Tears and Tributes
-
Upload
volcanohts -
Category
Documents
-
view
59 -
download
1
Transcript of Tears and Tributes
Chapter1.BetrayalinKufa
Pin‐dropsilenceprevailedinthemosqueatKufawherealargecongregationhadgatheredto
offereveningprayers.Outsidethemosquethetown‐crierwasreadingoutofthe
proclamation.Everyoneofthecongregationwasstraininghisearstolistentoeveryword
withraptattention.
Atthetopofhisvoicethetown‐crierwasshouting:“BeitknowntothepeopleofKufathat
Obeidullah,sonofZiad,hasassumedthegovernorshipofKufaundertheordersoftheKhalif.
HehasnotedwithperturbationthatthepeopleofKufahaveextendedtheirwelcometo
Muslim,sonofAqil,whohascomefromMedinaasanemissaryofHusain,sonofAli,whohas
declinedtooweallegiancetotheKhalif.Itisherebyproclaimedfortheinformationofallthe
citizensofKufathatanypersonfoundassociatingwithMuslim,sonofAqil,willbeconsidered
arebelagainsttheKhalifand,bywayofpunishment,hewillbehanged,drawnandquartered,
hisentirefamilywillbeputtotheswordandhispropertyconfiscated.Incaseofthosewho
havehithertoextendedtheirwelcometohim,iftheynowrepentanddesistfromdoingso,
amnestywillbegiven.”
Withbatedbreath,everyonelistenedtotheproclamation.ItwasthissameMuslim,sonof
Aqil,whowastoleadtheprayersthatevening,andastheproclamationendedhearoseto
fulfillhisduty.Afewexchangedenquiringglanceswiththeirfriends.Someotherswhispered
somewordstotheirneighbors.Atthismoment,thecallforprayerswasgivenandMuslim
silentlyrosetoleadthecongregationalprayers.
WhenMuslimcompletedtheprayersandturnedback,hefoundthemosqueempty,exceptfor
onepersononly–HaneeIbneOrwahatwhosehouseMuslimwasstayingasaguest.Thetwo
lookedateachother.NowordswereneededtotellMuslimwhythepeopleofKufahad
desertedhim.ThepeopleofKufa,whohadsopersistentlyaskedHusaintocomeovertothem
totakeuptheresponsibilitiesoftheirspiritualameliorationhad,onhearingthe
proclamation,gotscaredoutoftheirwits.Therewerethepeoplewhohadinthepast
betrayedMuslim’suncleAli,theCommanderoftheFaithful,andshowncowardiceintimesof
troubleandtribulations.ThesewerethepeoplewhohaddesertedMuslim’scousin,Hasan,
sonofAli,inhishourofneed.
Muslimstoodforawhilemotionless.Hisfacewasfullofanguish.Hewasnotdismayedatthe
fatethatawaitedhim,becauseafightingdeathwasnottheheritageofhisfamily.Hewasonly
disconsolateatthethoughtthathehadreposedconfidenceinthesepeople’ssincerityand
writtentohiscousin,Husain,tocomeovertoKufaastheirmoral,mentalandspiritual
preceptor,tosavethemfromsinkingintothedepthsofmoraldegradation.Howhewishedhe
hadnotbeenhastyaboutjudgingthesepeople!
Amoment’sreflectionwassufficienttomakeuphismind.Atleasttherewasonemanwith
himwhocouldbereliedupon.IfhecouldonlysendamessagetoHusainthroughHaneeIbne
OrwahaboutthetreacheryofthepeopleofKufa!
WiththesethoughtsMuslimturnedtowardsHanee.Beforehecouldgivetheexpressiontohis
thoughts,HaneeIbneOrwahanticipatedhiswords.Inlowwhispershesaid,“Muslim,my
respectedguest,Iknowwhatisuppermostinyourmind.IfGodenablemetoleavethis
cursedtownintime,Ishallrushpost‐hastetowarnourmasterandImamtoturnback.”He
hunghisheaddownandinatonewhichwashardlyaudible,added,asifmutteringtohimself,
“Muslim,mydutytowardsyouasyourhostdemandsthatIshouldremainheretoprotectyou
andshedthelastdropofmybloodinyourdefense.ButIknowthatyouwouldlikemeto
attendmyhigherdutywhichwebothowetoourLord,HusainIbneAli.Thereinhardlytime
tobelostandsoIbidyoufarewell.MayAlmightyGodprotectyouandyourinnocentsons
fromthefuryofthesetreacherousfiends.”
HaneeIbneOrwahrushedoutoftheMosque.Heknewthathehadtoactquickly,ifatallhe
wastosucceedinhismission.BeforeleavingKufa,hehadtodosomethingforthesafetyof
the2youngsonsofMuslimwhohadnotyetreachedtheirteens.Hewasquicklyrevolvingin
hismindhowhecouldhidetheseinnocentboysandwhere.Hecouldnotthinkofanybody
knowntohimwhowouldbetrustedtogivesheltertothem.Hehardlyhadanytimeathis
disposaltomakearrangementsbecausehisparamountobligationwastoconveyMuslim’s
messagetoImamHusain.Hisquick‐workingminddecidedthatthechildrenofMuslimmust
bewarnedtogetoutofthehousewheretheywerenolongersafeandleavetheresttoGod.
Onreachinghishouse,Haneeaskedhiswifetowhiskthechildrenoutofthehousebythe
backdoorfortheirsafety.Heaskedhisservanttoharnesshishorseasquicklyashecould.
HardlyMuhammadandIbrahim,theyoungsonsofMuslim,hasbeenputontheroadtoface
theworldanditsturmoilsinastrangeandunfriendlycity,thehouseofHaneewas
surroundedbyarmedtrooperssentbyObeidullah.Haneerealizedthatthehopehehad
cherishedtoleavethetownandcarrythemessageofMuslimtoHusainwascompletely
frustrated.HeunsheathedhisswordandhelluponthehirelingsofObeidullahwiththe
intentionofsellinghislifeasdearlyashecould.Theoddsagainsthimweretooheavy.Hewas
soonoverpoweredandchainedandmarchedofftothecourtoftheGovernor.
AfterHanee’sdeparturefromtheMosque,Muslimreflectedforawhile.Atfirst,hismindwas
putateasebyHanee’sassurancethathewouldcarrythewarningtoHusainaboutthe
happeningsinKufa.Butonsecondthoughts,herealizedthattherewaseverypossibilityof
Haneebeingcapturedbeforehecouldleavethetown.Whatifthathappened?Hehadfullest
confidenceinHanee’ssincerity,buthowcouldhebesosurethatHaneewouldbeableto
makegoodhisescapefromKufa?Although,Muslimwasfullyalivetothelotthatwouldbefall
hisinnocentsonsontheircapture,herealizedthattherightcourseforhimwastofindsome
otherpersonwhomhecouldtrusttocarrythemessagetotheImam.Kneelingdownin
prayer,hemuttered,“MercifulAllah,sparemeforawhilesothatIcansendthewarningto
myImam.”
Hecameoutofthemosqueslowly.Hedidnotknowwhichwaytoturn.Heonlyknewthatthe
wholetownhadturnedhostiletohim.Assoonashesteppedoutofthemosque,hesaw
groupsofpeoplecollectedhitherandthitherandengagedinanimatedconversation.On
seeinghimcomingouttheyscatteredandwalkedawayasiftheyhadneverknownhim.
Muslimrealizedthattheywere,oneandall,mortallyafraidofthereprisalsthatwouldbefall
themiftheystoodbyhim.Nowhesawhowdifficultifwasforhimtofindasinglepersonwho
couldfulfillhispurpose;wheretolookforhim;wheretofindhim?
Withaheavyheart,Muslimwasnottrudgingthenarrowby‐lanesofKufa.Thesunwasfast
descendingandthedarknarrowlanesofKufabecomingdarkereverymoment.Makinga
hoodofhisgown,soastocoverhisheadtoavoididentification,Muslimwaswalkingonand
on,almostaimlesslyambling.Thedesertedcobbledpavementswereechoinghisfoot‐steps.
Theonlyothersoundtobeheardwasofthehorses’hoofsasthesoldierswerepatrollingthe
streetsandsearchingforhiminallnooksandcorners.Whilstwalkingaimlessly,hewas
furiouslythinkinghowtofindsomeonewhowouldcarryhismessagetoHusain.
Soondarknessdescendedonthewholetown.Ascurfewhadbeenimposedbytheordersof
theGovernor,notasoulwasventuringout.ItbecameevidenttoMuslimthat,ifhewalkedon,
therewaseverypossibilityofhisbeingarrestedbythepatrolmenand,ifthathappened,his
lasthopeoffindingamessengerwouldvanish.Theeventsofthedayhadmadehimtiredin
bodyandsoul.
Hesatonthedoorstepofahouse,hesitatingwhethertoknockatthedoorandaskforwater.
Whilsthewasstillwavering,heheardtheopeningofthedooragainstwhichhewasleaning.
Anoldladystoodtherewithaflickeringcandleinherhands.Fromherenquiringeyeshe
couldunderstandthatshewaswonderingwhyhewasseatedthere.Muslimturnedtoherand
requestedaglassofwater.Sheaskedhimtowaitforaminuteand,goingintothehouse,
returnedwithatumblerofwater.Muslimdrankittothelastdropandthankedthelady
profusely.Heagainsatdownonthedoorstep.Theoldladylookedathimforawhileandthen
askedhim,“Myson,whydoyounotreturntoyourhouse?Doyourealizehowyourwifeand
childrenmustbeworryingaboutyoubyyourremainingawayfromthehouseinsuch
troubledatmosphere?Don’tyouhaveahousewithwifeandchildren?”Alumpcameinto
Muslim’sthroatwiththerecollectionofhisfamilyandhome.Controllinghisemotionsand
checkingthetearswhichweregushingfromhiseyes,hesaid,“Goodlady,Ihaveahouse,but
inadistantland.MywifeandyoungdaughtersareathomeandmysonsareinKufabut
perhapstheywillwaitformeforever.”Afterabriefpause,headded,“Inthisunfriendlytown
IhavenohomeandnobodytowhomIcanturnforshelter.”
Thesewordsofdespondencymovedthelady.Sympatheticallyshesaid,“Fromwheredoyou
comeandwhyareyouhereintheretroubledtimes?”
Muslimmurmuredinreply,“IamfromthecityoftheProphet.Icameontheinvitationofthe
peopleofKufaastheirguest.Thoughthousandswelcomedmeonmyarrival,thereisnownot
asoulwhowilladmitmeintohishouse.”
Thevenerableoldladywastakenabackbythisreply.Sheraisedthecandleshewascarrying
tobringtonearerMuslim’sface.Withanexclamationofrecognitionshebentdownonher
kneesandsaid,“MyGod,youareMuslim,theemissaryofmyImam,mybelovedHusain,who
ishuntedbyObeidullah’ssoldiers.HowdidInotrecognizeyouatthefirstglancewhenyour
words,youraccent,yourdemeanor,allhadthestampofpeopleoftheProphet’sHouse?”
Sobbingbitterlyandovercomebycontritionsheadded,“HowwillIfacemyladyFatimaon
thedayofreckoningwhenshewillaskme,‘Taha,myHusain’semissarycametoyou,
friendlessandshelterless,butyoucallouslyandrelentlesslyturnedhimout!’WhatreplywillI
givetoher?TheleastthatIcandoforyouistogiveyoushelterinmyhousetillthe
opportunityarisesforyoutomakegoodyourescapefromthiscursedcitywhosepeopleare
steepedinperfidy.”
Muslimfeltreluctanttoacceptherofferforfearthatthegodfearingoldladymightbe
victimizedforgivinghimprotection.Butonsecondthoughts,hedecidedtostayinherhouse
withthehopethat,ifhecouldavoidarrestforsometime,hemightbeabletofindsomeoneto
carryhismessagetoHusain.
TahaaskedMuslimtoremainintheatticofthehouse.Shegavehimwhateverfoodtherewas
inthehousebuthecouldhardlypartakeofanything.Howcanapersoninhispredicament
relishfood?Hedecidedtopassthenightinprayersashehadapremonitionthatthiswould
behislastnight.
Beforeretiringintotheattic,MuslimtoldTahaabouthisdesiretosendamessagetothe
ImamnottocometoKufainviewofwhathadtranspired.Sheassuredhimthatwhenherson,
whowasintheGovernmentarmedforced,returnedfromhisbeat,shewouldtakehiminher
confidenceandenlisthissupportinfindingsomereliablepersonforthismission.
HardlyafewhourshadpassedwhenTaha’ssonreturnedhome.Helookedtiredandworn
out.WhenTahainquiredfromhimthereasonforhiscominghomesolate,hetoldherthat,
alongwithothersoldiershewaspatrollingthestreetsinsearchofMuslim.Shewasaghastat
thethoughtthatherson,ofallpeople,shouldbeinthepartysearchingforMuslim,whenshe
herselfwasdevotedtotheHouseoftheProphet.Shestronglyprotestedtohersonattherole
hewasplaying.Thatcunningmanturnedroundandassuredhismotherthat,thoughhehad
inthecourseofhisdutytopretendasifhewassearchingforMuslim,inrealityhewasas
muchdevotedtoMuslim,andtheHouseoftheProphet,asshewas.Hisdisingenuous
assurancecarriedconvictiontothesimpleoldladyand,aftermakinghimswearbyhisfaith,
shetookhersonintoconfidenceandtoldhimeverythingaboutthehappeningsofthat
evening.ThecraftysonofTahawasinwardlyelatedatthethoughtthathewouldbeableto
collecttheprizeplacedonMuslim’shead.HisfirstthoughtwastobeheadMusliminhissleep
but,cowardthathewas,hegotscaredatthefatethatwouldbefallhimifMuslimwouldwake
upbeforeheaccomplishedhispurpose.Hethoughtfuriouslyforafewmomentsandthen
decidedtogoandinformObeidullahibneZiadthathehadMusliminhishouseandhecould
beeasilycaptured.Hiswarpedmindquicklyinventedanexcuseforgoingoutinthedeadof
thenight,withoutarousingthesuspicionsofhisnoblemother.Hetoldherthat,asinhis
presence,HaneeIbneOrwah,atwhosehouseMuslimandhistwosonshadbeenstaying,had
beenbeheadedandasthetwoyoungboyswereroamingthestreetsofKufa,hethoughtithis
boundendutytosearchforthemandbringthemhomesothatthefatherandsonscouldbe
reunited.HetoldTahathathewouldalsoseeoneofhistrustedfriendsandthroughhim
arrangetoconveyMuslim’smessagetotheImamforwhichhewassoanxious.Tahawas
takeninbytheguilesofherperfidiousson.Shefeltelatedthathersonwassokeentodothe
goodworkandthathecouldnotwaittilldaybreak.
TheavaricioussonofTahahastenedtotheGovernor’shouseandlostnotimeingetting
himselfadmittedtohispresence.InfactObeidullahwasawakewaitingforthenewsof
Muslim’sarrestashewasmightlyafraidthat,ifMuslimremainedatlarge,hemightsucceed
inrallyingroundhimafewpersonswhocouldofferverystiffoppositiontohisforcesand
evenupsethisuglyplans.Hefeltrelievedandoverjoyedatthetidingsbroughttohimby
Taha’streacherousson.Heimmediatelyorderedoneofthecommandersofhisforcestoget
togetherawell‐equippedcontingentforMuslim’sarrest.
Accompaniedbymountedsoldiers,thetraitorreturnedtohishouseforMuslim’sarrest.
Muslimwasatthattimeengagedinprayers.Whenheheardthebeatingofseveralhorses’
hoofsonthepavedroads,heunderstoodthatthesoldiershadcomeforhisarrest.He
snatchedhisswordwhichwaslyingbyhissideandrushedout.Tahastoodatthethresholdof
herhouseflabbergastedtoseethathersonhadbroughtthesoldiersforthearrestofher
reveredguest.ShefellonMuslim’sfeetandcried,“Muslim,myprince,howcanIexplainto
youthatIhavenotbetrayedyoubutmycursedson,whomItrustedandneversuspectedof
suchblatanttreachery,hasruinedme.Ishallnotletthemcrossmythresholdexceptovermy
deadbody.”MuslimdidnotrequiretobetoldthatTaha’savermentsweresincere.Hegently
toldher,“Mybenefactor,Iknowthatyouhavebeenverykindandconsideratetomeandthe
thoughtofbetrayingmecannotevencrossyournobleandpiousmind.Idonotintheleast
blameyouforthetreacheryofyourson.Asyourguest,whohaspartakenofyourhospitality,I
cannotallowyoutobekilledbythesemercilessbrutesandletyourhousebereducedto
shambles.LetmegooutofthehouseandsellmylifeasdearlyasIcan.”
MuslimgentlypushedasideTahafromthethresholdandwalkedoutswordinhand.Bythis
time,thesoldiershadreachedthehouse.TheyweretakenbysurpriseatseeingMuslim
emergingfromthedoorlikeanenragedlion.Thelanewassonarrowthat2horsescouldnot
comeupabreast.ThisgaveMuslimthebestopportunityforsinglecombat.Thoughhewason
footandthesoldieroppositeofhimwasmounted,hepossessedtheprowesswhichwasthe
heritageofAli’sfamily.Oneaftertheotherthesoldiersweretastingtheswordofthiswarrior
andfallingdownfromtheirhorses.Intheprocesstheyweregettingcrushedandtrampled
underthehoofsofhorsesoftheirownmen.
Theleaderofthebandofsoldiers,whohaddiscreetlykepthimselfbehindhismen,sentword
formoremen.Thoughmoreandmoresoldierswerepouringin,thetopographyofthescene
ofthisstreetbattlewassuchthattheycouldnotattackenmasse.Headsofenemysoldiers
werefallinglikenine‐pins.HourspassedbutstillMuslimwasfightinghisdefensivebattle
mostcourageously.
WhenObeidullahibneZiad’scouriers,whowerebringingtohimthenewsofthefight,
informedhimthatMuslimwasgivingafightthelikeofwhichhadnotbeenseensincethe
daysofAli,theKhalif,hegotinfuriated.Hetauntinglyaskedhisgeneralshowmany
thousandsofwarriorstheyneededtocaptureonesolitaryperson.Oneofthemangrily
retortedtohimthathewasforgettingthatthepersontobecapturedwasnotanordinary
home‐keepingyouthorshoe‐keeperbutarenownedwarrioroftheHouseofAli.Heeven
suggestedthatifObeidullahhadnoconfidenceinthegenerals,hecouldhimselfdemonstrate
hisskillwiththeswordbyofferingcombattoMuslim.Thissuggestionscaredthewitsoutof
Obeidullah.He,ofallpeople,knewwhatitmeanttocrossswordswithAli’snephew.
Swallowingthetaunt,hereplied,“Mygoodgeneral,Ifullyknowwhatitmeanstofightwitha
personsodesperatewhofindshimselfatbay.Insteadoflettingourmendiebyhisswordin
suchlargenumbers,whycannotsomeoneadoptstratagemtomakehimleavehisvantage
positionsothatitmaybeeasiertoattackhimfromallsides?”
ThissuggestionappealedverymuchtothecowardlysoldiersofKufa.Aftersome
consultationsamongstthemselves,theydecidedtosendsoldierstothetopoftheroofofan
adjoiningbuildingandfromtheretohurlstones,burningembersandmissilesatMuslim.It
didnottakethemlongtocarryouttheirstrategy.Withshowersofarrows,stones,fireand
missiles,Muslimwassomuchwoundedthathedecidedtogiveuphisvantageposition.He
chargedonthesoldiersinfrontofhimandtheyfellback.Hewentforward,wieldinghis
sword,andintheprocess,sendingthosewhowerewithinitsreachtotheperditionanddoom
whichtheymerited.
Onceagainhastycounselswereheldamongthecaptainsofthearmy.Someonesuggested
that,sinceMuslimwasnowdesperatelymovingforward,atrenchcouldbedugontheroad
andcoveredupwithstrawsothatitwascompletelycamouflaged.Theideawastotrap
Muslimashemarchedforward.Itwasrealizedthat,withoutsuchsubterfuge,Muslimcould
notbekilledorcapturedwithoutsacrificingthecreamofthearmy.
ThetreacherousruseproposedbyObeidullah’smercenariesworkedasplanned.While
rushingonandwieldinghissworddexterously,Muslimfellintothetrench.Nowthosewho
wereavoidingtocomewithinthereachofhisswordswoopeddownonhim.Withgushing
bloodMuslimcouldnotregainhisfeet.Hetoppledoverandlayunconsciousinthetrench.It
wasnowamatterofminutestocapturehimandsoonhewaschainedandbound.
WhenMuslimregainedconsciousness,hefoundhimselfacaptive.Hiswoundshand
accentuatedhisthirst.Thedawnwasnowbreakingandthecallforprayerswasraisedinthe
mosquesofKufa.Muslimrequestedhiscaptorstogivehimsomewatertodrinkandfor
ablution.Insteadofaccedingtohisrequest,theymockedandjeeredathim.Muslimwas
extremelysurprisedandpainedtoseethatthepeopleofKufa,whowereclaimingtobethe
followersoftheProphet,werefloutingtheinjunctionsofIslamforkindnesstoallinahelpless
predicament.LittledidMuslimknowthatthesesamepeoplewouldbehavewithutter
callousnessandbeastlinesstowardsHusainandhischildreninthenottoodistantfuture!
BeforebeingmarchedofftotheCourtofObeidullah,Muslimwasparadedthroughthestreets
ofKufawithheavychainsonhishandsandfeet.ThepeopleofKufa,whoonlyafewdays
beforewerevyingwithoneanotherjusttohaveaglimpseofhim,werenowwatchinghim
fromtheirwindowswithperfectequanimity,asifhewasanutterstrangertothem.Some
devilsamongstthemwerehard‐heartedenoughtopeltstonesathim.
WhenMuslimwaspresentedbeforeObeidullah,hestooderectwithdignity.Thegovernor
askedhimwhetherheknewthefatethatawaitedhimandhismasterHusainIbneAli.With
utterdisdainMuslimreplied,“OmercenaryofYazid,Idonotcarewhatyoudotome,butIdo
notliketohearyourcursedtonguementioningHusain’sname.”
ObeidullahIbneZiadfeltcrestfallenatthisboldrebukeofMuslim.Withintentionofcreating
animpressionofhismagnanimityonthepeoplewhoweregatheredinhiscourt,hesaidto
Muslim,“Accordingtotheage‐oldArabcustomIwantyoutomentionyourlastdesirebefore
youarebeheadedsothatImayfulfillit.”
AglintofhopecameintoMuslim’seyes.Couldhetakethismanathiswordandaskhimto
sendthemessagewhichhewantedtobeconveyedtohismaster?Likeadrowningmanwho
catchesastraw,Muslimdecidedthat,ifatall,thiswayhisonlychance.Heimmediately
replied,“Obeidullah,ifyouaretruetoyourword,fulfillmylastwishandsendamessageto
mymasterImamHusain,askinghimtogobacktoMedinaandabandontheideaofhisvisitto
Kufa.”
ObeidullahhadneverexpectedthisrequestfromMuslim.Hehadthoughtthatperhaps
Muslimmightrequesthimtosparethelivesofhistwoyoungsonswhentheywerecaptures,
astheyweresuretobe.Forawhilehewasnonplussed;hewasatalosswhattosay.Heknew
thathecouldnotfulfillthiswishofMuslimwithoutincurringthedispleasureofYazid;butto
declinethisrequestwouldbetrayhiminhistruecolor.Hiscrookedminddidnottakelongto
findasolutiontothisproblem.HebeckonedtohisexecutionerstotakeMuslimtothetopof
theGovernmentHouseandtobeheadhim.Heimmediatelydismissedhiscourtandhurried
backtohisapartment.
WhentheswordoftheexecutionerwasswayingoverMuslim’sheadhislastthoughtswere
withhismaster,Husain,whomhehadlovedandcherishedmorethananythinginlife.His
onlyregretwasthattilltheendhecouldnotdowhathewantedmost,towarnHusainagainst
thetreacheryofthepeopleofKufa.Astheswordfellonhisneckhesilentlymutteredaprayer
toGodtosoordainthatHusainmightcometoknowofthehappeningsinKufa.Thiswasthe
lastprayerofthebravewarriorwhostoodsteadfastindeathasinlife.
MercifulGoddidnotallowMuslim’slastprayertogoinvain.Hewholistenstotheprayers
emanatingfromtheheartsofsinceredevoteeslikeMuslim,enabledonewitnesstothe
ghastlyenactmentsofthatday,whohadsomesparksoffaithinhim,togoridingoutofKufa
attheearliestopportunity.HereachedthecampofImamHusainasfewdaysafterMuslim’s
martyrdom.HeconveyedthesadtidingstoHusainwhoweptbitterlyasifhisheartwould
rend.HecalledtheyoungdaughterofMuslim,whowastravelingwithhim,andtoldherthat
henceforthsheshouldregardhimasherguardian.Hegaveonepairofearringstoherand
onetoSakina.Whenthemessengeraskedhimwhetherhewasturningbackandreturningto
MedinainviewofwhathadhappenedtoMuslim,hereplied,“Iamgoingforwardtomeetmy
destiny;tofulfillmypurposeofmylife.Mydeathisbeckoningtomeandsothereisno
questionofmyretracingmysteps.”
Chapter2.Fiftyfourfriends
Somepoet,writingaboutbattleshassaid:"Few,fewshallpart,wheremanymeet."Inaway
thisistrueformostofthebattlesrecordedinhistory.ButthebattleofKarbalaisuniquein
onerespect.NotasinglesoldierfromHussein’sarmysurvivedonthatfatefulday.Hussein
andhisfaithfulfollowerswereoutnumberedtoanextentwhichisalmostunimaginablein
caseofabattle.Stillwhatvalortheydisplayed,whatheroicfeatstheyperformed,what
gloriousexamplestheysettothecominggenerations!
Inotherrespectstoo,thebattleofKarbalacanclaimuniquefeatures.Thiswastheonlybattle
beforethestartofwhichtheCommanderdidnotthinkitnecessarytoexhorthissoldiersto
fightbravelyortosticktotheirground.OntheotherhandHusseinassembledhisdevoted
followersonthenightbeforethebattleand,inatouchingaddress,explainedtothemthat
theywerefreetoleavehimandgoawaywiththeirdearones."Dearfriendsandkinsmen,"he
said,"Iknowwhathardshipsandprivationsyouhavesufferedinrallyingtomyside.Yazid
andhismenareaftermybloodand,ifyoudecidetoleave,theywillbetoohappytogiveyoua
safepassageoutofKarbala.IfyouthinkthatIshallconsideritadesertionandbetrayalin
caseyouleavemenow,letmeassureyouthatIconsiderwhatyouhavedoneformetobe
enoughtoearnmygratitudeandthepleasureofGod."Headdedaftersomethought,Perhaps
youmaybefeelingembarrassedtoleavemelikethis.Iam,therefore,puttingoutthelightsso
that,inthedark,nobodywillknowwhohasleftme."Sayingthis,heorderedthelightstobe
putout.Inthedarktent,notasoulstirred.ThefaithfulfriendsandrelativesofHusseinwere
toomuchovercomebytheiremotionstosayanything.Afterawhile,whenHusseinsawthat
theywouldnotbudgeaninch,helightedthecandlesagain.Hesawallhisbelovedfriendsand
devotedkinsmenstandingsilentlywithheadsbentandtearsflowingfromtheireyes.Someof
themwereoldandbentwithage;someofthemwereyoungandstillintheprimeofyouth.At
lastthesilencewasbrokenbyHabibIbneMazahirwhospokeonbehalfofallthefaithful
companions:"Hussein,tousyouareeverything.Howcanweexplaintoyouthatforeachone
ofuslifewouldbeameaninglessburdenwithoutyou?Itisnotonlybecauseweknowthat
youarethesonoftheHolyProphetbutalsobecauseweknowthatwecannotfindaperson
likeyou,sokind,soconsiderate,solovingandsohelpful.Althoughwecannotdaretocall
ourselvesyourfriends,becauseyouaresosuperiortousineveryway,stillweknowthatyou
havealwaystreatedusasifwewerenotwhatweare,yourhumblefollowers,butasifwe
wereyourdearestfriends."ThesentimentsexpressedbyHabibIbneMazahirwereechoedby
allthefaithfulcompanions,MuslimIbneAusaja,BuraireHamadani,ZuhairIbneKainand
others.Withonevoicetheysaid:"Wecanonlyconsiderourselvessuccessfulinlifeifwediein
defendingyou.Withoutyoulifeforuswouldnotbeworthaday'spurchase."Whatbrave
soulswerethesefaithfulfollowersofHussein!Whatauniqueattachmenttheyhadforhim!
ThefriendsandfollowersofHusseinwhohadgatheredroundhiminKarbalawerefrom
differentwalksoflife.Butallofthemhadsomethingincommonamongstthem—their
unflinchingdevotionforHussein,theirundyingloveandaffectionforhim;theirsupremefaith
inthejusticeofhiscause.Someofthemwerefreemen,soldiersboldandtrue.Otherswere
bondsmenwhohadcometherewiththeirmasters,butwithoutanycompulsion.Evenwhen
theirmastershadgrantedthemfreedomandaskedthemtogoawaywheretheyliked,not
oneofthembudgedaninch;notoneofthemthoughtforamomentofleavingKarbalatosave
hislife.Onthecontrarytheyearnestlyentreated,outoflovewhichwastoodeeprootedand
sinceretobedescribed,thattheyonlywantedonethingandthatwasfreedomtolawdown
theirlivesindefendingHussein.WithwhatsimplicityJawn,thefreeslave,hadasked“Ohmy
Lord,IamaNegroslaveandpeoplesaythatblackpeoplehaveblackbloodalso.Giveisthe
privilegeofhavingourbloodmingledwithbloodofthemartyrsontheplainsofKarbalato
provethatwetoohavefeelingsofdevotion;thatwetoocanrespondtothecallofduty
withoutanycompulsionwiththespontaneityoffreemenofthehighestorder.”Overpowered
bytheexuberanceofhisemotions,hehadsupplicatedthatheshouldnotbedeniedtheright
todemonstratehisundyingdevotionandloveforHussein.
Onthatday,inthefaceoftrialsandtribulations,Husseinhadonlytheconsolationofknowing
thathehadwithhimabandoffaithfulsupportersthelikeofwhichtheworldhadnotseen.
Theywerepersonswhohadrelegatedallpersonalconsiderationstothesecondaryplane,
whodidnotforamomentthinkofwhatwouldhappentotheirwivesandchildrenwho
survivedthem.TheonlythoughtuppermostintheirmindswastoprotectanddefendHussein
andhisfamilyandindoingso,toconsidernosacrificetoogreat.
Topersonsacquaintedwiththesenoblesoulsitwouldnotbeamatterofsurprisethatthey
weredisplayingsuchunflinchingdeterminationtodiefightingforHussein.WasnotHabib
IbneMazahirattachedtoHusseinfromhischildhoodwithaffectionuniqueevenforafriend?
InMedina,duringthelifetimeoftheProphet,whenHabibwasachildofabout8yearsand
wasplayingwithotherladsofhisage,theProphethadpickedhimupwhilstwalkingby,and
hadfondlycaressedthechild.ThecompanionsofMuhammad(SA)whowerewithhimatthat
time,weresurprisedatthisbecause,althoughtheyknewhisloveandaffectionforchildren,
hispickingupthischildinparticularhadseemedinexplicabletothem.Oneofthemhad
venturedtoaskMuhammad(SA)thereasonforthisspecialhandlingofthisboyHabib.
Muhammad(SA)withtearsinhiseyes,hadrepliedthathehadseenHabibdevotedly
followinghisHusseinwhereverhewent;hehadseendhimliterallykissingtheground
troddenbyHussein.TheProphetaddedthathecouldforeseeadaywhenthisverychild
wouldbefriendHusseininamannerwhichwouldmakehisnameimmortal.Surelythiswas
theoccasionMuhammad(SA)wasreferringto.Husseinmusthavebeenawareofthis
prophecyfor,whenhearrivedinKarbala,thefirstthinghedidwastowritetoHabib,who
wasinKufa,informinghimthatheandhiskinsmenhadarrivedinKarbalaandwere
surroundedbyYazid’shordes.WhenHabibreceivedhisletter,hewashavingdinnerwithhis
wife.Onreadingtheletter,heweptbitterly.Whenhiswifehadaskedhimwhathad
happened,hetoldheraboutitscontents.Healsotoldherthat,earlierthatday,whenhehad
gonetothemarkettobuyhenna,hehadheardthenewsthattheforcessentbyObeidullah
IbneZiad,GovernorofKufa,tomassacreHusseinandhisfamily,hadsurroundedhimfromall
sides.Hetoldherthat,onhearingaboutthis,hehadthrownawaythehennawhichhehad
purchasedfordyeinghishairanddecidedtherewouldbenoneedforitnowsincehisown
blood,flowinginHussein’sdefense,woulddothedyeing.Headdedthat,sincethattime,he
wasbroodingoverhowhewouldbreakthisnewstoher.Heofferedtogiveherfreedomand
allhehad,ifshesodesired.ThatfaithfulladytoldHusseinthatshewasfeelingproudatthe
nobledecisionthathehadtakentolaydownhislifeindefenseofHussein.Sheadded:“A
friendinneedisafriendindeed.YouhavebeentakingprideinthefactthatHusaintreatsyou
andregardsyouashischildhoodfriend.Hisfaithinyouisborneoutbythefactthat,ofall
people,hehaswrittentoyouinhishourofneed.IwishyouGodspeed.”
Habibwaspossessedbyonethought—toreachKarbalaasquicklyaspossiblesothathis
reachingthemwasnottoolate.Heaskedhisfaithfulslave,whomhehadtakeninhis
confidenceandinformedabouthisplanstotakehishorseoutsidethetownthatverynight
andwaitforhimtherethathecouldquietlyridetowardsKarbalawithoutanybodyknowing
aboutit.WheninthedeadofthenightHabibreachedthespotwherehisslavewaswaitingfor
himwiththehorse,heheardtheslaveimpatientlymuttering:“Iwonderwhathaddelayedmy
mastersomuch.Ifhehasbeenarrestedonhiswaytothisplace,orpreventedforciblyfrom
cominghere,IshallmyselfrideofftoKarbalaonthishorseandtellHusseinthatmymaster
wasnotforgetfulofhisobligations,wasnotobliviousofthedemandsoffaithfulfriendship,
butwasforciblypreventedfromcoming.ItwouldbetheacmeofsuccessinlifeformeifI
couldfightforHusseinandlaydownmylifeindefendinghim.”Habibblesseshisfaithfulslave
forhisnobilityandfreedhimonthespot.LeavingKufa,hereachedKarbalaonthenightof
the9thofMuharram,whenHusseinwasdistributingarmsagainstthefewselflesssoulswho
wereleftinhiscamp.Hehadkeptasideonesetofarmsandwhensomeofhiscompanions
askedhimthereasonfordoingso,hereplied:“Habib,mydearestfriend,issuretocomewhen
hehearsaboutmyplight.Thesearmsarekeptforhim.”
InHussein’scamptherewasayounglad,Wahab,whohadjustgotmarriedandwasreturning
tohishometownwithhismotherandthenewly‐wedbride.PassingthroughKarbala,they
foundacamppitchedononesideandalargearmypoisedagainstthefewinthosetents.On
enquiriesWahabcametoknowthatHussein,sonofAliandgrandsonoftheProphet,had
beensurroundedonallsidesbyYazid’shordeswhowereinsistingonHusseineitherto
acceptYazid’sspiritualleadershiportodieattheirhands.Wahabcarriedthenewstohiswife
andmother.ThemotherofWahab,whohadknownHusseinfromhischildhoodandwasan
ardentadmirerofAliforhisfearlessbattlesagainstforcesoftyrannyandoppression,knew
thatHusseinwouldneveryieldtothesethreatsandbowhisheadinsubmissiontothewillof
aprofligatepersonlikeYazid,whohadopenlyfloutedalltheinjunctionsofIslamandwho
wastakingprideindefyingandbreakingIslamicprinciples,preceptsandpractices.When
Moawiya,thefatherofYazid,wasrulinginDamascusandpropagatinghatredofAliandthe
Prophet’sfamily,thiscourageouslady,whowaslivingatthattimeinDamascus,hadbeen
openlydenouncingthetyrannyandsacrilegiouspracticesofMoawiya.AswasMoawiya’s
practice,hehadtriedtowinoverthisboldladyofinfluencebyofferingherlargesumsof
moneyinreturnforheragreeingtostoppraisingAliandacknowledgeallegiancetohim.She
hadwithunmitigatedcontempt,spurnedthisoffertoMoawiya’samazementandchagrin.In
surpriseMoawiyahadaskedherhowshecouldbesoadamantwhensheknewAliwouldnot
giveherevenasimpleDirhamwhereashewasofferingheralargesuminsolidgoldcoins.
Withcharacteristicfrankness,sheretortedthatthereasonwhyshepraisedAliand
condemnedhimwasthat,whereasAlwasnotusingstatefundsforbriningpeopletohisside,
Moawiyawasplacingducksanddrakeswiththefundsofthetreasuryoverwhichhehadno
rightandwhichwereheldbyhim,accordingtotheProphet’sruling,intrustforthepeopleof
theMuslimstate.Enragedbythis,MoawiyahadexpelledherfromDamascusaftersubjecting
hertoinhumanetortures.UndeterredbyallthisshehadcontinuedtopraiseAliandhis
family.WhenhersonWahabwasbornlateinherlife,shehadthoughtitherdutytoinculcate
inhimloveofAliandhissons.Shewasalwaystellinghimfromhischildhood,dayinandday
outthatisanoccasionarose,heshouldnotintheleasthesitatetolaydownhislifeindefense
ofAli’ssons.Asifmypremonition,sheknewthat,soonerorlater,therewouldariseaconflict
betweentheforcesofevilandoppressionasrepresentedbyMoawiyaandhisprofligateson
Yazid,andforcesofrighteousnessandIslamicvirtuesrepresentedbythesonsofAli.When
WahabinformedherthatHussein,withafewfaithfulfollowers,wasfacingoverwhelming
odds,sheaskedhersontohurrytohisaid.AllthereofthemcametoHusseinandthemother
beseechedHusseintoletWahabjoinhisfightagainstYazid’sbattalions.WhenHusseinlearnt
thatWahabhadonlygotmarriedonlyacoupleofdaysbefore,heinsistedthathemustleave
himandseeksafetywithhiswifeandmother.Thatbravesonofabravemotherwouldnot
howeveragreetothis.“OhImam,”hesaidwithhisheadbowed,“howisitpossibleformeto
leaveyouandyourdearonesinthiscondition?IfIleaveyouandgoaway,myconscience
wouldeverstingmeforfailingtodomyduty.”HewasabletoconvinceHusseinthathemade
uphismindandnothingcouldmakehimchangehisdecision.
TherewasinHussein’scampMuslimIbneAusaja,avenerablecompanionoftheProphet.Age
hadbenthisbackbutnotdampenedhiszealforthecauseoftruth.HehadseentheProphet
fondlykissingHussein.HehadseentheProphetgettingdownfromthepulpitintheMosque
atMedinainthemidstofasermonwhenHusseinfelldownbytrippingoverthedate‐leafmat.
HehadbeheldtheProphet’sperturbationwhenHussein,duringhischildhood,criedon
accountofanypainsufferedbyhim.Hehadbeenwitnesstothesightwhen,onanEidday,the
ProphethadgonethroughthestreetsofMedinacarryingHassanandHusseinonhistwo
shouldersandutteringthecriesofacamel,topleasethesebelovedchildrenwhowantedto
haveacamelride.HehadheardoneoftheProphet’scompanionsexclaiminamazementat
thissight:“Whatawonderfulmountthesechildrenhavegot!”andtheProphet’sprompt
reply:“Nay,donotsaythat.YoumayrathersaywhatexcellentridersIhavegot.”Thisaged
followerofHusseincouldnotevenbearthethoughtofleavingHusseininthishouroftrial,
thoughHusseindidhisbesttoconvincehimthatathisageofmorethanfourscoreandten,
engaginginbattlewasunthinkable.Thoughagehadphysicallywitheredhim,hisenlightened
spiritsustainedhimandaddedtohisunswervingdeterminationtofightforHusseinandshed
hisbloodtothelastdrop.
TherewasBurairHamadani,thatbravewarriorwhoseprowessinsinglecombathadbecome
legendary.WhenhesawthatAmrSaadandhismenhadmadeuptheirmindtokillHussein
andhiskinsmen,hewasitchingtogivethematasteofhissword,whichhadalwaysstruck
terrorinhisenemies’hearts.WithdifficultyHusseinwasabletorestrainhimandconvince
himthathispurposewasnottoattacktheenemybuttodefendanddielikemartyrs.This
bravewarriorhadcalledameetingofthe53otherfollowersofHusseinontheeveofthe
tenthofMuharramandurgedthemtoguardHusseinandhispeopleagainstanyambushor
surpriseattack.Hehadcautionedthemthattheenemy,whowereknownfortheirstealthy
andcraftytactics,mightmakeasurpriseattackduringthenightandkillHusseinand,ifthis
happened,duringtheirlifetime,anindeliblestigmawouldattachtoallofthemwhichnothing
theycoulddowouldwipeitout.ItwasBurairwho,whilestandingguardoutsideHussein’s
tent,overheardthetalkbetweenHusseinandZainab,whenshehadanxiouslyenquiredfrom
himwhetherhisfollowers,whowerewithhim,wouldfightforhimorleavehim.Hehad,on
hearingthis,calledhisothercompanionsand,withbowedhead,assuredZainabthatthey
wouldnotputbacktheswordsintheirscabbardstilldeathcametothem.Itwasthisbrave
Burairwho,duringhisroundsofthecamp,hadheardthecriesofthethirstychildrenfor
waterandhadcalledafewofthefriendsofHusseintomakearrangementstobringatleast
onebagfullofwatertowetthedrylipsofthechildren.Heandthegallantfewhadmarched
towardstheriverbankwithdeterminationtogetwater,costwhatitmight.Whenchallenged
bythesoldiersofAmrSaad,whowereguardingtheriverbanks,andbeingaskedastowhohe
wasandforwhathehadcome,hehadboldlytoldthemthathewasBurairHamadani,
followerofHussein,andhadcometotakewaterfromtherivertoHussein’scampforthe
thirstychildrenoftheImam.“Wehavenottheleastobjectiontoyouandyourfriends
drinkingasmuchwaterasyouwant,”theyhadreplied,“butwecannotallowyoutotakea
dropofwaterforHussein’schildren.”Howinfuriatedhegotatthisreplyandshoutedbackat
them:“Oheartlessbrutes,youhavenoconsiderationforthehelplesschildrenofHussein
whomthirstiskillingbyinches?Solongastheseinnocentchildrendonotgetwater,itis
unthinkableforanyofustotasteevenadropofit.”Whentheymockinglyrejectedhis
request,hehadadded:fullofrageandfullofgrief,“Ifthatisyourfinalreply,bereadytofight
us,forweshallnotgobackwithoutwater,whatevertheconsequences.”Withwhatbravery
heandahandfuloffriendshadfoughtanddispersedtheregimentthatwasguardingthe
river,andwithwhatsatisfactionhehadfilledthebagwithwaterandhurriedtowardsthe
camp,fightingofftheonslaughtsofsoldierswhohadscurriedtheretopreventwaterbeing
carriedtothechildren!Howwithprideandsatisfactionhehadplacedthebagofwateratthe
feetofthethirstychildrenwhohadclusteredroundthewater‐bagwithshoutsofjoyand
thrownthemselvesonit!Withwhatdismayanddejectionhehadseenthetiedendofthebag
openingunderthecrushofthethirstychildrenandwaterflowingoutonthedrysoil,andthe
childrencryingwithdisappointmentandrubbingtheirbodiesonthewetsand!Movedto
tearsatthisheartrendingsight,howhehadexclaimedinutterdespondency:“Alas,Burair’s
effortshavegoneinvainandthethirstoftheseinnocentshasremainedunquenched!”
Hussein’sdepletedarmy,ifitispermissibletogivethatnomenclaturetothathandfulof
warriors,hadaneleventhhouraddition.ItwasHur,thesonofYazideRiyahi,whohadcome
overtoHussein’ssideontheeveofthebattleofKarbala.Thisbravewarriorwhocommanded
abattalioninthearmyofAmrSaad,hadhisfirstencounterwithHusseinonhiswayto
Karbala.Hur’sforceshadexhaustedtheirwatersupplywhistproceedingtomeetHusseinand
hismenwiththeintentionofpreventinghimfromproceedingtowardsKufaandbrininghim
totheplainofKarbala.Hismenandhorsesweresothirstythattheirtongueswerelolling
fromtheirmouths.WhenHusseinsawtheconditionofHur’smen,heofferedtothemthe
water,whichhewascarryingwithhim.HusseinandAbbaspersonallysupervisedthis
operationandnotonlygavetoHur’smenallthewatertheyneededbutalsoallowedtheir
horsestodrinktheirfill.Afterthis,HurhadaskedHusseintoproceedtowardstheplainof
Karbala.InspiteofHussein’sprotestations,hehadremainedadamant.Hussein,knowingthat
thisbravesoldierwasactingaccordingtohissuperior’sinstructions,withoutrealizingthe
consequencesofhisactions,agreedtodiverthisroute.
WhenHurcutoffHussein’srouteandforcedhimtoproceedtoKarbala,hewasunderthe
beliefthatapeacefulsolutioncouldbefoundinthecourseofnegotiationswithAmrSaad.
