To fully comprehend the message of Karbala, one has to fathom two thoughts. One is the rising of Imam Hussain and the other is the rising of his sister Sayeda Zainab. Zainab bint Ali was an outstanding figure in the history of Karbala endowed with divine steadfastness and fortitude. After the martyrdom of her brother and her two sons in the battle of Karbala, Sayeda Zainab stood tall and said: "O my Lord! Accept our humble sacrifice to You."

This great woman became famous for her virtuous life. In her character, she reflected the best attributes. In sobriety and serenity she was likened to her grandmother, the Mother of Believers Sayeda Khadija, in chastity and modesty to her holy mother Sayeda Fatima and in eloquence to her holy father Imam Ali.

Sayeda Zainab proclaimed to the world the greatest sacrifices made by her brother Imam Hussain and other members of the family of the Holy Prophet of Islam who were brutally martyred at Karbala in 61 A.H by the forces of Yazid son of Muawiya. On the other hand, the women and children witnessed the very inhumane and merciless violence that took place in Karbala, yet they were not desperate, depressed, they did not collapse, despite all the pain and challenges, they were contrary the opposite. They stood up, spoke up and held Yazid responsible. They had no fear or anxiety but rather were very strong and decisive in their stances.

A part of the sermon she gave with utmost bravery in the gathering of Yazid son of Muawiya in Syria shook his majlis (gathering) and still echoes through time and space:

“By Allah (SWT), you cannot remove us from the minds (of people), and you cannot fade our message. You will never reach our glory and can never wash the stain of this crime from your hands. Your decisions will not be stable, your period of ruling will be short, and your population will scatter. In that day, a voice will shout: "Indeed may the curse of Allah (SWT) be upon the oppressors..."

A model of defiance against oppression and injustice. A woman of patience and endurance. There was no act of worship greater than continuing the rising of her brother, delivering fiery sermons in the path of Kufa and Syria, and awakening ignorant people who were deceived by poisonous propaganda of Yazid son of Muawiya. Her sermons created a movement in Kufa and Damascus that shook the bases of Yazid's kingdom and even Yazid's son refused to replace his father as the king, and after a while, quitted the government while disgracing the oppressing dynasty of Umayyads.

Sayeda Zainab’s role was exemplary. It showed how bold Muslim women were and how they played a key role in consolidating Islamic teachings. Today, despite so much progress and the spread of education, so many Muslim women are suppressed. In some alleged Muslim societies, a woman’s voice is banned from even being heard in public; and here was Zainab from the Imam’s family who became a public speaker to save Islamic values.

Women today should have an important role to play in all aspects of life: at home, at work, in the community, at the university, at our centers, and mosques.  Taking the lessons we learn throughout the months of Muharram and Safar, we can strive to build a better community of inclusion and appreciation of one another. We can create more opportunities and positions for women to take on leadership roles to help our communities continue to grow.

-Sources