Mother of the Believers Zainab, may Allah be pleased with her, Earned Through Handwork and Gave Charity
Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, asked: O Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, after your passing, which wife among us will meet you first? Meaning, who will pass away first?
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: The one among you with the longest hands.
The wives took the literal meaning. They took a bamboo stick and started measuring everyone’s hands. Sauda, may Allah be pleased with her, turned out to have the longest hands.
They assumed Sauda, may Allah be pleased with her, would pass away first. But it was Zainab, may Allah be pleased with her, who passed away first.
Then they understood that “longest hands” did not mean physical length. It meant the one who gives the most charity.
Zainab, may Allah be pleased with her, passed away first. She loved giving charity more than the other wives.
_Mishkat 165, narrated from Bukhari_
About Zainab, may Allah be pleased with her, Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: No woman surpassed Zainab in piety, God-consciousness, truthfulness, maintaining family ties, and giving charity.
To draw closer to Allah through charity, she worked hard with her own hands. No other woman did more than her in this.
Zainab, may Allah be pleased with her, earned money through handwork and gave it in charity.
Today’s women are often unwilling to give even a penny from thousands. She was also a woman. When she had no money, she earned through handwork and gave charity.
She would stand in prayer at night and fast often.
Sisters, you too be generous. Make a habit of giving charity. Keep sending whatever you can ahead for the Hereafter.
*Zainab, may Allah be pleased with her, Especially Cared for Orphans and Widows*
Ata narrated: Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, fixed an annual stipend of 12,000 dirhams for Zainab, may Allah be pleased with her, from the treasury. She accepted it for only one year. As soon as she received it, she distributed it among relatives and the needy.
When Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, heard this, he sent another 1,000 and said: Keep this for your own needs. Zainab, may Allah be pleased with her, distributed that too.
Before her death, she made a will: I have prepared a shroud for myself, and Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, will send one shroud from his side. So give one shroud in charity.
Her sister gave in charity the shroud she had prepared herself.
When she passed away, Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: Zainab, may Allah be pleased with her, left this world praised for her good character and devotion in worship. She left the orphans and widows in distress, because she used to spend on them.
Mother of the Believers Zainab (May Allah Be Pleased with Her): She Earned Through Her Own Handwork and Gave in Charity
Among the noble wives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the Mother of the Believers, , is remembered for her deep devotion to Allah, her generosity, and her commitment to helping those in need. Her life is a remarkable example of humility, hard work, and sincere charity.
Although she held the honored position of being one of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), she did not rely on her status for comfort or wealth. Instead, she worked with her own hands, producing handmade goods and crafts. Whatever she earned through this honest effort, she generously spent in charity, seeking only the pleasure of Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) once told his wives that the first among them to join him after his passing would be "the one with the longest hand." At first, they understood this literally and measured their arms. Later, they realized that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was speaking figuratively about generosity. It was Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her), known for giving so much in charity, who was the first of his wives to pass away after him. This authentic narration is found in .
Her example teaches that earning through lawful means is honorable. Islam encourages honest work, regardless of whether it is done by a man or a woman. Wealth earned through halal effort becomes even more valuable when it is shared with those who are poor, needy, or struggling.
Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her) never viewed charity as a loss. She understood that whatever is given for the sake of Allah is never wasted. Every coin spent to relieve someone's hardship, every meal given to the hungry, and every act of kindness performed sincerely becomes a treasure waiting in the Hereafter.
Her generosity was not based on having abundant wealth. Rather, it came from a heart filled with faith and trust in Allah. She demonstrated that true richness is not measured by how much a person owns but by how willingly they share what Allah has provided.
The life of Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her) also reminds believers that worship extends beyond prayer and fasting. Honest work, helping others, supporting the poor, and spending from one's lawful earnings are all acts that can earn immense reward when done with sincere intention.
In today's world, her example remains as relevant as ever. Many people work hard every day to support their families. By following her example, Muslims can strive to earn honestly, avoid unlawful income, and remember those who are less fortunate. Even a small amount given consistently in charity can carry great blessings when it is offered sincerely for the sake of Allah.
The Mother of the Believers, Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her), left behind a legacy of faith, generosity, and selflessness. Her life proves that sincere deeds performed quietly for the pleasure of Allah have lasting value. She earned through her own hands, gave freely to those in need, and became an enduring example of compassion and righteousness for Muslims in every generation.
May Allah grant us the sincerity, generosity, and love for charity that He granted to Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her), and may He allow us to follow the noble example of the righteous. Ameen.
Post a Comment