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Messenger of the Karbala
Revolution
The lunar month of Jamadi-Awwal 5th marks the birth anniversary of Hazrat
Zainab (SA) the magnanimous daughter of Imam Ali (AS). The noble Lady of
Islam safe-guarded the holy religion of Islam by conveying the message of
the martyrs of the Karbala Movement through her fervent speeches which
served to awaken Muslims all over the world. We have strove to honor the
memory of this valiant untiring messenger through this brief article
which is as follows:
Zainab (SA) was the auspicious offspring of the unique couple, the
Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS) and Hazrat Fatima (SA).
When the baby-girl was brought before the Prophet (SAW), he held her in
his lap and kissed her. Angel Jibrail came to him and conveyed the name
that was to be hers and then began to weep. The Prophet (SAW) asked Angel
Jibrail why he wept and he answered:
“O Prophet of Allah! From early in her life, this girl will remain
entangled in tribulations and trials of this world. First she will weep
over your separation (from this world). Thereafter she will mourn the
loss of her mother, then her father, and then her brother Hassan. 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 gray and her back will be bent.”
The life and example of Zainab (SA) crystallized the figure of the ideal
woman in Islam. Her versatile and innumerable virtues and sublime
personality, modesty, chastity and knowledge reminded one of her mother,
Fatima (SA). In the realm of devotion and dignity, she followed the
example of Bibi Khadija (SA) (Zainab’s grandmother). Traces of her
father’s awe-inspiriting speeches can be found in her eloquent, fervent
orations. Her revolutionary patience and forbearance was a reminder of
her brother, Imam Hussain (AS).
During her childhood, Zainab (SA) used to rest on her father’s bosom,
listening carefully to register his esteemed teachings in her fresh and
keen mind.
Once Imam Ali (SA) asked his beloved daughter to repeat the number “one”
after him. Zainab (SA) obeyed the father’s order. However, she refused to
reiterate number “two” after the Imam (AS).
When she was asked to justify her deed, she said:
“Dear father, how can a tongue which has got used to saying “one”
(referring to the Unity of Allah), reiterate word “two”.
Upon hearing his daughter’s meaningful assertion, Imam Ali (AS) became
delighted and caressed and kissed her. Monotheism, in its truest sense,
was deeply-rooted in her pure soul since her early childhood.
Another day, she asked her father: “O, father! Do you like me?”
“Sure, how can I not like you?” Imam Ali (AS) replied.
Zainab (SA) said: “Dear father, affection and the feeling of devotion
only befit Allah, the Great, and what I request is your kindness.”
Such a belief reflects the height of gnosticism and insight in Zainab
(SA). It also bespeaks of her monotheistic beliefs in other dimensions.
However, the perception of such unique and exalted merits in her, is not
surprising since she was an offspring of Fatima (SA) and was nourished at
the virtuous lap of such a magnanimous mother. Zainab’s (SA) noble character
was thus instructed by the spirit of her mother, Fatima (SA).
Besides, she was brought up in the company of two great Imams: Imam
Hassan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS) and enjoyed the companionship of the
Holy Prophet (SAW), Imam Ali (AS),
Fatima (SA).
In her character she reflected the best attributes of those who raised
her. In sobriety and severity, she was likened to Ummul-Muminin
Hazrat Khadija (SA) - her grandmother. In chastity and modesty to her
mother Fatimat uz -Zahra (SA); in eloquence to her father Imam Ali (AS);
in forbearance and patience to her brother Imam Hassan (AS) and in
bravery and tranquillity of the heart to Imam Hussain (AS). Her face
reflected her father’s awe and her grandfather's reverence.
In Medina,
it was Zainab’s (SA) practice to hold regular meetings for women in which
she shared her knowledge and taught them the precepts of the religion
(Deen) of Islam as laid out in the Holy Qur’an. 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 intensely eloquent (Balighah).
The depth and certainty of her knowledge earned her epithel given to her
by her nephew, Imam Zaynul-Abidin (AS) of ‘Alimah ghayr
Mu’allamah’ - she who has knowledge without being taught by anyone.
Zainab (SA) also Nicknamed Zahidah
She was also named Zahidah (Abstemious) and Abidah
(Devoted) because of her abstemiousness and piety. She found little
interest in worldly adornments. She always preferred the bliss and
comfort of the next world over that of this world. Zainab (SA) held such
an elevated position in the field of science as well as insight and wisdom,
that she was usually referred to as an all-knowing scientist whose
overflowing knowledge was not acquired from any specific school or
teacher.
The indisputable competence, insight and mental growth seen in Zainab
(SA) were so noteworthy that her brother, Imam Hussain (AS) revealed his
secret will to her before attaining martyrdom. In a bid to safeguard the
life of the 4th Imam (AS) who would take over the Imamate after
Imam Hussain (AS), he called Zainab (SA) his successor for a while.
Gnosticism and Devotion to Allah
Hazrat Zainab (SA) in her great enthusiasm to fulfill religious duties
including daily obligatory prayers, etc. had taken example from her
beloved mother, Hazrat Fatima (SA). Even on the very same night
when her brother. Imam Hussain (AS) attained martyrdom on the Day of
Ashura (i.e. 10th Muharram, 61 AH), indeed one of the most distressing
and arduous nights of her life, she prayed her mid-night prayers. It is
narrated that, on that night her brother Imam Hussain (AS) asked her to
remember praying for him in her mid-night prayers.
Her Devotion and Self-sacrifice
Although her husband, Abdullah ibn Ja’far Tayyar, was a wealthy man and
enjoyed a comfortable life, Zainab (SA) preferred to accompany her
brother on his tiresome and adventurous trip to
Karbala
. She even sent her two beloved
sons, Muhammad and Oun to help Imam Hussain (AS) in carrying out his
mission at the
desert
of
Karbala
. Both
her two sons were martyred in the battlefield.
Her Role in the Negation of Oppression
Zainab (SA) assumed the task of delivering the message of the martyrs of
Karbala
to the
people of her time and to the generation to come. She spared no time
disclosing the plots hatched by the ruling system to distort the real
importance of the Karbala Movement. Her provocative speeches delivered in
the Court of Yazid in Kufa, when taken as a captive, still echo
throughout the Muslim World.
Delivering a fiery speech in Kufa, at the seat of Ibn Ziyad, she
condemned and unveiled his inhumane attitude. In a long speech in
Damascus
at Yazid’s
court, she castigated vicious Yazid and cursed him because of his
mischievous acts. She said:
“O Yazid! You are an oppressor and have inherited cruelty and atrocity
from your ancestors. You are the grandson of “Hind” who
disemboweled the martyr of Uhud (referring to Prophet’s uncle, Hamzah)
and ate his liver. Hence, we cannot expect more than this from you. I
regard confronting you as a shame. Now that I have been brought here at
your court as a captive you and your gaudy court seem so worthless to me
and I still curse and rebuke you with all my might.”
Thus was how Zainab (SA) relayed the message of the martyrs of
Karbala
to the
people, enlightening their minds towards the realities. Through her
awe-inspiring speeches, she sought to disclose the tyranny of Umayyad’s
rulers. Like sparks of fire, her fiery speeches would penetrate deep into
the hearts of the staunch enemies, making them tremble on their feet.
Indeed, it is with the deepest feeling of sorrow that we condole on this
day, commemorating the death anniversary of this great lioness to Muslims
all over the world, especially to those devoted women who are making her
an example and are striving to carry out her holy mission.
Source: e-resaneh
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