The Seventh Chapter: The Great Lady Zainab and Messengers of Karbala
The Epic of Great Lady Zainab
Zainab Kubra is a great Woman. What is the greatness that this great woman has in the eyes of Islamic world? Her greatness cannot be attributed to the fact that she is the daughter of Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S) or sister of Hasan bin Ali and Hussein bin Ali (A.S). Relationship cannot create these kinds of greatness. All our Imams were having daughters, mothers and sisters. But where is the one like Zainab Kubra? The value and the greatness of Zainab Kubra is based on her divinely stands, humanity and the Islamic movement. Her action, her stands and her movement gain her this greatness. Whoever is to do this kind of work, even if the person is not the daughter of Imam Ali (A.S) can be able to achieve greatness. The part of this greatness is first to know the stands and timing. To know the condition before going to karbala and also to know the conditions during the crisis in Ashura, and also the deadly stands after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. And secondly to make a right choice according to each stand, and these choices are what built up Zainab Kubra.
Before moving to Karbala, elites like Ibn Abbas, Ibn Ja'far and other popular faces in early Islam, that claimed to be thoughtful, daring, leader and the sons of such a big man, and so on were present. They were astounded and could not understand what to do, but Zainab Kubra was not astounded and understood that she must follow this path, and should not leave Her Imam alone then she went. Not that She was not understanding the path is difficult to follow, She was feeling it more than others. She was a woman on a mission, separated from her husband and family. Because of this reason she took along her young babies and youths. She was feeling what the incidence will be. In those critical periods that the strongest men do not know what to do, she understood and follow her Imam and prepared him for martyrdom. After the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali (A.S), the world became dark, the hearts, souls and everything in the world became dark. This great woman became a light and lighting everywhere. Zainab got to a point that can only be reached by divine people- that is the prophets- in the history of mankind.1370/8/22
Frankly speaking, Karbala without Zainab is not karbala, Ashura without Zainab Kubra, that great historical incidence could not have remain. That is such a personality, the daughter of Imam Ali (A.S) in this incident from its beginning to the end. It was obvious and known that, one would feel like she another Imam Hussein in a woman attire, in the attire of the daughter of Imam Ali (A.S). Besides that, if Zainab was not present in Ashura what would have happened, maybe Imam Sajjad also could have been killed, maybe the message of Imam would have not reach any body. In those days before the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, Zainab was like a righteous sympathizer. Imam Hussein was not feeling loneliness, and was tireless in her presence. Such a role is witnessed by people in the face of Zainab and in her words and movement.
Zainab felt worried twice and told Imam Hussein about her condition. One happened in one of the stopover after the martyrdom of Muslim ibn Aqil after Imam heard some information and different stories were coming. Hadhrat Zainab of course was a woman with women emotions and feelings and she as daughter of the holy prophet is from the source of mercy. But at the same time she was brave, powerful, resistant and endurable. The source of ebullient and humanity, merciful to mankind all are from this family that Hussein ibn Ali (A.S) can be used as an example. A person who stands in front of the world and opposed it, a hungry wolf in a desert resisting alone and his body do not shake but in front of some small things it changes. For example when that black boy from Ethiopia felt down, Imam came to him, though he was young black boy and is among the faithful and lovers of Imam. May be John was slave of Abi Zar in terms of the social and cultural conditions of those days. Even though he had a high position among Muslims, he was not having a high level and honorable position. The noble and famous elders of Kufa like Habib ibn Mazahir and Zuhair ibn Qein and others were among the popular men of Kufa who became martyrs with Imam Hussein. This did not show the end or the fall of the Imam.Imam spoke to Muslim ibn Awsaja and said to him “By the will of Allah you will get reward from Him - but regarding this young boy who did not have any body- no child, no family which was waiting for him to cry for him, Imam Hussein came and do the same to John as he did to Ali Akbar. Imam sat on top of his head and put this bloody head on his thighs. But his heart could not calm down and suddenly everybody saw Imam bowing down and put his face on top of the face of this black boy. This is how people become emotional, so Zainab is a women with high emotion, with feelings. That shows that is not an ordinary woman, she was not just the sister to Imam Hussein, but a sister who loved Imam Hussein (A.S), a sister who left her husband, her family and came with Imam, and she was not alone. Her sons Awn and Muhammad were also brought along. I am probably saying that Abdullah ibn Ja'far was even not convinced that her children must come along. I am certain that Abdullah was satisfied, but Zainab brought them, just for them to be with her in this Godly path so that if they are to be killed, they too will also be martyrs. Now in one of the stopovers in the middle of the road he felt that there is danger, she went and told Imam Hussein. Brother I am feeling that there is danger, I see the conditions are very dangerous. I know the case, the case is martyrdom and captivity, but at the time such hysterics of this incidence is pressurizing me that is why I have attended to you. Here Imam did not tell her a lot of things but said, that is nothing, all what Allah wants will happen. This nearly means that: (whatever Allah wishes happened
) whatever Allah wants that is what happens. Then we did not see anything from Zainab telling Imam Hussein or asking him something again except the night before Ashura.
