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Not to be confused with Al-Zein crime family.
Page of Al-Irfan newspaper magazine 1909

The El Zein family (Arabic: الزين) is a prominent Lebanese family possessing large estates in Jabal Amil (southern Lebanon), mainly in Shehour, Jibshit, and Kfar Reman, though members are now spread across different areas, both within the country and in the Lebanese diaspora.

The El Zein family is part of the area's historical elite, known for their contributions to the community in both governance and cultural development. During the campaign of Jazzar Pasha on Jabal Amil, the family played a significant role in fostering local resilience, under the leadership of Nasif al-Nassar and his trusted partner Ali El Zein “Al-Kabir”, known as the feudal lord of Shehour. The family has been actively involved in numerous social, political, cultural, and educational initiatives.

Several family members have left a lasting legacy through publications such as the magazine Al-Irfan founded in 1909, which focused on cultural and intellectual topics relevant to Ottoman, Arab, and inter-communal Lebanese communities, as well as a collection of works authored by family members about the history of Jabal Amil and other publications in Lebanon and abroad. Most recently, Lebanese-Australian author Dr. Abbas El Zein won an award in 2024 for his book in English.[1][2]

Origins

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The poet and historian Hajj Ali bin Suleiman El Zein narrates in his manuscript,[3] quoting the late scholar and historian Ali Sebiti [ar] in his book The History of the Families of Jabal Amel (تاريخ عائلات عامل)[4] that the ancestor of the El Zein family is Zain Al-Abidin, known as Al Zain Al-Ansari Al-Khazraji, originally from Medina and a descendant of Sa’d ibn 'Ubadah, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and the leader of the Khazraj tribe.

Belad Besharah in the 1858 van de Velde maps

It is said that Zain Al-Abidin migrated from Medina to Egypt and then to Syria along with Abi Zain Al-Qasim Al-Hasani. He was one of Saladdin's commanders during his campaign in Palestine and Syria in 1178 CE, alongside Prince Abi Al-Qasim Al-Hasani, who was in charge of managing the coast of Tyre. At the same time, Hossam Al-Din Bishara, Saladdin's nephew, was the ruler of the Beshara region (South Lebanon)[4].

Zein Al-Din El Zein

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One of Zein Al-Abidin's descendants, Khalil bin Musa El Zein, moved to the village of Shehour and settled there. One of his sons, Sheikh Zein Al-Din El Zein, was born in Shehour in 1747. Zein Al-Din grew up under his father's care, and upon reaching adulthood, he was sent to Najaf in Iraq to further his knowledge, where he spent fifteen years studying jurisprudence and the science of Hadith[5].

He returned to his hometown to engage in religious duties and community leadership but was tragically martyred by the Ottoman governor Jazzar Pasha, who saw him as a threat due to his influential role, burning his vast library of over 3,000 volumes in the process. Zein Al-Din El Zein left behind five sons: Ali “Al Kabir”, Muhammad, Yahya, Qasim, and Hassan[5].

Role of Sheikh Ali El Zein “Al Kabir”

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Known as the "Proprietor of Shehour," Sheikh Ali El Zein “Al Kabir” became one of the leaders of the revolution and directed the defense campaign against Jazzar Pasha under the leadership of Nassif Al-Nassar.[6][7]

Ahmad Pasha Al-Jazzar

The people of Jabal Amil endured various forms of oppression and suffering, which drove them to fight fiercely in defense of their land. Leaders and tribesmen rose up, forming revolutionary bands. In 1781, a group of the country's notable figures gathered in the village of Shehour. Exhausted by Jazzar Pasha tyranny and the devastation he brought to the land, they resolved to fight back and save what remained of their homeland from destruction. They formed a battalion of their strongest men to attack Jazzar's workers and soldiers, who were stationed in various parts of Jabal Amel under strict military occupation, imposing taxes, sustaining themselves, and causing harm and suffering to the population. At the head of the revolution were Sheikh Hamza bin Muhammad Al-Nassar and his companion Sheikh Ali El Zein.[8] The battalion attacked Jazzar's local governor in Tibnin, slaughtering him and his aides, overpowering his troops and seizing the royal treasury[7].

Tebnine Fortress

Al-Jazzar dispatched his soldiers and henchmen to hunt down the rebels. They invaded the village of Shehour, leading to a bloody battle in which Sheikh Hamza Al-Nassar was martyred, and the surviving rebels fled. Sheikh Ali El Zein and his companions escaped to Iraq, continuing his journey to Iran and eventually to India. There, one of the Indian Kings appointed him as a vizier, eventually returning to his homeland after the British invasion of India[9].

