Imam Zayn al-Abidin's Life and Behavior
- Updated On Sunday, 24 May 2015
- Written by Allamah Qurashi
- Editor Fatimah Graham
- Supervisor Sayyed Roohullah Musavi
- Published on Sunday, 24 May 2015
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- Hits: What was Imam Zayn al-Abidin's life like before he took the responsibility of the Imamate? How did he interact with others?
His Birth, Parents and Education Imam Sajjad was born in Kufa. The Imami Shi'a celebrate the fifth of Shaban as the day of Imam Zayn al-Abidin's birth. There are some traditions, which were narrated on the authority of the Prophet, which state that the Prophet (peace be upon him) named his grandson Ali and gave him the familiar name of Zayn al-Abidin (the adornment of the worshippers), demonstrating that the Imam has an important position with Allah, the Glorified. Imam al-Husayn, peace be upon him, was Imam Zayn al-Abidin's father. He thought that his son's qualities were similar to those of the Prophet. His noble mother was the great lady Shahzanan. Shahzanan was a name given to her, which means 'queen' or 'leader of the women'. She was the daughter of an Iranian king and was mother to Imam Zayn al-Abidin, peace be upon him. Lady Shahzanan represented a holy relationship between the Arabs and the Persians. She was the mother of Zayn al-Abidin, who was the son of the two good communities and father of the pure progeny, who filled the world with all aspects of awareness, dignity, and progress. Historians have described the Imam's physical features and qualities as follows: "Ali b. al-Husayn was dark-skinned, short, slim, and gentle."1 Al-Shaykhani al-Qadiri said: "Those beholding were fixed in gaze at the handsomeness of his face." Misfortune and pain accompanied Imam Sajjad from his childhood, including the death of his pure mother while he was still a baby in the cradle. Imam Zayn al-Abidin lived under the protective wing of his grandfather Imam Ali for two years. After Imam Ali, his noble son Imam Hassan, took the responsibility of Imamate. He was Imam Zayn al-Abidin's pure uncle and he took care of him, and treated him with kindness and affection. His father, Imam al-Husayn, peace be upon him, is the father of the free and the lord of the martyrs. He instilled in him his noble abilities and values, and accompanied him most of the time. His Names His grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, gave him the name of Zayn al-Abidin, which means 'Ornament of the Worshippers'. The Imam was given this name, because he worshipped Allah abundantly. He was also given the name of Dhu al-Thafanat, or the one with calluses, because on the parts of his body on which he prostrated, there appeared marks similar to calluses. Another holy name, by which he is known is Al-Sajjad, or the one who constantly prostrates himself in prayer. In addition, a further holy name he is referred to by is Ibn al-Khiyaratayn, or the son of the best two. He was proud of this name and would say: "I am the son of the best two." His other respected names are: Sayyid al-Abidin, or the Lord of the worshippers; al-Zaki, or the pure one; and al-Amin, or the trusted one. His Behavior The Imam spared no effort in following the behavior and guidance of his grandfather Imam Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be upon him. Narrators have said that Imam Zayn al-Abidin followed his grandfather's behavior. When worship made him tired, he sighed deeply and said with regret: "I am not strong enough to perform the worship of my grandfather, the Commander of the faithful." His Behavior at Home Imam Zayn al-Abidin, peace be upon him, was the most merciful of all people and the kindest to those in his own home. He did not distinguish himself from them, but was one of them. It is reported on his authority, that he said: "To buy meat from the market with dirhams which are in my possession, for my family, when they long for meat, is more dear to me than freeing a slave."2 Kindness to his Nursemaid When Imam Zayn al-Abidin, peace be upon him, grew up, he realized that after his mother had passed away, his nursemaid had treated him with love and kindness, in order to seek nearness to Allah. As a result, he treated her with the utmost respect and kindness, so much so that it prevented him from eating with her. Many criticized him for this and repeatedly asked him: "You are the kindest of all people and the best of them in taking care of your blood relatives, so