Sayyeda Zainab (sa), the sage of Bani Hashim

Ibn Abbas quoted Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (sa) as having said that her
daughter Zainab, likeher father, was unparalleled in literary
eloquence and courage. The speech she delivered in the assembly in
presence of Yazid was at the zenith of eloquence and impressiveness.
(Refer Famous Women, Dr. Ahmed Beheshti, and p.51)
After the demise of Prophet Muhammad (saw), there came the period of
distress and hardship in the life of Sayyeda Zainab (sa). She stood by
her mother as far as the question of supreme mandate of her father was
concerned. When her mother delivered the Fadak sermon, she was only 4
years old, but narrated the sermon so lucidly andexpressively that the
people from Bani Hashim remembered it by heart. Later the Shiite
scholars recorded it that is why she is called Zainab the narrator of
traditions.
Sayyeda Zainab's (sa) Marriage
Sayyeda Zainab (sa) grewinto a fine stature young woman. When the time
came for marriage, she was married in a simple ceremony to her first
cousin, Abdullah Ibn Ja'far Tayyar. Her marriage settlement was equal
to that of her mother's. Imam Ali (as) told Abdullah Ibn Ja'far Tayyar
not to prevent Sayyeda Zainab (sa) from going on a journey with Imam
Hussein (as), her brother.
Abdullah Ibn Ja'far Tayyarhad been brought up under the direct care of
Prophet Muhammad (saw). After his death, Imam Ali (as) became his
supporter and guardian until he came of age. He grew up to be a
handsome youth with pleasing manners and was known for his sincere
hospitality to guests and selfless generosity to the poor and needy.
Although Sayyeda Zainab's (sa) husband was a man of means, she lived a
modest life, not a life of luxury. She and herhusband were charitable
to the needy people. The Arab tribes called Abdullah Ibn Ja'far
Tayyar"the sea or the cloud of munificence".
The marriage of Sayyeda Zainab (sa) did not diminish her strong
attachment to her family.Together this young couple had five children,
of whom four were sons, Ali, Aun, Muhammad, and Abbas, and one
daughter,Umm Kulthum.

Heroine of Karbala: Sayyeda Zainab (sa), Zaynab al-Kubra (sa), BibiZainab (sa)

Sayyeda Zainab (sa), the daughter of Imam Ali (as)and Sayyeda Fatima
Zahra (sa), was an exemplary woman of great ability,
intelligence,knowledge, insight, courage and perseverance; she
performed her divine duties to the best of her ability. She was born
to afamily formed by ProphetMuhammad (saw), the most outstanding
figure in history. The Prophet's wife Sayyeda Khadija (sa) a devoted
woman, was her maternal grandmother, and her paternal grandmother was
Fatima daughter of Assad, who mothered and nursed Prophet Muhammad
(saw). The members of the family, intrio hierarchical order, were all
great.
Sayyeda Zainab (sa) was a brilliant star in the mandate sky that
received rays of holiness from the five suns. It was through her holy
origins and pious edification that she manifested so great a fortitude
in Karbala (Iraq).
The life of the daughter of Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (sa) was always laden
with hardships, but she never feared coping withdifficulties, this
enhancedher endurance and elevated her soul.
She had barely attained the tender age of seven when her beloved
mother passed away. Her mother's death had closely followed her
cherished grand father's passing away. Some time later Imam Ali (as)
married Ummul Banin (sa), whose devotion andpiety encouraged Sayyeda
Zainab (sa) in her learning.
Whilst still a young girl she was fully able to care for and be
responsible for the running of her father's household. As much as she
cared for thecomforts and ease of her brothers and sisters, in her own
wants she was frugal and unstintingly generous to the poor, homeless
and parentless. After her marriage her husband is reported as having
said, "Zainab is the best housewife."
From very early on she developed an unbreakable bond of attachment to
her brother Imam Hussein (as). At times when as a baby in her mother's
arms she could not be pacified and made to stop crying, she would
quieter down upon being held by her brother, and there she would sit
quietly gazing at his face. Before she would pray she used to first
cast a glance at the face of her beloved brother, Imam Hussein (as).
One day Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (sa) mentioned theintensity of her
daughter's love for Imam Hussein (as) to Prophet Muhammad (saw). He
breathed a deep sigh andsaid with moistened eyes, "My dear child, this
child of mine Zainab would be confronted with a thousand and one
calamities and face serious hardships in Karbala."

