Zayd ibn Ali
Encyclopedia : Z : ZA : ZAY : Zayd ibn Ali
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Zayd led a rebellion against the Umayyads in the middle of 8th century, renewing hostilities that existed between the Umayyads and the Hashemites. Zayd was killed during fighting in 740.
After his death, some felt that he was the rightful successor to his father, rather than his half-brother Muhammad al-Baqir. Those who believe in this line of succession form the Zaidi sect within Shi'a Islam.
A shrine in his memory is located in Karak, Jordan.
Imam Jafar As-Sadiq said, "Among us [Zayd] was the best read in the Qur'an, and the most knowledgeable about religion, and the most caring towards family and relatives."
Who was Zaid bin 'Ali (as)? (by Sayyid 'Ali ibn 'Ali Al-Zaidi)
The Prophet prophesied his martyrdom, as narrated by Imam Hussain (as): "The Holy Prophet put his sacred hand on my back and said: 'O Hussain, it will not be long until a man will be born among your descendants. He will be called Zaid; he will be killed as a martyr. On the day of resurrection, he and his companions will enter heaven, setting their feet on the necks of the people.'" 1
Zaid bin 'Ali (as) was known as Imam Zaid bin 'Ali ash-Shahid (The Martyr). His official name is Zaid bin 'Ali bin Hussain bin 'Ali bin Abu Talib (as). He was the Son of the fourth Imam and half brother of the fifth Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as). Zaid (as) was the most outstanding and the most learned of the scholars of his time. Shaykh Mufid describes him as "a devout worshipper, pious, a jurist, God-fearing and brave." 2
Even the way Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.) reacted to Zaid (as)'s martyrdom shows the uprightness of the latter in his faith in the Imams of Ahlul Bayt. When Imam as-Sadiq was informed about Zaid (as)'s martyrdom, "he was very sad...and he set apart a thousand dinars of his own money for the families of those of (Zaid (as)'s) followers who were killed with him." 5
In conclusion, we can say that Zaid bin 'Ali (as) was an outstanding Shi'a, a mujãhid and a shahid who was loyal to the line of the Imams of Ahlul Bayt, including his own brother, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as), and, his nephew, Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.). This leaves us with no choice but to reject the statement made by the late 'Allamah Tabãtabã'i that Zaid (as) himself "considered the first two caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar, as their Imams." 6
In Karak, Jordan is the shrine of Zaid bin 'Ali bin Al-Hussain (as). He was the great, great, grandson of Prophet Mohammad and a religious leader known for his righteous, majestic and knowledgeable ways. When describing Zaid (as), Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (as) said: "Among us he was the best read in the Holy Qur'an, and the most knowledgeable about religion, and the most caring towards family and relatives."
Sources
1 (Peshawar Nights by Sultanu'l-Wa'izin Shirazi)
2 (al-Irshad, p. 403)
3 (al-Mufid, al-Irshad, p. 404; al-Mas'udi, Muruj adh-Dhahab; al-Qummi, Muntahal Amãl, p. 36).
4 (al-Irshad, p. 404).
5 (al-Irshad, p. 405) For other such narrations by Shaykh as-Saduq, see Muntahal Amãl, p. 36.
6 (Shi'a Islam, p. 77)
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