It is a brief introduction to the life of lady Zainab, the granddaughter of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (S), who played a significant role in the event of Ashura.
Lady Zaynab was born and brought up in a house where the revelation of the divine message was descended. She inherited all merits and virtues that Almighty Allah (J) bestowed upon her grandfather the Holy Prophet Mohammad (S), her Father Imam Ali (A), her Mather Lady Fatimah Daughter of the Prophet (S), and her brothers Imam Hassan and Imam Hussein (A). In the very grand and divine family she was fed with the core of true faith and the reality of Islam that made lady Zaynab at the head of Muslim women. In fact, her heart was full of love for Almighty Allah (J) and belief in God that helped her to be steadfast standing all the misfortunes and adversities she encountered all over her life.
Lady Zaynab’s behavior and reaction towards the tragedy of Karbala is the best example of being firmly faithful and exclusively devoted to Almighty Allah (J). According to the historians and reporters of Ashura, when lady Zainab saw the bloody and severed body of her martyred brother, Imam Hussein (A), in Karbala, said that “O Allah, accept this offering from us.” On the very cruelest night, following the Ashura day, which is the most tragic night in the history, she offered a Thanksgiving Prayer while she was surrounded by the horrific tragedies and the bodies of the martyred Imam (A) as well as his pure companions. [1]
In the Holy Quran Almighty Allah (J) says “And give good news to the patient who, when a misfortune befalls them, say: Surely we are Allah’s and to Him we shall surely return. Those are they on whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord.” [2] In her life, lady Zaynab gave the best example of being patient and steadfast against misfortunes, because during her childhood she became deprived of her grandfather, the Prophet (S), and her mother, Lady Zahra (S).
Later on, she suffered from some other horrible events that her father was taken away from his divine position that the prophet (S) had chosen for him, and her father, mother as well as her brother, Imam Hassan (A), were mistreated by their enemies and martyred after the demise of the holy prophet (S). A few years later, on the tenth of Muharram 61 (AH) the Lady saw the ever bitterest adversities; her brother, Imam Hussein (A), with many of his family members, companions including children and even babies were martyred. [3]
Despite all the aforementioned unbearable misfortunes and adversities that Lady Zaynab experienced in her life, she stood like an unshakable mountain before them giving the best example if being steadfast to the mankind. As a head of Muslim women and granddaughter of the Holy Prophet (S), her life is the real meaning of the mentioned verse of the Holy Quran which says “And give good news to the patient who, when a misfortune befalls them, say: Surely we are Allah’s and to Him we shall surely return. Those are they on whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord.” Peace be upon her and her noble sons, who sacrificed themselves for the sake of Allah (J) before their mother, Lady zaynab, in Karbala! [4]
Notes:
[1] Lady Zaynab, complier: Badr Shahin, p.74.
[2] Chapter 2, verse 255-7.
[3] See: Abu Mikhnaf, Almaqtal, English translation, published by Shia Ithnasheri Community of Middlsesex, chapter nine.
[4] Abu Mikhnaf Almaqtal, English translation, published by Shia Ithnasheri Community of Middlsesex, p. 164.
Lady Zaynab was born and brought up in a house where the revelation of the divine message was descended, and she was fed with the core of true faith and the reality of Islam. She inherited all merits and virtues that Almighty Allah (J) bestowed upon her grandfather the Holy Prophet Mohammad (S), and his household. Lady Zaynab’s behavior and reaction towards the tragedy of Karbala is the best example of being firmly faithful and exclusively devoted to Almighty Allah (J). According to the historians and reporters of Ashura, when lady Zainab saw the bloody and severed body of her martyred brother, Imam Hussein (A), in Karbala, said that “O Allah, accept this offering from us.” Despite all the aforementioned unbearable misfortunes and adversities that Lady Zaynab experienced in her life, she stood like an unshakable mountain before them giving the best example if being steadfast to the mankind. In fact, her heart was full of love for Almighty Allah (J) and belief in God that helped her to be steadfast standing all the misfortunes and adversities she encountered all over her life.