Zainab Al Ghazali (RA)-Woman, Who

Challenged 20 th Century Pharaoh!

Ahmad Kashmiri

Allama IqbalRA, after observing the education system of his times had versed “Gala Tou Ghount
Diya Hai Ahle Madrase Ne Tera, Kahaan Se Aaye Sadaye Lailahaillallah”, if Allama were alive
today how would have he versed today’s co-education system! The students of higher secondary
level, on so called Morning Prayer on Aug 5 2005, were asked about the great lady of Islamic
world who had died at that time. All the students including girls remained silent! The news of the
death of lady had been broadcasted from the local radio in its morning program ‘Aaj Ki
Surkhiyaan’ based on the news of local newspapers. To these 17 to 18 year old girls, the name of
the lady who in the same age as that of these girls had organized the woman’s organization was
told - Zainab Al Ghazali. But the students including more than 100 girls gestured extreme
strangeness as if they had never come across such a name!!!
Though she had passed away on August 3, 2005, but the news came to this part of planet only
later and only few news papers carried the news on august 5, 2005.
Zainab Al Ghazali was not any usual Muslim leader who was famous for her motto, strategy or
any other peculiar perspective. No! Actually, she belongs to the Islamic world in a greater
dimension.
Zainab Al Ghazali was that Mujahidah of Ummah who was bestowed by Allah the vision of
Prophet Muhammad (Salallah Allihi Wasalam) four times in dream and was offered the
blessings by the prophet
It was Zainab Al Ghazali who challenged the Pharaoh of twentieth century and started Dawah of
Islam and its Shariah by summing all her courage and dedication and inturn got the severe heart
rending and tremendous tortures from suppressors but the point of mention will remain that such
tortures did not hamper her from keeping the missionary thought, expression, stand and the work
and she continued Haqooqulah (duties towards people) as well as the Haqooqul Ibad (duties of
worship). For her exemplary devotion and tolerance she would be remembered till doomsday.
The service she has done to Islam cannot be described under any single title only. Herself, she
was not a fellow but a great Islamic Movement. It is very unfortunate that our youngsters have
forgotten their predecessors of Islam. To do justice with the contributions of this great
Mujahidah a comprehensive book is needed.
The information about Zainab Al Ghazali, that has reached to us, is mainly through her book
“Ayami Min Hayatee” based on her six year period in the torching center (jail), the book has
been translated in Urdu by Khalil Ahmad Hamidi as “Zindaan Ke Shab O Roz”.
Based on the excerpts of the book I (author of this article) have tried to pay some tribute to this
great Mujahidah.
Born on Jan, 2, 1917, in Egyptian village Manyate Umer, her father was a farmer and a religious
person, who died when Zainab was only 11. But the guidance and fatherhood of her father had
left deep and nonperishable impacts on Zainab. The translator of the book Khalil Ahmad Hamidi,
in the preface of the book, reveals that Zainab had herself narrated that how her father would tell
her the tales and events of the great Islamic women (Sahaabiyat) in an impact making manner. In
the agro society, in the lap of the families with values, religious traditions and with impact from
the spiritual guidance of her father, Zainab entered the field of maturity and understanding at the
age of 18. In 1938 she founded Jameyate Sayedate Muslimaat, an organization of the Muslim
women. For the features, activities and the strategy of this organization she chose Hazrate
Nusaibah (RA) as her ideal. For the publication of the motives and prospects of her organization
she started a magazine-Sayedaate Muslimaat. Since this budding da-ayeah (preacher) with her
inbuilt qualities and the affection of Islam proved her metal as compared to the ‘Voice Of
Liberation Of Women’, launched by Qasim Ameen, the Movement ‘Vartafah Sayed’, for the
progress of Egyptian women launched by Huda Shoaravi and the write ups of Salamah Moosah
and Tuha Hussain pleading for the freedom of Egyptian woman, Zainab Al Ghazali’s voice was
