Sayyidatuna as-Sayyida Zainab was born in Medina in 5AH/626CE. She was a granddaughter of the Prophet (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), daughter of Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Ali and Sayyidatuna as-Sayyida Fatimata Zahra. As a result of losing her mother when she was seven, Sayyida Zainab had a special closeness with her brothers Imam al Hassan and Imam al Hussayn. When her father became Caliph, Sayyida Zainab and her family moved with her father from Medina to Kufa. While in Medina, Sayyida Zainab held sessions to help women study the Qur'an and learn more about Islam, a practice she continued in Kufa. She was instrumental in the protection of her nephew. When Sayyidi Ali Zayn al 'Abidin was sentenced to death by the governor of Kufa, she threw herself on him in a protective embrace and, moved by her actions, the captors spared Sayyidi Ali Zayn's life. Sayyida Zainab was a model of defiance against oppression and other forms of injustice. Although Sayyida Zainab had wealth, she lived a modest life and donated most of her wealth in charity and was especially generous to the poor, the homeless, and the parentless. In her character she reflected the best attributes of those who raised her. In sobriety and serenity she was likened to the Mother of the Believers, Khadija, her grandmother; in chastity and modesty to her mother Sayyidatuna as-Sayyida Fatima Zahra; in eloquence to her father Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Ali; in forbearance and patience to her brother Sayyiduna wa Mawlana al Imam al Hassan; and in bravery and tranquillity of the heart to Sayyiduna wa Mawlana al Imam al Hussayn. Her face reflected her father's awe and her grandfather's reverence. She died in 62AH/681CE.