Genealogy:
She was Zaynab bint Jashsh ibn Ribal Asadiya. Her mother was Umaima bint’Abd al-Muttalib.
Her family tree was as under:
Father: Jashsh bin Rakab bin Yamar bin Sabera bin Merab bin Kashseer bin Sanam
bin Zaodan bin Asad bin Khazima.
Mother: Umaima bint Abu Talib bin Abdul Mutlib bin Hashim bin Abdul Munaf.
Early Life:
She was born in a noble tribe of Quraish in the year 594AD and was named Barra.
The Holy Prophet being her first cousin changed her name when she embraced
Islam. She was a very attractive and a pretty lady of medium height with a
dominating and a forceful personality, which usually annoyed others. However she
was excellent in hard work and used to cure skins and tan them with her own
hands. She was also good at cobbling. All things that she manufactured at home
were sold and the money that accrued from there was distributed among the poor
and the needy.
Brother and Sisters:
Though there are some contradictory reports regarding the number of brothers and
sisters she had, but accordingly to most of the historians and various records
she had three brothers and two sisters: -
Abdullah Bin Jashsh: He was one of those individuals who embraced Islam at an
early stage. He on the instruction of the Holy Prophet migrated to Jashsh and
subsequently to Medinah. He took part in the battle of Badr and became the
martyr of the battle of Ohad. He is buried next to the grave of Hazrat Amir
Humza.
Abbu Ahmed Bin Jashsh: He also migrated first to Jashsh and then to Medinah
along with his brother Abdullah. He was a poet and was blind by birth. He was
married to Farrah bint Abu Suffain and died after the death of his sister Hazrat
Zaynab.
Abeed ullah Bin Jashsh: He migrated along with his brothers to Jashsh and
decided to settle there. Beside other sinister habits he became an alcoholic and
ultimately died as a Christian.
Ummah Habib bint Jashsh: She was married to Abdur Rehman bin Auf.
Humnah bint Jashsh She was initially married to Hazrat Musab bin Umar who became
a martyr of the battle of Ohad. Later she was married to Talah bin Abdullah from
whom she had two sons, Muhammad and Imran.
Marriage Proposal for Zayd:
Hazrat Zayd, the adopted son of the Holy Prophet was tall having a flat nose and
a dark complexion. His father, Harithah belonged to a respectable family of a
tribe Banu Kazah of Yemen. His mother’s name was Sadia bint Salab bin Abud Amir.
When Hazrat Zayd was 8 years old he along with his mother journeyed to his grand
parents. While they had camped for the night a few horse riders of Bani Alqayan
attacked their camp and captured some of the individuals among whom Hazrat Zayd
was also present. Later he was sold in the market of Aqaaz to Hakim bin Hazaam
for 400 dirhams. Hakim later, presented this slave to his maternal Aunt Hazrat
Khadijah. Subsequently when the Holy Prophet married Hazrat Khadijah, she
deputed Hazrat Zayd, who was at that time 15 years old to look after the Holy
Prophet.
When the Holy Prophet first
sent a proposal to Hazrat Zaynab from Zayd he was about 30 years old and was
already married to Ummeh Ayman (Barakah). The people of her family were averse
to his proposal, and were not willing to give her in marriage to a freed slave.
The Holy Prophet reprehended them and said “No Zayd belongs to the noble house
of Hatim al-Tai, and now he is my son, what is in family glory? We are all
brethren, and indeed the noblest of us in the Sight of Allah is the most pious
of us! I wish you to help me in discarding the age-old prejudices the
vainglorious of descent. Allah is pleased only with your piety and
righteousness, and not with these sham vanities. In spite of this, she refused
and turned down the proposal. Her brother Abdullah ibn Jashsh supported her in
her refusal to marry Zayd. But as the Holy Prophet loved Zayd and regarded him
as his son, he insisted that there was no room for a refusal: it must be
accepted. She said “Allah’s Messenger, give me time to think.” While these talks
were going on, the following verse of the Qur’an was revealed in Surah Al-Ahzab
(33:36). After which Hazrat Zaynab and her brother agreed on this marriage.
