Ali
Ibn Al-Hussain (AS)
Birth
In the period of the second caliph
"Ummer", the Muslims conquered Iran. The daughters of Yazdgard were
brought to Madina.
All had gathered in the mosque of
Madina to see what was the decision of the caliph, about them. He wanted
to sell them but Imam Ali (A.S.) stopped him from doing so and said to
Urnmer, "leave the girls free so that they marry whosoever they wish."
One of the girls chose Hussain
Ibn-e-Ali (A.S.) and the other chose Imam Hassan Mujtaba (A.S.). Imam
Ali (A.S.) said to Hussain, "Look after this woman very well, because,
from her an Imam will come into existence (born) who will be the best of
the God's creations upon the earth and the father of all the Imams
(after himself).
Not very long after that the sun of his
existence arose, on Thursday, the 5th of Shaaban, 38th Hijrah, in
Madina.
He was named "Ali" later on titled as
Zain-ul-Abidin (the decoration of the worshippers) and Sajjad (one who
performs much prostration).
The Ethical and Moral
Characteristics of Imam (A.S.)
1. Piety and Abstinence:
One of the special features of Imam's
character was his piety and abstinence. Imam Jaffar Sadiq (A.S.) said,
"Ali Ibn-ul-Hussain (A.S.) resembled most of all the sons of Bani
Hashim, with Ali (A.S.)".
His son Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.)
said, "One day I happened to see my father, I saw him (completely)
immersed and (thoroughly pre occupied) in the prayers and with all the
attention towards God. His color was faded and his eyes were sore and
red due to weeping, his feet were swollen by (prostration) and legs, and
knees had developed corns. I said humbly "Oh father, why do you loose
your self control during the prayers and put yourself in such an
inconvenience and discomfort. My father wept and said, "Oh son however
and whatsoever amount of prayers I perform even then it is meager and
very little as compared to the prayers of your grandfather, "Ali
Ibn-e-Abi Talib."
Taous Yamni says, I saw Imam lying in
prostration saying, "Oh God your servant, needy towards you, is in your
house waiting for your blessing, forgiveness and favor".
2. Attention to the life and training
of people:
Imam Zain-ul-Abidin (A.S.), like his
grandfather, was busy in cultivating land and palm date orchards. He
offered two Rakat of prayer near each palm date tree. During the prayers
he would get himself so absorbed that he did not have any attention
towards anything except God. He traveled to Mecca, on foot, twenty
times. And continuously guided and conducted people through the
attractive melody of the Qur'anic verses.
All the human qualities and attributes
were collectively present in his personality. He was the complete
specimen of tolerance, forgiveness and self-sacrifice. He looked after
and administrated hundreds of houses of the poor and hunger stricken.
Daily a number of goats were slaughtered in his house and he distributed
all their meat among the afflicted. He dressed the naked and dress less
ones and paid their debts and loans. But he himself took simple meals
and put on simple dress.
A person came to Ali Ibn-ul-Hussain
(A.S.) and started addressing him with filthy and abusive language. Imam
(A.S.) turned his face towards him without the slightest anger and
quarrel or strife and said, "Oh brother, if what you say is right and
correct and these vices are present in me then God may pardon and
forgive my sin. And if you are telling a lie then God may forgive you
and pardon your sin."
The man was very much ashamed and asked
Imam (A.S.) to pardon him. Abu Hamza Somali who was one of the friends
of Imam (A.S.) asked his servant to briefly define the character and
morals of Imam (A.S.). He said so, "I am at his service for so many
years. Whatever I saw was righteousness, piety and purity. My lord helps
and assists the people and solves their problems, with all the
difficulties worries and pre occupations that he himself faces. Zaid bin
Usama was lying on the deathbed. Imam Sajjad (A.S.) visited him, Zaid
was weeping. When Imam (A.S.) asked him the reason of his weeping he
said, "I have to pay fifteen thousand Dinnars as my loan and debt and my
wealth is not so much as to pay off the debt." Imam said, "Do not weep
and be contented, I will pay all of your loan."
When the nights would become dark and
all the people went to sleep, Imam Sajjad (A.S.) would get up put the
food in a sack and on his shoulder. He covered his face so that he is
not recognized. Then he took that food to the houses of the inflicted
and have-nots and gave it to them.
