Lady Zeinab: An Evident Exemplar
According to the view of Islam, the woman is given the high status she desires. In fact, one of the advantages of Islam, which has turned it into the best way of living for mankind, is its view on the true status of women.
As opposed to many schools of thought which have a derogatory view of women and introduce them as the inferior gender, Islam’s view of women is different from the common views of women fourteen centuries ago or even the view in today’s world.
For example, even the modern world has failed to describe the status of woman in the society. As such, Will Durant, the famous philosopher and author of The Story of Civilization states:
Supposing that we are Christians living in the year 2000, and we want to know the greatest historic event in the first quarter of the twentieth century, we would realize that this event was not a war or the revolution in Russia, rather it was the revolution in the status of women. The history has barely witnessed such a significant alteration, in such a short period of time; the holy union of family which was the basis for social order, marriage which was the barrier to lustfulness and instability of human, the complication moral rules which turned us from savagery to civilization and sociability, all have evidently been caught in this revolutionary transform, which has affected all our traditions, lifestyles, and even thoughts.
Therefore, we hear the complaint of western intellectuals about the shakiness of the foundation of family and marriage, the escaping of the youth from accepting the responsibility of marriage, the hatred towards motherhood, the diminishment of parents’ and especially mothers’ love for their children, the status of women in today’s world and the replacement of true love with superficial desires, the growing rate of divorce, the extraordinary rate of illegitimate children, lack of unity and kindness between spouses... more than anytime before.
However, the religion of Islam and its Holy Scripture offer a different point of view. At the time of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh&hh), when woman was considered as a cause of adversity and worthy of being buried alive, he used to kiss the hands of his daughter, and introduced woman as a cause of tranquility and peace (1).
The Holy Qur’an, in contrast with some other religious books, has not mentioned the theory that woman was created from a substance inferior to that of man. Moreover, the Holy Qur’an strictly opposes the common notion in the literature that woman is “an element of sin”, “a little Satan”, or “there is a woman involved in every sin or crime”.
On the contrary, there are several verses in the Holy Qur’an which state that human being is created from a man and a woman (2). Throughout these verses and other related ones, the Holy Scripture of Islam rejects the common perception that despises the role of women in childbirth and degrade her status to just a sex object.
Moreover, the Holy Qur’an disproves the unreal claim that women do not have the capability of getting into Paradise or gaining spiritual positions by enumerating examples of distinguished women.
The Holy Qur’an clearly relates proximity towards Allah (SWT) to faith and deeds, rather than gender (3).
It refers to a prominent woman besides every prominent man. It has admired the wives of Adam and Abraham (PBUT) as well as the mothers of Moses and Jesus (PBUT). On the other hand, wives of Noah and Lot (PBUT) have been condemned while Asiyah (the wife of Pharaoh), who was a faithful woman, has been recognized (4). This reveals that to prove its advanced viewpoints on the status of women, the Holy Qur’an has introduced some real examples and successful models.
One such model, who is an outstanding example in terms of spiritual positions, as well as religious knowledge and social-political actions, is the auspicious Lady born on this day, namely Lady Zeinab (a.s.). The role of Lady Zeinab (a.s.) in the event of Ashura, which was the initiation of the revival of the Islamic movement and the main reason for the revival of the Islamic religion, was not marginal; rather she had a complementary role without which the rising of Imam Hussein (PBUH) would have been incomplete.
According to the viewpoint of the religion in which Lady Zeinab (a.s.) is a model, women have such a valuable status that the capability of influencing the history is just a small portion of it; indeed, this viewpoint has no identical in any of the other ideologies...
* Selection taken from The Rights of Women in Islam, by Martyr Murtada Mutahhari (with some changes)
(1). The Holy Qur’an (30, 21)
(2). The Holy Qur’an (49, 13)
(3). The Holy Qur’an (4, 124), (16, 97), (40, 40)...
(4). The Holy Qur’an (66, 10 & 11)
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The Life Of Lady Zeinab (SA)
To throw light upon the odorous memories and to work perseveringly for obtaining the items of such memories; these two things cast on souls good manners, virtues, and acquaintance with the conducts of the past personalities who were characterized by high merits, piety, righteousness, and decency.
