One of the questions regarding the story of Karbala is why did Imam Husain take his family to Karbala, knowing he along with his companions would all be martyred; knowing his wife, sister, daughters and other girls and ladies would be taken as captives?
In general, when we go for a trip we usually don`t take our family with us, especially young children and babies, if we are expecting some difficulties.
The question then arises as to why did the Imam take his family with him?
To answer this question, I`m going to demonstrate as long as the time permits, some of the roles ladies played in the story of Karbala.
The Role of Women in the Islamic History
The Holy Quran demonstrates the highest status for women when it comes to Islamic history. The smallest, yet the most profound Surah in the Quran is revealed in regards to the only remaining daughter of the Prophet. The Holy Quran has granted Lady Fatima a unique title never found anywhere else in the Quran, i.e.: Al-Kauthar meaning ‘Abundant Blessing`.
In the world that woman was considered to be devilish and the origin of all human sins to the extent that having a baby girl was a shame, the Holy Quran entitles the only daughter of the last Messenger of God ‘The Abundant Blessing`. The first two Muslims are Ali and Khadija, one a male and the other a female. The first martyr in Islam is a female, Somayyah.
Our Imams had so many female students who were participating in their lectures. The difference between them and today`s female students was they did not have to go to school with short skirts! They segregated between the culture of nakedness and education.
The woman of Islam is social, professional as well as chaste and honorable. She never sells her body with the excuse of education, profession and social careers.
Lady Fatima was only 18 years old when she delivered her very impressive lecture after the passing away of her father in Madina Mosque. She had been addressing more than one thousand Muslims, male and female, for an hour yet she never showed herself to any male. You want my knowledge, fair enough, what have you got to do with my body?
Karbala, a Male-Female History
Adopting the same Islamic methodology, Imam Husain`s family accompanied him to Karbala. For, in such a great event of early Islam, like many others, both men and women need to play their role.
If Imam Husain was the Master of the Martyrs of Karbala, Zaynab also was the Master of the Messengers of Karbala.
If Imam Husain and his companions struggled against the tyrannical regime of Yazid with their swords, Zaynab and other ladies fulfilled that struggle with their tongues.
If Imam Husain and his companions revived Islam with their blood, Zaynab and other ladies also carried out that message with their speeches.
In fact, without them accompanying Imam Husain, who would have narrated the true picture of Karbala ?!
Sakina, the Daughter of Imam Husain
As unfortunately, there are so many controversies going around regarding the life of Lady Sakina, I decided to put an end to my speech with a few words about her life.
Her Name
The term Sakina comes from dignity and hence Sakina means a dignified girl. There is a common mistake among Arabic speaking people who pronounce her name ‘Sokayna`. As Sokayna is a small form of Sakina I suppose it is more appropriate to pronounce her name Sakina not Sokayna.
Her Age
Historically speaking, in Karbala she had been around 11 years old. According to Tabari, Ibn Khallekan, Ibn Athir and many other historians she died in the year 117 A.H.3 Therefore, she has enjoyed the company of four Imams: Her father Imam Husain, Her brother Imam Sajjad, and Imam Baqir and Imam Sadiq (a.s.)
Marital Status
Imam Husain had two daughters, Fatima and Sakina the younger one. When Hassan Mothanna, her cousin asked for the hand of Sakina in marriage, Imam Husain suggests Fatima, the older one, the reason being ‘I suggest Fatima who resembles my mother more. She is such a worshipping girl that most of the nights she prays and most of the days she is fasting. And about Sakina, she is engrossed with the Divine beauty of God and hence is not ready to marry anyone at this stage`.
However, she married later, her other cousin Abdullah Akbar, son of Imam Hassan, who was apparently martyred in Karbala.
There is also another unproved narration that she had married with Qasim, brother of Abdullah. I personally cannot agree with this narration. For, firstly it is not quoted in reliable sources, and secondly, the narrators of Karbala agree that Qasim had not yet reached the age of puberty in Karbala.
Who Died In Damascus?
There is again a common mistake among people that Sakina died in the prison in Damascus. They also mistakenly hold that she was not more than 5 years old. Unfortunately, we cannot present any historical proof for any of these.
The Captives in the Castle Of Yazid
Imam Sajjad describes the scene. “We entered the castle of Yazid whilst we were all wrapped with rope. One end of the rope was around my neck and it had gone all through the little boys and girls and ladies. The other end of the rope wrapped my aunt Zaynab. Children and ladies would be whipped if they were slow in walking. We entered the hall of the castle and ensitted in the corner of the castle.”
Zaynab, daughter of Imam Ali and Fatima Zahra, had her old clothes on and had been seated among her servants and other ladies, just like an ordinary woman. Yet, the glory of her personality was shining from under her old dress and hence, attracted the attention of Yazid.
Yazid arrogantly shouted: ‘Who is that lady surrounded by her servants?!”
Nobody replied. For the second time he repeated his question. Again, there was no reply.
Finally, after the third time, one of her servants replied “She is Zaynab, daughter of Fatima daughter of the Prophet of Islam.”
Reference link: https://www.al-islam.org/articles/role-women-karbala-mansour-leghaei