LittledidherealizethatthearmyofSyriawoulddaretospillthebloodoftheProphet’s
grandsonandhisbelovedones.Onlyonthenightofthe9thofMuharram,whenan
announcementwasmadebyAmrSaadandShimrthatonthenextdaynoquarterwouldbe
giventoHusseinandhismen,herealizedwhatagreatmistakehehadmadeinforcing
HusseintocometoKarbalaagainsthiswill.Hewasovercomebyrepentance.Contritionwas
gnawingathisheart.HerealizedthatHusseinhadnothingbutpeacefulintentionsandhad
thatnotbeenthecase,hecouldhaveeasilydefeatedhimwhenhehadinterceptedHussein’s
menevenaftergivingwatertohismenandbeasts.HehadhimselfpleadedwithAmrSaadto
makewateravailabletoHusseinandhiskinsmenandthirstychildren,narratingtheincident
ofHusseinprovidingwatertohismenwhentheywereonthevergeofcollapseonaccountof
thirst,aggravatedbytheheatofthedesert.Butallhispleadingsandpersuasionshadbeenin
vain.Whateverhehadurged,hadfallenondeathears.
Hurwaspacingthefloorofhistentlikeacagedlion.Repentancewaseatinguptheheartof
thisgallantsoldierattherealizationthathewasinstrumentalinplacingthisdangerousstate
Hussein,whomhehadinhisheartofheartsalwaysadmiredandrespected.Hewasshaking
withragelikeatwiginafieldfacingagustofwind.Hewasnowconsciousofthefactthatthe
leasthecoulddowastogoovertoHusseinandoffertodieindefendinghimbeforeanyofhis
otherfriendsandfollowers.Oneofhiscolleagues,whosawhiminthisagitatedstatewhile
peepingintohistent,askedhimwithgreatsurprise:“WellHur,Iknowthatmostofthe
soldiersandofficersinourcamparetremblingintheirshoesatthethoughtoffighting
againstthebravesonsandgrandsonsofAlitomorrow.ButIthoughtyouwouldbean
exceptionandwouldnotbefrightenedbythethoughtofmeetingyourdeathonthe
battlefield.”Herepliedwithdisdaininhisvoice:“I’mnotafraidoffacingdeath,butIshudder
tothinkwhatperditionIshallhavetofaceonthedayofResurrectionifIfightagainstthe
grandsonoftheProphetwhowasmybenefactorwhenmymenandIwereathismercyand
wereoverpoweredbythirst.WhatanswerwillIbeabletogivetomyMakerontheDayof
JudgmentwhenHewillaskmewhyIhadbetrayedmyownbenefactor?”
ItdidnottakeHurverylongtoresolvethismentalconflict.Itwasnotadifficultchoicefor
him—eithertochoosetheworldlygains,thefishesandloavesofoffice,powerandpelfwhich
hewouldgetinplentybyremaininginYazid’sarmy,ortoacceptcertaindeathwhichawaited
himincasehewentovertoHussein’scamp.Itwasachoicebetweenhellandheavenandhe
unhesingtatedlychosethelatterwithoutanymentalreservations.Herevealedhisintentions
tohissonandfaithfulslave.Bothofthemwhole‐heartedlyagreedwithhischoiceanddecided
tocrossovertoHussein’ssideregardlessoftheconsequences.Allthreeofthemmounted
theirhorsesandrodeoff.BeforereachingtheoutskirtsofHussein’scamp,thedismounted
fromtheirhorses.TheywerehearingahumofprayersfromthetentsofHussein’sfollowers
andfrequentcriesofthirstychildren.HurfeltthathewasresponsibleforbringingHussein
andhisfamilytothisstateandwhateverhedid,couldnotremovethestigmathatwould
foreverattachtohimfortherolehehadplayedinbringingHusseintoKarbala.Hehadasked
hissontotieuphishandssothathecouldsurrenderhimselftoHusseinandabjectlyaskfor
hisforgiveness.
Seeingallthreeofthemapproachtheircamp,HusseinandAbscameforward.Hurfelldown
onhiskneesandbeggedHusseintoforgivehimforwhathehaddone.“HadIknownthatmy
actiononthatdaywouldcometosuchapass,”hesaid,“Iwouldneverhavesoobstinately
insistedonyourchangingyourroute.”Withtearsinhiseyesheentreated:“OhHussein,my
master,Iconsidermycrimeheinousandunpardonable.TheleastIcandonoislaydownmy
lifefirst,beforeanyonefromamongstyouiskilled.Ihavebroughtmysonwithmetodiein
defendingyoursons.Ithrowmyselfonyourmercyandimploreyoutoforgivemeas,without
pourpardon,Icanneverredeemmysoul.”
HusseinwasdeeplymovedbyHur’swords.Advancingtowardshim,heembracedhimwith
cordialitypeculiartohimandsaid:“Hur,mynoblefriend.Idonotintheleastblameyoufor
whatyouhavedone.Thestrengthofcharacteryouhavedisplayedbyspurringallworldly
gainsandallthetemptingallurementsofthisworldlylifewhichwouldhavecometoyouhad
youremainedontheotherside,hasaddedinchestoyourmoralstature.Ifthereisatall
anythingtobeforgiven,Ihavealreadyforgivenyou.Nay,Iconsideryoutobemyhonored
guest.MyregretisthatIcannotdoanythingforyouatthistimewhen,contrarytohaving
meansofentertainingyou,wedonotevenhaveamorseloffoodoradropofwatertooffer
you.”
Hurwasrenderedspeechlessatthisdisplayofgenerosity.Hehadheardsomuchofthe
forgivenessandothernobletraitsinthecharacterofthegrandsonsoftheProphetbuthewas
surprisedthat,withoutawordofreproach,withouttheleastcastigation,withouttheleast
bitternessorrancour,Husseinhadwelcomedhimwithopenarms.
Likemothshoveringroundacandle,Hussein’scompanionsandkinsmensurroundedhim
throughoutthenight.Itwasasleeplessnightforthem,everyminutewhichwasspentinthe
remembranceoftheCreatororinexhortingoneanothertoseethatnoharmcametoHussein
solongasanyoneofthemwerealive.Withthebreakingofdawn,AliAkbargavethecallfor
morningprayers.Astheyweremakingpreparationsfortheirprayers,avolleyofarrows
greetedthemfromtheenemy’sside.AmrSaadwasthefirsttofireanarrowinHussein’s
direction,aftercallinghismentobearwitnesstothisactbeforeYazid.Blindedbythelureof
rewards,hebeganthedaywithadespicabledeedwhichwastocondemnhimandhisname
tilleternity.
Seeingthehostileactionsoftheenemy,Hussein’sfriendsandcompanionsheldhasty
consultationsanddecidedthatafewofthemshouldstandroundHusseinwhiletherestofthe
congregationengagedinprayers,sothatnoharmwasdonetothembytheenemy’sarrows.
StandingasshieldsinfrontoftheImam,thesebravesoldiersweremovingsidetosidenotto
dodgethearrows,butreceivethemontheirbodiestoprotectthoseengagedinprayers.
Whentheprayerswereoverabout23ofHussein’ssoldierswereseriouslywounded.
Withtherisingofthesun,theenemystartedbeatingbattle‐drums.Abovethedinofthe
battle‐drumsrosethecriesofenemysoldierschallengingHusseintosendhismenfor
combatswiththem.Hurwasadamantlyinsistingthatheandhissonandslave,whomhe
lovedasmuchashisson,shouldbeallowedtogofirst.Perhapshehadatthebackofhismind
theideathatthebattalionof1,000,whichhehadcommandedinAmrSaad’sarmy,couldbe
movedbyhisappealonHussein’sbehalf,andifhesucceededinmakingthemwaver,the
otherstomightfollowsuit.Hehadsomerayofhopethathemightbeabletosavethedayand
undowhathehaddonebybringingHusseintoKarbala.
MountinghishorseandgettingpermissionfromHussein,Hurrodeoutwithhissonandslave.
PausingbeforethearmyofYazid,hedeliveredaharanguefullofeloquenceandpersuasion.
Hetoldtheenemysoldiersthatonlytillthepreviousnighthewaswiththembutwhenthe
realizationofwhathewasdoinghaddawnedonhim,hehaddecidedtogoovertothesideof
truthandjusticerepresentedbyHussein.Hetoldthemthatatthetimehefeltasifhewas
poisedonthetopofahugeridgeoffate,ononesideofwhichlayheavenandontheother
hell;thathehadmadethechoicerealizingthatthisworldwastransitoryandallthatit
offeredwasephemeral.Heeloquentlyurgedthemtorealizethatallthebewitchingthingsand
adornmentswhichlifeofferedthemwerelikeapplesofSodom,goodtolookatbutgallworm‐
woodtothetaste.HequotedtothemversesfromtheQurantotheeffectthatkillingofan
innocentcamelofaProphetofyorehadbroughtdownthewrathofGod.Heaskedthemto
reflectonwhatthekillingofthegrandsonoftheProphetofIslam,whomhehadadoredand
lovedsomuch,wouldbringdownonthem.Hiswordscastamagneticspellontheforcewhich
wereerstwhileunderhiscommand.ShimrrealizedthatallwouldbelostifHurwasallowed
tospeakfurthertothearmyunderhiscommand.HewhisperedtoAmrSaadtoorderhismen
toattackHur,hissonandslavewithoutmeetingtheminasinglecombat,thoughsuchanact
wascontrarytotheacceptedrulesofbattlesinthosedays.AmrSaadatonceorderedhis
armytolaunchamassattackonthethreeofthemandpromisedfabulousrewardstothose
whosucceededinkillingthem.ThecupidityofthosehirelingsofYazidwasarousedand,
forgettingeverything,theyfelluponHur,hissonandslave,allthreeofthemwhomwielded
theirswordsindefense.Suchwastheirskillwiththeswordthat,thoughhopelessly
outnumbered,theykilledenemysoldiersbydozens.Hurrushedthroughtheenemyranks,
dexterouslyusinghissword.Verysoontheoddsbegantotellagainstallthreeofthem.First
tofallwasHur’ssonandthenhisslave.Hurhadadvancedaconsiderabledistancefightingthe
foesonbothsidesofhim.Exhaustedwiththeflowofbloodfromadeepheadwound,he
becamegiddyandfelloverfromhishorse.Evenatthatmomenthehadadesiretohearfrom
Hussein’slipsonceagainthathehadforgivenhim.Musteringallhisstrengthheshoutedfor
Husseinbeforehestruckthegroundandbecameunconscious.
OnhearingHur’scryHusseinandAbbasrushedoutfromthecamp,swordsinhand.Piercing
theenemyranks,theyreachedtheplacewhereHurwaslying.Husseinliftedhisheadandput
itinhislap.Hecleansedthebloodandtiedhiskerchief,whichhadbeenwovenbyhismother
Fatimawithherownhands,asabandageforthewound.Huropenedhiseyesandlooked
straightintoHussein’seyes.Thoughhewasspeechless,hiseyesconveyedtoHusseinhis
message.HusseinunderstoodandaffectionatelyputhishandonHur’sheadexclaiming:“May
Godblessyouforthenobleroleyouhaveplayedtodayinbefriendingme.”Hearingthese
wordsHurbreathedhislastwithhisheadstillrestinginHussein’slap.HusseinandAbbas
liftedthedeadbodyandcarriedittothecamp.
AfterHurcamethedevotedturnoftheotherdevotedfriendsofHussein.Eachofthemwas
vyingwiththeotherstosacrificehislifefirst.Eachseemedtobeburningwiththedesireto
dieindefendingHusseinandhisbelovedones.HabibIbneMazahir,MuslimIbneAusaja,
BurairHamadani,ZohairIbneKain,Jawnandotherswentouttofightagainsttremendous
odds,flooredmanywarriorsinsinglecombats,andfellfightingbravelyagainsttheattackofa
hostofenemies.EachofthemcalledHusseinastheyfellfromhorseback:“Mymaster,I
conveytoyoumylastsalutations.”OneachoccasionHussein,withAbbas,Akbar,andhis
otherfollowersandfriends,rushedouttobeatthesideofhisdyingfriend.Hisfriendswould
asktheirdyingbrethrenwhethertheyhadanylastwishtoconvey.Theinvariablereplywas:
“Yes,solongasfamily.”Thoseofthemwhowererenderedspeechlesswouldjustpoint
towardsHusseinandbysignsconveytotheothersthattheirlastwishwasthatallthe
companionsshouldfighttothebitterendindefenseofHusseinsothatatleast,solongasthey
werealive,noenemycoulddaretoinflictanywoundsonhim.
TherewasaregularprocessionofdeadbodiescomingtothemorguesinHussein’scamp.
FromearlyinthemorningHusseinwasliftingthebodiesofthemartyrs,hisfaithfuldefenders
andcarryingthemtohiscampassistedbyAbbas,AliAkbarandtheothers.Hewasinsisting
ondoingthishimselfbecauseheconsideredthistobetheleasthecoulddoforthosenoble
soulswhohaddisplayedloveanddevotionforhiminthesemosttryingcircumstancesthe
likeofwhichtheworldhadnotwitnessed.InthiswayhecarriedthebodiesofMuslimIbne
Ausaja,ZoheirIbneKain,BurairHamadani,Jawn,HabibIbneMazahir,andtherest.Hewept
copiouslyovertheirdeadbodies,rememberingtheirloveandaffectionforhim,theirdeep
devotionandtheirspiritofsacrifice.Thedeathofeachfaithfulfriendwasprovingacrippling
blowforHussein.ThesebravesoldiersdidnothavetheirfamilieswiththeminKarbala.Who
couldmourntheirdeath;butHussein’ssistersanddaughtersandtheladiesofhishousewere
mourningtheirdeathasiftheyweretheirownbrothersandsons.
WahabIbneAbdullahKalabi,theyoungnewlymarriedwarriorwhohadjoinedHussein’s
camp,wasthelasttogo.EverytimehewascomingtoHusseinandbegginghimfor
permissiontogotothebattleplaneanddiefighting,butHusseinwasholdinghimback.When
allofHussein’sfaithfulfriendswereexhausted,thisyoungmanfellatHussein’sfeetand
entreatedhimtolethimgo.Husseintoldhimthat,sincehehadhismotherandnewlywed
wifewithhim,heshouldsecuretheirpermissionbecauseheowedadutytothem.The
motherofWahab,whowasnearby,heardthisandtoldtheImamthatsincethemorningshe
hadbeeninsistinguponhersontofightindefenseofHusseinbeforealltheothers.“Ihave
nourishedhimwithmymilkinhischildhood,”shesaid,“andIshallconsiderhimmysononly
ifhediesdefendingyouastheothershavedone.”AccordingtoHussein’sbiddingWahab
wenttohisbridetoseekpermission.Withtearsinhereyesshesaidtohim:“Itisyourfirst
andforemostobligationtodefendtheProphet’sgrandsonandhisfamilyevenatthecostof
yourlife.Ihopetomeetyouinheaven.Iexpectyoutomeetmeatthethresholdofheavenand
topraythatourmeetingtheremaynotbelongdelayed.”Afterashortsilencesheadded
reflectively,“IknowthattheenemywillnotspareasinglemalememberofHussein’sfamily
andtheywillmakeuswomencaptives.Itisverylikelythattheywillshowsomerespectto
theladiesofHussein’sfamilyoutofregardfortheProphet;buttheymaynotshowthesame
considerationtomeandyourmother.IonlywantyoutorequestfromtheImamthathemay
leaveuswiththeladiesofhisfamilysothatwemaybetreatedwiththerespectthatwillbe
accordedtothem.”HusseinassuredWahabthathiswifeandmotherwouldbelookedafterby
ZainabandKulsumandtheotherladiesofhishouse.LittledidWahab’swiferealizethatthe
heartlesssoldiersofYazidwouldtreattheladiesoftheProphet’shouseworsethanordinary
captivesandslaves.Wahabwentouttothebattlefieldanddiedfightinggallantlyliketherest
ofhiscompanions.
Historyisrepletewithinstanceswherebravepersonshaverisentogreatheightsfightingfor
noblecauses:whereoutofloveandaffection,orsenseofdutyanddevotion,peoplehave
enduredhardshipandsufferingsanddiedindefenseofideasthey’vecherished.Butnever
beforeorafterhavedeedsofsuchselflessdevotionandselfabnegationbeenwitnessedasin
Karbalaonthatmemorableday.HowtrulyHurhadspokentothearmyofYazidthatinthis
transitoryworldnothingenduresforeveranddeathistheinevitablegoalofeverylivingsoul.
ThehirelingsofYazid,whoforthesakeofworldlygainsshedthebloodofinnocentmartyrs,
arealldeadandforgotten,andnotastonetellswheretheylie.Thenamesofthosewho
playedaleadingroleinconductingthecarnageonthatday,arerememberedwithfeelingsof
contemptanddisgust.Theremembranceoftheirdastardlydeedsevokesfeelingsofdevotion.
OntheotherhandwhatthefriendsandfollowersofHusseindidinthebattleofKarbalahas
madeheirnamesimmortal.Theirheroicdeedsarerecalledandnarratedeveryyearduring
themonthofMuharramthroughoutthelengthandbreathofIslamiccountriesand
communities.EvenindeaththeylieburiedaroundHusseinandhissons.HabibIbne
Mazahir’sgraveintheentrance‐hallofHussein’smausoleumconveystheimpressionthat,
evenindeath,thisfaithfulfriendofHusseinisservingthedutiesofasentinelashedidonthe
eveofthebattleofKarbala.Eachofthemhadlivedanoblelifeanddiedanobledeath.
Chapter3.Akbar–TheHashemiteprince
ThewholetownofMedinawashummingwithactivity.Peoplefromallpartsofthetownwere
lookingintothestreetoftheHashimiteswhereacaravanwasgettingreadyforajourney.The
eldersofthetownweretalkingtoeachotherinhushedtones,recallingthewordsofthe
Prophet,thatadaywilldawnwhenhisbelovedgrandsonHusainwouldleaveMedinawith
hissons,brothers,nephewsandkinsmen‐nevertoreturn.Therewassadnessonthefacesof
all,youngandold.TheelderlypeoplewereaghastatthethoughtofHusaingoingaway
forever.Theywereaccustomedtoturningtohiminalltheirneeds.TheyouthsofMedina
weresaddenedbythethoughtofAbbasandAliAkbarandQasimgoingawayforgood.Their
anxiousenquiriescouldonlyelicitthismuchinformationthatHusainwithhiskinsmenand
children,wasgoingforHajjandfromtheretoanunknowndestination.
ThoughtsofpartingweretormentingnotonlythemalepopulationofMedinabutalsothe
womenfolkofthetown.Theytoowereaccustomedtothemunificenceoftheladiesofthe
Prophet’shouse.Whowasthereamongstthemwhohadnotreceivedhelpandcounselfrom
thedaughtersofFatima?Whowouldbeleftnowtowhomtheycouldturnintheirhourof
need,whenZainabandKulsum,UmmeRubabandUmmeLailahaldleftMedina?Hadnot
timesoutofnumbertheirchildrenreceivedgiftsandfavorsfromSakinaandRokayya?
Aswastheirwont,thepeopleofMedina,menandwomen,youngandold,hadgonetothe
tomboftheProphettoprayandseeksolace‐topraytoGodwiththeinvocationsofHis
ProphetthattheymightbesparedtheordealofseparationfromHusainandhisfamily.There
atthetomboftheProphettheywitnessedaheart‐rendingscene.TheysawHusainandZainab
prostratewithgriefandsorrow,biddingfarewelltotheProphet.Theysawbothofthem
visitingthegraveofFatimaandlamentingovertheseparationasiftheywerepartingforever.
ItwasrumoredthatHusainwasleavingMedinatoarrangethemarriageofhissonAliAkber
withsomeprincess,someladyofanoblestockinsomedistantland.Couldthisrumorbe
correct?TheyallknewthattherewasnotayoungladofmarriageableageinArabiawho
couldbesaidtobefittoholdacandlebeforehim.Hishandsomelookswerematchedbyhis
handsomedeeds.Hisnobilityofcharacter,hissenseofduty,hisgenerosity,hischivalry,his
geniality,hisloveofjusticeandfairplayhadendearedhimtoeverysoul.Itwasawell‐known
factamongtheArabsthroughoutHedjazthatAliAkbarwasbearingaremarkable
resemblancetotheHolyProphet.Inlooks,invoice,inmannerism,ingaitandineveryway,he
resembledtheProphet.Theresemblancewassomarkedthatpeoplefromfarandwidewere
comingtoseehim,toberemindedoftheProphetwhomtheyweremissingsomuch.Those
whohadnothadthegoodfortunetoseetheProphetweretoldbytheireldersthatAliAkbar
wastheveryimageofMuhammad,mayPeaceofAllahbeonHim.Therecould,therefore,be
noroomfordoubtthatthenoblestfamiliesofArabiacouldconsideritasignalofhonorifthis
scionoftheProphet’sfamilyweretoasktheirdaughterinmarriage.Butthen,ifHusainand
hisfamilywereleavingMedinaforAliAkbar’smarriage,theywouldnotbesecretiveaboutit.
TheProphet’sgrandsonwouldinthatcasehavegivenoutthegoodtidingstothepublic.
Therewasnotalivingbeinginthattownwhoseheartwouldnothavebeenfilledwithjoyto
hearaboutthebetrothalofAliAkbar.AndifmarriageofAliAkbarwasthepurpose,surely
HusainwouldnotchoosethisseasonwhenoutsidetheoasisofMedina,thescorchingheatof
summerwasbakingthedesertsands!
Afterlongdiscussions,byaconsensusofopinion,itwasdecidedtoapproachHusainina
delegationandtodissuadehimfromundertakingthejourney.Someofthevenerable
companionsoftheProphetundertooktoappriseHusainoftheirforebodingsandtheir
recollectionofhisgrandfather’sprophesythat,ifHusainmigratedfromMedinawithhis
family,hewouldnotreturn.
Thecaravanwasalmostreadytodepart.Thehorseswereneighingwithimpatienceand
champingtheirbitsintheoppressiveheatoftheday.Husainwasstandingnearhishorse
intentlywatchingthearrangementsbeingmadebyAbbasandAliAkbar.Hewasreflectively
followingtheirmovementsastheywerehelpingeachladyandeachchildtomountthe
camels,astheywerelendingahelpinghandtotheladieswithtendercareandaffection;as
theladiesweregraciouslyandprofuselythankingthemfortheexcellentarrangementsthey
hadmadefortheircomfortandforprotectingthemfromtheunbearableheatbyholdingtheir
owngownsovertheirheadsasacanopy.ThissighthadsomeinexplicableeffectonHusain,
forhiseyeswereglitteringwithtears.Thesolicitudedisplayedbyhisbrotherandsonforthe
ladiesandchildrenshouldhavefilledhimwithhappiness;but,insteadtheeffectonhimwas
justtheopposite.Washebeholdingtheshadowsofsomecomingevents?
AtthismomentcametherepresentativesofthepeopleofMedina.Withonevoice,they
entreatedHusaintoabandontheideaofundertakingthisjourney.Theirleader,with
supplicationinhisfalteringvoice,besoughtHusaintotellthemwhyhehaddecidedtoleave
themandtheProphet’stombforwhichhehadsomuchattachment.“OSonoftheProphet,if
wehavedispleasedyouinanyway,pleaseforgiveus.”Atthisdisplayofloveandaffection,
Husainwasmovedtotears.Suppressinghissobs,hereplied,“Mydearbrethren,believeme
thatmyheartisbleedingatthisparting‐partingfromyouandfromthegravesofmybeloved
grandfather,mydearestmotherandmybrother,whomIhelddearerthanmylife.Haditnot
beenforthecallofduty,IassureyouIwouldhaveabandonedtheideaofleavingMedina.It
grievesmemostthatIcannotforoncegrantyouyourwisheswhenyoualllovemesodearly.
ButAlmightyAllahhassowilleditandinHisdivinedispensationordainedthatIshould
undertakethisjourney.Iknowwhathardshipsawaitme;buttheProphethasgroomedme
frommychildhoodtofacethem.”
SeeingthatthehandofdestinywassnatchingawayHusainfromthem,theyconferred
amongstthemselvesandsuggestedthat,ifhisdecisiontogofromMedinawasfinal,heshould
takewithhimalltheable‐bodiedpersonsofthetownsothattheycouldprotecthimandhis
people.Theyremindedhimofthetreacherythatwaspervadingtheatmosphereinthe
adjoiningregions.Husain,obviouslymovedbytheirsincereconsiderationforhissafety,
thankedthemprofusely.Buthetoldthemthat,inaccordancewiththewishesoftheProphet,
hehadtofulfillthemissionofhislifeonlywiththosewhoweredestinedtobeassociated
withhiminthetaskconfrontinghim.
WhentheyreceivedthisreplytotheirentreatiesfromHusain,therepresentativeofthe
MedinitesrequestedHusaintograntthemonewish‐toleaveAliAkbarbehindhiminMedina.
“OhHusain,”theyasked,“WecannotbearthethoughtofpartingwithyoursonAliAkbar.He
istheveryimageoftheProphet.Wheneverwefeelovercomebytheremembranceof
Muhammad,wegotoAliAkbartolookathimandtakecomfort.Weshalllookafterhim
betterthanwelookafterourownsons.Wepromisethatweshalltreathiseverywishasa
command.Infairweatherandfoul,weshallstandbyhim.Evenifwedie,weshallcommand
ourchildrenasourdyingwishtoattendtoallhiscomfortsandneeds.Hisexemplarylifehas
beenanobjectlessonforoursonswhoaredevotedtohimasifheweretheirbrother.”These
pleading,whichhadaringofsincerityandearnestness,renderedHusainquitespeechlessfor
atime.HowcouldhetellthemwhatwasinstoreforAliAkbarwhotheylovedandadoredso
much?Whenhissadreflectionshadsubsided,herepliedtotheminatonetingedwithpathos,
“Alas,IonlywishIcouldentrustAliAkbartoyourcare!Inmymission,hehastoplayarole,
theimportanceofwhichIcannotrevealtoyou;butrestassuredthatIshallalwaysremember
yourkindnesstome.Ishallcarrywithmevividmemoriesofhispartingandrememberyouin
myprayers.”
Whentheheavenswereglowingwiththelastraysofday,thecaravanleftonitslong‐drawn
journeytotheunknowndestination.SoondarknessdescendeduponMedinaasifsymbolicof
thedarknessandgloom,whichthedepartureofHusainhadcast,onthetown,associatedwith
amyriadmemoriesofthischildhood.
Meanderingthroughthedesert,thecaravanhadreacheditsdestination‐adestinationthat
Allahhadwilledforit.ThemarchofHusainandhiskinsmeninthisworldhadended;butit
wasjustthebeginningoftheirmarchtowardstheirgoal.Withthedawnofthe10thdayofthe
monthofMuharramtheevents,forwhichtheProphetandAliandFatimahadprepared
Husain,startedunfoldingthemselves.Whatadayitwasandwhatfatefuleventsit
encompassed!
OnebyonethefaithfulfollowerswentouttofightforthecauseofIslam,whichforcedofevil
wereattemptingtostifle,andintheprocessfaceddeath.Intheirgloriousdeathsthey
demonstratedwhatsteadfastnessandunflinchingfaith,whatcourageofconvictioncan
achieveandattainagainstallodds.Withhisdevotedsupportersnowsleepingthesweet
slumberofdeathfromwhichnothingcouldawakenthem,theturnofHusain’ssonsand
brothersandnephewscame.InspiteofHusain’sbesteffortstosendhissonAliAkbartothe
battlefieldbeforeallhisdevotedfriendsandfaithfulfollowers,theywouldnotevenlethim
mentionit.ThethoughtofAliAkbar,Husain’sbelovedson,layingdownhislifeinbattle,when
theywerestillalive,wastoomuchforthem.Itwouldbeblasphemousforthemevento
entertainsuchidea!
AliAkbarwentovertohisfathertoaskhispermissiontogooutintothatgoryarenafrom
whichnopersonfromhiscamphadreturned.Husainlookedathisface;itwouldbemore
correcttosaythatforacoupleofminuteshisstarewasfixedonthatfacewhichhelovedso
much;whichremindedhimeverytimeofhisgrandfatherwhomheresembledeveryinch.He
triedtosaysomethingbuthisvoicefailedhim.Withconsiderableefforthewhisperedwith
downcasteyes:"Akbar,Iwishyouhadbecomeafather;thenyouwouldhaveknownwhatI
amexperiencingatthismoment.Myson,howcanafatheraskhissontogo,whenheknows
thatthepartingwouldbeforever!ButAkbar,thecallofdutymakesmehelplessinthis
matter.Gotoyourmother,andtoyourauntZainabwhohasbroughtyouupfromchildhood
andlovedyouandcaredforyoumorethanforherownsons,andseektheirpermission."
AliAkbarenteredthetentofhisauntZainab.HefoundherandhismotherUmmeLailagazing
vacantlytowardsthebattlefieldandlisteningintentlytothebattle‐criesoftheenemyhordes.
Theirinstinctmadethemawarethat,nowthatallthedevotedfollowersofHusainhadlaid
downtheirdearlivesdefendinghimandthem,theturnofhissons,andbrothersand
nephewshadcome.Itwasnowonlyaquestionoftime.Itwasonlyaquestionwhowouldgo
firstfromamongstthem.
ThelightfootstepsofAliAkbarrousedbothofthemfromtheirreverie.Bothofthemfixed
theirgazeonhimwithoututteringaword.Zainabbrokethesilencewithanexclamation:"Oh
God,canitbetruethatAkbarhascometobidmeandhismotherthelastfarewellAkbardo
notsaythatyouarereadyforthelastjourney.SolongasmysonsAunandMuhammadare
there,itisimpossibleformetoletyougo."
AkbarknewwhatloveandaffectionhisauntZainabhadforhim.Hewasconsciousofthe
pangsofsorrowshewasexperiencingatthatmoment.Heraffectionforhimtranscended
everythingexceptherloveforHusain.Helookedatherface,andathismother'swhowas
renderedspeechlessbyhersurgingfeelingsofanguish.Heknewnothowtotellthemthathe
hadpreparedhimselfforthejourneytoHeaventhatlayahead.Hesummonedtohisaidhis
mostcoaxingmannersthathadalwaysmadehismotherandZainabaccedetohisrequests
andsaid:"Myaunt,forallmyfather'skinsmentheinevitablehourhascome.Iimploreyou,by
theloveyoubearforyourbrother,toletmegosothatitmaynotbesaidthathesparedme
tillallhisbrothersandnephewswerekilled.Abbas,myuncle,isCommanderofourarmy.The
othersareallyoungerthanme.Whendeathisacertainty,letmediefirstsothatIcanquench
mythirstattheheavenlyspringofKausaratthehandsofmygrandfather."Theearnestness
ofAkbar'stoneconvincedZainabandhismotherthathewasdeterminedtogo.Itseemedto
behislastwishtolaydownhislifebeforeallhiskinsmen.Sinceonnootheroccasionthey
haddeniedhimhiswishes,itseemedsodifficulttosaynotohislastdesire.Withagasp
Zainabcouldonlysay,"Akbar,mychild,ifthecallofdeathhascometoyou,go."Hismother
couldonlysay:"MayGodbewithyou,myson.WithyouIamlosingallIhadandcaredforin
thisworld.Yourfatherhastoldmewhatdestinyhasinstoreforme.Afteryou,forme
pleasureandpainwillhavenodifference."WiththesewordsshefellunconsciousinAli
Akbar'sarms.
Thebattle‐cryfromtheenemy'srankswasbecominglouderandlouder.AliAkbarknewthat
hehadtogooutquicklylesttheenemy,seeingthattheirchallengesforcombatwere
remainingunanswered,gotemboldenedtomakeaconcertedattackonhisfather'scamp.
Evensuchathoughtwasunbearableforhim.Solongashewasalive,howcouldhepermitthe
onslaughtofYazid'sforcesonhiscampwherehelplesswomenanddefenselesschildrenwere
lyinghuddledtogether?HegentlyputhismotherinhisauntZainab'sarmssaying:"Zainab,
myaunt,Iamleavingmymothertoyourcare.Iknow,fromyourchildhood,yourmotherBibi
Fatimahaspreparedyouforthesoul‐stirringeventsoftodayandwhatistocomehereafter.
Mymotherwillnotbeabletobeartheblowsandcalamitiesthataretobefallher,unlessyou
lendheryourcourage.Iimploreyoubytheinfiniteloveyoubearformetoshowthefortitude
thatyouarecapableof,sothatyourpatiencemaysustainmymotherwhensheseesmydead
bodybroughtintothecamp'smorgue.Ientrusthertoyourcarebecausetherewillbenoneto
solaceherandlookafterherintheyearsofdismayanddespondencythatlieaheadofher."
AliAkbarembracedhislovingauntZainabwithtenderloveandaffectionforthelasttime.she
exclaimed:"Akbar,go.Mychild,IentrustyoutoGod,ToeaseyourlastmomentsIpromise
youthat,solongasIlive,IshallafterUmmeLailawiththeaffectionofamother."
WithaheavyheartAliAkbarreturnedtohisfather.Therewasnoneedforhimtosaythathe
hadbidfarewelltohismotherandauntZainab,forthesorrowdepictedonhisfacespoke
volumestoHusain.SilentlyheroseandputtheProphet'sturbanonAkbar'shead,tiedthe
scabbardonhiswaistandimprintedakissonhisforehead.Inafailing,falteringvoicehe
muttered:"GoAkbar,Godistheretohelpyou."
TreadingheavilyAkbarcameoutofthetentwithHusainfollowingcloselybehindhim.He
wasabouttomounthishorsewhenhefeltsomebodytuggingathisrobe.Hecouldhardlysee,
becausehiseyeswerealmostblindedwithtears.HeheardthevoiceofhisyoungasterSakina
supplicatinghimnottoleaveher."Omybrother,"shewassaying,"donogotothe
battlegroundfromwhichnobodyhasreturnedalivesincethismornings."SoftlyAkbarlifted
her,gentlyandaffectionatelykissedheronherfaceandputherdown.Hisgriefwastoodeep
forwords.HusainunderstoodthedepthofAkbar'sfeelingsandpickedupSakinatoconsole
her.
ThesceneofAliAkbar'smarchtowardsthebattlefieldwassuchaswoulddefydescription.
ThecriesofladiesandchildrenofHusain'scampwererisingabovethedinofbattle‐criesand
beatingofenemydrums.Itwasappearingasifadeadbodyofanonlyson,deadintheprime
ofyouth,wasbeingtakenoutofahouseforthelastrites.
AliAkbarwasnowfacingtheenemyhordes.HewasaddressingtheforcesofAmrIbneSaad
withaneloquencewhichhehadinheritedfromhisGrandfatherandtheProphet.Hewas
tellingthemthatHusain,hisfather,haddonethemnoharmandhaddevotedhislifetothe
causeofIslam.HewasexplainingtothemthatbysheddingthebloodofHusainandhis
kinsmen.TheywouldbeincurringthewrathofGodanddispleasureoftheProphetwhohad
lovedHusainmorethananyotherperson.Hewasexhortingthemnottosmeartheirhands
withthebloodofapersonsoholy,soGod‐fearingandsorighteous.Hiswordscastaspellon
thearmyoftheopponents.Theolderonesfromamongstthemwereblinkingtheireyesin
amazementandwonderingwhethertheProphethaddescendedfromtheHeavenstowarn
themagainstthesheddingofHusain'sblood.WhataresemblancetherewaswiththeProphet,
inface,featuresandevenmannerism!EventhevoicewasofMuhammad!Butonsecond
thoughts,theyrealizedthatthiswasAliAkbar,the18yearoldsonofHusain,aboutwhose
closeresemblancewiththeProphetpeopleweretalkingsomuch.
SeeingtheeffectwhichAliAkbar'saddresshadproducedonhissoldiers,AmrSaadexhorted
themtochallengehimtosinglecombat.Afewofthem,covetingthehonourandrewardsthey
wouldgetiftheyoverpoweredandkilledthisbravesonofHusain,emaciatedbythreedaysof
hungerandthirst,cameforwardtochallengehim.Onebyonehemettheminbattle,gave
thematasteofhisskillandprowessinfightingandflungthemfromtheirhorsebacktomeet
thedoomtheysomuchdeserved.NowitwashisturntochallengethewarriorsofYazidto
comeforward.Seeingthatinspiteofhishandicaps,hewascapableofdisplayingvalourand
battlecraftforwhichhisgrandfatherAlihadacquirednameandfameandwhichhadstruck
terrorintotheheartsofenemiesofIslamnonedaredtocomeforward.
AliAkbarhadreceivedseveralgapingwoundsinthecourseofhisvictorioussinglecombats.
Hewasfastlosingbloodandtheeffectofhisthirstwasgettingaccentuatedwitheverysecond
thatwaspassing.Herealizedthatthetreacherousenemieswouldattackhimenmasse.He
hadlefthismotherinadazedcondition.Anirresistibleurgetoseehisdearonesforthelast
timeseizedhimandheturnedhishorsetowardshiscamp.
Hefoundhisfatherstandingatthedoorstepofthetentandhismotherandauntstanding
insidethetent.Husainhadbeenwatchingthebattlesofthisthirstyyouthandthetwoladies
werewatchinghisface:theyknewthatifanycalamitybefellAliAkbar,Husain'sexpression
wouldindicateit.WhilstwatchingHusain'sface,theywerebothprayingofferingsilent
prayers:"OAllah,WhobroughtbackIsmailtoHajra;OAllah,Whograntedtheprayersofthe
motherMusaandrestoredhersontoher;OAllah,WhoreunitedYakoobwithhissonYusufin
responsetotheagedfather'ssupplications,grantusouronewishtoseeAliAkbarforonce."
WasittheeffectoftheseprayersthatbroughtbackAliAkbartothecamp?
AliAkbarwasnowfacinghisagedfatherandhislovingmotherandZainab.Withan
exclamationofjoyandrelieftheyclungtohim.Husainlovinglyembracedhissonsaying:
"Bravo,myson.Thegallantryyouhowdisplayedtodayremindedmeofthebattlesofmy
reveredfather,Ali.Theonlydifferencewasthat,duringhisfights,myfatherAlihadnotto
battleagainsthungerandthirstasyouhadto."AliAkbarwithhisheadbentreplied:"Father,
thirstiskillingmebecausemywoundshaveaddedtoitseffect.Itisusualtoaskforrewards
fromparentsforcelebratingvictoriesinsinglecombatsandIwouldhaveaskedforacupof
refreshingwaterfromyou.Butalas!Iknowthatyouhavenotevenadropofwaterwith
whichyoucanquenchthethirstoftheyoungchildren.Father,knowingthis,Ishallnot
embarrassyoubyaskingforwater.Ihavecomeonlytoseeyouandmydearonesforthelast
time."
AliAkbarmeteachandeveryoneofhisfamily.Thesecondpartingwassadasthefirstone,
perhapssadder.Withoutbeingtold,everyonerealisedthatthiswasthelasttimetheywere
beholdingAkbar.Fizza,thefaithfulmaidofFatimaandZainab,wasasdisconsolatewithgrief
asZainabandUmmeLaila.HusainfollowedAliAkbaroutofthetent.Asherodeaway,Husain
walkedbehindhimwithabriskpaceforsomedistance,asamanfollowshissacrificiallamb
inMina.WhenAkbardisappearedfromhissight,heturnedheavenwardsand,withhishands
raised,heprayed:"OAllah,ThouartmyWitnessthatonthisdayIhavesentawayforsacrifice
onewhomIlovedandcherishedmost,todefendthecauseofrighteousnessandtruth."Hesat
onthegroundasiftryingtolistenexpectantlytosomecallfromthebattlefield.
Itwasnotverylongbeforehereceivedawailingcall,acallfromAliAkbar,acallofanguish
andpain:"Father,Akbarhasfallenwithamortalwoundinhischest.Father,cometomeforI
havenotlongtolive.Ifyoucannotreachme,Iconveymylastsalutationstoyouandmydear
ones."ThoughHusainwasanticipatingsuchacall,whataghastlyeffectithadonhim!Herose
fromthegroundandfell;heroseagainandfellagain.Withonehandonhishearthestruggled
tohisfeet.Torrentialtearswerefloodinghiseyes.Herushedinthedirectionfromwhichthe
cryhadcome.ItseemedasHusain'sstrengthhadebbedawayonhearingthatfatefulcryof
hisdearestson,forhewasfallingateveryfewsteps.Hewassobbing:"Akbar,givemeanother
shoutsothatIcanfollowitsdirection.Akbar,mysightisgonewiththeshockIhavereceived
andthereisnobodytoguidemetowhereyoulie."Abbascamerushingtotheaidofhis
master.HoldinghishandheledhimontotheplacefromwhereAkbar'sdyingcryhadcome.
NowHusainwasstumblinghiswayonwardsrestinghishandsonAbbas'shoulders.The
distanceseemedinterminablebutatlastHusainandAbbasreachedtheplacewhereAkbar
waslyinginapoolofhisownblood.Ah,thattragicsight!Maynofatherhaveoccasiontosee
hisyoungoninsuchaconditions.Withonehandonhischestcoveringadeepwoundfrom
whichbloodwasgushingout,withhisfacewrithingwithpain,Akbarwaslyingontheground
prostrateandunconscious.Withtheagonyhewasenduringonaccountofthewoundandthe
thirstthathewasoffering,hewasdigginghisfeetintothesand.WithacryofanguishHusain
fellonthebodyofAkbar."Myson,tellmewhereyouarehurt;tellmewhohaswoundedyou
inthechest.Whydon'tyousaysomething?MyAkbar,Ihavecomeinresponsetoyourcall.
Sayonewordtome,Akbar."SeeingthatAkbarwaslyingtherewithoutanyresponsetohis
entreaties,HusainturnedtoAbbasandsaid:'Abbas,whydon'tyoutellAkbartosay
somethingtome.Mydutifulson,whousedtogetuponseeingme,islyingontheground
pressedbythehandofdeath."HusainonceagainflunghimselfonthebodyofAkbar.His
breathingwasnowheavier,agurglingsoundwascomingfromhisthroat.Itseemedthathis
younglifewasengagedinanunevenstrugglewithdeath.HusainputhisheadonAkbar's
chest.HelifteditandputhisowncheeksagainstAkbar'sandwailed,"Akbar,foronceopen
youreyesandsmile,asyouwerealwayssmilingtogladdenmyheart."ThoughAkbardidnot
openhiseyes,afaintsmileappearedonhislipsasifhehadlistenedtohisfather'srequest.
Withthesweetsmilestillplayingonhislips,heheavedagaspandwiththathissoul
departed.Thecheeksofthefatherwerestilltouchingthecheeksoftheson,indeathasso
manytimeinlife.
Onseeinghisson,hisbelovedson,breathehislastinhisownhands,Husain'scondition
becamesuchasnowordscandescribe.Forquitesometimeheremainedthereweepingas
onlyanagedfatherwhohaslostason,inhisprimeofyouth,insuchtragiccircumstances,can
weep.Abbassattherebyhissidesheddingtears.Whatwordsofconsolationcouldheoffer
whenthetragedywasofsuchamagnitude?Allwordsofsolaceandcomfortwouldsound
hollowandbeinvainwhenafather,anagedfather,givesventtohispentupemotions.After
atime,AbbasreverentiallytouchedHusainonhisshouldersandremindedhimthat,sincehe
hadrushedoutofthecamp,Zainabandtheotherladiesofhishousewerewaitingforhim,
tormentedbyanxiety,dementedbythethoughtsofthetragedythathadbefallenthem.Only
mentionofthiswasenoughforHusain.Heknewthat,astheheadofthefamily,itwashisduty
torallybythesideofthegrief‐strickenmother,hisgrief‐strickensisterZainab,andthe
childrenforwhomthisbereavementwasthegreatestcalamity.
HusainslowlyrosefromthegroundandtriedtopickupthedeadbodyofAkbarbuthe
himselffellontheground.Abbas,seeingthis,bentoverhimandsaid:"Mymaster,Abbasis
stillalivebyyourside.HowcanIleaveyoucarrythebodyofAkbarandremainasilent
spectator.Letmecarryhisbodytothecamp.""NoAbbas",repliedHusain,'letmedothisasa
lasttokenofmylove.Toholdhimbymyheart,eveninhisdeath,givesmesomecomfort,the
onlycomfortthatisnowlefttome."Sayingthis,hemadealltheeffortsthathewascapableof
and,assistedbyAbbas,heliftedthebodyofAkbar.Claspingitclosetohisbosom,hestarted
thelongwalktohiscamp.Howhereachedisdifficulttosay.Itwouldnotbetoomuchto
imaginethathisgrandfatherMuhammad,hisfatherAli,hisbrotherHasanandperhapshis
motherFatimahaddescendedfromheaventohelphiminthistask.
HusainreachedthecampandlaiddownAkbar'sbodyontheground.HecalledUmmeLaila
andZainabandKulsum,SakinaandRokayya,Fizzaandtheotherladiesofthehousetosee
thefaceofAkbarforthelasttime.Thelovingmothercame,thelovingauntscame,the
childrencame,andsurroundedthebodyofAliAkbar.TheylookedatAkbar'sfaceandthenat
Husain's.TheyknewthattheirweepingwouldaddtoHusain'sgriefwhichwasalready
brimful.AliAkbar'smotherwentuptoherhusband,andwithstifledsobsandbenthead,she
saidtohim:"Mymaster,IamproudofAkbarfordyingsuchanobledeath.Hehaslaiddown
hislifeinthenoblestcauseandthisthoughtwillsustainmethroughtherestofmylife.I
imploreyoutoprayforme,toprayforailofus,thatAlmightyAllahmaygrantuspatience
andsolace."Sayingthissheturnedtothedeadbodyofhersonlyingonthegroundandput
herfaceonhis.ZainabandKulsum,SakinaandRokayyahadallflungthemselvesonAkbar's
body.Thetearsthatwereflowingfromtheireyesweresufficienttowashawaytheclotted
bloodfromthewoundsofAkbar.
