Sayyidah Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the Sahaabiyyah of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), was a slave from Rome who had accepted Islam in its very early stages. On account of her Islam, Abu Jahal and the other disbelievers relentlessly tortured and persecuted her.

After accepting Islam, Sayyidah Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) lost her eyesight and became blind. When this happened, the disbelievers began to mock and taunt her saying, “Laat and ‘Uzzaa (two idols that were worshipped by the disbelievers) have made you blind because you have rejected and disbelieved in them!”

In the face of their taunts, Sayyidah Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) remained resolute and declared, “Laat and ‘Uzzaa are not even aware of who their worshippers are (as they are lifeless idols, so how can they blind me?). Rather, my blindness is from Allah Ta‘ala, and He is capable of restoring my sight.”

When Sayyidah Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) awoke the following morning, she found that Allah Ta‘ala had restored her vision! The Quraish refused to accept that Allah Ta‘ala had cured her and declared, “This is the black magic of Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).”

Witnessing the torture that she suffered, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) purchased Sayyidah Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and set her free (as he had done with many other slaves who were tortured due to accepting Islam).

(Usdul Ghaabah vol. 5, pg. 292)

Lessons:

1. Calamities and difficulties are actually tests from Allah Ta‘ala, to determine the strength of our imaan and the level of our submission to His divine decree. The imaan of Sayyidah Zinneerah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was so strong that this test did not weaken her resolve or determination in the least. Instead, she placed her trust in AllahTa‘ala Who thereafter restored her vision.

2. Sometimes, when a person repents and is trying to change his life, he suddenly faces a calamity or test, e.g. he cancels his insurance policy, and shortly thereafter his car or house is destroyed. Experiencing such adversities should not make him lose hope or become despondent. Rather, he should think to himself that Allah Ta‘ala is testing him to determine whether his repentance is sincere or not. If he was insincere, then at the slightest sign of adversity and difficulty, he will renege on his repentance and return to the sin.