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Staying Steadfast in Turbulent Times

Steadfastness in faith has been mentioned on more than one occasion in
the Noble Quran and the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition). Allaah The
Exalted, enjoined the Muslims to be upright in their religion,
praising the steadfast people and promising them generous rewards.
For instance, Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {So remain ona
right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have
turned back with you [to Allaah], and do not transgress. Indeed, He is
Seeing of what you do.} [Quran 11:112]
Allaah The Exalted also Says (what means): {Indeed, those who have
said: "Our Lord is Allaah" and then remained on a right course – the
angels will descend upon them, [saying], "Donot fear and do not grieve
but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised.} [Quran
41:30]
In addition, Sufyaan ibn 'Abdullaah once asked the Prophet to tell him
some concise words about Islam so that he would not need to ask anyone
else. The Prophet said: "Say, 'I believe in Allaah and then hold on
firmly to the straight path.'"
The Prophet said: "(Try to) keep to the straight path although you
will not be able to do so completely; and know that the best of your
deeds is prayer, and only a (true) believer maintains his ablution."
The meaning of uprightness:
Being upright in religion means adopting a moderate approach inshowing
obedience to Allaah The Almighty, abiding by His Sharee'ah (Islamic
law) and remaining on the right path regarding His Oneness. Hence,
being upright in religion means adhering to the orders of Allaah The
Almighty in terms of His Oneness, devoting all acts of worship
sincerely to Him only, as well as observing refined manners and the
Islamic moral code in one's relationships with other people and in all
one's deeds.
Uprightness is the path to salvation:
Scholars clarified that being upright in religion means being
straightness; the Arabic word 'Mustaqeem' means straight, without any
curves. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And, [moreover], this
is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other]
ways, for you will be separated from Hisway.} [Quran 6:153]
Uprightness and the allies of Allaah The Almighty:
Prominent scholars defined uprightness differently, yet all
thedefinitions share the same meaning:
1- When Abu Bakr was asked about uprightness, he answered,"It means
not to associate partners with Allaah."
2- 'Umar defined it as follows,"To be upright in following the orders
of Allaah The Exalted and avoiding the prohibitions and notto elude
others like a fox."
3- 'Uthmaan said in this regard, "Uprightness means devotion to
Allaah; offering all acts of worship with full sincerityto Allaah."
4- 'Ali defined uprightness as follows, "It means carrying out the
obligatory acts of worship".
5- Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, "Upright people are those who adhere to the
commands of Allaah The Exalted, follow His straight path, obey Him and
shundisobedience."
6- jMuaahid said, "Upright people are those who adhere to the
testimony that none is truly worthy of worship but Allaah until they
die."
7- Ibn Zayd and Qataadah both, said, "Uprightness means adhering to
obedience of Allah The Exalted."
8- Sufyaan Ath-Thawri said that the upright person is the one whose
deeds are in accordance with his words.
9- Ar-Rabee' ibn Khuthaym said, "Uprightness means turningaway from
everything and everyone but Allaah The Exalted."
10- Al-Fudhayl ibn 'Iyaadh said, "Uprightness is disinterest in the
mortal life, while seeking the immortal one."
11- Ibn Taymiyyah said,"Uprightness means to hold fast to loving
Allaah The Exalted and fulfilling the meaning of servitude to Him
without turning away from Him."
12- Imaam Al-Harawi said,"Striving hard in following the commands of
Allaah moderately."
The fruits of uprightness:
1. Happiness in this life.
2. The descent of the angels of mercy on upright people.
3. The angels of mercy would bring them glad tidings in their graves
that they will be granted firmness.
4. At the time of Resurrection.
5. Entering Paradise, the abode ofdignity that will last forever;
Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {No fatigue will touch them
therein, nor from it will they [ever] be removed.} [Quran15:48]

