Sayyiduna Abul-Hasan Ali, Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi Allahu Anho) is
the fourth Imam and Shaykh of the Silsila Aaliyah Qaadiriyah Barakaatiyah
Razviyah Nooriyah. He was one of the greatest Aabids of his era. Imam Zuhri
(Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho) says, (In my era) I have not seen any Quraysh more
excellent than Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho). Hadrat Ibn Abbas
(Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho) used to look at Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi Allahu
Ta'ala Anho) and refer to him as the Beloved of the Beloved.
BIRTH:
He was born on a Thursday the 5th
of Shabaan 38 Hijri in Madinah Munawwarah. [Masaalik as-Saalikeen, Vol. 1, Page
207]
NAME:
Hadrat Imam Hussain Alaihissalam kept
most of his children names attached to the name Ali. This was due to his love
for his father Sayyiduna Ali (Alaihissalam). He was thus also named Ali. He was
also known as Abu Muhammad, Abul Hassan, Abul Qaasim and Abu Bakr. His titles
were Sajjad, Zainul Aabideen, Sayyidul Abideen, Zakki and etc.
EDUCATION:
He spent two years with his
grandfather Sayyiduna Ali (Alaihissalam), ten years with his uncle Sayyiduna
Imam Hasan (Alaihissalam) and eleven years with his father, Hadrat Imam Hussain
(Alaihissalam).
BLESSED MOTHER:
His mother was known as
Umm-e-Wulad, and was also known as Shahar Banu Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha. She was
very pious and Allah fearing.
HIS FEATURES:
He was the image of his
grandfather Sayyiduna Ali (Alaihissalam). He was tan in complexion and not very
tall. He had a full beard on which he used henna (mehndi).
PREDICTIONS OF HIS BIRTH:
Hadrat Jaabir (Radi Allahu Ta'ala
Anho) says, I was in the blessed court of the Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa
Aalihi wa Sallam) and Imam Hussain (Alaihissalam) was in the blessed arms of
the Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam). The Prophet (Sallallaho
Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) said, O Jaabir (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho)! A son
shall be born to him, whose name shall be Ali. Then he will have a child, whose
name shall be Muhammad (Imam Baaqir). O Jaabir! If you meet with him, then you
should pass my salaams to him.
HIS CHARACTER:
Hadrat Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi
ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) was blessed with beautiful character, which he definitely
inherited from his illustrious forefathers. He was very eloquent and very
respectful. He was always willing to assist those in need. Umar Abu Nasr writes
that Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) purchased various slaves,
and then set them free. He would be kind even to those who were his personal
enemies. Once he heard that there was a certain person who always spoke ill of
him. Hadrat Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) went to him and
treated him with such respect and kindness, that he repented from his bad
behaviour and affiliated himself to the great Imam. Many great poets have
written numerous Qasidas in praise of his kindness and generosity. [Masaalik
as-Saalikeen, Vol. 1, Page 208]
HIS EXCELLENCE:
Abu Haazim says, I have not seen
any Jurist more exalted than him.
Zahbi and Ainiyah have said, We
have not seen any Quraish more exalted than him.
Hadrat Imam Maalik (Radi ALLAHu
Ta'ala Anho) says, He is from the Men of Excellence
Ibn Abi Shaiba says, In Hadith,
the most exalted chain of transmission is that which is narrated from Imam Zainul
Abideen, (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) where he narrates from his father Imam
Hussain (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). [Masaalik as-Saalikeen]
Hadrat Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anho) was always prepared to sacrifice everything he had for
Islam. He sacrificed all his wealth twice for Islam. He was a very generous
person. He used to discreetly send money to the poor people living in Madinah
Shareef and none of them knew that the money was coming from him. The only time
this became known to them, was after his wisaal. [Tarikh al-Khulafa]
Masjid wa Maqam Sayyaduna Imam Zainul
Abideen in Egypt
HIS PATIENCE :
He was a person with great
patience. After the Battle of Karbala, He was marched to Damascus in chains and in the time of Abdul
Malik bin Marwan , he was arrested and chained. He was then forced to walk from
Madinah to Syria
in chains. With all this, he never complained or said one word about his
condition in the Court of Allah . He instead remained patient and made Shukr
(thanked Allah ) on every step. Imam Zainul Abideen's most loyal student
Sayyiduna Imam Zuhri could not bear to see the Imam in this condition, so he
went to Abdul Malik bin Marwaan, and had the great Imam released. He then took
him back to Madinah Shareef with great respect. [Khazinat al-Asfiyah, Vol.1,
Page 31/32]
Hadrat Imam Zainul Abideen had a
very soft heart and always thought of the sacrifice that was given by his
Father Imam Hussain and all the other Martyrs on the plains of Karbala.
