CHAPTER 1 - Brief Biography of Ali ibn Husain [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

CHAPTER 1

IMAM
ALI BIN HUSAIN (A.S.): CHILDHOOD

INTRODUCTION

Imam Ali bin Husain (A.S), more known by his title
Zainul Abidin than his actual name, is fourth Imam from
the progeny of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammed (S.A.W.W).

Like his father Imam Husain (A.S), his uncle Imam Hassan
(A.S) and his grandfather Imam Ali (A.S) and the Prophet
(S.A.W.W), he was a Masoom (He did not commit any mistake
or sins).

HIS BIRTH

He was born on 5th Shaban (or on 15th Jamadi-ul-Awaal)
38 A.H. (658 A.D) in Medina (some historians say he was
born in Kufa).

His father was Hazrat Imam Husain (A.S) and his mother
was Hazrat Sheherbanu. She was a princess from Iran. She
was the daughter of Yazd gard II, the last king of
Pre-Islamic Iran. Thus he was called "Ibn
Al-Khiyaratyn". or the son of the best two meaning:
The Quraysh from the Arabs and the Persians from
non-Arabs.

The Muslims, at the time of Umar Khattab, captured
Iran in 21 A.H. The ruler, however, was able to run away
from Muslims; later he was killed. Several years later
his two daughter's, Sheherbanu and Gayhanbanu were
brought as prisoners-of-war at the time when Imam Ali
(A.S) was the Caliph of the Muslims. They were sent to
Imam Ali (A.S) by his governor, Haris bin Jabir Joafi.

Imam Ali (A.S) freed the two sisters. The elder one
Sheherbanu (who was also known as Shahzanan, Sulafa,
Ghazala and Sheherbanuya) was given in marriage to Imam
Husain (A.S). The younger sister was given in marriage to
Muhammed bin Abubakr. Sheherbanu gave birth to Imam
Zainul Abidin (A. S) where as Gayhanban gave the birth to
Kassim, whose daughter was later married to Imam Mohammed
Baqr (A.S).

After her marriage to Imam Husain (A.S), she became
very pious. She was regularly praying and g Allah for
having brought her to a house in which mercy of Allah was
coming every second.

It is reported that once a maid in her house showed pity
to Sheherbanu saying that it must have been very hard for
her to live in the house of Imam Husain (A.S), she having
first lived the life of princess of Persia.

Sheherbanu replied, "You should never talk like that
for you do not know where I was and where I am now. I was
in the Hell fire and I came to Paradise. I left the house
of fire worshippers and came to the house of the
worshippers of one Allah...".

Sheherbanu died a few days after giving birth to Imam
Zainul Abidin (A.S). She was not present in Kerbala.

Imam Zainul Abidin (A.S) was taken care off, as a child,
by a maid whom he came to love and respect like his own
mother.

HIS CHILDHOOD

When he was born, Imam Ali (A. S) was still alive and
he remained in company of his grandfather for another two
years. It is said that time and again Imam Ali (A.S)
would hug him and say, "My son you are Zainul
Abidin."

One day when Imam Ali (A.S) was praying, the young
Zainul Abidin, who then was only one and half years old,
started imitating his grandfather. He prayed the same way
Imam Ali (A.S) did. On completing his prayers, Imam Ali
(A.S) said, "How truthful was the Prophet when he
said our young and our old are all the same, all being
Muhammed." As a young boy till when he became 12
years of age, he spent a lot his time with his uncle Imam
Hassan (A.S).

There after he stayed with Imam Husain (A.S) till 61
A.H. At the time of Imam Husain's martyrdom, Imam Zainul
Abidin was a youth of 22 years.

His childhood was not free from trouble. His mother died
when he was only an infant. He lost the care and love of
his grandfather when he was only two. As a young boy he
saw the injustices that were done to his uncle Imam
Hassan (A.S). As a young boy of 12, he saw his Uncle's
bier being hit with arrows. It must have pained him to
see his Uncle's last wishes of wanting to be buried next
to his grandfather, the Prophet (S.A.W. W), being
unfulfilled. All these disturbed him and made him sad
but, they never shook his faith in Allah. As a matter of
fact, the incidents that we are about to describe show
how peaceful he was in his mind and how strong his love
was for Allah.

As a young boy, he showed great love and respect As a
young boy for the sick people. Once, someone in his
neighbourhood fell sick, Imam Zainul Abidin (A.S) spent a
lot of his time caring and comforting him. When the sick
man became well, he was so pleased with the young Imam
that he wanted to pay him back in any way that the Imam
wanted.

Ali bin Husain (A.S), and that he came for Hajj in this
manner every year.

Imam Hasan (A.S that for the time Ali Bin Husain (A.S)
stayed with him, though still only a child, he showed
great love for prayers. He would get up in the midst of
the night and pray till dawn.