Zainab was born when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was thirty years old. She was the eldest daughter of the Prophet. When she reached the age of marriage, her paternal aunt Hala bint Khawailid sought her hand in marriage for her son, Abu al-As ibn al-Rabi. This marriage was initially blessed and well-received by everyone. Additionally, her mother, Khadijah, gifted her a renowned necklace as part of her dowry.
The Remarkable Journey of Zainab
When the revelation came to our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his daughter Zainab embraced Islam along with her daughter. However, her husband, Abu al-As, did not accept faith at that time. Due to his initial disbelief, Zainab separated from him and left him.
Later, Abu al-As participated in the Battle of Badr against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as part of the non-Muslim forces. During this battle, he was captured by the Muslims. At this point, Zainab intervened to redeem her husband and offered a necklace, which had been a gift from her mother, Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), as a ransom for his release.
Upon seeing the necklace, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was saddened and said, "If you see fit, release her prisoner and return her necklace to her". As time passed, Abu al-As eventually embraced Islam after several years of experience. After this, the couple reunited after a long separation. Zainab became a model of a righteous woman and a faithful wife, and they lived together in love and understanding after their reunion.
Children of Zainab, the Daughter of the Prophet
Zainab, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), had two children, Ali and Umamah. Initially, Abu al-As, who was her husband and Ali's father, had custody of their son due to the custom of foster care. However, after the period of foster care ended, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) took Ali back and raised him under his guidance. Tragically, Ali passed away at a very young age and was on the back of the Prophet's camel during the Conquest of Mecca when he breathed his last.
Upon Ali's death, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was deeply saddened. It's narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent word to Zainab, comforting her with the words, "To Allah belongs what He takes, and to Him belongs what He gives, and everything has a fixed term. So, be patient and seek reward".
Zainab then sent a message to the Prophet (peace be upon him), swearing that he should come to see her. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stood up and went to her house, accompanied by several companions. When he held the lifeless body of the child, his eyes filled with tears. Saad ibn Ubada asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what is this?" The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, "This is a mercy that Allah has placed in the hearts of His servants. Indeed, Allah shows mercy to those of His servants who are merciful".
As for Umamah, she was the granddaughter of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and held a special place in his heart. He would often carry her and express his affection, saying, "She is the most beloved of my family to me". After the passing of Lady Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet (peace be upon him), she left behind a request for her husband, Ali ibn Abi Talib, to marry Umamah. Following Fatimah's wishes, Ali married Umamah. Later, after Ali's passing, it was suggested that Umamah marry Mu'ghira ibn Nawfal ibn al-Harith, and she bore a son named Yahya. Unfortunately, Yahya did not live for an extended period. Umamah lived to be around fifty years old.
Characteristics of Zainab
- Profound Loyalty to Her Husband: Zainab, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), exemplified unwavering loyalty and sincere love for her husband, even during challenging times. Her dedication to Abu al-As ibn al-Rabi was remarkable, and this loyalty persisted even when they were separated.
- Learned Loyalty and Genuine Love from Her Parents: Zainab's parents, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), set a strong example of loyalty, sincerity, and genuine love in their own relationship. Zainab, as a result, became an excellent and righteous wife.
- Selflessness in Redemption: When Abu al-As was taken as a captive after the Battle of Badr, Zainab redeemed him by offering her mother Khadijah's necklace as ransom. This act of selflessness and love demonstrated her commitment to her husband's well-being.
- Supporting Her Husband's Conversion: Zainab's actions also played a pivotal role in her husband Abu al-As embracing Islam. When he sought refuge with her after his merchandise was confiscated by the Muslims, Zainab protected him, and this eventually led to his conversion to Islam. He testified to the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him), and Zainab was instrumental in this process.
- Adhering to Her Husband's Side: Even after Abu al-As embraced Islam, he continued to live a life dedicated to supporting and upholding the message of Islam. He faced numerous challenges and adversities while defending the religion of Allah, and he remained faithful until his passing during the caliphate of Uthman.
Zainab's qualities of loyalty, love, and support for her husband serve as an inspiration for believers, emphasizing the importance of strong and steadfast relationships within the family and the community.
Enduring Severe Hardships for the Sake of Islam
Zainab faced tremendous adversity in her commitment to Islam. When she initially sought to leave her husband and return to her father after the Battle of Badr, the Quraysh leaders intended to attack her. Harb ibn al-Aswad ibn al-Muttalib and Nafi' ibn Abd al-Qayis attempted to harm her by throwing a spear at her abdomen despite her being pregnant. This resulted in a miscarriage, and she suffered from severe bleeding. However, her brother-in-law came to her defense and protected her from the attackers. With the help of Zaid ibn Harithah, who later embraced Islam and conveyed her to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), she managed to leave Mecca, leading to her separation from her husband.
Zainab held a significant place in the heart of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) due to her early acceptance of Islam, her migration for the sake of Allah, and her endurance of many trials for the propagation of Islam. She remained loyal to her husband even after he left her for the sake of peace. She endured a great deal of harm on her path, which was a significant factor in her passing away in the eighth year of the Hijrah, reuniting with her father, the noble Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Death of Zainab, the Daughter of the Prophet
The daughters of the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away before his death, except for Fatimah, who left this world six months after the passing of the Prophet, grieving deeply for him. Zainab, however, passed away in the eighth year of the Hijrah, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) mourned her loss intensely.
Zainab left behind a legacy of honor, which is celebrated for her loyalty, sincerity, truthfulness, and faith. Her husband, Abu al-As ibn al-Rabi, praised her in some of his poetry:
Daughter of the Trustworthy, may Allah reward her; every husband will praise her for her knowledge.
When Zainab passed away, her body was washed by Umm Ayman, Umm al-Mu'minin Sawda bint Zam'ah, and Umm al-Mu'minin Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with them all). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) led her funeral prayer and descended into her grave, accompanied by her husband, Abu al-As. She was the first person to be placed in a coffin in Islam, an idea inspired by Asma bint Umays when she observed this practice among the Ethiopians while accompanying her husband, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, during their migration.
