A Break in Holidays 2001
Zainab and Ibrahim had a short break between holidays and rising tensions throughout the world and neighborhood.
She decided to tell Ibrahim the story of her famous namesake. Her official name was Tina Marie Ali but the world outside those office doors knew her as Zainab Ali.
The OG Zainab Ali was of course the daughter of none other than Ali and Fatima. Fatima being the daughter of the prophet Mohamed (pbuh) no less. Her brothers being Hasan and Husayn who she adored.
Her granddaddy was said to have received a vision detailing her difficult life. He adored her for it and remarked how much she resembled his late, beloved first wife, Khadija. He died before the worst of Zainab’s troubles.
There was screaming, threats, lies and a battle after a successor Islamic leader died appointing his son Yazid to replace him. Yazid demanded loyalty from all Muslims even Mohamed’s family, though he acquired power un Islamically.
Mohamed’s family tried to resolve things with Yazid and his followers.
Yazid had an army sent to capture them. They tried again to negotiate and remind them of their faith. The army attacked on the morning of Ashura and this became known as the Battle of Karbala which Zainab and Husayn had known about in advance.
Zainab watched as her family who were present were slaughtered in battle. She kept rushing to aid the wounded throughout the day. At the end of the day Husayn was surrounded. She watched without emotion as they wounded him repeatedly, as he cried out in pain and suffering, as he begged for Allah to take his life.
They all understood that they must kill him but they were afraid of Allah’s wrath even though they had already killed many.
When he is finally beheaded, Zainab beseeches Allah directly by saying, “Oh, God. Accept from us this offering!” This shocks and stuns those present.
Shamir wants to kill Ali ibn al-Husayn, the male heir. Zainab throws herself in front of Ali and demands that he kill her first, thereby saving her nephew’s life.
Zainab and the others are taken on a forced march of humiliation in shackles, chains and torn clothing along with Husayn’s head on a spike to see Yazid. She speaks constantly about what happened in Karbala along the way. She gives not one inch.
When they enter to see Ibn Ziyad, he boasts about killing her family. She reminds him of various passages of Al-Quran before letting him know that Allah will soon judge between them.
His men quell his anger by reminding him that she’s a woman and doesn’t know what she says. Zainab never bows though.
Yazid does in the end but he had already sealed his fate. When they are presented to Yazid on their knees, Zainab alone rose to give a scathing speech about what he and the others had done by quoting al-Quran. Two points of interest for our Zainab were…
Let not disbelievers think that our respite is a good thing. Indeed, we give them respite so that they may increase in trespass, and a shameful punishment awaits them. (3:179)
And…
The curse of God be upon the oppressor. (11:18)
Both Zainab’s were defenders of Islam and the oppressed. Our Zainab Ali had some big shoes to fill with her namesake. Could she successfully defeat her Yazid with her own Jihad Al-Kalimat, War of Words? Only time would tell.
Until next time, Ma’salam. With Peace.
Men Sadiqatuk, Drsy.
From your friend, Darcy.
