2. Zainab’
Zainab’s Early Days
Born to Fatima and Ali
Grandfather: the Prophet (pbuh)
Zainab shared with her brothers (Hasan and
Husain) of being the unique models for people to
look up to.
She did emulate and learn from the Prophet of
Allah, her mother Fatima, and her father Ali.
In this remarkable family Zainab avidly absorbed
the teachings of Islam.
Here too she learned to master the unique
household skills with great proficiency.
3. Zainab’
Lineage
Zainab
Ali Fatima
Abu Talib Prophet Muhammad
4. Zainab’
Zainab: Early Life
Even as a young girl Zainab undertook the
responsibility of running her father's household.
She was generous in caring for her brothers and
sisters, but frugal in her own wants
By instinct Zainab was generous to the poor,
homeless and orphans.
After her marriage her husband is reported
saying, “Zainab is the best wife by any means.”
5. Zainab’
Zainab: Womanhood
Zainab reflected the best attributes of those
who raised her:
1. In serenity she was likened to her grandmother
Khadijah;
2. In chastity and modesty to her mother Fatima;
3. In eloquence to her father Ali;
4. In forbearance and patience to her brother Imam
al‑Hasan; and
5. In valor and ease at heart to Imam al‑Husain.
Her face reflected her father's wonder and her
grandfather's reverence.
6. Zainab’
In Medina: Educational Expertise
In Medina Zainab held regular meetings
for women:
1. She shared her knowledge and taught them
the precepts of Islam.
2. Her gatherings were well and regularly
attended.
3. She imparted the teachings with such
eloquence that she was known as Faseeha
( فـصـيـحـهskillfully fluent) and Baleegha
( بلـيــــغـهintensely eloquent).
7. Zainab’
In Kufa: Educational Expertise
Zainab and her husband accompanied Ali to
Kufa during his Khilaafah
Her reputation as an inspiring teacher among
the women had preceded her.
1. In Kufa women thronged to her daily discourses,
2. They benefited from her wealth of knowledge,
wisdom and scholarship in the exegesis of the
Quran.
3. The depth and certainty of her knowledge confirmed
entitling by Imam Zainul Abideen as:
4. “Alimah Ghayr Mu'allamah” , عـآلمـه غـيـر معلمه
meaning (The knowledgeable without being taught).
8. Zainab’
To Accompany Al-Husain
Zainab begged her husband to allow her to accompany
Imam Husain to Kufa.
1. Her husband pointed out that the journey was fraught with
danger and hardship.
2. Zainab insisted, saying, "My mother did not leave me behind to
watch from afar when Husain is all alone, surrounded by
enemies!”
3. Then she added, “If I leave him now, how shall I face my
mother, who at her death-bed had willed to me, `Zainab, after
me you are both mother and sister for Husain’? “
Her husband wanted to accompany the Imam too, but
he was sick, so he gave her and their two sons
permission to go on the destined journey.
9. Zainab’
Decision to go to Karbala
2. Husband
1. Husain 3. Children
To Karbala
Zainab To Consider
5. The Aftermath
4. The Family
Superb Courage and Magnimenous Resolve
10. Zainab’
Zainab and Ashuraa
As the tenth day of Muharram, Ashuraa
عاشـــوراءdawned:
1. Imam Husain went into the tent of his son Zainul
Abideen زيـن العـــابديـنwho was ill and too weak to
join his father in battle.
2. Zainul Abideen was tended to by Zainab.
3. Husain bade him farewell, saying, “Son! After me
you are my successor and deputy.
4. Take care of these women and children during
captivity and the rigors of travel. Console them…”
11. Zainab’
Zainab, Al-Husain and Ashuraa
Al-Husain turned to Zainab and the other
women of the Benu Hashim بـنـو هـاشـــمand said,
1. “Take heed and remember that this [my] son is my
successor and Imam and He is the one to be
obeyed.”
2. Then to Zainab he said, “When the enemy kills me,
they may strip me out of my clothes.
3. So please bring me some tattered garment to wear
so the enemy may leave my body clothed."
4. With a heavy heart Zainab did just as requested.
12. Zainab’
Zainab, on Ashuraa
The bloody battle raged all day:
1. One by one Imam Husain’s sons, kinsmen and
supporters were slain on the battlefield.
2. When Zainab's sons were killed she bore their death
with amazing fortitude.
a. She did not come out of her tent, nor did she loudly lament
for she did not wish to jolt her brother at such a critical
moment.
3. But when the limp body of Ali Akbar (the son of
Imam Husain) was brought to the tent Zainab
became distraught and horrified.
a. Oblivious of her head cover she rushed out and clasped Ali
Akbar’s body sobbing in agony, “O’ my son! Would that I
had become blind or been buried beneath the ground as
not to have seen this day.”
