It was after 'Asr (afternoon) on the Day of Ashura. Imam Husayn ('a) lay dead. The earth had trembled! The Furat1 had broken its banks! From the camp of the family of the Holy Prophet (S) such lamentation arose as had never been heard before! Yazid's army had brutally murdered our Imam, his sons, his brothers, his nephews, his companions. No one was spared. Amongst the male adults there remained only our fourth Imam, Imam Zayn al-’Abidin, who lay unconscious in his tent with his young son Muhammad (al-Baqir) hovering around him, weeping.

One would think that even the devil himself would halt in exhaustion after so much evil. But that was not to be! Umar Ibn Sa’ad received a letter from Ibn Ziyad. The governor of Kufa instructed that they should not be satisfied with the death of Husayn ('a). His body must be subjected to the ultimate insult of being trampled by the hooves of horses. And this was done to the grandson of the Holy Prophet (S)!

As the sun was setting in the horizon, the soldiers rushed to Imam Husayn's (‘a) camp in search of booty. They looted every tent. Sakina's earrings were pulled off her ears, splitting her ear lobes. When the little girl pleaded for her veil to be left untouched, she was slapped.

Surely, they would stop now. But they did not. They set fire to all the tents. Humayd Ibn Muslim describes how he saw a little girl with her dress on fire, her ears bleeding, running from the scene of carnage. He says: “I ran after her. I took her by hand. Put out the fire in her dress. I wiped the blood off her ears. She looked at me and said, “You seem like a kind person, are you a Muslim?” I told her I was. She thought a while and then said, “Can you please show me the way to Najaf?” I asked, “Why do you want to go to Najaf at this hour and in this state?” She said, “I want to go and complain to my grandfather Ali Ibn Abi Talib about how they killed my father” Realizing that she was Husayn's daughter, I took her back to her aunt Zaynab”

As the night descended, Bibi Zaynab ('a) gathered all the ladies and children, in to one small space in between the gutted tents. Imam Zayn-al-’Abidin lay on the ground surrounded by these widows and orphans. There was no fire, no light. Only the moon cast its dull light.

Umar Ibn Sa’ad asked Hurr's widow to take some food and water to the ladies and the children. As she neared to where they were resting, Bibi Zaynab ('a) recognized her. She stood up, went towards Hurr's widow and offered her condolences for the death of Hurr. This gesture on the part of Bibi Zaynab ('a), who had suffered so much, lost so many, and carrying so much grief in her heart, is a lesson in Islamic Akhlaq that the world should never be allowed to forget.

Bibi Zaynab ('a) took the jug of water. She went to Sakina2 who had fallen into a fretful sleep. Gently she stroked the girl's disheveled hair. Sakina opened her eyes. Bibi Zaynab ('a) said, “Here is some water, Sakina. Please drink a little. You have been thirsty for so long!”

On hearing the word 'water' Sakina cried out hopefully, “Has my uncle Abbas come back?!”

When she was told that Hurr's widow had brought the water, she got up, went to Hurr's widow, thanked her and then asked Bibi Zaynab ('a): “Have you all drank water?”

Bibi Zaynab ('a) shook her head. Sakina asked, “Why then do you ask me to drink water?”

Bibi Zaynab ('a) said, “Because, my dear, you are the youngest”

Sakina replied, “No! no! Asghar is the youngest!” Sakina took the jug of water, ran towards where Asghar lay buried, crying “Yaa Asghar! Yaa Asghar!”

This was how the homeless spent their night in Karbala’. This was Shami Ghareeban (Farsi)3, the night of the homeless. They had lost everything. Their men had died. Their children had been killed. In this desolate desert our fourth Imam (‘a), the women and the remaining children are huddled where only a few hours before had stood their camp. Abbas, Qasim and Ali Akbar had taken turns to guard the camp. Now Bibi Zaynab ('a) and Bibi Kulthoom lay awake to make sure that Imam Zayn al-’Abidin and the children were not attacked.

Suddenly, Bibi Zaynab ('a) notices that Sakina has disappeared. She is alarmed. She looks around but Husayn's darling daughter is not to be seen. Bibi Zaynab ('a) slowly walks to the battlefield. She comes to where Abbas lay. “Abbas! Abbas! My dear brother, have you seen Sakina?” There is silence! She makes her way to where Husayn's headless body lay. There, hugging her father, she finds Sakina, deep in sleep!!

