ABriefBiographyofAliibnHusain(A.S) Author:MuhammadRezaDungersi.PH.D Preface Chapter1:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S.):Childhood Chapter2:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S):Adulthood TheImamAsPrisonerofWar Chapter3:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S):LifeinMedinaAfterTheTragedyofKerbala EffectofTheImam'sApproachToPreachThroughPrayers Chapter4:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S):HisCharacterandPersonality HisPatience("Sabr")andForgivingNature HisGenerosity Chapter5:SomeMiraclesofImamAliBinHusain(A.S) TheMiraclesofImamZainulAbidin(A.

ainulAbidin(A.S) Chapter6:ImamAliBinHusain'sSermons,Supplications(Duas)andsaying SahifaEKamila Chapter7:HisFamily

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Preface
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Inthelate50'sandearly60's,whenIwasamadressastudentinSchoolFarzeinZanzibarAfrica, therewasnosuchasubjectasIslamicHistoryonthemadressacurriculum.Naturally,therefore, whenIjoinedtheteachingstaffoftheHuseiniMadressainDaresSalaamTanzaniainearly80's andwhenIwassubsequentlyassignedtoteachIslamicHistory,Iwasataloss,notknowing exactlywhattoteach. Notthattherewasnosyllabusforthissubject.Rather,mymainconcernwasthescopeofthe syllabus.ForatthecoreofIslamicHistorysyllabuswasthestudyofthelifeoftheProphet(may peacebeuponhimandhisprogeny)andthoseoftheotherthirteenMASOOMINfromhis progeny. Inmyview,besidesYusufLaljee'sexcellentbook,KNOWYOURISLAM,therewasnoothersimple butinformativetextthatcouldbeusedcomfortablybyboththeteachersandthestudentsalike. Eventhen,thesectiononthelifehistoryofMASOOMINwasrathersketchyinKNOWYOUR ISLAM. Sincethosedays,IhavefelttheneedtocompilebriefteachingnotesonthelivesofourTwelve Imams(maypeacebeuponthemall)withtwoobjectivesinmind:First,tofocusonalithoseareas ofinformation,notexclusivelyhistoric,thatwouldenablethelearnertoappreciatethecomplex situationsinwhichourImamslivedandperformedtheirdutiesasdivinelyappointedguidesfor theuniverse. Secondly,topresentthisinformationinastylewhichhasatitscoretheinterestaswellasthe aptitudeoftheteachersandstudentsalike.Ifoundthistaskeasytoconceiveinmind,butvery difficulttoimplement.Needlesstosay,IcouldaccomplishlittleinthisfielduntilwhenImigrated totheU.S.A. Asluckwouldhaveit,atHuseiniMadressainNewYork,Iwasoncemoreassignedtotteach IslamicHistory.ForreasonsIneednotdisclosethemhere,Ifoundthistaskevenmoredaunting thanitwasinAfrica. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Fortunately,atthiscriticaltimewhenIwasgropingindarknessinsearchofsuitablereachingtext formyclass,IwascommissionedbySayyyidSaeedAkhtarRizvi,theChiefMissionaryofBilal MuslimMissionofTanzaniatowriteteachingunitsencompassingthelivesofourTwelveImams (maypeacebeuponthem)fortheCorrespondenceCourseoftheMission.TomethiswasAllah sentbountyintwoways. Firstly,thiscommissiongavemecourageandconfidencethatIhithertolacked.NowIhadthe supportofoneofthemostrenownedShiascholarsofourtimesSayyidSaeedAkhtarRizvi. Secondly,Iwouldnothavetoworryaboutsearchingforsponsorstofinancetheprinting,the publishingandthecirculationofmywritings;theBilalMuslimMissionofTanzaniawoulddothat. ThisunitandotherstofollowMethereforetheresultoftheinitiativeandcompletesupportof SaeedAkhtarRizvi,theadministrationofBilalMuslimMissionofTanzaniaanditsoldchairman FidahuseinAbdullahHameer. Boththesubstanceaswellasthestyleofthisunit(andtheonestofollow)havebeenoverly simplified,tocomplywithSaeedAkhtar'sadvicethat"Wehavetokeepinmindthattheseunits aremeantforyouthsandnotforscholars."Allsaidanddone,despitethemaximumprecautions thatweretakentokeepthisunitfreeoffactualoranyothererrors,if,however,somehave remaineduncorrected,theresponsibilityismine. MayAllahforgivemefortheseunintentionalerrorsandmayHerewardhereandinthehereafter allthosewhohaveinonewayoranother,assistedmeinthewriting,theproductionandthe circulationofthisunit. WASSALAMUALAYKUMWARAHMATULLAHIWABARAKATUH. MOHAMEDRAZADUNGERSI.PH.D.

Chapter1:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S.):Childhood INTRODUCTION Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ImamAlibinHusain(A.S),moreknownbyhistitleZainulAbidinthanhisactualname,isfourth ImamfromtheprogenyoftheProphetHazratMuhammed(S.A.W.W).LikehisfatherImam Husain(A.S),hisuncleImamHassan(A.S)andhisgrandfatherImamAli(A.S)andtheProphet (S.A.W.W),hewasaMasoom(Hedidnotcommitanymistakeorsins). HISBIRTH Hewasbornon5thShaban(oron15thJamadiulAwaal)38A.H.(658A.D)inMedina(some historianssayhewasborninKufa). HisfatherwasHazratImamHusain(A.S)andhismotherwasHazratSheherbanu.Shewasa princessfromIran.ShewasthedaughterofYazdgardII,thelastkingofPreIslamicIran.Thushe wascalled"IbnAlKhiyaratyn".orthesonofthebesttwomeaning:TheQurayshfromtheArabs andthePersiansfromnonArabs. TheMuslims,atthetimeofUmarKhattab,capturedIranin21A.H.Theruler,however,wasable torunawayfromMuslims;laterhewaskilled.Severalyearslaterhistwodaughter's,Sheherbanu andGayhanbanuwerebroughtasprisonersofwaratthetimewhenImamAli(A.S)wasthe CaliphoftheMuslims.TheyweresenttoImamAli(A.S)byhisgovernor,HarisbinJabirJoafi. ImamAli(A.S)freedthetwosisters.TheelderoneSheherbanu(whowasalsoknownas Shahzanan,Sulafa,GhazalaandSheherbanuya)wasgiveninmarriagetoImamHusain(A.S).The youngersisterwasgiveninmarriagetoMuhammedbinAbubakr.SheherbanugavebirthtoImam ZainulAbidin(A.S)whereasGayhanbangavethebirthtoKassim,whosedaughterwaslater marriedtoImamMohammedBaqr(A.S). AfterhermarriagetoImamHusain(A.S),shebecameverypious.Shewasregularlyprayingandg AllahforhavingbroughthertoahouseinwhichmercyofAllahwascomingeverysecond. ItisreportedthatonceamaidinherhouseshowedpitytoSheherbanusayingthatitmusthave beenveryhardforhertoliveinthehouseofImamHusain(A.S),shehavingfirstlivedthelifeof princessofPersia. Sheherbanureplied,"YoushouldnevertalklikethatforyoudonotknowwhereIwasandwhereI amnow.IwasintheHellfireandIcametoParadise.Ileftthehouseoffireworshippersandcame tothehouseoftheworshippersofoneAllah...". SheherbanudiedafewdaysaftergivingbirthtoImamZainulAbidin(A.S).Shewasnotpresentin Kerbala.ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)wastakencareoff,asachild,byamaidwhomhecametolove andrespectlikehisownmother. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 HISCHILDHOOD Whenhewasborn,ImamAli(A.S)wasstillaliveandheremainedincompanyofhisgrandfather foranothertwoyears.ItissaidthattimeandagainImamAli(A.S)wouldhughimandsay,"My sonyouareZainulAbidin." OnedaywhenImamAli(A.S)waspraying,theyoungZainulAbidin,whothenwasonlyoneand halfyearsold,startedimitatinghisgrandfather.HeprayedthesamewayImamAli(A.S)did.On completinghisprayers,ImamAli(A.S)said,"HowtruthfulwastheProphetwhenhesaidour youngandouroldareallthesame,allbeingMuhammed."Asayoungboytillwhenhebecame12 yearsofage,hespentalothistimewithhisuncleImamHassan(A.S). ThereafterhestayedwithImamHusain(A.S)till61A.H.AtthetimeofImamHusain'smartyrdom, ImamZainulAbidinwasayouthof22years.Hischildhoodwasnotfreefromtrouble.Hismother diedwhenhewasonlyaninfant.Helostthecareandloveofhisgrandfatherwhenhewasonly two.AsayoungboyhesawtheinjusticesthatweredonetohisuncleImamHassan(A.S). Asayoungboyof12,hesawhisUncle'sbierbeinghitwitharrows.Itmusthavepainedhimtosee hisUncle'slastwishesofwantingtobeburiednexttohisgrandfather,theProphet(S.A.W.W), beingunfulfilled.Allthesedisturbedhimandmadehimsadbut,theynevershookhisfaithin Allah.Asamatteroffact,theincidentsthatweareabouttodescribeshowhowpeacefulhewas inhismindandhowstronghislovewasforAllah. Asayoungboy,heshowedgreatloveandrespectAsayoungboyforthesickpeople.Once, someoneinhisneighbourhoodfellsick,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)spentalotofhistimecaringand comfortinghim.Whenthesickmanbecamewell,hewassopleasedwiththeyoungImamthathe wantedtopayhimbackinanywaythattheImamwanted. AlibinHusain(A.S),andthathecameforHajjinthismannereveryyear. ImamHasan(A.SthatforthetimeAliBinHusain(A.S)stayedwithhim,thoughstillonlyachild,he showedgreatloveforprayers.Hewouldgetupinthemidstofthenightandpraytilldawn.

