According to the Sharia (revealed law) of Allah, women are
hidden treasures, neither to be displayed nor advertised. Theirs is a subtle,
fundamental and discreet domain. And hence the accurate information about
birth, death, marriage and number of children cannot be ascertained. Imam Ali
(AS) asked Bibi Fatima (SA) “who are the best among women?” Bibi replied “those
who do not see men nor are seen by them”
Bibi Zaynab (SA) was born in the year 5 AH. Angel Jibra’il
brought the name of the little girl to the Holy Prophet (P) and wept. On
enquiry he explained “this girl will be entangled in trials and tribulations in
this world. She will be separated from you and later on she will suffer the
loss of ImamAli (AS), Bibi Fatima (SA), and Imam Hasan (AS). The events of Karbala
will turn her hair grey and her back will be bent”
She grew up in extraordinary environment among the exemplary
personalities to learn from. After the death of her grandfather, she lost her
beloved mother when she was 7 years old. From early on, she developed an
unbreakable bond with Imam Husayn (AS).
She reflected the best attributes of those who raised her.
In sobriety and serenity, she was likened to Umm-ul-Momineen Khadija (SA); in
chastity and modesty to her mother Fatima (SA), in eloquence to Imam Ali (AS),
in forbearance and patience to her brother Imam Hasan (AS); and in bravery and
tranquility of the heart, to Imam Husayn (AS).
She was married to her cousin, Ja’far Tayyar.
She used to hold regular meetings for women in which she
shared her knowledge of Qur’an. She became known as Fasiha (skillfully fluent)
and Baligha (intensely eloquent)
When Imam Ali (AS) became caliph, she and her family moved
to Kufa and continued her sessions of teaching there. Imam Zainul Abedin (AS)
called her “Aalimah Ghayr Mu’allimah”, she who has knowledge without being
taught.
After the assassination and martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS), she
was submerged in grief and later returned to Medina
with her family.
Some 10 years later, she was again stricken with a grievous
loss of her brother, Imam Hasan (AS) who also fell victim to the schemes of
power hungry Bani Umayya.
Mu’awiya appointed his son Yazid as his successor and
pressurized Imam Husayn (AS) to pledge allegiance to him. Imam Husayn (AS) was
compelled to leave Medina in 60 AH.
The Imam, his family and companions arrived at Karbala
on 2nd Muharram. Water was cut-off from 7th and on the
day of Ashura by Asr, this small band of warriors of Islam was martyred.
Women’s veils were snatched and the tents looted and set on fire.
Now she was the in charge of the widows and orphans as Imam
Zainul Abedin (AS) was sick and unconscious. Next day, the prisoners were made
to sit on camels without seats and were led towards Kufa. People were jubilant
but some of them realized the sins they had committed and were crying. She
addressed them with a piercing eloquence and said:
“Praise be to Allah and blessings be on my grandfather
Muhammad (P) and his purified and chosen progeny. So now, O people who deceive
forsake and contrive, it is you who weep. May Allah not stop your tears and may
your chests burn incessantly with the fire of grief and sorrow. Your example is
that of a woman who assiduously prepare a strong rope and then untwines it
herself, wasting her own hard labor.
The victory of the voyage from Medina
to Mecca to Karbala
to Kufa and finally to Damascus was
achieved when Yazid came out in true colors. All along, the Yazidi army was
telling people that some one revolted against the government hence they were
killed and their women are the captives.
When the caravan-e-Karbala entered the court, Yazid was
hitting the lips of Imam Husayn (AS) and said “My ancestors who were killed at
Badr have been avenged today.
Now it is clear that Bani Hashim had just staged a play to
gain power and there was never any divine revelation.” Bibi Zaynab stood up
boldly and said “Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds and blessings on my
grandfather, the chief of divine Prophets”
O Yazid, Allah says “Then evil was the end of those who did
evil because they rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them
(30:10)”
She further said “O son of the freed slaves, is this your
justice that you keep your daughters and slave maids veiled while the daughters
of Prophet of Allah are being paraded from place to place exposed” O Yazid what
ever you have done proves your revolt against Allah and your denial of His
Prophet (P) and of the Book and Sunnah. Your deeds should not cause amazement
because one whose ancestors chewed the liver of martyrs, who fought against the
chief of divine prophets, should conspicuously excel all Arabs in unbelief,
sinfulness, excesses and enmity against Allah and His Prophet (P).
O Yazid, you are striking the lips of Imam Husayn (AS) while
these very lips used to be kissed by the Prophet (P) of Allah. By my life, by
killing the chief of youths of Paradise , the son of the
chief of Arabs (Imam Ali) and the shining sun of the progeny of Abdul Mutallib,
you have deepened our wounds and uprooted us completely.
O Yazid it is not seeming for you to swell with joy after
slaying the Prophet (P)’s progeny. ‘Reckon not those who are killed in Allah’s
way to be dead, nay they are alive and are provided sustenance from their Lord;
rejoicing in what Allah has given them out of His grace (3:169-170)
By the fearless and eloquent speeches of Bibi Zaynab (SA),
there was a general awakening in the masses and signs of revolt were apparent
hence Yazid decided to release the captives. A separate house was arranged to
mourn the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (AS) and his family and friends and thus
first Majlis was founded by Bibi Zaynab (SA). On their way to Medina ,
this caravan stopped at Karbala .
The exact date and place of her martyrdom is not known, but
probably she died six months after her return in 62 AH.
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