Dawn breaks out on the desolate sands of Karbala’. What was the battlefield yesterday is a stretch of desert covered with the bodies of the slain. In the corner where there had stood Imam Husayn's (‘a) camp the mourning widows and orphans have completed their morning prayers.

Imam Zayn al-’Abidin (‘a) is in sijdah glorifying Allah. Umar Ibn Sa’ad walks over with a few soldiers and orders the women and the children to be tied with ropes as captives. There is a renewed wailing. Our fourth Imam (‘a) consoles them. He himself is put under heavy chains. Yazid's soldiers spend the day burying their dead. The bodies of the grandson of the Prophet of Islam (S) and the other martyrs are left unattended. Imam Zayn al-’Abidin ('a) pleads to be allowed to bury but all his pleas go unheeded.4

The soldiers had gathered all the bodies but noticed that one body remained missing. The body of a small infant child. They could not find the body of Ali Asghar. Where had he gone? They realized that Imam Husayn ('a) must have buried him in a shallow grave somewhere around the camp, so they started stabbing the ground with their spears in order to find the body of the young baby who they had killed.

They stabbed the land of Karbala, and the spear pierced the chest of Ali Asghar! They pulled the small body out of the ground and cast him aside with the other headless ones from among the Bani Hashim5. Ali Asghar shared the pain of his elder brother Ali Akbar as they were now both laying on the plains of Karbala pierced by the spears of the enemy soldiers.

The army of Yazid went on to loot the tents and the women of their belongings. Now a man comes to the body of Imam Husayn and notices a ring on the Imam’s hand. He tries to remove it, but he can’t. So, this man proceeds to take out his knife and cut off the finger of the grandson of Rasul Allah!6

Another night in Karbala’ followed by another dawn! The prisoners remain tied. Our Imam (‘a) suffers the discomfort of the chain. His wrists and ankles are bruised. On the morning of the 12th Muharram the enemy brings unsaddled camels upon which the women and children are made to mount. A huge procession is being prepared.

At the head of the procession is Umar Ibn Sa’ad followed by the officers. Then a few foot soldiers carrying lances upon which are mounted the heads of the martyrs. In their midst is our fourth Imam (‘a), chained and shackled, then the camels carrying the women and children as prisoners. Shimr and the rest of the infantry bring up the rear. The journey to Kufa begins.

Yes, the tale of Karbala’ is a tale of five sad journeys! Now begins the third journey of tears. We look at the travellers. Some of those who had set out on that first journey, from Mecca to Madina, can be seen but the rest can not. No! They also can be seen if we look around! They are lying slaughtered on the sands of Karbala’.

Who is the hero and who is the heroine of this third journey? We see the hero, handcuffed, chained, exhausted with the long illness and the great suffering, our Fourth Imam, Zayn al-’Abidin. And the heroine? Yes, we see the lady. Her face full of pain and yet reflecting courage and the strength of her spirit! She knows that for the sake of Sakina and the other ladies she can not possibly give in to her grief and sorrow. Yes, it is Bibi Zaynab ('a)!

Umar Ibn Sa’ad cruelty is not exhausted. He decides to lead the procession past where the bodies of the martyrs lie. As the camel carrying Bibi Zaynab ('a) goes past the body of Imam Husayn ('a) she can no longer contain her pain and anguish, and turning her face to Madina she cries out: “Ya Muhammad, the angels in heaven send their blessings upon you! Look here lies your beloved Husayn ('a), so humiliated and disgraced, covered with blood and cut into pieces. Here are we your daughters’ taken captives by Yazid!”

Imam Zayn al-’Abidin walks over to Bibi Zaynab ('a). “Dear Aunt, have patience. Your sacrifices for Islam have only just begun”

Ibn Ziyad, the Governor of Kufa, had declared a holiday. The city was decorated with flags and pennants. People had been told that the rebels who wanted to attack their city and murder them had been defeated at Karbala’ and that their women were being brought into the city as prisoners. Those who believed this, and many did, came out to line the city streets through which the procession was to pass so that they might mock and jeer at the prisoners. Big crowds had gathered everywhere. There was a holiday mood. The procession slowly entered the city and began to move towards the Governor's palace. People jeered and shouted at the prisoners. There were a few, however, who guessed the truth. When they saw Imam Husayn's (‘a) head and saw the misery and grief of the widows and orphans, they began to shed tears. The majority were ignorant. They believed, or found it convenient to believe, the lies which Umar Ibn Sa’ad had told them.7

The Sunni’s till this present day and time celebrate on the Day of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram. I don't know how anybody can celebrate on Ashura day?! This is the day when the grandson of the Prophet (S) was martyred along with his 6-month-old baby, his sons, nephews, and close friends. 72 people who didn’t eat or drink for 3 days against 100,000 troops of Yazid's so called Muslims. Their heads were cut off and put on sticks to be at the front of the caravan of Husayn's women and children who were made to march across the hot desert from Karbala, Iraq to Damascus, Syria as prisoners bound and shackled. Remembering such tragic events how can one begin to even celebrate anything?! The big question is would you think that the Prophet (S) would have celebrated on Ashura day knowing his grandson would be killed on that day?!

