Life of Imam Zainul-Abideen (AS)

Birth

In the period of the second caliph "Ummer", the Muslims conquered Iran. The daughters of Yazdgard were brought to Madina. All had gathered in the mosque of Madina to see what was the decision of the caliph, about them. He wanted to sell them but Imam Ali (A.S.) stopped him from doing so and said to Urnmer, "leave the girls free so that they marry whosoever they wish."

One of the girls chose Hussain Ibn-e-Ali (A.S.) and the other chose Imam Hassan Mujtaba (A.S.). Imam Ali (A.S.) said to Hussain, "Look after this woman very well, because, from her an Imam will come into existence (born) who will be the best of the God's creations upon the earth and the father of all the Imams (after himself). Not very long after that the sun of his existence arose, on Thursday, the 5th of Shaaban, 38th Hijrah, in Madina. He was named "Ali" later on titled as Zain-ul-Abidin (the decoration of the worshippers) and Sajjad (one who performs much prostration).

The Ethical and Moral Characteristics of Imam (A.S.)

1. Piety and Abstinence:

One of the special features of Imam's character was his piety and abstinence. Imam Jaffar Sadiq (A.S.) said, "Ali Ibn-ul-Hussain (A.S.) resembled most of all the sons of Bani Hashim, with Ali (A.S.)".

His son Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) said, "One day I happened to see my father, I saw him (completely) immersed and (thoroughly pre occupied) in the prayers and with all the attention towards God. His color was faded and his eyes were sore and red due to weeping, his feet were swollen by (prostration) and legs, and knees had developed corns. I said humbly "Oh father, why do you loose your self control during the prayers and put yourself in such an inconvenience and discomfort.

My father wept and said, "Oh son however and whatsoever amount of prayers I perform even then it is meager and very little as compared to the prayers of your grandfather, "Ali Ibn-e-Abi Talib." Taous Yamni says, I saw Imam lying in prostration saying, "Oh God your servant, needy towards you, is in your house waiting for your blessing, forgiveness and favor".

2. Attention to the life and training of people:

Imam Zain-ul-Abidin (A.S.), like his grandfather, was busy in cultivating land and palm date orchards. He offered two Rakat of prayer near each palm date tree. During the prayers he would get himself so absorbed that he did not have any attention towards anything except God. He traveled to Mecca, on foot, twenty times. And continuously guided and conducted people through the attractive melody of the Qur'anic verses.

All the human qualities and attributes were collectively present in his personality. He was the complete specimen of tolerance, forgiveness and self-sacrifice. He looked after and administrated hundreds of houses of the poor and hunger stricken. Daily a number of goats were slaughtered in his house and he distributed all their meat among the afflicted. He dressed the naked and dress less ones and paid their debts and loans. But he himself took simple meals and put on simple dress.

A person came to Ali Ibn-ul-Hussain (A.S.) and started addressing him with filthy and abusive language. Imam (A.S.) turned his face towards him without the slightest anger and quarrel or strife and said, "Oh brother, if what you say is right and correct and these vices are present in me then God may pardon and forgive my sin. And if you are telling a lie then God may forgive you and pardon your sin."

The man was very much ashamed and asked Imam (A.S.) to pardon him. Abu Hamza Somali who was one of the friends of Imam (A.S.) asked his servant to briefly define the character and morals of Imam (A.S.). He said so, "I am at his service for so many years. Whatever I saw was righteousness, piety and purity.

My lord helps and assists the people and solves their problems, with all the difficulties worries and pre occupations that he himself faces. Zaid bin Usama was lying on the deathbed. Imam Sajjad (A.S.) visited him, Zaid was weeping. When Imam (A.S.) asked him the reason of his weeping he said, "I have to pay fifteen thousand Dinnars as my loan and debt and my wealth is not so much as to pay off the debt." Imam said, "Do not weep and be contented, I will pay all of your loan."

When the nights would become dark and all the people went to sleep, Imam Sajjad (A.S.) would get up put the food in a sack and on his shoulder. He covered his face so that he is not recognized. Then he took that food to the houses of the inflicted and have-nots and gave it to them.He administrated and looked after nearly a hundred guardians less family in Madina, most of them comprised indigent, helpless and crippled, handicapped and paralytic ones.

What a surprise! None of these families knew that Imam Zain-ul-Abidin (A.S.) was the one who managed and run their lives. But after his death, when the aids were discontinued they came to know that Imam (A.S.) was their helper and friend.

Accompanying and keeping pace with his father

He was beside his father right from the moment of his migration towards Karbala and followed his father. Imam Hussain (A.S.) step by step so that, when his father asked for help on the day of Ashoora he got up to extend help to his father. But Hazrat Zainab (S.A.) stopped him and said, "You are the only memorial remnant of this family and the Imam after Imam Hussain (A.S.) and you are the guardian of all of us. Your divine mission is to convey the message of the martyrs to the people.

Although a segment of the people who are unaware consider the Imam to be a sick, invalid, handicapped and weak person. But they are seriously mistaken because the illness of Imam was an expedience and policy of God, so that he may remain safe from the harm of the enemy's sword, and become the living history of Karbala.

Therefore, after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his companions Shimar came into the encampment of Imam along with a group of murderers of Bani Ommayide so that he may kill the remaining ones of the camp of Imam Hussain (A.S.). Since he was ill, Shimar's companions objected upon him and Umer Saad came after them and reprimanded Shimar regarding this decision and turned him out of the encampment. And said, "He is an ill man and cannot do a thing, leave him alone."

The movement of Imam (A.S.) and his clamor begins

Imam (A.S.) who along with the left behind families of martyrs was besieged by the enemy, came out on the morning of 11th Moharram, the 61st Hijrah. They had chained his hands and feet and placed the heads of the martyrs in front of him so that his sorrow and grief is increased.

