About Bibi Sakina (asws): 

 Bibi Sakina (asws) (also known as Bibi Ruqayya - asws) was the youngest daughter of Imam Hussain (asws). Sakina is a derivative of "Sakoon" meaning "Peace".

Imam Hussain (asws) was often heard saying, "A house without Sakina (asws) would not be worth living in".

 When from the 2nd of Muharram the armies of Yazid bin Muaweyah(L.A) began to gather at Kerbala, Imam Hussain (asws) said to his sister Bibi Zainab (asws), "The time has come for you to get Sakina used to going to sleep without my being there".

When Bibi Sakina (asws) saw Imam Hussain (asws) bringing the blood drenched Alam (Flag) she knew that her uncle Abbas (asws) had been martyred.

When bibi Sakina (asws) cried for her father, instead of comforting words, Shimr (L.A) slapped bibi Sakina(asws)'s face and pulled off earrings from her ears. Blood poured from bibi Sakina(asws)'s ears. Surely they would stop now. But they did not. One-by-one they set fire to the tents. All Sakina wanted was her dear father (Imam Hussain - asws).

On the night of Ashura (also known as Sham e Ghreeban), when Imam Hussain (asws) and his companions were lying headless in the battlefield, back in the tents, Bibi Zainab (asws) was gathering all the children and the ladies together. She noticed that bibi Sakina (asws) was missing.

 She asked Bibi Rubab (asws), but even she did not know where Bibi Sakina (asws) was. The two masoomas ran out of the tents looking for her.

The two masoomas searched everywhere for bibi Sakina(asws). Finally, in desperation, Bibi Zainab (asws) went to the place where the body of her brother Imam Hussain (asws) lay and cried, "O my brother, Sakina, 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 Bibi Zainab (asws) saw that bibi Sakina (asws) lay on her father, sleeping on his chest like she always used to.

She shook the child awake and said, Oh, Sakina! How did you recognize your father? A person can be recognized by their face or the clothes they wear. Your father has neither. Bibi Sakina (asws) replied innocently, I wanted to tell my father about what the people had done to me.

 I wanted to tell him how Shimr (la) 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.

Hazrat Hur (as)'s widow took some food and water to the ladies and the children. As she neared to where they were resting, Bibi Zainab (asws) recognized her. She stood up, went towards Hur (a.s)'s widow and offered her condolences for the martyrdom of Hur (a.s).

This gesture on the part of Bibi Zainab (asws), who had suffered so much, lost so many, and carrying so much grief in her heart, is something that the world should never forget.

Hur bin Reyahi (a.s) was a general in Yazid(l.a)'s army but left the Satanic camp and joined Imam Hussain (asws). Hur (a.s) had realised and accepted the holy status of the Prophet's grandson.

Bibi Zainab (asws) took the jug of water. She went to Sakina (asws) who had fallen asleep. Gently she stroked bibi Sakina (asws)'s uncombed hair. Bibi Sakina (asws) opened her eyes. Bibi Zainab (asws) said, "Here is some water Sakina, please drink a little. You have been thirsty for so long. On hearing the word 'water' Sakina cried out aloud, has my uncle Abbas come back?

When she was told that Hur's widow had brought the water, she got up, went to Hur(a.s)'s widow, thanked her and then asked Bibi Zainab (asws), Have you all drank water? Bibi Zainab (asws) shook her head.

Bibi Sakina (asws) asked, why then do you ask me to drink water? Bibi Zainab (asws) said, because, my dear, you are the youngest". Bibi Sakina (asws) replied, no, Asghar is the youngest. Bibi Sakina (asws) took the jug of water, ran towards where Asghar (asws) lay buried, crying O Asghar, O Asghar.

Ali Asghar (asws) was Bibi Sakina's (asws) younger brother. The Yazidees (la) martyred the six-month-old masoom with an arrow when Imam Hussain (asws) requested them to give him some water as he was dying of thirst.

  The night of sham-e-gareeba had come all the lights had gone they had lost everything. Their men and children had been martyred. In this desolate desert the fourth Imam, Imam Zain-ul Abideen (asws), the women and the remaining children are huddled where only a few hours earlier stood their camps that have now been burnt. Mola abbas (asws),Shehzada Qasim (asws) and Shehzada Ali Akbar (asws) were all guarding the camps.

 The daughters of Imam Ali (asws) and Bibi Fatima-tuz-zahra (asws), Bibi Zainab (asws) and Bibi umme Kulsoom (asws), are awake to make sure that Imam Zain-ul Abideen (asws) and the children were not attacked.