Once, he was walking in the
blessed streets of Madinah Munawwarah, when he saw a person placing a goat on
the ground, and was sharpening the knife before making the animal zibah. On
seeing this, he became very saddened and thought of the martyrdom of his
father. He then began to weep bitterly and asked the man, “My dear Brother! Did
you give the goat some food and water or not? ”The man replied that he had fed
and given water to the goat for the past three days and had also fed it water
just before laying in down. On hearing this, Hadrat Imam Zainul Abideen let out
a sigh of pain and said, “It is sad, that the people of Kufa did not even care
for him like (you care for) the goat. They starved him for three days and
nights and then martyred him in this state.” [Masaalik as-Saalikeen]
He used to perform one thousand
rakaats of nafil salaah every night. One night whilst he was performing his
nafils, his house caught on fire. The people were rushing around trying to put
of the fire, but he continued his Namaaz with total sincerity. After he
completed his salaah, the people told him that his house had caught on fire and
yet he continued reading his salaat (Namaaz) without any showing any sign of
panic. He said, “You were trying to extinguish this fire, and I was trying to
extinguish the fire of the hereafter.” [Khazinat al-Asfiyah, Vol.1, Page 31]
A person once swore at Imam Zain
al-Abideen (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) and made slanderous remarks to him.
In response, Imam Zain al-Abideen
(Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) said to him: 'If the attributes, you accuse me of,
are found in me then I repent to Allah Azzawajal and ask for forgiveness. If
the attributes are not found in me then on your behalf I ask Allah Azzawajal
for forgiveness and repentance.'
The person saw Imam Zain
al-Abideen's patience and was overwhelmed by it. He stood up, kissed Imam Zain
al-Abideen (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) on the forehead and said: 'May my soul be
sacrificed for you! Whatever I accused you of was wrong. I seek forgiveness
from you and I request you to pray to Allah Azzawajal for the acceptance of my
repentance.'
Imam Zain al-Abideen (Radi ALLAHu
Ta'ala Anho) agreed to pray to Allah Azzawajal on his behalf.
HIS IBAADAT:
After the shahaadat of his
blessed father Imam Hussain (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho), he completely divorced
himself from the materialistic world. He spent all his time in the remembrance
of Allah. He would pass his days and nights thinking of the tragedy of Karbala and weeping. When
Hadrat Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) used to sit down to
perform wudhu, then his face used to become pale, and when he stood in Namaaz,
then his complexion would change to such an extent, that it would be difficult
to recognise him. The people would ask, O Beloved of the Prophet (Sallallaho
Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam)! What has happened to you?and he said, O People!
Namaaz is a time when you are present in the Court of Allah. Who is so naive as
to smile and look happy, when he is standing before his Creator. [Awaarif
al-Ma'arif, Page 475]
He used to perform one thousand
rakaats of nafil salaah every night. One night whilst he was performing his
nafils, his house caught on fire. The people were rushing around trying to put
of the fire, but he continued his Namaaz with total sincerity. After he
completed his salaah, the people told him that his house had caught on fire and
yet he continued reading his Namaaz without any showing any sign of panic. He
said, You were trying to extinguish this fire, and I was trying to extinguish
the fire of the hereafter. [Khazinat al-Asfiyah, Vol.1, Page 31]
Imam Talha Shafi'i (Radi ALLAHu
Ta'ala Anho) writes that once shaitaan appeared in the form of a snake whist
the Imam was in Salaah. He caught the toe of Hadrat Imam Zainul Abideen in his
mouth, but the Imam did not even move or show sign of discomfort. After some
time, he became disillusioned and stood a distance away from the Imam. Then, a
voice was heard thrice, saying the following words, You are the Jewel of the
Worshipper, You are the Chief of those who prostrate (to Allah).
