THE FOURTH INFALLIBLE IMAM IN ISLAM, ALI ZAYN AL-ABIDIN (A.S.)

Imam Ali, Zayn-al-Abidin, was the son of the King of the Martyrs, Imam Husayn (a.s.). His mother was Shaher Banu, daughter of the last Persian king, Yazd Jurd. He was born in Madinah on 5^th Shaban 38 A.H. He was entrusted with the Divine Imamate on the Day of Ashura 61 A.H. After the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.) in Karbala, he (himself in chains) led the imprisoned bare-headed women of Ahlul Bayt and children from Karbala to Kufa and then to Damascus. This was the most painful and humiliating journey.

When Yazid tried to talk in an insulting manner, he bravely spoke the truth whereupon Yazid threatened to kill him but Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) intervened. During this journey, he delivered sermons introducing himself and the Ahlul Bayt and explained the objective of their sacrifices which was to save Islam. When the news of Tragedy of Karbala spread far and wide and signs of revolt were apparent, Yazid released the Ahlul Bayt. Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) asked for a house to mourn the martyrs of Karbala. This was the first assembly of mourning (Majlis) for the martyrs. Imam Zayn-al-Abidin and the Ahlul Bayt returned to Madinah on route to Karbala. In the prison in Damascus, his little sister, Sakina, died and the Imam Sajjad had to bury her in her clothes because due to hitting of Shimr the cursed, the blood was dried up and stuck to her body!

The Imam (a.s..) led a quiet life after his return to Madinah. Because of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.), the Muslim Ummah realized the gravity of the sin and crime of Yazid and the people rose against his tyrannical rule. Yazid’s army ruthlessly suppressed the revolt in Madinah. They turned the Sacred Mosque of the Prophet into a stable for horses, killed hundreds of innocent Muslims including many companions of the Noble Messenger, and destroyed the chastity of numerous females on the clear instructions of Yazid. These beasts plundered Madinah for three days.

 The Imam lived 35 years after the tragedy of Karbala. Because of the unfavorable circumstances, the Imam started writing supplications, which demonstrates the immense knowledge of the progeny of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). His supplications were collected in the famous book, “Saheefa-e-Sajjadia”. In eloquence, the book is next to his grandfather, Imam Ali (a.s.)’ “Nahjul Balagha”.

Imam Zayn-al-Abidin (a.s.) also compiled a treatise known as “Risalat-ul-Huqooq” or a Treatise of Rights, which contains the rights of human beings, including the rights of every part of the human body. If one compares this book with the United Nation’s “Charter of Human Rights”, it appears to have been thoroughly influenced by this Treatise. 

Like other Infallible Imams, he loved and cared for the poor. The Imam would carry bags of bread on his back at night, without disclosing his identity, would go around the streets of Madinah and distribute it among the needy. Even when he gave alms to the poor, he would cover his face not to embarrass the recipient!

Hisham bin Abdul Malik, the heir of the caliph, was visiting Makkah for Hajj and was sitting in a chair waiting to kiss the Black Stone of Ka’ba, he saw that a young man came towards the Black Stone and the crowd automatically separated to give way to him. The man gracefully came and kissed the Black Stone and left. He knew who the man was. It was Imam Zayn-al-Abidin (a.s.) but to overcome his embarrassment, he enquired from his companions about the identity of the young man. The famous poet of Arabia, Farazdaq, compiled a poetry extempore praising the Imam. Some of the stanzas of his poem read as, “He is the one whom the whole Makkah knows.  Every stone in Ka’ba knows him. He is the son of Fatima and Ali and the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.).” Hisham became furious, stopped the financial assistance and imprisoned him. When Imam Zayn-al-Abidin (a.s.) heard about it, he sent some money to Farazdaq who said that he composed that poetry for the love of Allah and did not want any worldly compensation, but the imam insisted him to accept the gift.

It is said that after Karbala, the Imam wept and cried for a long time and when someone asked as to how long he was going to cry and said, “Martyrdom was the grace and inheritance of Ahlul Bayt”, but humiliation was not the inheritance of Ahlul Bayt!

The Imam through his supplications had spread the teachings of Islam. Abu Hamza al Thamali was one of his companions. The Imam had taught him a supplication known as “Duae Abu Hamza Thamali”. Abu Makhnuf was another companion who was instructed by Imam Mohammad al-Baqir (a.s.) to write the story of Karbala in a narrative form which he complied. It became a part of the authentic account of the tragedy of Karbala and became a source of majalis all over the Muslim world.

Walid bin Abdul Malik, the Umayyad monarch realized that Imam’s teachings were spreading all over the Arabia and influencing the Muslims, hence he poisoned the Imam and he was martyred on 25^th of Muharrum 95 A.H. 