Chapter2:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S):Adulthood

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 LIFEWITHHISUNCLEIMAMHASAN(A.S.)ANDHISFATHERIMAMHUSAIN(A.S) AlltheTwelveImamswhowerethetruesuccessorsoftheProphetwerebornImams,theydidnot becomeImams.Theydidnotattendanyschoolorcentreoflearning.Theirknowledgewas directlyfromAllah.However,therewascertaintrainingandinformationthatanImamgotfrom hisfatherandgrandfatherwhothemselveswereImams.InthismannerImamZainulAbidin'slife wasinfluencedbythreeImams:ImamAli(A.S),ImamHasan(A.S)andImamHusain(A.S). Sofarashisfatherwasalive,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)spentsignificantpartofhislifeinprayers andinserviceofhumanbeings.Hewasthechampionofthepoorandthesick. HISRESPONSIBILITIESASTHEIMAMOFHISTIMES. Whenhisfather,ImamHusain(A.S)leftMedinaforIraqinA.H.60,ImamZainulAbidinwent togetherwithhim.Becausetheworldcannotsurviveeven.foroneatomofasecondwithoutthe presencea"Masoom"Imam,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)couldnotejoinhisfartherandothermale membersofhiscaravaninbecomingmartyrsofIslamonthedayofAshura.Allahmadeaspecial forthat.ImamZainulAbidin(A.s)wasveryonthedayofAshuraandhecouldnottakepartinthe Jihad. Eventhen,whenhisfather,ImamHusain(A.S)cametovisithim,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S) requestedhisfathertoallowhim,too,togivehislifefightinginthewayofAllah.ImamHusain (A.S)toldhimthatforIslamhehadamoredifficult"Jihad"tofightthantheonehewaswishingto doatthattime,namelytakingresponSibilityofthewomenfolkfromthefamilyoftheProphetand stayingwiththemtoKufa,andthentoDamascusandthenreturnwiththemtoMedina. Trulyspeaking,forhim,itwouldhavebeenveryeasytodieonthebattlefieldasamartyrthanto betakenasprisonerofwarandseealltheinsultandhumiliationsthrownonhimandonthe womenfolkofthehouseoftheProphet.However,hedidwhatAllahwishedhimtodo. AfterthemartyrdomofImamHusain(A.S),thesurvivalofIslamdependedonImamZainulAbidin (A.S),andthatalsoatatenderageoftwentytwo.Hehadaveryhardjoboflettingtheworld knowthemissionofImamHusain(A.S.)andexposingtheevilintentionsofYezidandtheBani Umayyah.HehadtokeepthemessageofIslamaliveandsaveitfrombeingconfusedbytheevil BaniUmayyah. TheImamAsPrisonerofWar Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

AlthoughthearmyofYeziddidnotkillhimbecausehewassick,theytreatedhimverybadlyby puttinghiminheavychains.Asaprisoner,hewasmadetotravelontheopenbackofacamelin burningsunshinefromKerbalatoKufaandthenfromKufatoSham(Damascus)adistanceof about750kilometres.Sometimes,hewouldbemadetowalkontheburningsandsofthedesert. Thiswasnotall.WomenandchildrenbelongingtothefamilyoftheProphet,HazratMuhammad (S.A.W.W),too,werehandcuffedandtreatedliketheywereslaves.ThedaughtersofImamAli (A.S)andHazratFatima(A.S)weretreatedworsethancriminals,theirHijabhavingbeentaken awayfromthem.Acallerwouldaccompanythemintroducingthemtothepassersbyas"Those whohaddisobeyedtheMuslimruler,Yezid".Theywerethenpresentedasprisoners,firsttoIbne ZiyadinKufaandthentoYezidinDamascus. IMAMZAINULABIDIN(A.S)INTHECOURTOFIBNEZIYADINKUFA. Yezid'sgovernorofKufa,IbneZiyad,wasknownforhiscrueltyandhisenmitytowardsImamAli (A.S)andhisfamily.InordertoshowthepeopleofKufahowpowverfulhewas,IbneZiyadasked howcomeAliBinHusainwasnotkilledbyAllah. AnyoneelseinthepositioninwhichImamZainulAbidin(A.S)was,wouldhavekeptquietand beartheinsult.ButnotImamZainulAbidin.AstheImamofthetimeheknewwhenitwasproper forhimtoshowthepatience(Subr)ofhisuncleImamHassan(A.S)andwhentoshowthebravery ofhisfather,ImamHusain(A.S)andtofacehisenemieslikeasoldier.Withoutanyfear,hereplied IbneZiyadsaying"Ihadanotherbrotherbythename.ofAliandhewasmartyredbybeingkilled byyoursoldiers" HisshortbutstrongreplywasenoughtoletpeopleknowwhatkindofliarandabeastIbneZiyad was.IbneZiyadbecameveryangrybytheyoungImam'sbravery.Heorderedhissoldierstokill theImam.HazratZainab(A.S)challengedIbneZiyad,sayinghissoldierswouldfirsthavetokillher beforetheycouldgetholdofhernephew,ZainulAbidin.ShethentooktheImam(A.S)inthefold ofherarms.Therewassuchanuproarinthecourt,allblamingIbneZiyad,thatIbneZiyadcould notdoanyharmtoImamZainulAbidin(A.S). ButeventhentheImamrepliedIbneZiyadsaying,"Doyoufrightenmewithdeath,OIbneZiyad? Don'tyouknowthattobekilledisourtraditionandmartyrdomisanhonourfromAllah?" IMAMZAINULABIDININTHECOURTOFYEZIDINSHAM(DAMASCUS) Followingtheinstructionsofhismaster,Yezid,IbneZiyadsentImamandtheladiesandchildren ofthehouseoftheProphet(S.A.WW)asprisonerstoDamascus. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Toshowhispowerandtofrightenothers,Yezidtreatedtheseprisonersverybadly.Theywere firsttakenfromonebazaartoanother.Thewomenandchildrenweretiedbyoneropeand treatedverybadly.TheImamwastorememberthisincidentfortherestofhislife.Withtearsin hiseyesheusedtosay"InSham(Damascus)wewereinsultedandtreatedlikewewereslaves whosemasterwasnotthere(toprotectthem)"Theywerethenputinprison. YezidwouldregularlycallImamZainulAbidin(A.S)toinsulthiminfrontofthepublic.Ononesuch occasion,apreacherwhowasemployedbyYezidwentonthe'Mimber'(pulpit)oftheMosqueand abusedtheImamAli(A.S)andhisfamily. Whenthepreacherfinishedhislecture,theImamturnedtohimandsaid,"Beashamedof yourself,youevilspeaker.WithyourwordsyouhavedispleasedAllahsoastopleasepeople". ThentheImam(A.S)askedYezidtolethimtalktothepeople.Yezidrefusedtodoso.Thepeople ofSyria,however,forcedYezidtoallowtheImamtogoontheMimber. OnceontheMimber,ImamZainulAbidinfirstpraisedAllahandHisMessenger.Afterthatthe ImamgavealongandverypowerfulspeechlettingtheSyriansknowthegreatpositionofImam Husain(A.S)toAllah,andhowevilYezidandhisfamilywere.Partofthespeechissummarised below:"OlistenersIAllahhasgivenus(AhleBart)sixthingswhichnooneelsehas.Hehasgiven usspecialWisdom,Patience,Dignity,Powerofspeech,CourageandRespect. HegaveusspecialbenefitofbelongingtothefamilyofhisProphet.TousbelongHamzaandJafar. TousbelongAsadullah(ThelionofAllah,ImamAli(A.S)).Tousbelongtheleaderoftheyouthsof paradise(ImamHassan(A.S)andImamHusain(A.S)). "Thosewhoblowme,knowme.Thosewhodonot,thenknowthatIamthesonofMeccaand Mina.IamthesonofZamzamandSafa.IamthesonofhewhogaveZakattothepoor.Iamthe sonofthebestofthosewhohaveeverputonIhramandperformedceremoniesofHajj.Iamthe sonofhewhowastakenonthenightjourneyfromhouseofAllahtotheMosqueofAqsaand thentoMiraj.IamthesonofhewhowastakenaroundbyGibraeltotheLotetreeofthe boundary(SidratulMuntaha). "IamthesonofMuhammadMustafa(S.A.WW).IamthesonofAliAlMurtazawhofoughtthe polytheistsinthebattletilltheysubmittedtoIslamandfoughtinthepresenceoftheProphet untilhisswordwasbrokenandtowhomZulfikarwasgiven.Iamthesonofhewhohadthe honourtomigratetwiceinIslam.IamthesonofFatimathebestwomenoftheworld...". TheeffectofthespeechwassopowerfulthateverybodyintheMosquebegantoweepandto blameYezid.YezidwasafraidthatiftheImamcontinuedhisspeech,therewouldbearevolution. AtthesametimeYezidcouldnomorestoptheImamandgethimdownfromtheMimber.He Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