There is no doubt about it that if Imam was not there in Karbala to see all the crimes of Yazeed from a close quarter and convey it to the people of Kufa and Syria, Bani Ommayide would not have become defamed and disgraced to that extent. The family of Hussain (A.S.), as against the concept of a foolish and silly group who think they were defeated, where ever they set foot, they would announce the success of their revolution and the defeat of Yazeed. What more and superb conquest could be imagined about, than this that the enemy was highly afraid of them. Where ever they opened their lips to speak people would manifest their feelings and emotions and paid them respect and homage and rebuked, reproached, and cursed their enemies.

Imam's Speech in Kufa

When the carvan of the prisoners reached Kufa and all the people were keenly trying to see the prisoners. Imam (A.S.) noticed that Kufis did not recognize them otherwise they were not that indifferent. Therefore, Imam by his hand gave the people the signal to keep quiet. All of them adopted silence and lent ears to him. Suddenly the memorial of Hussain (Imam) opened his lips and said, "Oh the people of Kufa! I am the son of Hussain (A.S.), I am Ali the son of Ali (A.S.), Fatimah (S.A.) and Prophet (P.B.U.H.). I am the son of that Imam (A.S.) whose sons were killed and his properties looted and plundered and his family held prisoners before you. You wrote invitation letters to my father.

When he came towards you, you killed him. What will you reply to God and his Prophet (P.B.U.H.) on the justice day. You did not observe the honor and sanctity of your Prophet (P.B.U.H.) annoyed his soul. Woe to you, what a bad people you are."

Imam (A.S.) arose and alerted the sleeping consciences by these statements and addresses broke and tore the hearts and rolled the tears out of the eyes and changed the celebrations and joys of Bani Ommayide into a sorrow and grief.

In the Court of Ibn-e-Ziad

Keeping in view the reports of the officials about the turmoil and disturbance of the Kufa city, Ibn-e-Ziad ordered that they (Prisoners) must be brought to the court, as soon as possible. The unclean, dirty, obnoxious and ostentatious son of Ziad held a grand aggregation comprising of all the nobles, notable, dignitaries of Kufa to show off his power to them. And threaten and intimidate them so that in future they do not pluck the courage of uttering any words. Others should know that whosoever opposes, shall meet the same fate. Thus they showed the remaining (family) of Imam Hussain (A.S.) in and all those present there gazed and looked at them. They were looking on at them with amazement; none of them took any notice of Ibn-e-Ziad, the killer of Kufa.

The son of Ziad was furious and enraged and wanted to show disrespect to them. But he could not dare it. Hazrat Imam Sajjad (A.S.) addressed him saying "Oh the son of Ziad! Today you are sitting on the seat and throne of Power and the sons of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) are standing before you. Do not think you have any value in our eyes. These words proved so much effective that the ruler of Kufa lost his wits and was stunned and started using foul and rotten language and threatened them. Thereafter, he ordered that Imam Sajjad (A.S.) be slain, but due to the hue and cry of the prisoners and the objection of those present he refrained from it. But Imam (A.S.) addressed him saying: "You scare me from death. You must know that being killed and slain is our habit and martyrdom is our nobility and generosity."

Ibn-e-Ziad did not know what to do and what to say. He did not have any alternative except to order the prisoners be taken away from the assembly as soon as possible.

In The Court of Yazeed

The family, kith and kin of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), which were tired and exhausted, grieved and sorrowful, was all tied up with one single rope and were brought into the court and assembly of Yazeed. They adopted the same conduct and behavior with Yazeed, which they had previously shown towards Ibn-e-Ziad. None of them gave any attention and took any notice of Yazeed. Thereby, Imam (A.S.) raised his head and said, "You, who claim to be Muslim, say, what would the Prophet (P.B.U.H) do with you and say to you if he sees us in this condition that you have taken us prisoners."

This strong sentence of Imam (A.S.) made those present on the occasion weep and Yazeed was embarrassed and bewildered and at once ordered the ropes to be let loose and open.

Then he started ill speaking and vilification. So, at once the children of Imam Hussain (A.S.) and Imam Sajjad (A.S.) resisted and withstood him and delivered speeches, which dishonored and disgraced his lineage and family. It came to it, that from inside his haram sarai (women's apartment) a noise of objection, protest and crying raised. These shootings and voices of crying, and protests each one was striking upon the head of Yazeed like, as if it was a hammer.

And that woke him up from the deep slumber and sleep of drunkenness. He knew that if he detained the remaining of the family of Prophet (P.B.U.H.) for another few moments a revolt will start and his life will come to an end. He saw himself drowned in the ocean of the protest, objections, fury and anger of the people. He looked this way and that way to find a way out to get himself cleared off the crimes.

Suddenly, he shouted and said, "curse of God be upon Ibn-e-Ziad. I was not in favor of killing Hussain (A.S.) and taking his remaining family as prisoners. But then it was all over and water had crossed the bridges and all the people knew that he himself was the real criminal.

So he at once ordered the officials to take the prisoners to a place which had been provided in advance for them, so that he is not faced with any further shame and disgrace. They stationed the family of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) in an unsuitable place. But they did not sit silent and quiet even there and whenever they laid their hands upon any chance they did inform the people about the crimes of Yazeed. So much so that the three years old daughter of Imam Hussain (A.S.) named Rukkia took part and played a role in this combat and campaign.

Imam (A.S.) in Syria's Mosque

One day, Yazeed arranged and organized a grand aggregation and assembly in the mosque of Damascus (Syria) the seat of his power and government, to cover and make good his defeats. He ordered his ostentatious speakers to praise him and take liberty and adopt presumptuous attitude towards the family of Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and use foul and abusive language. So that he may make the people optimist as regards to his crime and manifest the children of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) as if (God forbid) at fault, and to belittle them in the eyes of he people.