It is reported from Jabir Abdullah Ansari that the angel Gabriel brought some clay/soil to the Prophet (S) and told him this was from the land where Imam Husayn ('a) would be killed and told him the events which were to happen where upon the Prophet (S) wept and was very sad. He gave this clay to one of his wives Umm Salma and told her to keep this in a safe place and when she sees this clay turn into blood, she will know that Imam Husayn ('a) was martyred. This prophecy came true on the 10th of Muharram. The rulers of the time wanted to get the people to celebrate this day making it a holiday with fasting and big iftar (dinner) after to make you forget about the tragic events of the 10th of Muharram. They want to replace the events of the day with something else to distract you from what they did to the grandson of the Prophet (S). Wake up and remember true Islam as taught by our Imam Husayn ('a), not the “Islam” of the rulers who killed him and celebrated his death as a victory to their regime. We should mourn the loss of our Imam and remember the sacrifices that Ahl Al-Bayt made for saving Islam.

As the procession neared the palace, the crowds thickened. Most of the people who gathered around the Governor's palace were those who worked for Yazid or supported him. The jeering and insults grew louder. The face of Bibi Zaynab ('a) was red with anger. She stood up on the camel, looked at the crowd and in a loud and clear voice said: “Praise be to Allah and blessings upon my grandfather Muhammad, His beloved Prophet (S)!! Woe unto you, O people of Kufa! Do you know whom you have killed? Do you know what pledge you have broken? Do you know whose blood you have shed? Do you know whose honour you have defiled?”

There was a stunned silence then a gentle sound of people crying! There was a blind old man in the crowd. He had been a companion of Ali ('a). When he heard Bibi Zaynab's voice, he cried out, “By Allah, if I had not known that he had died, I could have sworn that what I just heard was the voice of my master Ali Ibn Abu Taalib”

Imam Zayn al-’Abidin went up to him and said, “Oh Shaikh! This is not Ali but his daughter Zaynab binti Ali! She is the daughter of Fatimah, the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet (S)” The sound of weeping from the crowd grew louder. But as Bibi Zaynab ('a) continued. Immediately there was a hushed silence: “And well may you weep, O people of Kufa! The crime which you committed against your Prophet (S) was so great that the skies shook, the earth trembled, and mountains crumbled down! You have killed your Imam, and by doing so lost your shelter against hardship, evil and kufr (disbelief)! His blood stains your souls. Nothing can protect you from the anger of Allah for having killed the son of the last of His Prophets!”

People could no longer control their wailing. Umar Ibn Sa’ad was frightened and quickly led the prisoners into the palace. The prisoners were brought before Ibn Ziyad. Shaikh al-Mufid reports that Ibn Ziyad sat on his throne and in front of him was the head of Imam Husayn ('a). He frequently poked the face with his cane. An old companion of the Holy Prophet (S), Zayd Ibn Arqam, was in the court and when he witnessed this indignity being inflicted on the head of Imam he cried out, “Take your cane away from those lips! By Allah I have seen the lips of the Apostle of Allah on those lips!”

Ibn Ziyad was livid with rage. He retorted, “O old man! How dare you interrupt our celebrations of the victory of our Imam, Yazid Ibn Mu’awiya. Because of your age I spare your life. Leave my court immediately”

Ibn Ziyad then pointed at Imam Zayn al-’Abidin and asked: “Who is this young man?”

“He is Ali Ibn al-Husayn,” replied Umar Ibn Sa’ad.

“Why is he alive?” asked Ibn Ziyad. and added, “Kill him straight away!”

Bibi Zaynab ('a) rushed forward and planted herself in front of Imam Zayn al-’Abidin. “You will have to kill me first!” She said looking at Ibn Ziyad with such defiance, determination, and anger that Ibn Ziyad got up and walked away ordering that the prisoners be locked up.

