Story No. 350 – Imam Baqir (pbuh) and knowledge

A man one day said to 5th Imam, Imam Baqir (pbuh) “Was the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) heir to all the knowledge of the Prophets?” Imam Baqir (pbuh) replied, “Yes” then he was asked whether he had inherited it. Imam Baqir (pbuh) said he had. He was then asked if he could raise the dead to life, restore sight to the blind, and cleanse the leper. Imam Baqir (pbuh) said yes, by valour of Allah (SWT), the most high. He therefore put his hand on the blind eyes of a man sitting next to him and prayed. The next moment the blind man’s eyesight was restored.

 

By unlawful means:

 

During the period when our 5th Imam, Imam Baqir (pbuh) was in the captivity of Umayyad caliph, he used to eat very little food. Once, a righteous lady who was the follower of the Ahlul Bayt prepared two loaves of bread by lawful (Halal) means and sent it to Imam Baqir (pbuh) so that he could eat them. The jail warden said to Imam Baqir (pbuh):

 

“A certain pious lady, who happens to be your follower, has sent these loaves as a present for you and has sworn that it has been made out of lawful means and has requested you to eat them.”

 

Imam Baqir (pbuh) refused to accept the loaves and asked for them to be returned to the lady. “Tell her: We know that your food is lawful; however, since you have made it reach us by unlawful means, it does not befit us to eat it,” he said.

 

 

Imam Baqir (pbuh) said:

 

Imam Baqir (Splitter of knowledge)”Our followers are of three kinds, one who follows us but depends on others, one who is like a glass involved in his own reflections, but the best are those who are like gold, the more they suffer the more they shine.”

Imam Mohummad Ibn Ali (pbuh) says that Imam Ali (pbuh) once said: “There were two things in this world which softened the Wrath of Allah (SWT) and prevented its descent upon man: One has been taken away from you; hold the other steadfast. The one which has been taken away from men is the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) and the one which is still left with them and which they must hold steadfast is repentance and atonement for sins because Allah (SWT) at one place in the Holy Book, Noble Qur’an addressed the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) and said Allah (SWT) would not punish them while you were among them nor while they were asking for forgiveness.” (Surah Anfal, 8:33)

Note: 5th Imam, Imam Mohummad Ibn Ali (pbuh) received the title of Baqir (Splitter of knowledge) due to his ample knowledge of Deen and his enthusiasm to teach to other people.

Story No. 349 – Imam Baqir (pbuh) and introduction of new Islamic coins

During the First Century Hijrah, the paper industry was controlled by the Romans. The Egyptians learned how to make paper from the Romans and they produced it exactly as the Romans did by marking the currency notes with symbols of Christianity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Abdul Malik Marwan noticed these symbols and was enraged, that Egypt, being a Muslim country used these markings. He at once wrote to his delegates in Egypt instructing them to use the slogan of monotheism in all their correspondence. Papers with the monotheism mark upon it were circulated and reached the cities of Rome. Caesar, the King of Rome, wrote letters to Abdul Malik warning and threatening him that if he did not evade that mark he would issue orders to produce coins with abusive language about the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw).

This worried Abdul Malik and he immediately called a meeting and consulted with his advisors, but to no result. One of those present suggested that they seek the assistance of Imam Baqir (pbuh). Abdul Malik agreed ordered that Imam Baqir (pbuh) be brought honorably and respectfully from Madina to Syria.

When Imam Baqir (pbuh) reached Syria they reported the matter to him. Imam Baqir (pbuh) said, “Caesar has frightened you, but he will actually not do it. The solution to this is that you place orders to produce a coin with the chapter of Tawheed on one face and name of the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) on the other. In this way we will not need the Roman coins any longer.” Then he gave the explanation about the weight and size of the coin. Then he said, “Engrave the name of the city where the coin is made and the year of its production upon it.”

Abdul Malik agreed that this was an excellent idea and followed the orders of Imam Baqir (pbuh) and sent notices to all the Islamic cities to inform them that all business affairs should take place with the new coins, and that the Roman coins were invalid. Whosoever possessed them could exchange them for new Islamic coins. Then he informed a delegate of Caesar about what had been done and sent him back. Caesar was informed about new Islamic coins. His courtiers demanded that he act as per his threat. But he replied, “That is now a futile thing to do because, the Roman coins are not used in the Islamic cities anymore.”

