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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Life of Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin Chapter 8: His Worship The Muslims unanimously agreed that Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin, peace be on him, was the most worshipful of all the people, and the most obedient of them to Allah, the Exalted. The people never saw a person like him in great turn to Allah in repentance and worship.

The pious and the righteous admired him, and it is sufficient for him that only he was given the nick-name of Zayn al-‘Abidin (the ornament of the worshippers) and Sayyid al-Sajjidin (the lord of those who prostrate themselves in prayer). As for his worship, it was not traditional; rather it resulted from his firm faith in Allah, the Most High, and his perfect knowledge of Him.

He worshipped Allah not due to desire of His garden, nor did he worshipped him out of fear of His fire; rather he found Him worthy of worshipping, Hence he worshipped Him.

He was similar to his grandfather, Imam ‘Ali, the Commander of the faithful, the Lord of the knowers, and the Imam of the Allah-fearing, who worshipped Allah with the worship of the free, Hence his grandson, Zayn al-‘Abidin, peace be on him, followed him when he said: “I hate to worship Allah and I have no objective except His reward; therefore I will be like the desirous servant, who works when he is desirous; otherwise he does not work.

I hate to worship Him because of fear of His torment, Hence I will be like the bad servant, who works when he is afraid.” One of those who were sitting interrupted him and said to him: “How do you worship Allah?” The Imam answered him faithfully: “I worship Allah through his bounties and blessings (toward me), Hence He is worthy of (worship).[^1]” The Imam’s worship resulted from his knowledge which was void of doubts and imaginations.

It did come out of desire or fear; rather it issued from firm faith (in Allah). He, peace be on him, talked about the kinds of worship, saying: “If people worship Allah, the Great and Almighty, because of fear (of Him), their worship is (similar to that) of slaves.