'Lady Zainab' an icon and a role model to Women –Part II-

Every child is representing its parent; you do not need to be surprised by how strong soul lady Zainab (A.S) has.

With parents such as Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S), Sayyida Fatima (A.S), and grandparents such as Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and Lady Khadija (A.S), there is no doubt that the upbringing of Lady Zeinab (A.S) would be beyond exemplary.

She grew up in Medina, where she was married to Abdullah ibn Jafar al-Tayyar (A.S), who was brought up under the direct care of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H).  Together they had five children, four of whom were sons, Ali, Aun, Muhammad, and Abbas, and one daughter, Umm Kulthum(A.S).

Lady Zainab (A.S) was no stranger to death or oppression. Throughout her life, she faces most of the difficult and tough times, which if it was not her, none of the human beings can survive. I will like to mention the difficult and tough time of her life, and there are five in number, she survives in it and continue struggling in the path of god and her parents.

1-Lady Zainab was there when her noble grandfather Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was poisoned, and he was about to demise (martyr). Can you imagine how strong a soul she has, although she was a kid, she started experiencing the Bitterness of life?

2-All the difficulties that her Beloved Mother Lady Zahra was, she was also there with her to the last moment of her life. And we should know it was less than 70 days after the departure of her noble Grand Father (P.B.U.H).

3-After she witnessed and had the most painful memories, her Noble Father just left her House, Ibn Muljam (may Allah curse him) Strike Imam Ali (A.S) on his great forehead,  she just heard the news about the event. Can you imagine how painful she feels?

4-Imagine how the relationship is between a brother and a sister, at the same time as a Father. Imam Hassan (A.S) also was poisoned to the extent that his body turns into green color. Lady Zainab witnessed this painful event.

5-The last event she survived into was the event of KARBALA, she faces the most difficult and painful time in her life, after the event of Karbala she said ''it's today I lost My Grandfather Muhammad (P.B.U.H), My Father Ali (A.S), My Mother Fatimah (A.S), and My Brother Hassan (A.S) with the loss of My Brother Hussein (A.S)''.

We know her best for the crucial role she played during the events of Karbala in 61 A.H. when she was 55 years old. She witnessed the martyrdom of her own children, her nephews, companions, and most significantly her beloved brothers Abbas ibn Ali Talib (A.S) and Imam al-Hussain (A.S). Sayyida Zainab’s (A.S) strong upbringing, piety, and nobility ensured she was not weak in the face of adversity. Therefore, after Imam Hussain (A.S) was mercilessly martyred, she became the pillar for the other women and children. She, therefore, serves as an example of steadfastness, courage, humility, and strength for all of us.

The following is an excerpt of the sermon Lady Zainab (A.S) gave in the courtyard of Yazid’s (L.A) palace in Damascus after they were brought as prisoners:

“Whatever you consider today, as a bounty would turn into reparation for tomorrow; whatever you have sent in advance would be received by you. Allah does not like oppression toward his servants. I complained to Him and put my trust upon Him; thus whatever deceit you want to practice, go ahead and do it; whatever endeavors and efforts you can make, try them. By Allah you would never be able to remove our remembrance from the hearts [of the believers], nor would you ever be able to destroy our revelations; you would never reach our splendor and majesty; you would never be able to wash this ugly spot of tyranny from your [dress]; your opinion and suggestions are invalid and unstable. The duration of your rein is very short, and your assembly would soon be scattered; on that day when the heavenly crier would announce: ‘Praise be upon the Lord of the Worlds, and are beginning- with prosperity and salvation-and our end-with martyrdom and blessing. I beseech the Almighty to bestow upon them [Imam Hussain (A.S), his family (pbut), and his loyal companions] His best recompense and may [He] increase their rewards. O You, Who is just and righteous toward us and who is the most compassionate among all the compassionate ones, we put our trust only upon you.”