well according to the Islamic values and it emerged with full vigor for the protection of the
natural womanliness. During those days in Egypt the Ikhwanul Muslimeen, the movement started
by the youth, was emerging fast. The great personality of Hasn Al Banna (RA) and his way of
preaching introduced attraction in this movement. Hassan Al Banna made Ikhwat Muslimaat
organization for working in women. He, however, wished Zainab Al Ghazali to merge her
organization and to handle the former, but she after discussing with Majlise Shora (counsel) did
not agree for breaking her organization. However, decided that the two would work in
cooperation. In 1948 in the regime of Shah Farooq, Ikhwanul Muslimeen was first time targeted,
following the pressures from Jews. At this occasion realizing the situation Zainab Al Ghazali
decided to dissolve Sayedaate Muslimaat and to work under Ikhwat Muslimaat but Hassan Al
Banna farsightedly advised Zainab to maintain the independent status of Sayedate Muslimaat
telling her that its separate existence would benefit them in future. Since in 1948 Ikhwanul
Muslimeen was declared outlawed. In 1954, in the regime of Jamal Ab Nasir Ikhwanul
Muslimeen was targeted with greater intensity, under these circumstances, Sayedate Muslimaat
was the only organization that was yet to be targeted and it survived till 1964 with 120 branches
the countrywide with its primary motto to serve the miserable. But Jamal Ab Nasir could not
tolerate its functioning any more and banned it and finally imprisoned Zainab Al Ghazali.
Ahead in the preface, Hamidi writes, “In the book in question, the reader finds the repetition of
one subject viz torture, torment, contempt, disrespect and atrocities and to its response there is
thankfulness, patience, invocation of almighty, reciting of Quranic verses, principle-ship,
firmness of faith, fearlessness from falsehoodness, and unchanging character. Such a
confrontation may fed up the readers but if the reader, in these days, wants to see the truth of the
saying of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), then this book will work as a mirror for him, “Ina Min
Umatee Rijalun Al-iiman Assbatu Fi Qulubihim Minaljibali A-Raosii” (In my Ummah there are
such brave people in who’s hearts the faith is stronger than the mountains mounted in earth).
On 20th August 1965 Zainab Al Ghazali was arrested. For six years she continuously bore the
unbelievable sufferings and finally she got released on 10th August 1971. The sufferings she met
is not merely an account of torture of a woman, Infact, in that epoch the generation emerged out
of the Movement of Ikhwanul Muslimeen was full of inspiration and fervor of Jihad and its each
individual was a unique pearl.
While reading the book of Zainab Al Ghazali, “Zindaan Ke Shab O Roz” this author experienced
an extraordinary situation that can not be expressed in words, however it developed curiosity in
me that I must write something on Zainab Al Ghazali (RA).
I remember in year 2005 the news of the death of this great woman came in news briefs of a few
local newspapers only. However, the organization of Dukhtarane Millat had paid its tributes to
the legendary woman of the Ummah. The topics have been classified for the sake of
understanding.
Faith:
 Zainab al Ghazali had the strict belief that on Allah’s earth there should be Allah’s law in
Muhammadan (SAW) System (Nizame Mustafah). Based on her this exclusive faith she started
the exemplary Dawah (invitation to Islam). On the actual position of a Muslim woman she writes
its constitution can be settled only and only in an Islamic government. She says that infidel
claimers and the flag-holders of ignominy and disbelief, and those, who believe in Allah and
have stood on His way for Dawah, can not go hand in glove and can never be the intimate
friends. She undoubtedly declares Hassan AL Banna as the righteous and genuine leader of Islam
and insists the Muslims of that era to give the oath of allegiance to Hasan AL Bana so that
Muslims could fulfill the duties for which they were brought to this world, and the real essence
of existence can come true, the picture of which has been presented by the Quran.
