When he was born, Imam Ali (A.S) was still alive and he remained in company of his grandfather for another two years.
It is said that time and again Imam Ali (A.S) would hug him and say, “My son you are Zainul Abidin.”
One day when Imam Ali (A.S) was praying, the young Zainul Abidin, who then was only one and half years old, started imitating his grandfather. He prayed the same way Imam Ali (A.S) did. On completing his prayers, Imam Ali (A.S) said, “How truthful was the Prophet when he said our young and our old are all the same, all being Muhammed.” As a young boy till when he became 12 years of age, he spent a lot his time with his uncle Imam Hassan (A.S).
There after he stayed with Imam Husain (A.S) till 61 A.H. At the time of Imam Husain’s martyrdom, Imam Zainul Abidin was a youth of 22 years. His childhood was not free from trouble. His mother died when he was only an infant. He lost the care and love of his grandfather when he was only two. As a young boy he saw the injustices that were done to his uncle Imam Hassan (A.S).
As a young boy of 12, he saw his Uncle’s bier being hit with arrows. It must have pained him to see his Uncle’s last wishes of wanting to be buried next to his grandfather, the Prophet (S.A.W. W), being unfulfilled. All these disturbed him and made him sad but they never shook his faith in Allah. As a matter of fact, the incidents that we are about to describe show how peaceful he was in his mind and how strong his love was for Allah.
As a young boy, he showed great love and respect as a young boy for the sick people. Once, someone in his neighborhood fell sick, Imam Zainul Abidin (A.S) spent a lot of his time caring and comforting him. When the sick man became well, he was so pleased with the young Imam that he wanted to pay him back in any way that the Imam wanted.
Ali bin Husain (A.S), and that he came for Hajj in this manner every year.
Imam Hasan (A.S) that for the time Ali Bin Husain (A.S) stayed with him, though still only a child, he showed great love for prayers. He would get up in the midst of the night and pray till dawn.
Source:
A Brief Biography of Ali Ibn Husain (a.s)
By: Muhammad Reza Dungersi. PH.D
[Vol. 1, p. 5-6].
