My Daughters My Shield from Fire , Fire of Hell ( Jahannam..)

When I was reading Tafsir today morning, I have gone through these Ayah many times, again and again. Only one question coming to my minds, has anything changed? 
This was situation 1400 years ago, Jahiliyah.. ignorance is still there, we still kill our daughters. Tears started flowing in my eyes.
Why do we still kill our daughters?  What will we say when Allah the most exalted will ask her on the day of Judgement? 
Why she was killed?
What was her crime?

Change is Awaited?

Quran Surah 81, Takwrr Tafsir Tafhimul Quran 

وَإِذَا الْمَوْءُودَةُ سُئِلَتْ ﴿81:8﴾ 

(81:8) and when the girl-child buried alive shall be asked:

بِأَيِّ ذَنْبٍ قُتِلَتْ ﴿81:9﴾ 

(81:9) for what offence was she killed? *9

*9 The style of this verse reflects an intensity of rage and fury inconceivable in common life. The parents who buried their daughters alive, would be so contemptible in the-sight of Allah that they would not be asked: "Why did you kill the innocent infant?" But disregarding them the innocent girl will be asked: "For what crime were you slain?" And she will tell her story how cruelly she had been treated by her barbarous parents and buried alive. Besides, two vast themes have been compressed into this brief verse, which though not expressed in words, are reflected by its style and tenor. First that in it the Arabs have been made to realize what depths of moral depravity they have touched because of their ignorance in that they buried their own children alive; yet they insist that they would persist in the same ignorance and would not accept the reform that Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) was trying to bring about in their corrupted society. Second, that an express argument has been given in it of the necessity and inevitability of the Hereafter. The case of the infant girl who was buried alive, should be decided and settled justly at some tune, and there should necessarily be a time when the cruel people who committed this heinous crime, should be called to account for it, for there was none in the world to hear the cries of complaint raised by the poor soul. This act was looked upon with approval by the depraved society; neither the parents felt any remorse for it, nor anybody in the family censured them, nor the society took any notice of it. Then, should this monstrosity remain wholly unpunished in the Kingdom of God?

 
This barbaric custom of burying the female infants alive had become widespread in ancient Arabia for different reasons. One reason was economic hardship because of which the people wanted to have fewer dependents so that they should not have to bear the burden of bringing up many children. Male offspring were brought up in the hope that they would later help in earning a living, but the female offspring were killed for the fear that they would have to be reared till they matured and then given away in marriage. Second, the widespread chaos because of which the male children were brought up in order to have more and more helpers and supporters; but daughters were killed because in tribal wars they had to be protected instead of being useful in any way for defence. Third, another aspect of the common chaos also was that when the hostile tribes raided each other and captured girls they would either keep them as slave-girls or sell them to others. For these reasons the practice that had become common in Arabia was that at childbirth a pit was kept dug out ready for use by the woman so that if a girl was born, she was immediately cast into it and buried alive. And if sometimes the mother was not inclined to act thus, or the people of the family disapproved of it, the father would rear her for some time half-heartedly, and then finding time would take her to the desert to be buried alive. This tyranny and hard-heartedness was once described by a person before the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) himself. According to a Hadith related in the first chapter of Sunan Darimi, a man came to the Holy Prophet and related this incident of his pre-lslamic days of ignorance: "I had a daughter who was much attached to me. When I called her, she would come running to me. One day I called her and took her out with me. On the way we came across a well. Holding her by the hand I pushed her into the well. Her last words that I heard were: Oh father, oh father!!" Hearing this the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) wept and tears started falling from his eyes One of those present on the occasion said: O man, you have grieved the Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet said: Do not stop him, let him question about what he feels so strongly now. Then the Holy Prophet asked him to narrate his story once again. When he narrated it again the Holy Prophet wept so bitterly that his beard became we with tears. Then he said to the man: "Allah has forgiven that you did in the days of ignorance: now turn to Him in repentance.'
It is not correct to think that the people of Arabia had no feeling of the baseness of this hideous, inhuman act. Obviously, no society, however corrupted it may be, can be utterly devoid of the feeling that such tyrannical acts are evil. That is why the Holy Qur'an has not dwelt upon the vileness of this act, but has only referred to it in awe-inspiring words to the effect: "A time will come when the girl who was buried alive, will be asked for what crime she was slain?" The history of Arabia also shows that many people in the pre-Islamic days of ignorance had a feeling that the practice was vile and wicked. According to Tabarani, Sa`sa'ah bin Najiyah al-Mujashi`i, grandfather of the poet, Farazdaq, said to the Holy Prophet: "O Messenger of Allah, during the days of ignorance I have done some good works also among which one is that I saved 360 girls from being buried alive: I gave two camels each as ransom to save their lives. Shall I get any reward for this?" The Holy Prophet replied; "Yes, there is a reward for you, and it is this that Allah has blessed you with Islam."
As a matter of fact, a great blessing of the blessings of Islam is that it not only did put an end to this inhuman practice in Arabia but even wiped out the concept that the birth of a daughter was in any way a calamity, which should be endured unwillingly. On the contrary, Islam taught that bringing up daughters, giving them good education and enabling them to become good housewives, is an act of great merit and virtue. The way the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) changed the common concept of the people in respect of girls can be judged from his many sayings which have been reported in the Hadith. As for example, we reproduce some of these below:
"The person who is put to a test because of the birth of the daughters and then he treats them generously, they will become a means of rescue for him from Hell." (Bukhari, Muslim).
"The one who brought up two girls till they attained their maturity, will appear along with me on the Resurrection Day ... Saying this the Holy Prophet jointed and raised his fingers. (Muslim).
"The one who brought up three daughters, or sisters, taught then good manners and treated them with kindness until they became self-sufficient. AIlah will make Paradise obligatory for him. A man asked: what about two, O Messenger of Allah? The Holy Prophet replied: the same for two." Ibn `Abbas, the reporter of the Hadith, says: "Had the people at that time asked in respect of one daughter, the Holy Prophet would have also given the same reply about her. " (Sharh as-Sunnh).

