Author: Danial Jaffri

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)

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.

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).

Sa’eed ibn Jubair was one of the steadfast and loyal companions of Imam Ali bin Hussain (as). Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf was a bloodthirsty tyrant who had ruled over Kufa, Iraq and Iran for almost twenty years after being appointed by the Bani Umayyah and Bani Marwaan. He had killed nearly one hundred and twenty thousand people during his reign, and amongst the friends and descendants of Imam Ali (as) murdered by him, were individuals like Kumayl ibn Ziyad, Qambar, the slave of Imam Ali (as) and Sa’eed ibn Jubair.

Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf ordered Sa’eed ibn Jubair to be arrested when he became aware of Sa’eed ibn Jubair’s belief and inclination towards Imam Ali (as).

Initially, Sa’eed ibn Jubair fled to Isfahan, but when Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf came to know of this, he wrote to the governor of Isfahan, seeking his arrest. The governor possessed a high regard for Sa’eed ibn Jubair and therefore advised him to leave Isfahan for a safer resort.

Acting upon this advice, Sa’eed ibn Jubair set out towards Qum and then proceeded to Azerbaijan and then to Iraq where he sought to enter the army of Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad, who had initiated a rebellion against Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf.

Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad was defeated and Sa’eed ibn Jubair fled to Makkah where he lived in hiding.

During that period, Makkah was under the rule of Khalid ibn Abdullah Qasri, a ruthless individual, who had been placed there by the Umayyad Caliph, Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik. Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik wrote to him and gave him the order to arrest the well-known Iraqi personalities who were hiding in Makkah, and to send them to Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf.

Thus, he arrested Sa’eed ibn Jubair and had him dispatched to Kufa, Iraq. At that time, Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf was in Waasit, a city near Baghdad, where Sa’eed ibn Jubair was eventually brought.

Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf questioned Sa’eed ibn Jubair about himself, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), Imam Ali (as), Hazrat Abu Bakr, Umar ibn Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan and many others and then asked him: “How should I put you to death?”

“Whatever manner you may adopt to kill me, you are bound to be chastised accordingly, on the Day of Judgment,” replied Sa’eed ibn Jubair.

Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf said: “I would like to forgive you.”

“If the forgiveness is from Allah (SWT), then I seek it, but if it is from you, then I do not desire it,” responded Sa’eed ibn Jubair.

Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf ordered the executioner to sever Sa’eed ibn Jubair’s head before him. Despite his hands being tied behind his back, Sa’eed ibn Jubair recited the following verse of the Noble Qur’an: Surely I have turned myself, being upright, wholly to Him Who originated the heavens and the earth, and I am not of the polytheists. Noble Qur’an (6:79)

Hearing this, Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf ordered his face to be turned away from the Qiblah (it is the direction that Muslims face when they do their Salaah. It is in the direction of Holy Kaaba in Makkah), whereupon he recited the following verse: And Allah’s is the East and the West, therefore, whither you turn, thither is Allah’s purpose; surely Allah is Ample giving, Knowing. Noble Qur’an (2:115)

When Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf heard this, he ordered his men to place Sa’eed ibn Jubair’s face down, upon the ground. When this was done, Sa’eed ibn Jubair recited the following verse: From it We created you and into it We shall send you back and from it will We raise you a second time. Noble Qur’an (20:55)

Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf shouted, “Don’t waste any more time! Kill him!”

Sa’eed ibn Jubair testified to the Unity of God (Tawheed) and the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and prayed: O’ Allah! Do not grant Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf respite after me in order that he does not kill anyone else. As he uttered these words, the executioner severed his head.

After the martyrdom of this epitome of perfect faith, Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf suffered a derangement of his senses and did not live for more than fifteen nights. Before his death, he would occasionally lose consciousness, but regaining it, he would repeatedly mutter: “Why did I ever get involved with Sa’eed ibn Jubair?”

After the martyrdom of his father Imam Hussain (as), our 3rd Imam at Karbala and after Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) had returned to Medina, some people began to consider Muhammad bin al-Hanafiya as their Imam. Muhammad bin al-Hanafiya was Imam Hussain’s younger brother. He was very pious and had not himself said that he was Imam. Only some misguided people began to consider him as their Imam.

