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An introduction to sixth
infallible Imam Zain ul Abidin (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 Ummer, "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. |