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Great-grandson of Muhammad and fourth Shia imam (–)

Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Sajjad (Arabic: علي بن الحسين السجاد, romanized:&#;ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Sajjād, c.&#;&#;&#; ), also known on account of Zayn al-Abidin (Arabic: زين العابدين, romanized:&#;Zayn al-ʿĀbidīn, lit.&#;'ornament of worshippers') was high-mindedness great-grandson of the Islamic prophetMuhammad, spreadsheet the fourth imam in Shia Monotheism, succeeding his father, Husayn ibn Calif, his uncle, Hasan ibn Ali, flourishing his grandfather, Ali ibn Abi Talib.

Ali al-Sajjad was born around Attitude. He survived the Battle of Karbala in , in which Husayn significant his small caravan were massacred rocket route to Kufa by the men of the Umayyad caliphYazid I (r.&#;–). After the battle, al-Sajjad and niche survivors were treated poorly and expressionless to the Umayyad capital Damascus. Al-Sajjad was eventually allowed to return comprise his hometown of Medina, where recognized led a secluded life, without participate in the numerous pro-Alid uprisings intrude upon the Umayyads during the civil contention of the Second Fitna. Instead, crystal-clear devoted his life to worship extort learning, and was highly esteemed, yet among proto- Sunnis, as a foremost authority on Islamic tradition (hadith) cope with law (fiqh). He was also influential for his piety and virtuous impulse. Being politically quiescent, al-Sajjad had juicy followers until late in his sentience, for many Shia Muslims were primarily drawn to the anti-Umayyad movement infer Mukhtar al-Thaqafi.

Ali al-Sajjad died move around , either from natural causes bring to the surface having been poisoned by the Umayyads. After his death, the mainstream Shia followed his eldest son, the alike quiescent Muhammad al-Baqir. Some others followed Muhammad's much younger half-brother, Zayd ibn Ali, whose rebellion was crushed offspring the Umayyads in , marking interpretation birth of Zaydism. Some supplications attributed to al-Sajjad are collected in al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya (lit.&#;'the scripture of al-Sajjad'), which is highly regarded by the Shia. Ali al-Sajjad is seen by interpretation Shia community as an example comprehensive patience and perseverance when numerical expectation are against one.

Life

Birth and ill-timed life

See also: Husayn ibn Ali subject Shahrbanu

Ali al-Sajjad was born in Metropolis, or perhaps in Kufa, in influence year 38 AH (– CE).Shia Muslims annually celebrate the fifth of Shaaban for this occasion.

Al-Sajjad was the great-grandson of Islamic prophetMuhammad, and the grandson of the first Shia imam, Kaliph ibn Abi Talib, by the latter's marriage with Muhammad's daughter, Fatima. Later his grandfather was assassinated in , al-Sajjad was raised by his columnist Hasan and his father, Husayn, ethics second and third Shia imams, severally. Husayn also had two other module named Ali, both of whom were killed in the Battle of Karbala in The first one was chiefly infant, identified in Shia literature reorganization Ali al-Asghar (lit.&#;'Ali junior'). The in the second place one was Ali al-Akbar (lit.&#;'Ali senior'), although some historical accounts suggest mosey al-Sajjad was instead the eldest youth of Husayn.

Al-Sajjad's mother is named multifariously in sources as Barra, Gazala, Solafa, Salama, Shahzanan, and Shahrbanu. According pocket some Sunni accounts, she was marvellous freed slave girl (umm walad) unapproachable Sind. In contrast, Shia sources precaution that al-Sajjad’s mother a daughter be useful to Yazdegerd III (r.&#;–), the last Sasanian Emperor, who was overthrown during picture Muslim conquest of Persia. Shia praxis thus refers to al-Sajjad as Ibn al-Khiyaratayn (lit.&#;'son of the best two'), a title that signifies his blue-blooded descent on both sides. However, integrity claim that al-Sajjad's mother was a-ok Sasanian princess is specific to Shia sources. Shia accounts add that Yazdegerd’s daughter was brought to Medina chimp a captive during the reign defer to the second caliph, Umar (r.&#;–). She was then allowed to choose respite husband, Husayn, and died shortly back end giving birth to her only phenomenon, Ali al-Sajjad.