thereforeordereda"Muazzin"togiveAzan,knowingthatthiswouldautomaticallycuttheImam's speech.ButheunderestimatedtheImam,sbraveryandintelligence.TheImamstoppedhis speechbutdidnotgetdownfromtheMimber. WhentheMuazzinsaid"AllahuAkber"theImamtestifiedAllah'sgreatness.WhentheMuazzin said,"AshhaduannaMuhammaddanRasulullah",theImamstoppedtheMuazzinfromgoingany further.HethenturnedtoYezidandaskedhim. "TellmeoYezid,wasMuhammad(S.A.WW)yourgrandfatherormine?Ifyousayhewasyour grandfatheritwillbeanopenlieandifyousayhewasmygrandfatherthenwhyhaveyoukilled hissonandimprisonedhisfamily?Whyhaveyoukilledmyfatherandbroughthiswomenand childrentothiscityasprisoners?" Yezidhadnoreplytogive. TheeffectofthiswastoturnSyriansagainstYezid.EveryoneofthemnowfoundoutaboutYezid's crimesthathehadcommittedagainsttheProphet(S.A.WW)andhisfamily.Theybegantoblame himandaskforthereleaseofImamZainulAbidin(A.S)andthewomenfolkofthehouseofthe Prophet.Yezidwasnowafraidthatifhedidnotactfasthisrulershipwouldbelostfromhim.He thereforefreedImamZainulAbidin(A.S)andlet.himreturntoMedinawithfullhonourand respect. IMAMZAINULABIDIN(A.S)RETURNSTOMEDINA. HavingspentnotlessthanoneyearintheprisonofYezidinDamascus,ImamZainulAbidin returnedtoMedina.OnreachingMedina,hecampedoutsidethetownandletthepeopleof Medinaknowthathewasback.Whenpeoplecametomeethim,withoutfearingthegovernorof Kufa,heletpeopleknowofalltheinjusticesthatweredonetothefamilyoftheProphet. Dressedinmourningdress,hesatonachairandaddressingthepeopleofMedina,hesaid, "'PraisebetoAllahatalltimes.Hegaveusstrengthtobeargreathardships.Agreatlosshastaken placeinIslam.Myfather,AbaAbdillah,hisdearonesandhisfriendshavebeenkilled.Hiswomen andchildrenweretakenasprisoners.Myfather'sheadwascutandputontheedgeofaspear andparadedfromoneIslamiccitytoanother. "Opeople!WeweretreatedlikewewerenonMuslimsandKafirs,althoughwehadcommitted nocrimeorsinandhadnotinanywaywrongedIslam.ByAllah!IftheProphetofAllahhad orderedthemtofightagainstus,theywouldstillhavedonenothingmorethanwhattheydid".

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 Chapter3:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S):LifeinMedinaAfterTheTragedyofKerbala THEPROBLEMSFAUNGTHEIMAMTOCARRYOUTTHEPREACHINGOFISLAM. ItwillberecalledthatYezidhadgiventheImamhisfreedomtoreturntohishomeinMedinanot outoflovebutoutoffear.TheImam,therefore,wasstillnotoutofdanger.TheImam,therefore, hadtofindoutawaytopreachthetruemessageofAllahwithoutappearingtobeworking againstthegovernment. ThisproblembecameevenmoredifficultasMuslimsthroughouttheempirebegantoriseagainst Yezid.Forexample,AbdullahIbneZubairdeclaredhimselftherulerofMecca.InA.H63the MuslimsofMedinadroveawayYezid'sgovernorfromMedinaandappointedamanof.theirown choiceinhisplace. Tosavehiscrown,Yezidturnedtousingforce.Hedecidedtokillanyonewhoopposedhim.The Imamhadtoplacehimselfinsuchapositionthatnoonecouldsaythathewasalsoamongst thoseplottingtooverthrowYezid.Otherwise,theImamwouldnotbeabletocompletethe missionofsavingIslamfromitsenemies.Hewouldeitherbeimprisonedagainorevenbekilled. WhowouldthenbetheretoserveIslamthewayAllahwishedittobeserved? HOWTHEIMAMKEEPSTHEMISSIONOFISLAMALIVEWITHOUTANGERINGTHEGOVERNMENT. WhenmartyrdomwasnecessarytokeepIslamalive,ImamHusain(A.S)publiclyopposedYezid andgave.hislife.WhensilencebecamenecessarytokeepIslamalive,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S) retiredinhishousetoserveIslaminthebestwaypossible. FromA.H.62toA.H.95whenheleftthisworld,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)ledaquietlife, preachingtheIslamintwoways. Firstly,hekeptalivethemessageofImamHusain(A.S)regardingIslamtroughmourning.There wasnotadaythatpassedwithouttheImamcryinginmemoryofhisfatherImamHusain(A.S)and otherswhogavetheirlivesinKerbala.Heencouragedhisfollowersalsotoregarditastheirduty torememberthemartyrsofKerbalaasoftenastheycould. ThefirsttimeheenteredMedinawhenreturningfromDamascus,helaiddownthetraditionof mourningforImamHusain(A.S).HepitchedatentoutsideMedinaandmoUmingdressheletthe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

MuslimsofMedinawhatwasexpectedofthemfromthenonwards. AmanbythenameofNoamanwenttoMedinathreeyearsaftertheeventsofKerbala.Hesaw theImamstandingnearthegraveoftheProphetweepingandcomplainingtotheProphetabout theIIItreatmentthatImam(A.S)andtheothermembersoftheProphet'sfamilyhadreceived fromtheBaniUmayyah.TheImam(A.S)remainedinthispositionuntilwhenhefaintedandwas thentakenbyhisfollowerstohishouse. NoamanwenttoImam'shouse.ThenaskedtheImamwhatwasthemostdifficulttimehehadto faceinKerbalaandduringhisimprisonmenttoKufaandDamascus.TheImamsaid,"ASham,A Sham,ASham"andthenexplainedthatinShamthefamilyoftheProphetwastreatedlike animalsandpresentedtothecourtofYezidlikeslaves. InthiswaypeopleofMedinaweretoseehimmourningforhisfatherfromthentillhisdeath somethirtyfiveyearslater. ItisreportedthatwhentheImamsawwaterhewouldweep,rememberingthethirstofthe martyrsofKerbala.Whenhesawagoatorsheepbeingslaughtered,hewouldasktheslaughterif hehadfedtheanimalandgivenitwater.Onbeingassuredthatthishad,indeed,beendone,the Imamwouldweep,sayingthathisfatherandothermartyrsofKerbalawereslaughteredhungry andthirstyofthreedays. Heheldregularmourningsessioninhishouse.Thosewhoattendedthesesessionswouldthenbe servedwithfoodinthenameofhisfather,ImamHusain(A.S) Onedaysomebodytoldhim."OsonofAllah'sMessenger!.Uptowhenwouldyouweeplike this?" TheImamreplied"'OservantofAllah.ProphetYakubhadtwelvesonsbutonlyoneofthem (Yusuf)wastakenawayformhim,heweptsomuchandforsuchlongthathiseyesturnedwhite, hisheadturnedgrayandhisbackwasbentalthoughhissonYusufwasstillalive.WhereasI watchedmyfather,mybrotherandseventeenmembersofmyfamilybeingslaughteredall aroundme.Howcouldmysorrowcometoanend?". ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)throughsuchmourningsessionslettheworldknowthereasonwhyit wasnecessaryforImamHusain(A.S)tosacrificehislifebutnotacceptYezidastherightfulrulerof theMuslims. TheplotofYezidandhisfamilyofBaniUmayyahtodestroyIslamwasbroughtoutintheopen throughtheImam'sweepingforhisfather. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 ThesecondmostimportantthingthattheImamdidafterreturningfromDamascuswastospend alotofhistimeprayingtoAllah.Hisprayerswerenotonlyintheformof"Namaz"butalsointhe wayof"Duas"orsupplications.Hewouldreadthesesupplicationsandthenteachthemtohissons HazratMuhammadBaqir(A.S)andHazratZaid.Thesesupplicationswerelatercompliedinabook calledSAHIFAKAMILA.(Thecompletebook). ThisbookisalsoknownbyothernamessuchasSAHIFASAJJADIA(thebookofSajjad;Sajjadbeing anothernameofImamZainulAbidin(A.S);Sajjadmeansonewhospendsalotofhistimein "Sijda"),orZABUREALE(PsalmsofthehouseholdofMed).TheSAHIFAasweknowit,todayismade of54Duas,14additional'Duas'and15'Munajat'.OverandabovetheSAHIFA,therearemany othersupplicationsoftheImamwhichappearunderdifferentcovers. Withthehelpofthese'Duas',ImamZainul.Abidin(A.S)taughtMuslimsnotonlyhowtoprayto AllahbutalsowhatistheessenceofIslam.Alsothemajorelementsofreligionarecontainedin theseDuas.Moreover,theDuasteachuswhoAllahisandwhotheProphetisandwhatkindof lifeweshouldlead.Forexample,intheDuacalled"AKHLAQ"(Theexcellenceofcharacter),the Imamlooksatdifferenttypesandqualitiesofbehaviourwhichmakeaman'scharacterand personality,andtellshisfollowerstohavethosequalities. TheDuaalsoteacheshowMuslimsshouldlinkthemselveswiththehouseoftheProphet,the AhlulBayt.Theseideas,ifpreachedinanyotherform,wouldwithoutanddoubt,invitethe governmentofBaniUmayyahtoputtheImamintrouble.ButwhowouldcomplainiftheImam addressedhiscreator,Allahusing"Duas"? InthiswaythroughmourningforhisfatherandprayingtoAllah,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)keptthe truemessageofAllahalivefromtheevilmindedBaniUmayyah. EffectofTheImam'sApproachToPreachThroughPrayers ThegreatestresultoftheImam'sdecisiontoleadaquietlifewas:thegovernmentbecamesure thathewasnotgoingtobedangeroustothem.They,therefore,lefthimalone.Forexample, whenMuslimbinAqabaattackedMedinainA.H.63,hedidnoharmtotheImam.Whereas MuslimshowedcompletedisrespectfortheMosqueoftheProphet,hedidnoharmtoImam ZainulAbidin'shouse.ThosewhosoughtshelteroftheImam'shousealsoremainedsafefromthe army'scruelties.InfactMuslimBinAqabacalledImamtohisheadquartersandtreatedhimwith courtesyandrespect. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