Peace did not return to Jabal Amil until Jazzar's death in 1804. However, the rebels' influence extended to Acre and Safad. The new governor eventually realized that his troops would fail to suppress the rebels due to the growing control of the revolutionary forces. He summoned Sheikh Ali Al-Faris to Acre, offering him the governorship of Jabal Amil under his authority. Sheikh Ali refused unless an agreement was reached with the rebels and the region was restored to its state before Jazzar's turmoil[7].

Finally, the governor Suleiman Pasha, the new ruler of Acre, conceded, convening a meeting attended by Bashir Al-Shehabi and Sheikh Faris Nassif Al-Nassar,[8] representing Jabal Amil. The rebels were pardoned, confiscated properties were returned to their rightful owners, and stability prevailed until the arrival of Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt in 1832[7][10].

Sheikh Suleiman bin Ali El Zein

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Sheikh Suleiman El Zein, son of Sheikh Ali El Zein “Al-Kabir” succeeded his father's leadership upon his death in 1838. A poet, he funded the Jbaa religious school founded by Sheikh Abdullah Nehme and established strong relations with prominent officials like Fuad Pasha, a representative of the Ottoman Grand Vizier. Suleiman moved to Sidon and became one of the city's most prominent merchants, playing a significant role in the region's social and economic development.

After Sheikh Suleiman's death in 1872, leadership responsibilities were taken over by his children who each settled in different villages: Hussein in Jibshit, Muhammad and Ismail in Kfar Reman, and Ali in Shehour[3].

Notable descendants of Hussein El Zein

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Known as Sheikh Abu Khalil, Sheikh Hussein bin Suleiman El Zein was a scholar and student of Sheikh Abdullah Nehme. He studied at the Jbaa Religious School and resided there for a long time, later moving to the village of Jibshit, where he lived until his death in 1884. He had two sons: Khalil and Abdel-Karim[3][11].

Sheikh Khalil bin Hussein El Zein – A scholar in Islamic jurisprudence, and student of Sheikh Musa Shararah. He had five children, the most known was Sheikh Muhammad bin Khalil El Zein.

Sheikh Muhammad bin Khalil El Zein was sent to study in Najaf, then returned to Beirut[12], where he founded the Guidance and Enlightenment Society (جمعية الهداية والإرشاد). He worked on bridging Islamic sects, authoring several books, including The History of Islamic Sects (تاريخ الفرق الإسلامية[13]) and Islamic Principles and Branches (لأصول والفروع الإسلامية).[14]

Sheikh Abdul-Karim El Zein

Sheikh Abdul-Karim bin Hussein El Zein – A scholar, poet, and writer, known for his ownership of large estates, he authored numerous works in theology, literature, and medicine[15]. He studied in Najaf under renowned scholars Islamic jurisprudence and principles for 20 years before returning to Jibshit, where he succeeded his father. Sheikh Abdul Karim opposed Ottoman rule and was accused of involvement in secret societies, narrowly escaping execution in 1915. He died in 1941, leaving behind three sons: Muhammad Hussein, Ali and Jaafar[16].

Sheikh Muhammad Hussein bin Abdul Karim El Zein – A religious scholar, poet, judge, and author, best known for his book The Rightly Guided Caliphs (الخلفاء الراشدون)[17] and Shia in History (الشيعة في التاريخ).[18] He studied in Najaf and later served as a judge in Marjeyoun and Nabatiyeh. He had seven children, including Abdul Amir, Hani El Zein, lawyer Ahmad El Zein, Mufti Sheikh Abdul Halim El Zein, Kazem El Zein, Zohair El Zein, and Souhail El Zein. His poetry often drew on his religious upbringing and cultural heritage.[19]

Dr.Hassan El Zein's Book

Sheikh Ali bin Abdul-Karim El Zein – A historian, writer, and activist, founder of the Ameli Literature League in 1936 (عصبة الأدب العاملي سنة ١٩٣٦).[20] Notable works include In Search of Our History (للبحث عن تاريخنا)[21] and others.


