A special hall has been built for the remains of the belongings of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam and his companions. It is to the south of the tomb. The museum has two doors, one leading to the mosque and the other leading to the tomb.

THE MUSEUM CONTAINS

1. A piece of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam ‘s shirt.
2. His kohl container with its stick.
3. A part of his blessed cane.
4. Two hair from the beard of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam.
5. A Qur’an written by the third Caliph of Islam Uthman, Son of Affan.
6. A Qur’an written by the fourth Caliph of Islam, Hazarat Ali (Razi Allahu Tala Anhu) son of Abu Talib.

ZAINAB, DAUGHTER OF FATIMA AZ ZAHRA

She was the daughter of Fatima Az-Zahra and Hazarat Ali (Razi Allahu Tala Anhu) and the granddaughter of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam. Her grandmother was Khadija, daughter of Khuwailed. Her brothers were Hassan and Hussain.

She was born in 5th or 6th A.H and thus enjoyed the company of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam. She was named Zainab, in memory of the elder daughter of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam.

She was famous for her charming beauty, nobility and generosity. She married her cousin Abdullah son of Jafar. Jafar was the brother of Hazarat Ali (Razi Allahu Tala Anhu). Her husband Abdullah was the first child born at the time of the first migration to Ethiopia. He was blessed by the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam’s company for almost ten years. He was a noble and generous man and excelled in horse-riding. His generosity was such that the was titled the “ center of generosity”

Zainab and Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with them both) were blessed with many children. Their progeny spread wisdom throughout the world. Zainab herself, gave periodic sermons and taught Egyptian women about Islam. As she was busy with teaching and the spreading of Islam, she felt she was unable to properly fulfill her duty to her husband. She therefore, permitted him to re-marry.

Zainab accompanied her brother Hussain to face the supporters of Yazeed. She played her part in battle with her elegant speeches and poems. She had encouraged Muslim warriors to fight bravely and was thus given the title of the “champion of karabala”.

MIGRATION FROM MADINA TO EGYPT

It is reported that the armies of Yazeed preserved the head of Imam Hussain in Damascus so they could frighten the general public. Zainab, duaghter of Hazarat Ali (Razi Allahu Tala Anhu), returned to the city of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam but was forced to leave there. Eventually, she chose Egypt as her place of residence. Her choice was influenced by the love and sincerity that the Egyptians showed towards the family members of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam.

In Sha’ban, 61 A.H., Zainab migrated to Egypt in the company of Fatima, Sokaina and Ali. The hospitable Egyptians received their esteemed guests with great honour and high regard. However, their happiness was tinged with sorrow and disappointment due to the atrocities committed against Imam Hussain and his supporters by Yazid’s followers in the battle of Karbala.

The Governor of Egypt, Maslama, son of Makhlad Al-Ansari, personally escorted the family of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam to his house in Al Hamra Al Quswa and this area was thereafter renowned by the name of the “Locality of the Lady”.

Zainab remained here for a year, worshipping, fasting and teaching the masses about Islam. She died in the year 62 A.H. and was buried in her private chamber, which is a beautiful tomb and mosque today. It is named Sayeda Zainab.

EXTRACTS FROM HER POEMS

Many eloquent and beautiful poems were written by Zainab. A few of the couples she recited are given below. From these couples, we can surmise the beauty and eloquence of her speech and the loftiness of her thoughts.

O unjust tyrants, what will you answer if your Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam asks you on the Day of Judgment ? What have you done with my beloved family and descendants after my death, while you were the best of all nations?

Some of them were captives while others were stained with blood.
Is this your reward to my sincerity and fidelity?
Thus you misbehaved and maltreated my family after my separation?

Zainab composed some poems after her arrival in Egypt.

If you are surrounded by troubles and hardships at any time.

Trust in the One, Most High, The Supreme, and do not worry when you face a calamity.

Allah ’s mercy and kindness is greater than the coming of any mishap or tragedy.

NOTE:

There is a confusion regarding Zainab's Identity i.e. who she was?. There were several ladies with the same name, belonging to the same family, However, this matter has been settled by respectable historians with conclusive evidence and authentic proofs that the Lady Zainab we have mentioned above is none other than Zainab, daughter of Hazarat Ali (Razi Allahu Tala Anhu) and Fatima and the sister of Imam Hussain and Hassan.

LADY NAFEESA

The lady Nafeesa was the daughter of Hassan (Al Anwar), son of Zaid, son of Imam Hassan, grandson of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam. Historians are unanimous in their verdict that the shrine ascribed to the Lady Nafeesa is the shrine of the daughter of Hassan (Al Anwar).

HER NAME

The word Nafeesa is an Arabic word. It is an adjective derived from the noun “ Nafasah”, which means purity, nobility and glory. She was named with this beautiful name because the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam loved good names for everyone. She was born in Mecca on 1st Rabi ul Awwal, 145 A.H. She spent her childhood in Madina, as her father was governor of Madina during the caliphate of Mansoor. Nafeesa used to visit the tomb of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam everyday and used to remain there for a long time.

HER EDUCATION

She learnt to read and write and memorized the Qur’an in its entirely at her tender age of six. She was famous for her Qur’anic interpretation and commentary and disseminated her knowledge to both males and females. Her lessons were especially popular during her stay in Cairo.

LADY NAFEESA’S INTEREST IN HADITH

Lady Nafeesa studied different sciences. She was fond of all branches of knowledge and was taught by the famous Islamic scholar, Imam Malik, the jurist of Madina and the compiler of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam’s sayings and actions in his book, “Al Muwatta”. This book is considered as the first book of this kind, even before the famous Sahih Al Bukhari. Nafeesa studied Al Muwatta in detail and discussed all opinions and matters within it.

HER MARRIAGE

As Nafeesa grew up and blossomed into meritorious and pious young woman, her righteousness and nobility attracted many suitors for marriage. Numerous men approached Hassan with marriage proposal, but each one was rejected respectfully by Hassan.

Ishaq Al Mutaman, son of Jafar As Siddiq also approached Hassan with the same proposal. Hassan remained quiet after hearing the proposal and Ishaq felt disappointed at his silence. He immediately went to Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam ‘s Mosque and entered into the tomb of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam. Standing near the blessed grave of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam he respectfully said, “ O Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam I asked for Nafeesa’s hand in marriage but received no response. I intended only to marry her for her righteousness and nobility.”

After this, Ishaq returned back to his house free from all worries and satisfied with whatever Allah would ordain. Hassan had a dream the same night in which he saw the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam and was advised by him to marry Nafeesa with Ishaq. Upon awakening, Hassan’s mind was made up and he immediately asked Ishaq to come to his house. Hassan narrated the dream to Ishaq and without delay, the marriage took place.

The marriage was attended by the noble families of Quraish and the family members of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam. Through this marriage, the nobility of Imam Hassan was joined with the honour of Imam Hussain. This was because Nafeesa belonged to the descendants of Imam Hassan and Ishaq was from the descendants of Imam Hussain.

Nafeesa and Ishaq were blessed with two children, Qasim and Umme Kulthoom. Ishaq later died in Madina and was buried there.

NAFEESA’S COLLECTION OF HADTH

Nafeesa was dedicated to the sayings of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam and due to this, she was famous as “Nafeesa, the knowledgeable Lady”.

She gathered the traditions of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam from her father and other family members. She was a student of Imam Malik in Madina and also learnt Hadith in Mecca. A large number of Egyptian scholars of that time learnt and propagated the traditions of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam from Nafeesa. While residing in Cairo, Imam Shafaee also heard Hadith from her.

Zainab, the daughter of Yahaya (who was the brother of Nafeesa) said, “My aunt memorized the whole of the Qur’an and she learnt its interpretation as well. She used to recite the Qur’an and concentrate on it’s hidden meanings.

During a journey to the grave of the Prophet Ibrahim, she used to cry profusely during recitation and continuously pray to Allah saying, “O Allah ! O My Lord ! Ease for me my journey to visit your friend Ibrahim. “She knew that Ibrahim was the father of the Prophets and the forefather of the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam. Ibrahim (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had prayed to Allah for the birth of the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam. Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallamad himself said that: “ I am the fruit of the prayers of Ibrahim.” In the Qur’an, Allah narrates the prayers of Ibrahim thus:

Our Lord ! Send amongst them a messenger of their own, who shall rehearse the signs to them and instruct them in the scripture and wisdom, and sanctify them. You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise. Surah Al Baqarah V: 129

When she arrived at the grave of Ibrahim (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), she stood next to the grave and recited all the verses of the Qur’an which mentioned the Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). She then proceeded to thank Allah, who had blessed her with the ability to make this journey and showered His grace and mercy upon her.