The conspiracy of Bani Umayyad was foiled and the martyrdom of Imam Sajjad (AS)
Bani Umayyas conspiracy foiled
Imam Ali ibn Husayn Zaynul Abedin’s (as) kuniyat was Abu Muhammad, but he was better known as Zainul Abedin. Sayyidush Shuhada Imam Husain, the grandson of the Prophet (peace be upon him), was his father and Shah Banu, the daughter of Yazde Gard, the third king of Persia, was his mother. Imam Zainul Abedin (AS) was born in Madinah on Saturday 15th Jamadiul Ula of 36 AH and was martyred at the same place on 25th Muharram 95 AH at the age of 58.
Imam Zaynul Abedin (AS) spent the first two years of his childhood in the care of his grandfather Ali bin Abu Talib and for the next twelve years he was brought up under the patronage of his uncle Masum II Imam Hasan bin Ali. He was present at the massacre of his father, uncle, brothers and sisters and relatives at the hands of the satanic forces of Yazid in Karbala in 61 AH and during his captivity. When Imam Husain (AS) came to the tent to bid farewell to his relatives, Imam Zainul Abedin was lying in a semi-conscious state due to illness and he was saved from being martyred.
Imam Zainul Abedin (AS) lived for about 34 years after the martyrdom of his father and spent his entire life in devotional worship and remembrance of his martyred father. He became known as ‘Sajjad’ as he used to spend a lot of time in prayer and prostration. Imam Zaynul Abedin used to pay so much attention to Allah that his face would change while performing ablution in preparation for the prayer and his body would tremble in fear of Allah while standing in the prayer. When asked why this happens, he would say: “Do you know who I stand in front of and who I talk to in prayer?”
Not only that, on that dreadful day of Ashura, when Yazid’s forces slaughtered his father, relatives and friends and set the camp on fire, this Masum Imam was still immersed in the worship of his Lord.
Bani Umayyas conspiracy foiled
When the barbaric forces of Yazid captured women and children and tied them with ropes on the bare backs of camels and forced them to walk barefoot from Karbala to Kufa and Damascus with heavy chains around the Imam’s neck and ankles despite his illness, this divine spirit for a moment He did not lose sight of the worship of his Lord.
Imam Zainul Abedin was a very benevolent and secretive person. Like his grandfather Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib, he carried sacks of flour and bread on his back at night and delivered it to the poor and needy families in Medina. He was also hospitable to enemies. He always showed the right path to his enemies without any hesitation.
Imam Zainul Abedin (AS), like the others of the Ahl al-Bayt, spent a terrible and dangerous day in the midst of the extreme aggression and persecution of the then dictators. The ruthless Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Saqafi used to threaten the people who were loyal and respectful to the Ahl al-Bayt. Because of his devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt, he killed those he arrested. Strict control was imposed on the movement of Imam Zainul Abedin and his meeting with any person was strictly prohibited. Detectives were hired to track down the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt, and every house and family was searched.
Bani Umayyas conspiracy foiled
Imam Zainul Abedin was not allowed to perform the prayers in peace. He was not even given the opportunity to preach. This representative of God therefore adopts a third approach. That is to make a compilation of daily munajat for offering to Allah. These valuable collections of his munajat, also known as ‘As-Sahifa Al-Kamilah’ or ‘As-Sahifa As-Sajjadia’, are also known as ‘Ale Muhammad’s Jabur’. Through these prayers, Imam Zainul Abedin (AS) has given necessary directions to the world during his lonely life.
Regarding Imam Zainul Abedin (a.s.), Allama Tabatabai said: ‘Imam al-Sajjad was the only surviving son of Imam Husain (a.s.). His other three brothers Ali Akbar (25 years old), five-year-old Jafar and infant Ali Asghar (nicknamed Abdullah) were martyred in the battle of Karbala. Imam Zainul Abedin (AS) could not take part in the war due to serious illness during the war. That’s why get rid of murder. He was taken prisoner with the women and taken to Damascus. Later, fearing that public opinion would deteriorate, Yazid sent the Imam’s family and his followers to Medina with honor. Imam Sajjad was once again captured and taken to Damascus on the orders of the Umayyad Caliph Abdul Malik. Later the Imam was sent back to Medina.
Upon his return to Medina, the Imam voluntarily took refuge. In solitude he became engaged in the worship of Allah. He stopped associating with the public. He kept in touch with only a few scholars and gave them necessary instructions. Among the delegates with whom he kept in touch were Abu Hamza Shumali, Abu Khalid Kabuli and others. They received religious knowledge and necessary guidance from the Imam and preached it among the Imam’s followers. One of the books of Imam Sajjad contains 57 valuable prayers. It embodies the highest loyalty to the great Creator. After a long thirty-five years of service as the Holy Imam, the fourth Imam was poisoned to death by Walid Ibn Abdul Malik Ibn Marwan, the then Governor of Medina, on the 25th of Muharram (712 AD). He was buried in the rest of Paradise in Medina.
In spite of the oppression of the tyrant rulers and the innumerable obstacles and suffocating conditions created by them, Allah has spread the light of Islam in the hearts of truth-seekers and God-loving people through the guardians of His religion. On the occasion of the martyrdom anniversary of this great Imam, I express my deepest condolences and sympathy to all.
