Something more about the eloquence and courage of Zainab, daughter of Imam Ali.
Here she replies to Ibn Ziyad, who was Yazid’s man in Kufah.
The Demise of Lady Zainab (PBUH) : An Eloquent Lady
Ibn Ziyad rudely said:
“Praise be to Allah who disgraced you, and revealed your sayings as false.”
Perhaps Ibn Ziyad thought that one who is martyred in the way of fighting falsity is in fact disgraced, and his or her sayings are proven as false. Or maybe he knew the truth, but spoke as such in order to deviate the mind of people and invert the realities, knowing that he attributed his sayings to Allah (SWT). In spite of that, Lady Zainab (PBUH) immediately frustrated his conspiracy by replying:
“Praise be to Allah who has honored us with His Messenger, and purified us from impurity. The one who is disgraced is certainly the libertine, and the one who lies is the lewd; and we are not such people. Praise be to Allah.”
Ibn Zyad, who never expected to be talking to such a knowledgeable and courageous woman, changed the subject and said:
“How did you find the way Allah treated your brother and your family?”
Lady Zainab (PBUH), with a tone full of pride and power, indicating her faith and submission towards Allah (SWT), answered:
“I saw nothing but beauty. …They rushed towards their graves (with honor). But know that Allah will judge between you and them, and He will call you to account; so be worried about the winner at that day (either it will be you or them). O son of Marjanah! May your mother be mournful for you.”
These few statements were so powerful that as the historians mention, they made Ibn Ziyad so angry that he decided to kill Lady Zainab (PBUH). He however ceased to do such as one of his army generals, who was present there, calmed him down and prevented him from doing so.
(Selection taken from “The Life of Lady Zahra and Lady Zainab (PBUT)”, by Sayyid Hashim Rasouli Mahallati)