Zainul Abideen was the fourth Shi'a Imam, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. After witnessing the tragedy of Karbala where his father Imam Husain was killed, he established an Islamic institute in Medina to educate scholars. Over 27 years the institute graduated over 160 scholars and helped spread true Islamic teachings while exposing the wrongdoings of the Umayyad dynasty. Zainul Abideen emphasized concepts like Imamah, keeping the memory of Karbala alive, and the rights and duties between people through works like his Munajat prayers and Epistle of Rights and Obligations. He died after 27 years of Imamah, reportedly poisoned at age 57.

1. Zainul Abideen
The Fourth Imam
By A.S. Hashim. MD

2. Zainul Abideen
Lineage
Zainul Abideen
Al-Husain
Ali
Shahr Banu
Daughter of Yazdajird

3. Zainul Abideen
Zainul Abideen in Childhood
Mother dies a few days after childbirth
Aunt Zainab takes care of him
Has the charming looks of grandfather Ali
Grandpa Ali loves him dearly
When two yrs old grandpa Ali is assassinated
Back to Medina

4. Zainul Abideen
Up to 13 Yrs Old
Tutored by Al-Hasan and Al-Husain
Participated in the Discourse held at the
Masjid Al-Nabawi
Close relationship to Al-Hasan
Close to Zainab, his aunt
His capacity of learning and reasoning is
outstanding

5. Zainul Abideen
In his Youth
At age 14, he loses Al-Hasan who died of
poisoning by Mu’awiya
Average in stature, slender, handsome, and
impressive.
Character was molded by Islam
Participates in discussions led by his father

6. Zainul Abideen
In early adulthood
Marries Fatima, the daughter of Al-Hasan
A year after marriage a boy is born, named
Muhammad (Al-Baaqir)
The Ummah was in turmoil, since Mu’awiya
was trying to appoint Yazid as Khalifa
For some time Mu’awiya’s agents and
collaborators were busy selling cooperation
and acceptance of Yazid to the people

7. Zainul Abideen
Karbala with Al-Husain
Zainul Abideen, his wife, and his son (Muhammad AlBaaqir) joined Al-Husain to Karbala
He witnesses the savage treatment dealt to the family
of the Prophet in Karbala
Sees his father, 5 uncles, and many relatives (17
teenagers) mercilessly cut to pieces and heads cut off
Sees the tents burned and children screaming in alarm
and running in fright for shelter
Witnesses the nightmare of the moment while sick in
bed near fainting

8. Zainul Abideen
In Karbala
He became gravely ill during the events of Karbala,
with fever and fainting spells
Was conferred the Imamah during the turmoil of
Karbala
Zainab addresses him as the Imam
Confronted Ibn Ziyad in Kufa, quoting the Quran
In fetters, he was taken 700 miles to Damascus
72 heads, including his father’s, were on top of spears
for the show

9. Zainul Abideen
In Damascus
Onlookers thought them to be rebels
Face to face with Yazid answered only by
quoting the Quran, defeating Yazid
Gave a speech in Masjid Umawi on Friday
Prayer
Returned to Medina with family as per his
wishes, but the nightmarish tribulation never
left his mind

10. Zainul Abideen
Part of his Khutba at Masjid Umawi
I am the offspring of the Lord of Mecca and Medina,
I am the issue of the Lord of Zamzam and Safa,
I am the lineal descendant of him whose forefather had
lifted in his cloak the Black Stone,
I am the child of the one who mounted the Buraq and
gone through the regions of Heavens
I am from the progeny of the one who went up to
Sidratul Mun'taha, and whom Allah had shown the
fountainhead of the Wahy

11. Zainul Abideen
More of the Khutba
I am the offspring of the guide from whom disbelievers got
the guidance to the straight path, I am ...................
I am the son of a person whose thread of life was snapped
by cruel fingers,
and I am the son of whose head was severed while thirsty,
and body left exposed to the burning sands of Karbala,
I am the son whose father's death was mourned by the
Angels in Heaven, as well as humans and Jinn,
I am the son whose father's head was mounted on a spear
and taken for show from town to town

