Womanhood
Zaynab (AS) grew into a fine statured
young woman. Of her physical appearance little is known. When the
tragedy of Karbala befell her in her midfifties she was forced to go out
uncovered. It was then that some people remarked that she appeared as a
'shining sun' and a 'piece of the moon'.
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, her grandmother (AS); in chastity and
modesty to her mother Fatima Zahra (AS); in eloquence to her father Ali
(AS); in forbearance and patience to her brother Imam Hasan (AS); and in
bravery and tranquility of the heart to Imam Husayn (AS). 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. Abdullah had been brought up under the direct care of the
Prophet (PBUH&HF). 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.
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 Zaynab'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 (AS) moved to Kufa to finally take up his rightful
position as khalifah. He was accompanied by his daughter Zaynab (AS) 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 Qur'an.'
The depth and certainty of her
knowledge earned her the name given to her by her nephew, Imam Ali Zayn
ul-Abidin (AS), of 'Alimah Ghayr Mu'allamah, 'she who has knowledge
without being taught'.
Zaynab (AS) 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.
Humble and of high morals, her main
concern was to strive to please Allah and in doing so she avoided
anything which was the least bit doubtful.
Contributed by Br. Ali Abbas, abbas@seas.gwu.edu.
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