1st Shabaan 1437 AH - Wiladat of Hazrat Zainab binte Ali(as)

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Name :
Zainab
Title :
Siddiqa-e-Sughra
Agnomen :
Umm-ul-Massaib
Father :
Imam Ali Amir al-Muminin(a.s.)
Mother :
Bibi Fatima-tuz-Sahra (s.a.)
Birth :
1st Shabaan, 5th Hijra, at Madina, Saudi Arabia
Death :
16th Zil-Hijjah at Damascus, Syria
 
Birth and Childhood
It was five years after the Muslims had accompanied the Prophet (pbuh&hf) and his family in the migration (Hijrah) to Medina, when the Holy Prophet's daughter, Bibi Fatima(s.a.), gave birth to a little girl. When her father, Imam Ali(a.s.), saw his daughter for the first time Imam Hussain(a.s.), who was then almost three years old, was with him. The boy exclaimed in delight, "O father, Allah has given me a sister." Hearing those words Imam Ali (a.s.) began to weep, and when Imam Hussain(a.s.) asked why he was crying so, his father answered that he would soon come to know.
Bibi Fatima(s.a.) and Imam Ali(a.s.) did not name their child until a few days after her birth, for they awaited the Prophet(pbuh&hf) to return from a journey so that he could propose the name. When finally the baby girl was brought before the Prophet(pbuh&hf), held her in his lap and kissed her. The Angel Jibra'il came to him and conveyed the name that was to be hers, and then he began to weep. The Prophet (pbuh&hf) asked why Jibra'il wept and he answered, "O Prophet of Allah. From early on in life this girl will remain entangled in tribulations and trials in this world. First she will weep over your separation (from this world); thereafter she will bemoan 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 grey and her back will be bent."
When the members of the family heard this prophecy they all broke down in tears. Imam Hussain(a.s.) now understood why earlier his father had also wept. Then the Prophet (pbuh&hf) named her Zainab(s.a.). When the news of the birth of Bibi Zainab(s.a.) reached Hazrat Salman al-Farsi(a.r.), he went to Imam Ali(a.s.) to congratulate him. But instead of seeing him happy and rejoicing he saw Imam Ali(a.s.) shed tears, and he too was apprised of the events of Karbala and the hardships that were to befall Bibi Zainab(s.a.).
One day, when Zainab(s.a.) was about five years old, she had a strange and terrible dream. A violent wind arose in the city and darkened the earth and the sky. The little girl was tossed hither and thither, and suddenly she found herself stuck in the branches- of a huge tree. But-the wind was so strong that it uprooted the tree. Bibi Zainab(s.a.) caught hold of a branch but that broke. In a panic she grabbed two twigs but these too gave way and she was left falling with no support. Then she woke up. When she told her grand father, the Prophet(pbuh&hf), about this dream he wept bitterly and said, "O my daughter. that tree is me who is shortly going to leave this world. The branches are your father Ali(a.s.) and your mother Fatima Zahra(s.a.), and the twigs are your brothers Hassan(a.s.) and Hussain(a.s.). They will all depart this world before you do, and you will suffer their separation and loss."
Bibi Zainab(s.a.) shared with-her brothers and sister the extraordinary position of having such examples to look up to, emulate and learn from, as her grand father, Prophet Mohammad(pbuh&hf) her mother Bibi Fatima(s.a.), daughter of the Prophet, and her father Imam Ali (a.s.), cousin-brother of the Prophet. In the pure environment that enveloped her she absorbed the teachings of Islam that her grandfather imparted, and after him her father. Here too she learnt to master all household skills with great proficiency.
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(a.s.) married Bibi Umm ul-Banin(a.s.), whose devotion and piety encouraged Bibi Zainab(s.a.) in her learning.
Her training and marriage
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 Hussain(a.s.). At times when as a baby in her mother's arms she could not be pacified and made to stop crying, she would quieten 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.
One day Bibi Fatima(s.a.) mentioned the intensity of her daughter's love for Imam Hussain(a.s.) to the Prophet(pbuh&hf). He breathed a deep sigh and said with moistened eyes, "My dear child. This child of mine Zainab(s.a.) would be confronted with a thousand and one calamities and face serious hardships in Karbala."
In her character she reflected the best attributes of those who raised her. In sobriety and serenity she was likened to Umm ul-Muminin Khadija(a.s.), her grandmother; in chastity and modesty to her mother Bibi Fatima Zahra(s.a.); in eloquence to her father Imam Ali(a.s.); in forbearance and patience to her rother Imam Hassan(a.s.); and in bravery and tranquility of the heart to Imam Hussain(a.s.). Her face reflected her father's awe and her grandfather's reverence.
When the time came for marriage, she was married in a simple ceremony to her first cousin, Abdullah ibn Ja'far Tayyar(a.s.). Hazrat Abdullah(a.s.) had been brought up under the direct care of the Prophet(pbuh&hf). After his death, Imam Ali(a.s.) 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. Together this young couple had five children, of whom four were sons, Ali, Aun, Muhammad, and Abbas, and one daughter, Umm Kulthum.
In Medina it was Bibi Zainab(s.a.)'s practise to hold regular meetings for women in which she shared her knowledge and taught them the precepts of the Deen of Islam as laid out in the Holy Quran. 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 Balighah (intensely eloquent).
In the thirty-seventh year A.H. (after Hijrah), Imam Ali(a.s.) moved to Kufa to finally take up his rightful position as khalifah. He was accompanied by his daughter Bibi Zainab(s.a.) and her husband. Her reputation as an inspiring teacher among the women had preceded her. There too women would throng to her daily sittings where they all benefitted from her erudition, wisdom and scholarship in the exegesis of the Quran.
The depth and certainty of her knowledge earned her the name given to her by her nephew, Imam Ali Zayn ul-Abidin(a.s.), of 'Alimah Ghayr Mu'allamah, 'she who has knowledge without being taught'.
Bibi Zainab(s.a.) was also nicknamed Zahidah (abstemious) and 'Abidah (devoted) because of her abstemiousness and piety. She found little of interest in wordly adornments, always preferring the bliss and comfort of the Next World over that of this world. She used to say that for her the life of this world was as a resting place to relieve fatigue along a journey.
 



