Zainab, daughter of Ali

Dr. A.S. Hashim

Zainab’

Zainab’s Early DaysZainab’s Early Days

Born to Fatima and AliGrandfather: the Prophet (pbuh)Zainab shared with her brothers (Hasan and Husain) of being the unique models for people to look up to.  She did emulate and learn from the Prophet of Allah, her mother Fatima, and her father Ali.  In this remarkable family Zainab avidly absorbed the teachings of Islam.Here too she learned to master the unique household skills with great proficiency.

Zainab’

LineageLineage

Zainab

Ali Fatima

Prophet MuhammadAbu Talib

Zainab’

Zainab: Early LifeZainab: Early Life

Even as a young girl Zainab undertook the responsibility of running her father's household.She was generous in caring for her brothers and sisters, but frugal in her own wantsBy instinct Zainab was generous to the poor, homeless and orphans.After her marriage her husband is reported saying, “Zainab is the best wife by any means.”

Zainab’

Zainab: WomanhoodZainab: Womanhood

Zainab reflected the best attributes of those who raised her:1. In serenity she was likened to her grandmother

Khadijah; 2. In chastity and modesty to her mother Fatima; 3. In eloquence to her father Ali; 4. In forbearance and patience to her brother Imam

al‑Hasan; and5. In valor and ease at heart to Imam al‑Husain. Her face reflected her father's wonder and her grandfather's reverence.

Zainab’

In Medina: Educational ExpertiseIn Medina: Educational Expertise

In Medina Zainab held regular meetings for women:

1. She shared her knowledge and taught them the precepts of Islam. 

2. Her gatherings were well and regularly attended.

3. She imparted the teachings with such eloquence that she was known as Faseeha  and Baleegha (skillfully fluent)  فـصـيـحـه .(intensely eloquent)    بلـيــــغـه

Zainab’

In Kufa: Educational ExpertiseIn Kufa: Educational Expertise

Zainab and her husband accompanied Ali to Kufa during his KhilaafahHer reputation as an inspiring teacher among the women had preceded her. 1. In Kufa women thronged to her daily discourses,2. They benefited from her wealth of knowledge,

wisdom and scholarship in the exegesis of the Quran. 

3. The depth and certainty of her knowledge confirmed entitling by Imam Zainul Abideen as: 

4. “Alimah Ghayr Mu'allamah”    معلمه غـيـر , عـآلمـهmeaning (The knowledgeable without being taught).

Zainab’

To Accompany Al-HusainTo Accompany Al-Husain

Zainab begged her husband to allow her to accompany Imam Husain to Kufa.1. Her husband pointed out that the journey was fraught with

danger and hardship.2. Zainab insisted, saying, "My mother did not leave me behind to

watch from afar when Husain is all alone, surrounded by enemies!”

3. Then she added, “If I leave him now, how shall I face my mother, who at her death-bed had willed to me, `Zainab, after me you are both mother and sister for Husain’? “

Her husband wanted to accompany the Imam too, but he was sick, so he gave her and their two sons permission to go on the destined journey.

Zainab’

ZainabZainab

Decision to go to KarbalaDecision to go to Karbala

1. Husain

2. Husband3. Children

4. The Family5. The Aftermath

To Karbala

To Consider

Superb Courage and Magnimenous Resolve

Zainab’

Zainab and AshuraaZainab and Ashuraa

As the tenth day of Muharram, Ashuraa :dawned عاشـــوراء 1. Imam Husain went into the tent of his son Zainul

Abideen    العـــابديـن who was ill and too  زيـنweak to join his father in battle. 

2. Zainul Abideen was tended to by Zainab.3. Husain bade him farewell, saying, “Son!  After me

you are my successor and deputy. 4. Take care of these women and children during

captivity and the rigors of travel. Console them…” 

Zainab’

Zainab, Al-Husain and AshuraaZainab, Al-Husain and Ashuraa

Al-Husain turned to Zainab and the other women of the Benu Hashim هـاشـــم ,and said بـنـو1. “Take heed and remember that this [my] son is my

successor and Imam and He is the one to be obeyed.” 

2. Then to Zainab he said, “When the enemy kills me, they may strip me out of my clothes.

3. So please bring me some tattered garment to wear so the enemy may leave my body clothed." 

4. With a heavy heart Zainab did just as requested. 

Zainab’

Zainab, on AshuraaZainab, on Ashuraa

The bloody battle raged all day:1. One by one Imam Husain’s sons, kinsmen and

supporters were slain on the battlefield. 2. When Zainab's sons were killed she bore their death

with amazing fortitude.  a. She did not come out of her tent, nor did she loudly lament

for she did not wish to jolt her brother at such a critical moment.

