From the night of Shaame Gharibaan in Kerbala, through the streets of Kufa and Ibn Ziyads palace and then to Shaam and the Darbaar of Yazid... 

 

PART 1 – IMAM IS MARTYRED 

SCENE 1

Narrator: When Imam was killed, the earth shook severely, darkness engulfed the entire east and west, people were overtaken by the earthquake and thunderstorm, and the skies wept blood. The sun was eclipsed so severely that the stars were seen in the mid-day, as if JUDGEMENT Day had arrived! 

The heavenly crier pronounced: 

Voice effect:  QAD QUTILAL HUSSAINU BI KERBALA, KAD ZUBIHAL HUSSAINU BI KERBALA 

Thousands of Angels then descended to the earth by the order of Allah and wept for Imam Hussain. As they started going back towards the skies, Allah ordered them to stay next to the grave of Imam Hussain until the day of Judgement, and to take care of the zawwaar who come to do ziarat, praying for their haajaats and maghferat. 

PPT OF A RED SKY AND ANGELS (LIGHT) DESCENDING  

EXTRACT OF ZIARAT-E-NAHIYA TO BE RECITED IN ARABIC AND PPT IN ENGLISH 

 
 
 
 SCENE 2 – SHAAME GHARIBAAN 

PPT OF A DARK, RED, LONELY DESERT IN THE BACKGROUND

Narrator: INNA LILLAHE WA INNA ILAHE RAJEOON! 

The sun was setting in the horizon. Another night fell on the land of Kerbala. It was no ordinary night; it was the night of Shaame Gharibaan. A sad and lonely night. A night of darkness. The air was filled with the sounds of ladies and children crying for their beloved ones who had been martyred. Mothers were crying for their children. Little orphans were crying for their fathers. 

Surely Yazid’s beastly men would leave the ladies and the little children to mourn their shaheed in peace. But no, they did not! 

They came to the tents and started to loot all their belongings. They also snatched away the ladies’ hijabs! Bibi Fatema’s daughters were left bare-headed. Little Sakina’s earrings were snatched and her ears were bleeding! But why were Yazid’s soldiers doing this? Didn’t they know that these were the grand daughters of the Holy Prophet? 

As the lootings were going on, a soldier approached Fatima daughter of Imam Hussain, crying as he was stealing her anklet. 

(SCENE OPENS TO A MAN OF YAZID’S PULLING THE ANKLETS OF FATIMA, DAUGHTER OF IMAM HUSSAIN) 

Fatima : “Why are you crying ?” 

Soldier: “Because I am stealing this from a daughter of the family of the Holy Prophet.” 

Fatima: “Then why are you taking it?” 

Soldier: “because if I do not take it, somebody else will.” 

(CURTAINS CLOSE) 

 

SCENE 2

Narrator: The soldiers of Yazid knew what a huge crime they were committing, they knew that Imam Hussain was right, but their worldly desires and their greed overtook their NAFS. 

At this moment, the enemy decided to burn the tents, while the women and children were still inside them. The daughters of the Holy Prophet came out of their tents, unveiled and ran away as the flames of the burning tents kept on increasing.

Bibi Zainab runs into the tent of Imam Zainul Aabideen. 

(SCENE OPENS TO BIBI ZAINAB IN A TENT WITH SAYYIDE SAJJAD LYING DOWN UNABLE TO MOVE) 

Bibi Zainab: “My son Sajjad! O’ Imam of our time! What should we do? Should we burn with the tents or run out and save our lives? 

Imam Sajjad: “O’Aunt! Flee from the tents and save your lives!” 

(ACTION SHOWING BIBI ZAINAB HELPING IMAM SAJJAD OUT OF THE BURNING TENT. 

YAZID’S SOLDIERS COME TOWARDS THEM AND TAKE HOLD OF IMAM SAJAAD.) 

Soldier: “Kill him! Do not leave any one of them alive. Ibn Ziyad has ordered to kill all the sons of Hussain!” 

(BIBI ZAINAB PLACES HERSELF INFRONT OF IMAM SAJJAD) 

Bibi Zainab: “You cannot kill him without killing me first!’ 

(AND THE SOLDIERS LEAVE.)

MARSIYA – CHAANE LAGI SHAAME GHARIBAAN…HAAYE QAYAAMAT KA HAI SAMAA) 

PPT OF VIDEO CLIP OF SHAAME GHARIBAAN RUNNING 
 
 

SCENE 3

Narrator: After looting and burning the tents the soldiers went away, Bibi Zainab and Bibi Umm Kulthoom gathered all the ladies and children together in a small space where our 4^th Imam was lying. Bibi Sakina could not be found. Bibi Umme Kulthoom stood guard, while Bibi Zainab rushed to the battlefield to look for Bibi Sakina. 

PPT OF A BACKGROUND DARK DESERT, RED SKY 

(CURTAIN OPENS TO BIBI SAKINA LYING ON THE CHEST OF IMAM HUSSAIN’S BODY) 

Narrator: Do you know where Bibi Sakina was? Bibi Sakina was lying on the headless body of Imam Hussain in the middle of the battlefield crying. 