Bibi Zaynab's speeches had stirred Kufa. The people of Kufa were filled with remorse. There was unrest in the city. In the marketplace they were whispering: 'What have we done? How could we invite the Prophet's grandson and then desert him to be mercilessly butchered at Karbala’? How can we permit the Holy Prophet's granddaughters be paraded in the streets like servants? What have we done?'

Ibn Ziyad feared that the people of Kufa might rise against him. He ordered that the prison be strictly guarded. No one was allowed to visit them. Only the most trusted guards were allowed in or around the prison. In the meantime, messengers ran between Kufa and Damascus. Although at first Yazid had ordered that the captives be detained at Kufa until he had completed all the arrangements for their entry into Shaam (Damascus), because of the mood in Kufa, Ibn Ziyad was anxious to have the prisoners out of Kufa as soon as possible. It was agreed that they be taken to Shaam.

Once again, the prisoners were assembled, and a procession left Kufa. But this time the departure was kept secret from the people of Kufa and took place at night.

So, began the fourth journey of tears! It was a long and difficult journey.

Who was the hero and who was the heroine of this journey through the Iraqi and the Syrian deserts? Was it Bibi Rubaab, who from her unsaddled camel kept on staring at Ali Asghar's cradle loaded on another camel carrying the goods looted from Husayn's camp during the Shami Ghareeban? Was it Sakina who now sat mournfully on her mother's lap staring at the 'alam of Abbas and her mashk still tied to the 'alam, and who kept whispering: “I am not thirsty, Uncle, I am not thirsty!” Was the hero Imam Zayn al-’Abidin who was made to walk all the way, the hot chains eating into his flesh?

Sometimes our Fourth Imam would faint. His captors however knew no pity. They would flog him if he slowed down or fainted. On these occasions Bibi Zaynab ('a) would intervene to stop the Imam from being flogged to death.

This was the journey of which the hero was the valour of Ali ('a) which ruled the heart of Imam Zayn al-’Abidin ('a) and the heroine was the sabr (patience) of Fatimah az-Zahra’ ('a) which inspired Bibi Zaynab ('a).

The journey from Kufa to Shaam was a long one. It took over twenty days. The women and the children were exhausted. Their suffering was great! Quite often the children would faint under the scorching desert heat and fall off the camels.

The mothers would scream. Imam Zayn al-’Abidin ('a) and Bibi Zaynab ('a) would go looking for the children. Sometimes they would find them by the roadside barely alive and there were occasions when they were discovered too late. Our fourth Imam would dig a grave to bury the dead child. A historian revisiting this route a few years later discovered a large number of small graves on the wayside!

Some Zakir’s relate the following story: “Once Bibi Zaynab ('a) looked at the camel on which Sakina was riding. Sakina was not there! She looked at all the other camels; Sakina was nowhere to be seen. She panicked. Where could Imam Husayn's darling daughter be? She asked Shimr to untie her to that she could go and look for Sakina. At first Shimr responded with his whip. Unmindful of her own pain she kept on begging.

Shimr untied her with the warning that if she did not return soon, he would flog Imam Zayn al-’Abidin to death. Bibi Zaynab ('a) ran in the direction from which they had travelled. Some distance away she saw an elderly lady holding Sakina affectionately, kissing her cheeks and wiping away her tears. She could hear Sakina telling the lady how her uncle Abbas had gone to fetch her water and how he had never returned. When Sakina saw her aunt, she explained that she had fallen off the camel but the kind lady had looked after her. Bibi Zaynab ('a) turned to the lady and said, “May Allah reward you for your kindness to this orphan!” The lady replied, “Zaynab, my dear, how can you thank your own mother? Do you not recognize me?” As the lady lifted her face, Bibi Zaynab saw that it was Fatimah az-Zahra’!!8

The Christian Monk

One night they rested in the mountaintop of a hermitage of a monk who had devoted his life to prayers and meditation. Shimr gave the heads of the martyrs to him for safe keeping. Just one look at the face of Imam Husayn ('a) convinced the hermit that it was the head of a saint. He took it with him and kept it near his bed and then retired to sleep.

At night he dreamt that all the Prophets and angels had descended from heaven to keep watch over the head. He woke up from his sleep startled and baffled as to what he should do. He decided to ask the leader of the guards about the identity of the people whom they had beheaded and whose family they had taken prisoners.

