wikishia:Featured Article/2016/45

Zayd b. ʿAlī b. al-Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭālib (Arabic: زید بن علي بن حسین بن علي بن ابي‌طالب) titled as Zayd al-Shahid (Zayd the martyr), is the son of Imam al-Sajjad (a), and was contemporary with Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a). He was born in Medina and was martyred in Kufa.

He did not believe in taqiyya; he also denounced those who dissociated the Shaykhayn. He advised people to obey the Holy Qur'an, sunna; and wage jihad against tyranny and support the poor. Zayd provoked an uprising against Yusuf b. 'Umar, the governor of Kufa. People of Kufa left him alone; as a result he was martyred in the battle. Many of Shi'a scholars believe this rebellion was staged by the permission of Imam al-Sadiq (a) including al-Shahid al-Awwal, al-Mamaqani, and al-Khoei.

Zayd has narrated from his father, Imam al-Sajjad (a), his brother, Imam al-Baqir (a), and Imam al-Sadiq (a). Zayd also has narrated from a number of his masters including Aban b. 'Uthman b. 'Affan and 'Abd Allah b. Abi Rafi'. According to narration of Abu Khalid al-Wasiti from Zayd, al-Majmu' fi al-fiqh is attributed to Zayd, which is regarded as the most important wok written by him. Also several commentaries have been written on it.

Zayd was buried in secret. However, Umayyads found the burial place, exhumed Zayds' body and sent his head to Hisham b. 'Abd al-Malik and crucified his body. Read more...