Early Life of Hazrat Bibi Zainab - History of Islam

Hazrat Zainab (Alaih-e-Salam) was born on the 1^st of Shaban, 6^th Hijrah year. However, according to another tradition the date of birth of Hazrat Zainab is 9^th Ramadan, 9^th Hijrah.

She was the grand-daughter of the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) and Hazrat Khatija tun Kubrah. She was the daughter of Hazrat Ali, the fourth Khalifa-e-rashid (Caliph of Muslims) and Fatima Zahra the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet. She had the honour to be the sister of Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain. She was a pure Hashimite, the clan of the Holy Prophet.

After performing all the sunnat formalities pertaining to her birth and after aqeeqa ceremony she was named Zainab, which means a sweet smelling tree or an adornment of the father or sublime possession.

The life of Zainab, who faced certain difficulties and calamities in her life after the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain, was pure and sinless and full of sacrifices. Among the four ladies whom God has given great honor are Hazrat Khatija Binte Khawailid, the first wife of Holy Prophet; Hazrat Maryam binte Imran, the mother of Jesus Christ, Aasia binte Mazaham, the wife of Pharoah and Fatimah binte Muhammad, the daughter of Holy Prophet (PBUH). Out of the four, two are nearest to Hazrat Zainat. Hazrat Khatija is the grandmother of Hazrat Zainab and Hazrat Fatima is the mother of Hazrat Zainab..

She had the features of her grand-mother, Hazrat Khatijatul Kubra. Like her grand mother she stood by his brother in worst situations. She was tall, well built and her speech was like that of her father Hazrat Ali, and when she delivered a sermon it seemed that he was reciting it. In her oration there was sweetness and strength which impressed all those who heard her. In innocence and modesty she was a model after her mother Hazrat Fatima Zahra. Her temperament was like that of her brothers Imam Hasan and Iman Hussain.

She spent the first five years of her life with her grandfather, the Holy Prophet. However, even after the demise of holy Prophet (PBUH) all the Caliphs and companions gave her due respect as a granddaughter of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). She received her share of khumus regularly.

Progeny of Hazrat Zainab

In the year 16 A.H. she was married to Hazrat Abdullah Taiyyar. She had four sons. Aun, Muhammad Abbas and Ali and one daughter, Kulsum. Out of the four, Aun and Muhammad were martyred in Karbala along with Imam Hussain Abbas never had any child. Ali was the only one from whom the line of Abdullah and Zainab is surviving.

After the tragic occurrence of Karbala she was the leader of the kafila-e-Hussaini and she very bravely faced all the calamities and delivered the sermon which created awareness in the general public and exposed the tyrant Yazid's illegal and unlawful rule.