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📅 Post‑Ashura Journey

1️⃣ Shaam‑e‑Gharība – The Night of Orphans

When Ashura ended, Karbala’s tragedy deepened even further.

The enemies looted the tents and deprived the women of their veils (Bihar al‑Anwar, Vol. 45).
The blessed heads of Imam Hussain (A.S.), Abbas (A.S.), and the martyrs were raised on spears while the women and children were forced to walk behind them.

Later narrations mention that Lady Sakina (S.A.) was too small for shackles, so a rope was tied around her neck as she was paraded in captivity.

2️⃣ Journey to Kufa – Sermons That Shook Hearts

In Kufa, Lady Zaynab (S.A.) stood firm and reminded the people of the covenant they had broken and the oppression they had committed by killing the grandson of RasulAllah (S.A.W.A.). She condemned their betrayal, exposed their hypocrisy, and warned them that the wrath of Allah awaited those who aided the tyrant.

Beside her, Imam Zayn al‑Abidin (A.S.), weak and in chains, introduced himself as the son of Imam Hussain (A.S.). He reminded the people that they had killed the grandson of the Prophet (S.A.W.A.) and enslaved his family, humiliating those purified by Ayat al‑Tatheer (Lohoof).

The sermons moved many to tears, and some began to curse Ibn Ziyad in regret.

3️⃣ The Road to Shaam – The Hardest Journey

From Kufa, the captives were taken toward Damascus. Bihar al‑Anwar narrates that when they approached the city, Yazid’s men intentionally paraded them through decorated streets, with drums, lights, and celebrations as if it were a festival (Vol. 45).

The captives were made to stand at the gate of Damascus, a place where criminals were usually displayed. Crowds gathered to watch the family of RasulAllah (S.A.W.A.) humiliated, as the blessed heads were raised on spears ahead of them.

4️⃣ In Yazid’s Court – Truth Shames Tyranny

Inside Yazid’s palace, Imam Hussain’s (A.S.) head was placed before the tyrant.

Hind, Yazid’s wife, when she saw the head, tore her veil in grief, and Yazid ordered that she be covered again so that the men present would not see her (Bihar al‑Anwar, Vol. 45).

But the daughters of RasulAllah (S.A.W.A.) stood unveiled before a large gathering of men.

Lady Zaynab (S.A.)’s Sermon

Lady Zaynab (S.A.) delivered a sermon that shook Yazid’s court. She exposed Yazid’s arrogance and declared that his apparent victory was fleeting. She warned him that history would forever remember the crime of Karbala and that the Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) would remain honored while he would remain disgraced (Bihar al‑Anwar, Vol. 45).

Imam Zayn al‑Abidin (A.S.) Speaks

Imam Zayn al‑Abidin (A.S.), still in chains, addressed the people of Shaam. He introduced himself as the son of Mecca and Mina, the son of Fatima al‑Zahra (S.A.) and Hussain (A.S.), who was slaughtered without guilt. He condemned the people for killing the grandson of RasulAllah (S.A.W.A.) and enslaving his family (Lohoof).

5️⃣ Martyrdom of Lady Sakina (S.A.)

Lohoof narrates that Lady Sakina (S.A.) endured immense grief in Yazid’s dark dungeon. She constantly wept, remembering her father. Reports also state that she was too young for shackles, so a rope was tied around her neck when she was paraded with the other captives . She witnessed the severed heads of her father and family raised on spears, the humiliation of her aunts, and the cries of orphaned children. The pain of captivity broke her tender heart, and she passed away in chains, her small neck bruised by the rope. Her short life ended with unimaginable oppression, far from her father’s grave.

6️⃣ Return to Karbala

The captives remained in Yazid’s prison for several weeks after Ashura. As public anger in Shaam grew, Yazid reluctantly ordered their release.

On their way back to Medina, Imam Zayn al‑Abidin (A.S.) and the surviving family insisted on stopping at Karbala first. They arrived on the 20th of Safar, the day now known as Arbaeen (Lohoof).

At Karbala, they mourned intensely at the graves of Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his loyal companions, marking the first Ziyarah of Arbaeen, a day that would forever become a symbol of remembrance and loyalty.

7️⃣ Imam Zayn al‑Abidin (A.S.) – The Silent Guardian

Bihar al‑Anwar records that Imam Zayn al‑Abidin (A.S.) wept for forty years, fasting during the days and standing in prayer at nights. Whenever food or water was placed before him, his tears would fall until his meal was soaked, and he would say:
“The son of RasulAllah (S.A.W.A.) was killed hungry! The son of RasulAllah (S.A.W.A.) was killed thirsty!”

He cried tears of blood, and his grief became so intense that he could not bear to see even an animal slaughtered. When he saw someone taking an animal to be killed, he would ask if it had been given water. If told that it had been watered, he would cry, “My father, Hussain (A.S.), was slaughtered thirsty!”

Despite living under constant surveillance and oppression, Imam (A.S.) carried the legacy of Karbala through Sahifa Sajjadiya and Risalat al‑Huquq. These works became timeless treasures of supplication and human rights. His life of sorrow finally ended when he was poisoned by the order of the Umayyad ruler, attaining martyrdom while preserving the memory of Ashura .

📚 References

  • Lohoof – Sayyid Ibn Tawus (captivity events, sermons, return to Karbala)

  • Bihar al‑Anwar – Vol. 45 (veil removal, Hind’s reaction, entry to Shaam, Lady Zaynab’s sermon)

  • Kitab al‑Irshad – Shaykh al‑Mufid (martyrdom of Imam Zayn al‑Abidin A.S.)

🕊 Reflection – The Household of Purity in Chains

These were the ones purified by Ayat al‑Tatheer
This was the family in whose house Qur’an was revealed.
The Prophet (S.A.W.A.) kissed their faces, yet their veils were snatched before a large crowd—while the tyrant’s wife was covered.

Peace be upon Lady Sakina (S.A.), the thirsty child who slept in chains.
Peace be upon Imam Zayn al‑Abidin (A.S.), the patient witness of Karbala.
And eternal curse upon the enemies of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.).


May our tears preserve what our tongues cannot.

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