Coming Of Caravan Ahl Al-Bayt To Kufa
The Caravan led by Imam Zayn al-Abidin (‘a) and Bibi Zaynab (‘a) departed from Karbala alter the noon of 11th Muharram 61 Hijra, passing through various deserted, populated and desolated places reached Kufa. ‘Ubaidullah Ibn Ziad had propagated all over that one person rebelled against the Ruler was slain and his captured companions were being brought there.
And what an irony of fate! that a festive celebration was also arranged. On all points security was posted to avert any untoward situation. Unaware public stood by on the pathways to witness the festivity as they were totally ignorant that the captives were Ahl al-Bayt of the Prophet whose Kalima they recited.
Bibi Zaynab (‘a) was the leader of this caravan and was in the front most. She was full of patience and dignity. On one hand she was looking after her ailing nephew Imam Zayn al-Abidin (‘a) and on the other keeping watch on the ladies and frightened children; she was fearlessly forbearing the grieves and hardships befalling on her.
A symbol of Virtue and ethics of Muhammad (S), Bibi Zaynab (‘a) despite the martyrdom of her two innocent sons, grief of her unveiled head and captivity she was symbol of modesty, sense of honour and self-respect.
She a souvenir of grace and dignity of her father remained indomitable and firm on the straight path of God though she was put to extreme harassment by being taken hither and thither; She the daughter of Ali (‘a) by her speech smashed and quashed the objective of Yazid the ruler rather a pharaoh of that time.
The Caravan Entering The City
The distressed caravan of Ahl al-Bayt, as prisoners, entered the city of Kufa. Leading were the soldiers with spears having martyrs head elevated. Behind them were the children and ladies on bare back of camel with face full of dust and heads and hair without veil.
In them first was the youth with iron chain fastened around legs, hands cuffed and thorny iron collar held around his neck. Could one know who he was?
He was innocent Imam (Zayn al-Abidin (‘a)) son of great martyr Imam Husayn (‘a), grandson of Ali Murtaza (‘a) and Khatoon-e-Jannat Hazrat Fatimah Zahra (‘a) and great grandson of our Prophet (S), his face was covered with dust, attire torn, signs of hunger and thirst appearing from the face yet in his such miserable condition a mysterious Halo surrounded his face, who could be this young personality?
He was none else but the Imam of the time.
Some may call it a revolution/vicissitude of time and apparently it is so but I think God Almighty was putting a test of 'Justice and Truth' versus “False and Lie”. In the beginning of this book, I had quoted some “Ayats” and repeat them here for you to judge whether the truth was victorious or the lie.
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ
“And I will and will without fail test you with fear, hunger, wealth, your lives and total loss of fruits (children) or any of these” (2:155).
وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ -الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
“let those have the glad tiding, who have patience & endurance in the event of any of the above calamities befalling on them they unhesitantly would say that they are of Allah and have to return to Him”. (2:156).
وَقُلْ جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ الْبَاطِلُ إِنَّ الْبَاطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقًا
“Asking the prohet, God say to announce that right has come and verily falsehood is bound to vanish” (17:81).
Apparently, from the world viewpoint, the Husayni caravan was defeated and Yazid's army got victory but as par Qur’an victory of Husayni caravan was immortal and paradise was destined to them.
Heads be severed, family be slain, belongings may enemies plunder
Yet must not give up the teaching Prophet Muhammad
Now let us revert to Sulahe Hudabia or if possible, give a glance to “Tareekhe Islam ka Safar” by Syed Ali Akbar Rizvi. Apparently, the Prophet (S) signed the Treaty under pressure, as was the opinion of some Muslims also but the reconciliation was such that God revealed Surah “Fateh” to the Prophet (S).
إِنَّا فَتَحْنَا لَكَ فَتْحًا مُبِينًا
“Certainly, we have blessed you with distinguished Victory” (48:1).
After this Treaty there was a number of Ghazwas and sarayas but “Ayate Fatah” was never revealed on any other occasion. From these events apparent and intrinsic success are understandable.
Assuming that Husayni Caravan was defeat stricken, faced tedious lime, was shocked and grieved, the world can very well see and tell as to whether Husayn's Martydom is commemorated or that of Yazid:
“It is so much so that now the Name Yazid is used as symbol of reproach indignity and abuse”.
Shah Abdul Latif Bhtai has said about martyrs of Karbala:
They were neither bothered by huge army nor by dread of death
Martyrdom their destiny and that was more precious than any wealth1
- 1. Translation from Shah Abdul Latif Bhita's poem.