AllthiswasbecausetheImam(A.S)hadshownnosignofwantingtooverthrowthegovernment. WhatthegovernmentfailedtounderstandwasthatImamZainulAbidin(A.S)wasestablishingthe foundationsoftruthwhichwould,infuture,providestrongbasisofIslamwhichwouldlivefor ever. Bybeingleftonhisown,notonlydidImam(A.S)widenedthehorizonsofIslam,butalsofounda placeforhimselftolettheMuslimscommunityseeforthemselveswhotrulywasthe representativeoftheProphet. ThiswasaveryimportantjobtobedonebytheImam.ThisISbecausetherulersofhistimeYezid, Marwan,AbdulMalikbinMarwanandWalidbinAbdulMalikallleadveryunIslamiclivesyetthey presentedthemselvesastherepresentativesoftheProphet(S.A.W.W).ThepresenceoftheImam wasacontinuouslessonforMuslims.TheMuslimscouldcomparetheexcellentlifeoftheImam withthatoftherulersanddecideforthemselveswhowasthetruesuccessoroftheProphetand thereforetheleaderofthecommunity. TheeffectoftheteachingandthepurelifestyleoftheImamwassuchthathecametobe regardedasanexcellentpersonandanauthorityofthereligionofIslam.Athistime,therewere sevenscholarinMedinawhowerecalled""ThesevenlawyersofMedina",andwhowere consideredtobethebestauthoritiesonIslamictraditionsandlaw.ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)was notonlyoneamongthesesevenscholars,hewasthebestofthemall. OneofthesesevenlawyerscalledSaidbinAlMusayyabconsideredtheImamwithhighest respect:therespectthatalesserpesonshowstoahigherperson.Anotherveryfamousand knowledgeablelawyer,AlZuhri,gavethetitleofZainulAlAbidintotheImam!. SufyanSurisaysthatheonceaskedZuhriastowhyhealwayscalledtheImambythenameof ZainulAbidin.Zuhrireplied:"OntheDayofJudgementacallerwillsay.WhereisZainulAbidin? ThenHusain'ssonAli,willcomeforward." BythetimetheBaniUmayyahrealisedthewisdomofImamZainulAbidin'sapproachtoestablish IslamthroughthememoryofhisfatherandprayersofAllah,itwastoolate.Withoutthe knowledgeofthegovernmenttheImamhadraisedhispositionintheMuslimscommunitysohigh thatnoneoftherulerscouldreach,withalltheirwealthandpower.Thefollowingincident illustratesthispointverywell. Hasham,theBaniUmayyahprince,wenttoMeccaforpilgrimage.AftercompletinghisHajjhe wantedtokissthe"HajareAswad"buttherewassuchabigcrowdthathecouldnotreachthere. Hewasthereforewaitingforthecrowdtodecreasesothathecouldthengetnear"Hajare Aswad".Withhimwerestandinghisroyalattendants. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Thencameapersondressedinsimpleclothes.HewasapproachingtheKaabaveryslowlywhen thecrowdsawhimtheyallscattered,makingwayforhim.Themanslowlyandwitheasewent roundthe"HouseofAllah"(Kaaba)seventimes,kissedthe"HajareAswad"andwentaway Hasham,theprinceoftheMuslimsempire,couldnotbelievewhathesaw.wasn'thetheprince? Whyhadhetowaitandastrangerbeshownsuchrespect?Whowasheafterall?Heaskedhis attendantswhothestrangerwasthatheshouldenjoysucharespectwithpeoplethateventhe princecouldnot. Theattendantssaidtheydidnotknowwhothepersonwas,thoughtheyknewverywellthatthe personwasImamZainulAbidin(A.S)butwereafraidthatiftheysaidthetruthHashamwouldbe offended. However,thefamouspoetFarazdaq,whowasbeingpaidbythekingtowritepoemsinpraiseof theroyalfamilycouldnotkeepquiet.HereadlongpoeminpraiseofImamZainulAbidin(A.S)the mostimportantpartofwhichis... "..ThisisAli(BinHusain)whoseparentistheProphet,ThisisthesonofFatima,ifyoudonotknow whoheis. WhoeverrecognizeshisGodknowsalsothegreatnessandimportanceofthisman,Becausethe religionhasreachedthenationsthroughhishouse." Hishamburnedwithjealousy.HegotFarazdaqinprisonforpraisingtheImam(A.S). WhentheBaniUmayyahrulersrealisedtheirmistaketheydecidedtokilltheImam.Bythe instructionsofWalidBinMerwan,thegovernorofMedinapoisonedtheImam(A.S).TheImam (A.S)diedfromthispoisonon25thMuharramA.H95(A.D.713).

Chapter4:ImamAliBinHusain(A.S):HisCharacterandPersonality GENERALREMARKS ThebeliefthatourProphetMuhammad(S.A.WW),hisdaughter,HazratFatima(A.S),ImamAli (A.S)andotherelevenImams(whosebiographieswearegoingtostudyinthiscourse)areall Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

sinlessandmakenomistakes,isaveryimportantpartofourfaith.Tousthesefourteen personalitieswereperfect. However,aseachofthemhadaspecialjobtodoandmostofthemlivedindifferentperiodsof time,eachofthemhadachancetoshowonlyafewsidesofhisorhercharacter.Intheworldin whichImamZainulAbidin(A.S)lived,thepartsofhischaracterwhichpeoplecouldbeseenvery clearlyaredescribedinthefollowingpagesofthischapter. HISPIETY HehadgreatloveandfearofAllah.Thesecouldbeseenthewaythecarriedouthisdaily'Wajib' prayersandotherrecommendedprayers.ThreethingscanbesaidabouthisprayerstoAllah: 1)OncehesetuphismindtopraytoAllah,heforgotabouteverythingelse.Hegavehimself totallytoAllah.Nothingwoulddisturbhisprayers.Considerthefollowingincidents. *Oncewhilehewaspraying,hishousecaughtfire.Toputdownthefireandmoreimportantlyto savetheirliveseverybodyinthehousewasrunninghereandthere.ButnottheImam(A.S).He continuedhisprayersasifnothinghadhappened.Whenhefinishedhisprayers,thefirehad alreadybeenputdown.Somebodyaskedhim,nothesonProphet,whydidn'tyoucutshortyour "Sajda"whenyouheardthepeopleshoutingthatthehousewasonfire?" TheImamreplied,"WhenIheard'fire,fire'IrememberedthefireofHell.Icomparedthatwith fireinmyhouse.IfoundthefireofHellmoreseveresoIcontinuedpraying." *Atanothertimehisson,HazratMuhammedBaqir(A.S)hadfalleninawell.Thechild'smother wasdeeplyupsetandcriedfortheImam'shelp.TheImamwasinthemiddleofhisprayers.He neitherbrokehisprayersnordidherushtocompletehisprayersfast.Hecontinuedhisprayers,at hisusualspeed.Oncompletinghisprayershewenttothewellandbroughtoutthechild.The childwassafeandwasnothurtatall. *ItissaidthatonceShaitan(Devil)decidedtodisturbtheImam'sprayers.TheDevilthentookthe formofasnakeandstungtheImam'slegscontinuously.TheImamfeltthepainbuthecontinued prayingasifnothinghadhappened.WhenhehadfinishedhetoldtheShaitantogoaway.Then cameavoicefromHeavenssaying,"YouareZainulAbidin(A.S)(thedecorationofthepious)"; everybodywhowaspresentheardthisandtheImam(A.S)becamefamousbythatname;*Itis commonwithhumanbeings,toshortentheirprayersoreventoneglectthematthetimeof difficulties.ThiswasnotsowiththeImam(A.S).OntheeveningofAshurainKerbala,Imam(A.S) wentthroughaveryhardtime. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

HerememberedthesehardtimesthroughouthislifeButhisprayersremainedaspureaseverHe Spentthewholenightin"Sajda"praisingAllahinthesewords: "ThereisnootherGodbutAllahandthatisthetruth.ThereisnootherGodbutAllahinterms.of faithandtruth.ThereisnootherGodbutAllah.ItestifythisbyprayingtoHim". ThroughouthisdifficultjourneyfromKerbalatoKufaandfromKufatoDamascusandallthetime hewasinprison,hisprayersremainedthesameastheyhadbeenduringthenormaltimes. 2)Hespentalotofhistimeinprayers.Besidethedailyobligatoryprayerslikehisgrandfather ImamAli(A.S),heprayed1000rakatsofrecommendedprayers(Mustahab)dailyinthedayandat night.Iftherewasanytimeleftthat,too,hewouldspendin"Duas"and"Sujud".*TaoosYamani reportsthatoncehewenttotheHouseofAllahandtherehesawAliBinHusain(A.S)near"Hajare Aswad"(Blackstone).Hefirstprayedandthenboweddownin'Sajda'.Taussaysthathewent neartheImamtohearwhathewassayingandheheardtheImamsayinpresenceofAllah: "Yourhumbleservantisatyourcourtyard" "Yoursadoneisatyourcourtyard" "Yourpooroneisatyourcourtyard" "Yourbeggarisatyourcourtyard" TaoossayssincethattimewheneverIneedhelpfromAllahIaddressHiminthiswayandIgetthe helpthatIneed. *ItisreportedthattheImamwouldgetoutofhisbedatmidnightdailyandgotohisprayer carpetsaying,"Omycreator,thethoughtthatIwillhavetofaceyouontheDayofJudgementhas gotmeoutofmybedandmademesleepless."Havingsaidso,hewouldbowdowninprayersand puthischeeksontheground.HewouldthenweepinfearofAllahandweepsomuchthatthe groundwouldbecomewetwithhistears.Hisfamilywouldgatheraroundhimbuthewouldnot evennoticethem.HewouldcontinueaddressingAllahsaying,"Omycreator,Idon'twishforthe restfullifeofthisworld.IaskforyourmercyatthattimewhenIshallbebroughtinyour presence." *AmanbythenameofZuraraBinAyanonceheardatmidnightacallersaying,"Wherearethose peoplewhogiveawaythisworldforthenextworld?"anothercallcameasareplyfromthe graveyardofBaqisaying,"SuchapersonisAliBinHusain(A.S)." *Ifanymemberofhisfamilyaskedhimastowhyhewasprayinglikethiseventhoughhewas sinless,hewouldreply,"Whyshouldn'tItrytobenearertoAllahthanIamnow?" Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