Husainsatforafewminutesnearthedeadbodyofhisson;thesonwhomhehadlostinsuch
tragiccircumstances;thesonwhohaddiedcravingforadropofwatertoquenchhisthirst.
Hefeltdazedwithgrief.Qasim,thesonofhisbrother,whohadcometoseekhispermission
togotothebattlefield,awakenedhimfromhisstupor.Herosefromtheground,wipedthe
tearsfromhisagedeyesandmuttered,"VerilyfromGodwecome,anduntoHimisour
return."
Chapter4.TheYouthofKarbala
'Thedaysofouryoutharethedaysofourglory'.Whathopesandfeelingssurgeinyoung
heartsduringthistimeoflife!Howeverynerveandsinewquiverswiththejoyofliving!But
therearesomeyouthstowhomthecupoflifeisdealtinanothermeasure.Therearesome
buddingflowersthataredestinedtobesweptawaybythehotdesertwindsbeforetheyhave
theopportunitytobloom.SuchwasthedestinyofHusain'sthreenephewswhowere
gatheredoutsidethetentsontheeveofthateventfuldayofMuharram.
Qasim,AunandMuhammadweregatheredtodiscusstheparttheywouldplayonthe
followingdayindefenseoftheiruncle.Therewasgrimdeterminationwritlargeontheir
youngfaces.Theywerewatchingtheprogressofthemoonasitwasmarchingslowlythrough
thatcloudlesssky,anxiouslywaitingforthemorrowtounfolditsevent.Eachoneofthemhad
thedesiretogofirstintothebattlefieldtoshedhisblood.Eventhefewwordstheyexchanged
amongstthemselvespertainedtotheiranxietylesttheiruncleHussainmightholdthemback.
TheywerediscussingamongthemselveshowtosecurethepermissionoftheImamtomarch
offintothebattlefield.
TheirtalkswereinterruptedbysomeonecomingandinformingQasimthathismotherUmme
Farwawantedhimtoseeher.Hehurriedtothetent.Assoonasheenteredit,hismotherput
herarmsroundhimandsaid:"Qasimmyson,doyouknowwhyIcalledyou?Iwantto
remindyouaboutyourdutytowardsyouruncle,Hussain.Iwanttotellyousomethingabout
theunparalleledloveandaffectionHasanyourfatherhadforHussain.Thetwoofthemwere
somuchdevotedtoeachotherthattheywerealwaysthinkingandactinginunison.The
slightestpainsufferedbyonewasinstantaneouslyfeltbytheotherasiftheyweretwinsfrom
thesameembryo.WiththeuniqueloveyourfatherhadforHussain,Icanwellimaginehow
he,ifalive,wouldhavefelttoday!Hewouldhavebeenthefirsttosacrificehislifeforhis
belovedyoungerbrother."
Shestoppedforafewsecondsandthen,inasofttone,asifreminiscing,added:"Iamsurehe
wantedyoutodeputiseforhimonthisday.Mychild,whenhepassedaway,youweretoo
youngtounderstandlife.Onhisdeath‐bedhislastwordstomewere:"UmmeFarwa,Ientrust
youandmychildrentoGodandHussain.WhenQasimgrowsup,youtellhimthatmydying
desirewasthatheshouldstandbyHussainthroughthickandthin.Icanseethecloudsof
treacherygatheringagainstHussain.Adaymaycomewhenhemayneedtheunflinching
devotionandsacrificeofhisnearanddearones.ThoughIwillnotlivetoseethatday,asmy
lastwishIwantyoutoprepareQasimforitfromhischildhood."Hervoicechokedwith
emotion,asshecontinued:"MyQasim,sincethatdayyourfatherbreathedhislast,Hussain
haslookedafteryouashisownson.Nay,hehastreatedyouonalloccasionsbetterthanhis
ownsons.Youknowhowhehasfulfilledyoureverywishsothatyoumaynotmissthelove
andaffectionofyourfather.Nowitisyourturntoshowthatyoucanrepay,tosomeextent,
yourdebtofgratitudebylayingdownyourlifeforhimbeforeanyofhissons,brothersand
kinsmen.Nowisyourchancetoreciprocatehisloveandaffection,bydemonstratingtothe
enemiesthatyouareascionoftheHouseofAliandcanwieldtheswordindefenseoftruth."
Qasimlistenedtohismotherwithhisheadbowedinrespect.Hefeltverymuchrelievedby
whathismotherhadsaidtohimbecausehehadfeltveryapprehensiveastohowshewould
reactwhenheapproachedherforherpermissiontogoforthefight.Heknewhowhismother
wasattachedtohimafterhisfather'sdeath.Hewaswellawarehowrestlesssheusedto
become,ifshewouldnotseehimevenforafewhours.Hehadthoughtthattheveryideaof
hersonmarchingoutintothebattlefieldwouldmakeherdemented.Hefeltasifhismother
hadtakenaloadoffhishead.Heaffectionatelyhuggedherandsaid"Mydearestmother,I
knownothowIcanthankyouforwhatyouhavesaidtomejustnow.Youknowmyfilial
affectionformyuncleHussain.FrommychildhoodIhavenotknownwhatafather'slove
meansbutºknowthisforcertainthatevenmyfather,ifalive,wouldnothavebeensokind,
soconsiderate,soaffectionatetomeasmyuncleHussainhasbeentome.Hehasnotallowed
metofeelevenforamomentthatIamanorphan.Thankstohim,inourhousemyeverywish
hasbeenacommand.Howisitpossibleforme,thesonofHasan,tobeobliviousofmy
obligationstohim?Formedeathwouldbefarbetterthanlifewithouthimandmydearuncle
Abbas,andmycousinsAliAkbar.Muhammadandothers."
UmmeFarwafeltelatedatthebravereplyofherbraveson.Apainfulthoughtpassedher
mindùthethoughtthatthisdearchildwhowassodevotedtoherandinwhomshehad
reposedallherhopes,wouldperishonthefieldsofKarbala.Withgreateffortsshecontrolled
herself.
OnthedepartureofQasim,AunandMuhammadwaitedforsometimeforhimtoreturn.Then
bothofthemreturnedtotheirtenttoconsoletheirmother,Zainab,whosegriefandsorrow
defieddescription.Astheyenteredthetenttheysawhersittingonthegroundwithacandle
inherhandlookingintentlyatAliAkbar,theircousin,whomshehadbroughtupasherown
sonandforwhomherloveandaffectionwaswithoutaparallel.Whenshesawbothofthem
enteringthetent,shebeckonedtothemtocomeandsitnearAliAkbar.Bothofthemdidso
accordingtoherbidding.Sheturnedtowardsthemandsaidinalowtone:"Mychildren,do
youknowwhattomorrowhasinstoreforus?Itwillbeadayoftrial;itwillbeadaywhenthe
bloodofourfamilywillflowlikewater;itwillbeadayonwhichallthevendettanurturedby
theenemiesoftheProphet'shouseforalltheseyearswillbespilledout.Iwantbothofyou,
mybelovedsons,todefendyouruncleHussainandhischildrenatthecostofyourlives."
Afterapausesheadded:"WhenIwasleavingMecca,yourfatherAbdullahaskedmetotake
bothofyouwithmesothat,ifanoccasionaroseyou,Aun,couldbethedeputyofyourfather
inseekingmartyrdom,andyou,Muhammad,couldbemyofferinginthecauseofIslam."
Hearingtheirmothertalkinthisveintouchedbothofthemtothequick.Howcouldtheytell
theirmotherZainabthattheywerefullypreparedforthedoomthatawaitedthem;thatthey
werebothcovetingmartyrdomindefenseofthecauseofIslamanditsinviolableprinciples
forwhichHussainstoodupsoboldlyandfirmlyinthefaceofodds!Aunwasthefirstto
speak.Hisvoicewasquiveringwithemotionwhenhesaid:"Mother,webothfeelsoelatedto
knowthatwehaveyourpermissiontofightindefenseofouruncleandhisfamily.God
willing,webothwillshowthearmyofAmrSaadthatwearethegrandsonsofJaafar‐e‐Tayyar
whoseprowessinbattlehadbecomelegendary.Weshalloffersuchfighttomorrowthat,
wheneveryouwillrememberusandmournforus,yourgriefwillbemingledwithpridethat
weliveduptothereputationofourfamily."
HardlyhadAunconcludedwhenMuhammad,theyoungerone,burstoutsaying,"Myloving
mother,donotthinkthatweneedanyexhortationtofightvaliantlytomorrow.Iamitchingto
gooutindefenseofmyuncle.FrommychildhoodIhavebeen.hearingaboutthevalorofmy
maternalgrandfatherAli,andpaternalgrandfatherJaafar‐e‐Tayyar.Itisnotfornothingthat
webothofushavelearnttheartofsinglecombatfromouruncleAbbas.Youmayrestassured
that,solongaswebreathe,weshallnotlettheleastharmcometoouruncleHussainorto
anyofhischildren."
WiththisreplyofthebraveyoungstersZainabfeltreassured.Itwasnotthatshe,fora
moment,doubtedtheirdevotionorsenseofduty.Itwasnotthatsheconsidereditnecessary
toinstillanycourageinthem,forsheknewthatbothofthemwerebraveandnoblesonsofa
braveandnoblefather.Herloveforherbravesonswassurgingwithinher.Shewasfeelingas
ifherheartwasgettingsqueezedwhenshewasconjuringupthevisionoftheseyouthsdying
asmartyrs.
AliAkbarwhowaslisteningquietlytothetalkbetweenthemotherandthetwosons,looked
atthefaceofthemotherandthenattheson's.Withafaintsmileplayingonhislipshesaid:
"WeoftheProphet'sfamilywillgoouttomeetdeathasisourwont.Inwhatorderitwillbe,it
isforGodtodetermine."Whenhesaidthis,perhapshehadtheconvictionthatHussainwould
neverallowhisnephewstodiesolongashe,AliAkbar,wasthere.Howrightlyhehad
surmised,theeventsofAshurawouldshow!
Likeallpassingthings,thatnightalsopassedawaytobecomeachapterofhistory.Theday
dawnedandwithitbeganthegoryeventswhichmakemankind,whohavethevestigesof
humanity,tremblewithrageandgrief.AsAliAkbarhadsurmisedthatnight,whentheturnof
membersofthefamilycame,Hussaincameovertohimand,withhishandonhisheart,said
tohim:"Myson,goforwardtofulfillyourappointedtask."MuchasZainabandUmmeFarwa
protestedthat,solongastheirsonslived,theycouldnotthinkofAliAkbarlayingdownhis
life,muchasAbbaspleadedtolethimbethefirstamongtheHashimitestodiefighting,
HussaininsistedthathewouldsendAliAkbarashisownrepresentativetobethefirstamong
hiskinsmen.AliAkbarwenttothebattlefieldnevertoreturnfromit.
ZainabwasdisconsolateonAliAkbar'sdeath.NowAunandMuhammadwerehoveringround
Hussainwithentreatiestoletthemgo.
QasimwasnolessvehementinhissupplicationfortheImam'spermissiontodieonthe
battlefield.ToQasim'srepeatedrequestshisuncle'sreplywas:"Mydearchild,howcanI
permityoutogowhenIknowforcertainthatdeathawaitsthosewhoventureout.Your
father,mybelovedHasan,hadentrustedyoutomycareonhisdeath‐bed.Myhearttrembles
attheverythoughtofsendingyouintothejawsofdeath."
ThisreplyofHussainbrokeQasim'sheart.Hethoughtthathisunclewouldnotunderany
circumstancesallowhimtosharethefateoftheothermartyrs.Withtearsinhiseyeshestood
there,notknowingwhattodotosecureHusain'spermission.
AtthatmomentZainabcameovertoherbrother.WithfoldedhandsshesaidtoHussain,"My
dearestbrother,inmywholelifeIhaveneveraskedyouforafavor.Now,forthefirsttime,I
amrequestingyoutograntmeonewish;letmysonsfollowinthefootstepsofAliAkbar."
HussainlookedatZainabandthenathersons.Withhisheadbent,hereplied;"Zainab;my
dearestsister,Ifinditimpossibletodenyyourfirstandlastrequest,thoughmygrantingit
makesmyheartsinkwithinme."TurningtoAunandMuhammadhesaid:"Mydearchildren,
goforwardandfulfillyourheart'sdesiretodielikeheroes.Ishallsoonbejoiningyouonyour
journeytoeternity."
Atthisreplythetwoyoungheroesfeltdelightedinthemidstofunboundedsorrows.Theyfell
attheirmother'sfeetandaskedherforherblessings.Zainab'sgriefatthepartingwiththese
belovedchildrenfounditswaythroughhertearswhichwerenowpouringfromhereyesin
torrents.Shefeltanurgetoclaspheryoungsonstoherbosombeforetheymarchedouton
theirlastjourney;butforfearthatsuchdisplayofemotionmightunnervethem,sheheld
back.Shecouldnotsayanythingtotheminfarewell.Withsuppressedsobsshewhisperedto
them:"Mybelovedones,mayGodbewithyouandmayHegrantyouquickrelieffromthe
agoniesthatyouaretoendure.ItisZainab'slottoendureignominieswithnobrothers,no
nephews,nosonstoconsoleher.Mylastrequesttoyouistofightbravelyandtodiebravely
sothat,inthemidstofmyunbearablesufferingsincaptivity,Imayatleasthaveone
remembrancetoconsoleme:yourbraveryinthefaceofoverwhelmingodds."
ShemutelywatchedhersonsmountingtheirhorsesassistedbyHusain.Herlipsweremoving
insilentprayers;hereyeswerefollowingthehorsesastheygallopedoutintothearena.
Whentheybothgotoutofsight,withasighshesatonthesandnearhertentasiflostina
reverie.
WhenQasimsawthatAunandMuhammadhadbeengrantedpermis‐siontomarchouton
theentreatiesoftheirmother,herushedtohismother'stent.Almostsobbingwith
disappointment,hetoldUmmeFarwathatAunandMuhammadhadsecuredtheImam's
permissionontheintercessionoftheirmotherbuthehadnobodytopleadonhisbehalfwith
hisuncle.Inutterdespondencyhesaid;"IfIamnotdestinedtobeamartyronthisday,life
hasnocharmleftforme.AmIdestinedtobeacaptiveandledthroughthestreetstoaprison
cell?"
SeeingQasimsobitteranddejectedUmmeFarwaburstintotearsofgrief.Controllingherself
shebegantothinkwhattodotogetHusain'spermissionforhim.Herfirstreactionwastogo
overtotheImamandtoimplorehimashisbrother'swidowandseekpermissionforQasim.
However,inaflashsherememberedherhusband'swordstohershortlybeforehisdeath.He
hadtoldherthatforQasimatimemaycomewhenhewouldfindhimselfinthetroughof
despairanddespondencyandfeeldejectedanddepressedbeyonddescription.Hehadtold
herthat,whenthishappened,sheshoulddelivertohimanenvelopewhereinhehadkepta
letterspeciallyforthisoccasion.Thisshehadcarefullypreservedandkeptwithherasher
mostcherishedthinginabox.Fortunatelyforher,shehadbroughttheboxwithher.She
hastenedtofetchtheletterandhandingovertheenvelopetoQasimshesaid:"Qasim,your
presentplightbroughtbacktomeyourfather'swordsthatadaylikethiswouldcomeforyou
andwhenthishappened,Ishoulddeliverthelettertoyou."Withrekindledhopsand
expectationQasimtooktheenvelopefromhismother'shandandopenedit.Inithefoundtwo
lettersùoneaddressedtohimselfandtheotheraddressedtoHussain.
Heanxiouslyopenedthelettermeantforhimandreaditaloudforhismother'sbenefit.
Hasanhadwritteninit:"Mychild,whenthisletterreachesyou,Iwillbenomore.Whenyou
readit,youwillfindyourselftornwithaconflictbetweenyourdesiretodoyourdutyand
fulfillyourobligationsanddemonstrateyourloveandesteemforyouruncle,andhisloveand
affectionforyoucompellinghimtoholdyouback.MyQasim,Ihaveprovidedforthiseventby
armingyouwithaletterformydearestbrotherHussain.Youmaydelivertheletterto
Hussainsothathemaygrantyouyourheart'sdesire.ThereismuchthatIcouldsayforthis
occasionbutwhenyoureadthis,youwillfindthattimeseparatingusisnotlong.Sohurry
along,mychild,asIamwaitingforyouwithopenarmstowelcomeyou."
Whenhehadcompletedreadingtheletter,Qasimfeltchokedwithemotion.Hismotheralso
stoodspeechlesswithfeelingssurginginherheart.Bothwerethinkinginunisonhowloving
andthoughtfulitwasofHasantoprovideasolutionfortheirdilemma.Qasimreverentially
bowedoverheletterandkissedit.Thetearsrollingfromhiseyesfellonthewritingbut,
insteadofsmearingthelettering,theylentglittertoit.
UmmeFarwawasthefirsttogetoutofthereverie.Shebrokethesilenceandsaid:"My
dearestQasim,nowthatyourfatherhascometoyourrescueevenindeath,takehisletterto
youruncleHussain.Ihavenodoubtthatnowhewillnotbeabletorefuseyouhispermission
forlayingdownyoulife."
Qasimcouldnowhardlycontainhimself.HerushedtowardsthetentofImamHussainwith
theletterinhishands.HefoundHussainstandingoutsideZainab'stentlookingintently
towardsthebattlefield.AbbaswasbyhissideandZainabwasstandingnearthedoorholding
upthecurtainandlookingatthefacesofHusainandAbbasQasimknewthattheywereall
watchingthecombatsofAunandMuhammad.Howcouldhedisturbhisuncleatsuchatime?
HestoodquietlybythesideofHusainandAbbasandgazedinthedirectionofthearmypitted
againsthistwoyoungcousins.Hecouldseefromcloudsofdustrisinginthefardistancethat
oneofthemhadgoneaheadoftheother.Notsofarawayhecouldseetheyoungerone,
Muhammad,battlingagainstanumberofenemysoldiersclusteredroundhim.
Hardlyafewminuteshadpassedinwatchingthebattle,whentheysawAunfallingfromhis
horseandgivingacrytohisuncletocometohimandcarryhisbody.Husain,whohad
alreadybornetheafflictionsofhiscompanions'deathandthelossofhisdearestson,Ali
Akbar,seemedtowinceasifhehadreceivedastabinhischest.HeturnedtoZainabtosee
herreactiononhearingherson'slastcry.AbbasandQasimrushedtohersidetoholdher.As
ifthisblowwasnotenough,Muhammadalsofellfromhishorsemortallywoundedand
similarlyshoutedtoHusaintocometohim.AbbasandQasimknewthatforHusaintoreach
hisdyingnephews,oneaftertheother,wastootryingevenforapersonofhismettlewhohad
rightthroughthemorningperformedthistaskhimself.AbbaswantedtoaccompanyHusain
andassisthiminbringingthedeadbrotherstothecamp,leavingQasimtoattendtoZainab
whohadcollapsedwithgriefandsorrowonhearingthepartingcryofMuhammad.But
HusainbeckonedtohimtoremainwithZainab.QasimtriedtofollowhimbutHusainasked
himalsotoremainnearZainabandconsoleher.
HusainfirstreachedtheplacewhereMuhammadwaslyingmortallywounded.Hebentover
hisbodytofindthat,onaccountoflossofblood,hisyounglifewasebbingfast.Thechildwas
gaspingheavily.Histhroatwassoparchedthatevenwithgreateffortshewasnotableto
speakclearly.HusainputhisearnearMuhammad'smouth.Inafaint,falteringvoicethe
youngladsaid:''Mylastsalutationstoyou,uncle.TellmymotherthatIhaveliveduptoher
expectationsandamdyingbravelyassheandmyfatherwantedme.Givemylastsalaamsto
herandconsoleherasmuchasyoucan."Theeffortsmadebythechildinsayingthesewords
appearedtoexhausthim.Headdedafterafewseconds:"IheardthecryofAunbeforeIfell.
NowthatIambeyondanyhelp,unclepleasegoovertohimandseeifyoucandosomething
forhimbeforeitistoolate."Hardlyhehadsaidthesewords,whenhislifebecameextinct.
Husainwasbesidehimselfwithgrief.Buthecouldnotremaintherelongashehadtogoover
toAun.HerushedinthedirectionwhereAunhadfallen.Onreachinghisbodyhefoundthat
hehadbreathedhislast.Hepickeduphislifelessbodyandpressedittohisheart.
Withaheavytread,withtearsflowingintorrents,theagedunclebeganhismarchtowards
thecampwiththebodyofhisnephewinhisarms.Abbascamerushingfromthecamp
towardshimandsaid,"LetmecarryAun'sbodytothemorgueandyoutakeMuhammad's
body.Mymaster,Abbasisstillalivetoshareyourburdenandgrief."QuietlyHusainhanded
overAun'scorpsetoAbbasandwentovertopickupMuhammad'sbody.Thetwobrothers,
oneoldandoneyoung,wereeachcarryingthebodyofayoungnephew.Thesightwassuch
astoevokesorrowandgriefintheheartsofthemosthard‐heartedpersons.
OnreachingtheircampHusainandAbbaslaidthebodiesofAunandMuhammadonthe
ground.Zainabwhowaswaitingforthemcameoverandfellonthetwobodiesofhersons.
"Mysons,mysons,"shecried,"Whatmotheristheretosendherbelovedonestomeetdeath
asIhavesentmine?"Herfacewasbathedintears.Withsobsshewassaying:"Mydarlings,
youhavegonefromthisworldwithyourthirstunquenched.YourgrandfatherAliwillbe
theretoquenchyourthirstinheaven.Mybelovedsons,forZainabthereisstillalong,weary,
unendingfuturetofacewithoutyoutwotolightentheburdenwithyourbravetalk."
Overpoweredbyhergriefandemotionsshefellunconsciousonthedeadbodies.
Husain,Abbas,Qasimandtheladieswhowereallstandingandcryingbyherside,gently
pickedupZainabandtookhertohertent.Theyallknewthatinsuchagreattragedyashad
befallenher,allwordsofconsolationwouldonlybeinvain.
AswasthepracticeofYazid'sarmy,theystartedbeatingthedrumsontheslaughterofthe
twonephewsofHusain,toheraldtheirvictory.Whenthebeatingofdrumsstopped,they
raisedtheusualcrychallengingtheyoungdefendersofHusaintocomeoutintothefieldto
facedeath.NowQasimcameovertoHusain,whowasstandingnearZainab'sprostrateform
withhisheadbent.Qasimcouldnotmustersufficientstrengthtosaywhathehadcometo
conveytotheImam.HequietlyhandedovertheletterofhisfatherforHusainwhichhehad
foundintheenvelopegiventohimbyhismother.Husainglancedatthehand‐writingonthe
letterandatoncerecognizeditashislatelamentedbrother's.Withsurpriseheopenedthe
letterandasheeagerlyreadit,hecouldnotcontrolhimselfandburstintoacryofgrief.Inthe
letteritwaswritten:"MybelovedHusain,whenthisletterwillbereadbyyou,youwillbe
surroundedbysorrowsonallsides,withdeadbodiesofyournearanddearonesstrewn
roundyou.Iwillnotbetheretolaydownmylifeforyou,Husain,butIamleavingbehindmy
Qasimtobemydeputyonthisday.Husain,Ibeseechyounottorejectmyoffering.Inthe
nameoflovethatyoubearforme,IimploreyoutoletQasimgoforthanddieinyourdefense.
Dearestbrother,inspiritIamwithyou,watchingyourheroicsacrificesandsharingyour
woesandaffliction."
Hasan'sletterbroughtbacktoHusainthememoriesofhisdearbrothertowhomhewas
devotedandheweptcopiouslyrecollectinghisloveandaffection.WhatuniqueloveHasan
hadforhimthat,thoughdead,hehadlefthisdeputyinQasimforthisday!
WitheffortHusaincontrolledhimselfturnedtoQasimsaying:"Dearchild,yourfather's
wishes,whichIregardascommandsforme,leavemenootheralternative.Marchon,Qasim,
asyourfatherwishedyoutodo.IfitissoordainedthatImaybearthewoundofyour
martyrdom,IshallbowtotheWillofGod."
QasimbowedreverentiallyandhurriedtohismotherUmmeFarwawhowassittingdazed
withgriefonreceivingthesadnewofAun'sandMuhammad'smartyrdom.AsQasimentered
hertent,sheraisedherheadandlookedathimexpectantly.Shecouldseefromthelookof
satisfactionhehadonhisfacethathehadreceivedHusain'spermissionforwhichhehad
beenbeggingsolong.AnexchangeoflooksbetweenthemotherandsonconfirmedtoUmme
Farwathatshewasright.SlowlysheroseandsaidtoQasim:"Mybelovedson,alltheseyearsI
havebeenwaitingforthedaywhenyouwouldbecomeabridegroom,anddressedasa
groom,cometoreceivemyblessings.Itseemsthatfatehasdecreedotherwise.Qasim,Ihave
preservedthedressyourfatherworeonthedayofhismarriagewithme.Ihadhopedthat,on
yourweddingday,Iwouldaskyoutowearit.Nowthatyouaregoingtothelandofnoreturn,
mywishisthatyouputonthatdresssothatmydesiretoseeyoudressedasagroommaybe
fulfilled."Afterapauseshecontinuedinareflectivetone:"Itisthecustomforgroomsto
applyhennaontheirhands‐ThoughIhavenonewithme,Iknowthatyouwillnotneedit.
Yourhandswillbedyedwithyourownblood."Withthesewordsshekissedherson'scheeks
andembracedhim.Itwasalongembrace,theembraceofamotherwhoknewthatshewas
seeingheryoungdarlingforthelasttimeinthisworld.Holdinghimtightlyinherarmsshe
waslookinglonginglyathisface,asifshewantedtolethisimagesinkintohermind'seyefor
ever.Allpartingsaresadbutwherethepartingisforever,andinsuchcircumstances,what
wordscandescribeit?
Themotherandsontorethemselvesfromeachotherlesttheirsurgingloveandattachment
mightmaketheirpartingimpossible.UmmeFarwabroughtouttheweddinggarmentsof
HasanforQasimtowear.DressedintheseclothesQasimwaslookingtheveryimageof
Hasan.Theson,followedbythemother,wentovertoZainab'stenttobidhergood‐bye.
Zainabhadnotcompletelyrecoveredfromherswoon:Inherdazedmindshethoughtfora
momentthatHasanhaddescendedfromheaventodefendhisbrother.Itwasjustaflitting
thoughtwhichpassedawaylikelightning.SherealizedthatitwasQasimwhohadcometo
payhislastrespectsShelookedathimandthenatthismotherwhowasfollowinghim.She
understoodwithwhateffortsUmmeFarwawascontrollingherfeelings.Muchasherown
heartwasburstingwithgriefatthispartingwithherbelovedbrother'sson,sheknewthatit
wasessentialforhertocontrolherselfforthesakeofUmmeFarwa.Withonehandonher
headandtheotheronherheart,shecameforwardtobidadieutoQasim.Withhottears
rollingdownhercheeksshekissedQasimonhisforeheadsaying:"Qasim,mydearchild,your
agedaunthadhopedthatyou,mydearones,wouldcarrymyfuneralbier.Butitiswrittenin
Zainab'sfatethatsheshouldseetheyounglivesofherdearestonesextinguishedbeforeher.
Ithasfallentomylottoseeyoualldeadbeforemeandtocarryyourmemoriesfortherestof
mydreary,unendingdays.MarchonmychildwiththenameofGod."
QasimcametoHusainandreverentiallykissedhishands.SeeingQasimsovividlyresembling
Hasan,hisdear,departedbrother,Husainweptbitterly.HekissedQasimonhischeeksand
heldthehorseforhimtomount.AbbascameforwardtodothisservicebutHusainwouldnot
lethimdoso."Thisisthelastoccasionformetogiveasend‐offtomyQasimandletmedo
thisforhim."HeturnedtoQasimandsaid:"Qasim,Ishallnotbelonginjoiningyou."
Reachingthebattlearena,Qasimaddressedtheenemywithaneloquencewhichreminded
manyofthesermonsofhisgrandfatherAli.Withgapingmouthstheyweretransfixedtothe
groundathiswordsofadmonitiononthebetrayaloftheImam.AmrIbneSaadorderedhis
mentochallengehimtosinglecombat,fearingthatthisyouth'seloquencemightrousethe
vestigesofgoodnessinsomeofhismen.Qasimfoughtbattleswithseveralofthemandthrew
themfromtheirhorsesasifhewereaseasonedwarriorandnotayouthof14,withthree
day'sthirstandhunger.SuchwashisskillwiththeswordandhorsemanshipthatHusain,who
waswatchinghisnephew'sfightfromahillocknearhiscamp,burstintospontaneous
acclamation.Nownowarriorfromtheenemyrankswascomingforwardtomeetthe
challengeofthisbravesonofHasan.HewasnowrepeatedlychallengingthesoldiersofAmr
Saadtocomeforwardandmatchtheirskillandswordsmanshipagainsthiminsinglecombat.
AmrSaad,seeingthatnoneofhiswarriorswaspreparedforthis,orderedhissoldiersto
attackQasimtogether.Itwasnowafightbetweenoneandthousands,ifsuchathingcanatall
becalledafight.HowlongcouldQasimwardofftheattacksofswords,spears,daggersand
arrowscomingathimfromalldirections?Hewaswoundedfromheadtofoot.Whenhesaw
thathecouldnolongerremaininthesaddle,hegaveacryofferinghisastsalutationtohis
uncleHusain.
Husain,whowaswatchingfromadistancethedastardlyattackofthemultitudeofsoldierson
hishelplessQasim,heardthiscryfullofagonyandpain.Hefeltasifhehadhimselfreceived
allthewoundsinflictedonQasim.Heunsheathedhisswordand,likeanenragedlion,he
rushedtowardsthebattle‐field.Withswordinonehandhegallopedhishorsecutting
throughtheenemyhordes.Suchwasthefuryofhischargethattheenemywereremindedof
thechargesofAli,hisfather,inthebattleofSiffin,whenthedexterousLionofGodhadsingly
scatteredtheenemy,runningthroughthemlikeaknifethroughbutter,andkillinghundreds
withhepowerfulsweepsofhissword,whiletheremainderofthearranttowardsranhelter‐
skeltertosavetheircontemptiblelives.ThestampedeofYazid'ssoldierswassuchthatthe
bodyofQasimwastrampledunderthefeetofhundredsofminionswhowereadisgraceof
theircalling.WhenthebattlefieldwasclearedofthecowardsandHusainreachedthebodyof
Qasim,hefoundthatitwastorntopieces.Whatfeelingsthisgruesomesightevokedin
Husain'sheartcanbetterbeimaginedthandescribed.Husainstumbleddownfromhishorse
andfelltothegroundexclaiming:"MyGod,whathavethesecowardsdonetomyQasim?"For
sometimeheweptwithsuchagonythathisbodyconvulsed.Afterawhilehetookoffhisrobe
andstartedpickinguppiecesofQasim'sbody.Onebyoneheputthemallinhisrobeand,
liftingthebundle,putitonhisagedshouldersandmountedthehorse.Ashedidso,he
muttered:"MyQasim,yourmotherhadsentyououtdressedasagroom.Nowyouare
returningtoyourmotherwithyourbodycuttopieces."Ashewasridingbacktowardshis
camp,Husainwasdisconsolatelyexclaiming:"MyGod,hastherebeenaninstancewherean
unclehadtocarryhisownnephew'sbodyinsuchastate?"
OnreachingthecampHusainputdownthebodyontheground.HecalledAbbasandasked
himtobringUmmeFarwaandhissistersZainabandKulsumtothemorgue.Hebesought
Fizza,hismother'sdevotedmaid,toconsoleUmmeFarwaandZainab,forheknewthatthe
conditionofQasim'sbodymightgivethemsuchashockaswouldkillthem.
Qasim'smothercamewithZainabononesideandUmmeKulsumontheother.Fizzawent
overtotheladiesandsaid:"Ibeseechyou,inthenameofmyladyFatima,tomusterallthe
strengthandcourageyoucantoseeQasim'smortalremains.Theymaybetornandcutto
plecesbutrememberhissoulisnowwithmyladyandHasan,whomusthavewelcomedhim
withopenarms."Sayingthis,sheopenedtherobeandunfoldedthebody.Zainabheldher
achingheart,KulsumheldherreelingheadandUmmeFarwafellwithashriekandfainted.
Whatpencannarratethegriefofamotherwhohaslostheronlyson?Whatwordscan
describetheagonyofamother'slovingheartonseeinghersoninsuchastate?Thelandof
KarbalawasechoingthecriesoftheladiesandthewailinWqofthechildrenonQasim'sdeath.
CananyoneattempttodepictHusain'splivqht‐atthattime?RestinghisheadonAbbas's
shoulders,Husainwassayinwq:"MyGod,myGod,ifmyenemieswantedtokillme,theycould
doso;butwhathavemydearonesdonethattheyslaythemsomercilessly?"
Husainstoodthereforsometimeasifinatrance.Hewasbroughtbacktotherealityofthe
situationbyAbbaswhosoflysaidtohim"Mymaster,nowletmego,asothershavedone.Iam
nowthecommanderofsoldierswhoarenomore."Husainforamomentdidnotreply.Then
heequallysoftlysaid:"VerilywecomefromGodanduntoHimweshallreturn."
Chapter5.Abbas–TheStandardbearerofHussain
TheshiftingsanddunesofKarbalaweresmearedwithblood.Nearoneofwashdunes,onthe
bankofAlkoma,laytheprostratefigureofayouthwithbloodgushingoutfrominnumerable
wounds.Thecrimsonlife‐tidewasebbingfast.Evenso,itseemedasifhewasanxiously
expectingsomebodytocometohim,tobenearhimbeforehebreathedhislast.Throughhis
starchedthroathewasfeeblycallingsomebody.Yes,Abbaswasanxiouslyexpectinghis
mastertocometohimbeforehepartedwithhislife,ashehadcometothesideofallhis
devotedfriendswhohadlaiddowntheirdearlivesforhimandinespousinghiscause.
Itissaidthatbeforeaman'sdeathalthepasteventofhislifepassbeforehismind'seyeina
flash‐back.InhislastmomentsAbbaswasexperiencingthis.Hewasseeinghimselfasachild
inMedinafollowingHusainwithadevotionwhichwasconsidereduniqueevenforabrother.
HewasseeingtheeventsofthathotandsultrydayinKufawhenhisillustriousfatherAliwas
addressingacongregationinthemosqueandhe,asachild,withhischaracteristicdevotion,
waslookingatthefaceofhisbelovedbrotherwatchinghimintentlysothathecouldattendto
hiswishesonaninstantcommand.SeeingfromtheparchedlipsofHusainthathewasfeeling
extremelythirsty,howhehaddartedoutfromthemosqueandreturnedwithatumblerfullof
cool,refreshingwaterandinthehurrytocarrythewaterasquicklyaspossibletoquenchthe
consumingthirstofhisdearestbrother,howhehadspilledwateronhisownclothes.Hewas
recallinghowthisincidenthadmadehisillustriousfatherstopinthemidstofhisspeech,with
tearsrollingdownhischeeksatthesightofhisyoungsonallwetwithwater.Hewas
rememberinghisfather'sreplytothequeriesfromhisfaithfulfollowersastowhathad
broughttearsinhiseyes,thatAbbaswhohadwettedhisbodywithwaterintheprocessof
quenchingHusain'sthirstwouldinthenottoodistantfuturewethisbodywithhisownblood
inattemptingtoquenchthethirstofhisyoungchildren.Hewasvividlyseeingthesceneon
the21stRamazan,waybackin40Hijra,whenhisfathermortallywounded,waslyingonhis
death‐bedandentrustinghischildrenanddependentstothecareofthehiseldestbrother,
Hasan‐allexcepthim.SeeingthathisfatherhadcommendedallbuthimtothecareofHasan
‐howhe,achildof12,hadburstoutintouncontrollabletears.Hisfather,onhearinghim
sobbing,hadcalledhimtohissideandgivenhishandinHusain'shandwiththewords:
"Husain,thischildIamentrustingtoyou.Hewillrepresentmeonthedayofyoursupreme
sacrificeandlaydownhislifeindefendingyouandyourdearones,muchasIwouldhave
doneifaliveonthatday."
Howhisfatherhadturnedtohimandaffectionatelytoldhim:
"Abbas,mychild,IknowyourunboundedloveforHusain.Thoughyouaretooyoungtobe
toldaboutit,whenthatdaydawns,considernosacrificetoogreatforHusainandhis
children."
Hesawbeforehismind'seyethatpartingwithhisagedmotherFatimainMedina.Howshe
hadaffectionatelyembracedhimandremindedhimofthedyingdesireofhisfathertolay
downhislifeinthedefenseofHusainandhisdearones.
Afaintsmileofsatisfactionflickeredforabriefmomentonhisparchedlipsasmileof
satisfactionthathehadfulfilledhisfather'swish;thathehadperformedhisdutyforwhichhe
wasbroughtup.Itjustflittedforamomentandvanishedasotherscenescamebeforehis
mind'seye.Hewasre‐livingtheeventsofthenightbefore.HewasseeingShimrstealthily
comingtohim;andtalkingtohimabouthistiesofrelationship;abouttheprotectionhehad
beenpromisedforAbbasbytheCommanderofYazid'sforces,onlyifhewouldleaveHusain
andgoovertoYazid'scamp;aboutthepromisesofrichesandrewardsthathewouldget;
howhehadspurnedthesuggestionofShimrwiththeutmostdisdaintothechagrinofthat
servileminionwhohadsoldhissoulforamessofpottage.Howhehadscaredawaythat
cowardbyhisscathingragesaying:
"YouworshipperofMammon,donotthinkthatAbbaswillbeluredbyyourtemptingofferof
powerandpelf.IfIdieinfendingmymaster,Husain,Ishallconsidermyselftheluckiest
person.Ocoward,rememberthatvaliantsdiebutonce.Nobodyisborntoliveeternally.By
betrayingmymaster,youhavebetrayedtheProphet,whosereligionyouprofesstofollow.On
theDayofJudgementyouwillbedoomedtoeternalperdition.Iamashamedtoownany
relationshipwithyou.Haditnotbeenforthefactthatyouhavecomehereunarmed,Iwould
havegivenyouthechastisementyoudeserveforyourimpudenceinaskingmetobecomea
turncoat."
Howthatwretchhadscamperedfromthereseeinghimroaringlikeanenragedlion.The
thoughtofthatunpleasantinterludecontractedhisbrows.Orwasittheexcruciatingpainhe
wassufferingonaccountofthedeepgasheshehadalloverhisbody?
YetanotherscenepassedbeforeAbbas'seyes‐Sakinaleading42children,eachwithadry
water‐bag.Thechildrenwereshoutingasifinchorus
Thirst,consumingthirst,iskillingus.
Sakinacomingtohimandputtingherdrywater‐bagathisfeetandsayingtohim:
"Ouncle,Iknowyouwilldosomethingtogetwaterforus.Evenifyoucanbringonebagfull
ofwater,wecanwetourparchedthroats."
Hecouldseethatthirst,aggravatedbythescorchingheatofthedesert,wassqueezingtheir
younglivesoutofthem.Thesightoftheseyoungstershadmovedhimmorethananyother
soul‐stirringeventsofthatfaithfulday.Howhehadpickedupthewater‐bagwithassurance
toSakinathathewouldgoandbringwater‐GodWilling.
HowhehadtakenHusain'spermissionandmarchedoutofthecampwithaswordinone
hand,theflagintheother,andthebagonhisshoulder,withthechildrenfollowinghimina
groupuptotheouterperimeterofthecamp.HowHusainhadrepeatedlyrequestedhimto
avoidfightingasmuchaspossibleandconfinehimselftothetaskofbringingwater!
Histhoughtsswitchedovertotheeventsthathadprecededhisfallfromthehorse.Withthe
objectofprocuringwaterforhisdearlittleSakina,hehadchargedontheenemywhoheldthe
riverbanks.Hehadrunthroughtheenemyrankslikeaknifethroughbutter.Againthis
surgingonslaughtthecowardscouldnotstandandhadrunhelter‐skeltershoutingfor
protection.ForamomentitseemedasifAli,theLionofGod,haddescendedfromheaven.In
notimeAbbaswasneartherivulet.Hehadjumpeddownfromthehorseandbenttofillthe
water‐bag.Whenitwasfilledtothebrim,hehadtakensomewaterinhiscuppedhandto
drinkandsatisfyhiskillingthirst.But,onsecondthoughts,hehadthrownthewateraway.
HowcouldhedrinkwaterwhenSakinaandthechildrenwerestillwitheringwithoutit?How
couldhebesocallousastoforgetthathismasterHusainhadnothadadropofwatersince
thelastthreedays.Hehadturnedtohishorsewhichhadbeenletloosesothatitcouldsatisfy
itsthirst.Theanimalhadbeenintentlylookingatitsmasterasiftosay:
"Itooamawarethat,solongasourmasterandhischildrenremainwithoutwater,ourthirst
cannotbequenched."
Withthewater‐bagfilledhehadjumpedintothesaddlewithonethoughtuppermostinhis
mind,togetthewatertotheanxiouslywaitingchildrenasquicklyaspossible.Seeinghim
gallopingtowardsthecampofHusain,theenemyhadturned.Somebodyhadshoutedfrom
theenemyranksthatifHusainandhispeoplegotwater,itwouldbedifficulttofightthemon
thebattlefield.Thoughitwasanunevenfight,hefoughtthemwithvalourwhichwasso
characteristicofhisfathersThoughhewasthirstyandhungry,hechargedonthemand
scatteredthem.ThemercenariesofYazidwererunninglikelambsinafoldwhenchargedby
alion.Seeingthatafrontalassaultonamansobravewasnotpossible,theyhadresortedtoa
barrageofarrows.Whenarrowswerecomingformallsides,Abbashadonlyonethoughtin
hismind,howtoprotectthewater‐bagthanhislife.SeeingthatAbbaswaspreoccupiedwith
thisthought,onetreacherousfoe,hidingbehindasand‐dune,hadrushedoutanddealtablow
onhisrighthandandcutitoff.InaflashAbbashadtransferredhisswordtohislefthandand
thestandardhewasbearinghehadhuggedtohischest.NowthattheLionofAliwascrippled,
thefoeshadfoundcouragetosurroundhim.Ablowfromanenemy'sswordseveredhisleft
arm.Theoddswerenowmountingagainsthim.Heheldthebagwithhisteethandprotected
theflagwithhischestpressedonthehorse'sback.Nowtheparamountthoughtinhismind
wastoreachthecampsomehowortheother.Asilentprayerhadescapedhislips:
"MercifulAllah,sparemelongenoughtofulfillmymission."
Butthatwasnottobe.Anarrowhadpiercedthewater‐bagandwaterhadstartedgushing
outofit.WasitwaterthatwasflowingoutofthatbagorthehopesofAbbas?Allhisefforts
hadbeeninvain.AfterallSakina'sthirstwouldremainunsatisfiedandallherhopeswouldbe
frustrated.Theenemieswhohadmadeboldtosurroundhim,nowseeinghishelpless
condition,werenowgatheringthickroundhim.Oneofthemcamenearhimandstruck
mortalblowwithanironmace.Hereeledoverandfellfromthehorse.
Hetossedontheburningsandwithexcruciatingpain.Hefeltthatlifewasfastebbingoutbut
hiswishtoseehismasterhadremainedunfulfilled.Withonelasteffort,withallthestrength
thatwasleftinhim,heshouted:
"Omymaster,docometomebeforeIdie."
Asitinanswertohisprayershefeltsomefootstepsnearhim,Yes,hisinstincttoldhimthatit
washislord.Hisoneeyehadbeenblindedbyanarrowandtheotherfilledwithbloodandso
hecouldnotsee.Buthefelthismasterkneelingdownbesidehim,liftinghisheadandtaking
itintohislap.Notawordwassaidforafewsecondsbecausebothwerechokedwithemotion.
AtlastheheardHusain'svoice,ahalf‐sob,half‐muffledcry:
"Abbas,mybrother,whathavetheydonetoyou?"
IfAbbascouldsee,wouldhehaverecognizedhismaster?Withbackbentandbeardturned
whiteandhoary,onhearingthepartingcryofhisbelovedbrother,Husain'splightwassuch
thatnobodycouldhaverecognizedhim‐suchwashistransformation.Abbaswasnowfeeling
thelovingtouchofhismaster'shand.Withefforthemuttered:
"Youhavecomeatlast,myMaster.IthoughtIwasnotdestinedtohavealastfarewellwith
youbut,thankGod,youarehere."
Withthesewordsheputhisheadonthesand.TenderlyHusainliftedhisheadandagainputit
onhislap,inquiringwhyhehadremoveditfromthere.
"MyMaster",repliedAbbas,"thethoughtthatwhenyouwillbebreathingyourlast,nobody
willbetheretoputyourheadinalapandtocomfortyou,makesmefeelthatitwouldbe
betterifmyheadliesonthesandwhenIdie,justasyourswouldbe.Besides,Iamyourslave
andyouaremymaster.Itistoomuchformetoputmyheadonyourlap."
