Imam Zainul AbideenImam Zainul AbideenDuring ImamahDuring Imamah

23-57 Years23-57 Years

Advanced ReligionAdvanced Religion

It is the time after the horrifying experience It is the time after the horrifying experience of Karbalaof Karbala

The desecration of his family and loved The desecration of his family and loved onesones

The agony (prolonged pain, violent The agony (prolonged pain, violent struggle) of confronting Ibn Ziyad, then struggle) of confronting Ibn Ziyad, then YazidYazid

The Period of SeclusionThe Period of Seclusion

After all of this, Imam Zainul Abideen After all of this, Imam Zainul Abideen sought and needed seclusionsought and needed seclusion

• To collect himselfTo collect himself• Think clearlyThink clearly• Plan the course of Action in the futurePlan the course of Action in the future• Be of less suspectBe of less suspect

The seclusion was in a Tent close by The seclusion was in a Tent close by Medina and lasted for less than a yearMedina and lasted for less than a year

During this time, He only saw his family During this time, He only saw his family and a few friendsand a few friends

Zainab (as) his aunt, was the principal Zainab (as) his aunt, was the principal means to take his answers to many means to take his answers to many questions asked about religious mattersquestions asked about religious matters

To avoid suspicion, Imam Zainul Abideen To avoid suspicion, Imam Zainul Abideen preferred not to communicate with his preferred not to communicate with his supporters, instead he asked his Uncle Al-supporters, instead he asked his Uncle Al-Hanifiyah to act on his behalfHanifiyah to act on his behalf

While in seclusion, Imam Zainul Abideen While in seclusion, Imam Zainul Abideen spent his time in excessive prayersspent his time in excessive prayers

Munajaat, DuMunajaat, Du’’aas and crying at how Yazid aas and crying at how Yazid forces killed Imam Husain.forces killed Imam Husain.

While this was going on, Imam Zainul While this was going on, Imam Zainul Abideen unleashed his genius to lay Abideen unleashed his genius to lay groundwork for an exquisite (admirable) groundwork for an exquisite (admirable) plan and strategy to pursue which was plan and strategy to pursue which was kept scared.kept scared.

Leave indelible (memorable, unforgotten) Leave indelible (memorable, unforgotten) good work for the benefit of the Muslimsgood work for the benefit of the Muslims

The PlanThe Plan

1.1. Be Be secludedsecluded: dissociate from politics (assured : dissociate from politics (assured Yazid and Benu Ummaya that He was not Yazid and Benu Ummaya that He was not interested in taking power from theminterested in taking power from them

2.2. Be the Be the Example:Example: Prayed excessively Prayed excessively (nicknamed Al-Sajjad)(nicknamed Al-Sajjad)

3.3. Emphasized KarbalaEmphasized Karbala in the minds of the in the minds of the peoplepeople

Exposed the full character of Yazid and Benu Ummayah, stood Exposed the full character of Yazid and Benu Ummayah, stood in the face of oppressionin the face of oppression

Revived piety as the basic of Islamic conduct and dealingsRevived piety as the basic of Islamic conduct and dealings

4. 4. Continue to MournContinue to Mourn cry on Imam Husain cry on Imam Husain’’s s behalfbehalf

indirectly allows them actively indirectly allows them actively participate in the calamity of Karbalaparticipate in the calamity of Karbala

5. 5. Deal IndirectlyDeal Indirectly Through his Uncle Al- Through his Uncle Al-HanafiyahHanafiyah

- with sympathetic movements - with sympathetic movements in support of Islam and against Yazid in support of Islam and against Yazid and Benu Ummayahand Benu Ummayah

6. Gradually come forth and teach people 6. Gradually come forth and teach people seeking Islamic knowledgeseeking Islamic knowledge

7. Direct His course of Action to emphasize 7. Direct His course of Action to emphasize the Islamic Knowledge just as The the Islamic Knowledge just as The Prophet (pbuh) taughtProphet (pbuh) taught