HIS FEAR FOR ALLAH:
He was a personality who truly
feared Allah. His heart flowed with the fear of Allah. Once during Hajj, he
tied his Ehraam but did not say the Labbaik. The people asked him the reason
for this, and he said, I fear the I will say Labbaik and Allah will say, I do
not accept your presence (Hajj). The people then told him that his Ehraam would
not be proper if he did not say Labbaik. He then said Labbaik, and began to
tremble in the fear of Allah until he fell off his camel and became
unconscious. This continued throughout the Hajj, every time that he said
Labbaik. [Khazinat al-Asfiyah]
RECITATION OF THE HOLY QUR'AN:
Hadrat Imam Jaafar Saadiq (Radi
ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) says, When my grandfather, Hadrat Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi
ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) used to recite the Quran, then the beauty of his recitation
attracted the people towards him and all those listening to him would become so
overwhelmed with the fear of Allah, that one did not know the condition of the
other.
RETURN FROM THE BATTLE
OF KARBALA:
When Imam Zainul Abideen was
returning to Madinah after the Battle of Karbala, he said a few stanzas. A few
stanzas are being presented for blessing.
“O Winds! If someday you pass by
the sacred land, then pass my salaams
before the Rawda al-Aqdas where
the most exalted Nabi rests
The Sadness of separation from
Madinah feels
like a sword stuck deep into my
liver
How fortunate are the people of
that city in
which is the Exalted and Beloved
Prophet
O Rahmatulil Aalameen! Assist Zainul
Abideen.
Who is standing alone and in
difficulty amongst the tyrants.”
Once a person asked Imam Zainul
Abideen about who will be looked upon as pious and good on the last day and he
said, “That person, who when he is happy, his happiness does not drive him
towards wrong and that person, when he is angry, then his anger does not remove
him from what is right.”
In other words, when you are
happy, you should not let your happiness take you towards bad deeds and when
you are angry, then you should not allow your anger to blind you from that
which is right. [Masaalik as-Saalikeen]
Maqam Sayyaduna Imam Zainul
Abideen in Egypt
RESPECT FOR THE KHULAFA:
Once some people from Iraq,
came to visit Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho). During their
visit, they began to say disrespectful words concerning Hadrat Abu Bakr, Hadrat
Umar and Hadrat Uthman (Ridwanullahi Ta'aal Alaihim Ajma'een).
When they had completed saying
what they wished to, He said, Tell me, are you from amongst the first
Muhajireen, concerning whom Almighty Allah says, "Those who were driven
out from their homes and their possessions seeking the grace of Allah and His
Pleasure, and helping Allah and His Messenger. They are the truthful."
[Surah Hashr verse 8]
They replied in the negative, by
saying that the verse did not refer to them. Hadrat Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi
ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) then asked if they were from amongst the Ansaar, concerning
whom Almighty Allah says in the Quran, And those who had established their
homes in this city, with faith, from inception, They, (who) show love to those,
who migrated towards them, and who find no need in their hearts, for that which
has been left, and they give preference to them over their lives, even though
they are in great need. [Surah Hashr verse 9]
Again, they answered in the
negative. He then said, I swear, that you are not even worthy of this verse of
the Quran wherein Allah says, And those who came after them say, O Allah!
Pardon us and our brothers, who brought faith before us, And keep not in our
hearts hostility towards those with Imaan. O Our Lord, Verily you are most
Compassionate, Most Merciful.
After saying this, he asked them
to leave his presence. In other words, he showed them that they were not from amongst
the Muhajireen, or the Ansaar, or even from amongst the believers. He therefore
shunned them for being disrespectful to the Khulafa-e-Thalaasa.
KARAAMAT:
The Karaamats of Imam Zainul
Abideen are numerous, but a few are being quoted for attaining blessings.
