- 01 Dec 2004, 20:58
#727
Imam Ali bin Husayn(as) was born in Medina on the 5th of Shaban 38 AH (some historians said that he was born on 15th Jamadi-ul-Awaal). He is the fourth Imam in the line of Imamate.
His father is Imam Husayn bin Ali(as) and his mother is Bibi Shahrbanu, daughter of the Persian King, King Yazdegerd II. Imam Ali bin Husayn(as) better known as Imam Zainal Abidin (the best of worshippers) lived with his grandfather, the Commander of the faithfuls, Imam Ali bin Abi Talib(as) for two years and his uncle, Imam Hasan Bin Ali(as) for twelve years. He was left without a father's love when his father, Imam Husayn Bin Ali was martyred on 10th Muharram in Karbala, Iraq.
A man once asked the Imam why he had never seen him smile or laugh. The Imam replied that whenever he wants to eat or drink, he thought of his family especially his father, who was slained mercilessly and was deprived of water for three days. Imam Zaynal Abidin was seriously ill at that time and he was the only male captive along with his aunts.
The holy Imam shunned political life after the Karbala massacre and spent his days in worship. The Imam had a handful of faithful followers such as Abu Hamza Thamali and Abu Khalid Khabuli. Abu Mu'ammar reported on the authority of Abd al-Aziz Abu Hazim who said: I heard my father say: "I have never seen a Hashimi more meritorious (afdal) than Ali b. al-Husayn."
Imam Zaynal Abidin was always seen in a prostrating position (sajdah), due to which He was given the name of Al-Sajjad. He was responsible for establishing the Sahiffa Sajjadiyah, the book of supplications and together with his aunt, Bibi Zaynab binti Ali, they narrate the tragedy of Karbala, of what had happened to the family of the Holy Prophet.
The Imam finally achieved the status of martyrdom when he was poisoned in the year 95 A.H. (713/4). At that time he was fifty-seven years old.. His Imamate was for thirty-four years. He was buried in Jannatull-Baqi with his uncle, Imam Hasan bin Ali.
His father is Imam Husayn bin Ali(as) and his mother is Bibi Shahrbanu, daughter of the Persian King, King Yazdegerd II. Imam Ali bin Husayn(as) better known as Imam Zainal Abidin (the best of worshippers) lived with his grandfather, the Commander of the faithfuls, Imam Ali bin Abi Talib(as) for two years and his uncle, Imam Hasan Bin Ali(as) for twelve years. He was left without a father's love when his father, Imam Husayn Bin Ali was martyred on 10th Muharram in Karbala, Iraq.
A man once asked the Imam why he had never seen him smile or laugh. The Imam replied that whenever he wants to eat or drink, he thought of his family especially his father, who was slained mercilessly and was deprived of water for three days. Imam Zaynal Abidin was seriously ill at that time and he was the only male captive along with his aunts.
The holy Imam shunned political life after the Karbala massacre and spent his days in worship. The Imam had a handful of faithful followers such as Abu Hamza Thamali and Abu Khalid Khabuli. Abu Mu'ammar reported on the authority of Abd al-Aziz Abu Hazim who said: I heard my father say: "I have never seen a Hashimi more meritorious (afdal) than Ali b. al-Husayn."
Imam Zaynal Abidin was always seen in a prostrating position (sajdah), due to which He was given the name of Al-Sajjad. He was responsible for establishing the Sahiffa Sajjadiyah, the book of supplications and together with his aunt, Bibi Zaynab binti Ali, they narrate the tragedy of Karbala, of what had happened to the family of the Holy Prophet.
The Imam finally achieved the status of martyrdom when he was poisoned in the year 95 A.H. (713/4). At that time he was fifty-seven years old.. His Imamate was for thirty-four years. He was buried in Jannatull-Baqi with his uncle, Imam Hasan bin Ali.
SaNnA
presented this book as a gift to one person who was honored with a meeting with him. 
- By Fatema.Khimji