Anthology from Imam Zain-ul-Abidin (A.S.)’s prayers

By: Zaynab

Imam Zainul Abideen (A.S.), the fourth infallible descendant of holy Prophet Muhammad (S.W.), was born in Medina on 15th of Jamadi Al-Awwal, the 5th month of Islamic calendar.

He is the author of a wide range of prayers to meet the multiple needs of human beings. These prayers meet spiritual aspirations and cover adversities and situations of travail. They are an incomparable anthology of fervid earnestness, ardent devotion and sincere humility to be found nowhere else.

Of very special significance is the dua (Prayer) of Imam Zainul Abideen (A.S.) recited after Nisfil Lail Namaz (mid-night prayer), in a spirit of humility.

"My Allah, my Allah, Thou art the master and I am the slave:
then who will pity the slave except the master?

"My Allah, my Allah, Thou art the Honorable and I am the despicable:
then who will pity the despicable except the Honorable?

"My Allah, my Allah, Thou art the creator and I am thy creature:
then who will pity the creature except the Creator?

"My Allah, my Allah, Thou art the Giver and I am the supplicant:
then who will pity the supplicant except the Giver?

"My Allah, my Allah, Thou art the Redresser of wrongs and I am the complainant:
then who will pity the complainant except the Granter of redress?

"My Allah, my Allah, Thou art the Everlasting and I am the mortal:
then who will pity the mortal except the Everlasting?

"My Allah, my Allah, Thou art the Eternal and I am the transient:
then who will pity the transient except the Eternal?

"My Allah, my Allah, Thou art the Mighty and I am the weak:
then who will pity the weak except the Mighty?

"My Allah, my Allah, Thou art the Affluent and I am the needy:
then who will pity the needy except the Affluent?

"My Allah, my Allah, Thou art the Great One and I am the small:
then who will pity the small except the Great?

"My Allah, my Allah, Thou art the Owner and I am the chattel:
then who will pity the chattel except the Owner?”

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