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Birth of Imam Zayn al-Abidin
(A.S.)
The world brightened
when Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him, was born, for he would
split the fountain of knowledge and wisdom in the earth. He would also
show, through his behavior, wonderful examples of self-negation,
renouncing the world, and cleaving to Allah. The Prophet's family was
very happy to receive this blessed baby, of whom the Prophet, may Allah
bless him and his family, gave good news. All the companions who had
good relations with the members of the house (ahl al-Bayt) were happy to
hear of the birth of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin.
Misfortunes and pain accompanied him from his childhood. Among them was
that his pure mother died while he was still a baby in the cradle.
The
Rites of his Birth
Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him or his son
Ima`m Husayn, peace be on him hurried to perform the religious rites of
birth for the blessed baby; he said the aza`n in his right ear and the
iqama in his left year. With this he established in his heart a temple
beating with the feelings of piety and righteousness. They were active
tunes directing him to kindness and good deeds.
The first thing with which Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin was received was the
words Allahu Akbar (Allah is Great)! These words were printed in his
heart and senses, so they became some of his qualities. On the seventh
day of his birth, his father sacrificed a ram for him (in the ceremony
of a'qiqa ), cut his hair and gave silver or gold as equal to its weight
as alms to the poor and needy according to the holy Islamic Sunna.
The
Place of his Birth
The historians differed over the place where Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin was
born. The following are what they have mentioned:
(A) He was born in Ku`fa.(Shadharat al-Dhahab, vol. 1, p. 104).
(B) He was born in Medina.(Ibn al-Sabbagh, al-Fusul al-Muhimma, p. 187).
He was born in Ku`fa. This is because the narrators and the historians
mentioned that he was born two years before the death of his
grandfather, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him.(Akhbar al-Diwal,
p. 109).
It is certain that Ima`m al-Husayn and his family were in Ku`fa along
with Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him. None of
them lived in Medina throughout his succession (to authority).
The
Time of his Birth
He was born on the fifth day of Sha'ban in the year 38 A.H.(Ibn al-Sabbagh,
al-Fusul al-Muhimma, p. 212).
That was on Thursday.( Nur al-abbsar, p. 136).
His
Name
The historians and the narrators unanimously agreed that the greatest
Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, named his grandson 'Ali b.
al-Husayn and gave him the surname of Zayn al-'Abidin. That was ten
years before he was created, and that was among the wonderful signs of
his prophecy. The accounts have been frequently reported on his
authority. The following are some of them:
1.The great Companion Ja`bir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansa`ri reported: "While I
was sitting with Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, he
put al-Husayn on his lap and played with him, and then he, may Allah
bless him and his family, said: 'Ja`bir, a son will be born for him, and
the son will be called 'Ali. A caller will call out on the Day of
Judgment: 'Let Sayyid al-'Abidin (the Lord of worshippers) stand up.' So
his son will stand up. Then a son will be born for him, and the son will
be named Mohammed. When you meet him, recite my greetings to him.'"
Ja`bir proclaimed this tradition, and he also met Ima`m Mohammed al-Ba`qir,
peace be on him, and recited these greetings to him, and the latter was
delighted with them.
2. Al-Ha`fiz b. 'Asa`kir reported on the authority of Sufya`n b. 'Ayyina,
on the authority of b. al-Zubayr, who said: "While we were (sitting)
with Ja`bir, 'Ali b. al-Husayn came. Ja`bir said to him: 'When I was
(sitting) with Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, al-Husayn
came to him. He (the Prophet) embraced him (al-Husayn), kissed him, sat
him beside him, and said: 'A son will be born for this (i.e., al-Husayn),
and a caller will call out on the Day of Judgment: 'Let Sayyid al-'Abidin
(the Lord of worshippers) stand up, and he will stand up."(Tarikh
Dimashq, vol. 36, p. 142).
3. Sa'id b. al-Musayyab reported on the authority of b. 'Abba`s, on the
authority of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who
said: "A caller will call out on the Day of Judgment: 'Where is 'Ali b.
al-Husayn?' I will see my grandson 'Ali b. al-Husayn appear from among
the ranks."( Ilal al-Sharaiya', p. 87. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 46, p. 3).
