Lady Zainab (SA) Challenged Umayyad Fatalism with Her Response “I Saw Nothing but Beauty”
Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, explaining the doctrinal and theological dimensions of Lady Zainab al-Kubra’s (SA) words before Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad, emphasized that her historic response in Kufa drew a clear line between divine will and human responsibility. By rejecting the fatalistic thinking of the Umayyad rulers, her response exposed the accountability of those responsible for the Karbala crime.
According to the Missionary Thought and Culture Base, Hazrat Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, during the weekly meeting of the ethics lesson, which coincided with the blessed birthday of Hazrat Zainab Kabri (peace be upon him), explained the scientific and epistemological position of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon him), and by examining the words of that prophet before Ubaidullah bin Ziyad, he explained their role in confronting the idea of determinism and explaining the free will and responsibility of man.
The words of Hazrat Zainab (pbuh); A profound response to Umayyad determinism
Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, referring to the scholarly position of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon him), stated: The words of Hazrat Zainab Kobari (peace be upon him) in Kufa should not be considered as a mere reaction arising from grief and calamity; These words were referring to one of the important religious and theological issues, that is, the issue of predestination and free will.
Referring to the history of promoting the idea of predestination during the Umayyad rule, he said: Mu'awiya tried to stabilize his power and continue his rule during his years of rule. In such a way that good deeds and blessings are recorded in the name of the government and on the other hand, evils and problems are attributed to God. In such an atmosphere, the idea of determinism was a tool to justify the actions of the rulers.
This seminary professor emphasized: The Umayyads, and after them the Banu Abbas and other rulers, in order to justify their oppression and maintain their power, attributed many incidents to divine destiny in order to avoid accepting responsibility for their actions. While the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) emphasized the responsibility of human beings for their actions and behavior by explaining the principle of belief "No predestination and no delegation, but a command between the commands".
He added: The imams (peace be upon them) at the highest level of knowledge explained precise scientific and intellectual issues and stood against intellectual and religious deviations.
Ayatollah Javadi Amoli continued, referring to the conversation of Hazrat Zainab Kabri (peace be upon him) with Ubaidullah bin Ziad, and stated: When Ubaidullah bin Ziad asked Hazrat Zainab (pbuh) did you see what God did to your brother? And in another place, he attributed the killing of Ali bin Al-Hussein to God, in fact he was trying to attribute the crime to God's will.
He added: Hazrat Zainab's (pbuh) answer was: "We only have a beautiful opinion"; That is, I saw nothing but beauty. This speech did not mean the approval of criminals, but the Prophet made a distinction between divine action and human behavior. God's work is beautiful, but you are the perpetrators of this crime, and the responsibility of the martyrdom of the Prophet's loved ones is on those who committed it.
Ayatollah Javadi Amoli clarified: Hazrat Zainab (PBUH) challenged the Umayyad forced thinking with this answer and showed that one cannot deny responsibility for human actions by attributing events to God.
Don't sell yourself for less than heaven
In another part of his speech, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli explained the concept of freedom, the true value of man and the need to know his existential position by explaining passages from Nahj al-Balagha.
Referring to the words of Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (peace be upon him) in Nahj al-Balagha, he said:
"It is not permissible for you to claim this prayer for its people, for there is no reward for your souls except Paradise, so do not follow it except for it."
The meaning of this speech is that, is he not a free man who leaves this insignificant residue to his family? Know that your existence has no price except heaven; So don't sell it for anything but heaven.
Explaining the word "Lamazeh", he said: "Lamazeh" refers to the remains of food on the sides of the teeth. Many seminary, academic, political and social positions and positions can be examined from this point of view; The positions that others have reached before us, they have benefited from it and then passed.
This seminary professor added: A free person is someone who does not entertain himself with such fleeting things and knows the true value of his existence.
Ayatollah Javadi Amoli emphasized that the true value of a human being is not less than heaven and stated: Amir al-Mu'minin (A.S.) reminds people that they should not sell their existence for anything less than this value. One who distances himself from attachment to temporary situations and thinks about his final destination, thinks of heaven and wants the good of himself and others; As a result, he neither harms others nor deprives himself of goodness and perfection.
human heart; A book to know the inner truth
Continuing his speech, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli emphasized the necessity of self-knowledge and paying attention to the inner desires and tendencies of man, referring to the phrase "Al-Qalbu Mushaf Al-Basr".
He said: A person should study the book of his heart and see what his heart wants and in which direction it is inclined. Paying attention to the inside and knowing the desires of the heart is a basis for correcting the path of life and moving consciously on the way to spiritual excellence.
Referring to the importance of remembering God and praying to God, this commentator of the Holy Qur'an pointed out that the human heart has the capacity to pray to God and overcome spiritual distances with His name and remembrance.
He added: These distances are reduced by putting aside insignificant and transitory attachments. The further a person goes on the path of nearness to God, the deeper his spiritual connection with God; As far as his relationship with the remembrance of God, from the stage of saying "Ya Allah" reaches a deeper level than the presence and attention of the heart; The order that is expressed in the interpretation of "Allah".
Human truth is not limited to being a man or a woman
In the final part of his speech, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, referring to the truth of the soul and the place of man in the creation system, stated: In the Islamic view, being male and female is related to the physical dimension of man, and the soul, in terms of its truth, is neither male nor female.
Referring to the verses of the Holy Qur'an, he emphasized the characteristics of believers and the righteous: the body is a means and a step for the flight of the soul, and physical characteristics should not be equated with the truth of the soul. The human soul moves towards perfection and celibacy, and from this point of view, human truth is not limited to being a man or a woman.
This seminary professor pointed out: All human beings can reach the high level of humanity and the status of a royal person by following the path of excellence and perfection.
At the end, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli prayed for those present and all those who are on the path of scientific research and excellence, and expressed his hope that everyone will be included in the prayers of Hazrat Zainab Kabri (peace be upon them), the Islamic system will be protected from dangers under the protection of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), and this system will be presented to Hazrat Wali Asr (may God bless him and grant him peace).