§ayeda -Gone.
2009-04-30 16:13:19 UTC
The Life of Bibi Zainab (A.S.)
Name :Zainab
Kunyat :Umm-ul-Massaib
Title : Siddiqa-e-Sughra
Father :Imam Ali (A.S.)
Mother :Bibi Fatema (A.S.)
Birth :5 Jamaada Al Ula (5 AH)
Death :15th Rajab
Buried :Damascus
Sayyeda Zainab (sa), the daughter of Imam Ali (as) and Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (sa), was an exemplary woman of great ability, intelligence, knowledge, insight, courage and perseverance; she performed her divine duties to the best of her ability. She was born to a family formed by Prophet Muhammad (saw), the most outstanding figure in history. The Prophet's wife Sayyeda Khadija (sa) a devoted woman, was her maternal grandmother, and her paternal grandmother was Fatima daughter of Assad, who mothered and nursed Prophet Muhammad (saw). The members of the family, in trio hierarchical order, were all great.
Sayyeda Zainab (sa) was a brilliant star in the mandate sky that received rays of holiness from the five suns. It was through her holy origins and pious edification that she manifested so great a fortitude in Karbala (Iraq).
The life of the daughter of Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (sa) was always laden with hardships, but she never feared coping with difficulties, this enhanced her endurance and elevated her soul.
She had barely attained the tender age of seven when her beloved mother passed away. Her mother's death had closely followed her cherished grand father's passing away. Some time later Imam Ali (as) married Ummul Banin (sa), whose devotion and piety encouraged Sayyeda Zainab (sa) in her learning.
Whilst still a young girl she was fully able to care for and be responsible for the running of her father's household. As much as she cared for the comforts and ease of her brothers and sisters, in her own wants she was frugal and unstintingly generous to the poor, homeless and parentless. After her marriage her husband is reported as having said, "Zainab is the best housewife."
From very early on she developed an unbreakable bond of attachment to her brother Imam Hussein (as). At times when as a baby in her mother's arms she could not be pacified and made to stop crying, she would quieter down upon being held by her brother, and there she would sit quietly gazing at his face. Before she would pray she used to first cast a glance at the face of her beloved brother, Imam Hussein (as).
One day Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (sa) mentioned the intensity of her daughter's love for Imam Hussein (as) to Prophet Muhammad (saw). He breathed a deep sigh and said with moistened eyes, "My dear child, this child of mine Zainab would be confronted with a thousand and one calamities and face serious hardships in Karbala."
Sayyeda Zainab (sa), the sage of Bani Hashim
Ibn Abbas quoted Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (sa) as having said that her daughter Zainab, like her father, was unparalleled in literary eloquence and courage. The speech she delivered in the assembly in presence of Yazid was at the zenith of eloquence and impressiveness. (Refer Famous Women, Dr. Ahmed Beheshti, and p.51)
After the demise of Prophet Muhammad (saw), there came the period of distress and hardship in the life of Sayyeda Zainab (sa). She stood by her mother as far as the question of supreme mandate of her father was concerned. When her mother delivered the Fadak sermon, she was only 4 years old, but narrated the sermon so lucidly and expressively that the people from Bani Hashim remembered it by heart. Later the Shiite scholars recorded it that is why she is called Zainab the narrator of traditions.
Sayyeda Zainab's (sa) Marriage
Sayyeda Zainab (sa) grew into a fine stature young woman. When the time came for marriage, she was married in a simple ceremony to her first cousin, Abdullah Ibn Ja'far Tayyar. Her marriage settlement was equal to that of her mother's. Imam Ali (as) told Abdullah Ibn Ja'far Tayyar not to prevent Sayyeda Zainab (sa) from going on a journey with Imam Hussein (as), her brother.
Abdullah Ibn Ja'far Tayyar had been brought up under the direct care of Prophet Muhammad (saw). After his death, Imam Ali (as) became his supporter and guardian until he came of age. He grew up to be a handsome youth with pleasing manners and was known for his sincere hospitality to guests and selfless generosity to the poor and needy.
Although Sayyeda Zainab's (sa) husband was a man of means, she lived a modest life, not a life of luxury. She and her husband were charitable to the needy people. The Arab tribes called Abdullah Ibn Ja'far Tayyar "the sea or the cloud of munificence".
The marriage of Sayyeda Zainab (sa) did not diminish her strong attachment to her family. Together this young couple had five children, of whom four were sons, Ali, Aun, Muhammad, and Abbas, and one daughter, Umm Kulthum.
Sayyeda Zainab (sa) and Imamate
In her life Sayyeda Zainab (sa) always saw the evildoers, oppressors, insurgents and break