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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