Zainab Bint Ali (RA): A Life of History and Quotes

 

Muslim Creed – Zainab Bint Ali (RA) was the first child of Imam Hussain (RA) and his wife Zainab Bint Khuzaima (RA). She was named after her great-grandmother, Zainab Bint Ali (RA), the daughter of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Her story has been well documented in history, as she lived through some of the most trying and tragic events during her time.

Biography

Zainab bint Ali was born in the year 599 CE, in Medina. Her father, Ali ibn Abi Talib, was the first cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad    . Her mother, Fatimah bint Asad, was also a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad    . Zainab (RA) grew up to be a beautiful young woman with a kind heart. She married Abu al-Aswad al-Du’ali when she was just 17 years old. Unfortunately, her husband died shortly after their marriage. Zainab (RA) later married Jafar ibn Abi Talib, the son of her father’s brother.

Zainab’s (RA) first husband had an aunt named Lubaba bint al-Harith. Lubaba became a friend of Zainab, but she was also a harsh critic who never approved of her marriage to Abu al-Aswad. Lubaba later even criticized Zainab for marrying Jafar ibn Abi Talib, saying that she had married her son to a woman who was too young and beautiful. This did not stop Zainab from making friends with other people around her or maintaining relationships with those whom she already knew.

Martyrdom

Zainab bint Ali was the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the daughter of his first cousin, ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib. She is best known for her courage during the Battle of Karbala, where she was taken captive along with the other women and children of the Ahlul Bayt. Even in captivity, she refused to give up her faith or denounce her loved ones, and she eventually died as a result of the injuries she sustained during the battle. Her martyrdom is commemorated every year on Ashura, and she is remembered for her strength in the face of adversity.

Zainab bint Ali’s birth is shrouded in some mystery, but it’s known that she was born between 4 AH/6 CE and 8 AH/10 CE. As a child, she grew up in Medina among her many siblings who included nine brothers, Hasan ibn ‘Ali; Hussein ibn ‘Ali; Zayd ibn ‘Ali; Uthman ibn ‘Ali; Ruqayyah bint ‘Uthman, Umm Kulthum bint ‘Uthman, Fatimah Zahra and one sister whose name is unknown.

Famous quotes

There is no one more worthy of my love than Allah, and no one more deserving of my hatred than those who abandon Him.

I would rather stand with theTruth even if it means I am alone.

If we live for this world then what shall we live for?

Patience is not about waiting but about how you wait or react to what’s happening around you.

I am not afraid of dying as long as I am able to die for a cause.

The tongue is like a razor; use it carefully.

There is nothing in this world that is worth more than my dignity. No person is more honourable than another because they have material possessions, power or money. We are all equal in the eyes of God. Zainab was born into a wealthy family and married an affluent man. She used her wealth to help the poor and was known for her generosity, her humility and her intelligence. When she heard of Muhammad’s teachings she immediately converted to Islam despite facing heavy opposition from members of her family who were fearful for their status among the Quraysh tribe.