| Address of Ayatullah
Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Fadhlullah (Lebanon) on the martyrdom anniversary of Imam
Zayn al-Abideen(a.s) Imam Ali bin Al-Husayn(a.s): Teaching
Islamic Values for All Generations In the Name of Allah,
The Compassionate, The Merciful. Peace and Blessings be
on our Master Muhammad, his progeny, and his chosen companions
and all of Allah's messengers.
A Multi-dimensional
Personality. One of the Imams of Ahl Al-Bayt(a.s) whom
Allah(swt) purified is Imam Zayn al-Abideen, Ali bin Al-Husayn (a.s), the anniversary
of whose martyrdom is the 25th of Muharram. Talking about
this Imam must be in several dimensions, for the Imam had lived through, along
with his father Imam Hussein, all the events of Karbala. He
witnessed and endured all its tragedies. He was also aware of all its aims and
slogans and instituted its commemoration for future generations. The
Imam was the first to remind the people from time to time of what had happened
in Karbala in an effort to incite anger and revolt against those who caused it
and all who might think about committing a similar crime in the future. The
Imam, as well as the Imams who followed him, used to emphasize the fact that Imam
Hussein’s revolution was not restricted to its time, but that its themes,
aims and values should act as an inspiration for Muslims for all times. Thus,
when he used to cry in public whenever he mentioned Karbala, he was not acting
out of personal emotion, although emotions play a role in everybody’s life.
Even the prophet (p.) cried when his son Ibrahim died and said: "The eyes
cry and the heart is saddened but we say nothing except what pleases God."
He wanted to spread the values of Islam so as to make those who were to follow,
reliving the memories of Ashora, use the Husayni stand as a stand to call for
Islam in all its concepts, doctrines and values. Human
Rights The Imam was the first to talk and write about
human rights, whether to himself, to God or to the people around him. In the book
of rights he dictated--or wrote--he details all the Islamic rights of man in all
his relations and acts, long before the charter of human rights was written. Invocations
as a Cultural and Educational Tool. When we study
the invocations of Imam Ali bin Al-Husayn(a.s), whether in the Sahifa Sajadiah
or others, we find that he used them as a tool to educate others about the oneness
of Allah, the angels and all Islamic concepts in the various fields of life. It
is a pity that these supplications have not been studied thoroughly even among
the followers of Ahl al-Bayt (a.s), or in the academic institutions that study
the spiritual side of Islam. The Social Worshipper Although
the Imam dedicated a lot of time to worship and living with God, to the extent
that he was called the prostrator, it did not prevent him from staying in touch
with the Muslim community, giving them the guidance and the knowledge they needed
in all aspects of their religion, and teaching them how to be moral and pious
in everything they say or do, especially in matters relating to the controversial
political issues of that time. It is a pity that the predominant
image of the Imam is one of a worshipper and a mourner. Such an image ignores
the other side of the Imam as a guide ,a teacher and a leader, for this is his
responsibility as an Imam. The Freer of Slaves The
Imam used to go to all lengths to free slaves. Although Islam did not legalize
slavery, it was one of the phenomena that existed in his age. He tried to cut
it down by buying hundreds of slaves, raising them and teaching them. He then
made use of them during the pilgrimage season in serving the pilgrims, and finally
freed them, giving them enough money to live on their own. In
addition to his capacities as a teacher and a guide, he was such a humanitarian
that humanity has never known anyone who was more tolerant and forgiving than
him. To site but one example to demonstrate his noble-mindedness, we refer to
the time when he gave refuge to the children of Marwan bin Al-Hakam, following
the revolt of Al-Madina against the Umnayads.The Imam gave refuge to those children
after their being denied by all the dignitaries of Al-Madina. To understand the
significance of the Imam’s action, we have to bear in mind that it was Marwan
who asked the governor of al-Madina to kill his father Imam Husayn(a.s) if he
did not pledge his loyalty to Yazid. The Importance of
Islamic Values These are but a few glimpses of the
life of the Imam. And now I would like to read some of his words to benefit from
them and enrich our knowledge of the values of Islam. He says: A man’s Islam
would be perfected, his sins will by forgiven and God will be pleased with him
when He meets him, if four attributes are to be found in him: Keeping promises,
being truthful, feeling ashamed of everything that displeases God as well as other
people and being kind to his family.” The Imam
(a.s) also tells us about praying for a fellow believer while he is absent: "when
the angels hear the believer praying for an absent brother, or praising him, they
will say: You are a good brother… God has given you twice as much as you
had asked for ,and He has praised you just as you had praised your brother. But
if they hear him saying something bad about a brother or asking God to harm him,
they will say: What a bad brother you are. Stop revealing his sins and praise
God Who has veiled your (shortcomings). And know that God knows all about His
servants”. These are the recommendations of Ahl al-Bayt
(a.s) and this is their path. If we want to follow them, we have to follow their
teachings and follow their path. Imam Zayn Al-Abideen (a.s) said:"Love us
the love of Islam". Meaning that the relation between them and us should
be an Islamic one, based on what the Islam calls for. We ask God to make us among
their followers in thought and action. He is the Most Merciful. | 
