Bibi Zainab(s.a), is the granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad(p.b.u.h), the Best of Creation. Her mother is Bibi Fatima(s.a), the Best of all the Women & her father is our first Imam Ali(a.s), excellent in every way. Her brothers Imam Hasan(a.s) & Hussain(a.s) are the Masters of the Youth of Paradise.
The house of Bibi Fatima(s.a) and Imam Ali(a.s) was blessed with a daughter in Madina,on 1st Shabaan of Islamic calendar. (Some say it was 5th of Jamadi Al-Awwal, in the 6th Hijrah year 625 AD).
She was the third child of the family and was born after Imam Hussain(a.s).
When her father, Imam Ali(a.s) saw her for the first time, Imam Hussain(a.s) who was three years of age at that time was with him. The young child exclaimed in delight : “O father! Allah has given me a sister.” At these words, Imam Ali(a.s) began to weep.
Imam Husain(a.s) asked him “Why do you cry?” He said, “My son! You will soon find out.”
Holy Prophet was not in Madina at that time when she was born.
Bibi Fatima(s.a) & Imam Ali(a.s) did not name their baby girl and waited for the Prophet’s return so that he could propose the name.
3 days later Prophet(p.b.u.h) returned from his trip and like all other times, he first went to Bibi Fatima’s (s.a) house.
When the Holy Prophet Muhammad(p.b.u.h) saw the baby, he named her Zainab: made up of Zain (ornament) and ab (father). She was indeed the pride of her father Imam Ali(a.s).
Tears welled up in Prophet’s eyes. Bibi Fatima(s.a) asked “Why do you cry?”
The Prophet replied,”This child will face trials and troubles from a very young age. She will first weep over me; then she will moan her mother; then her father; and then her brothers Hasan and Hussain.
Thereafter, she will face trials in Karbala, which will turn her hair grey & her back will be bent”
When the family heard this,they all broke down in tears.
Imam Hussain(a.s) now understood why his father had also wept.
She resembled her grandmother Bibi Khadija(s.a), said Prophet.
Bibi Zainab(s) had many titles, which describe her :
- ▪ Sabira (Patient)
- ▪ Aqeela e bani Hashim (The most Intelligent Lady of Bani Hashim)
- ▪ Aalima ghairi muallima (Learned without being taught)
- ▪ Aabida (Worshipper)
- ▪ Faadilah (Virtuous)
- ▪ Kaamilah (Perfect)
In her personality she was so much like her mother that she was called Saniye Zahra. She was known as Shareekat-ul Hussain(a.s), a partner in his divine mission. Bibi Zainab (s.a) grew up in the lap of the Holy Prophet Muhammad(p.b.u.h). She saw Islam grow before her very eyes.