Imam Sajjad (A.S.) was sitting in a corner of the assembly and listening to the speech of the speaker of Yazeed when he praised Yazeed and used abusive language about the family and lineage of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Imam (AS.) shouted loudly at him saying. "Woe to you oh dishonest agent! You have raised the anger and enraged God and provided hell for yourself to please and make Yazeed happy.

Then he turned his face towards Yazeed and said, "Allow me to climb up these wooden (step of tribune) to speak and make the Almighty God and people happy."

In the beginning Yazeed did not pay heed to him but those present asked him to allow and give permission to him. So he was obliged to give him permission but there was a huge tempest going on in his heart as to what will finally happen? Imam (A.S.) got himself seated up on the tribune and after the praise of God and thank giving to God said, "Oh people! God has bestowed upon us wisdom, knowledge, fortitude, forbearance, bravery, faith and piety. Be informed that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of Islam, Ali (A.S.) and Jaffar-e-Tayyar are ours. Hamza, the chief of martyrs, Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (A.S.) who were the beloved ones of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) are from (among) us.

All of a sudden the people were shocked and moved, the hearts started beating fast in the chests and they focused their eyes upon Imam (A.S.). They were astonished and said to themselves what a surprise they had told us that these are Kharijis (a group of rebellions and mutinous who was ousted from the religion) who have stood up against the government. That means they lied to us. These are the best of the creations of God on the earth. The sentences (of Imam [A.S.]), which followed, made the people more informed. The Imam (A.S.) said, "I am the son of Mecca and Mina, I am the son of Zam Zam and Safa (that meant all of these were connected to them).

I am the son of the one who ascended to the skies (Meraj), I am the son of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of God. I am the son of Ali Murtaza (A.S.), I am the son of Fatimab (S.A.). I am the son of Hussain (A.S.) who (they) killed in the Karbala without any fault and sin." All of a sudden, people burst into a huge noise of crying and weeping. Yazeed saw himself besieged. He yelled, "Oh Muezzin (caller to the prayer), call the Azzan (call to the prayer).

The voice of Allah-o-Akber was raised. Imam said, 'Nothing is greater than God." The Muezzin said, "I witness to it that there is no God except the God." Imam said, "My flesh, skin and bones do attest and stand witness to it." The Muezzin said, "I give witness to it that Mohammad (P.B.U.H) is the Prophet of God." Imam said, "Oh the caller for prayers Muezzin, for the sake of the same Prophet (P.B.U.H.) whose name you are calling stop for a while!!! Then he turned towards Yazeed and said, "Oh Yazeed this Prophet (P.B.U.H.) whose name is being called, is my grandfather or yours? If you say he was yours you have told a lie. And if you say he was my grandfather then why did you kill his sons in Karbala and take his children prisoners."

When Yazeed saw that he was unable to reply, he at once stood up to offer his prayer, for deceiving the people. Imam (A.S.) walked out of the mosque, along with a group of Syrians, as a protest. These words and sentences proved so effective that Yazeed was obliged and forced to send the Ahl al-Bayt (member of the Prophet [P.B.U.H.] family) respectfully and graciously to Madina. Following these protests, hue and cry and turmoil, anger, and hate of the people, the flags of revolution against yazeed and government of Bani Ommayide were hoisted.

It was clear that the pivot and nucleus of the movement was the movement of Imam Sajjad (A.S.). A turmoil and revolt against Yazeed took shape in Madina. He decided to stop the movement by means of massacre and mass killings. But it was all in vain. Therefore, he sent his forces to Madina under the command of a dirty and wicked man named Muslim bin Aqba delegating him complete powers. He, along with his soldiers, kept attacking the house of the people for a period of three days. They plundered and looted the wealth of the people, and killed approximately ten thousand of them. But it either did not have any effect. Thereafter, Yazeed did not spend a single day happily and every moment he was getting closer to his death.

Finally, the dark, and black file of his life was closed in the year 64 Hijrah. He died and his son Muawiyah-II succeeded him. But after forty days time he resigned his post and abandoned the throne due to his father's crimes and disgrace of his lineage and family. Abdullah Ibn-e-Zubair who had been lustful and greedy for power for many long years arose in Mecca and took hold and control of the government. Marwan grasped the seat of power in Syria. The war of power started and each one of the two got himself prepared for the annihilation of the other. After a short period Marwan died and his son Abdul Malik was enthroned in his father's place. After gaining power, he besieged Mecca in the year 73 Hijrah and killed Abdullah bin Zubair.

Abdul Malik was a man; base and miser man and he did not have any human quality and mercy. So that one day he told Mussabbab, "I dislike good deeds and works." One of his great crimes was to empower "Hajjaj bin Yousuf in Kufa and Basra, who was notorious for his mercilessness, cruelty, and brutality. He in a short span of time martyred one hundred and twenty thousand friends of Imam Ali (A.S.) and imprisoned a large segment of them. Abdul Malik was extremely vigilant regarding Hazrat Sajjad (A.S.) and he was after an excuse to arrest him (A.S.). As a result, he arrested him and brought him to Syria (Damascus). But due to the revolt and turmoil of the people, he was forced to send him back to Madina.

The Event of Imam (A.S.) and Hasham

After committing crimes for many long years, Abdul Malik passed away and his son hasham was enthroned in his father's place. One day, he traveled to Mecca in the Hajj season so as to perform Hajj (as per his own version). That was to deceive the simple-minded people. He wanted to perform circumambulation but he could not do it, because there was such a big and huge gathering. So he was forced to sit in a corner to wait for the huge crowd and gathering to get thin.

All of a sudden Imam Sajjad (A.S.) arrived to the Haram and people recited benediction for him, and cleared the way for him. He, after performing circumambulation moved towards the Hajar ul Aswad (the black stone) to rub his hand on it. Hasham witnessed this scene and was greatly annoyed and uncomfortable. He said with carelessness and inattentively "who is this man"? "I do not know him?"

