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The Life of Zaynab binte
Ali
Name:
ZainabTitle: Siddiqa-e-SughraKunyat:
Umm-ul-MassaibBorn at: Medina on 5th Jamadi ul
AwwalFathers Name: HaDhrat Ali-MurtaDha (AS)Mother's
Name: Janab e Fatema Zahra (AS)
Angelic Appelation
It was five years after the Muslims had accompanied the Prophet
(PBUH&HF) and his family in the migration (Hijrah) to Medina, when the
Holy Prophet's daughter, Hadrat Fatima (AS), gave birth to a little girl.'
When her father, Imam Ali (AS), saw his daughter for the first time
Imam Husayn (AS), who was then almost three years old, was with him. The
boy exclaimed in delight, "O father, Allah has given me a sister."
At those words Imam Ali (AS) began to weep, and when Husayn (AS) asked
why he was crying so, his father answered that he would soon come to know.
Fatima (AS) and Ali (AS) did not name their child until a few days
after her birth, for they awaited the Prophet's return from a journey so
that he could propose the name.
When finally the baby girl was brought before him he held her in his
lap and kissed her. The Angel Jibra'il came to him and conveyed the name
that was to be hers, and then he began to weep. The Prophet (PBUH&HF)
asked why Jibra'il wept and he answered,
"O Prophet of Allah. From early on in life this girl will
remain entangled in tribulations and trials in this world. First
she will weep over your separation (from this world); thereafter she
will bemoan the loss of her mother, then her father, and then
her brother Hasan.
After all this she will be confronted with the trials of the land
of Karbala and the tribulations of that lonely desert, as a result
of which her hair will turn grey and her back will be bent."
When the members of the family heard this prophecy they all broke down
in tears. Imam Husayn (AS) now understood why earlier his father had also
wept. Then the Prophet (PBUH&HF) named her Zaynab (AS).
When the news of Zaynab's birth reached Salman al-Farsi, he went to Ali
(AS) to congratulate him. But instead of seeing him happy and rejoicing he
saw Ali (AS) shed tears, and he too was apprised of the events of Karbala
and the hardships that were to befall Zaynab (AS).
One day, when Zaynab (AS) was about five years old, she had a strange
and terrible dream. A violent wind arose in the city and darkened the
earth and the sky. The little girl was tossed hither and thither, and
suddenly she found herself stuck in the branches- of a huge tree. But-the
wind was so strong that it uprooted the tree. Zaynab (AS) caught hold of a
branch but that broke. In a panic she grabbed two twigs but these top gave
way and she was left falling with no support. Then she woke up. When she
told her grand father, the Prophet (PBUH&HF), about this dream he wept
bitterly and said,
"O my daughter. that tree is me who is shortly going to
leave this world. The branches are your father Ali and your
mother Fatima Zahra, and the twigs are your brothers Hasan and
Husayn. They will all depart this world before you do, and you
will suffer their separation and loss."
Growing up in Medina
Zaynab (AS) shared with her brothers and sister the extraordinary
position of having such examples to look up to, emulate and learn from, as
her grand father, the Prophet of Allah (PBUH&HF) her mother Fatima
(AS), daughter of the Prophet, and he'r father Imam Ali (AS),
cousin-brother of the Prophet. In the pure environment that enveloped her
she absorbed the teachings of Islam that her grandfather imparted, and
after him her father. Here too she learnt to master all household skills
with great proficiency.
She had barely attained the tender age of seven when her beloved mother
passed away. Her mother's death had closely followed her cherished grand
father's passing away. Some time later Imam Ali (AS) married Umm ul-Banin,
whose devotion and piety encouraged Zaynab (AS) in her learning.
Whilst still a young girl she was fully able to care for and be
responsible for the running of her father's household. As much as she
cared for the comforts and ease of her brothers and sisters, in her own
wants she was frugal and unstintingly generous to the poor, homeless and
parentless. After her marriage her husband is reported as having Said,
"Zaynab is the best housewife."
From very early on she developed an unbreakable bond of attachment to
her brother Imam Husayn (AS). At times when as a baby in her mother's arms
she could not be pacified and made to stop crying, she would quieten down
upon being held by her brother, and there she would sit quietly gazing at
his face. Before she would pray she used to first cast a glance at the
face of her beloved brother.