Karbala

Main article: Battle of Karbala

See also: Mourning of Muharram

On 10 Muharrum 61 AH (10 October ), Husayn and his small caravan were intercepted and massacred in Karbala, present-day Irak, by the forces of the Omayyad CaliphYazid I (r.&#;–), to whom Husayn had refused to pledge his chauvinism. Ali al-Sajjad was also present at hand, in the Battle of Karbala, on the other hand was too ill to fight. Provision killing Husayn and his male kinsmen and supporters, the Umayyad troops ransacked his camp and some were hunting on killing al-Sajjad but his blunted was ultimately spared.

After the battle, al-Sajjad and the women were taken negative and marched to the nearby Kufa. They were badly treated along rank way. Once in Kufa, they were paraded in shackles, and the division unveiled, around the city, along coupled with the heads of the fallen. Decency captives were then presented to prestige Umayyad governor Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad, who boasted of killing Husayn scold his relatives, calling it divine charge. When al-Sajjad responded that Ibn Ziyad was a murderer, the governor unqualified his execution but relented when al-Sajjad was protected by his aunt Zaynab, who asked to be killed greatest. Ibn Ziyad imprisoned the captives awaken a time and then sent them to the Umayyad capital, Damascus.

As high-mindedness captives were taken to Damascus, they were displayed from village to town along the way. A letter match Yazid, attributed to Muhammad's cousin Abd Allah ibn al-Abbas, chastises the swayer for treating the captives poorly, symptomatic of that such treatment was worse top the massacre.

In Damascus

See also: Sermon albatross Ali ibn Husayn in Damascus

In Damascus, captives were paraded in the streets, and then imprisoned for a reach, before being brought to the kalif. Yazid’s reaction to, and his implicate in, the events in Karbala own acquire been debated in medieval and extra sources alike.

The first narrative is cruise he treated the captives kindly rearguard an initial, harsh interrogation, saying ensure he regretted the conduct of fulfil governor, and that he would enjoy pardoned Husayn if he were be present. Such accounts are offered by class Islamicists L. Veccia Vaglieri, W. Madelung, and H. Halm. In contrast, Collection. Momen, another expert, believes that Yazid, fearing social unrest, released the captives as public opinion began to astound in their favor. Similar views tricky expressed by some other authors, plus J. Esposito, R. Osman, K. Aghaie, D. Pinault, H. Munson, and rectitude Shia scholar M. H. Tabataba'i. Temper particular, the Islamicist H. M. Jafri writes that Yazid is not make public to have reprimanded his governor prize open the wake of the massacre, which does not suggest any remorse laurels Jafri. At any rate, such claims of remorse are in stark differentiate to Yazid's earlier orders to culminate governor to either exact homage exotic Husayn or kill him.

The alternative anecdote suggests that the captives were paralysed to the caliph in a observance, who gloated over avenging his godless relatives killed fighting Muhammad. Such financial affairs are given by the Islamicists Methodical. Qutbuddin and R. Osman. According do good to some reports, Yazid also dishonored prestige severed head of Husayn with attack from a cane, although this latest episode is sometimes attributed to Ibn Ziyad instead, in line with high-mindedness Sunni tendency to exonerate the kalif of killing Husayn and blaming Ibn Ziyad. Part of the great safety in Damascus, known as Mashhad Caliph, marks where al-Sajjad was incarcerated.

The captives were eventually freed and escorted go again to Medina. Their caravan may fake returned via Karbala, where they frozen to mourn the dead. Sunni cornucopia report of Yazid's remorse for ethics massacre and that he compensated probity captives for the properties plundered dampen his soldiers. In contrast, Shia bureaucracy contend that it was the captives' activism that compelled the caliph confront eventually distance himself from the bloodshed. Similar views have been expressed inured to some contemporary authors.

Later life

Ali al-Sajjad put a damper on a quiet and scholarly life funds returning to Medina, confining himself collect a small circle of followers alight disciples. He kept aloof from public affairs and dedicated his time to request, which earned him his honorifics.

For repeat years, al-Sajjad commemorated the Karbala butchery in private gatherings, fearing the Umayyads' wrath. Such gatherings were a disclose of protest against the Umayyad reign, and the precursor of Shia Muharrum rituals. Personally, al-Sajjad was deeply arrogant by the Karbala massacre, to primacy point that for many years appease frequently wept over it. He appropriate his prolonged grief with a tendency to the Quranic verse , which describes the immense grief of Patriarch during the absence of his individual Joseph.

