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Who is Zaynab?
Every year the world witnesses millions of people descend upon Karbala to commemorate the valiant stand of Imam Hussain (p) to protect Islam. It is not a visitation for personal gain, nor is it merely to fulfil a ritual practice that is centuries old. Instead, it is a deep conviction and resolve to reaffirm and uphold what Imam Hussain stood and died for on the plains of Karbala. Yet, the principles which he sacrificed himself, his companions, and his family for had to be kept alive after he departed from this world. Such a task could not have been placed on just any person, rather, that responsibility had to be given to someone who was unbreakably strong, absolutely firm in their conviction, and possessing the knowledge and eloquence to keep the Hussaini legacy alive. This was Zaynab, the granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp), the daughter of Imam Ali (p) and Lady Fatima (p), and the devoted sister of Imam Hussain. Her birth, upbringing, and the events of her life led to what would be her fateful destiny in Karbala, Kufah, and Damascus. She pushed back against tyranny and oppression, resisted corruption of the lofty ideals of Islam, shattered social boundaries, and demonstrated that wisdom, resolve, and forbearance can overcome any adversity. This is Zaynab!
- GenresIslam
112 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 12, 2022
Great book! Short and sweet, and written with clear and accurate language. I was hoping for more insight into Sayida Zainab's early life, but I cannot really blame the author for that. There isn't much within history about her early life, because it has been purposely erased by the enemies of Islam. I already knew a lot of the events written in here, but it's nice to read about them in more detail. Highly recommend to Muslims and non-Muslims who want to find out more about Karbala and Zainab's vital role in keeping the true message of Islam alive.
May 1, 2023
"Who is Zaynab" ? is a title from Hajjah Chahnaz A. Kbaisi-Hazari. At the very outset, the fact that it is penned by a Woman, with all the sensibilities that the feminine brings to the fore with respect to the Tragedy of lossing brothers and her sisters, is very important to keep in mind.
One important thing to remember appreciate and recognize, Zaynab (SA) doesnt have a hyphenated identity: her identity has it's own "Essence" and that is, that she is Zaynab (SA). She isnt "the Daughter of Ali" as one Dr Ali Qaimi has set forth in his 700 page work, she is as Shariati resurrected and preserved Fatima (SA) - she wasnt a hyphenated Identity other, "Fatima is Fatima" and "Zaynab is Zeynab"
The book has some very beautiful features
1. It establishes the supremacy of the equity between the two genders, while also positioning it within their respective "roles", and those roles tend to complement each other, for a society to work and function with grace.
2. Aspects of a Societal belonging, what makes one and what brakes one are referenced from the Holy Quran. It it important to keep in mind, that the Quranic verses enjoined, are meant to serve as general principles with specific principles resonated from the beautiful ahl al-Bayt in constructing a Society.
3. Very careful consideration is given to the themes, themes that resonate from the Quran, on Gender Equity, of Genders working together, of placing the responsibility of enjoining goodness and forbidding evil. That theme is the theme of Imam al-Husayn (AS), to reform to revive the ummat Jaddi, all tracing their roots from the Quranic verses
4. The work impeccably adorned with historical references. Historical references can be delineated in many constituents, those (a) that refer to the pre-Islamic Arabia, (b) then the Sirah, that covers the Life of the Prophet Muhammad (S) both in Mecca and Medina (c) that part of history that tarries it-self after the death of the Prophet (S) into the lives of the Caliphate followed into the rule of Muawiya and Yazid. The work is a treat as it adorns itself with historians like Ibn al Athir, at-Tabari
5. Then there this is very specific genre of historical work, known as Maqtal ("the death of"), so there is the Luhuf, the Maqtal of al-Muqarram and Maqtal of al-Khawarizmi. When the engagement begins in Karbala, these three works resonate and find themselves to the nucleas of every activity. Maqtal al-Khawarizmi is the only non ahl al-Bayt source, but there are elements of an oral tradition from the Imam al-Husayn (AS) and his Comparison that are not to be found any-where else. The Maqtal literature is the what, who and how a devotee of Imam al-Husayn (AS) attained martrydom - the details are, we are aware from our oral tradition in sharing the tragedy
6. The Ziyarah literature also forms the basis and praxis of the believers allegiance to and ascent from the banality of a life without purpose into the realm of those who attained martyrdom in Karbala.