13. Zainab’
Zainab
In the final clash Husain was wounded many
times until he fell off his horse.
1. His enemies surrounded him and attacked him with
swords and spears.
2. Al-Husain’s head was severed by Shimr.
3. Then the fighting came to an end,
4. Remaining family watching all this outrage, shocked
and enraged, and with tents still burning:
Zainab takes charge:
1. Collecting the terrified children and other women
2. Tending to Zainul Abideen
3. Preparing to face Ibn Ziyad
14. Zainab’
Zainab within a Few Days
Zainab Faces the Impossible
Companions Killed
Family Members Killed
Imam al-Husain Killed
Manage the ordeal of the family
Confront Ibn Ziyad and Yazid
15. Zainab’
Zainab in Karbala Aftermath
2. In Charge after 3. Confront Ibn
1. Support Husain Karbala Ziyad and Yazid
Zainab
Heaviest Responsibility: Managed Brilliantly
16. Zainab’
Zainab after the Imam was Slain
The bodies of the Imam and his supporters lay bare
The bodies were trampled upon by the horses.
The heads were severed and put on tip of spears.
The distraught Zainab rushed to Zainul Abideen
informing him of the catastrophe.
Zainab raised the curtain of the tent door for Zainul
Abideen to see for himself.
Zainul Abideen exclaims: “My father has been killed, and
so has the wellspring of honor”.
Zainul Abideen requests that the women to conduct
themselves with patience and forbearance;…
17. Zainab’
Zainab: Once Husain was Slain
As shocking as the events were, Zainab got
busy gathering:
1.the frightened children and
2.young women who had dispersed in fright, scattered
all around,
3.among them was the 4 year old, Al-Baaqir.
Zainab became the protective, assuring and
binding force for all.
All this despite their tents being on fire, and
notwithstanding the calamity and confusion.
18. Zainab’
Zainab: One day after Husain
The next day members of the Prophet's family were
made to leave for Kufa to be presented to the Governor
Ibn Ziyad . إبـن زيـاد
Among the prisoners were:
– Zainab, Umm Kulthoom, Imam Zainul-Abideen,
– three young sons of Imam Hasan, and
– other daughters of Imam Husain.
On their way a heart-rending sight met their eyes:
– The bodies of the martyrs lay scantily clothed, on the burning
sand, disfigured and bloodied.
– The enemy had not buried them, although they had buried their
own dead.
19. Zainab’
Zainab: in Kufa
Kufa was then regarded as the principal city of Islam.
– Imam Ali had made it his capital during his Khilaafah and
– Zainab and Umm Kulthoom had once lived in it happily.
– Now they came to this city as captives.
It was night when they arrived at the city, and the palace
of Ibn Ziyad was shut, so they were made to camp
outside.
When informed of their arrival Ibn Ziyad ordered to invite
all without distinction.
– The head of Imam Husain was to be placed on a tray near the
court chair, and the heads of the other martyrs were also to be
displayed.
– Zainab became furious, and she addressed the people in
eloquent courageous manner
20. Zainab’
Zainab: Addresses the People
"..… O’ People! Know that:
– you have been guilty of the worst crime in the world
– have prepared the worst provision for your Hereafter.
– May you be doomed and may destruction overtake you!
– You have become the victim of Allah's wrath and have fallen into
ignominy and degradation.
O’ people of Kufa! Woe unto you.
– Do you realize which piece of Muhammad's heart you have
severed,
– which pledge you have broken,
– whose blood you had shed and
– whose honor you have desecrated?!!!… Allah is certainly
keeping watch over you.”
21. Zainab’
Zainab: in Leaving Kufa
Having stayed for a month and seven days in Kufa they
were made to set off for Damascus.
They were escorted by a large force of horsemen and
footmen, so that none should intercept their journey.
With the somber escort the caravan left Kufa on the
eighteenth day of Safar.
All suffered extreme hardship on their way to Damascus.
Damascus was no less than 600 miles away:
– The scene was gruesome because the heads of their beloved
were carried on tips of spears before their very eyes.
– It took about 28 days, on the 16th of Rabi' al-Awwal, for the
caravan to reach Damascus.
22. Zainab’
Zainab: in Damascus
On the outskirts of Damascus they were made to halt.
Yazid was informed of their arrival and he fixed a date
for their entry into the city.
On the morning of the appointed day, the family of the
Prophet (pbuh) was led into Damascus.
