Sayyidah Zainab (RA)

People commonly adopt role models in life, either consciously or subconsciously. A person's choice of a role model will show in his preferences, likes and dislikes, conduct, attitude, behaviour, dressing, appearance, etc. Only that person is worthy of being taken as a role model who possesses true values and inspires others towards those values, which ultimately will be of real benefit and lead to true success. However, unfortunately, in many cases nowadays the reality is totally different - that such a person is taken as a role model who even lacks imaan, let alone other values and qualities, such as modesty, respect, humility, etc. Allah Ta'ala has declared the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu 'anhum) as those who are worthy of being followed and taken as role models in the following verse, "As for the first and foremost of the emigrants (The Muhaajireen) and the supporters (The Ansaar) and those who followed them in goodness, Allah Ta'ala is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him." (Surah Taubah vlOO) In order to acquaint the Muslim women of this age with the lives of the Sahaabiyyaat (radhiyallahu 'anhunna) so that they may take guidance from their exemplary lives and choose these illustrious and pure women as their role models, Uswatul Muslimah (Role Models for the Muslimah) regularly conducts programmes on the lives of the Sahaabiyyaat (radhiyallahu 'anhunna), highlighting pertinent lessons that are applicable to our daily lives. These lectures are being transcribed and prepared in book form to increase the benefit. While minor changes have been made, the manner and flow of the talk has been retained. This will insha-Allah make it a lighter read. However, since it is a transcript of a lecture, the translation of the Arabic texts would often be paraphrased and not direct at times.