Sayyidunā ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn رضي الله عنه – Known as Zayn al-ʿĀbidīn, a Noble Son of Royal Lineage
Compiled by: Tauheed.com
Fāris (Persia) was once a mighty empire that ruled vast regions of the world for centuries. But during the era of Islamic conquests, under the caliphate of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه, the Muslims defeated this empire, and a remarkable incident took place.
When al-Madāʾin (the capital of Persia) was conquered, the daughter of Yazdegerd III, the last king of the Sassanid dynasty, Shahrbānū, was among the captives.ʿUmar رضي الله عنه treated the banāt al-mulūk (daughters of kings) with honor and respect, and said:
❝ Hand over the daughter of the Persian king to one of the noble elders of this household, who will truly recognize her value. ❞
On the advice of ʿAlī رضي الله عنه, the Persian princess Shahrbānū was married to Sayyidunā al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī رضي الله عنهما.
From this blessed union, a son was born — ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn رضي الله عنهما.
This was a unique and unparalleled union:
His paternal lineage traced back directly to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ — for he was the son of al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī رضي الله عنهما.
His maternal lineage traced back to Yazdegerd III, the last emperor of Persia — the final heir of a great royal dynasty.
Thus, Zayn al-ʿĀbidīn رضي الله عنه was:- A spiritual heir, being the grandson of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ through al-Ḥusayn رضي الله عنه.
- A royal heir, being the son of a Persian princess, the last of the Sassanid royal line.