– The city streets were decorated and people came out in throngs
believing that rebels were subdued and were paraded
– Thus they were paraded, all 44 of them, as captives.
The head of al-Husain was then brought to Yazid on a
golden tray.
– Yazid touched the lips of al-Husain playfully with his stick,
– A Sahaabi then exclaimed: “I have seen the lips of the Prophet
kiss these very same lips.”
– Upon hearing that, Yazid was brought to his senses and the
gravity of the heinous crime became very obvious
23. Zainab’
Zainab About Karbala
2. Incessant 3. Exposing Benu
1. Starting Majlis Speeches Umayya
Zainab
Magnificent Obsession: Delivered Brilliantly
24. Zainab’
Zainab Addressing Yazid #1
Zainab addressed the apprehensive and somber
audience:
– "Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds and
blessings on my grandfather, the Master of the
Prophets.
– O Yazid, Allah says, and His word is true that:
– ثم ك ان ع اقبة الذين أس اؤوا السنوأ ى أن كذبنوا بيآي ات الل وك اننوا به ا يستهزئنون
ُُّ ْهَ ْهَ ْهَ هَّ نوُ ُئِ ْهَ ُئِ هَّ ْهَ ْهَ نوُ ُئِ ْهَ ْهَ ِزْ ْهَ ِزْ ُئِ نو
ُِئ ُنوُ هَّ ْهَ ْهَ ْهَ ُئِ ْهَ ْهَ هَّ ُئِ ْهَ ْهَ ْهَ نو
– In the long run evil in the extreme will be the End of
those who do evil; for that they reject the Signs of
Allah, and hold them up to ridicule.
25. Zainab’
Zainab Addressing Yazid #2
"…O’ Yazid, do you think you have achieved the worldly
goods by these atrocities, and
that your affairs have risen and our rule has fallen into
your hands?
Wait for a while. Do not be so joyful. Have you forgotten
Allah's saying:
ْْهَ ْهَ ْهَ ِزْس ْهَ هَّ هَّ ُئِ ْهَ ْهَ ْهَ نوُ ِزْ ْهَ هَّ ْهَ نوُ ِزُْئِ ْهَ نوُ ِزْ ْهَ ِزْ ل ٌ ْهَ نوُ ُئِ ُئِ ِز
وال يح ْهَبن الذين كفروا أنم ا نمل ي لهم خير ألنفسهم
ٌ ُئِ هَّ ْهَ نوُ ِزُْئِ ْهَ نوُ ِزْ ُئِ ْهَ ِزْ ْهَ نوُ ِزْ ُئِ ِزْ اً ْهَْهَ ِزْ نوُ ْهَ ْهَ ل ٌ ُّ ُئِ ل
إنم ا نمل ي لهم ليزدادوا إثم ا ولهم عذاب مهين
Let not the Unbelievers think that Our respite to them is good for
themselves: We grant them respite that they may grow in their
iniquity: But they will have a dreadful punishment.
"Yazid! O son of a freed slave! Is this justice that you
keep your own daughters and slave maids protected
while the daughters of the Prophet of Allah are being
paraded from place to place exposed."
26. Zainab’
Zainab Addressing Yazid #3
"O’ Yazid, what you had done proves:
1. your revolt against Allah and
2. your denial of His Prophet (pbuh) and
3. You denial of the Book and Sunnah that the Holy Prophet
brought from Allah.
Your deeds should not cause amazement because:
1. one whose ancestors chewed the livers of the martyrs,
2. whose flesh grew upon virtuous people,
3. who fought against the Master of Divine Prophets,
4. who mobilized parties for fighting against the Prophet and drew
swords against him,
Such person should conspicuously excel all Arabs in
disbelief, sinfulness, excesses, and enmity against Allah
and His Prophet"
27. Zainab’
Zainab’s Effect
Through Zainab’s decorum but fearless speeches and
– from the word that spread as a result of their journey,
– the lies of Yazid were fully exposed, and
People came to know of the truly gruesome events of
Karbala.
– Their hearts were wretchedly stirred, they were shocked.
– Not only the captivity and humiliation of the Prophet’s family, but
also Zainab’s speeches made an ever large number of people
aware of the tragedy.
As such, Yazid could see worrisome repercussions
about to happen.
– This meant that a grave danger to his rule was ahead
– To prevent such a future mishap, he decided to release the
captives.
28. Zainab’
Zainab: Afterwards
To ameliorate the effect of his atrocities, and to prevent
trouble by the public:
1. Yazid provided a large house for them in the residential sector
of Damascus.
2. Here Zainab held her first gathering for the mourning (Majlis
Azaa ) مجـلـس عـزاءof Imam Husain.
