Imam Ali Bin Husayn
Imam Ali bin Husayn(as)
was born in Medina on the 5th of Shaban 38 AH (some
historians said that he was born on 15th Jamadi-ul-Awaal). He is the
fourth Imam in the line of Imamate.
His father is Imam
Husayn bin Ali(as) and his mother is Bibi Shabanu, daughter of the
Persian King, King Yazdegerd II. Imam Ali bin Husayn(as) better known as
Imam Zainal Abidin (the best of worshippers) lived with his grandfather,
the Commander of the faithfuls, Imam Ali bin Abi Talib(as) for two years
and his uncle, Imam Hasan Bin Ali(as) for twelve years. He was left
without a father's love when his father, Imam Husayn Bin Ali was
martyred on 10th Muharram in Karbala, Iraq.
A man once asked the
Imam why he had never seen him smile or laugh. The Imam replied that
whenever he wants to eat or drink, he thought of his family especially
his father, who was slained mercilessly and was deprived of water for
three days. Imam Zaynal Abidin was seriously ill at that time and he was
the only male captive along with his aunts.
The holy Imam shunned
political life after the Karbala massacre and spent his days in worship.
The Imam had a handful of faithful followers such as Abu Hamza Thamali
and Abu Khalid Khabuli. Abu Mu'ammar reported on the authority of Abd
al-Aziz Abu Hazim who said: I heard my father say: "I have never seen a
Hashimi more meritorious (afdal) than Ali b. al-Husayn."
Imam Zaynal Abidin
was always seen in a prostrating position (sajdah), due to which He was
given the name of Al-Sajjad. He was responsible for establishing the
Sahiffa Sajjadiyah, the book of supplications and together with his
aunt, Bibi Zaynab binti Ali, they narrate the tragedy of Karbala, of
what had happened to the family of the Holy Prophet.
The Imam finally
achieved the status of martyrdom when he was poisoned in the year 95
A.H. (713/4). At that time he was fifty-seven years old.. His Imamate
was for thirty-four years. He was buried in Jannatull-Baqi with his
uncle, Imam Hasan bin Ali. |