The Life of Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin

Chapter 11: His Works

It is certain that the Imams of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, and the great religious scholars from among their Shi‘ites were the first to write books on Islam.[^1] They were the first to plan the cultural movement of the community and to split open in the earth the fountains of knowledge and wisdom.

It is worth mentioning that their works were not confined to a certain science. Rather they included all sciences such as jurisprudence, interpretation of the Qur’an, hadith, the principles of jurisprudence, grammar, theology, philosophy, ethics, the manners of behavior, the principles of education, and so on. Imam ‘Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, was the first to split open all doors to sciences.

Al-‘Qqad said: “Imam ‘Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, was the first to split open doors to thirty-two sciences, he put their rules and established their principles.[^2]” Ibn Sharashu’b said: “It is correct that Imam ‘Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, was the first to compose (sciences). Then Salman, Abu’ Dharr, al-Asbagh b. Nabbata, and ‘Abd Allah b. Rafi‘, followed him. Then al-Sajjadiya composed al-Sahifa.[^3]

Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin, peace be on him, was among the Imams who wrote books on Islam. His works were excellent examples for developing Islamic thought and cultural, scientific movement. His valuable works are as follows:

[^1]: Sayyid Hasan al-Sadr, Ta’sis al-Shi‘a li ‘Ulu`m al-Islam.

[^2]: ‘Abqariyat al-Imam ‘Ali.

[^3]: Ma‘alim al-‘Ulama’.