR
ItisreportedthatonceImam'scompanion,AbuHamzaThimaliwassittingwiththeImaminthe
Imam'shouse.SuddenlyamalechildcameinthehouseandrantowardstheImam.
Unfortunately,whilerunning,thechildfelldownandwashurt.TheImam(A.S)wentquicklyto
wherethechildwasandtookhiminhishandswithkindnessandlove.AfterthattheImam(A.S)
begantoweep.
HethentoldthecompanionthatthechildwasnonebuthissonZaidandthatthosedayswerenot
farwhen,asanadult,hewouldriseagainstthecruelgovernment.Hewouldthenbekilledandhis
deadbodybehanged.HealsotoldAbuHamzathathe(AbuHamza)wouldlivetoseethis.Years
laterwhattheImamsaidwouldhappeninfactdidhappen.
HazratZaidwasverypiousandwasagoodreaderoftheQur'an.TheBaniUmayyah'sgovernment
treatedthefamilyoftheProphet,especiallythegrandchildrenofImamAli(A.S)sobadlythat
HazratZaidcouldnotsitquiet.
Hewenttocomplaintothekingofthattime,BinAbdulmalikinDamascus.Hashamreceivedhim
verybadlyinhiscourt.HazratZaidsaidtohim,"FearAllah".
ThisWasenoughtomakeHashamangry.HeshoutedatHazratZaidsaying,"Alowpersonlikeyou
isadvisingmetofearAllah?"HazratZaidreplied,"Thereisnoquestionofbeingloworhigh
amongsttheservantsofAllahwhenitcomestogivingadviceandcallingeachothertowardsfear
ofAllah."
Hashamsaid,"Ihaveheardthatyouwanttobecometherulerbutyouarenotfittobeoneasyou
arethesonofaslavegirl."HazratZaidreplied,"NooneisbettertoAllahthanhisMessenger.
HazratIsmail,smother(Hajra)wasaslavegirlyetHazratIsmailwasaProphetandProphet
Muhammad(S.A.W.W)wasfromhisprogeny."
AsHishamhadnoreplytogive,hestartedabusingImamMuhammadBaqir(A.S)saying,"What
doesyourbrotherBaqarah(TheCow)do?"Hearingthis,HazratZaidwasgreatlyhurtandreplied,
Hashamwithoutanyfear,saying'"OHisham,theProphet(S.A.W.W)gavehimthenameofBaqir
andyoucallhimBaqarrah.YouractionsMeoppositetothatoftheProphet(S.A.WW).OntheDay
ofJudgementyouwillbeequallyfarfromhim.Baqirwillgotoparadiseandyouwillgotohell."
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BytheordersofHisham,HazratZaidwasthrownoutofcourt'HewentawaytoKufa.Fromthere
heraisedanarmytofightagainsttheBaniUmayyah.HehadfollowersinWasit,Mosel,Khurasan
Ray,andJurjan.InKufaalonehehadabout15000supporters.Amonghisfollowerswerereaderof
Qur'an,religiousscholarsandlawyers.
HishamsentabigarmyunderthecommandofYusufBinUmarSaqafi.Unfortunately,mostof
HazratZaid'ssupporterslefthim.Onlythreehundredsoldiersremainedwithhimwhenhecame
tothebattlefield.Hefoughtverybravelyuntil.hewasmartyred,havingbeenhitbyanarrowon
hisforehead.ThiswasinA.H.121.
HissonYahyaburiedhimsecretlyunderariverbankbutHasham'smenfounditoutanddugout
thebodyHazratZaid'sbodywasputonascaffoldinEgypt.Itremainedthereforsometimethen
itwasburntandtheashesthrowninthewind.Thusendedthelifeofoneofthemostnoble
servantsofAllah.