Thursday, February 2, 2017

SAYYIDA ZAYNAB BINTE ALI (S.A.)

Sayyidah Zaynab (s.a.), the third child of the Pure and Infallible Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) and the Lady of Paradise, Sayyidah Fatima Zahra (s.a.); the sister of the Leaders of Paradise, Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Hussayn (a.s.).
Her title was Siddiqah-e-Sughra. Her kuniyat was Ummul Masa’ib. Like her brothers, her name was given by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Zaynab means “The Adornment of Her Father”.
She was born on 5th Jamadi-al-Awwal, 5 A.H. in Madinah. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was not in Madinah at that time. On his return, as usual, he went straight to Sayyidah Fatima Zahra’s house and he was given the news of her birth. While he was holding Sayyidah Zaynab (s.a.) in his lap, Archangel Jibra’eel descended and conveyed the name for the newborn and then he began to cry. On inquiry from the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), he replied: “O Prophet of Allah! From early on in life, this girl will be entangled in trials and tribulations in this world. First she will cry over your separation from her; thereafter she will bemoan the loss of her mother, then her father, then her brother Hasan. After all this, she will be confronted with the trials at the land of Karbala as a result of which her hair will turn gray and her back will be bent.”
After the sad demise of her mother when she was only seven years old, she took care of her father’s household and also looked after her brothers and sister. From young age, she was generous to the poor and orphans.
In her character, she represented the best attributes of those who raised her. In sobriety and sincerity, she was likened to Ummul Momineen Khadija (s.a.), her grandmother; in chastity and modesty to her mother Sayyidah Fatima Zahra (s.a.), in eloquence to her father Imam Ali (a.s.). Her face reflected the awe of her father and her grandfather’s reverence.
After the sad demise of her grandfather, there came the period of distress and hardship. When her mother gave the sermon of Fadak, she was only four years old, but narrated the sermon so lucidly and expressly that the people from Bani Hashim remembered it by heart. She is called Zaynab, the narrator of traditions.
Marriage: She was married in a simple ceremony to her first cousin Hazrat Abdullah ibn Jaffer al-Tayyar. Hazrat Jaffer was martyred in the battle, and when Hazrat Abdullah, a young boy, was brought to the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), he prayed for his sustenance. He was raised by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and after his death by Imam Ali (a.s.).He grew up into a handsome youth with pleasing manners and was known for his sincere hospitality and selfless generosity to the poor and needy. Imam Ali (a.s.) told Hazrat Abdullah not to prevent Sayyidah Zaynab (s.a.) from going on a journey with her brother Imam Hussayn (a.s.).
Although her husband was a man of means, yet she lived a modest life, not a life of luxury. The marriage did not diminish her strong attachment to her family. Together this young couple had five children, of whom four were sons; Ali, Aun, Muhammad, and Abbas, and one daughter Umme Kulsoom.
In Madinah, Sayyidah Zaynab (s.a.) held meetings of women in which she shared her knowledge and taught them the precepts of Islam as laid down in the Glorious Qur’an and practiced by the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.s.) and Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). Her gatherings were well and regularly attended. She was able to impart the teachings with such clarity and eloquence that she was known as Fasi'ha (skillfully fluent) and Bali'gha (intensely eloquent).
In the year 37 A.H., when Imam Ali (a.s.) became the worldly Caliph, he moved the capital to Kufa, Sayyidah Zaynab (s.a.) and her husband also moved to Kufa.  Her reputation as an inspiring teacher had preceded her. In Kufa, women would throng to her daily sittings where they all were benefitted from her erudition, wisdom, and scholarship in the exegesis of the Glorious Qur’an. The depth and certainty of her knowledge earned her the name given to her by her nephew, the Infallible Imam Zain-al-Abedin (a.s.), of Alimah Ghayr-e- Mu’allemah, ‘one who has knowledge without being taught.’
Fateful Journey to Karbala: After Imam Ali (a.s.) was martyred by the most evil creature in the world, Imam Hasan (a.s.) succeeded his father. But the crafty Muawiya trapped him by his usual treacherous weapons of money and sword and eventually he managed to poison the “Prince of Paradise” by his wife, Ja'dah binte Ash'as. Sayyidah Zaynab (s.a.) witnessed the pieces of her brother’s liver as a result of the poison. In complete contravention of the covenants of peace treaty with Imam Hasan (a.s.), Muawiya appointed Yazid as his heir- apparent and expedited efforts to obtain allegiance from the influential leaders. When Muwiya died, Yazid ordered the governor of Madinah to either obtain Imam Hussayn (a.s.)’s allegiance or kill him! Imam Hussayn (a.s.) left for Makkah along with his sister Sayyidah Zaynab (s.a.) and other members of Bani Hashim and his companions. From Makkah the Imam (a.s.) proceeded to Karbala, where this band of the Saviors of Islam, were mercilessly butchered by the hypocrites, not leaving even the Imam (a.s.)’s infant, Ali al-Asghar, of 6 months. After the massacre, the so-called Muslims desecrated the women, looted and set on fire the camps. Sayyidah Zaynab (s.a.) took charge of the situation, saved Imam Sajjad (a.s.) from the flames of the burning tents, consoled and protected the women and children. This “Caravan of Truth” was paraded from Kufa to Damascus with the Daughters of the Prophet without head-cover; their hands were fastened with the ropes at their backs. The Bani Umayyiyad wanted to disgrace and damage the Ahlul Bayt morally. But the Iron Lady of Karbala delivered bold and daring speeches full of eloquence and uncovered the hypocritical faces of Yazid and his forefathers. Ultimately, when Yazid feared an uprising, he offered to release the Family of the Prophet of Islam!
Foundation of Majils-e-Aza: When Yazid offered the release and asked for anything he could do, Imam Sajjad (a.s.) asked Sayyidah Zaynab (s.a.) who said that they could not mourn the Martyrs of Karbala. Hence a house was placed at their disposal and Sayyida Zaynab organized the first Majlis-e-Aza for her brother Imam Hussayn (a.s.) and other martyrs of Karbala. She would describe in detail the events of Karbala and the Shahadat of every martyr. After every majlis, men would offer their condolences to Imam Sajjad (a.s.) and women would offer condolence to Sayyidah Zaynab (s.a.). These majalises made quite a stir in the cities, and sounds of crying and beating chests and heads affected the minds of the inhabitants and made them sadder and wiser to the events of
Karbala. It was the victory of truth that the tyrant was forced to provide a place where his oppression was allowed to be publicized to the people!
This tradition which lived in the minds and hearts of millions of Muslims, has kept the sacrifices of Imam Husayn (a.s.) alive, and brought dynamism to every movement for freedom in the world that aimed at eliminating injustice and oppression.
She was martyred by yet another hypocrite in the year 62 A.H. and was buried in Damascus, Syria.

The following articles may also be referred:
Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) binte Ali (a.s.), Bibi Zaynab (s.a.)’s Journey of Courage and Ziarat-e-Hazrat Zaynab (s.a.)

Sources used:
The Victory of Truth by Muna Haeri Bilgrami
A Probe into the History of Ashura


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