THE JOURNEY OF BEAUTY TOWARDS PERFECTION: ZAYNAB BINT ‘ALĪ IBN ABĪ ṬĀLIB AND THE MODEL OF HUMAN CHANGES TOWARDS DEVELOPING ATTRIBUTES OF WALĪYAT ALLĀH AND AL-INSĀN AL-KĀMIL

Abstract

Human salvation is amongst the most important topic within all religions and schools of thought including Islam. To provide means for attainment of salvation religions delivered their teachings through scriptures and role models. Role models are not only believed to be chosen by God but they are also considered as the chosen people among their community who later follow them. When we compare the lives of such people what becomes evident is a pattern in their progression through which they advanced towards fulfilling God's purpose for the creation. As this pattern is called a journey towards perfection (kamāl), the journeyer undergoes changes within their inner nature and personality. These changes occur within the limits of the finitude one is born into, and results in development of different attributes. As the individual advances in their spiritual progression, they eventually attain the station which is the point of the Perfect Man and are considered as the Perfect Individual (Al-Insān Al-Kāmil) and the Deputy of God (Walīyatu Allā). This point of attainment of being an Al-Insān Al-Kāmil and Walīyat Allāh is tied in with the responsibility (Risalah) to guide humanity within their private journey. This Risalah can be universal similar to those of Muḥammad, Jesus (Peace be Upon on Them) or limited to one person. This thesis will argue that Zaynab, also, qualifies as Al-Insān Al-Kāmil and Walīyat Allāh according to the dominant theories on the concept of kamāl and the deep analysis of her journey towards perfection. Study of Zaynab's attributes supports the claim about her kamāl, but she is not considered as infallible as are some of the other models. Although infallibility (pure from sins and errors) is not introduced as the requirement for kamāl by religions, yet one might wonder on the infallibility of role models specially in Islam. Thus, Zaynab remains the only figure of early Islam who bridges between Islam and other religions on the concept of kamāl by eliminating the element of infallibility as one who is considered as Walīyatu Allā. Thus, her life pattern demonstrates a journey towards kamāl attainable for everyone. Although there is one narration which refers to her as Walīyatu Allā, but there are no available sources that analyze her journey towards becoming Walīyatu Allā and reflects its importance in fulfilling her Risalah. Zaynab is being emphasized throughout history as a strong figure who carried out the role of her brother Imām Al-Ḥusayn after the battle of Karbalā and defended the true teachings of Islam and its valuable rules. Her importance lies also as the one who delivers eloquent speeches and saves the life of Imam Zayn Al-`Abedin. While she is known as one who "has to teach the way of Al-Ḥusayn, in the manner of `Alī" the importance of how she became Zaynab, the kamāl has been neglected throughout the centuries. Therefore, in this thesis I will study the pattern of her life with respect to her progression in the context of the attributes of Al-Insān Al-Kāmil and Walīyat Allāh to demonstrate the significant elements which made her a paradigmatic kamāl.