Zaynab, the daughter of Ka'b Ibn 'Ajrah1 was one of the companions of the Messenger of God (S). She married Abu Sa'id al-Khidri.2

Her Merits

She was a virtuous woman and one of the companions of the Prophet (S). She has related traditions from him by way of Furay'ah Bint Malik (her sister in­law). Shaykh al-Tusi has introduced her husband Sa'd (Abu Sa'id al-Khidri al­Ansari al-Madani al-Arabi) as one of the companions of the Messenger of God (S). And, in another place he has introduced him with the name of Sa'd Ibn Malik al-Khazraji al-Makani as one of the companions of Imam 'Ali ('a).3

Considering the situation and status of her father and husband it may be said that Zaynab, who was trained by such a father and a husband like Abu Sa'id al-Khidri, was a pious and faithful woman. And, nothing has been said in blame of her. God willing, she was one of the Shi'ah and followers of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a).

Ibn Sa'd, Ibn al-Athir and Ibn Hajar have listed her among the companions of the Messenger of God (S).4

Ibn Habban has counted her among the recorders of traditions. And, Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nassa'i, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal have related traditions from her.5

She has related traditions from Abu Sa'id al-Khidri (her husband) and Furay'ah Bint Malik (her sister). Sa'd Ibn Ishaq Ibn Ka'b (her nephew) and Sulayman Ibn Muhammad Ibn Ka'b Ibn 'Ujrah have related traditions from her.

Ibn 'Abd al-Barr has related a tradition from Ibn Ishaq from Zaynab Bint Ka'b from Abu Sa'id al-Khidri as saying, "The people were complaining about 'Ali ('a) when the Prophet (S) was in the middle of a speech. The Prophet (S) rose and I heard him say, 'O' people, don't complain about 'Ali. I swear to God I fear His being that he ('Ali) should be complained about.'"6

Ibn 'Abd al-Barr has related a tradition based on his documents from Abu­Damarah from Sa'd Ibn Ishaq Ibn Ka'b (the nephew of Zaynab) from Zaynab Bint Ka'b from Abu Sa'id and his sister from the Prophet (S) about the compensation for illness.7 Ibn al-Athir has related a tradition with a similar meaning from Yahya Ibn Sa'id from Sa'd Ibn Ishaq from Zaynab from Abu­Sa'id.8

• 1. Shaykh al-Tusi has said that Ka 'b Ibn 'Ajrah al-Ansari, Abu Muhammad, was one of the companions of the Holy Prophet (S) and Imam 'Ali ('a) and one of those who pledged allegiance to the Prophet (S) at the Ridwan Pledge of Allegiance. He passed away in the year 52. (Rijal al-Tusi, Lughat Nama Dihkhuda)
• 2. Sa'd Ibn Malik Ibn Sinan Ibn Tha'labah Ibn 'Ubayd Ibn al-Abhar is also known as Khadra Ibn 'Awf Ibn al-Harith Ibn al-Khazraj al-Ansari al-Khidri (the maternal brother of Qutadah Ibn al-Nu'man). Abu Sa'id was a religious authority, scholar, rational, and had memorized the Qur'an. He was 13 years old during the Battle of Uhud, and 15 years old during the Battle of Banu'l-Mustalaq. [Al-Isti’ab, vol. 4, p. 1671] He participated in 12 battles with the Prophet (S). He was one of the famous companions, one of the Ansar, and one of the first to follow Imam 'Ali ('a) after the death of the Prophet (S). He was a resolute Shi'ah. [Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p.10; Rijal al-Tusi, pp. 20 and 43].
• 3. Rijal al-Tusi, vol. 26, p. 56.
• 4. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 479; Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 470; Al-Isabah, vol. 4, p. 322.
• 5. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 12, p. 422; A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 2, p. 104.
• 6. Al-Isti'ab, vol. 4, p. 1857; Tahdhib al-Kamal, p. 187.
• 7. Al-Isti'ab, vol. 4, p. 1857; Tahdhib al-Kamal, p. 187.
• 8. Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 470.