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Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) was born in 38 A.H. and was only two years old when Amirul Momineen (a.s.) was martyred. His mother, Shaharbano, was from the race of Nausherwan, the Iranian emperor. His name was Ali. Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) then himself became the father of all other Imams who followed him.

If we bring together all the troubles and calamities of the entire world, and also all the sorrows and grief experienced by the whole mankind, they would not equal to those of the messengers of God (peace be on them all). Similarly if all the troubles faced by the holy Prophets (a.s.) are put together, they would not come to the extent suffered by the twelve Imams (a.s.). Then if all the pains of the twelve Imams (a.s.) were totaled they would not equal those borne by Imam Sajjad (a.s.). Troubles started raining on the head of Imam Sajjad (a.s.) ever since he was only two and thereafter the series continued on the holy family viz.

the martyrdom of Ali (a.s.), troubles faced by Imam Hasan (a.s.), the disaster in Karbala, the events in Syria, the taunting in Kufa, the despising by the enemy, all these hardships had gripped the life of this true Imam (a.s.). One of the close companions of Imam Sajjad (a.s.) narrates, "One day, I had become terribly restless on seeing the constant weeping of Imam Sajjad (a.s.). So I said, 'O, Son of the Holy Prophet (s.a.)! Kindly relax at least for a little while.' Looking at me, the holy Imam asked, 'How many sons did Prophet Yaqoob (a.s.) have?' I responded, 'He had twelve sons.' Then he asked, 'How many sons did he lose?' I said, 'One.' Imam (a.s.) retorted, 'When the eyes of Prophet Yaqoob (a.s.) had turned white due to excessive weeping for only one missing son, how can I feel at rest when eighteen members of the family of the holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) have been martyred in one day, their heads decapitated and their bodies left uncovered in dust and sand?"

Quoting this narration in Hayaatul Kaywaan, Allamah Damiri says, "One day Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) was passing through the streets of Madinah riding a swift camel. A Syrian looked at the fine clothing of Imam (a.s.) and asked who he was. When he came to know that he was Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.), he used indecent words for him. The holy Imam responded to his indecency saying, "O gentleman! It seems you are a stranger." The Syrian replied, "Yes, I am a stranger." The Imam (a.s.) said, "Then please come to my house, eat when you feel hungry, if you require clothes, take them. If you need a horse, ride one." Hearing this reply the Syrian swooned and dropped down.

Abu Naeem al-Hafiz writes in his book, Hilyatul Awliyaa: "Zuhri, who was one of the close companions of Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) said, "One day, Abdul Malik bin Marwan imprisoned chained and confined Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) in Syria. I visited the holy Imam and said, 'I wish they had arrested me instead of you.' He said, 'O Zuhri! If I want, I can free myself from these chains.' At that moment, he freed his hands and feet from the shackles and went out of the sight of the oppressors." Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) possessed thousands of such miracles, which we are unable to mention here. He expired in Madinah at the age of fifty in 95 A.H. His holy grave is with that of Imam Hasan Mujtaba (a.s.) in one mausoleum in Baqee. The graves of Imams Muhammad Baqir and Ja'far Sadiq (a.s.) also are under one tomb 12. How holy and radiant is the piece of land where four generous Imams (a.s.) are resting - May God increase its grace.

Imam Sajjad (a.s.) had twenty children, eleven sons and nine daughters. Imamate continued through Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.).

Adapted from: Analysis of the History of Aale Muhammad (pbuh)" by: "Qadi Bohlool Afandi"