why do you refuse to eat with your mother from the same dish?" He replied to them politely: "I fear to stretch out my hand for what she stretches out her hand for, for then I am disobedient to her."3,4 Behavior toward his Parents Imam Zayn al-Abidin, peace be upon him, was the kindest of all people toward his parents. He treated them with great love, mercy, and obedience. His kindness was such toward his father that he asked his aunt Zaynab, the heroine of Karbala, to give him sticks to lean upon and a sword, to defend his father at the Battle of al-Taf. This was whilst he was so ill that he was unable to walk. His aunt prevented him from doing this, lest the progeny of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, all be destroyed. Behavior toward his Children The behavior of Imam Zayn al-Abidin, peace be upon him, toward his children, is characterized by the high level of Islamic education he enlightened them with. He planted within his children positive ideas and opinions, so that they eventually became brilliant men in Islamic thought, knowledge, and effort. Behavior toward his Servants Imam Zayn al-Abidin, peace be upon him, treated his servants with kindness and mercy; he treated them as he treated his own children. Narrators have stated that he never punished any of his servants for mistakes they made against him. One day the Imam called out for one of his servants twice, but the servant failed to answer him. He answered after the third call, and the Imam asked him kindly: "Didn't you hear my voice, my little son?" "Yes," came the reply. "What was on your mind that you did not answer me?" asked the Imam. "I was safe (from any harm) from you," answered the servant. The Imam praised Allah and went out, saying: "Praise be to Allah, Who has caused my slave to be safe (from any harm) from me."5 Behavior toward his Neighbors Imam Zayn al-Abidin, peace be upon him, was the kindest of all people toward his neighbors. He treated them as he treated his own family, cared for their weak and poor, visited their sick, and escorted their deceased to their final resting place. He carried out many good deeds for them. He took water to his neighbors in the dark of the night, as reported by al-Zuhri.6 Behavior Toward his Shi'a Imam Zayn al-Abidin, peace be upon him, wanted his Shi'a to serve as an excellent example for mankind in their piety and devotion to religion, so he did his best to educate them to high levels of Islamic manners. He preached to them, gave them commandments, and urged them to cling to piety and good deeds. The Imam, peace be upon him, said to one of his Shi'a: "Inform our Shi'a that nothing will avail them before Allah, and that no one will obtain our intercession, but through piety."7 Behavior toward his Enemies With regard to how the Imam behaved toward his enemies, whether they were those who harbored malice against him, or those who wronged him, his behavior was distinguished by showing kindness toward them. Historians have stated: "Ismail b. Hisham al-Makhzumi, the governor of Medina, harbored malice toward the members of the Ahlul-Bayt, peace be upon them, hurt Imam Zayn al-Abidin, and cursed his grandfathers on the pulpits in order to seek approval of the rulers of Damascus. When al-Walid b. Abd al-Malik became caliph, he removed Ismail b. Hisham al-Makhzumi from office due to prior enmity between them. Ismail b. Hisham al-Makhzumi was afraid of the Imam, because he had transgressed against him many times and mistreated him, so he said: "I fear no one except Ali b. al-Husayn, for he is a righteous man, so the people will listen to his words concerning me." The Imam asked his companions and followers to refrain from mistreating Ismail, hurried toward him, smiled at him and said: "Cousin, may Allah make you prosperous, what was done against you has displeased me and urged me to do what you love." Ismail b. Hisham was astonished to hear these words from the Imam and said with admiration: "Allah knows best where to place His message."8
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References:
1 Nur al-Abbsar, p.36. Akhbar al-Diwal, p.109. Al-Sirat al-Sawifi Manaqib Al al-Nabi, p.192.
2 Al-Bihar, vol.46, p.67.
3 Shadharat al-Dhahab, vol.1, p.105. Al-Mubrrad, al-Kamil, vol.1, p.302.
4 Ibn Qutayba, Uyyun al-Akhbar, vol.3, p.97.
5 Tarikh Dimashq, vol.36, p.155.
6 Bahjat al-Abrar.
7 Al-Durr al-Nazim, p.173.
8 Hayat al-Imam al-Baqir, vol.1, p.35. Tabaqat b. Sad, vol.5, p.220.