Another version says Muhammad bin al-Hanafiya claimed that he was the Imam after his brother, Imam Hussain (as) [as Imam Hussain (as), had become Imam after the eldest brother, Imam Hasan (as)].

It became necessary to remove this misunderstanding. Therefore, Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) and his uncle, Muhammad bin al-Hanafiya decided to go together to where “Hajar Aswad” (the Black Stone near Holy Kaaba) was, during Hajj season, when thousands of pilgrims had assembled for the pilgrimage.

The stranger than fiction news must have spread like wild fire that Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) and Muhammad bin al-Hanafiya wanted the Black Stone to judge between them. Everyone must have wondered how could a stone judge between two persons? They must have eagerly waited to see the outcome when the two parties would approach the Black Stone. What would they say when the Black Stone, being a stone, would not respond to their arguments! This must have been the feeling of the crowd when the uncle and the nephew slowly advanced towards the Black Stone.

At first, Muhammad bin al-Hanafiya addressed the Hajar Aswad asking it to confirm who the Imam was? But there was no reply. Then Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) addressed the Hajar Aswad. Aloud and clear voice came from “Hajar Aswad” saluting Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) by his full name and confirming that he and he alone was the Imam of the time.

After the martyrdom of his father Imam Hussain (as), the 3rd Imam the army of Yazid cut-off the heads of all the martyrs of Karbala and removed them from their bodies. Then they left those bodies without burying them. They did not allow Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) to bury these martyrs. Instead, they took him a prisoner to Kufa, Iraq.

After the army of Yazid had left for Kufa, Iraq, the tribe of Bani Asad, who lived in the neighbourhood of Karbala, came to bury the martyrs. Since there was no way by which they could know whose body belonged to whom, they were worried.

Suddenly, they saw a man on a horse coming in their direction. Fearing that this could be a spy of Yazid coming to check on them, the Bani Asad went into hiding. The man came where they were hiding and called them to come out. He told them that he was Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) and had come through miracle from Kufa, Iraq to help them identify and bury the martyrs.

In this way Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) buried the martyrs and his father Imam Hussain (as) where they lie buried today.

His coming to Karbala was very important for two reasons. Firstly, an Imam from Allah (SWT) has to be given the burial services, when he dies, by the Imam who takes over from him. No one could give the burial services to Imam Hussain (as) except Imam Ali bin Hussain (as). But he was miles away and in chains as a prisoner of Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad in Kufa, Iraq. Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) therefore came to Karbala by Miracle or Mojeza. Secondly only he knew who was who. Otherwise, we would never know who was buried where the way we know today.

Courage of our 4th Imam, Imam Ali bin Hussain (as)

After the event of Karbala, once Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) went for Hajj pilgrimage. Whilst performing circumambulation (Tawaf), Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (5th Umayyad Caliph) happened to be behind the Imam Ali bin Hussain (as). Disappointed that the Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) had ignored him, he called out the Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) and said, “O son of the Prophet! Have I killed your father that you do not turn and even look at me?” Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) responded, “O Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan! Those who killed my father are paying dearly for it in the hereafter, do you desire the same for yourself?” The Umayyad Caliph was silent for a while and then said, “I did not mean this! What I meant is that if you stayed closer to me, you would most certainly find me generous in my wealth towards you.” Upon hearing this, Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) threw his cloak on the floor and turning towards Holy Kaaba, said, “O Allah (SWT)! Fill this for me.” Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan saw that the cloak of Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) was suddenly filled with precious pearls which Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) took and distributed them to the needy Muslims. Then turning towards Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, he said, “O Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan! We do not need your wealth, for Allah (SWT) is our sole Provider.” (Dam’at al-Sakibah)

Once, Imam Ali bin Hussain (as), our 4th Imam encountered some lepers sitting on the roadside and eating their food. Greeting them, he passed by, when all of a sudden he stopped and said to himself: “Allah (SWT) does not like the haughty ones.”

