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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Anecdotes From the Lives of the 14 Ma’sumeen Imam Ali Zainul Abideen (a) Once a man who claimed to be a friend of our 4th Imam, Imam Ali Zainul Abideen (A) came to him and told him that so and so had been saying horrible things about him. Imam (A) replied that he had not heard anything and would not have if the man had not told him.

Imam (A) then continued that the person who had said the horrible things was as if he had shot an arrow and missed the target but the man who had told him was as if he had picked up the fallen arrow and hit the target (Imam (A)) with it. Allah does not like the habit of spreading scandal and gossip even if it be true. In the time of Prophet Musa (A), once there was a severe drought. For months there had been no rain. The people prayed and prayed but no rain came.

When Prophet Musa (A) went to mount Sinai to pray, Allah revealed to him that amongst his people there was someone who spreading scandal and because of this person Allah had not let it rain. Prophet Musa (A) asked Allah who this person was so that he could tell him off for what he had done. Allah replied that did Prophet Musa (A) want Him to do what He had forbidden for others. (i.e. talk about others). Moral: Do not talk about other people when they are not there even if what you say is true.

At the time of our 4th Imam, Imam Zainul Abideen (A) it was very difficult for Imam (A) to teach Islam to the people. This was because Yazid's men used to keep a close watch on Imam's (A) movements. Imam Zainul Abideen (A) had seen his father, Imam Husain (A), and other loyal friends and family die for the sake of Islam. Imam Zainul Abideen (A) decide that the best way to teach people about Islam, was by prayers (Du'a).

As a result, we have today a beautiful collection of his Du'a in a book called: "Al-Sahifat al-kamilat al-Sajjadiyya" - The complete book of Al-Sajjad, (Imam Zainul Abadeen (A) was also known as al-Sajjad).

An extract from a du'a for Sunday (the 1st verse) from AL- Sahifat al-kamilat al-Sajjadiyya: In the name of Allah, the most Kind and the most Merciful.In the name of Allah from whom I hope for nothing but bounty, and from whom I fear nothing but justice!I rely only upon His word, and I cling only to His cord!