Farzdak who was a freedom-loving poet at once turned his face towards Hasham and said, "Oh Hasham I am surprised why you do not recognize him? If you do not know him, I know him very well. Listen, so that I introduce him to you." He is someone that the land of Mecca and the House of the God know him. "He is the one whose grandfather is the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of Islam. God keeps on bestowing his benediction and blessings upon them continuously.

He is the son of the best of the servants of God. He is that famous and well known pious. When you say you do not know him this thing does not harm him. If you do not know him (so what) the Arab and Ajam (Non Arab World) knows him." Hasham was very enraged and got highly flared up by the words of Farzdak, and ordered him to be imprisoned. The Imam (A.S.) sent him a gift in the prison and appreciated his inconveniences. One day he got freed from the prison.

Hazrat Sajjad (A.S.) and the Sahifa-e-Sajjadia

When the Imam got stuck in a tight corner and was virtually besieged he was obliged to state his objects and motive in the form of the prayers. These prayers have been compiled in the shape of a book named "Sahifa-e-Sajjadia." This is an ocean of topics and objects of science, mathematics, physics, astronomy, social and political sciences and ethics. Obviously and apparently this is a book of prayers. But, in fact, this is the expression of fact, pains, and difficulties. We present here a few sentences of it as a specimen.

1. Oh God! I take asylum and refuge with you from the revolt, and rebellious (attitude) refractoriness, of the anger and jealousy and the scarcity of patience, and extravagance and intemperance in life.

Oh God! Keep me alive till my life is led in your service and obedience and when it becomes the pasture and meadow of Satan, take me towards yourself and take my life."

2. Oh sons! Respect you father and mother because if the father was not there you would not have come into existence. Look at the mother that she looks after you with all of her existence (energies). She is not afraid of it that she herself remains hungry and feeds you. She herself remains cloth less (without dress) and covers (dresses) you. She remains in the sun and places you in the Shadow. You cannot thank her. This is God who has the power of thanking her (giving her the reward).

3. Watch over and attend your child because his good or bad (virtues) are related and connected to you and you are responsible for his training and guidance.

4. Be kind to your brother and sister because he/she is your hand (helper) and your power. Help him against the enemy and be his well wisher.

5. Respect your teacher and be polite in his assembly (session) and listen carefully to his words. Do not talk loudly before him. If somebody questions him about something do not reply before he does although you may know the answer to that (question).

6. Respect your neighbor and help and assist him. If you happen to observe a fault or sin of him do hide it and when he slips (commits sin) admonish him.

7. Be just in your conduct and behavior with friend and love him as he loves you.

If he makes up his mind to commit a sin stop him from that and always be a blessing for him, not a torment for him.

Imam's (A.S.) Martyrdom

At last after bearing grief's and inconveniences the magnanimous and great Imam (A.S.) was poisoned and martyred by Hasham Ibn-e-Abdul Malik on 25th of Moharram, 95th Hijrah and was buried in the graveyard of Baqi, beside the grave of Imam Hassan (A.S.) and today his gave is the site of visit for the lovers and adorers of his path.

Imam Musa al-Kazim(AS) and the Abbasid Caliphs

In this eventful period of time revolutions erupted, followed by arrests and mass murders of the descendants of Imam Ali bin Abi-Talib (A.S)and their followers. It was a dark age in which men were caught and sentenced to death on the slightest suspicion. The Abbasids monopolized power and thought little of peoples dignity. Eventually, imprisonment, beating and killing became common practices

The rulers began eagerly to buy slaves, jewels, perfumes, clothes, tools of entertainment, pleasure and luxury. They pilfered millions and squandered the wealth of the ummah which they milked from the veins of the oppressed, the hunted, the prisoners or those sentenced to death.

The Abbasids hunted down the descendants of Imam Ali bin Abi-Talib (A.S) and their followers, persecuting them in every part of the Islamic state. Men recruited for this purpose were treated lavishly. Their job was uprooting the Alawites, getting rid of their leaders because of their fear of the hostile activities of the Alawites and the love the common people held for them .

Imam Musa bin Ja'far (A.S) followed in the footsteps of his father, Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (A.S). He played a key role in standing against decadence in politics, morals and the Islamic way of life, brought about or helped by the Abbasid rule. Even in prison, he (A.S) didn't give up his responsibility towards the faith and the faithful. Some scholars, and many of his followers and students, kept contact with him secretly, asking him about any aspect of Islamic thought and beliefs. He had his means of writing back to them answering their questions.

Surely the Imam's life represented a distinguished, historical and political period in the history of Islam. During that terrible era (148-183 A.H.) Imam al-Kazim (A.S) took on the responsibility of divine leadership (Imamate) which included the period of the life of Abbasid caliphs Mansoor, Mahdi, Hadi and Rasheed. It was the most prominent deviated period of the Abbasid rule.

The Imam Kazim (A.S) and Abu-Ja'far Mansoor:

Under the rule of Abu-Ja'far Mansoor, Alawites suffered beyond description. They were terrorized in the most heartbreaking way.

Abu-Ja'far Mansoor confiscated the property of the Alawites, threw them behind bars, and hunted them down. He subjected them to unspeakable torture, innovated new ways of killing them, and shed their blood ruthlessly. He put them in half-built pillars and completed the building leaving them there to die. He also withheld food and water from the prisoners to let them die from starvation in the depths of his dark horrible cells. He also used to weigh them down with shackles and chains by which they slowly died.

The Imam Kazim(A.S) and Muhammad Mahdi:

After the death of Abu Ja'far Mansoor, his son, Mahdi sensed the brutality of the policy his father had taken and tried to soothe people's pains at the beginnig of his caliphate. He released prisoners and gave back confiscated property. This decision applied, also, to the descendants of Abu-Talib. The property of Imam Ja'far bin Muhammad al-Sadiq (A.S), taken by the Abbasid authorities, was turned back to his son, Imam Musa bin Ja'far (A.S).