Husainburstintouncontrollabletears.Thesightofhisbrother,whosenamewastobecomea
bywordfordevotionandunflinchingfaithfulness,layingdownhisdearlifeinhisarms,was
heart‐rending.
Abbaswasheardtowhispersoftly:
"Mymaster,Ihavesomelastwishestoexpress.WhenIwasborn,Ihadmyfirstlookatyour
faceanditismylastdesirethatwhenIdie,mygazemaybeonit,too.Myoneeyeispierced
byanarrowandtheotherisfilledwithblood.Ifyouwillclearthebloodfrommyoneeye,I'll
beabletoseeyouandfulfillmylastdyingdesire.MysecondwishisthatwhenIdieyoumay
notcarrymybodytothecamp.IhadpromisedtobringwatertoSakinaand,sinceIhave
failedinmyattempttobringherwater,Icannotfaceherevenindeath.Besides,Iknowthat
theblowsthatyouhavereceivedsincemorninghaveallbutcrushedyouandcarryingmy
bodytothecampwillbeheartbreakingworkforyou.AndmythirdwishisthatSakinamay
notbebroughtheretoseemyplight.Iknowwithwhatloveandaffectionshewasdevotedto
me.Thesightofmydeadbodylyingherewillkillher."
Husainsobbinglypromisedhimthathewouldcarryouthislastwishesadded:
"Abbas,Itoohaveawishtobefulfilled.Sincechildhoodyouhavealwayscalledmemaster.
Foronceatleastcallmebrotherwithyourdyingbreath".
Thebloodwasclearedfromtheeye,onebrotherlookedattheotherwithalonginglingering
look.Abbaswasheardtowhisper:
"Mybrother,mybrother"
andwiththesewordshesurrenderedhissoultohisMaker:Husainfellunconsciousonthe
deadbodyofAbbaswithacry:
"OAbbas,whoislefttoprotectmeandSakinaafteryou?"
TheflowofFuratbecamedarkaswinterandamurmurarosefromtheflowingwaterasifto
protestagainstthekillingofathirstywater‐beareronitsbanks.
Chapter6.FromtheCradletotheGrave
Themotherwaslookingintentlyintothefaceofherchildlyinginthecradle.Itwasaface
whichhadbecomeashen‐paleonaccountofstarvation.Thechild,althoughabouttenmonths
old,wassoemaciatedthatanypersonbeholdingwouldthinkthatitwashardlysixmonths
old.Thechild’seyesappearedtobesearchingforsomething.Asiftoindicatewhatitwanted,
thechildwasopeningitsmouthandtakingoutitsparchedtongueandturneditontoitslips.
Themotherwassittingandwatching,helplesslywaitingfordeathtocometothechildand
relieveitoftheagony.Butwhatmothercanbeartoseeherchilddieofstarvationand,whatis
worse,thirstunquenched?Couldshenotdosomethingtogetafewdropsofwaterwhich
couldwellbecomethelifesavingelixirforthechild?Butwherecouldshegetthesefewdrops
ofpreciouswaterwhichherlord,ImamHussein,andhisnearanddearonesweredeniedby
thearmyofYazidforthreedays?Herheartwasrevoltingagainsttheideaoflettingheryoung
sondieofthirst.Foronedayshehadnursedthechildatherbreastbutassheherselfhad
gonewithouttheessentialnourishmentsforsolong,hermilkhaddriedupcompletelyand
therewasnotadropthatshecouldgivetoherchild.Notfaraway,therivuletwasgushingby
andmurmurofitsripplingwaterscouldbeheardinthestillnessthatpervadedthose
afternoonhours.
Apassingthoughtcameintothemother’smindtotakeupthechildinherarmsandgoout‐to
runtotheriverandsnatchsomewatertoquenchthechild’sthirst.Butitwasjustafleeting
thoughtwhichsherejectedonconsideringwhatherhusband,ImamHussein,wouldsayand
feel.Wouldnotsuchanactiononherpartingoingoutwiththechild,causegreatagonytoher
lord?Hadhenotsufferedenoughduringthedaylosinghisfriendsandmembersofhisfamily,
oneaftertheother,bringingtheirdeadbodiestothemorgue?Sherecalledhowthischild’s
sister,FatimaSughra,hadpleadedwithherinMedinatoleavehimbehindwithhersothat
shecouldpassherdaysinthecompanyofthechild.Sherememberedhowthischild,Ali
Asghar,hadclungtohissisterandwouldnotgotoanybodytillherlordhadcomeoverand
whisperedsomethingintoitsears.WhatthewordswerewhichHusseinhadwhisperedtoAli
AsgharinMedinawhenhewasinhissister’sarms,shedidnotknowbutshedistinctly
recollectedthechild’scomingoverwithasmilefromhissister’sarmsintohisfather’s
outstretchedarms.WhatacontrastthesmilingfaceofAliAsghar,barelysixmonthsoldat
thattime,presentedtotheattenuatedandemaciatedfaceofthechildlyinginthecradle
beforeher!
Everyminutethatwaspassingwasincreasingtheagonyofthechildandgriefofthemother.
UmmeRababdidnotknowwhatshecoulddoexceptwatchthechilddyingbyinches.Shewas
justgettingreconciledtothisthoughtwhenthechild,withonedesperateattempt,lifteditself
andcametoUmmeRabab’sarms.Thoughunabletocrythroughsheerweakness,AliAsghar
utteredaheartrendingmoanwhichtoreasunderthehelplessmother’sheart.Sheclaspedthe
childtoherbosomandstoodmotionless.Sheheardarustlingnoisebehindherand,turning
around,shesawImamHusseinenteringthetent.Seeinghimshecouldnolongercontain
herselfandrushedtowardshimsaying,“Sire,myinnocentsonisdyingofthirst.ForGod’s
sakedosomethingtosavehim.”ImamHusseinlookedatherandthenatthechild.Hecould
seehowtrueherapprehensionswere.Afteramomentsthinkinghesaidtoher:“Umme
Rabab,giveAliAsghartome.Asalastattempt,Ishalltakehiminmyarmsandappealtothe
armyofYazidtogivehimafewdropsofwatertosavehisinnocentlife.”Overjoyedatthe
thoughtofhersongettingsomewater,UmmeRababimmediatelyputAliAsgharinImam
Hussein’sarmssaying:“Sire,goquickly,fortimeismostpreciousforsavingmyson’slife.May
Godhelpyouingettingsomewaterforhim.Whenyoutakehimoutintothescorchingsun,do
coverhimupwithyourrobe,because,inhispresentcondition,hemightwitherawaylikea
flowerintheblazeoutside.”Husseintookthechildinhisarms,coveredhiminhisrobeand
wentoutofthetent.Themotherfollowedhimtotheexitandstoodtherewatchinghimgo
towardsthearmy.
ThesoldiersofYazidsawHusseincomingtowardsthem,hisbackbent,hisbodywounded,his
beardturnedcompletelywhitewithsorrowandgriefinthespanofafewhours.Theysaw
himbringingsomethingheldunderhisrobe.ManythoughtthatHusseinwasbringingthe
holyQurantopleadwiththemthattheconflictbetweenhimandYazidberesolvedbythe
arbitramentofthisholybook.Hewalkedtowardsthemandstoodatashoutingdistanceand,
whenhefeltthattheycouldseehimclearly,heremovedhisrobewhichwascoveringAli
Asghar.Heheldthechildhighinhishandsand,inaloudandringingvoice,hesaid:“Oh
soldiersofKufaandDamascus,Icametothisplaceattheinvitationofyourpeopletopreach
tothemtheprinciplesofIslam.Insteadoftreatingmeandmypeopleasyourguests,you
betrayedusanddeniedusevenwaterforthepastthreedays.Youhavekilledmyloyal
friends,mynephews,brothersandsons.Ifinyourwarpedjudgmentwehadcommitteda
crime,bynotbowingtothewillofthetyrantYazid,whomyouhaveacceptedasyourspiritual
lord,myyoungson,whomIamholdingbeforeyou,hasnotcommittedanysin,becauseheis
justaninfant.Forthelastthreedayshehasnothadanynourishment—notevenwater.Heis
nowdyingofthirst.Islamisthereligionwhichyouprofesstofollowand,inthenameofIslam,
Iappealtoyoutogivealittlewatertomyinnocentsontosavehislife.Iamsuremanyofyou
mustbehavingyoungchildrenofhisage,Iimploreyou,fortheloveofyourchildren,notto
letthischilddieofthirst.”Sayingthis,heturnedtothechildinhishandsandsaid:“AliAsghar,
myson,Iwishyoucouldtellthemtowhatstateyourthirsthasreducedyou.”Asifin
responsetothis,AliAsgharturnedhismouthandstartedturninghistongue,whichhad
becomebonedryonhisparchedlips.
Hussein’swordsandAliAsghar’smuteappealforwaterhadamagicaffectevenonthe
heartlessmercenarieswhowerearrayedagainstthem.Manysoldiersrecalledthefacesof
theirownchildrenbackhomelyingcontentlyintheircradleswell‐fedandwell‐protected.
Theirpaternalinstinctsforamomentarousedpityintheirheartsforthisinnocentbaby.
Someoftheminspiteofthemselves,couldnothelpsheddingtearstohidewhichtheyhadto
turntheirfaces.Someboldonesamongstthemwerewhisperingtooneanotheraboutgoing
tothecommanderoftheirarmy,AmrSaad,andaskinghimtosavethechild’slifeby
providingsomewatertohim.
Husseinwaswaitingforthereplytohisappeal,withthechildinhisarms.Hefeltthatanother
appealthenmightbehelpful,soheonceagainaddressedthesoldiersofYazid:“Armyof
Yazid,someamongstyoumaybethinkingthatIamaskingforwaterforthechildwiththe
intentionofsatisfyingmyownthirstandthethirstofotherchildrenandladiesinmycamp.If
youthinkso,letmetellyouthatIamincapableofanysuchruse.Ifyoudonotfeelconvinced,
Iampreparedtohandovermysontoyousothatyoucanyourselftakehimandgivehim
water.IamlayingdownAliAshgaronthesandsothatanyoneofyoucancomeandpickhim
upandreturnhimtomeafterquenchinghisthirst.”Sayingthishespreadhisrobeonthe
groundandputAliAsgharonitinfullviewoftheoppositearmy.
Hussein’sactionshadanelectrifyingaffectonmanyofthesoldiers.Someofthemfeltlike
goingovertoAmrSaad,theircommander,andtellinghimthathecouldnotdenyafewdrops
ofwatertothechildwhenHusseinhadclearlydemonstratedthattherewasnostratagemto
getwaterforhimself.
AmrSaadsensedthat,ifmuchtimeelapsed,someofhissoldiersmightrevoltagainsthim—
soldierswhohadnothesitatedtoslaughteryoungHashemitesboysoftwelveandfourteen,
butwhoarenowtouchedtothequickbythemuteappealofthisbabe,afewmonthsold,for
somedropsofwater.HeturnedtohisacearcherHurmula,whowasstandingbesidehim,and
said:“Hurmula,hereisthechanceforyoutoearnthebestfavorofYazid.Cutshortthis
agonizingsituationbyyourarrow.Demonstrateyourskillbypiercingthethroatofthechild.”
Theheartlessarcher’sgreedandcupiditywerearoused.Hepicturedtohimselfthefavorshe
wouldgainatthecourtofYazidwhenitwouldbenarratedthathecametotherescueofAmr
Saad,whenhefacedaverydelicatesituationwithmanyoftheyoungsoldiersstaginganear
revoltonbeholdingthepiteousconditionofthehaplessandhelplesschild.Withoutwaiting
forasecond,hepickeduphisbowandarrowandtookaimatthechild.Atthesameinstant
Husseinpickedupthechildfromtheground.Thearrowwhizzedpastthegroundwherethe
childwaslyingaminutebefore.NowAliAsgharwasinhisfather’sarms.Seeingthathisfirst
arrowhadgonetowaste,Hurmulatookoutanotheroneandaimeditatthechild.Anexpert
marksmenthoughhewas,hecouldnottakecorrectaimashesawinthedistantbackground
bearthedoorofthetentawoman’sveiledform.Hefeltthatitmustbethemotherofthechild
anxiouslyandexpectantlywaitingforthechild’sreturn.Thereasonforhissecondarrow
missingitsmarkwasthat,heartlessashewas,hecouldwellrealizethat,withthepiercingof
thechild’sthroat,hewouldbeshatteringamother’shopesandheart.AmrSaadwhowas
watchingthetwoabortiveattemptsofhisbestarcher,knownthroughoutthekingdomforhis
expertandunfailingmarksmanship,gotscaredofhisfailures.Heknewfullwellthatevery
secondthatelapsedasdangerousforhim.Hefeltthat,whattheotherboldandbravesoldiers
onHussein’ssidecouldnotachieve,mightbeachievedbythislittleinfantinsavingtheday
fortheImam.He,therefore,exhortedHurmulawithallthepersuasionhecouldcommand,
givinghimmostextravagantpromisesofaward,tohastenwithhisthirdarrow.Littledidthe
wretchneedofthesebecause,feelinghumiliatedandchagrinedathisownweakness,heput
thethirdarrowinthebowandtakingaim,letitgo.Itwasreleasedwithsuchuncanny
accuracythatitfounditsexacttarget.Itwastoobigforitstargetfor,howbigisthethroatofa
childafewmonthsold!ThearrownotonlypiercedthethroatofAliAsgharbuttoreit
asunderanddugitselfintoImamHussein’sarms.Suchwasitsimpactthatthechild’sblood
gushedforthasiffromafountainandsplashedthefaceofthefather.
Husseinclaspedthedeadbodyofhisinfanttohischestand,withtearsrollingdownhis
cheeks,muttered:“Myinnocentson,towhatdepthofdegradationthesepeoplesunkthat
theycouldnotspareevenyou.”
Husseinwashesitatingforsometimewhattodoafterthis.Heknewthatthechild’smother
waswaitingforhimtobeingitbacktoher.Whatifsheaskedhimwhetherhehadgotten
waterforhim?Ifhetoldherthattheenemieshadkilledhimwithanarrow,wouldshenotask
whether,beforekillinghim,theyhadquenchedthechild’sthirst?Hewentforwardafew
pacesandthenretracedthem.Hissecondthoughtwastoburythechildonthespotandthen
goandtellthewaitingmotheraboutwhathadhappened.Butherejectedtheidea,becausehe
realizedthatthemotherwouldliketohavealastlookatherdeadchild’sface.Butthenhe
thoughtoftheagonythemotherwouldfeelwhenshesawtheterriblewoundinthethroat.
Stealinghisnerves,ImamHusseincoveredthecorpseofthechildwithhisrobeinthesame
wayashehadcovereditwhencomingtothebattlefieldandwalkedtowardshiscamp.As
soonasheenteredit,hesawtheanxiousmotherwaitingimpatiently.
Shelookedashisdroopingfacesmearedwithbloodandsawtearsrollingdownhischeeks.
Sheunderstoodwhathehadcometotellher.Assonashesawher,hesaid:“UmmeRabab,as
yourhusbandandlord,Iaskyoutomakeonepromisetome.ThisIamaskingfromyouasmy
lastwish.”Shequietlysaid:“Sire,Ishalldoexactlyasyouwantmeto.Tellmewhattheydid
tomyinnocentson,tellmeall.Otheryoungwarriorsdiedfightingbravely.Butmyhelpless
childwastooyoungforthat.Tellmewhethertheygavehimwaterbeforekillinghim.Even
animalsaregivenfoodandwaterbeforetheyareslaughtered.”
Husseinwhispered:“Rabab,Ibeseechyounottocursethepersonswhokilledyourinnocent
childsomercilessly.Alas,theydidnotgivehimadropofwater.Myappealtothemforwater
forhimwasansweredwithanarrow.”Sayingthis,heremovedtherobefromAliAsghar’s
corpseandhandedittoRabab.
Hussein’ssisterZainab,whohadcomeoverthereonhearingherbrother’svoice,sawthe
mothertakingthedeadchildintoherhands,claspingitoherbosom,andthencollapsewitha
piercingshriek.SherushedintoholdUmmeRabab.Whatmothercouldseeherchildinthat
stateandstillremaincalmandpatient!
ZainabcalledalltheladiesofthefamilytocomeoverandconsoleUmmeRabab.Hussein
stoodthereforquitesometimelostinthought.Hewasperhapsrememberingallthathehad
lostinthespaceofafewhours.Notevenhisinnocentchildhadbeensparedbytheenemy
who,itseemed,werebentuponexterminatingthefamilyoftheProphetofIslam,though
professedlyowingallegiancetohim.
HewasstilldeepinthoughtwhenUmmeRababcameovertohimandsaid:“Sire,Iwantmy
childtobeburiedbyyouwithyourownhands.Iknowthatwhenyouarenomore,the
enemieswillnothesitatetodesecratethedeadbodiesofthemartyrs.Iwantthischildtobe
sparedsuchdefilementafterdeath.”
Husseintookthechild’sdeadbodyfromthemother’shands,andwalkedoutofthecamp.He
dugalittlegravewithhisswordwithnonetoassisthim.Atsuchtimesitisusualforothersto
attendtheburialceremonybutHusseinhadnonewithhimwhocouldlendhimahelping
hand,muchlessburythechild.Heplacedthechildinthegraveandcovereditwithearth.Itis
customarytosprinklesomewateroverthegravebutthatwasnotpossiblewheneveninits
lasthour,thechildcouldnotgetadropforanypurpose.
Husseinsatatthegravewithhistearsrollingdown.AfterofferingFatehaatthegrave,
Husseinraisedhisheadheavenwardandprayed:“OhGod.ThouartmywitnessthatIhave
notfalteredinmydutytotheleastandhavegivensacrificesofallmydearestones,including
mylastone,thismybabe—in—arms.”
Chapter7.TheSupremeSacrifice
Husainwasalone,allalone,withnonetobefriendhim,nonetohelphim,nonetodefendhim.
Ontheothersidewasanarmyofseveralthousandstrong,thirstingforhisblood.Hewas
sittingonthesandoutsidehistentlisteningtothebeatingofdrumsoftheenemypunctuated
bytheirbattlecry,“Isthereanypersonlefttocomeoutandfightwithus?”Husainwondered
whethertheywereexpectinganypersontobeleftorwhethertheirbattlecrywasjustto
mockhim.Didtheynotknowthatallhisloyalfriendshaddiedfightingvaliantlytodefend
him?Didtheynotrealizethattherewasonlyonesurvivorleftfromhisbrothers,cousins,
nephews,sonsandhiskindred,eachonehavinglaiddownhislifeinthefewhoursbetween
sunriseandpost‐noonperiod?NowtherewasleftonlyhissonAliZainalAbedeen,whowas
confinedtobedwithfeverwhichhadbeenragingfordaysandwhichhadsoweakenedhim
thathecouldhardlylifehishead,letalonewalk.
ThedecliningsunwasnowcastinglengtheningshadowsontheplainofKerbala.Itseemed
thatHusainwaswaitingfortheinevitablehourtocome.Perhapshewaswaitingtillevening
sothathecouldgooutintothebattle‐fieldafterofferinghisprayers.
Theshoutsfromtheenemy’shordesbecamemoreandmorevociferous.Itseemedthatnow
theywereclamouringtoshedhisbloodsothat,havingaccomplishedtheirtask,theycould
partakeofthefeastwhichtheircommanderhadpreparedforthemtocelebratetheirsuccess.
SomeimpatientsoldierscamemarchingtowardsHusain’scampandshouted,“OHusain,
whereareyoursoldierswhoweresoanxioustoprotectyouandwhohadsworntoseethat
noharmcametoyouaslongasanyofthemlived??Whereareyourbrothers,sonsand
nephewswhohadsworntoprotectyouandtoseethatnobodyraisedhisvoiceagainstyours
whileanyofthembreathed?”
Husainwascuttothequickbythesetauntingwordsoftheenemy.Heturnedtowardsthe
morguewherethedeadbodiesofhisbelovedfriendsanddearoneswerelyingand,
addressingthem,hesaid,“Whereareyou,MuslimIbneAusaja,ZohairIbneQain,HabibIbne
Muzahir,HurIbneRiyahiandmyotherfaithfulfriends?Doyouhearthetauntsofthe
enemies?Whydon’tyourespondtomylastcallforhelp?”Then,turningtowardsthedead
bodiesofhisnephewsandsons,hecried,“Areyouhearingme,OAliAkbar,Qasim,Aun,
Muhammadandmybrothers?AllofyouwereeverreadytodefendmebutnowIamallalone
andwithoutafriendtohelpme,todefendme,oreventoconsolemeinthishouroftrial.”
Turningtheninthedirectionoftheriver,hecried,“Abbas,mybrother,areyouhearingmy
cryforhelp?Whyarenotansweringmetoday?Fromyourchildhood,youwereeverreadyto
chastiseanybodywhosomuchasraisedthisvoiceagainstmine,buttoday,insultsand
ignominiesarebeinghurledatme.Whydon’tyoucometomyhelpnow?”Withthesewords
heweptbitterlyandadded,“Alas,Iknowthatallofyouaresleepingthesweetslumberof
death‐Iknowthatdeathhascreatedthatbarrierwhichyoucannotcrosstohelpme.”
WithfalteringstepsHusainenteredhiscamptobidfarewelltohissisters,daughtersand
otherladiesofhishouse.Standingoutsidehistenthecalled,“OmysistersZainabandUmme
Kulsum,UmmeLailaandUmmeRubab,mydaughtersKubra,RokayyaandSakinaandmy
respectednurseFizza,comeovertometohearmylastsalutationsandfarewellmessageto
youall.”
Hiswordsdrewalltheladiesofhisfamilywhocamerushinginandclusteredaroundhim.His
dearestsisterZainabputherarmsaroundhisneckand,lookingstraightintohiseyes,said,
“Mydearestbrother,isittruethatyouaregoingawayforthelasttime,nevertobeseenalive
again?Obrother,hasthattimecome,whichIwasdreadingalldaylong,foryoutodepart
leavingusatthemercyoftheseheartlesshordes?”
Withhisheadbowed,Husainmuttered,“Yes,Zainab,thetimehascomeforwhichyour
motherhaspreparedyoufromyourchildhood,aboutwhichyourfatherhadspokentoyouon
hisdeath‐bed.FormethispartingissaddestbecauseIknowthatyourrealtrialsandordeals
willnotendbutonlybegintoday.”
“Myownbrother,”repliedZainab,“Iwasallalonghopingagainsthopethatbysacrificingthe
livesofmysons,AunandMuhammad,ofAbbas,QasimandAliAkbar,yourlifemightbe
spared.Withoutyou,whenwillbeleftinthisworldformetolivefor?Brother,whenyougo
toheaven,pleadwithourgrandfathertocallmethere,tosparemetheinsultsandignominies
thatnowawaitme.”
ForamomentHusaincouldnotreplytoZainab’spleadings,forheknewhowtruewhatshe
saidwas.Controllinghisownemotions,afterafewseconds,hesaid,“Zainab,ifyouwillleave
thisworldsosoon,whowillfulfillthemission,whowillaccomplishthetaskwhichIam
leavingunfinished?Iamentrustingtoyourcaremyorphansandwidowsandtheorphans
andwidowsofallmybravesoldiersandmybloodrelations.Itisnowforyoutoleadthem,to
lookafterthem,tocareforthemandtoconsolethem.Ishalldieinpeaceifyoupromiseme
thatyouwillbetothemwhatwerealltheirdeadones,whomtheyhadlosttoday.”Hepaused
forawhileandadded,“AndZainab,IamparticularlycommendingtoyourcaremysonAli
ZainabAbedeen,whomillnesshasbroughttothevergeofdeath,andmybeloveddaughter
Sakinawhohasneverbeenseparatedfrommeevenforaday.Whenshewillnotseeme,she
willaskyouwhereIhavegone.Consoleherasbestasyoucan.Irememberhowshewas
pleadingforwatertoheruncleAbbasbut,eversincehisdeath,shehasnotutteredaword.
Whenyougetwateraftermydeath,giveitfirsttoher.”
Withthesewords,Husainseemedtobechokedwithemotions,butcontrollinghimselfhe
wenton,“TheenemiesknowwellhowdearlySakinalovesmeandIloveher.Tosatisfytheir
vengeanceagainstme,theymightbeatheruptotormentmysoul,and,perhaps,leadherasa
captivefromtheplacewheremydeadbodywilllie.Zainab,dowhatyoucantospareher
thesetorturesandafflictions.”
AsHusainwassayingthis,eachwordwassinkingintoZainab’swoundedheart.Shewas
chokingwithsobsandtheonlyreplyshecouldgivetothelastcommendationsofherbrother
wasbynoddingofherhead.
Afterafewseconds,Husaincontinued,“Zainab,Ihavesomuchtosaytoyoubeforemylast
partingbutIhavesolittletimeforit.Dearestsister,theenemywilltakeyouallprisonersand
theywillperhapsmarchyouthroughthestreetsofKufaandDamascus.Theymaysnatch
awayyourveilsandparadeyouthroughthebazaarsofthesecitiestoaddtoyouragony.They
mayeventieorchainyourhandsandfeetandmercilesslyusethelashandspearstotorture
allofyouhelplessladiesandchildrenoftheProphet’sHouse.Thatwillbetherealhourof
trialforyou,butZainab,Iimploreyoubytheloveyouhaveforme,nottoloseyourpatience.
Whenthesetorturesareinflictedonyouall,youmustgivecouragetoalltheladiesand
childrenwithyou,andaskthemtopraytoGodAlmightyforfortitudeandpatiencetobear
theignominiesinsults,torturesandtorments.Zainab,rememberatalltimesthatwe,people
oftheHouseoftheProphet,muststandfirminthehouroftrialwithoutsomuchasutteringa
curseonourtorturersandtormentors.”
WhenHusainstoppedaftersayingthis,Zainablookedathimthroughtearsandrepliedina
lowvoice,“Husain,IpromiseyouthatIshallexactlyaccordingtoyourlastwishes.Dear
brother,prayformethatGodmaygivemethefortitudetosufferboldlyandpatiently,pray
thatinmyhouroftrialImaynotbefoundwanting.MydearestHusain,IpromisethatIshall
doexactlyasyouwantmetoandshallshouldertheresponsibilitieswhichyourdeathwill
throwonmeandshowtotheworldthatIamyoursister,anddaughterofAliandFatima,and
grand‐daughteroftheProphetofIslam.”
ThisboldandbravereplyofZainabservedasabalmtoHusain’swoundedheart.Heblessed
herandadded,“Yoursufferingswilllastalongtimeandyouallwillhavetoendure
imprisonmentandindignities.WhenyoureturntoMedinaafteryourreleasefromprison,
conveymysalaamstoallmyfriendswhomaycometomournmydeath.Tellthemthatmy
lastmessagetothemwasthatIandmynearanddearonesdieswithoutadropofwaterwith
consumingthirst.Tellthemthat,whentheydrinkcoolwater,theymayremembermeandmy
faithfulfollowersandmembersofmyfamily,andthethirstweenduredtoday.”
AlltheladiesofthefamilywhowerelisteningtothelastwishesofHusainwerebeside
themselveswithgrief.Theywere,oneandall,cryingbitterly.Somewhosestrengthhadebbed
awayonaccountofthirstandstarvationandthesufferingstheyhadundergoneatthelossof
theirbrothersandsonsduringtheday,swoonedandfellunconsciousonthefloor.
“IhavenotyetconcludedwhatIhavetotellyou,Zainab,”saidHusain,afterawhile.“When
yougobacktoMedina,youtellmybeloveddaughter,FatimaSughra,thatthoughIhadleft
herbehindonaccountofherill‐health,Ineverforamomentforgotherandrememberedher
tillmylasthour.Conveymylovetoherandtellherthatfatewilleditthatourpartingin
Medinashouldbeforever.Whenshewilllearnfromyouthatsomanyofheruncles,brothers
andcousinsleftMedinabutnonereturned,shewillfeeldisconsolate.Dowhateveryoucanto
consoleher.”
WhenthesewordsHusainstopped.Thebrotherandsisterembracedeachother.Itwasthe
lastembraceofthelovingbrotherandsisterwhohadthroughouttheirlivesremainedclosest
andmostdevotedtoeachother.Itwasthepartingembraceofabrotherandsisterwhoknew
thattheywerenevertomeetagain.ZainabwasclingingtoHusainasifshedidnotwanttolet
himgo,knowingthathewouldnevercomebackagain.Bothwerecryingtheirheartsout,the
sisteratthethoughtofimminentmartyrdomofherbrotherandthebrotheratthethoughtof
thepredicamentinwhichhewasleavingherandtheothersofhisfamily,womenand
children‐andhisinvalidson.
TimewasnowrunningoutandthisthoughtmadeHusaintearhimselftohissister.Hewent
overtoeachladyandeachchildandmostaffectionatelyandlovinglyhebadehislastfarewell.
Heturnedtohisagednurse,Fizza,whohadlookedafterhimfromhischildhood,andkissing
herhandheaskedhertoblesshimasshehadbeenblessinghimsincehischildhood.ToFizza,
Husainwaslikeason.AtthetimeofFatima’sdeathshehadpromisedhertoremainwithhim
andnevertoleavehim.Tofulfillthatpromiseshehadaccompaniedhimonthisarduous
journey,inspiteofheradvancedage,disregardingtheadviceofalltheelderlyladiesof
Medinawhohadtriedtodissuadeher.Thispartingwastearingherhearttopieces.Heraged
eyeswerewellingwithtearssoshehuggedhimandkissedhisthroatasshehadseenhis
motherdoingwhenhewasalittleboy.“Farewell,myson,farewellfromyouragednurse.May
Godbewithyouinthehourofyoursupremetrial,”shecriedfromthedepthofherheartand
withashriekshefelldown.Hergrief‐stickenagedheartcouldnotbearthissaddestparting.
TurningroundHusainsawhisdearlittledaughterstandingnearhimandlookingupathis
face.Sheappearedtobespeechlessanddazedwithgrief.Thesorrowdepictedonher
innocentfacetoreHusain’sheart.Hefeltasifallthecouragehecouldsummonupwouldnot
besufficienttosteelhisheartforthisoccasionandtellSakinathathewasleavingherfor
ever,leavinghertothemerciesoftheworldthathadnokindnessforher,leavinghertoface
thewoeswhichhadnoparallel,leavinghertoafatewhichhadsuchsufferingsinstorefor
her.Hepickedupperupinhisarmsandimprintedkissesonhercheekswhichwerewetwith
tears.Ah!Hedidnotknowthatthesesamecheekswouldreceivecruelslapsoftheenemyjust
forcryingforherdeadfather!
PuttingSakinaonthegroundhehurriedtowardsthetentwherehisson,AliZainalAbedeen,
waslyingonacouchwithsucharagingfeverthathewasalmostunconscious.Hebentover
himandshookAliZainabAbedeenbyhisshoulderandsaid,“Myson,Ihavecometobid
farewelltoyou.Ali,myappointedhourisdrawingclose,sowakeupandmeetmeforthelast
time.”
AliZainabAbedeenwasarousedfromhisstuporbythesewordsofhisfatherandheopened
hiseyes.HesawHusainforthefirsttimethatdayand,suchwasthechangebroughtaboutin
himbythecruelblowinflictedonhimduringthattime,thatforonemomenthelookedathim
speechlessandbewilderedasifhecouldnotrecognizehim.Hesawhisfather’sbodywith
gapingwounds,hishairsnow‐white,hisbackbent.Withsupremeeffortshesatuponthebed
andcried,“OnGod,whathavetheenemiesdonetomyfather!”LookingupatHusainhe
asked,“Father,whathashappenedtoyourfaithfulfriends?Whathashappenedtomyuncle
Abbas,mybrotherAliAkbar,mycousinsQasim,AunandMuhammad?Howisitpossiblefor
youtobeinthisstate,ifanyofthemisalivetoprotectyou?”
“Myson,”repliedHusainwithasigh,“Allofthemhavetastedmartyrdomindefendingmeand
thecauseofIslam.ThereisnomalememberleftinthiscampexceptyouandI.Nowmyturn
hascometogooutanddiefighting.MydestinyisnowbeckoningmefastandIhavecometo
bidadieutoyou.”
HearingthisAliZainalAbedeenmusteredallthestrengththatwasleftinhimandrosefrom
hisbedandsaid,“Father,solongasIamalive,youcannotgomeetyourdeath.Letmedie
fightingasmybrother,cousinsanduncleshavedone.”
Husaingentlyputhimonthebedandsaid,“Myson,Icommandyou,asyourfatherand
spiritualleader,toremaininbed.Yourtaskistoaccompanyyouraunts,motherandsisters
andotherladiesincaptivity,tomarchthroughthestreetsofKufaandDamascus,withhands
andfeetinchain,tosufferinsultsinthecourtofthetyrantandundergoimprisonmentandto
bearallthesethingswithfortitudeandpatience.Yourtaskistoshowtotheworldthatwe
canbearafflictionsandsorrowswithunfalteringfaithinGodandourcause.Yourdestinyhas
singledyououttodemonstrateforalltimethatrealcrusademeansshowingfaithinthehour
oftrial,whenconfrontedwiththemostdifficultandtryingsituations.Whatyouwillsuffer,
myson,willbefarworsethandeath,fordeathwouldbringreliefbutyoumayhavetolivefor
yearswithmemoriesofyourcruelestsuffering.”
Withthesewords,Husainclaspedhissontohisbosom.Thefatherandsonpartedforever.
ThegriefwastoomuchforAliZainalAbedeentobearandhefelldownonhiscouch
unconscious.Mercifulheavensparedhimtheagonyofseeinghisfather’sdeparture.
Husainfeltthatifhedelayedanylonger,theenemymightrushintothecampenmasse.This
hecouldneversufferashewantedtosavehisfamilyfromtheignominyoftheenemy’s
lootingandpillageaslongashewasalive.Whenhereachedthecourtyardofhiscamp,he
foundhisfaithfulsteedwaitingimpatientlyforhim.Seeinghim,thehorseneighedwithjoy.
ThismountwasZuljenah,presentedtohimbyhisgrandfatherwhenhewasayoungboyand
justlearningtoride.Theagedstallionseemedfullyconsciousofitsmaster’splight.Thesight
ofHusain,woundedandcoveredwithblood,broughttearsintotheanimal’seyes.
Husainstoodbeforethehorseforamomentlookinghitherandthither.Uptothistime,there
wasnotasingleoccasionwhenhisbrotherAbbasorhissonAliAkbar,orhisnephewQasim,
hadnothelpedhimtomountthehorseholdingthestirrups.Instinctivelyhelookedallround
himandexclaimed,“BrotherAbbaswhereareyou?Whydon’tyourushforthtohelpme
mountthehorse?MyAkbar,myQasim,whydon’tyoucomeforwardtoholdthestirrupsfor
metoday?”
Zainab,whohadcometothecourtyardofthecamptoseeherbrotherdepart,noticedthe
conditionofherbrotherandrealizedwhathisfeelingswere.Sherusheduptohimandsaid,
“Husainifthereisnobodytohelpyoutoday,mybrother,Zainabwilldothisserviceforyou.
Letmeholdthestirrupsforyou.”BeforeHusaincouldsayanything,Zainabwasholdingthe
stirrups.Husainblessedherandvaultedonthehorse’sback.HeurgedZainabtogobackinto
thetentandtrytoconsolealltheladiesandchildrenwhoseafflictionsonthatdayknewno
bounds.Indeferencetoherbrother’swishes,Zainabwentbackintothetenttoperformthe
dutieswhich,fromthathour,hadfallenonherlot.
AssoonasZainabhadgonebackintothetent,HusainspurredZuljenahtomoveon.Thehorse
didnotrespondandstoodstillasifitwasgluedtothespot.Husainwassurprisedatthe
horse’simmobility.Heknewthat,withhim,thehorsehadsufferedwoundswhilstgoingto
thebattlefieldoneveryoccasionafriendormemberofthefamilyfellfighting.Heknewthat,
withhimandmembersofhisfamily,thehorsehadalsogonewithoutfoodandwaterfor
threedays.StillZuljenah’sbehaviorseemedinexplicable.
AddressingZuljenah,Husainsoftlymurmuredintoitsears,“Mycompanionfromchildhood
andmyfaithfulcharger,Iknowthatyouareoldandwearyseeingandexperiencingthe
eventsoftoday.ButZuljenah,thisisthelasttimeIammountingyou.Takemetotheplace
wheremydestinybeckonsme.Takemetomyjourney’send.”
ThehorseappearedtounderstandwhattheImamwassaying.Thoughspeechless,it
indicatedbybendingitsheadtowardstheground,thereasonwhyithadstoodmotionless.
LookingdownHusainsawhisyoungdaughterSakinaclingingtothehorse’sforelegsand
softlymoaning,“Zuljenah,Iimploreyounottotakeawaymyfathertothefieldofbattlefrom
whichnoneofmydearoneshadreturned.Zuljenah,IsawmyuncleAbbasrideawayandI
waitedforhimtocomebackwithwater,butmywaitingprovedtobeinvain.Zuljenah,I
knowfromthetalkofmyfatherthatheisnowgoingaway,goingforeverandever,neverto
comebackagain.Ibegyounottotakehimout,ifyoudonotwanttoseemeasanorphan,
withnobodylefttolovemeandcareforme.”
Throughthelackoffoodandwaterandsheerexhaustion,Sakinahadbecomesoweakthat
Husaincouldhearhermoaningwithgreatdifficulty.Shehadcomeuptothehorsesoquietly
thathehadnotnoticedhertillhelookeddowninresponsetothehorse’sindicationbe
bendingofitshead.NowheknewwhyZuljenahhadstoodstill.Heimmediatelyjumpeddown
fromthehorse’sback,pickedupSakinainhisarmsandsatontheground.Thefatherand
daughterclungtoeachotherasifnothingcouldpartthem.Bothwerechokedwithsobs;both
werecryingtheirheartsout.WhenHusaincouldsomewhatcontrolhisemotions,hesoftly
saidtoSakina,“Mydarlingdaughter,whydidyourushoutofthetent?Mychild,youmust
nowremainwithyourmothertoconsoleher.Youknow,afterthekillingofAliAsghar,how
disconsolateyourmotherhasbecome.”
Sakinalookedintotheeyesofherfatherandinnocentlyexclaimed,“Father,tellme,areyou
notgoingoutforthelasttime,nevertoreturn?AreyounotleavingyourSakinaforever?O
Father!HowwillSakinalivewithoutyou?WhenyoubroughtthedeadbodyofmybrotherAli
Akbar,Ithoughtthathislosswouldkillme;butthenthethoughtthatyouwerethereto
consoleusandbewithussustainedme.WhenyouinformedmethatmyuncleAbbashad
gonetoheavenandthatIwouldneverseenhim,myheartsankwithinme;butyouconsoled
me.Tellmefatherwhenyouaregone,whowillbetheretoshareourgriefandsorrow,to
speaktousafewwordsofconsolation?WithwhomshallIbeabletosharemygrief?No
father,Iwillnotletyougo.Youwillnevergo‐forSakina’ssake,youwillnotgo.”Sayingthis,
Sakinawept.Itwastheweepingofachild,aninnocentchildthatknew,inspiteofhertender
age,whatdeathwas;whatthepangsofparting—eternalparting,broughtaboutbydeath—
were.Shehadexperiencedthem,oneaftertheother,onthatfatefulday.
HusainwasstunnedbytheingenuouspleadingsofhisSakinawhomhelovedmorethan
anythinginthisworld.HeknewverywellwhatwasinstoreforhisbelovedSakina,whomhe
hadbroughtupwithloveandaffectionwhichwasunique.Herememberedtheday,during
thejourneytoKerbala,when,onhearingthenewsofthedeathinKufaofhisemissaryand
cousinMuslimIbneAqil,hehadcalledMuslim’syoungdaughter,whowasaccompanyinghim,
and,pattingherwithtenderaffection,hadpresentedherwithapairofearringssimilartothe
pairhehadgiventoSakina.AtthattimeSakinahadwhisperedinhisearsaskingwhetherit
wastruethathercousinhadlostherfather,andsayingthat,ifsheherselflostherfather,she
wouldnotbeabletolivewithouthimevenforaday.Littledidsheknowatthattimethatthe
dayonwhichshewouldbeorphanedwoulddawnsosoon!
WithsupremeeffortsHusaincontrolledhisfeelingsandkissinghisbelovedSakinaagainand
again,hesaidtoher,“MyownSakina,mydearestchild,howshallIexplaintoyouthatImust
goouttomeetmydeath,asothersfromourhousehavedone.Child,youaretooyoungto
understandwhatisatstake.HowcanIexplaintoyouthatthisdayIamfightingthebattlefor
thecauseoftruthofrighteousnessandIcannotsacrificethemevenforthesakeofallthatI
holddearesttomyheart.Sakina,Icanonlytellyouthatlifeistransitoryandallthatisin
existenceinthisworldistoperishsoonerorlater.Child,bydyingtoday,Iamonlygoing
beforeyouandyouwillfollowmetoheavenwhichistobeoureternalabode.MySakina,God
Almightyhassoordainedthatwemustsuffertheordealsforthecauseoftruth.Mychild,do
notholdmebackbutwithasmileonyourinnocentlips,saygoodbyetome.”
Asifherfather’swordshadkindledsomehopeinheryoungheart,shesaid,“Father,yousay
thatIwillalsojoinyouinheavenaftersometime.Promiseme,fatherthatitwillbesoon—
verysoon.Father,promisemethatyouwillremembertopleadtoGodtoendmyseparation
fromyouandtounitemewithyouinheaven,nevertobepartedagain.Ifyouwillpromise,
fatherIshallletyougo.”BeforeHusaincouldreplytoher,sheadded,“Andfather,Iwantyou
tomakemeonemorepromise.WhenIwillnotseeyou,Iwillfindtheworldandlifenothing
butmisery.Thoughindeathyouwillnotbeabletoseemeinperson,promisethatyouwill
cometomeinmydreamssothatIwillbeabletounburdenmyhearttoyouandtellyouhow
Isufferedwithoutyou.Ifyoupromiseme,father,atleastIhavesomethingtolookforwardto
everyday.Ishallwaitforthenighttocomesothatinmydream,Icantalktoyou,asIhave
alwaysdone;tokissyouandclingtoyouasIhavedoneeveryday.”Withthesewords,she
clungtoherfatherwithachokingheart.
Husain’sheartwasbleedingandtheinnocentwordsofSakinamadehimweepashehad
seldomdoneinthecourseofthetragedieshehadsufferedthatday,oneafteranother.Father
anddaughtersatthereembracingeachother—bothcryingtheirheartswithgriefunconfined.
Realizingthattimewasnowrunningoutandhearingthecriesfromtheenemy’sarmy,calling
himtothebattlefield,Husain,withtheutmosteffort,controlledhimself.KissingSakinaagain
andagain,hesaid,“MySakina,mybelovedchild,Ipromiseyouwhatyouwereaskingfor.My
darling,youalsopromisemethatyouwillbearallthesufferings,allthetorturesthatthe
enemieswillsubjectyoutowithcourageandfortitude.AndSakina,rememberthatifyouwill
cryformetoomuch,yourauntZainab,whohadalreadysufferedsomuchandwhowillnow
beshoulderingalltheresponsibilitiesafterme,willbecrushedbyyoursorrowsand
weeping.”
Sakinamurmuredsoftly,“Father,Sakinapromisesyoutofaceallthesufferingsandafflictions
silently.Mybelovedfather,Ishalldoexactlyasyouwantmeto.Asifshehadremembered
something,shesoftlyadded,“FathereverynightIusedtocometoyouandsleeponyour
chest.Now,thatwillnomorebepossible.HowIwishIcouldsleeponyourchestforthelast
timesothatIcouldcarryitsmemoriesfortherestofmylife.”
Husaincouldnotfindanywordstoreplytothisinnocentrequest.Helaydownontheburning
sandsofthecourtyardandclaspedhisdaughter.Sakinarestedherheadonherfather’schest
andlaytherecryingsilentlyforquitesometime.ThesobsofSakinaandHusainwere
punctuatingthesilencethatpervadedthecamp.Silently,SakinarosefromtheImam’schest,
kissedhimgoodbyeandstoodnearthehorse.Shesawhimmountingthehorseanddriving
away,withalastaffectionateglanceatherthatexpressedhisdeepestloveforher.Sheraised
hersmallhandandreverentiallybowedinsalutationtohim—forthelasttime.
Sakinareturnedtohermother,UmmeRubab,andrushedintoherextendedarms.Withher
headrestingonhermother’sbosom,shewasweepingandhermotherwascaressingherand
strokingherheadtenderly.UmmeRubabwassomuchstunnedbythemagnitudeofhergrief
thatshehadbecomespeechless.
Zainabheardherbrotherridingoutofthecamp.Shecouldnotcontainherselfandraisingthe
curtainfromthedoorofthetent,shefollowedhimwithhereyes.
ImamHusainrodeonstraighttothearmiesarrayedagainsthimontheoppositeside.The
soldiersofAmrSaadsawHusaincomingtowardsthemcladintheProphet’sturbanandrobe.