Once a person asked Imam Zain-al-Abidin (A.S.), “What is the criterion for the acceptance of the prayers? The Imam replied, “Acknowledging our Wilayah and dissociating from our enemies.”

The reason why the Imam was given the title of “Zayn-al-Abidin” was that one night the Imam was praying and Shaitaan manifested himself as a huge serpent and tried to distract him. When the Imam did not take notice of him, he bites the toe of the Imam (ads.) causing great pain, but the Imam remained oblivious of him, and carried on with his prayers. After completing his prayers, the Imam realized that it was Shaitaan, he cursed him away saying, “O’ Accursed! Go away” and once again engaged himself in the worship. It was at that moment that an angel called three times: “You are the embellishment of the worshippers.” Or “Zayn-al-Abidin”

Among the sayings of Imam Zayn-al-Abidin (a.s.) are, “The attributes of a believer are: piety in private, donating charity at the time of need, patience when misfortune comes, tolerance at the time of anger, and truthfulness when there is fear.”

Once, the young Imam fell sick. His father, Imam Husayn (a.s.) inquired about his health and asked if he had any wish. The Imam replied, “My only wish is that may Allah count me among those who do not have any wish against His “Divine Decree and Divine Fate” or “Qaza-o-Qadr” The Imam (a.s.) was very pleased with the answer.

The Imam’s face would turn yellow while preparing for wudu and he would tremble performing prayers out of fear of Allah. Once, Imam was praying and young Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s.) fell in a well in the house and his mother was upset and called the Imam to rescue the boy. The Imam peacefully completed his prayer and after finishing it, he went near the well and put his hand in the well and pulled out Imam Baqir (a.s.) completely unharmed and without his clothes being wet.

After his return from Karbala, his uncle Mohammad-e-Hanafiyya, asked the Imam to give him the sacred assets of Imamate as he was then the elder in the family. The Imam first advised him that the imamate is a Divine responsibility regardless of age, and when he disagreed, he requested his uncle to accompany him to the Holy Ka’ba and let the Black Stone decide. Both offered salaam to the Black Stone, but his salaam was replied by the Black Stone and further said, “Imamate is the right of Zayn-al-Abidin”

At the time of the destruction of Madinah, Marwan, who was an arch enemy of Ahlul Bayt, came to the Imam for shelter of his family. The Imam gladly provided the requested shelter!

Similarly, Haseen Ibne Numair, one of the murderers in Karbala, requested to buy food grains from the Imam. He thought that the Imam did not recognize him, but the Imam told him that he had recognized him and said that he did not want to sell it but can give him free!

One of his Shias from Balakh used to come for Hajj and visit the Imam (a.s.) in Madinah. Once his wife told him, “You always take gifts for your Imam but has your Imam ever given you anything?” Next year when he visited the Imam, the Imam asked him to join him for food. After finishing the food, the Imam wanted to pour water on his hands to wash. When the pot was full of polluted water, the Imam asked him, “What is it?” He said “water”. The Imam said, “Look again carefully” When he looked carefully he saw the red gems instead of water. The Imam told him to take it and give it to his wife.

Omer Ibne Abdul Aziz was the only exception in the corrupt Umayyad Dynasty. When he was the Governor of Hejaz, one of the walls of Prophet’s Shrine fell. After the repair, he invited Imam Zayn-al-Abidin (a.s.) to perform the opening ceremony of the mosque. He was the one who returned the Gardens of Fadak to Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.)’s progeny and ordered to stop the sinful tradition of cursing Imam Ali from the mosques as started by Moa’via bin Abu Sufiyan.

          Source: Behar-ul-Anwar by Allama Baqir Majlisi

MASTER OF MARTYRS, IMAM HUSAYN (A.S.)'S MIGRATION FROM MAKKAH TO KARBALA

In my earlier article titled “King of Martyrs Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s Migration from Madinah to Makkah”. The present article covers his (a.s.) migration to Karbala.

Following into the foot-steps of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and his illustrious father, Imam Ali (a.s.) encompassing moral, ethical and spiritual standards, Imam Husayn (a.s.) avoided direct conflict and bloodshed. All his actions were open and transparent free of deceit. The Makkans received him (a.s.) with love and reverence as they remembered the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) showed enormous love to his grandsons (a.s.). More and more Muslims arriving for the impending Hajj were gathering around him. He continued to preach piety according to Islam.

While still in Madinah, he had received more than 12,000 letters from the Muslims of Kufa who were disgusted with the oppressive rule of Umayyads and ignorance of the governors in religious matters. Letters signed by Shibath bin Riby, Hajjaj bin Abjur, Yazid bin Harith, Urwa bin Qeis etc. laid emphasis on rescuing the oppressed and render justice. Imam Husayn (a.s.) replied to them saying, “…..I understood your unanimous declaration that you have no Imam for your guidance. I am sending my cousin Muslim son of Aqeel. If he writes to me that most of you are desirous of following the right path and supporting the truth, and if the wise and virtuous ones agree with you, then I shall be among you, God willing. I should enlighten your minds with the fact that an Imam or true guide is the one who acts according to the Divine percepts, keeps himself steady on the path of justice and righteousness, and binds himself with the laws laid down by God and His Prophet.”

