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Devotion to God: The Common Link Among Three Luminous Stars of the Alawite Lineage

Seyed Hashem Moosavi

Devotion and servitude to the Almighty God serve as the path leading humanity to true perfection, fostering a unique connection between the human being and the Creator. This characteristic shines vividly in the lives of three luminous figures of the pure and infallible family: Imam Hussein (as), Imam Zain al-Abidin (as), and Abbas ibn Ali (as). Devotion in their lives is not only a personal trait but also an exemplary model for all humankind. This article explores this shared feature in their lives and introduces it as a unique model for emulation.

The Meaning of Devotion

The term “devotion” (عبودیت) derives from the Arabic root “عبد,” signifying absolute obedience and submission to God’s will. In Islam, it denotes the state of human perfection where an individual, fully aware of God’s majesty and their status as a creation, aligns all thoughts, actions, and intentions with the divine will. Devotion transcends the mere performance of outward religious rituals like prayer and fasting; it involves accepting God’s sovereignty over every dimension of life.

In mystical traditions, devotion represents the annihilation of one’s desires in favour of God’s will, achieving closeness to Him. Imam Ali (as) succinctly captures this: «کَفَى بِی عِزّاً أَنْ أَکُونَ لَکَ عَبْداً، وَ کَفَى بِی فَخْراً أَنْ تَکُونَ لِی رَبّاً» “It is enough honour for me to be Your servant, and it is enough pride for me that You are my Lord.”

The Role of Devotion

The holy Quran highlights devotion as the essence of human creation: «وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ» “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me” (Quran 51:56). It further explains that God created the world for man and man for Himself, and He has introduced devotion and servitude as a way to lead to eternal felicity and closeness to God: «و ان اعبدوني هذا صراط مستقيم» “And worship Me; this is the straight path” (Quran 36:61).

Devotion is also central to the mission of the prophets, who called humanity to worship the one God and abandon falsehood: «و لقد بعثنا في کل امة رسولا ان اعبدوا الله و اجتنبوا الطاغوت»، “And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid false deities'” (Quran 16:36).

The prophets suffered greatly on this path and gave many martyrs; «و کأين من نبي قاتل معه ربيون کثير» “And how many prophets have fought with many divine men!”

Imam Hussein (as) and Devotion 

Imam Hussein’s life epitomized unwavering devotion to God. His actions and decisions were guided by the desire to attain God’s pleasure. He rejected compromise with tyranny, choosing martyrdom over submission. Even during the night before Ashura, facing imminent battle, he sought a reprieve to dedicate himself to prayer and communion with God, reflecting his ultimate devotion.

Imam Hussein’s devotion (as) is also beautifully reflected in his prayers and supplications. The renowned Supplication of Arafah exemplifies His profound devotion. In this supplication, his eloquent expressions of love, surrender, and recognition of God’s magnificence remain a beacon for humanity.

The title Abu AbdAllah (Father of God’s Servants) signifies his pivotal role in reviving devotion and guiding people toward God.

Among the Arabs, it is customary, as a sign of respect and politeness, to refer to individuals by their kunya (a title derived from their relationship to a child, often the eldest son) or their association with their father, such as “Abu Muhammad” or “Abu al-Hasan.” One of the most significant kunya of Imam Hussain (as) is the honourable title “Abu AbdAllah.”

When studying the lives of Imam Hussain’s children, it becomes apparent that he did not have a son named Abdullah to whom this title could traditionally be attributed. However, numerous narrations indicate that even during his childhood, and before the birth of his own children, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and Imam Ali (as) referred to Imam Hussain with the title “Abu Abdullah.” This suggests that the naming has reasons beyond customary practices or conventional associations.

Many great Islamic scholars believe that the use of the title “Abu AbdAllah” for the martyred Imam is because he is regarded as the spiritual father of all of God’s devoted servants. Without Imam Hussain’s uprising and his sacrifice of his own pure blood, along with that of his family and companions, the essence of monotheism (tawhid) and servitude to God might have been lost. Thus, there would be no faithful worshippers or adherence to the true path of God’s unity.

Imam Zain al-Abidin (as) and Devotion

Devotion defined the personality and actions of Imam Zain al-Abidin, earning him titles like Zain al-Abidin (Ornament of the Worshipers) and Sajjad (One Who Prostrates Frequently). His prayers and supplications during adversity, such as his captivity after Karbala, serve as a testament to devotion as a source of strength and resilience.

The Sahifa Sajjadiya remains a timeless treasury of his spiritual insights and devotional practices, embodying profound submission to God. Accounts of his worship describe prolonged prayers and prostrations, exemplifying his devotion even to the point of physical exhaustion.

Imam al-Baqir (as) described the worship of his honourable father, Imam Zain al-Abidin (as), in these words:

“My father prayed so much at night that when he went to bed, he would drag himself on the ground out of sheer exhaustion.”

In some narrations, the nature of the Imam’s worship is described as follows:

“During prayer, the Imam (as) would stand motionless like a dry piece of wood, except when the wind moved his garments. When he stood for prayer, the colour of his face would change, and during prostration, he would remain so long that sweat would stream from his blessed face. At the time of ablution, his face would turn pale out of fear of God, preparing himself for the encounter with his Lord.”

One day, the Imam’s daughter, Fatima, approached the noble companion, Jabir ibn AbdAllah al-Ansari, and implored him to convince the Imam to moderate his acts of worship so that he would not harm himself or fall ill. She emphasized that he was the sole surviving child of Imam Hussain (as) and the only proof (hujja) of God on earth.

Abbas ibn Ali (as) and Devotion

Abbas ibn Ali is revered as the righteous servant of God. His absolute loyalty to Imam Hussein and his ultimate sacrifice on the Day of Ashura reflect his pure devotion. Imam Jafar al-Sadiq’s salutation to Abbas, calling him « السلام علیک ایها العبد الصالح ، المطیع لله و لرسوله و لامیر المؤمنین و الحسن و الحسین».  “The righteous servant who obeyed God, His Messenger, and his leaders,” encapsulates his spiritual stature.

The Holy Quran describes one of the signs of God’s devout servants as the mark of prostration on their foreheads: «سیماهم فی وجوههم من اثر السجود» “Their mark is on their faces from the traces of prostration” (Surah Al-Fath, 48:29).

This description perfectly applies to Hazrat Abbas (as). Historical records describe Abbas as marked by the physical sign of prolonged prostration on his forehead «وبین عینیه اثر السجود»There was a mark of prostration between his eyes”

A Great scholar by the name of Ja’far Naqdi highlights the noble qualities of Hazrat Abbas, saying: «و هو من عظماء اهل البیت علما و ورعا ونسکا و عبادة»، “He was one of the great figures of the AhlAl Bayt in terms of knowledge, piety, devotion, and worship.”

His worship, coupled with his valour and loyalty, makes him a symbol of devotion, sacrifice, and servitude.

May peace be upon them on the day they were born, the day they passed away, and the day they are resurrected to life.

 

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