12. Zainul Abideen
Zainul Abideen takes up seclusion.
After Karbala Zainul Abideen takes up seclusion in the
outskurts of Medina, for about one year, in a tent
Zainab takes provisions for him every day
Only about 5 people are permitted to meet with him
Uncle Muhammad ibn Al-Hanafiyah represents him
and acts on his behalf
Spends time in composing Du’aa, Meditating, and
Prayers
Be away from spies and secret agents

13. Zainul Abideen
He Charts the Course for future Islamic
works
Three channels:
1. To produce Islamic Scholars that ultimately would
topple Benu Umayya (Islamic scholars)
2. Means of communication to spread the teachings by
the cadre of scholars
3. Establish a transparent network to promote the
cause of Ahlul Bayt
The above are to be carried out year after year
transparently

14. Zainul Abideen
His immediate period
Strategy consists of:
1. Crying and actively seeking people’s sympathy for AlHusain, and talk about Karbala persistently
2. Emphasizes Prayer and long Sujood
3. Persists on Du’aa, composing them and let them be
the MAP for the future works
4. Shuns Politics Completely
5. Starts Majlis for Imam Husain every year
6. Gradually educate scholars in Islam

15. Zainul Abideen
Give refuge to Benu Umayya
Hosts Marwan's family and relatives, 400 members,
free of charges.
1. Kept them for several weeks,
2. Period when Yazid’s army invaded Medina
Marwan was the nemesis and trouble maker during
Uthman’s rule
Marwan was the enemy of Ahlul Bayt, but now he
is in need of their help
Marwan fought Ali during Jamal Confrontation

16. Zainul Abideen
Turmoil of the times
Zainul Abideen witnesses the grave
consequences of the failed Medina uprising:
1. Sahaaba killed,
2. Wives assaulted, and
3. Property pilfered
Ka’ba was attacked by Yazid to pacify Ibn Zubair
Al-Hajjaj burns the Ka’ba by throwing catapult
Yazid dies at age of 33 Years
The forces leave Mecca

17. Zainul Abideen
During the 3 yr of Yazid Rule
Atrocities of Yazid’s Rule
1. Karbala Atrocities
3. Attacks Ka’ba
2. Invades Medina

18. Zainul Abideen
More uprisings
Uprising of Tawwaboon against Benu Umayya:
fight unto death
Uprising of Mukhtar in Iraq: Occupy Iraq, chase
all fighters against Husain and kill them, including
Ibn Ziyad, Shimr, and Omar ibn Sa’ad
Marwan becomes Khalifa, then dies 9 months
later
It is said Marwan was killed by his wife by either
poisoning or by way of choking

19. Zainul Abideen
Tough times
Al-Hajjaj (who attacked the Ka’ba to subdue Ibn
Zubair), becomes governor of Iraq,
Tyrannical rule in Iraq for 20 years. The new
dictator’s cruelty knows no limits
Abdul Malik (son of Marwan) is Khalifa in Syria
Zainul Abideen works diligently to focus on Piety
as the basis for society.

20. Zainul Abideen
The Islamic Institute
Steady growth of the Islamic Institute over 27
years’ period
Diligent work in tutoring of scholars.
Growth steady but fast growing
Al-Baaqir, and grandson Al-Saadiq participate in
the Discourses and Discussions
Al the end, 160 Scholars graduate

21. Zainul Abideen
They teach and discuss
Tafseer,
Hadith,
Ah'kaam, and
Jurisprudence
He wrote Al-Saheefa Al-Sajjadiyah
He wrote Risalah al-Huquq (Personal
Rights versus Personal Obligations in our
life)

22. Zainul Abideen
The 3 Phases of Islam
PHASE
PHASE I
CARRIED OUT BY:
Muhammad
(pbuh)
TASKS CONSISTING
OF:
Emphasis was on
teaching Islam in depth,
especially to the Sahaaba
(Companions), and
making Islam available to
the maximum number of
people—yet, bearing in
mind that it would take an
average person a long
time to assimilate Islam.
Therefore, Muhammad
(pbuh) did not fight the
hypocrites.