Our 5th Imam, Imam Baqir (pbuh) thus put a constraint upon the influence of imperialism and the destructive plans of the imperialists of that time.

Moral: We should learn what our Imams (as) have taught us. They always know what to do.

 

Imam Baqir (pbuh) and Fruits of Heaven Once a Christian asked our 5th Imam, Imam Baqir (pbuh), how it could possibly be true what the Imam Baqir (pbuh) had said about the fruits of Heaven not reducing when they were eaten?

 

Imam Baqir (pbuh) told him not only was it true but he could give him an example of something being used and not reducing, which was present in this world.

 

Imam Baqir (pbuh) then continued that when a candle is used to light other candles, even as many as a hundred thousand other candles, the light of the original candle will not get any less.

 

Moral: Just because you do not understand something in Islam does not mean it is wrong. Allah (SWT) gave us Islam and our knowledge can not compare with His.

Story No. 348 – Salaam from great great grandfather Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw)

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) narrates from his father, Imam Baqir (pbuh):

 

One day, I came to Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) and greeted him. He replied my salutations and because he was blind, he asked me to tell him who I was. I introduced myself: “I am Mohummad, son of Ali, son of Hussain.”

 

Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) said: “O! The son of the best human being, come closer!” I went closer. He hugged me and kissed my hands and tried to kiss my feet. I pulled myself away and prevented him from doing so. He then continued: “The messenger of Allah (SWT), Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw), had told me to convey his greetings (Salaam) to you.”

 

Salaam from great great grandfather Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw)I replied: “Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (SWT).” I then asked: “Jabir, what is the story behind this?”

 

Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) said: “Once when I was in the presence of Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw), he said to me, ‘O! Jabir, perhaps you will live long enough until you meet a man from my children, whose name is Mohummad, son of Ali, son of Hussain (great great grandson), to whom Allah (SWT) has granted light and wisdom. So, give my greetings to him.'”

 

Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) was a great companion (Sahabah) of Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw). He was amongst the companions of Badr. He was a participant in many of the battles of Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) and Imam Ali (pbuh). Jabir had always been a follower of Prophethood and Imamat. He never neglected the love and affection towards Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) and Ahlul Bayt. The continuous efforts of him in introducing Imam Ali (pbuh) and his respected children to the public were many. Furthermore, he was the first pilgrim of the shrine of Imam Hussain (pbuh) in Karbala. He became blind near the ends of his life and passed away at the age of 90 (in year 78 AH). It is narrated that he used to sit in the mosque of Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) and say: “O! Baqir, O! Splitter of knowledge.” The people of Medina thought he had gone mad. Jabir used to say: “By Allah (SWT)! I am not saying nonsense. I personally heard the Prophet saying: ‘O! Jabir, perhaps you will live long enough until you meet a man from my children, whose name and appearance is similar to mine. He will split the knowledge perfectly. So whenever you see him, send my greetings to him.’ So it is the Prophet’s saying, that has given me the impulse to say such words.

 

Moral: If you are given something to look after or pass to someone else (no matter how small) then look after it well as you are accountable for it.

 

Complete Contentment with Allah (SWT):

 

Once, when Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) had arrived in the presence of Imam Baqir (pbuh), Imam Baqir (pbuh) inquired after his health, whereupon he said: “I find myself in a state such that I give preference to old age over youth, to sickness over soundness of health and to death over life!”

 

Imam Baqir (pbuh) responded by saying: “(On the contrary) if Allah (SWT) makes me old, I prefer old age; if He desires to give me youth, I prefer youth; if He afflicts me with sickness, I desire sickness, and if He desires to favour me with sound health, I prefer soundness of health. If Allah (SWT) wishes to give me death, I prefer death and if He wills to keep me alive, I desire to live.”

 

As soon as Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (ra) heard Imam Baqir’s (pbuh) speech he kissed Imam’s face and said: “The Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) had spoken the truth.” He (saw) had said: “O’ Jabir! You shall continue to live till you meet one of my children whose name shall be Baqir. He shall split open knowledge just as a cow splits open the earth.”

Story No. 347 – Imam Baqir (pbuh): Earning livelihood is a worship

The town of Medina was burning under the exhalation of the heat of the sun of Hejaz (Hijaz) and was thawing like the benumbed sleepers under the fire of the sky.

