Imam Ali b. al-Husayn al-Sajjad (a): Difference between revisions

Among disagreements about Imam al-Sajjad (a) was the name and lineage of his mother, different names have been mentioned for her including [[Shahrbanu]], Shahrbanuyeh, Shah-i Zanan,<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', vol. 2 p. 137</ref> Jahanshah, Khawla, Salafa, Ghazzala, Salama, Harrar, Maryam, Fatima. Accordingly, [[Sayyid Ja'far Shahidi]] wrote that, "among the names mentioned for her, Shahrbanu is more famous. Her father is said to be Yazdgerd, the last Sassanid emperor; or Nushjan from [[Khurasan]], or Shiruyih, son of Parviz, among which Yazdgerd is more famous." He does not believe that the mother of Imam al-Sajjad (a) would be a person having such a description mentioning some reasons and evidences.<ref>Shadidi, ''Zindigani 'Ali b. al-Husayn'', p. 10-26</ref> He says, "If we ignore this myth about her and check authentic books, we reach a clearer point: Ibn Sa'd wrote that after martyrdom of al-Husayn (a), Zuyayd, his freed servant married the mother of 'Ali b. al-Husayn (a) and 'Abd Allah b. Zuyayd was born, thus 'Abd Allah was 'Ali b. al-Husayn's (a) brother from his mother.<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''Tabaqat al-Kubra'', vol. 5 p. 162 </ref> [[Al-Shaykh al-Saduq]] wrote, "Mother of 'Ali b. al-Husayn (a) was the daughter of Yazdgerd son of Shahriyar, the king of Persians, passed away while giving birth to him."<ref>Al-Saduq, '' 'Uyun akhbar al-Rida'', vol. 2 p. 128</ref>  

Imam al-Sajjad's (a) Kunyas were Abu al-Hasan, Abu al-Husayn, Abu Muhammad, and Abu 'Abd Allah.<ref>Al-Dhahabi, ''Siyar a'lam al-nubala'', vol. 4 p. 386; Kasrawi, ''Mawsu'a'', vol. 3 p. 64; Al-Razi, ''al-Jarh wa l-ta'dil'', vol. 6 p. 178; Al-Dulabi, ''al-Kuna wa l-asma' '', vol. 1 p. 147; Al-Suyuti, ''Tabaqat al-huffaz'', p. 37</ref>  

His titles are Zayn al-'Abidin (adornment of the worshipers), Sayyid al-Sajidin (master of the prostrators), al-Sajjad (the frequently prostrating one), al-Hashimi, al-'Alawi, al-Madani, al-Qurashi, and 'Ali al-Akbar.<ref>Al-Dhahabi, ''Siyar a'lam al-nubala'', vol. 4 p. 386; Kasrawi, ''Mawsu'a'', vol. 3 p. 64; al-'Asqalani, ''al-Tahdhib'', vol. 7 p. 231; Ibn Khallikan, ''al-Wafayat'', vol. 3 p. 266</ref> Dhu al-Thafanat is another title of Imam al-Sajjad (a), since the skin of his prostration points of his body [knees, palms and forehead] had become hardened and there were calluses on them like the knees of camels due to praying a lot.<ref>Ibn Khallikan, ''al-Wafayat'', vol. 3 p. 274; Al-Mas'udi, ''Muruj al-dhahab'', vol. 3 p. 160; al-Tha'alabi, ''Thimar al-qulub'', p. 226; Ibn Abi l-Hadid, ''Sharh nahj al-balagha'', vol. 10 p. 79</ref>  

Imam al-Sajjad (a) was also known by other names at his time such as 'Ali al-Khayr, 'Ali al-Asghar and 'Ali al-'Abid.<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''Tabaqat'', vol. 5 p. 222; Ibn Abi l-Hadid, ''Sharh nahj al-balagha'', vol. 15 p. 273</ref>  

After narrating from [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]] saying, "'Ali b. al-Husayn (a) passed away at the age of 58", the [[Sunni]] narrator of historical reports, Muhammad b. 'Umar al-Waqidi wrote that, "this report suggests that Imam al-Sajjad (a) was with his father in [[Karbala]] while he (a) was 23 or 24 years old."<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''Tabaqat'', vol. 5 p. 222; Ibn Manzur, ''al-Mukhtasr'', vol. 17 p. 256; Al-Irbili, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 2 p. 191</ref>  

Also al-Zahri said that 'Ali b. al-Husayn (a) was with his father while he was 23 years old.<ref>Ibn Manzur, ''al-Mukhtasr'', vol. 17 p. 231</ref>  

