(Muhammad Taha al-Junayd - Surah Ar-Rahman)
Rukeya bint Husayn, popularly known as, Sakīnah bint Husayn was the youngest daughter of Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alī and Rubab (the daughter of the chief of the Kinda Imra al-Qays tribe). Ḥusayn is the second grandson of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad and is also a revered figure to Shī‘ah Muslims, who regard him as the third Imām.
Sakīnah was born on 20 Rajab, 56 AH. Her titles includes Sakīnah, Ruqayyah, Ma‘sūmah, Aatika, Kulthūm, and Zaynab. Her early years were said to have been spent in Medina. Her brothers included Ali ibn Husayn, Ali al-Akbar ibn Husayn, Ali Asghar ibn Husayn. Her sisters included Fāṭimah aṣ-Ṣughrá and Fāṭimah al-Kubrá.
According to Shī‘ah Muslims, she accompanied her father when he traveled from Mecca to Kufa, now known as Iraq, to oppose the illegitimate succession of Yazid ibn Muawiya of the caliphate following the death of the Muawiya I. Husayn was intercepted by the troops of Yazid I, which eventually led to the unfortunate occurrence of the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. The women and children of the party, including Sakinah along with her aunts, Zaynab bint Ali and Umm Kulthum bint Ali, were captured and force-marched to the court of Yazid I in Damascus, where they were held in prison.
Sakīnah bint Husayn was the youngest daughter of Hussain ibn Ali. Sakīnah is a derivative of “Sakoon” meaning “Peace”. Hussain ibn Ali used to pray for a daughter in his night prayers, a daughter who would give him peace, and Allah granted him his wish and blessed him with Sakīnah.
Sakīnah was the most beloved daughter of Hussain ibn Ali and used to sleep on his chest every night. She was a lively child, full of love, and happiness. Being the daughter of the third Imam, she was different from other children of her age in many ways. She was very religious and enjoyed reading the Holy Quran 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.
Hussain ibn Ali was often heard saying, “A house without Sakīnah would not be worth living in”, Sakīnah always had a sweet and cheerful smile and a very friendly nature, and therefore, everyone just adored her. Other children sought her company as much as the grownups did. She was very generous and always shared whatever she had with others.
Like any other four-to-five year old, when Sakīnah went to bed at night she wanted to spend some time with her father. Hussain ibn Ali would tell her stories of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad and of the battles fought by her grandfather Ali ibn Abi Talib. She would rest her head on her father’s chest and Hussain ibn Ali would not move from her until she fell asleep.
There was a special bond between Sakīnah and her paternal uncle, Abbas ibn Ali. He loved her more than he did his own children. If Sakīnah requested for anything, Abbas ibn Ali would not rest until he fulfilled her request. There was nothing that Abbas ibn Ali would not do to make Sakīnah happy. During the journey from Medina to Mecca and then Mecca to Karbala, Abbas ibn Ali was often seen riding up to the mehmil (a special saddle made for women) in which Sakīnah sat to make sure that she had everything she wanted. Sakīnah loved her uncle just as much. While in Medina, she would several times a day, visit the house in which Abbas ibn Ali lived with his family and his mother, Ummul Banin.
On the 2nd of Muharram, the army of Yazid ibn Muawiya began to gather at Karbala, Hussain ibn Ali said to his sister Zaynab bint Ali, “The time has come for you to get Sakīnah used to going to sleep without me”. Sakīnah would follow her father at night and Hussain ibn Ali had to gently take her to Zaynab bint Ali or Rubab.
On the 7th of Muharram, by the order of Yazid ibn Muawiya, the army didn’t let Hussain ibn Ali get water from the Euphrates. The water became scarce in the camp of Hussain ibn Ali, Sakīnah shared whatever little water she had with other children. When soon there was no water at all, the thirsty children would look at Sakīnah with their eyes full of hope, and because she could not help them she would have tears in her eyes. The situation got so worse that Sakīnah’s lips were parched with thirst.
Several times Abbas ibn Ali asked Hussain ibn Ali for permission to go and fight the army of Yazid. Every time Hussain ibn Ali would reply, “Abbas, you are the captain of my army; you are my Alamdaar, (the standard bearer)”. Abbas ibn Ali would never argue with Hussain ibn Ali and because of that reason he would stop trying to gain permission to engage in fight with the army of Yazid.
