The epic saga created by Zaynab al-Kubra (sa) complements the greatness of Ashura. The magnitude of Zaynab al-Kubra's (s.a.) actions cannot be compared to other great events throughout history: her saga should only be compared to the event of Ashura itself, truly, these two events complement one another.

This great personality, this great lady of Islam and all of humanity, managed to stand firm while up against a tremendous mountain of hardship; there was not even a tremble in her voice as she confronted all these events. She stood firm like a glorious mountain herself, both, in the face of the enemies and in the face of bitter events. Her struggle became a lesson, and she became a role model, a leader, and a pioneer.

At the bazaar of Kufa, while she was held captive, she made this astonishing speech: "Oh people of Kufa, who are treacherous and disloyal, do you cry for us? May your tears not dry, and may your moans not stop. You are like a woman who loosens her threads after she tied them together" [al-Ihtijaj, Volume 2, page 303]. Her words were as firm as steel; and, the meaning continues to flow like a river, influencing hearts and souls. In such conditions, Zaynab al-Kubra delivered a speech, which was like the Commander of the Faithful (as); whereby, she shook hearts and souls, too, and she gave history a jolt with these words. This speech became eternal in history. It was delivered in front of the people while she was held captive.

After that, she delivered a speech in front of Ibn Ziad in Kufa. A few weeks later she spoke in front of Yazid with such strength that it humiliated the enemy and their imposed hardships. She said, "Do you so foolishly think that you can defeat, suppress, and humiliate the household of the Holy Prophet (saaws) Furthermore, "Honor belongs to Allah and His Messenger, and to the believers" [The Holy Quran, 63: 8]. Zaynab al-Kubra is the manifestation of dignity as Hussein ibn Ali (as) was the manifestation of dignity, in Karbala, on the day of Ashura.

The way she viewed these events was different from the way others looked at them. Despite all those hardships, when the enemy wanted to taunt her, she says, "I did not see anything except for beauty" [Lohuf, page 160]. She said, "What I saw was beautiful." It was martyrdom. Although it was difficult, it was in the way of God, and it was done for the purpose of preserving Islam. It was the origin of an epic saga in history so that the Islamic Ummah knows what it should do and how it should move forward and stand firm. This is the greatest achievement of the saga of Zaynab (sa); this is the dignity of God's saint: Zaynab al-Kubra (sa) is one of God's saints. Her dignity is the dignity of Islam and she made Islam and the Holy Quran valuable.

Of course, we are not as aspirational and determined as Zaynab al-Kubra (sa); therefore, we cannot say that the behavior of this great lady is our model. We are too inferior to say such things, but anyway, our movement should be in line with the movement of Zaynab (sa). Our efforts should be focused on bringing about dignity for Islam, the Islamic community, and the entire human race. This is the same responsibility that Allah the Exalted has entrusted to prophets (pbut) through Islamic obligations and rules.

In the first part of my speech, what I want to briefly discuss with you my dear Basijis and youth, is that one of the factors which brought about this spirit and this patience in Zaynab al-Kubra (sa) and other divine saints--who also moved forward with such spirit and patience--is sincerity and honesty. It is very important to honor our promises to Allah the Exalted and to devote our hearts to His path in the most sincere manner.

• Nov 20, 2013