These are some of the traditions which were narrated on the authority of
the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. They show that the
Prophet named his grandson 'Ali and gave him the nick name of Zayn al-'Abidin
(the adornment of the worshippers), and they also show that the Ima`m
has an important position with Allah, the Glorified.
His
Kunya
Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him, was given the Kunya of:
1. Abu` al-Husayn.
2. Abu` al-Hasan.
3. Abu` Mohammed.
4. Abu` 'Abd Allah.
His Nick Names
As for his nick names, they show his good inclinations, his excellent
qualities, his noble morals, his obedience and worship to Allah. The
following are some of them:
1. Zayn al-'Abidin
His grandfather Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family,
gave him this nick name, namely Zayn al-'Abidin or the Ornament of the
worshippers, as we have already mentioned. The Ima`m was given this nick
name because of he worshipped Allah abundantly.(Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol.
7, p. 306. Shadharat al-Dhahab, vol. 1, p. 104).
He his known and famous for this nick name, which has become his name.
No one before or after him has been given this nick name. Indeed he is
the ornament of the worshippers and pride of those who obey Allah, the
Glorified.
2. Sayyid al-'Abidin
Among his prominent nick names is Sayyid al-'Abidin or the Lord of the
worshippers, for he yield to Allah and obeyed Him, and no one worshipped
Allah as he did except his grandfather, the Commander of the faithful,
peace be on him.
3. Dhu` al-Thafana`t
He was given the nick name of Dhu` al-Thafana`t or the one with calluses
because something like the calluses of the camel appeared on the parts
on which he prostrated.(Subha al-A-Shi'a, vol. 1, p. 452. Bahr al-Ansab,
p. 25. Tuhaf al-Raghib, p. 13).
Ima`m Abu` Ja'far al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, said: "My father had
prominent marks on the places on which he prostrated, and he cut them
twice a year: (He) cut five calluses every time, so he was called Dhu`
al-Thafana`t (the one with calluses)."'(Illal al-Sharaiya', p. 88 4.
Wasa'il al-Shi'a, vol. vol. 4, p. 977. 'Illal al-Sharaiya' p. 88).
In another narration it is said that he collected his calluses in a bag
and asked his children to bury them with him.
4. Al-Sajja`d
Among his holy nick names for which he is famous is Al-Sajja`d. or the
one who constantly prostrated himself in prayer. He prostrated himself
in prayer to Allah and obeyed him more than the people did. Ima`m Abu`
Ja'far al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, talked about the constant prostration
of his father, saying: "When 'Ali b. al-Husayn mentioned Allah's favors
toward him, he prostrated himself in prayer. (When he) read a verse with
prostration of the Book of Allah, the Great and Almighty, he prostrated
himself in prayer.
When Allah drove away from him a misfortune which he was afraid of, he
prostrated himself in prayer. (When he) finished his obligatory prayers,
he prostrated himself in prayer. The marks of prostration were prominent
on the parts on which he prostrated, so he was called al-Sajja`d." Ibn
Hamma`d composed a poem about the constant prostration and worship of
the Ima`m. The following are some lines of the poem:
The monk of ahl al-Bayt was and is still given the nick name of al-Sajja`d
because of his worship.
He spent his days fasting, to turn to Allah in repentance, and he passed
his night with night prayer.
Therefore, who is strong enough to perform his knowledge and his
faithfulness, and who is strong enough to perform his piety and worship?
5. Al-Zaki
He was given the nick name of al-Zaki or the pure one because Allah
purified him, as He took away uncleanness from his grandfathers and
purified them completely.
6. Al-Amin
Among his holy nick names for which he is famous is al-Amin or the
trusted one.(Ibn al-Sabbagh, Al-Fusul al-Muhimma, p. 187. Bahr al-Ansab,
p. 52. Nur al-Abbsar, 137).
He was ideal for this noble quality, so he, peace be on him, said: "If
the killer of my father deposited with me the sword with which he killed
him, I would give it to him."