The next day, the caravan was made to start traveling towards Kufa. Imam Zain-ul Abideen (asws), was bound in heavy chains and forced to walk barefooted as the Ladies, including the grand-daughters of the Prophet (pbuh), 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 without any parda or hijab.

Suddenly the camel on which the holy daughter of Imam Hussain (asws), Bibi Sakina (asws) and the holy sister of Imam Hussain (asws) , Bibi Zainab (asws) were seated, stopped near a house. Bibi Zainab's (asws) eyes fell on Bibi Sakina (asws) and immediately knew that she had something to say.

She asked her and Bibi Sakina (asws) answered, I am about to say something, I know my dear aunt, that at this moment it is impossible for you to fulfill it. When Bibi Zainab (asws) insisted, Bibi Sakina replied, O my dear aunt my throat is so dry I do not think I can endure my thirst anymore.

Bibi Sakina'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 Bibi Sakina (asws).

But when she came near the camel and near Bibi Zainab (asws) she asked for a favour in return and said to Bibi Zainab (asws) that when this thirsty child has tasted this water I want her to pray for me. On hearing this Bibi Zainab (asws) prevented Bibi Sakina (asws) from tasting the water and said to her, Dear Sakina, first fulfill this lady's request.

Bibi Zainab (asws) asked the lady what Bibi Sakina (asws) should pray for and she answered that, My first wish is that may my children never be orphan, 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. Bibi Sakina (asws) raised her hands and prayed for the lady.

Then Bibi Zainab (asws) asked her about her second wish? The lady answered, My second desire is that I wish to visit Madina, please pray for me that God will give me the opportunity to visit the holy city. On hearing the name of Madina, Bibi Zainab (asws) asked the lady why she wanted to go to Madina.

She answered, Because it is my wish to visit the Holy prophet's (pbuh) zarih and I would also like to meet my holy lady Bibi Fatima-tuz-zahra (asws). Bibi Zainab (asws) replied, But don't you know Bibi Fatima-tuz-zahra (asws) is no longer there? So what, the lady said, I have also served her holy daughters Bibi Zainab (asws) and Bibi Umm-e Kulsoom (asws).

 I will go to Madina to have my last chance to have the honour to meet them. Now Bibi Zainab (asws) asked her one final question.

Dear Momina, if you would see your lady Zainab (asws) would you recognize her? She immediately answered, Of course I would. Bibi Zainab (asws) removed her hair from the face and cried, Then your prayer has been answered,Umm-e Habiba, it's me Zainab (asws), 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? Bibi Zainab (asws) continued, We are the children of the Holy prophet (pbuh), your master Imam Hussain (asws) 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, your master's head is in front of you, the head which lips are reciting the holy Quran.

From the time when Imam Hussain (asws) fell in the battle field, Sakina forgot to smile. Kufa saw her as a From Kufa, the next phase of the journey started for the masoom (asws). This journey was to take them to Damascus, in Syria.

Bibi Sakina (asws) was tied, with a rope, on a bare camel. At one point in the journey, Bibi Sakina (asws) fell from her camel. The caravan didn't stop. No one, apart from the masoom (asws), noticed the fall of this masoom (asws). sober masoom lost in thought.

Quite often she would sit up at night. When asked if she wanted anything, she would say, "I just heard a baby cry? Is it my brother Asghar (asws)? He must be calling out for me.

After this incidence, the wretched army changed the formation of the masoom (asws). Imam Zain-ul Abideen (asws), was already tied with chains.

The wretched army tied his son, Imam Mohammed Baqir (asws)- the fifth Imam, on Imam Zain-ul Abideen's (asws) back and then the same rope was tied on his sister, Bibi Sakina's (asws) neck, so that Imam Zain-ul Abideen (asws) could not stand straight.

 If he did stand straight, the rope used to get tight and strangle Bibi Sakina (asws).

Even at these times of hardship and misery, Imam Hussain's daughter always thought of the others first. She would console her mother on the martyrdom of shehzada Ali Asghar (asws) and when she saw any other lady or child weeping Bibi Sakina (asws) would put her arms around her.

After the tragedy of Kerbala, so many days of suffering the miseries, the tortures and calamities for the Ahl-e-Bait - Prophet's family (asws), they reached Damascus.

 When Yazid (l.a) 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 masoom (asws) was made to wait out side Damascus for four days.

Then they are asked to enter the city, the holy ladies (asws) were forced to pass through the bazaar with out their hijab (veils), while the locals were cheering and singing, finally they reached the court of Yazid (L.A).

The holy family of Imam Hussain (asws) was now facing Yazid (L.A). They were acting with patience on his actions. Every lady, every child was standing in front of Yazid (L.A) tied in ropes and with no veils and Imam Zain-ul Abideen (asws) bound in heavy chains.