The first night of Ashura was the place where Zainab Kubra may have felt some sorrow and sympathy, and telling Imam about that, - the narrator of this matter is Imam Sajjad (A.S) and he was sick- Imam Sajjad is quoting that, they are saying that I was asleep in the tent, my aunt Zainab also was beside me and was serving me. The next tent was my father’s tent. We were sitting down and John - the slave of Abi Zar- was repairing the sword of the Imam Hussein, he was preparing himself for battle of the following day. He is saying that suddenly I saw my father starting to croon and recited a poem, that means the world has turned upside down, and age will not be fulfillment to mankind and death is closer. (O ages shame on you and your friend, how long are you going to be rising forever.
) This show that whoever was reciting this poem certainly knew that they were going to quickly leave this world any time. Imam Sajjad is saying that I heard this poem, and understood the meaning and the message of this poem. I understood that Imam Hussein was giving news about his own death, but I could not comfort myself. Suddenly I looked and saw aunt Zainab becoming sorrowful and stood up and went to her brother’s tent and said: “My dear brother, I see that you are giving news about your own death, till now our heats were very calm for you. When our father passed away we said our brothers are still around, when my brother Imam Hassan became a martyr I said my brother Imam Hussein is still alive. For so many years I have calm my heat for you, I have been beside you, today I am seeing that you are giving news about your own death.
Although Zainab Kubra was right. I think that the condition in which Zainab found herself was an exceptional condition. No one of these women’s conditions or even Imam Sajjad could be compared to the condition of Zainab. The condition of Zainab was very difficult and unbearable. On the day of Ashura all the men were killed and became martyrs. In the evening of Ashura there was no any person who was a man in all tents except Imam Sajjad (A.S) who was sick. He was laying down or maybe he was unconscious. Now when you lookat this tent and this camp that contain eighty people, and eighty four women and children among them, surrounded by an ocean of enemies, what could they do?Some of them were thirsty, and others were also hungry, or it can be said all of them were hungry and thirsty. All the hearts were shivering and terrified, the body of the martyrs were like a piece of sticks laying everywhere on the ground. Some of them were their brothers, some were their sons, and however it was very bitter and terrible incident. One person must gather all this people and that was Zainab.
Zainab was not alone who lost her brother or two of her sons, or her other brothers and all these dear once or seventeen youth of Bani Hashim and loyal companions. That also was her role and may be its importance is not less than carrying all these reasonability within the enemy by, controlling, protecting and guiding these lost and sporadically deserted people. Even Imam Sajjad also was under her protection, so after hours of this incidence till the time they left, and it became clear what the enemy want to do with them, this period was dark and difficult time within the enemy for her, only Allah know what was happening to Zainab Kubra. So within this periods Zainab was moving up and down, run to this child and that woman, to that bereaved mother, to that sister who lost her brother and that baby. She was always making movements to gather all of them and condole them. At a certain point she got exhausted and spoke to her brother, she faced towards her martyred brother who was her only resort and refuge. In hadith it is narrated that Zainab Kubra came up on top of the head of the martyred body, wounded and cut into pieces. She stood and from the bottom of her heart shouted - (O Muhammad! The angels of the heaven pray for peace upon you) O our grandfather! O Prophet!
