Chastity and Piety of Zainab (PBUH)
Chastity and piety are the most admirable virtues for women. Zainab learned chastity in the school of her father. Her father used to say: a martyred fighter who lays his life in the way of Allah, will not be rewarded more than a person who is powerful but is chaste, that is, who can commit sin but refrains from doing it. A chaste person is very close to angels.”[1]
Zainab (PBUH) demonstrated her chastity even during the most difficult times. During her captivity and while being taken to Shaam from Karbala, she preserved her chastity. History has recorded that she used to cover her face and head because her scarf had been snatched from her.[2]
In order to safeguard the perimeters of chastity and meekness she used to shout upon Yazid, saying: O, the son of those liberated (by my grandfather, Holy Prophet of Islam), is it fair to keep your wives and maids behind the curtain and take the daughters of the Prophet of Allah here and there as captives? You have removed their veil and exposed their faces.[3]
Following the Wali (religious leader)
The Holy Qur’an commands the Muslims to obey God, the holy Prophet (PBUH) and those in authority.[4]
Zainab (PBUH), who lived during the time of seven infallible figures[5], was a prominent lady in following the religious leader (her knowledge of the leader, unequivocal following of the leader, introducing of the leader to others, and making sacrifices for the leader). She had witnessed how her mother protected the Imam of her time, saying to her leader (Imam): May I protect you even by sacrificing my life for you.[6] And finally, she sacrificed her life for protection of Imam Ali (A.S) and fell martyr in the way of Imam. Zainab (PBUH) learned the lesson of following the Imam from her mother and demonstrated this lesson in Karbala in a proper manner.
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi
Notes:
[1] Nahj al-Bilagha, Faiz ul Islam, Philosophical Point 466.
[2] Jazayeri, Al-Khasis ul Zainabiya, p. 345.
[3] Majlesi, Muhammad Baqir, Bihar al-Anwar, (Beirut, Dar al Ihya al-Turth al-Arabi), vol. 45, p. 134.
[4]The Holy Qur’an (4: 59).
[5] The Holy Prophet (PBUH), Imam Ali, Fatima, Imam Hassan, Imam Hussein, Imam Sadjad, Imam Baqir (PBUT).
[6] Al-Koukab al-Durri, vol. 1, p. 196.
Other links:
Hazrat Zainab (SA), Lady of Faith, Lady of Strength
