An introduction to sixth infallible

Imam Zain ul Abidin (AS)

Birth

In the
period of the second caliph "Ummer", the Muslims conquered Iran. The daughters of
Yazdgard were brought to Madina.

All
had gathered in the mosque of Madina to see what was the decision of the
caliph, about them. He wanted to sell them but Imam Ali (A.S.) stopped him
from doing so and said to Urnmer, "leave the girls free so that they
marry whosoever they wish."

One of
the girls chose Hussain Ibn-e-Ali (A.S.) and the other chose Imam Hassan
Mujtaba (A.S.). Imam Ali (A.S.) said to Hussain, "Look after this
woman very well, because, from her an Imam will come into existence (born)
who will be the best of the God's creations upon the earth and the father
of all the Imams (after himself).

Not
very long after that the sun of his existence arose, on Thursday, the 5th
of Shaaban, 38th Hijrah, in Madina.

He was
named "Ali" later on titled as Zain-ul-Abidin (the decoration of
the worshippers) and Sajjad (one who performs much prostration).

The
Ethical and Moral Characteristics of Imam (A.S.)

1.
Piety and Abstinence:

One of
the special features of Imam's character was his piety and abstinence. Imam
Jaffar Sadiq (A.S.) said, "Ali Ibn-ul-Hussain (A.S.) resembled most of
all the sons of Bani Hashim, with Ali (A.S.)".

His
son Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) said, "One day I happened to see my
father, I saw him (completely) immersed and (thoroughly pre occupied) in
the prayers and with all the attention towards God. His color was faded and
his eyes were sore and red due to weeping, his feet were swollen by
(prostration) and legs, and knees had developed corns. I said humbly
"Oh father, why do you loose your self control during the prayers and
put yourself in such an inconvenience and discomfort. My father wept and
said, "Oh son however and whatsoever amount of prayers I perform even
then it is meager and very little as compared to the prayers of your
grandfather, "Ali Ibn-e-Abi Talib."

Taous
Yamni says, I saw Imam lying in prostration saying, "Oh God your
servant, needy towards you, is in your house waiting for your blessing,
forgiveness and favor".

2.
Attention to the life and training of people:

Imam
Zain-ul-Abidin (A.S.), like his grandfather, was busy in cultivating land
and palm date orchards. He offered two Rakat of prayer near each palm date
tree. During the prayers he would get himself so absorbed that he did not
have any attention towards anything except God. He traveled to Mecca, on foot, twenty
times. And continuously guided and conducted people through the attractive
melody of the Qur'anic verses.

All
the human qualities and attributes were collectively present in his
personality. He was the complete specimen of tolerance, forgiveness and
self-sacrifice. He looked after and administrated hundreds of houses of the
poor and hunger stricken. Daily a number of goats were slaughtered in his
house and he distributed all their meat among the afflicted. He dressed the
naked and dress less ones and paid their debts and loans. But he himself
took simple meals and put on simple dress.

A
person came to Ali Ibn-ul-Hussain (A.S.) and started addressing him with
filthy and abusive language. Imam (A.S.) turned his face towards him
without the slightest anger and quarrel or strife and said, "Oh
brother, if what you say is right and correct and these vices are present
in me then God may pardon and forgive my sin. And if you are telling a lie
then God may forgive you and pardon your sin."

The
man was very much ashamed and asked Imam (A.S.) to pardon him. Abu Hamza
Somali who was one of the friends of Imam (A.S.) asked his servant to briefly
define the character and morals of Imam (A.S.). He said so, "I am at
his service for so many years. Whatever I saw was righteousness, piety and
purity. My lord helps and assists the people and solves their problems,
with all the difficulties worries and pre occupations that he himself
faces. Zaid bin Usama was lying on the deathbed. Imam Sajjad (A.S.) visited
him, Zaid was weeping. When Imam (A.S.) asked him the reason of his weeping
he said, "I have to pay fifteen thousand Dinnars as my loan and debt
and my wealth is not so much as to pay off the debt." Imam said,
"Do not weep and be contented, I will pay all of your loan."

When
the nights would become dark and all the people went to sleep, Imam Sajjad
(A.S.) would get up put the food in a sack and on his shoulder. He covered
his face so that he is not recognized. Then he took that food to the houses
of the inflicted and have-nots and gave it to them.

