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Ahl al-BaytPhase 2 · Seerah & Ahl al-BaytMajor figure

Ali ibn al-Husayn (Zayn al-Abidin) (RH)

علي بن الحسين زين العابدين

c. 38 AH - 94/95 AH date disputed · descendant of the Prophet ﷺ

Son of al-Husayn and the only surviving son after Karbala, renowned for worship and called 'Zayn al-Abidin' (adornment of worshippers). Sunni scholars honour him as a leading Tabi'i; Twelver and Ismaili Shia count him as the fourth Imam.

Biography

Ali ibn al-Husayn was at Karbala but was ill and was spared, then taken to Kufa and Damascus with the captives before returning to Madinah. He devoted himself to worship, knowledge and charity; al-Zuhri and other scholars praised him as among the best of the Quraysh of his time.

The supplications collected as al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah are attributed to him in Shia tradition. He died around 94-95 AH and is buried in al-Baqi'. His sons included Muhammad al-Baqir and Zayd ibn Ali.

Sources & explanation

۞ Qur'an

No specific verses cited for this node.

📜 Hadith verified on sunnah.com

No verified hadith attached yet. Only references checked against sunnah.com are listed.

💬 Explanation Unverified

Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza's perspective

Methodological note (not a direct quote): Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza's widely known approach is to build narratives primarily on the Quran and Sahih Hadith, to set aside Israiliyat (Judeo-Christian lore absorbed into later tafsir) and weak or fabricated narrations, and to avoid sectarian framing. Applied to this node: Sunni and Shia sources both honour him; specific supplications attributed to him are noted as traditionally attributed.

Empires in their lifetime

Further references

  • Siyar A'lam al-Nubala' (al-Dhahabi)
  • Tabaqat Ibn Sa'd (historical)

Connections

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