Growing up
in Medina
Zaynab (AS) 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, the
Prophet of Allah (PBUH&HF) her mother Fatima (AS), daughter of the
Prophet, and he'r father Imam Ali (AS), 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 (AS) married Umm ul-Banin, whose devotion
and piety encouraged Zaynab (AS) 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,
"Zaynab is the best
housewife."
From very early on she
developed an unbreakable bond of attachment to her brother Imam Husayn
(AS). 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 Fatima (AS)
mentioned the intensity of her daughter's love for Imam Husayn (AS) to
the Prophet (PBUH&HF). He breathed a deep sigh and said with moistened
eyes,
"My dear child. This
child of mine Zaynab would be confronted with a thousand and one
calamities and face serious hardships in Karbala."
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