ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books As-Sahifa Al-Kamilah Al-Sajjadiyya Foreword In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful The present volume contains the supplications transmitted from one of the most venerated religious authorities of early Islam, `Ali b. al-Husayn b. `Ali b. Abi Talib, better known as Zayn al-'Abidin (`the ornament of the worshipers'). His grandfather, `Ali b.

Abi Talib, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, was adopted by the Prophet in his childhood, and grew up under the personal care and guardianship of the recipient of the divine Revelation, the Founder of Islam. His grandmother, Fatima, was not only the most beloved daughter of the Prophet, but also a partner in her father's mission.

His father, al-Husayn, and his uncle, al-Hasan, the only grandsons that the Prophet had, were brought up by the Prophet, who showered his deepest love and affection upon them. Thus Zayn al-'Abidin derived his religious and spiritual authority and his divine knowledge in the closest and most intimate way through his father and grandfather from the Founder of Islam, the Apostle of God.

Zayn al-'Abidin was held in special regard not only by the adherents of the Household of the Prophet, who considered him their fourth Imam and the only religious authority of his time, but also by the learned circles of the Muslims in general. His period in Medina was that of a growing interest in the Traditions of the Prophet, especially those which dealt with legal matters.

It was the time of the `seven lawyers of Medina', who were engaged in collecting these Traditions and formulating legal opinions. Among the Medinan scholars, we find that Zayn al-'Abidin was considered to be an eminent traditionist. The famous Medinese lawyer of this period Sa'id b. al-Musayyab, regarded the Imam with the highest esteem.

Another great jurist and traditionist of the period, al-Zuhri though he was attached to the court of the Umayyads, was also a great friend and admirer of the Imam. His honourific, Zayn al-'Abidin (the Ornament of the Worshipers), which refers to his devotion to prayer, was given him by al-Zuhri.

Thus, from the overwhelming number of reports recorded by both Shi'a and Sunni authorities, it would seem that Zayn al-'Abidin was widely respected by the community in general for his extraordinary qualities, such as the long duration of his prayer, his piety, his forbearance, his learning, and his generosity.