Raising Righteous Generations - III

Many girls desert their books soon after they finish formal education
and do not read anymore. Thus, they relapse into a state of ignorance
because theydo not have anything to do with books. They devote
themselves entirely to caring about their clothes, adornment, and
sampling the good things in life. However, these interests are
temporal and related to the worldly life only.
Muslim women should bear in mind that they are members of the Muslim
community. Thus, they wield influence on it and arealso affected by
it. They are not socially marginal or unimportant.It is not befitting
for a Muslim woman to have a negative outlook in life or to be
dependenton others. In fact, having such an attitude points towards an
ungrateful personality, since it shows an attempt to exchange what is
better for that which is base. The Ummah (Muslim nation) waits for its
grateful sonsand daughter to restore its past glories.
Some points to keep in mind about Muslim women and their contribution
to society:
• Muslim women should participate in all useful activities. Therefore,
they should always consider the saying of 'Umar "Do not be imitators
who say, that if people act well, we will actwell, and if they act
unjustly, we will act unjustly too. However, resolve on acting well if
people act well, and if they act unjustly, do not follow suit."
• Women have a mission of raising future generations that aims at
advancing the society. This mission is fulfilled first by fulfilling
the rights of neighbors. They should educate uneducated women with the
knowledge theyneed for their religion and life. Bydoing so, they will
do a favor to the future generations. Neighbors, therefore, will not
gather to gossip, but to broaden the awareness of Muslim families,and
develop their superficial and naïve interests into sublime horizons.
Thus, Muslim women could turn every conversation into a purposeful
talk. Brilliant Muslim women would even utilize empty talk by drawing
lessons from it and reflecting. on it. In addition, righteous
neighbors should ponder the best method to utilize in bringingup their
children and solving their problems collectively.
• Women should do their best to foster cooperation among neighbors.
For example, a child used to steal money from his father's pocket and
spend it on a group of his friends who encouraged him to commit that
misdeed. His mother came to know about this through her neighbor, who
advised her about what was happening. She helped her to overcome the
crisis by studying the problem and looking into its roots, then by
containing the problem and finding a suitable solution for it.
• One of the duties of Muslim women is to maintain good relations with
their relatives. To that end, they should maintain kinship relations,
visit sick relatives, and participate in happyoccasions, as well as
doing other good deeds that would diffuse the spirit of cooperation
and love. This helps generations to grow up following the principles
of Islam and its supreme values by dealing kindly and affectionately
with others following the example of their mothers. Muslim women
should encourage all the good initiativesof their children, so that
they would relish the success and excellence of their children. On the
contrary, some foolish women go out to public arenas to cheer sport
games, like football, basketball and soccer players. This, in addition
to being totally unlawful, indicates that women are unaware of the
mission they should undertake.
• A mother should let her children talk to her. She should listen to
their opinions and appreciate their successful deeds without getting
bored. Mothers should know that children who are considered by some
people as'talkative' may have a great future ahead of them. Their
frequent questions prove their powerful sense of observation and
express their desire to learn. Do not forget that guiding children and
encouraging them can have good results.
There was a well-spoken lecturer who would greatly impress girls who
listened to her speak. The factor that greatly contributed toher
talent was that some of her neighbors as well as some of her father's
acquaintances would listen to her speeches and encourage her to talk
even though she was less than six years of age.
Therefore, we should say good words to little children, because saying
a good word is an act of charity. Purposeful guidance is fruitful.
Sincere words go directly to the heart.
• One of the main tasks of Muslimwomen is to contribute to fortifying
the younger Muslim generations with genuine Islamicculture and the
sound creed. They should not let frivolous women lead our younger
generations astray and utilize every available means to achieve their
goal of ruining them.
• Women are required to contribute to the prosperity of the younger
generations by making use of their lifetime and their knowledge about
which they will be questioned. However,they are not required to commit
themselves to a full-time job thatwill lead them to neglect their
duties towards their husbands and children.
When working women return home, they are fatigued and overburdened
with the concerns of work. How can they benefit their children who
need an affectionate touch from them, but get nothing but a scolding
