The life of Zainab binte Ali (as)

Name: Zainab a.s
Title: Siddiqa-e-Sughra,Aqeelah Bani Hashim.
Kuniyat: Umm-ul-Massaib
Born at: Medina on 5th of Jamadiul Awaal
Father: Imam Ali (as)
Mother: Sayyida Fatimah (as)

It was in 5th Hijrah that Prophet Muhammad‟s (s.a.w) daughter Sayyida Fatimah Zahra (a.s) had a baby girl. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) named her ZAINAB a.s

Growing up in Medina.
Sayyida Zainab (a.s) shared her childhood with her two brothers, Imam Hassan (a.s) and Imam Hussain (a.s) and a sister Sayyida Kulthum (a.s) under the guidance of her grand father, the Prophet of Allah(saw) and her parents Imam Ali (a.s) and Sayyida Fatimah (a.s)

When she was seven, her grand father passed away which was soon followed by the death of her mother While still a young girl, she was fully able to care for and be responsible for the running her father‟s household.

As much as she cared for her family, she was very kind and generous to the poor, homeless and orphans. From very early on she developed great love towards her brother Imam Hussain (a.s).

Marriage:
She was married to her first cousin Abdullah ibne Jafer Tayaar.

Children:
Sayyida Zainab and Abdullah had five children, four boys and a girl.
1. Ali 2. Aun 3. Muhammad 4. Abbas 5. Umme Kulthum

Role in Kerbala:
Sayyida Zainab, (a.s), was the source of courage for the survivors of the tragedy of Kerbala.  On the night of Ashoora, when Yazid’s army set fire to their tents, it was Sayyida Zainab, as, who saved Imam Zainul `Abedeen, as, and the children from being burnt alive.  She then gathered the women and children and guarded them throughout the night. The next day, when they were being taken to Kufah, she comforted the Ahlulbait when they were made to pass by the bodies of their loved ones. The caravan was taken to the court of Ibne Ziyaad , Later, the caravan was marched to Damascus. During this part of the journey the women and children were treated very badly. Sayyida Zainab ( sa) tried her best to comfort them.

In the court of Yazid:
It was in Damascus that their suffering reached its peak. The bazaars of Damascus had been decorated to give them a festive look and people had gathered in the streets to see the caravan’s arrival. They had been told that Yazid’s army had successfully crushed a rebellion and now the prisoners were being marched to the court of Yazid. However, when they saw the noble and innocent faces of the children and the ladies they were confused. When the members of the caravan entered Yazid’s court, Imam Zainul `Abedeen( as), gave a sermon strongly condemning
Yazid, and reminded him that they were the family of the Holy Prophet(saw). This sermon had a great effect on all present in the court.

Return to Medina:
After the members of the caravan were released from Yazid’s prison, Sayyida Zainab( as), requested that they be given a house where they could mourn their loved ones. Here she held the first Azadari. Later, when she returned to Medina, she continued to tell the tragedy of Kerbala to the people of Medina and devoted the rest of her life to the remembrance of Imam Hussain(as) . Sayyida Zainab (as) has shown us
how to keep the memory of Imam Hussain(as) and the tragedy of Kerbala alive. Therefore, it is our duty to have majalis, especially for
the kids, to ensure that Imam Hussain’s(as) sacrifice to save Islam is never forgotten.

Shrine: Sayyida Zainab (a.s) died in Shaam & her shrine is in Damascus, Syria.