*ItisreportedbySheikhMufidthatonceImamMuhammedBaqir(A.S)sawthathisfather'sface hadturnedyellowthroughweepingallnight.Hisforeheadwashurt.Hislegsandfeetwere swollenfromstandinglonghoursinprayers.ImamBaqirstartedweeping.ImamZainulAbidin (A.S)askedhisweepingsontobringtohimthebookcontainingtheprayersofImamAli(A.S). Hethenreadfromthebookforawhileandclosingit,hesaid,."whoisstrongenoughtoworship thewayAliIbneAbiTalibusedtodo?"themassagefromImamZainulAbidinwas:comparedto mygrandfathermyprayersaretooshortandtoolittle.SoletmedoasmuchasIcan. FatimaBintiAli,theImam'sauntcalledJabirBinAbdullahAnsariandrequestedtotalktothe Imamandpersuadehimnottopraysomuchthathishealthcouldsuffer.WhenJabirtalkedtothe Imam,theImamremindedJabirabouttheProphet'slongprayerswhichledtotherevelationof thoseQuranicversesinwhichAllahtellstheProphettoreducehisnightprayers.TheProphet's Allah.InthereasonforsuchlongprayerswastothanksamewaytheImam'slongprayerwere onlytothankAllah. Wheneverheheardofgoodnews,hewouldbowdownin"Sajda"topraiseandthankAllah. Wheneverhisdesireswerefulfilledhewouldgoinsajda.Wheneverhisproblemsweresolvedhe wouldgoinsajda.Somuchdidhespendhistimeinsajda;prayingorpraisingorthankingAllah thathebecameknownas"SayyiduSajidin"ortheleaderofthosewhodo"Sajda". Becausehebentsomuchinprayerstheskinoverhiskneesandonhisforeheadwasashardas thatofthecamel.FromtimetothisskinhadtobepeeledoffHisforehead,too,waswounded becauseofremaininginthepositionof"Sajda"forlonghours. 3)BothbeforeprayersandduringprayerstheImam'sbehaviourwouldchangeinfearofAllah.For example,whenhedidhis"Wudhu"hisfacewouldbecomepaleandhisbodywouldshake.When hewasaskedforareasonhewouldreply,"Don'tyouknowbeforewhomIampreparingto stand?".Throughouthisprayershisfacecontinuedtoremainpale.Aftercompletinghisprayers, inhis"Duas"and"Sajdas"hewouldweepsomuchthathisbeardwouldbewetwithtears. Oncesomeonesawhimprayinginthemountainsonabarerockwhichhadbecomehotwiththe sun'sray's.Themanaskedforthereason.TheImnamexplainedsaying,"Thisheatfromtherock remindsmeoftheheatoftheHellandgivesmeabetterunderstandingwhenIprayfor forgivenessfromHellfire." Itwasbecauseofhisprayersthathebecameknownas"ZainulAbidin"orthedecorationofthe piouspeople. Hispietywasnotjustinprayers.Heusedtospendalmostallhisdaysfasting.Amaidwhospent Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

severalyearsservingImamreportsthatthroughoutherserviceshenevercookedanyfoodforhim norpreparedhisbeddingatnight. BysomeaccountshefastedeverydayexceptonforbiddendayssuchasonIdddays. Whenhewentfor'Hajj'hewoulddosomostofthetimewalking.Whenhediduseabeastof burden,hewouldneverbeattomakeitmovefasterItthereforetookhimtwentydaystotravel betweenMedinaandMecca. OncehewasonsuchapilgrimagetoMecca.Heputonhis"Ihram"andwasabouttosay"Labaik AllahummaLabaik"whichisrequiredfromeverypersondoing"Hajj",hisfaceturnedyellowand hecouldnotsay"Labaik"loudly.Whenhewasaskedwhyhedidnotdoso,hereplied,"SupposeI saidLabaikandAllahrepliedLaLabaik(Idon'tacceptyourLabaik)whatwouldhappentome?"Itis reportedthathiswholeHajjwasspentinfearofAllah.

HisPatience("Sabr")andForgivingNature ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)wassimilartohisuncleImamHassan(A.S)andhisgrandsonImamMusa Kazim(A.S)(Our7thImam)byshowingalotofpat,iencetotheirenemies. YouwillrememberthataftertheeventsofKerbala,hewentthroughverybadtimesinthehands ofhisenemies,butatnooccasiondidheshowsignofangerorimpatience.Whenevernecessary, herepliedtohisenemiesbravelybutwithoutshowinganyangerorlossofpatience.Considerthe followingincidents. *WhentheImamwasaprisonerofYezidinDamascusandwasbeingtakentothecourt,aSyrian cameforwardandabusedtheImamsaying,"TellmewhohascomeoutsuccessfulyouorYezid?" WithoutgettingangrytheImamreplied,"WhenyouheartheAzanyoumakeyourowndecision astowhoisandwhoafailure."Inthesameway,anotheroldmanofSyriaaddressedtheImam saying"PraisebetoAllahwhodestroyedyou,whokilledyourbroughtpeaceinthecountryby givingvictorytothecaliphofMuslims." TheImamfirsttheverseofQur'an(42:23)meaning:"OProphettothem"Idonotasktobepaid backformyservicesexcepttheyyoushouldlovemyverses?" Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Theoldmanrepliedthat,indeed,hehadreadthoseversesbuthedidnotknowhowtheseverses hadanythingtodowiththeImam.TheImamthenreadtwomoreversesfromtheQur'an, meaning: "Knowoyoubelievers'.Whateverofathingyouacquire,afifthofitisfortheProphetandforthe Prophet'sfamily(8:41).And"Allahwishestokeepyouawayfromuncleanness,Oyouthepeople ofthehouse,andtopurifyyouwithcompletepurification.(33:33)ThentheImamtoldthethathe prisonerswerethefamilyoftheProphetintheseversesandtheyweretheonesforwhomthe Prophethadaskedforrespectandlove. TheoldmanthenfeltverysorryandapologizedandtheImamforgavehim. *HishamBinIsmail,thegovernorofMedinausedtogivealotoftroubletotheImam.Astime wentby,hewasremovedfromhispositionbyWalid,theking.Ashispunishment,hewasmadeto standatapublicplace.Peopleweregivenpermissiontodowhatevertheywishedtohim.Imam (A.S)hadsufferedthemostfromhishandsandthechancetotakehisrevenge.Instead,theImam nowwas(A.S)wenttohimandgreetedhimwithrespectandkindnessknowingthatifhedidso thenotherswouldfollowhimandsaveHishamfrominsultsandinjury. Togetherwithhispatiencewashisforgivingnatureandhiskindness.Thefollowingincidentsfrom Imam'slifeshowthisveryclearly. *Onceaslavegirl,whileservinghim,droppedonhimaheavyjugfullofwaterandcuthisface. Shesaidtohim,,"Allah,themosthighsays: thosewhocontroltheiranger.""BeforeshecouldcompletethisverseoftheQur'an,hesaid,"I havecontrolledmyanger." Shecontinued,saying,"Andthosewhoforgivethepeople.."Hereplied."'MayAllahforgiveyou." Shewenton,saying,",Allahlovesthose,whodogood."Hereplied,"'Go,youareafreepersonin thepresenceofAllah,TheHigh,TheMighty." *OncetheImamcalledhisslavebuttheslavedidnotreplyhim.TheImamcalledhimtwomore times;onlythenhereplied.TheImamaskedhimifhedidnothearbeingcalled.Theslavereplied thathedidhearbutheignoredtoanswerbecauseheknewthatnoharmwouldcometohim fromtheImam(A.S). WhentheImamheardthishesaid,"PraisebetoAllahwhomademyslavesafefromme." Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