The angel send peace upon you (this is Hussein covered with blood.
) this is the killed one laying on the ground covered by blood. This is you Hussein.1363/7/30
This is what has been said on the day of Ashura in the incidence of Karbala blood has emerged victorious over sword - truly victorious-. The cause of this victory was Zainab, otherwise the blood could have ended in Karbala in a military event and in so-called defeat of righteous army. But something which caused the so-called military defeat to turn into a persistence victory is termed as, the stands of Zainab Kubra. The most important thing was the role that Zainab Kubra was playing. This incidence shows that woman cannot not be marginalized from history, woman is in the context of important historical events. Quran also in different occasions talk about these points. Though this is related to the recent history, not related to forefathers. A live incidence and touchable one that person of Zainab Kubra witnessed with great astonishment and lightens during its occurrence. Upon all these Zainab reacted in such a way that the enmity that appears to in the so-called victory and harmful, to turned into suppression and humiliation. And then sat on the seat of victory in the Centre of their power and in the governmental palace and all were humiliated and disvalued. The hottest shame was put on the enemy- forehead forever and his victory was turned into defeat, these were the work of Zainab Kubra. Zainab (A.S) showed that the veils and secret of women can be turned into a great jihad.
These are what remained from the explanations about Zainab Kubra, and today is within our hand, and it shows the greatness of the movement of Zainab Kubra. The unforgettable lectures of Zainab Kubra was not an ordinary words that is been said in market of Kufa, it was not a presentation of common views of a certain personality. It was a great analysis of conditions of the Islamic society of those days, with most beautiful words, meaningful and understandable conceptions used to explain such condition. You must look at the strength of the personality and see how this personality is strong.
Two days before, in a speech to her brother, Imam, leader, and to all these dear once, youths, children, who were been killed, this gathering of tens of people among them women and children were all captives and brought in front of the people and on a captive camel. The people came and looking at them, some were rejoicing and others were crying. In such a critical condition, suddenly this great sun rose using the tone that her father the Believers' Leader and Chief(Amir al-Mumineen)
was using on top of pulpit of caliphate in front of the people. She spoke in the same manner with the same words and the same grammar and clearness and deep meaning - (O the people of Kufa! O the people of deceitfulness and disloyalty). O the people of treasons, O those who pretended, may be you yourself you believe it that you are following Islam and Ahlul-Bait but in examination you did less and in the sedition, and this is the blindness you showed. - (No one among you except arrogant, valueless enticing of slaves’ wink of enemies). Your attitude and your tongue were not the same with your hearts, you became too proud of yourselves and imagine that you have the faith. You imagine that you are revolutionists, you imagine that you are the followers of Imam Ali (A.S), meanwhile the matter was not like that, you could not take the responsibility to withstand the troubles and could not save yourselves. (Your example is like the one who overturns her yarning after his strength
). You are like the one who turned cottons into string and then open the strings and turn it back to cotton or pre-cottons. With lack of awareness, lack of understandings of the condition and lack of distinguishes between the truth and the false, you spoiled your deeds and your past records. It appears that as if to be believers and their mouth is full with words pretending to be revolutionist, but inward was nothing, inward without resistance against the opposed mouthful of words and this is how weakness is known.
With this strong speech, with these meaningful words, and also happened in this difficult condition, and that was how she spoke. It was not a condition that some audience were sitting in front of Zainab Kubra listening to her, and she also like a lecturer who was to give lectures. No it was some enemies, enemies with bows and arrows surrounding everywhere. And some few who were to oppose the enemy were not present, those present were those who handed over Muslim ibn Aqil to ibn Ziyad, who wrote letters to Imam Hussein and later stay aside, who were supposed to fight ibn Ziyad on that day, but rather stay indoor to hide themselves. In the market of Kufa some few people also showed weakness and lack of spirit. Now also when we look we see the daughter of Imam Ali (A.S) crying.