Incident During Hajj:
Two people where making tawaaf of
the Kaaba and came to Hajr-e-Aswad. When they touched the Hajr-e-Aswad, both
their hands became stuck on it. People tried very hard to release their hands,
but it was not possible. Hadrat Imam Zainul Abideen entered the Haram whilst
this was happening. He said Bismillah hir rahmaan nir rahim and then placed his
hands on the Hajr-e-Aswad. Immediately the two peoples hands were released.
[Khazinat al-Asfiyah, Vol. 1, Page 34]
The Deer:
Once Hadrat had gone into the
jungle with his companions. As they sat to eat, a deer passed by them. The Imam
called to the deer and asked it to partake in the meal with them. The Deer
immediately came to the Imam and partook in the meal provided. [Masaalik as-Saalikeen,
Vol. 1, Page 11]
A Deers Complaint:
A deer once came to Hadrat Imam Zainul
Abideen (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho), whilst he was in a jungle. The animal fell
to the ground and began to say something. Those with the Imam asked what had
happened. The Imam said that the deer was complaining about a man who captured
her child. Hadrat Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho) summoned the
man. The man brought with him the child belonging to the deer. Imam Zainul
Abideen (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho) asked him to release the deer, which he
gladly did. After some time, the deer took its young, and said something and
then left. Those present were amazed and asked the Imam what the deer said as
she left. The Imam said, She said, Jazak Allahu fi Darain Khair. [Masaalik
as-Saalikeen]
HIS CHILDREN:
Almighty Allah blessed Hadrat
Imam Zainul Abideen (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) with fifteen children. Their
blessed names are as follows :
Sons:
1. Hadrat Muhammad (Imam Baaqir), (Radi
ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)
2. Hadrat Zaid, (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)
3. Hadrat Imraan, (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)
4. Hadrat Abdullah, (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala
Anho)
5. Hadrat Hassan, (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)
6. Hadrat Hussain, (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala
Anho)
7. Hadrat Hussain Asghar, (Radi ALLAHu
Ta'ala Anho)
8. Hadrat Abdur Rahmaan, (Radi ALLAHu
Ta'ala Anho)
9. Hadrat Sulaiman, (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala
Anho)
10.Hadrat Ali, (Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho)
11. one more son whose name is not known.
Daughters:
1. Hadrat Khadija,
2. Hadrat Fatima,
3. Hadrat Aliyah,
4. Hadrat Umme Kulthoom (Ridwanullahi
Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een).
Hadrat Imam Zainul Abideens (Radi
ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho) descendants are from Hadrat Imam Baqir, Hadrat Zaid, Hadrat
Abdullah, Hadrat Hussain Ashgar, Hadrat Imraan and Hadrat Ali (Ridwanullahi
Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een) All of them were blessed with numerous children.
[Masaalik as-Saalikeen]
WISAAL SHARIF:
He was given poison by Waleed bin
Abdul Malik and was thus made shaheed on the 18th of Muharram and according to
some narrations on the 12th or 22nd of Muharram at the age of 57 or 58. He
passed away in Madinatul Munawwarah and his Mazaar Shareef is in Jannatul Baqi.
Few have said that his Mazar Sharif is in Egypt
and there is a Mosque and Shrine of Imam Zain al-'Adideen in Cairo, Egypt
as well but the majority have accepted his Mazar Sharif being in Baqee al
Garqad, Madina Munawwarah. ALLAH Knows the Best!
After his wisaal, his camel
placed its head on his mazaar shareef and cried. Hadrat Imam Baqir tried to
move it away, but it refused. In the end, he said, “She will die in this exact
place.” Eventually she did pass away at the Mazaar of Imam Zainul Abideen.
[Masaalik as-Saalikeen, Vol. 1, Page 207]
Mazar Sharif of Imam Zainul Abideen in Jannat al-Baqee'
Sharif
— — —
Extracted from
Tadhkira Mashaikh-e-Qadiriyah
Barakatiya Ridawiyah
Urdu: Mawlana Abdul Mujtaba
Ridawi | English: Mawlana Aftab Qasim
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