He administrated and looked after
nearly a hundred guardians less family in Madina, most of them comprised
indigent, helpless and crippled, handicapped and paralytic ones.
What a surprise! None of these families
knew that Imam Zain-ul-Abidin (A.S.) was the one who managed and run
their lives.
But after his death, when the aids were
discontinued they came to know that Imam (A.S.) was their helper and
friend.
Accompanying and keeping pace with
his father
He was beside his father right from the
moment of his migration towards Karbala and followed his father. Imam
Hussain (A.S.) step by step so that, when his father asked for help on
the day of Ashoora he got up to extend help to his father. But Hazrat
Zainab (S.A.) stopped him and said, "You are the only memorial remnant
of this family and the Imam after Imam Hussain (A.S.) and you are the
guardian of all of us. Your divine mission is to convey the message of
the martyrs to the people.
Although a segment of the people who
are unaware consider the Imam to be a sick, invalid, handicapped and
weak person. But they are seriously mistaken because the illness of Imam
was an expedience and policy of God, so that he may remain safe from the
harm of the enemy's sword, and become the living history of Karbala.
Therefore, after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his companions
Shimar came into the encampment of Imam along with a group of murderers
of Bani Ommayide so that he may kill the remaining ones of the camp of
Imam Hussain (A.S.). Since he was ill, Shimar's companions objected upon
him and Umer Saad came after them and reprimanded Shimar regarding this
decision and turned him out of the encampment. And said, "He is an ill
man and cannot do a thing, leave him alone."
The movement of Imam (A.S.) and his
clamor begins
Imam (A.S.) who along with the left
behind families of martyrs was besieged by the enemy, came out on the
morning of 11th Moharram, the 61st Hijrah. They had chained his hands
and feet and placed the heads of the martyrs in front of him so that his
sorrow and grief is increased.
There is no doubt about it that if Imam
was not there in Karbala to see all the crimes of Yazeed from a close
quarter and convey it to the people of Kufa and Syria, Bani Ommayide
would not have become defamed and disgraced to that extent.
The family of Hussain (A.S.), as
against the concept of a foolish and silly group who think they were
defeated, where ever they set foot, they would announce the success of
their revolution and the defeat of Yazeed.
What more and superb conquest could be
imagined about, than this that the enemy was highly afraid of them.
Where ever they opened their lips to speak people would manifest their
feelings and emotions and paid them respect and homage and rebuked,
reproached, and cursed their enemies.
Imam's Speech in Kufa
When the carvan of the prisoners
reached Kufa and all the people were keenly trying to see the prisoners.
Imam (A.S.) noticed that Kufis did not recognize them otherwise they
were not that indifferent. Therefore, Imam by his hand gave the people
the signal to keep quiet. All of them adopted silence and lent ears to
him. Suddenly the memorial of Hussain (Imam) opened his lips and said,
"Oh the people of Kufa! I am the son of Hussain (A.S.), I am Ali the son
of Ali (A.S.), Fatimah (S.A.) and Prophet (P.B.U.H.). I am the son of
that Imam (A.S.) whose sons were killed and his properties looted and
plundered and his family held prisoners before you. You wrote invitation
letters to my father. When he came towards you, you killed him. What
will you reply to God and his Prophet (P.B.U.H.) on the justice day. You
did not observe the honor and sanctity of your Prophet (P.B.U.H.)
annoyed his soul. Woe to you, what a bad people you are."
Imam (A.S.) arose and alerted the
sleeping consciences by these statements and addresses broke and tore
the hearts and rolled the tears out of the eyes and changed the
celebrations and joys of Bani Ommayide into a sorrow and grief.
In the Court of Ibn-e-Ziad
Keeping in view the reports of the
officials about the turmoil and disturbance of the Kufa city, Ibn-e-Ziad
ordered that they (Prisoners) must be brought to the court, as soon as
possible.
The unclean, dirty, obnoxious and
ostentatious son of Ziad held a grand aggregation comprising of all the
nobles, notable, dignitaries of Kufa to show off his power to them. And
threaten and intimidate them so that in future they do not pluck the
courage of uttering any words. Others should know that whosoever
opposes, shall meet the same fate.
Thus they showed the remaining (family)
of Imam Hussain (A.S.) in and all those present there gazed and looked
at them. They were looking on at them with amazement; none of them took
any notice of Ibn-e-Ziad, the killer of Kufa.
