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

'''ʿAlī b. al-Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī b. ʾAbī Ṭālib''' (Arabic:{{iarabic| عَليّ بن الحُسَین بن علي بن أبي طالب}}) (b. [[38]]/658 – d. [[95]]/713) known as '''Imām al-Sajjād''' ({{iarabic|امام السجاد}}) and '''Zayn al-ʿAbidīn''' ({{iarabic|زين العابدين}}) is the fourth [[Imam]] of Shi'a. The period of his imamate was 34 years. He (a) was present in the [[Battle of Karbala]] but did not participate in the battle because of sickness and was not martyred. He (a) was taken captive to [[Kufa]] and [[Damascus]] together with other [[captives of Karbala]]. His speech at the presence of [[Umayyad caliph]]s created awareness among people about the position of the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]]. After being released, he (a) stayed in [[Medina]] until the end of his life. The [[event of Harra]], [[Tawwabun movement]] and the [[uprising of Mukhtar]] happened at his time, however there is no reliable report of his opinions about them.

He (a) was poisoned and martyred by the order of [[Walid b. 'Abd al-Malik]]. He (a) was buried in [[al-Baqi' cemetery]] beside his uncle [[Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a)]].

 

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 l-Hasan, Abu l-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, ''Tahdhib'', vol. 7 p. 231; Ibn Khallikan, ''Wafayat'', vol. 3 p. 266</ref> Dhu l-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, ''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>

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, ''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, ''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 fifteen, eleven of whom were boys and four of whom 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>

Based on clear [[hadith]]s narrated in [[Shi'a]] sources, 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 contain Imam al-Sajjad's (a) name.<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>

# [[Marwan b. Hakam]] (9 months in [[65]]/685)

# [[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 Battle 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 [[Damascus]]. 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>

In any case, [['Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad]] kept Imam al-Sajjad (a) and other captives of Karbala in prison and wrote a letter to Damascus 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 Damascus. '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>

{{main|Imam al-Sajjad's (a) Sermon in al-Sham}}

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>

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>

Mukhtar's uprising was the third important movement after the Battle 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]] by al-Mukhtar). 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, ''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 gave the poor 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>

[[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> Up to 300 hadiths have been narrated from Imam al-Sajjad (a) in the [[Four Books]] of the Shi'a.

=== Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya ===

=== Risalat al-Huquq ===

{{main|Risalat al-Huquq (Treatise on Rights)}}

''Risalat al-Huquq'' is one of the works attributed to Imam al-Sajjad (a). In this treatise, 51 different rights (or 50 according to some versions) are listed. This treatise has been translated into English and other languages.

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>