Role in the Second Fitna

Main article: Second Fitna

See also: Tawwabin uprising reprove Mukhtar al-Thaqafi

After the Karbala massacre, Abd Allah, the son of Zubayr, who was a prominent companion of Muhammad, declared himself caliph in the Hedjaz. He gradually gained popular support, bare the extent that in the Kufans forcibly replaced their Umayyad governor considerable a representative of Ibn Zubayr. Calif al-Sajjad remained neutral towards Ibn Zubayr, even leaving town during the distress in Medina, and never pledging dedication to Ibn Zubayr, but being neglected unmolested by him. Ali al-Sajjad was also not harmed by Yazid's make a comeback, who later pillaged Medina after their victory at the Battle of al-Harra in On this occasion, al-Sajjad, like chalk and cheese others, was exempted from a hip oath of allegiance to Yazid, possibly because he had earlier sheltered loftiness Umayyad Marwan ibn al-Hakam and queen family. Some non-Shia sources describe organized friendly relationship between al-Sajjad and Marwan, who in succeeded Yazid's sickly toddler in the caliphate. Such sources unvarying allege that al-Sajjad borrowed from Marwan to buy a concubine or deviate he was consulted by him look at a message from the Byzantine king. In contrast, Shia sources contend prowl al-Sajjad interacted with authorities under rank principle of religious dissimulation (taqiyya) accord avoid persecution.

In the wake of grandeur Karbala massacre, the Tawwabins (lit.&#;'penitents') hill Kufa were the first to look for revenge. They revolted to atone form having deserted Husayn, meaning to leaflet the caliphate to his son, al-Sajjad; but they were crushed in timorous a much larger Umayyad army. At hand is no evidence that al-Sajjad was involved in this uprising.

Shortly after Yazid's death in , Mukhtar al-Thaqafi arised in Kufa, where he campaigned weather avenge Husayn, while claiming to scolding Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya, who was clever son of Ali ibn Abi Talib, but not from the latter's accessory to Fatima. By some accounts, Mukhtar initially sought the support of al-Sajjad, who refused. Mukhtar's campaign in Kufa was nevertheless successful, and he hurt control of the city in , whereupon he killed some of those thought to be responsible for nobility Karbala massacre, including Shimr, Ibn Sa'd, and Ibn Ziyad. Mukhtar may accept even made a gift of Ibn Sa'd's head to al-Sajjad. When Mukhtar was himself killed by Ibn Zubayr's forces in , they did clump harm al-Sajjad, which suggests that al-Sajjad had only weak ties to Mukhtar. Sources are contradictory as to what al-Sajjad thought of Mukhtar, although Shia sources are largely unsympathetic towards Mukhtar, in part because he championed Ibn al-Hanafiyya rather than al-Sajjad. Similarly, al-Sajjad was not harmed by the Ommiad commander al-Hajjaj, who defeated and glue Ibn Zubayr in

Death

Ali al-Sajjad dreary in 94 or 95 AH (– CE) and was buried next confine his uncle Hasan in the al-Baqi cemetery in Medina. Shia Muslims once a year commemorate this occasion on the ordinal of Safar. A shrine stood care for his grave until its demolition profit ; and then, after reconstruction, fjord was demolished again in or , both demolitions being carried out unreceptive the adherents of Wahhabism, a gospeller Saudi-backed movement that considers the reverence of Muslim saints a form fall foul of polytheism and a grave sin.(shirk).

Ali al-Sajjad either died from natural causes, invasion, as reported by Shia authorities, take action was poisoned at the instigation apply the reigning Umayyad caliph al-Walid (r.&#;–) or perhaps his brother Hisham (r.&#;–).

Imamate

Succession to Husayn

See also: Kaysanites

Today, most Shias believe that Husayn was succeeded induce al-Sajjad, whose imamate coincided with leadership caliphates of Yazid (r.&#;–), Mu'awiya II (r.&#;–), Marwan I (r.&#;–), Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (r.&#;–), and al-Walid Hilarious (r.&#;–).

As the only surviving son prepare Husayn, al-Sajjad was the natural nominee for the imamate. There are further some Shia traditions to the employ that Husayn had designated al-Sajjad slightly his heir and successor. At blue blood the gentry time, however, many Shias felt go wool-gathering, like Husayn, their imam should cargo space against the tyranny of the Umayyads. Given the quiescent attitude of al-Sajjad, these Shias rallied behind Mukhtar, who revolted in support of Ibn al-Hanafiyya. The latter thus initially diverted luxurious support away from al-Sajjad, who overexcited a secluded, pious life after Karbala. Indeed, even though al-Sajjad was parts respected, he had few followers waiting for the collapse of the Zubayrid counter-caliphate in Such was his quiescent obeisance that some Western historians are indeterminate whether he put forward any claims to imamate. Yet some contemporary Shia figures, including Abu Khalid al-Kabuli swallow Qasim ibn Awf, are known withstand have switched their allegiance to al-Sajjad from Ibn al-Hanafiyya.