 
"The one who has a daughter born to him and he does not bury her alive, nor keeps her in disgrace, nor prefers his son to her, Allah will admit him to Paradise." (Abu Da'ud).
"The one who has three daughters born to him, and he is patient over them, and clothes them well according to his means, they will become a means of rescue for him from Hell. " (Bukhari, Al-Adab al-Mufrad, Ibn Majah).
"The Muslim who has two daughters and he looks after them well, they will lead him to Paradise." (Bukhari: Al-Adab al-Mufrad).
The Holy Prophet said to Suraqah bin Ju'sham: "Should I tell you what is the greatest charity (or said: one of the greatest charities)? He said: Kindly do tell, O Messenger of Allah. The Holy Prophet said: Your daughter who (after being divorced or widowed) returns to you and should have no other bread-winner." (Ibn Majah, Bukhari Al-Adab al-Mufrad).
This is the teaching which completely changed the viewpoint of the people about girls not only in Arabia but among all the nations of the world, which later become blessed with Islam.

Zaynab the Daughter of Prophet Peace Be Upon Him

Zaynab was born ten years before her father was commissioned as a Prophet. She was the first child born to Muhammad (PBUH) and Khadeejah, and she belonged to the noblest parents in the world. Her father, Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah (Peace Be Upon Him) was the one Allah sent as a mercy to the all humanity. He was the chief of the Prophets and the Seal of the Messengers.

Her mother, Khadeejah, was the best of all females of the human race. She was superior in lineage, nobility, virtue and knowledge. She was married to the dearest of Allah's creatures to Him.

Zaynab's growth

She was born to a great Qurayshi man, of a noble descent that had no equal in all Arabia. She was well received by that home of unparalleled repute, because she was a product of a happy marriage that was based upon mutual love, sincere affection and great respect.

Zaynab, when she arrived at her parent's home, was a sweet basil that exuded a lovely fragrance and an overwhelming splendor. Like other children of noble Arabs, she was given to a wet nurse. When she had had her share of that, the gracious home of her parents embraced her with great love and affection once again.

As she grew into an adolescent, her mother started training her to shoulder domestic responsibilities. She tried to keep her away from childhood frivolities. While she was still a young girl, Zaynab was an attentive teacher and a caring sister to her younger sister Fatimah. She would take care of her needs and play with her. This responsibility became greater after the death of their mother, Khadeejah.

Marriage proposal

When Zaynab was old enough for marriage, her cousin (the son of her maternal aunt), Abu al-'Aas ibn Rabee' came forward, asking for her hand in marriage. He was very close to his aunt Khadeejah, who treated him like her own son and showed love and compassion to him. He was - despite his young age - one of the leading merchants, a wise young man who commanded the respect of the people and their elders.

Abu al Aas came forward and asked for Zaynab's hand in marriage. The Messenger of Allah Peace Be Upon Him received him well and listened to him attentively, but he requested that he be allowed to ask the person most concerned.

The Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon Him) went to his daughter Zaynab aud told her, "Daughter, your cousin, Abu al-Aas Ibn Rabee', is interested in you." Zaynab kept quiet out of shyness, and she did not utter a word. Her face became red, but the beating of her pure heart and the shutting of her eyes were the best answer.

The Messenger of Allah Peace Be Upon Him smiled, and did not repeat the question. He then went back to Abu al-Aas and gave him a congratulatory handshake and supplicated for blessings.