Thus, the noble, deep-rooted character of Lady Zeinab should not be passed over because she has contained all points of immaculacy, majesty, dignity, and distinguished origin. She has also possessed renowned bearings in the fields of perseverance on the principles, courage, eloquence, and full-heatedness in addition to asceticism, chastity, piety, holiness, and magnanimity.
On that account, it is necessary for seekers of merits and fact-finders to adopt from her precious life account and please the ears by listening to her admirable, odorous memories so as to take from her a model of self disciplining, knowledge, and aspiration.
Let us now refer to a brief presentation of the life of Lady Zeinab.
Lineage
Lady Zeinab enjoyed the most exalted lineage since she ramified from the tree of prophecy and Imamate and combined all the elements of honor and dignity. The family of Imam Ali (AS) has been the most elevates all over history in fields of struggle against wrong and adaptation of the issues of human rights. For the sake of these issues, sons and descendants of Imam Ali (AS) have provided hundreds of martyrs.
Lady Zeinab's grandfather, from the maternal side, was Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) who exploded spring of knowledge and wisdom on this earth, founded the features of civilization and development, constructed a noble society controlled by justice and law, smashed the customs, superstitions, and pagans of the savage, tribal society that prevailed in the Arab Peninsula, called for worshipping the One Creator, and brought to his nation abundant goodness. Indeed, Almighty Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) as mercy for humankind.
From this great personality, Lady Zeinab inherited defense of the right and struggle for elevating the Word of Allah highly.
Her grandmother, from the maternal side, was Khadijah who supported Islam in its darkest days, struggled for sake of Allah in the ever-best way, and spent her entire fortune for sake of her religion. She therefore has been one of the two supports on which Islam relied in existence. The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to appreciate for his loyal wife her situation in her life and after her death.
From this great grandmother, Lady Zeinab inherited the highest moral standards and perseverance on principles. Copying her grandmother, she supported her brother, Imam al-Hussein (AS), in his revolution and supplies his great uprising with elements of eternity.
Lady Zeinab's father is Imam Ali Amir al-Mu'minin (commander of the faithful believers): chief of the prophets' successors, leader of the pious ones, and head of the worshippers. 'Ali was the representative, successor, and heir of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). His merits are innumerable and his situations for sake of Allah are incomparable. He was the most knowledgeable, the most self-possessed, the most magnanimous, the most generous, the most ascetic, the most courageous, the most reputable, the best worshipper, the most loyal, the most faithful, and the most pious among Muslims.
Historians have recorded unanimously that Lady Zeinab was imitating her father in behavior, knowledge, and conduct. She, too, adopted positively all of her father's goals and situations for sake of supplying Islam with elements of continuity. Hence, she, along with her brother Imam al-Hussein (AS), could thwart the Umayyad infidels' plots aimed at wiping out Islam and replacing it with the pre-Islamic customs.
Lady Zeinab's mother was Lady Fatimah al-Zahra' the Veracious (AS) who was a copy of her father in adoration of Allah, piety, self-discipline, knowledge, virtue, clemency, veneration, and the other features of perfection. Her father named her as the Chiefess of the Women of the World. (1) From this cause, her father addressed his best words of laudation and respect to his daughter who was the ideal woman on this earth.
(1)- Besides Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), Fatimah al-Zahra' the Veracious (AS) was praised by everyone who lived in her time Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, in his al-Isabah, records that 'A'ishah, the Prophet's wife, said: "Except Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), nobody is preferred to Fatimah." 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas said, as it is recorded in the previous reference book: "The best women of Paradise are four: Khadijah, Fatimah, Mary, and Asiyah -the Pharaoh's wife," Al-bukhari, in his al-Sahih, and Muslim, in his al-Sahih, recorded the following: Al-Musawwir ibn Makhramah quoted the Prophet (p.b.u.h) saying, "Fatimah is a piece of me. Whatever hurts her is certainly hurting me and whatever please her is certainly pleasing me."
