Biography of Lady Zaynab bint Ali ibn Abi Talib
The Lineage of Lady Zainab al-Kubra, Daughter of Ali
Lady Zainab al-Kubra's lineage can be traced as follows: She is the daughter of Ali, the son of Abu Talib, belonging to the Hashemite lineage – may they be blessed. Her mother is Fatimah al-Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet – peace and blessings be upon him. Zainab is a descendant of the Prophet – peace and blessings be upon him – and she is the sister of Hassan and Husayn, the grandchildren of the Messenger of Allah – may they be blessed.
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani – may Allah have mercy on him – included her among the female companions in his book "Al-Isabah fi Ma'rifat al-Sahabah". He quoted Ibn al-Athir – may Allah have mercy on him – stating that she was born during the time of the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him.
Marriage of Lady Zainab, Daughter of Ali, and Her Children
Lady Zainab married her cousin Abdullah, the son of Ja'far ibn Abi Talib. From this marriage, she bore Ali, Awn al-Akbar, Abbas, Muhammad, Um Kulthum, and Ruqayyah. However, she passed away before they reached adulthood, along with her son Ja'far.
Virtues of Lady Zainab
Lady Zainab was a wise and discerning woman known for her sound judgment. She held a high and esteemed position, being eloquent and firmly principled. Additionally, she was well-versed in knowledge, having narrated hadiths from her mother, Fatimah al-Zahra – may Allah be pleased with her – and from her husband's stepmother, Asma bint Umays – may Allah be pleased with her.
She also transmitted hadiths from some of the Prophet's followers, such as Tuhman or Dhakwan, and narrated the hadith of the sanctity of alms for Muhammad and the family of Muhammad. Several scholars have reported her narrations, including Muhammad ibn Amr and Ata ibn al-Sa'ib. Among the women, her niece, Fatimah bint al-Husayn, also narrated from her. Imam Ibn Hajar – may Allah have mercy on him – described her as "a wise, discerning, and eloquent woman".
Lady Zaynab Titles
Lady Zaynab was given many titles, among them: “Mother of Determination” (Umm al-Aza’im) for her strong will in obedience to Allah and her piety; “Umm Hashim”, because she was generous and noble like her grandfather Hashim; “The One Consulted” (Sahibat al-Shura), because her father and brothers would often seek her opinion; “Mother of the Helpless”, as her home was a refuge for the weak and needy; and “Head of the Council” (Ra’isat al-Diwan), because when she moved to Egypt, its governors and scholars would hold their gatherings in her home under her leadership.
Imam Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) said about her:
"Blessed are you, O pure one! Truly you are from the blessed tree of prophethood and the noble source of the divine message".
The Courage of Lady Zaynab bint Ali in the Battle of Karbala
She played a central role during and after the Battle of Karbala. Zaynab was born in Medina and was known from a young age for her eloquence, strength, and deep faith. She inherited the eloquence and courage of her grandfather, the Prophet, and her father, Ali.
On the day of Ashura, in the year 61 AH (680 CE), Zaynab was present in Karbala alongside her brother Imam Husayn ibn Ali, who had set out with his family and companions to oppose the oppression and tyranny represented by the rule of Yazid ibn Muawiyah. When Yazid’s army surrounded Husayn and his companions, Zaynab played a major moral and spiritual role. She comforted the women and children, strengthened their resolve, and encouraged her brother to remain patient and steadfast.
After the martyrdom of Imam Husayn and all the men of his household, Zaynab was taken captive along with the remaining women and children. They were marched in chains from Karbala to Kufa, and then to Damascus. Despite her grief and suffering, Zaynab stood bravely before the governor of Kufa, Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad, and later before Yazid ibn Muawiyah himself in the court of Damascus. There, she delivered powerful speeches that revealed the truth of Karbala, exposed the injustice of the Umayyad regime, and upheld the honor of Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet’s family).
Zaynab was the voice of Karbala. She carried the message of the martyrs and unmasked the oppression they endured. Her stance laid the foundation for Islamic awareness about sacrifice, justice, and resistance against tyranny. She was not merely a witness to the tragedy, she was its second hero after Husayn and the standard-bearer of the revolution after the leader was martyred.
The Death of Lady Zainab
Lady Zainab passed away during her marriage to Abdullah ibn Ja'far in Damascus. There are differing accounts regarding the exact time and place of her death:
- Some sources state that she died in the year 62 AH in Medina and was buried in Al-Baqi'.
- Others claim that she was buried in Egypt.
- Some suggest that she was buried in Damascus.
It is important to note that there is no definitive and conclusive evidence to support any of these claims. Some scholars have pointed out that there is no mention of Zainab's journey to Egypt, and historical sources do not provide clear information about her departure from Medina. Therefore, the most reliable opinion among these scholars is that she passed away in Medina and was buried in Al-Baqi'.
