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Newsletter for December 2014

 

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IMAM ALI (AS)'S DAUGHTER, ZAYNAB 

 

According to the Sharia (revealed law) of Allah, women are hidden treasures, neither to be displayed nor advertised. Theirs is a subtle, fundamental and discreet domain. And hence the accurate information about birth, death, marriage and number of children cannot be ascertained. Imam Ali (AS) asked Bibi Fatima (SA) “who are the best among women?” Bibi replied “those who do not see men nor are seen by them”

 Bibi Zaynab (SA) was born in the year 5 AH. Angel Jibra’il brought the name of the little girl to the Holy Prophet (P) and wept. On enquiry he explained “this girl will be entangled in trials and tribulations in this world. She will be separated from you and later on she will suffer the loss of Imam Ali (AS), Bibi Fatima (SA), and Imam Hasan (AS). The events of Karbala will turn her hair grey and her back will be bent”

 She grew up in extraordinary environment among the exemplary personalities to learn from. After the death of her grandfather, she lost her beloved mother when she was 7 years old. From early on, she developed an unbreakable bond with Imam Husayn (AS).

She reflected the best attributes of those who raised her. In sobriety and serenity, she was likened to Umm-ul-Momineen Khadija (SA); in chastity and modesty to her mother Fatima (SA), in eloquence to Imam Ali (AS), in forbearance and patience to her brother Imam Hasan (AS); and in bravery and tranquility of the heart, to Imam Husayn (AS).

She was married to her cousin, Ja’far Tayyar.

 She used to hold regular meetings for women in which she shared her knowledge of Qur’an. She became known as Fasiha (skillfully fluent) and Baligha (intensely eloquent)

When Imam Ali (AS) became caliph, she and her family moved to Kufa and continued her sessions of teaching there. Imam Zainul Abedin (AS) called her “Aalimah Ghayr Mu’allimah”, she who has knowledge without being taught.

 After the assassination and martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS), she was submerged in grief and later returned to Medina with her family.

 Some 10 years later, she was again stricken with a grievous loss of her brother, Imam Hasan (AS) who also fell victim to the schemes of power hungry Bani Umayya.

 Mu’awiya appointed his son Yazid as his successor and pressurized Imam Husayn (AS) to pledge allegiance to him. Imam Husayn (AS) was compelled to leave Medina in 60 AH.

The Imam, his family and companions arrived at Karbalaon 2nd Muharram. Water was cut-off from 7th and on the day of Ashura by Asr, this small band of warriors of Islam was martyred. Women’s veils were snatched and the tents looted and set on fire.

 Now she was the in charge of the widows and orphans as Imam Zainul Abedin (AS) was sick and unconscious. Next day, the prisoners were made to sit on camels without seats and were led towards Kufa. People were jubilant but some of them realized the sins they had committed and were crying. She addressed them with a piercing eloquence and said:

“Praise be to Allah and blessings be on my grandfather Muhammad (P) and his purified and chosen progeny. So now, O people who deceive forsake and contrive, it is you who weep. May Allah not stop your tears and may your chests burn incessantly with the fire of grief and sorrow. Your example is that of a woman who assiduously prepare a strong rope and then untwines it herself, wasting her own hard labor.

 The victory of the voyage from Medinato Mecca to Karbalato Kufa and finally to Damascus was achieved when Yazid came out in true colors. All along, the Yazidi army was telling people that some one revolted against the government hence they were killed and their women are the captives.

 When the caravan-e-Karbala entered the court, Yazid was hitting the lips of Imam Husayn (AS) and said “My ancestors who were killed at Badr have been avenged today.

 Now it is clear that Bani Hashim had just staged a play to gain power and there was never any divine revelation.” Bibi Zaynab stood up boldly and said “Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds and blessings on my grandfather, the chief of divine Prophets”

O Yazid, Allah says “Then evil was the end of those who did evil because they rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them (30:10)”

She further said “O son of the freed slaves, is this your justice that you keep your daughters and slave maids veiled while the daughters of Prophet of Allah are being paraded from place to place exposed” O Yazid what ever you have done proves your revolt against Allah and your denial of His Prophet (P) and of the Book and Sunnah. Your deeds should not cause amazement because one whose ancestors chewed the liver of martyrs, who fought against the chief of divine prophets, should conspicuously excel all Arabs in unbelief, sinfulness, excesses and enmity against Allah and His Prophet (P).

 O Yazid, you are striking the lips of Imam Husayn (AS) while these very lips used to be kissed by the Prophet (P) of Allah. By my life, by killing the chief of youths of Paradise, the son of the chief of Arabs (Imam Ali) and the shining sun of the progeny of Abdul Mutallib, you have deepened our wounds and uprooted us completely.

 O Yazid it is not seeming for you to swell with joy after slaying the Prophet (P)’s progeny. ‘Reckon not those who are killed in Allah’s way to be dead, nay they are alive and are provided sustenance from their Lord; rejoicing in what Allah has given them out of His grace (3:169-170)

 By the fearless and eloquent speeches of Bibi Zaynab (SA), there was a general awakening in the masses and signs of revolt were apparent hence Yazid decided to release the captives. A separate house was arranged to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (AS) and his family and friends and thus first Majlis was founded by Bibi Zaynab (SA). On their way to Medina, this caravan stopped at Karbala.

The exact date and place of her martyrdom is not known, but probably she died six months after her return in 62 AH.

 

 

 

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