1st of Shabaan 1433 A.H. - the birth anniversary of Hazrat
Zainab(s.a.) bint-e-Imam Ali(a.s.). Another date mentioned in history
is of 5th Jamadi-us-Sani for her date of birth.
Sayyeda Zainab(a.s), the daughter of Imam Ali (a.s) and Sayyeda Fatima
(a.s.), was an exemplary Woman of great ability, intelligence,
knowledge , insight, courage and perseverance. She was born in the
Prophet's (sawaw) family, the most outstanding figure in human
history. The Prophet's wife Sayyeda Khadija was her maternal
grandmother, and her paternal grandmother was Fatima daughter of
Assad, who mothered and nursed the Prophet(sawaw).

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.

The Birth of Janabe Zainab (a.s.)

She was born on the 5th of Jamadil Awwal (or 1st Shabaan) 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 Hassan(a.s.) and
Hussain(a.s.). They gave Zainab in swaddling clothes to the
Prophet(sawaw) and he waited for Allah's message. Gabriel appeared and
said she should be named Zainab. The Prophet(saww) kissed her.

Janabe Zainab (a.s.) - the sage of Bani Hashim

In her childhood, Zainab studied with the Prophet(sawaw) , 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(sawaw), 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.

After the martyrdom of Hazrat Zahra(a.s.), Zainab(a.s.) 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(a.s.), which reminded of her mother's endearment to her father,
the Holy Prophet(sawaw). All this was worthy of the grand status of
Zainab(a.s.).

Janabe Zainab(a.s.)'s Marriage

Abdullah son of Ja'far Tayyar, a nephew of Imam Ali(a.s.) asked for
Zainab's hand, and Imam Ali(a.s.) accepted it. Her marriage settlement
was equal to that of her mother's. Imam Ali(a.s.) told Ja'far not to
prevent Zainab(a.s.) from visiting Hussain(a.s.) whenever she so
desired and not to prevent her from going on a journey with Imam
Hussain(a.s).

Although Zainab's husband was a man of means, she lived a modest life,
not a life of luxury. She and her husband were charitable to the needy
people. The Arab tribes called Abdullah "the sea or the cloud of
munificence".

Abdullah was also noted for his standing with Imam Ali(a.s.) in the
holy wars (jihad). Ibn Hajar quoted the Prophet(sawaw) as having said
that Abdullah was like him in character and had taken him by the right
hand and prayed to Allah(swt) to extend His mercy over the household
of Abdullah bin Ja'far.

The marriage of Hazrat Zainab(a.s.) did not diminish her strong
attachment to her family. Imam Ali(a.s) also felt a great affection
for his daughter and nephew and when he became the Caliph of the
Muslims and moved from Medina to Kufa, Zainab and Abdullah joined him.
Hazrat Zainab(a.s.) bore four boys by the names of Ali, Muhammad, Aun
and Abbas and a girl, Umm Kulthum (as per sibt Ibn-e-Jozi). According
to Sheikh Sadooq she had three boys – Ali, Jafer, Aun Akbar – and one
daughter – Umm Kulthum.

Janabe Zainab (a.s.) and Imamate

In her life she always saw the evildoers, oppressors, insurgents and
breakers of covenants defy the truth and Imam Ali(a.s.), the supporter
of the truth and justice had to quell their revolts. Finally, an evil
hand gave Imam Ali(a.s.) a stroke from a poisoned sword on his head in
the mosque. After Imam Ali(a.s.), his son Imam Hassan(a.s.) became the
Caliph. He was also greatly oppressed until at last he signed a peace
treaty with the ruler of that time. Imam Hassan(a.s.) was poisoned by
his treacherous wife, by the order of the Caliph of that time. After
him, Imam Hussain(a.s.) became the Imam, but the ruler of Syria
violated the peace treaty and appointed his son as his successor and
insisted that Imam Hussain(a.s.) should pledge allegiance to him. Imam
Hussain(a.s.) refused to pledge allegiance and made up his mind to
move to Makkah.

Janab Zainab(a.s.) bode farewell to her husband and went with her
brother accompanied by her sons Muhammad and Aun. They reached Makkah
in 60 Hijra year. Imam Hussain(a.s.) was informed that some agents of
the ruler of that time had come to Makkah to assassinate him while
circumambulating the Holy Ka'bah. Imam Hussain(a.s.) deemed it
advisable to move to Kufa and let people know of his secret mission.
They arrived at Karbala on the 2nd Muharram, 61 Hijra. Hazrat
Zainab(a.s.) had heard from her grandfather and father that Karbala
would be the place where Imam Hussain(a.s.) would be martyred.

Janabe Zainab(a.s.) in Karbala

Zainab(a.s.) is the shining sun in the history of Islam and of
humanity. Her brother's name and Karbala associate the idea of
freedom, justice, humanity, virtue, fighting against despotism, with
the realization of the sovereignty of Allah. The history of Karbala is
based on two pillars: the rising of Imam Hussain(a.s.) and the rising
of Zainab(a.s.). She was an outstanding figure in the history of
Karbala endowed with divine steadfastness and fortitude. She
sacrificed her two sons and one should not say anything if one devoted
his life for the cause of Allah. After the martyrdom of her brother
and her two sons, she said: "0 my Lord! Accept our humble sacrifice to
You."

When Zainab(a.s.) reached Kufa, she addressed people with these words:
"Praise to Allah, and may the blessing of Allah be upon Muhammad and
his progeny. 0 people of Kufa, you are hypocrites and deceitful. You
feign to be sorry for the death of my brother and his companions. May
you always shed tears. I find nothing in you but flattery, evil acts
and thoughts, pride and spite and ill-will. By Allah! You deserve
lasting sorrow instead of joy. Shame on you, your hands are imbrued
with the blood of the son of the Holy Prophet, the one who was your
sole refuge in case of adversity. By your evil act and disloyalty, you
incurred the -wrath of Allan against you. Woe betide you! No one will
intercede with Allah for you." Her furious words provoked people of
Kufa to avenge Hussein's martyrdom. This frightened Ubaidullah and his
cruel agents.

She also delivered a furious sermon in the court of the caliph that
made his authority and despotic rule feel undermined. She said: "I
fear no one but Allah. Make whatever evil plot you can. Blazes are
waiting for you in the hereafter. You'll he accountable to Allah for
your atrocities."