Dr. Hassan bin Ali El Zein – Author and editor-in-chief of Al-Irfan magazine. His works include The Legal Status of Christians and Jews in the Islamic State until the Ottoman Conquest (Les conditions juridiques des juifs et des chrétiens en pays d'Islam, jusqu'à la conquete Ottomane) , which was his successful doctoral thesis (Doctorat d'Etat) in the Sorbonne University in Paris.[22]

El Zein family residence in Jibshit (دار آل الزين في جبشيت)

Jehad El Zein – Son of Hassan, is a renowned political writer in the Middle East, poet and analyst, former editor of As-Safir newspaper, and current writer for An-Nahar newspaper.

Abbas El Zein – Son of Hassan, is a professor at the University of Sydney and award-winning non-fiction writer in Australia.[23] His works include award-winning books Leave to Remain and Bullet Paper Rock.

Notable descendants of Ismail El Zein

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Sheikh Ismail Suleiman El Zein was a Lebanese merchant, politician, and influential landowner. He inherited his father Suleiman El Zein's estates and political leadership, expanding his influence through significant land acquisitions including the village of Kfar Reman through successful trade ventures, managing multiple villages and increasing his regional authority. In 1909, Ismail was assassinated following accusations of oppressive behavior towards his workers.[24] Of his sons include Hussein, Youssef Bek and Hassan Efendi, whose grandson was the Lebanese Army Colonel Rafic El Zein[25].

Hajj Hussein bin Ismail El Zein [ar] was a Lebanese politician, born in 1876 in the town of Kfar Reman. He established the first charitable school in Nabatiye and held several positions during the French Mandate period, including Member of the Administrative Committee for the South (1920–1922), Member of the Senate (1926–1927) and Member of the First Chamber of Deputies (1927–1929).[26]

Youssef Bek El Zein

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Youssef Bek El Zein

Youssef Bek bin Ismail El Zein [ar] was a Lebanese politician and za’im of Kfar Reman. He inherited significant estates from his father, Ismail El Zein, and focused on politics rather than commerce or agriculture.

Serving in the first advisory council for Nabatieh and the first representative council in 1922, he was elected to the Lebanese Parliament in 1926 and maintained his representation of Nabatiyeh until his death. After the decline of the El Assaad family's political influence, Youssef Bek became the dominant political leader in southern Lebanon. His achievements included renovating the Al-Hamidiya School in Nabatiyeh, supporting the Maqasid Charity Association, and financing a major water project in 1925 to supply Nabatieh and its surroundings. Three of his sons followed in his footsteps as parliamentarians: Abdul Latif, Abdul Majeed, and Abdul Karim El Zein[27].

Abdul Latif bin Youssef El Zein [ar]– politician and former member of the Lebanese Parliament, a prominent political figure in Lebanon. He studied at the Collège de la Sagesse and Saint Joseph University in Beirut, earning a degree in law, and holding office as a member of the Lebanese Parliament from 1960 until 2018. He also served as Lebanon's minister of agriculture.

Youssef Bek El Zein with his children

Abdul Majeed bin Youssef El Zein [ar] – Officer in the Internal Security Forces, politician, and former Member of the Lebanese Parliament. He graduated from the Military Academy in 1945 and joined the Lebanese gendarmerie. He entered politics after resigning from the military and served on the parliamentary committees for foreign affairs and defense, serving as an MP until 1972.[28]

Abdul Karim Youssef bin Youssef El Zein [ar] – Soldier, politician, and former Member of the Lebanese Parliament. He graduated from the Military Academy with the rank of lieutenant in the Lebanese Internal Security Forces. He was elected as a Member of the Lebanese Parliament in 1964, representing the Zahrani district in southern Lebanon and served on the Parliamentary Committees for Finance and Budget as well as Agriculture.[29]

Notable Descendants of Muhammad El Zein

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Sheikh Muhammad bin Suleiman El Zein, along with his brother Sheikh Abu Khalil, studied in Jbaa. He was well-versed in the Arabic language and its literature. He authored a book on jurisprudence titled Rasa'il fi al-Fiqh (رسائل في الفقه) [30] and another book titled Sharh al-Nizam (شرح النظام) [31] along with other books. He was born in Sidon in 1830 and died there in 1902. He traveled to Najaf but returned upon his father's death without completing his studies there. He had five children, including Sheikh Muhammad Rida bin Muhammad El Zein.[32][33]

Sheikh Muhammad Rida El Zein

Sheikh Muhammad Rida bin Muhammad El Zein

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Sheikh Muhammad Rida El Zein [ar] was a scholar, poet, and teacher.[32] After completing his early education in Sidon and Nabatiyeh, he traveled to Najaf in 1898 where he studied under renowned scholars, such as Muhammad Kazim al-Khurasani [ar] and Fathallah Isfahani [ar].[34]