Rushing out of the monastery he woke up Shimr and demanded to know who the martyrs were. When Shimr told him that the army of Yazid had killed the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (S) who had defied the authority of the ruler Yazid Ibn Mu’awiya and refused to acknowledge his spiritual superiority and they were carrying the heads of all the people who had been killed in Karbala, the hermit was shocked beyond words.

Recovering himself he said: “You cursed people! Do you realize that you have committed the most heinous crime by beheading your own Prophet’s grandson who undoubtedly was a great saint! Fie upon you coward that not satisfied with what you have done that you are so brutally treating his innocent ladies and children and subjecting them to such atrocities!” 9

He asked to kiss the head, but they refused till he paid them some money. He declared the testimony of faith and embraced Islam through the blessing of the one who was just beheaded for supporting the divine call.10

These words of the hermit enraged Shimr who had even otherwise lost his temper with him for waking him up from sleep in the dead of night. With one sweep of his sword, he chopped off the hermit’s head. This brute had little regard for the Prophet’s injuctions and orders granting the fullest protection to those who had retired from the world and dedicated their lives to prayers and penance. When the life of the Prophet’s own grandson was not spared by this brute what regard could he be expected to have for the commands of the Prophet (S)?11

When they left that place, they looked at the money the monk had given them and saw this verse inscribed on it “And those who oppressed shall come to find how evil their end shall be”12

When the caravan reached the outskirts of Damascus Omar Sa'ad sent a message to Yazid that they had arrived. Yazid ordered that the caravan remain where it was until the morning. He wanted the people of Shaam to line the streets to look at the captives and witness his victory. In the meantime, the streets through which the captives were to be marched were being decorated with flags and pennants.

Bibi Zaynab ('a) had conquered Kufa. Now Shaam had come and was waiting for her!

The Court Of Yazid

When at long last the caravan reached the outskirts of Damascus, Umar Ibn Sa’ad received a message that the prisoners were not to be brought into the capital until Yazid had completed all the preparations.

Yazid invited all the ambassadors, foreign dignitaries, and leading citizens to his court. People were ordered to line up the streets. Musicians were asked to play music and dancers were told to dance in the streets. Such were the festivities organized by the Khalifah for the entry of the grandson and the grand daughters of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S) into what had become the metropolis of the Islamic Empire!!

Surrounded by the dancers, the musicians, and the jeering crowds of the citizens of Damascus the prisoners were led toward the palace of Yazid. The ladies had been forced to travel from Karbala’ to Kufa, and Kufa to Shaam with their arms tied with a single rope. If any one of them stumbled, she was whipped. Never in the history of Islam had prisoners been treated with disrespect, let alone the cruelty meted out to the members of the Holy Prophet's household and now this ultimate insult of being led into the court of Yazid like a herd of cattle!

Bibi Zaynab ('a) seemed to be drawing strength from some divine source. She wiped away her tears. Imam Zayn al-’Abidin (‘a) straightened himself. Exuding dignity and confidence, he maintained his position behind the bearer of the lance upon which was mounted his father's head. Such was the jostle of the multitude thronging the streets that it took them more than twelve hours to traverse the short distance between the city gates and the palace.

They entered the palace and were made to stand in front of Yazid. The tyrant was dressed in his best finery. Umar Ibn Sa’ad formally presented Imam Husayn’s head to him. Yazid, with a cup of wine in one hand, ceremoniously accepted the ultimate symbol of his victory and commanded Umar Ibn Sa’ad to call out the names of the prisoners.

And then, in his drunken arrogance, Yazid recited a few couplets which enshrine a diabolical confession, a confession that explains the history of the division in Islam and the motives not only his but of his father and grandfather in accepting Islam! He said: “If my venerable ancestors who fell at Badr fighting Muhammad had witnessed how the supporters of Muhammad's faith were thrown into confusion with thrusts given with my spears, they would be blessing me today. The Banu Hashim played a trick to win power. There was never any revelation to them nor did they receive any revelation. Today the souls of my ancestors and friends killed by Muhammad at Badr will rest in peace!”

The foundation of the Umayyad dynasty was vengeance against Islam, a blood thirsty continuation of Uhud where Yazid's grand-mother had been only partially successful in her determination to have Ali and Hamza killed in retaliation for the deaths of her father and brother at Badr!! Yazid never believed in Islam, and yet the system forced upon the people after the death of the Holy Prophet (S) had resulted in this worst of all the hypocrites becoming the Khalifah of the Holy Prophet (S) and the Amir Al-Mu’minin of the ummah!!