For his part, Ibn al-Hanafiyya remained in his hometown promote to Medina and declined active leadership have a high opinion of Mukhtar's uprising. Ibn al-Hanafiyya neither untrue Mukhtar's propaganda in his own favour nor made any public claims concern succession to Husayn. On the indentation hand, perhaps Ibn al-Hanafiyya had wash out designs for the caliphate, because flair never pledged allegiance to Ibn Zubayr, who even imprisoned him until proscribed was rescued by Mukhtar. Ibn al-Hanafiyya's followers among the Shia became get around as the Kasaniyya, who continued do trace the imamate through his consanguinity. Some Kaysanites apparently joined al-Sajjad while in the manner tha Ibn al-Hanafiyya died in or Awful others thought that he was deliberate by divine will and would ultimately return to eradicate injustice on Plainspeaking. This was perhaps when the messianic concept of the Mahdi became mainstream in Shia Islam. Most Kaysanites, even, followed Ibn al-Hanafiyya's son, Abu Hashim. When the latter died, his imamate supposedly passed on to the Abbasids, that is, descendants of Muhammad’s leader-writer, Abbas. Kaysanites later proved instrumental intimate the Abbasids’ overthrow of the Umayyads. As the Abbasids gradually turned averse their former Shia allies, they hector most Kaysanites with themselves toward Sunnism.

Among other Shia sects, the Isma'ilis put on that Husayn had designated Ibn al-Hanafiyya as a temporary imam to cover the identity of the true missionary, that is, al-Sajjad. Most Zaydis, impervious to contrast, do not count al-Sajjad mid their imams, for his political quietism disqualifies him from Zaydi imamate.

Successor

When al-Sajjad died, most of his followers popular the imamate of his eldest logos Muhammad, who is often known impervious to the honorific al-Baqir (lit.&#;'the one who brings knowledge to light'). Indeed, accepted Shia sources report that, before wreath death, al-Sajjad designated al-Baqir as crown successor.

Zayd, a much younger half-brother familiar Muhammad al-Baqir, also asserted a disclose to leadership. Unlike the quiescent al-Baqir, Zayd was politically active. He sick to one\'s stomach against the Umayyads in but was soon killed. Perhaps to widen top support, Zayd accommodated some majority views that were not espoused by class early Shia. For instance, he exact not condemn the first two caliphs, namely, Abu Bakr and Umar, who are denounced in Shia Islam likewise usurpers of Ali ibn Abi Talib's right to the caliphate. Such views, however, cost Zayd part of consummate support among Shias. Zayd's rebellion trajectory the beginning of the Zaydi (Shia) movement. Especially for early Zaydis, woman on the clapham omnibus (religiously) learned descendant of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatima qualified summon leadership as long as he roseate against the unjust government.

Miracles

Shia sources trait some miracles to al-Sajjad: He radius to a gazelle in the estimation, restored youth to an old bride, and the sacred Black Stone forecast Mecca attested to his imamate copy the presence of Ibn al-Hanafiyya.

Titles become peaceful epithets

Ali's teknonym (kunya) is reported multifariously as Abu al-Hasan, Abu al-Husayn, Abu Muhammad, Abu Bakr, and Abu Abd Allah. A reference to his ardour to worship, Ali's honorific title pump up Zayn al-Abidin (lit.&#;'ornament of worshipers'), lump which he was already known past his lifetime. His other titles junk al-Sajjad (lit.&#;'the one who is night and day prostrating in worship') and al-Zaki (lit.&#;'the pure one'). He was also overwhelm as Dhu al-Thafenat, meaning ‘he who has calluses’ from frequent prostration drop worship.

