Zainul Abideen

The Fourth Imam

By A.S. Hashim. MD

Zainul A
bideen

Lineage
Zainul Abideen
Al-Husain
Ali

Shahr Banu
Daughter of Yazdajird

Zainul A
bideen Zainul

Abideen in Childhood

Mother dies a few days after childbirth

Aunt Zainab takes care of him
Has the charming looks of grandfather Ali
Grandpa Ali loves him dearly
When two yrs old grandpa Ali is assassinated
Back to Medina

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bideen

Up to 13 Yrs Old

Tutored by Al-Hasan and Al-Husain

Participated in the Discourse held at the
Masjid Al-Nabawi
Close relationship to Al-Hasan
Close to Zainab, his aunt
His capacity of learning and reasoning is
outstanding

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bideen

In his Youth

At age 14, he loses Al-Hasan who died of

poisoning by Muawiya
Average in stature, slender, handsome, and
impressive.
Character was molded by Islam
Participates in discussions led by his father

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bideen

In early adulthood

Marries Fatima, the daughter of Al-Hasan

A year after marriage a boy is born, named
Muhammad (Al-Baaqir)
The Ummah was in turmoil, since Muawiya
was trying to appoint Yazid as Khalifa
For some time Muawiyas agents and
collaborators were busy selling cooperation
and acceptance of Yazid to the people

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bideen

Karbala with Al-Husain

Zainul Abideen, his wife, and his son (Muhammad AlBaaqir) joined Al-Husain to Karbala
He witnesses the savage treatment dealt to the family
of the Prophet in Karbala
Sees his father, 5 uncles, and many relatives (17
teenagers) mercilessly cut to pieces and heads cut off
Sees the tents burned and children screaming in alarm
and running in fright for shelter
Witnesses the nightmare of the moment while sick in
bed near fainting

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bideen

In Karbala

He became gravely ill during the events of Karbala,

with fever and fainting spells
Was conferred the Imamah during the turmoil of
Karbala
Zainab addresses him as the Imam
Confronted Ibn Ziyad in Kufa, quoting the Quran
In fetters, he was taken 700 miles to Damascus
72 heads, including his fathers, were on top of spears
for the show

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bideen

In Damascus

Onlookers thought them to be rebels

Face to face with Yazid answered only by
quoting the Quran, defeating Yazid
Gave a speech in Masjid Umawi on Friday
Prayer
Returned to Medina with family as per his
wishes, but the nightmarish tribulation never
left his mind

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bideen
Part

of his Khutba at Masjid Umawi

I am the offspring of the Lord of Mecca and Medina,

I am the issue of the Lord of Zamzam and Safa,
I am the lineal descendant of him whose forefather had
lifted in his cloak the Black Stone,
I am the child of the one who mounted the Buraq and
gone through the regions of Heavens
I am from the progeny of the one who went up to
Sidratul Mun'taha, and whom Allah had shown the
fountainhead of the Wahy

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bideen

More of the Khutba

I am the offspring of the guide from whom disbelievers got

the guidance to the straight path, I am ...................
I am the son of a person whose thread of life was snapped
by cruel fingers,
and I am the son of whose head was severed while thirsty,
and body left exposed to the burning sands of Karbala,
I am the son whose father's death was mourned by the
Angels in Heaven, as well as humans and Jinn,
I am the son whose father's head was mounted on a spear
and taken for show from town to town

Zainul A
bideenZainul

Abideen takes up seclusion.

After Karbala Zainul Abideen takes up seclusion in the

outskurts of Medina, for about one year, in a tent
Zainab takes provisions for him every day
Only about 5 people are permitted to meet with him
Uncle Muhammad ibn Al-Hanafiyah represents him
and acts on his behalf
Spends time in composing Duaa, Meditating, and
Prayers
Be away from spies and secret agents

ZainulHe
A Charts the Course for future Islamic
bideen

works

Three channels:
1. To produce Islamic Scholars that ultimately would
topple Benu Umayya (Islamic scholars)
2. Means of communication to spread the teachings by
the cadre of scholars
3. Establish a transparent network to promote the
cause of Ahlul Bayt

The above are to be carried out year after year

transparently

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bideen

His immediate period

Strategy consists of:

1. Crying and actively seeking peoples sympathy for AlHusain, and talk about Karbala persistently
2. Emphasizes Prayer and long Sujood
3. Persists on Duaa, composing them and let them be
the MAP for the future works
4. Shuns Politics Completely
5. Starts Majlis for Imam Husain every year
6. Gradually educate scholars in Islam

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Give refuge to Benu Umayya

Hosts Marwan's family and relatives, 400 members,

free of charges.
1. Kept them for several weeks,
2. Period when Yazids army invaded Medina

