The consistent and powerful oppositions of Imam Sajjad’s (PBUH) against Hisham Ibn Abd al-Malik (the tenth Umayyad caliph) had increased Hisham’s hatred toward Imam Sajjad (PBUH). Furthermore, the increasing popularity the Imam had found amongst the people, especially those of Hijaz had convinced Hisham to kill Imam Sajjad (PBUH). Hisham ordered his brother, Walid ibn Abd al-Malik, to poison Imam Sajjad (PBUH). The offense of this great Imam was defending the true Islam and fighting against the tyranny of the Umayyad dynasty. Unfortunately, medication was not able to save the Imam from the poison, and thus the Imam became a martyr. During his last moments, the Imam repeated his father’s last will and said: An hour before Imam Hussain’s martyrdom, he came and hugged me; he then said:
“O My Son! Fear oppressing someone who does not have a helper in avenging you, but Allah.”
Moreover, Imam Sajjad (PBUH) told his son Imam Baqir (PBUH): I advise you my son to what my father advised me before his martyrdom:
“O My Son! Be patient and persistent on the right path even if it is hard and painful.”
Imam Sajjad (PBUH) fought the Umayyad oppression for 35 years after Imam Hussain’s (PBUH) great sacrifice. At the age of 57, he answered the call of his Lord, and signed his father’s permanent rising in his own blood.
The following is a piece of prayer taken from Sahifah Sajjadieh, which is a famous book of prayers to Allah (SWT) by Imam Sajjad (PBUH).
“O Allah! Give me the power to overcome those who oppress me. Grant me a tongue that can refute all of those against me. And give me a mind that can defeat the deceitful intentions of my enemies, and dismantle them from transgression and injustices.”
(Reference: “Imam Sajjad (PBUH), the Source of Human Perfection”, by Muhammad Muhammadi Eshtihardi)
Please accept our condolences on 25th of Muharram, upon the martyrdom of Imam Ali Ibn Hussain (PBUH), the master of prostration and the ornament of worshipers.