Muharram 25 marks sorrowful martyrdom anniversary of Imam al-Sajjad, peace be upon him

The 25th of Muharram marks the sorrowful martyrdom anniversary of Imam al-Sajjad (peace be upon him), the fourth leader of the Muslims of the world.

Among his most famous epithets are Zain al-‘Abedin (adornment of worshipers), Sayyed al-Sajidin (master of prostraters), Sajjad (constant prostrater), Zaki (pure) and Amin (trustworthy).

His Holiness Ali bin Al-Hussein, peace be upon them both, with the Kunya Abul-Hasan and Aba Muhammad, was born on the fifth of Sha’ban in the year 38 A.H. in Medina.

He assumed the leadership of the community after the tragedy of Karbala and was moved to Kufa and Sham with the captives. Had it not been for his awakening statements and those of his honourable aunt Sayyida Zainab, peace be upon her, in Kufa and Sham, the remembrance of Ashura and Karbala would not have survived to this day.

Engaging in prayers and supplications was a cultural strategy that Imam al-Sajjad, peace be upon him, used to guide the people after the event of Ashura and during the dark and suffocating era of the Umayyads. Also, the legacy of crying over and mourning the tragedies of Karbala owes an existential share to Zain al-‘Abedin.

Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyyah is a collection of the best, most eloquent and beautiful prayers that embody a profound and uplifting concepts. The Treatise On Rights is another invaluable heritage of Imam al-Sajjad (peace be upon him) for the Muslim community and the entire humanity.

His Holiness is buried in Baqi Cemetery, next to the grave of his noble uncle, Imam al-Hassan, as well as his son and grandson, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, and Imam Jafar al-Sadiq, peace be upon them.