Marriage Of Bibi Zaynab With Hazrat Abdullah
The girls in their parent's house are brought up with the objective that they have to go to the house of someone else. Their actual house is the house or their husbands or which they are heiress. They are born and brought up in their parents’ house and the parents are just as their guardians.
When Bibi Zaynab came to her age of marriage, suits for marriage started coming. Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Ja’far at-Tayyar was one or the suitors of “Sani-e-Zahra”. Abdullah Ibn Ja’far at-Tayyar had ingress and egress into Hazrat Ali's house because Hazrat Ali (‘a) was his guardian after the Prophet (S).
Abdullah and his brother were under the rearing of Hazrat Ali (‘a) who very well knew their conduct. A number of Bani Hashm & Quraish people urged for marriage with Bibi Zaynab but Abdullah was considered the best.
Hazrat Abdullah submitted his offer for her hand through a messenger. Hazrat Ali (‘a)1 was pleased, he rejected all other suitors and married his daughter Zaynab to Abdullah son, of his elder brother Hazrat Ja’far at-Tayyar2 and the cousin of the Prophet (S).
The preparation for the marriage was similar to the marriage of Hazrat Fatimah (‘a). She got the same dowry and the meher of 500 Dirhams was also the same. This marriage, which took place in 16th Hijrah, reflected the Sunnah of the Prophet (S) on his daughter's wedding.
The Children Of Hazrat Abdullah
He had five children from Bibi Zaynab, four sons Ali, Aun, Muhammad, Abbas and a daughter Umm Kulthoom. Aun and Muhammad came with Bibi Zaynab to Karbala at the age of nine and ten respectively and she set an example to the world by sacrificing both of them on Islam and her brother.
The family lineage continued from the other sons. According to Shaikh Muhammad Abbas Qummi, Abdullah Ibn Ja’far at-Tayyar had twenty sons from different wives. Where as mother of five children Ali, Aun, Akbar, Muhammad, Abbas and Umm Kulthoom's mother was Bibi Zaynab the daughter of Hazrat Ali (‘a). The Progeny of Abdullah's son Ali's continued and was later known as Zaynabi3.
Abdullah Ibn Ja’far At-Tayyar
As has been written earlier Janabe Abdullah the husband of Bibi Zaynab was son of Hazrat Ja’far who migrated to Ethopia in the fifth year of the Besat (Hazrat Muhammad (S) declared his prophethood). He had apprised the Ruler of Ethiopia of the tenets of Islam by reciting the Qur'an modulate1y4.
The Emperor gave permission to the emigrants to stay and trade there and said to them. “Live in peace and whosoever says evil of you shall be punished” he repeated it three times. In Ethiopia three sons were blessed to him, Abdullah, Aun and Muhammad, Abdullah was the eldest. 5
Hazrat Ja’far At-Tayyar
He was appointed by the Prophet (S) the Deputy Commander for the battle of Mota and he took the command after martyrdom of Zaid Ibn Harisah. He holding the hoisting flag with his hands kept fighting bravely when the enemies sheared his right hand, he took the flag in his left hand which also was sheared off and then he held the flag with his arms pressing with chest and in the same position he was martyred.
Allah gave him both the hands in Paradise and titled him as “Tayyar” (The Flier). The purpose here is not to write his biography but just a few lines. For details about Hazrat Ja’far at-Tayyar “Tareekh-e-Islam ka Safar” by Syed Ali Akbar Rizvi, may be seen.
His wife's name was Asma Bint ‘Umais al-Khashemia and the eldest son from her was Hazrat Abdullah husband of Bibi Zaynab. Janabe Asma after the death of Hazrat Ja’far was married to Hazrat Abu Bakr the first caliph. When Hazrat Abu Bakr died, she married Hazrat Ali, and with her were her son Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr and a daughter Umm Kulthoom6.
Both these children were raised in Hazrat Ali's household. Hazrat Ali (‘a) made Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr the Governor of Egypt, who was killed by Umrou Ibn Aas and Mu’awiyah Ibn Hadeej Kandi. His killing was treacherous as on the orders of Mu’awiyah Ibn Abu Sufiyan he was burnt after being packed and sewn within hide of a dead ass. Before this, he had taken part in the battle of “Jamal” from Hazrat Ali's side (Against his sister Ayesha Bint Abu Bakr).
