The Love of Grandchildren

Hazrat Zainab (ra) loved her illustrious father and her husband, Abul-‘As (ra), very much. She used to wear very nice clothes. The attendant of the Holy Prophet (sas), Hazrat Anas (ra) once saw her wearing a beautiful yellow-striped silk shawl.

Hazrat Zainab (ra) had two children. Her son’s name was ‘Ali (ra) and her daughter’s name was Umamah (ra). ‘Ali (ra) was born in Makkah before the migration. He was very dear to the Holy Prophet (sas). The Holy Prophet (sas) had trained him personally. After the conquest of Makkah he was riding on the camel with the Holy Prophet (sas) when the Holy Prophet (sas) entered Makkah. According to some traditions he was alive at the occasion of the Battle of Yarmuk which was fought during the Khilafat of Hazrat ‘Umar (ra). According to some other accounts he passed away before reaching his maturity.

The Holy Prophet (sas) loved the daughter of Hazrat Zainab (ra), Hazrat Umamah (ra), deeply. She was the first granddaughter of the Holy Prophet (sas). Hazrat Umamah (ra) was so dear to the Holy Prophet (sas) that he would not part with her even when offering prayers. He would seat her on his shoulders while offering prayer. When the Holy Prophet (sas) would move to his bowing position and prostration, he would lay her down. Then, when he would raise his head from prostration, he would seat her on his shoulders again. The Holy Prophet (sas) would follow this routine through the completion of his prayer. This incident shows the immense love that the Holy Prophet (sas) had for daughters.

Once the Holy Prophet (sas) received a precious necklace as a gift. The Holy Prophet (sas) came home and said that he would give it to the person who was most dear to him in the family. It was presumed that the Mother of the Believers, Hazrat ‘A’ishah (ra), would receive it, but the Holy Prophet (sas) put the necklace around the neck of Hazrat Umamah (ra).

After the demise of Hazrat Fatimah (ra), who was the maternal aunt of Hazrat Umamah (ra), she was married to Hazrat ‘Ali (ra) in fulfilment of the wish of Hazrat Fatimah (ra).1