The Character and Moral Virtues of Lady Zaynab (s.a.)

Character and Moral Virtues of Lady Zaynab (s.a.)

How was the character and moral virtues of Lady Zaynab (s.a.)?

By examining the ancestors and lineage of Lady Zaynab (s.a.), we find that her ancestors and parents were all individuals of selflessness, courage, bravery, and piety. They were people who served Islam in various ways, considering themselves responsible before God, and performed acts of bravery in the path of Islam. Thus, it is evident that a woman destined to be the guardian and custodian of the Karbala movement should emerge from such a lineage. Lady Zaynab (s.a.) possessed a character that profoundly impacted history – a personality that attained the station of monotheism through inner detachment. Her aspiration was for the supremacy of the word of monotheism in history, the realization of divine guardianship, and the formation of a society centered on the household of the Prophet. Her resistance to adversity was a resistance that held the potential to break the front of falsehood and bring about the victory of truth. [1]

Worship of Lady Zaynab (s.a.)

Lady Zaynab al-Kubra (s.a.) was raised in a home where worship was presented as the essence and adornment of life.

In the ethereal atmosphere of a pure and luminous hut, Lady Zaynab’s (s.a.) personality took shape, echoing the virtues and perfections of her revered grandfather and her esteemed parents.

Lady Zaynab (s.a.) was a mirror reflecting the greatness of the House of Immaculate Purity (a.s.). She stood in prayer as if she were Lady Fatima (a.s.), lamented as if recalling her father, and engaged in nightly prayers, remembrance, and lengthy prostrations alongside her brothers, Imam Hussein (a.s.) and Imam Hassan (a.s.). It is narrated that during their final farewell, Imam Hussein (a.s.) said to her: "Sister, do not forget me in the night prayer." [3]

Regarding the night of Ashura, it is narrated from Fatima, daughter of Imam Hussein (a.s.), who said about Lady Zaynab (s.a.): "My aunt, Lady Zaynab (s.a.), remained standing in her place of worship throughout that night, imploring God. None of us slept, and our lamentations did not cease."

And from Imam Sajjad (a.s.), it is narrated that he said: "My aunt, Lady Zaynab (s.a.), performed all obligatory and supererogatory prayers throughout the journey from Karbala to Kufa and Damascus. She sometimes performed prayers while sitting, due to hunger and weakness, as she distributed the food given to her for three nights and days among the children, as those hardened hearts gave them only one loaf of bread each day and night."

This was the example and a glimpse of the bodily worship and performance of obligatory and supererogatory prayers of Lady Zaynab (s.a.). Furthermore, the greatest trait that exists in a human being is selflessness, which is also evident from this narration, revealing how Lady Zaynab (s.a.) patiently endured hunger and distributed her food ration to the young and innocent children of Imam (a.s.)!

Moving on from this point, the historical journey itself and the endurance of all those hardships and calamities are unparalleled in human history.

Her stand against tyrants and oppressors of the time, exposing and condemning them with those powerful and fiery speeches that carried the risk of mortal danger for herself and others, awakening the ignorant and foolish or the cowardly who had completely surrendered themselves to the time and sold their eternal happiness and afterlife for the fleeting pleasures of the transient world. Awakening those who were deceived by the propaganda of the Umayyad dynasty, who considered Imam Hussein (a.s.) as a disruptor, necessary to be executed, and delivering the sacred message of the time and the leader of the free, Hazrat Abu Abdullah al-Hussein (a.s.), whose criminals of Kufa and Damascus thought they would extinguish that sacred voice in the sands of Karbala. Reaching the farthest reaches of the world, even to Jews, Christians, and foreigners who had gathered in the assembly of Yazid to watch or congratulate. In short, performing a series of divine and historical missions that would bend the world's axis and be beyond its capacity.

Each of these was a great act of worship that this noble lady, raised in the school of Ali and Zahra (a.s.), undertook, and expressed her utmost humility and submission before the sacred presence of her Lord.

Indeed, Lady Zaynab (s.a.) understands the concept of the joy of life in eternal remembrance of God. In her logic, life without remembrance of God is worse than a hundred deaths.

Celestial lights shine so brightly within her being that the darkness of the pains and sorrows of the world appear bright and beautiful to her, and the longing for worship transforms the poisons of grief and calamity into a sweet drink. [5]

Asceticism of Lady Zaynab (s.a.)

Lady Zaynab al-Kubra (s.a.) grew up in a home where asceticism was presented as one of the most fundamental pillars of ethics and faith. Lady Zaynab (s.a.) witnessed her father constantly giving his food to orphans and the needy, and her mother patching up old clothes late into the night. It often happened that their evening meal was requested by a beggar, and her parents would give it to them with generosity, and they would spend the whole night with empty stomachs. Ultimately, the daughter of Ali (a.s.) would see that their home’s carpet was made of sheepskin. Indeed, Lady Zaynab (s.a.) did not grasp asceticism in words and phrases, but practically experienced the joy of asceticism in a humble and simple home, and gained knowledge of its constructive role in the moral and spiritual development. [6]

Knowledge of Lady Zaynab (s.a.)