23. Zainul Abideen
The 3 Phases of Islam
PHASE
PHASE II
CARRIED OUT BY:
Ali, Al-Hasan,
and Al-Husain
TASKS CONSISTING
OF:
They were the 3 who were
to confront the negative
forces caused by Islamicly
weak persons which
threatened to undermine
Islam: Be it during Ali's
Khilaafah, Al‑Hasan's
acceptance of peaceful
terms, or the events
leading to the explosive
but anticipated Karbala as
led by Al‑Husain.

24. Zainul Abideen
The 3 Phases of Islam
PHASE
PHASE III
CARRIED OUT BY:
Zainul
Abideen and
the Imams
after him.
TASKS CONSISTING OF:
Zainul Abideen took on his
shoulders the heavy task of
teaching the scholars once
the confrontational phase
was over. This culminated
by establishing the Islamic
Institute (Institute of Ahlul
Bayt). The main source of
information was the Corpus
of Knowledge Imam Ali left.
The Institute was to expand
and flourish by later Imams.

25. Zainul Abideen
Corpus of Knowledge
Ali’s writings during:
Abu Bakr,
Omar, and
Uthman’s Khilaafah:
Corpus of Knowledge
consists of the
following:
1. Quran in chorological
2.
3.
4.
5.
order
Tafseer (Mus’haf Fatima)
Hadith (Saheefa of Ali)
Ah’kaam
Al-Jafr
1. White Jafr: Prophets and
early times
2. Red Jafr: Rules of war in
Islam

26. Zainul Abideen
The Imamah.
Imamah is not subject to election or
negotiation. It is a designation (a Directive) by
the Almighty.
An Imam is Ma'soom, meaning safeguarded
by Allah from:
– a) religious error,
– b) sin, and
– c) forgetfulness.

27. Zainul Abideen
To Keep Karbala in Mind I
1. Imam Zainul Abideen urged the people to visit the site
2.
3.
4.
5.
of Karbala. Thus people confirmed their resolve in the
Islamic principles Imam Al‑Husain stood for.
He encouraged Muslims to observe the anniversary of
Karbala every year.
This led to Majlis every year done at the time in
confidential manner, in private houses
He used to visit the burial area of Imam Al‑Husain
every year.
He would visit Karbala un‑announced, often unnoticed.

28. Zainul Abideen
To Keep Karbala in Mind II
He recommended that in Sujood to touch a
clean Turbah. This was recommended so that
a person's highest part of Salat (Sujood) be
associated with the principles Imam
Al‑Husain gave his life for, meaning authentic
Islam.
He used a logo: May the Killer of Al‑Husain
Ibn Ali be Debased and Defiled.
The Logo became popular

29. Zainul Abideen
Emphasis
Imamah was frequently explained and emphasized, and
Ismah (as attested by Ayah of Tat'heer) was often
emphasized, (Surah 33 : Ayah 33) and
The unique and Center Role of Ahlul Bayt in Islam was often
explained.
Work to produce high quality scholars,
1. who were to teach others about true Islam,
2. thus spread the word about the motive and the principles
which Imam Al‑Husain had given his life for, and
3. at the same time expose the offenses of Benu Umayya.

