Who is Sayyeda Zaynab (a.s.)?
Her Lineage: Her father was Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.), and her mother was Sayyeda Fatimah al-Zahra (a.s.), the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (p.).
Her Birth:
Sayyeda Zaynab (a.s.) was born in Medina on the 5th of Jumada al-Awwal, in the fifth year of the Hijrah—corresponding to the year 626 CE. She was the third child after her brothers Hasan and Husayn (a.s.).
Her Titles:
The most famous of her titles are: Zaynab al-Kubra (Zaynab the Elder), Al-Hawra' (The Radiant One), Al-Aqilah (The Noble Lady—literally, "Aqilat Bani Hashim"), Umm al-Masa'ib (The Mother of Tragedies), Al-Tahirah (The Pure), and others.
Her Marriage and Children:
Sayyeda Zaynab (a.s.) married her cousin Abdullah ibn Ja'far ibn Abi Talib. According to most narrations, she gave birth to four sons and one daughter: Awn, Muhammad, Ali, Abbas, and Umm Kulthum. Her two sons, Awn and Muhammad, were martyred alongside their uncle Imam Husayn (a.s.) in Karbala.
Her Life and Hardships:
Sayyeda Zaynab (a.s.) lived in Medina with her parents and her grandfather, the Prophet (p.). Her mother, Fatimah al-Zahra (a.s.), passed away when she was only five years old, shortly after the death of her grandfather, the Prophet (p.).
During the caliphate of her father, Imam Ali (a.s.), she migrated with him and her siblings to Kufa, which was the capital of the caliphate at that time. After his martyrdom, she returned to Medina with her brothers, Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn (a.s.).
Tragedies repeated throughout the life of Sayyeda Zaynab (a.s.) from her childhood—from the loss of her grandfather and her mother while she was still a young girl, to the assassination of her father in Kufa, to the poisoning of her brother Imam Hasan (a.s.), and finally to the greatest tragedy—the martyrdom of her brother Imam Husayn (a.s.) in Karbala, along with two of her own sons, some of her nephews, and the companions of her brother. Despite all of this, Sayyeda Zaynab (a.s.) remained a faithful, patient, and steadfast believer, holding firmly to the path of Islam—the path of her grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (p.). She became a symbol of patience and determination, and an example for all Muslims, men and women alike.
Her Qualities and Struggle:
Sayyeda Zaynab (a.s.) was known for her wisdom, sound judgment, and strong faith. She supported her brother Imam Husayn (a.s.) in his stand against Yazid, and confronted the tyrant with unmatched courage. Her voice echoed in his court, and with her strength, she was able to protect her nephew, Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.), from the oppression of Yazid and his supporters, and to care for the young children of her brothers. She exposed the Umayyad regime at that time, and set the outcome of the revolution on the path of victory and immortality.
She narrated from: Her father, Imam Ali (a.s.); her mother, Fatimah al-Zahra (a.s.); and others.
Those who narrated from her: Her nephew, Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.); Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari; and Ibn Abbas, who would say: "Our noble lady Zaynab bint Ali narrated to us..." She was knowledgeable, an eloquent orator, of great stature, and described as possessing beautiful patience, steadfastness, and submission to Allah, the most Exalted. She was also known for her worship and nightly prayers.
Her Death and Burial Place:
Sayyeda Zaynab (a.s.) passed away on the 15th of Rajab, in the year 62 AH—corresponding to the year 682 CE—at the age of fifty-six. There is disagreement regarding her burial place. While some, and this is the famous view, affirm that it is in Syria, others mention that it is in Egypt. She has a shrine in both countries, bearing witness to the sanctity of this noble figure and the respect she commands from all Muslims.