But soon, Sakīnah came out holding a dried up mashk (water-bag), leading 42 other children, each holding a dry water-bag. The children were shouting as if in chorus, Al Atash, Ya Ammahu (I am thirsty, O my uncle Abbas!). She walked up to Abbas ibn Ali and told him that the children had all come to her asking for water. He could see that thirst, aggravated by the scorching heat of the desert, was squeezing their young lives out of them. Abbas ibn Ali went to Hussain ibn Ali and requested his permission to go and get water for Sakīnah and the other children. Hussain ibn Ali rejected his request; once again, by saying to him that he is his army’s commander and because of that he cannot go and fight. Abbas ibn Ali used Sakīnah request to gain Hussain ibn Ali’s permission, and Hussain ibn Ali agreed. Abbas put Sakīnah’s mashk on the Alam (Flag), mounted his horse and rode up to Hussain ibn Ali.
Abbas ibn Ali said, “I have come to say goodbye”. Hussain ibn Ali said, “My brother, come and embrace me”. Abbas ibn Ali dismounted his horse. There were tears in the eyes of the third Imam. As Abbas ibn Ali prepared to mount his horse, Hussain ibn Ali said, “My brother, I want a gift from you. I want your sword”. Abbas ibn Ali, without uttering a word, gave his sword to Hussain ibn Ali and rode into the battlefield, armed only with a spear and holding the Alam. Abbas ibn Ali was very well known for his valor and bravery; it is strongly believed that the Yazid’s army was very sacred of Abbas’ presence in Karbala. Hussain ibn Ali took away Abbas’ sword because his intentions weren’t to fight but to save the religion of his grandfather, the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which Yazid was corrupting. Each action of Hussain ibn Ali verified that he was not out there to fight.
When Abbas ibn Ali went to get the water, the children gathered around Sakīnah with their little cups, knowing that as soon as Abbas ibn Ali would bring water, Sakīnah would first make sure that they had some before taking any herself. Sakīnah was standing next to Hussain ibn Ali, also with her eyes fixed on the Alam of Abbas ibn Ali. Abbas reached the river bank fighting Yazid’s men trying to block his way, killing anyone with his spear that tried to stop his progress. Abbas’ bravery was well known among the Arabs and the Yazid’s troops started to flee in different directions. As he bent down to fill the mashk, the Alam disappeared from sight. Sakīnah was frightened and looked at her father. Hussain ibn Ali said, Sakīnah, your uncle Abbas is at the river bank. Sakīnah smiled and said, Alhamdulillah (all praise is for Allah), and called out all the children to welcome Abbas.
With the water-bag filled, Abbas ibn Ali wanted to get the water to the anxiously waiting children as quickly as possible. Seeing him gallop towards the camp of Hussain ibn Ali, Umar ibn Sa’ad shouted from the enemy ranks that if even a single drop of water reaches Hussain’s camp, it would be impossible to fight them on the battlefield. When arrows were coming from all sides, Abbas had only one thought in his mind, how to protect the water-bag than his life. Abbas ibn Ali lost both his arms during the attack, trying to save the water-bag. The Alam fell onto the ground. Sakīnah could not see it any longer. She looked at Hussain ibn Ali, but he turned his face away. Sakīnah began to tremble with fear and her eyes filled with tears. She raised her hands and prayed, “Ya Allah! Do not let them kill my uncle Abbas, I will not ask for water again and ran inside the tent to her mother”.
Then came the time when the earth shook and Sakīnah became an orphan. The tyrannical forces of Yazid came to the tents. They looted all the belongings of Hussain ibn Ali and his supporters. They even snatched away the hijab of the ladies. Shimr, the most evil of Yazid’s men, came too. Sakīnah was crying for her father. Instead of comforting words, Shimr slapped Sakīnah’s face and pulled off earrings from her ears. Blood poured from little Sakīnah’s ears. Surely they would stop now. But they did not. One-by-one they set fire to the tents. The helpless ladies and children ran from one tent to another. Sakīnah’s dress was on fire, her ears were bleeding. All Sakīnah wanted was her dear father.
She ran to the battlefield screaming: “Father, where are you? Father, father, speak to me father.” As the night descended, since Ali ibn Hussain, was unconscious due to his illness, Zaynab bint Ali, the daughter of Ali ibn Abi Talib, took it on herself to protect the ladies and children. She gathered all the ladies and children, in to one small space in between the gutted tents. Ali ibn Hussain lay on the ground surrounded by these widows and orphans. There was no fire, no light. Only the moon cast its dull light. After a little while, Zaynab bint Ali noticed that Sakīnah was missing. She asked Rubab, but even she did not know where Sakīnah was. The two holy ladies panicked and ran out of the tents looking for her.
The two ladies searched everywhere for the young girl but in vain. Finally, in desperation, Zaynab bint Ali went to the place where the body of her brother Hussain ibn Ali lay and cried, “O my brother, Sakīnah, who you left in my care, is nowhere to be found. Where shall I look for her in this wilderness?” Just then, the moon came out from behind a cloud and Zaynab bint Ali saw Sakīnah laid on her father, sleeping on his chest like she always used to.
