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Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-Abidin (a.s)—commonly known as Imam Sajjad—is the fourth Imam in Shia Islam. He was born in Medina in 38 AH (658 CE) and is the son of Imam Hussan (a.s) and Lady Shahrbanu, a Persian noblewoman.
Imam Sajjad (a.s) is best known for:
1. His Role After Karbala
He survived the tragedy of Karbala at age 23 due to illness that prevented him from fighting. After surviving, he became the voice of Karbala, delivering powerful speeches in Kufa and Damascus that exposed the injustices of the Umayyad regime.
2. His Spiritual Legacy
Imam Sajjad (a.s) lived during a time of political oppression where public teaching was dangerous. Instead of political rebellion, he focused on spiritual revival through:
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Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya — a profound collection of supplications, often called “The Psalms of Islam.”
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Risalat al-Huqooq (Treatise of Rights) — one of the earliest and most detailed works on human rights and ethical behavior.
3. His Character
He was known for:
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Deep devotion (hence the title “Sajjad,” the one who prostrates often),
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Compassion for the poor and oppressed,
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Quiet but powerful resistance against tyranny.
4. His Death
He passed away in 95 AH (713 CE) in Medina, believed by many sources to have been poisoned by the Umayyad caliph al-Walid. He is buried in Jannat al-Baqi'.