The stages of that immortal tragedy took place before Imam...

The stages of that immortal tragedy took place before Imam al-Baqir while he was in his early life. He, peace be on him, said: “My grandfather was killed while I was four years of age. Indeed, I remember his murder and what hit us during that time.”[^2] Imam al-Baqir, peace be on him, reported many of its stages. Al-Tabari reported some of its pictures on his authority. A group of the prominent (of the Prophet) wrote a book. They called the book ‘Maqtal al-Husayn’.

In it, they have written what they heard from him and from other than him about the tragedies of Karbala'. Ibn al-Nadïm has mentioned many of them in his book ‘al-Fihrast’. However, that immortal tragedy left great pain and sorrow in his soul. Its sorrows accompanied him throughout his life. Under the Auspices of his Father Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, lived for more than 34 years under the care of his father, Imam Zayn al-‘Abidïn, peace be on him.

He accompanied him throughout that period. He did not leave him. He was impressed by his bright guidance that represented the guidance of the prophets and of the apostles. The people did not see the likeness of Imam Zayn al-‘Abidïn in his God-fearingness, his piety, his asceticism, and his strong cleaving to Allah. We will mention some of Imam Zayn al-‘Abidïn's affairs and conditions. That is because his behavior had great influence on Imam al-Baqir's deep soul.

They are as follows: Admiration and Glorification The intellectuals and the scholars admired and glorified Imam Zayn al-‘Abidïn. They preferred him to others. The following are some of their words concerning him: 1. Sa‘ïd b. al-Musayyab The solemnity of the Imam and his greatness astonished Sa‘ïd b. al-Musayyab. Thus, he said: “I have never seen (a person) better than ‘Ali b. al-Husayn. I have never seen him but I detest myself. I have never seen him laughing.”[^3] 2.

Al-Zuhri Al-Zuhri adored the Imam. He said: “I have never seen a Qarashi (person) better than him.”[^4] He also said: “I have never seen (a person) more knowledgeable than ‘Ali b. al-Husayn.”[^5] 3. Zayd b. Aslam Zayd b. Aslam said: “I have never seen (a person) similar to ‘Ali b. al-Husayn.”[^6] 4. ‘Umar b. ‘Abd al-‘Azïz When ‘Umar b. ‘Abd al-‘Azïz heard of the death of the Imam, he said: “The lamp of the world, beauty of Islam and adornment of worshipers passed away.”[^7] 5.

Abu Hazim Abu Hazim said: “I have never seen a Hashimi better than ‘Ali b. al-Husayn.”[^8] 6.