“I see nothing but the beauty of God” Sermon of Syeda Zainab in Yazid’s Court

Hazrat Zainab bint-e-Ali (peace be upon her) is called as the Queen of Karbala who actually played a crucial role in the history of Islam. She has shown the true face of Yazid ibn Muawiya to the entire world. Zainab (peace be upon her) is such a brave lady who stood against the atrocities of Yazid and was standing with his brother Hazrat Imam Hussain (as) in the land of Karbala. Hazrat Zainab (peace be upon) told Yazid that not to feel joy on his apparent victory, whereas the real victors are those who died in the cause of Allah and cruel people like Yazid must face the taste of painful punishment. The current study is based on the critical discourse analysis of sermon that is available on the different websites (Al-Islam.org by Ibrahim Ayati). Shaikh al-Tabrizi writes in his book, Al-Ehtejaaj, vol. 2, p. 307: Hazrat Zainab's sermon is a critical discourse that challenges the oppressive power structures of her time and calls for justice and equality. Through her powerful words, she unveils the injustices faced by her family and the wider Muslim community, highlighting the hypocrisy and cruelty of their oppressors. In her sermon, Hazrat Zainab speaks out against the tyranny and injustice of the ruling regime, condemning their actions and calling for accountability. She criticizes the oppressive practices of the ruling elite, highlighting the suffering and persecution faced by her family and the wider Muslim community. Hazrat Zainab's discourse is characterized by its boldness and defiance, as she fearlessly confronts the powerful forces that seek to silence and oppress her. She challenges the dominant narratives of her time, exposing the lies and deceit of those in power and demanding justice for the oppressed. Through her sermon, Hazrat Zainab calls for a radical transformation of society, one based on justice, equality, and compassion. She challenges the status quo and calls for a more just and equitable world, where the rights and dignity of all individuals are respected and upheld. Overall, Hazrat Zainab's sermon is a powerful and incisive critique of the oppressive power structures of her time. It is a call to action, urging individuals to stand up against injustice and work towards a more just and equitable society. Her words continue to inspire and resonate with individuals seeking to challenge injustice and oppression in their own communities. Sermons play a crucial role in the history of Islam. The data analysis has been conducted using Van Dijk’s “ideological square” (1998) concept to explore discursive strategies used in the sermon of Hazrat Zainab (peace be upon her).