Facingthearmy,headdressedinastentorian,clearandringingvoicewhichwasaudibleto
theenemyhordes,“OsoldiersofYazid,IhavecometoaskyouwhetheryouknowwhoIam.If
anyofyoudon’tknow,ImakeitclearthatIamthegrandsonofProphetMuhammad,whom
youacknowledgeastheProphetofIslam.IamthesonoftheProphet’sdaughterFatimaand
theProphet’scousinAli.Iamthelastofthe5personsaboutwhomtheProphetofIslamspoke
timeandagaintohispeople.ManyofyouhaveseenandheardtheProphet.Iasksuchofyou
whetheryouhavenotseentheProphetcarryingme,andmybrotherHasan,onhisshoulders,
whenwewereyoungchildren?HaveyounotseentheProphetcryingwithgriefwhenIcried
onaccountofanysorroworaffliction?TheProphetisnomore,butIamherebeforeyou.You
havewoundedmyheartbymercilesslykillingmysons,mybrothers,mynephews,andmy
faithfulfriendseachoneofwhomwasasdeartomeasmykithandkin.Youhavenospared
myinnocentAliAsgharwhowastoolongtocauseyouanyharm.Eachoneofyouhasbeen
killedbyyou,hungryandthirsty.Youhavedeniedmeandmyfamilyevenfoodandwater,
knowingwellthatthescorchingheatofthisplainismultiplyingmanifoldouragoniesand
sufferings.Iaskyou,inthenameofGodandHisProphet,whathaveIdonetodeservethis
treatment?”
Withthesewords,Husainpausedforawhiletogetareplytohisquestion.AmrSaad,
CommanderofYazid’sarmy,repliedsaying,“Husain,therewasnoneedforyoutosaywhat
youhavesaidbecausewearenotgoingtorelentabit.Wehavegiventhechoicetoyouto
acceptYazidasyourspirituallordandmaster,andsubjectyourselftohisrulingsanddecrees
inallmatters,spiritualandtemporal,recognizinghimastheLeaderoftheFaithfuland
successoroftheProphet.Ifyouwanttosaveyourlifeandsaveyourfamilythesufferings,
whichawaitthem,youmustsurrendertoourdemand.Thereisnootherchoicebeforeyou.”
Husainheardthisreplysilentlyandsaid,“AmrSaad,yourfatherwasacompanionofthe
Prophet,andofallthepeople,youwereawitnesstoallthatIhavementionedbecauseyou
haveveryoftenaccompaniedyourfatherwhenheusedtovisittheProphet.Doyouexpect
me,foramoment,toacceptYazidwhois,yourknowledge,adebaucheeandaprofligate,as
thespiritualleaderofthefaithfulandrightfulsuccessoroftheProphet?Doyouexpectmeto
acceptallthedistortionsandchangesthathewantstointroduceinthetenetsofIslamandbe
asilentspectatorjusttosavemylifeandtostopthebrutaltreatmentyouplantometeoutof
mychildrenandladies?Letmedispelanydoubtthatyoumaybeentertainingandmakeit
cleartoyouthat,ifyouwantmetocompromisemyprinciplesforthesakeofworldlygains,I
shallneverdoit.Ifyouwanttooffermethechoicebetweenhonoranddeath,Ishallprefer
death.IfsacrificeofIslamicprinciplesandQuranicteachingsisthepriceyouaredemanding
formylifeandthehonorofmyfamily,Iamhereandnowrejectingyouroffer.Iamasking
you,inthenameofIslam,totellmewhetherIhave,eveninasingleinstance,actedcontrary
totheprinciplesofreligion?HaveIdoneanythingtojustifythetormentsyouareinflictingon
me?OyewhoclaimtobethefollowersoftheProphet,donotsmearyourhandswithmy
bloodfor,onthedayofreckoning,youwillhavetofacemygrandfatherandmymotherwho
willaskeachofyouwhyyoushedmyblood,knowingthatIwasinnocent;knowingthatIhad
notdoneanyharmtoanyofyou.OsoldiersofKufaandDamascus,whatIhavesufferedat
yourhandsduringthedayisenoughtokillme,evenifyoudesistfromslaughteringme.I
appealtoyouthink,forGod’ssake,whatyouhavedoneandwhatyouwerebentupondoing.
Evennowitisnottoolateforyoutorepent.Despiteallthatyouhavedone,Ishallnotcurse
you,foritisthetraditionoftheProphet’shousetoprayfortheenlightenmentofthosewho
tortureandtormentus;toprayfortheforgivenessofthosewhosincerelyrepentandwho,
throughcontrition,changetheirfuturelife.”
Husain’sspeechwasmosteloquent,remindingthosewhowerehearinghimoftheeloquence
ofhisfatherwhenheusedtomountthepulpitandaddressthecongregationinthemosquein
Kufa.However,thegreedofthemercenarieshadcompleteswayovertheirheartsandminds.
Theywerethinkingthattheirtaskwasalmostaccomplishedandtheywouldbecomeeligible
fortheextravagantrewardswhichtheyhadbeenpromised,iftheybroughttheheadsof
HusainandhisfollowerstoYazid’scourt.
AmrSaadnotedwithsatisfactionthathissoldierswerestillthinkingintermsofworldly
gains,ratherthanrewardsandretributionsoftheotherworld.Hesawthattheywerenot
preparedtoheedtherumblingofadistantdrum.Thisemboldenedhimandherepliedbackto
theImam,“Husain,wehaveheardenoughfromyou.Youhavenotacceptedtheoneandonly
conditionwewantyoutofulfill,thatis,explicitallegiancetoYazidasthespiritualmentor
withfinalauthoritytohimtodowhathewantsinallreligiousmatters.Sinceyouarenot
acceptingthis,youwillbebeheaded,saywhatyouwill.Weknowthat,againstthe
overwhelmingodds,youhavenottheleastchancebutstillyouaretryingtogaintime.Inyour
presentplight,eventheweakestofmysoldierswouldbemorethanamatchforyou,letalone
thewholearmyIhavegotundermycommand.”
ThesetauntingwordsarousedHusain’swrath.HisHashimitebloodwasnowboilingatthe
insultingwordsutteredbyAmrSaad.AfterallhewasthesonofAli,theLionofGod,whose
victorieshadbecomeknownthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofArabia.HadnotAli
scatteredvastarmiesofinfidelssingle‐handedandsavedthedayofIslamagainst
overwhelmingodds?Hisirewasarousedandhewantedtoshowthesehirelingsandstooges
ofYazidthatifhewanted,hecouldgivethematasteofhissword,eveninthatcondition.
Tremblingwithrage,Husainputhishandonhisscabbardandunsheathedhissword,which
hehadinheritedfromhisfather.Likealionheroared,“AmrSaad,Iacceptyourchallengeand
offersinglecombattothebravestofthebraveinyourarmy.Nay,notonebuyasmanyasyou
wanttosendtofightme,oneaftertheother.”
ThecowardlyCommanderofYazid’sforcesandhisequallypusillanimoussoldierswere
shakenbyHusain’swords.TheyrecalledhowAli,fatherofHusain,haddealtwiththebest
warriorsofhisopponents’armiesinthedifferentbattlesfoughtbyhim.Nonehadthecourage
toacceptthegauntletthrownbyHusainandgooutforsinglecombatwithhim.
Afterhurriedconsultationswithhisofficers,AmrSaadgaveorderstofireavolleyofarrows
atHusain.HealsogaveorderstohisinfantryandcavalrytoconvergeonHusainwithswords,
scimitarsanddaggers.Husain,withswordinhand,chargedontheattackingsoldiersmowing
downallwhocamewithintherangeofhissword.Aconfusionaroseintheenemyranks,
becauseallthesoldiersofYazid’sarmywereclashingwithoneanotherwhilstHusainwas
chargingandcuttingthroughtheirranks.Hefirstattackedtherightwingofthearmyandthe
enemysoldiersinutterconfusionfellback.Heveeredroundandlaunchedafuriousattackon
theleftwingofthearmyand,beforethesoldierscouldrealizewherehewas,hehadcut
throughthecoreofthatwing.Hethenturnedlikelighteningtothecenterofthearmyandthe
cowardlysoldiers,whowereanxioustosavetheirlivestogetthebenefitoftheawardsfor
whichtheyhadsoldtheirsouls,retreatedinpanicandconfusion.Husain’sswordwasflashing
intheblazingsunlikelightening.Soswiftwerehismovementsandsowell‐trainedforbattle
washischargerthatwithincrediblespeedhewasabletoscatterandmowdownthe
opposingsoldiers.TheconfusionwasbecomingworseconfoundedinYazid’sarmy,because
soldiers,whowerechargingforward,werefindingthemselvesclashingwitheachother.Fora
momentinutterpanicthesoldiersfeltasifAli,thefatherofHusain,haddescendedfrom
heaventofightanddefeatthewholearmyofYazid.Someofthesoldierswereawestruckby
thebattleprowessshownbyHusain,thisagedHusain,whohadnofoodandwaterforthree
days,whoseheartwastornbythelossofallhisdearestonesandeveryinchofwhosebody
wascoveredwithwounds.Theycouldnothelpexclaimingspontaneouslytheiradmirationfor
thebravestfighthewasputtingupinthefaceoftheheaviestoddsanywarriorhadfacedin
thehistoryoftheworld.Themorecowardlyamongstthemwerepiteouslyappealingtohim
tosparethem—tosparetheircontemptiblelives.
ThearmythathadtriedtoconvergeonHusainwasnowscatteredandinfullretreat.He
haltedinhischargetoseethatthewaytotherivulet,thetributaryoftheFurat,wasnow
clear.HesawthedeadbodyofAbbaslyingthere.Instinctivelyheexclaimed,“Abbas,didyou
seeyourbrother’slastfight?Mybrother,inlifeyouwerealwaysreadywithpraiseforany
bravedeed.Whydon’tyousay‘bravo’tome?”
Husainlookedattheskyandsawthatthesunwasnowdeclining.Herealizedthatitwastime
fortheeveningprayerswhichhethoughtthat,asthesoldiershadfallenback,hecoulduse
therespitetooffer.Withthisthoughtheputbackhisswordinthescabbard.
AmrSaadandhissoldiers,whowerenowwatchingHusainfromadistanceandconferring
amongstthemselvesabouttheirnextmove,weresurprisedtoseeHusainsheathehissword.
SomeonesaidthatitwasagoldenopportunitytoattackHusainbutnonehadthecourageto
marchtowardshimaftertestinghisskillwiththesword.AmrSaadorderedhisarcherstofire
volleyaftervolleyofarrows,hisinfantrytohurlstonesandmissilesathimfromadistance.
Heaskedsomeofthemtocatapultstonesandburningcoalsathim.Theorderswereexecuted
withoutamoment’sloss.
Husain,whowasalreadywoundedfromheadtofoot,wasnowreceivingonemortalwound
afteranotherinquicksuccession.Hisbloodwasflowingsofastthathewasfindingitdifficult
toremainonhorseback.Dizzinesswasnowoverpoweringhim.Heknewthathisfightwas
nowover.HefeltthathissisterZainabmightbenearthetentwatchinghim.Hewantedto
spareherthesightofhisdeath.Puttinghisarmsroundhishorse’sback,hesaid,“Zuljenah,
takemetoalowlyingareafromwhereImaynotbevisibletomyfamilyinthecamp.”
SuchwasZuljenah’sunderstandingofhismaster’swishesthatheimmediatelybolted,
carryingHusaintoaplacewhichwasinatrough.KnowingthatHusainwasnowsemi‐
consciousandnotinapositiontodismount,itspreadoutitsfrontlegssothatHusainmight
notfallheavilyonthegroundbutslipeasilyontoit.Zuljenahwasaccustomedtothiswhenit
usedtocarryHusainasachild,whenhewastooyoungtodismount.Husainmanagedtoslide
downfromthesaddletotheburninggroundbeneath;butforafewmomentshisbody
remainedsuspendedonthespikesofthearrowsthathadpiercedhisbodyfromtoptotoe.He
immediatelylostconsciousness.
Fromthecamp’sexitZainabwaswatchingherbrother’slastbattle,lostinadmirationatthe
bravefightputupbyhim.Shehadseenhimscatteringtheenemy’shordes,thenhaltinginhis
attackandfinally,thehorsetrottingawayveryfasttoaplacefromwhereshecouldnotsee
him.Inaveilcoveringherfromheadtofoot,sherushedouttowardsahillocknearthecamp
sothatshecouldhaveafullviewofthebattlefield.Fromthishillock,knowneversinceas
“Zainab’shillock”,shesawherbrotherlyingunconsciousontheburningsandsandZuljenah
standingguardoverhimwithhisheadbowed.Shewasatalosstounderstandwhatwas
happeningthere.
Husainwasnowinasemi‐consciousstate.Inthisconditionhefeltthatalltheprophetsofthe
bygoneageshadcomeovertowitnesshisordeals—Adam,Noah,Abraham,MosesandJesus,
andalltheotherprophetsofyore.Hesawthemretreatingonebyone,sayingtooneanother
thattheycannotseehishelplessandsaddestplight.Hesawhisowngrandfather,Prophet
Muhammad,hisfatherAli,andhisbrotherHasan,weepingathishelplesscondition.Heheard
themalsosaytoeachother,thattheytoocouldnotbeartoseehissufferingandagonies,and
leavewithlimitlessgriefandsorrow.Theninhissub‐consciousstate,hesawhismother
Fatimacomesoverweepingandwailingandsaying,“MyHusain,whattheyhavedonetoyou?
Mychild,noneofthemhadanypityforyou!Didnooneamongthemrecognizethatyouwere
theProphet’sdearestchild?MyHusain,thereisnobodytobenearyouinyourlasthour,but,
I,mychild,amheretobewithyou.IwillnotletyourheadlieontheburningsandsofKerbala.
Iwillholditinmylap,tillthelast.”
Hefeltasifshehadcomenearhimandputhertenderhandonhisforehead,muchasshe
usedtododuringhischildhood.Onhisburningforehead,hefeltsomethingcooland
comforting—hethoughtitwashismother’shandwipingawaythebloodandsweat.
Hissensesrevivedatthissensationandheopenedhiseyes.Hesawthesundespitehishorse
tryinginvaintoprotecthimfromitsblazingrays.Therealizationdawnedonhimthathehad
stoppedthefightsothathecouldfinishhiseveningprayers.Hefeltthatunlesshehurried
withit,theenemymightnotgivehimtimetocompleteit.Therewasnowateravailable
anywhereforablutionsohecleansedhishandsandfacewiththeburningsandsofthedesert
andbeganhisprayers.Hefinishedthemandwithhisheadprostratedinprayers,he
addressedhisMaker,“MyAllah,ThouartmyWitnessthatIhavefulfilledmymissioninlife
withoutanyhesitation,withoutsquirming,withoutfaltering,withoutcomplaining.MyLord
andLordoftheUniverse,IsubmitunreservedlytoThyDecreesandresignmyselftoMy
Dispensation.”
WhileHusainwasstillofferinghisprayers,AmrSaadcalleduponhiswarriorstocutoffhis
head.Theyweresocowardlyandscaredafterhavingtastedhisswordthatnonecouldmuster
enoughcouragetogonearhimandcarryouttheCommander’sorders.Theywerewillingto
woundbutafraidtostrike.EvenAmrSaad’scoaxingandcajolingcouldnotinstillsufficient
courageinthemtoventurenearhim.AmrSaadthenaskedShimrtogoforthandbehead
Husainwhilehewasstillengagedinprayers.Heofferedhimhighestrewardsand,togivehim
heart,heevenofferedtoaccompanyhimandstandbyhim,swordinhand.Thetwoofthem
marchedtowardstheplacewhereHusainwaslying,hisheadstillprostratedindevotion,his
lipsutteringprayerstotheAlmightyGodoftheuniverse.
Whenthetwoofthemreachedthespot,theyheardmurmursfromHusain’slips.Shimr
thoughtthathemightbecursingthosewhohaddoneeverythingtoexterminatehisfamily
andfriends,whohadsobrutallyandmercilesslytreatedhim.HebentovertheImam’s
prostratedbodytohearwhathewassaying,whenhecaughtthesewords,“OAllah,Ibeseech
TheewithallhumilitytoforgivethetrespassesoftheerringonesforThouarttheMost
Beneficent,themostForgiving.”
SeeingthatHusainhadconcludedhisprayersandfearingthathemightgetuptodefend
himselfwithwhateverstrengthwasleftinhim,Shimrdecidedtohurryupwithhismost
dastardlyact.HemountedonHusain’sback,and,withtheswordhewascarrying,he
preparedhimselftocutoffHusain’shead.Husain,whowasnowtooweakwiththelossof
bloodtoraisehishead,turnedalittleandsawwhatShimrwasabouttodo.Inafaltering
voice,whichwasaudibletoShimr,hesaid,“OShimr,Iamthirsty.Iamthirsty.OShimr,give
meafewdropsofwaterbeforeyouaccomplishyourtask.”
Zainab,whowaswatchingtheeventsastheywerehappeningbeforeher,sawAmrSaadand
Shimrreachingtheplacewhereherbrotherlay.ShesawShimrmountherbrother’sback
withswordinhand.Insheerdesperationasalastattempttosaveherbrother’slife,she
rushedforth,herhoodtrailingbehindher.ShereachedtheplacewhereHusainlayandgoing
beforeAmrSaad,shesaid,“OAmrSaad,Iappealtoyouasthegrand‐daughteroftheProphet
ofIslam,tosavemybrother’slife.”Heturnedhisfaceawayfromhersoshewentovertothe
othersideandsaid,“OsonofSaadBinAbiWakkas,willyoustandhereandwatchmybrother
beingslaughteredsomercilesslywithoutadropofwater?InthenameofGod,Iappealtoyou
tosaveHusain’slife.”Hestillremainedsilentasifhewascompletelyoblivioustoher
pleadingsandappeals.
Husainsawallthisand,greatashisagoniesandpainswere,hecouldnotbeartoseehissister
beinghumiliatedbytheutterdisdainofAmrSaad.Healsoknewthathissisterwouldfeelif
hisheadweretobeseveredinfullview.Musteringallthestrengththatwasleftinhim,he
raisedhisvoiceandsaidtoZainab,“Mysister,Iappealtoyoutoreturntothecamp
immediately.Forthesakeoftheloveyoubearforme,hastentothetent.Itwillgiveme
greatestgriefifyouremainhereanylonger.”
Zainabrushedbacktothecampweepingcopiouslyandlamenting.Onreachingthecamp,she
rushedtothetentwherehernephewwaslyingonhissickbed.Sheshookhimupandtold
himwhatshehadbeheldamomentearlier.Supportinghim,shebroughthimtotheexitofthe
camp.Bothofthemstoodtheresilentandspeechless.Theyfeltthatnatureitselfwassharing
theirgrief,becauseastronggustofwindaroseandcarriedwithitsredparticlesofburning
desertsand.ItruffledupthewateroftheFuratandanangrymurmurarosefromthetorrents
thatwereflowingby.Inthedistant,dustypanoramatheysawaspearwithHusain’sheadon
it.TheyheardthedrumsofYazid’sarmyproclaimingtheendofthebattle.Zainabwitha
shriekwailed,“OmybrotherHusain,mybrotherHusain!Atlasttheyhavekilledyou;they
havebeheadedyouwithoutadropofwater.”Withthesewordsshefellunconsciousintothe
armsofhernephew.Hegentlyputherdownonthefloorand,prostratinghisheadonthe
ground,exclaimed,“OGod,wemortalsresignourselvestoThywill.FromTheewehavecome
anduntoTheeShallbeourreturn.”
Chapter8.TheNightofTragedy
AthickpallofdustwashangingoverthebattlefieldofKarbalaasthesunwassetting.The
eventsofthatday,thecarnageandmassacreofsaintlysoulshadcastagloomonthatdesert
tract.Aneeriesilencewasprevailingwhichwasfromtimetotimebrokenbythesoundof
drum‐beatingtocelebratethevictory—thehollowvictoryachievedbyahostofwellfed,well‐
equippedsoldiersagainstahandfulofbravewarriors,tormentedbythreedaysofthirstand
hunger,eachofwhomhadfoughteveryinchofhisgroundanddisplayedvaliancywhichhas
remainedunparalleledintheannalsofmankind.
Whenthebeatingofdrumshadstopped,thedesertwindcarriedthesoundofwailingfrom
tentspitchedonahillock,tentswhichhadbeenplunderedandburnt,tentswhichhadbeen
ransacked,lootedandpillaged.Theseramshackletentswerethelastoftheremainsof
Hussein’scamp.Themoaningsoundthatwascomingfromthemwasoftheladiesand
childrenoftheProphet’shousewhohadsuffereduntoldhardshipsandindignitiesatthe
handsofYazid’smercenaryminions.NotlongaftertheruthlesskillingofHussein,Yazid’s
soldiershadmarchedonthecampwherethedefenselessladiesandhelplesschildrenof
Husseinandhisdevotedfollowersstayedand,withruthlesssavagerywhichonlythese
barbarianswerecapableof,hadrobbedthemevenofwearingapparel.Therewasnotmuch
thattheycouldlaytheirhandson.ThesonofAliandFatimawasnotaccustomedtoworldly
luxuriesandwhattheyfoundinhiscampsorelydisappointedthem.Thecoarseclothesthey
couldgethadonlyimmensesentimentalvaluefortheladiesandchildrenwhoweredeprived
ofthem,becausemanyofthemhadbeenwovenbyFatimawithherownhands.Thesmall
woodencradlewhichtheytookawayhadinestimablevalueforAliAsghar’smother,because
ithadassociationswiththechildwhohaddiedalittlewhileagoinhisfather’sarms,withhis
throatpiercedbythearrowofHurmula.
Thewidowsandorphanswhohad,duringtheshortspanofafewhours,lostalltheirdear
oneswerebrutallybeatenandlashedbytheruthlessmarauders.Notsatisfiedwiththeir
heartlessbrutality,theenemysetfiretothetents.Whataholocaustitwas!Ayoungchildwas
seenrushingoutofoneoftheburningtentswithhisclothesaflame.Oneoftheenemy
soldiers,seeinghispitiablecondition,cametohishelpandputouttheflames.Thechild
lookedathimwithsurprisebecausehehadnotexpectedevenasparkofhumanfeelingsin
thebruteswhohadcometoinflicttorturesonthem.Seeingthathewassomewhatdifferent
fromtheothers,shesobbed:“OhShaikh,whenyouhavebeensokindtome,domeonemore
favorandshowmethewaytoNajaf.”Themanwasverymuchsurprisedatthisrequest.He
replied,“Najafisfarawayfromhere;infact,itisseveralleaguesfromhere.Buttellme,why
doyouwanttoknowthewaytoNajaf?”Thechildinnocentlyreplied:“Iwanttogotothe
tombofmygrandfatherAliinNajafandtellhimwhatyourpeoplehavedonetous—howour
menhavebeenbutchered;howareladieshavebeenwhipped.Iwanttotellhimhowthe
earringsweresnatchedawayfromtheearsofSakina,mycousin,andhowshewasleft
bleedingandinpain.”
Zainab,whowasnowinchargeofthecamp,accordingtothelastwishesofherbeloved
brother,didnotknowwhattodo.Shouldsheaskalloftheladiesandchildrentoperishinthe
fireratherthansuffertheindignitiestheyweresubjectedto?Whosecounselandadvicecould
shetakeinthishouroftrial,forAli,theailingsonofHussein,waslyingunconsciousonthe
barefloorofoneoftheburningtents?EventhematonwhichthisyoungImamwaslyinghad
beensnatchedaway.ZainabhadnoalternativebuttoturntoAliZainalAbedeenwho,though
seriouslyill,wastheonlypersonwhosedecisioninsuchacrucialmattercouldbefollowed.
Sherushedtohimandshookhimhardsaying:“Ohmybrother’sson,asourImamIappealto
youtotelluswhatweshoulddointhepresenttryingcircumstances.Shallweremaininthe
tentsandallowourselvestobedevouredbythefiresthatareragingorgooutofthetentsinto
theopen?”Heopenedhiseyesburningwithfever.WitheffortheroseandrepliedtoZainab,
“Myauntitisourreligiousdutytodoallwecantosaveourlives.Wemustallleavethetents
andgooutintotheopen,howeverunpalatableitmaybetous.”OnhearingthisZainaband
Kulsumledalltheladiesandchildrenoutoftheburningtents.ShehelpedAliZainalAbedeen
togooutintotheopen.
Soonthefiresraginginthetentssubsided.Onlyonetentremainedthoughpartlydamagedby
thefire.Theladiesandchildrensalvagedwhatevertheycouldoftheirmeagerbelongingsand
huddledtogetherintheremnantsofthatonetentwhichaffordedthemsomeshelter.
Withtheadventofthenightthemoonappearedonthehorizon.Itappearedtintedwithred.
Whetheritwasduetotheeffectofdustthatwashangingheavilyintheatmosphere,or
whetherthesilverorbwasredwithangerattheatrocitiesthatwereperpetratedonthe
innocentpeopleoftheProphet’shouse,itisdifficulttosay.Thethirstychildren,whowere
stillwithoutwater,weregoingoutofthetentstoopentheirmouthsinvainattemptstocatch
thedewthatwasfallingintinydrops.Butsuchwastheheatradiatedbythesandthateven
thedewdropswereevaporatingintheatmosphere.
ThebaseanddespicableinstinctsofAmrSaadandhissubordinateofficerswerenotgratified
evenwiththeinhumantorturestheyhadinflictedonthewidowsandorphansinHussein’s
camp.Theywereassembledtoconsiderhowtheycouldfurthersatisfytheirthirstfor
revenge.SomeonefromthemsuggestedthatthebodiesofthemartyrsfromHussein’scamp
shouldbetrampledunderthehoofsofhorsesaftertheyhadgivenaburialtotheirowndead
soldiers.ThissuggestionledsomepersonsfromthetribeofBaniAsadtogetupandprotest
thattheywouldnotpermitthebodyofanyofHussein’sfollowersfromtheirtribetobe
defiledinthismanner.Othersgotupandsimilarlyobjectedtosuchtreatmentbeingmeted
outtothecorpsesofHussein’scompanionsbelongingtotheirclanortribeorinanyway
relatedtothem.AmrSaadseeingtheopposition,decidedthatonlythebodyofHusseinwould
betrampledunderthefeetofhorses.Forthispurposehorseswereshodafreshandthe
brutescarriedouttheirpurpose.Therewasnotasoulamongstthemtosaythat,though
Husseinwasnotrelatedtohim,hewastheProphet’sgrandsonandhisbloodrelationship
withtheProphetdeservedbetterconsideration,ifnotinlife,atleastindeath.Notone
amongstthemhadthedecencytosaythattheProphetofIslamhasexpresslyenjoinedon
themnottodesecrateordefileeventhecorpsesofthefallenfoeswhohaddiedinbattle
againsttheProphet.WhenZainabandKulsum,thelovingsistersofHusseincametoknow
thatonlyHussein’sbodywassingledoutforthisbarbarousdefilement,theirgriefandsorrow
knewnobounds.Butwhatcouldtheydointheirutterlyhelplesspredicament?
Thenightwasprogressingslowly,asiftimehadcometoastandstill.Thoughexhausted,
hungryandthirsty,Zainabrealizedthatshehadtoperformthedutieswhichnowhad
devolvedonherbecausetheillnessofAliZainalAbedeen,theonlysurvivingsonofHussein,
hadbecomeaggravatedbywhathehadendured.ShecalledhersisterUmmeKulsumtoher
andtoldherthattheyhadnowtolookaftertheorphanedchildren,accordingtoHussein’s
lastwishes,inthebestmannertheycould.Theybothdecidedthattheywouldcountallthe
childrentoseethatnoneofthemwaslostinthewildernessduringthepandemoniumthat
hadprevailedasaresultofthearson,andafterthat,theybothwould,byturn,keepvigil
outsidethetent.
Zainabcalledallthechildrentoherandstartedcountingandidentifyingeachofthem.They
foundthatonechildwasmissing.Toherhorroranddismay,ZainabfoundthatSakina,the
beloveddaughterofHussein,whomhehadparticularlyrequestedhertolookafter,before
marchingoutforthelasttime,wasnotthere.Inthedarknight,dimlylitbythepalemoon,
ZainabandKulsumstartedthesearch.Invainheywerelookinghitherandthitherbutno
traceofSakinawasfound.WitheveryminuteofhervainsearchforSakina,Zainab’sanxiety
wasincreasing.Sheknewnotwheretolookforher.Shewasshouting:“OhSakina,mydarling,
tellmewhereareyou?WhereshallIlookforyouinthislimitlessdesert?”Theechoofher
voicewastheonlyreplyshewasgetting.Inutterfrustrationsheturnedtotheplacewhere
thebodyofHusseinlay.Runningtowardsthebodyshecried:“Hussein,mybrother,Icannot
findSakina,yourowndarlingchild,whomyouhadlefttomycare.Tellmebrother,where
shallIlookforherinthiswilderness?”Asshecamenearthebody,themoon,whichhadbeen
hidingbehinddarkclouds,cameoutandlitthesurroundingareawithitspalebeams.Shesaw
Sakinaclingingtothedeadbodyofherfatherandsleepingwithherheadrestedonhischest.
ForamomentZainabthoughtthatthechildhadpassedaway,beingunabletobearthe
tormentsshewassubjectedtosinceherfather’smartyrdom.Slowlyshecamenearthechild
andgentlycried:“Sakina,mychild,Ihavecomeherelookingforyouaftersearchingforyou
alloverthisdesert.”Thegirlopenedhereyes.EveninthatdimlylitdesertZainabcouldsee
thatSakina’seyeswereswollenasfshehadcriedherheartoutembracingthebodyofher
belovedfather.Shegentlypickedherupinherarmsandsaid:“Sakina,tellmewhatmadeyou
comehere?”Innocentlythechildreplied,“Ohaunt,Iwasseizedbyanirresistibledesiretotell
myfatherwhatthesepeoplehaddonetome.IwantedtotellhimthathisdearSakinahad
beenrobbedoftheearringswhichhehadsolovinglypresented.Iwantedtotellhimthatthe
manhadnotevencaredtotakethemoutbutsnatchedthemaway,tearingmyearlobes.I
wantedtotellhimthatwhenIcriedwithpain,Ihadbeenmercilesslyslappedbythatbeast.”
Thechildcontinuedsobbing:“WhenIleftthetentIwasrunningaimlesslyinthedesert
shouting,‘Fathertellmewhereyouarelying.Father,Sakinawantstocometoyouandtell
youallaboutthesufferingsshehasenduredsinceyouhavelefther!’Ifeltthatthewind
broughtamoaningcryfromthisdirection,asifmyfatherwasreplyingtome:‘Sakina,my
ownSakina,comehere,comehere.’IcamerunninginthisdirectionandIfoundmyfather
lyinghere.Zainab,myaunt,InarratedtohimallthatIhadendured;allthatyouand
everybodyelsehadsufferedsinceourpartingwithhim.Mynarratingeverythingtohim
lightenedmyheartandIfeltanurgetosleeponhischest,forthelasttime,asIhadbeen
sleepingsooftenwhenhewasalive.SoIkeptmyheadonhischestandslepttillyoucameto
awakenme.”
HandinhandwithSakina,Zainabreturnedtothecamp.Muchasshehadfeltlikeremaining
therenearHussein’sbodyandpouringherfullheartbeforehim,asSakinahaddone,she
couldnotdosobecauseshewasconsciousthathersisterUmmeKulsumandSakina’smother
werewaitingforherandSakina,withfearandhope.Shehurriedbacktothecampasfastas
hertiredlegscouldcarryher.Onreachingthetent,sheputthechildinhermother’sarms
witharequesttoputhertosleep.ForZainabtherewereotherdutiestoperformandavigilto
keepoutside.Itwasnotsomuchathoughtofprotectingpreciousbelongings,for,ofthese
therewerenone;itwastheintentionofrequestinganypossibleintrudersnottodisturbthe
children,thehungryandthirstychildrenwhowereonebyonefallingintosleepfromsheer
exhaustion.
Shehadhardlycomeoutofthetentwhenshenoticedthatagroupofpeoplewereadvancing
towardstheburntoutcamp.Theirfiguresweresilhouettedbytheflame‐torchestheycarried.
Zainabwasbesideherselfwithrageatthecallousnessoftheseintruderswho,shethought,
wouldnotevenpermitthechildrenthelittlerestwhichsleepaffordedthem.Shehurried
towardsthesepersonsand,whenshewaswithinhearingdistancefromthem,entreatedthem
togoback.“Ifyouhavecomewiththeobjectoflootingus,”shesaid,“Icantellyouthatyour
peoplehavenotleftwithusanythingofvalue.Ourchildrenhavegonetosleepandyour
vandalismwillawakenthem.Ifatallyouwantanything,comeinthemorning.Wehelpless
womenandchildrencannotescapefromyourclutchesduringthenight.”
Alady,whowasaccompanyingthegroup,repliedtoherinaverypoliteway.Zainabwas
surprisedattherespectfultoneinwhichthatladywasaddressingher:“Mylady,wehavenot
cometotakeawayanythingfromyou,forweknowthatwhatyouhavesaidistrueandthere
isnothingleftwithyou.Wehavebroughtsomefoodandwaterforyourchildrenandthe
bereavedladiesofyourcamp.
NothingcouldhavesurprisedZainabmorethanthisreply.ThepeoplefromYazid’sarmyand
theladyaccompanyingthem,hadnowreachedZainab’stent.Shecouldseeintheflickering
lightofthetorchestheywerecarrying,thatwhatthetheladyhadsaidwascorrect.Someof
themenwerecarryingontheirheadslargetrayscontainingbread;othershadintheirhands
pitchersfullofwater.WhatemotionsthissiteofwaterevokedinZainab’sheartcanbebetter
imaginedthandescribed.Forthiswatereachandeveryoneofherkithandkin,hersons,her
nephews,herbrothersandHusseinhadcravedtilldeath,butnotadropwasgiventoanyof
them.Shecontrolledherselfandtooktheladyintothetent.Tryasshewould,Zainabcould
notrecognizethislady,whowastheonlyonefromtheenemy’ssidetohavespokensokindly
andrespectfullytohersincethatevening.Sosheaskedherwhoshewasandwhathad
inducedherpeopletorelentbysendingfoodandwater.Theladyreplied:“Mylady,Iamthe
widowofHur,wholastnightcameovertoyourbrotherHusseinfromYazid’sarmyanddied
thismorningfightingbravelyindefenseofyourbrother.MyhusbandwasageneralinYazid’s
army,commandingathousandsoldiers.WhensomeofthesoldiersofAmrSaadrealizedthat
allofyouwouldperishduetohungerandthirst,andtheywouldnotbeabletotakeyou
beforeYazidaccordingtohiscommand,theydecidedtodeputemetocarrythefoodand
waterforyou.
AssoonasZainabheardthathervisitorwasthewidowofthatbravewarriorwhohadturned
hisbackontheworldwithdisdaintodefendherbrotherHussein,andlaiddownhislife
fightingmostgallantly,sheofferedhercondolencestothewidow.“Ohsister,”shesaid,“we
areallindebtedtoyourhusbandforlayingdownhispreciouslifeindefendingHussein.He
wasourguestbutalas!Hecametovisitusatatimewhenwehadnothinglefttoofferhim.
MayGodgrantyoupatiencetoendureyourbereavement.”Hearingthis,Hur’swidowreplied:
“Mylady,IknownothowIcanoffermycondolencestoyou,foryouhavelostnotone,but18
membersofyourfamily.”Shebroughtthetraysofbreadandwater‐jugsandplacedthem
beforeZainab.
Zainabwasremindedofthepartingwishofherbrother.Justbeforeleaving,hetoldherthat,
ifshegotwaterafterhisdeath,sheshouldfirstofferittoSakina.Withabeakerfullofwater
shewentovertowhereSakinawassleepingandwokeherupsaying:“Sakina,mychildatlast
thereiswaterforyou.Getup,mychild,andwetyourparchedlipsandthroatwiththis
refreshingdrink.”
Sakinagotupfromhersleepandlookedatheraunt.Withchild‐likeinnocencesheasked:
“DearAunt,youtoohaveremainedthirstyfordays.Whydidyounotdrinkitfirstbefore
wakingmeup?”Zainabrepliedwithalumpinherthroat:“Mychild,itisusualtogivefood
anddrinktotheyoungestfirst.Sinceyouaretheyoungesthere,Ihavebroughtittoyou.”
Hearingthis,SakinatookthebeakerfilledwithwaterfromZainab’shandsandranoutofthe
tent.Zainabrushedoutafterhershouting:“Sakina,tellmewhereyouwanttogointhisdark
outside.”Thechildreplied:“IamtakingthewatertomybrotherAliAsghar,whoissleeping
amongstthedead.Didyounottellmeitisusualtooffersuchthingstotheyoungest?Ali
Asgharistheyoungestamongstus.Iknowhedidnotgetadropofwater,forwhenfather
broughthisstillbody,soakedinbloodfromthebattlefield,mymotherhadanxiouslyasked
himwhetheranyofthesoldiersofAmrSaadhadtakenpityonhisconditionandgivenhim
water.Fathercouldnotsayyesinreplytothisquestion;hecouldonlyhanghisheaddown
withtearsrollingdownhicheeks.MymotherandIunderstoodthatAliAsgharhaddied
thirsty.Icannotforgethowmyyoungbrotherwasrunninghisdriedtongueonhisparched
lipssincethismorning.OhAuntZainab,nowthatwaterisavailable,letmegiveittohim.”
ThisinnocentreplyofSakinabroughtbeforetheeyesofeverybodythesceneofthatmorning,
withthechildAliAsghar’stragicrequestforwater.Allofthemweptbitterlyrecallingthe
memoryoftheinfantwhohadperishedwithparchedlips.Controllingherself,Zainabcaught
holdofSakinaandsaid:“Sakina,AliAsgharhadbeengivenwaterinheavenbyyour
grandfatherandheisnolongerthirsty.Lethimsleeptheeternalsleepofdeathfromwhich
nothingcanwakehimup.See,yourfather,youruncleAbbasandyourbrotherAliAkbar,have
nottastedthewaterfromthecoolspringofheavenbecausetheywouldnottouchitsolongas
you,mychild,remainthirsty.Drinkit,mychild,drinkitsothatthosewhoarewaitingin
Heaventoquenchtheirthirst,mayalsotastethewaterofKauther.”Sakinasilentlytookthe
beakerfromZainab’shandsanddrankthewaterwithhottearsrollingdownhercheeks.Was
sherecallinghowheruncleAbbashadgoneouttofetchwaterforher,thissamewaterwhich
wasnowavailabletohertodrinkasmuchasshewanted,nevertoreturn?
Allthechildrenwereservedfoodandwaterafterwakingthemupfromtheirtiredsleep.Can
itbeimaginedhowtheladiesofthehouseoftheProphetpartookofthefoodandwaterwith
thememoriesoftheirdearonesdyingwithoutanyfoodandwater,stilllingeringintheir
mindsandeatinguptheirheartslikecankers?Thechildrenwereputtosleepagain.Zainab
askedalltheladiestosleepandundertooktokeepawatchoutsidesothat,ifanyintruders
came,shecouldwarnthem.Inspiteoftheprotestationsoftheotherladies,Zainabwouldnot
agreetosleepandletthemkeepthewatch.“Itwasmybrother’swishthat,afterhim,Ishould
assumealltheresponsibilitiesofthiscaravanofcaptives.Imustfulfilltheresponsibilities
thatnowhavedevelopedonmeaccordingtohiswishes,”shesaidwithatoneoffinality.
Zainabwasnowmakingroundsofthetentwithahalfburntten‐poleinherhands.Shewas
sometimeslookingtowardsthemorguewherelaythecorpsesofallherdearones,AliAkbar,
Qasim,AunandMuhammad,andothers.Sometimesshewaslookinginthedirectionofthe
riverwherelaythebodyofherbrotherAbbas.Oftenshewaslookinginthedirectionwhere
laythebodyofherdearestHussein.Shewasrecallinghowherbrothers,nephewsandsons
hadtenderlylookedafterherfromthedayshehadstartedfromMedinaontheominous
journeyandwhatahelplessandhaplessstateshewasfindingherselfin,whentheywereall
goneforever.WiththesethoughtssheturnedinthedirectionofNajafwhereherfatherAlilay
buried.TohermindcamethememoriesofthedaysspentbyherinKufawhenherfather,as
theKhalif,washavinghisseatinthattown.Withwhatrespectshewastreatedinthosedays
bytheseverypeoplewhohadnotintheleasthesitatedtohurlinsultsandignominyatheron
thisday!Howtheyhadviedwitheachotherinattemptstohumiliateher!Herheadwas
reelingwiththesethoughts.Sheswoonedwiththegriefwhichhadbecomeunbearablefor
her.Inherunconsciousstateshesawonepersongallopingtowardsthecampasifhewas
comingfromalongdistanceandwantedtoreachtherepost‐haste.Hisfacewascoveredbya
veil.Inhertranceshefeltthathewascomingtotormentthewidowsandchildrenandsoshe
shoutedathimtohalt.Inherfeverishdeliriumsheentreatedhimnottodisturbtheladies
andchildrenwhoweresleeping.Shefeltthatherrequestswerenotheededbytherider.
Burningwithwrathsherushedtowardstherider,caughtholdofhisreinsandshoutedathim
“OShaikh,Iamsupplicatingyoutoturnbackandnottodisturbusinourpresent
predicament,butyouarenotlisteningtome.IamthegranddaughteroftheProphetofIslam
anddaughterofAliandFatima.HaveyounoregardfortheProphetandhisfamilythatyou
aretreatingmyearnestrequestswithsuchscantrespect?”Inherunconsciousstateshesaw
thepersononhorsebacklifttheveilfromhisface.ShesawthefaceofherfatherAli,withdeep
sorrowdepictedonit.Sheheardhimburstoutintotearsandsay:“Zainab,Ihavecometo
takeoverfromyouthedutyofguardingthewidowsandchildrenofmyHussein,hiskinsmen
andcompanions.OZainab!Whathavetheseforcesofevilandoppressiondonetoyouall?”
Zainabfeltasifshemustunburdenherhearttoherfather.“Ofather,howlateyouhavecome!
WherewereyouwhenmyAliAkbarandQasim,andAbbasandothersfellinthebattlefield?
WherewereyouwhenyourHussein’sheadwasmercilesslyseveredfromhisbodywithout
givinghimadropofwater?WherewereyouwhenAliAsghar’sthroatwaspiercedwithan
arrow?WherewereyouwhenSakina’searringsweresnatchedawaymercilesslyandwhen
shewasbrutallyslappedbyShimr?WherewereyouwhenYazid’ssoldierssnatchedawayour
veilsandsetfiretoourtents?”Theseoutpouringsofherheartwereshakingherbodyin
convulsions.Shefoundthatshewastherealonelyingonthedesertsandwithherclotheswet
withthetearsflowingfromhereyes.Thedawnwasbreakingatthattime.Sherecalledwith
paintheeventsofthepreviousday—howatthistimeAliAkbarhadgiventhecallforprayers
andhowthemorningprayerswereofferedbyHusseinandhisdevotedfollowers!Shetook
offhertears,didsubstitutedablutiononthesandandbeganhermorningprayers.Her
morningprayersfinished,shelaiddownherheadinprostrationandprayed:“OAllah,give
mestrengthtobearthewoesthatIhavetoface.Givemecouragetocarryonthemission
whichIhavetofulfill.Givemefortitudeandpatiencetobeartheinsults,ignominiesand
indignitieswhicharetobeinflictedonme—OThouWhoarttheSourceofallPowerand
Strength.”
Chapter9.TheCaptives’Caravan
Whenthesunroseonthemorningofthe11thMuharram,itwasdark‐redincolorwiththe
dustparticles,whichwereheavilyladenintheair.Thisdarkcolorindicatedasifithad
becomeredwithshameatthesightithadbeheldthepreviousdayandthesightitexpectedto
beholdthatmorning.Itwascomingoutslowly,asifreluctanttocastitsraysontheghastly
scene.Itsawastrangeandveryunusualsight,withladiesandchildrenhuddledtogether
outsidetheshambledremainsofburnttents.Withnoshelterovertheirheads,thechildren
weresleepingorratherlyingsemi‐consciouswithexhaustion,andtheladieswere
surroundingthemasiftheywereexpectantlyawaitingsomeuntowardeventstooccur.A
stateofuncertaintywaswritlargeontheirfaces.
Ontheothersideofthiscamp,thearmywasmakingpreparationshurriedlyfortheir
departure.AmarSaadhadcalledhisofficersforconferencewiththemastowhatnextstep
theyshouldtake.Asaresultoftheseconsultations,itwasdecidedthatthefamilyofHusain
shouldbeledascaptives,throughKufaandDamascus,tothecourtofYazid.AmarSaadin
consultationwithsomeofthegeneralsofhisarmy,decidedtomarchaheadtoconveyto
YazidthenewsofwhathadtranspiredatKarbalaandobtaintherewardswhichwere
promised.TheyfeltthatYazidwouldbeverypleasedwiththemiftheydidtheirutmostto
humiliateandsubjectthefamilyofHusaintotheworstindignitiesandinsults.Theywere
vyingwithoneanothertosuggestinwhatformtheycouldbetorturedandtormented.
Somebodysuggestedthatitwouldaddtotheirgriefandagonyiftheyweremadetomarchby
thebodiesoftheirdearones.AmarSaadfeltinwiththissuggestion.ShimrandKhooliwere
askedtoaccompanythecaravanofcaptivesandtoensurethattheywereconductedto
Damuscuswiththeatmostdispatch.