“It is not fitting for a Believer man or woman when a matter has been decided by
Allah and His Apostle to have any option about their decision: if anyone
disobeys Allah and His Apostle he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path ”(33:36)
Marriage With Zayd:
In the year 3 A.H she was married to Zayd ibn Harithah ibn Sharahil, who was at
that time 30 years old. The Holy Prophet solemnized her marriage and the mehr
was set for 10 dinars and 60 dirhams. Along with the mehr few clothes and
rations of daily use were also sent. Though she agreed on getting married to
Zayd, but she never reconciled with the idea of marrying a slave and therefore
never accepted him as her husband from the heart.
Divorce by Zayd:
Within a year or so, Zayd found it difficult to maintain his marriage relation
with her. He complained to the Holy Prophet of her harsh and crude behaviour and
informed him of his intention to divorce her, but the Holy Prophet told him to
fear Allah and restrain himself. Tirmizi transmitted this incident in these
words: “Zayd came to the Holy Prophet and said that Hazrat Zaynab was insolent
and abusive to him and that he wanted to divorce her.” But the Holy Prophet
repeatedly asked him not to divorce her as is mentioned in the Quran in
following words of Surah Al-Ahzab (33:37):
Behold! thou didst say to one who had received the grace of Allah and thy favuor:
"Retain thou (in wedlock) thy wife and fear Allah. (33.37).
But Zayd could not keep on his relationship with Hazrat Zaynab and divorced her.
In the mean time Allah revealed in Surah Al-Ahzab (33:40):
Muhammad is not the (physical and real) father of any man among you. But he is
the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophet. And Allah knows all things.
(33.40)
Marriage Proposal by The Holy Prophet:
Zayd had divorced Hazrat Zaynab. This was soon confirmed by the revelation in
Surah Al-Ahzab (33:37):
Then when Zayd had dissolved (his marriage) with her with the necessary
(formality) We joined her in marriage to thee: in order that (in future) there
may be no difficulty to the Believers in (the matter of) marriage with the wives
of their adopted sons when the latter have dissolved with the necessary
(formality) (their marriage) with them: and Allah's command must be fulfilled.
(33.37)
This verse was revealed to the Prophet in the presence of Hazrat Aiesha. The
Holy Prophet sent this proposal to Hazrat Zaynab after her waiting period was
completed through Zayd, but she said that she could not give any reply without
consulting her Lord (i.e.; istikhara). Then she prostrated and according to some
reports, offered two rak’at prayer and prayed; “O Lord, if I am worthy of him,
give me in marriage to him.” It is reported that then the above verse was
revealed and the Holy Prophet sent a message to Hazrat Zaynab that she was given
to him in marriage by his Lord. When she heard this news, she took the
slave-girl, Salamah, who had brought the good news, fell prostrate and vowed to
do two months fasting.
Marriage Ceremony:
The Holy Prophet gave a grand feast of walimah such as he never gave for any
other wife. A goat was slaughtered and about 300 men enjoyed the feast. The
verses of hijab were revealed on this occasion as some people stayed
unnecessarily late in his house, which caused him and his household great
inconvenience for there was only one room. The Quran mentions this in following
words of Surah Al-Ahzab (33:53):
O you who believe! Enter not the house of the Prophet for a meal without waiting
for the proper time, unless permission is granted to you. But if you are
invited, enter and when your meal is ended, then disperse, Linger not for
conversation. Surely that would cause annoyance to the Prophet, and he would be
shy of asking you to go; but Allah is not shy of the Truth. And when you ask of
them (the wives of the Prophet) anything, ask it of them from behind a curtain.
That is purer for your hearts and for their hearts.(33.53).
Significance of Hazrat Zaynabs Marriage:
Hazrat Zaynab’s marriage had certain special features, which distinguish her
from other wives of the Prophet. Allah performed her marriage (nikah) and a
revelation was sent to this effect to the Prophet. The guardians or fathers
contracted the marriages of other wives where as the Command of Allah conducted
her marriage, thus there was no dowry and Allah stood guarantee on behalf of the
Prophet for Hazrat Zaynab. The marriage was solemnized through a revelation of
the Quran which guaranteed security of privacy to the Prophet’s household in
these words;( Surah Al-Ahzab (33:53)
O you who believe! Enter not the house of the Prophet for a meal (33.53).