8. Indirectly expose fabrication of Hadith, 8. Indirectly expose fabrication of Hadith, distortion and pre-Jahiliya that Benu distortion and pre-Jahiliya that Benu Ummayah was exposing to IslamUmmayah was exposing to Islam

9. Fully explain9. Fully explain1. Imamah1. Imamah2. Essential role of Islam2. Essential role of Islam

The Seclusion EndedThe Seclusion Ended While in Medina, it was noticed that Imam Zainul While in Medina, it was noticed that Imam Zainul

Abideen would cry often, especially when he ate Abideen would cry often, especially when he ate or drankor drank

Imam Zainul Abideen even remembers when an Imam Zainul Abideen even remembers when an animal is butchered he is given water, because animal is butchered he is given water, because Islam recommends this, but his father was not Islam recommends this, but his father was not given water before he was butchered by Yazidgiven water before he was butchered by Yazid

This was not done just out of sympathy but to This was not done just out of sympathy but to bind the peoplesbind the peoples’’ loyalty and love Imam Husain loyalty and love Imam Husain (as)(as)

Imam Zainul Abideen was nicknamed Al-Bakaa Imam Zainul Abideen was nicknamed Al-Bakaa since he constantly criedsince he constantly cried

Al-SajjadAl-Sajjad

Since He preformed Salat excessively, no Since He preformed Salat excessively, no one before him or after him was known for one before him or after him was known for thisthis

It was said that He preformed 1,000 It was said that He preformed 1,000 RukaaRukaa’’s a Days a Day

Prayed numerous voluntary salatsPrayed numerous voluntary salats

Think about the MATHThink about the MATH

1,000 Rukaas MEANS:1,000 Rukaas MEANS:

Each Rukaa takes 2 minutesEach Rukaa takes 2 minutesTashahud takes 2 minutesTashahud takes 2 minutes=a 2 Rukaa Salat takes 6 minutes=a 2 Rukaa Salat takes 6 minutes

A minimum of 3 minutes per rukaa x 1000 = 3,000 A minimum of 3 minutes per rukaa x 1000 = 3,000 mins / 60 mins = 50 hrs = more than a DAYmins / 60 mins = 50 hrs = more than a DAY

A day has 24 HrsA day has 24 Hrs

The SujoodThe Sujood Frequency of sujood to thank the Creator for the Frequency of sujood to thank the Creator for the

small and big incidentssmall and big incidents Showed the importance of remembering our Showed the importance of remembering our

CreatorCreator Sujoods were so frequent that Imam Zainul Sujoods were so frequent that Imam Zainul

Abideen developed calluses on his foreheadAbideen developed calluses on his forehead While performing the wudhoo, the Imam would While performing the wudhoo, the Imam would

become pale, it was said that He was in the become pale, it was said that He was in the Presence of The AlmightyPresence of The Almighty

During the salat it was not rare to see Him shake During the salat it was not rare to see Him shake as fear of The Almightyas fear of The Almighty

DuDu’’aas collected in Sahifa Al-aas collected in Sahifa Al-SajaddeeyaSajaddeeya

An outstanding contribution of Imam An outstanding contribution of Imam Zainul Abideen was composing DuZainul Abideen was composing Du’’aasaas

Some of the duSome of the du’’aas are short, others are aas are short, others are long, yet some are for certain occasionslong, yet some are for certain occasions

Total of 54 duTotal of 54 du’’aas for various occassionsaas for various occassions• 7 Duaas for everyday7 Duaas for everyday• 15 whispered duaas (munaajat)15 whispered duaas (munaajat)• Duaas about fear, thanks, devotion, love, Duaas about fear, thanks, devotion, love,

mediation and remembrance of Allah (swt) mediation and remembrance of Allah (swt)

The ImamThe Imam’’s Characters Character

Was very forgiving and generousWas very forgiving and generous An example of His generosity was with An example of His generosity was with

MarwanMarwan

MarwanMarwan Very active member of Benu UmmayahVery active member of Benu Ummayah Secretary of State, Trouble during Khalifaa Secretary of State, Trouble during Khalifaa