'Ali (AS) reported the Prophet's addressing to Fatimah: "Fatimah, most surely Allah is pleased when you are pleased and enraged when you are enraged."
Finally, reference books of Islamic history and narration are full of reports relating the elevated standing of Fatimah al-Zahra' the Veracious (AS).
This was the mother, educator , and instructor of Lady Zeinab who was nourished on all features of human perfection.
Let us also refer briefly to the grandfather and grandmother of Lady Zaynab from the paternal side.
Abu Talib, father of Imam 'Ali (AS), was the protector of Islam as he defended Prophet Muhammd (p.b.u.h) so bravely and suffered in this course unbearable troubles. Only under the guardianship of Abu Talib could Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) propagate for his divine mission and spread his principles rearlessly. With the demise of his protector, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) expressed his great loss and grief. He therefore called that year as 'year of grief'.
After the demise of Abu Talib, the enemies of the Prophet(p.b.u.h) agreed on assassinating him, but Allah saved and ordered him to flee to Yathrib and let his cousin, 'Ali, sleep in his bed for making the assassinators understand that he was still there.
From this great personality, Lady Zaynab drew the best lessons of defending the principles.
Lady Zaynab's grandmother was Fatimah bint Asad; an exampel of faith and purity. On her hands, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) was brought up and treated so kindly and tenderly since she used to take care of sympathy and love. Hence, she was highly respected by him; when she departed life, he (p.b.u.h) dressed her his own shirt and laid down in her grave as expressions of his great love for her.
From this great mother, Lady Zaynab learnt the best lessons of love and support for sake of her religion and its legal leaders.
We, also should not neglect the fact that Imam al-Hasan and Imam al-Hussein (AS) participated in composing the unparalleled personality of their sister, Lady Zaynab, since she spent a long term of her life under their custody.
The two Imams' merits and virtues are too many to be contained. As a result, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) called them 'Chiefs for the Youth of Paradise.'
Lady Zaynab imitated the morals and ethics of Imam al-Hasan (AS) who was known of his composure and liberty in addition to all the high moral standards. As he noticed that his grandfather and parents take care of Zaynab, Imam al-Hasan encompassed her with very much love and compassion and preferred her to the other harem of the Prophet's household.
Imam al-Husayn's realtion with his sister Zeinab has been the melody of seekers of human perfection. She could occupy his feelings and emotions for the genuineness of her estimation, elevation of her ethics, and high moral standards. She was the most dependable in the sight of Imam al-Husayn (AS) who used to take counsel with her in all of his affairs.
She also accompanied him in all the stages of his revolution. without Lady Zaynab's struggle, efforts, and honorable situations, the revolution of Imam al-Hussein (AS) would have been lost. As an example of Lady zaynab's great standing in the sight of her brother Imam al-Husayn (AS) is that when he bade her the last farewell on the day of 'Ashura' , he asked her to mention him in her Night Prayer.
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Death Anniversary on 15th Rajab
The death of the vanguard of protection for the members of the family of the Prophet and the lady who carried forth the message of Kerbala for the future generations, Lady Zeinab the daughter of Ali (AS) holds a special place in the hearts of all Muslims.
Born into a family of spiritual purity with a grand-father, mother, father, and brothers belonging to the tree of infallibility and the house in which the Qur’an descended, her environment was one which permitted her to reach to great levels.
Although she lost her mother when she was still a child of around 7 years, another Fatima (later on she became known as Ummul Baneen), entered into her father’s life and took on the arduous task of raising future leaders of the Ummah. However, the loss of her mother at such a young age did not prevent her from picking up her exemplary qualities. Just as her mother stood up to speak in the Masjid of the Prophet when her rights were stolen from her (in regards to Fadak), so too when the caravan of the Ahlul Bayt were taken to the palaces of Ibne Ziyad and Yazid, this daughter of Fatima, as the mirror image of her mother, stood up to defend the Ahlul Bait and their rights.