The shocking scene is that the evil Yazid (L.A) is drinking wine and in front of him in a tray is the severed head of Imam Hussain (A.S) and Yazid (L.A) is hitting the mouth and teeth of the holy Imam with a stick.

Suddenly Yazid's eyes fell on the four year old masoom who was standing with her one hand on her face and the other hand on her neck. Yazid (L.A) asks his men who this child is and gets the answer that this is the most beloved daughter of Imam

Hussain (asws), bibi Sakina (asws), and it is known that Bibi Sakina (asws) never fell to sleep until she laid her head on her father's chest. Is that true? Yazid (L.A) said and ordered to talk to her and when Bibi Sakina (asws) approached Yazid (L.A), he wanted to test this love of her father Imam Hussain (asws) in front of hundreds of courtiers.

Yazid (L.A) said to Bibi Sakina (asws), if that is true what I have just heard then try to call upon your father and we'll see if your father's head will come to your lap.

Bibi Sakina (asws) raised her hands and prayed to God and then turned herself towards the head of her holy father (asws) and said with tears flowing from her eyes, O my dear father please come to your daughter. This evil Yazid is putting our love to the test.

At once the head of Imam Hussain (asws) rose from the tray and came to Bibi Sakina (asws) who started to kiss her father's holy head and rubbed her face to her father's face.

While in the court, Yazid (l.a) tried to humiliate the Ahl-e-bait (asws), but every time, he would get humiliated him self. At this time, one soul who was one of Yazid's (L.A) servant, to please Yazid (L.A), came up with an idea, and asked Yazid (L.A) to give bibi sakina (asws) to him, so he could have her (asws) as his slave. This enraged the daughter of Imam Ali (asws), Bibi Zainab (asws).  

Hearing this, the people present at court got shocked, and Yazid (L.A) sensing that people might get angry and a revolt might take place, said no to the servant's request. Meanwhile, Hind, Yazid's (L.A) wife, who had been a servant of Bibi Zaynab (asws), was passing from that area.

She heard the voice of Bibi Zainab (asws), and rushed towards the court. She entered the court without her veil in a frenzied style.

 Yazid (L.A), who knew that his wife Hind was very devoted towards Ahl-e-Bait (asws), quickly ordered the court to be adjourned, and the Holy Ahl-e-Bait (asws) be taken to the prison. Yazid (L.A) calmed his wife by telling her that it was a group of rebels and not Ahl-e-Bait (asws).

Yazid's (L.A) servants, by the order of their master, placed the holy masoom (asws) in a dark and unclean prison room. After being released, when Imam Zain-ul Abideen (asws) reached Madina, people asked him about this jail room. Imam (asws) said, It was a very old and an unclean house, even the ceiling had fallen down.

And since it had no ceiling, the holy Ahl-e-Bait (asws) were unwrapped to the heat and cold.

After so many trials and humiliations with the Ahl-e-Bait (asws), Yazid (asws) continued with his terror and then put the Ahl-e-Bait (asws) in prison in a dark underground cell and gave them so little food that was barely enough for every one. In this prison bibi Sakina (asws) had troubles to go to sleep every night as she missed her father Imam Hussain (asws).

Bibi Zainab (asws) used to try to console Bibi Sakina (asws) that she should soon meet her father and with these words tried to make her go to sleep. 

Knowing that her weeping upsets her mother, Bibi Sakina (asws) would cry silently and quickly wipe away her tears. One night Bibi Sakina (asws) was asleep and she suddenly woke up crying and started to look for her father everywhere.

All the Holy 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 Sakina you will soon be with me. But where is my father now??'

When Bibi Sakina (asws) told her dream, all the holy ladies (asws) started to cry and now this noise of crying was heard by Yazid (L.A) at his court. Yazid (L.A) sent a servant to ask why bibi sakina (asws) was crying. The servant was informed that Bibi Sakina (asws) missed her father and that is why she was crying.

They informed Yazid (L.A) of the situation, and Yazid (L.A), for his sadistic pleasure, sent the severed head of Imam Hussain (asws) to the prison and when Bibi Sakina (asws) 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 Bibi Sakina (asws) was quiet and there was a silence in the cell. Everyone thought that Bibi Sakina (asws) had finally gone to sleep again but this was not a temporary sleep, Bibi Sakina (asws) had now gone into a permanent sleep to meet her holy father.

Bibi Zainab (asws) summoned Imam Zain-ul Abideen (asws) to check the status of Sakina as they thought she had fallen unconscious.

When the Imam (asws) went over to check on his sister (asws), he noticed she had stopped breathing. All the Bibi's (asws) were crying standing around Bibi Sakina (asws).