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Sermon of Hazrat Zainab Bint Ali (RA) in the Court of Yazid

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Grouped with Muharram-ul-Haram

Introduction

The Battle of Karbala, a heart-breaking event in Islamic history, saw the martyrdom of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (RA). The battle was a clash of swords and a disagreement of principles, where truth stood against dictatorship. Hazrat Hussain (RA) and his 72 companions, which included 18 family members, attained martyrdom in this battle. The forces of Yazid from the Banu Umayyah succession were responsible for this. Their actions were driven by hatred and passion for power. The sermon of Hazrat Zainab (RA) in Yazid’s court is a testament to their faith and resistance against oppression.

However, the Battle of Karbala did not end with the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA). The surviving women and children of Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) family were taken prisoner and subjected to unimaginable disrespect. Among these prisoners was Hazrat Zainab, the daughter of Hazrat Ali (RA) bin Abu Talib and Hazrat Fatima (RA) bint Muhammad (SAW) and sister to Hazrat Hussain (RA). Her strength and courage in hardship have left an unforgettable mark on Islamic history.

For more information about the Battle of Karbala and its causes, visit this blog post:

The Captivity and the Court of Yazid

After the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain (RA), Yazid’s forces seized the women and children of the Ahl-e-Bayt. Their hands and feet were bound with chains, and they were marched through the streets of Kufa and Syria. Finally, they were brought to the court of Yazid ibn Muawiyah in Damascus. This was a planned try to insult and break the spirit of the Prophet’s family.

They presented the severed head of Hazrat Hussain (RA) in Yazid’s court. Yazid, in a show of disrespect, began to mock and dishonor the memory of Hazrat Hussain (RA). He hit the lips of the martyred Imam with a stick. This act created anger in the heart of Hazrat Abu Barza Aslami (RA), a companion of the Prophet Muhamad (SAW) in the court. Hazrat Abu Barza Aslami (RA) opposed this, reminding Yazid that the Prophet had kissed these lips. After being scolded, Yazid ordered Hazrat Abu Barza Aslami (RA) out of his court.

The Powerful Sermon of Hazrat Zainab (RA)

Hazrat Zainab bint Ali (RA), although her grief and being in chains, stood up. She delivered a powerful speech that would be remembered throughout history. Her words, filled with strong faith and righteous anger, challenged Yazid’s cruelty and showed his lack of morality. She spoke directly to Yazid with great courage, questioning his sense of justice and righteousness.

Sermon of Hazrat Zainab (RA)

“All praises are for Allah (SWT), who is the Lord of the Universe, and may the compassion of Allah (SWT) be sent down on the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), peace and blessings of Allah (SWT) be upon him, and on his pure lineage and Ahl-e-Bayt. After all, the end of those people who have spoiled their lives with the darkness of evil and made fun of the rejection of the Lord’s verses.

O Yazid, do you think that you have made us tired of the corners of the earth and the sides of the sky and that by connecting the Prophet’s family to ropes and chains and turning them around and around, you have become superior in the court of Allah (SWT) and we became disgraced? Do you think that we have become oppressed and humiliated, and you have risen as a dictator? Do you think that by oppressing us, you have gained glory and status in the court of Allah (SWT)?

Today, you are happy with your outward victory. You are proud of your victory by being arrogant and arrogant. And you are celebrating happiness and joy by abusing our rights of Khilafat. Do not be proud of your wrong thinking. Have you forgotten this commandment of God? “And do not think Allah Almighty is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror].” (Surah Ibrahim 42).

The one who rejects the truth should not think that what we give him time is good for him. We give him time because he should increase in sin, which torments him. “Those who disbelieve should not think that living longer is good for them. They are only given more time to increase in sin, and they will suffer a humiliating punishment.” (Surah Al-Imran 178).

O son of Talaqa, is it your justice that you have kept your slaves and girls in a veil and four walls while you are turning the Prophet’s family around and around? You have looted the veils of the power of goodness and followed their disrespect. Under your command, the Prophet’s family unmasked and paraded from city to city.

O Yazid, remember that Allah (SWT) will take revenge from you for the Prophet’s (SAW) family and will give them the rights of these oppressed. And he will give them wealth with the blessing of peace and calmness. “Never think of those martyred in the cause of Allah as dead. In fact, they are alive with their Lord, well provided for.” (Surah Al-Imran 169)

It is a pity that the enemies of Satan and the defamed people have murdered the soldiers of Rahman and the pious people, and our pure blood is still dripping from the hands of that Shaitan mob. Their impure minds are busy chewing our flesh, and the wolves of the desert are roaming around the oppressed corpses of these pious martyrs. And the wild beasts of the jungle are disrespecting those pure bodies.

You can cheat as much as you want and try your best to see, but you should know that you cannot erase our memory from people’s hearts, nor can you bring about the pure effects of the divine revelation. Take this thought out of your heart that you will attain our glory and glory through cleansing. You cannot wash away the stain of your apparent crime.

Your rule has only a few days left. All your companions will leave you. You will have nothing but the desire and worry of that day when you will cry out that Allah’s (SWT) curse is for the cruel and oppressive people.

Legacy of Hazrat Zainab’s (RA) Sermon

The sermon of Hazrat Zainab bint Ali (RA) in Yazid’s court is a powerful reminder of the strength and trustworthiness of the Ahl-e-Bayt. Even though Yazid physically imprisoned them, they kept their spirits strong and encouraged generations with their legacy. Hazrat Zainab’s words highlighted the importance of justice, truth, and the ongoing fight against oppression.

Her bravery transformed the tragedy of Karbala into a symbol of hope and opposition. Attempts to remove the memory of Karbala from history failed, and the message of Imam Hussain (RA) and the sermon of Hazrat Zainab (RA) continue to live on in the hearts of the faithful.

If you want to learn more about the life of Hazrat Zain ul Abideen (RA), click on the link: Imam Zain ul Abideen (RA): A Life of Patience and Piety.

Conclusion

Hazrat Zainab bint Ali’s (RA) sermon is a strong message about the power of believing and fighting against unfair treatment. When she spoke in Yazid’s court, she not only criticized a cruel leader but also made a call for fairness and goodness that would remembered forever. Her actions, like those of her brother Imam Hussain (RA), motivate people looking for honesty and fairness, even when things are tough.

Her sermon did more than criticize the bad things she saw; it also gave hope to people who would come after her. Honest and true words will always resonate, even in tough times. Her bravery during a tough time made the tragic events of Karbala a sign of fighting back and staying true to what’s good.

Hazrat Zainab’s (RA) story tells us to keep believing in the right, to speak up when we see something wrong, and to find strength in our beliefs, even in dark times. Her life shows us that real strength is not about being in control of others but having the bravery to do what is right.