On the sad occasion of the shahadat anniversary of Sayeda Zainab bint Ali (s.a), the sister of Imams Hasan and Hussain (as), World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL) gives condolences to the Imam of our time, Imam Mahdi (atfs), the Ahlul Bayt (as), our righteous scholars, and all believers.
 
Lady Zainab was the daughter of Imam Ali and Sayeda Fatima (as), born in 5 AH in Madinah. She was a devout, pious, private, humble woman, raised under the shade of her grandfather the Prophet sawa, and her very pious, infallible parents. It was the fact that she lived in the shade of the Five Holy Infallibles that she was a woman of such great qualities and fortitude as demonstrated in Karbala. The tragedy of Karbala was so great that any average person would have been crumbled by it: it took a lady like Sayeda Zaynab, with the inherited courage and patience of her father, mother, and brothers to be able to bear the oppression of Karbala, support the rest of the captives, and ensure that Imam Hussain a.s’s message of Islam continued.
 
Lady Zainab was approximately 56 years old at the tragedy of Karbala. She was fiercely loyal to the Imams of her time, whether her brothers Imams Hasan and Hussain (as) or her nephew Imam Zainul Abideen (as). It was her commitment to the message of Islam that ensured that azadari (mourning) for Imam Hussain was established. Indeed after returning to Madinah after a year’s captivity, she was exiled by Yazid due to her constant recounting of Banu Umayya’s oppression of the Ahlul Bayt (as). She eventually travelled to Damascus, where she was killed on the orders of the Umayyad Caliph in 62 AH.
 
Sayeda Zainab was a most unique woman and an upright outstanding role model for all Muslims, men and women. She challenged Ibn Ziyad and Yazid in their palaces with such courage and defiance, listing the praises of the Ahlul Bayt (as), their heritage as inheritors of the Prophet (sawa) where even men did not dare to speak in front of the caliph. But Sayeda Zainab (as) spoke truly like her father’s daughter.
 
Whilst we commemorate her life, it is important to remember that when she was asked about the tragedy of Karbala, her reply was ‘I see nothing but beauty’. To sacrifice everything for Allah never leaves us at a loss but indeed as she showed us, we gain God’s pleasure. But it must be borne in mind that such a dignified woman had to suffer the indignation of being paraded through towns without her head covering. Imam Zainul Abideen (as), when asked about what hurt him the most regarding Karbala, said that it was the journey of his uncovered women through Shaam. The modesty of a woman, her covering, her attire and demeanour, are a treasure that must not be taken lightly. A true believing woman who follows the Ahlul Bayt (as) and mourns for Zainab (sa) will always follow her (sa) in her dress and demeanour.
 
WABIL extends its condolences to all believers and prays that our sisters and daughters follow Sayeda Zainab (sa)’s example in humility, modesty and serving the faith, and that our brothers take courage and devotion from her life example.
 
Sayed Mohammad Al-Musawi
World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL)
London, UK
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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