30. Zainul Abideen
The Institute graduates
more than 160 scholars.
200
150
100
50
0
At First
Early
Stage
Middle
Stage
Last
Stage

31. Zainul Abideen
Renowned Students
Al‑Baaqir and his brother Zayd also
participated in the discourses,
Well known students were:
– Hasan Al-Basri
– Al-Thamali
– Al-Zuhri
– Ibn Tawoos, and
– many other erudite scholars

32. Zainul Abideen
Character
Zainul Abideen was very forgiving and generous.
During Ramadhan, he would record whatever
misdemeanor his servants did, then let them
acknowledge, then give them their freedom
He used to buy as many slaves as he could afford,
educate them then set them free
He was revered in the community since he was the
Imam of the Ummah

33. Zainul Abideen
Character
Zainul Abideen had empathy for the poor and needy
He used to carry sacs of flour to distribute to the poor
During Ramadhan he would cook one sheep each day
for distribution to the fasting needy
He had a very melodic voice, people loved hearing him
read the Quran
Zainul Abideen never wore his clothes for more than
one season, then gave them to the poor
Financially he helped numerous needy people

34. Zainul Abideen
Sample Du’aa: Imploring protection from evil
Dear Lord, I implore Thy protection from:
· Extremes in greed,
· Being hasty in anger,
· Being dominated by envy,
· Lacking of patience,
· Being with scarcity of contentment,
· Being with depravity of morals,
· Being beseeched by passion,
· An indulgence of zeal,
· The submitting to desires, and
· Opposing what is right.....

35. Zainul Abideen
Munajaat: Tender Prayers
My Lord!
Thy bounty which Thou hast begun‑‑complete it!
Thy generosity which Thou hast given me‑‑strip it not away!
Thy cover over me through Thy clemency‑‑tear it not away!
My misdeeds which Thou hast come to know‑‑forgive them!
My Lord!
I seek intercession from Thee with Thee, and
I seek sanctuary in Thee from Thee!
I have come to Thee craving Thy beneficence, desiring Thy kindness,
So act toward me with forgiveness and mercy of which Thou art worthy!
Act not toward me with chastisement and vengeance of which I am
worthy!
By Thy mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful!

36. Zainul Abideen
EPISTLE OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
Zainul Abideen delineated the basic rights, mostly from
Shari'ah
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Allah's rights on man, covering a wide range of
prerogatives.
Rights of body and soul,
Rights of family members,
Rights of those superior to the person or dependant on
him,
Rights of neighbors and friends, not excluding the
non‑Muslims.

37. Zainul Abideen
EPISTLE OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS:
Rights of the wife:
• It is the right of your wife that you should know that Allah has
made her for you a repose and comfort, and a friend and shield
[against sin].
• And likewise, it is incumbent upon both of you to thank Allah for
your spouse and to know that the spouse is a grace of Allah upon
you. You are obliged
· to respect her,
· be kind to her, and
· although your rights upon her are greater and her obedience
to you final in all your likes and dislikes so long as it is not a sin
• So, she has the right of love and fellowship, and an abode so
that natural desires may be fulfilled, and in this it is a great duty.

38. Zainul Abideen
Zainul Abideen dies
Zainul Abideen dies at age of 57, reportedly poisoned.
Had calloused skin at place of Sujood (forehead)
Thick skin in his back due to carrying sacs of flour at night to
distribute to the poor
Became pale with curved back due to incessant prayers
Had the roughest experience: be it in Karbala, political times,
and other circumstances
His load was enormously heavy and psychologically taxing

39. Zainul Abideen
Burial
Zainul Abideen was buried at the Baqii’
He and others knew the ruling Benu Umayya
would not allow the burial otherwise
With time, a structure was built for people to
perform visitation, pray, and read Du’aa
The structure was demolished by Rulers in
1925

40. Zainul Abideen
Picture of Al-Baqii 1925
Al-Baqii after it was destroyed
Al-Baqii before 1925

41. Zainul Abideen
For Details Go to:
Islamicbooks.info then choose:
Series of Islamic Books:
Life of Ahlul Bayt Vol. II

42. Zainul Abideen
Be in Allah’s Care
Thank you and May God Bless you.
Dr. A.S. Hashim