Then her walimah feast was celebrated as a great occasion such as no other wife
of the Prophet had the honour of at her marriage. Hazrat Zaynab used to boast of
this over the other wives of the Prophet.
Hazrat Zaynab- in The Eyes of The Holy Prophet:
There are many reports about her piety and excellence in many respects. Hazrat
Aiesha said “In the eyes of Allah’s Messenger, only Hazrat Zaynab competes with
me in honour and dignity” (Muslim). The Holy Prophet always met her with loving
affection and great cordiality. Umm Salamah spoke highly of the virtues and good
qualities of her, She said, “Hazrat Zaynab is a beautiful woman and the Prophet
comes to her very often. She is a pious woman, keeps fast, engages in prayer at
night and spends all her wealth on the needy and the poor”. Hazrat Zaynab
herself said, "When I received the message of marriage from the Prophet, I vowed
to fast for two months, When the Prophet was with me, at home or on a journey, I
could not fast, but when I was alone I fasted.” (Tabaqat). Hazrat Aiesha said,
“I have not seen any woman more religious, pious, truthful, generous, charitable
or engaged in the Pleasure of Allah than Hazrat Zaynab.” “She was slightly
hot-tempered but quickly repented for it” (Muslim). In piety and taqwa (fear of
Allah), she was at a very high level. When slanderous rumours were heard about
Hazrat Aiesha and Hazrat Zaynab’s sister Hamnah was involved, the Prophet asked
her about Aiesha’s morals and she said, “ I know nothing but good of Aiesha.”
Aiesha recognized her truthfulness and righteousness.
She was often engaged in ibadah
(worship) with great devotion and fear. Once the Prophet was distributing some
wealth among the muhajirin and Hazrat Zaynab said something harsh to the Holy
Prophet. Thereupon ‘Umar severely rebuked her but the Prophet said, “Umar, do
not say anything, for she is very Allah-fearing (addaha).” Some one present
said, “What is addaha?” The Holy Prophet said,” Humility in prayer and
supplication and entreaty in the Presence of Allah.” Then he recited this verse
from Surah Hud (11:75),
For Ibrahim was tenderhearted and merciful and always turned to Us. (11:75).
Thus the Prophet compared her to the Prophet Ibrahim in regard to this quality.
(Madarij al Nubuwa).
Holy Prophets Love for Hazrat Zaynab:
The Prophet had great compassion and love for her. As she had to suffer the
afflictions of an in harmonious tie and unhappy marriage with Zayd, for which
the Prophet felt, was partly due to his insistence and being a cousin, he
considered it to be a duty to repair that suffering. He therefore sometimes
devoted more time and more attention to her in the afternoons than to others.
She always acknowledged and appreciated his special attention.
Hazrat Zaynab was temperamentally sharp and at times she would not even hesitate
to talk boldly even in the presence of the Prophet. This she could do only
because she had the advantage of being closely related to him and she also had
the privilege of having been given to him by Allah. On one occasion, Hazrat
Aiesha wanted to refute Hazrat Zaynab, but the Prophet bade her to keep silent.
For otherwise this would have generated heart burning and the attention of these
noble ladies would have been diverted to things other than devotion to Allah and
they would have lost serenity and peace of mind.
Once when it was the turn of Hazrat Aiesha with the Prophet, a lamb was
slaughtered and he asked her to distribute it among the other wives as well. She
did it and sent a share to each one of them. When the share of Hazrat Zaynab was
offered to her she declined to accept it to which The Holy Prophet asked Hazrat
Aiesha to add a few more pieces and to send it again to her. Hazrat Zaynab again
refused to accept it. On this Hazrat Aiesha felt annoyed and exclaimed: “May
Allah curse your face! You refuse the gift!” The Prophet was very angry at
seeing the reaction of Hazrat Aiesha and it is related that he did not visit her
for a month.
