Hazrat Zainab

(SA)

As Hazrat Zaynab (sa) grew up, many of the noblemen and great men of Arabia asked for her hand in marriage.
They thought that due to their wealth and high social position they would be successful in marrying Hazrat
Zaynab (sa).
For example, Ash'ath ibn-Qeis, who was one of the wealthiest men and a close relative to the first caliph, Hazrat
Abu Bakr, was very dignified, and thought his closeness to the first caliph would made it possible for him to
become the son-in-law of Amir Al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as).
It is said that one day he was in Imam Ali's (as) house while he saw Hazrat Zaynab (sa) passing by from a
distance. Then he asked her father if he could marry her, but Amir Al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) refused and
reproached him for his arrogance.
Among the men who were eager to marry Hazrat Zaynab (sa) was Abdullah ibn Jafar. He was a close companion
to Prophet Muhammad (saw) and Amir Al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as).
Abdullah ibn Jafar was the son of Jafar-e-Tayyar, the martyr whom Prophet Muhammad (saw) had mentioned
that he flies in the heavens with his two wings. Jafar-e-Tayyar was the brother of Amir Al-Muminin, Imam Ali
(as) and was a forerunner in Islam and Jihad. His munificence and generosity had made him very famous
among the Arabs so much so that they called him "the father of the poor." His son Abdullah ibn Jafar had
inherited this attitude.
All the historians refer to Abdullah ibn Jafar as a very gracious person. They have especially written about his
generosity and benevolence. According to the historians, he was the foremost generous people of his time, to
the extent that some have called him "the master of generosity."
Abdullah ibn Jafar was a person whom Imam Ali (as) had trust in. Later he took a great part in the Jihads along
with Imam Ali (as). In the battle of Siffin he was one of the commanders of the Imam Ali's (as) army.
Like other suitors, Abdullah ibn Jafar was interested in marrying Hazrat Zaynab (sa), but felt embarrassed to
state his request directly. He sent a courier to Imam Ali (as) and offered the proposal. Imam Ali (as), who saw
him the best, accepted his request. But how much was the marriage-portion? Imam Ali (as) put Hazrat Zainab's
(sa) dowry equal to her mother's. However, this auspicious wedding had one condition. Hazrat Zaynab (sa)
should be allowed to travel along with her brother Imam Hussain (as). She should be allowed to visit her brother
too. In fact, it rarely happened that they didn't meet everyday.
Finally, this wedding took place, and Hazrat Zaynab (sa) went to her husband's house. Of course, the house of
Abdullah ibn Jafar, who was a very wealthy man, was a big house with lots of servants, but history witnesses
that Hazrat Zaynab (sa) never got attached to worldly life.
She was a pious woman in the perfect sense. Piety (Zuhd) in her vocabulary was exactly what her father
depicted, "Zuhd is that one owns the world, not that the world and its charms become the owner of the person."
The best evidence of Hazrat Zaynab's (sa) piety was that she left her comfortable and prosperous life with
servants and wealth for a divine and holy goal. Just like a person who is aware of the future and its happenings,
she put her condition for marriage that she should be allowed to travel with Imam Hussain (as) to fulfill that
goal.
Like other women, she was very affectionate. However, whenever necessary, she was strong like a mountain in
the path of Islam. Like other mothers, she was a kind and loving mother, but when it came to defending Islam
and the Noble Qur'an and her religious duty, she would sacrifice her children as well.
Who is like Hazrat Zaynab (sa) in having all that wealth and not being attached to it? Who is like her, having a
warm house, nice husband and children, and bear hunger and homelessness in order to fulfilling her holy goals?
Is this anything except Islamic piety?
Together this young couple had five children, of whom four were sons, Ali, Aun, Muhammad, and Abbas, and

one daughter, Umm-e-Kulsoom.

