None of them lived in Medina throughout his succession (to authority).

None of them lived in Medina throughout his succession (to authority). The Time of his Birth The historians differed over the time when Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin was born. The following are what they have mentioned: (A) He was born on the fifth day of Sha‘ban in the year 38 A.H.[^5] That was on Thursday.[^6] (B) He was born on Friday on the ninth of Sha‘ban in the year 38 A. H.[^7] (C) He was born in the half of Jamadi al-’ U@la in the year 38 A.

H.[^8] (D) He was born on Friday the 26th of Jamadi al-Akhira in the year 38 A.H.[^9] (E) He was born in the months of the year 33 A. H.[^10] This idea is irregular and opposes the narrators and the historians who mentioned that the Imam was born in the year 38 A. H. The Imami Shi‘ites have adopted the first idea, and they hold their public festivals on the fifth of Sha‘ban to celebrate Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin’s birth.

His Name The historians and the narrators unanimously agreed that the greatest Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, named his grandson ‘Ali b. al-Husayn and gave him the surname of Zayn al-‘Abidin. That was ten years before he was created, and that was among the wonderful signs of his prophecy. The accounts have been frequently reported on his authority. The following are some of them: The great Companion Jabir b.

‘Abd Allah al-Ansari reported: “While I was sitting with Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, he put al-Husayn on his lap and played with him, and then he, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ‘Jabir, a son will be born for him, and the son will be called ‘Ali. A caller will call out on the Day of Judgment: ‘Let Sayyid al-‘Abidin (the Lord of worshippers) stand up.’ So his son will stand up. Then a son will be born for him, and the son will be named Muhammad.

When you meet him, recite my greetings to him.[^11]’” Jabir proclaimed this tradition, and he also met Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, peace be on him, and recited these greetings to him, and the latter was delighted with them. Al-Hafiz b. ‘Asakir reported on the authority of Sufyan b. ‘Ayyina, on the authority of b. al-Zubayr, who said: “While we were (sitting) with Jabir, ‘Ali b. al-Husayn came.

Jabir said to him: ‘When I was (sitting) with Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, al-Husayn came to him.