1st Shabaan 1437 AH - Wiladat of Hazrat Zainab binte Ali(as)

 
As Salam-o-alaikum,
 
1st of Shabaan 1437 AH - the birth anniversary of Hazrat Zainab(sa) bint-e-Imam Ali(as). Another date mentioned in history is of 5th Jamadi-us-Sani as her date of birth.
 
On this happy occasion, I wish to extend my felicitations to our Holy
Prophet Mohammad(sawaw), Imam-e-Zamana(as), the Ahl-e-Bait(as) and to all momineen and mominaat.
 
As is the normal practice with the followers of Ahl-e-Bait(as), please allow me to remind you about offering nazrana and special prayers on this occasion to renew your allegiance to Prophet Mohammad(sawaw).
Please also recite the Ziarat of Bibi Zainab(sa) which is located at 
 
 
Sayyeda Zainab(as), the daughter of Imam Ali (as) and Sayyeda Fatima (as), was an exemplary woman of great ability, intelligence, knowledge , insight, courage and perseverance.  She was born in the Prophet's (sawaw) family, the most outstanding figure in human history. The Prophet’s wife Sayyeda Khadija was her maternal grandmother and her paternal grandmother was Fatima daughter of Assad, who mothered and nursed the Prophet(sawaw).
 
Hazrat Zainab(as) was a brilliant star that received rays of holiness from the five suns (Panjetan Pak as).  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 Hazrat Al-Zahra (as) was always laden with hardships, but she never feared coping with difficulties and this enhanced her endurance and elevated her soul.
 
The Birth of Janabe Zainab(as)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was born on the 5th of Jamadil Awwal (or 1st Shabaan) in the 5th Hijra, giving her a unique birth date of 5.5.5.  When Hazrat Zainab(as) was born, Imam Ali (as) asked for the Prophet’s advice as to her name, the same as it was in the case of Hassan(as) and Hussain(as). They gave Zainab in swaddling clothes to the Prophet(sawaw) and he waited for Allah’s message. Gabriel appeared and said she should be named Zainab. The Prophet(sawaw) kissed her. 
 
Janabe Zainab (as) - the sage of Bani Hashim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In her childhood, Zainab studied with the Prophet(sawaw), and when Imam Ali(as) moved to Kufa, the respected women of Kufa requested Imam Ali(as) through their husbands to allow them to benefit from the knowledge of Hazrat Zainab(as).  Imam Ali(as) complied with their request and the interested women learned from her the resounding wisdom of the Holy Qur'an.
 
Ibn Abbas quoted Hazrat Zahra(as) 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, p.51)
 
After the demise of the Holy Prophet(sawaw), there came the period of distress and hardship in the life of Hazrat Zainab(as). 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.
 
After the martyrdom of Hazrat Zahra(as), Zainab(as) suffered many calamities. Their house was attacked and the usurpation of her father's rightful caliphate was a great shock to her. Her sublime devotion to the cause of Allah and Islam endeared her to her father Ali(as), which reminded of her mother's endearment to her father, the Holy Prophet(sawaw).  All this was worthy of the grand status of Zainab(as).
 
Janabe Zainab(as)’s Marriage
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Abdullah son of Ja’far Tayyar, a nephew of Imam Ali(as) asked for Zainab’s hand, and Imam Ali(as) accepted it. Her marriage settlement was equal to that of her mother’s.  Imam Ali(as) told Ja'far not to prevent Zainab(as) from visiting Hussain(as) whenever she so desired and not to prevent her from going on a journey with Imam Hussain(as).
 
