IMAM ALI ZAYNUL ABEDEEN (A.S.)

Titles      :Zaynul Aabedeen, Sajjad, Syyedus Saajedeen.

Birth       :5th Sha'ban 38 a.h. - Madina.

Mother :Sayyidatinaa Shahrbanu.

Father    :Imam Husayn (A.S.)

Death     :25th Muharram 95 A.H. buried in Jannatul Baqee - Madina.

His mother Sayyidatinaa Shahrbanu died within 10 days of giving birth to Imam Ali Zainul Aabedeen (A.S.)

Once when Imam was young and not feeling well, Imam Husayn (A.S.)  asked him if there was anything he wanted.  The young Imam said he wished Allah would make him like those who do not disobey Allah's orders and do not do that which Allah has forbidden.

Imam was 22 years old when the tragedy of Karbala took place.  He was put in chains and an inwardly spiked collar and taken as prisoner with the women and children.  They were paraded in the streets from Karbala to Kufa to Damascus (Shaam)

The tyranny on Imam did not stop him from speaking the truth and his famous sermon in the central masjid of Damascus in front of Yazid is proof of his courage.  Yazid had to stop Imam from saying more by asking the Muezzin to recite the Adhan.

When the people of Damascus heard Imam's sermon there was an uproar which led to Imam's freedom from prison.  On being freed the first thing Imam did was to arrange a majlis for Imam Husayn (A.S.)

Before returning to Madina they went to visit the graves of the martyrs of Karbala.

Imam continued to preach the message of his father.

He spread the message of Islam in three ways :

1. Through his worship

His main quality which earned him the title 'Zainul Aabedeen & Sajjad' was his sincere worship of Allah.  His concentration was such that even when bitten by a snake once during salaah he did not even flinch.  Whenever he stood for wudhu his complexion faded and he shook saying:

"Do you know in whose presence I am going to stand ?".

2. Through Sahifa e Sajjadiyya

I it also called Zabur-e-AhlulBayt.  It is a book of Duas written by Imam which answers all theological and ethical questions.

3. Through Majlis e  Husayn

He kept the message of Islam alive by continually reminding people of the values and ideals of Muhammad (S.A.W.)  that his father died for.

His Titles

Zainul Aabedeen

The Prophet (S.A.W.)  had said that on the day of judgement a voice would call out for Zainul Aabedeen to step forward.  From all mankind including all the Prophets and Aimma present none but the son of Husayn (A.S.)  would come forward.

His worship was second to none.

Sajjad

The 5th Imam has said that his father did sajda whenever -

1.             He received a blessing.

2.             Whenever he heard a Qur'anic verse of sajda.

3.             When a difficulty was averted.

4.             When he arranged peace between two people.

Martyrdom

After Abdul Malik came his son Waleed who poisoned Imam. In his will Imam included a piece of advice given to him by Imam Husayn (A.S.):

"Never oppress anyone, especially those who have none to listen to their cries except Allah."

He is buried in Jannatul Baqee.