Following his studies, he worked as a trader in Baghdad and later engaged in agriculture in the region. Upon returning to South Lebanon, he settled in Kfar Reman and became a judge in Nabatieh.[35]

A prolific poet, his work addressed themes such as religion, hardship, brotherhood, and social issues, reflecting wisdom and moral guidance. He participated in literary debates, and among his writings are Islamic History (التاريخ الإسلامي) [36] and The El Zein family in History (آل الزين في التاريخ).[37] He died in 1946 and was buried in Kfar Reman.[38]

Notable descendants of Ali El Zein

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Hajj Ali bin Suleiman El Zein was born in Sidon in 1860. He received his education at the Al-Rashidiyya School, then moved to the town of Shehour where he resided and managed his father's extensive properties in Jabal Amil. He married the daughter of Hajj Hassan Osseiran. He died and was buried in Shehour in 1931, leaving behind four sons: Sheikh Labib, Hajj Atif, Sheikh Abdel-Ala'a and Sheikh Ahmad Arif.[39]

Sheikh Ahmad Aref bin Ali El Zein

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Main article: Ahmed Aref El-Zein
Sheikh Ahmad Aref El Zein

Sheikh Ahmad Aref El Zein was a writer, journalist, and reformist from Shehour. He sought educational reforms and the reconciliation of Islamic values with Western ideas of liberty and democracy. He founded Al-Irfan magazine (1909) and Jabal Amel newspaper (1911), which significantly influenced cultural and political thought in the region.[40] El Zein actively participated in various reformist and revolutionary organizations, including the Arab Youth Society and the League of the Arab Revolution.

He was imprisoned multiple times under Ottoman rule and later during the French Mandate due to his support for the Syrian Revolution and opposition to colonialism.[41] El Zein was involved in reformist and revolutionary organizations and advocated for educational, agricultural, and administrative reforms. He authored several notable works and also published and edited key literary and religious texts through Al-Irfan Printing Press. Ahmad Aref El-Zein died on October 15, 1960, during a trip to Iran, where he was visiting the cities of Qom and Mashhad. He was buried in the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad with the approval of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Sameh Atef El Zein [ar]– Son of Atif, writer and author of works such as Islam and the Ideology of Humanity

Sarah El Zein [ar] – Daughter of Bashar, poet and writer in the Arab world.

See also

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  • Ahmad El Zein – actor in Lebanon and the Arab world

