As the sun hid behind the horizon, the soldiers were asked not to allow the refugees to take the body of Abbas Alamdaar. Yazid ordered his horsemen to trample the corpse of Abbas Alamdaar, till the minutest bone is crumbled into dust. Imam Hussein returned back to the camp, and asked all the people to leave the place, as Yazid wished to take revenge from him, for he wanted himself to be called the Lord. Then, Imam Hussein blew off the lamps, and waited for several hours, remaining in deeper contemplation. As few hours passed by, He lit the lamps again. As He moved His head around, He found seventy-two men in the camp, though only seventy one were left after Abbas Alamdaar. Hoor, the commander in chief of Yazid’s army mingled with that of Imam Hussein. He was the same person, who persuaded Imam Hussein and brought them to the land of Karbala. He expressed that he was deeply moved by the entire scene of death on the field. He continued that he had firm faith that Allah was with him, would be liberated with his family if he sacrificed his life for Allah. Next morning, Hoor decided to leave the camp and fight with his own army. He fought hard, but his physique was lost into the dust, by the grand trampling. The martyrdom continued. The male children were also in the queue. The mothers wanted their kids to offer themselves at the alter. Imam Hussein tried to persuade the women, for the children were in their juvenile stage. But, the women were adamant. Imam Hussein carried the children on the horse. The two kids of Abbas Alamdaar were taken on the battle field, met the Then, the kid of Imam Hassan, Abdullah was martyred. Few kids were left. Out of them, Ali Zayn al-Abidin was lying unconscious, thus couldn’t fight. The two kids of Imam Hussein were in the queue, before their father. Imam Hussein took Ali-Akbar on the horse. Before leaving the camp, he asked for forgiveness from all the women of the camp, and prayed to Allah, for He accepts the sacrifice. He fought well, his body was traversed by thousands of arrows, blood spurted out of all the wounds; body appeared like a sieve. Even, his neck was pierced by numerous arrows, and finally he was killed. The last boy was Ali-Azgar, six-months old baby. His mother said that the baby’s sacrifice was inevitable at the alter, for the sacrifice would not be completed. Imam Hussein took his in his arms, and rode the horse. He went to the bank of the river, and was facing the arrows with unstirred faith. Numerous arrows pierced him and the even the baby. As He reached at the banks, He climbed down from the horse, and thought of putting some drops of water in the mouth of the baby. But, as he brought the hand near the little lips, one of the enemies slaughtered the baby’s neck. The neck flung in the air, and the torso was taken away from Imam Hussein. He tried to lift up the baby’s body parts, for it is not trampled. But, he managed to get the decapitated head. He took the head to the camp, before the boy’s mother. Imam Hussein presented the head, with a heavy heart, and said that he couldn’t manage to serve the boy with few drops of water. The mother thanked Allah, and said that she was grateful, for the baby was accepted for the service to Allah.
After that event, only Imam Hussein was left amongst the men. Zeneb helped her brother proudly to gather the horse, for the grand sacrifice. He reached in the middle of the field and faced the army. His body was sieved by about nine-hundred-ninety-nine arrows, and about symmetrical number of bruises adorned his body. As the sun casted its shadow, showing the time of Asr, in the dial, he climbed down from the horse, and performed His sajdah. As he bowed down, the enemies stripped him naked, and flung pebbles and filth on him. As his voice resonated with Allahu Akbar, one of the soldiers lashed the sword at His neck, and was killed. The army rejoiced. The soldiers lifted up the head of Imam Hussein, and skewered it at the pointed end of the spear and carried it in a procession in the streets of Karbala. The women of the camp were chained and were pulled about on the streets. Zeneb was tied with Ali Zayn al-Abidin, who was still unconscious. As they reached the court, she asked for forgiveness from Ali Zayn al-Abidin, and spoke with a bold speech in the court of Yazid. She conveyed the brutalities in a single statement. As Yazid’s wife heard the words, she was in tears. She tried to persuade Yazid, but in vain. Soon, the entire court was stricken by grief. Yazid tried to punish his opponents, but he couldn’t manage the mob. The mob mocked Yazid.Yazid’s wife offered them water. But, the throats were excoriated, as they were thirsty for several days. Zeneb felt that they shouldn’t drink the water, for their kinsman lost their lives with dry throats. But, a voice from the inner conscience conveyed her that they shouldn’t moan for more than three minutes or rather three days, if they continued to moan, they would suffer, and even the beloved ones would surely suffer. She asked all the women to drink the water. People brought the grains from their homes and offered them to the women. All the grains were mixed, and porridge was prepared. The women blossomed with their virtues and character. Zeneb and her teachings became immortal. The women served the poor, offered food and water. The taaziya processions indicate the reverence to the freed souls, at their death anniversary.
We are deeply moved by the story. But, if we take our children to the doctor, and the doctor denies to perform the treatment, for the disease appears incurable. We feel shattered, but Imam Hussein’s wife thanked Allah, when she saw the head of her last baby boy. Such were the virtues of women, which made Islam immortal. The biggest expression of one’s strength is forgiveness. If we are strong, we should forgive others.