 

The branches of the palms were not oscillating under any breeze and the trees were as weary men sleep-strucken while standing. The camels were sheltering themselves under some shade of the palm branches, exceeding the wall of gardens and were ruminating silently and motionlessly. In the town every being was crawling under a shade and nobody was seen in the palm gardens of the round about, except a rather nice man having a slightly corpulent body which was leaning on the shoulders of a young man, (perhaps his son), who was visiting his farm. He was perspiring from the heat.

 

His eyes, which were half-closed because of the violent shining of the sun, were so attractive that they recalled the looking of the most beautiful gazelle. His nice feature was adorned with a pretty beard and mustache. But this handsome face was turning to purple under the sun and the drops of perspiration were pouring from his cheeks, like the drops of dew from a wild tulip. They were running from his face and dropping into his chest.

 

At this moment another man was seen on the plain, which was advancing towards this point. His name was Mohummad Ibn Monkader. He was supposing himself to be a pious and anchorite, a hermit man far from Mormonism. He had a bowed down stature and a weary face. When he reached the corpulent body man who was perspiring under the glow of the sun, busy to supervise his farm, he wondered and said to himself: “See how the greed of the mammon blinds the eyes of wisdom. This man is melting like a candle under the sun. And he is not ready to stop to hurt himself for his avidity. It is better to go to him and to advise him. Perhaps he will be guided.”

 

When he came near, he knew the man and said: “Oh it’s strange. This man is Mohummad Ibn Ali, Imam Baqir, and the leader of the Shia faith. Why this man is trying for worldly wealth?”

 

He goes then nearer, stood and greeted the Imam Baqir (pbuh). Imam Baqir (pbuh), was busy with his work and was perspiring and panting. Imam Baqir (pbuh) replied to his greeting. The man halted a while and said: “Is it worthy for a great and pious man like you to come out of home in this hour of the day, to seek worldly wealth? And with this rather corpulent body you have to bear, of course, more pain.”

 

“If in this moment, (God forbids), your death comes, in what situation are you going to meet Alah (SWT)? No, it is not worthy for you, with this heat and this natural disposition, to be so concerned with mammon.”

 

Imam Baqir (pbuh) cleaned the perspiration off his forehead with the back of his hand, stopped the work and looked at him.

 

“If my death in this very moment”, said Imam Baqir (pbuh), “I will meet Allah (SWT) in a state of worship.” You think that the worship is only to pray and to do religious ceremonies? I am living in the world and I have to earn my livelihood. If I do not work I will need the help of some men like you and I have to stretch my hands for begging. I should fear the coming of my death when I am sinning and disobeying my Allah (SWT). At this moment, when I am, working under the order of Allah (SWT), I am trying not to be a weight on the shoulders of my fellow beings.

 

Mohummad Ibn Monkader, struck with shame, said nothing and continued his way, while he was humming with himself: “Wonderful. I was thinking that I can advise him, but this was myself to earn an advice.”

 

Moral: You should always try hard to do something by yourself and only when you have tried and can not do it you should ask for help.

 

 

Earning livelihood is a Worship:

 

Earning livelihood is a WorshipWhen Sa’d Ansari responded to the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) that his hands were calloused because he used to work with a rope and a shovel to earn money to spend for his wife and children, the Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) kissed his hand (as an honor) and said: “This is a hand which the Fire (of Hell) will never touch.”

The Holy Prophet Mohummad (saw) said: “There are seventy branches of worship, the best of which is earning a living lawfully.”

Imam Ali (pbuh) said: “Never, never will prosperity be reached by remaining idle and lazy.”

Imam Ali (pbuh) said: “One who is always lazy his hope will be scattered (here and there).”

Imam Baqir (pbuh) said: “Avoid laziness and discontent. These two are the keys to every vice.”

Imam Baqir (pbuh) said: “Refrain (be away) from Laziness and impatience for both of them are surely are the keys of every evil.”

Imam Baqir (pbuh) said: “Laziness harms both religion as well as this world.”

Imam Baqir (pbuh) said: “I hate the person who is jobless and who merely lies on his back and says, O Allah! Give me sustenance! He asks Allah to do him a favor while the small Ant comes out of its Ant colony to seek its livelihood!”