3. But when the limp body of Ali Akbar (the son of Imam Husain) was brought to the tent Zainab became distraught and horrified.  a. Oblivious of her head cover she rushed out and clasped Ali

Akbar’s body sobbing in agony, “O’ my son!  Would that I had become blind or been buried beneath the ground as not to have seen this day.” 

Zainab’

ZainabZainab

In the final clash Husain was wounded many times until he fell off his horse. 1. His enemies surrounded him and attacked him with

swords and spears.2. Al-Husain’s head was severed by Shimr. 3. Then the fighting came to an end,4. Remaining family watching all this outrage, shocked

and enraged, and with tents still burning:Zainab takes charge:1. Collecting the terrified children and other women2. Tending to Zainul Abideen3. Preparing to face Ibn Ziyad

Zainab’

Zainab within a Few DaysZainab within a Few Days

Imam al-Husain Killed

Companions Killed

Zainab Faces the Impossible

Family Members Killed

Manage the ordeal of the family

Confront Ibn Ziyad and Yazid

Zainab’

Zainab in Karbala AftermathZainab in Karbala Aftermath2. In Charge after

Karbala3. Confront Ibn

Ziyad and Yazid1. Support Husain

Heaviest Responsibility: Managed Brilliantly

ZainabZainab

Zainab’

Zainab after the Imam was SlainZainab after the Imam was Slain

The bodies of the Imam and his supporters lay bareThe bodies were trampled upon by the horses.The heads were severed and put on tip of spears.The distraught Zainab rushed to Zainul Abideen informing him of the catastrophe. Zainab raised the curtain of the tent door for Zainul Abideen to see for himself.Zainul Abideen exclaims: “My father has been killed, and so has the wellspring of honor”.Zainul Abideen requests that the women to conduct themselves with patience and forbearance;…

Zainab’

Zainab: Once Husain was SlainZainab: Once Husain was Slain

As shocking as the events were, Zainab got busy gathering:1.the frightened children and 2.young women who had dispersed in fright, scattered

all around, 3.among them was the 4 year old, Al-Baaqir. 

Zainab became the protective, assuring and binding force for all. All this despite their tents being on fire, and notwithstanding the calamity and confusion.

Zainab’

Zainab: One day after HusainZainab: One day after Husain

The next day members of the Prophet's family were made to leave for Kufa to be presented to the Governor Ibn Ziyad زيـاد . إبـنAmong the prisoners were:– Zainab, Umm Kulthoom, Imam Zainul-Abideen, – three young sons of Imam Hasan, and – other daughters of Imam Husain.

On their way a heart-rending sight met their eyes:– The bodies of the martyrs lay scantily clothed, on the burning

sand, disfigured and bloodied. – The enemy had not buried them, although they had buried their

own dead. 

Zainab’

Zainab: in KufaZainab: in Kufa

Kufa was then regarded as the principal city of Islam.  – Imam Ali had made it his capital during his Khilaafah and – Zainab and Umm Kulthoom had once lived in it happily. – Now they came to this city as captives. 

It was night when they arrived at the city, and the palace of Ibn Ziyad was shut, so they were made to camp outside. When informed of their arrival Ibn Ziyad ordered to invite all without distinction. – The head of Imam Husain was to be placed on a tray near the

court chair, and the heads of the other martyrs were also to be displayed. 

– Zainab became furious, and she addressed the people in eloquent courageous manner

Zainab’

Zainab: Addresses the PeopleZainab: Addresses the People

"..… O’ People!  Know that:– you have been guilty of the worst crime in the world– have prepared the worst provision for your Hereafter. – May you be doomed and may destruction overtake you!  – You have become the victim of Allah's wrath and have fallen into

ignominy and degradation.  O’ people of Kufa! Woe unto you. – Do you realize which piece of Muhammad's heart you have

severed, – which pledge you have broken, – whose blood you had shed and – whose honor you have desecrated?!!!… Allah is certainly

keeping watch over you.”