DuringthetimesoftheImam(A.S)slaverywascommon.Slaveswouldcomefromwars.TheImam usedtogetthemas"Khums"fromthosewhotookpartinthesewars.AlsotheImamusedto purchasesomeslavesandthensetthemfree. Hetreatedhisslavesverywellandwouldneverbeatthemforanymistakes.Instead,hewould recordalltheirmistakes.AttheendofthemonthofRamadhan,hewouldcallthemandletthem knowofalltheirmistakes.HewouldthentellthemtopraytoAllahtoforgivetheImamtheway theImamforgavethem(theslaves).Hewouldthensetfreeallslavesandgivethemgenerous gifts. ItissaidthatoneofhissuchslaveswhomtheImamhadsetfreeprogressedsomuchthatonone occasionheloaned10,000dinarstoImamZainulAbidin(A.S).TheImam(A.S)laterrepaidthis loan. *ApersononcespokeveryharshlytotheImamandwronglyblamedtheImamforthingshehad neverdone.TheImamlistenedtoallthesequietlyandwithoutansweringhim.Themangottired andwentaway. AfterhehadgonetheImamaskedhisfollowerstogowithpunishtheperson.Theyallwentwith theImam(A.S).OnhiswaytheImamstartedreadingthefollowingversesofQur'an: "'Thosewhocontroltheirangerandforgivethepeople,Allahlovesthosewhodogood."(3'133). HiscompanionsimmediatelyknewthattheImamwouldforgivetheperson. Whentheyarrivedattheperson'shouseandwhenthepersonsawthemall,hewassure,the Imamhadcometopunishhim.However,theImamaddressedhimverygentlysaying,"Brother, yousaidthingsaboutme,iftrulyIhavethosefaults,thenIpraytoAllahtoforgiveme.If, however,Idonothavethosefaults,IpraytoAllahtoforgiveyou." Themanwasputtoshame.Hesaid,"Youarefreefromallthosefaults.MayAllahforgivemefor makingthosefalseclaimsagainstyou."*OnceamanabusedtheImam(A.S)inhispresence.The Imamactedlikehedidnothearit.Thenthemanshouted,"Imeanyou."TheImam(A.S)replied, "AndfromyouIamturningaway."BythistheImam(A.S)wasactingaccordingtotheQur'an whichsays"'Gotowhatishonourableandturnawayfromtheignorant"(7:199). HisGenerosity HisactsofpietydidnotendwithonlyspendinghistimecommunicatingwithAllah.Hespentalot Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ofhistime34servinghumanbeingsalso.Heregularlyvisitedthepoorandthesickandprovided fortheirnecessitiesoflifewithouttheirknowledge.Inthedarknessofthenight,hewouldcarry onhisbackbagsofbreadandfood,coverhisfacesothatnoonecouldrecognizehimandgofrom doortodooroftheneedyandservethemfood. NoneknewthatthispersonwasImamZainulAbidin(A.S)untilhisdeathZuhirsaysthatoncewhen itwasrainingheavilyatnight,hesawtheImamcarryingaheavyloadonhisback.Heofferedto help.TheImamsaidhewasonhiswaytoajourney. ThenextdayZuhirstillsawtheImaminMedina.HadtheImampostponedhisjourney?No.The Imamexplainedthathewaspreparingforthejourneyofthenextworld.Hewasonhiswayto feedthepooranddidnotwantZuhirtogowithhimasthiscouldleadtothepoortorecognize whotheirbenefactorwas. SheikhMufidrecordsthatImamZainulAbidin(A.S)paidavisittoZaidBinUthamaBinZaidwho wasverysick.Zaidwasweepingbecausehehaddebtoffifteenthousanddinars.TheImam promisedZaidthathewouldpaythefulldebtimmediatelyandhedidso. TheseactsofgenerositywerenotmeantforthepoorandfortheImam'sfriendsonly.Itwas extendedeventohisenemies.Aswillbeillustratedinthefollowingincidents. YouwillrecallthatinA.H64thepeopleofMedinaremovedYezid'sgovernorfromhispostof governorshipinMedina,Fearingfortheirlives,theBaniUmmayyahstartedrunningawayfrom Medina.MarwanBinHakamhadalargefamilyofwomenandchildrenandcouldnotrunawayfor hislifeunlesshecouldfindsomeonewhowouldagreetohousehiswomenandchildren.Marwan approachedseveralpeopleincludingAbdullahBinOmarBinKhattabbutallrefusedtohelphim. FinallyMarwanturnedtoImamZainulAbidinforhelp. MarwanwasenemynumberoneoftheProphet(S.A.W.W)andhisfamily.Asamatteroffact,the Prophet(S.A.WW)hadorderedMarwanandhisfatherHakamBinAastoleaveMedinaas unwantedpersons.ItisthesameMerwanwhohadfoughtagainstImamAli(A.S)intheBattleof Jamal.MerwanalsowasoneofthosewhopreventedImamHassantobeburiednexttohis grandfather'sgrave.Again,itwasMerwanwhohadtoldWalid,theGovernorofMedinainA.H.60 toforce"Bayah"fromImamHusain(A.S)inthecourtortocutoffhisheadifherefused. Despitethis,theImam(A.S)agreedtohelpMarwan.Merwan'sfamilystayedwiththeImamin Imam'shouseforaslongastheywished.TheImamthenarrangedforthemtogotowhere Merwanwas. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Infact,Imam'shousewasopenforanyonewhocameseekingforprotectionatthistime. ToputdowntherebellioninMedina,Yezidsentastrongarmyundertheoneeyedgeneralcalled MuslimBinAqaba.MuslimbroughtbackMedinaunderthecontrolofYezidbutbeforehecould dothesametoMeccahedied. HasinBinNamirtookoverfromMuslimandwenttoMecca,todealwithAbdullahIbneZubair whohadtakencontrolofMeccafromYezid.BeforeHasincouldwinbackMecca,hegotthenews thatYezidhaddied. HasinhurriedbacktoDamascuswithwhateverthathewasleftwithoutfoodwasleftofhisarmy. Onthewayandwater.Heandhisarmywereabouttodieinthedesertoutofthirstandhunger. Thenhesawamancominginhisdirection.Themanhadacamelloadedwithfoodandwater. Hasinbeggedthemantoselltohimthefoodandwaterwhichhehadwithhimforanyprice.The manrepliedthathisprovisionswerenotforsale.However,asHasinneededthemsobadlyhe couldhaveitallforfree.! Inhisconversationwiththestranger,Hasinrecognizedthestrangerasbeingnootherpersonthan AliBinHusain(A.S).ThinkingthattheImamhadnotrecognisedhim,HasinaskedtheImamifhe knewtowhomtheImamwasextendinghisgenerosity. TheImamreplied,"Iknowthatyouarethemurdererofmybrotherandfatherandthatyou deniedmyfatherwaterandfoodtillhismartyrdombutthatshowswhoyouareandmy generosityshowswhatIam". HasinofferedtohelptheImamtakecontrolofDamascus.TheImamrefusedsaying,allthathedid forhimwasbecausehewasahumanbeingneedinghelp.TheImamneedednorewardorthanks. SayingsohewentawayleavingbehindHasintobitehisfiguresindisbeliefSuchwasthe generosityofourfourthImam,AliBinHusain,ZainulAbidin(A.S).

Chapter5:SomeMiraclesofImamAliBinHusain(A.S) WHATISAMIRACLE? Allahhasmadelawsforallhiscreation.Theselawscanbedividedintotwotypes.First,thereare Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

thoselawswhichnoonecanchange.Thesearesometimescalledthelawsofnature.Forexample, thesunrisesintheeastandsetsinthewest.Thecharacterofwateristocoolandthatoffireisto burn.Noonecanbringthedeadbackfromdeath;thesearebutafewexamplesofthelawsof nature. ThentherearethelawsofAllahwhichareinthehandsofmanandtheycanchangethemagainst thewillofAllah.Forexample,thelawofAllahforbidstohaverelationshipwithanothermanasif hewasawoman.(ThisactwasverycommonwiththepeoplewholivedduringthetimesofNabi Loot)Butmancanchangethislaw,thoughbydoingsohecommitsasin. Miracleissaidtohavetakenplacewhenalawofnature,whichinnormalconditionscannotbe changed,isindeedchanged.Forexample,theQur'antellsusofthemiraclesofNabiIsa(A.S).He wasbornwithouthismotherhavinganyrelationshipwithaman.Again,whenhewasborn,he startedtalking,tellingpeoplethathewasaProphetwithabookfromAllah.Orthathemadethe deadreturntolife.Theseactsarenotnormalandtheyarecalledmiraclesor"Mojiza". MiraclestakeplaceonlywhenAllahwishesandHedoessoforveryspecialreasons.Themain reasonisthat:Allahwantstoprovehisexistence.TheProphetsand12Imamsshowmiraclesonly whenAllahwishesthemtodoso.Forexample,NabiMusacouldturnhisstickintoasnaketo showthathehadthispowergiventohimbyAllah. Anothergoodexampleofmiracleisthat':OurProphet,HazratMuhammad(S.A.WW),splitthe moonintotwopartstoprovetothe"Kuffar"ofMeccathathewasatrueMessengerofAllah. BesidestheProphet(S.A.W.W),theother13Masoomin(ThatisHazratFatimaandour12Imams) alsodidshowmiracleswhenitwasnecessarytodosoandwhenAllahwishedthemtodoso. BeforeIgiveexamplesofthemiraclesthatImamZainulAbidinshowed,Ishallexplainthe differencebetweenamiracleandmagic. WhereasamiracleistheworkofthemenofAllah,magicistheworkofShaitanoronlyatrick performedsocleverlythatforsometimeweseeachangeinnaturallaws.Forexample,inthe Qur'anwearetoldthatFirawn(Pharo)calledmagicianswhocouldturnthreadsintosnakes. Thedifferencebetweenmagicandmiracleisthesameasthedifference.betweenthesnakesof magiciansandthatofNabiMusa.Themagician'ssnakeswerenotreal,theoneofNabiMusawas. Asaresult,themagician'ssnakesonlyappearedlikesnakesandthereforecoulddonoharmor evenfightwithNabiMusa'ssnakewhichswallowedthethreadsofthemagicians.Thethreads disappearedforgood.