It is desirable to write about life of Janabe Abdullah in short for the readers to readily connect wherever Janabe Abdullah’s reference is made.
Abdullah Ibn Ja’far Ibn Abu Talib was the nephew of Hazrat Ali (‘a). His father Hazrat Ja’far at-Tayyar immediately after declaration of “Nabuwat” had embarrassed Islam. When the emigrants returned from Ethiopia Hazrat Ja’far also came back with his family and the Prophet (S) was very pleased to see him.
Muhammad Ibn Abu Bakr7 was the stepbrother of Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Jaf’ar al-Tayyar. Hazrat Ali (‘a) trusted Muhammad very much and he reciprocated this trust with complete loyatly. Hazrat Abdullah was very famous as a philanthropist and was called “Bahrul Joud” an ocean of charity.
He was regarded as one of the richest people in Madina. On the death of Ja’far the Prophet (S) had put his hand on the orphan's head and said “Abdullah resembles me8 in character”. He held Abdullah's right hand and then prayed, “May God bless the Progeny of Ja’far with noble children and may Abdullah flourish in trade”. “The Prophet also said that he was their guardian in this world and the world hereafter9“.
This Prayer was granted and Abdullah not only became very wealthy but his popularity as philanthropist was also proverbial.
Though Janabe Abdullah did not take much interest in the affairs of the Banu Ummaya he was not ignorant about all what was happening which is testified by his stay and acquisition of property and residence in Syria. He was an official of the Khilafat in the days of Khalifa Hazrat ‘Umar and Hazrat Usman. It is learnt that he was the Deputy Commander to Janabe Abu Obaida Jarrah in the Egyptian campaign. He was present in the Army's Defence against the Romans.
During khilafat of Hazrat Ali (‘a), he was commander in the battle of “Siffeen”. He was a brave person never fearing death and for this reason, Hazrat Ali (‘a) on many occasions entrusted him as commander of the Army. There is no doubt in this that after the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (‘a), Hazrat Abdullah remained amenable to Hazrat Imam Hasan (‘a) and to Hazrat Imam Husayn (‘a) in all respect.
The extent of his dedication and amenableness to Imam Husayn (‘a) may be seen from the following:
“When Janabe Abdullah heard of the martyrdom of his sons Aun and Muhammad in Karbala he did not mourn them and mourned only for Imam Husayn (‘a)”. He said, “I can bear, the loss of the two sons because in their loyalty they sacrificed their lives on Islam. I am grateful for it and I thank God that in my absence and my inability to do so my sons received the honour of martyrdom”.
The Reason For His Absence In Karbala
Despite so much love and devotion Hazrat Abdullah had with Imam Husayn (‘a) his absence in Karbala is said to be due to various reasons yet none or the reasons was inadvertent. It is said that it was because he had lost his sight and could not bear the rigors of the journey and war.
When Imam Husayn (‘a) decided to leave Madina Bibi Zaynab came to Janabe Abdullah and asked his permission to join her brother.
He replied “Oh my virtuous companion of life! had I not been so afflicted I would have gone myself and served him”. After this he uttered such words which show his majesty and greatness rather it was accomplishment of hopes of Bibi Zaynab. He added “Will you accept that our dearest sons Aun and Muhammad may go on this journey?”
This was the voice of heart of Bibi Zaynab coming through Janabe Abdullah. She very happily and readily agreed to this10. She took leave from her majestic and dignified husband and reached Imam Husayn (‘a) with her two sons Aun and Muhammad.
Hazrat Abdullah fully knew that Imam Husayn (‘a) will start his journey from Makkah. When people of Madina got to know about it, they came to Hazrat Abdullah to request him to try to stop Imam from this journey. Hazrat Abdullah then wrote a letter to Imam.