Her way of working:
For the social reformation, she believed in a way wherein such an initiative was necessary that
would restore the glory and greatness of the past Ummah, She writes, “The point of beginning of
our work must be based on the Seerate-Rasool (SAW) (Prophet’s character) and the life of the
Saliheen (descendents) and our way of working must be fully based on Allah’s Book and
according to the sunnah of the prophet” (Zindaan Ke Shab-O-Roz Page, 53). In her
organization, with her brothers-in-Islam, she had resolved to carry on the Dawah work for
thirteen years (same as the age of Dawah in Mecca). With the instructions of Imam Syed Qutub
and with the permission of Hassan Al Huzaibi it had been decided that self reformation,
character building, human upliftment and the nurturing of belief of Tawheed (belief of one God)
in the hearts and minds would continue permanently. It was resolved that the care takers of
Islamic Dawah who believe in Islam as the Din (religion) as well as the State and have the vision
of an Islamic State would raise the demand for an Islamic State if their proportion was 75 percent
in the nation(Qoum). But if the achievement was not above 25 percent the work of teaching,
training and reformation would be extended by next thirteen years with full dedication, devotion
and the reformative mission until the nation was able to rise to Islam consciously. “To us this
thing hardly matters that how many generations would complete the span in this very work. The
importance is to the matter that building and preparation is continuing and we are doing our
duty continuously and unstinted. Till our lives get consumed and the respite of our age will end
and we will hand our flag of Laila Illallah Muhammadun Rasoolallah (SAW) to coming sons
with our heads up.”(Pages: 60-62).
Torture and Pain:
As writes Khalil Ahmad Hamidi that some readers may get bored with the confrontation of one
topic- the torture. Such is the treatment given to this great Mujahidah. Infact, all the kinds of
torture and violence known till then were employed upon this great woman, that one fails to
decide that wherefrom to start, such is the nomenclature and the intensity of these tortures. On
one hand there is the great spirit and character of this great woman and on the otherhand there
are the meanest interrogative tactics of the tyrants. Abuses, taunts, threatening, fearful
consequences and thousands bodily attacks and punishments given to her give a heart rending
feeling to the reader. Her pious body was continuously beaten by specially made whips called
leather-whips(Churmi Tazyane) till blood would gush out of the bruises and this practice was
repeated again and again. The tyrants would not end doing this. Having not even generally a kind
treatment towards a woman they would explore new versions of interrogation and beating. They
would push her towards wall and would give hundred, five hundred and countless whips. They
would not spare her upholding down and give whips till she would turn unconscious. Coming
back to consciousness she would find herself in hospital, then shifted again to torture centre, then
again to hospital. They would take her hospital only to keep her alive/conscious for next turn of
torture. And then came the turn of water, fire and the current! Despite the series of tortures when
tyrants failed to break her, the brutal people threw her into the water-torture-well. Her body
being bruised with injuries, she was forced to sit into the water and the tormentors would remain
around ready with whips so that she could not give a movement to her body, this torture would
continue for weeks together. In the cell (room) they would drive her bruised body over fire, give
her electric shocks, she would loose consciousness, come back to consciousness, and the
tormentors would start torture again. Indeed, she was firm on her stand- the stand of Islam. Yes
her faith was stronger than the mountains mounted in earth.
Trust and Patience:
This great ummati (follower) of prophet Muhammad (SAW) refreshes in our minds the trust and
patience of Khalil Ul Rehman, Prophet Ibrahim (AS). When Zainab Al Ghazali was subjected to
scourges and whips she would respond to it by resorting to recital-state, invoking Allah, Allah. In
all the stages of torture this great Mujahidah showed the trust and patience like that of Prophet
Ibrahim (AS). At every turn of torture she would recite the verses of Quran and prepare herself
for the next turn. She might be the first Muslim of the world who when tortured in water
‘responded’ by performing dry-ablution (Tayamum) in water and started her prayer (Nimaz).
Even in the dirty jail room (cell) she would offer collective prayer with her fellow prisoners
(ladies) on dry-ablution and this practice was there a continuous process except when
unconscious.