Hadhrat Zainab Kubra was faced with this unreliable and incompetent people but she gave such a strong speech. She is a woman of history, this woman is no more consider as weak again, and woman cannot be regarded as weak. This valued womanly believer that is how she introduced herself in this difficult condition. This is a woman that her role is termed as module to all big men and women throughout the world. Prophetic revolution and Alawais revolution identifies the bad effects. They say that you people could not know the truth in front during sedition, you could not take on your responsibility and that resulted in the loved one of the Holy prophet his head went on top of the spear. The greatness of Zainab can be understood from this angle. 1389/2/1
The Movement of Imam Sajjad During the Captivity
The conditions after the incidence of Ashura among the Shia and those who believed in Imamate was a wonderful condition. The inhumanity of proxies during Umayyad era and what they did with the descendants of the Holy prophet, either in Karbala or in Kufa and Damascus terrified all the people who were having interest in the path of Imamate. Though they were aware that the loyal heroes and companion of Imam Hussein (A.S), all became martyrs in the event of Ashura and the event of Tawwabeen -repentant-, but those who remained do not have much courage and intention that will allow them in front of arrogant powers of Yazid and then Marwan to speak the truth. A group of believer but disorganize without any unity, fearing and truly have been withdraw to act from the path of Imamate. This was the remaining group of Shia that Imam Sajjad inherited, widely disorganize, weak reinforcement. And for Imam Sajjad to preserved the original Islamic movement and truly school, he must be ready for a battle. So he must unify these disorganize Shia and bring them near Alawaid government and that is truly Islamic government. With such a condition Imam Sajjad lived and worked for thirty four years. I explain only some important and significant parts of the live of Imam Sajjad for you.
The first proudest part of the life of the fourth Imam was the part of his captivity. Though the fourth Imam became captive twice, first from Karbala when he was chained and handcuffed to Damascus, and the second was from Medina during the era of Abdul Malik ibn Marwan. Imam Sajjad when he was among the caravan from Karbala, was taken as captive from Imam Hussein (A.S). Imam Sajjad was personification of Quran and Islam. From the time martyrs were covered with sand and soil the buoyancy of Ali ibn Hussein (A.S) started. The young girls, the young babies, the women without resort were gathered around Imam Sajjad (A.S) in that caravan with any male, and Imam Sajjad (A.S) led all of them. He gathered and cared for them and throughout the journey till they arrived at Damascus, Imam Sajjad and these people were related to each other in belief so how can they shake and terrified. They entered Kufa and Ubaidu Allah ibn Ziyad had already ordered all males of this family be killed, so that there is one man present among the captive caravans. Ibn Ziyad asked ‘Who are you’? He said I am Ali ibn Hussein. Then He threatens Imam Sajjad with death, and that was the first place of appearance of Imamate and spiritual leadership. - (areyou threatening me with death
?
) So are you threatening me that I will be killed whilst our greatness is martyrdom? We are proud of losing our lives in the path of Allah. We are not scared of death. The proxy of Ubaidu ibn Ziyad withdrawn in the face of this courage.
In the incidence of Damascus after the following days Imam Sajjad (A.S) including the entire captive were put under terrible condition, completely captive condition. Then ibn Ziyad thought that he should take Imam to the Mosque to humiliate him psychologically in front of the people. And to gain support from those who opposed him and also from the follower of Imam not smear him and put bad effects on his government. Imam Sajjad (A.S) turned and faced Yazid and said: will you allow me to climb this pulpit and speak to the people. Yazid was not thinking that the son -grandson- of the holy prophet, a young boy who became captive and sick, normally in this situation is weak psychologically can be regarded as dangerous to him, so he permitted him. Imam Sajjad (A.S) went on top of the pulpit and expose the philosophy of Imamate and the events of martyrdom and arrogance of the Umayyad government in the Centre of the governance. He did a work that caused the people of Damascus to rise up against Yazid. Meaning that Imam Sajjad (A.S) is a great personality that did not fear in front of Ubaidu Allah Ziyad, betrayed group of Damascus, Umayyad proxies and in front of soldiers of Yazid. He spoke the truth and explained, for him it was not important to have some assets in his life. 1356/6/14
Imam Sajjad (A.S) in sickness and captivity was like a big hero by his words and attitude. In this situation he was creating epics, and also at the same situation Imam was having different conditions in general compare to his normal life which you will witness. In the period of his normal life, intentions of Imam was to build a carefully studied and peaceful constructive moderate foundation. Even sometimes he is compelled to sit with Abdul Malik ibn Marwan in one gathering and have a gentle and calm attitude towards him. In this chapter you will see Imam Sajjad (A.S) as a strong revolutionist that he did not tolerate some words, and vis-à-vis all Imams, gives irrecusably answer to his powerful enemy.
