Narrator: Bibi Sakina was the youngest daughter of Imam Hussain(a.s). Imam Hussain(a.s) used to pray for a  daughter in his night paryers, a daughter who would give him peace,SUKUN, that is why when Allah(s.w.t) granted him his wish and blessed him , he named his daughter Sakina(a.s).

Bibi Sakina(a.s) was a lively child, full of love and     happiness. She always has a sweet and cheerful smile and a very friendly nature. Everyone loved  Sakina as she was also very generous and always shared whatever she had with others.

Bibi Sakina enjoyed reading the Holy Qur’an and  never missed her prayers. From a very early age she took great care to make sure that her head  and face were properly covered when in public.

Bibi Sakina was the most beloved daughter of Imam Hussain(a.s) and used to sleep on his chest every night. He would then tell her stories of the Prophets and of  the battles fought by her grandfather Imam Ali (a.s).

Imam Hussain(a.s) was often heard saying ,
“A house without Sakina would not be worth living in”.

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

Then came Kerbala. From the 7th of Muharram,  water was stopped. All the thirsty children would  go up to Bibi Sakina with their eyes full of hope. Bibi Sakina would have tears in her eyes as she could not help them.
She would then put up her hands for dua and recite
“Karne ko dua rab se, mei haat uthati hun, Ameen kaho Bachon, Ameen Kaho Bachon.
Woh pyas ka alam hain, lab Khola nahi jaata,
(Kuch bola nahi jaataX2)
Mein Harf-e-dua apney ashko ko banati hun….
Ameen Kaho Bachonx2

Let us go to the 10th of Muharram, it is the day  of Ashura. Everybody is thirsty. Most of the family members and companions had already become shaheed.

Hazrat Abbas has asked several times for permission to go and fight the armies of Yazeed. Each time Imam Hussein(a.s) would reply,
“ Abbas, you are the captain of my army; you are  my Alamdaar”.
 Hazrat Abbas would never argue with Imam Hussein(a.s).

Just then Bibi Sakina (as) with her mashk leading some children behind her came to her chacha Hazrat Abbas.

SCENE 1

(Bibi Sakina with a few children behind her coming to Hazrat Abbas)

Children:   “AL- ATTASH – AL ATTASH! Thirst is killing us!”

(Sakina comes close to Hazrat Abbas)

Bibi Sakina :  “ Uncle Abbas, look at my mashk. It is very dry,   AL-ATASH uncle O uncle, I know you will do something to get water for us. Even if you can bring one bag full of water, we can wet our parched throats”

(Hazrat Abbas picks up the mashk, takes Bibi Sakina’s hand and goes to Imam Hussein a.s)

Imam Husayn:  “ Abbas, how can I say no now? You have brought  Sakina with you. Go Abbas! Go and fill Sakina’s mashk with water. But one request Abbas, leave your sword with me. Remember, you are not going to fight. You are just going to get water for Sakina”

(Hazrat Abbas gives his sword to Imam Hussein(a.s). he kisses Bibi Sakina and says,)

Hazrat Abbas: “Sakina, pray for me, pray that I get water for you”.
She would then continue with her dua “Khaimon mei paani ko, lane ka irada hain,(Abbas ka wadaa hainX2) Wadaa woh nibhaye gay, mei tum ko batati hun,( Ameen Kaho BachonX2)

Scene ends

Narrator:  Hazrat Abbas then took permission from his sister Zainab and rode to the battlefield. In one hand he carried the Alam, and in the other hand a spear and Bibi Sakina’s mashk on his shoulder, with the children following him in a group

Bibi Sakina then gathered all the children with their little mashks, assuring them that her beloved uncle would bring water for them, and that she would first make sure they had some before taking some herself.
“Pani jo mein kismet se,thora sa bhi pawun ghi, (Asgher ko pilawu ghiX2), Bas ek dua lab par, roro ke mein laati hun,( Ameen Kaho BachonX2)

Bibi Sakina’s eyes were constantly on the Alam. Then came the time when Bibi Sakina could no longer see the Alam and she began to tremble with fear and her eyes filled with tears.
“Mein chaain na pawoon ghi, amu se juda ho kar,(Marjawon ghi roro karX2), Allah mein tujay apni faryad sunati hun,( Ameen Kaho BachonX2)

She raised her hands and prayed, Ya Allah! Do not let them kill my uncle Abbas, Sakina will not ask for water again!
When she saw her father bring the Alam drenched with blood, she knew that her uncle Abbas was not coming back.
She started lamenting “Abbas, Abbas amujanam, man aab na mikhaham”

By Asr time on Ashura day, everyone was gone, except Imam Hussein(a.s). Even Bibi Sakina’s baby brother Ali Asghar was taken to the battlefield for some water, but instead of water, he was shot with an arrow .

