Zahrah at-Tahirah

Zahrah at-Tahirah (Riysan: زهره الطاهره, "Zahrah the Pure One"; c. 1011-1050 CE), also called Shahidah al-Awwal (The First Martyress) and Zahrah of TOWNNAME, was one of the first believers of Esoteric Shi'ism and the first woman to be martyred for her faith in the religion. She was the daughter of a Muzdatijeri Shia theologian Shaykh Mubarak, who disowned her after learning of his daughter's conversion. In Esoteric Shi'ism, she is considered as one of the Five Martyrs, thus occupying a revered station in the religion. Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim, the founder and central figure of Esoteric Shi'ism, referred to her as "she, whose praises the birds of the earth sing, for whose martyrdom the waves of the seas surge in lamentation". A successful merchant in her own right, she financially supported Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim's ministry and used her resources to protect the nascent Esoteric Shia community from the harassments of Muzdatijeri Shias.

Born in TOWN NAME, modern-day Maqtajer, in YEAR, Zahrah was the daughter of a prominent Muzdatijeri Shia theologian. Her father gave her a private education in the arts of writing and the more complex points of religion. In her teenage years, she composed many poems praising the Hidden Imam, for which she gained renown amongst the Muzdatijeri Shia community of TOWNNAME. She became acquainted with the teachings of Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim through a group of early Esoteric Shia believers in her hometown, when Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim was still ministering in Jasil Salabalar. After attending a number of Esoteric Shia gatherings, she became convinced of Esoteric Shi'ism and declared her faith. After her conversion, and subsequent disowning by her family, she soon became a respected figure in the Esoteric Shia community for her active role in supporting the community and in disseminating the religion's teachings to the Muzdatijeri Shias. She was outspoken in her criticism of the Muzdatijeri Shia clergy, which earned her the scorn of the Muzdatijeri Shia community. As the number of Esoteric Shia believers grew in TOWNNAME, she and the Esoteric Shia community were exiled from their hometown, and they travelled to Jasil Salabalar to join Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim and his followers.

Zahrah was best known for her high-profile debates with theologians opposed to Esoteric Shi'ism. Her debate with Shaykh Tayr, leader of the Friday Prayers in Jasil Salabalar, resulted in her meeting her fate; she was strangled to death by Shaykh Tayr's supporters as she left the place of debate. Her death triggered an Esoteric Shia uprising in Jasil Salabalar, which was put down when Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim commanded them to stop and exercise restraints and patience. It was soon after the death of Zahrah that Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim began telling his followers to migrate to Tanjudan, in modern-day Hindia Belanda, as the persecution of the Esoteric Shias of Muzdatijer grew more severe.

Her life, influence and eventual martyrdom turned Zahrah into a revered saint in Esoteric Shi'ism. Her memory is remembered by Esoteric Shias on the Day of Silencing every year; prayers of visitation are recited in her commemoration and alms are distributed in her name. Zahrah was initially buried in Jasil Salabalar, but her remains were brought to Tanjudan by Esoteric Shia emigres. In 1703, her remains were transferred to Java, Hindia Belanda, and buried on the eastern slopes of Mount Ilias, on top of whose grave is a shrine built by the 16th Auxiliary Imam.

See also

• The Five Martyrs
• Al-Sayyid al-Mu'alim
• Esoteric Shi'ism