In the luminous household of faith and purity, within the home of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her), a radiant flower blossomed whose fragrance still perfumes history. Her name was Zaynab — “the adornment of her father.”
✍|by Ms. Zainab Heidari
The Nurturing of a Noble Soul
Zaynab grew up in the embrace of her mother, Fatimah al-Zahra — of whom the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said, “Fatimah is a part of me.” She was raised under the guidance of her father, Imam Ali, about whom the Prophet declared, “I am the city of knowledge, and Ali is its gate.”
In this home, Zaynab received her first lessons in faith, steadfastness, and devotion. She learned compassion from her mother and wisdom from her father. In such a sacred environment, she grew into Aqīlat Banī Hāshim — “the noble and wise lady of the Hashimite clan.” Her virtue and knowledge became admired by all who knew her.
The Journey of Strength and Truth
The depth of Zaynab’s character revealed itself most profoundly after the tragedy of Karbala. Following the martyrdom of Imam Husayn and his companions, she bore the immense burden of caring for the wounded and protecting Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him). With remarkable courage, she carried the message of Karbala to Kufa and Damascus, where her eloquent sermons shook the foundations of tyranny and immortalized the truth of Husayn’s uprising.
Her words and strength proved that compassion and bravery are two sides of the same truth — that one can be both a guardian of faith and a healer of hearts.
The Eternal Light of Zaynab’s Legacy
The birth of Lady Zaynab is not only the commemoration of a great woman’s life; it is the dawn of an ideal. She redefined “caregiving” as more than tending to bodies — she turned it into the protection of a community’s soul and the healing of history’s wounds.
In Iran, the anniversary of her birth is also observed as Nurse’s Day, honoring those who, like her, tend the broken with patience and dignity. On this day, we celebrate all who carry her spirit — the nurses who, with endurance and courage, bring comfort and hope to others. Nursing is not merely a profession but a sacred act of kindness and sacrifice.
Today, we also remember four nurses — Saber Akbari, Mahdiyar Pouriamin, Mahnaz Nemati, and Farzaneh Aghaei — who lost their lives in the recent aggression of the Zionist regime. Their martyrdom is a testament to selflessness and service in the path of humanity.
Peace and blessings upon Lady Zaynab (peace be upon her) — the unmatched symbol of patience and steadfastness — who kept the flame of hope alive in the darkest nights of history. And blessings upon all who follow her path of compassion, courage, and service to humankind.