As Hazrat Zaynab (sa) grew up, many of the noblemen and great men of Arabia asked for her hand in marriage.
They thought that due to their wealth and high social position they would be successful in marrying Hazrat Zaynab
(sa).
For example, Ash'ath ibn-Qeis, who was one of the wealthiest men and a close relative to the first caliph, Hazrat
Abu Bakr, was very dignified, and thought his closeness to the first caliph would made it possible for him to
become the son-in-law of Amir Al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as).
It is said that one day he was in Imam Ali's (as) house while he saw Hazrat Zaynab (sa) passing by from a
distance. Then he asked her father if he could marry her, but Amir Al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) refused and
reproached him for his arrogance.
Among the men who were eager to marry Hazrat Zaynab (sa) was Abdullah ibn Jafar. He was a close companion to
Prophet Muhammad (saw) and Amir Al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as).
Abdullah ibn Jafar was the son of Jafar-e-Tayyar, the martyr whom Prophet Muhammad (saw) had mentioned that
he flies in the heavens with his two wings. Jafar-e-Tayyar was the brother of Amir Al-Muminin, Imam Ali (as) and
was a forerunner in Islam and Jihad. His munificence and generosity had made him very famous among the Arabs
so much so that they called him "the father of the poor." His son Abdullah ibn Jafar had inherited this attitude.
All the historians refer to Abdullah ibn Jafar as a very gracious person. They have especially written about his
generosity and benevolence. According to the historians, he was the foremost generous people of his time, to the
extent that some have called him "the master of generosity."
Abdullah ibn Jafar was a person whom Imam Ali (as) had trust in. Later he took a great part in the Jihads along
with Imam Ali (as). In the battle of Siffin he was one of the commanders of the Imam Ali's (as) army.
Like other suitors, Abdullah ibn Jafar was interested in marrying Hazrat Zaynab (sa), but felt embarrassed to state
his request directly. He sent a courier to Imam Ali (as) and offered the proposal. Imam Ali (as), who saw him the
best, accepted his request. But how much was the marriage-portion? Imam Ali (as) put Hazrat Zainab's (sa) dowry
equal to her mother's. However, this auspicious wedding had one condition. Hazrat Zaynab (sa) should be allowed
to travel along with her brother Imam Hussain (as). She should be allowed to visit her brother too. In fact, it
rarely happened that they didn't meet everyday.
Finally, this wedding took place, and Hazrat Zaynab (sa) went to her husband's house. Of course, the house of
Abdullah ibn Jafar, who was a very wealthy man, was a big house with lots of servants, but history witnesses that
Hazrat Zaynab (sa) never got attached to worldly life.
She was a pious woman in the perfect sense. Piety (Zuhd) in her vocabulary was exactly what her father depicted,
"Zuhd is that one owns the world, not that the world and its charms become the owner of the person."
The best evidence of Hazrat Zaynab's (sa) piety was that she left her comfortable and prosperous life with
servants and wealth for a divine and holy goal. Just like a person who is aware of the future and its happenings,
she put her condition for marriage that she should be allowed to travel with Imam Hussain (as) to fulfill that goal.
Like other women, she was very affectionate. However, whenever necessary, she was strong like a mountain in the
path of Islam. Like other mothers, she was a kind and loving mother, but when it came to defending Islam and the
Noble Qur'an and her religious duty, she would sacrifice her children as well.
Who is like Hazrat Zaynab (sa) in having all that wealth and not being attached to it? Who is like her, having a
warm house, nice husband and children, and bear hunger and homelessness in order to fulfilling her holy goals? Is
this anything except Islamic piety?

Together this young couple had five children, of whom four were sons, Ali, Aun, Muhammad, and Abbas, and one
daughter, Umm-e-Kulsoom.
After Hazrat Fatima Zahra (sa), Hazrat Zainab (sa) is the unique hero amongst the women in the history of Islam.
With her brave and outstanding character, her deep faith, and her strong belief in Allah (SWT), she had a
significant role in protecting religion on its original path.
Hazrat Zainab (sa) is the message bearer of the martyrs in Karbala and the companion of Imam Hussain (as) in
the important rising of Ashura. Her virtues were to such an extent that she was given titles by these meanings:
the wise woman of (the tribe of) Bani Hashim, the trustworthy, the knowledgeable, the virtuous, and the ideal.
Her name always follows the name of Imam Hussain (as). Shiite historians have recognized her as the second
most significant character in the tragedy of Karbala. More importantly, her role in the tragedy had great impact in
keeping the movement of Ashura alive. Hence, historians consider Hazrat Zainab (sa) as the key to the victory
Imam Hussain's (as) rising.
Imam Hussain (as) would show great respect for Hazrat Zainab (sa) when she would come to see him. Hazrat
Zainab (sa) has narrated many sayings from her grandfather Prophet Muhammad (saw), from her father Imam Ali
(as), and from her mother Hazrat Fatima Zahra (sa). Hazrat Zainab (sa) had a strong heart and eloquent
language. She was brave, ascetic, pious, modest and very courageous. When Imam Hussain (as) denied paying
allegiance to Yazid son of Muawiya, he left the city of Medina to go to Makkah. Hazrat Zainab (sa) accompanied
him with her two children.
She devoted herself to the movement of Imam Hussain (as). She supervised the captives of the caravan after
Ashura, took care of patient of Karbala (Beemar-e-Karbala), Imam Sajjad (as) when he was ill, and revealed the
true evil character of the Umayyad Dynasty through her sermons. After the event of Ashura and during her stay in
Damascus and Kufah as a captive, she delivered a number of sermons, which informed people of the true face of
the Umayyad Dynasty and which, also became the key to the remembrance of Ashura for future generations.
Moreover, when she went back to Medina, she continued to reveal the evil character of the Umayyad Dynasty by
reminding people of the martyrs of Karbala. She was so patient that she became known as the "The Hero of
Patience".