Dec 28
Birth of Hazrat Zaynab Binte Ali (RA)
Saturday 5 Jumada Al Oula, 1307
Dec 28
Saturday 5 Jumada Al Oula, 1307
The birth of Hazrat Zaynab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا is one of the most significant events of early Islamic history. She was the beloved granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, and the daughter of Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, the most beloved daughter of the Prophet. The fourth Rashidun Caliph, Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, was her father. The Prophet himself gave her the name Zaynab. It is believed that she resembled Hazrat Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, the beloved wife of the Prophet.
She is remembered for her role during the Battle of Karbala, where her brother Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was martyred. Two of her sons were also martyred during this battle. She firmly stood alongside her brother in this battle, courageously and with dignity. More importantly, she played a key role in bringing to light the injustice and brutality of the forces of Yazid during the Battle of Karbala. Her speeches and sermons in the court of Yazid after the battle of Karbala are remembered as a turning point in history.
Through these sermons, the public opinion was turned against the then ruler Yazid, as the people realized the truth for which Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ had sacrificed his life. An unwavering faith in the truth, willingness to sacrifice, and eloquence in presenting her views by Hazrat Zaynab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا made it happen.
Hazrat Zaynab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the third child of her parents. She was born after her two brothers, Hazrat Hassan and Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا. She was the first and the eldest daughter of her parents. Her birth was celebrated joyfully by the entire household of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. When her father, Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, was asked to name her, he said, wait for her grandfather, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ to do so. When the Prophet heard the news of her birth, he was so happy.
The Prophet loved her from the core of his heart and often said that she resembled Hazrat Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا. He named her “Zaynab”, which translates to “adornment of the father”. The Arabic word “Zayn” stands for adornment, whereas “Ab” is used to denote father; hence the name Zaynab. It is believed that this name was divinely conveyed to the Prophet through the Angel Jibril.
From a very early age, she was nurtured in the Prophet's household, by virtue of which, she grew up a knowledgeable, faithful, and pious woman. It is reported that once she had a dream where she was caught in a big tree during a strong storm. The storm uprooted the tree, so she tried to grasp its branches and twigs, but these were also broken one after the other. When she shared this dream with the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, he said the tree was her grandfather, whereas the branches and twigs were her parents and brothers, all of whom would die one after the other, before her. Through this dream, she was foretold her destiny about the hardships in her coming life.
Based on her sufferings in her future life, she is often remembered as “Ummul Masa’ib" (mother of calamities). The title refers to the miseries she suffered in her life, especially during and after the Battle of Karbala, where she not only lost her most beloved brother, Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, but also many of her other close relatives. Most importantly, she also lost her two sons, Awn and Muhammad. She was also remembered with titles Zaynab al-Kubra (the senior Zaynab), Aqilatu Bani Hashim (the sage of the Banu Hashim), and Batalat al-Karbala (the heroine of Karbala).
She was a blessed child in the household of the Prophet, as she got the opportunity of being raised directly under the patronage of her grandfather. She also got the traits of her parents’ noble character. It helped her grow up into a wise, modest, and highly pious woman. These characteristics were clearly reflected in her role during the Battle of Karbala and, more importantly, during its aftermath, especially in the court of Yazid, where she courageously delivered the historic sermon, highlighting the unjust and brutal act of his army.
The role of Hazrat Zaynab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا in the history of Islam is marked by her strength and eloquence, which she displayed in the aftermath of the Battle of Karbala, especially through her speeches and sermons in the court of Yazid.
During the Battle of Karbala, she suffered huge emotional losses, in the shape of martyrdom of his beloved brother, Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and his companions. She also suffered the martyrdom of her two innocent sons, Awn and Muhammad. After these brutal martyrdoms, Hazrat Zaynab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا emerged as the symbol of truth and resilience. She bravely faced the oppressive situation, taking the responsibility for the protection of the surviving family members. Historians highly praise her role in this context, as it was the worst of the circumstances, where she stood firm on unfolding the truth.
After the brutal martyrdom of Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, the women and children were taken into prison and were marched through the streets of Damascus to the Court of Yazid. This was the defining moment in the history of Islam. Despite all the might of Yazid, she bravely exposed his injustice through her historic sermons, directly in front of him, in his court, thus upholding the dignity of the Ahl al-Bayt.
Her speech turned the sentiments in favor of Ahl al-Bayt and stirred a wave of opposition against the injustice and brutalities of Yazid. As an immediate outcome, Yazid was compelled to stop any further aggressive designs against the members of the household of the Prophet. Eventually, they were freed from the prison and sent to Medina. In fact, Hazrat Zaynab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا transformed the tragedy of Karbala into a lasting legacy by unfolding the truth.
Hazrat Zaynab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا is remembered as the “Batalatu al-Krabal" (the heroine of Karbala). The title refers to her courage, patience, resilience, and eloquence, which were displayed by her during and after the Battle of Karbala. Hence, her legacy stands as a symbol of truth, resistance, and resilience against injustice and falsehood. Her birth was a blessing to the Ahl al-Bayt, whereas her life became an inspiration for Muslims around the world.
Her legacy lies in her noble family lineage, being the granddaughter of the Prophet. Her critical and pivotal role is also marked during and after the tragic battle of Karbala. By staying fearless against the most powerful rulers, she played a historic role in safeguarding the message of the Martyrs of the Battle of Karbala.
Till today, her life and efforts continue to inspire millions of Muslims across the Muslim world, irrespective of being Shia or Sunni. Her legacy serves as a guiding light for all who believe in upholding justice against the most powerful rulers.
Although the exact date of her birth cannot be ascertained, it is widely believed that she was born on the 5th of Jamadi al-Awwal, 5 AH (626 CE)
She was born in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Her father was Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, whereas her mother was Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا.
She holds a very special status in the history of Islam, mainly due to her historic role during and after the tragic battle of Karbala. It was she who unfolded the truth through her historic sermons in the Court of the then-ruler, Yazid. Her sermons and speeches turned the sentiments in favor of Ahl al-Bayt, and people started condemning the brutalities of Yazid and his army. Even some of the women from the family of Yazid also raised their voices in favor of Ahl al-Bayt.
She displayed a historic character in the aftermath of the Battle of Karbala. When the surviving women and children were taken as prisoners in the court of Yazid, Hazrat Zaynab courageously challenged him directly. She unfolded the brutal acts of the army of Yazid. She saved the lives of the remaining children, especially Hazrat Zaynul Abideen. Through her eloquent speeches, the public sentiments started turning in favor of Ahl al-Bayt. Eventually, Yazid was compelled to free them.