Yazid looked at the prisoners lined up in front of him. He said: “It has pleased Allah to grant us victory! Look how He has caused the death of Husayn ('a) and humiliated his family!” He then recited an ayah of the Holy Quraan which means 'Allah grants honour to whom He pleases and brings disgrace upon whom He pleases.'

There were over seven hundred dignitaries sitting in the Court. They smiled and nodded approvingly. Bibi Zaynab ('a) could stand it no more! She was filled with wrath. How dare this unclean man say such things? How dare he with his najis tongue recite from Holy Quraan? How dare he make mockery of the family of the Holy Prophet (S)? In a loud and clear voice Bibi Zaynab ('a) said: “O Yazid! Do you think that it is Allah who has caused you to commit all these foul deeds? Do you blame the Rahman and the Rahim for the oppression we have suffered? Do you blame Allah for the death of the beloved grandson of his most beloved Prophet (S)? How dare you make these false accusations against the Almighty? No, Yazid, it was not Allah! It is you, with your insatiable ambition and greed for wealth and power, who are the only cause of the suffering inflicted not only upon the household of the Holy Prophet (S) but on Islam itself!

Do not forget what Allah has said in the Holy Book: “Let not the unbelievers take it that the respite we give them would do them any good. We allow them time in order that they might continue to indulge in sin to their hearts' content. Indeed, a humiliating punishment has been kept ready for them.

Do you think that by killing the grandson of the Holy Prophet (S) and bringing us to your palace as prisoners, you have scored a victory against Islam? No, Yazid, No! Husayn ('a) with his blood has made sure that tyrants like you will not be able to use Islam as a toy to carry out their evil designs. The victory is not yours. The victory is of Husayn ('a)! The victory is of Islam!”

Yazid was stunned! The people present there could not but be moved by what this courageous lady had to say. This lady, who had seen and experienced great suffering, dared today defy the very man who had inflicted those sufferings. Who was she? They asked one another. When they learnt that she was the granddaughter of the Holy Prophet (S), their hearts began to fill with admiration!

In an effort to save the situation Yazid turned towards Imam Zayn al-’Abidin and said: “Well you can tell us who has been victorious?”

The Imam looked at him and replied: “Yazid, final victory can only belong to those on the right path. Let us look at you and look at Husayn. My father, whom you got killed so mercilessly, was the grandson of the Holy Prophet who had said that “Husayn is from me, and I am from Husayn” He was born a Muslim and all his life he upheld the laws and principles of Islam. You are the grandson of Abu Sufiyan and Hinda, who most of their lives fought Islam and the Holy Prophet!”

Yazid was now greatly embarrassed. To silence the Imam, he asked his muezzin to recite the adhaan. When the Muezzin cried out 'Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulu Allah' (I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah) Imam Zayn al-’Abidin, addressing Yazid, said, “Yazid speak the truth! Was Muhammad my grandfather or your grandfather!”

Yazid ordered the prisoners to be moved to a prison. This was not a prison. It was a dungeon! Only a part of it had any sort of ceiling. The rest was open to the sky. An iron grill surrounded the place so that no one could get in or out.

Bibi Zaynab ('a) reports that the place was so cold at nights that no one could have proper sleep. During the day, it got hot like an oven. It is here that our fourth Imam, still under chains, the ladies and the children spent many days of great agony and discomfort.

Bibi Sakina

Bibi Sakina was the youngest daughter of Imam Husayn ('a) (who was otherwise known as Ruqayya). She was a vivacious child, full of love and happiness. Everyone loved Sakina. She was also a very religious girl. She enjoyed reading the Holy Quraan and never missed her prayers. From the age of two she took great care to make sure that her head and face were properly covered when in public.

Sakina was Imam Husayn's most beloved child. Our Imam was often heard to say, “A house without Sakina would not be worth living in!” She always had a sweet and cheerful smile and a very friendly nature. Other children sought her company as much as the grown-ups did. She was very generous and always shared whatever she had with others.

There was a special bond between Abbas and Sakina. He loved her more than he did his own children. If Sakina requested for anything, Abbas would not rest until he satisfied her request. There was nothing that Abbas would not do to make Sakina happy.

During the journey from Madina to Mecca and then Mecca to Karbala’, Abbas was often seen riding up to where Sakina sat to make sure that she had everything she wanted. Sakina loved her uncle just as much. While in Madina she would, several times a day, visit the house in which Abbas lived with his family and his mother, Ummul Baneen.