The son of Ziad was furious and enraged
and wanted to show disrespect to them. But he could not dare it. Hazrat
Imam Sajjad (A.S.) addressed him saying "Oh the son of Ziad! Today you
are sitting on the seat and throne of Power and the sons of the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) are standing before you. Do not think you have any value in
our eyes. These words proved so much effective that the ruler of Kufa
lost his wits and was stunned and started using foul and rotten language
and threatened them. Thereafter, he ordered that Imam Sajjad (A.S.) be
slain, but due to the hue and cry of the prisoners and the objection of
those present he refrained from it. But Imam (A.S.) addressed him
saying: "You scare me from death. You must know that being killed and
slain is our habit and martyrdom is our nobility and generosity."
Ibn-e-Ziad did not know what to do and
what to say. He did not have any alternative except to order the
prisoners be taken away from the assembly as soon as possible.
In The Court of Yazeed
The family, kith and kin of the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.), which were tired and exhausted, grieved and sorrowful, was
all tied up with one single rope and were brought into the court and
assembly of Yazeed. They adopted the same conduct and behavior with
Yazeed, which they had previously shown towards Ibn-e-Ziad. None of them
gave any attention and took any notice of Yazeed. Thereby, Imam (A.S.)
raised his head and said, "You, who claim to be Muslim, say, what would
the Prophet (P.B.U.H) do with you and say to you if he sees us in this
condition that you have taken us prisoners."
This strong sentence of Imam (A.S.)
made those present on the occasion weep and Yazeed was embarrassed and
bewildered and at once ordered the ropes to be let loose and open.
Then he started ill speaking and
vilification. So, at once the children of Imam Hussain (A.S.) and Imam
Sajjad (A.S.) resisted and withstood him and delivered speeches, which
dishonored and disgraced his lineage and family. It came to it, that
from inside his haram sarai (women's apartment) a noise of objection,
protest and crying raised. These shootings and voices of crying, and
protests each one was striking upon the head of Yazeed like, as if it
was a hammer. And that woke him up from the deep slumber and sleep of
drunkenness. He knew that if he detained the remaining of the family of
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) for another few moments a revolt will start and his
life will come to an end. He saw himself drowned in the ocean of the
protest, objections, fury and anger of the people. He looked this way
and that way to find a way out to get himself cleared off the crimes.
Suddenly, he shouted and said, "curse
of God be upon Ibn-e-Ziad. I was not in favor of killing Hussain (A.S.)
and taking his remaining family as prisoners. But then it was all over
and water had crossed the bridges and all the people knew that he
himself was the real criminal.
So he at once ordered the officials to
take the prisoners to a place which had been provided in advance for
them, so that he is not faced with any further shame and disgrace.
They stationed the family of the
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) in an unsuitable place. But they did not sit silent
and quiet even there and whenever they laid their hands upon any chance
they did inform the people about the crimes of Yazeed. So much so that
the three years old daughter of Imam Hussain (A.S.) named Rukkia took
part and played a role in this combat and campaign.
Imam (A.S.) in Syria's Mosque
One day, Yazeed arranged and organized
a grand aggregation and assembly in the mosque of Damascus (Syria) the
seat of his power and government, to cover and make good his defeats. He
ordered his ostentatious speakers to praise him and take liberty and
adopt presumptuous attitude towards the family of Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and
use foul and abusive language.
So that he may make the people optimist
as regards to his crime and manifest the children of the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) as if (God forbid) at fault, and to belittle them in the eyes
of he people.
Imam Sajjad (A.S.) was sitting in a
corner of the assembly and listening to the speech of the speaker of
Yazeed when he praised Yazeed and used abusive language about the family
and lineage of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Imam (AS.) shouted loudly at him
saying. "Woe to you oh dishonest agent! You have raised the anger and
enraged God and provided hell for yourself to please and make Yazeed
happy.
Then he turned his face towards Yazeed
and said, "Allow me to climb up these wooden (step of tribune) to speak
and make the Almighty God and people happy."
In the beginning Yazeed did not pay
heed to him but those present asked him to allow and give permission to
him. So he was obliged to give him permission but there was a huge
tempest going on in his heart as to what will finally happen?