Imam Hussein is alone! Now it was Imam’s Hussein’s turn to go and sacrifice his life for Islam.
He bids farewell to his sister Bibi Zainab and Umm Kulthoom and all the other ladies.
Bibi Zainab helps Imam Hussein mounts his horse Zuljana.

Zuljana moved a few steps and stopped. Imam Hussein (a.s) gently stroked the horse’s neck and said:

Imam Hussein: “My faithful horse, I know you are thirsty. I know you are tired. You have been helping me carry the bodies from the battlefield since dawn. My faithful horse, for the last time, take me to the battlefield. I will not bother you after that. Please Zuljana, let us go.”
 
Narrator: With tears in his eyes, the horse turned his neck  and looked down at his legs. What did Imam Hussein(a.s) see?
“Lipti sumoon se kart thi masum yeh bukaa, “ay Zuljana haram mei ne baba ko le ke jaa”

Let us now share Bibi Sakina’s sadness whilst saying ‘khudahafiz’ to her father.

SCENE 2
(Bibi Sakina clinging to the Zuljanah)

Bibi Sakina:  “O horse! Do not take my father away. No, horse,   no. You will not bring my father back. Since dawn, everyone who has gone to the battlefield has not  come back. Please, horse, do not take my father away. I will not be able to live without my father. Please, horse, please.”

(Imam Husayn gets off his horse, hugs B. Sakina and says)

Imam Hussein: “My darling Sakina. Do not cry my love! Did you not give me permission to go? Sakina….go, my  darling, go. Go and recite du’as with your aunt and mother. Your grandmother Fatima tuz Zahra is waiting for me.”

Bibi Sakina:  “Father, I am so used to sleeping on your chest and listening to the stories of the Prophets and my grandfather Ali (A.S) every night. Tell me, father, how will I go to sleep without you? Father, one last request! Please let me lie down one more time on your chest, father.”

(Imam Husayn laid down on the sands of Kerbala. Little Sakina put her head on her fathers chest. After a few seconds, Bibi Sakina got up and said)

Bibi Sakina: “Go, Baba. Khudahafiz, Baba.”

Narrator:  Imam Husayn mounted his horse and headed for the battlefield. Thirsty, tired, wounded and heartbroken ….Imam Husayn fought the battle with his greatest might always keeping in mind the pleasure of Allah(S.W.T). He was attacked with arrows, swords and stones too! Imam Husayn could not stay on his horse. He fell from his horse and was martyred. My fellow Husayni! the earth shook and Bibi Sakina became an orphan!

Zuljana returned, with his head bowed down, alone and all drenched in blood. Bibi Sakina (A.S) looked at him and said
Zuljana, Ay Zuljana (X2), Royi Zamin, roya asmaa, chora mera baba kaha???” Zuljana, ay Zuljana(x2)
Qassim kaha, Akber kaha, Masum sa Asgher kaha(X2)
Ghazi bina, suna jaha, chora mera baba kaha??

INNA LILLAHEWA INNA ILAIHE RAJIOON!

There is no-one left! Hazrat Auno-Mohammed are dead. Shah Qassim is dead, Hazrat Abbas is dead. Hazrat Ali Akbar is dead. Hazrat Ali Asghar is dead. Imam Hussein is dead.

Lying on the sands of Kerbala are their bodies, their heads severed from their bodies. No ghusl!  No kafan! No burial! Their bodies trampled by Yazid’s horses.

The sun was setting in the horizon. Then came the night of Shaam-e-Ghariba. What a lonely night? What a tragic and sad night! A night of darkness! A night where their tents were burnt down and looted of their belongings A night where Bibi Fatema’s daughters were left bare-headed!

The children were frightened so they ran away to escape the fire and the beatings by Yazid’s men. Bibi Zainab & Umme Kulthoom went is search of the children. They found some dead, trampled by the horses or burnt by the fire. But they could not find Bibi Sakina. Bibi Zainab rushed to the Battlefield searching for Bibi Sakina.

Children! Do you know where Bibi Sakina was? Little Sakina’s dress was on fire and her ears bleeding. All she wanted was her dear Baba.

Here’s a scene showing the conversation that took place between daughter and father.