A model woman for all generations, one of her claims to fame was her profound knowledge of Islam. Although she never frequented a school to learn the faith of Islam, memorization of the Qur’an and the commentary of the Book of Allah (swt) and all other aspects of the faith, she none the less was recognized as an authority. In fact, due to her not going to any formal school, her nephew, the 4th Imam commonly referred to her as the “The Scholar who had no formal teacher.”
A point which the sisters of today can learn from this towering personality, while in Kufah during the reign of her father, the Commander of the Faithful, she held special sessions for the Muslim women who would come to learn about Islam and a detailed expose' of the Qur’an. Thus, rather than the men teaching the women, she took it upon her self to teach those of her gender not about theology but also Islamic morals and ethics!
Her lofty rank and status would however, not grant her immunity from the clutches of tyranny.
Although the events surrounding her death are obscure, and there are definitely discrepancies as to what occurred after the massacre in Kerbala in 61 AH to this noble woman, however most historians write that she lived only one year after the massacre and at the age of 57, left this mortal world.
Even the reports of where she was buried conflict with one another with three prominent opinions being put forward by the researchers. Some say that she died and was buried in Medina; others claim Egypt where there is a large shrine for Sayyida Zeinab while the third and most compelling belief is that she died in Damascus.
“Peace be upon her the day she was born, the day she died and the day she will be brought back to life…”
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The types and Advantages of Water
A reliable tradition states that in this world and the world-to-come, there is nothing better than water. Anyone who takes pleasure in drinking water will take pleasure when God gives him the wine of Heaven.
According to a tradition from Hadrat Ali (a.s.), "zamzam water is the best water among all the waters of the earth and Burhoot water (which is in Yemen) is the worst for it is haunted by the spirits of the nonbelievers (kafirs), and day and night it is in a state of curse."
According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.): "zamzam water is a cure for all diseases."
Hadrat Ali (a.s.) said: "one should drink rain water as it purifies the body and cures all pains and diseases."
According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.): "cold water lessens temperature, cures vomiting, digests food, and is an antidote for heat and also stated that boiled water is good for all types of pains and is not harmful in any way."
According to Imam Rida (a.s.): "the water which is boiled seven times in seven different vessels cures fever and cough."
Ibne Abi Taifur, a doctor, states that when he visited Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.), he saw him drinking a lot of water. When he stopped, the Imam (a.s.) replied: "drinking water even in excess is not harmful in any way as it digests food in the stomach, lessens excitement (anger), increases intellect and cures vomiting."
Manners of Drinking Water:
According to Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), "whosoever, while drinking water, remembers Imam Hussein (a.s.) and his Ahle Bait and curses his murderers and tormenters, one lakh good deeds will be written in his record, one lakh sins will be forgiven, he will be elevated one lakh times and he will be rewarded to the extent as though he has freed one lakh slaves in the name of God and on the Day of Judgement God will look towards his welfare. If he recites the following while drinking water, it is better:
‘May Allah shower his blessings on Hussein (a.s.) and his Ahle bait and his companions. May He increase His curses on the murderers of Hussein (a.s.) and his enemies.’"
Another reliable tradition from the same Imam (a.s.) asserts that if a person does not drink water when he is feeling thirsty and appeases his thirst late, then God makes him an inhabitant of Heaven.
Actually, before appeasing his thirst, he should wait for a while praising Almighty and then drink and at that time God makes Heaven compulsory for him.
In another tradition from the same Imam (a.s.), it is stated that if a person, before drinking water at night recites three times:
‘Salutation to the water of Zam Zam and water of Furat.’
then the water will not harm him.
According to a tradition from Imam Ja'far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), "one should not have water while standing, one should not walk around a grave and should not urinate in standing water. If a person does these things, he will be affected by troubles and then he will have to cure himself alone from these."
According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), "one should say ‘Bismillah’ before drinking water and ‘Alhamdolillah’ after drinking. If the clay container has a handle, then one should take the water from the front and if it is broken from somewhere or has a hole, then one should have water from the other side as both the situations are related to the devil."
The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hh) has prohibited blowing with mouth in the water.
It is stated that the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hh) used to drink water in glass utensils which had come as a present from Syria and at times in wooden and leather containers and if none were available, in his hand.
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