The Holy Prophet loved her intensely and often stayed with her. Once she got
some honey and gave it as a drink to the Prophet. It was the usual practice of
the Prophet to go round to see all his wises after salat al-Asr (i.e. after-noon
prayer). Hazrat Aiesha reported that the Holy Prophet began to stay more with
Hazrat Zaynab to enjoy a drink of honey. So Hafsah, Saudah and Aiesha agreed
that when the Prophet visted them afterwards, they should say, “I smell an odour
of Maghafir”(a kind of mimosa with an unpleasant small). “Have you eaten some?”
they all said the same thing. To this the Prophet said, “Don’t worry: I drank
some honey at the house of Zaynab bint Jahsh, but I swear that I shall not do it
again.” Do not tell anyone of this. (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasai and
Ahmed). This act itself was not of any importance, but because it happened to
the Prophet, Allah took notice of it and rectified the slight mistake on the
part of the Prophet in the following verse of surah Al Tahrim (66:1)
O Prophet! why holdest thou to be forbidden that which Allah has made lawful to
thee? Thou seekest to please thy consorts. But Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most
Merciful. (66:1)
.
Hazrat Zaynab a Generous Lady:
Hazrat Aiesha narrates that when Hazrat Zaynab died the poor and the orphans of
Medinah were very upset and worried. (Ibn Said). It is reported that she was
very contented and generous by temperament. She made her living by her own hand
and spent it all in the Way of Allah. Hazrat Umra reported. “I heard Hazrat
Aiesha saying (after the death of Hazrat Zaynab) that a praise worthy and a
unique lady had gone, who was a protection for orphans and widows.” (Tabaqat).
Hazrat Umar had fixed an annual allowance of twelve thousand dirhams for her,
but when she received it for the first time she distributed it all among the
poor, the needy and some of her needy relatives. When she received this
allowance, she said, “O Allah! Umar’s allowance shall not find me after this
year.” When Umar found that she had distributed it all, he said, “She is such a
lady that she should be treated more liberally.” Then he went to her and sent
his compliments to her while standing at the door and said, “ I am told that you
have distributed all your wealth.” He gave her one thousand dirhams for her
personal expenses but she distributed that as well. She died in the same year
and did not live to see the second allowance.
When Hazrat Aiesha heard the news of her death she said, “ A good-natured,
benefit-giving women who was the guardian of orphans and widows has gone from
the world,” Umm Salamah said, “Hazrat Zaynab was pious, fasted often and
regularly offered prayer”. When she died, Aiesha began to weep and talk about
her and pray for her. Some body asked her, “Tell us any quality of Hazrat Zaynab”.
She replied, “Hazrat Zaynab was a virtuous woman.” Once the narrator of the
hadith, said, “ tell us who was the most beloved of the Holy Prophet?” She said,
“I had not thought about it, but Zaynab and Umm Salamah had a place in my
thinking after me those two were the most beloved to him.”(Tabaqat).
According to Hazrat Aiesha when some of the Prophets wives asked him which of
them would join him the soonest: “he replied that it would be the one with the
longest arm. So they took a rod and measured, and Suddha was the one among them
who had the longest arm. They later came to know that charity (sadaqa) was the
meaning of the length of the arm, for Zaynab bint Jashsh was the one who joined
him the soonest and she was fond of giving charity.”(Bukahri and Muslim. (Sauda
died later in the caliphate of Muhawiya).
Joining The Life Hereafter:
When Hazrat Zaynab fell ill only the wives of the Holy Prophet were allowed to
nurse her and when she died in the year 20 A.H they alone were required to wash
her dead body. Hazrat Zaynab had kept a shroud ready. But when Umar sent a
shroud, the one that Hazrat Zaynab had kept was given away in alms and he led
the funeral prayers as well. Only her near relatives, such as Usama ibn Zayd and
Muhammad ibn Ubaid ullah ibn Jashsh were allowed to lift her body and place it
in the grave to repose. When she died it was a hot summer day and the sun shone
scorching in the sky. She was buried in the Janat-ul-Baqi.