Whenthearrangementswerecompleted,theofficerswhowereappointedtobindtheladies
andchildrenhandandfootwentovertothem.Theysubjectedthemtotheutmostbrutal
treatmentandtiedropesandchainsroundtheirnecks,handsandfeet.Theladieswereputon
camelbackwithoutanysaddles.Thebondsweretiedinsuchawaythattheylinkedthehands
oftheladieswiththenecksoftheyoungchildren.Thesearrangementsbeingcompleted,the
caravanwenttothemortuary,wherethedeadbodieswerelying,Suchwasthediscomfiture
andgriefofthebereavedladiesandchildrenthat,onbeholdinghecorpsesofthemartyrs,
theycouldnotcontrolthemselves.Severalofthemflungthemselvesfromthecamelbacksin
spiteoftheropesandchainsthatboundthem,andthrewthemselvesonthedeadbodiesof
theirbrothers,sons,unclesandotherrelations.Theguards,whoweredeputedtoaccompany
themwerereadywiththelashesandtheymercilesslyusedthem,notsparingevenyoung
childrenwhoseonlycrimewasthattheycouldnotbearthesightofthedeadbodiesoftheir
dearestonesstrewnallovertheplacewithoutasheet,withoutashroud,andcouldnot
controltheirgriefandsorrowonbeholdingthem.
Onebyone,alltheladiesandchildrenwereputbackonthecamels.Theywerenotpermitted
togiveventtotheirgriefandsorrow,ortoweepovertheirdearones.AliZainulAbideenwho
washeavilychainedandmanacled,wasmadetofollowthecaravanonfoot,inspiteofhis
sufferingfromhighfever.Theheadofthemartyrswerecarriedonspearsattheheadofthe
procession.
Accordingtoscheduledplan,thiscaravanmarchedonrapidlytowardsKufa.Theplightofthe
captiveswassuchthat,ifanychildfellfromthecamel‐backtheropethattieditandthehand
ofsomeladybecometaugh,resultinginhertopplingoverfromthecamelback.Thesoldiers
whowereaccompanyingthemwouldimmediatelyrushtowardsthechildandtheladyand
usethelashbeforeremountingthemonthebackofthecamels.
Withinafewhours,withrapidmarchesthecaravanreachedtheoutskirtsofKufa.Shimrand
Khooliwhoweretheleadersofthiscaravan,heldhurriedlyconsultationsamongst
themselves.Theydecidedthatthecaravanshouldbestoppedatthegatesofthecity,anda
couriershouldbesenttotheGovernor,toinformhimabouttheirarrival.
WhenZainabandKulsumsawthewallsofKufa,theywereremindedoftheperiodwhenthey
hadstayedinthisverycityforfullfouryears,duringthetimeoftheirfatherwhowasatthat
period,theruleroftheIslamiccountries,theLeaderoftheFaithful,andrecognizedasthe
successoroftheProphet.AtthattimealltheladiesofKufawerevyingwithoneanotherto
securethefavorofZainabandKulsum,toinvitethemtotheirhomes,tosecuretheirblessings
fortheirchildren.Oneveryauspiciousoccasion,theyusedtobeinvitedwiththeutmost
respectandreverence.NowZainabandKulsumwonderedwhattreatmenttheywouldgetin
thissamecity,wheretheyhadenjoyedthehighestrespectandhonour,whethertheladies
andchildrenofKufawouldrememberthem,whethertheywouldextendtothemany
sympathyintheirsorrowandbereavement.Onsecondthoughtstheyrealizedthatthiscity
hadbetrayedtheircousin,MuslimIbneAqil,whenhehadgoneoverthereasImamHussein’s
emissaryaditwouldbefutileforthemtoexpectanyconsideration,anysympathy,anyregard
orrespectfromthepeopleofthiscity,whohadacquiredanotorietyfortheficklenessoftheir
mindandwhohadbecomeastimeservers.
Verysoon,thecourierwhohadbeensenttothecourtofObeidullahIbneZiad,returnedwith
themessageoftheGovernor,sayingthatallpreparationshadbeenmadeandthecaptives
shouldbemarchedthroughthemainbazaarsofthecity.Onreceivingthisorder,thecaravan
marchedon.Thecaptivessawthrongsofpeoplestandingonbothsidesoftheroads.Ladies
andchildrenwerestandinginbalconiesandwindows,tohaveaglimpseofthecaptives.The
towncrierwasheadingthecaravantoannounce“OpeopleofKufa,wearebringingtoyou
ZainabandKulsum,granddaughtersoftheProphetandtheotherwomenandchildrenofthe
familyofHusainsonofAli.Tothoseofyouwhodonotknow,weadvisethatHusainwhohad
risenagainstYazidandrefusedtorecognizehisauthorityastherightfulKhalifofthe
Muslims,hasbeendefeatedandkilledwithhisfollowersonthebattlefieldofKarbala.The
membersofhisfamilyarenowbeingtakentothecourtofYazid,tofacewhatever
punishmenthewantstoinflictonthem.PeopleofKufa,thisisthefatethatawaitsallthose
whoquestiontheauthorityofYazid,andnopersonswhotriestoraisehisfingeragainstthe
Khalifwillbespared”
Mostofthelisteners,whohadgatheredthere,werethunderstruckbythisannouncement.
TherewerenotafewwhorecalledatthekindnessthattheyhadreceivedfromZainaband
Kulsum.Theyrecollectedthatintimesoftheirtroubles.Anddistresstheyhadsoughthelp
fromthemandhadwillinglyreceivedit.Theyweresurprisedtoseetheirplight,toseehow
miserabletheywere.Theycouldwellimaginetheirsufferingsfromtheirgauntfaceswhich
boremarksofprivationsandafflictions.Manyofthemwerecryingonbeholdingtheirgrief
andsufferingsbutfewhadthecouragetoraisetheirvoicesagainsttheforcesoftyrannyfor
fearthatasimilarfatemightbefallthem.
Whenthecaravanreachedthemainbazaar,therewassuchabigcrowsthatitbecameto
difficulttomakewaythroughittothecourtofObeidullahIbneZiyad.Thecaravanhaltedfor
sometime.Itwasalmostnoonandthesunwasblazingwithallitsfury.Thechildrenofthe
Prophet’shouse,whohadnothadwaterduringtheirmarchfromKarbalatoKufa,were
feelingextremelythirsty,nottotalkofthepangsofhungertheyweresuffering.Manyofthem
werecryingwiththeirthirstandhunger.Duringthishalt,thesoldiersofYazid,whowere
accompanyingthemwerepartakingoffoodandwaterwhichtheywerecarryingwiththem,
andrelaxingintheshade.SakinawasrepeatedlyaskingherauntZainabforalittlewater,but
Zainabknewthatitwasuselesstorequesttheguardsforanymercy,orevenforadropof
water.Shehadfullrecollectionoftheheartlessnessoftheseverysoldierswhohadtilltheend
deniedevenadropofwatertoeachofmemberofherfamily–evenAliAsgher,tillhislast
breath.Shehadrecollectedhowherbrotherhadbeenslaughteredaskingforjustonesipof
water.
SeeingtheplightofSakina,aladywhowasstandinginherbalcony,rusheddownfromher
housewithacupofwater.Breakingthecordonwhichhasbeenformedbythesoldiers,she
wenttoSakinaandofferedherthecoolwatershehadinherhand.Withgratitude,Sakina
tookitfromherandwantedtodrinkit,buttheladylookingupathersaid“Iknowthatyoure
extremelythirstyandyouappeartohavesufferedterribly.Beforeyoudrinkthiswater,I
requestyoutopraytoGodthathemayprotectmychildrenfromafatesuchashadbefallen
youandthemembersofyourfamily.PraytoGodthatmychildrenmaynotbesubjectedto
suchmiseriesandtorturesasyouaresufferingtoday”
Sakinacompliedwiththerequestofthelady,andsheprayedtoGod,asshewasaskedbythe
ladytodo.However,thewordsoftheladyrecalledtoherthestarkrealityofhermiserable
plight.Sherememberedhernotsolongagobefore,hereverywishwasbeingcompliedwith,
withtheutmostpromptitude,howhereverywordwastakenasacommand.Shecouldnot
helpsheddingtearsatwhatshehadlost,whatshehadsufferedandwhatshewasstill
suffering.Forsometimesheheldthecupofwaterwithoutdrinking,becauseshecouldnot
controlhersobs.
Zainabwasseeingthisandwonderingaboutwhotheladywas,whohadsokindlybrought
waterforSakina.Shehadheardtherequestofthelady,whichhadbroughtbackmemoriesof
herfathertoSakina.Shethoughtthatshecouldrecollectthefaceofthislady,thoughtwo
decadeshadelapsedsinceherleavingKufa.Withalittleeffort,sherecalledthatthisladywas
UmmeAyman,whohadbeenvisitinghersooftenwhenshewasstayinginKufa,whowasso
muchdevotedtoherandhadalwaysshownaffectionforher.ShewonderedwhetherUmme
Aymanwouldrecognizeher.Shehadheardthetowncrierannouncingtothepublictheir
identity.CoulditbepossiblethatUmmeAymanhadnotheardtheannouncement,andwas
notawareofit?Toremovethisdoubt,Zainabturnedtoherandsaid“UmmeAyman,Iam
thankfultoyouforyourkindgesturetoSakina.MayGodblessyouforthekindnessyouhave
extendedtothebereavedfamilyoftheProphet”
UmmeAymanlookedatherwithbewilderment.Apparentlyshehadnotheardthe
announcementaboutwhothecaptiveswere.ShelookedhardatZainab’sface,butitseemed
thatshecouldnotrecognizeher.Zainabhadcoveredherfacewithherhair,becauseherveil
hadbeensnatchedaway.Evenifshehadnotcoveredherface,suchwerehersufferingsthat
shewaslookingseveralyearsolderthanherrealage.Thedustoftheroadhadcoveredher
face.Starvationandmiseriessufferedbyherhadbroughtsuchachangeinherthataperson
seeingherafterafewdayscouldhardlyrecognizeher,muchlessapersonwhohadnever
seenher20yearsbefore.UmmeAymannotrecognizingher,exclaimedinsurprise“LadyIdo
notunderstandwhyyouarereferringtotheProphet’sfamily.ForaughtIknow,theProphet’s
familyconsistsofmyLordImamHusainandhissisters,ZainabandUmmeKulthum,whomay
GodblessthemareinMadina.Whathaveyoucaptivesgottodowithmyladies,whomIhad
thehonortoserveandmeet,whomIamalwaysrememberinginmyprayers,andwhomIam
longingtomeetagain?”
ZainabcouldseethatUmmeAymanhadnotbeenabletorecognizeher.Shebrushedaside
herhairfromherface,andlookingherfullinthefaceshesaid“UmmeAyman,IamZainab
whomyouarereferringtoandhereismysister,Ummekulthum.Wearethegranddaughters
oftheProphet.ThesameZainabandKulthumwhoyouwanttomeet.Inwhatcondtionyou
areseeingandmeetingusthatyoucannotevenmakeoutwhoweare!ThesoldiersofYazid
killedmybrotherHusainandourotherbrothers,nephewsandsonsinKarbala.Ityouwill
lookahead,youwillseetheheadofyourImamraisedonaspear”
WhenUmmeAymanheardZainabsaythis,sheturnedinthedirectionindicatedbyherand
sawonthespearsseveralheads.Oneofthemshenoticedwasturnedintheirdirection.From
thenobilitydepictedonthefacesofthemartyrsshecouldunderstandthatcouldbelongtono
otherfamilythanthefamilyoftheProphet.SheagainlookedhardatZainabandhersister
andrecognitiondawnedonher.Flingingherselfdownatherfeetshecried“Myladyaccepts
mysincereapologiesforwhatIhavesaid.Icouldnotrecognizeyou.MyGodwhathavethe
peopleprofessingthereligionofIslamdonetoyou!Icouldnotinmywildestdreamsimagine
thattheywouldsubjectyoutosuchtortures,toreduceyoutosuchastate!”UmmeAyman
wascryingbitterly.ShewasholdingthefeetofZainabandkissingthemoutofreverence.
Theguardswhowereaccompanyingthecaptivessawthisandfearedthatthisdisplayof
respectandreverencefortheProphet’sfamilymightinspireotherstocomeforwardand
befriendthecauseofthecaptives.TheyrushedtowardsUmmeAymanwiththewhip.She
wasmercilesslywhippedandthrownaside.Thecaravanwasorderedtoproceedfurther
immediately.
WendingitswaythroughthenarrowstreetsofKufa,thecaptivesreachedthecourtof
Obeidullah.TheGovernorwasseatedonathroneandholdinghiscourt.Thecaptiveswere
askedtomarchintohispresence.
WhenZainabandKulsumwerebroughtbeforeObeidullahIbneZiad,heorderedHusain’s
headtobeplacedonasalverandputathisfeet.HeaskedShimrtoidentifyeachmemberof
Husain’sfamily,becausehecouldhardlybelieve,seeingtheirfaces,thattheycouldbethe
sameZainabandKulsumaboutwhosedignityandbearinghehadheardsomuch.Heeven
mockinglyremarkedthathisfirstimpressionwasthatsomeslavegirlshadbeenbrought
beforehiminsteadofthegranddaughtersoftheProphet.
Zainabwhowastryingtocontrolherselfallalongandsilentlysuffertheinsultsthatwere
beinghurledather,accordingtothepromisegiventoherbrotheratthetimeofhisdeparture
inKarbala,foroncelosthertemper.AddressingObeidullahIbneZiad,shesaid“OsonofZaid,
wearethesistersofHusain,thegranddaughtersofMuhammed(SAW)whomyou
acknowledge,asyourProphet.YouandtheotherhenchmenofYazid,whohaveforthesakeof
worldlygains,floutedalltheprinciplesofIslam,havedesecratedthedeadbodiesofthe
martyrs,despitethefactthatitisstrictlyforbiddenbyreligion,andsubjectedustotheworst
kindofilltreatment,althoughtheProphethadenjoinedonallthebelieverstotreatthe
captives,andparticularlywomenandchildrenwithsympathyandconsideration.Today,you
aregloatingoveryoursuccessandrejoicing,todayyouarethinkingthatyoucaninsultand
humiliateustoyourheart’scontentbecausethereisnobodytosayawordtoyouonour
behalf,becauseyouseeusinthishelplessconditionwithnonetobefriendus,nonetoprotest
againstthetreatmentyouaremetingouttous.ButOtyrant,letmewarnyouthatyouwill
findyoursuccessephemeralandverysoonthewrathofGodwillfinddescendonyouand
thosewhosecauseyouareespousing.VerysoonNemesiswillovertakeyouandtheothers
whohaveruthlesslykilledmybrotherandallthemembersofourfamilywithouttheleast
justification,withouttheleastcompunction,simplebecausetheystoodsteadfastintheir
belief,becausetheyrefusedtoacceptYazid,whosestoogeyouare,asthespiritualleaderof
theMuslimsonaccountofhisbeingaknownprofligate,whohasfloutedallprinciplesof
Islam,trampledunderfootallethicalconceptsandreducedallhumanbeingstoanabject
state”
ObeidullahIbneZiadwasstunnedbythisboldaddressofZainab.Hehadneverthoughttht
shewoulddaretospeakoutsoboldlyinthehelplessconditionshewasin,Hehadthought
thatshewouldbeterrorizedbytheawe‐inspiritingatmosphereofhiscourt,particularlyata
timewhenshehadsufferedsuchcalamitiesandcruelblowsandundergonesomuch
hardship,Notonlyhebutallthecourtierswhowerepresentinhiscourtbecamespeechless
andlistenedwithraptattentiontoherperoration.Afterawhile,helookedroundhimtosee
theeffectwhichherspeechhadproducedonthosepresentinthecourt.Hecouldseethat
everyonelisteningtoherwashearingeverywordshewasutteringwithraptattention.From
thelookontheirfaces,hewoulddiscernthattheycouldhelpadmiringherwonderfulcourage
inspeakingoutthetruthinspiteofherhelplessposition.Hethoughtthatmanymustbe
comparingherplainandforthrightspeechwiththeaddressesofherillustriousfather
deliveredtovastcongregationsfromthepulpitinthemosqueofKufa.Foramomenthegot
scaredthat,ifshecontinuedtospeakinthisbeing,shemightbeabletoswayawaythe
masses.Hetriedtostopherbyshoutingatthetopofhisvoiceandorderinghertoholdher
tongueandthreatenedtovisittheworstkindofpunishmentimaginableonherandtheother
captivesifshefailedtoholdhersilence.
IfObeidullahIbneZiadhadcountedonsilencingZainabbyviolence,hefoundhimself
mistaken.Undauntedbysuchthreats,Zainabcontinuedtospeakwithvehemence,She
recapitulatedhowherbrotherandtheothermembersofherfamilyhaddissociated
themselvesfromallpowerpoliticsanddevotedtheirlivestotheserviceofmankind,to
helpingthepooranddowntroddenpeople,tobefriendingthewidowsandorphans.She
contrastedtheirwaysoflivingwiththoseofYazidandhishenchmen,howthelatterhad
abandonedallsenseofdecencyandindulgedinviceswhichwoulddisgraceeventhemeanest
ofmankind,howYazidhadbythisutterdisregardofallsenseofdecency,inspiteofclaiming
tobethe“Leaderofthefaithful”castaslurtoIslamitself,howhispreachingsandprecepts
haddemoralizedallthosewhowerelookingtohimastheirking,andspiritualleader.She
eloquentlynarratedtheinhumanatrocitiesperpetratedbyYazid’sforcesinKarbalaandhow
theyhadabandonedallhumanitarianprinciplesandsenseofdecency.Herwordswere
sinkingthtothemindofallwhowerepresentthereandthoughmostofthemhadsoldtheir
soulsforamessofpottage,theycouldnothelpadmittingtothemselvesthateverywordof
whatshehadsaidwasfullyjustified.Severalofthosepresentweremovedtotears.Oneofthe
agedcompanionsoftheProphet,ZiaasdbinArkanwhowasblind,,rosetoadmonish
ObeidullahIbneZiadforsubjectingtheProphet’sfamilytosuchindignities.
ItdidnottakeObeidullahIbneZaidverylongtoassessthesituation.Cunningandcrafty
ashewas,herealizedthatifhedidnotgetridoftheprisonersofKugatheremightbean
uprisingagainsthim.HeshouteddownthecompanionoftheProphetandorderedhimtobe
removedfromthecourt.Herosefromthethroneonwhichhewassittingandhurriedly
dismissedtheassembly.HeorderedShimrandKhoolitotaketheprisonersposthateto
DamascusbeforetheyhadanyopportunitytoaddressthepublicofKufa.Boththoseservile
minionswerequiterelievedtoreceivetheseorders,becausetheytoosensedthedangerthat
layaheadifZainabgotanopportunitytospeakoutpublicly.Afterhurriedconsultations,they
decidedtoimmediatelytaketheprisonersoutofKufaandtotaketheleastfrequentedroads
toDamascus,sothattheywouldnothavetofaceanysurpriseattackorambush,ifany
personsknowingaboutthetragedyofKerbalatookuponthemselvestoavengethemartyrs.
ThecaptivescaravanmarchonandonthroughthedesertsofMesopotamia.Theguardswere
instructedtoletthoseloosetheirworstvengeanceonthehelplessladiesandchildrenandthe
ailingImam.AliZainulAbideen,wjhowasfollowingthecaravanonfoot.Duetosheer
exhaustion,heusedtofalldownateveryfewsteps,becauseaheavychainwasputroundhis
neckandfeet,whichmademarchingatabriskpacemosttodifficultforhim,particularlyin
theconditionhewas.Everytimehestumbledandfell,somebrutewouldjumpdownfromhis
horseandmercilesslywhiphim.
Duringthismarch,Sakinafelldownfromhercamel’sback.Zainab,whowasridingonthe
camelnexttohers,raisedanalarm,butthesoldiersdidnotpayanyheedtoher.Shedidnot
knowwhattodoinherdesperatestate,forsheknewthatifSakinawhohadfaintedonfalling
downfromthecamel,wasabandonedinthedesert,shewouldperishwithoutanyfoodor
water,withoutanysuccor.Inherdesperationsheturnedtowardsthespearinfrontofthe
caravanonwhichherbrother’sheadwaselevated,andcried“BrotherHusainyouhadasked
metolookafteryourbelovedSakinaforyou,butseeinwhatahelplessconditionIam.Your
SakinahasfallendownfromthecamelbackandthereisnothingthatIcandotohelpher.”
Aftersayingthis,shesilentlyofferedprayersforthesafetyofthedarlingchild.Suchwasher
boundlessfaithinGodthatsheknewthatherprayerswouldnotgoinvainandsomething
wouldhappentosaveSakina”
ThecaravanhadhardlygoneafewstepsaheadwhenthespearonwhichKhooliwascarrying
theheadofHusainfelldownfromhishandandgotplantedontheground.Khoolijumped
downfromhishorsetouprootthespearbuttryhashewould,hedidnotsucceedinplucking
itout.Itremainedstuckinthegroundasifithadbeenfirmlycementedthere.Khooliwasat
hiswit’sendastowhatheshoulddoaboutit.Heknewthat,iftheotherguardssawthis
strangephenomenon,theymightgetterrifiedandevendeserttheirposts.Quietlyhewent
overtoShimr,andwhisperedintoShimr’searswhathadhappened.Thewarpedmindof
ShimrhadasolutionforKhooli’sproblem.HewentovertoAliZainulAbideen,withthelash
inhishandsanddemandedtoknowwhatwasresponsibleforthespeargettingsofirmly
plantedthatitcouldnotbemovedfromitsplaceevenbyastrongandsturdymanlikeKhooli,
whosephysicalstrengthwastheonlyqualityhepossessed.AliZainulAbideenlookedupto
hisfather’shead,Hethoughthesawsometearstricklingdownthecheeksonthetopofthe
spear.HelookedintothedirectionofhisauntZainab.Shecaughthiseyeandshoutedtohim
thatSakinahadtoppledoverfromthebarebackofhercamel,andinspiteofherentreatiesto
theguardstopickherup,theyhadpaidnoheedtoher.Shimrimmediatelyranbackand
pickedupthechildlyingunconsciousduetotheheavyfallandtheinjuriesshehadsustained
onaccountofit.AssoonasSakinawasputinthearmsofZainab,Khooliwasabletoliftthe
spearfromtheground.Thecaravanresumedthemarch,asifnothinghadhappened.
ThemarchthroughtheSyriandesert,withthepricklythornsstrewnallover,wasacruel
ordealforAliZainulAbideen,whowasmadetorunwiththecamelsonhisbarefeet.Atnight
thecaravanusedtohaltforafewhours,whentheguardsusedtoindulgeinfeastingand
merrymakinggivingtheleastpossiblefoodandwatertotheprisoners–barelyenoughto
sustainthem.
Onenight,theyrestedinthemountaintophermitageofarecluse,whohaddevotedhislifeto
prayersandmeditation,Shmirgavetheheadsofthemartyrstohimforsafekeeping,Justone
lookatthefaceofImamHussainconvincedthehermitthatitwastheheadofasaint.Hetook
itwithhimandkeepingitneartohisbed,retiredtosleep.Atnighthedreamtthatallthe
Prophetsandtheangelshaddescendedfromheaventokeepawatchoverthehead.Hewoke
upfromhissleep,startledandbaffledattowhatheshoulddo.Rushingoutofthemonastery,
hewokeupShimranddemandedtoknowwhothemartyrswere.WhenShimrtoldhimthat
thegrandsonoftheProphetMuhammed(SAW)whohaddefiedtheauthorityoftheruleof
YazidIbneMauawiya,andrefusedtoacknowledgehisspiritualsoveirnity,hadbeenkilledby
thearmyofYazidandtheywerecarryingtheheadsofallthepersonskilledinKarbala,the
hermitwasshockedbeyondallwords.Recoveringhimself,hesaid“Youcursedpeople,doyou
realizethatyouhavecommittedaheinouscrimebybeheadingyourownProphet’sgrandson,
whoundoubtedlywasagreatsaint?Fieuponyou,cowardthatnotsatisfiedwithwhatyou
havedone,youaresobrutallytreatingtheinnocentladiesandchildrenandsubjectingthem–
tosuchatrocities!”
ThesewordsofthehermitenragedShimr,whohadevenotherwiselosthistemperwithhim
forwakinghimupfromsleeponthedeadofthenight.Withonesweepofhissword,he
choppedoffthehermit’shead.ThisbrutehadlittleregardfortheProphet’sinjunctionsand
orders,grantingfullestprotectiontothosewhohadretiredfromtheworldanddedicated
theirlivestoprayersandpenance.WhenthelifeoftheProphet’sowngrandsonwasnot
sparedbythisbrute,whatregardcouldhebeexpectedtohaveforthecommandsofthe
Prophet?
Withhurriedmarchesthecaptives’caravanreachedthecityofDamascus.Onreachingthe
gatesofthefortresssurroundingthecity,thecaravanwashaltedandacourierwassentto
informYazidabouttheirarrivalandtoseekhispermissiontoleadthecaptivestothecourt.
Foronefullhour,intheblazingheatofthesun,theladiesandchildrenweremadetowait
nearthedoorofthecitywiththrongsofpeoplecomingovertoseethemfromclosequarters.
Manyofthemdidnotknowwhotheywere.Theyhadafaintideathatsomeprincehadrisen
againsttheauthorityofYazid,andhadbeendefeatedinaskirmishwiththeforcesofYazid.
Theyweretoldallthedependentsoftheprincehadbeentakenprisonersandwerebeing
takenbeforetheKhaliftoreceivewhateverchastisementheconsiderednecessaryforthemin
keepingwiththegravityoftheirleader’scrimeagainsttherulerandhisundisputed
authority.ItappearedthatYazidwhohadreceivedadiscreethintfromObeidullahIbneZiad
aboutthesceneinhiscourtinKufa,wasafraidtomakeknowntheidentityoftheprisonersin
Damuscus,althoughheandhisfatherhadcompleteswayoverthepeopleforatleastquarter
ofthecentury.Inhurriedconsultationswithhisconfidants,Yazidhaddecidedthattillthe
prisonerswerebroughtintohiscourt,theiridentityshouldnotbedisclosed.Heorderedthat
anannouncementbemadethatarebelagainsthisauthorityhadbeendetainedbyhis
unconquerablearmiesandtosetanexampleforothershehadorderedtheheadsofthe
rebelstobebroughttohiscourtwiththeirfamilies.Hehadproclaimedthatdaytobe
observedasadayofrejoicing,tocelebratehisvictory.Hehaddecreedthathiscourt,the
bazaarsandthestreetsandeverynookandcornerofthecityshouldbegailydecoratedto
celebratethisdaywithfullpompandregaliabefittingtheoccasion.
Whilstthecitywasassumingafestivelook,whilstallthelaneandbylanesweredecorated
withfestoonsandbuntings,thepoorvictimsweresufferingunderthescorchingsunwithout
anyfoodorwater.Thesechildrenwerecryingwithhungerandthirst.Someoftheladiesfrom
theonlookerswere,outofcompunctionwithoutknowingtowhatfamilythesechildren
belonged,throwingsacrificialdrydatestowardsthemforthewellbeingoftheirownyoung
childrenandtowardofallevilfromtheirowndearones,satothecustomsofthosedays.The
hungrychildrenwerecatchingthesedatesthrowntowardsthemtosatisfytheirhungerbut
ZainabandUmmeKulsumwereaskingthemtothrowthemaway.Theyweretellingthe
childrenthattheProphethadforbiddenhisfamilytoeatanysuchsacrificialofferingsand
askingthemtosufferhungerratherthangoagainsttheProphet’sorder.Theywere
requestingtheladiesnottothrowsuchofferingstowardsthechildrenbecausetheywere
fromtheProphet’sfamily.Manyofthebystanderswerebaffledtohearthesewordsfrom
ZainabandUmmeKulthumbecausetheyhadnoinklingabouttheidentityoftheprisoners.
ManyoftheladieswerelookingonwithgapingmouthsatZainabandUmmeKulthumwho
hadcoveredtheirfaceswiththeirlongtressesinthebsenceofveils.TheladiesofDamascus
werewhisperingtooneaotherwhetheritcouldbetruethattheprisonerswerefromthe
Prophet’sfamily.Theycouldnothelpseeingtheremarkablenobilitystampedonthefacesof
theprisoners.Thoughtheirfacesandbodiesweresmearedwiththedustanddesertsand,
therecouldbelittledoubtthattheywerefromsomeprincelyfamily,fromsuchnoblestock.
Afterawaitofonefullhour,orderscamefromthecourtofYazidtobringintheprisoners.All
thepreparationsweremadeinthemeanwhiletosummonthecourtiersandambassadorsof
foreigncountriestothelavishdecoratedcourt.Whentheprisonerswereladintothecourt,
Yazidwasseatedonanelevatedthrone,richlydecoratedwithgold,andhadsevenhundred
glidedchairsroundhim,whereinwereseatedhisnobilityandforeignemissaries.Yazid
orderedtheheadofHusaintobeplacedinagoldsalverandputathisfeet.
WhentheprisonerswerebroughtbeforeYazid,heco9uldnotforaminutebelievethatthose
beforehimintatteredrags,coveredwithdustandbloodoozingoutfromthelastwoundsand
thecutsinthefleshfromtightlytiedropes,handcuffsandchainscouldbethegrandchildren
oftheProphet.Hewasquitedrunkatthattimeandwithoutcaringtolookattheirfaceshe
flewintoarageandbawledout“AmarSaad,thesearenotthesistersanddaughtersof
Husainandmembersofhisfamily.Areyoutryingtocheatmebylettingthemgetawayand
substitutingintheirplacessomeslaves?”Hewasquiveringwithrageashesaidthisandhis
eyeswerebloodshot.
AmarSaadwhowaspresentinthecourtandconjuringupdreamsoftherewardshismaster
wouldbestowonhimforaccomplishingthetaskentrustedtohimwasscaredoutofhiswits.
HeknewthatYazidhadthehabitofactingfirstandthinkingthereafter.Particularlythistrait
inhimwasaccentuatedwhenhewasdrinkandhecouldseethatonthisoccasion,Yazidwas
farfromsober.FlinginghimselfabjectlyatYazid’sfeet,AmarSaadmumbled“Mercy,O
commanderofthefaithful.Yourhumbleslavehasdoneexactlyaccordingtoyouraugust
commandandtheprisonersyoubeholdareZainabandUmmeKulthum,granddaughtersof
theProphetofIslam,andsistersofHusain.TheyounggirlsyoubeholdareUmmeLailaand
UmmeRubabthewidowsofHusainandtheothersareorphansandwidowsofHusain’s
friendsandrelations.AndtherebeforeisisHusain’sailingson,AlizainulAbideen”
Sayingthis,heraisedhisheadalittlefromthegroundtoseethereactiononhismaster’sface.
YazidhadnowfocusedhiseyesontheladieswhosenamesAmarSaadhadmentioned.Hesaw
thatallofthemhadcompletelycoveredtheirfaceswiththeirtresses.Inparticularhenoticed
thatoneladywasstandingbehindanagedwomanamongtheprisonersasifshewasbeing
shieldedfromYazid’sgaze”
“Ahthere.”Hebawledout,pointinginthedirectionoftheladywhohadbeenscreenedoffby
theagedmaid“whoisthatonewhoistryingtoseekshelterbehindtheoldladyandwhy”
AmarSaadrisingtohisfeetbowedabjectlyandsaid“YourMajesty,sheisZainab,daughterof
AliandFatimaandtheoldwomanstandinginfrontofherisFizza,theAbyssinianprincess,
whotakesprideincallingherselftheslaveofFatimaandZainab”
“Ishallnotletanyoneprotectmyprisonersbeforeme”shoutedYazidinarage.Heasked
ShimrwhowasstandingguardovertheprisonerstothrowasideFizzasothathecouldhavea
fullviewofZainab.
SeeingShimradvancetowardsher,FizzaturnedtotheAbyssinianslaves,whowerestanding
behindYazid’sthronewithbareswordsashisbodyguardsandsaid“Obrothersfrommy
nativeland,whathashappenedtoyourfraternalandcommunalfeelingsthatyousilently
watchanagedladyfromyourcountrybeingmolestedinthismanner?Withyourdrawn
swords,can’tyouofferprotectiontoyouragedprincessfromthelashesofthistyrantwhohas
beenourtormentorthroughoutthemarchfromKarbalatoDamascus?”
HearingthesewordsofFizza,someoftheslavessteppedforwardandaddressingYazidoneof
themsaid“YourMajesty,askShimrtoholdhishandsandnottousethelashonourprincess
Fizza.Ifhedoesanythingtoher,todaybloodwillflowlikewaterinyourcourt.”
Yazidwasflabbergastedatthisaffrontofhisslaves.Drunk,thoughhewas,hehadenough
sensetorealizethattheywereseriousandmeantwhattheysaid.Thecowardinhim
panickedatthesightofthebareswordsglisteninginthelightofthechandeliers.He
immediatelyshriekedacommandtoShimr,“staywhereyouareShimr,anddonotbudgean
inchotherwiseIshallhaveyourheadchoppedoff”Thenturningtotheslaveswithawry
smilehesaid“Mygoodfellows,Iknowyouareallsodevotedandfaithfultomeandalways
readytoprotectandguardme,Ishallnotallowanythingtobedonetotouchyourgoodsense
ofhonor.”
Yazidknewthatthescenecreatedbytheslaveshadhumiliatedhimintheeyesofhis
courtiersandeventheforeignemissaries.Toshowoffhistriumphandweakvengeancefor
hishumiliation,hetookupthecanewithagoldknoblyingbyhissideandstartedbeating
Husain’sseveredheadwithitr.Usingthecaneonthelipsandteeth,heshouted“Ahwerenot
theselipsreceivingthekissesofMuhammed?Howdelightfulwouldbemyforebearstosee
thatIhaveavengedthemforthedefeatstheysufferedinthebattlesofBadrandHunaynat
thehandsofMohammed!HowhappytheysoulsmustbetodaytoseethatI,Yazidhavetaken
vengeancefortheirdefeatsfromMuhammed’sgrandsonandhisfamily.”Hewaschuckling
withgleeanddrinkinggobletaftergobletofwine,whichwasmakinghimmoreandmore
inebriated.AlltheladiesofHusain’sfamilyadAliZainulAbideenwerestandingthere
weepingsilently.
Whilsthewasstillbusywithsatisfyinghisvengeance,theambassadorofoneoftheforeign
countries,whosenamewasAbdulWahhab,feltdisgustedatthecallousnessandbrutalityof
Yazid.Hecouldnotbearthesightanymoreandrisingfromhisseat,hesaidtoYazid“OKing,
Iwouldliketoknowwhowasthepersonwhoseheadyouarehavingatthefootofyour
throne,andwhoselipsyouarehittingwithyourcane.Whatheinouscrimeshadhe
committedthatyouaretreatinghimlikethis,evenafterdeathandsubjectingtheladiesofhis
familytosuchharshtreatment?”
WinehadnowgonesomuchtotheheadofYazidthathebecameboastfulofhis
achievements.Hetoldtheambassadoroftheforeigncountrythathehadputtoswordallthe
membersofthefamilyoftheProphetofIslamfornotacceptingandacknowledginghimas
theKhalifandspiritualleaderoftheMuslims.Headdedthathehadalltheladiesofthe
Prophet’shousebeforehimascaptivesandhewouldsubjectthemtosuchpunishmentasthe
worldhadnotwitnessedbefore,soastoserveasanexampletoallpeoplewhomightbe
havingeventhefaintestideatochallengeandquestionhisauthorityandsovereigntyand
deterallsuchpersonsfromraisingtheirvoicesagainsthim.
AbdulWahab,whowasamanoflearningandcultureandwhohadheardalotaboutthe
Prophetandhisdescendentsandthenobilityandpietyoftheirlives,wassurprisedand
shockedtohearthisfromYazid.HecouldnothelpfeelingthedeepestadmirationforHusain
whohaddefiedthetyrantandrefusedtosellhisconscienceeventhoughhehadtosuffersuch
acruelfate.ForonceheforgotalldiplomacyandprotocolandsaidtoYazid“OKing,youhave
committedthegreatestcrime,notonlyagainstyourownreligionbutalsoagainsthumanity,
bybrutallymassacringthegodfearinggrandsonoftheProhpetofIslamandthemale
membersofhisfamilyandtakingasprisonerstheladiesandchildrenofhishouse”
TheboldrebuketookYazidaback,ashehadleastexpectedit.Beforehecouldsayanything
theambassadorcontinued“Mypeoplearegivingtomethehighestrespectandhonorbecause
Ihappentobeadescendentofoneoftheirprophets.Youlackallsenseofdecencytohaveso
brutallybutcheredyourownProphet’sgrandsonwhoforaughtIknow,wassodearlyloved
byhim.”
AbdulWahabthenturnedinthedirectionofAliZainulAbideenandsaid“Ali,fromwhatI
haveseenandheardtodayIamconvincedthatyourfatherwastheboldestsoulonearthto
putupafightagainsttheforcesoftyranny,oppressionandinjustice,asembodiedinthis
usurper.HereandnowIdeclaremyfaithinthereligion,todefendwhoseprinciplesyour
noblefathersacrificedhisall,andIwantyouastheonlytruebelieverinthisassemblyofmen,
tobearwitnesstothisfact.Idonotcarefortheconsequencesofproclaimingmyfaith,and
denouncingtheerrantusurper,whoisseatedhereonthethroneandwhoisthevery
embodimentandincarnationoftheworstqualitiesinmankindandanepitomeofallthatis
evil.”
Hardlyhadhefinishedsayingthis,whenYazidnowmadwithrageandsmartingunderthe
insultsandexposure,suchashehadneverexpected,shoutedacommandtohisguardsto
dragawaytheambassadorandtochopoffhishead.Hisorderswerecarriedoutbyhis
bodyguardsimmediately.
Apindropsilencedescendedonthecourt.Allthecourtierswerestunnedbytheboldnessof
theforeignerwhohadspokenoutsoboldly,inspiteofknowingthedireconsequencesthat
wouldfollow.Manyofthemadmittedintheirheartofheartsthetruthofallthathehadsaid
andcontrastedtheirownpusillanimitywithhiscourage.
Duringthistime,Yazidwasgulpingdowncupaftercupofwinetosoothhisfrayednerves.
Everybodywaswaitinganxiouslytoseeonwhomhewouldwreakhisvengeanceforthe
insultshehadsufferedinopencourt.Theyhadnotlongtowait,forthetyrantturninginthe
directionofAliZainulAbideenshouted“Youthere,Youwereresponsiblefortheinsults
whichthatwretchhurledatme,andIshallmakeyoupaydearlyforaidingandabettinghim,
forencouraginghim,todenouncemeandpraiseyourfather.”Hepausedforawhile,asifhis
intoxicatedheadwasmuddledandconfusedinconjuringupwhatworstpunishmenthecould
inflictonAliZainulAbideen.Afterafewsecondsheconfirmed“Ishallgetyourheadcutoff
hereandnow,infullviewofeverybody–beforeyourmother,sistersandauntsandbeforeall
whoareassembledhere.”Thenasifonsecondthoughtheadded“No,nokillingyouwillnot
beenough.Ishalltortureyoutodeathsothatyouwilldiebyinches.Ishallsubjectyousuch
torturesthelikeofwhichtheworldhasneverseen,sothatyourlifewillbecomingaliving
death,sothateveryday,everyhour,everyminuteyouwillyearnandpinefordeathtorelieve
youofallyoursufferings.”
Asifthisdiabolicalthoughtofdevisingcruelesttortureshadsoothedhissadisticmind,he
burstintoaloudhoarseguffaw.Itwasthehystericallaughterofadrunkendemonwhohad
nocontroloverhisnervoussystem.
Atthisstage,AliZainulAbideeninafeeblebutclearfirmvoicesaid“Yazid.Thetorturesand
ignominieswhichyouhavesofarinflictedonmecanneverbesurpassedbyanythingthat
yourcrookedmindcanthinkup.Formetheworstpossibletorturehasbeenmystanding
herewithmymothersandsisters,withmyauntsandcousins,withoutanyveilstocovertheir
headsandfaces.DonotforamomentthinkthatIamintimidatedorfrightenedbyyour
threats.We,descendentsoftheHolyProphetofIslampeacebeonhim,havebeentrained
fromchildhoodtofaceafflictionsandsufferings.WeknowthatthosewhoarelovedbyGod
aretriedbyHim,andiftheyremainsteadfastandtruetotheirfaithinHim,thenonlyHe
bestowsHisDivinefavorsontheminthelifehereafter,whichispermanentandnot
transitorylikethisworldlylife.”
TheretortofAliZainulAbideenevokedspontaneousmurmursofadmirationfromthe
courtierswhoinspiteofeverythingcouldnothelpadmittingtothemselvesthathewasatrue
scionofthehouseofMuhammed(SAW)whosefaithinGod,whosebeliefinthecauseof
Islam,nothingcouldshakeordiminish.
Onhearingthemurmursofadmiration,YaziddespitehisdrunkenstategotscaredHisreeling
headconjureduppossibilitiesofhiscourtiersstaginganuprisingagainsthiminfavourofAli
ZainulAbideen.Thecunningnaturewhichheheadinheritedfromhiscraftyfathercameto
hisrescue.Hefeignedaloudlaughter,andsaid“Whyareyoublamingme,Aliforwhathas
befallenyouall?ItwasGodwhoinflictedthispunishmentonyouandyourfamilyforyour
father’sobduracyanddefianceofmylawfulauthority.Yougotwhatyoudeservedaccording
tothewillofGod.”
“NoOtyrant.”SaidAliZainulAbideen“donotdaretodistortandmisinterpretthewordsof
God.Heinhisinfinitewisdomgivestimeandopportunitiestomentoseewhethertheyact
withjusticeortyrannicallyriderough‐shodoverhelplessdefenselesspeople.Hispunishment
alwaysovertakesthetyrants,soonerorlater.DoesnottheHolyQurannarratetheinstances
oftheprophetsofGodsufferinguntoldhardshipsatthehandsofthepeopletowhomthey
hadcometopreach?”
TheforthrightreplyrenderedYazidspeechless.Hisbefuddledmindcouldnotthinkof
anythinginreplytoAli’sretort.Oneofhissubservientcourtiers,whowaseveranxiousto
curryfavorwithhim,thoughtupaplantorelievethetensionthatwasmounting.
Gettingupfromhisseat,hebowedbeforethethroneandsaid“YourMajesty,Ibegofyouto
bestowHusain’sfavoritedaughterSakinaonmeasaslaveinrewardfortheservicesIhave
renderedtoyou.”HardlyhadthewretchconcludedthesewordswhenZainab,whohadtill
thenstandingsilently,withherheadbowedwithSakinabyhersidegotinfuriatedasshehad
neverbeenbeforeandinaloudandringingvoiceshesaid“Youwretchedservileminionof
Yazid,haveyoulostallsenseofshamethatyouwanttoenslavetheProphet’sgrandchildren?
Istherenoneamongstyoutoobjecttotheshamelessrequestofthiscur?”
BehindYazid’sthrone,avelvetgoldembroideredcurtainhadbeendrawnwheretheladiesof
hisharemwereseated.AsZainabwasprotestingagainstthepreposterousrequestofthe
courtierforenslavingSakina,Yazid’sfavoritewifeHindaenteredtheenclosurereservedfor
hisharem.Shewasadevoutandpiousladywhohad,beforehermarriagewithYazidserved
asaladyinwaitinginZainab’shouseholdduringthetimeofMawlaAli’skhalifate.Shehad
evenaftermarriageretainedherloveforanddevotiontoZainab.Yazidknowingthis,had
carefullyconcealedfromherhisplansforkillingHusainandhadtakengoodcaretoseethat
shewasnotinformedabouttheaftermathofKarbala.Whensheheardfrombehindthe
curtainthevoiceofZainabandthementionofenslavementofthegrandchildrenofthe
Prophet,shegotextremelyperturbed.Asifbypremonitionshehadbecomerestlessfor
severaldaysandwasseeinginherdreamsZaiabandUmmeKulthumbothweepingbitterly
andtellingherthattheyhadlosttheirallinthisworld.Shehadasifbyintuitiongathered
thatherevilmindedhusbandwasbentuponsomeheinouscrimewhichshecouldnotfigure
out.
WhenHindaheardthewordsofZainab,shecouldnotcontainherself.Inamomentoffrenzy
sherushedoutoftheenclosurewithoutaveil,demandingtoknowwhohaddaredtotalk
aboutenslavingthechildrenoftheProphet’shouse.Yazidwassoperturbedbyhiswife,
knownforhermatchlessbeautythroughouthiskingdom,comingintotheopencourtwithout
herveil,contrarytothecustomofthosedays,thathehurriedlyshoutedordersdismissingthe
court,gaveinstructionsforAmrSaadtoleadthecaptivestothedarkestdungeonsinthefort
andtoawaithisfurtherorders.Hethenrushedfromthethroneandthrowinghisrobeon
Hinda’sheadheledherawayintothepalace.Thegoodladykeptonrequestinghimtotellher
whathadtranspiredthatday,whotheprisonerswereandwhysomebodyhadmentioned
abouttheenslavementofthegrandchildrenoftheProphet.Hegaveherevasiverepliesand
triedtoallayherfearsbysayingthattheprisonershadnothingtodowiththeProphet.
Thecaptive’scaravanconcludeditsjourneyinthedark,desolatedungeonsofthefortof
Damascus,whichwasinfestedwithsnakesandscorpions.Assoonasthedoorswerelocked,
ZainabandAliZainulAbideenengagedthemselvesinprayers.Theybothprostratedtheir
headsandprayedtoAlmightyGodtograntthemstrengthandcouragetobearwhatwasin
storeforthem.Theyboththankedhimforsustainingthemthroughtheirgreatesthourof
trial,forenablingthemtoputupwiththeunparalleledhumiliationswithoutawordof
complaintagainsthisDispensation.
