Al
Aqeelah Zainab (AS): The Daughter of Her Mother
One way to better appreciate the elevated status of Al Aqeelatu Zainab bint Ali
(AS) is to draw a simple comparison on the striking resemblances between her
life and the life of her purified mother, Seyyida Fatima Al Zahra
(AS). The purpose of this exercise is not at all to bring the status of
Seyyida Zahra (AS) down to any one else no matter how great they
are. After all, Fatima (AS) is the Infallibe Master Lady of all
Worlds and she is the Hujjah (proof) over the Infallible Imams while our
Imams act as Hujjah on us. Recognizing these similarities is only a humble
attempt to better understand the prominent position of Seyyida Zainab's and her
high rank which we are ignorant of. After all, if a person resembles
"light" in many ways, then surely that person has achieved close
proximity to that light, and hence, will become a reflection of that
divine light.
Sure enough,
Zainab (AS) was the mirror reflection of the light of Seyyida Fatima Al
Zahra (AS) in her chastity and modesty. She was the imitation of her
grandmother Khadija (AS) in her sobriety and serenity. She was the
echo of her father Imam Ali (AS) in his eloquence. She was the
carbon copy of her brother Imam Hasan (AS) in his forbearance and patience.
And most certainly, she was the twin of Imam Husain (AS) in his bravery and
tranquility!
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1-
Both Seyyida Fatima Zahra (AS) and Zainab (AS) were orphaned on the mother’s
side at a very young age.
2-
Fatima (AS) is the Kauther to her father, and Zainab (AS) is the Zain
(adornment) of her father.
3-
Just like Seyyida Fatima (AS) was the ‘mother of her father’, Zainab (AS)
grew up playing a similar role with responsibility of looking after her
brothers and tending to her father.
4-
Both Seyyida Fatima Zahra (AS) and Zainab (AS) had same dowries.
5-
Imam Ali (AS) testified that Fatima was “a good helper and wife in the way
of Allah”. And Abdullah ibn Jafar
testified that his wife Zainab is “the best housewife”.
6-
Both inherited the eloquence from their fathers, delivered keynote speeches,
and resembled their fathers in their demeanor.
7-
When Fatima and Zainab (AS) started their well-known speeches, they signaled to
their audience to be quiet, and immediately all was pin-drop silence!
(Wilayah Takweeneya!!!)
8-
Just like Fatima (AS) in her own words suffered the weight of calamities
(Masa’eb) which befell her “Calamities showered on me such that if they were
placed on days, they would’ve turned into nights!” Seyyida Zainab (AS) was afflicted with 1001
misfortunes such that she is known today as Umm Al Masa’eb (Mother of
Misfortunes)!
9-
Just like
10-
Just like Fatima AL-MOMTAHANA experienced most calamities immediately
after the death of her most beloved one, Rasulullah (SA), Seyyida Zainab AL-MASBEYA
experienced suffering of captivity & humiliation right after the martyrdom
of her beloved brother, Husain (AS).
11-
Both Fatima and Zainab (AS) were physically abused and violated by the worst of
creation at their time in defense of Haqq (truth)!
12-
Both Fatima and Zainab (AS) gave away their beloved two sons in the way of
Allah (SWT) – [Hasan and Husain & Aun and Muhammad].
13-
Before his death, Prophet (SA) entrusted his beloved daughter Fatima as Wadee’a
(trust) to her husband Ameerul Momineen (AS).
And before his death, Ameerul Momineen (AS) entrusted his beloved
daughter Zainab to her brother Abul Fadl Al Abbas (AS). Unfortunately both valuable trusts were
violated and departed this life in the worst of conditions, both physically and
emotionally! L
14-
No more than a year passed when Fatima (AS) departed this world to join her
beloved Muhammad. And no more than a
year passed when Zainab (AS) departed this world to join her beloved Husain!
15-
Without Seyyida Fatima (AS), we would’ve never known today about the injustice
& conspiracy committed by some companions of the Prophet (SA). AND without Seyyida Zainab (AS) we would’ve
never come to know about the Tragedy of Karbala and Museeba of Husain (AS)!
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Sadly,
one obvious difference is that the blessed gravesite of Seyyida Zahra (AS) is
unknown and hidden to us till today, while the holy shrine of Seyyida Zainab
(AS) is well-known and visited by many in