References

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  1. ^ بيروت, هنا. "عباس الزين يفوز بجائزته الثانية في الأدب غير الروائي في أستراليا عن كتابه: "رصاصة ورقة صخرة"". hunabeirut.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  2. ^ "Queensland Literary Awards 2024 winners announced". Books+Publishing. 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  3. ^ a b c "سليمان الزين", ويكيبيديا (in Arabic), 2022-12-21, retrieved 2024-12-26
  4. ^ a b سبيتي, الشيخ علي. تاريخ عائلات عامل.
  5. ^ a b الأميني النجفي, عبد الحسين. شهداء الفضيلة لآية الله [The Martyrdom of the Virtuous Ayatollah Abdul Hussein Al-Amini Al-Najafi] (in Arabic). pp. 273–281.
  6. ^ ترجمة الشيخ علي الزين - تكملة أمل الآمل - السيد حسن الصدر - باب العين - ترجمةرقم 248.
  7. ^ a b c d الأمين, السيد محسن. خطط جبل عامل [The Lines of Jabal Amel by Sayyed Mohsen Al-Amin] (in Arabic).
  8. ^ a b Harris, William (2012-06-12). Lebanon: A History, 600 - 2011. Oxford University Press. p. 122. ISBN 978-0-19-972059-0.
  9. ^ كتاب "عبد المجيد الزين" - صفحة 23، 27، 134 - لا ناشر - إعداد وإصدار رابطة آل الزين (in Arabic). pp. 23, 27, 134.
  10. ^ Mishāqa, Mikhāyil (1988-01-01). Murder, Mayhem, Pillage, and Plunder: The History of the Lebanon in the 18th and 19th Centuries by Mikhāyil Mishāqa (1800-1873). SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-88706-712-9.
  11. ^ كتاب (عبد المجيد الزين) - لا ناشر -إصدار رابطة آل الزين - ملحق (من التاريخ) - صفحة 134 (in Arabic). p. 134.
  12. ^ ترجمة محمد سليمان الزين في كتاب أعيان الشيعة صفحة 350 المجلد التاسع (in Arabic). p. 350.
  13. ^ تاريخ الفرق الإسلامية - الشيخ خليل بن حسين بن سليمان الزين.
  14. ^ الأصول والفروع الإسلامية - الشيخ خليل بن حسين بن سليمان الزين.
  15. ^ راجع ترجمته في كتاب أعيان الشيعة للسيد محسن الأمين - المجلد 8 - صفحات 35 إلى 38.
  16. ^ راجع ترجمته في كتاب (عبد المجيد الزين)- إصدار رابطة آل الزين - لا ناشر - ملحق من التاريخ - صفحة 134 و 135 (in Arabic). pp. 134–135.
  17. ^ الخلفاء الراشدون - الشيخ محمد حسين بن عبد الكريم الزين.
  18. ^ الشيعة في التاريخ - الشيخ محمد حسين بن عبد الكريم الزين.
  19. ^ كتاب (عبدالمجيد الزين) - إصدار رابططة آل الزين - لا ناشر - ملحق (من التاريخ)- صفحة 135.
  20. ^ عصبة الأدب العاملي سنة ١٩٣٦ - الشيخ علي الزين.
  21. ^ دليل جنوب لبنان كتابا - المجلس الثقافي للبنان الجنوبي - الرقم 341 - الصفحة 208 و 209.
  22. ^ حسن (2016-10-26). "الدكتور حسن الزين... كبيرنا الذي رحل". جنوبية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  23. ^ Mem: 7602232. "Queensland Literary Awards 2024 winners announced | Books+Publishing". Retrieved 2024-12-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ كتاب "عبد المجيد الزين" - إعداد وإصدار رابطة آل الزين.
  25. ^ كتاب "عبد المجيد الزين" - صفحة 28 - لا ناشر - إعداد وإصدار رابطة آل الزين (in Arabic). p. 28.
  26. ^ الشيخ أحمد رضا - حوادث جبل عامل - تحقيق منذر جابر - هامش صفحة 31.
  27. ^ مذكرات جبل عامل - الشيخ أحمد رضا - صفحة 28، 108 - إصدار دار النهار (in Arabic). pp. 28–108.
  28. ^ عدنان محسن ضاهر ورياض غنام- المعجم النيابي اللبناني، بيروت 2007 - صفحة 247.
  29. ^ المعجم النيابي اللبناني - عدنان ضاهر ورياض غانم - طبع عام 2007 - صفحة 246.
  30. ^ الشيخ محمد بن سليمان الزين - رسائل في الفقه.
  31. ^ شرح النظام - الشيخ محمد بن سليمان الزين.
  32. ^ a b انظر ترجمة محمد بن سليمان الزين في كتاب تكملة أمل الآمل للسيد حسن الصدر - ترجمة رقم 332.
  33. ^ ترجمة محمد سليمان الزين في كتاب أعيان الشيعة صفحة 350 المجلد التاسع.
  34. ^ "معجم الشعراء العرب - تم جمعه من موقع الموسوعة الشعرية [الكتاب مرقم آليا] - مکتبة مدرسة الفقاهة". ar.lib.eshia.ir (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  35. ^ أعيان الشيعة - السيد محسن الأمين - المجلد التاسع - الرقم 690 - الصفحة 331 - ترجمة محمد رضا بن محمد بن سليمان الزين.
  36. ^ التاريخ الإسلامي - محمد رضا بن محمد بن سليمان الزّين.
  37. ^ آل الزين في التاريخ - محمد رضا بن محمد بن سليمان الزّين.
  38. ^ عبد الله الخاقاني (2000). موسوعة النجف الأشرف؛شعراء النجف في القرن الرابع عشر. بيروت، لبنان: دار الأضواء. ج. المجلد التاسع عشر. ص. 73.
  39. ^ كتاب (عبد المجيد الزين) - لا ناشر -إصدار رابطة آل الزين - ملحق (من التاريخ) - صفحة 137.
  40. ^ Humayid, Ayoub (1986), "Sheikh Ahmed Aref El-Zein, Founder of Al-Irfan", Al-Irfan.
  41. ^ Nahhas-ElZein, Raghda (1996). The Reformist Sheikh from Jabal Amil (Masters of Arts thesis). American University of Beirut.
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