Chapter10.TheDeathinPrison
Itwasdarkinsidethatroomofthatfortthoughthesunwasblazinginallitsgloryoutside.It
wouldnotbecorrecttocallthatplaceafortbecauseitwasinfactaprison;aprisonthathad
beenusedforyearsfortheconfinementofcriminalsoftheworsttype.Foryearsithas
remainedoutofuseanditsstonewallsweredampandcrumblingwithdecay.Itwasdifficult
foranypersonenteringtheroomtoseethepersonswhowerekeptinsidefortherewasno
light.Onlywhentheeyescouldgetusedtothedarknesssomefigureswerediscernibleinthat
drearycell.Thereweresomeladiesandchildrenhuddledtogetherandtherewasoneman
withthemlyingonapieceofclothspreadonthedampbarefloor.Ifapersonweretolook
closelyattheinmatesofthecell,hewouldfindthattheprisonersworehaggardlooks—looks
ofsorrow,looksofdespairanddespondency.Thosecarewornfacesweredepicting
indescribablesufferings.Thoseemaciatedfaceswerereflectingthecalamitiessufferedtothe
limitofhumanendurance.
Whoweretheoccupantsofthecellandwhatwasthecrimetheyhadcommittedwhichhad
broughtthemtosuchastateofsuffering?Iffacescouldbetheindexoftheircharacter,evena
cursorylookatthemwasenoughtoconvinceanybodythattheywerenotcapableofany
offense,muchlessaheinouscrimewhichalonecouldmeritthetreatmentmetedouttothem.
Andwhatpossiblecrimecouldtheladiesandchildrenhavecommitted?Wasittheman,
younginyearsbutillandemaciatedwithprivationsandsufferings,whoseactionshad
broughtsomuchsufferingstohisnearanddearones?Eventhatdidnotseempossible
because,eveninthedarkcornerofthecell,hisheadwasprostratedinprayers.Couldaman
who,inthefaceofsuchtrialsandtribulations,didnotforgethisMaker,whoinspiteofhis
illnessandsufferingssangthehymnsinpraiseofhisLord,becapableofanyatrocious
crimes?
Suddenlythedoorofthedungeonopenedandadmittedsomelightintothecell.Inthatlightit
waspossibletoseethatnotonlythemanbuteventheladieswereengagedinprayers.With
thelightcominginthroughthatdooritwaspossibletoseethatalltheladieshadgreyor
whitehair.Fromtheirfacesitwasobviousthatitwasnotagethathadturnedtheirhairgrey
butuntoldandexcruciatingpainsandpangsofsufferings.Amongsttheladiestherewasone
whowasofferingherprayersseated.Evenaglanceatherfacewassufficienttorevealthe
reasonwhyshedidso.Shelookedsoemaciatedandstarvedthatshedidnothavethe
strengthtostandupevenforafewminutes.
Thepersonwhohadopenedthedoorbroughtinatrayonwhichwereplacedafewstale
morselsofbread.Healsohadacoupleofpitchersofwaterwithhim.Ifyoucountedthe
inmatesofthecellandthebreadthathehadbrought,itwasobviousthatthefoodcouldnot
sufficeforall.Couldthatbethereasonforthestarvationofthelady?Coulditbethat’shegave
herownrationtothechildrenandstarvedherself?Yes,surelythatmustbethereason,for
howcouldZainab,thesisterofHusseineatherfillwhenherbelovedbrother’schildren,and
thechildrenofthosewholaiddowntheirlivesforhim,hadnotenoughtoeat?Hadnot
Hussein,atthetimeofhislastparting,commendedthechildrentohercare?Evenifhehad
notdoneso,ZainabwasthedaughterofAliandFatima,whousedtogowithoutfoodfordays
togetherbutcouldnotbeartoseeaprisoner,awayfarer,oranorphangohungry.
Somebodyhassaid:“Stonewallsdonotaprisonmake;norironbarsacage.”Perhapshe
meantthataprisoncouldconfinethebodiesofthecaptivesbutnottheirthoughtswhichsoar
beyond,breakingallshackles,allbarriers.Ifso,couldoneimaginewherethethoughtsof
thoseprisonersweresoaring?Yes,itwasnotdifficulttosurmisethat.Thethoughtsofeach
oneofthemweregoingbacktothatplainofKarbala,tothemorningwhentheyhadwith
themallthosewholovedthemandwhomtheylovedbeyondtheirlivestothatafternoon
whentherewasanincessantprocessionofdeadbodiesofthosewhosestrengthandvalor
hadonlyafewhoursbeforestruckterrorintheheartsoftheenemy.Andundoubtedlytheir
thoughtsweregoingbacktothatnightwhenthetentswereablaze,whenthethirstychildren
wererunninghelter‐skelterfromoneburningtenttoanother,whentheirbelongingswere
beingplunderedandlooted.
Theprisonerspartookoftheirmeagerrepastandwereengagedinprayersagain.Thiswas
theirroutine.Inonecorneraladywhohadfinishedherprayerswastryingtosuppressthe
tearsthatcontinuedtowellupinhereyesduetoconstantremembranceofthelovedones
shehadlostonthatfatefulday.Inspiteofherbesteffortsshecouldnotanylongersuppress
hersobsandweepingtogiveventtoherpent‐upemotionswhichwouldotherwisehave
chokedher.
Nowthenighthaddescended.Butthathardlymadeanydifferencebecauseevenduringthe
dayitwasequallydarkinside.Fortheprisonerstherewasnomorefoodforthenight.The
youngchildrendrankalittlewaterandwenttosleep.Aseachchilddrankwater,asobwas
heard.Wasitinremembranceofthebrothers,theunclesandfatherwhohaddiedseeking
watertilltheend?
InthedeadnightSakinagotupwithashriek.Sheburstintotorrentsoftears.Herweeping
andwailingarousedeverybody.Zainabrushedtohersideandtriedtoconsoleher.“My
belovedchild,”shesaid,“howoftenIhavetoldyouthatthelastwishofyourfatherwasthat
youshouldendureallthesufferingsthatareinflictedonyouwithcompleteresignationtothe
WillofGod?”Thechildtriedtocontrolherselfandreplied:“DearAunt,Iknowthatbut,inmy
dreamIsawmyfather.Hecametomeandsaid:‘OhSakinayouhavesufferedenough.My
darling,thedaysofyoursufferingareover.NowIhavecometofetchyou.Comewithme!’Oh
sisterofmybelovedfather,InarratedtohiminmydreamallthesufferingsIhadendured
sincehedidnotcomebackfromthebattlefield.ItoldhimhowIhadgoneinthedarknightin
searchofhim.Whatadreamitwasandwhatadisappointmentitisformetoknowthatin
realityIshallbeawayfrommybelovedfather!”Sosayingsheburstintouncontrollable
lamentation.Suchwasthegriefofthechildthatalltheladieslostcontrolovertheiremotions
andtheirwailingechoedthroughtheprisonwalls.
Yazidinhispalaceadjoiningtheprisonwaspacingthefloor.Heheardthebemoaningand
lamentationsandsentforhisslavestoenquireaboutthecause.Soontheyhurriedbackto
reportwhathadhappened.WhenYazidwastoldthatSakinahadseenherfatherinherdream
andwasdisconsolate,heaskedhismantoputtheheadofHusseinonasilversalver,coverit
withsilkenclothandtakeittotheprison.
Thiswasdone:theprisondoorwasopenedandYazid’smenenteredwiththecoveredtray.
TheyplaceditbeforeSakina.Thechildcriedout:“IamnothungryandIdonotwantfood.I
onlylongtoseemyfather.Whyhasheleftmeafterpromisingmethathewouldnotleaveme
forlong?”OneofYazid’sattendantsremovedtheclothfromthetray.Sakinabeheldthefaceof
herfather,thefacethatshehadkissedamilliontimes.Itwasthesamedear,dearfacethough
thebeardwassmearedwithblood.Withacrysheflungherselfonthetrayandsnatchedthe
headfromit,huggingittoherheart.Inindescribablegriefshebentdownoverthehead
puttinghersmallcheeksagainstthecheeksofherfatherassheusedtodowhenhewasalive.
Withinafewmomentshersobsstoppedbutwithitstoppedherheart‐beatsalso.
WhenZainabsawthechildlyingmotionlessontheheadofherfather,shewentovertoher
andwhisperedwithtearsinhereyes:“OhSakina,howlongwillyoulieonyourfather’s
head?”Shetouchedherhandonlytofindthatlifewasextinct,tofindtheSakinahadgone
withherfathernevertoreturntothisworldwhereshehadknownnothingbuttorturesand
tormentssinceherbecominganorphan.SherealizedthatherbelovedfatherHusseinhad
kepthispromisegiventothechildinherdreamnottoleaveherinthecell.
Chapter11.OrdealsinDamascus
“Eternalspiritofthechainlessmind,
Brightestindungeonslibertythouart”
Darkthoughthedungeonalwayswas,itwasmadegloomierafterSakinawaslaidtorestina
gravepreparedforherinonecornerforhereternalrest,forrestandreposewhichshehad
notknownsincethedawnofthedayherfatherlefther,nevertoreturn.Solongasshewas
alive,sheusedtostandnearthegratingswhichwereopeningonthestreettogetsomefresh
airandrelieffromthesuffocatingandstiflingclosenessoftheprisonatmosphere.Oftenthe
passers‐byusedtoseeherpouringouthergriefattheseparationfromherfather.Some
kindlyladiesevenusedtohaltnearthebarredopeningtoaskherwhoshewasandhow,in
spiteofhertenderage,shewasconfinedtosuchacell.Sakina,onsuchoccasions,usedtotell
themofherrecollectionsofthebygonedaysinMedinawhere,asthedarlingofherfatherand
herfamily,hereverywishanddesireusedtobefulfilled,whereallthemembersofherfamily
werevyingwithoneanothertokeepherhappy.Sheusedtorecounttheeventsofthatfateful
daywhenallherhopesvanishedwiththelastmarchofherfather.
Manyofthepassers‐byusedtolistentohertaleofwoesandjoinherinhertearsofagony.
Now,whilstpassingbytheprison,theyusedtolookwithanticipationfortheinnocentfaceof
thechildandwonderwhyshewasnomoretobeseen.Thosewithmorecuriositywereeven
askingtheprisonguardsastowhathadhappenedtothegirlwhosefaceusedtobeframedin
thegrating,steepedinsadnessandsorrow.Theguardswereattimestellingthemtomind
theirownbusinessandnottolettheircuriositylandthemintrouble.Thoseguardswhohad
morekindnessandfeelingsinthemusedtotellsuchenquirersinhushedtonesthatthegirl
theywereaskingaboutwassleepinghereternalsleep,freedfromthewoesandworriedofan
unkindlyworldthathaddeniedhereverycomfort,nay,evenconsolation,aftershehadlost
herfatherandherfreedom.
Evennowattimes,passers‐byusedtohearprayersofferedtoGodAlmightybythecaptivesat
allhoursofthedayandnight.Sometimesthehumofprayersusedtobechokedbythesobsof
someheart‐brokenmotherwhosethoughtswouldgobacktothedeathofherbelovedchild.
Adaydawnedwhentherewasastirintheprison.TheguardsweretoldthattheQueenof
Damascuswastovisittheprisonersandsoeverythingshouldbedonetomakethe
atmosphereofthecellleastobnoxioustoQueenHinda.Theywereaskingoneanotherwhat
possiblereasoncouldtherebefortheQueentovisittheprisonersasshehadneverdoneso
before.
OneoftheguardstookituponhimselftoinformtheprisonersaboutthevisitoftheQueen
andtotellthemthat,incasesheinquiredaboutthetreatmentreceivedatthehandsofthe
gaolers,totellnothingbutgoodthingsaboutthemandnottoutterawordofcomplaint.
Whentheguardenteredthecell,hefoundthatImamAliZainalAbedeenwaslyingprostrate
inprayers.HeturnedtoFizza,whowastheoldestamongstthecaptives,toannouncetoall
theprisonersaboutthevisitofHindaandtoensurethatnocriticismwasutteredagainstthe
treatmentmetedouttothem.
Withushersannouncingherarrival,Hindaenteredthecellaccompaniedbyafewofher
ladies‐in‐waiting.Whenhereyesgotaccustomedtothedarknessofthedungeon,shesaw
someladiessittingwiththeirheadsbowedandfacescoveredwiththeirtresses.Shealsosaw
inonecornertheemaciatedfigureofAliZainalAbedeen,withheavychainsandmanacles,
engagedinprayers.Forafewminutes,Hindawasperplexedtoseeagraveinonecornerof
thecellandoneladyrestingherheadonit.Sheinstinctivelywentovertotheladyandputher
handgentlyonherheadandwhisperedtoher,“Mygoodlady,tellmewhoyouare,towhat
familyyoubelongandwhosegraveitisonwhichyouareleaning.Icanseefromyourface
thatyouhavesuffereduntoldagonies.ForGod’ssakeletmeknowwhatisthecauseofall
yoursufferings.”
Hindawaitedforawhilebutnoreplycametoherquestions.Instead,theladyburstintosobs
whichmadeanyspeechimpossibleforher.Hindathenturnedtowardsanotherlady,whosat
inacorner,surroundedbyseveralothers.Shecouldguessthatthisladymustbetheone
whomtheotherswereregardingastheelderandleaderamongstthem.Sherecalledfromher
statureandbearingthatthiswastheladywho,whentheprisonershadenteredthecourtof
herhusbandnotsolongago,hadaddressedthecourt.Thoughatthattimeshecouldnothear
whatshehadsaid,shecouldsurmisethataperson,who,eveninthehelplessstateofa
prisoner,couldmustersufficientcouragetohurldefianceatthecourt,mustbepossessing
uniquecourageandstrengthofcharacter.Goingovertohershesatdownbesideheronthe
barefloor,muchtothesurpriseandconsternationofhermaidsandladies‐in‐waiting.
Addressingheralmostreverentially,Hindasaid,“Ihavecometovisityoutodaytolearn
somethingfromyouaboutthereasonsofyoursufferingsandplight.Foralongtime,Ihave
beentryingtofindoutwhoyouallare,fromwhatplaceyoucomeandwhatheinouscrimes
youpeoplecommittedthatyouarebeingsubjectedtothisincarcerationandmadetoendure
suchhardships.”
Pausingforawhile,shecontinued,“Myhusbandhasbeenevadingmyenquiriesandtelling
methatIshouldnotconcernmyselfwiththeaffairsofhisgovernment.Oflate,Ihavebeen
gettingdreamsinwhichIseemyladyFatima,daughterofourbelovedProphet.Shecomesto
mewailingandwringingherhandsandtellingme,“Hinda,youarenotawareofwhathas
beendonetomysonHusainandwhathasbefallenmydaughtersZainabandKulsumandthe
otherladiesandchildrenofourfamily.Youarelivinginthelapofluxurywhilstmychildren
andgrand‐childrenwereundergoingtorturesandtormentsbeyondhumanendurance.”
Speakingsoftlyinabarelyaudiblevoice,sheadded,“SooftenIhaveseenherinmydreamsin
adisconsolatestatethatIfinditimpossibletorestinpeace.Onlylastnightshecametomein
mydreamandtoldmethatherbelovedHusain’sdaughterSakinahasbeenrelievedbydeath
fromhersufferingsandpains.Ithasdawnedonmenowthat,perhaps,MyLady’scomingand
bewailinginmydreamshadsomeconnectionwithyourincarceration,thoughIwonderhow
itcouldbepossibleforthefamilyoftheProphettohaveanythingincommonwithyouall.”
ThelastwordsofHindaarousedZainabfromherstupor.Sheraisedherheadandlooked
Hindafullintheface.Theeyesofthetwoladiesmetforaninstant—theonedepicting
bewildermentandenquiry,andtheotherreflectingasoulfullofagonyandanguish.Zainab’s
eyesshowedtoHindainthatoneinstantvolumeofsufferingswhichnowords,however
eloquent,couldhaveconveyed.ZainabcouldseethatQueenHinda,whonotsolongagohad
beenoneofherconstantcompanionsinthedaysofherfather,couldnotrecognizeher.Such
wasthetolltakenbythehardshipsshehadsufferedthatshecouldnotberecognizedevenby
onewhohadbeensoclosetoher.ShereflectedthatifHindadidnotknowwhoshewas,so
muchthebetterforher.Itwouldsaveherthehumiliationofnarratingallthetorturesshehad
beenputto,enumeratingthecountlessindignitiesshehadsuffered.
MuchthoughZainabtriedtocontrolherfeelings,shecouldnothelpburstingintosobs.She
hadpartiallycoveredherfacewithherhairandshehadhopedthatHinda,notrecognizing
her,wouldleaveherwithoutpressingfurthertoknowwhoshewas.ButHinda,inthatone
moment,feltasifshehadseenthisvenerableladyinbettertimesandbettercircumstances.
Theladyretainingsuchdignifiedmienandbearingandholdingherowneveninsuchsqualid
surroundingscouldonlybefromsomefamilyofthehighestlineage.Hindataxedhermemory
totheutmostextenttorecollectwhenandwhereshehadmetherbefore.Shebentover
ZainabandpartedthehaircoveringZainab’sfacesothatshecouldhaveacloserlookather.
Immediately,shefeltthatsherecognizedwhothisladywas.Withagaspshecried,“Ifmyeyes
arenotdeceivingme,IamseeingmyLadyZainabbeforeme!But,MyGod,howcanthisbe
true?AmIimaginingthewildestthingpossibleorseeinganightmare?Ohowcanitbe
possiblethatthatdaughterofAli,leaderofthefaithful,andbelovedandrespecteddaughter
ofmyLadyFatima,thefavoriteandbelovedsisterofImamHusain,ishereinsuchdismal
surroundings,insuchabjectcircumstances!Ismymemoryplayingsomecrueltrickonme
thatIseemyrespectedZainabinthepersonofthisladyonwhosefacesorrowsandsufferings
arewritlarge?”
Hinda,utteringthesewords,bentfurtherandbeseechinglysaidtoZainab,“Olady,Iamatthe
momentbecomingdementedbythethoughtthatIseebeforemethefamilyoftheProphetof
Islam,thoughthisveryideaissoabsurd,soridiculousandsorevoltingtomethatIconsiderit
almostablasphemytoentertainitevenforamoment.IthinkIamlosingmysensesand,
unlessyoutellmewhoyouare,Iwillgetderangedwithdoubtsthataregnawingatmymind.
Iimploreyoutomeknow,forthesakeofmyLadyFatima,whohasbeencominginmy
dreams,inwhatwayyouarerelatedtomyLadyZainabwhomIhavebeenlongingtoseeall
theseyears.”
“Olady”,withasobshecontinued,“Ifyouhaveanybloodrelationshipwithher,tellmewhen
yousawherlastandhowshewasandhowwereUmmeKulsum,UmmeFarwa,UmmeLaila
andUmmeRabab.Iamdyingtogetnewsaboutthemandtheirchildrenwho,byGod’sGrace,
mustnowhavegrownup,andmayevenhavereachedmarriageableage.”
WhenZainabheardthesewordsofHinda,asifinaflash,shesawbeforehermind’seyes
thoseyoungstalwarts,thosehopesofthefamilyofBaniHashim,whoweremercilessly
slaughteredinKerbalabeforehereyes.ShecouldvisualizethefacesofAliAkbar,Qasim,Aun,
MuhammadandinnocentAliAsghar.Shecouldnolongercontainherselfandshecries,
“Hinda,forgetZainababoutwhomyouaretalking—ZainabdiedontheplainsofKerbalawith
herbrotherandtheyouthsofthefamilywhoweremartyredwithherbrotherHusain.Hinda,
youseebeforeyoutheshadowofthatZainabwhomneitheryou,notanyotherpersoncan
recognizeorcaretorecognize.”Withthesewordsshehidherfaceinherhandsandwept
bitterly.
WhenHindaheardthisZainab’sanguishedoutcry,shefellprostrateatherfeet.Overcomeby
contrition,shecried,“Zainab,myLady,forgivememyunpardonableneglect.OGod,how
couldIbesocallousasnottounderstandandrecognizethatnoneexceptmyLadyZainab
couldhavehadtheboldnesstodefymytyranthusbandinhiscourtonthatday!Iimploreyou,
myLady,bythememoryofyourbelovedmotherLadyFatima,toforgivememysininnot
doinganythingforyourfreedom.Oh,howcouldIlivecomfortablyinmypalace,surrounded
byallthepompandluxurieswhichmoneyandworldlymeanscanbuy,whenmembersofthe
familyofmylordHusainwereconfinedtothisdungeon,whenhisownchildrenwerein
shacklesandhandcuffs!”SayingthissheturnedtothecornerwhereImamAliZainalAbedeen
wassittingafterjustcompletinghisprayers.Shewentovertohimandthrowingherselfathis
feetshecried,“NowIcanverywellrecognizeyouasmyImamHusain’seldestsonAli,who
hasacquirednameandfamethroughouttheIslamicrealmforpietyandprayers.”
“OZainalAbedeen,”shesobbed,“Iseekyourforgivenessformythoughtlessnessinnot
probingdeeper,whenmysuspicionswerearousedonthedayofyourpresentationinmy
husband’scourt,whenIhaddistinctlyheardsomeonesaythataheartlessbeasthadtalked
aboutenslavementandbondageoftheProphet’sgrand‐child.”Sayingthisshelookedaround
her,asifsearchingforsomebody.Asshecouldnotfindthepersonwhomshewaslookingfor,
shecontinued,“Idonotseeamongstyoutheyounggirlwhowaswithyouincourt,whowas
clingingtomyLadyZainabandcryingdisconsolately.NowIknowthatshemustbethe
beloveddaughterofmyLordImamHusain.Whereisshe?Whathashappenedtoher?Was
sheatlastenslavedbysomebrute?”
AllthiswhileZainabwassittingherheadbowed.Shenowstoodupand,goingtowardsHinda,
shesaid,“InvainyouarelookingforSakina,mybelovedniece,whommybrotherhad,atthe
timeofhisdeparture,entrustedtomycare.Sheissleepingpeacefullyinyondergrave.Sheis
atlastrelievedfromherpainsandsufferingsbyakindlydeathwhichhasgivenhercomforts
which,inourstateofimprisonment,wecouldnotprovidetoher.”
“MayIask,Zainab,whatwasthecauseofherdeath?”,enquiredHinda.“Didshediebecauseof
anydiseaseorbecauseofdenialoffoodandothernecessitiesoflife?”
“Hinda”,repliedZainab,“HowamItotellyouwhatledtoherdeath?Thisfragrantflowerof
ourfamilywitheredawayduetonotonebutseveralcauses.HowcanItellyou,Hinda,what
sufferingssheenduredeversincethemartyrdomofherfather?Shewasmercilesslyslapped,
herearringsweresnatchedawaymostcallouslyandcruelly,tearingherear‐lobesthe
woundsofwhichkeptonbleedingtillthelast,becausewehadbeendeniedallmeansof
treatment.Heryoungbodyhadbecomeallpurpleandbluebecauseofinjuriessustainedby
herwhenrepeatedlysheusedtofallfromthebare‐backcamelshewasmadetorideduring
ourmarchfromKerbalatoyourcity.”
Recountingthesesufferingsofthechild,Zainabwascrying,andsowaseveryone,including
Hinda.Onlyonelady,whowassittingnearthegrave,wasquiet.Herheadwasrestingonthe
graveandshewaslyingmotionless.Zainabinstinctivelylookedinherdirectionandseeing
thatUmmeRababhadswoonedandlostherconsciousness,sherantowardsherandputher
headonherlap.Hindaalsocameovertoherandorderedhermaidstobringsomecoldwater
fromthenearbypalace.Itwasbroughtpost‐hasteaccordingtoQueenHinda’sordersand
sprinkledonthefaceofUmmeRabab.Itrevivedher.Openinghereyes,shelookedaroundher
withadazedlook.Shefaintlyuttered,asifinatrance,“MySakinaissleepinghere.Pleasedo
nottalkloudlyasitmaydisturbherpeacefulsleep.Shealwaysusedtogetupfromhersleep
crying,assheusedtodreamsometimesoftheburningofourtentsinKerbala,sometimesof
thecruelwhippingorslappingofherfacebyShimr.Now,atlonglast,sheishavingan
unbrokensleep.Donot,forAllah’ssake,wakeherup.”
ZainabrealizedthatUmmeRabab’sgrief‐strickenmindhadbuiltupbarrierstoresistthe
cruelimpactofreality;tocreateashelterforhersothatshecouldescapethemacbre
atmospherearoundthegraveofherchild.Butshefeltthatshemustbeawakenedfromthis
stupornoworelseshecouldforeverlosehermind.SheslowlytoldherthatSakinahadbeen
calledawaybyherfatherbutsheshouldnotworryabouther.Shewasnowhappyand
relieved.Herfatherhadrespondedtoherrepeatedentreatiestocomeandtakeheraway,to
putanendtothepainsandpangs,bothphysicalandthoseofseparation.Thesewords
broughtUmmeRababbacktotheworldofstarkreality.Sheweptbitterlywhichlightenedthe
burdenonheremotion‐packedheart.Hindaandalltheladieswhowereintheprison,joined
herinthemourning.
Itiscommonforpeopleinwhosehousedeathoccurstoreceivevisitorsofferingsympathies
andcondolencestoconsolthegrief‐strickenandbereavedmembersofthefamily.When
Sakinadiedtherewasnocallers,nomourners,nosympathizerstocomeandoffercomfortto
theladiesoftheProphet’shouse.Theywereconsolingoneanother.Therewerenooutsiders
totakecareofthefuneralritesofthisinnocentchild.Forthefirsttimeaftersomanydays
Zainab,UmmeKulsum,UmmeRababandotherladiesoftheirfamilywerehavingwiththem
sympatheticladiesofferingcondolencesandcomfort,sharingtheirgrief,cryingwiththem
andutteringwordsofconsolation.Whatabalmthesekindwordsprovidedtothegrief‐torn
heartofZainabandUmmeRababcanbeunderstoodonlybythosewhohavebeenplacedin
suchapredicament.WouldtoGodthatnobodyagainmaybeplacedinsuchasituationina
strangelandinafriendlessworld!
AllthiswhileHindawasthinkingfuriouslyaboutwaysandmeansofsecuringthefreedomof
theProphet’sfamily.Shehaddecidedthatshewouldnotunderanycircumstancesallowa
daytopasswithouthavingtheprisonerssetfreeandrestoredtoapositionofrespectand
honorwhichwastheirrightanddue.ShebeggedofImamAliZainalAbedeenandZainabto
excuseherforawhileandreturnedtothepalace.ShecalledheryoungsonMoawiah,who
wastheonlymaleissueofYazid,andtoldhimeverythingthathadtranspiredthatday.Her
soninheritedmanyofhergoodqualitiesandheatoncetoldherthathewouldjoinherin
tellingYazidthat,nowthattheybothknewwhotheprisonerswereandwhathadbeendone
byYazidtothebelovedgrandsonoftheProphet,theywouldnotliveinthepalaceunlessthe
Prophet’sfamilywererestoredfulllibertyandhonor.
HindaandMoawiahbothrushedtotheprivatequartersofYazidwhereonlytheyhadaccess
withoutanypriorannouncement.TheyweresurprisedtoseeYazidpacingupanddownand
mutteringtohimself.Theycouldhearhimmumble,“Alas,whatmademedecidetodyemy
handswiththebloodofHusainandtheyouthsofhisfamily!Whatmademesubjectthe
membersofhisfamilytotheindignitiesandimprisonmentIthoughtIwasremovingathorn
frommyside,but,bydoingthat,Ihavelostallpeaceandmentalequilibrium.”
WhenYazidsawHindacomingtowardshimwithherhairdisheveledandhereyesfullof
tears,followingbyhisyoungsonMoawiah,whoseeyeswerealsoswollenwithcrying,hewas
bewilderedandsurprised.Hisreveriewasbrokenbytheirarrivalandhewonderedwhathad
broughtthemtohiminsuchacondition.However,beforehecouldaskthemthereasonsand
thepurposeoftheirvisit,Hindanarratedtohimherdreamsleadinguptohervisittothe
prisonandwhatshehadseenandheardthatday.Shewasbesideherselfwithgriefandrage
andignoringtheconsequencesofhertyranthusband’swrath,sheplainlytoldhimthatshe
andhersonhaddecidedthat,ifmembersoftheProphet’sfamilywerenotsetfreethatvery
day,bothofthemwoulddenouncehimforthetyrantthathewas,nomatterwhetherhe
beheadedthemorthrewthemintothedungeonsorsubjectedthemtotheworstkindof
tortures.
YazidwasnotaccustomedtothiskindoftalkfromhisQueenwho,muchasshedetestedand
despisedhisdespoticways,wasalwayshithertogentleandsoft‐spoken.Hewasstupefiedand
forsometimerenderedspeechlessbytheboldanddauntlessattitudeofhiswifeandson.
ThinkingthatYazidwasconsideringsomediabolicalplanstopunishthemforthedefiance
theyhadhurledhim.Moawiahsaid,“Father,youngthoughIam,Irealizethatwhatmy
mothersaysistheonlyhonorablecoursewecannowadopt.Allthesedaysweremained
unmovedbywhathadhappenedbecauseofourignorance.MayGodforgiveusforourneglect
andourfailuretoalleviatethesufferingsofmylordImamHusain’sfamily.Thesituationdoes
notadmitofamoment’sdelayandwewantyoutodecidehereandnowwhatyouintendto
dointhismatter.”
CunningandcraftyasYazidwas,heknewthathiscupofcrueltywasgettingfilledtothebrim.
Hissecretagentshadreportedtohimthat,afterSakina’sdeath,manyladiesofDemascus
weretauntingtheirhusbands,brothersandsonsandaccusingthemofcowardiceinnotdoing
anythingfortheliberationofthefamilyoftheProphet.Manymenweretalkingsecretlyabout
waysandmeansofsecuringfreedomfortheladiesofthehouseofImamHusain,andImam
AliZainalAbedeen.Theywereaskingoneanotherwhattheprisonershaddonetodeserve
suchprolongedimprisonmentinadungeon.Hecouldnowseethewritingonthewall.
Realizationnowdawnedonhimthattimewasrunningoutforhim,thatNemesismight
overtakehimunlesshedidsomethingtosavethesituation.Nowthathisownson,hisown
fleshandblood,andhisQueenHinda,werealsoaskingfor,nay,evendemandingthe
liberationoftheprisoners,hecouldseewhichwaythewindwasblowing.Inhiscrooked
mindathoughtcamethatifheagreedtosetfreetheprisonersnow,hemightbeabletosave
hisfaceandsaytooutsidersthathediditindeferencetothewishesofhisownwifeandson
andnotbywayofsuccumbingtopopulardemand.Hiswarpedjudgmentwasalways
apprehendingthat,ifhebowedtothewishesofhissubjects,thenhemightlosehisauthority
overthem.InhisheartofheartshehadafearthatthepubliccouldacceptImamAliZainal
Abedeenastheirleaderanddethronehim.Atthesametime,coupledwithconcernforthe
safetyofthisthrone,hehadwithinhimadeep‐rootedfeelingofremorsewhichwas
exacerbatedbythenightmareshewasgetting.Fordaystogetherhehadnotbeengettingany
sleep.Wheneverheclosedhiseyes,hewouldseetheProphet,standingbeforehim,fullof
grief,upbraidinghimandaskinghim,“OYazid,whathadmyHusaindonetodeserveyour
cruelty?Whatmadeyoudestroymyfamilywithsuchvengefulnessandbrutality?Isyour
hatredformeandmyfamilystillnotsatiatedthatyouaresubjectingthewidowsandorphans
ofmyfamilytosuchinhumantortures?”Hewasconstantlyhauntedbysuchdreamsandhe
hadbeenbroodingaboutthewaysandmeansofresolvingthedilemmathatwasconfronting
himandwhichwasentirelyofhisowncreation.Thatinstanthedecidedthatthetimewas
moreopportuneforhimtosetfreetheprisonersandtosendthemawayfromDemascusas
earlyaspossiblesothathispositionandpowerwouldnotbeendangered,norhisauthority
denied.
“Whatastrangewayofpleadingformercyandclemencyyouhaveadopted”,saidYazid,
turningtowardshimwife.“Ifbothofyouaresuchfilledwithpityandsympathyforthe
prisoners,couldyounotpleadfortheminabetterwaythanremonstratingbeforemeinthis
fashion?”Hepausedforawhiletoseethereactionofhiswordsonthemandthencontinued,
“Iamgladtoaccedetotherequestofbothofyouandtosetfreetheprisonershonorably.Iam
summoningmycourtandannouncingmydecisionimmediately.Nowbothofyoumayrestin
peaceandletmealsohassomerespiteaftertheshockyouhaveadministeredtomebyyour
remonstrations.”
“Peace,didyousay?”saidHindainsurprise.“CanyouthinkthatIoryoursoncaneverhave
peaceinthislifeafterknowingwhatyoudidtothegrandsonofProphetMuhammadandhis
family,infurtheranceofyourdiabolicaldesigns?Arethethingsyoudid,evenafterthe
massacreofKerbalanotenoughtomakeushangourheadsinshameandfillourheartswith
remorseandcontrition?WouldtoGodthatIhadnotlivedtoseethisday,toknowthatmy
lordImamHusain’sbeloveddaughterSakinawasdyingbyinchesinthedungeonwhilstIwas
livingincomfort,obliviousofhersufferingandignorantoftheordealsandhardshipsofmy
ladiesZainab,RababandothersoftheProphet’sfamilyandImamAliZainalAbedeen!”Saying
thissheweptbitterly.
Afterawhileshecontinued,“Yazid,Iwantyou,forthesakeofAllahandHisProphet,ifyouat
allhaveanybeliefinthem,tomakebestamendsfortheunforgivableatrocitiesyouhave
perpetrated,fortheunpardonablesinsyouhavecommitted.Sparenoeffortsinrepairingthe
damageandlossyouhavecausedtothepeopleoftheProphet’shouse,forwhomGodhas
carvedoutanicheofhonorandrespectintheheartsofalltruebelievers.Itmayperhapsbe
toolatetoredeemyoursinningsoulfromtheeternalperditionwhichyouhaveearnedfor
yourselfbyyouratrociousactions,stilltheleastthatyoucandonowistorestoreImamAli
ZainalAbedeen,andthevenerableladieswhoarewithhim,totheplaceofhonorwhichis
theirright.”
Moawiah,whowasstandingsilentlybyhismother’ssideallthiswhile,sheddingtears
silently,joinedhismotherinaskingforfullrestitutionforthefamilyoftheImam.Withfull
assurancefromYazidthathewouldleavenostoneunturnedindoingso,theylefthim.
Yazidlostnotimeinsummoninghiscourtthatverysameday.HeissuedorderstohisCourt
Ministertoplaceapulpitnexttohisthroneandtomakespecialarrangementswithcurtains
anddraperiesdrawnfortheladiesofthefamilyofImamHusain.Instructionswere
dispatchedpost‐hastetocallablacksmithforcuttingandremovingtheshackles,manacles
andchainsinwhichImamAliZainalAbedeenandotherwithhimwerefettered.
Itwaslateintheeveningwhenthecourtwasassembled.Therewasfulldisplayofallthe
regaliaassociatedwiththeUmmayadcourt.Yazidwasseatedonthethrone,deckedina
jeweleddressofsilkandbrocade.Allthedignitariesoftherealmwerepresent,dressedin
theirbestraiments.Alltheaccreditedrepresentativesoffriendlyforeigncountrieswere
seatedintheirchairstowitnessaneventofwhichtheyhadnopriorintimation.Manywere
puzzledatthemannerinwhichthecourthadbeensummonedatsuchashortnotice,contrary
tothecustomandpracticeofYazid’sgovernment.Theywereaskingeachotherwhatcouldbe
theoccasionfortheholdingofthecourt.Somewereevenhazardingguesseswhichwere
nothingbutflightsoffancy.
Thosepresentinthecourthadnotlongtowaitastheushersannouncedwithallsolemnity
thatthegreat‐grandsonofProphetMuhammad,ImamAliZainalAbedeen,wasenteringthe
courtandthevenerableladiesofhishouseholdweregracingtheoccasionbytheirpresence
behindthecurtainswhichhadbeendrawnforthem.TheysawImamAliZainalAbedeenenter
thecourtandwalkovertothepulpitwithaslow,haltinggait,becausedespiteremovingthe
chains,hisaching,laceratedlegswerefindingthewalkanordeal.Mostofthemwho,who
werepresentinthissamecourtwhenImamAliZainalAbedeenandtheladiesofhisfamily
weresomemonthsbeforebroughtinchainsinthecourt,wereshockedtoseethattimeand
tortureshadtakenaveryheavytollandtheImamwasemaciatedandenfeebledtosuchan
extentthat,butfortheusher’sannouncement,itwouldhavebeendifficultforthemto
recognizehim.Hisgarmentswerealsotornandtattered.But,inspiteofallthis,therewas
dignityinhisbearing,therewasaradianceonhiscountenance,ahaloaroundhisface,which
inspiredaweintheirhearts.Asifdrawnbythemagnetismofhispersonality,theyallstood
upfromtheirseatstodohomagetothepersonalityofthisnoblescionoftheProphet’shouse
whohadbornetorturesandtorments,whohadsufferedinsultsandindignitiesbutneverfor
amomentwavered,neverforaninstantfalteredinhisresolve,neverforasecondthoughtof
askingforanyfavorsoranyfacilityforhimself,orevenfortheladiesandchildrenwhowere
sufferingwithhim.Seeingthisspontaneousgestureofthecourtiers,Yazidalsogotupfrom
histhrone,asifimpelledbyanuncontrollableforce.TheImamslowlymountedthepulpit
saying,“InthenameofAllah,theBeneficent,theMostMerciful.”Therewaspin‐dropsilence
inthecourtwhichwasonlybrokenbytherustlingofthecurtainsindicatingthat,
simultaneouslywithImamAliZainalAbedeen,Zainabandtheotherladieswithher,had
enteredthecourtthroughtheseparateentrancereservedforthemandhadtakentheirseats
inthecurtainedenclosurebehindthepulpit.
AfterImamAliZainalAbedeenhadtakenhisseatonthepulpit,Yazidbrokethesilenceby
offeringhimcondolencesonthepassingawayofyoungSakina.Hiswordsofsympathywere
soundingsohollowinthelightofhiscallousconductthroughoutthathehurriedlychanged
thesubjectandstartedofferinghisapologiesforallthathadhappened.Asiftosavehisface,
hestartedcursingObeidullahIbneZiad,AmrIbneSaadandShimrZiljaashanforgivinghim
wronginformationabouttheaimsofImamHusain.Pretendingutmostcontrition,he
expressedprofoundregretsatallthathadtranspiredinKarbalaandthesubsequentevents
uptothatday.InanabjecttonehetoldtheImamthatheandhisfamilywerenowfreetostay
wheretheyliked,togowheretheyliked.HealsoofferedtotheImamwhateveramounthe
namedas“bloodmoney”forthemartyrsofhisfamily,athearingwhich,theImam’sface
turnedredwithrage.Seeingthis,Yazidhurriedlyadded,“OZainalAbedeen,whatIam
offeringispermittedbyourreligiouscodeandIbeseechyoutoacceptit.”
BeforeImamAliZainalAbedeencouldreplytohim,Zainab,whowaslisteningtothetalkfrom
behindthecurtain,criedout,“OYazid,areyounotsatisfiedwithwoundingourfeelingsand
torturiningusallthesedaysthatyouwanttore‐openourhearts’woundsbythisoffer?Ifyou
thinkthatyourwealthcanundowhatyouhavedonetothefamilyoftheProphet,youoffer
whatyoupossessonthedayofreckoningtotheProphethimselfwhenhequestionsyou
abouthisgrandson.”
Shewentcopiouslyandthencontinued,“OYazid,itisnotforustoacceptanyrequital,
recompenseorbloodmoneyforthosewhoweremartyredbyyourorders.Ifyouhavecalled
ustodaywiththeexpectationthatwewillacceptwhatyouwanttooffertous,youarevery
muchmistaken.YouractionswillbejudgedbyAllahandHisProphetandyouwillhaveto
answertothemforyourtyranniesontheDayofJudgment.”
YazidwasabashedbytheboldretortofZainab.Hehadexperienceofhercourageand
defiancewhenshehadthefirsttimeappearedinhiscourtinthemosttryingcircumstances.
Heknewthatifhedaredtosayanythingmore,hewouldgetfromheranevenstrongerrebuff.
HeimmediatelychangedthesubjectandaddressingImamAliZainalAbedeensaid,“O
GrandsonoftheProphet,youarefreenowtodemandanythingthatIhave.Iamissuingyou
ordersthatahousetobeplacedatyourdisposalandyoumaybeaccordedthetreatment
befittingyourdignityandstatusinlife.Itisnowforyoutodecidewhetheryoudesiretostay
inDemascusorleaveforMedina.YourrespectedauntZainabandyourfamilyhavemy
solemnassurancesthathenceforthhighesthonorandrespectwillbeextendedtoyouallas
befitsthosebelongingtothefamilyoftheProphetofIslam.”
ImamAliZainalAbedeeninformedYazidthathedidnotwantanythingfromhisworldly
possessions.HeaddedthathewantedwastheseveredheadsofthemartyrsofKerbalawhich
hadbeenkeptinhisvaultsandtheirlootedpropertyandclothesofwhichtheyhadbeen
robbedanddeprivedontheeveningofthetragedyofKerbala.
ThisreplyevokedconsiderableastonishmentinYazid.Hecouldnotunderstandhowaperson
couldturnhisfaceawayfromtheofferofallthegoodthingsoflifewhichhehadmade.
SuppressinghissurpriseYazidremarked,“OAliZainalAbedeen,Ihaveseenallthe
belongingsofyouandyourfamilywhichwerelootedbymyarmyinKerbala.Icouldnotsee
inthemanythingofvalue.Exceptforthehouseholdarticlesandclothes,whichwereallwell‐
worn,therewerenoornaments,jewelsorarticlesofgoldandpreciousstones.”
WhenZainabheardthesewordsofYazid,shecouldnotcontainherself.BeforeImamAli
ZainalAbedeencouldsayanythinginreply,shespokeup,“Howcanweexplaintoyou,Yazid,
howwevalueourbelongingswhichhaveincalculablesentimentalvalueforus?Amongstthe
articles,whichweresnatchedawayatthetimeofourcaptureinKerbala,aretheveilwhich
mymotherFatimausedtowearandwhichIinheritedfromheronherdeath.Thereisalsothe
blood‐stainedgarmentwornbymybrotherHusainwhenhewasbeheadedbyShimr.Itwas
wovenbymymotherwithherownhands.Therearegarmentssoakedinthebloodofour
sons,nephewsandotherkithandkin.Thereareearringswhichweresnatchedawayfromthe
earsofmydearestSakina,tearingherearlobes.Cananythingyoupossessorallthatyour
wealthcanpurchasematchtheseraimentsandarticles?No,Yazid,weshallcherishthese
thingsasourmostpreciouspossessionstilltheendofourdays.”
RealizingthatutmostsentimentalvaluewasplacedonthelootedarticlesbyZainabandother
membersofImamHusain’sfamily,Yazidorderedhismentorestorealltheseobjectstothem
immediately.Healsoissuedordersthatahousebeplacedattheirdisposalandallkindsof
facilitiesandamenitiesbeprovidedtothem.Onhisenquiries,ImamAliZainalAbedeen
informedhimthatheandthemembersofhisfamilydidnotwanttostaylonginDemascus
butwishedtoreturntoMedina;butbeforetheydidso,theywantedtovisitKerbalatobury
themartyrs’headswhichwerenowgivenovertothem.
Afterthisbriefsession,thecourtwasadjournedandtheImamandhisfamilyweretakento
thehousenearthepalacewhichwasplacedattheirdisposal.QueenHindainsistedon
accompanyingZainabandUmmeKulsumasalady‐in‐waitingresumingthedutieswhichshe
wasperforminginthedaysofyoreatKufa.
Onreachingthehouse,Zainabfoundthatalargenumberofladiesandmenhadcollected
there.Onherenquiringaboutthepurposeoftheircall,shewastoldthatthepopulationof
Demascushadcomeonacondolencevisit.ThemensurroundedImamAliZainalAbedeenand
offeredsympathytohim.TheladiesofDemascuswentovertotheseparatequarterswhere
theladiesofProphet’sfamilyweresittingandapproachingeachoneofthem,offeredtheir
sympathyalso.Manyamongthemwereaskingfordetailsofthetragedy.Somewereasking
themaboutSakina,whosedaysinDemascusasaprisonerweresofreshintheirmindsand
whoseordealsfromthedayshehadenteredthecity’sportals,werevividlyrememberedby
them.Zainab,onbehalfofalltheladies,recountedtothemalltheeventsfromthedaythey
leftMedinatothefatefuldaywhentheylostallwhomtheylovedintheworld,whowere
dearertothemthantheirlives.Shenarratedeachincidentwithtearsflowingtorrentially
fromhereyes.AlltheotherladiesofthefamilyandtheladiesofDemascuswereshedding
tearswithher.SheevenrecalledindetailtheperiodpassedinDemascus,fromthetimeof
theirenteringthecitytothedaywhenSakinawasunabletobearthemiseriesandtorments
inflictedonher,hadsurrenderedheryoungandinnocentlifetoherMaker.Shealsodescribed
theeventsleadinguptotheirreleaseandmentionedherdesiretogobacktoKerbalatobida
finalfarewelltoallthedeardepartedoneswhosebodiestheyhadleftontheburningsands
withoutanycover,withoutevenshrouds.