Dream of Prophet (SAW):
During the torture torn period of her imprisonment she saw Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu
Alaihi Wasallum) four times in dream, she on page no. 78 writes “ ……….while I was offering
prayer (Dua), I don’t know how I fell asleep…….I saw a blissful dream.( I saw four times
prophet Muhammad in dream). In one of the dreams, I saw an endless desert, where there was
rain of saddles(of camels) as if made of light (Noor ) each saddle carrying four men whose faces
too were enlightened with Noor. I stood at the end of the caravan of camels. In front of me is a
dignified personality holding seals, these seals were extending to the end- necks of the
continuing caravan of camels. I am saying under my lips, “Is this Hazrate Muhammad
(Salallahu Alaihi Wasallum). At once reply comes, ‘O’ Zainab Al Ghazali you are on the
footsteps of Allah’s Rasool, Muhammad (SAW). I requested, “Ya Saiyedee, Ya Rasulallah
(SAW), I am on the foot steps of Allah’s Rasool(SAW), His Excellency replied, “O’ Zainab Al
Ghazali you are on the footsteps of Allah’s Rasool, Muhammad(SAW). I requested again, “O’
my holy prophet, ‘O’ Allah’s Rasool, am I on the footsteps of Muhammad(SAW)- who is Allah’s
Banda and Rasool, prophet again replied, O’ Zainab, you are on right path, you are on right
path, you are on the footsteps of Allah’s banda and Rasool, Muhammad(SAW)., “ In the trouble
torn circumstances one more time I dreamed and found myself in a vast field, I was told that this
is the court where our hearing was to take place. I was standing and the walls of the
surroundings fell down, I found my self in big premises equal to the whole earth’s face on which
sky was roofing and encamping the whole earth. Lines of the light (Noor) were reaching all
around and scene between earth and sky was now brightening. In this scenario I am seeing
prophet (SAW) stood in front of me facing Kaba. “I am standing behind you and am listening
you saying, “‘O’ Zainab, listen to the voice of right. Then I heard a voice that passed piercing
between sky and earth. That voice was, “Here people of falsehood will commence verdict, and
here powers of mendacity will issue decisions. Extremely cruel and unjust resolutions will be
passed against you. Your are the great guardian of the trust-ship of Allah, you are the leader of
right path and you are advised that, “ Fasbiroo wasabirud Bitua Taqawa Allah La-alakum
Tuflihoon (Al Imran: 301). These words stroke my ears and went piercing between sky and
earth. The intensity and effect of these words was so high upon my heart that I could not get the
meaning fully. When this voice stopped, prophet (SAW) gave me attention and pointed me to
right side, I saw to the right and I saw a big mountain, Green, its peak reaching high to the sky.
On all the four sides having flowers spread. Prophet (SAW) pronounced me, “Zainab rise on
this mountain, atop you will find Hassan Ul Huzaibi, convey him these words. Then prophet saw
towards me and I felt deeply his seeing getting into my body, though he did not tell any words
orally but I felt that the words have reached within me and I have understood prophet’s (SAW)
wish. After that prophet (SAW) raised his hand high towards sky and I felt myself rising to sky.
While I was going up, in the way, I met Khalidah Al Huzaibi and Alaiyah Al Huzaibi, I enquired
from both of them whether they too were with us on this way to which they replied in affirmative.
Leaving them behind I went ahead, after few steps I met Aminah Qutub, Hamidah Qutub and
Fatimah Eisa. To them also, I asked the same question and they replied in positive. I went ahead
till I reached the peak of the mountain which was very vast and in its middle was a field on
which flooring was spread with pillows thereof. In the middle of it was seated Hassan Al Huzaibi
who stood up on seeing me and greeted (salaam) me. He was very happy for my arrival to this
place. After greeting (him with salaam) I told him that prophet (saw) has sent me so that I can
convey some words to you, ‘these words are of prophet and are entrusted with me’. Hassan A
Huzaibi replied that ‘Alhamdulillah those words have reached upto me.’ We sat and it was felt
as those words had not reached in the shape of words but transferred through souls. While I sat
with Hassan al Huzaibi I looked towards earth where, in a valley, there was a van in which there
were two naked women. I drew the attention of Hassan al Huzaibi towards them and he too
looked on this van. Seeing this scene I turned very sad but Hassan Al Huzaibi asked me whether
I was having any objection on these women. I told yes. He told me, “do you think that ‘where we
have reached’ is the result of our own efforts, this is the blessing of Allah on us. Don’t become
sad on these women?” I told, this is our duty that through resistance we set them right. Hassan
al Huzaibi asked, ‘Can you do this by your own efforts?’ I replied yes, ‘By Allah’. He then told
that on this courage we must thank Allah. After this he rose up both his hands and began recital
of ‘Alhamdulillah.’ I too started recital of Alhamdulillah. We were continuing recital of
Alhamdulillah and my eye opened (rouse from sleep)” (pages 253-255).

