“I Saw Nothing But Beauty”- The Sermon Of Sayyidah Zainab رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا

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Sayyidatuna Zaynab رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہَا went to the plain of Karbala with her two sons, Sayyiduna ‘Awn and Sayyiduna Muhammad رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُمَا. Both the sons showed great bravery and courage during the battle and finally embraced martyrdom while killing the cruel Yazeedis [supporters of Yazeed]. (Sawanih Karbala, pp. 127)

Remaining pleased with the Will of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ by showing patience and steadfastness is an extremely good quality. By having patience, special Divine help is received. In Doomsday-like tragedy of Karbala , Sayyidatuna Zaynab رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہَا saw her sons, nephews and even her brother Imam Husayn رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم being martyred, who was beloved of her more than her life but even then, she did not express impatience even for a moment. She did not deviate from the path of steadfastness even slightly, as if she was a mountain of patience who was not moved by any storm of pain and grief.

Ghar lutaana jan dayna koi tujh say seekh jaye

Jan-e-‘aalam ho fida, ay khandan-e-Ahl-e-Bayt

(Zauq-e-Na’at, pp. 73)

Two days after the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Imam Husayn رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ , the captives of Karbala were taken to Kufa. When they passed through the plain of Karbala while returning from Kufa, the hearts of the honourable women of Ahl-e-Bayt became restless and they could not suppress their painful emotions after seeing the blessed bodies of martyrs over there, drenched with blood. At that time, Sayyidatuna Zaynab رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہَا humbly said in the blessed court of Rasoolullah صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ : ‘Ya Rasoolallah صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ ! May the Salat of the angels of the sky be on you. Please see! He is Husayn, lying in the plain [of Karbala]. He is drenched with blood and his body is split into parts. Your daughters [i.e. granddaughters] are captives; your descendants have been martyred and the wind is blowing dust over them.’ (Al-Kamil fit-Tareekh, vol. 3, pp. 434)

O the devotees of Ahl-e-Bayt-e-Athaar! Following these pious personalities, present Istighaasah in the blessed court of Rasoolullah صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ if you face a difficult situation; it is a deed greatly liked by Shari’ah and if Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ wills, difficulties also come to an end by its blessing.

Wallah! Woh sun layn gey, faryad ko pohanchay gey

Itna bhi to ho koi jo ‘ah’ karay dil say

(Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish, pp. 143)

After the blessed head of Sayyiduna Imaam Hussain رضی اللہ عنہ was placed before governer , the surviving members of the Ahle Bayt were brought into his gathering . By now Sayyidah Zainab رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا had changed her clothing and looked very simple in it . There were a few womenfolk around her when ibn ziyad asked , ‘Who is this ? Sayyidah Zainab رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا did not answer , even when she was asked this thrice . Then a woman surrounding her said , “This is Zainab , the daughter of Fatimah”, Hearing this the cursed Ibn Ziyad remarked , ‘Praise be to Allah who ruined you , killed your family and belied you’ .

The daughter of the Lion Of Allah replied,

“ Praise be to Allah , who made us respected by being the children of Muhammad صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم , and purified us as is the right of being purified , not as how you speak about us . Indeed transgressors are the ones who are ruined and and will be belied.”

The governor asked , “Have you seen what Allah has done to your family ?” Sayyidah said , “I saw nothing but beauty , Martyrdom was their destiny . This is why they were martyred , but soon you will be before Allah with them and they will seek justice for the injustice they had to endure .”

This crushing reply of Sayyidah Zainab رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا angered Ibn Ziyad , who retorted , “Allah cooled my anger through the killing of an arrogant and disobedient member of your family” .

These words made Sayyidah Zainab رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا cry uncontrollably. She said to him , “Oath on my existence , you killed my family members and ruined us , you cut our branches and uprooted our roots , If your heart gains solace by such actions , then indeed you have attained it”. — Tabri , Ibn Atheer and Al- Bidaayah , (Al-Kamil fit-Tareekh, vol. 3, pp. 435)

On the other hand there was absolutely no fear in Imaam Zainul Abideen رضی اللہ عنہ and He said with composure , “If you want to kill me , then all I ask is that you consider our family -ties and appoint a pious decent man to lead these womenfolk back to their homeland with honor and respect .” These words made the governor stare at this aunt and nephew for a long while until mercy ultimately entered his heart . He said , ‘ Let this boy remain with these women” . — Ibn Atheer , Al-Bidaayah And Tabri