MOULATENA ZAINAB (S.A)

Moulatena Zainab (S.A) was born in Madina. Her father was Moulana Ali ibne Abi Talib (S.A), the first apostolic imam. And her mother was Moulatena Fatema (A.S) the beloved and only daughter of Rasulallah (S.A). On the seventh day after her birth, Rasulallah (S.A) solemnized her Aqiqa and named her Zainab (S.A).

Her epithets were Umm al Hasan and Umm al masaib. Her popular titles were Sharikat ul Husain, Siddaqa e sugra, and Aqila e bani Hashim. Rasulallah (S.A) because of his deep affection constantly took care of her and brought her up. Unfortunately Rasulallah (S.A) expired and just about two months later, she lost her mother. Thus the sole responsibility of her upbringing fell on the shoulders of Moulana Ali (S.A). The knowledge that was imparted to her by Rasulallah (S.A) and Moulatena Fatema (A.S) and later on by Moulana Ali (S.A), naturally resulted in her being gifted with great virtues. Benevolence, sacrifice, truth, courage and devotion to Allah, became her way of life.

Even though she was married at a very small age she continued to remain by her father and kept serving him, along with her husband. Infact when Ali (S.A) desired to make Kufa his headquarters, both she and her husband also moved out to Kufa, enabling her to continue attending to her father.

A Sunni author writes in his book "Sayyeda Ki Beti" ". Her concern over the domestic economy was so deep that only the necessities were kept at home, she did not believe in luxury and avoided all the unnecessary expenses. She observed strict discipline and she would not eat until after all the male members and the children had been served. She had inherited the moral and the ethical character of her grandfather Rasulallah (S.A). She was tremendously courteous and hospitable to the women folk who visited her. Her simplicity in her dress and devotion to social service made her a living example for others to follow"

The extent of Moulatena Zainab's devotion to Allah can be judged through the words of Imam Husain (S.A), who while departing from her on the day of Aashura said " O' my dear sister don’t leave the company Alizainul Abedeen (A.S), and forgot me not in the nocturnal prayers". Alizain ul Abedeen (S.A) said " My pahiji saheba Zainab (A.S) was subjected to unmentionable agonies in Kerbala, but even under these horrible conditions she never missed the namaz of Behuri (the prayers offered after midnight and before true dawn).

After the martyrdom of Imam Husain (S.A), Moulatena Zainab (A.S) and the other womenfolk in her camp were treated roughly and were almost shelterless, they remained captives in Kufa for a long time, and were then sent to Damascus. It was during this long journey to Damascus that Moulatena Zainab (S.A) successfully conveyed the principals and practices of Islam and explained the purpose of Shaadat to the general public. She along with Imam Alizain Ul Abedeen (S.A) explained to Muslimeen, that they are the Ale Rasool (S.A), who had the true principals and practices of Islam with them and who were responsible for the spread and safeguard of the message delivered by Rasulallah (S.A). They also explained to the public that it was for this very reason that Yezid and his army mercilessly killed, not only the relations and the followers of Husain (S.A), but also the Imam himself.

Later on in Damascus Moulatena Zainab (S.A) delivered many historic sermons in the courts of Yezid and Ibne Ziyaad. She elaborated upon the Islamic deals as taught by Rasulallah (S.A) and she immortalized the mission of Imam Husain (S.A). An example of her brilliant oratory is…" You have harmed your souls with such terrible deeds that Allah is angry, and you doomed for eternal torment, you have fortified your right to laugh and now there is nothing left for you but to mourn and weep. The stains of your vices are such that you can never wash them away. Do you realize that you have shed the blood of Rasulallah's successor, Imam Husain (S.A), the person who could have been your saviour. Imam Husain the leader of Youths of Paradise was the one you needed for guidance and towards whom you could have turned, in time of need."

Having returned from Syria to Medina, Moulatena Zainab (S.A) devoted the rest of her life to prayers and mourning over her slain brother Imam Husain (S.A), her two sons Aun and Mohammad were also martyred along with Imam Husain in Kerbala.
Moulana Mohammad Burhanuddin (TUS) is one of those Dai amongst Doat Mutlaqeen who has got the sharaf of constructing the Zarih Mubarak of Moulatena Zainab (S.A), in Misr. He turned out in the virtue of Imam Moizz (S.A), The day he entered Misr the people of Misr greeted Moulana, as if they are greeting the son of Rasulallah (S.A). While the Zarih was under construction one of the civilian stood there and asked to take his picture with the Zarih being constructed, and said when my children will grow up I will show them that I have witnessed this Zarih. May Allah grant Aqa Moula Afzal ul Jaza and may he live amongst us till the Day of Judgment. Ameen.

Abde Syedna (tus)
Aliasger Sh Saifuddin Rasheed