“In another dream I saw prophet (SAW) going, wearing white dress. Prophet (SAW) was
followed by Hassan Al Huzaibi wearing the similar dress. I stood on the way, with me was
Syedah Aayesha (Razi Allah Anha) and few more women, perhaps (as it came in my heart) her
Khadimas (maid-servants). Syedah Aayesha (Razi Allah Anha) began to give some advice.
Prophet (SAW) passed in front of us and voiced to Hazrate Ayesha (Razi Allah Anha) and said, “
Aayesha keep patience, keep holding patience, see Aayesha (Razi Allah Anha) don’t loose hold
of patience. In response, Hazrate Aayesha (Razi Allah Anha) every time pressed my hand and
stressed for patience. I got awakened. I told this dream to Hamidah.”
20th Century Pharaoh and His Hell: Before writing something on Zainab al Ghazali this author
read her book (Zindaan Ke Shab- O- Roz) thoroughly. In the beginning pages, reading the
horrendous attitude of her oppressor, an idea came to my mind as to introduce“20th Century
Pharaoh” in the title of this article. But as I went ahead reading this book, I came to know that
Zainab Al Ghazali herself has attributed this word for Jamal Abdul Nasir and even the title of
one chapter is “In Front Of Pharaoh of Egypt”. Seeing the intensity, severity and frequency of
tortures and attitude, Jamal Abdul Nasir is fit to be called as 20th century pharaoh. Among his
infamous loyalist subordinates Included Shamas Badraan, Hamza Al Basyooni, Safoot Al Roobi
who were insane and far away from human element. They had so much drowned into darkness of
infidelity that in the torture houses they would threaten the suppressors that if they (suppressors)
did not surrender before the wishes of Jamal Abdul Nasir then they would be killed and sent to
the hell of Jamal Abdul Nasir. Their foolishness was upto the extent that they would tell that in
compliance to the wishes of Jamal Abdul Nasir the reward is the paradise of Jamal Abdul Nasir.
Zainab al Ghazali writes, “Shamas Badraan was an unkind and stone-hearted man, extremely
beast natured and tyrant, he would hang me head down and Safoot would start the torture, Safoot
would tuck up sleeves, raise the whip in air and would obey his boss-Shamas Badraan….beating
me with five hundred whips! With wailing I would call, Ya Allah, Ya Allah. Shamas Badraan
would ask me, where is Allah whom you are calling, if he is existing let Him come to your
rescue, but yes if you will acclaim Abdul Nasir he would certainly reach over here to help you!!!
After these insolent words he resorted to impudent comments for Almighty Allah and any
faithful person can neither bring such words on his tongue nor withstand to speak such words,
even the imitation of such infidelity too can’t be tolerated, though the imitation of infidelity is
not infidelity.” (Page: 166)
Divine Power: Those bad people did not left any stone unturned in tormenting Zainab al
Ghazali. Besides whips and other physical torture they released dogs, rats and snakes on her.
