In the Name of Allah, the
Beneficent, the Merciful
Unique
In Piety
As Zainab (PBUH) grew up, many of the noblemen and great
men of Arabia asked for her hand in marriage.
They thought that due to their wealth and high social position they would be successful
in marrying Zainab (PBUH).
For example, Ash’ath
Ibn-Qeis, who was one of the wealthiest men and a
close relative to the first caliph, was very dignified, and thought his
closeness to the first caliph would made it possible for him to become the son-in-law
of Amir Al-Mu’minin (PBUH).
It is said that one day he was in Imam
Ali’s (PBUH) house while he saw Zainab
(PBUH) passing by from a distance. Then he asked
her father if he could marry her, but Amir Al-Mu’minin
(PBUH) refused and reproached him for his
arrogance. (1)
Among the men who were eager to marry Zainab (PBUH) was Abdullah
Ibn-Jaffar. He was a close companion to the Prophet
and Amir Al-Mu’minin (PBUT).
Abullah Ibn-Jaffar was
the son of Jaffar Tayyar,
the martyr whom the Prophet had mentioned that he flies in the heavens with his
two wings. Jaffar Tayyar
was the brother of Amir Al-Mu’minin (PBUH) and was a forerunner in Islam and Jihad.
His munificence and generosity had made him very famous among the Arabs so much
so that they called him "the father of the poor." His son Abdullah had
inherited this attitude.
All the historians refer to Abdullah as a
very gracious person. They have especially written about his generosity and
benevolence. According to the historians, he was the foremost generous people
of his time,(2) to the extent
that some have called him "the master of generosity."
Abullah Ibn-Jaffar was a
person whom Imam Ali (PBUH) had trust in.
Later he took a great part in the Jihads along with Imam Ali (PBUH). In the battle of Seffin
he was one of the commanders of the Imam’s army.
Like other suitors, Abdullah was
interested in marrying Zainab (PBUH), but felt embarrassed to state his request
directly. He sent a courier to Imam Ali (PBUH) and offered the proposal. Imam Ali (PBUH), who saw him the best, accepted his request. But how much was the
marriage-portion? Imam Ali (PBUH) put Zainab's (PBUH) dowry equal to
her mother’s. (3) However, this auspicious wedding had one condition.
Zainab (PBUH) should be allowed to travel along with her brother Hussain (PBUH). She should be allowed to visit her
brother too. In fact, it rarely happened that they didn’t meet everyday.
Finally, this wedding took place, and Zainab (PBUH) went to her
husband’s house. Of course, the house of Abullah
Ibn-Jaffar, who was a very wealthy man,
was a big house with lots of servants, but history witnesses that Zainab (PBUH) never got
attached to worldly life.
She was a pious woman in the perfect sense.
Piety (Zuhd) in her vocabulary was exactly
what her father depicted, “Zuhd is that one
owns the world, not that the world and its charms become the owner of the
person.” (4)
The best evidence of Zainab’s
(PBUH) piety was that she left her comfortable
and prosperous life with servants and wealth for a divine and holy goal. Just
like a person who is aware of the future and its happenings, she put her
condition for marriage that she should be allowed to travel with Imam Hussain (PBUH) to fulfill that goal.
Like other women, she was very
affectionate. However, whenever necessary, she was strong like a mountain in
the path of Islam. Like other mothers, she was a kind and loving mother, but when
it came to defending Islam and the Holy Quran and her religious duty, she would
sacrifice her children as well.
Who is like Zainab
(PBUH) in having all that wealth and not being
attached to it? Who is like her, having a warm house, nice husband and
children, and bear hunger and homelessness in order to fulfilling her holy
goals? Is this anything except Islamic piety?
(Taken
from the book, "Life of Lady Zainab (PBUH), Mission of Blood and
Message" by Dr. Ali Qa’emi)
Congratulations
on the 5th of Jamadi al-Awwal,
the birthday anniversary of the symbol of piety and complete certainty, Lady Zainab (PBUH).
Roshd Islamic Shia Website
Footnotes:
1. Iqd al-Farid,
vol.3, p. 301
2. Al-Isti’ab by Ibn Abd al-Birr
3. 480 or 500 Dirham, each Dirham is equal to a religious Methqal of Silver.
4. Nahj al-Balaghah
