The Meaning of Grief for the Master of Martyrs and the Interpretation of 'They Emerged from Their Chambers, Unveiling Their Hair'

Question

This Q&A discusses the concept of grief (جزع) in relation to Imam Hussein and whether Lady Zainab emerged from her chamber with her hair unveiled. [AR_ID:4724]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

Q1) Grief (جزع) is the opposite of patience; it is the expression of sorrow and the pain of loss. In the book Al-Ayn and Lisan al-Arab, it is defined as the opposite of patience. In Aqrab al-Mawared, it is described as not being patient and showing sadness. In Munjid al-Lugha, it is noted as not being patient and expressing sorrow or distress. Expressing grief can take various forms, such as crying loudly (نوح), weeping with wailing (عويل), lamenting the deceased's virtues (ندب), or verbal expressions of despair like 'woe to me' (يا ويلاه). It can also manifest in actions, such as striking one's forehead, cheek, or thigh, tearing one's clothes, or abstaining from food.

There are numerous narrations that encourage grief for Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), including one from Muawiya ibn Wahb, where Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) states: 'All grief and weeping is disliked, except for grief and weeping for Hussein (peace be upon him).' This is mentioned by Al-Hurr al-Amili in his book Wasail al-Shi'a, both in the context of burial and visitation. Another narration from Ali ibn Abu Hamza mentions that grief and weeping are disliked for a servant in all matters, except for grief and weeping for Hussein ibn Ali (peace be upon them), for which one is rewarded.

Additionally, there are narrations that describe the women of the family of the Prophet (peace be upon him) mourning for Hussein, such as tearing their garments and striking their cheeks. These narrations emphasize the legitimacy and even the merit of expressing grief for Imam Hussein.

Q2) The visitation attributed to the holy authority states: 'When the women saw your horse defeated and the saddle turned, they emerged from their chambers, unveiling their hair, striking their cheeks, and exposing their faces, calling out in wailing.' Scholars have interpreted this phrase in several ways:

First interpretation: It means they unveiled their hair under their veils, not that they uncovered their hair outside their veils.

Second interpretation: This phrase refers to the women of the Ansar, not the daughters of the Prophet's household.

Third interpretation: They emerged from their tents, not to the battlefield in that state, but rather from their designated women's tents to the courtyard of the camp. Historical sources indicate that Imam Hussein ordered the women's tents to be placed in the center of the camp for their protection. When they learned of the great tragedy, they reacted as any grieving woman would, by weeping and letting down their hair, but they remained within the camp and did not go to the battlefield in that state.

Fourth interpretation: This is a metaphor for the intensity of the tragedy, not a literal occurrence. When expressing someone's deep sorrow, we might depict them as emerging from their home barefoot and uncovered, which is not meant to be taken literally but rather to convey the depth of their grief.

May you be successful in all good.