THE FIRST JOURNEY-MADINA TO MECCA

After saying good-bye to the graves of his grand-father and his mother, Imaam Hussain went to Bibi Zainab's house.

Bibi Zainab was Imaam's sister and was married to their cousin Hazrat Abdullah ibne Jaffer ibne Abu Taalib. After exchanging greetings with Hazrat Abdullah, Imaam Hussain advised his cousin of what had happened and what he had decided. Hazrat Abdullah tried to persuade Imaam not to leave Madina but Imaam insisted that it was the only way to save Islam. He then requested Hazrat Abdullah to permit Bibi Zainab to accompany him. Hazrat Abdullah looked at his wife and said, "Bismillah!" Bibi Zainab said farewell to her husband and her sons Aun and Muhammad. The brother and sister walked to Imaam's house.

When all the men who had accompanied Imaam Hussain to the Governor's palace got back, the ladies came to know about the journey. Hazrat Abbas, Ali Akber, Qasim and all the young men got busy with the preparations. Fatimah Sugra watched. She was lying in bed, too ill even to get up. No one was saying anything about her going. She decided to wait till her father's return.

Fatimah Sugra was Imaam Hussain's daughter. She was about eight years old. She lay on bed praying that her father would agree to take her. How could she possibly live alone? How could she survive without Asghar ? Ever since he was born she spent all her time next to Asghar's little bed playing with him. Now he had begun to recognize faces and smiled whenever he saw Sugra. Soon he would be talking and she was anxious to hear him call out her name. "Ya Allah!", Sugra murmured, "I hope I would not be left alone in Madina!"

Just then she heard her father's foot-steps. She quickly wiped away the tears from her eyes, propped herself into a sitting position and put on a brave smile to convince her father that she was well enough to travel.

Imaam Hussain sat on the bed, put his hand on Sugra head and said, "When you were born, my dear. I named you after my mother Fatimah Zahra. You look know that your grand mother was also known as Saabira, which means the patient one. I want you also to be a saabira and agree to stay in Madina with Ummul Baneen and Umme Salmah. Will you do that?"

What could Sugra say? She nodded her head fighting back her tears. Imaam kissed her and left the room.

Whenever the children of the Ahlul Bait were troubled by any thing, they took their problem to Hazrat Abbas. Sugra thought of her dear uncle, smiled hopefully, and sent for Abbas. Surely, he would find a way to solve her problem?

Abbas came in. He was accompanied by Ali Akber.

Sugra looked at them and said, "I know how much you two love me. How can you then leave me and go away? If I die who will bury me?" They explained her that she was too ill to travel and promised her that they would come and fetch her as soon as they had settled some where.

Fatimah Sugra said, "I will accept that as I do not wish to disobey my father. I will be brave and stay here." She looked lovingly at her brother and added, "Ali Akber, promise me one thing though. When after you get married and return to Madina, and find Sugra gone, promise that you and your bride will visit my grave and recite Fatiha."

Akber and Abbas could not control their tears as they said good bye.

At dawn the caravan departed. Supported by Umme Salmah on one side and Ummul Baneen on the other, Sugra waved good-bye. It was difficult to part with Asghar and both Imaam Hussain and Bibi Rubaab had to hold and console Sugra as she kissed her little brother good-bye.

The story of Kerbala is a tale of five journeys of tears. This was the first journey. From Madina to Mecca. Each journey had its hero and heroine. The hero of this first journey was Imaam Hussain and the heroine was the memory of Fatimah Sugra, his beloved daughter whom he had left behind. Until they turned the corner, Imaam kept looking back. He would bravely smile and wave to his daughter. Ali Akber of course could not even do that because he was unable to control his tears.

As soon as they were out of sight, Imaam Hussain stopped his horse and began to sob! It is always so very difficult and so very sad for a parent and child to part!

Days passed into months. Sugra would spend her days in the mosque or visiting Ummul Baneen, Hazrat Abbas's mother.

Ramadhan passed. Eid was a difficult day for Sugra. She kept on thinking of Asghar, and Akber and her darling sister Sakina. Then came Muharram. For some reason Sugra's restlessness increased. One night she got up. She felt a little thirsty. She filled a cup with water. As she brought the cup to her lips, Sugra stared at the water, and screamed. The cup fell out of her hands. Umme Salmah came running. "What is it, Sugra?". Sugra was shaking with fear. She ran into the arms of Umme Salmah. "O grand-mother!" she cried, pointing at the cup, "As I lifted the cup to my mouth, I saw Ali Asghar's reflection in the water. I saw him spread out his little arms towards me. And then I heard him speak. He was saying, 'Al atash, Ya Ukhti Fatimah." (I am thirsty, O my sister Fatimaah!!.) This was the night of 9th Muharram, Shab-e-Ashura!!