Story No. 346 – Sixth Infallible Sayings:

  • Who honors himself dishonors worldly things.
  • The company of the righteous invites you to goodness.
  • Beware of keeping company with the sinful and helping the unjust.
  • The right of your child is that you know that he has come from you to this world and his right and wrong are attributed to you. You are responsible for teaching and training him, guiding him to his Lord, Almighty and Glorious, and assisting him to obey Him. Therefore, be sure that if you do a favor to your child, you will obtain it and if you act viciously against him, it will come back to you, too.
  • There are no drops which are dearer to Allah than two kinds of drops: Drops of blood shed in Allah’s cause (Jehad) and the tears dropped in the darkness of night for which a servant does not want any thing except pleasure of Allah.
  • Do not make anyone your enemy even though you consider him harmless and do not turn down a person’s friendship even if you think he will not benefit you.
  • Beware of keeping company with a liar for he is like a mirage (deceptive). He shows you the near one as distant and the distant thing as nearby.
  • Abstain from lies both small and big and in all conditions whether joking or serious.
  • A person said to Imam Sajjad (A.S.)” Oh Son of the Prophet (saw) how did you start your morning?” He replied, “I commenced the morning with eight things being demanded of me. Allah demands the obligatory, Prophet (saw) demands (his) sunnah, the family asks for sustenance, the soul demands lust (desires), satan demands (me to commit) sin, the protectors (two angels who write down both good and bad deeds of man while they also protect and defend him against mishaps) demand the sincerity of practice, the angel of death demands the soul and the grave demands (my) body. I am stationed among such affairs being demanded of me.”
  • Sins which terminate the blessings are: oppression against people, abandoning piety, not commanding good deeds, ingratitude for blessings and favors, and not giving thanks.
  • The right of your mother is that you know she has carried you (in her womb) in a manner that nobody has carried the other. And fed you from the fruit of her heart in a way that nobody has fed the other. She protected you happily with her ears, eyes, hands, feet, hair, skin and all of her body parts while bearing all the pains, agonies, discomforts and burdens till the time Allah’s hand detached you from her to the earth. Then she was contented that she remained hungry and fed you and dressed you up remaining nude herself and quenched your thirst while she was thirsty, she put you in the shade while she herself remained under the sun and brought you up with the extreme comforts while herself (remaining) in hardship. She makes you enjoy the sweet sleep while she is awake. Her womb was a soothing and comforting place for you. Her breasts were a means of quenching your thirst. And her existence was a shield for protecting you. She endured the hot and cold of the world for your sake.
    There fore, you must also thank her in the same manner and you do not have the capability and power of doing it but with the assistance of Allah and His grace.
  • A Mujahid who is martyred for Allah’s cause does not deserve as much reward as a person who chooses not to sin despite having the power to do so. Such a person may even become one of the chaste angels.

Story No. 345 – Imam Zainul Abiddin’s (as) behavior with his worst enemy

Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, 5th Umayyad Caliph died in 86 Hijri, after 21 years of tyranny. His son Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik succeeded him. He decided to bring about some justice to please the public. He tried hard to please the people of Medina, in particular, as it was one of the two sacred Muslim cities where some descendants of the Prophet Mohammed’s (pbuh) companions, and some famous narrators lived. That is why he fired Hisham bin Ismail, the father-in-law of Abdul Malik, who was the cruel and unjust governor of Medina. Hisham bin Ismail had reached the extreme cruelty and offense to the people of Medina. Saeed bin Museeb, who was a respectable and famous narrator was beaten sixty lashes, was made to wear a coarse robe, while sitting on a Camel and being walked through the streets of Medina, because he had refused to give allegiance. He had committed numerous offenses towards the family of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), especially Imam Zainul Abiddin (as).

 

Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik fired Hisham bin Ismail and instead hired Umar bin Abdul Aziz, his young cousin who was popular for his sincerity and his justice. Umar bin Abdul Aziz ordered that Hisham bin Ismail be brought in front of Marwan’s house and whoever has any complaint against him, get his right. People would come, in groups, and offered him curses, and harsh words. Hisham bin Ismail was afraid of Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) revenge. He thought to himself that Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) will bring him nothing less than death due to the cruelty done to his family.

