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Beginning Of Tragedies

She was only six years old when hardships surrounded her.

Her Grandfather’s Demise

When Bibi Zaynab was six years old the ever-loving Prophet (S) her grandfather deserted this world forever. This was the first tragedy.

Her Mother's Demise

Bibi Zaynab was still under the shock of losing her grandfather and her tears had not yet dried when her mother left this world pining for her father1. The eyes that used to follow Bibi Zaynab lovingly became lifeless.

Only Allah knows how her death affected Bibi Zaynab. The worst thing to befall a child is the death of the mother especially for a girl of tender age because the love she has for her mother cannot be narrated in words. She bore these tragedies stoically that she was called “Mother of Tragedies”.

Now, she prepared herself for Karbala and became steadfast to face the horrors of Ashura (10th Muharram 61 AH), the hardships and the severity after Ashura. She endured all the tragedies in such manner that no example is found in the history. Had those tragedies fallen on a mountain they would have crumbled.

Bibi Zaynab's Greatness

She cannot be compared with any woman in the Muslim world living then or later. This is true for all other Masumeen of the Prophet's (S) family. The Panjatan (five pious bodies) had tutored her, and the experiences of life's tragedies frorm childhood to maturity perfected her. For instance, while the Prophet (S) was alive people use to respect her but after his death her father went into seclusion to avoid being embroiled in controversies.

When Hazrat Ali (‘a) became Khalifa time changed but after his death she was again surrounded by tragedies. Hazrat Ali (‘a) recorded in Nahj al-Balagha: “No person in this Ummah can be compared to the progeny of the Prophet (S)”.

Such was the personality of Bibi Zaynab that She should not be compared with any woman except those of similar majestic status.

Dr. Ayesha Bint shati Misri writes in her book “Batlat al-Karbala”. Zaynab (‘a) was as kind and compassionate as her mother, and was like her father in wisdom and piety.

According to certain traditions, she had a society of learning in which ladies used to come to her for religious Instructions. These specialties elevated her among all women of her time. She was also called “Aqila Bani Hashim” and people used to learn Hadith from her. Ibn Abbas used to quote her as Aqila Zaynab daughter of Hazrat Ali (‘a). She became so famous as Aqila that her children were called “Bani Aqila”.

Consultation With Her By Her Brothers

Her brothers used to give great importance to her views. She managed the household perfectly with the help of Janabe Fidhdha An-Nubiyya2.

She had stepped into her mother's shoes. Her brothers though elder to her used to respect her. As she grew up, she grew in prominence in her family. Her brothers used to seek her advice in all family matters and never took a step without consulting her.

Imam Husayn (‘a) consulted her even when he decided to migrate from Madina to Makkah and then from Makkah to Iraq.

She was his mainstay even in Karbala. Her father Hazrat Ali a. s also took great interest in her upbringing and treated her with love and kindness.

He had seen how the Prophet (S) had trained his daughter (the lady of the Paradise) and the same splendour of the Prophet's training was beaming through in the upbringing of Bibi Zaynab the daughter of Hazrat Ali (‘a). Impressions of training of childhood are just like the line etched on stone which is always distinct and reflect till the last days of life it is rightly said:

“Grooming of childhood is like a line etched on stone”

Bibi Zaynab's character reflected this training throughout her life whether she was in her parents’ house or with her husband; whether it was Madina. Makkah, Kufa, Karbala or the Market place of Damascus. She never wavered anywhere. She was always willing to serve Allah and Islam. She remained a dignified personality in the court or Yazeed Ibn Mu’awiyah.

Poverty will! Contentment is a glory if no greed of gold

One is fully contented because his life to God he sold

After the death of Hazrat Fatimah (‘a), Hazrat Ali (‘a) married Asma Bint ‘Umais al-Khashemia3, a woman of great character who played a vital role in Bibi Zaynab's upbringing because she had seen the love the Prophet (S) and Hazrat Ali (‘a) showered on this daughter. The progeny of Hazrat Ali (‘a) and Fatimah (‘a) is called the progeny of the Prophet (S). None of his three sons survived so Hazrat Fatimah (‘a) was his only daughter and heir.

  • 1. Hazrat Fatimah (‘a) spent the days mourning after the demise of her father. All historians have recorded that she was never seen smiling after that tragedy nor she left her sick bed except when she visited her father's grave. When she visited the grave of the Prophet (S) she would take a fistful of earth from it, smell it and rub it on her eyes and face and She loudly said. 'For any one who smells the fragrance of the Prophet's (S) grave, it would not make any difference if the person- smells no other perfume & ever in his lifetime. She also said that she was burdened with such hardships that if they were put on day it would turn into night. She became famous as one of five great weepers with Hazrat Adam, Hazrat Nooh, Hazrat Yaqoob and Hazrat Yahya. After her, her grandson Imam Zain al-Abidin wept a lot (quoted from Dr. Ayesha Shati Misri, book "Batlat al-Karbala" page 120,121).
  • 2. Although Fidhdha An-Nubiyya was a maid of the lady of paradise but she enjoyed the status of a family member. Nob is located in the skirt of vast red mountain range in East Africa. This was the homeland of Janabe Fidhdha An-Nubiyya and with this reference she was known as "Fidhdha An-Nubiyya. There is a controversy about the time as when she arrived In Madina but it Is generally said that her arrival in Madina was in 2nd or 3rd year after hijrat.
  • 3. For the details about this respected woman, the book "Nawasa Al-Nabi Husayn Ibn Ali" of Syed Ali Akbar Rizvi may be referred,