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SAYYIDA
ZAYNAB (A.S.)
Birth: Thursday 5th Jamadil-Awwal 6 A.H. in Madina
Parents:
Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) & Sayyida Fatima Zahra (a.s.)
Titles: ‘Siddiqa’ (Truthful), ‘Sabira’
(Patient), ‘Aqeelah’ (Most Intelligent)
Zaynab
means
‘Ornament’ or ‘the adornment of her father’. This name was given to her
by Allah (SWT) through the Holy Prophet (saww) who was alive during her
birth. Historians write:
When Zaynab (a.s.) was born, the Holy Prophet (saww) was not present in
Madina. Sayyida Fatima (a.s.) asked Imam Ali (a.s.) to name the child
but he refused and said,
“I cannot
take preference over your father. I will therefore wait for him (to
return)”. When the Holy Prophet (saww)
returned to Madina and he was informed about the birth of a female
child, he (saww) said, “Fatima’s
children are my children but only Allah (SWT) decides in their matter”.
Jibrael descended and said,
“O
Prophet of Allah! Allah (SWT) sends His greetings to you and says that
the child should be named ZAYNAB”. The Holy
Prophet (saww) then took the child in his arms, kissed her and said,
“It is my desire that this child be
honoured for she resembles Khadeejatul-Kubra (a.s.)”
(Namoona-e-Sabr:
Zaynab)
Zaynab
(a.s.) grew up into a fine young woman whose character reflected the
best attributes of those who raised her. In serenity, she was likened to
her grandmother Khadeejah (a.s.); in chastity and modesty, to her mother
Fatima az-Zahra (a.s.); in eloquence, to her father Ali bin Abi Talib
(a.s.); in forbearance, to her brother al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a.s.); and
in bravery and tranquillity of heart, to her another brother al- Husayn
(a.s.).
HER
INTELLIGENCE & KNOWLEDGE:
Zaynab
(a.s.)
was known
as
‘Aqeelatu
Bani Hashim
meaning
‘the most intelligent of the children of Hashim’. It is related that as
a child of only five years, Zaynab (a.s.) was once sitting on the lap of
her father Ali (a.s.). He (a.s.) asked her to say
“One” and she repeated, “One”.
Thereafter, he (a.s.) asked her to say
“Two” but Zaynab (a.s.) kept quiet. When her father asked,
“Zaynab! Why aren’t you saying ‘two’?”
She replied, “Once the heart has accepted ‘the One’ (in reference
to One God), how can the tongue say ‘two’?” (Chauda Sitaare)
Regarding
her knowledge, Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) once addressing his aunt
Zaynab (a.s.) said,
“You O Aunt! Alhamdulillah are such a knowledgeable person whom no one
has taught”
implying
that her knowledge was a Divine gift.
Sayyida
Zaynab (a.s.) had profound knowledge of Islam. She understood the Divine
laws and possessed the knowledge of Quran. History relates that when
Zaynab (a.s.) was living in Madina, she used to conduct sessions for the
womenfolk of Madina teaching them the
Ahkaam
‘Shari’ah
Laws’. When Imam Ali (a.s.) officially assumed the role of Caliph and
chose the city of Kufa as his capital, Sayyida Zaynab (a.s.), migrated
to Kufa with her father. There, the womenfolk of Kufa came to Imam Ali
(a.s.) to request him to allow Zaynab (a.s.) to conduct sessions for
them. Permission was granted and she taught
Ahkaam
and the
Tafseer of the Holy Quran.
(Chauda
Sitaare)
On the auspicious occasion of the birth of Sayyida Zaynab (a.s.), we
extend our heartiest greetings and felicitations to our 12th
Living Imam, Imam al-Hujjah (A.J.) and to all the followers of Ahlul-Bayt
(a.s.)
Mulla
Mujaheedali Sheriff
mulla@almahdi.org.uk |