(Sayyidah Zainab bintu Jahsh [radhiyallahu ‘anha] – Part One)
Ummul Mu-mineen Sayyidah Zainab bintu Jahsh (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was the first cousin of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), since her mother, Umaimah bintu ‘Abdil Muttalib, was the paternal aunt of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Her name was initially Barrah. However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) changed it to Zainab, as he had done with Sayyidah Juwairiyah and Sayyidah Maimoonah (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) as well. (Saheeh Bukhaari #6192 and As-Seeratul Halabiyyah vol. 2, pg. 280 & vol. 3, pg. 320)
Sayyidah Zainab (radhiyallahu ‘anha) possessed such extraordinary qualities that even her co-wives were full of praises for her. Hence, Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) mentioned regarding her, “I have never seen a woman better than Zainab in respect to Deen, more fearful of Allah, more truthful in speech, more concerned about maintaining family ties, more generous in giving charity, more hardworking and giving the income thereof in charity and gaining the proximity of Allah Ta‘ala.” (Saheeh Muslim #6290)
Sayyidah Ummu Salamah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), who was also the respected wife of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and thus another co-wife of Sayyidah Zainab (radhiyallahu ‘anha), mentioned the following regarding her, “She was a pious woman, who would keep abundant nafl fasts, and stand in salaah alot. She would make things by hand and give the total income to the poor.” (Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 8, pg. 103)
Her piety and consciousness of Allah Ta‘ala was of a very high level as well. When the hypocrites falsely accused Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), some sincere people in their naivety joined in this accusation. However, when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was investigating the matter and thus enquired from Sayyidah Zainab (radhiyallahu ‘anha) regarding Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), she replied, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I am safeguarding my ears and my eyes (i.e. I will not falsely claim that I have heard or seen her doing anything wrong). By Allah, I only know good about her.”
Commenting on this reply of hers, Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) attests to the piety of Sayyidah Zainab (radhiyallahu ‘anha) saying, “(Although) she was the one who would compete with me (in beauty and closeness to Rasulullah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam]), Allah protected her on account of (her) piety.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #2661)
Sayyidah Zainab (radhiyallahu ‘anha) also enjoyed a special affinity with ‘ibaadah. Hence, when the message was conveyed to her that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was proposing for her hand in marriage (which will be discussed later), she insisted on first engaging in istikhaarah. (Saheeh Muslim #3502)
On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) entered his home accompanied by Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) while Sayyidah Zainab (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was engrossed in salaah and du‘aa. On seeing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) remarked, “Indeed she is one who turns in humility to Allah Ta‘ala.” (Tabraani – Majma‘uz Zawaa-id #15340)
Lessons:
1. Rivalry between co-wives is extremely common and very well known. Often, co-wives even resort to speaking lies in order to tarnish the reputation of the other. However, the hearts of the honourable wives of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) were so clean, that they even acknowledged the excellent qualities of their co-wives and spoke highly of them.
2. Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was the most beloved wife of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), while Sayyidah Zainab bintu Jahsh (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was her closest rival. Hence, when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) enquired from Sayyidah Zainab (radhiyallahu ‘anha) regarding Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), this was a golden opportunity for Sayyidah Zainab (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to say something that would have caused Sayyidah ‘Aaishah’s (radhiyallahu ‘anha) status to fall in the sight of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, her piety and fear of Allah Ta‘ala did not permit her to even remain silent. Instead, she took an oath in the name of Allah Ta‘ala and testified to the goodness of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). This is a very important quality that every person should strive to imbibe – refraining from falsely accusing someone and giving credit to a person when it’s due, be he a friend or a foe.
Other parts may be accessed via the following links:
Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five Part Six