The fourth Imam: Imam Zayn al-Abidin (as) was the fourth Imam of the Ahlul Bayt (as). He was the son of Imam Husayn (as), the grandson of Imam Ali (as) and Sayyida Fatima (sa), and the great-grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww).
Born in Madina: He was born in Madina, around 38 AH. His name was Ali, and he is known by two beautiful titles. "Zayn al-Abidin" means "the Ornament of the Worshippers", and "Sajjad" means "the One Who Prostrates Much".
His mother Shahrbanu: His mother is known in Shia tradition as Shahrbanu, the daughter of the last Persian king. After the tragedy of Karbala, he became the Imam and the guide of the Muslim community.
Example
Calm after tragedy: Think of a young man who loses his father and family in a great tragedy, yet stays calm, patient and close to Allah. That is how Imam Sajjad (as) lived his whole life.
Key Terms
- Zayn al-Abidin (زین العابدین) — the Ornament of the Worshippers
- Sajjad (سجاد) — the One Who Prostrates Much
- Imamate (امامت) — the divinely appointed leadership of the Ahlul Bayt (as)
Fresh diagram to be drawn: Family tree — from the Holy Prophet (saww) to Imam Ali (as) and Sayyida Fatima (sa), to Imam Husayn (as), to Imam Sajjad (as). In Project Desk colours.
- Imam Sajjad (as) was the fourth Imam, the son of Imam Husayn (as).
- "Zayn al-Abidin" means the Ornament of the Worshippers; "Sajjad" means the One Who Prostrates Much.
- He was born in Madina, around 38 AH.