One day Fatima (AS) mentioned the intensity of her daughter's love for
Imam Husayn (AS) to the Prophet (PBUH&HF). He breathed a deep sigh and
said with moistened eyes,
"My dear child. This child of mine Zaynab would be
confronted with a thousand and one calamities and face serious
hardships in Karbala."
Womanhood
Zaynab (AS) grew into a fine statured young woman. Of her physical
appearance little is known. When the tragedy of Karbala befell her in her
midfifties she was forced to go out uncovered. It was then that some
people remarked that she appeared as a 'shining sun' and a 'piece of the
moon'.
In her character she reflected the best attributes of those who raised
her. In sobriety and serenity she was likened to Umm ul-Muminin Khadija,
her grandmother (AS); in chastity and modesty to her mother Fatima Zahra
(AS); in eloquence to her father Ali (AS); in forbearance and patience to
her brother Imam Hasan (AS); and in bravery and tranquility of the heart
to Imam Husayn (AS). Her face reflected her father's awe and her
grandfather's reverence.
When the time came for marriage, she was married in a simple ceremony
to her first cousin, Abdullah ibn Ja'far Tayyar. Abdullah had been brought
up under the direct care of the Prophet (PBUH&HF). After his death,
Imam Ali (AS) became his supporter and guardian until he came of age. He
grew up to be a handsome youth with pleasing manners and was known for his
sincere hospitality to guests and selfless generosity to the poor and
needy.
Together this young couple had five children, of whom four were sons,
Ali, Aun, Muhammad, and Abbas, and one daughter, Umm Kulthum.
In Medina it was Zaynab's practise to hold regular meetings for women
in which she shared her knowledge and taught them the precepts of the Deen
of Islam as laid out in the Holy Quran. Her gatherings were well and
regularly attended. She was able to impart the teachings with such clarity
and eloquence that she became known as Fasihah (skillfully fluent) and
Balighah (intensely eloquent).
In the thirty-seventh year A.H. (after Hijrah), Imam Ali (AS) moved to
Kufa to finally take up his rightful position as khalifah. He was
accompanied by his daughter Zaynab (AS) and her husband. Her reputation as
an inspiring teacher among the women had preceded her. There too women
would throng to her daily sittings where they all benefitted from her
erudition, wisdom and scholarship in the exegesis of the Qur'an.'
The depth and certainty of her knowledge earned her the name given to
her by her nephew, Imam Ali Zayn ul-Abidin (AS), of 'Alimah Ghayr
Mu'allamah, 'she who has knowledge without being taught'.
Zaynab (AS) was also nicknamed Zahidah (abstemious) and 'Abidah
(devoted) because of her abstemiousness and piety. She found little of
interest in wordly adornments, always preferring the bliss and comfort of
the Next World over that of this world. She used to say that for her the
life of this world was as a resting place to relieve fatigue along a
journey.
Humble and of high morals, her main concern was to strive to please
Allah and in doing so she avoided anything which was the least bit
doubtful.
Ziyarat of Hazrat Zainab (AS)
The following ziyarat (verbal salutation) for Bibi Zaynab (AS) is
traditionally recited to obtain divine blessing while visiting her shrine
(in this case, in Damascus, Syria). It can also be recited at any other
time in remembrance of the example of courage and submission that she
presented to the world, particularly on the acknowledged days of her
birth, death, and during the month of Muharram.
Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of the Chief of prophets.
Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of the Master of the sanctuary
and the banner.
Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of him who was made to ascend to
(highest) heaven and reached the station of two bows' length (to
Allah) or even closer.
Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of the Leader of the pious.
Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of the support of the sincere
friends (of Allah)
Peace be upon you. Oh daughter of the Leader of the Deen.
Peace be upon you. Oh daughter of the Commander of the faithful.
Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of him who struck with the sword
of two blades.
Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of him who prayed towards the
two qiblahs [Jerusalem, then Mecca].
Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of Muhammad, the chosen.
Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of Ali, the content (with the
decree of Allah).
Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of Fatima, the radiant.
Peace be upon you, Oh daughter of Khadija, the elder.
Peace be upon you. Oh righteous one, pleasing (to Allah).
Peace be upon you, Oh learned, rightly guided one.
Peace be upon you, Oh generous, noble one.
Peace be upon you, Oh pious, pure one.
Peace be upon you, Oh you who were thoroughly tested by
sufferance like Husayn, the oppressed.
Peace be upon you, Oh you who were kept far from your home.
Peace be upon you, Oh you who were held captive in cities.
Source: Posting from ABDG
