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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Life of Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin Chapter 2: The Great Baby The world brightened when Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin, peace be on him, was born, for he would split the fountain of knowledge and wisdom in the earth. He would also show, through his behavior, wonderful examples of self-negation, renouncing the world, and cleaving to Allah.

The Prophet’s family was very happy to receive this blessed baby, of whom the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, gave good news. All the companions who had good relations with the members of the house (ahl al-Bayt) were happy to hear of the birth of Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin. Some historians said that the Imam was born weak and thin. Sayyid ‘Abid al-‘Aziz Sayyid al-Ahal said: “He (Zayn al-‘Abidin) was born weak and thin. Gleams as faint as dim worry appeared in his eyes.

These broken gleams indicated coming grief.[^1]” Misfortunes and pain accompanied him from his childhood. Among them was that his pure mother died while he was still a baby in the cradle. The Rites of his Birth Imam ‘Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him or his son Imam Husayn, peace be on him hurried to perform the religious rites of birth for the blessed baby; he said the azan in his right ear and the iqama in his left year.

With this he established in his heart a temple beating with the feelings of piety and righteousness. They were active tunes directing him to kindness and good deeds. The first thing with which Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin was received was the words Allahu Akbar (Allah is Great) ! These words were printed in his heart and senses, so they became some of his qualities.

On the seventh day of his birth, his father sacrificed a ram for him (in the ceremony of a*‘qiqa),* cut his hair and gave silver or gold as equal to its weight as alms to the poor and needy according to the holy Islamic Sunna. The Place of his Birth The historians differed over the place where Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin was born. The following are what they have mentioned: (A) He was born in Kufa.[^2] (B) He was born in Medina.[^3] I (the author) think that he was born in Kufa.

This is because the narrators and the historians mentioned that he was born two years before the death of his grandfather, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him[^4]. It is certain that Imam al-Husayn and his family were in Kufa along with Imam ‘Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him.