But fear of the strong personality of Imam Musa al-Kazim (A.S) was eating away at Mahdi's heart. He saw how the masses rallied around the descendants of Abu-Talib, and he was worried that there would be an uprising against his rule. As a result, he ordered his governor, in Madinah, to send Imam Kazim (A.S) to Baghdad.

As soon as Imam al-Kazim (A.S) arrived in Baghdad, Mahdi ordered his guard to throw him in prison. But Allah would not forget his devoted servant. He guarded his servant against any evil.

A strange thing happened afterwards which caused Mahdi to withdraw his decision and set the Imam Kazim(A.S) free.
Mahdi, in a dream, saw the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali(A.S), threatening him and saying: "If you turn away, you are sure to make mischief in the land and cut off the ties of kinship.'" Mahdi awoke, seized with great panic. He sent for Rabi', his vizier, and ordered him to set Imam al-Kazim (A.S) free.

Imam al-Kazim (A.S), released from prison, returned to Madinah,the city of his grandfather, the Apostle of Allah (S.A.W.).

The Imam (A.S) and Musa Hadi:

This ruler (governor) adopted the policy of hatred toward the Alawites, the descendants of Ali bin Abi-Talib(A.S), and the sons of Abu-Talib in general. He persecuted and harassed them. The Alawites, who could endure such savageness no more, revolted against him under the leadership of Hussein bin Ali bin Hassan bin Hassan bin Ali bin Abi-Talib (A.S) near a place called Fakh in 169 A.H.

That was during the Imamate of Imam Musa bin Ja'far (A.S).
That revolt reflected the spirit of the struggle between Ahlul-Bait (A.S) and their followers, and the corrupt Abbasid rulers, because the revolt took place in the time of Imam al-Kazim (A.S), and because of its historical importance, and its significance as a beacon for the Imamate.

This revolution was the most prominent one of Ahlul-Bait and the most tragic one after the revolution of Karbala' which was led by Imam Hussein (A.S).

After puting an end to the revolution, the caliph, Hadi, began threatening Imam al-Kazim (A.S) and decided to capture and imprison him, but it was the Almighty Allah's will that the Abbasid caliph died before carrying out his order on the Imam (A.S) and whom his brother Harun Rasheed succeeded.

The Imam (A.S) and Harun Rasheed:

Imam Musa bin Ja'far (A.S), like the other members of Ahlul-Bait (A.S), their followers and the common people, lived in an atmosphere of oppression, terror, and intimidation. At any moment the could be thrown in jail or made homeless.

Historians mentioned diverse tragic pictures and examples of such prisons, and killings of the Alawites and their followers, particularly Imam Musa al-Kazim (A.S), his students and the bearers of his knowledge.

In 179 A.H. the caliph,Harun, made a pilgrimage and began to visit Madinah and ordered the arrest of Imam al-Kazim (A.S). Thus, the Imam (A.S) was captured and sent to Basrah, whose governor was Isa bin Ja'far bin Mansoor. He (A.S..) stayed in prison for a year and, then, the Imam (A.S) was sent to Baghdad and imprisoned there uner Fadl bin Rabi' and in which he remained for a long time. After that, he was imprisoned under Sindi bin Shahak.

Another example is that Fadl bin Yahya Barmaki, a close assistant to Harun Rasheed, was stripped naked, beaten, insulted and cursed publically on the orders of Harun Rasheed, because he provided some comfort to Imam al-Kazim (A.S) while he was in prison.

Here is another document handed down to us by the historians. This time the massacre from the Abbasid authorities is fully described. It is said that when Yahya bin Khalid Barmaki arrived at Baghdad to lay the plans for the assassination of Imam Musa bin Ja'far (A.S), the people were shocked by his mission and fear took hold of them. "People wer greatly troubled, and they plunged into unbridled rumours."

History, also, protrays for us the confessions of Hamid bin Qahtabah who was ordered by Harun Rasheed to commit a great massacre against the Alawi Prisoners.

Rasheed asked him about his loyalty to him, to which Hamid answered that he was quite ready to carry out whatever task he might assign him. When Rasheed felt Hamid was staunchly loyal to him and that he was capable of doing what he wanted him to do, he ordered his servant to give him a sword and take him to a closed house in whose center there was a well. There were three big rooms in the house.

When Hamid opened the door to the first room, he saw twenty men; young, middle-aged and old, from the descendants of Imam Ali bin Abi-Talib(A.S) and Hadrat Fatima (A.S). They were all in shackles and chains. The servant ordered him to kill them and throw their bodies into the well, which he did. Thus, he did the same in the second and third room untill he killed about sixty men from the descendants of Imam Ali (A.S).

Muhammad bin Abi Umair Azadi, historians say, one of the companions of Imam al-Kazim (A.S..) imprisoned in the prisons of Rasheed for about ten years. He was one of the most trustworty men and well-known for his asceticism, devoutness and worship. He was severely punished.

Kashhi said tht he was flogged 120 times with a piece of wood, in the days of Rasheed. He was, also thrown in jail and not set free until he had paid, from his own wealth, 21.000 Dirhams.

It is, also, narrated that among close companions of Imam al-Kazim (A.S) were: Ali bin Hashim bin Barid, Abdulla bin Alqama, and Mukhawwal bin Ibrahim Sahdi. All of them were imprisoned by Rasheed in his prison called Matbiq. There, they remained 12 years."

These are only a few pictures which have reached us, but history contains thousand of other bitter pictures as well.

How Did the Imam Kazim(A.S) Pass his Time in Prison:

Rasheed also ordered the Imam (A.S) to be given over to Fadl bin Yahya, "who received him, locked him in one of his houses and posted guards around the house. Imam Musa (A.S) busied himself in worship. He stayed up all night perfoming prayers and reciting the Holy Qur'an. During the day he was often fasting. He never averted his face from his worshipping site."