Now lets conclude this with the most important aspect of this work
1. Zaynab from the moment of her inception, was "always" aware of what was going on in the family. If it wasnt here acute sense of observation and wisdom, she made her place in the lives of her grand father, the Prophet (S) and her siblings. No Zaynab left behind, even if you try, fail you will
2. The household of the ahl al-Byat, as I garner from the work, always made the entire family informed of what was going on in their lives, how it would impact them, as history would unfold. Those patriarchal notions of Women being the weaker sex and un-able to face the challenges of a family, was a by-gone conclusion with Zaynab (AS)
3. Zaynab and her sense of awareness, to put it like a metaphor is like a hawk whose eyes and sense of heightened space, is well aware and calculating very move as history unfolds. Imam al-Husayn (AS) would constantly remind her of her role, and she was always aware of it at-hand before hand
4. The level of clear communication assured between al-Husayn and Zaynab, his final role and Zaynabs role in picking up after the tragedy of her brothers loss. Imam al-Husayn (AS) reminded Zaynab of the awesome responsibility of her becoming, over and over, and that reminded was duly attached it-self to the heart of Zaynab. Again certain cultures would rather keep Women out from the realm of war that brings death and tragedy - but Zaynab embraces it - like a baby embraces her mother
One important thing to remember appreciate and recognize, Zaynab (SA) doesnt have a hyphenated identity: her identity has it's own "Essence" and that is, that she is Zaynab (SA). She isnt "the Daughter of Ali" as one Dr Ali Qaimi has set forth in his 700 page work, she is as Shariati resurrected and preserved Fatima (SA) - she wasnt a hyphenated Identity other, "Fatima is Fatima" and "Zaynab is Zeynab"
The book has some very beautiful features
1. It establishes the supremacy of the equity between the two genders, while also positioning it within their respective "roles", and those roles tend to complement each other, for a society to work and function with grace.
2. Aspects of a Societal belonging, what makes one and what brakes one are referenced from the Holy Quran. It it important to keep in mind, that the Quranic verses enjoined, are meant to serve as general principles with specific principles resonated from the beautiful ahl al-Bayt in constructing a Society.
3. Very careful consideration is given to the themes, themes that resonate from the Quran, on Gender Equity, of Genders working together, of placing the responsibility of enjoining goodness and forbidding evil. That theme is the theme of Imam al-Husayn (AS), to reform to revive the ummat Jaddi, all tracing their roots from the Quranic verses
4. The work impeccably adorned with historical references. Historical references can be delineated in many constituents, those (a) that refer to the pre-Islamic Arabia, (b) then the Sirah, that covers the Life of the Prophet Muhammad (S) both in Mecca and Medina (c) that part of history that tarries it-self after the death of the Prophet (S) into the lives of the Caliphate followed into the rule of Muawiya and Yazid. The work is a treat as it adorns itself with historians like Ibn al Athir, at-Tabari
5. Then there this is very specific genre of historical work, known as Maqtal ("the death of"), so there is the Luhuf, the Maqtal of al-Muqarram and Maqtal of al-Khawarizmi. When the engagement begins in Karbala, these three works resonate and find themselves to the nucleas of every activity. Maqtal al-Khawarizmi is the only non ahl al-Bayt source, but there are elements of an oral tradition from the Imam al-Husayn (AS) and his Comparison that are not to be found any-where else. The Maqtal literature is the what, who and how a devotee of Imam al-Husayn (AS) attained martrydom - the details are, we are aware from our oral tradition in sharing the tragedy
6. The Ziyarah literature also forms the basis and praxis of the believers allegiance to and ascent from the banality of a life without purpose into the realm of those who attained martyrdom in Karbala.
Now lets conclude this with the most important aspect of this work
1. Zaynab from the moment of her inception, was "always" aware of what was going on in the family. If it wasnt here acute sense of observation and wisdom, she made her place in the lives of her grand father, the Prophet (S) and her siblings. No Zaynab left behind, even if you try, fail you will
2. The household of the ahl al-Byat, as I garner from the work, always made the entire family informed of what was going on in their lives, how it would impact them, as history would unfold. Those patriarchal notions of Women being the weaker sex and un-able to face the challenges of a family, was a by-gone conclusion with Zaynab (AS)
3. Zaynab and her sense of awareness, to put it like a metaphor is like a hawk whose eyes and sense of heightened space, is well aware and calculating very move as history unfolds. Imam al-Husayn (AS) would constantly remind her of her role, and she was always aware of it at-hand before hand
4. The level of clear communication assured between al-Husayn and Zaynab, his final role and Zaynabs role in picking up after the tragedy of her brothers loss. Imam al-Husayn (AS) reminded Zaynab of the awesome responsibility of her becoming, over and over, and that reminded was duly attached it-self to the heart of Zaynab. Again certain cultures would rather keep Women out from the realm of war that brings death and tragedy - but Zaynab embraces it - like a baby embraces her mother
May 30, 2024
Beautifully written and informative. Highly recommend for both Muslim and non-Muslim women alike.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews