Hazrat Zainab (ra) lived a little over a year after Hazrat Abul-‘As (ra) accepted Islam. The cause of her death was the same wound that she received at the time of her migration. This places her in the circle of martyrs. She passed away in the eighth year after the Hijrah. The Holy Prophet (sas) pronounced a death sentence for Habbar bin Aswad who had inflicted the wound on her. However, he pardoned the murderer of his beloved daughter when he asked for forgiveness at the time of the conquest of Makkah.
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad
[O Allah! Shower your blessings on Muhammad.]
Hazrat ‘Atiyyah (ra), Hazrat Ummi Aiman (ra), Hazrat Saudah (ra) and Hazrat Ummi Salamah (ra) washed the body of Hazrat Zainab (ra).
The Holy Prophet (sas) was informed after the body of Hazrat Zainab (ra) had been washed. The Holy Prophet (sas) offered his own mantle to be placed on the body inside the shroud. The Holy Prophet (sas) also instructed that all parts of the body should be washed three or five times and camphor should be applied on the body. It is also narrated that the Holy Prophet (sas) said “O Ummi ‘Atiyyah (ra)! Wrap my daughter in this shroud in the best manner, braid her hair in three parts, and apply the best perfumes on her.”
The Holy Prophet (sas) himself led his daughter’s funeral prayer, lowered her into the grave and she was buried in Jannatul-Baqi‘. The Holy Prophet (sas)’s grief was evident from his face. Recalling the suffering of Hazrat Zainab (ra) the Holy Prophet (sas) prayed, “O Allah! Ease the suffering of Zainab (ra) and make the confined space of the grave spacious for her.”
Hazrat Abul-‘As (ra) was dejected and grief stricken at the demise of Hazrat Zainab (ra). He also passed away shortly afterwards.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji‘un
[To Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]
May God raise the ranks of these righteous and noble individuals and grant us the ability to follow in their footsteps. Amin.