Description

LINEAGE

Zaynab bint Ali (R.A) was born into the noble household of Banu Hashim in the year 626 AD in the city of Medina, which was the heart of early Islamic civilization. Zaynab (R.A) was the third child of Bibi Fatima (R.A) and Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (R.A), and their eldest daughter. The former was the daughter of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW), and the latter was his cousin.

LIFE

As a young child, Zaynab (R.A) might have foreseen her future trials: She is said to have seen in a dream that she was caught in a large tree amidst a storm. When the tree was uprooted by the strong winds, she grasped for branches and twigs, which also broke one after another, and she woke up as she began to fall. Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) told her that the tree, the branches, and the twigs represented her grandfather, parents, and brothers, respectively, who would all die before her. Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) died in 632 and Zaynab (R.A) thus lost her grandfather at an early age. Her mother, Fatima (R.A) died in the same year, within six months of Hazrat Muhammad’s (SAW) death.

Zaynab (R.A) married her paternal cousin Abd Allah, whose father Ja’far al-Tayyar ibn Abi Talib was Hazrat Muhammad’s (SAW) cousin and a prominent early Muslim. Abd Allah was wealthy and known for his generosity, even though he is said to have lived modestly. Accordingly, the marriage ceremony of Zaynab (R.A) and Abd Allah is described as a simple affair. The couple had four sons, named Ali (R.A), Awn (R.A), Abbas (R.A), and Muhammad (R.A).

Hazrat Ali (R.A) was elected caliph in 656, after which he established himself in Kufa as his de facto capital in 656–657. Zaynab (R.A) and Abd Allah accompanied Hazrat Ali (R.A) to Kufa. There he was assassinated during the Morning Prayer at the Mosque of Kufa in 661. Soon after Hazrat Ali’s (R.A) death, his eldest son Imam Hasan (R.A) was elected caliph in Kufa, but later abdicated in favor of Muawiyah. The peace treaty between Imam Hasan (R.A) and Muawiyah stipulated that the latter should not appoint a successor. Imam Hasan (R.A) returned to Medina after his abdication, accompanied by his family. Early sources are nearly unanimous that Imam Hasan (R.A) was later poisoned at the instigation of Muawiyah in 669, possibly to pave the way for the succession of his son Yazid. Zaynab (R.A) is said to have attended her brother Imam Hasan (R.A) in his final days.

Muawiyah appointed Yazid as his successor in 676, violating his agreement with Imam Hasan (R.A). Yazid, known for violating Islamic norms, faced resistance from Hazrat Muhammad’s (SAW) companions and sons. Yazid instructed the governor of Medina to secure Imam Hussain’s (R.A) pledge of allegiance by force. Imam Hussain (R.A) thus left Medina for Mecca at night to avoid recognizing Yazid as the caliph. He was accompanied by some relatives, including Zaynab (R.A) and two of her sons, namely, Awn (R.A) and Muhammad (R.A).

The Battle of Karbala, a profoundly significant event in Islamic history, took place on October 10, 680 AD (10th of Muharram, 61 AH), in present-day Iraq. It was a pivotal conflict between the forces of Yazid, the Umayyad caliph, and the followers of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (R.A), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). During the battle, Zaynab (R.A) played a crucial role in caring for the women and children in Imam Hussain’s (R.A) camp, ensuring their safety and providing them with solace amid the chaos of the conflict.

After the battle, Zaynab (R.A) faced the daunting task of preserving the legacy of Imam Hussain (R.A) and exposing the atrocities committed by the forces of Yazid. She delivered powerful speeches, condemning the injustice and oppression inflicted upon her family and urging people to stand up against tyranny and uphold the principles of truth and justice.

Zaynab (R.A) died in 682 at the age of about fifty-six, not long after returning to Medina from Damascus.

LEGACY

Hazrat Zaynab (R.A) exemplified remarkable courage and resilience, notably during the tragic events of the Battle of Karbala. Despite witnessing the martyrdom of her beloved brother Imam Hussain (R.A) and enduring immense hardships, she remained steadfast in her faith and principles.

She fearlessly spoke out against the injustices and emphasized the importance of standing up for truth and justice. Her dignified demeanor in the face of adversity serves as an enduring symbol of strength and perseverance. Zaynab’s (R.A) legacy echoes through generations, serving as a timeless reminder of the values of courage, resilience, and justice in the face of oppression.

LOCATION