7. Ibn al-Khiyaratayn
Another of his holy nick names for which he is famous is Ibn al-Khiyaratayn
or the son of the best two. He was proud of this nick name and said: "I
am the son of the best two." He referred to the words of his
grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who
said: "Allah, the Glorified, has the best two from among His servants,
so His best one from among the Arabs is Ha`shim and from among non-Arabs
is the Persians."(Al-Mubarrad, al-Kamil, vol. 1, p. 222. Ibn Khullakan,
Wafayat al-A'yan, vol. 2, p. 429).
The
Death of his Mother
The first misfortune which befell the Ima`m occurred in the early stages
of his childhood with the death of his mother, who suffered from
childbed fever.
Ima`m al-Husayn, peace be on him, did his best to save her from this
dangerous illness but he was unable to do that. The illness destroyed
her completely where she lost her vitality and became a lifeless body.
She looked with pain and sorrow at her thin son, who was deprived of her
affection and love.
The fever attacked her intensely, and she suffered from severe pain for
numerous days till her soul ascended to heaven, so it was the most
sublime soul that went to heaven.(Al-Mas'udi, Ithabat al-Wasiya, p.
143).
When she died, one of the plain pages of virtue and chastity and modesty
ended. It was a sad day for the Prophet's family when this great lady
died, for she represented honor and virtue. Ima`m Husayn, the prominent
Muslim figures, and a large number of Muslims escorted her to her final
resting house.
They buried her holy body in Ku`fa. Ima`m al-Husayn felt pain for the
death of this lady, who lived among them for days like the days of
flowers, namely she did not live for a long time.
Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him, suffered the death of his mother
while he was in the early stage of his childhood. This was the beginning
of the adversities and misfortunes which poured on no one else except
him.
His
Nursemaid
Ima`m al-Husayn, peace be on him, asked a pure lady from his slave-wives
to look after his son Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin. This righteous woman took
great care of him; she treated him as the affectionate mother treated
her own son.
Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him grew in an atmosphere of intense
secrecy. No one told him about the death of his mother till he became a
grown-up lest he should be upset and worried.1
His
Physical Qualities
The historians have mentioned the Ima`m's physical features and
qualities as follows: "'Ali b. al-Husayn was brown, short, thin, and
gentle."(Nur al-Abbsar, p. 36. Akhbar al-Diwal, p. 109. Al-Sirat al-Sawi
fi Manaqib al-Nabi, p. 192).
When he became old, he became thin and weak. This is because he
worshipped Allah constantly. Moreover, the tragedy of Karbala`' drowned
him in sorrow and pain, for its terrors accompanied him till he met the
Highest Comrade (i.e. Allah).
His
Solemnity
The Ima`m's face shined with the light of the prophets. Hence the faces
and foreheads yielded to his solemnity. Al-Farazdaq, the greatest Arab
poet, described his solemnity in his wonderful ode, saying:
When he comes to touch the corner of the wall of the
Kaaba, it almost grasps the palm of his hand.
He takes care to be modest and he is protected from his
terror.
He only speaks when he smiles.
Al-Shaykha`ni al-Qa`diri said: "The beholders were fixed in gaze at the
handsomeness of his face."(Al-Sirat al-Sawi fi Manaqib Al al-Nabi, p.
192).
His solemnity was similar to that of his grandfather, the greatest
Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. Muslim b. 'Aqaba( who was
criminal, blood-thirsty, violated all Islamic values and manners(
admired his solemnity. When he saw the Ima`m, he shook with fear. Hence
he received him warmly, treated him kindly, honored him, and said to
those around him: "Indeed 'Ali Zayn al-'Abidin has the qualities of the
prophets."
The
Inscription of his Ring
As for the inscription of his ring, it showed that the Ima`m depended on
Allah in all his affairs. The inscription of his ring read: "My success
is not but by Allah. (Ibn al-Sabbagh, al-Fusul al-Muhimma, p. 187.
Akhbar al-Diwal, p. k109. Al-Sirat al-Sawi fi Manaqib Al al-Nibi, p.
192). |