Imam (A.S.) got himself seated up on
the tribune and after the praise of God and thank giving to God said,
"Oh people! God has bestowed upon us wisdom, knowledge, fortitude,
forbearance, bravery, faith and piety. Be informed that the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) of Islam, Ali (A.S.) and Jaffar-e-Tayyar are ours. Hamza, the
chief of martyrs, Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (A.S.) who were the
beloved ones of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) are from (among) us.
All of a sudden the people were shocked
and moved, the hearts started beating fast in the chests and they
focused their eyes upon Imam (A.S.). They were astonished and said to
themselves what a surprise they had told us that these are Kharijis (a
group of rebellions and mutinous who was ousted from the religion) who
have stood up against the government. That means they lied to us. These
are the best of the creations of God on the earth. The sentences (of
Imam [A.S.]), which followed, made the people more informed.
The Imam (A.S.) said, "I am the son of
Mecca and Mina, I am the son of Zam Zam and Safa (that meant all of
these were connected to them).
I am the son of the one who ascended to
the skies (Meraj), I am the son of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of God. I am
the son of Ali Murtaza (A.S.), I am the son of Fatimab (S.A.). I am the
son of Hussain (A.S.) who (they) killed in the Karbala without any fault
and sin."
All of a sudden, people burst into a
huge noise of crying and weeping. Yazeed saw himself besieged. He
yelled, "Oh Muezzin (caller to the prayer), call the Azzan (call to the
prayer). The voice of Allah-o-Akber was raised. Imam said, 'Nothing is
greater than God." The Muezzin said, "I witness to it that there is no
God except the God." Imam said, "My flesh, skin and bones do attest and
stand witness to it." The Muezzin said, "I give witness to it that
Mohammad (P.B.U.H) is the Prophet of God." Imam said, "Oh the caller for
prayers Muezzin, for the sake of the same Prophet (P.B.U.H.) whose name
you are calling stop for a while!!! Then he turned towards Yazeed and
said, "Oh Yazeed this Prophet (P.B.U.H.) whose name is being called, is
my grandfather or yours? If you say he was yours you have told a lie.
And if you say he was my grandfather then why did you kill his sons in
Karbala and take his children prisoners."
When Yazeed saw that he was unable to
reply, he at once stood up to offer his prayer, for deceiving the
people. Imam (A.S.) walked out of the mosque, along with a group of
Syrians, as a protest.
These words and sentences proved so
effective that Yazeed was obliged and forced to send the Ahl al-Bayt
(member of the Prophet [P.B.U.H.] family) respectfully and graciously to
Madina. Following these protests, hue and cry and turmoil, anger, and
hate of the people, the flags of revolution against yazeed and
government of Bani Ommayide were hoisted. It was clear that the pivot
and nucleus of the movement was the movement of Imam Sajjad (A.S.). A
turmoil and revolt against Yazeed took shape in Madina. He decided to
stop the movement by means of massacre and mass killings. But it was all
in vain. Therefore, he sent his forces to Madina under the command of a
dirty and wicked man named Muslim bin Aqba delegating him complete
powers. He, along with his soldiers, kept attacking the house of the
people for a period of three days. They plundered and looted the wealth
of the people, and killed approximately ten thousand of them. But it
either did not have any effect. Thereafter, Yazeed did not spend a
single day happily and every moment he was getting closer to his death.
Finally, the dark, and black file of
his life was closed in the year 64 Hijrah. He died and his son
Muawiyah-II succeeded him. But after forty days time he resigned his
post and abandoned the throne due to his father's crimes and disgrace of
his lineage and family.
Abdullah Ibn-e-Zubair who had been
lustful and greedy for power for many long years arose in Mecca and took
hold and control of the government. Marwan grasped the seat of power in
Syria. The war of power started and each one of the two got himself
prepared for the annihilation of the other. After a short period Marwan
died and his son Abdul Malik was enthroned in his father's place. After
gaining power, he besieged Mecca in the year 73 Hijrah and killed
Abdullah bin Zubair.
Abdul Malik was a man; base and miser
man and he did not have any human quality and mercy. So that one day he
told Mussabbab, "I dislike good deeds and works." One of his great
crimes was to empower "Hajjaj bin Yousuf in Kufa and Basra, who was
notorious for his mercilessness, cruelty, and brutality. He in a short
span of time martyred one hundred and twenty thousand friends of Imam
Ali (A.S.) and imprisoned a large segment of them. Abdul Malik was
extremely vigilant regarding Hazrat Sajjad (A.S.) and he was after an
excuse to arrest him (A.S.). As a result, he arrested him and brought
him to Syria (Damascus). But due to the revolt and turmoil of the
people, he was forced to send him back to Madina.