Marwan was the nemesis and trouble maker during

Uthmans rule
Marwan was the enemy of Ahlul Bayt, but now he
is in need of their help
Marwan fought Ali during Jamal Confrontation

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Turmoil of the times

Zainul Abideen witnesses the grave

consequences of the failed Medina uprising:
1. Sahaaba killed,
2. Wives assaulted, and
3. Property pilfered
Kaba was attacked by Yazid to pacify Ibn Zubair
Al-Hajjaj burns the Kaba by throwing catapult
Yazid dies at age of 33 Years
The forces leave Mecca

Zainul A
bideen During

the 3 yr of Yazid Rule

Atrocities of Yazids Rule

1. Karbala Atrocities

3. Attacks Kaba

2. Invades Medina

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bideen

More uprisings

Uprising of Tawwaboon against Benu Umayya:

fight unto death
Uprising of Mukhtar in Iraq: Occupy Iraq, chase all
fighters against Husain and kill them, including Ibn
Ziyad, Shimr, and Omar ibn Saad
Marwan becomes Khalifa, then dies 9 months
later
It is said Marwan was killed by his wife by either
poisoning or by way of choking

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bideen

Tough times

Al-Hajjaj (who attacked the Kaba to subdue Ibn

Zubair), becomes governor of Iraq,
Tyrannical rule in Iraq for 20 years. The new
dictators cruelty knows no limits
Abdul Malik (son of Marwan) is Khalifa in Syria
Zainul Abideen works diligently to focus on Piety
as the basis for society.

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The Islamic Institute

Steady growth of the Islamic Institute over 27

years period
Diligent work in tutoring of scholars.
Growth steady but fast growing
Al-Baaqir, and grandson Al-Saadiq participate in
the Discourses and Discussions
Al the end, 160 Scholars graduate

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They teach and discuss

Tafseer,
Hadith,
Ah'kaam, and
Jurisprudence
He wrote Al-Saheefa Al-Sajjadiyah
He wrote Risalah al-Huquq (Personal Rights
versus Personal Obligations in our life)

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bideen
PHASE

PHASE I

The 3 Phases of Islam

CARRIED OUT BY:

Muhammad
(pbuh)

TASKS CONSISTING
OF:

Emphasis was on
teaching Islam in depth,
especially to the Sahaaba
(Companions), and
making Islam available to
the maximum number of
peopleyet, bearing in
mind that it would take an
average person a long
time to assimilate Islam.
Therefore, Muhammad
(pbuh) did not fight the
hypocrites.

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bideen
PHASE

PHASE II

The 3 Phases of Islam

CARRIED OUT BY:

Ali, Al-Hasan,
and Al-Husain

TASKS CONSISTING
OF:
They were the 3 who were
to confront the negative
forces caused by Islamicly
weak persons which
threatened to undermine
Islam: Be it during Ali's
Khilaafah, AlHasan's
acceptance of peaceful
terms, or the events
leading to the explosive
but anticipated Karbala as
led by AlHusain.

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bideen

The 3 Phases of Islam

PHASE

PHASE III

CARRIED OUT BY:

Zainul
Abideen and
the Imams
after him.

TASKS CONSISTING OF:

Zainul Abideen took on his
shoulders the heavy task of
teaching the scholars once
the confrontational phase
was over. This culminated
by establishing the Islamic
Institute (Institute of Ahlul
Bayt). The main source of
information was the Corpus
of Knowledge Imam Ali left.
The Institute was to expand
and flourish by later Imams.

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bideen

Corpus of Knowledge

Alis writings during:

Abu Bakr,
Omar, and
Uthmans Khilaafah:
Corpus of Knowledge
consists of the
following:

1. Quran in chorological
2.
3.
4.
5.

order
Tafseer (Mushaf Fatima)
Hadith (Saheefa of Ali)
Ahkaam
Al-Jafr

1. White Jafr: Prophets and

early times
2. Red Jafr: Rules of war in
Islam

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bideen

The Imamah.

Imamah is not subject to election or

negotiation. It is a designation (a Directive) by
the Almighty.
An Imam is Ma'soom, meaning safeguarded
by Allah from:
a) religious error,
b) sin, and
c) forgetfulness.

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bideen

To Keep Karbala in Mind I

1. Imam Zainul Abideen urged the people to visit the site

2.
3.
4.
5.

of Karbala. Thus people confirmed their resolve in the

Islamic principles Imam AlHusain stood for.
He encouraged Muslims to observe the anniversary of
Karbala every year.
This led to Majlis every year done at the time in
confidential manner, in private houses
He used to visit the burial area of Imam AlHusain
every year.
He would visit Karbala unannounced, often unnoticed.