At Mina, Imam Husayn (a.s.) delivered a historical sermon surveying the prevalent situation of the Ummah. Extracts from his long sermon are: “You are fully aware of the tyranny of Mu’awiya and Yazid. I ask you to bear witness to what I say, write it down, remember and propagate my message to everyone in your tribe, village, town and city. I am doing this because I apprehend that the truth will be buried, and falsehood will be made to prevail over the truth. But God has promised to protect His Light, though the infidels may dislike it.” After Glorifying Allah and reciting numerous Qur’anic verses which were revealed about the “Ahlul Bayt (a.s.)” Imam Husayn (a.s.) inquired from the huge crowd about the truth of his questions and the crowd spontaneously confirmed.

He asked, “Is not Muhammad Messenger of Allah?” Crowd, “Certainly”. He asked, “Is not Fatima the only child of the Prophet and that she is the Chief of the women in Paradise? Crowd, “Indeed it is as you say.” He asked, “Is not Ali cousin and the deputy of the Prophet? Have you not heard the Prophet say, when he created a bond of brotherhood between his followers that Ali was a brother to him, like Aron (Harun) was to Moses (Musa)? The people said, “We bears witness that what you say is true.” He asked, “Am I not the son of Ali and Fatima?” They replied, “Indeed you are so.” He asked, “Have you not heard the Prophet say that I and my brother Hasan are the masters of the youth in Paradise?” People replied, “We are witnesses to what you have said.” He asked, “Is it not true that when the Prophet constructed the mosque, he had all the doors closed except the one leading to the house of Ali and Fatima, and when Umar wanted to open a chink in the wall of his house so that he could peep into the mosque, the Prophet sternly forbid it?” They replied, “It was so.” He asked, “Is it not true that on the Day of Mubahaila with the Christians, the Prophet took my mother Fatima to represent women, my father Ali to represent men and I and my brother Hasan to represent children of the Prophet? This Prophet did in accordance with what was revealed to him by God? They said, “Indeed, it is true.” He asked, “Have you not the Prophet say that Fatima, Ali, Hasan and Husayn are from me and I am from them and that they are my Ahlul Bayt? Have you not heard the Prophet say that ‘one who loves my Ahlul Bayt loves me and one who loves me loves Allah, and he who opposes my Ahlul Bayt opposes me and he who opposes me opposes Allah? The people said, “We affirm the truthfulness of what you said.” The Imam said, “I make it obligatory on all of you gathered here to repeat what you all heard from me now, to your kith and kin, friends and acquaintances, in villages, towns and cities, and where ever you find two believers gathered at one place.”

On 20^th Dhul Quadah, Imam Husayn (a.s.) received a letter from Hazrat Muslim stating that more than one a lakh of Muslims in Kufa had sworn fealty to him and that the Imam may proceed to Kufa. On hearing the reports of Hazrat Muslim’s popularity, Yazid ordered to kill Hazrat Muslim along with other influential leaders of Kufa and sent a contingent headed by Amr bin Sa’eed bin A’s with strict instruction to kill Imam Husayn (a.s.) in the precints of the Holy Ka’ba. On learning this and to protect the sanctity Allah’s House, Imam Husayn (a.s.) performed Umra and left Makkah.

               Source: (al-Islam.org) The Hidden Truth About Karbala by A.K.Ahmed

THE GRAND EID OF MUBAHELAH

In the early days of Islam, Najran was a big center of learning whose inhabitants were idol-worshipers. Subsequently, they accepted Christianity as their religion. Najran is in the modern Saudi Arabia, south of Jeddah. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had sent letters to the heads of different countries inviting them to Islam. One such letter was also sent to the bishop of Najran.

It read as follows:

In the name of the God of Ibrahim, Is’haaq and Yaqoob. This letter is from Muhammad, the Prophet and Messenger of Allah to the Bishop of Najran.

Praise be to the God of Ibrahim, Is’haaq, and Yaqoob. I invite you to worship Allah instead of His servants. I invite you to come out of the rule of servants of Allah and into the rule of Allah Himself.

