Martyred Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was not only a leader but also a figure who embraced the entire Islamic Ummah with love, Zeinab Nasrallah, the martyr's daughter, said of her father’s legacy. "It is an honor for me to be the daughter of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah," she told Al Mayadeen in an exclusive interview that aired on Thursday. 

Reflecting on her upbringing, she noted the sacrifices that came with her father’s role. "I was deprived of living the life of a daughter with her father due to his circumstances," she revealed. Despite his frequent absences, she credited her mother for playing a crucial role in their upbringing. "My mother had a great role in raising us and fully agreed with Sayyed [Nasrallah] on the principles of our education."

She described her father as strict when it came to moral and ethical guidelines but never authoritarian. "Sayyed was firm in the red lines he set for us, but he never imposed anything on us. We always followed his guidance because his words convinced us." 

Beyond his public persona, she emphasized his warmth and kindness. "Sayyed was incredibly transparent, affectionate, and compassionate," she said, adding that, in perceiving his relationship with her mother, he exemplified the ideal husband. "He was truly a model of a believing husband who embodied the morals of Ahlul Bayt, peace be upon them."

Sayyed Nasrallah saw the people as his own

Zeinab Nasrallah highlighted her father’s deep sense of responsibility towards the people. "Sayyed saw the people as his own children and felt accountable for them," she said. His concern extended beyond military and political matters to social and economic well-being. "He always strived for a better life for people, whether socially, economically, or even in terms of their faith."

She referenced the lasting impact of Sayyed Abbas al-Moussawi’s words, which remained a guiding principle for her father: "We will serve you with the pupils of our eyes."

Zeinab Nasrallah also spoke about her brother, Hadi, who was martyred in battle. "Sayyed never imposed the idea of jihad on Hadi," she stated. However, his martyrdom strengthened their family’s resolve. "Hadi’s martyrdom gave us even greater motivation and confidence to console the families of other martyrs."

Moreover, she recounted how her father was profoundly influenced by Imam Musa al-Sadr. "Sayyed was deeply affected by Imam Musa al-Sadr; he saw him as a role model and an example to follow," she said. Over the years, Sayyed Nasrallah himself became "a model leader and guide on spiritual, humanitarian, and social levels."

A family’s private loss

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Describing the loss of her father, Zeinab Nasrallah spoke of the immense grief her family and the people shared. "The pain of losing Sayyed is immense. You can see the sorrow of the people—imagine our pain as his family." She wished he could have lived to witness the aftermath of the war. "I wished he could have been with us after the ceasefire, watching people return to their homes. That moment reminded us of the 2006 war."

She noted how the recent victory felt incomplete without him. "This victory felt orphaned without Sayyed. Even the people felt that—they are still waiting for him to come out, give them hope, and congratulate them on the victory."

The deep bond between Sayyed Nasrallah and the people was evident even in mourning. "The love between Sayyed and the people reached such a level that his loss overshadowed, and in some ways, alleviated the pain of losing their own children, husbands, and loved ones."

Beyond his role as a leader, Sayyed Nasrallah was also a devoted grandfather. "His grandchildren eagerly awaited Ramadan because he would set aside an iftar for each family to give us our due time with him," Zeinab Nasrallah shared.

Even in his martyrdom, security concerns have prevented the family from fully grieving. "We have been deprived of visiting his grave due to the security situation," she said.

Zeinab Nasrallah’s words painted a picture of a man whose leadership was defined not only by his strategic vision but also by his deep compassion and unwavering commitment to his people and family.

A love that transcends family

In a similar vein, Zeinab Nasrallah spoke about her late husband Hassan Qassir's dedication to the path of resistance, describing him as a lifelong fighter. "My husband was a mujahid from a very young age... He sealed his life with martyrdom and was always on the front lines," she said.

"He participated in storming many enemy positions that were either seized or liberated. He was a true mujahid," she stated, highlighting his involvement in the 1999 Beit Yahoun operation. "My husband was one of those who stormed the Beit Yahoun site in 1999."

His devotion to Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah extended beyond familial ties. "My husband loved Sayyed to an extraordinary degree—not because he was his father-in-law, but as a leader he looked up to, as a man whose morals, sincerity, and faith he witnessed firsthand."

Hezbollah continues on Sayyed Nasrallah's path

Discussing Hezbollah’s leadership transition, Zeinab Nasrallah reassured supporters that the movement remains steadfast. "The new leadership in Hezbollah is a continuation of Sayyed’s leadership," she asserted.

She underscored the deep bond between the current leaders and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. "Those in Hezbollah’s leadership today are Sayyed’s brothers and comrades—those who were with him in the previous leadership, who built this party and elevated it to its position of honor and dignity."

She called on Hezbollah’s supporters to stand by this leadership. "We call on 'the most honorable people,' the ones Sayyed loved most, to have faith in this leadership and to support it, for the sake of preserving the blood of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah."

Finally, even amid his responsibilities, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's daughter revealed that he remained committed to scholarly pursuits. "Before his martyrdom, Sayyed was attending the Bahth al-Kharij classes in the seminary, which are the highest levels of scholarly study under leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei," she revealed.