 

Imam Zainul Abiddin’s (as) behavior with his worst enemyBut the Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) had told his followers: “Our character isn’t one of kicking the fallen ones. Neither do we avenge the enemy when he has fallen and weak. Our character is that of assisting the poor and the needy.” As the Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) and his followers approached him, Hisham bin Ismail turned pale and expected a cold blooded murder at any moment. But just apposite to his expectation, Imam Zainul Abiddin (as), in his usual manner of a Muslim must aid a Muslim, called on him:

 

“Salaamun Alaikum.” After greeting him, Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) offered: “If there is anything I could do for you, I am ready to do.” The people of Medina, also, stopped punishing Hisham bin Ismail after that moment.

Story No. 343 – Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) and the Criteria for Choosing a Friend

Have you ever experienced the situation in which the difficulties of life become so intense that you wish to open your heart to someone? Have you ever had a close friend warmed the cockles of your heart and was a good audience to your words? Or have you ever had a friend who made you desperate, hopeless, and distressed? Have you ever thought how to choose a decent friend and what are the criteria for choosing such a friend?

The importance of having a friend in life in so great that according to scholars and intellectuals, every person could be identified through his/her friends. Moreover, a true and good friend can be a good supporter and assistant in all stages of life, and guide us towards a proper destination. In contrast, an inappropriate friend, who is not chosen based on suitable criteria, could prevent one from progress or even cause us to decline.

Therefore, the decision as to whom we choose as a friend and whom we avoid is of great importance. Numerous discussions have been presented in this respect and the importance of choosing a good friend. The Infallible Imams (as) have paid special attention towards this issue also. In this regards, a beautiful statement has been quoted from the beauty of the worshippers, our 4th Imam, Imam Zainul Abiddin (as), which clarifies a portion of the criteria for choosing a friend.

It is narrated in the book of Usul al-Kafi that Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) said to his honorable son, Imam Baqir (as):

Do not become the companion, interlocutor, or friend of five people. I said, “O Father! Who are they?” Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) replied,

  • Avoid the companionship of a liar, because he is like a mirage, which deceives you by showing the far, close to you and taking the close far from you.
  • Avoid the companionship of a transgressor, because he would betray you for a morsel or even less than that.
  • Avoid the companionship of a stingy person, because he would deprive you of his wealth when you are in extreme need of him.
  • Avoid the companionship of a stupid person, because he would harm you (of his stupidity) even though he wants to benefit you.
  • Avoid the companionship of a person who has cut off his ties of kinship, because I have found him distant from the mercy of Allah (SWT) in three places in the Noble Qur’an.

Allah (SWT) has said: “But if you held command, you were sure to make mischief in the land and cut off the ties of kinship! Those it is whom Allah has cursed so He has made them deaf and blinded their eyes.” (47:22-23)

He has also said: “And those who break the covenant of Allah after its confirmation and cut asunder that which Allah has ordered to be joined and make mischief in the land; (as for) those, upon them shall be curse and they shall have the evil (issue) of the abode.” (13:25)

He continued and said: “Who break the covenant of Allah after its confirmation and cut asunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, and make mischief in the land; these it is that are the losers.” (2:27) (Selection taken from,” Forty Hadiths, Vol. 3, by Sayyid Hashim Rasouli Mahallati)

Story No. 342 – Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) and Noble Qur’an

Zayd was one of the sons of Imam Zainul Abiddin (as). This is the same son who became a great martyr in the cause of Islam. It is narrated that: One of the habits of Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) was that after performing Fajr (morning) prayer till sunrise, he (as) never talked to anyone. One day, after Fajr, Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) was given the good news about the birth of a son in his house.

Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) asked his companions, “What should I name him?” Everyone suggested some names. Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) then turned towards his servant and asked him to bring the Noble Qur’an. He (as) opened the Noble Qur’an and the first verse, which he (as) saw was:

“And Allah has graced those who strive (in His cause) over those who sit back with a great reward.” (4:95)

Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) then closed the Noble Qur’an and opened it again. This time he (as) saw the following verse:

“Indeed Allah has bought from the faithful their souls and their possessions for Paradise to be theirs: They fight in the way of Allah, they slay and they are slain. A promise binding upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his promise than Allah? So rejoice in the bargain you have made with Him, and that is the great success.” (9:111)

After seeing these two verses, Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) said, “By Allah (SWT)! This is Zayd.” Zayd means ‘Great Achiever’ and Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) derived this name from the meanings of the aforementioned two verses. (Bihar al-Anwar)

Story No. 341 – Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) and Gheebat (Backbiting)/Gheebah (Gossip)

Once a man who claimed to be a friend of our 4th Imam, Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) came to him and told him that so and so had been saying horrible things about him.

Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) replied that he had not heard anything and would not have if the man had not told him. Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) then continued that the person who had said the horrible things was as if he had shot an arrow and missed the target but the man who had told him was as if he had picked up the fallen arrow and hit the target with it.

Allah (SWT) does not like the habit of spreading scandal and gossip even if it be true.

In the time of Prophet Musa / Moses (pbuh), once there was a severe drought. For months there had been no rain. The people prayed and prayed but no rain came. When Prophet Musa / Moses (pbuh) went to mount Sinai to pray, Allah (SWT) revealed to him that amongst his people there was someone who spreading scandal and because of this person Allah (SWT) had not let it rain.

Prophet Musa / Moses (pbuh) asked Allah (SWT) who this person was so that he could tell him off for what he had done. Allah (SWT) replied that did Prophet Musa / Moses (pbuh) want Him to do what He had forbidden for others. (i.e. talk about others).

Moral: Do not talk about other people Gheebat (Backbiting) when they are not there even if what you say is true.

Story No. 340 – Imam Zainul Abiddin (as): Moral Conduct and Behavior)

Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) was present in Karbala along with his father Imam Hussain (as), but did not fight as he was very sick. After the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as), he was put in shackles, but he carried his father’s message beyond Karbala. He lived for 40 years after Karbala and publicized the event of Karbala.

Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) was such a great worshipper that people called him “ABID” and “SAJID.” He (as) used to fast daily and worship the whole night. He (as) used to stand so long in prayers that his feet used to swell up. While praying he used to cry so much that his eyes used to turn red. His supplications are so many that their collections are present in a book titled “Sahifa-E-Kamilah (The Psalms of Islam).” Along with love for ALLAH (SWT), he also loved his fellow beings. He (as) provided all the basic necessities to many needy families. He (as) used to carry food for the poor at night and provide them with their needs.

Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) in Madina through his silent teachings left many pupils; the most prominent of them was Abu Hamza-e-Thumali, who remained to spread the teachings of Ahlul Bayt in the Islamic world. Abu Mikhnuf was also one famous pupil of Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) who later on the instructions of the fifth Imam, Imam Baqir (as) wrote the story of Karbala in the narrative form which became the part of the Majlis all over the world.

The calm and peaceful life of Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) was not to be tolerated by the Umayyad cruel regime. They realized that Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) was succeeding in his mission of spreading the message of his father Imam Hussain (as). The Syrian monarch Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik had him poisoned. Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) died in Madina on the 25th of Muharram 95 Hijri. His eldest son Imam Baqir (as) arranged the burial and laid him to rest in the grave yard of Jannatul Baqi beside his uncle Imam Hasan (as).

Now let us take a look at the following few incidence from the life of our 4th Imam, Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) to understand his Moral Conduct and Behavior:

Imam Zainul Abiddin’s (as) reaction to Mistreatment or Insult:

One day our 4th Imam, Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) was sitting in the company of his followers when a man, who was related to him, approached and began insulting Imam Zainul Abiddin (as). This man’s name was al-Hassan Ibn al-Muthanna. Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) ignored the man and when he had left said to his companions:

“You heard what that man said to me, I would like you to come with me to hear my reply to him.”

The companions of Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) then said:

“We will come with you, although we wanted you or us to say something (an equal response) to him.”

Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) proceeded to the man’s home reciting:

“And those who when they commit an indecency or do injustice to their souls remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their faults; and who forgives the faults but Allah, and (who) do not knowingly persist in what they have done.” Noble Qur’an (3:135)

His companions hearing this concluded that Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) would say only kind words to the man. Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) reached al-Hassan Ibn al-Muthanna’s house and said:

“Tell him this is Zainul Abideen.” The man heard this and came out prepared for an encounter. He was sure that Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) came only to revenge his actions. When al-Hassan al-Muthanna appeared. Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) said:

“My Brother! You have come to me and have said something’s. If you have said that which truly lies in me, I seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT); and if you have accused me of that which I am innocent, I ask Allah (SWT) to forgive you!”

When the man heard the words of Imam Zainul Abiddin (as) he kissed his forehead and said:

“Indeed I accused you of that which you are innocent of. These words describe me.”

Moral: Never get angry at someone when they are angry – It takes two people to start a fight. No matter how other people act you should always have perfect moral (Akhlaq).

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