UthmanUthman Fought against Imam Ali during Jamal Fought against Imam Ali during Jamal

ConfrontationConfrontation Killed Talha (on MarwanKilled Talha (on Marwan’’s side fought against s side fought against

Imam Ali (as))Imam Ali (as)) Before Karbala suggested to MedinaBefore Karbala suggested to Medina’’s s

government to arrest Imam Husain (as)government to arrest Imam Husain (as) Great deal of trouble to the Muslim UmahGreat deal of trouble to the Muslim Umah Foe to Imam Zainul AbideenFoe to Imam Zainul Abideen

Foe of Imam Zainul Abideen is Foe of Imam Zainul Abideen is RefugedRefuged

Marwan and his family along with as many Marwan and his family along with as many as 400 people of Benu Ummayah were as 400 people of Benu Ummayah were chased by the people of Medinachased by the people of Medina

They were looking for safety, so they were They were looking for safety, so they were only welcomed by Imam Zainul Abideenonly welcomed by Imam Zainul Abideen

Their treatment was so kind and Their treatment was so kind and benevolentbenevolent

Example 2Example 2 One such example was when a relative addressed him One such example was when a relative addressed him

in an accusing if not unbecoming manner, then leftin an accusing if not unbecoming manner, then left People expected a fight, verbal or otherwise, Imam People expected a fight, verbal or otherwise, Imam

Zainul Abideen asked them to accompany himZainul Abideen asked them to accompany him All were expecting trouble, it was a forgone conclusionAll were expecting trouble, it was a forgone conclusion When Imam Zainul Abideen was at the door of his When Imam Zainul Abideen was at the door of his

adversary, he spoke these words.adversary, he spoke these words.

““it you were right in what you said, and I was wrong, then may it you were right in what you said, and I was wrong, then may Allah (swt) forgive me. But if you were wrong and I was right, Allah (swt) forgive me. But if you were wrong and I was right, then may Allah (swt) forgive you.then may Allah (swt) forgive you.””

(Seerah of Imams, Hashim M. Al-Hassani Vol. 2, Page 148)(Seerah of Imams, Hashim M. Al-Hassani Vol. 2, Page 148)

Imam Zainul Abideen had a very melodic Imam Zainul Abideen had a very melodic voicevoice

When he recited the Holy Quran people When he recited the Holy Quran people used to stay nearby to enjoy hearing his used to stay nearby to enjoy hearing his recitationrecitation

(Al-Sajjad, by Husain Baaqir, Page 161)(Al-Sajjad, by Husain Baaqir, Page 161)

Buying SlavesBuying Slaves In a day when slaves from the battle fronts used to be abundant, In a day when slaves from the battle fronts used to be abundant,

Imam Zainul Abideen used to buy as many slaves as he could Imam Zainul Abideen used to buy as many slaves as he could afford, but after a period of service and educating them about Islam afford, but after a period of service and educating them about Islam he used to set them freehe used to set them free

They were called Mawaali and many did not want to leave him They were called Mawaali and many did not want to leave him because of his kindness and holinessbecause of his kindness and holiness

(Mawaali was also a term used by people who converted to Islam, (Mawaali was also a term used by people who converted to Islam, often from non-Arabic ancestry)often from non-Arabic ancestry)

In this time the number of Maawali became very large and they In this time the number of Maawali became very large and they became enthusiastic supporters of him and would also teach them became enthusiastic supporters of him and would also teach them Islam to their friends according to the way he taught themIslam to their friends according to the way he taught them

Imam Zainul Abideen freed a very large number of slaves, almost Imam Zainul Abideen freed a very large number of slaves, almost matching the number of his grandfather Imam Ali, emanicpatedmatching the number of his grandfather Imam Ali, emanicpated

Helping the Poor and NeedyHelping the Poor and Needy

Imam Zainul Abideen had empathy for the Imam Zainul Abideen had empathy for the poor and needypoor and needy

He was always busy helping them for he He was always busy helping them for he regarded the needy as doing him a favor regarded the needy as doing him a favor by asking for his helpby asking for his help

