Given the distinguished and influential personality of Lady Zaynab (pbuh) and her prominent role in the history of early Islam—particularly in the events of Karbala—numerous Muslim scholars, both Shiʿi and Sunni, especially in the contemporary period, have produced valuable works introducing her character and life. One issue that has attracted attention in some of these works concerns the circumstances of her marriage to ʿAbd Allāh ibn Jaʿfar and the conditions purportedly stipulated therein. Accordingly, the present study seeks to address the question of whether the conditions reported in such works possess historical credibility. Employing a descriptive–analytical method and drawing upon a wide range of reliable sources and scholarly evidence, this article argues that the conditions frequently cited in contemporary writings—namely, the stipulation that Lady Zaynab accompany Imam al-Husayn (pbuh) on his journeys, and the condition of daily meetings between the two spouses—are not historically tenable. The claim that the marriage contract was accompanied by these conditions is rejected on the basis of four evidentiary considerations: the absence of any report in early historical and hadith sources; the lack of proper source citation; discrepancies regarding the number of conditions; and inconsistencies and contradictions in the content of the alleged conditions.
Ahmadian Delaviz, H. (2025). A Historical Examination of the Conditions of the Marriage of Lady Zaynab (pbuh) to ʿAbd Allāh ibn Jaʿfar. Discourse of History, 19(52), 6-20. doi: 10.22034/skh.2025.18432.1514
MLA
Ahmadian Delaviz, H. . "A Historical Examination of the Conditions of the Marriage of Lady Zaynab (pbuh) to ʿAbd Allāh ibn Jaʿfar", Discourse of History, 19, 52, 2025, 6-20. doi: 10.22034/skh.2025.18432.1514
HARVARD
Ahmadian Delaviz, H. (2025). 'A Historical Examination of the Conditions of the Marriage of Lady Zaynab (pbuh) to ʿAbd Allāh ibn Jaʿfar', Discourse of History, 19(52), pp. 6-20. doi: 10.22034/skh.2025.18432.1514
CHICAGO
H. Ahmadian Delaviz, "A Historical Examination of the Conditions of the Marriage of Lady Zaynab (pbuh) to ʿAbd Allāh ibn Jaʿfar," Discourse of History, 19 52 (2025): 6-20, doi: 10.22034/skh.2025.18432.1514
VANCOUVER
Ahmadian Delaviz, H. A Historical Examination of the Conditions of the Marriage of Lady Zaynab (pbuh) to ʿAbd Allāh ibn Jaʿfar. Discourse of History, 2025; 19(52): 6-20. doi: 10.22034/skh.2025.18432.1514
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