Imam al-Kazim (A.S), turned down all offers to intervene on his behalf with the rulers. He frankly told those who asked him to allow them to send a delegation of prominent people to Rasheed to persuade him to set him free.

When Yahya conveyed the message of Rasheed to Imam Musa bin Ja'far (A.S), he rejected the offer which would have put him in a humiliating position, as if he were a wrongdoer. He said to Yahya, "Tomorrow, when we have knelt down before Allah, Who will judge between us, you will know who is the oppressor who has wronged the other. Wassalam."
Thus, the Imam (A.S) through his patience and trust in Allah, the Almighty, defeated all means of injustice and terror, like prison, pressure, chains, distortion of the truth, and deceiving public opinon. Rasheed was let with only one choice-to assassinate Imam Musa al-Kazim (A.S) and put and end to his blessed life.

The Martyrdom of Holy Imam(A.S):

By the only means possible, Rasheed tried to get rid of Imam Musa bin Ja'far (A.S). That is why Isa bin Ja'far, the governor of Basra, refused to kill him, asking Rasheed to relieve him of this job.Imam(A.S) was then transferrd to another prison. While in the prison of Fadl bin Rabi', Imam Musa (A.S) made an impression on him and Fadl bin Rabi', like Isa, refused to commit the crime.

Looking around himself, Rasheed found no one better than the chief of his police on Baghdad, Sindi bin Shahak, a man known to be rough, stone-hearted and merciless, like other criminals, to murder the Holy Imam.
Yahya bin Khalid talked the matter over with Rasheed and assured him that Fadl was an inexperinced young man. He, himself, offered to go to Baghdad, and Rasheed was most delighted at having an offer from an obedient, faithful man. He gave him the permission to perpetrate the crime. Arriving in Baghdad, Yahya instantly held a meeting with Sindi bin Shahak, during which he explanied to him the plan he had made to dispose of the Holy Imam. The latter accepted it gratefully.

According to the plan, poison was given to Imam Musa al-Kazim (A.S) on a plate of dates. Imam Musa (A.S) partook from that food and felt the poison sneaking through his pure body.

In spite of all that, the criminals' souls were not satiated of their evil and malice. The body of Imam Musa al-Kazim (A.S) was left three days in the prison. Then, it was taken and laid on the bridge of Karkh in Baghdad with the herald calling out for people, "This is Musa bin Ja'far(A.S). He is dead. Come and look at him."

The body of Imam Musa bin Ja'far (A.S) remaind on the bridge, while members of the police, of Sindi bin Shahak and wrench the coffin from them, once they crossed the bridge. The men attacked the police, saved the pure body of the Holy Imam and was ritually washed, sprinkled with camphor and wrapped him in a shroud. Baghdad had never witnessed a day like that one, nor had it suffered a tragedy like that. The procession made its way to the cemetery of Quraish in Kazimiyah, Baghdad where the holy body of the Imam (A.S) was laid to rest.

Hazrat Moosa Alaihis Salaam and the Stone

It was a square stone measuring one arm-length (approximately 0.5 metres) by one arm-length. Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) would always carry it in his bag. Two miracles of Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) occurred through this blessed stone which has also been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.

The first strange anecdote of this stone which in reality was the miracle of Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) was its long intelligent run. And the discovery of this stone was due to the occurrence of this miracle.

The comprehensive anecdote of this incident is that it was the tradition of the Bani Isra’eel to bath nude publically. Although Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam), who was also a member of the same community, was born and raised in the same environment, Allah Ta’ala raised his ranks by blessing him with the dignified status of Prophethood. Therefore, how could the dignified modesty of Prophethood bear such immodesty and filthy tradition? Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) was very much against and fed up with the immodesty of the Bani Isra’eel. He would either bath in isolation or by covering his body with a sheet.

When the Bani Isra’eel saw that he had not yet taken a bath nude, the wicked people started accusing him by saying that he had a white mark of leprosy on his private parts or had some kind of deformity on his body which he concealed by not getting undressed in public. The wicked people openly announced this accusation so much that there was not a corner to which the rumours about Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) had not reached. He was very much grieved and saddened due to this accusation.

But how can Allah Ta’ala bear to see his beloved Kaleemullah in such state of grief and anxiety! And how can Allah Ta’ala like to see his honourable Prophet being falsely accused! The Most Merciful Rabb created such means of freeing Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) from such accusations and declaring the purity of Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam), which completely repelled the evil plans and doubts of the Bani Isra’eel. The evidence of his purity and freedom from accusations was more evident than a shining sun that brightens the entire world.

This took place when Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) went to bath at a hidden spring of water in the midst of the mountains. After making sure that there is no sign of any human being, he placed his blessed clothes on a stone and proceeded to bath completely nude. After he finished, he returned to the stone to wear his clothes. He saw that the stone was running away, taking his clothes with it. Upon seeing this, Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) also ran after it, saying, “O stone, my clothes! O stone, my clothes!” The stone kept on running. It ran to the extent that it entered the main avenues of the city and eventually ran into the small alleys of the city. Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) kept on following the stone whilst having no clothes on. This way, the youth and adults of the Bani Isra’eel witnessed with their own eyes that the blessed body of Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) had no deformity from head to toe. Instead, every limb of the blessed body of Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) had reached such heights of perfection and beauty that it was impossible to find such an example among ordinary people. Therefore, they all exclaimed, “By Allah, Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) is flawless.”