In the matrimonial home

In their matrimonial home, Zaynab and her husband, Abu al' Aas enjoyed extreme happiness and mutual love.  Zaynab bore two children to Abu al Aas a boy named 'Ali and a girl named Umamah. This brought: the happiness of their household to perfection, and the entire household was full of cheerfulness and delight. The two children were the Prophet's first grandchildren.

One day, when Abu al-Aas was on one of his journeys. a great event happened: The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) was called to Prophethood and was commissioned to deliver a divine message. Zaynab followed her father and embraced Islam, as did her mother and her sisters. When her husband came back from his journey, she told him what had happened while he was away. He also heard the same news from other people.

Abu al-Aas told his beloved wife, Zaynab, "By Allah, I have nothing against your father, and nothing would be dearer to me than following the same path with you, my dear. But I would hate for people to say that r have disappointed my clan by disbelieving in the deities of my ancestors in order to please my wife. Can you please excuse me?" They then embraced each other.

Suddenly, they separated as if a barrier had been erected between them. On that night, neither of them slept. Nor did they sleep on subsequent nights.

Migration

Zaynab awoke one morning to hear that the Quraysh were in pursuit of the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him), who had left Makkah for Yathrib (Medinah) as an emigrant. When she heard of his safe arrival there, she was happy. After some days, an envoy'?' came from Yathrib and escorted Zaynab's sisters, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah, to Madinah. Zaynab remained in Makkah in her husband's house, waiting for Allah's decision concerning her situation.

Battle of Badr

After the immigration of Prophet Peace Be Upon Him and Companions to Medinah, the Quraish of Mecca wanted to destroy this small and growing power for ever so that their supremacy remain in the Arab World. Quraish of Makkah launched an attack on Medina. When Prophet Peace Be Upon Him heard he decided to confront the arriving army out of Medinah at a place called Badr and this Battle was called battle of Badr. It was 17^th Ramdan. Muslim army camped there, waiting for arrival of the Quraysh.

Abu al-'Aas, the captive!

Abu al- 'Aas had set out in the company of Quraysh during their mobilization to protect their caravan that was being threatened by the Muslims. A fight at Badr; the Muslims won, and Abu al-Aas was taken captive at the hands of Muslims.

When the captives were: paraded before the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him), told those who were holding him, "Treat the captives well."

Back in Makkah, Zaynab was in an unenviable position. When it was time to ransom the captives, she wanted her husband returned to her, and by that aroused the concern of her great father. She brought out from her jewelry box a necklace that used to be her mother's, and which Khadeejah had presented to her as a gift on her wedding day. She gave this necklace to her brother-in-law, "Amr ibn Rabee', and asked him to take it and present it as ransom for her husband.

As soon as the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) saw that necklace, he had a feeling of extreme compassion, and his heart palpitated from the vivid memory. The Companions who were present gazed in amazement, having being captivated by the significance of the situation. After a long silence, the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) addressed the Companions who were holding Zaynab's husband, saying, "If you can release your captive to her and return her property (the necklace) to her, do so."

They all said, "Yes, we will do so, Messenger of Allah!"

The separation

Nevertheless, the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) requested that Abu al-'Aas send Zaynab to him, because Islam had already separated them. Abu al-Aas made a pledge that he would do so.

Abu al-'As returned to Makkah, and his wife was very happy to have him back; but sorrow and distress could be seen all over his face. He told his wife, "Zaynab, I have come to bid you farewell," and he told her of the pledge he had made to her father that he would send her to him.

Zaynab reluctantly departed from Makkah and bade Abu al' Aas an emotional farewell. He told her, "Zaynab, whatever happens, I shall always love you as long as I live.  However, as she was on her way out of the city, the Quraysh accosted her, and returned her forcibly to Makkah. She was terrified by what had happened. Abu al-'Aas gave her protection in his house and took care of her until she regained some of her health and strength.

One day, he seized upon Quraysh's inattention and sent her out of Makkah in the company of his brother Kinanah, who brought her safely to the Messenger of Allah.

Captive once again

Abu al-'As travelled to Syria with a Qurayshi caravan. When information reached the Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon Him) that the caravan was on its way back from Syria, he sent Zayd ibn Harithah, in the company of one hundred and seventy riders, to waylay it. They met the caravan at a place called 'Ees. They overcame the caravan and returned to Medinah, taking those who were guarding the caravan as captives.

As for Abu al- 'Aas, he was able to escape, and that night sought refuge in the house of his former wife, Zaynab. Who gave him protection. It was in the night. When the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) finished the fajr prayer, Zaynab stood up in the mosque and called out, interceding on behalf of her former husband: "I have given protection to Abu al-'Aas ibn Rabee'!"

The Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon Him) said, "0 people, did you hear what I have just heard?" The people answered in the affirmative. He then said, "I swear by Him in Whose Hand is my life, I knew nothing of this matter until I heard what you have also heard now." He added,

"The Muslims are like one hand against those who are inside their community, and the lowest of the Muslims is entitled to give protection on behalf of the rest of his fellow Muslims. So we give protection to the one to whom she has given protection."

When the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) returned home, his daughter Zaynab came to him and requested that Abu al-'Aas be given back the property that had been taken from him in the raid on the caravan. He agreed, but warned her that she should not allow him have any conjugal relations with her, because she was not lawful for him as long as he was still a polytheist.

How did he escape to Zaynab?

After those who were with him had been either killed or captured, Abu al-' Aas could no longer face the situation. He used the cover of the night to escape into what looked like a thicket of heavily branched trees, and hid there. He stayed there in a chilling cold, fearing what might be his fate.

After a part of the night had passed, the Muslims who had attacked him, killed his companions and prevailed over their property had left. Abu al- 'Aas thought hard: what should he do now? Should he come out of his hiding place and head for Makkah alone, with no provisions and no mount to ride on? Or should he go to the house of Zaynab, his beloved and dutiful former wife, who would never refuse to give him shelter and protection?

He was overwhelmed by love and sincere feelings, so he sneaked to her house under the cover of night and knocked at her door. The throbbing of his disturbed heart could be heard louder than his knocking on the door.

Zaynab woke up in fear, wondering who could be knocking at her door at this hour of the night. She asked who it was at the door, and the voice was one she recognized: - the sonorous, shaking voice of Abu al-'Aas

She opened the door and met her beloved husband. In this encounter, It was their eyes that talked, rather than their tongues; it was their two hearts that took hold of one another, rather than their hands; and it was their souls that embraced one another, rather than their arms. And the eyes shed plentiful tears.

Zaynab brought Abu al-' Aas in, fed him, offered him a seat and did all that she could to make him comfortable and relaxed. In spite of having regained some peace of mind, Abu al- 'Aas was still anxious and afraid, and he could utter only a few Worlds. Zaynab knew that he had come to seek her protection and shelter and to ask her to intercede with her father on his behalf. She assured him that, if Allah willed, she would do alleviate his suffering and doubts.

When Abu al- 'Aas felt that he could attain security in Medinah and that the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) had provided refuge and shelter to him, he experienced the magnanimity and truthfulness that were part of Islam, and he realized that the blind state of ignorance in which he was living had misled him for too long.

He also realized that Zaynau's love for "him, and his love for her, was full' rooted in both their hearts. When he realized this, he wanted to enter into the fold of this pure religion willingly; there was no coercion. Be wanted to proclaim his acceptance of Islam,

But he thought,

'but' that Abu al- 'Aas hesitated a little. His Arab gallantry and tribal pride swirled up in him. He resolved that he would not allow his proclamation of Islam to be attributed to any influence or pressure. He did not want anyone in Makkah to claim that he had accepted Islam far the love of this wife, or the fear of death Or anything else. He decided to proclaim his Islam in the assemblies of Makkah, in front of all and sundry.

There was another issue that concerned him: he had the property of other people in his trust. If he remained in Medinah and announced his Islam there, people would say that he wanted [0 escape from returning this property to those to whom they were due. His sense of honor would not permit this. Therefore, he returned to Makkab, returned the trusts to whom they were due and then proclaimed his Islam in the assembly of the Quraysh, in the presence of many people. He did so in a dignified and honorable manner. Once he had done all that, he went to Madinah as a Muslim and an immigrant, upon his arrival in Madinah. The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) gave Zaynab back to him. The happy reunion took place, and the marriage contract was completed anew. The happiness and prosperity for which their household had been known before, returned.

The final separation

For a whole year afterwards, the loving couple lived in Medinah in happiness and contentment. Then came the eternal separation after which there is no reunion except in the abode of the Hereafter. Zaynab died at the beginning of the 5th year of the Hijrah from complications of a hemorrhage from which she had been suffering since her migration.

Abu ai-'Aas shed hot tears because of her death, which drove those who were around him to tears of sympathy. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon Him) came with eyes full of tears and a heart full of sorrow. Zaynabs death reminded him of the death of his wife, Khadeejah. He told the women gathered around Zaynab's corpse, "Wash her three times, and use camphor in the third wash."

He performed funeral prayers over her and escorted her to her final resting place.

Abu al- 'Aas returned to his children, 'Ali and Umamah, kissing them and wetting them with his tears while remembering the face of his departed darling.

May Allah reward Zaynab, the Prophet's daughter, with Paradise for her patience, endurance and struggle! May Allah be pleased with her, and please her!