Birth Anniversary of Sayyeda Zainab A.S.

Hazrat Zainab (as) was a brilliant star that received rays of holiness from the five suns (Panjetan Pak a.s.).  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 Hazrat Al-Zahra (a.s.) was always laden with hardships, but she never feared coping with difficulties and this enhanced her endurance and elevated her soul.

She was born on the 5th of Jamadil Awwal (5th Islamic month) in the 5th Hijra, giving her a unique birth date of 5.5.5.  When Hazrat Zainab (a.s) was born, Imam Ali (a.s.) asked for the Prophet's advice as to her name, the same as it was in the case of Imam Hassan a.s. and Imam Hussein a.s.  They gave Zainab in swaddling clothes to the Prophet (SAW) and he waited for Allah's message.  Gabriel appeared and said she should be named Zainab. The Prophet (SAW) kissed her forehead.

In her childhood, J. Zainab a.s. gained knowledge from the Prophet (SAW) , and when Imam Ali (a.s) moved to Kufa, the respected women of Kufa requested Imam Ali (a.s) through their husbands to allow them to benefit from the knowledge of Hazrat Zainab (a.s.).  Imam Ali (a.s) complied with their request and the interested women learned from her the expounding wisdom of the Holy Qur'an.

Ibn Abbas quoted Hazrat Zahra (a.s.) as having said that her daughter Zainab, like her 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, p.51)

After the demise of the Holy Prophet (SAW), there came the period of distress and hardship in the life of Hazrat Zainab (a.s.).  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 and expressively that the people from Bani Hashim remembered it by heart.  Later the Shi'ia scholars recorded it, that is why she is often called 'Zainab the narrator of traditions'.

After the martyrdom of Hazrat Zahr a (a.s.), Zainab suffered many calamities.  Their house was attacked and the usurpation of her father's rightful caliphate was a great shock to her. Her sublime devotion to the cause of Allah and Islam endeared her to her father Ali ,which reminded of her mother's endearment to her father, the Holy Prophet (SAW).   All this was worthy of the grand status of Zainab (a.s.).

SALUTATIONS TO LADY ZAYNAB (A.S.) ON HER BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

The following is a glimpse from the Ziyarah of Bibi Zaynab (a.s.)
Usually this Ziyarah is recited to obtain the Divine Blessings while visiting her Shrine in Damascus-Syria
It can also be recited at any other time in remembrance of the example of courage and submission that she presented to the world


Peace be upon you.....

The daughter of the Chief of Prophets.

The daughter of the Master of the sanctuary and the banner.

The daughter of him who was made to ascend to (highest) Heaven.

The daughter of the Leader of the Pious.

The daughter of the Leader of the Deen.

The daughter of the Commander of the Faithful.

The daughter of him who struck with the sword of two blades.

The daughter of him who prayed towards the two qiblahs.

The daughter of Muhammad, the Chosen.

The daughter of Ali, the Content (with the decree of Allah).

The daughter of Fatima, the Radiant.

The daughter of Khadija, the Elder.

Peace be upon you . . .

O Righteous One, pleasing (to Allah).

O Learned, rightly Guided One.

O Generous, Noble One. O Pious, Pure one.

Peace be upon you . . .

O the one who was thoroughly tested by sufferance
like Husayn, the oppressed.

O the one who was kept far from your home.

O the one who was held captive in cities.

The sister who shared hardships with her brother,

Mercy and Blessings of Allah be with you.

Saying Of Imam Ali (A.S)

"If I cut a faithful Muslim into pieces to make him hate me, he will not turn into my enemy
and if I give all the wealth of this world to a hypocrite to make him my friend he will not befriend me.
It is so because the Holy Prophet has said:
" O Ali! No faithful Muslim will ever be your enemy and no hypocrite will ever be your friend. ""

Biharul Anwar of Allamah Majlisi

Mubaraki to all Mo'mineen on the Wiladat of Bibi Zainab A.S..