He
administrated and looked after nearly a hundred guardians less family in
Madina, most of them comprised indigent, helpless and crippled, handicapped
and paralytic ones.

What a
surprise! None of these families knew that Imam Zain-ul-Abidin (A.S.) was
the one who managed and run their lives.

But
after his death, when the aids were discontinued they came to know that
Imam (A.S.) was their helper and friend.

Accompanying
and keeping pace with his father

He was
beside his father right from the moment of his migration towards Karbala and followed his
father. Imam Hussain (A.S.) step by step so that, when his father asked for
help on the day of Ashoora he got up to extend help to his father. But
Hazrat Zainab (S.A.) stopped him and said, "You are the only memorial
remnant of this family and the Imam after Imam Hussain (A.S.) and you are
the guardian of all of us. Your divine mission is to convey the message of
the martyrs to the people.

Although
a segment of the people who are unaware consider the Imam to be a sick,
invalid, handicapped and weak person. But they are seriously mistaken
because the illness of Imam was an expedience and policy of God, so that he
may remain safe from the harm of the enemy's sword, and become the living
history of Karbala. Therefore, after
the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his companions Shimar came into
the encampment of Imam along with a group of murderers of Bani Ommayide so
that he may kill the remaining ones of the camp of Imam Hussain (A.S.).
Since he was ill, Shimar's companions objected upon him and Umer Saad came
after them and reprimanded Shimar regarding this decision and turned him
out of the encampment. And said, "He is an ill man and cannot do a
thing, leave him alone."

The
movement of Imam (A.S.) and his clamor begins

Imam
(A.S.) who along with the left behind families of martyrs was besieged by
the enemy, came out on the morning of 11th Moharram, the 61st Hijrah. They
had chained his hands and feet and placed the heads of the martyrs in front
of him so that his sorrow and grief is increased.

There
is no doubt about it that if Imam was not there in Karbala to see all the
crimes of Yazeed from a close quarter and convey it to the people of Kufa
and Syria, Bani Ommayide would not have become defamed and disgraced to
that extent.

The
family of Hussain (A.S.), as against the concept of a foolish and silly
group who think they were defeated, where ever they set foot, they would
announce the success of their revolution and the defeat of Yazeed.

What
more and superb conquest could be imagined about, than this that the enemy
was highly afraid of them. Where ever they opened their lips to speak
people would manifest their feelings and emotions and paid them respect and
homage and rebuked, reproached, and cursed their enemies.

Imam's
Speech in Kufa

When
the carvan of the prisoners reached Kufa and all the people were keenly trying
to see the prisoners. Imam (A.S.) noticed that Kufis did not recognize them
otherwise they were not that indifferent. Therefore, Imam by his hand gave
the people the signal to keep quiet. All of them adopted silence and lent
ears to him. Suddenly the memorial of Hussain (Imam) opened his lips and
said, "Oh the people of Kufa! I am the son of Hussain (A.S.), I am Ali
the son of Ali (A.S.), Fatimah (S.A.) and Prophet (P.B.U.H.). I am the son
of that Imam (A.S.) whose sons were killed and his properties looted and
plundered and his family held prisoners before you. You wrote invitation
letters to my father. When he came towards you, you killed him. What will
you reply to God and his Prophet (P.B.U.H.) on the justice day. You did not
observe the honor and sanctity of your Prophet (P.B.U.H.) annoyed his soul.
Woe to you, what a bad people you are."

Imam
(A.S.) arose and alerted the sleeping consciences by these statements and
addresses broke and tore the hearts and rolled the tears out of the eyes
and changed the celebrations and joys of Bani Ommayide into a sorrow and
grief.

In
the Court of Ibn-e-Ziad

Keeping
in view the reports of the officials about the turmoil and disturbance of
the Kufa city, Ibn-e-Ziad ordered that they (Prisoners) must be brought to
the court, as soon as possible.

The
unclean, dirty, obnoxious and ostentatious son of Ziad held a grand
aggregation comprising of all the nobles, notable, dignitaries of Kufa to
show off his power to them. And threaten and intimidate them so that in
future they do not pluck the courage of uttering any words. Others should
know that whosoever opposes, shall meet the same fate.

Thus
they showed the remaining (family) of Imam Hussain (A.S.) in and all those
present there gazed and looked at them. They were looking on at them with
amazement; none of them took any notice of Ibn-e-Ziad, the killer of Kufa.

