Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.), the third child of the Infallible Commander
of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) and the Lady of Paradise, Sayyida Fatima Zahra
(s.a.); the sister of the Princes 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 Prophet (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 Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) was not in Madinah at that time. On his
return, as usual, he went straight to Sayyida 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’il descended and conveyed the name for the newborn and began
to cry. On inquiry, he replied: “O Prophet of Allah! From early on in
life, this girl will be entangled in trials and tribulations. First, she will
cry over your separation from her; thereafter she will bemoan the loss of her
mother, her father, her brother Hasan. After all this, she will be confronted
with the trials at the land of Karbala because 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 looked after her brothers and
sister. From early age, she was generous to the poor and the orphans.
In her character, she represented the best attributes of those who
raised her. In sobriety and sincerity, she was like Ummul Momineen Khadija
(s.a.), her grandmother; in chastity and modesty to her mother Sayyida 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 Hashem 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 Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s.), he prayed for his sustenance. He was raised by the Noble Prophet
(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 and Ahlul Bayt
(a.s.). Her gatherings were well attended. She was able to impart the teachings
with such clarity and eloquence that she was known as Fasiha
(skillfully fluent) and Baligha (intensely eloquent).
In the year 37 A.H., when Imam Ali (a.s.) became the formal
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 Mu’allamah”-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. Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) witnessed the pieces of her brother’s liver because
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 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 Hashem
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 of 6 months. After the massacre,
the so-called Muslims desecrated the women, looted and set on fire the camps.
Sayyida Zaynab (s.a.) took charge of the situation, saved Imam
Sajjad (a.s.), 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 ropes. 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 condole 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 Muslims 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 could 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 to
this day, dynamism to every movement for freedom in the world that aimed at
removing injustice and oppression.
She was martyred by yet another hypocrite caliph in the year 62
A.H. and was buried in Damascus, Syria.
Please refer to my articles:
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 by Dr. Ibrahim Ayati,
WIKIPEDIA, Ziaraat.com
No comments:
Post a Comment