She shook the child awake and said, Oh, Sakīnah! How did you recognize your father? A person can be recognized by their face or the clothes they wear. Your father has neither. Sakīnah replied innocently, I wanted to tell my father about what the people had done to me. I wanted to tell him how Shimr had robbed the earrings that my father had so lovingly given me. I wanted to tell him how he had ripped them from my ears leaving my earlobes torn and bleeding. I wanted to tell him how the beast had mercilessly slapped me when I cried in pain. When I was running aimlessly in the desert I thought I heard my father’s voice telling me he was here. I followed the voice and I found him lying here. I told him everything and then I felt like sleeping on his chest the way I always did, for the last time. So I kept my head on his chest and slept till you came.
Umar ibn Sa’ad asked Hurr’s widow to take some food and water to the ladies and the children. As she neared to where they were resting, Zaynab bint Ali recognized her. She stood up, went towards Hurr’s widow and offered her condolences for the martyrdom of Hurr. This gesture on the part of Zaynab bint Ali, who had suffered so much, lost so many, and carrying so much grief in her heart, is a lesson in real Islamic manners which the world should never be allowed to forget.
Sakīnah took the jug of water. She went to Sakīnah who had fallen into a fretful sleep. Gently she stroked the Sakīnah’s uncombed hair. Sakīnah opened her eyes. Zaynab bint Ali said, “Here is some water Sakīnah, please drink a little. You have been thirsty for so long. On hearing the word “water” Sakīnah cried out hopefully, has my uncle Abbas come back? When she was told that Hurr’s widow had brought the water, she got up, went to Hurr’s widow, thanked her and then asked Zaynab bint Ali, Have you all drank water? Zaynab bint Ali shook her head. Sakīnah asked, why then do you ask me to drink water? Zaynab bint Ali said, because, my dear, you are the youngest”. Sakīnah replied, no, Asghar is the youngest.
The next day, the caravan of the unfortunate was made to start traveling towards Kufa. Ali ibn Hussain, regardless of being fatally ill, was bound in heavy chains and forced to walk barefooted as the Ladies, including the granddaughters of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, were forced to sit on bare backs of the camels and with their necks and hands tied tightly in ropes. The caravan suffered the tortures of the journey and when they reached Kufa they were forced to march through public roads and through the streets of Kufa. Suddenly the camel on Sakīnah and the Zaynab bint Ali were seated, stopped near a house. Zaynab bint Ali eyes fell on Sakīnah and immediately knew that she had something to say. She asked her and Sakīnah answered, I want to ask you for something, I know my dear aunt, that at this moment it is impossible for you to fulfill it. When Zaynab bint Ali insisted, Sakīnah replied, O my dear aunt my throat is so dry I do not think I can endure my thirst anymore. Sakīnah’s words were heard by the women who were on the top of the houses so that they could see the holy caravan march clearly. Among these women, a goodhearted lady immediately got up from the crowd and rushed home to bring water for Sakīnah.
But when she came near the camel and near Zaynab bint Ali she asked for a favor in return and said to Zaynab bint Ali that when this thirsty child has tasted this water I want her to pray for me. On hearing this Zaynab bint Ali prevented Sakīnah from tasting the water and said to her, Dear Sakīnah, first fulfill this lady’s request. Zaynab bint Ali asked the lady what Sakīnah should pray for and she answered that, My first wish is that may my children never be orphans like you, please pray for me oh my dear child, I see that you are an orphan and I am aware of that God always listens to the prayer of an orphan. Sakīnah raised her little hands and prayed for the lady.
Then Zaynab bint Ali asked her about her second wish? The lady answered, my second desire is that I wish to visit Medina, please pray for me that God will give me the opportunity to visit the holy city. On hearing the name of Medina, Zaynab bint Ali asked the lady why she wanted to go to Medina. She answered, because it is my wish to visit the Islamic prophet Muhammad’s grave and I would also like to meet Fatima bint Muhammad. Zaynab bint Ali replied, but don’t you know Fatima bint Muhammad is no longer alive? So what, the lady said, I have also served her daughters: Zaynab bint Ali and Umm Kulthum bint Ali. I will go to Medina to have my last chance to have the honor to meet them. Now Zaynab bint Ali asked her one final question.
Dear Moomina (believer), if you would see Zaynab bint Ali would you recognize her? She immediately answered, Of course I would. Zaynab bint Ali removed her hair from the face and cried, Then your prayer has been answered, behold Umm-e-Habiba, it’s me Zaynab bint Ali, then why don’t you recognize me, don’t you recognize us all?