Zainab’

Zainab: in Leaving KufaZainab: in Leaving Kufa

Having stayed for a month and seven days in Kufa they were made to set off for Damascus.They were escorted by a large force of horsemen and footmen, so that none should intercept their journey.With the somber escort the caravan left Kufa on the eighteenth day of Safar. All suffered extreme hardship on their way to Damascus.Damascus was no less than 600 miles away:– The scene was gruesome because the heads of their beloved

were carried on tips of spears before their very eyes.– It took about 28 days, on the 16th of Rabi' al-Awwal, for the

caravan to reach Damascus. 

Zainab’

Zainab: in DamascusZainab: in Damascus

On the outskirts of Damascus they were made to halt. Yazid was informed of their arrival and he fixed a date for their entry into the city.  On the morning of the appointed day, the family of the Prophet (pbuh) was led into Damascus. – The city streets were decorated and people came out in throngs

believing that rebels were subdued and were paraded– Thus they were paraded, all 44 of them, as captives.

The head of al-Husain was then brought to Yazid on a golden tray.  – Yazid touched the lips of al-Husain playfully with his stick, – A Sahaabi then exclaimed:  “I have seen the lips of the Prophet

kiss these very same lips.” – Upon hearing that, Yazid was brought to his senses and the

gravity of the heinous crime became very obvious

Zainab’

Zainab About KarbalaZainab About Karbala2. Incessant

Speeches3. Exposing Benu

Umayya1. Starting Majlis

Magnificent Obsession: Delivered Brilliantly

ZainabZainab

Zainab’

Zainab Addressing Yazid #1Zainab Addressing Yazid #1

Zainab addressed the apprehensive and somber audience: – "Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds and

blessings on my grandfather, the Master of the Prophets. 

– O Yazid, Allah says, and His word is true that:– ه الل بآيات كذبوا أن وأى الس أساؤوا ذين ال عاقبة كان ثم

يستهزئون بها وكانوا– In the long run evil in the extreme will be the End of

those who do evil; for that they reject the Signs of Allah, and hold them up to ridicule.

Zainab’

Zainab Addressing Yazid #2Zainab Addressing Yazid #2

"…O’ Yazid, do you think you have achieved the worldly goods by these atrocities, andthat your affairs have risen and our rule has fallen into your hands?Wait for a while. Do not be so joyful. Have you forgotten Allah's saying: 

ألنفسهم خير لهم نملي ما أن كفروا ذين ال يحسبن وال  مهين عذاب ولهم إثما ليزدادوا لهم نملي ما إن

Let not the Unbelievers think that Our respite to them is good for themselves: We grant them respite that they may grow in their iniquity: But they will have a dreadful punishment.

"Yazid! O son of a freed slave! Is this justice that you keep your own daughters and slave maids protected while the daughters of the Prophet of Allah are being paraded from place to place exposed."

Zainab’

Zainab Addressing Yazid #3Zainab Addressing Yazid #3

"O’ Yazid, what you had done proves:1. your revolt against Allah and 2. your denial of His Prophet (pbuh) and 3. You denial of the Book and Sunnah that the Holy Prophet

brought from Allah. Your deeds should not cause amazement because:1. one whose ancestors chewed the livers of the martyrs, 2. whose flesh grew upon virtuous people, 3. who fought against the Master of Divine Prophets, 4. who mobilized parties for fighting against the Prophet and drew

swords against him, Such person should conspicuously excel all Arabs in disbelief, sinfulness, excesses, and enmity against Allah and His Prophet"

Zainab’

Zainab’s EffectZainab’s Effect

Through Zainab’s decorum but fearless speeches and– from the word that spread as a result of their journey, – the lies of Yazid were fully exposed, and

People came to know of the truly gruesome events of Karbala. – Their hearts were wretchedly stirred, they were shocked.  – Not only the captivity and humiliation of the Prophet’s family, but

also Zainab’s speeches made an ever large number of people aware of the tragedy.

As such, Yazid could see worrisome repercussions about to happen.  – This meant that a grave danger to his rule was ahead– To prevent such a future mishap, he decided to release the

captives. 

Zainab’

Zainab: AfterwardsZainab: Afterwards

To ameliorate the effect of his atrocities, and to prevent trouble by the public:1. Yazid provided a large house for them in the residential sector

of Damascus.  2. Here Zainab held her first gathering for the mourning (Majlis

Azaa عـزاء .of Imam Husain (   مجـلـس3. The women of Benu Hashim arrived clad in black, with heads

uncovered, weeping in a heart rending manner.  4. Imam Zainul Abideen sat on the carpet of Imam Husain and

then Zainab told the women of Syria what had befallen them. 5. The women became overtaken with grief, shed tears and

mourned. 6. When they went home these women passed on the terrifying

news to their men-folk. 