Letter Of Hazrat Abdullah To Hazrat Imam Husayn
“I put you on the oath of Allah not to leave Makkah. I fear your decision and fear that you and your family may be put to sword. The earth will be devoid of the guiding light in you are slain. You are Ameerul Mu’mineen and the beacon of guidance for the Ummah. Do not make haste in going to Iraq. I will ensure your lives from Yazid and the elders of Banu Omayya. Wassalam.”
The other story is that he met Imam Husayn (‘a) at Taneem near Makkah and requested him to desist from going to Iraq and when he saw Imam determined, he wanted to accompany Imam but despite his desire to join Imam he could not do so because he was partially blind and he sent his wife and two sons Aun and Muhammad with the Imam.
The Death Of Hazrat Abdullah
Waqdi says that he died in 80 or 90 Hijrah when he was 90 years old. It was when Abdul Malik Ibn Marwan was the Khalifa. He lived till eighteen years after Bibi Zaynab's death and was buried in Jannatul Baqi.
Imam Husayn (‘a) left for Karbala11, reached there on 2nd of Muhurram in 61 Hijrah and camped there. 12
- 1. After the martyrdom of Hazrat Ja’far at-Tayyar. the prophet (S) had taken his children under his support and responsibility.
- 2. Hazrat Ali had heard tho Prophet (S) which he had said about the kins of Ali and Ja’far that "our daughters are for our sons and our sons for our daughters and that is- how Bibi Zaynab, daughter of Hazrat Ali was wedded to Abdullah son of Ja’far at-Tayyar and Zaynab Sugra (Umm Kulthoom) was wedded to Aun son of Ja’far at-Tayyar.
- 3. Hazrat Ali had heard the Prophet (S) which he had said about the kins of Ali and Ja’far that "our daughters are for our sons and our sons for our daughters and that is- how Bibi Zaynab, daughter of Hazrat Ali was wedded to Abdullah son of Ja’far at-Tayyar and Zaynab Sugra (Umm Kulthoom) was wedded to Aun son of Ja’far at-Tayyar.
- 4. Muslims refugees in Ethopia nominated Ja’far Ibn Abu Talib their leader and sent him to the court of the Ruler as their' representative. Ja’far Ibn Abu Tahib apprised there the situation of Makkah, and said that God was kind enough on them and seeing their conditions sent a prophet. That Prophet taught them as to how to pray to God, called him towards piety and truth. asked them to hate idol worship. On being asked by the ruler whether his prophet ever told them any massage of God revealed on him, Hazrat, Ja’far recited one to forty Aayat of Surah Maryam, the king listened to the Ayats attentively and he was highly impressed and was convinced that Islam also was a religion like Christianity. The King rejected the request of idolaters and granted permission to Ja’far and his companions to settle in Ethiopia. For further detail "Tareekhe Islam ka Safar" Written by Syed Ali Akbar Rizvi, may be seen.
- 5. During the Stay in Ethiopia the king was so much influenced by Hazrat Ja’far that he ltso named his new born son as Abdullah on the name of Hazrat Ja’far's son and gave the child to Asma Bint Amees for bringing up.
- 6. She was the same Umm Kulsum who was daughter of Hazrat Abu Bakr and was adopted by Hazrat Ali. According to some quotations she was married to Hazrat Umar which was interpreted in a wrong manner.
- 7. Details may be seen in “Tareekhe Islam ka Safar”, By Syed Ali Akbar Rizvi.
- 8. Ibn Hajar says that he resembled the prophet and quotes the following saying "Abdullah is like me in virtues and "qualities". (Al-Asaba. Vol. 3 page 49).
- 9. Al Asaba Ibn Hajar Vol III. page 49 Quoted From 'Batlat al-Karbala" by Dr. Ayesha Bint Shati Misr Page 40
- 10. Zaynab Zaynab Hai Compiled By M. Sadiq.
- 11. Left Madina on 26th Rajab 60 Hijra arrived in Makkah on 30th Shabaan 60 Hijra, for some reason converted Hajj into Umra and left for Iraq on 7th or 8th Zilhijja 60 Hljra. For detail "Nawasae Nabi Husayn Ibn Ali" maybe referred.
- 12. For detail "Nawasae Nabi Husayn Ibn Ali" by Syed Ali Akbar Rizvi.