The
son of Ziad was furious and enraged and wanted to show disrespect to them.
But he could not dare it. Hazrat Imam Sajjad (A.S.) addressed him saying
"Oh the son of Ziad! Today you are sitting on the seat and throne of
Power and the sons of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) are standing before you. Do
not think you have any value in our eyes. These words proved so much
effective that the ruler of Kufa lost his wits and was stunned and started
using foul and rotten language and threatened them. Thereafter, he ordered
that Imam Sajjad (A.S.) be slain, but due to the hue and cry of the
prisoners and the objection of those present he refrained from it. But Imam
(A.S.) addressed him saying: "You scare me from death. You must know
that being killed and slain is our habit and martyrdom is our nobility and
generosity."

Ibn-e-Ziad
did not know what to do and what to say. He did not have any alternative
except to order the prisoners be taken away from the assembly as soon as
possible.

In
The Court of Yazeed

The
family, kith and kin of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), which were tired and
exhausted, grieved and sorrowful, was all tied up with one single rope and
were brought into the court and assembly of Yazeed. They adopted the same
conduct and behavior with Yazeed, which they had previously shown towards
Ibn-e-Ziad. None of them gave any attention and took any notice of Yazeed.
Thereby, Imam (A.S.) raised his head and said, "You, who claim to be Muslim,
say, what would the Prophet (P.B.U.H) do with you and say to you if he sees
us in this condition that you have taken us prisoners."

This
strong sentence of Imam (A.S.) made those present on the occasion weep and
Yazeed was embarrassed and bewildered and at once ordered the ropes to be
let loose and open.

Then
he started ill speaking and vilification. So, at once the children of Imam
Hussain (A.S.) and Imam Sajjad (A.S.) resisted and withstood him and
delivered speeches, which dishonored and disgraced his lineage and family.
It came to it, that from inside his haram sarai (women's apartment) a noise
of objection, protest and crying raised. These shootings and voices of
crying, and protests each one was striking upon the head of Yazeed like, as
if it was a hammer. And that woke him up from the deep slumber and sleep of
drunkenness. He knew that if he detained the remaining of the family of
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) for another few moments a revolt will start and his life
will come to an end. He saw himself drowned in the ocean of the protest,
objections, fury and anger of the people. He looked this way and that way
to find a way out to get himself cleared off the crimes.

Suddenly,
he shouted and said, "curse of God be upon Ibn-e-Ziad. I was not in
favor of killing Hussain (A.S.) and taking his remaining family as
prisoners. But then it was all over and water had crossed the bridges and
all the people knew that he himself was the real criminal.

So he
at once ordered the officials to take the prisoners to a place which had
been provided in advance for them, so that he is not faced with any further
shame and disgrace.

They
stationed the family of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) in an unsuitable place. But
they did not sit silent and quiet even there and whenever they laid their
hands upon any chance they did inform the people about the crimes of
Yazeed. So much so that the three years old daughter of Imam Hussain (A.S.)
named Rukkia took part and played a role in this combat and campaign.

Imam
(A.S.) in Syria's Mosque

One
day, Yazeed arranged and organized a grand aggregation and assembly in the
mosque of Damascus (Syria) the seat of his
power and government, to cover and make good his defeats. He ordered his
ostentatious speakers to praise him and take liberty and adopt presumptuous
attitude towards the family of Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and use foul and abusive
language.

So
that he may make the people optimist as regards to his crime and manifest
the children of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) as if (God forbid) at fault, and to
belittle them in the eyes of he people.

Imam
Sajjad (A.S.) was sitting in a corner of the assembly and listening to the
speech of the speaker of Yazeed when he praised Yazeed and used abusive
language about the family and lineage of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Imam (AS.)
shouted loudly at him saying. "Woe to you oh dishonest agent! You have
raised the anger and enraged God and provided hell for yourself to please
and make Yazeed happy.

Then
he turned his face towards Yazeed and said, "Allow me to climb up
these wooden (step of tribune) to speak and make the Almighty God and
people happy."

In the
beginning Yazeed did not pay heed to him but those present asked him to
allow and give permission to him. So he was obliged to give him permission
but there was a huge tempest going on in his heart as to what will finally
happen?