Imam al-Sajjad (a) was martyred in [[94]]/713 (or [[95]]/714) with a poison given by the order of Walid b. 'Abd al-Malik.<ref>Al-Shabrawi, ''al-Ithaf'', p. 143; Al-Mas'udi, ''Muruj al-dhahab'', vol. 3 p. 160</ref> He (a) was buried in [[Baqi' cemetery]] beside his uncle, [[Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a)]].<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', vol. 2 p. 138</ref>  

In historical sources, the number of Imam al-Sajjad's (a) children have been counted as 15, 11 of whom were boys and 4 of them were girls.<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', p. 380; Ibn Shahrashub, ''Manaqib'', vol. 4 p. 189; Ibn al-Jawzi, ''Tadhkirat al-khawas'', p. 332-333</ref>  

# Umm Kulthum: The mother of Fatima, 'Illiyya and Umm Kulthum was a maid.<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', p. 155</ref>  

According to references [[Shi'a]] [[hadith]] scholars have narrated in hadith references, Imam al-Sajjad (a) was the successor of his father [[al-Husayn b. 'Ali (a)]].<ref>Al-Kulayni, ''al-Kafi'', vol. 1 p. 188-189</ref> [[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] mentioned his superiority in knowledge and practice over others after his father as the proof for his imamate.<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', vol. 2 p. 138</ref>  

Also, hadiths narrated from [[the Prophet (s)]] about the names of Imams of Shi'a approve this.<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Ikhtisas'', p. 211; Al-Tabrisi, ''I'lam al-wara'', vol. 2 p. 181-182; Al-'Amili, ''Ithbat al-huda'', vol. 2 p. 285</ref>  

Moreover, according to Shi'a references, there was a tradition that belongings of the Prophet (s) such as his sword and armor would be with the rightful Imam (a) of the time,<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', vol. 2 p. 139</ref> and it is even mentioned in Sunni references that Imam al-Sajjad (a) kept them with himself.<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''Tabaqat'', vol. 1 p. 486-488</ref>  

# [[Walid b. 'Abd al-Malik]] ([[86]]/705–[[96]]/715)<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', p. 254; Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol. 46 p. 12</ref>  

In the event of Karbala and on the day [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] and [[Martyrs of Karbala|his companions]] were martyred, Imam al-Sajjad (a) was severely sick so that in some cases when they wanted to kill him, some said, "This sickness is enough for him."<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', vol. 2 p. 113; Al-Tabrisi, ''I'lam al-wara'', vol. 1 p. 469 </ref>  

After the tragedy of [[Karbala]], they captured the family of Imam al-Husayn (a) and took them to [[Kufa]] and [[al-Sham]]. Upon taking them from Karbala to Kufa, they put Jami'a [hand-to-neck chains] on him and since he was sick and could not keep sitting on the back of the camel, they fastened his feet under the belly of the camel.<ref>Al-Tusi, ''al-Amali'', vol. 1 p. 90; Al-Khwarazmi, ''Maqtal'', vol. 2 p. 40</ref>  

Some accounts say that Imam al-Sajjad (a) gave a speech in Kufa, but it is hard to accept that due to restricted situation in Kufa, cruelty of government agents, the fear of the people of Kufa from them and their unsupportive manner. Moreover, the sentences narrated from him in his speech in Kufa are similar to those he (a) said in his speech in the [[mosque of Damascus]] and it is possible that some narrators have mixed them up. <ref>Shadidi, ''Zindigani 'Ali b. al-Husayn'', p. 56-57</ref>  

In any case, [['Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad]] kept Imam al-Sajjad (a) and other captives of Karbala in prison and wrote a letter to al-Sham and asked [[Yazid b. Mu'awiya|Yazid]] what to do with them. Yazid replied and ordered him to send captives and the heads of the martyrs of Karbala to al-Sham. 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad put shackles on Imam's (a) neck and sent him and other captives with Muhaffar b. Tha'laba to [[Damascus]].<ref>Al-Tabari, ''Tarikh al-rusul wa l-muluk'', vol. 7 p. 375</ref>  

Imam al-Sajjad (a) gave a speech in the mosque of al-Sham and introduced himself, his father, and his grandfather to people and told the people of al-Sham that what Yazid and his agents have propagated are not true. His father was not a rebel and did not want to disturb Muslim community and make mischief in Islamic lands. He (a) rose for truth and by invitation of Muslims to remove deviations brought up in religion and bring the simplicity and purity it had at the time of his great grandfather.<ref>Shadidi, ''Zindigani 'Ali b. al-Husayn'', p. 75</ref>  