The Event of Imam (A.S.) and Hasham
After committing crimes for many long
years, Abdul Malik passed away and his son hasham was enthroned in his
father's place. One day, he traveled to Mecca in the Hajj season so as
to perform Hajj (as per his own version). That was to deceive the
simple-minded people. He wanted to perform circumambulation but he could
not do it, because there was such a big and huge gathering. So he was
forced to sit in a corner to wait for the huge crowd and gathering to
get thin. All of a sudden Imam Sajjad (A.S.) arrived to the Haram and
people recited benediction for him, and cleared the way for him. He,
after performing circumambulation moved towards the Hajar ul Aswad (the
black stone) to rub his hand on it. Hasham witnessed this scene and was
greatly annoyed and uncomfortable. He said with carelessness and
inattentively "who is this man"? "I do not know him?"
Farzdak who was a freedom-loving poet
at once turned his face towards Hasham and said, "Oh Hasham I am
surprised why you do not recognize him? If you do not know him, I know
him very well. Listen, so that I introduce him to you."
He is someone that the land of Mecca
and the House of the God know him. "He is the one whose grandfather is
the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of Islam. God keeps on bestowing his benediction
and blessings upon them continuously. He is the son of the best of the
servants of God. He is that famous and well known pious. When you say
you do not know him this thing does not harm him. If you do not know him
(so what) the Arab and Ajam (Non Arab World) knows him."
Hasham was very enraged and got highly
flared up by the words of Farzdak, and ordered him to be imprisoned. The
Imam (A.S.) sent him a gift in the prison and appreciated his
inconveniences. One day he got freed from the prison.
Hazrat Sajjad (A.S.) and the
Sahifa-e-Sajjadia
When the Imam got stuck in a tight
corner and was virtually besieged he was obliged to state his objects
and motive in the form of the prayers. These prayers have been compiled
in the shape of a book named "Sahifa-e-Sajjadia." This is an ocean of
topics and objects of science, mathematics, physics, astronomy, social
and political sciences and ethics. Obviously and apparently this is a
book of prayers.
But, in fact, this is the expression of
fact, pains, and difficulties. We present here a few sentences of it as
a specimen.
1. Oh God! I take asylum and refuge
with you from the revolt, and rebellious (attitude) refractoriness, of
the anger and jealousy and the scarcity of patience, and extravagance
and intemperance in life.
Oh God! Keep me alive till my life is
led in your service and obedience and when it becomes the pasture and
meadow of Satan, take me towards yourself and take my life."
2. Oh sons! Respect you father and
mother because if the father was not there you would not have come into
existence. Look at the mother that she looks after you with all of her
existence (energies). She is not afraid of it that she herself remains
hungry and feeds you. She herself remains cloth less (without dress) and
covers (dresses) you. She remains in the sun and places you in the
Shadow. You cannot thank her. This is God who has the power of thanking
her (giving her the reward).
3. Watch over and attend your child
because his good or bad (virtues) are related and connected to you and
you are responsible for his training and guidance.
4. Be kind to your brother and sister
because he/she is your hand (helper) and your power. Help him against
the enemy and be his well wisher.
5. Respect your teacher and be polite
in his assembly (session) and listen carefully to his words. Do not talk
loudly before him. If somebody questions him about something do not
reply before he does although you may know the answer to that
(question).
6. Respect your neighbor and help and
assist him. If you happen to observe a fault or sin of him do hide it
and when he slips (commits sin) admonish him.
7. Be just in your conduct and behavior
with friend and love him as he loves you.
If he makes up his mind to commit a sin
stop him from that and always be a blessing for him, not a torment for
him.
Imam's (A.S.) Martyrdom
At last after bearing grief's and
inconveniences the magnanimous and great Imam (A.S.) was poisoned and
martyred by Hasham Ibn-e-Abdul Malik on 25th of Moharram, 95th Hijrah
and was buried in the graveyard of Baqi, beside the grave of Imam Hassan
(A.S.) and today his gave is the site of visit for the lovers and
adorers of his path. |