From Patience to Enlightenment; Zainab’s Lessons for Today’s Cultural and Media Activists

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Mashhad: This week’s “Tabi’een” discourse was held by the Tabyan Center for Cultural and Social Activities and was attended by Quranic and cultural experts, focusing on “Patience and Enlightenment in the Life of Hazrat Zainab (SA).

 

At the beginning of this session, Ms. Leila Rezaei, a Quranic activist, asked a question about how to benefit from the model of patience and perseverance of Hazrat Zainab (SA) in the face of today’s social and personal crises, and said: “Hadrat Zainab (SA) is considered a symbol of patience and perseverance in the history of Islam. In the difficult and critical conditions after the Ashura incident, he stood up for the right with exemplary strength and determination and stood up against oppression. His model of patience and perseverance can be a source of inspiration for people who are facing social and personal crises.”

 

He continued by pointing out the ways to benefit from this model and added, “To benefit from this model, we can pay attention to a few points:

 

Strengthening faith:

Faith in God and certainty in the ultimate goal can help believers to withstand difficulties. In daily life, remembering goals and ideals plays an effective role in creating hope and perseverance.

 

Renewing the spirit:

Using the experiences of scholars and great people can help evaluate situations and renew the spirit. Inspiration from figures such as Hazrat Zainab (PBUH) strengthens the hope of continuing the path.

 

Social activity:

Instead of isolation, participating in social activities and pursuing practical solutions strengthens the sense of social responsibility. Hazrat Zainab (PBUH) teaches us that we should not remain silent in the face of injustice by shouting against oppression.

 

In the second part of her speech, Ms. Rezaei spoke about the duty of a believing woman against oppression and social deviation: "Hadrat Zainab (PBUH) courageously stood up against the oppression and deviations of her time and showed the duties of believing women well. There are several key points in her teachings: Awareness and education: Believing women must be equipped with knowledge and knowledge so that they can be conscious defenders of truth and justice.

Preserving culture and values: As the foundations of Islamic culture, women guide the future generation towards truth by raising their children properly.

Fighting oppression: They must stand up against oppression and injustice and play an active role in the social, cultural and political arenas.

Transferring experiences: Women should pass on historical experiences and methods of resistance to future generations.” Stating that the life of Hazrat Zainab (PBUH) is full of inspiring lessons for cultural, media and social activists, she continued:

“These messages include the following: Moral health and insight: Activists should be vigilant against moral and cultural harms and strengthen human values.

Courage in expressing the truth: One should express the truth without fear of oppressive powers.

Social responsibility: Strengthening the spirit of social responsibility and encouraging society to participate in good deeds is essential.

Creating solidarity: Cooperation and unity in social activities increase the effectiveness of actions.” Ms. Rezaei concluded by emphasizing: “The messages of Hazrat Zainab (PBUH) in today’s world are a reminder of the necessity of perseverance, patience and hope in the face of challenges and inspire movement towards justice and truth.”

 

In another part of the session, Ms. Masoumeh Amiri, a cultural activist, referred to the characteristics of Hazrat Zainab (PBUH)'s missionary struggle after the Ashura incident and said:

"Hatrat Zainab's (PBUH) confrontation with the enemies of the truth after Ashura was a kind of soft and missionary struggle based on logic and argument. Language and expression are constructive and awakening, while the sword is only destructive. This characteristic caused the incident of Karbala to survive and the name of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his companions to be immortalized."

 

She added: "Hatrat Zainab (PBUH) was raised in the school of Ali (SA) and with vigilance and situational awareness, she exposed and awakened at sensitive moments. Her argumentative and profound speeches created a spiritual transformation even in the enemies."

 

Referring to the role of Hazrat Zainab (SA) in keeping the message of Ashura alive, Ms. Amiri said: "If Hazrat Zainab (SA) were not there, Ashura would have been buried in history. With patience, perseverance, and enlightening sermons, she brought the injustice of Imam Hussein (AS) and the goals of the uprising to the ears of the people and prevented this event from being forgotten.”

 

He concluded by stating: “After the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), Hazrat Zainab (SA) continued the message of the movement with her patience and perseverance and kept hope alive in hearts.”

 

The meeting ended with an emphasis on the need to emulate Zainab’s patience, enlightenment, and resistance in the cultural and media arenas.