SCENE 3
(show Imam Husayn’s body lying with spears & Bibi Sakina with her head on his chest complaining to her Baba)

Bibi Sakina : “O Baba, do you know what they did to us?
 Soon after they killed you, Yazid’s people came to burn down our tents. They took away all our  belongings. They even snatched away the ladies  hijab. My kurta was burnt too!

Baba (cries) Shimr came too. He slapped me so hard and pulled off my earings. Baba you can see my ears bleeding. Baba, is this how an orphan is treated?
“Shimr ne meray maray tamachay, Kaan jakhmi hai, rukhsar nelay, Baba awo madad ko hamari, Baba wari, mei wari mei wari(X2)

Narrator: After complaining she is relieved and falls asleep. Bibi Zainab finds Sakina deep in sleep on her father’s chest in the jungle. She gently picks her up and takes her to her mother Umme Rubab.

From Kerbala the caravan of the sad  and unfortunate was taken to Kufa.
They were forced to sit on barebacked camels with their necks and hands tied tightly in ropes.

The Caravan when reached Kufa, were forced to march through public roads and the streets of Kufa.

Suddenly the camel on which Bibi Sakina and Bibi  Zainab were seated on stopped near a house and  Bibi Sakina looked at Bibi Zainab and said:
“Phupijaan, I am very thirsty, my throat is so dry that I cannot bear anymore”.
Bibi Sakina’s words were heard by the women who were on top of the houses and amongs them a goodhearted lady immediately got up and  rushed to get water for Bibi Sakina.
This kindhearted lady was Umme Habiba who used to serve in the house of Bibi Zainab in Medina. Umme Habiba had not recognized Bibi Zainab.

Umme Habiba gives the water to Bibi Sakina and  equests her to pray for the fulfillment of three of her wishes.

Children let us go to the streets of Kufa and hear what Umme Habiba asks Bibi Sakina to pray  for.

SCENE 4
(Umme Habiba facing Bibi Zainab and Bibi Sakina with a cup of water in her hand).

Umme Habiba:  “My first wish is that may my children never be  orphans like you, please pray for me dear child, I  see that you are an orphan and God always listens to the prayer of an orphan”

Bibi Sakina:  (Bibi Sakina raises her hands and prays)

Bibi Zainab: “what is your second wish o’ lady?”

Umme Habiba: “I wish to visit Madina, please pray for me that God will give me the opportunity to visit the holy city”.

Bibi Zainab:  “why do you wish to visit madina?”

Umme Habiba: “because I want to visit the Holy prophet’s grave and meet my holy lady Bibi Fatema(a.s).”

Bibi Zainab: “ but don’t you know that Bibi Fatema is no longer alive?”

Umme Habiba: “ well I have also served her holy daughters Bibi Zainab and Umm Kulthoom, I will go there so that I can have the honor to meet them again.”

Bibi Zainab:  “Dear Mo’mina, if you would see your lady Zainab, would you recognize her?”

Umme Habiba: “of course I would”.

(Bibi Zainab removes her hair from her face and cries.)

Bibi Zainab:“ Oh Umme Habiba, your prayer has been  answered, for it is me Zainab. We are the children of the Holy Prophet. Look Umme Habiba,  look at your master’s head in front of you, the  head whose lips are reciting the Holy Qur’an. And this orphan who is praying for the fulfillment of your duas is no other than Hussein’s daughter  Sakina”.

(Umme Habiba on hearing this sways and falls down unconscious)

Narrator:  After Kufa the Caravan starts yet another torturous journey to Shaam. Even at these times of hardship and misery, imam Hussein’s little princess always thought of the others first. She would console her mother when she cried for Ali Asghar, and when she saw any other lady or child weeping, she would put her little arms around  them.

When the caravan reached Shaam, the Holy family were made to wait outside Shaam for 4 days as Yazid ordered the city to be prepared for celebrations. No food or water was given to them and they were treated very badly.
They were, then marched through the roads of Shaam and into the Palace of Yazid. When Yazid found out that Sakina was Imam Hussein’s most beloved daughter he decided to test her.

Yazid said to Bibi Sakina that if it is true that she was the most beloved of Imam Hussein then she should call upon him and see if he comes to her. Bibi Sakina looks at her brother Imam Zainul Abideen, who was in chains, and on his approval Bibi Sakina (weeping) raising her little hands  prays to Allah and then turning towards the head of her Holy father says:
“O Baba, this evil Yazid is putting our love to  a test. O my dear father please come to your daughter”

Narrator: And do you know children what happened next? Imam Hussein’s head rose from the tray and came to Bibi Sakina who kissed her fathers face!

