The following summary of this lecture is regarding the important lessons we can learn and apply from the exemplary life of Lady Zainab (as).
- Bibi Zainab is an exemplar for both men and women.
- Sadly we have kept Imam Ali and Bibi Zainab in our mosque and have not introduced these figures to non muslims. There are many in the world today who are looking for people who could show them patience in the face of adversity.
- Zainab was born 5th year after hijra. Allah gave her the name Zainab meaning the adornment of her father.
- She was 6 years old when her mother died. What lessons did she learn from Fatima?
- Be political. Zainab had participated in the event of mubahila at age 4. She saw her mother leave the house to represent the religion.
- She saw her mother give the most eloquent speeches. Zainab was around 6 years old when Bibi Fatima gave that speech. She saw her mother, while injured, stand in front of the men of medina. When Zainab stood in front of the people of Shaam, she was had seen her mother do the same. When you see oppression occur, speak.
- Spirituality. How was Bibi Zainab able to do salatul layl after everything that happened in Karbala, Kufa, and Shaam? It was Bibi Fatima’s influence. She wanted Zainab to see how she balanced politics, spirituality, and her social responsibility.
- She saw her mother doing salat ul layl and duas. Bibi Zainab used to see her mother pray for her neighbors and community before her own family.
- Imam Sadiq says the right of your daughter is that you engage in dialogue with them.
- Bibi Zainab was 6 years old when her mother passed away.
- Many people would have turned away from the community that killed their mom but Zainab held classes in her house and taught them. Tafseer on Monday, tajweed (recitation) on Tuesday, aqaid (beliefs) on Wednesday, laws of islam on Thursday….
- When Imam Ali moved to Kufa, Abdullah Bin Jafar and Zainab moved with him and used to live next to Masjid Kufa. Imam Ali would teach in the mosque, Zainab would teach in her house.
- In the school of ahlulbayt, a person is great by their own merit, not because of relationship or association.
- Imam Zain ul Abideen says my auntie, you are learned without being taught by anyone and you have understanding without anyone training you.
- Ibn Hajr (famous scholar) says about Zainab before Karbala: You are the one who has depth of understanding but with a dignity nobody can match.
- Zainab was Hussain’s rock at karbala. Were it not for Zainab, we would not have had Islam as we have it today.
- Ibn Ziyad asks Zainab, what do you think of what your god did to your brother at Karbala? She said I saw nothing but beauty on the 10th of muharram. What did she mean by that? Firstly, the dignity of my brother was so beautiful. You put arrows all over his body and he still offered you water. You people killed his children, and he still spoke with ikhlaq the whole way. You killed his brother in front of him and still he said I am saddened by the way you people are am i not the gradnon of the prophet. I saw the most wonderful performance of bani adam. Secondly, If you beat me physically here, you may have won physically but spiritually there will be a time that people will yearn to be next to imam hussain in karbala and you will be forgotten. Thirdly, there is a day of judgement, ibn Ziyad. I can’t wait until my lord judges you. That is the day you will see who has been victorious this day.
- Some of us will face injustice in this world, will be hurt but Zainab teaches all of us that none of you saw what I saw in Karbala, look at the cup half full, not empty. Look at what allah has blessed you with, then all you’ll say is “I saw nothing but beauty”
- When Ayatullah Seebaway was asked to say one line of museeba of karbala. All he said was, Zainab walked in the court of Ziyad. Just think about that I don’t need to say anything else.
- From Kufa to Shaam, every stop they went, they were pelted with stones. Did she ever say I hate this religion? No. She said I will make sure my mother is proud of me. I will make her proud on the day of judgment.
- Imam Zainul abideen says in Shaam I saw people poking their spears into the waste of my auntie Zainab. They poured boiling water on us.
- Sayed Ammar Nakshwani states part of the speech of Bibi Zainab.
- They went back to Karbala. Zainab made sure the head were put back with the bodies.
- Then she returned to Medina. She started the majlis of Imam Hussain (a.s). The majalis today are because of Bibi Zainab. Yazid ordered that she was being too loud and told her to leave Medina. Some say she went to Egypt other say she went to where she is buried today in Syria.