As Abû ¿Abd Allâh al-¿usayn, son of ¿Alî and Fâ¿ima and grandson of Müammad, moved inexorably towards death on the field of Karbalâ¿, his sister Zaynab was drawn ever closer to the centre of the family of Müammad, the 'people of the house' (ahl al-bayt). There she would remain for a few historic days, challenging the wickedness of the Islamic leadership, defending the actions of her brother, initiating the commemorative rituals, protecting and nurturing the new Imâm, al-¿usayn's son ¿Alî b. al-¿usayn b. ¿Alî b. Abî ¿âlib, until he could take his rightful place. This is her story.