Having said this, he retraced his steps and approaching the lepers, said, “Presently, I am in a state of fasting (and thus unable to sit down and share your food). However, I invite you to come to my house and be my guests.”

They accepted the offer and went to his house, where Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) fed them and helped them by giving them some money.

Harassment of Imam Ali bin Hussain (as), the 4th Imam

During the time of Imam Ali bin Hussain (as), our 4th Imam; there lived a person in Madina, who used to make people laugh to earn his livelihood.

Some people suggested that they should invite Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) and allow this person to make him laugh a little in an attempt to sidetrack Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) from his deep lamentation. They gathered together and were on their way to his house when they saw him coming towards them, accompanied by two of his slaves. When Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) came near, the comedian took the cloak off Imam Ali bin Hussain’s (as) shoulders and put it over his own. The people around burst out laughing when they saw this antic.

Imam Ali bin Hussain (as) inquired, “Who is this person?”

The people around him answered, “He is a person who makes people laugh and receives money from them for his antics.”

“Inform him that those who expend their lives in a futile way performing absurd acts shall be the losers on the Day of Judgment,” advised Imam Ali bin Hussain (as).

After hearing this, the comedian stopped his annoying behaviour and mended his ways.

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: “As for Ali bin Hussain (as), he cried over Imam Hussain (as) for twenty years (after the tragedy of karbala); never would any food be placed before him except that he would begin to weep.” (Bihar al-Anwar)

A caravan of Muslims was headed towards Makkah. As it arrived in Madina, it rested a few days, and continued on towards Makkah.

 

On their way from Madina to Makkah, a man joined the group. This man noticed one of them who had the appearance of a guided person. He was eagerly busy in service of the passengers. The man recognized him. With much surprise, he asked the pilgrims if they knew this man who was at their service.

 

Imam Sajjad (as) and Hajj Caravan”No, we don’t know him. He joined us in Madina. He is a decent and pious man. We haven’t asked him for help. But he has been eager in helping us.”

 

“Obviously you don’t know him. For if you did, you would never have allowed a man like him to be at your service.”

 

“Who is this person?”

 

“This is 4th Imam, Imam Sajjad (as).”

 

The group stood with shame and apologized to Imam Sajjad (as). Then complaining to him, they said:

 

“Why did you treat us as such? We may have gone beyond our bounds in our ignorance, and would have committed a big sin in being disrespectful to you.”

 

Imam Sajjad (as): “I intentionally joined your group, for you didn’t know me. When I join a group, where people know me, for the sake of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), they are very kind to me. They don’t allow me to be of some service. Thus I was eager to join a group where I will be anonymous, so that I may have the honor of being of some service to my brethren.”

 

 

Imam Sajjad (as) or Imam Sayyid al-Sajideen (Leader of those who prostrate) says: “To help in a believer (Momin) distress has a reward of seventy accepted pilgrimage (hajj).”

Even though Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik was the crown prince, and those years were the first decade of the second century when the Umayyad power was at its peak, he could not touch Hajar al-Aswad, the Black Stone after circumambulation (Tawaf) of Holy Kaaba. All people were dressed in the same simple garb of Ihram, saying the same remembrance of Allah (SWT), and doing the same thing. They were so overwhelmed in their pure emotions that they had no mind to pay attention to the worldly glory of Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik. The guards, who were with him to protect Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, were feeling helpless in the sight of this glory. Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik tried very hard to come close to Hajar al-Aswad, the Black Stone and touch it. But due to the large crowd, it was not possible. Thus he returned and sat on a high chair to see the pilgrims. The Syrians who had come with him also stared at the crowd.

 

Imam Sajjad (as): Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik and Poet FarazdaqAt this time, a man who seemed to be a pious spiritual man, having the simple white Ihram appeared. Signs of worship and piety were apparent on his face. He circumambulated around the Holy Kaaba. Then with a calm composure, and determined steps, he went towards Hajar al-Aswad, the Black Stone. The crowd made way for him, as soon as they saw him approaching. The Syrians, who had failed to take the crown prince to Hajar al-Aswad, the Black Stone, were amused with this sight.