In Kufa in front of Ubaidu ibn Ziyad, that predator and bloodthirsty, the one blood flows from his swords and he is drunk of proud of killing the sons of the holy prophet and drunk of victory, Imam spoke in a manner that ibn Ziyad ordered for his killing had it not been because of the action of Zainab (A.S) who threw herself and said, I will not allow you to kill him. And when they saw that they must deal with a woman and also they must carry them as captive to Damascus, they retreated but were almost killing Imam Sajjad (A.S).
In the Kufa marketplace, at the same time with the same voice with his aunt Zainab and his sister Sakinah were giving lectures to stimulate people and to expose the truth.
In Damascus, either in the gatherings of Yazid or in the Mosque in front of this big gatherings reality were expose with clear explanations. And these words and lecture consist of rightfulness of Ahlul-Bait on caliphate, and exposing of the criminalities of the mechanism of the present government. It was a bitter and real warning to unaware and ignorant people.
This is not a forum for me to re-say those lectures and uncover their veils, this is a separate topic. Whoever wants to explain this sayings must study them word by word and present them accordingly. This was the condition of Imam Sajjad (A.S) during the epic reforms of captives. There is this question that why Imam Sajjad (A.S) during the period after the captivity choose the moderate and calm methods, and willing to make reservation by using supplication and moderate action to cover his revolutionary actions. But why was he revolting during the period of captivity and was openly acting very hard?
The answer is that this season was an exceptional season, here Imam Sajjad (A.S) apart from being Imam He must lay a foundation for divine and Islamic government, and be a speaking tongue for the blood that were shed in Ashura. Imam Sajjad (A.S) in this situation was not for himself but rather the silent tongue of Imam Hussein (A.S). And he must appeared as revolutionist in Damascus and Kufa. If Imam Sajjad (A.S) was such a hardliner, sharp cutter and unequivocally in explaining matter, really there would have not been any working platform for him in future. The platform for his future work is the boiling blood of Imam Hussein, which was also platform for Shia uprising throughout the history. First he must warn the people then within this warning he can draw the attention of the main opposition, deep and long term enemies, and this can only be done by this hard words.
The role of Imam Sajjad (A.S) in the Journey was the role of Zainab, that information services of Imam Hussein (A.S). If people would know that Imam Hussein was killed and why he was killed and how he was killed, the future of Islam, the future of propagation of Islam and Ahlul-bait will be in a different kind and if they did not know then it will be in another kind. So for awareness and spreading of this at the level of the society, all the investment must be used and till any possible place this must be done. Therefore Imam Sajjad (A.S) like, Sakinah, Fatima Sugra and like Zainab herself and each of the captives, - everyone according to his or her capability - was a messenger of Ashura. All these strength must be gathered to be able to send the boiled blood of Imam Hussein (A.S) shed in the foreign land to all Islamic big cities. That is, it started from Karbala and reached Medina. When Imam Sajjad (A.S) entered Medina it was obligatory to him to explain to the people the facts, either through the face or eyes and whoever is looking for truth or asking about it. And this was the first proceedings, therefore this season of the life of Imam Sajjad is exceptional season. The next season starts in Medina when Imam Sajjad (A.S) was busy with his life as a respected citizen. And his works start from the house of the Holy Prophet to his holy mausoleum. For it to be clear about the program of the fourth Imam we need to explain how the condition and the atmosphere was prevailing during his (A.S) era.
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Author: Seyed Ali Khamenei
