Imam Ali, Zain-ul-Abedeen, was the son of Master of the Martyrs, Imam Husayn (A.S.). His mother was Shaher Bano, daughter of the last Persian king, Yazdjurd. He was born in Madina on 5^thShabaan 38 A.H. He was entrusted with the Divine Imamate on the day of Ashura 61A.H. He led the imprisoned Ahlul Bayt women and children from Karbalato Kufa and then to Damascus. This was the most painful and humiliated journey.

When Yazid tried to talk in an insulting manner, he bravely spoke the truth whereupon Yazid threatened to kill him but Hazrat Zainab (S.A.) intervened. During this journey, he delivered sermons introducing himself and Ahlul Bayt and explained the objectives of their sacrifices to save Islam. When the news of Tragedy of Karbala spread far and wide and signs of revolt were apparent, Yazid released the Ahlul Bayt. Hazrat Zaynab (S.A.) asked for a house so as to arrange the mourning of the martyrs of Karbala. This was the first Majlis for the martyrs. Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen and the AhlulBayt returned to Madina en route to Karbala.

The Imam (A.S.) led a quite life after return to Madina. Yazid’s army ruthlessly suppressed the revolt in Madina. His army turned the Holy Mosque of the Prophet into stable for horses, killed hundreds of innocent Muslims, and destroyed the chaste of numerous women. These beasts destroyed Madina for three days. The Imam lived 35 years after Karbala tragedy. Because of the unfavorable circumstances, the Imam started writing supplications, which demonstrates the immense knowledge of the family of “The Gateway of Knowledge”

His supplications were collected in the famous book, “Saheefa-e-Sajjadia”. The book is next to his grandfather, Imam Ali (A.S.)’ “Nahjul Balagha”.

Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S.) also compiled a treatise known as “Risalat-ul-Huqooq” which contains the rights of human beings. If one compares this book with the United Nation’s “Charter of Human Rights” it appears to have been copied from this Risala.

The Imam would carry bags of bread on his back at night, without showing his identity, would go round in Madina and distribute among needy. Only his close companions knew it.

Hisham Ibne Abdul Malik, the heir apparent of the caliph, was visiting Makka and was sitting in a chair waiting to kiss the Black Stone in Ka’aba, he saw that an old man came towards the Black Stone and the crowd automatically separated to give way to him. The old man gracefully came and kissed the Black Stone and left. He knew who the old man was. It was Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S.) but to overcome his embarrassment, he inquired from his companions. The famous poet of Arabia, Farazdaq, compiled a poetry extempore praising the Imam. Some of the stanza of his poem reads as, “He is who that whole Makka knows him. Every stone in Ka’aba knows him. He is the grandson of Fatima and Ali and The Holy Prophet.”

Hisham became furious and imprisoned him. When Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen(A.S.) came to know, he send some money to Farazdaq who said that he composed that poetry for the sake of Allah and Hereafter and did not want any worldly compensation.

It is said that after Karbala, the Imam wept and cried for a long time and when someone asked as to how long he was going to cry because martyrdom was the grace and inheritance of Ahlul Bayt. The Imam replied that humiliation was not the inheritance of Ahlul Bayt.

The Imam through his quiet teachings by supplications has left many pupils. Abu Hamza al Thamali was one of them. The Imam had taught him a supplication known as “Duae Abu Hamza Thamali”. Abu Makhnuf was another companion who was told by Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) to write the story of Karbalain narrative form which became a part of the majlis all over the world.

Walid ibne Abdul Malik, the monarch at Damascus realized that Imam’s teaching was spreading all over Arabia, hence he poisoned the Imam and he was martyred on 25^th of Muharrum 95 A.H.

Once a person asked Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S.), “What is the criterion for the acceptance of the prayers? The Imam replied, “Acknowledging our Wilayah and dissociating from our enemies.”

The reason why the Imam was given the title of “Zain-ul-Abedeen” was that one night the Imam was praying and Shaitaan manifested himself as a huge serpent and tried to distract him. When the Imam did not take notice of him, he bite the big toe causing pain to run through him, but despite this act of his, the Imam continued to remain oblivious of him, and carried on with his prayers. When, after completing his prayers, the Imam realized that it was Shaitaan, he cursed him saying, “O’Accursed! Go away” and once again engaged himself in worship. It was at this moment that he heard an angel call three times: “You are the embellishment of the worshippers.”

Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S.) said,“The attributes of a believer are: piety in private, donating charity at the time of need, patience when misfortune comes, tolerance at the time of anger, and truthfulness when there is fear.”

During the days of childhood, the Imam fell sick. Imam Husayn (A.S.) inquired about his health and he asked further if he had any wish. The Imam replied, “My only wish is that may Allah count me among those who do not have any wish against His“Divine Decree and Divine Estimation” or “Qaza-o-Qadr”

The Imam used to tremble while praying and his face would turn yellow while performing ablution due to fear of Allah.

Once, Imam was praying and Imam Mohammad Baqir was a young boy. He fell in a well and his mother was upset and calling the Imam to rescue the boy. The Imam peacefully completed his prayer and after finishing it, he went near the well and put his hand in the well and pulled out Imam Baqir without wetting his clothes.

After his return from Karbala, his uncle Mohammad-e- Hanafiyya, asked the Imam to give him the sacred assets of Imamate as he was the elder in the family. The Imam advised him to accompany him to Holy Ka’aba and let the Black Stone decide about the Imamate. By the order of Allah, there was a voice from the Black Stone saying, “Imamate is the right of Zain-ul-Abedeen”

At the time of the destruction of Madina, Marwaan, who was an enemy of Ahlul Bayt, came to the Imam for shelter of his family. The Imam gladly provided the requested shelter.

Similarly, Haseen Ibne Numair, one of the murderers in Karbala, requested to buy food grains from the Imam. The Imam said that he did not want to sell it but can give him free.

One of his Shias from Balakh used to come for Hajj and visit the Imam. Once his wife told him, “You always take gifts for your Imam but has your Imam ever given you anything?” Next year when he visited the Imam the Imam asked him to join him for food. After finishing the food, the Imam wanted to pour water on his hands to wash. When the pot was full with dirty water, the Imam asked him, “What is it?” He said water. The Imam said, “Look carefully” When he looked carefully he saw red gems instead of water. The Imam told him to give it to his wife.

Umer Ibne Abdul Aziz was the only exception in the corrupt Umayyad Dynasty. When he was the Governor of Hejaz, one of the walls of Prophet’s mausoleum fell down. After repair, he invited Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (A.S.) to perform the opening ceremony of the mosque . He was the one who returned the Garden of Fidak to Bani Hashim and also stopped the derogatory remarks upon the Commander of the Faithful.