Imam
(A.S.) got himself seated up on the tribune and after the praise of God and
thank giving to God said, "Oh people! God has bestowed upon us wisdom,
knowledge, fortitude, forbearance, bravery, faith and piety. Be informed
that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of Islam, Ali (A.S.) and Jaffar-e-Tayyar are
ours. Hamza, the chief of martyrs, Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (A.S.) who
were the beloved ones of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) are from (among) us.

All of
a sudden the people were shocked and moved, the hearts started beating fast
in the chests and they focused their eyes upon Imam (A.S.). They were
astonished and said to themselves what a surprise they had told us that
these are Kharijis (a group of rebellions and mutinous who was ousted from
the religion) who have stood up against the government. That means they
lied to us. These are the best of the creations of God on the earth. The
sentences (of Imam [A.S.]), which followed, made the people more informed.

The
Imam (A.S.) said, "I am the son of Mecca and Mina, I am
the son of Zam Zam and Safa (that meant all of these were connected to
them).

I am
the son of the one who ascended to the skies (Meraj), I am the son of the
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of God. I am the son of Ali Murtaza (A.S.), I am the son
of Fatimab (S.A.). I am the son of Hussain (A.S.) who (they) killed in the Karbala without any fault
and sin."

All of
a sudden, people burst into a huge noise of crying and weeping. Yazeed saw
himself besieged. He yelled, "Oh Muezzin (caller to the prayer), call
the Azzan (call to the prayer). The voice of Allah-o-Akber was raised. Imam
said, 'Nothing is greater than God." The Muezzin said, "I witness
to it that there is no God except the God." Imam said, "My flesh,
skin and bones do attest and stand witness to it." The Muezzin said,
"I give witness to it that Mohammad (P.B.U.H) is the Prophet of
God." Imam said, "Oh the caller for prayers Muezzin, for the sake
of the same Prophet (P.B.U.H.) whose name you are calling stop for a while!!!
Then he turned towards Yazeed and said, "Oh Yazeed this Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) whose name is being called, is my grandfather or yours? If you
say he was yours you have told a lie. And if you say he was my grandfather
then why did you kill his sons in Karbala and take his
children prisoners."

When
Yazeed saw that he was unable to reply, he at once stood up to offer his
prayer, for deceiving the people. Imam (A.S.) walked out of the mosque,
along with a group of Syrians, as a protest.

These
words and sentences proved so effective that Yazeed was obliged and forced
to send the Ahl al-Bayt (member of the Prophet [P.B.U.H.] family)
respectfully and graciously to Madina. Following these protests, hue and
cry and turmoil, anger, and hate of the people, the flags of revolution
against yazeed and government of Bani Ommayide were hoisted. It was clear
that the pivot and nucleus of the movement was the movement of Imam Sajjad
(A.S.). A turmoil and revolt against Yazeed took shape in Madina. He
decided to stop the movement by means of massacre and mass killings. But it
was all in vain. Therefore, he sent his forces to Madina under the command
of a dirty and wicked man named Muslim bin Aqba delegating him complete
powers. He, along with his soldiers, kept attacking the house of the people
for a period of three days. They plundered and looted the wealth of the
people, and killed approximately ten thousand of them. But it either did
not have any effect. Thereafter, Yazeed did not spend a single day happily
and every moment he was getting closer to his death.

Finally,
the dark, and black file of his life was closed in the year 64 Hijrah. He
died and his son Muawiyah-II succeeded him. But after forty days time he
resigned his post and abandoned the throne due to his father's crimes and
disgrace of his lineage and family.

Abdullah
Ibn-e-Zubair who had been lustful and greedy for power for many long years
arose in Mecca and took hold and
control of the government. Marwan grasped the seat of power in Syria. The war of power
started and each one of the two got himself prepared for the annihilation
of the other. After a short period Marwan died and his son Abdul Malik was
enthroned in his father's place. After gaining power, he besieged Mecca in
the year 73 Hijrah and killed Abdullah bin Zubair.

Abdul
Malik was a man; base and miser man and he did not have any human quality
and mercy. So that one day he told Mussabbab, "I dislike good deeds
and works." One of his great crimes was to empower "Hajjaj bin
Yousuf in Kufa and Basra, who was notorious for his mercilessness, cruelty,
and brutality. He in a short span of time martyred one hundred and twenty
thousand friends of Imam Ali (A.S.) and imprisoned a large segment of them.
Abdul Malik was extremely vigilant regarding Hazrat Sajjad (A.S.) and he
was after an excuse to arrest him (A.S.). As a result, he arrested him and
brought him to Syria (Damascus). But due to the revolt and turmoil of the
people, he was forced to send him back to Madina.