Whenever he (a) drank water, he remembered his father and wept on the hardships of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]]. It is mentioned in a narration from [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]] that, "Imam al-Sajjad (a) wept forty years upon his honorable father, while he (a) was fasting the days and praying the nights. At the time of breaking his fasting when his servant took food and water for him, he (a) said, '[grand]son of [[the Prophet (s)]] was martyred hungry! [grand]son of the Prophet (s) was martyred thirsty!' He (a) frequently repeated this and wept so that his tears were mixed with his food and drink. He (a) was in such a state until when he (a) passed away."<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol. 45 p. 149; Al-Sayyid b. Tawus, ''al-Luhuf'', p. 290; 'Abbas Qumi, ''Nafas al-mahmum'', vol. 1 p. 794</ref>  

Some years after the event of Karbala, people of [[Medina]] organized the uprising of Harra against [[Umayyads]] in 63/683. People of the city gave alliance to [['Abd Allah b. Hanzala]] whose father was known as [[Ghasil al-Mala'ika]] and first besieged Umayyads who were about 1,000 people in the house of [[Marwan b. Hakam]] and then pushed them out of the city.<ref>Shadidi, ''Zindigani 'Ali b. al-Husayn'', p. 82-83</ref> Imam al-Sajjad (a) stepped away from the uprising since its beginning.<ref>Shadidi, ''Zindigani 'Ali b. al-Husayn'', p. 86</ref>  

In this event, Imam (a) accepted the responsibility of guarding 400 families and paid all their expenses while the army of Muslim b. 'Aqaba (the commander of Yazid's army in the event of Harra) was in Medina.<ref>Al-Irbili, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 2 p. 107</ref>  

Tawwabun movement was another movement after the [[event of Karbala]], the leader of which was [[Sulayman b. Surad al-Khuza'i]] together with some other distinguished [[Shi'a]] personalities of [[Kufa]]. In general, Tawwabun were about to hand the leadership of the society to the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] in case they could win and obviously there was no one from the progeny of [[Lady Fatima (a)|Fatima (a)]] except Imam al-Sajjad (a). However, there was no political relationship between Imam al-Sajjad (a) and Tawwabun.<ref>Ja'fari, ''Tashayyu' dar masir tarikh'', p. 286</ref>  

Mukhtar's uprising was the third important movement after the event of Karbala, about the relation of Imam al-Sajjad (a) and this movement there are some doubts. This relation not only has some political problems, but it also has some problems regarding ideological aspects (following [[Muhammad b. al-Hanafiyya]]). It is said that after [[Mukhtar]] succeeded to attract Shi'a to himself in Kufa, he asked Imam al-Sajjad (a) for help but Imam (a) did not face him with open arms.<ref>Al-Kashshi, ''Rijal'', p. 126; Al-Tusi, ''al-Ikhtiyar'', p. 126</ref>  

[[Malik b. Anas]] said, "Ali b. al-Husayn (a) made a thousand [[Rak'a]] prayer everyday before he (a) passed away. Thus, he (a) was called Zayn al-'Abidin (adornment of the worshipers)."<ref>Al-Dhahabi, ''al-'ibar'', vol. 1 p. 83</ref>  

Ibn 'Abd Rabbih wrote, "When 'Ali b. al-Husayn (a) became ready for prayer, he (a) would strangely tremble. He (a) was asked about it and said, 'woe betide you! Do you know whom I am going to stand in front of and before whom I am going to pray?'"<ref>Al-Dhahabi, ''Siyar a'lam al-nubala'', vol. 4 p. 392; Ibn 'Abd Rabbih, ''al-'Iqd al-farid'', vol. 3 p. 169</ref>  

Malik b. Anas said, "When 'Ali b. al-Husayn (a) put on [[Ihram]] and said [[Talbiya]], he went unconscious and fell from his conveyance (from the awe of [[Allah]])."<ref>Al-Dhahabi, ''Siyar a'lam al-nubala'', vol. 4 p. 392</ref>  

[[Abu Hamza al-Thumali]] said, "Every night 'Ali b. al-Husayn (a) secretly carried some food on his shoulder to the poor and said, 'the charity made at the darkness of the night appeases the wrath of God.'"<ref>Al-Dhahabi, ''Siyar a'lam al-nubala'', vol. 4 p. 393</ref>  

Muhammad b. Ishaq said, "There were people living in [[Medina]] unknowing how their daily provision was provided; and after 'Ali b. al-Husayn (a) passed away, their night food delivery stopped."<ref>Al-Dhahabi, ''Siyar a'lam al-nubala'', vol. 4 p. 393</ref>  