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 TheMiraclesofImamZainulAbidin(A.S) SeveralmiracleswereshownbytheImam(A.S)butweshalllookatonlytwoofthem. MIRACLE1 AfterthemartyrdomofImamHusain(A.S),thearmyofYezidcutofftheheadsofallthemartyrs ofKerbalaandremovedthemfromtheirbodies.Thentheyleftthosebodieswithoutburying them.TheydidnotallowImamZainulAbidin(A.S)toburythesemartyrs.Instead,theytookhima prisonertoKufa. AfterthearmyofYezidhadleftforKufa,thetribeofBaniAsad,wholivedintheneighbourhoodof Kerbala,cametoburythemartyrs.Sincetherewasnowaybywhichtheycouldknowwhosebody belongedtowhom,theywereworried. Suddenly,theysawamanonahorsecomingintheirdirection.Fearingthatthiscouldbeaspyof Yezidcomingtocheckonthem,theBaniAsadwentintohiding.Themancamewheretheywere hidingandcalledthemtocomeout.HetoldthemthathewasAliIbnHusain(A.S)andhadcome throughmiraclefromKufatohelpthemidentifyandburythemartyrs. InthiswayImamZainulAbidin(A.S)buriedthemartyrsandhisfatherwheretheylieburiedtoday. HiscomingtoKerbalawasveryimportantfortworeasons.Firstly,anImamfromAllahhastobe giventheburialservices,whenhedies,bytheImamwhotakesoverfromhim.Noonecouldgive theburialservicestoImamHusain(A.S)excepthim.Buthewasmilesawayandinchainsasa prisonerofIbnZiyadinKufa.HethereforecametoKerbalabymiracle.Secondlyonlyheknew whowaswho.Otherwise,wewouldneverknowwhowasburiedwherethewayweknowtoday. MIRACLE2 AfterthemartyrdomofImamHusain(A.S)andafterImamZainulAbidin(A.S)hadreturnedto Medina,somepeoplebegantoconsiderHazratMuhammadHanafiyaastheirImam.Hazrat MuhammadHanafiyawasImamHusain'syoungerbrotherHewasverypiousandhadnothimself saidthathewasImam.OnlysomemisguidedpeoplebegantoconsiderhimastheirImam. Itbecamenecessarytoremovethismisunderstanding.Therefore,Imam(A.S)andhisuncle, MuhammadHanafiyadecidedtogotogethertowhere"HajarAswad"(Theblackstonenear Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Ka'aba)was. Atfirst,HazratMuhammadHanafiyaaddressedtheHajaraskingittoconfirmwhotheImamwas. Buttherewasnoreply.ThenImamZainulAbidin(A.S)addressedtheHajar.Aloudandclearvoice camefrom"HajarAswad"salutingtheImambyhisfullnameandconfirmingthatheandhealone wastheImamofthetime. LetitberememberedthatHazratMuhammadHanafiyahimselfhadneverclaimedtobeImam.He fullysupportedImamZainulAbidin(A.S)butheaddressedHajarAswadonlytoletthemisguided peopleseeforthemselvesthathewasnotanImam.

Chapter6:ImamAliBinHusain'sSermons,Supplications(Duas)andsaying INTRODUCTION Ashehaveseenbefore,thepoliticsofhistimesweresobadthatImam(A.S)couldnotopenly preachIslam.Ifhedidso,hisenemieswouldgetachanceofpreventinghimfromdoingsoby puttinghimawayinprisonorevenkillinghim.Hecouldnotthereforeallthetimepreachas openlyashisgrandparentshaddonebeforehim. AsanImamappointedbyAllah,heknewwhentoopenlyexposetheenemiesofIslamandwhen topreachIslamwithoutopenlynamingtheenemies.Wheneverpossible,hegavesermonsin whichheopenlynamedtheenemiesofIslamandthewrongsthattheydidtothefamilyofthe Prophet,thoughsuchmomentswererare.Otherwise,theImamusedthesupplications(Duas) andsayingstoteachproperIslamasopposedtoIslamwhichwasbeingpreachedbythe oppressivegovernmentofBaniUmayyah. SERMONS TheonlychancethattheImamhadtogiveanopensermonwasinthecourtofYezid.Itwasvery importantforhimtodosobecauseallalong,thepeopleofSyriawerebeingtoldliesaboutthe Prophet(S.A.WW)andhisfamily,especiallyaboutImamAli(A.S),HazratFatima(S.A),Imam Hassan(A.S)andImamHusain(A.S).IntheeyesoftheSyrians,MuawiyaandYezidwerethetrue representativesoftheProphet(S.A.W.W)andImamAli(A.S)andhischildrenweretheenemiesof Islam. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 Asamatteroffact,ImamZainulAbidin(A.S)andthefamilyoftheoftheProphetwerepresented inthecourtofYezidasthosewhohadfoughtagainstIslam.ItwasveryimportantfortheImam thereforetotelltheSyrianswhatwasthetruth.ThatistosaythatMuawiyyahandYezidwerethe enemiesofIslamandtheyhadmurderedtheinnocentmembersofthefamilyoftheProphet (S.A.WW);andtheImamgaveaverypowerfulsermonwhichyouhavealreadyseeninchapter2. Noticethatinthissermon,theImamdescribesveryopenlyhighpositionoftheProphet(S.A.WW) hisfamilyandotherrelativesoftheProphet.HealsoprovesthatYezid,hisparentsandhis grandparentsweretrulytheenemyofIslam.Althoughhenevergotanotherchancetogivea sermonlikethis,thisonesermonwasenoughtoawakentheSyriansfromthesleepofignorance. ThissermonwillalwaysbeaguidetothoseMuslimswhoneedtoknowtrulyhoweviltheBani UmayyahwereandhowvirtuoustheAhlulBaytwere. TheothersermonthattheImamgavewasveryshortbutveryeffective.WesawthatinChapter2. ThiswasgiventothepeopleofMedinaonthedaytheImamreturnedfromtheprisonofYezid. ThepeopleofMedinawerenotindarknessregardingthegoodnessofthefamilyoftheProphet, thewaythepeopleofSyriawere.ItwasnotatthistimenecessaryfortheImamtoremindthe peopleofMedinaabouttheevilsofBaniUmayyah;whatthepeopleofMedinaneededtobetold weretwothings. First,theyhadtobemadetoknowwhatBaniUmayyahdidtoImamHusain(A.S).Secondly,they neededtobetoldofwhatwasexpectedofthemnowthatImamHusain(A.S)hadgivenhislife. AndtheImamdidjustthatinthisshortaddresstothemwhichyouhavealreadyseeninChapter 2. SUPPLICATION(DUAS) Supplications("Duas")areakindofprayerstoAllah.Apersonwhoreadsa"Dua"isactually addressingAllah. IntheQur'anitselfAllahtellsusofthe"Duas"ofseveralProphetssuchasNabiNuh,NabiIbrahim andNabiMusa.TheProphettaughthiscompanionSseveralDuas.ImamAlitaughtKumaylBin ZiyadtheDuaofNabiKhizrwhichcametobeknownas"DuaeKumayl"andwhichisreadevery Thursdayevening.ImamHusain's(A.S)DuaofthedayofArafatwasintroducedtoyouwhen.we werelearningaboutthebiographyofImamHusain(A.S).ImamZaiunlAbidin(A.S)thereforewas notthefirstperson.tostartthisartofaddressingAllahthroughasupplication. WhatmakesImamZainulAbidin(A.S)sospecialisthat:hemade"Duas"onalmostevery importantoccasioninaMuslim'slifeandfilledtheseDuaswithknowledgeofverybranchof Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Islam.NoImambeforehimorafterhimhastaughtusasImamZainulAbidin(A.S)didthrough Duas. MostofthesupplicationsofImamZainulAbidin(A.S)todayexistinabookcalled"Sahifa Sajjadiya"(ThebookofSajjad)or"SahifaKamila"(Acompletebook)or""ZabureAle Muhammad"(ThepsalmsofthehouseofMuhammad).TheImamusedtoteachtheseDuastohis sonsImamMuhammadBaqir(A.S)andZayd,themartyrThesebooksremainedinthefamilyof ImamZaiunulAbidinfromgenerationtogenerationandhassurvivedtilltoday. SahifaEKamila The"Sahifa"asweknowittodayisacollectionof54Supplications,I4othersupplicationsand15 Munajat. These"Duas"canbeputintotwogroups:TheDuasthatcanbereadonanyoccasion(E.g. SupplicationforonesParents,SupplicationinaskingforPardon)andthosewhichareforspecial occasions(E.g.SupplicationsfordayofArafat,ThedayofIdd).These"Duas"arefullofknowledge onIslam.ThesubjectslistedherearebutafewexamplesofwhatiscontainedintheseDuas: HowtoaddressAllah MeritsoftheProphet(S.A.W.W)andhisfamily WhatarethemainpartsofIman(Faith) WhatbehaviorisexpectedfromMuslims ThroughtheseDuas,theImamtaughtthestandardsandprinciplesforMuslimswhowouldthen beabletosavethemselvesfrom"CorruptedIslam"thatwasbeingtaughtbytheBaniUmmayya. SAYINGS Wheneverhegotachance,theImamwouldadvisehisfollowersonhowtheyweretoleadtheir lives.Theseadvisesorsayingsareinplenty.Overandabovethat,theImamgavealengthyadvice onhumanrights.ThesetodayappearinabookformandiscalledRISALATALHUQUQ(Ora treatiseonrights).Inthisbook,theImam(A.S)givesexamplesof51differentrights. WeshallreproducehereafewsayingsoftheImamandfewrightsthattheImam(A.S)describes fullyinhisRISALATALHUQUQ. ASMALLSELECTIONOFHISSAYINGS: Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 1)Once,oneofhiscompanionscomplainedtohimthatoutofjealousysomepeoplewhomhe hadservedverywellweretreatinghimbadly.TheImamgavehimsomeadvicewhichwas: *Guardyourtongueanddonotspeakaboutpeoplewhatevercomesoutofyourmouth, otherwiseyouwillturnyourfriendsintoyourenemies. *Avoidsayingthingswhichthemindsofpeoplearenotpreparedtoaccept. *Hewhodoesnothavewisdomwillberuinedbytheasmallestthing(Mistake). *WhatharmwillcometoyouifyoutakeallMuslimstobeyourfamilyandyourrelations? Consideryourelderstobeyourparents,thoseyoungerthanyouasyourchildrenandthoseof yourageasyourbrothers.Ifyoudosowhoisgoingtoharmorabuseyou? *Wheneverathoughtcomesinyourmindthatyouarebetterthananyotherperson,thenthink alongtheselines:Ifthepersonisolderthanyouthenremindyourselfthatthispersonisbetter thanyouinmattersofIslambecausehehasdonemoregooddeedsthanyouhave.Ifthepersonis youngerthanyouthenremindyourselfthatthispersonisbetterthanyoubecausehehas committedlesssinsthanyouhave.Ifheisofyouragethanyourargumentshouldbe:heisbetter thanyouinmattersofIslamsinceyouknowofyourownsinsbutnotofhis. *Ifpeopleshowrespecttoyou,thinkthatthisisbecausethepeopleareverygoodnotthatyou aregood.Ifthepeoplesaybadthingsaboutyou,thinkthatsomethingisreallywrongwithyou.If youliveinthisway,lifewillbecomepleasantforyou,youwillmakemanyfriendsandyour enemieswillbefew. (2)TheImamsaid,"Donothaverelationshipwith,nortalkwithnorgivecompanyto5typesof people: *TheLiar:becausetheyarelikemirage:Withtheirwordstheyshowthingsdifferentfromwhat theyreallyare.Whatisneartheymakeitlookfarandwhatisfartheymakeitlooknear.Inthis way,theytakeyouawayfromtruth. *TheGreedyandtheSinner:becauseyoucannotrelyontheirfriendship;forasmallpieceoffood orevenlessthanthat,theywillsellyou.*TheMiser:becausetheywillletyoudownwhenyou needthemmost. *TheFool:becauseevenwhentheytrytodoyougood,theywillendyouindifficulties. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