The
Event of Imam (A.S.) and Hasham

After
committing crimes for many long years, Abdul Malik passed away and his son
hasham was enthroned in his father's place. One day, he traveled to Mecca
in the Hajj season so as to perform Hajj (as per his own version). That was
to deceive the simple-minded people. He wanted to perform circumambulation
but he could not do it, because there was such a big and huge gathering. So
he was forced to sit in a corner to wait for the huge crowd and gathering
to get thin. All of a sudden Imam Sajjad (A.S.) arrived to the Haram and
people recited benediction for him, and cleared the way for him. He, after
performing circumambulation moved towards the Hajar ul Aswad (the black
stone) to rub his hand on it. Hasham witnessed this scene and was greatly
annoyed and uncomfortable. He said with carelessness and inattentively
"who is this man"? "I do not know him?"

Farzdak
who was a freedom-loving poet at once turned his face towards Hasham and
said, "Oh Hasham I am surprised why you do not recognize him? If you
do not know him, I know him very well. Listen, so that I introduce him to
you."

He is
someone that the land of Mecca and the House of the God know him. "He
is the one whose grandfather is the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of Islam. God keeps
on bestowing his benediction and blessings upon them continuously. He is
the son of the best of the servants of God. He is that famous and well
known pious. When you say you do not know him this thing does not harm him.
If you do not know him (so what) the Arab and Ajam (Non Arab World) knows
him."

Hasham
was very enraged and got highly flared up by the words of Farzdak, and
ordered him to be imprisoned. The Imam (A.S.) sent him a gift in the prison
and appreciated his inconveniences. One day he got freed from the prison.

Hazrat Sajjad (A.S.) and the
Sahifa-e-Sajjadia

When
the Imam got stuck in a tight corner and was virtually besieged he was
obliged to state his objects and motive in the form of the prayers. These
prayers have been compiled in the shape of a book named
"Sahifa-e-Sajjadia." This is an ocean of topics and objects of
science, mathematics, physics, astronomy, social and political sciences and
ethics. Obviously and apparently this is a book of prayers.

But,
in fact, this is the expression of fact, pains, and difficulties. We
present here a few sentences of it as a specimen.

1. Oh
God! I take asylum and refuge with you from the revolt, and rebellious
(attitude) refractoriness, of the anger and jealousy and the scarcity of
patience, and extravagance and intemperance in life.

Oh
God! Keep me alive till my life is led in your service and obedience and
when it becomes the pasture and meadow of Satan, take me towards yourself
and take my life."

2. Oh
sons! Respect you father and mother because if the father was not there you
would not have come into existence. Look at the mother that she looks after
you with all of her existence (energies). She is not afraid of it that she
herself remains hungry and feeds you. She herself remains cloth less (without
dress) and covers (dresses) you. She remains in the sun and places you in
the Shadow. You cannot thank her. This is God who has the power of thanking
her (giving her the reward).

3.
Watch over and attend your child because his good or bad (virtues) are
related and connected to you and you are responsible for his training and
guidance.

4. Be
kind to your brother and sister because he/she is your hand (helper) and
your power. Help him against the enemy and be his well wisher.

5.
Respect your teacher and be polite in his assembly (session) and listen
carefully to his words. Do not talk loudly before him. If somebody
questions him about something do not reply before he does although you may
know the answer to that (question).

6.
Respect your neighbor and help and assist him. If you happen to observe a
fault or sin of him do hide it and when he slips (commits sin) admonish
him.

7. Be
just in your conduct and behavior with friend and love him as he loves you.

If he
makes up his mind to commit a sin stop him from that and always be a
blessing for him, not a torment for him.

Imam's
(A.S.) Martyrdom

At
last after bearing grief's and inconveniences the magnanimous and great
Imam (A.S.) was poisoned and martyred by Hasham Ibn-e-Abdul Malik on 25th
of Moharram, 95th Hijrah and was buried in the graveyard of Baqi, beside
the grave of Imam Hassan (A.S.) and today his gave is the site of visit for
the lovers and adorers of his path.