It is going to deal with the personality of lady Zainab whose life teaches us that how a Muslim must bear the unbearable misfortunes for the sake of almighty Allah (J).
Lady Zainab (S) is such a knowledgeable lady about whom Imam Sajjad (A) says "She is a scholarly lady who has not been taught by any teacher." [1] Because she was brought up in a house where the revelation of the divine message was descended and she lived in the presence of seven infallibles' lights [2] and inherited merits and virtues of his grandfather the Holy Prophet Mohammad (S), her Father Imam Ali (A), her Mather Lady Fatimah Daughter of the Prophet (S).
Lady zainab's life especially her reaction towards the tragedy of Karbala is the real meaning of this 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 who are blessings and mercy from their Lord.” [3]
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. [4]
Lady Zainab stood like an unshakable mountain before all the unbearable misfortunes and adversities that she experienced in her life. This steadfastness of her showed that in the divine house of the prophets' daughter Zainab was fed with the core of true faith and the reality of Islam that made her at the head of Muslim women.
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. [5] But, God helped her to be steadfast standing all the misfortunes and adversities she encountered all over her life. That is to say lady Zainab's life as the granddaughter of the Holy Prophet (S) is the real meaning of the mentioned verse of the Holy Quran.
Notes:
[1] أَنْتِ بِحَمْدِ اللَّهِ عَالِمَةٌ غَيْرُ مُعَلَّمَةٍ فَهِمَةٌ غَيْرُ مُفَهَّمَة منتهی الامال، شیخ عباس قمی ج ۱ ص ۲۹۸
[2] ریاحین الشریعه، شیخ ذبیح الله محلاتی، ج ۳ ص ۳۹
[3] Chapter 2/155-7. وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ أُولَئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ
[4] Lady Zaynab, complier: Badr Shahin, p.74.
[5] See: Abu Mikhnaf, Almaqtal, English translation, published by Shia Ithnasheri Community of Middlsesex, chapter nine.
Lady Zainab (S), according to Imam Sajjad (A), is "a scholarly lady who has not been taught by any teacher." Lady zainab's life, especially her reaction towards the tragedy of Karbala, is the real meaning of this 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 who are blessings and mercy from their Lord.” [2/155] 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.” Lady Zainab stood like an unshakable mountain before all the unbearable misfortunes and adversities she experienced in her life.