When this stone completely justified the innocence of Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam), it automatically stopped. Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) immediately dressed up and put this stone in his bag. [Sahih Bukhari; Tafseer Saawi]

Almighty Allah has described this anecdote in the Holy Qur’an in the following words, “O people who believe! Do not be like the people who troubled Moosa, then Allah exonerated him from the allegations they had uttered; and Moosa is honourable in the sight of Allah.” [Surah 33, Verse 69]

The second miracle took place in the plains of Tayah. It was the same stone that Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) struck with his blessed staff and consequently, twelve springs of water emerged from it. The Bani Isra’eel used this water for forty years. This incident is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an in the following verse, “And when Moosa asked water for his people, then We said, ‘Strike the stone with your staff,’ then gushed forth twelve springs therefrom.” [Surah 2, Verse 60] In this verse, ‘stone’ refers to the same stone that ran with the clothes of Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam).

The deniers of miracles judge everything based on their weak intellect. They deny the miracle of emergence of the springs of water from the stone by considering it to be impossible and say that their intellect cannot accept the fact that the twelve springs of water emerged from such a small stone.

Even though, these deniers witness with their own eyes that Allah Ta’ala has blessed some stones with the characteristics of removing hair, some making vinegar more bitter and sour, some having magnetic power that can attract metal from a distance, some making poisonous animals run away, and some that can even work as antidotes for the poison of animals. Certain stones can even provide relief in cardiac palpitations, some do not burn nor heat up, some can even produce flames and there are eruptions of volcanoes from some stones!

So when Allah Ta’ala has bestowed stones with such various effects, then why is it so difficult to accept the fact that Allah Ta’ala blessed the stone of Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) with such effects? Perhaps Allah Ta’ala blessed it with the characteristic of absorbing water from inside the earth and manifesting it in the shape of springs. Or probably this stone had the effect that the breeze that would come across it would flow constantly in the shape of water. It is not beyond the power of Allah Ta’ala. Anything could have happened. As by Allah’s decree, anything can take place. Therefore, to believe in this miracle of Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) is from the necessities of faith and to deny it is blasphemy. It is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, “And of stones there are some from which rivers gush forth and some are those which split then water comes therefrom, and there are some which fall down for fear of Allah, and Allah is not unmindful of your doings.” [Surah 2, Verse 74]

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to seek knowledge and to understand the message and teachings of the Holy Qur’an, Ameen.

Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ)) biography and History

Allah Almighty sent round about one Lakh twenty four thousand or less messengers to preach and to teach the people in write manners. The Series of Allah’s Prophets and Messengers was started from Hazrat Adam (السلام علیہ ) and end at the last and beloved prophet of Allah Almight Hazrat Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلّم). Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ )) is one of the prophet and messenger of Allah almighty. Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ )) is also known as the name of Kaleem Ullah which mean who speak with Allah Almighty. The Holy book Torat or turah was reveled on Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ )) which is strongly followed by Jewish tradition.

Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ )) was born in Goshen which situated near Egypt but there is not actual date of Moses Birth but from some books got the Moses date of birth which is 1392 BCE in Christian calendar or 2076 BH in Islamic calendar. Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ )) was sent towards Israelites after Joseph (Hazrat Yusuf (السلام علیہ )) in the government of a ruled king Pharaoh. Before the birth of Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ )) Pharaoh say a dream that he was killed by a person who came from Jerusalem and who will destroyed his whole government or rule except Israelites. After discussion of his dream with some priests and Soothsayers he ordered to kill the every newly born male boy. It’s mean Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ )) was born in that year when children were to be killed by ruled king.

At last that time was came when Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ )) was born. Quran Stated that “when they were in danger of being caught God inspired her to put him in a basket and set him drift in the river if Nile”. Moses mother do the same and ordered her daughter to follow the basket throughout end. Her daughter saw that Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ )) was found by the Pharaoh’s wife Asiya and she convince the Pharaoh to adopt this baby.  Allah Almighty wants to grow Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ )) in the house of Pharaoh for this Quran stated that When there were ordered for wet nurse to feed Moses, Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ )) refuse to get breastfeed from any wet nurse. The Moses sister met with Pharaoh and suggests him that she knows a woman who can feed him. So Pharaoh ordered her to bring that woman. So Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ )) actual mother was appointed as the wet nurse of Moses.

We can found many events and miracles from the life of Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ)). During his childhood Pharaoh feel  that it is that child which was born to kill him because he clutched the Pharaoh beared which a Israelite can do. Pharaoh decide to kill the Moses after this but her wife stopped him to doing this and told him that it is an innocent baby so Phraoh decide to test the Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ)) he kept two bowls in front of Moses there was a fired coal in one bowl and a stone of rubie. Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ)) put the fired coal and inserted it in his mouth which burnt his tongue.

When Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ)) reached at his adulthood he started the preaching of oneness of Allah Almighty. Pharaoh ordered to arrest or kills the Moses. One day in the festival in Egypt Pharaoh called some magician in his assembly and also called Moses to fight with them. When Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ)) reached in the assembly of Pharaoh the magicians through their ropes in front of Moses which turns into Snakes. Then Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ)) by the Order of Allah Almighty through his stick in front of these snakes which turns in to a big dragon and eat all the small snakes. The Magician accept that it is not a magic Moses preaches a true religion. Pharaoh issued ordered that who will follow the Moses I will cut their hands and feet and also their heads.

By the ordered of Allah Almighty one night Moses gathered all Israelites and convinces them to migrate towards the Canaan. Pharaoh was also made plan to stop the Moses and Israelites to migrate. They also followed the Moses and Israelites to stop them. When the Moses and Israelites were reached near the red sea Allah Almighty ordered Moses to strike his stick into the sea. When Moses strikes his strike into the sea, sea divided into two parts and Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ)) ordered Israelites to pass this sea as soon as possible. Pharaoh and his army also follow them and they also began to cross the sea. When Moses and Israelites crossed the sea, sea close again, Pharaoh and his army drown into the sea. Quran State that we will keep the body of Pharaoh for the witness in future. At last Moses and Israelites arrived at the Canaan. After passing some years Israelites asked Moses to saw your God. Moses takes them towards the Mount Tur. After reaching on mount Tur Moses spoke with Allah almighty and requests him to show himself to these people. When Allah Almighty trying to show off Moses and all people unconscious to see Allah.