 

One of them asked Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik: “Who is this person?” While Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik knew that this was Imam Sajjad (as), he said: “I don’t know.” No one could have the courage to dispute Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik’s claim, for their swords were always wet with the blood of the brave, and the bold.

 

But, Farazdaq, the articulate Arab poet, who should have feared Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik more than any one else, was so emotional that he said: “But I know him.” Thus, he stood on an elevated ground and read a beautiful poem, which is one of the masterpieces of the Arab language. These were words that could only take form when the soul of the poet flows as the tide of the ocean.

 

Thus he said: “This man is the one, who is known to all the sands of the land of Batha. This Holy Kaaba knows him. This Haram, and the land outside it knows him. This is the child of the best of Allah’s servants. This is the pure, and pious infallible. If you say that you don’t know him, does not hurt his status. Perhaps you don’t know him. But all the Arab and non Arab know him…”

 

Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik was furious at Poet Farazdaq after hearing this poem. He ordered that his portion from the public treasure be discontinued, and that he should be imprisoned in Asfan, located between Makkah, and Madina. But Poet Farazdaq wasn’t bothered by this nuance which he gained as an outcome of his boldness and honesty. He continued to create poetry against Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik in the prison.

 

Imam Sajjad (as) sent some money to Poet Farazdaq, since he was in the prison and had no means of earning. Poet Farazdaq didn’t accept it, and said that he had said the poem only for Allah (SWT). Imam Sajjad (as) resent him the money saying: “Allah (SWT) is well aware of your intention, and will reward you appropriately. If you accept this money, it shall not suffer your reward from Allah (SWT).” And he urged Poet Farazdaq to accept the gift. Finally Poet Farazdaq accepted it.

At the time of our 4th Imam, Imam Sajjad (as) it was very difficult for Imam Sajjad (as) to teach Islam to the people. This was because Yazid’s men used to keep a close watch on Imam Sajjad (as) movements.

 

Imam Sajjad (as) had seen his father, Imam Hussain (as), and other loyal friends and family die for the sake of Islam.

 

Imam Sajjad (as) decide that the best way to teach people about Islam, was by prayers (Dua). As a result, we have today a beautiful collection of his Dua in a book called: “As Sahifa Al-Kamilah Al-Sajjadiyya (The Psalms of Islam)”.

 

An extract from a dua for Sunday (the 1st verse) from As Sahifa Al-Kamilah Al-Sajjadiyya (The Psalms of Islam):

 

Imam Sajjad (as) and As Sahifa Al-Kamilah Al-Sajjadiyya (The Psalms of Islam)In the name of Allah, the most Kind and the most Merciful.

 

In the name of Allah (SWT) from whom I hope for nothing but bounty, and from whom I fear nothing but justice! I rely only upon His word, and I cling only to His cord!

 

Just in these few lines Imam Sajjad (as) is teaching us so much: He (as) is teaching us that only Allah (SWT) is the provider. Imam Sajjad (as) is teaching us that we should not fear Allah (SWT) as He is the most forgiving and the most Merciful but at the same time HE is also the Most Just and it is this justice that we should fear.

 

There was once a man who was a very religious man and because he was so sure of himself he always used to pray to Allah (SWT) to judge him on Justice, (we are told always to pray to Allah (SWT) to judge us with His mercy).

 

When this man died he saw a scale which was being weighted down with all his good actions. The angels then brought an apple which they put on the other side of the scale and the scale came down on the side of the apple.

 

The man did not understand how a single apple could outdo all his good actions. He was then told that, that apple was one that he had tasted in the market without the permission of the shop owner. Because the man had insisted that Allah (SWT) judge him on justice, Allah (SWT) did not intervene with His mercy.

 

Imam Sajjad (as) then finished the 1st verse with the lesson that we should only rely on Allah (SWT) and attach ourselves to Him alone.

 

Moral: We should always ask Allah (SWT) to judge us with His mercy. We should try to read the dua from As Sahifa Al-Kamilah Al-Sajjadiyya (The Psalms of Islam), as there is so much to learn from them.