Imam Ali Ibn al-Husain Zain al-Aabideen (a.s.)
Name Ali (a.s.)
Father Syed al-Shohada Imam Husain Ibn Ali (a.s.)
Mother Shahar Banoo (a.s.), daughter of Hormuz, King of Iran
Date of Birth 15th Jamaadi al-Awwal 38 A.H.
Place of Birth Madinah al-Munawwarah
Agnomen Abu Muhammad
Famous titles Sajjaad, Zain al-Aabideen, Syed al-Saajideen
Age 57 Years
Martyrdom 25th Muharram 95 A.H.
Poisoned by Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik the accursed on the order of
Walid ibn Abd al-Malik the accursed
Buried at Jannat al-Baqi, Madinah al-Munawwarah
To summarize the entire sacred life of Imam Zain al-Aabideen (a.s.) in this brief treatise is like attempting to encompass the radiance of the sun in our eyes. Numerous books, especially those related to his sacred life, Al-Sahifah al-Sajjaadiyyah, the book of supplications and prayers, his worship and the oppressions faced by him have been penned. In this issue, our attempt is to bring out some untold aspects of his life or those that are well known but not often discussed owing to narration of other severe troubles faced by him.
Sayings of Imam Ali Ibn al-Husain Zain al-Aabideen (a.s.)
1) Imam Zain al-Aabideen (a.s.) warned:
Beware of associating with the disobedient, assisting the oppressors and the neighborhood of the sinful. Be careful of the seditious affairs of such people and stay away from their fields. Know that one who opposes the friends of Allah has followed a religion other than that of Allah and has preferred his affairs over those of Allah’s friends. Such a person will burn in the Hell-Fire which will consume his body from which the soul has exited.
[Tuhaf al-Uqool, p. 254]
2) Abdullah Ibn Sinaan narrates from Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.):
Every morning, Imam Ali Ibn al-Husain Zain al-Aabideen (a.s.) would leave his home to earn a living. He was asked: O Son of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.)! Where are you going? He (a.s) replied: I wish to give charity to my family. When asked if this was charity, Imam (a.s.) replied: One who earns in a lawful way, his earnings are Allah’s charity for him.
[Al-Kaafi, vol. 4, p. 12, H. 11]
3) His supplication while remembering (the Holy Prophet) Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) and his progeny
(a.s.): O Allah! O the One who selected Muhammad (s.a.w.a) and his progeny for honor, accorded them the status of Prophethood and granted them special distinction by making them the intercessors, made them the inheritors of the Prophets, concluded the chain of successors and Imams (a.s.) through them, taught them the knowledge of the past and the future and inclined the hearts of the people towards them. Then send salutations upon Muhammad and his progeny (a.s.) and treat us in religion, this world and the hereafter in a manner which befits You. Indeed You have power over all things.
[Al-Sahifah al-Sajjaadiyyah, new edition, Dua 57]