Umm-e-Habiba began to cry and said, Oh God, what crime have they committed so that they are being tortured this brutally? Zaynab bint Ali continued, we are the children of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, your third Imam Hussain ibn Ali has been martyred along with his devotees and left unburied on the burning sand in Karbala, their heads have been taken and raised on the lances. Look ahead Umm-e-Habiba, Hussain ibn Ali’s head is in front of you, the head which lips are reciting the holy Quran.
From Kufa, the next phase of the journey started for the family member of Hussain ibn Ali, as prisoners. This journey was to take them to Damascus, in Syria, which was the capital of Yazid. Sakīnah was tied, with a rope, on a bare camel. At one point in the journey, Sakīnah fell from her camel. The caravan didn’t stop. No one, apart from her family members, noticed the fall of Sakīnah. After this incidence, the wretched army changed the formation of the holy prisoners. Ali ibn Hussain, was already tied with chains in his neck and feet, the wretched army tied his son, Muhammad al-Baqir, on Ali ibn Hussain’s back and then the same rope was tied on his sister, Sakīnah’s neck, so that Ali ibn Hussain could not stand straight. If he did stand straight, the rope used to get tight and strangle Sakīnah.
Even at these times of hardship and misery, Sakīnah always thought of the others first. She would console her mother on the death of Ali Asghar and when she saw any other lady or child weeping Sakīnah would put her little arms around her. In those days, it used to take thirty two days, on a camel, to reach Damascus, but the family members of Hussain ibn Ali were taken in such a way that it only took them sixteen days to reach Damascus.
After the tragedy of Karbala, sixteen days of suffering the miseries, the tortures and calamities for the Ahl al-Bayt, they reached Damascus. When Yazid heard the news of the caravan reaching the outskirts of Damascus, he ordered them to stop, while he and the people of Damascus prepared for celebrations and jubilations. This caravan of holy prisoners was made to wait outside Damascus for four days.
Someone asked Ali ibn Hussain, after they were released from the dungeons of Syria, as to what was the hardest part in that whole period, and Ali ibn Hussain replied that the hardest part was the time when the Ahl al-Bayt was made to stop outside Damascus for four days. They were treated like animals, with their hands tied; and no food or water was given.
One night in the dungeons, Sakīnah was asleep and she suddenly woke up crying and started to look for her father everywhere. All the ladies tried to console her so she would stop crying but she didn’t get any peace and continued crying, O my dear aunt, where is my father, a few minutes ago I was with my father and he kissed me and said to me that my dear Sakīnah you will soon be with me. But where is my father now? When Sakīnah told her dream, all the ladies started to cry and now this noise of crying was heard by Yazid at his court. Yazid sent a servant to ask why Sakīnah was crying. The servant was informed that Sakīnah missed her father and that is why she was crying. They informed Yazid of the situation, and Yazid, for his sadistic pleasure, sent the severed head of Hussain ibn Ali to the prison and when Sakīnah received the head of her father she started to cry even more and held it very tight and asked her father, who cut off my father’s head, who martyred my father, why are we held as captives?
With these words of sorrow suddenly Sakīnah was quiet and there was a silence in the cell. Everyone thought that Sakīnah had finally gone to sleep again but this was not a temporary sleep, Sakīnah had now gone into a permanent sleep to meet her holy father. Zaynab bint Ali summoned Ali ibn Hussain to check the status of Sakīnah as they thought she had fallen unconscious. When Ali ibn Hussain went over to check on Sakīnah, he noticed she had stopped breathing. All the ladies were crying standing around Sakīnah.
Sakīnah was buried in the same dungeon. Zaynab bint Ali held the still child as Ali ibn Hussain dug a grave for her sister in the dungeon. Sakīnah’s clothes were burnt in Karbala, and due to injuries, had intermingled with her flesh. Therefore, she was buried in the same burnt, ripped clothes right there in the Dungeon of Syria. As the grave was being filled up after the burial the mother let out a scream. All the ladies huddled around her, and the prison walls began to shake with the cry, “Ya Sakīnah, Ya Mazloomah (O Sakina! O Oppressed one!)”. When the time came and they were released from the prison, Rubaab came to the grave of her beloved daughter, placing her cheek on Sakīnah’s grave and cried out, Speak to me Sakīnah. Only a word, my child, speak to me.
Sakīnah’s body was removed from its original burial place, dungeon of Syria, some centuries later, when a pious man of Damascus was informed in his dream that water was pouring into the grave of Sakīnah. Upon confirmation that ground water was actually entering the grave, Sakīnah’s body was buried in a new shrine near Yazid’s palace, where she rests today. Her body was in the condition that if she had been buried the same day.
Sakīnah suffered from fatigue and thirst on the forced march to Damascus, and later from cold and starvation in Yazid’s dungeon. She then became fatally ill after her jailers brought her father’s severed head to her.