3. The women of Benu Hashim arrived clad in black, with heads
uncovered, weeping in a heart rending manner.
4. Imam Zainul Abideen sat on the carpet of Imam Husain and
then Zainab told the women of Syria what had befallen them.
5. The women became overtaken with grief, shed tears and
mourned.
6. When they went home these women passed on the terrifying
news to their men-folk.
29. Zainab’
Zainab: Later on
Yazid gave a choice of either staying in Damascus or returning to
Medina.
Zainab decided to return to Medina
Nu'man ibn Bashir, (a companion of the Holy Prophet) was ordered
to make arrangement for their journey.
1. A contingent of horsemen, foot-soldiers and adequate
provisions were made available.
2. Gaily decorated litters with velvet seats were provided, but
Zainab ordered that these should be covered in black so that
people would know about their plight and that the travelers were
in mourning.
When the citizens of Damascus learned that the members of the
Holy Prophet's family were leaving:
1. the women came to the house for a last farewell.
2. Many people accompanied the caravan for part of the journey
and then returned to their homes with heavy hearts.
During the journey Nu'man ibn Bashir showed the travelers every
consideration and respect.
30. Zainab’
Zainab: to Karbala Again
They returned to Medina by way of Karbala.
In Karbala they found Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansaari
and others of Benu Hashim already there.
– Jabir and others had come to pay homage at the
grave of Imam Husain.
It is related that:
– They had brought the severed head of Imam Husain
with them
– and in Karbala it was rejoined with his body by his son
Imam Zainul-Abideen.
– A great Majlis was held before they resumed their
journey to Medina.
31. Zainab’
Zainab: In Medina
On arriving, the 56 year old Zainab was remorseful, drained, weary,
but very determined.
– The weight of the world seemed to be on her shoulders, for such was
the effect of the catastrophic events of the past 4 months.
After a short while in Medina, however, Zainab lost no time:
– To incessantly speak about the horrendous events of Karbala
– And the savagery and inhumanity of Yazid and Benu Umayya.
So effective her speeches were and so persistently presented that
the governor of Medina was alarmed that a revolt may soon be the
result.
No one could match the quality of her speeches, be it in content or
way of delivery:
– They were masterly, dignified, effective, captivating, and
delivered in a superb manner.
– The Majlis became a forum to discuss the resolve of Imam
Husain versus the inequity and wickedness of Yazid
– The news spread all over Medina, and the horrendous events of
Karbala were heart rending to all concerned.
32. Zainab’
Zainab: Speeaches
Very invigorated, Zainab continued to
broadcast with unparallel gusto:
1. the purpose of Karbala
2. The greed for power by Benu Umayya
3. The injustice dealt to the Prophet’s family
4. The Jahiliyah manners and conduct
5. The horrendous events and the violence
6. All executed at the hands of Muslims behaving in
such a savage manner, under the orders of Yazid.
She did this until she died. Nothing would ever
distract her otherwise.
33. Zainab’
Zainab dies in Syria
Zainab lived about one year after the torturous
trials she had to bear.
She withstood the impossible ordeal and carried
out spreading the news everywhere, most
successfully.
It is claimed that she died in Syria, at the age of
57 in the year 62AH:
– Imam Husain died at age of 57
– Imam Zainul Abideen died at age of 57 too
– Imam Al-Baaqir died at age of 57 also.
34. Zainab’
Zainab
It was due to Zainab’s valor, courage, and eloquence to
proclaim to the world the sacrifices made by Imam Husain
and others for Islam.
Fearless, and with courage and gallantry, she exposed the
evil deeds of Ibn Ziyad and Yazid.
Had it not been for her, the sacrifice of Karbala might have
faded into oblivion.
She endured physical and mental anguish with remarkable
fortitude
She was a source of strength to all around her.
The sorrow and grief she expressed was an outpouring of
her intense humanity.
Never did she rebel against the destiny decreed by Allah.
The strength of her submission to the Almighty was divine,
yet her lamentation poignantly human.
35. Zainab’
The Spirit of Zainab
The spirit of Zainab will live forever.
Her courage, forbearance, and submission will
continue to inspire those who hear her story for
all time to come.
It is said that because of a famine that swept
through Medina, her husband temporarily moved
his family to a village near Damascus, and
– it was there while praying in a garden that Zainab fell
victim to a serious illness from which she never
recovered.
36. Zainab’
Privileges
2. Sister of al-Hasan
1. Daughter of and al-Husain 3. Heroine of
Fatima and Ali Karbala
Zainab
5. Broadcasting 4. Exposing the evil
Karbala of Yazid
An Endowment to the Truth
