A relative of Imam Zayn al-`Abidin was standing beside him, raising his voice and abusing him. The Imam did not answer him until he went back to his house. At this moment, the Imam said to his companions, “Did you hear what this man said? I would like you to come with me to hear my response.†The Imam put on his shoes and set out with his companions saying to himself,
وَالْكَاظÙÂمÙÂينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَاÙÂÙÂينَ عَن٠النَّاس٠وَاللّه٠يÙÂØÂÙÂبّ٠الْمÙÂØÂْسÙÂنÙÂينَ (134)
…and those who restrain their anger and pardon men; and Allah loves the doers of the good. (3:134)
When they reached the house of that man, the Imam introduced himself to the servant who conveyed it to his master. The man who seemed to be looking for trouble came out. He was sure that the Imam had come for retaliation; rather, the Imam said, “My brother! A few minutes ago, you were standing beside me and said such and such words against me. If I am the one whom you described, I will ask for Allah’s forgiveness; but if what you said about me is not true, may Allah forgive you.†The man kissed the Imam’s forehead, saying, “What I said about you is not true and it is more deserving of me.â€Â
The Lepers
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) has reported: One day, Imam Zayn al-`Abidin was passing by the lepers while he was riding. The lepers who were eating invited the Imam to share food with them. The Imam said, “I am fasting; otherwise, I would sit with you.†When the Imam reached home, he had some food prepared, invited the lepers and ate with them.
Forgiving A Neighbor
Husham ibn Isma`il was appointed as ruler of Medina by `Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. One of the grandsons of Imam `Ali (a.s) reports: Husham ibn Isma`il was a bad neighbor who persecuted Imam Zayn al-`Abidin greatly. When he was dismissed, he was brought to public with his hands tied, on the order of Walid ibn `Abd al-Malik for retaliation. While he was under arrest near Marwan’s house, Imam Zayn al-`Abidin passed by and greeted him. The Imam had already advised his companions not to offend Husham.
A Hidden Charity
There were families in Medina whose needs were fulfilled without knowing wherefrom. When Imam `Ali ibn al-Husayn passed away, they found out that it was the Imam who had secretly helped them.
It is also reported: Imam Zayn al-`Abidin would come out of house at nights with a purse full of Dirhams and Dinars and go from one door to another leaving some Dirhams and Dinars at the door of each house. Only when he had passed away, they found out that the benefactor had been Imam Zayn al-`Abidin.
Prayer And Charity
Abu-Hamzah Thamali has reported: I saw Imam Zayn al-`Abidin in prayer while his cloak was falling off his shoulders but he did not make any attempt to hold it until he completed his prayer. I asked about it. The Imam said, “Woe to you! Do you know before Whom was I standing? Prayer is not accepted save with full concentration and presence of heart.â€Â
A Qur’anic Pardon
One of the slave-girls of Imam Zayn al-`Abidin was pouring water on his hands while performing ablution when all of a sudden the ewer hit and hurt the Imam’s face. The Imam raised his head towards her. The slave-girl said: Allah says, “Those who restrain their anger.†The Imam said, “I restrained my anger.†The slave-girl said, “…and pardon men.†The Imam said, “I pardoned you.†The slave-girl said, “…and Allah loves the doers of good.†The Imam said, “You are free in the way of Allah.â€Â
Day of Loss
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) reported: There was a clown in Medina who would make people laugh. One day he said to himself, “This man (Imam Zayn al-`Abidin) has made me helpless to make him laugh!†So, when the Imam was followed by two of his servants, he passed by the clown. Seeing the Imam, the clown walked behind him, drew his cloak and ran away. The Imam did not pay any attention to the clown but people went after him and took back the cloak. Addressing people, the Imam said, “Who is this man?†They said, “He is a making people of Medina laugh.†The Imam said, “Tell him there is a day for Allah in which idle people will suffer losses.â€Â
Unknown Among Travelers
Imam al-Sadiq has reported: Imam Zayn al-`Abidin used to go on trips without letting his co-travelers recognize him so that he could help them as an unknown person. However, he was recognized by one of his co-travelers, “Do you know who this man is? This is `Ali ibn al-Husayn.†People rushed to him kissing his hands and feet, saying, “O son of Allah’s Messenger: We might have harmed you with our hands and tongues hence deserving h**l! What made you travel in this way?†The Imam said, “Once I traveled with a group who knew me very well, they treated me for the sake of the Holy Prophet in a way I did not deserve. I thought you might do the same. For this reason, I prefer to travel as an unknown person.â€Â
Kindness To A Camel
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) has reported: When he was passing away, `Ali ibn al-Husayn said to his son, Imam al-Baqir, “I
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