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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Fourteen Infallibles Imam Zain Al-abidin (a.s.) **LINEAGE IMAM ALI son of IMAM HUSAIN son of IMAM ALI IBN ABI TALIB (peace be upon them all) was born on the 15th of JAMADI AL-AWWAL in the year 36 of HIJRA in Al-Medina AL-MUNAWARA. His mother's name was SHAHRBANO. He was blessed with martyrdom on the 25th of MUHARRAM in the year 95 of HIJRA in Al-Medina and was buried at AL-BAQIE cemetery.

The Imam's mother, SHAHRBANO, was the daughter of a Persian emperor. There is nothing strange in that. History tells us that Prophet ISMAEL'S mother was an Egyptian maid in the court of Pharaoh. It is one sign of Allah's might that nations meet each other just as oceans meet each other and pearls are produced. Pharaoh's wife was a righteous woman through her belief in Allah the Almighty while Prophet NUH'S son an infidel through his bad deeds.

The daughter of a noble Persian enjoyed faith in Allah and a Roman emperor's daughter became the mother of the 12th IMAM MEHDI who is still in occultation. However, the hypocrites are not real believers in Allah, hence they have criteria other than piety and good deeds that bring one nearer to Allah the Exalted. THE ISLAMIC ETHICS When Persia was invaded by Muslims, the captives were brought to the city of the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H.) in HIJAZ.

Having looked at them, the caliph ordered their distribution on the victorious army leaders, as was the custom then. The caliph's order had a different impact on both sides: the captives and the victorious leaders. The former were sad while the latter rejoiced. The daughters and grandchildren of the Persian emperor YAZDAJERD stood humbly watching the distribution of the captives. They wondered what the future held for them.

They sadly remembered their big hopes which until recently filled their hearts when they enjoyed a luxurious life of power and might. They wondered how matters could come to such an end! Could they blame their army leaders or their own forefathers? Had the big Persian, the ruler, KHOSROW (PARVIZ), or CHOSROES II who died in 628 of the Christian calendar, not torn the Messenger of Allah's letter calling him to Islam, would the result have been different? They had no answers to their inquiries.

They could not comprehend Allah's word: {Thus We requited them because they disbelieved, and We do not requite any but the ungrateful}. [SABA: 17].