Zainab (PBUH), the Great Protector of Values
Where and from whom can a woman, who does not want to live in ignorance and surrender to materialistic life, learn the art of living? Is there a way to live correctly and educate oneself in this ever changing material world with its enticing and tempting attractions that can allure any pious person?
Can a woman achieve an independent and genuine insight appropriate to her innate nature in our culture and religion as to not become a plaything at the hands of malicious, exploiter and lecherous people in the material world?
To find that answer we must refer to Qur’an and the history of Islam.
Qur’an introduces self-made women who have lived a pious life, such as Asiya (wife of pharaoh) and Maryam (Maria) mother of Jesus Christ. There are people in the history of Islam who have trodden this path and taught us to be what kind of person and how to live. They continue to live in the history.
In this article we review some of the virtues of one of these women, Zainab (PBUH) and some parts of her exemplary life.
Educational environment of Imam Ali’s (A.S.) home
The first educational environment every person experiences is their home. Zainab’s family, her parents, are perfect examples of humanity. As long as he was alive, Imam Ali (A.S) did not eat one bite of prohibited food, and his food was only dry pieces of barley bread and milk. He preferred afterlife to the comfort and convenience of material world and when faced with two divine tasks, he always chose the more difficult one. He drew water from well and prepared firewood himself.
Imam Ali (A.S) always had a smiling and cheerful face, was always modest and humble, behaved and ate in a simple manner like servants, was unequalled in his worship, and his family circle was full of self-sacrifice, affection and cooperation.
By Hussein Alavi Mehr
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi
Other links:
Lady Zainab (A.S) Speaks in the Court of Yazid