WithonevoicealltheladiespleadedwithZainabandothermembersofherfamilytostayon
inDemascus.TheirmenfolkalsousedtheirbestpersuasionstomakeImamZainalAbedeen
stayoninSyria.ButnothingtheysaidcouldchangethedecisionoftheImamandhisfamilyto
leaveDemascus.
UnderordersofYazidcanopiedcamelsandbesthorseswereprocuredforthejourneyto
Kerbala.AllthecitizensofDemascushadturnedouttobidfarewelltotheProphet’sfamily.
Men,womenandchildrenwerecryingasonebyonetheladies,assistedbytheImam,
ascendedtheirmounts.Hinda,whohadallalongremainedwithZainabtooffersolaceand
comforttoherinthebestmannerpossible,wentfromoneladytoanotherofferingher
sympathiesandaskingforforgivenessforthepreviousneglectonherpart.Shewasaboutto
leavewhensheheardUmmeRababexpressherwishtoZainabthat,beforeleavingDemascus,
theymightvisittheprisonandoffertheirlastFatehaatthegraceofyoungSakina.Zainab
immediatelyassentedtothissuggestionand,withHindaaccompanyingthem,thecaravan
wendeditswaytowardstheprisonhouse.TheImamandalltheladiesdismountedandwent
overtothegraveofSakina.Thedisconsolatemotherfellonthegracewithaheart‐renting
shriek.“Sakina,mydarling”,shecried,“Weallarefreeatlast,butitisyourlottoremain
foreverandforeverwithinthefourswallsofthisdungeon.Mydearestchild,Iamleavingyou
aloneinthisstrangecountrywhereyouhadexperiencednothingbuthardships,torments
andtortures.Mychild,Iamleavingyoubutmyheartandsoulwillremainwithyouinthis
prison.”Sayingthis,sheturnedtoHindaandtheotherladiesofthetownwhohadjoined
themandwhispered,“Iamleavingmydearestdaughterinyourmidst.Thereisnonefromour
familyinthiscitytovisithergrave,toofferFatehaandflowers.Ibeseechyou,onceinaway
tovisitmylonely,lucklesschild’sgraveforofferingFatehaandflowers.”Withthesewords,
shefellunconsciousinthearmsofZainab.
Chapter12.Journey’sEnd
“Princess,ifouragedeyes,
Weepuponthymatchlesswrongs;
It’sbecauseresentmentties
Theterrorsofourtongues.”
Itwaseveningof30thMuharram61inMedina,thecityoftheProphet,onwhichakindof
gloomhaddescendedsincethatdayintheholymonthofRajjabwhenImamHusainandhis
familyleftinontheirfatefuljourney.Theloweringcloudsweredarkerthanusualasifthey
weregatheringontheeveningblasttoheraldsomehappeningofverygreatandgrave
import.Manyelderlypeopleinthebazaarswereexchangingmeaningfulglanceswitheach
otherasiftheywerehavingpremonitionofsomemomentouseventsorsomeupheavaloffar‐
reachingeffect.Someofthem,feelingintuitivelyaheavinessofheart,wererushingtowards
thetomboftheProphettoseeksolaceandcomfortthere,aswastheirwontonsuch
occasions.Afewmoresuperstitiousamongstthemwerefeelingapprehensiveasifsome
doomweretodescendonthem.Theatmospherehadbecomesocloseandsuffocatingthat
men,womenandchildrenrushedoutoftheirhousestobreathetheairoutside.Accustomed
astheinhabitantsMedinaweretotheoppressiveheatattimesexperiencedinthatoasis,they
couldnothelpremarkingthatonthisparticularevening,itwasnotonlytheheatthatwas
stiflingthembutsomethingbesides,inscrutable,inexplicable,unescapableandominous,
presagingandforebodingsomethingcalamitous.
ThoseoftheinhabitantsofMedinawhohadgoneoutofthetowntorestinthepalm‐grovesin
thesuburbssawacloudofdustrisinginthedistanthorizon.Whenthedusthadsettleddown,
theysawafewridersgallopingpost‐hastetowardsthecity.Theyoungmen,anxioustoknow
whotheriderswereandwhytheywereridingatsuchabreak‐neckspeed,mountedtheir
coltsandwentouttomeetthem.Whentheycameneartheriders,theyenquiredwhothey
wereandwhytheywereridingtheirsteedssofast.Theridersdidnotstoptheirchargersto
replytotheenquiriesbutrodeon,gesturingtothemtofollowthemtothecity,iftheyfelt
interestedtoknowwhattheyhadcometoheraldinMedina.Followingthishint,thoseyoung
mencalleduponalltheirfriendsandcompanionstoreturntothetowntohearthe
proclamationwhichthedispatch‐riderswereobviouslycarryingfromtherulersinDamascus.
AstheKing'scouriersenteredthelimitsofMedina,moreandmorepeoplejoinedthem.They
allfollowedthedispatchriderstothetomboftheProphet.Thetown‐crierwassentforbythe
GovernorofMedina,whohadalsorepairedtotheProphet'smosqueonlearningaboutthe
arrivaloftheKing'sheralds.Heorderedadrumtobebeaten,summoningallablebodied
citizenstogatheratthetomboftheProphetforhearingtheimportantannouncementandthe
proclamation.VerysoonahugethrongwascollectedandtheMosqueadjoiningthetombwas
packedtocapacity.Intheiranxietytohearthemomentousnews,peopleforgotthe
oppressiveheatandchokingclosenessoftheatmosphere.Deepdownwithinthemevery
man,womanandchildhadafeeling,ratheraforebodingthatsomethingcalamitouswasin
storeforthem;sometidingsofdisasterwerecomingtothem.
Whenthemosquewaspackedwithmen,womenandchildren,inaloudandstentorianvoice
theheraldfromDamascusproclaimed:"OpeopleofMedina,beitknowntoyouallthat
Husain,sonofAliandgrandsonoftheProphet,whohadleftMedinawithhiskithandkinand
followersandwhohadrefusedtooweallegiancetotheLeaderofFaithful,Yazid,sonof
Muawia,wasengagedinabattleontheplainsofKarbalaandheandhisfollowersand
supporterswereputtothesword.Hiswomenfolkweretakenprisonersalongwiththe
children.TheyweretakentoDamascus,withtheseveredheadsofHusainandhisfollowers,
andparadedthroughthestreetsofKufaandDamascussothattheirplightwouldserveasan
objectlessontothosewhomaydaretodefytheauthorityoftheRuler."Thecourtmessenger
pausedforawhiletoseetheeffectproducedbythisannounce¬ment.Thepin‐dropsilence
wasbrokenbytheheavingofsighswhichescapedthelipsofallthoseassembledthereasifin
unison.Manyburstintosobs.Severalladiesandchildrenshriekedandswooned.Anangry
outburstofremonstrationescapedthelipsofquiteafewvaliantones.Sensingthatitwas
necessarytonipalltroubleinthebud,themessengershoutedatthetopofhisvoicehis
commandtosilencethegathering.Onceagainpin‐dropsilencedescendedontheassembly
andtheheraldcontinued:"IamorderedbyYazidbinMuawiatoproclaimtoyouthathehas
separatelyconveyedtotheGovernorofMedinainstructionstoexterminatethoseofyouwho
inanyway,bywordsordeeds,showanyfeelingsorsympathyforHusainbinAli,grandsonof
theProphet,orthemembersofhisfamilyorhisfollowers,whateveryourrelationshipor
familytieswiththemmaybe.Anydisregardofthiswarningwouldnotonlyinvitedirest
consequencesandcalamityonthepersonshowingsuchrecalcitrancebutalsoonhisentire
family.Thepunishmentforanyexpressionofsupport,orevensympathy,forthepeopleofthe
Prophet'shousewillnotstopatthedeathofthepersonconcernedbutwouldleadtothe
extirpationofhisentirefamily."
Theominouswordsoftheking'semissaryrenderedtheaudiencedumbfounded.Theywere
allhushedintoaneeriesilenceasifsomemagicspellhadbeencastroundthem.Thesilence
wasonlyintermittentlybrokenbysomeuncontrollablesobsorstifledcriesofagony,
involuntarilyescapingthelipsofsomegrief‐strickenladies.TheGovernorofMedinaandthe
messengersfromDamascus,includingthepersonwhohadreadouttheproclamation,sat
silentlysurveyingthesituation.Theyappearedtobepleasedwiththeeffecttheirthreathad
producedontheassemblageandtheywerewaitingasiftolettheeffectfurthersinkintothe
heartsoftheterror‐strickenpeople.
Suddenlytheysawanagedlady,drapedinaveil,thrustingthroughthegatheringand
advancingtowardsthedaiswheretheGovernorandthemessengersfromDamascuswere
seated.Shewasholdingthehandofaladwhoappearedtobehardlyfiveorsixyearsold.She
waswalkingwithsuchdignifiedgaitthatallthefaceswereturnedtowardsherinawe.
Thelad,whosehandwasheldtightlybythevenerablelady,wasmakingeffortstofree
himselffromhergrip.Youngthoughhewas,heseemedtobepossessingextraordinary
strengthas,withalittleeffort,hewasabletoextricatehimselffromthefirmholdofthelady
andrunlikeagazellethroughthehushedmultitudetowardsthepodiumwheretheGovernor
andtheemissariesfromDamascuswereseated,studyingthereactionwhichtheir
pronouncementhadproducedonthegatheringwithafeelingofreliefandtriumph.Their
gazenowturnedinthedirectionoftheboywhowasheadingtowardsthem.Hejumpedon
theplatformandwithalookofexpectancyandinnocenceheaskedthepersonwhohadjust
readtheproclamation:"Hasmyfatherarrived?Whereishenow?"Theseabruptquestions,
whichwereshotattheannouncerinrapidsuccession,madehimpuckerhisbrowsinwonder
attheboldnessofthechild.Inparticularhewasamazedatthetonsinwhichthequestions
wereput,atoneofself‐assuranceandauthorityseldomtobeheardfromachildofsuch
tenderage.Asifhehadheardacommandwhichcalledforanimmediateresponse,hereplied;
"Mylad,beforeIreplytoyourquestions,justletmeknowwhoyouareandwhoisyour
father,aboutwhomyouareenquiring."
Asiftheboyconsideredthisquestionadisplayofignoranceorimpertinence,heraisedhis
chinfurtherandretorted:"Don'tyouknowmyfather?AreyounotanArabthatyoushow
ignoranceaboutmeandmyfamily?"Sayingthishe,withcharacteristicinnocence,turnedhis
facetothevastmultitudeofMedinitesthrongedthereandgesturingwithhissmallhandsand
pointingintheirdirection,hecontinued:"Askanyoneofthem,0strangertothecity,andthey
willtellyouIamFuzail,sonofAbbasStandard‐bearerofmyLordImamHusain'sarmyand
hismostbelovedbrother."WiththesewordsheturnedtowardstheGovernorofMedinawho
wasobservingwithdumbfoundedamazementtheboldnessofthechildsocharacteristicof
thefamilyofAliandhischildren.NonchalantlyaddressingtheGovernorhesaid,"Whydon't
youtellthismanwhoIamandwhomyfatheris?ByGod,whyishedelayinginreplyingtomy
question?"
Bythistimetheoldladyaccompanyingthischildhadreachedthedais.Whenhehadloosened
herholdonhishandandruntowardstheplatform,shehadquickenedherpace
apprehendingthatifthepeoplewhohadassembledinthemosquerosetodisperse,there
mightbeastampedewithconsiderabledangerofherchargebeingtrampledunderfoot.
Whenshesawthechildreachthedaiswithoutanymishap,shewasgreatlyrelieved.Stillshe
confinedheradvanceatabriskpace,fearingthatthechildmightbesubjectedtosomekindof
torturesbythesadisticGovernor.OnherwaytotheMosque,shehadheardthe
announcementaboutthemartyrdomofImamHusain.Onreachingthedaisshemountedit
andtookholdofthechild'shand.TurningtotheemissaryfromDamascusshesaid,"O
harbingerofbadtidings,tellmewhenHusainandhissonsandfollowerswerebutcheredby
thetyrantofDamascusandhishenchmen,wherewasmysonAbbas?Didhenotshedthelast
dropofhisbloodindefendingtheImamandhisfamily?Whereweremyothersons
MuhammadandUsmanandJaafar?HowcouldHusainandhissonsbebutcheredmercilessly
withmyfoursonstheretodefendthem?"Thesewordswerespokenbytheladyinaloud,
clear,ringingvoicewhichcouldbeheardfarandwideinthestillnessthathaddescendedon
thatgathering.Herwordshadanelectri¬fyingeffectonthecongregationandaninvoluntary
andspontaneoussighofadmirationescapedthelipsofthousands.
TheheraldfromDamascusregainedhiscomposureinthefractionofaminuteandturningto
theladyreplied:"DidyounothearmeproclaimthatallthekithandkinofHusain,his
brothers,hissons,hisnephewsandhisfollowers,wereallputtothesword?Whatmakesyou
thinkthatyoursonswerenotamongstthem?Foryouredificationletmeaddthatyoursons,
inparticularAbbas,putupafightthelikeofwhichhasnotbeenseeninthispartoftheworld
andwhichwillbetalkedaboutforalongtimetocome,whereverandwheneverdeedsof
braveryareadmiredanddiscussedbymen."
FatemaQalabiyaorUmmulBaneen,asshewaspopularlyknown,heardthesewordsin
silence.Foramomentshestaredwithglassyeyesasifsheweredumbstruck.Herfacebecame
ashenpale.Herlips,whichwereparcheddry,weremovingasiftosaysomethingbutno
wordsescapedfromthem.Shewasstaringhardasifshewasseeingsomesceneinhermind's
eye,akaleidoscope,themeaningofwhichshecouldnotpiecetogether.Sheneitherswooned
notutteredacry.HergrandsonFuzail,whowasbesideher,waslookingupintentlyatheras
ifhetoowerestruckbytheeviltidings.Heinstinctivelyfeltthathisgrandmother,inspiteof
herdesperateattempttocontrolhersurgingfeelings,wasovercomebygrief.Clutchingher
hands,hecried;"Grandmother,whathascomeoveryou?Whydon'tyousaysomething?Why
doyounottellthismanthatwhathesayscannotbetrue—thatnomanisbornwhocankill
myfatheranduncles,themostbrave,themostgallant,themostvaliantofmankind?"
UmmulBaneen'sreveriewasbrokenbythechild'surgentthoughinnocentpleadings.She
lookedroundtoseethatalleyeswererivetedonherandhergrandsonbesideher.Ina
momentshedecidedthatsheshouldnotdoanythingwhichmightinvokethepityofthe
assemblage.Shefeltthatsheowedittothememoryofherbravesonsnottosayordoathing
whichmightbeconstruedasweaknessofthemotherofonesofearless,boldandgallantas
Abbas.Shewouldratherfightabattlewiththegreatfeelingsofanguishwhichwereraging
withinher,feelingsofsorrowandindescribablegriefwhichonlyamothercanfeelonhearing
thenewsofthedeathofhersonsintheprimeoftheiryouth—notonesonbutfoursons
whomshehadbroughtupwithlovingandtendercareastheonlyhopeandsolaceofher
bleaklife,thelifeofawidow.
TighteninghergriponthehandofFuzailsheturnedawayandslowlydescendedthedais.Her
steps,whichwerefirmandfastwhenshehadascendedtheplatformalittlewhilebefore,
werenowslowandheavy.Shewaswalkingasifeverysteprequiredeffortonherpart.Her
headwasbowedandhergaitwasslow.Insteadofholdingthehandofthechildinherfirm
grip,shehadnowkeptitonhisshoulderasifsheneededtodosoforsupport.Alltheeyesin
thecongregationwerefollowingthevenerableladyassheandhergrandsonweretrudging
outoftheProphet'smosque.Manyofthemwerewonderingwhithershewasbound.Someof
them,solicitousabouthercondition,evenfollowedher,walkingarespectfuldistancebehind
her.Theassemblywasnowdispersing.Quiteafewwererushinghometoconveytheevil
tidingstheyhadreceivedtoothermembersoftheirfamilyandthoseoftheirfriendsand
acquaintanceswhocouldnotcometotheProphet'smosque.
UmmulBaneen,withFuzailtosupporther,slowlymadeherwaytoJannat‐ul‐Baqui,the
graveyardwhereFatima,theProphet'sdaughter,layburied.Assoonasshereachedthegrave
ofHusain'smother,UmmulBaneenflungherselfonitand,nolongerabletocontrolthe
feelingswhichweresurginginherheartsheburstout;"MyLady,Ihavecometoofferyou
condolencesonthemartyrdomofyourbelovedsonHusain.IdonotmournmysonsAbbas,
Muhammad,UsmanandJaafar,becauseIhadrearedthemfromtheirchildhoodtoregard
Husainastheirlordandmasterandtoliveforhimandtodieforhim."Withthesewordsshe
criedherheartouttounburdenhersoulwhichwaschokedwithgrief.Whensheslightly
regainedhercomposureshecontinued;"0myLady,myonlyconsolationisthatmybeloved
Abbas,andmyothersonsfoughtbravelytothelastindefenseofHusain.YoufromHeaven
musthaveseenthemeachdyingvaliantlyasgreatsonsofagreatfather."Fuzail,whostood
cryingbesideher,tuggedathersleevestosaythatquiteanumberofpeoplewerenow
gatheredroundthem.Shelookeduptoseethroughhertear‐filledeyesthatmostofthe
peoplewereweepingforher,sharingthesorrowsofamotherwhoseallhopesforthefuture
wereshatteredthatdaybythesadtidingsofnotonebutfourmartyrdomsofhersons.
WithajerkUmmulBaneenstraightenedupasifsomebodyhadremindedherofsomeduty
whichshehadtoperform.SherememberedthatFatemaSughra,thebeloveddaughterof
ImamHusainwhomhehadleftbehindinMedina,waslyingonhersick‐bed.Shefeltremorse
atnotgoingovertoherandconsolingher.Athoughtcrossedhermindthatifsomeothers
reachedherbeforeshedidandconveyedthesadnewsofthecarnageofKarbalaandtoldher
thatherfather,herbrothers,unclesandcousinshadallbeenputtothesword,shewould
succumbtotheshockofit.Sherealizedthatherfirstandforemostdutywastorushtoher
bed‐sideandtogentlybreakthenewstoherinthebestmannershecould,afterexplaining
theeventstothevenerableUmmeSalma,wifeoftheProphet,whowaslookingafterFatema
Sughraandtendingherinherillness.Thehighsenseofduty,whichhersonAbbashad
acquiredfromherinsuchlargemeasure,putanewspiritinhergrief‐strickenframe,from
whichthesadtidingsofthatdayhadonlyalittlewhileagosappedallthestrength.Sheonce
againtookholdofthechild'shandand,aftercastingalookaroundher,asiftoconveytothe
peoplewhowereassembledtherethat,deepashersorrowwas,shewasnotobliviousofthe
callofherduty,shewalkedawaybriskly.Fuzailwasgreatlysurprisedtoseethathis
grand¬mother,whoonlyafewminutesbeforehadbecomesobenumbedwithsorrowthat
shecouldhardlywalkwithheavystepsandneededtosupportherselfbyleaningonhisyoung
shoulders,wasnowrushingalong,almostrunning,anddragginghimintheprocess,asif
someonehadbeckonedtoher.Heknewthatanythoughtofadutytobeperformedalways
electrifiedthestepofthatvenerableoldlady.Inhischildishimaginationhewondered
whetherhisfatherorhisuncle,whohenowknewwereinheaven,hadbeckonedhertowards
sometaskwhichneededherattention.Helookedupatherwithenquiringeyes,tofindout
whyshewaswalkingsobriskly,sofast,buthisquestionfrozeonhislips.Hesawhis
grandmotherstaringsteadfastlywithglassyeyesfromwhichtearswererollingdownher
wrinkledcheeks.Forthefirsttimehesawwrinklesonthatface;forthefirsttimehesawher
hairgonegrey.
WhenUmmulBaneentooktheturningatthecross‐roads,Fuzailknewwhereshewas
hastening.Youngthoughhewas,heknewthatshewasrushingtowardsthehouseofImam
Husain,wheretheProphet'swidowUmmeSalmawasstayingwiththeailingdaughterofthe
Imam.Whenbothofthemreachedthehouse,UmmulBaneenlookedroundtoseethatsome
ladieswerestandingatalittledistancefromit,discussingsomething.Itdidnotrequiremuch
imaginationforhertosurmisethattheywerewonderinghowbesttobreakthenewsto
FatemaSughraandUmmeSalma.Shewasverymuchrelievedtoseethatshewasnottoolate
inperformingthisdelicatebutpainfuldutyofgentlyinformingthemaboutthenewsofthe
disasterthathadbefallenthefamilyoftheProphet.
WhentheladiesofMedinasawUmmulBaneen,theyhastenedtowardsherandoneofthem
conveyedtoherwhatshehadalreadyimaginedabouttheproblemwhichwasbafflingthem.
Sheverygentlythankedalltheladiesfortheirsolicitudeandrequestedthemnottovisit
FatemaSughra'shouseasshefearedthatthesightofailofthemvisitingthehousetogether
mightadministerashocktoher,whichshe,inherfailinghealth,mightnotbeabletobear.
Manyoftheladieswithsympathyandtearsofferedhercondolencesonthedeathofherfour
sons,allintheprimeofyouth,whomshehadlostinoneday.Thisreminderofhercolossal
lossopeneduptheghastlywoundsinherheartwhichshehadtriedtorepairwithalmost
super‐humancontrol.Thementionofhersons'namesrecalledtoherthescenebeforethis
veryhouse,inthisverystreet,whenoneaftertheothertheyhadcometobidhergoodbye.
Sherememberedhowaffectionatelyeachofthemhadhuggedherinthepartingembraceand
askedhertolook,afterherselfandtoremembertheminherdailyprayers.Sherecalledhow
everyday,onwakingupfromhersleep;shewouldwonderwheretheywereandwhenthey
wouldreturntobringbacklightandlifeintoherdrabanddrearyworld.Butnow,alas,those
fondhopeswerealldashedtotheground.Forhertherewasnothingleftbuttopassher
dismaldayswiththememoriesofhersons,fromthedayseachoneofthemsatonherlapand
askedhertorecountthedeedsofbraveryoftheirvaliantfather,theprowessandfeatsof
armsoftheirsirewhichhadbecomealmostlegendary,howshehadrecountedtothem,times
outofnumber,aboutthedevotionandattachmentoftheirfathertotheholyProphetandhow
shehadbeenexhortingthemtoimbidethesamespiritandemulatehisexample,notonlyin
thefeatsofarmsbutinhissenseofdutyanddevotionbysparingnothinginthecourseof
theirdutytowardstheirelderbrothersHasanandHusainwhomsheregardedwithutmost
reverenceandlovedwithdeepestaffection.
Allthispassedbeforethemind'seyeofUmmulBaneeninamatterofseconds.Assoonasthe
thoughtcrossedhermindthatallthatshehadinculcatedinhersonshadnotgoneinvainand
theyhadlivedanddied,truetoherteachings,shefeltareliefasifsomesoothingbalmhad
beenappliedtoherbleedingheart.Sheregainedhercomposureandbrushedasidehertears.
Sheprofoundlythankedalltheladieswhohadofferedhersympathiesandrequestedthemto
visitthehouseofImamHusainaftersometimetooffercondolencestoUmmeSalmaand
FatemaSughraaftershehadgentlyconveyedthesadtidingstothem.
WhenUmmulBaneenenteredtheroomofFatemaSughra,shesawherrestlesslytossingon
hercouchwithUmmeSalma,thevenerableoldwidowoftheProphet,sittingwithherhand
onSughra'sforehead.Seeingherenteringtheroom,FatemaSughrasatupinherbed,partly
outofrespectforhergrandmother,partlyinanticipationofreceivingsomenewsfromher.A
lookatthefaceofUmmulBaneenconveyedvolumestoher.Theraysofthesettingsunwere
lightingupthetear‐stainedwrinkledfaceofUmmulBaneenandthegreyhairthatshehadgot
thatday.FatemaSughrahadbeenseeinghergrandmotherdaily,theverypictureofrobust
healthandvitality.Thesightofher,standingbeforeher,agedandbentwiththecrushing
blowthatthenewshaddealttoher,madeSughrafeelthatherworstfearshadcometrue.Not
longago,shehadonenightdreamtinthemonthofMuharram,preciselyonthetenthnightof
thatmonth,thattheProphethadcometoherhouseandputhishandonherheadsoothingly,
muchaswascustomarytodofororphans.ShehadseentheProphetinherdreamwithhis
clothessoiledwithdustandhisbeardsmearedwithblood.Shehadgotupfromher
nightmarewithashriek.Atthatverymomentshehadseenhergrandmother,UmmeSalma,
gettingupfromherdreamwithshrieks.ShetoohaddreamtseeingtheProphetinasimilar
condition,tellingherthathehadjustreturnedfromtheplainofKarbalaafterseeinghis
belovedgrandsonHusainbeingmassacredwithhissons,brothers,nephewsandfaithful
friends.Bothofthemhadbecomepainfullyconsciousofsometerriblenewsreachingthem.
FatemaSughra'shealthhad,sincethatnight,takenaturnfortheworseandshehadalmost
becomebed‐riddennow.Asecondlookathergrandmother'sfaceconvincedherthather
worstforebodingshadcometrue,thatshewasseeinginrealitywhatthedreamhadprepared
herfor.UmmeSalma,withthewisdomofheryears,couldverywellimaginewhatnews
UmmulBaneenhadcometobreaktothem.Thereisnowaythatcanbetermedgentlein
breakingnewsofsuchastupendousdisaster.Sheonlyexchangedonemeaningfulglancewith
UmmulBaneenandunderstoodwhathadhappened.ButFatemaSughrawithgreatefforts
criedoutinagonyofhersoul;"Grandmother,forthesakeofGodtellmethetruth.Ismy
fatherkilled?AremydearbrothersAliAkbarandAliAsghar,mylovinguncles,allkilled?Isit
truethatIshallneverbeabletoseetheminthisworld?"Sayingthisshe,foramoment,
beseechinglylookedintotheeyesofUmmulBaneen.Shetriedtosaysomethingbutnowords
escapedherparchedlips;theyonlyquiveredspeechlessly.Butthebigwarmtearsrolling
downhercheeks,whichwereglisteringintheraysofthesettingsun,andthenodofherhead,
conveyedthereplytoFatimaSughra.Thegriefwastoogreatforherfrailbodyandafflicted
mindtobear.Withonegaspshefellunconsciousonthebed.UmmeSalmaandUmmul
BaneenforthemomentforgottheirowngriefandturnedtowardsFatemaSughralestshe
mayalsoleavethenjoinherfatherandbrothersandunclesinheavenNowboththese
venerableladieswereconcernedaboutthischargeleftwiththemandtheirthoughtsturned
towardstheladiesofImamHusain'shousewhohadaccompaniedhimtoKarbala.Theyboth
wonderedwheretheywere,whathadbefallenthem,andwhentheywouldreturntotellthem
abouttheeventsofthatbleakdaythathadseensuchgoryevents.
Themoonwasalmostsetting,castingitsdyingraysonthewatersoftherivuletAlQumaand
thefewtentsthatwerepitchedonitsbanks.Besidesthesetents,therewereafewgraves
whichwerescatteredoversomedistance,providingtheonlylandscapewhichthelunar
beamscouldlightupdimly.Thestillnessofthenightwasalmostsuffocating.Theonlynoise
thatcouldbeheardformilesaroundwasthechirpingofthenightinsectsandthe
monotonousripplingofthewatersofthestream.Intheeerieatmospherethatwaspervading
theplainonecouldalmostimaginethatthewatersoftherivuletweresingingadirge,
recountingthemournfuleventsofthedaythathadseenthedeathofthosewholayburiedin
thenearbygraves.
Suddenlytherewasastirinoneofthetents,asifsomebodyhadbeenawakenedfromhis
sleep.Theflapofthetentwasliftedandanoldman,walkingwithabentbackandsupporting
himselfonastaff,cameoutofitfollowedbyayoungpersonwhoapparentlywashisvaletor
orderly.Slowlyheadvancedtowardstheothertentsand,standingafewpacesaway,shouted
fortheinmatesoftheothertentstocomeout.Apparentlytheoldmanwasspeakingwitha
toneofauthorityas,hearinghisvoice,theotherpersonssleepinginthetentsrushedout
showingobviousconcernforhissafetyandwelfare.Heseemedtobetheirleaderorchieftain
astheyreverentiallyaddressedhimwithbentheads.Oneofthesepersons,whoperhapswas
closertohim,afriendifnotabloodrelation,andquiteadvancedinage,camehurriedlyto
wheretheoldmanwasstandingandsaid,"OJaber,whatisthematterwithyouthatyou
wokeupsoearlybeforethebreakofdawn?MayAllahblessyouandyournoblerevered
father,weallfeltfrightenedbythethoughtthatsomeillnesshadcometoyouorsomepain
hadawakenedyoufromyoursleep.Praytellusthecauseofyourperturbation,ifitisnot
connectedinanywaywithyourhealth."
TheoldmanwasnootherthanJaberIbnAbdullaAnsari.Hehad,onhearingaboutthe
martyrdomofImamHusainandhiscompanionsandtheimprisonmentandhumiliationofthe
survivingmembersofhisfamily,hastenedtowardsKarbalawithhisdevotedfriendsand
followers.HehadheardthatthebodiesofthemartyrsofKarbalawereleftwithoutanyburial.
HerecalledonhearingthisthatlongagotheProphetofIslamhadtoldhimthat,afterthe
martyrdomofhisbelovedgrandsonHusain,hewouldparticipateinthedutyofburyingthe
headsofthemartyrsonthebanksofAlQuma,atributaryoftheEuphrates.Onreaching
KarbalahesawthattheBaniAsad,whowerehavingtheirnomadiccampssomedistance
awayfromKarbala,hadcoveredthebodieswithsandtoprotectthemfromravagesbutno
properburialhadbeengiventothemartyrs.JaberIbnAbdullaAnsari,withthehelpofhis
friends,preparedthegravesofthemartyrs.HeburiedImamHusainandnexttohisgravehe
putthebodiesofhistwobelovedsons,AliAkbarandAliAsghar.HeputthebodyofHabib
IbneMazahirinagravealittledistanceawayfromImamHusain's.Perhapsindoingsohe
recalledthatinlifeHabibIbneMazahirusedtostandbehindImamHusain,withhisarms
foldedandheadreverentiallybent.HeimaginedthatevenindeathHabibmightliketostand
asasentrynearthegraveofhisImamandbelovedmaster.Hehadtriedtoshiftthebodyof
Abbastotheareawheretheothergraveswerepreparedbuthedidnotdosofeeling
somewhatbaffledastowhyImamHusainhadleftthebodybythesideoftheriverinsteadof
bringingitovertowheretheotherbodieslay.Hewassurethattheremustbesomegood
reasonforit,somerealpurposebehindit.HewonderedwhetherImamHusainhadleftthe
bodyofAbbasneartherivertobringhomesomespecialassociationofhismartyrdomwith
theflowingwatersoftheriver.Heevenimaginedthatwhenhewasthinkingofdisinterring
thebodyofAbbasforshiftingitnearerthegravesoftheothermartyrs,thewatersofthe
streamwereraisingamurmurofprotest,asifwantinghimtobeburiedthereasareminder
ofsomesignificantrolehismartyrdomhadonthebankoftheriver.HethenpreparedAbbas's
gravewherehelayinterred.
JaberIbnAbdullaAnsarihadtoscourawideareatotracethegravesofsomeofthemartyrs.
HefoundthebodiesofAunandHurburiedquiteadistanceawayfromthemainfieldof
battle.WhenheaskedthemenofBaniAsadtribethereasonforHurbeingburiedsofaraway
fromthebattlefield,oneoftheireldersrepliedthat,asincaseofalltheothermartyrs,Imam
HusainhadhimselfbroughtthebodyofHurtothemortuaryfromtheplacewherehehad
fallenandplacedittherewithhisownhands.However,theoldmantoldhim,hehadheard
fromsomeofthesoldiersofYazid'sarmythat,whenthebattlewasoveranditwasdecided
byAmrIbneSaad,CommanderoftheforcesofYazid,thatallthemartyrs'bodiesshould,be
trampledunderthehoofsofhorses,thesoldierswhowereunderthecommandofHurhad
protestedvehementlyand,almostinastateofrevolt,warnedhimthat,ifanyactionwas
takentodespoilordesecratethebodyofHur,theywould,oneandall,fighttothelast.
Accordingtotheoldman,thishaddeterredAmrIbneSaad,whofearingamutinyinhisarmy,
hadaskedtheserebellioussoldiersofHur'sbattaliontoburyhiscorpsewithfullmilitary
honours.ThesoldierswhowereunderHur'scommandhadtakenawayhisbodyforburiala
gooddistanceawaysothatevenhisgravecouldnotberavagedbythepredators.Seeingthis
boldnessonthepartofHur'ssoldiersinrescuinghisdeadbodyfromdepredation,many
othersoldiers,whohadanyrelationship,evenremote,withanyofthefollowersoftheImam,
cameforwardtoclaimthedeadbodiesoftheirrelationssoastosavethemfrombeing
ravagedandtrampledunderthehoofsofthechargers.Eventhehard‐heartedShimrhadthe
brazen‐facednesstosaythat,accordingtoArabcustom,hewouldclaimprotectionforthe
deadbodiesofAbbasandhisthreebrotherswhoweredistantlyrelatedtohimthroughtheir
mother,lesthemightincurthecontemptofhiscontemporariesandcolleaguesfor
disregardingthetiesofbloodandnotprotectingthecorpsesofhisrelations.
WhenJaberIbnAbdullaheardthisstory,heweptbitterlyaskingwhethertherewasnotasoul
amongstthehordesofYazidonthatdaytosaythatHusainwasthegrandson,themost
belovedchild,oftheProphet,andhedeservedtheirrespect,ifnotinlife,atleastindeath,on
accountofhistiesofbloodwiththeProphetwhomtheyclaimedtorevereasthelast
messengerofGod?CouldnotanyofthemshowrespectfortherelationshipofHussainwith
theProphetwhentheywerevyingwithoneanotherinsavingthecorpsesofeventheir
distantkindredfromdespoiling!
JaberIbnAbdullaAnsariexplainedtohisfriendsandcompanionsthatthereasonwhyhehad
awakenedthemsoearlythatmorningwasthatinhisdreamhehadseentheHolyProphet
whohadtoldhimthatthecaptives'caravan,comprisingAliZainalAbedeen,hisinfantson
Muhammad,AlBakir,Husain'ssistersZainabandUmmeKulsumandotherladiesofthe
Prophet'sfamilyweretoreachKarbalathatmorning.TheProphethadaskedhimtogo
forwardtogreetthemandtoconveytothemhisSalaamsandcondolences.Hetoldhisfriends
thathehadawakenedafterthisandhewantedthemtoaccompanyhimsothattheycouldgo
forwardtoreceivethecaravanandplayhoststothefamilyoftheProphet.
Bythistimethefirststreakofdawnwasvisibleontheeasternhorizon.Oneoftheentourage
ofJabirrecitedthecalltoprayersandallofthemofferedtheirmorningprayersandthanked
AlmightyAllahforgivingthemtheopportunityofbeingnotonlythefirstpilgrimsatthe
gravesofthemartyrsofKarbala,butalsothefirstonestogreetthefamilyofthePropheton
theirreturnvisittotheland,renderedsacredbytheholybloodofthemartyrs.
Nosoonerhadtheyfinishedtheprayersthantheysawacloudofdustrisinginthedistant
horizon,indicatingtheapproachofacaravan.Jaberandhisfriendsrodetheirmountsto
receiveandwelcometheProphet'sfamily.Assoonastheywereatahailingdistance,theygot
downfromtheirsteedsand,withprofoundrespect,offeredtheirsalutationtoImamAli
ZainalAbedeen.JaberIbnAbdullahAnsariwentovertotheImamand,holdingthebridleof
hishorse,respectfullyledhimtowardshiscamponthebanksoftheriverwiththerestofthe
caravanfollowingthem.HetoldtheImamaboutthepurposeofhisvisittoKarbala,whathe
hadseenandheardduringhishaltthere,andwhathehaddone.Healsorespectfullyenquired
fromImamAliZainalAbedeenaboutthetreatmentmetedouttohimandtheladiesofthe
Prophet'sfamily.Whenthisquestionwasputtohim,theImamweptsilentlyforquitesome
timeandthensoftlyreplied;"0Jaber,itisastoryofsufferingswhichwillbewritteninblood
andtearsforfuturegenerationstoread!WhatsufferingsshallIrecounttoyouwhichwe
enduredafterthegreattragedyhere?Theydefydescription."
WhentheladiesofImamHusain'sfamilysawthegravesoftheirdearones,theyfelloneby
onefromtheircamels,overcomebygriefandsorrow.Eachonerushedtowardsthegraveof
herson,brother,fatherorhusband.ZainabdartedstraighttowardsthegraveofImam
Husain,UmmeLailafellonthegraveofAliAkbar,UmmeFarwaswoonedonthetombof
QasimandUmmeRababelapsedthetinygraveofherinfantAliAsghar.UmmeQulsumlooked
lostforawhileasifshewassearchingforsomethingandshehastened,afteralittlethought,
towardsthedistantgravebytherivulet,wheretheflowingwatersweresingingadirgeonthe
martyrdomofherbelovedbrotherAbbas.Eachladypouredherheartoverthegraveofher
dearestdepartedrelation,narratingallthesufferingsshehadendured.Zainabwasheardto
sayonImamHusain'sgrave:"Mybelovedbrother,IhavereturnedtoyoubutwithoutSakina,
whomyouhad,atthetimeofdeparting,entrustedtomycare.Mydearestbrother,your
belovedSakinaboreallthesufferingsmutelyandwithfortitudetillshecouldnolonger
endurethemandsurrenderedhersoultoherMaker.Forgiveme,mydearbrother,ifI
falteredinanywayinfulfillingthemissionyouentrustedtome."
ImamAliZainalAbedeenwatchedsilentlyforsometimetheheart¬rendingscene,withtears
streamingdownhischeeks.Whenhesawthatalltheladieshadlightenedtheirhearts,ifthat
couldeverbedone,byrecountingtheirwoesandsufferings,hewentovertoeachofthem
andpersuadedthemtoleavethegravessothathe,assistedbyJabirIbnAbdullahAnsariand
hisfriends,couldburytheseveredheadsofthemartyrswhichhehadbroughtwithhimall
thewayfromDamascus.Withagreatdealofpersuasionhesucceededinmakingtheladiesdo
ashehadrequested.AfterwashingtheheadsofthemartyrsinthetributaryofEuphrateshe
buriedeachheadwiththebodyto'whichtbelonged.Thistaskaccomplished,heaskedhis
auntZainabastowhatsheintendedtodo.Sherepliedthat,muchasshewouldhaveliketo
remainnearthegraveofherdearestbrothersHusainandAbbas,herAliAkbar,AliAsghar,
Qasimandherownsons,AunandMuhammad,sherememberedthepartingwishofImam
HusainthatsheshouldreturnwiththefamilytoMedina.Forherthiswishwasacommand
whichshehadtoobey.Summoningupallhercourageandcontrollingheroverpowering
feelingsshemadepreparationstoleaveKarbalaontheverynextdaytoresumethe
homewardjourney.
Asonthe11thofMuharraminthefatefulyear61A.H.,onthisdayalsoZainabwas
performingthedutyofassistingeachladyofthehousetomounthercamel.Muchastheother
ladiesprotestedthatitwasalmostsacrilegiousforthemtoletherperformthistask,when
theyweretheretohelpothersandZainab,shewouldnotlistentothemandinsistedon
performingthisduty,sayingthatitwaspartofhermissiontodowhatshehaddoneonce
before,atthisveryplace,afterthecarnage.
Whenalltheladieshadmountedtheircamels,Zainabwentovertoseewhethertheywere
comfortable.ShecouldnotfindUmmeRababonhercamelandsoshestartedlookingforher.
ShefoundherlyingprostratenearthegraveofherchildAliAsghar.Zainabwentovertoher
andgentlysplashedwateronherfacetoreviveher.Whenshecameto,shelookedatZainab
andimploringlysaid;"MyLady,leavemetomyfateheresothatImaydiehereandbeburied
bythegravesofmychildandmylord.WhatisthereinMedinaformetoreturnto?Myone
belovedchildIlosthereandtheotherinDamascus.Whatdoeslifeholdformeaftermylosing
allthatIhelddearinlifeandlivedfor?"
ItrequiredgreateffortsonZainab'sparttoconvinceUmmeRababthatImamHusainwould
havelikedhertoaccompanytheotherstoMedina.Sheatlastsucceededandmadehermount
hercamel.ThecaravanproceededwithBashirIbnJazlamleadingtheprocession,withablack
bannerinhishandandablackshawlroundhisnecktoindicatethatthemournerswere
boundontheirhomewardjourney.Eachladywascastingalonging,lingeringlookbehindto
seethegravesofherbelovedson,brother,nepheworhusbandunderthebakingsunof
Nainevah.
ThepainfullyslowjourneyofthecaptivesofKarbala,likeailmundanethings,cametoanend,
withtheirarrivalinMedinaonthe8thofRabiulAwwal.WithBashirIbnJazlamsingingthe
dirgeofthemartyrs'sufferingstotheaccompanimentofthemoansandsobsofthebereaved
family,thecaravanenteredtheoutskirtsofMedina.LargethrongsofpeopleofMedinahad
comeouttomeetthefamilyoftheProphetandofferthemcondolences.Whatacontrastit
presentedtothesceneinMedinaonthe28thofRajjabintheyear60A.H.whenthisvery
samefamilyhadleftMedinaontheirill‐fatedjourney!Fewoftheladiesonthisdayhadany
childrenintheirarmsorbytheirside.Therewerenoyouthsridingbesidethemwithairsof
hopeandconfidence,beamingwithvivacity,radianceandthejoyoflife.Insteadtheveiled
facesofladiesboredeepmarksofsorrow,wrinklesandfurrowswhichdepictedsufferings
toodeepforwords,whichnoofferingofcondolencescouldalleviate,noexpressionof
sympathycouldmitigate.
ImamAliZainalAbedeenreverentiallyaskedhisauntZainabwhethershewantedtogotoher
housewithalltheladiestomeetthelargethrongofsympathizerswhowereassembledthere
tocondolethedeathofthemartyrs.She,however,desiredthatsheshouldfirstbetakento
thetomboftheProphet.ReachingthegraveoftheProphet,sheflungherselfonitand,froma
bundlewhichshewascarrying,shetookouttheblood‐stainedgarmentofherbrotherwhich
hewaswearingatthetimehewasbeheaded.Shereverentiallyputitonthegraveofher
grandfatherand,withonesuppressedcryofanguish,shecollapsedunconscious.Themuffled
crysheutteredexpressedallthepentupemotionsthatweresurginginherwoundedand
bleedingheart,muchmorethananywordscouldhaveexpressed.
TheladiesofBaniHashim,ledbyUmmulBaneenandFatemaSugrahadbynowgathered
roundherandtheotherladiesoftheImam'sfamily.Theyalldidtheirbesttoreviveher.
Whenshecameto,shethankedallthosewhowereprofuselyofferingher,andtheother
ladies,theirsympathiesandcondolencesandmourningovertheirsufferings.Supportedby
UmmulBaneen,motherofAbbas,andFatemaSugra,shegotup.Sheinherturnofferedto
UmmulBaneenhercondolencesonthedeathofherfourbravesonsinthedefenseofthe
Imamandthecausehestoodfor.ShethenpickedupthebloodstainedshirtofHusainfrom
thegraveoftheProphetand,withfalteringsteps,walkedovertothegrave‐yardnearby
wherelayburiedhermotherFatimaZahraandherbelovedImamHasanAlMujtaba.When
shereachedhermother'sgrave,sheputtheblood‐soakedgarmentofImamHusainonitand,
fallingonthegraveandclaspingitwithbothhands,shecried:"Mother,yourZainabhascome,
comealonetogiveyouthetidingofyourson'smartyrdom,oftheruinationofyourhouse."
Shecontinuedafterawhile:"Omother,howcanIconveytoyouwhatindignitiesIhave
suffered,whatinsultsIhaveendured,whatbrutalitiesIhavebeensubjectedto!ShallIshow
youthemarksoftheropesthatweretiedsohardastocutintomyflesh?"Sayingthisshe
uncoveredherhandswhererawfleshwasvisibleasaresultofthecutsinflictedbythefetters
tiedonthemduringthedaysofherincarceration.Shecontinuedtomoan:"Omother,doI
havetoshowyouwhatthetyrants'whipshavedonetoourbacks?DoIhavetonarratetoyou
whatyourbelovedHusainandhissonsandnephewsandbrothers,intheprimeoftheir
youth,sufferedbeforetheirmartyrdom?No,Iknowthatyouwerewithusinspiritduringall
ourordeals,evenwhenmybelovedSakinausedtocrywiththirstorunderthelashingof
Shimr.YouweretherewhenwemournedandburiedSakinainhertinygraveintheprisonof
Damascus.Mybelovedmother,Zainabhasfulfilledherappointedtaskbybringingbackthe
captives'caravantoMedina.Nowcallmebacktoyourself,sothatmywearybodyandsoul
mayrest,mayrestinpeacewhichIhavenotknownforalong,longtime."
Zainab'srecountingofsufferingsandoutpouringofherheart,werebringingforthtorrentsof
tearsfromtheeyesofallwhowerenearheronthatday—muchastheirnarrationdoeseven
today,aftermorethan1300years.