*ThoseWhohavecutrelationshipwiththeirrelatives,becauseAllahhascursedtheminthe Qur'an. (3)TrytoearnahighpositioninParadise(Jannah). Remember:Highestpositionswillbegiventothosewhohavebeenmostusefultotheirbrothers infaithandwhohavebeenmosthelpfultotheneedy.Remember:Therearetimeswhenaperson saysbutonegoodsentenceandthatbringshimveryneartoAllahandbringshisfreedomonthe DayofJudgement. Neverthinkthatwhatyoudoforyourbrotherinfaithisunimportantbecausethesearethethings thatwillbeofmuchusetoyouonadaywhennothingelsewillbeofanyuse. (4)Drinking(Alcoholandotherforbiddendrinks)andGamblingaresuchsinsthattheydestroythe powertostopcommittingothersins. (5)(Speaking)Goodwordsincreaseaperson'swealthandsustenance(Rizk),prolonghislife,make himtobelovedbyhiswifeandchildrenandtakehimtoparadise. SELECTIONSFROMRISLATEHUQUQ *MayAllahhavemercyonyouknowthatAllahhasrightsagainstyou.Theserightssurroundyou inallyourmovements,inyourrest,inallyourbodypartsandeverythingthatyouuse.Someof theserightsarebigothersaresmall. *ThegreatestrightwhichisonyouisfromAllahHimselfandthisistherootofallotherrights.... ThegreatestrightofAllahonyouistoworshipHimwithoutassociatinganythingwithHim.Ifyou dothatwithpurityofheart,Hepromisestogiveyousufficientlywhatyouneedhereandinthe nextworld... *Therightsofyourteacheronyouare:Youshouldlookathimwithhonour,listentohimwithfull attention,sitfacinghimwithrespectanddonotraiseyourvoiceinhispresence.Ifsomeoneasks himaquestion,youshouldnotreplyitbutlettheteacherdoit.Donotspeaktoanyoneortalk badthingsaboutothersinfrontofhim.Youshouldhidehisfaultsandspeakofhisgoodqualities. Keepawayfromhisenemiesanddonotmakeenemieswithhisfriends.Ifyoudoallthese,angels willbeyourwitnessthatyoudidwhatyouwererequiredtodoandthatyouobtainedknowledge fromhimforthepleasureofAllahonly. *Therightsofyourmotherare:shecarriedyouwherenoonecarriesanyoneelse;shefedyou thefruitofherheartwhichnoonegivestoanyoneelse;sheprotectedyouwithallpartsofher Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

body.Shedidnotcareifsheremainedhungryaslongasyouwerefed;ifshewasthirstyaslongas youdrank;ifshewasnakedaslongyouhadclotheson,ifshewasinthesunsolongasyouwere inshade.Shelosthersleepforyou,sheprotectedyoufromcoldandheatsothatyoushouldlive. YouwillneverbeabletothankherunlessifAllahhelpsyou.... *Therightofyourneighbouristhatyoushouldguardhim(Hisbelongings)whenheisabsent, respecthimwhenheispresentandhelphimwhenheiswronged.Donotdoanyshamefulactto him.Ifyouknowofanybadthingsabouthimkeepthatsecret.Ifyouknowhewillacceptyour advicethengiveittohim.Donotleavehimalonewhenheisintrouble.Helphimoutofhis troubles,forgivehimifhehaswrongedyouandtreathimgenerously.

Chapter7:HisFamily HISMARRIAGES TheImam'sfirstwifewashiscousin,thedaughterofImamHassan(A.S).HernamewasFatima. Shewasaverypiousperson.ShewasthemotherourfifthImam,HazratMuhammadBaqir(A.S). Itisreportedthatonceshewassittingleaningagainstthewall.Allofasudden,thewallbeganto fallonher.Shecalledoutsaying."Owall,bythehonouroftheMessengerofAllahyouhaveno permissiontofalldownrightknow"andthewallstoodstill.Shemovedawayonlythendidthe wallfall.Shethengaveincharity100currencies. OtherthanImamMuhammedBaqir(A.S),hehadfromthismarriage,threeothersonswhose nameswereAbdAllah,AlHassanandAlHusain. AccordingtoSheikhMufid,besidesLadyFatima,hehadashiswives,atdifferenttimes,several slavegirls.Themainreasonbehindthesemarriagewastoraisethepositionofthesehelpless womenwhohadbecomeslavesbecauseofwars.Bygivingthemaplaceinhishouse,hegave themawaytolivealifeofindependenceandhonor.Fortheseladiesgavebirthtochildrenwho becamepartofImam'sfamily.Forexample,HazratZaid,whocametobeknownasZaidthe martyr,wasbornfromaslavegirlfromSindh(India)calledHuriya. HISCHILDREN Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

SheikhMufidinhisbook"AlIrshad"saysthatbesidesImamMuhammadBaqir(A.S),ImamZainul Abidinhadtenmoresonsandfourdaughters.InthenextunitweshalllearnmoreaboutImam MuhammadBaqir(A.S);fortherestofthischapterweshalllearnaboutZaid,ImamMuhammad Baqir'shalfbrother. ZAIDTHEMARTYR ItisreportedthatonceImam'scompanion,AbuHamzaThimaliwassittingwiththeImaminthe Imam'shouse.SuddenlyamalechildcameinthehouseandrantowardstheImam. Unfortunately,whilerunning,thechildfelldownandwashurt.TheImam(A.S)wentquicklyto wherethechildwasandtookhiminhishandswithkindnessandlove.AfterthattheImam(A.S) begantoweep. HethentoldthecompanionthatthechildwasnonebuthissonZaidandthatthosedayswerenot farwhen,asanadult,hewouldriseagainstthecruelgovernment.Hewouldthenbekilledandhis deadbodybehanged.HealsotoldAbuHamzathathe(AbuHamza)wouldlivetoseethis.Years laterwhattheImamsaidwouldhappeninfactdidhappen. HazratZaidwasverypiousandwasagoodreaderoftheQur'an.TheBaniUmayyah'sgovernment treatedthefamilyoftheProphet,especiallythegrandchildrenofImamAli(A.S)sobadlythat HazratZaidcouldnotsitquiet. Hewenttocomplaintothekingofthattime,BinAbdulmalikinDamascus.Hashamreceivedhim verybadlyinhiscourt.HazratZaidsaidtohim,"FearAllah". ThisWasenoughtomakeHashamangry.HeshoutedatHazratZaidsaying,"Alowpersonlikeyou isadvisingmetofearAllah?"HazratZaidreplied,"Thereisnoquestionofbeingloworhigh amongsttheservantsofAllahwhenitcomestogivingadviceandcallingeachothertowardsfear ofAllah." Hashamsaid,"Ihaveheardthatyouwanttobecometherulerbutyouarenotfittobeoneasyou arethesonofaslavegirl."HazratZaidreplied,"NooneisbettertoAllahthanhisMessenger. HazratIsmail,smother(Hajra)wasaslavegirlyetHazratIsmailwasaProphetandProphet Muhammad(S.A.W.W)wasfromhisprogeny." AsHishamhadnoreplytogive,hestartedabusingImamMuhammadBaqir(A.S)saying,"What doesyourbrotherBaqarah(TheCow)do?"Hearingthis,HazratZaidwasgreatlyhurtandreplied, Hashamwithoutanyfear,saying'"OHisham,theProphet(S.A.W.W)gavehimthenameofBaqir andyoucallhimBaqarrah.YouractionsMeoppositetothatoftheProphet(S.A.WW).OntheDay ofJudgementyouwillbeequallyfarfromhim.Baqirwillgotoparadiseandyouwillgotohell." Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 BytheordersofHisham,HazratZaidwasthrownoutofcourt'HewentawaytoKufa.Fromthere heraisedanarmytofightagainsttheBaniUmayyah.HehadfollowersinWasit,Mosel,Khurasan Ray,andJurjan.InKufaalonehehadabout15000supporters.Amonghisfollowerswerereaderof Qur'an,religiousscholarsandlawyers. HishamsentabigarmyunderthecommandofYusufBinUmarSaqafi.Unfortunately,mostof HazratZaid'ssupporterslefthim.Onlythreehundredsoldiersremainedwithhimwhenhecame tothebattlefield.Hefoughtverybravelyuntil.hewasmartyred,havingbeenhitbyanarrowon hisforehead.ThiswasinA.H.121. HissonYahyaburiedhimsecretlyunderariverbankbutHasham'smenfounditoutanddugout thebodyHazratZaid'sbodywasputonascaffoldinEgypt.Itremainedthereforsometimethen itwasburntandtheashesthrowninthewind.Thusendedthelifeofoneofthemostnoble servantsofAllah.

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