Like any other four old when Sakina went to bed at night, she wanted to spend some time with her father. Imam Husayn ('a) would tell her stories of the Prophets ('a) and of the battles fought by her grandfather Ali ('a). She would rest her head on her father's chest and Husayn ('a) would not move from her until she fell asleep. When from the second of Muharram the armies of Yazid began to gather at Karbala’, Husayn ('a) said to his sister Zaynab ('a), “The time has come for you to get Sakina used to going to sleep without my being there!” Sakina would follow her father at night and Husayn ('a) had to gently take her to Zaynab ('a) or Rubaab.

At Karbala’ when from the seventh Muharram water became scarce Sakina shared whatever little water she had with other children. When soon there was no water at all, the thirsty children would look at Sakina hopefully, and because she could not help them, she would have tears in her eyes. Sakina's lips were parched with thirst.

On the Ashura day, she gave her Mashk to Abbas. He went to get water for her. The children gathered round Sakina with their little cups, knowing that as soon as Abbas brought any water, Sakina would first make sure that they had some before taking any herself. When Sakina saw Imam Husayn ('a) bringing the blood drenched 'alam she knew that her uncle Abbas had been killed. From that day on Sakina never complained of thirst.

Then came the time when the earth shook, and Sakina became an orphan! But even then, she always thought of the others first. She would console her mother on the death of Ali Asghar ('a) and when she saw any other lady or child weeping Sakina would put her little arms around her.

Yes, Sakina never again asked anyone for water. Bibi Zaynab ('a) would persuade her to take a few sips, but she herself would never ask for water or complain of thirst!!!!

From the time when Imam Husayn ('a) fell in the battlefield, Sakina forgot to smile! Kufa saw her as a somber little girl lost in thought. Quite often she would sit up at night. When asked if she wanted anything, she would say, “I just heard a baby cry? Is it Asghar? He must be calling out for me!”

Knowing that her weeping upset her mother, Sakina would cry silently and quickly wipe away her tears! In the prison in Shaam she would stare at the flock of birds flying to their nests at sunset and innocently ask Bibi Zaynab ('a), “Will Sakina be going home like those birds flying to their homes?”13

In the dead of the night Sakina got up with a shriek! She burst into torrents of tears. Her weeping and wailing aroused everybody. Zaynab ('a) rushed to her side and tried to console her. “My beloved child,” she said, “How often have I told you that the last wish of your father was that you should endure all the sufferings that are inflicted on you with complete resignation to the will of Allah?”

The child tried to control herself and replied: “Dear aunt, I know that, but in my dream I saw my father. He came to me and said ‘O’ Sakina you have suffered enough. My darling, the days of your suffering are over. Now I have come to fetch you. Come with me!’ O’ sister of my beloved father! I narrated to him in my dream all the sufferings I have endured since he did not come back from the battlefield. I told him how I had gone in the dark night in search of him. What a dream it was and what a disappointment it is for me to know that in reality I shall be away from my beloved father!”

Saying this she burst into uncontrollable lamentation. Such was the grief of the child that all the ladies lost control over their emotions and their wailing echoed through the prison walls.

Yazid in his palace adjoining the prison was pacing the floor. He heard the bemoaning and lamentations and sent for his servants to enquire about the cause. Soon they hurried back to report what happened. When Yazid was told that Sakina had seen her father in her dream and was disconsolate, he asked his men to put the head of Husayn ('a) on a silver tray, cover it with a silk cloth and take it to the prison.

This was done and the prison door was opened. Yazid’s men entered with the covered tray, and they placed it before Sakina. The child cried out: “I am not hungry and I do not want food. I only want to see my father. Why has he left me after promising me that he would not leave me for long?”

One of Yazid’s attendants removed the cloth from the tray and Sakina beheld the face of her father, the face she had kissed a million times. It was the same dear, dear face though the beard was smeared with blood. With a cry she flung herself on the tray and snatched the head from it, hugging it to her heart. In indescribable grief she bent down over the head putting her small cheeks against the cheeks of her father as she used to do when he was alive. Within a few moments her sobs stopped and so did her heartbeats.

