Sayyidah Zainab bint Jahsh (R.A)

Hazrat e Sayyidah Zainab bint Jahsh (R.A) was the daughter of Hazrat e Sayyidah Ameemah bint Abdul-Muttalib (R.A) (the paternal aunt of the Prophet (S.A.W)).

Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) initially married Hazrat e Sayyidah Zainab (R.A) to His (S.A.W) freed slave, Hazrat Zaid bin Haarith (R.A). However, due to her being from the prestigious family of the Quraish, and Hazrat Zaid bin Haarith (R.A) a slave, there had always been some discord between the husband and wife, although the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) had freed Hazrat Zaid (R.A) and made him his Mutbanaa (adopted son).

The discord between them eventually reached such a point that Hazrat Zaid bin Haarith (R.A) gave her divorce (talaaq). Holy Prophet (S.A.W) was naturally saddened by this and, only for the contentment of Hazrat e Sayyidah Zainab (R.A), sent his proposal of marriage to her. It has been reported that when she received the proposal, Hazrat e Sayyidah Zainab (R.A) performed two rakaats of Nafl Salah and said while in sajdah, "O’ Allah (S.W.T)! Your Beloved has sent me a proposal for marriage. If I am worthy of being His (S.A.W) wife then make my Nikaah to Him (S.A.W)". The Dua of hers was immediately accepted, and the following Ayah was revealed,

'Then when Zaid had accomplished his purpose with her, we gave her in your marriage.' (Surah Al-Ahzaab, Verse 37)

Following this, Holy Prophet (S.A.W) smiled and said, "Who shall be the person to tell Zainab (R.A) that Allah (S.W.T) has made my Nikaah to her!", causing one of the Holy Prophet's (S.A.W) khaadimahs (female servants) to run to Hazrat e Sayyidah Zainab (R.A) and relate this Ayah to her.

She became so happy after hearing this glad tiding that she gave the khaadimah some of her jewellery as a reward, later went into sajdah, and further kept fast for two consecutive months in thanks for this honour.

It has been reported that the Prophet (S.A.W) went to Hazrat e Sayyidah Zainab's (R.A) house, where she said to Him (S.A.W), "Ya Rasoolullah (S.A.W), have you made Nikaah to me without any khutba or witnesses?'' He replied, "Allah (S.W.T) has made your Nikaah to me, and Hazrat Jibraeel (A.S) and other Angels are witnesses of it".

A grand waleemah was then given by the Prophet (S.A.W) in which the Companions were given naan (bread) and meat. There was no other waleemah grander than the one of Hazrat e Sayyidah Zainab's (R.A) Nikaah from all of Rasoolullah's (S.A.W) marriages.

When Ameerul Mu'mineen Hazrat Umar (R.A) came to know of Hazrat e Sayyidah Zainab's (R.A) passing away, he ordered the following to be announced in all the streets of Madina Shareef, "All people of Madina should present themselves in the Janazah Salah of their honoured mother." He himself then performed the Janazah Salah, and she was thereafter buried in Jannatul Baqi. Hazrat e Sayyidah Zainab (R.A) passed away at the age of 53 in 21 AH in Madina. (Madaarij, Vol. 2)