These rats have been called in her book as Nasiree Chuhay (rats of Nasir). Even the human-
flesh-eating-men were released on her and when she backtracked that cannibal (Aadum Khore ),
she writes, “ I saw he was abashing but he was moving nearer to me! What happened then, with
divine power my both hands got stuck around her neck. I raised the slogan, Bismillah, Allah o
Akbar. I interred my teeth into his neck. At first he fluttered then suddenly his neck got freed
from my hands and he fell under my feet. Out of his mouth as if the soap was precipitating and
he was like a dead body at my feet. This all happened with my hands. I was drowned in the sea
of sorrow and pain, bruised with injuries, my body was bruised everywhere. It was me Zainab al
Ghazali who backtracked the man-eater who was directed to eat and munch me. Allah the most
powerful, allocated me with divine power by which this beast turned into a heap of earth, Allah
O Akbar, Allah O Akbar” (pages: 152-153).
Domestic Life: Zainab Al Ghazali writes (page: 55), “,My these activities (before jail), at
‘Saydatul Muslimaat’ were not a hesitation in my duties and neither there was any weakness in
the duty towards my domestic activities. But once my Muhataram husband, late Muhammad
Saalim’s forehead wrinkled when Abdul Fatah Ismail and some nice youth would come to my
residence repeatedly. My husband asked me, “Are the activities of Ikhwanul Muslimeen
continuing?” and when he started ‘over discussion’ with me, I told him, “My dear husband, do
you remember the decision of our marriage and the consensus we had reached then. Does ‘Your
Excellency’ remember what I had requested at that time.” he told, “Yes, you had kept some
conditions for matrimonial life, but I now fear the apprehensions of torture upon you by the
oppressors?” After that Zainab Al Ghazali reminded him the detailed promise that the eminence
of Islam would remain a priority for her. Ahead in the book she writes,” Groups of youth began
to come to my residence during night, my Momin husband in the middle of night on listening the
knock of the night visitors would awake from deep sleep, open the door and make them sit in the
office room and then he would awake the house maid and advice her to make meals and tea for
these guests…….taking a rest on his bed then he would tell us, “If you won’t feel troubled then
awake me for offering Nimaze Fajer with you if you continue till then” “ I would say Insha Allah
and go, and if we really continued till Nimaze Fajr, I would awake him, he would offer Nimaz
with us and would say salam with paternal affection to the children present there and then go”
(pages: 55-58).
Life and Death upto Allah: Seeing the intensity and frequency of the torture and torment,
Zainab al Ghazali met in the jail, the reader prepares himself after every paragraph to read about
the episode of her death. But he only comes to know that she is yet alive as writes Khalil
Hamidi in the preface or if the today’s reader knows that she died only in year 2005. But during
her torture this great lady would tell upon the jail inspectors (darogah) that life and death is only
upto Allah and not a leaf can budge without the will of Allah.
If Iqbal (RA) were among Contemporaries : Allama Iqbal (RA) passed away in 1938 and at
that time Zainab Al Ghazali was yet at the onset of her great mission. Since Allama Iqbal (RA)
has a great contribution towards the Ummah through his philosophy and poetry. He has explored
new vistas in discovering the Islamic legendary principles and personalities and in distinguishing
west from the east. Iqbal (RA) has almost touched every aspect of Islamic history and philosophy
and evidently if he were alive in the times of Zainab Al Ghazali or if the later were his
predecessor then perhaps the ‘pronunciation’ of the verses of his poetry on Nisvanyat
(womanhood) would have been ‘finer than the finest.’
Remaining life: After the freedom from the jail she lived thirty four years life. Much is not
known to this author that how she lived her post jail life and how she used her great capacity and
caliber. However, according to internet information she contributed also to the work of
publication and wrote for many high repute journals of the world.
Zainab al Ghazali and we people: The international columnists would treat and project Zainab
Al Ghazali as a high repute and prolific writer only. But one fails to understand the attitude and
understanding of the intellectuals and the Ulemas of the Ummah for their utmost ignorance
towards this great Mujahidah. Anyway the personality and the contribution of Zainab Al
Ghazali (Rahmatullahi Alaiha) who challenged 20th century pharaoh require that her mission be
continued and an institution is established at Ummah-level to understand her message.

(Feedback at ahmadkashmiri@gmail.com)