because their mothers are exhausted and want to rest after suffering a
long day of work? Women who do this are mistaken, because they have to
prioritize their life. This address isdirected to righteous women who
have a sound creed and are conscious about wasting the rights of
Allaah The Almighty and mixing the truth with falsehood.
• Conscientious Muslim women deal with the reality with sagacity and
care. They should remember that an objective of the Sharee'ah is to
preserve religion, mental soundness, lineages, lives, and property.
Anything that harms any of thosefive things must be stopped. Muslim
women should spread virtue, condemn devilish thoughts and clarify
their misguidance and deviation to their children and family members.
The wicked enemy must be faced with sound planning and counteraction.
If Muslims do not exert efforts to reinforce righteous manners and
firmly establish the sound creed, they will regret when it is too
late. This is because myths and low ideals will have been enhanced and
the younger Muslim generations will suffer their evil consequences.
In the past, Muslim women were distinguished for entertaining their
children with stories that amused them and instilled Islamic
principles in their minds.
Why, then, do cultured Muslim women leave their children to be victims
of stories written by immoral people and disbelievers, who distort
Islamic history and attack Islamic principles?
Let Muslim women contribute to print and audio mass media as much as
they can. Even Islamic songs (Anasheed) should be composed for our
children to sing instead of letting them repeat songs that have no
moral content. This will make our children sing pure words that
reflect the bright image and supreme principles of Islam and will
attract the hearts of Muslim children to virtues.
The same thing applies to magazines, stories, and novels that tell how
people deceive eachother to obtain money. They inspire our children
with mistaken values and thoughts of violence, irresponsibility,
undutifulness to parents, as well as other bad morals. Muslim women
should make use of thesemediums so as to be capable of educating their
children with what is good, develop their creed, cultivate their
minds, and entertain them at the same time.
The most dangerous channel of the mass media is the internet and
satellite TV channels. It rivals the parents in guiding the children
through a well-planned policy of attraction and invasion. The human
devils are those who furnish the television with everything that
destroys virtues. The former French president, De Gaulle, once talked
about the influence of television, saying, "Give me this screen and I
will change the French people."
Many families have given up their role in raising their children to
adopt the Islamic creed and have let the television guide them and sow
in them the concepts and ideologies that are alien to the Islamic
creed and culture. In this context, we understand the duty that
cultured Muslim women should fulfill. They should utilize their
potential. If they have the ability, they should write stories,
compose Islamic songs, or write dialogues or articles to save their
children from the tools of domestic and foreign destruction.
Dear Muslim sisters,
Do not excuse yourselves by saying that your body is weak, that you
have many obligations to fulfill, or that you are always pressed for
time, since the upright Sharee'ah instructs Muslims to make utmost use
of their time, health, and wealth. It was narrated on the authority of
Ibn 'Abbaas that he quoted the Messenger of Allaah as having said:
"Take advantage of five [matters] before [the advent of] five
[matters]: your youth before your old age; your health before your
sickness; your richness before your poverty; your free time before
your preoccupation; and your life before your death."
If women organize their daily activities and make good use of every
second of their time and not waste it in needless talk, theywill never
be heard complaining about time restraints. They should pay attention
to their duties as callers to what is good and work as good examples
for others to follow. They should enrich awareness in the fields of
upbringing and health in a way that brings benefit to the Muslim
generations and Islamic society at large. They should also exert their
utmost effort to find Islamicalternatives for the massive momentum of
intellectual attacks. They should further defend religion in a society
of wicked people who continue to scheme and work to distract Muslims
from adhering to their religion.
Muslim women should not relent to transient comforts, needless
sleeping, and laziness that has affected many of them. They are
advised to actively fulfill their duty toward their Ummah (Muslim
nation). They are required to do all that they can tobring up
righteous generations. They should utilize their time in useful ways
and employ each suitable opportunity. It is hoped that they will
substantially contribute to removing darkness from the Ummah and
communicate virtue to the futuregenerations. Otherwise, our hopes will
be confined to our chests and our generations will be at the rear of
the caravan instead of taking its lead.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
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