Zainul Abideen reasoned that he rendering Zainul Abideen reasoned that he rendering help he would be rewarded by the help he would be rewarded by the Almighty many times the value of such Almighty many times the value of such helphelp

Helping the NeedyHelping the Needy Imam Zainul Abideen used to carry sacs of flour and other food Imam Zainul Abideen used to carry sacs of flour and other food

material on his back every night. He had a long list of families to material on his back every night. He had a long list of families to receive his help. Many families used to wait for him, yet they could receive his help. Many families used to wait for him, yet they could not recognize him since he did it disguised. They used to call him: not recognize him since he did it disguised. They used to call him: The man with the cover on his face and only his eyes showing!The man with the cover on his face and only his eyes showing!

This help continued for as many years as he was the Imam, This help continued for as many years as he was the Imam, probably 34 yrs. It is reported that as many as 100 families probably 34 yrs. It is reported that as many as 100 families depended on him for their livelihood at various times. Even his back depended on him for their livelihood at various times. Even his back became hunched and developed calluses, from carrying weight of became hunched and developed calluses, from carrying weight of their sacs of flour and food on it.their sacs of flour and food on it.

(Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. Also Al-Saddooq narrated from Imam (Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. Also Al-Saddooq narrated from Imam Muhammad Al-Baaqir)Muhammad Al-Baaqir)

It was only after he died and the provisions stopped, that these It was only after he died and the provisions stopped, that these families realized who their benefactor was)families realized who their benefactor was)

RamadhanRamadhan

During Ramadhan Imam Zainul Abideen asked During Ramadhan Imam Zainul Abideen asked his family to prepare (cook) one sheep each day his family to prepare (cook) one sheep each day for distribution to the needy, be it in the form of for distribution to the needy, be it in the form of pots of soup, stew and otherspots of soup, stew and others

He would taste the food to make sure it was He would taste the food to make sure it was good and the food was given to the poor and good and the food was given to the poor and needy to break their fast on itneedy to break their fast on it

But for him, he would eat the least edible of the But for him, he would eat the least edible of the left overleft over

(Al-Sajjad, by Husain Baaqir, Page 188)(Al-Sajjad, by Husain Baaqir, Page 188)

Donating His ClothesDonating His Clothes

Zainul Abideen never wore his clothes for Zainul Abideen never wore his clothes for more than one seasonmore than one season

He made sure to freely donate his clothes He made sure to freely donate his clothes to the needy and poorto the needy and poor

This continued throughout his life, summer This continued throughout his life, summer or winter, year in, year out.or winter, year in, year out.

(Al-Sajjad, by Hussain Baaqir, Page 193)(Al-Sajjad, by Hussain Baaqir, Page 193)

Buried in Al-BaqiBuried in Al-Baqi

Before his death, Imam Zainul Abideen Before his death, Imam Zainul Abideen designated the Imamah to his son Al-Baqir designated the Imamah to his son Al-Baqir (as)(as)

Died at age 57Died at age 57 Was poisoned by Al-Waleed the son of Was poisoned by Al-Waleed the son of

Abdul MalikAbdul Malik Buried in Medina in the Baqi beside his Buried in Medina in the Baqi beside his

Uncle Imam Al-Hasan (as)Uncle Imam Al-Hasan (as)

Who was Abdul MalikWho was Abdul Malik

After YazidAfter Yazid’’s death the khalifaa was for grabss death the khalifaa was for grabs YazidYazid’’s son abdicated for 4 months and was s son abdicated for 4 months and was

then poisoned by Benu Ummayah for saying that then poisoned by Benu Ummayah for saying that his father and grandfatherhis father and grandfather’’s khalaafa did not s khalaafa did not belong to them.belong to them.

Then by sheer force Marwan became KhalifaThen by sheer force Marwan became Khalifa 9 months later his wife choked him to death by 9 months later his wife choked him to death by

putting a pillow on his face and sitting on himputting a pillow on his face and sitting on him Marwan died and his son Abdul Malik Marwan died and his son Abdul Malik

proclaimed khalaafahproclaimed khalaafah