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bideen

To Keep Karbala in Mind II

He recommended that in Sujood to touch a

clean Turbah. This was recommended so that a
person's highest part of Salat (Sujood) be
associated with the principles Imam Al Husain
gave his life for, meaning authentic Islam.
He used a logo: May the Killer of AlHusain Ibn
Ali be Debased and Defiled.
The Logo became popular

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bideen

Emphasis

Imamah was frequently explained and emphasized, and

Ismah (as attested by Ayah of Tat'heer) was often
emphasized, (Surah 33 : Ayah 33) and
The unique and Center Role of Ahlul Bayt in Islam was often
explained.
Work to produce high quality scholars,
1. who were to teach others about true Islam,
2. thus spread the word about the motive and the principles
which Imam AlHusain had given his life for, and
3. at the same time expose the offenses of Benu Umayya.

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bideen

The Institute graduates

more than 160 scholars.

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Renowned Students

AlBaaqir and his brother Zayd also

participated in the discourses,
Well known students were:
Hasan Al-Basri
Al-Thamali
Al-Zuhri
Ibn Tawoos, and
many other erudite scholars

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bideen

Character

Zainul Abideen was very forgiving and generous.

During Ramadhan, he would record whatever
misdemeanor his servants did, then let them
acknowledge, then give them their freedom
He used to buy as many slaves as he could afford,
educate them then set them free
He was revered in the community since he was the
Imam of the Ummah

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bideen

Character

Zainul Abideen had empathy for the poor and needy

He used to carry sacs of flour to distribute to the poor
During Ramadhan he would cook one sheep each day
for distribution to the fasting needy
He had a very melodic voice, people loved hearing him
read the Quran
Zainul Abideen never wore his clothes for more than
one season, then gave them to the poor
Financially he helped numerous needy people

Zainul A
bideen
Sample Duaa: Imploring protection from evil
Dear Lord, I implore Thy protection from:
Extremes in greed,
Being hasty in anger,
Being dominated by envy,
Lacking of patience,
Being with scarcity of contentment,
Being with depravity of morals,
Being beseeched by passion,
An indulgence of zeal,
The submitting to desires, and
Opposing what is right.....

Zainul A
bideen

Munajaat: Tender Prayers

My Lord!
Thy bounty which Thou hast beguncomplete it!
Thy generosity which Thou hast given mestrip it not away!
Thy cover over me through Thy clemencytear it not away!
My misdeeds which Thou hast come to knowforgive them!
My Lord!
I seek intercession from Thee with Thee, and
I seek sanctuary in Thee from Thee!
I have come to Thee craving Thy beneficence, desiring Thy kindness,
So act toward me with forgiveness and mercy of which Thou art worthy!
Act not toward me with chastisement and vengeance of which I am worthy!
By Thy mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful!

Zainul A
EPISTLE OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
bideenZainul
Abideen delineated the basic rights, mostly from

Zainul Abideen delineated the basic rights, mostly from

Shari'ah

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Allah's rights on man, covering a wide range of

prerogatives.
Rights of body and soul,
Rights of family members,
Rights of those superior to the person or
dependant on him,
Rights of neighbors and friends, not excluding the
nonMuslims.

Zainul A
EPISTLE OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS:
bideen
Rights of the wife:
It is the right of your wife that you should know that
Allah has made her for you a repose and comfort, and a
friend and shield [against sin].
And likewise, it is incumbent upon both of you to thank
Allah for your spouse and to know that the spouse is a
grace of Allah upon you. You are obliged
to respect her,
be kind to her, and
although your rights upon her are greater and her
obedience to you final in all your likes and dislikes so long
as it is not a sin
So, she has the right of love and fellowship, and an
abode so that natural desires may be fulfilled, and in this
it is a great duty.

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bideen

Zainul Abideen dies

Zainul Abideen dies at age of 57, reportedly poisoned.

Had calloused skin at place of Sujood (forehead)
Thick skin in his back due to carrying sacs of flour at night to
distribute to the poor
Became pale with curved back due to incessant prayers
Had the roughest experience: be it in Karbala, political times,
and other circumstances
His load was enormously heavy and psychologically taxing

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bideen

Burial

Zainul Abideen was buried at the Baqii

He and others knew the ruling Benu Umayya
would not allow the burial otherwise
With time, a structure was built for people to
perform visitation, pray, and read Duaa
The structure was demolished by Rulers in
1925

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bideen

Picture of Al-Baqii 1925

Al-Baqii after it was destroyed

Al-Baqii before 1925

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For Details Go to:

Islamicbooks.info then choose:
Series of Islamic Books:
Life of Ahlul Bayt Vol. II

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Be in Allahs Care
Thank you and May God Bless you.
Dr. A.S. Hashim