Like Birth date there is not solid clue about the actual date of died of Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ)) but through some books we observed that Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ)) was died at the age of 120 in 1952 BH in Muslins Calendar and 1272 BCE in Christian Calendar. Moses (Hazrat Musa (السلام علیہ)) tomb is situated in Moab Syria which is known as Maqam-e-Nabi Musa or tomb of Moses.

Imam Ali (A.S) is the first one & last one!!!

It’s narrated that the commander of the faithful, Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S) was seated in Mosque with a group of his followers sitting around him. 

They said to Him, "Narrate to us, O the commander of the faithful".

Imam Ali (A.S) said, "Woe to you. My word is difficult and intolerable. None can understand it except for the knowledgeable."

They said, "No problem that you narrate something for us".
Imam Ali (A.S) said, “I am the one who became elevated and did overcome. I am the one who gives life and death. I am the first one and the last one. I am the apparent one and the hidden one.

Then the people became angry and said, "He has done Kufr and the people got up (to take the exit)."

Imam Ali (A.S) then said to the door, "O' the door, close upon them. So the door closed upon them".

Then Imam Ali (A.S) said, "Did I not tell you that my word is difficult and intolerable and none can understand it except for the knowledgeable? Come I will explain it to you.

As for my saying that, 'I am the one who became elevated and did overcome'. Then it means that I became elevated (above you) with this sword and overcame you until you believed in Allah (S.W.T) and His Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P).

As for my saying that, 'I am the one who gives life and death'. Then it means that I give life to the tradition (Sunnah) and give death of Bid'ah.

As for my saying that, 'I am the first one'. Then it means that I am the first one to believe in Allah (S.W.T) and to submit to Him.

As for my saying that, 'I am the last one'. Then it means that I am the last one in terms of giving shroud to the Prophet and burying Him.

As for my saying that, 'I am the apparent one and the hidden one'. Then it means that with me is the apparent and hidden knowledge.

The people then said, "You have delighted us. May Allah (S.W.T) delight you'.

Muhammad (PBUH) – So Simple Yet So Special

The belief that none is above and better than the personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is not merely a belief, rather the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is an example of the greatest conduct and perfect behavior. Therefore, the respect, which Muslims have for Him, is backed by examples of His experiences spread throughout His life.

Although the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) contains miracles the like of which the world had and has never seen, however, simplicity is still the dominant factor in the life of Prophet (PBUH). Whatever He did had the stamp of simplicity on it and every act of His life was although simple but special to the maximum extent. The lines below discuss some of the simple yet special attributes of the personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Mercy:

Perhaps the greatest and yet the most simplest of the personality attributes of Prophet (PBUH) is His mercy to the mankind. During His preaching He was abused, injured, threatened and harassed in all the ways, however, despite all this He remained merciful to all of them, forgave them and prayed for them. In one of His hadith, Prophet (PBUH) said:

“I have not been sent to curse people but as a mercy to all mankind.” (Muslim)

If there is one single attribute that can be associated with Prophet (PBUH) and that can be found dominant in His personality throughout His life, it is Mercy.

Forgiveness:

As mentioned above, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) faced all kinds and sorts of troubles and difficulties during the preaching process. However, when Allah gave Him dominance over all those who rebuked Him, instead of taking revenge from them He opted for forgiveness. He forgave all those who caused trouble for Him, who made life difficult for Him, and who planned on Killing Him. This forgiveness although seems a simple thing to do but if a person analyzes the circumstances He had to go through and the kind of power for revenge He had over the people but still He forgave them it makes it special.

Fought For Allah:

Hazrat Aisha (RA) said about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that:

“He never struck anybody with his hand, neither a servant nor a women, but he did fight (jihad) in the cause of Allah. He never avenged any wrong done to him personally, but he did avenge a wrong violating divine commandments.” (Muslim)

From this narration it is clear that if there is any fight that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did or any action of avenge of aggression that is to be found in His personality is all for Allah. He avenged and fought those who went against the commandments of Allah and it had nothing to do with His personal like or dislike no matter if the people offended or disrespected Him. Therefore, this simple action of selflessness is quite special to His personality only.

Concern For Ummah:

Prophet (PBUH) said in a hadith:

“I stand up for Prayer intending to prolong it. In the meantime I hear the wailing of a baby and I have to shorten my prayer, being apprehensive lest my recitation of a long verse may tell upon the baby’s mother.” (Bukhari)

Muhammad (PBUH) is the beloved of Allah and one of the major reasons why He prayed excessively was to pray to Allah for the Ummah, however, that prayer used to get short whenever He heard the crying of a baby. The thing to notice is that the crying of a baby seems a trivial and simple thing, however, Prophet (PBUH) would shorten His prayer for the cry which shows how much He cared even for the babies of His ummah, thus making this simple act special.

Care For Animals:

Humans and the people of Ummah aside, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was caring to the same extent to the animals as well. There are numerous hadiths and narrations telling about how kind He was towards the animals, one of such narrations is when Prophet (PBUH) said:

“One of the rights is that she camels should be milked at places of water.” (Bukhari)

One can assess from this hadith that if a Prophet is so caring about animals then how caring and loving He should be for the people of His Ummah. It is the love for all the living beings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that at an overt level is simple, however, if analyzed in depth and with understanding it becomes covertly special. Therefore, His love for animals is also one of His simple yet special personality attributes.

Recommended Reading – Friends and Family of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H)

Bottom Line:

In a nutshell, a Muslim cannot begin to encompass the diverse and immense great character attributes that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In every aspect of His life He was unique. Everything He did apparently seemed simple, however, the effects of it were grave and far-reaching thus making every act of His special and magnificent.