After the martyrdom of his father, Imam Ali Ibn Al-Hussein "AS" took over the imamate. The society was overwhelmed by heartbreaking sadness over the painful martyrdom of Imam Al-Hussein "AS" along with almost every adult male of family and all of his companions followed by the capture of women and children, and carrying the severed heads on spears in a long journey toward tyrant Yazid's capital Damascus.
There also was a revolution in Medina resulted in its invasion by the army of Yazid. Since the case has dramatically worsened, Imam Al-Sajjad was under close surveillance by the authorities, so he began a new way to perform his leadership role in the Ummah by spreading education and political awareness to the public, investing in the state of sadness, attention, and vigilance felt by them, he as well shown the injustice made upon his father Imam Al-Hussein "AS" from time to time, and the pains he and his family experienced on the day of Ashura, as he was sick at that time, because of which, he wasn’t able for jihad due to a divine wisdom, so he can narrate the story of captivity of the prophet Muhammad's remaining family, and to inflame people's feelings with enthusiasm, faith, and desire to vengeance against Umayyad murderers, as well as to prepare for the expected future role. This method of education has proven to be the most successful in raising generations on faith, dedication, and devotion.
Al-Sajjad has spread in the Islamic nation the spirit of religion that broke tyranny and oppression in order to establish the rule of God, and to work to save people from the clutches of injustice and slavery. Indeed, it suffices to know that the famous revolution of his son Zaid bin Ali, who was raised by Imam Zain Al-Abideen on the principles of courage and jihad to revolt against the oppressors. He also oversaw the Medina revolution, and at his time, the Tawabeen revolution took place in Iraq under the leadership of Suleiman bin Sard al-Khuzaie, who also raised by the imams "peace be upon them."
Imam al-Sajjad sponsored Al-Mukhtar revolution in Kufa from afar, taking into account the circumstances as he was leading all the cultural, intellectual and jihadist revolutions in the nation, and he was preparing the atmosphere for the appropriate hour of initiation, until the Umayyad authority feared him and later poisoned him, therefore, Imam Ali Ibn Al-Hussein embodied the best and most wonderful of what the heroes can ever embody in terms of a leadership role in fighting injustice and tyrants, and bringing the nation to the shore of safety.
Sources:
- Mawsueat Ahl Al-Bayt Al-Hadaria – Al-Imam Zain Al-Abideen, by Dr. Muhamad Husayn Ali Al-Saghir [p. 2-20].
- Al-Sahifa Al-Sajadia, by Sayyis Muhsin Al-Amin Al-Amili, Dua 49 [p. 128-129].