The knowledge of Lady Zaynab al-Kubra (s.a.) was certainly not of the human type, but her heart was nourished by divine grace and the teachings of great prophets and imams, from the source of supernatural knowledge. There is also evidence that supports the fact that this noble lady possessed such a status.

Sayyid Nur al-Din al-Jaza’iri in his book Khususiyyat Zaynabiyya writes: Lady Zaynab (s.a.) had a teaching and training session and held interpretation sessions for women in Kufa during the imamate of her father. One day, while discussing the word "Qaf," she was approached by her father, who said: "I hear you are interpreting 'Qaf' for women?" Lady Zaynab replied: "Yes, Father." Then, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) said: "My eyes’ light holds a secret that narrates the calamities that will befall you." She asked: "How is that calamity?" Hazrat Ali described the calamity of her suffering, and then Lady Zaynab (s.a.) wept bitterly.

Among other evidence that demonstrates the scientific status and virtue of Lady Zaynab al-Kubra (s.a.) is the statement of Hazrat Zain al-Abidin (a.s.) in Kufa when the ambassador of Karbala delivered his fiery and condemning speech. He said:

"O my aunt, be silent, you are, by the praise of God, a knowledgeable one not taught, and a thinker not instructed."

The status of Lady Zaynab (s.a.) reaches the point where Imam Hussein (a.s.) entrusts her with the special deputation from Imam Zain al-Abidin (a.s.) due to his illness.

Sheikh Saduq, Ali ibn Babuya, says: "Lady Zaynab (s.a.) had the special deputation from Imam Hussein (a.s.) and people would consult her on matters of halal and haram until Imam Zain al-Abidin (a.s.) recovered from his illness."

Most importantly, the speeches of Lady Zaynab al-Kubra (s.a.) in Kufa and Damascus are compelling evidence that demonstrates her scientific status. The scientific, literary, and meaningful points used in the speeches of the ambassador of Karbala are such that the mind of every thoughtful and discerning reader is drawn to contemplate the subtle and eloquent phrases. [8]

Selflessness and Jihad of Lady Zaynab (s.a.) in the Path of Religion

Belief in God has consequences and responsibilities that not everyone can fulfill, and to act upon them. Among these is the struggle and jihad in the path of advancing this sacred goal, fighting against irreligion, and sacrifice and selflessness in this path, which God has expressed in several verses, one of which is:

"And those who believed and emigrated and fought in the way of Allah and those who gave refuge and helped - these are the true believers." [9]

The meaning of jihad is effort, struggle, and striving in the path of God, and this is possible for everyone in their own way, and under certain conditions, it is not obligatory on them, but if they can serve through other ways that are compatible with their existence, purity, and personality, it is a sign of their faith and perfection. Therefore, Lady Zaynab (s.a.) used every opportunity that arose to fight against irreligious people and innovators, and as much as possible, she used speech, reminders, and conversations with companions to warn of the dangers that arose from deviations in leadership, disobedience, and defiance of the Prophet’s orders. When she saw that this was not producing the desired result, she even expressed her displeasure with the ruling system through crying and lamenting.

The legacy of this noble lady, Lady Zaynab (s.a.), is like her mother, Lady Fatima Zahra (s.a.), when she felt the responsibility of great jihad in the path of religion and fighting against irreligious people, and had to leave behind her husband, children, and comfortable life, she bravely and selflessly left her home and family, and brought her children along to the sacrificial arena of Karbala, and in every situation, she was a loving and compassionate helper for the leader of this sacred movement, Hazrat Abu Abdullah al-Hussein (a.s.). And when the fateful day of Ashura arrived, and that divine argument attained the degree of martyrdom, a new share of this great responsibility was added to the share of this brave lady, and a new burden of this heavy responsibility was placed on the shoulders of this noble lady. With complete courage and generosity, she stood against the deviant and bloodthirsty anti-religious and anti-human wolves, without any fear or hesitation, defended her religion and faith, and every word from her meaningful and soul-stirring speeches, and every sentence from her speeches, was like an arrow and a blazing meteor that struck the hearts of the enemies. With complete pride and success, she performed this heavy responsibility well, and delivered the world’s axis and the burden that great men could not carry together, alone. [11]

Footnotes

[1].
Tazli Koohsar publication in Fatima Masouma (s.a.) calendar 73
[3].
Dr. Ismail Mansuri Larijani, Zaynab Kubra: A Cry Across the Ages, pages 32, 31, and 30
[4].
Sayyid Hashim Rasouli Mahallati, Fragments from the Life of Lady Fatima (s.a.) and Lady Zaynab (s.a.).
pages 81 and 80
[5].
Ibid, 82
[6].
Dr. Ismail Mansur Lazejani: Zaynab Kubra: A Cry Across the Ages, pages 36, 35, and 34
[7].
Ibid, pages 27 and 26
[8].
Ibid, pages 29 and 28
[9].
Quran, Surah Anfal, verse 74
[10].
Sayyid Hashim Rasouli Mahallati, Fragments from the Life of Lady Fatima (s.a.) and Lady Zaynab (s.a.). pages 86, 85, and 84
[11].
Ibid, page 87
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