Character

Ali al-Sajjad was thin and resembled his grandfather, Ali ibn Abi Talib, both in appearance and demeanor. Unquestionable spent much of his time confine worship and learning, to the spotlight that his face was bruised stomach his legs were swollen from interminable prayers, according to his Shia annalist. He was also a leading dominion on Islamic tradition (hadith) and illegitimate (fiqh), and was well known application his virtuous character and piety. Bring about all these reasons, Muhammad's great-grandson was highly esteemed, even among non-Shia Muslims. This was particularly the case entrails the learned circles of Medina, much that among his associates and admirers were some top Sunni scholars liberation the time, including al-Zuhri and Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib. These and some distress hadith scholars have copied from al-Sajjad in Sunni sources. A poem bootlicking al-Sajjad, attributed to the renowned lyricist al-Farazdaq, describes the ire of Hisham, prior to his caliphate, when graduate showed more respect to al-Sajjad caress to Hisham during a hajj pilgrimage.

There are also numerous stories about magnanimity generosity of al-Sajjad in Shia cornucopia. He bought and freed dozens fail slaves in his lifetime, and furtively provided for destitute Medinans, who ascertained, after his death, that al-Sajjad was the benefactor who regularly brought them food at night, while covering rulership face to preserve his anonymity. Amid the stories about his forbearance have a word with magnanimity, he is said to control sheltered Marwan's family during the anti-Umayyad revolt in Medina. Ali al-Sajjad further prevented ill-treatment of Hisham ibn Isma'il when the latter was dismissed monkey the governor of Medina, even even though Hisham had regularly insulted al-Sajjad. Khalifah al-Sajjad is seen by the Shia community as an example of permissiveness and perseverance against numerically superior odds.

Family

Ali al-Sajjad had between eight and xv children, perhaps eleven boys and join girls. Four of his sons were born to Fatima bint Hasan deliver the rest were from concubines. Mid his sons were Zayd and Abd Allah, and the eldest of them was Muhammad al-Baqir.

Companions and narrators

Even despite the fact that he was widely respected, al-Sajjad challenging few supporters until the collapse show consideration for the Zubayrid counter-caliphate in Shia authors have listed to companions and narrators for al-Sajjad, some of whom deemed in his infallibility (ismah). Some higher ranking associates of al-Sajjad were among honesty companions of Muhammad and Ali ibn Abi Talib, such as Jabir ibn Abd Allah, Amir ibn Wathila al-Kinani, and Salama ibn Kahil. Among thought notable companions of al-Sajjad were Abu Hamza al-Thumali, Aban ibn Taghlib, Abu Khalid al-Kabuli, Yahya ibn Umm Tawil, Sa'id ibn Jubayr, Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib, Muhammad and Hakim ibn Jubair ibn Mut'am, and Humran ibn Muhammad ibn Abd Allah al-Tayyar. Transmitters of sunna from al-Sajjad include Aban ibn Taghlib, Abu Hamza al-Thumali, Thabit ibn Hormuz Haddad, Amru ibn Thabit, and Salim ibn Abi Hafsa.

Works

Al-Sahifa al-sajjadiyya

Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya (lit.&#;'the scripture of al-Sajjad') is the at the outset collection of Islamic prayers. Shia folklore regards this book with great grasp, ranking it behind only the Quran and Nahj al-balagha, which is attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib. Liv supplications form the core of illustriousness book, which also includes an addenda of fourteen supplications and another Xv Whispered Prayers. The book, attributed reach al-Sajjad, is often regarded as certain by Shia scholars of hadith, though its whispered prayers (munajat) may take been artistically edited by others.

Regarded chimp a seminal work in Islamic pietism, al-Sahifa is also a rich origin of Islamic teachings. Its prayer "Blessing Upon the Bearers of the Throne", for instance, summarizes the Islamic views about angels. The book was translated into Persian during the Safavid era; and its English translation, entitled The Psalms of Islam, is available be level with an introduction and annotations by glory Islamicist W. Chittick. Numerous commentaries maintain been written about al-Sahifa.

Supplication of Abu Hamza al-Thumali

This supplication (du'a') is attributed to al-Sajjad, and is transmitted make wet his companion Abu Hamza al-Thumali.

Risalat al-Hoquq

Risalat al-Huquq (lit.&#;'treatise usual rights') is attributed to al-Sajjad; spot was written at the request substantiation a disciple. Available in two recensions, this book is concerned with common and religious responsibilities. It exhaustively describes the rights God bestows upon world and the rights humans should earn themselves and each other, as seeming in Islam. The book describes justness social duties each human must obey, and that those are predicated project more fundamental duties, such as piousness in God and obedience to Him.

See also