It is also stated that the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) included the following Ayah of the Glorious Qur’an:

“Say, (O’Muhammad) O People of the Book (Bible), come to an agreement between us and you; that we shall worship none but Allah and that we shall claim no partner to Him, and that none of us shall take others for Lords besides Allah” And if they turn away, then say, “Bear witness that we are Muslims ( who have surrendered to Allah).” (3:64)

This was the event of 10 A.H. Sixty learned priests headed by their chief monk priest, Abdul Masih, came to Madinah and went straight to meet the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) wearing golden ornaments and dressed in silken clothes. He (s.a.w.a.s.) did not like their attire and turned his face away from them. They inquired from a few influential Companions for the reason, but they did not know the state of his (s.a.w.a.s.)’s mind. The Commander of the faithful, Maula Mushkil-Kusha, Imam Ali (a.s.) came to their rescue and advised them to dress in simple clothes. When they returned wearing simple clothes, the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) warmly welcomed them. It may be inferred that appearances and attires show the thinking of the person. They wanted to show pride and high status.

 Following conversation followed:

The Prophet: I invite you to the belief of Unity of Allah (Tauheed) and the worship of one God and submission to His will. (Then he recited the above-mentioned Ayah)

Abdul Masih: If Islam means faith in one God of the universe, we already believe in Him and follow His commands.

The Prophet: Islam has a few other signs and some of your actions show that you have not accepted true Islam. How do you claim worship of one God when you worship the cross and do not abstain from eating pork and believe that God has a son?

Abdul Masih: Certainly he (I’sa (a.s.)) was the son of God because his mother Mary [Mariyam (s.a.)] had given birth to him without marrying anyone in the world. Therefore, obviously his father is the God of this universe. And, because he used to bring the dead back to life, cure the sick and create birds from clay and make them fly. It shows that he is God.

The Prophet: No, he was the servant and creature of God, and placed in the womb of his mother Mariyam (s.a.). All his power and strength were granted to him by God.

At this time, Archangel Jibra’eel brought the following Ayah 59 of Surah Ale Imran:

“Surely, the example of I’sa to Allah is like that of Adam; He created him from dust and then said to him, “Be” and he was”

It means that if Isa (a.s.) could be called the son of God because he was born without father, then Adam (a.s.) deserves this title more because he was born without a father and a mother. The priests could not reply to this argument and continued to argue out of obstinacy.

Then the following Ayah 61 of Surah Ale Imran was revealed:

              “And whoever argue with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge then say, come, let us call our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then let us humbly pray (to our Lord) and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars” 

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) produced this verse before the priests and challenged for “Mubahelah”. The priests consulted each other and accepted the challenge. It was agreed that the contest would take place the next day in the open desert outside Madinah. On 24^th Zilhajj, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) came out for Mubahelah. He was holding Imam Husayn (a.s.) in his arms and held Imam Hasan (a.s.) by his hand; Lady of Paradise Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was behind him, while the Lion of Allah, Imam Ali (a.s.) was behind her. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said to them, “When I pray for curse of Allah, you should say Ameen”.

In compliance of the Ayah of Mubahela, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) brought Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn (a.s.) as his “SONS”, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) in place of “WOMEN” while he could have brought three or more women, and Imam Ali (a.s.) as his “SELF “while the Ayah had the accommodation for three.

The priests, by seeing these shining faces emitting light, were spellbound. Their hearts trembled, and they began to shake on seeing the light radiating from the faces of The Sacred Panjetan (a.s.).

Their leader asked: “who are these persons who have come with Muhammad “A man told their names and their relationship with the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). He could no longer hold his patience and cried out:

“By God, I am seeing such faces that if they were to pray to God to move the mountain, God Almighty would move the mountain for them. O You People of Najran, if you contest with Muhammad in this prayer of invoking curses on the liars, then I warn you that all of you will be destroyed and not a single soul will remain on this earth. I feel that it would be better to surrender to them and obey them”

After the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) heard these words, he later remarked: “By God, had the Christians of Najran contested with us, they would have been transformed into monkeys and swine. Fire would have rained over them”  

It is a historic event of a unique triumph of Islam. This event unquestionably established the truth about Islam and the spiritual purity of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). It proved beyond doubt as to who were the members of The House of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and their “unquestionable Truthfulness!”

There is a point to be remembered here that in Arabic language the plural tense is used for more than three persons. Allah had provided the place for three or more than three persons in the categories of “SONS”, “WOMEN”, and “SELVES”. But the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had to decide as to who were the persons who were “TRUTHFUL” and never lied in their life time, because Mubahelah would bring up Allah’s wrath on the “LIARS”. It was a crucial test for Islam. Hence, he picked-up Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.); only two persons for the place in “SONS”. While in the place of “WOMEN”, he picked-up only his daughter, The Lady of Paradise, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.). Similarly, in the place of “SELVES”, he picked up only The Conqueror of Khyber, Imam Ali (a.s.).

After the sad demise of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), when Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) claimed her gifted property of Fadak, which was given to her by her father, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), the Caliph did not accept her testimony, that of Imam Ali (a.s.) nor Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.). These were the same Panjetan, whose Truthfulness was accepted by Allah on the eve of Mubahelah!