At night, he (a) put baskets of bread on his shoulder and went to the houses of the poor and said, "The charity made secretly appeases the wrath of God." Those baskets had left marks on his shoulders and when they were washing his body after he (a) passed away, they saw those marks.<ref>Al-Isfahani, ''Hilyat al-awliya' '', vol. 3 p. 136; Al-Irbili, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 2 p. 77; Ibn Shahrashub, ''Manaqib'', vol. 4 p. 154; Ibn al-Jawzi, ''Sifat al-safwa'', vol. 2 p. 54; Al-Saduq, ''al-Khisal'', p. 616; '' 'Ilal al-sharayi' '', p. 231</ref> Ibn Sa'd wrote, "When a poor person came to him, he (a) went and give the poor one what he wanted and said, 'before charity reaches the asking one, it reaches God's hand.'"<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''Tabaqat'', vol. 5 p. 160</ref>  

One year he (a) wanted to go for [[hajj]]. His sister [[Sukayna bt. al-Husayn (a)|Sukayna]] prepared a provision pack for his travel worth a thousand dirham. When he (a) arrived in Harra, they took that provision to him and Imam (a) distributed it among all the poor.<ref>Ibn al-Jawzi, ''Sifat al-safwa'', vol. 2 p. 54; Al-Irbili, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 2 p. 78</ref>  

Imam al-Sajjad (a) has a poor cousin. He (a) went to him at night in a way he did not recognize him and gave him some dinars. His cousin said, " 'Ali b. al-Husayn (a) does not care about his relatives, May [[God]] punish him." Imam (a) heard this and forbore and did not show his face to his cousin. When Imam (a) passed away and nightly donation of that man was stopped, he realized the donator was actually 'Ali b. al-Husayn (a), so he went to Imam's (a) grave and cried.<ref>Al-Irbili, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 2 p. 107; Al-Isfahani, ''Hilyat al-awliya' '', vol. 3 p. 140</ref>  

Abu Na'im wrote, "Imam al-Sajjad (a) distributed all his property among the poor twice and said, 'God loves a repenting faithful servant.'"<ref>Al-Isfahani, ''Hilyat al-awliya' '', vol. 3 p. 136; Ibn Sa'd, ''Tabaqat'', vol. 5 p. 162</ref> Elsewhere, he wrote, "People regarded him ungenerous and when he (a) passed away, they learned that he (a) provided the expenses of a hundred families.<ref>Ibn al-Jawzi, ''Sifat al-safwa'', vol. 2 p. 54; Al-Isfahani, ''Hilyat al-awliya' '', vol. 3 p. 136; Ibn Sa'd, ''Tabaqat'', vol. 5 p. 164</ref> When a beggar came to him, he (a) said, 'blessed be the one who carries my provision to the hereafter.'"<ref>Al-Isfahani, ''Hilyat al-awliya' '', vol. 3 p. 136; Ibn Shahrashub, ''Manaqib'', vol. 4 p. 154; Irbili, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 2 p. 77</ref>  

Sayyid al-Ahl wrote, "Imam al-Sajjad (a) bought slaves even though he (a) did not need them. He (a) bought them only to free them. Slaves who saw this intention of Imam (a), they wanted him to buy them. Imam al-Sajjad (a) released them at any time or situation, so that many people, like an army of released servants, men and women were seen in [[Medina]] who were all the freed servants of Imam (a)."<ref>Sayyid al-Ahl, ''Zayn al-'Abidin'', p. 7, 47</ref>  

[[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] wrote, "Sunni scholars narrated many sciences from Imam al-Sajjad (a) and many [[supplication]]s, pieces of advice, [hadiths] in the merit of the [[Qur'an]], [[Halal]] [the permissible] and [[Haram]] [the forbidden], wars and days [of history] are left from him which are known to scholars."<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', vol. 2 p. 153</ref>  

Muhammad b. Muslim al-Zuhri: "I found no [[Hashemite]] greater or more knowledgeable than him in [[fiqh]]."<ref>Al-Dhahabi, ''Tadhkira'', vol. 1 p. 75; Ibn Kathir, ''al-Bidaya wa l-nihaya'', vol. 9 p. 124</ref>  

[[Al-Shafi'i]] said, "He (a) was the most knowledgeable in [[fiqh]] in [[Medina]]."<ref>Ibn Abi l-Hadid, ''Sharh nahj al-balagha'', vol. 15 p. 274</ref>  

Al-Jahiz said, "I saw no one have any doubt about his merits or about his superiority."<ref>Ibn 'Inaba, '' 'Umdat al-talib'', p. 194</ref>