Arrival of Captives to Kufah - Today in Muharram Day 12

Bismi-Llah, Al-Rahmani, Al-Rahim. On this day, the 12th of Muharram, the holy captives of Karbala', the remaining members of the family of Rasul Allah salla Allahu 'alayhi wa alih, are brought into Kufa. The governor of Kufa, 'Ubayd Allah Ibn Ziyad spreads thousands of his soldiers around Kufa, making sure that there is no upheaval. And the order was also given that nobody in Kufa is allowed to carry any weapons, no swords, not even a walking stick. This was all precautionary measures out of fear that there will be some kind of retaliation of the people once they come to know who the 'sabaya [captives] are.

The blessed heads of the Shuhada' [martyrs] that were on the tip of spears were also distributed, and the captives of Karbala' were paraded around the city. They were of course, still on the saddless camels surrounded by soldiers. Along with them was the new Imam, our fourth Imam, Imam 'Ali al-Sajjad Zayn al-'Abidin 'alayhi as-salam, who still had heavy chains around his neck, also sitting on a camel without a saddle.

This was all intended to break their morale and further humiliate them. People asked them, which captives are you? And the women of Imam Husayn 'alayhi as-salam said, 'Nahnu usara ahla Muhammad salla Allahu 'alayhi wa alihi wa sallam'-'We are the captives of the Progeny of Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him. Sayyidah Zaynab 'alayha as-salam called out to the people in the streets addressing them, and so did Imam as-Sajjad 'alayhi as-salam.

When they were taken to the palace of 'Ubayd Allah Ibn Ziyad, he had gathered all the chiefs of the tribes and the dignitaries and placed the blessed head of Imam Husayn 'alayhi as-salam right there in front of him. Then we see the courageous Sayyidah Zaynab delivering that eloquent sermon in front of everyone. And then Imam al-Sajjad also delivered a sermon.

'Ubayd Allah Ibn Ziyad said to Sayyidah Zaynab, what do you think about what it is that God did to you? Sayyidah Zaynab, with a tone full of pride and power, showing her faith and submission to Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala, replied, 'Katab Allah 'alayhum al-qatlah fa barazu ila mazaji'ihim, wa sayajma Allah baynaka wa baynahum. Fa tuhajjuna ilayhi wa takhtasimun.' [Allah ordained them to be killed and they obeyed and hurried after their tombs, and soon Allah will gather you and them (on Judgement Day) and they will complain of you to Allah'].

'Ubayd Allah got angry and then turned to provoke Imam as-Sajjad, mocking him. And Imam as-Sajjad, with all serenity, answered back. 'Ubayd Allah then said: kill him. But Sayyidah Zaynab rushed to the Imam and said to him if you kill him, you must kill me as well.

Imam as-Sajjad 'alayhi as-salam, with all bravery, said back to 'Ubayd Allah Ibn Ziyad, are you threatening me with death Ya Ibna Ziyad? 'Ama alimt anna al-qatla lana al-'addah wa karamatuna min Allahi ash-shahadah' [Do you not know that being killed is our legacy and martyrdom is an honour that Allah gives us?].

The 'sabaya' of Karbala' were then taken to Ibn Ziyad's prison and they stayed in Kufa until the 19th of Muharram.

Wa al-hamdulil-Lahi Rabbi al-'Alamin.