When Zaynab ('a) saw the child lying motionless on the head of her father she went over to her and whispered with tears in her eyes: “O’ Sakina how long will you lie on your fathers head?” She touched her hand only to find that life was extinct, to find that Sakina had gone with her father never to return to this world where she had known nothing but tortures and torments since her becoming an orphan. She realized that her beloved father Husayn ('a) had kept his promise given to the child in her dream not to leave her in the cell.14

How was Sakina buried? Zaynab ('a) held the still child as Imam Zayn al-’Abidin dug a grave in the cell. As the grave was being filled up after the burial the mother let out a scream! How could anyone console Bibi Rubaab? What could they say? They huddled around her, and the prison walls began to shake with the cry: “Yaa Sakina, Yaa mazloomah (O’ Oppressed One)!!” Bibi Rubaab put her cheek on Sakina's grave and cried out: “Speak to me, Sakina! Only a word, my child! Speak to me!!”

The tragedy of Karbala’ had begun to arouse great sympathy for the Ahl ul Bait in Hejaz (Arabia) and Iraq. Even in Damascus some people began to ask whether it was necessary to inflict so much suffering on the members of the family of the Holy Prophet (S).

When the charming little Sakina died and the people of Damascus came to learn about the death of the little girl whom they had seen and come to admire, they began to talk openly about Yazid's cruelty. Yazid feared that the people might rise against him. He was now anxious to get rid of the prisoners.

He called Imam Zayn al-’Abidin and told him that he was prepared to free them and compensate them for the death of the martyrs. He also asked the fourth Imam whether they wanted to remain in Damascus or return to Madina. Imam Zayn al-’Abidin replied that he would consult his aunt Zaynab ('a).

When Imam spoke to Bibi Zaynab ('a) she was grief stricken at the audacity of Yazid in offering compensation. She said, “Tell Yazid to talk of compensation with the Holy Prophet (S). We would certainly return to Madina. But first Yazid should provide a house so that we may hold mourning ceremonies for the martyrs in Damascus. We shall then go to Madina via Karbala’ to visit the graves of the martyrs”

Imam Zayn al-’Abidin (‘a) conveyed the message to Yazid who after some hesitation agreed. In asking for a house to mourn the martyrs in Damascus Bibi Zaynab ('a) scored a major victory over Yazid. When this house was made available the ladies held Aza’ al-Husayn ('a) for seven days in the very city which was the capital of Yazid who had murdered Imam Husayn ('a).

The women of Damascus poured in to offer their condolences and Bibi Zaynab ('a) and the other ladies would tell them of how the martyrs had been killed, how they had been denied water, how young children had been crying al-‘Atash (I’m Thirsty), how Imam had taken Ali Asghar and pleaded for a few drops of water and how the baby had been slain. These tales so moved the ladies of Damascus that they would break into sobs and begin wailing and beating their chests.

Thus, in the very house of the murderer Bibi Zaynab ('a) laid the foundation of Aza’ al-Husayn15. This is so much like the story of Musa ('a). Firaun orders all the male children of Banu Israel to be put to death. Allah's miracle is that his Prophet finds refuge in the palace of the very Firaun who had plotted to kill him!

These majalis16 have continued to this day. Every Muharram Shi’a all over the world gather together to mourn the tragedy that took place more that 1,350 years ago. These majalis have a great meaning for us. Firstly, they mean that we love our Imam and grieve for the suffering to which he was subjected.

Secondly, they mean that year after year we protest against all that Yazid stood for. We make a solemn promise to Allah never to follow Yazid's footsteps. In whatever country we may be, we have to remember that taking alcohol or any kind of drugs, is Yazid's way. To keep ourselves ignorant of Quraan or Islamic way of life is Yazid's way. To oppress anyone, is Yazid's way. To indulge in any un-Islamic activity, is Yazid's way. We can not truly mourn Husayn ('a) and then continue to follow Yazid in our actions!!17

• 1. Euphrates River.
• 2. Who was otherwise known as Ruqayya.
• 3. Lailatul Wahshah in Arabic.
• 4. The Journey of Tears by Bashir Hasanali Rahim.
• 5. Tribe of the Holy Prophet (S).
• 6. Recalling the Sacrifices of Karbala by Sheikh Mateen Charbonneau.
• 7. The Journey of Tears by Bashir Hasanali Rahim.
• 8. The Journey of Tears by Bashir Hasanali Rahim.
• 9. Tears and Tributes by Zakir.
• 10. Karbala and Beyond by Yasin Al-Jibouri.
• 11. Tears and Tributes by Zakir.
• 12. Karbala and Beyond by Yasin Al-Jibouri.
• 13. The Journey of Tears by Bashir Hasanali Rahim.
• 14. Tears and Tributes by Zakir.
• 15. Mourning of Imam Hussain.
• 16. Gatherings.
• 17. The Journey of Tears by Bashir Hasanali Rahim.