Zainab’

Zainab: Later onZainab: Later onYazid gave a choice of either staying in Damascus or returning to Medina. Zainab decided to return to MedinaNu'man ibn Bashir, (a companion of the Holy Prophet) was ordered to make arrangement for their journey. 1. A contingent of horsemen, foot-soldiers and adequate provisions

were made available. 2. Gaily decorated litters with velvet seats were provided, but Zainab

ordered that these should be covered in black so that people would know about their plight and that the travelers were in mourning. 

When the citizens of Damascus learned that the members of the Holy Prophet's family were leaving: 1. the women came to the house for a last farewell. 2. Many people accompanied the caravan for part of the journey and

then returned to their homes with heavy hearts.  During the journey Nu'man ibn Bashir showed the travelers every consideration and respect. 

Zainab’

Zainab: to Karbala AgainZainab: to Karbala Again

They returned to Medina by way of Karbala. In Karbala they found Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansaari and others of Benu Hashim already there.– Jabir and others had come to pay homage at the

grave of Imam Husain. It is related that:– They had brought the severed head of Imam Husain

with them– and in Karbala it was rejoined with his body by his son

Imam Zainul-Abideen. – A great Majlis was held before they resumed their

journey to Medina.

Zainab’

Zainab: In MedinaZainab: In MedinaOn arriving, the 56 year old Zainab was remorseful, drained, weary, but very determined.– The weight of the world seemed to be on her shoulders, for such was

the effect of the catastrophic events of the past 4 months.After a short while in Medina, however, Zainab lost no time: – To incessantly speak about the horrendous events of Karbala– And the savagery and inhumanity of Yazid and Benu Umayya. 

So effective her speeches were and so persistently presented that the governor of Medina was alarmed that a revolt may soon be the result.No one could match the quality of her speeches, be it in content or way of delivery:– They were masterly, dignified, effective, captivating, and

delivered in a superb manner.– The Majlis became a forum to discuss the resolve of Imam

Husain versus the inequity and wickedness of Yazid– The news spread all over Medina, and the horrendous events of

Karbala were heart rending to all concerned.

Zainab’

Zainab: SpeeachesZainab: Speeaches

Very invigorated, Zainab continued to broadcast with unparallel gusto:1. the purpose of Karbala2. The greed for power by Benu Umayya3. The injustice dealt to the Prophet’s family4. The Jahiliyah manners and conduct 5. The horrendous events and the violence6. All executed at the hands of Muslims behaving in

such a savage manner, under the orders of Yazid.  She did this until she died.  Nothing would ever distract her otherwise.

Zainab’

Zainab dies in SyriaZainab dies in Syria

Zainab lived about one year after the torturous trials she had to bear.She withstood the impossible ordeal and carried out spreading the news everywhere, most successfully.It is claimed that she died in Syria, at the age of 57 in the year 62AH:– Imam Husain died at age of 57– Imam Zainul Abideen died at age of 57 too– Imam Al-Baaqir died at age of 57 also.

Zainab’

ZainabZainabIt was due to Zainab’s valor, courage, and eloquence to proclaim to the world the sacrifices made by Imam Husain and others for Islam.  Fearless, and with courage and gallantry, she exposed the evil deeds of Ibn Ziyad and Yazid.  Had it not been for her, the sacrifice of Karbala might have faded into oblivion.  She endured physical and mental anguish with remarkable fortitudeShe was a source of strength to all around her. The sorrow and grief she expressed was an outpouring of her intense humanity. Never did she rebel against the destiny decreed by Allah. The strength of her submission to the Almighty was divine, yet her lamentation poignantly human. 

Zainab’

The Spirit of ZainabThe Spirit of Zainab

 The spirit of Zainab will live forever. Her courage, forbearance, and submission will continue to inspire those who hear her story for all time to come.  It is said that because of a famine that swept through Medina, her husband temporarily moved his family to a village near Damascus, and– it was there while praying in a garden that Zainab fell

victim to a serious illness from which she never recovered.

Zainab’

5. Broadcasting Karbala

4. Exposing the evil of Yazid

PrivilegesPrivileges

2. Sister of al-Hasan and al-Husain 3. Heroine of

Karbala1. Daughter of

Fatima and Ali

An Endowment to the Truth

ZainabZainab

With best wishesWith best wishes

May Allah Bless you all