The Holy family were then placed by Yazid’s orders in a dark and unclean prison with no ceiling. In this prison Bibi Sakina had trouble going to sleep as she really missed her Baba.

“Jab tak teray sinay se na lag jaye SakinaX2)
Zindan mei usse nindX2 kaha aati hai baba? Jab yaad Sakina Ko……

From her prison she would stare at the flock of birds flying to their nests, at sunset and she would ask Bibi Zainab:
“will Sakina also be going home like those birds flying to their homes?”

“Kethi thi Sakina, Abid se, Is kaid mei,mein marjawoon ghi, (choro na akela bhaiX2 muje andhera bohot zindaan hain)

Bibi Zaynab would then take her on her lap and console her and tell her bear the trials of Allah with strength. She would also tell her stories just like her father used to “Sakina Kahani suno……………………………..”

Then one dreadful night Sakina went to bed on the cold floor of the prison. She suddenly woke up crying!
Why was Sakina crying? Let us go to Shaam in the prison and see why Bibi Sakina was crying.

SCENE 5
(Bibi Sakina crying and all the Holy ladies surrounding her)

Bibi Sakina:  “Where is my father? A few minutes ago I was with my father and he kissed me and said to me that I will soon be with him! But where is my father now?”

(all the ladies start to cry after hearing Sakina’s dream)

Narrator:all the ladies begin to cry when they hear about Bibi Sakina’s dream.  This crying is heard by  Yazid and he is informed that Hussein’s daughter is missing her father and crying for him. Yazid then orders the head of Imam Hussein to be taken to the dungeon.

(a tray with Imam Hussein’s head is brought in and given to Sakina. She hugs it and closes her eyes)

Narrator: When bibi Sakina receives the head of her Baba, she hugs it tight and cries even more.
Suddenly all is quiet. Sakina falls asleep - Umme Rubab the mother of sakina calls out

Umme Rubab:  “Wake up Sakina! Wake up my child!”
 
Narrator: But there was only painful silence.
Our forth Imam walked Up to where Sakina lay. He felt her mouth and nose. Sakina had stopped breathing.
“INNA LILLAHE WA INNA ILAIHE RAJEEOON”

Imam Zainul Abideen buried his beloved sister in the dungeon of Shaam.

 
SCENE 6 – ALWIDA SAKINA

Bidding Farwell to Bibi Sakina in the dungeon

[Bibi Sakina’s lash with a candle around it]

Narrator: The Ahlul bayt were now physically free from the tortures they faced under Yazid, and chose to immediately visit the dungeon for their final farewell to their beloved Sakina, whom they had unwillingly left in the deepest pits of destitution.

Accompanied by Hinda, the Imam and the ladies of the Ahlul Bayt made their way to the prison house.

At that moment, it must have been very difficult for Umme Rubab to reminisce the time, not too long ago, that Bibi Sakina dreamt of her father, and woke up in the middle of the night crying. Bibi Zainab had asked her the reason for her screams, and Bibi Sakina responded that she had just seen her father, calling her to him. Her wails were heard by Yazid, and upon inquiring, he sent the head of Imam Hussein to her. It was with the holy head on her lap, and her face bent over it, that she fell asleep – never to wake up in this wretched world, but in the comfort of her father’s arms.

As if the tortures of loosing her six-month old son, let alone her family, in Kerbala were not enough, Bibi Rubab now faced the tiny grave of her daughter Sakina.

[Bibi Rubab runs to the grave, followed by the Ahlul Bayt Household]

Bibi Rubab: Sakina, speak to me, only a word, my child, speak to me.  Sakina, my darling, remember when you used to ask us whether we will ever be free like those birds to go back to our homes, back to Fatema Sughra.  Sakina, my dear Sakina, that day has arrived.  We are free at last, but Sakina..it seems that you must remain for ever within this dungeon, this dungeon where you have experienced so many hardships, torments and tortures.  My child, I am leaving you but my heart and soul will remain with you in this prison.

 [Turning to Hinda and other ladies of the town]

I am leaving my dearest daughter in your midst.  There is none from our family in this city to visit her grave, to offer fateha. I beseech you, once in a while, to visit my lonely child’s grave for offering fateha.

 [With these words she fell unconscious in the arms of Bibi Zainab]

Imam:  Khuda Hafiz, my dear sister.  Alwida, Sakina.  You have been through enough atrocities.  May Allah rest you in peace here.

 [Close Curtain during Mersiya]

(MARSIYA – CHOTTI TURBAT PE MAADER PUKAARI, GHAR CHALO AY SAKINA PYARI)
 

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