Holy Shrine of Bibi Sakina at Damascus.
Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
Azadar world is mourning the martyrdom of Bibi Sakina these days. It is
believed that she attained martyrdom in the dungeon of Damascus on a day between 3rd
and 13th Safar (Second Islamic Month).In Indian sub-continent the
martyrdom of the youngest daughter of Imam Hussain is mostly recalled on 10th
or 13th Safar. Glowing tributes are paid to four year old ‘Hashmite
Princes’ through Tabut Procession and Majalis-e-Aza.Wail and
lamentations mark such occasions as her persecution and hardships in
captivity are recalled. Despite young age, her personality shines like a
star among the victims of Karbala. Her life symbolizes that age has nothing to
do with maturity. Even lively, happy and smiling children can behave maturely
in most trying circumstances provided they grow under the guidance and
influence of Hussaini environment.
Every azadar knows
how Imam Hussain had prayed for a daughter at night prayers. He longed for a
daughter who could offer him peace. Allah blessed him with a daughter and he
named her Sakina- a derivative of ‘Sakoon’ that means peace. Imam loved her much and was often heard saying “A house without Sakina won’t be worth living “.She
always had a sweet and cheerful smile and everyone loved her friendly and
generous nature. But Bibi Sakina was different from other children of her age in
many ways. She enjoyed reading the Holy Quran and never missed her prayers. She
ensured that her head and face were duly covered when in public.She used to sleep on the chest of her father and
Imam Hussain used to tell her stories of the Prophets and of the battles fought
by her grandfather Imam Ali. It was this training that made her well-acquainted
with the advent and principles of Islam and
how to remain steadfast in adversity and oppression.
Bibi Sakina also
had an emotional bond for her uncle, Hazrat Abbas-the standard bearer of Imam
Hussain.He too loved her more than his own children. If she ever requested for
anything, Hazrat Abbas would not rest
until he fulfilled her request. On 10th Muharram,
when the children in Hussaini camp cried
‘ Al-Atash Al-Atash’ (Oh Thirst Oh Thirst),it was Bibi Sakina who urged her uncle with the an empty Mashk (Skinned Water
Bag) to fetch some water for them. Abbas with the permission of Imam went to
battle-field, Captured Euphrates, filled the bag with water but could not
fulfill the desire of her niece as enemies martyred him after severing his both
hands. Yet Hazrat Abbas did not allow Alam(standard) and Mashk to separate from
each other
After Ashura, Bibi
Sakina faced persecution in prison. The separation from father, looting of
camps on Sham-e-Ghariban, snatching of her ear-rings and slaps of Shimr(LA)
snatched her smile forever. Knowing that her tears perturb her mother
Janab-e-Rabab, she used to weep quietly in isolation. Whenever she saw birds returning to their nests, she always questioned “ Will
I ever be able to go back home? Janab Noor Ali S Merchant in his poem ‘Sorrows and Sufferings’ has narrated the tragic circumstances leading to her martyrdom:
’’Sakina, woke with a shriek, in the
dead of the night
She had seen her father's heavenly
soothing light
"O' Sakina, you have suffered
enough, come with me
the days of your sufferings are over;
O' where is he?"
It was just a dream, what a
disappointment!
It was not a reality, to her
bewilderment
Her uncontrollable lamentations,
gathered a crowd
The ladies also lost control and wailed
aloud.
Hearing the wails, Yazid sent slaves to
inquire
Pacing up and down, he had not yet
retired
On knowing the cause, his crooked mind
strived
A devilish scheme, he soon
mischievously contrived.
Yazid's men entered with a covered
tray,
"I do not want food, please take
it away
I want my father; promises he did give
Without taking me, why did he
leave?"
They removed the cloth; Sakina beheld
the face
Even in death, it was full of heavenly
grace
With a cry, she flung herself on the
wooden tray
Hugging to her heart, she snatched the
face away.
Inconsolably, she bent down over the
head
Putting, her cheeks, against that of
her dad
Within a few moments, her sobbing had
stopped
Her mortal remains, she had quietly
dropped.
"How long will you lie on your
father's head?"
Zainab touched her hand; she was
shockingly dead
Sakina had gone with her father, never
to return
Husain had kept his promise, as he had
always done!”
The poem highlights not only bond of Bibi
Sakina with Imam Hussain but also reveals the wickedness of Yazid (LA) towards an innocent child at a time when she was crying for her beloved father. Atrocious persons like Yazid(LA) are still perpetrating crime against children. They are being killed, maimed, criminally assaulted and being
recruited to serve the interest of outfits like Islamic State.The current
scenario calls for remembering Bibi Sakina and her persecution every day.Such move will propel organizations like UNICEF to work more seriously for protecting children from oppression. As of now world seems to be shockingly indifferent to plight of children in a number of countries.Such an attitude surely is not the proper way of remembering Bibi Sakina. (References available on request.Photo Courtesy-Google Image)
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