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THE SCAR OF REVERING PIETY
Zain al Abideen is son of prophet Mohammed’s (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) grandson Hussain[RA]. His original name was Ali. “Zain al Abideen” [Ornament of the worshipers (of Allah).] was a title conferred to him because of his revering piety and watchfulness. Despite becoming rich through trade, he was humble and utilized his wealth as the best means to attain eternal success. His specialty was secret charity.
When the shadow of darkness spreads and everyone falls asleep, Imam Zain al Abideen(RA) would get up, put some food in a sack and carry it on his shoulders to the houses of the poor, especially those who hesitated to beg. From him, many poor people of Medina used to receive food daily. Yet, they never found out it was Zain al Abideen (RA) who gives them food as he would visit them during nights, until he passed away, and that anonymous man never came to them anymore. It was then that they found out that their anonymous caretaker was prophet’s(PBUH) grandson! When Zain al Abideen was being given the funeral bath, a thick dark scar was seen on his back. When people asked about it, someone revealed that “It is the scar got from the sacks of flour Imam used to carry to the poor of Medina during middle of every night. With his demise, those poor lost their caretaker, too”.
Influence of ardent piety, thaqwa, was vividly seen in the life of Zain al Abideeen. The force that prompted him to wander through streets in midnight, carrying sacks of food, undoubtedly, was his firm Imaan[the belief].
There is an incident from Umar’s(RA) life. In one of the suburbs of Madina there lived a blind old women who had no one to help. Learning about her, Umar(RA) visited that house to help her, in disguised form, but was surprised to find out that someone else had already addressed the needs of that old lady. The next day, he reached much earlier than the previous day. Surprisingly, the case was just similar to the previous day. On the third day, he wanted to find out who was helping that woman. So, he reached that house very early and waited eagerly. Long before the dawn unveils, he saw someone walking towards the house. His face was not clearly seen. As the stranger approached, Umar (RA) got hold of his hand. It was Abu Bakr Siddique (RA) . Thereupon, Umar (RA) responded like this: Abu Bakr, I knew no one but you can defeat me in this matter. That time, Abu Bakr (RA) was the kalifa of that country!![Source: Hadrat Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, Ali (RA) 4 Vol. Set]
It is a great fortune to be able to enshrine paramount devotedness in the inner folds of personal life. Besides making good fortunes through the acts of worship, invocations and supplications in life, it should also flourish in the prosperity of good deeds.
There are two means through which our leisure moments can be made valuable. First one is self evaluation. Prudent life style is the best method to attain inner purification. Evaluation at lonely moments helps wash away the dirt that has latched on the life course. The second is good deeds. In lonely moments, when nobody is around to know or applaud, our minds can get fully immersed in the thoughts about Allah. This is the feeling we would achieve at the time of Thahajjud (optional night prayer).
Private moments are the best occasion not only for self evaluation, but also for introspection. What strikes our mind when left in seclusion? What is craved and done then? In secluded moments, if our minds crave for evils, it obviously needs strong guidance. In a Hadhees describing nine Wasiyyas of prophet(PBUH), the first one is “live immaculately both personal life and social life” [Minhaaju Swaaliheen]. Fearfulness and devotion towards the almighty is more likely experienced in personal moments. Make lonely moments significant; with good deeds, salutary sights and beneficial desires! Life of Zain al Abideen(RA), Abu Backr(RA) andUumar ibn Khattab(RA) reflects the same significance. It is the beauty of their Imaan, which blazed in private moments, remained as the ceaseless scar on their back.
English rendering of article written by Abdul Wadud!
When the shadow of darkness spreads and everyone falls asleep, Imam Zain al Abideen(RA) would get up, put some food in a sack and carry it on his shoulders to the houses of the poor, especially those who hesitated to beg. From him, many poor people of Medina used to receive food daily. Yet, they never found out it was Zain al Abideen (RA) who gives them food as he would visit them during nights, until he passed away, and that anonymous man never came to them anymore. It was then that they found out that their anonymous caretaker was prophet’s(PBUH) grandson! When Zain al Abideen was being given the funeral bath, a thick dark scar was seen on his back. When people asked about it, someone revealed that “It is the scar got from the sacks of flour Imam used to carry to the poor of Medina during middle of every night. With his demise, those poor lost their caretaker, too”.
Influence of ardent piety, thaqwa, was vividly seen in the life of Zain al Abideeen. The force that prompted him to wander through streets in midnight, carrying sacks of food, undoubtedly, was his firm Imaan[the belief].
There is an incident from Umar’s(RA) life. In one of the suburbs of Madina there lived a blind old women who had no one to help. Learning about her, Umar(RA) visited that house to help her, in disguised form, but was surprised to find out that someone else had already addressed the needs of that old lady. The next day, he reached much earlier than the previous day. Surprisingly, the case was just similar to the previous day. On the third day, he wanted to find out who was helping that woman. So, he reached that house very early and waited eagerly. Long before the dawn unveils, he saw someone walking towards the house. His face was not clearly seen. As the stranger approached, Umar (RA) got hold of his hand. It was Abu Bakr Siddique (RA) . Thereupon, Umar (RA) responded like this: Abu Bakr, I knew no one but you can defeat me in this matter. That time, Abu Bakr (RA) was the kalifa of that country!![Source: Hadrat Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, Ali (RA) 4 Vol. Set]
It is a great fortune to be able to enshrine paramount devotedness in the inner folds of personal life. Besides making good fortunes through the acts of worship, invocations and supplications in life, it should also flourish in the prosperity of good deeds.
There are two means through which our leisure moments can be made valuable. First one is self evaluation. Prudent life style is the best method to attain inner purification. Evaluation at lonely moments helps wash away the dirt that has latched on the life course. The second is good deeds. In lonely moments, when nobody is around to know or applaud, our minds can get fully immersed in the thoughts about Allah. This is the feeling we would achieve at the time of Thahajjud (optional night prayer).
Private moments are the best occasion not only for self evaluation, but also for introspection. What strikes our mind when left in seclusion? What is craved and done then? In secluded moments, if our minds crave for evils, it obviously needs strong guidance. In a Hadhees describing nine Wasiyyas of prophet(PBUH), the first one is “live immaculately both personal life and social life” [Minhaaju Swaaliheen]. Fearfulness and devotion towards the almighty is more likely experienced in personal moments. Make lonely moments significant; with good deeds, salutary sights and beneficial desires! Life of Zain al Abideen(RA), Abu Backr(RA) andUumar ibn Khattab(RA) reflects the same significance. It is the beauty of their Imaan, which blazed in private moments, remained as the ceaseless scar on their back.
English rendering of article written by Abdul Wadud!
