SHAFAQNA – Hojjatul-Islam Salar stated that Lady Zaynab’s (SA) exceptional political and spiritual leadership throughout her life — especially during the most critical moments of the captivity of the Prophet’s (PBUH) family — demonstrated her profound ability to manage difficult situations and transform crisis into opportunity. This, he said, can serve as an excellent model for today’s leaders.
In his interview with Shafaqna about Lady Zaynab’s (SA) moral character, he said: The late Mamqani wrote that Lady Zaynab (SA) possessed noble and outstanding traits that no one, after her mother, ever attained. Her lofty spiritual rank was such that she deserved the title of “As-Siddiqah Al-Sughra” (the Truthful One), a designation befitting her dignity and virtue.
He continued: Zaynab (SA) was unparalleled in modesty and chastity, patience and endurance, strength of heart, faith, piety, and courage. Her eloquence and oratory were such that it seemed as if Imam Ali (AS) himself were speaking through her. Anyone who reflects carefully on her powerful sermons and speeches can perceive this truth.
Salar added that every aspect of Lady Zaynab’s (SA) life was glorious and heroic: Numerous works—books, articles, and studies—by both Muslim and non-Muslim authors have been written about her, each focusing on different dimensions of her intellectual, political, social, devotional, spiritual, and ascetic life, as well as her chastity, patience, sacrifice, and devotion to the Imams.
He went on: Imam Sajjad (AS) said about his aunt Lady Zaynab (SA): “She never kept anything for the next day, and she was so devoted to worship that she became known as ‘the Devout Woman of the Family of Imam Ali (AS).’” Lady Zaynab (SA) was an exemplar of servitude to God, following the path of her noble grandfather, father, and mother, submitting fully to divine will and immersing herself in prayer and supplication.
It is also narrated from Imam Sajjad (AS) that: “Despite all the calamities and hardships we faced on our way to Sham (Damascus), my aunt Zaynab (SA) never abandoned her night prayers even for a single night.” This, he said, shows the ultimate level of devotion and servitude of Lady Zaynab (SA).
He continued: During our journey from Kufa to Sham, my aunt Zaynab (SA) performed her obligatory and supererogatory prayers standing, and only when her weakness and hunger became extreme would she pray sitting down. Each captive was given only one piece of bread a day, and because the children were hungry, my aunt would give them her share, leaving herself faint from hunger. This forced her, in some places, to perform her prayers while seated.
The former cultural attaché to Syria and Lebanon further said: Lady Zaynab’s (SA) love for God was so deep that when Imam Hussain (AS) came to bid farewell to the household of purity before the Battle of Karbala, he said to her: “My sister, do not forget me in your night prayers.” This, he emphasized, is highly significant that an Imam of such stature would make such a request of his sister.
Salar also mentioned Lady Zaynab’s (SA) intellectual and scholarly status: Another of her remarkable qualities was her vast knowledge and wisdom. Imam Sajjad (AS) referred to her as “a scholar without having been taught by anyone” and “a wise woman who learned from no one,” indicating her innate divine knowledge and insight.
He added: Lady Zaynab (SA) memorized the Qur’an in childhood and knew many Prophetic traditions by heart. Even as a child, her eloquence and engaging speech astonished listeners. In Madinah, she held women’s gatherings for Qur’anic exegesis and taught and mentored children, youth, and women.
She was also a transmitter of Hadith, narrating many traditions from her mother Fatimah Zahra (SA), her brothers Imam Hassan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS). While in Medina, she also answered people’s religious questions on behalf of Imam Hussain (AS) and Imam Sajjad (AS). Followers of the Ahlul-Bayt (AS) frequently sought her guidance and benefited from her wisdom.