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Who
was Zaynab? Why do we look up to her? She was the granddaughter of
Prophet Muhammad and Khadija, the daughter of
Fatima
az-Zahraa and Ali, the sister of the Youths of Paradise, Hassan and
Hussein, and the beloved aunt of Imam Ali Zayn al Abideen. With such a
blessed family, Zaynab had such perfect examples to look up to.
A
narration says that Zaynab’s characteristics represented each of her
family member: in her seriousness and calmness she was Khadija; in her
modesty and pureness her mother Fatimah; in her meaningfulness, her
father Imam Ali; in her restraint and capacity to endure, her brother
Imam Hassan; and in courage and lion-hearted, her brother Imam Hussein.
Prophet
Muhammad said to Fatima ,
“My
dear child, this child of mine, Zaynab, would be confronted with a
thousand and one calamities and face serious hardships in Karbala.”
We
have been aware of her actions and speeches through a dramatic event in
her life: The Massacre of Karbala. We were able to see how she
reflected the light of Ahl-ul-Bayt, and her love for them. Imam Hussein
and Zaynab actions' during afflicted times showed us what they really
stood for and meant. Imam Hussein gave his life for the sake of Islam,
and Zaynab was there to stand up to his words, to defend them, and
carry it on with the symbolism of her patience.
After
the tragic battle of
Karbala
,
no one was left (accept her weak nephew), to stand up to the oppression
and speak the truth. In this case for Zaynab, it was an obligation for
her to stand up to the tyranny Yazid.
Now
knowing the life of Zaynab and the tragedies of
Karbala
that she went through, how
many of us are actually thankful for today? Thankful in knowing that
she stood up and spoke out to make sure there would be a tomorrow for
Islam, Ahl-ul-Bayt, and so we could have the honorable title as Shia.
Always remember how Zaynab stood up to the enemies with the
characteristics of Ahl-ul-Bayt in her.
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