Imam Ali Zainul-Abideen ibn al-Husain (alaihimas-salam)

Ali Zayn al-Abidin, the inheritor of the Muhammadi knowledge and light, the Imam inheritor of his holy father Al-Husain, alaihim Assalam. Ali ibn Al-Husain is the saviour of Islam, iman and ihsan. He is our Master in the holy Naqshabandi Tariqa who has passed on to the Naqshabandi saints the Divine secrets embedded in us Ahlul Bayt of the Apostle Rasulullah Salla Allahu alaihi wa alihi wasallam. The seekers of Allah throughout the world will start knowing Allah once they know us the scholars of Ahlul Bayt, they will truly glorify Allah Almighty once they realise our glory, and they will truly love Rasulullah Blessings be upon him once they love us Ahlul Bayt of Rasulullah Salla Allahu alaihi wasallam. 

Ali ibn Al-Husain was born in Madina in the year 38 H/658. He grew up in such a righteous manner and witnessed such tragedies that he was nicknamed as Zayn al-Abidin (Best of worshippeers) and Sajjad (in prostration to Allah always).

He accompanied his father Husain on their travel to Kufa at the beginning of the fitna of Yazid. Ali was present at the Battle of Karbala but he survived the massacre due to his illness and inability to join the battlefield. 

Once the Umayyad troops had killed Imam Husain and his male relatives and supporters, they looted their tents and snatched off the animal skin upon which Ali was lying ill.

Shemmer the cursed was about to kill Ali Zayn al-Abidin but his aunt Zaynab bint Ali defended him fiercely and convinced Umar ibn Sa'ad, the Umayyad commander, to spare his life. 

Ali ibn Al-Husain, along with the Ahlul Bayt women and children were taken captive to Kufa. Ali was presented before Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad as prisoner. Then, Ali and the Ahlul Bayt women were sent to the cursed Yazid in Damascus, where they saw the blessed head of Imam Husain lying in its sacred blood in front of his killer Yazid.

After much grief, Ali spoke out before these transgressors and introduced himself and his family, Ahlul-Bayt, to them, as many people of Syria were brainwashed and did not know their value properly. As Yazid became worried, he ordered someone to call azan for prayer. When the mu'azzin said: "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah", Ali ibn Husain asked:

" O Yazid, is Muhammad your grandfather or my grandfather? If you say he is yours, you have told a lie, and if you say he is my grandfather, then how do you explain killing his family? 

After tragedy of Karbala, Zayn al-Abidin led a solitary life in Madina, confining himself to a limited circle of his faithful followers, who referred to him for religious matters. He took aloof from political activities, and dedicated his time to worship and zikrullah. 

In Muharram 95 H, Zayn al-Abidin was poisoned by Umayyad governor of Madina, Al-Walid by the order of the Umayyad ruler Hisham ibn Abdul-Malik. 

He was buried next to his uncle, Imam Hasan, in Al-Baqee cemetery in Madina.

After his death many families in Madina discovered that their daily livelihood had come from him. He would go out with a sack of food on his back, knocking at the doors of more than 100 families, and gave freely to whoever answered while covering his face to avoid being recognized.

How glorious and beautiful are our Imams! Allah bless them.

Ya Allah, bless my poor needy murids with the holy light of Imam Ali Zeinul Abideen and his holy progeny. Ya Allah, raise us all with them on the pulpits of pearls and light under the Shade of the holy Throne. Amen. 

Sayyid Alsharif Alhusaini Almadani