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imam ali zaynul abidin
(the fourth imam)
the fourth imam was ali son of imam hussayn and shahe zanan daughter of yazd
gurd, king of persia. he was born in madina on fifteenth of jimadi al-awwal
in the year thirty six after hijrah, which was the day when imam ali liberated
the city of basra, iraq. he died, because of poison mixed in his food by
the enemies, on saturday, the twenty fifth of muharram, in the year ninety
five after hijrah, at the age of fifty seven and he was buried in baqi' cemetery
in madina.
he excelled all others in his time in knowledge, worshipping allah, spiritual
perfections, piety and helping the needy.
the jurists, in the matters of the islamic sharia, quote him widely and there
are many facts of spiritual guidance, prayers and words of wisdom that he
left behind as his legacy.
very often at night he would carry money and sacks of food to the needy with
his face covered by a mask so that no one would recognize him, otherwise,
they would feel obliged whenever they would meet the imam. when he left this
world, then people of madina realized that the person who used to deliver
to them food etc., with his face covered by a mask was no one other than
imam ali son of imam hussayn. he loved to see the orphans and destitute join
him on his dinner or lunch.
every month he would call a meeting of his employees and would offer them
help if any of them needed to get married or wanted to be set free.
whenever a needy person would come to him asking for help he would say this,
"welcome to those who carry for me supplies to the next life."
it is said that he would pray a thousand rakat of prayer in every twenty
four hours. at the time of prayer his face would change out of his realization
of the greatness of allah, the most high. due to his prostrating so much
before allah his forehead and knees were clearly marked.
once a person from his relatives spoke to him improper words as such that
normally would hurt one's feelings. after a while the imam stood up and stepped
nearer to that person. people around thought that he, perhaps, wants to answer
him in the same manner, but the imam, instead, recited this from the holy
qur'an, "... those who control their anger and forgive people, allah loves
those who do good."
he then said to that person, "brother, i heard all that you said to me. if
all that you said about me is true, then i ask allah to forgive me and if
all that you said about me is not true, then may allah forgive you."
questions
(1) what is the name of our fourth imam?(2) what are the names of his parents?
(3) why was he called zaynul 'abidin?
(4) how were the manners of the imam to the needy?
(5) for how may years did the imam live?
(6) what was the cause of his death?
(7) where was he buried?
we have read about four imams. can you tell their names in proper order?