Although Zainab’s 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 ‘the sea or the cloud of munificence.’  
 
Abdullah was also noted for his standing with Imam Ali(as) in the holy wars (jihad). Ibn Hajar quoted the Prophet(sawaw) as having said that Abdullah was like him in character and had taken him by the right hand and prayed to Allah(swt) to extend His mercy over the household of Abdullah bin Ja'far.
 
The marriage of Hazrat Zainab(as) did not diminish her strong attachment to her family. Imam Ali(as) also felt a great affection for his daughter and nephew and when he became the Caliph of the Muslims and moved from Medina to Kufa, Zainab and Abdullah joined him. Hazrat Zainab(as) bore four boys by the names of Ali, Muhammad, Aun and Abbas and a girl, Umm Kulthum (as per sibt Ibn-e-Jozi). According to Sheikh Sadooq she had three boys – Ali, Jafer, Aun Akbar – and one daughter – Umm Kulthum.
 
Janabe Zainab (as) and Imamate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In her life she always saw the evildoers, oppressors, insurgents and breakers of covenants defy the truth and Imam Ali(as), the supporter of the truth and justice had to quell their revolts.  Finally, an evil hand gave Imam Ali(as) a stroke from a poisoned sword on his head in the mosque. After Imam Ali(as), his son Imam Hassan(as) became the Caliph. He was also greatly oppressed until at last he signed a peace treaty with the ruler of that time.  Imam Hassan(as) was poisoned by his treacherous wife, by the order of the Caliph of that time. After him, Imam Hussain(as) became the Imam, but the ruler of Syria violated the peace treaty and appointed his son as his successor and insisted that Imam Hussain(as) should pledge allegiance to him. Imam Hussain(as) refused to pledge allegiance and made up his mind to move to Makkah.
 
Janab Zainab(as) bade farewell to her husband and went with her brother accompanied by her sons Muhammad and Aun. They reached Makkah in the  year of Hijra 60AH.  Imam Hussain(as) was informed that some agents of the ruler of that time had come to Makkah to assassinate him while circumambulating the Holy Ka'bah. Imam Hussain(as) deemed it advisable to move to Kufa and let people know of his secret mission. They arrived at Karbala on the 2nd Muharram, 61 Hijra. Hazrat Zainab(as) had heard from her grandfather and father that Karbala would be the place where Imam Hussain(as) would be martyred.
 
Janabe Zainab(as) in Karbala
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zainab(as) is the shining sun in the history of Islam and of humanity. Her brother’s name and Karbala associate the idea of freedom, justice, humanity, virtue, fighting against despotism, with the realization of the sovereignty of Allah. The history of Karbala is based on two pillars: the rising of Imam Hussain(as) and the rising of Zainab(as). She was an outstanding figure in the history of Karbala endowed with divine steadfastness and fortitude. She sacrificed her two sons and one should not say anything if one devoted his life for the cause of Allah. After the martyrdom of her brother and her two sons, she said: ‘0 my Lord! Accept our humble sacrifice to You.’
 
When Zainab(as) reached Kufa, she addressed people with these words:  ‘Praise to Allah, and may the blessing of Allah be upon Muhammad and his progeny. 0h people of Kufa, you are hypocrites and deceitful. You feign to be sorry for the death of my brother and his companions. May you always shed tears. I find nothing in you but flattery, evil acts and thoughts, pride and spite and ill-will. By Allah! You deserve lasting sorrow instead of joy. Shame on you, your hands are stained with the blood of the son of the Holy Prophet, the one who was your sole refuge in case of adversity. By your evil act and disloyalty, you incurred the wrath of Allah against you. Woe betide you! No one will intercede with Allah for you.’ Her furious words provoked people of Kufa to avenge Hussein’s martyrdom. This frightened Ubaidullah and his cruel agents.
 
She also delivered a furious sermon in the court of the caliph that made his authority and despotic rule feel undermined. She said: ‘I fear no one but Allah. Make whatever evil plot you can. Blazes are waiting for you in the hereafter. You’ll be accountable to Allah for your atrocities.’
 
Online Books about Hazrat Zainab(as)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Please visit our online books library at http://www.ziyaraat.net/findbook.asp and type the following in the “Search” box to read three Urdu books about Hazrat Zainab(sa)
 
1.  Nabi ki Nawasi
2.  Musafira-e-Sham
3.  Ali(as) ki beti
4.  Namoona-e-Sabr – Zainab(sa)
5.  Majalis – Azmat-e-Hazrat Zainab(sa)
  1. Mazlooma-e-Karbala
 
 
Iltimas-e-dua,
Syed-Rizwan Rizvi
Webmaster, www.ziaraat.com
 
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Posted by: Rizwan Rizvi <rizvi...@yahoo.com>

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