Sermon of Zaynab bint Ali in the court of Yazid

Zaynab bint Ali

Zaynab bint Ali (Arabic: زينب بنت علي‎‎ also: Zainab, Zeinab, or with the title Sayyeda/Sayyidah) was one of the daughters of Ali and Fatimah. Like other members of her family she became a great figure of sacrifice, strength, and piety in Islam – in the Sunni and Shia sect of the religion. Zaynab married Abdullah ibn Ja'far and had three sons and two daughters. When her brother Husayn defended Islam and opposed the tyranny of Yazid caliph in 680 AD (61 AH), Zaynab accompanied his companions, 72 men who, together with Husayn (as), were brutally slain by government forces involving an army of 30,000 men at the battle of Karbala. Zaynab played an important role in announcing the true events leading up to the massacre of the third Shia Imam Husayn (as), and his supporters. She also protected the life of her nephew Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-Abidin, the fourth Shia Imam as he lay seriously ill and unable to go to the battlefield. Because of her sacrifice and heroism, she became known as the "Hero of Karbala". Zaynab died in 681 AD, and her shrine is located in Damascus, Syria.

Background

After battle of Karbala captured family of prophet and head of the killed persons were moved to the Levant by the forces of Yazid. At the first day of Safar, according to narration of Turabi’s, they arrived to the Levant and captured family and head were taken into Yazid presence . First of all, the identity of each head and killed guys were explained to him. Then he paid attention to a woman who was an objector. Yazid asked "who is this arrogant woman?" All the audience paused moments. The woman rose to answer and said: "why are you asking them [the woman]? Ask me. I’ll tell you [who I am]. I am Muhammad’s granddaughter. I am Fatmia’s daughter." People at the court were impressed and amazed by her. At this time Zaynab bint Ali gave her sermon.

According to narration of Al-Shaykh Al-Mufid, in Yazid presence a man with red skin asked Yazid one of the captured woman as bondwoman. On other hand, Yazid knapped at his teeth with the staff of his hand while saying: "I wish those of my clan who were killed at Badr, and those who had seen the Khazraj clan wailing (in the battle of Uhad) on account of lancet wounds, were here. At this time, For stopping Yazid, Zaynab bint Ali began to give her sermon.

Context

Zaynab bint Ali started her sermon with the praise of Allah:

Give time to disbelievers

The verse 187 of chapter Al Imran was descended about polytheists of Mecca such as Abu Sufyan ibn Harb. For second time, Zainab bint Ali used this verse about Yazid, grandson of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb. She said: do not be satisfied with this respite, this time passes quickly and Allah punishes you. You will be humiliated.

As we see in the sermon:

Humiliate the enemy and grant the Ahl al-Bayt

One of Zaynab bint Ali method in battle of Karbala was the humiliation the enemy and honored the Ahl al-Bayt.

Position of those killed in Karbala

Zaynab bit Ali notified Yazid that do not be happy because of this victory. She nominated to verse 169 of Al Imran and emphasized that the killed person are victors and your happiness end to the torture of Allah.

Referring to the oppression

At this part of sermon she nominated to all the oppression and Injustices of Umayyad from time of Abu Sufyan until time of Husayn ibn Ali. Also, she believed that the power of Umayyad arises from supporting of Quran and succession of Muhammad prophet. So she stated:

Eternity of result of the battle

Zaynab bint Ali emphasized that the battle of Karbala has positive effect on history. Also, she believed that jihad, struggle in path of Allah, has eternal effect.

In the News

The book titled explanations on Sermon of Zaynab bint Ali at the Levant is written by Ali Karimi Jahromi. It is published by Bustan publication. The author reviews different opinions about this sermon.