Bibi Sakina: “O Baaba! Do you know what they did to us? Yazid’s men came and burned down our tents! They snatched away all our Hijaabs and our belongings! Baaba, my clothes are burnt too, and then Shimr came and snatched my earrings off and slapped me so hard! Baaba can you see my ears are bleeding! Baaba is this how an orphan is treated?” 

(BIBI SAKINA FALLS ASLEEP WHILST CRYING) 

Narrator: After crying to her father, Bibi Sakina falls asleep on his chest. 

(BIBI ZAINAB ENTERS LOOKING FOR BIBI SAKINA) 

Bibi Zainab: “Sakina! Habibi Sakina, where are you?” 

Narrator: Bibi Zainab finds her sleeping on her father’s chest. She gently picks her up and takes her back to the ladies. 

(SHE SEES BIBI SAKINA LYING ON IMAM HUSSAIN’S CHEST, CARRIES HER AND TAKES HER) 

(CURTAIN CLOSES) 

MARSIYA ON BIBI SAKINA 
 
 

SCENE 4

Narrator: That night, Bibi Zainab took the place of Hazrat Abbas! She consoled all the children and ladies and stood on guard with a broken spear in her hand. Let us go to Kerbala on the 11^th night of Muharram and see the courage and patience of the daughter of Imam Ali . 

PPT BACKGROUNG OF A DARK RED EMPTY DESERT 

(SCENE OPENS TO ALL THE LADIES, CHILDREN AND IMAM LYING DOWN AND RESTING PEACEFULLY. BIBI ZAINAB WALKING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER GUARDING THEM WITH A BROKEN SPEAR IN HER HAND. BIBI RUBAAB WAKES UP SUDDENLY) 

Bibi Zainab: “O’ Rabab! Do not worry, rest peacefully, I am on guard. You have nothing to fear Rabab!” 

Bibi Rabab: “ Zainab, I am not worried, but I keep hearing my baby crying. I hear my dearest Ali Asghar crying! How can I sleep when my baby is lying alone under the sands of Kerbala!” 

(BIBI ZAINAB COMFORTS HER AS MARSIYA GOES ON) 

MARSIYA – KISKO MANAAE ZAINAB, KISKO SAMBHAALE ZAINAB 

(BIBI RABAB GOES BACK TO SLEEP AND BIBI ZAINAB GETS BACK UP AND CONTINUES GUARDING.

SUDDENLY THE SOUND OF HORSES HOOVES APPROACHING COMES) 

Bibi Zainab: “O man on the horse! Please do not come any nearer! I have just managed to get the children to sleep. We have nothing left. Please  go away and come back in the morning!” 

(BUT THE HOOVES SOUND CONTINUE COMING CLOSER) 

Bibi Zainab (IN A LOUD AND COMMANDING VOICE AND LIFTING THE SPEAR): “O rider! Stop! Stop right there! Do not come any nearer! Do you know who I am? I am the daughter of Ali. I am warning you to stop just there!” 

(THE RIDER GETS OFF HIS HORSE) 

Imam Ali: “Daughter Zainab! Do you not recognize me? It is your father Ali” 

(BIBI ZAINAB RUSHES TO HER FATHER AND HUGS HIM) 

Bibi Zainab: “Baaba! I am so happy to see you. But you are very late.

Baaba, where were you when Ali Akbar was being killed?

Baaba, where were you when Qassim’s body was being trampled on?

Baaba, where were you when Abbas was being killed?

Baaba, where were you when Hussain was being be-headed?

Baaba where were you when they snatched away our Hijaabs?

Baaba, where were you when our tents were burnt down?

Where were you Baaba? Where were you!” 

Imam Ali: “Zainab, my daughter Zainab! You are very tired! I have come to guard your tents. My daughter Zainab, you have a lot more to do tomorrow and you will have many sleepless nights. Tonight you rest and I will guard the tents. Go to sleep my daughter Zainab!” 

(CURTAIN CLOSES) 

MARSIYA 
 
 
 

PART 2 - JOURNEY TOWARDS KUFA 

SCENE 1

Narrator: The next day, on the 11^th of Muharram, Umar-e-Sa’d gave instructions to his men that the women and the orphans of the camp of Imam Hussain be taken as captives to Ibn Ziyad’s palace in Kufa. 

Imam’s children, sisters and other survivors of the Imam’s camp were mounted upon bare camels without mehmils, whilst their head and faces were uncovered. The sanctity of the Holy Prophet’s progeny wasn’t observed as they were treated worse than ordinary captives. 

As they were made to move forward, they passed the places where the bodies of the martyrs lay. When the captives saw the torn bodies which had been trampled under the horse shoes, they cried bitterly and landed themselves upon the ground next to their beloved. 

PPT OF THE VIDEO CLIP OF CARAVAN PASSING BY 

At this point let us witness the five sermons of Bibi Zainab at the holy body of Imam Hussain. 

(SCENE OPENS TO BIBI ZAINAB AT BODY OF IMAM HUSSAIN) 

Bibi Zainab puts her hands under the holy body of Imam Hussain and then raises them up high and says: 

Bibi Zainab : “O Allah! Accept this sacrifice from us!” 

Narrator: Then with a tongue full of grieviance, she looks towards Medina and says: 

Bibi Zainab: “O Allah’s Prophet! O Thou upon whom the angels of the earth and heavens offer salutations! This is your al-Hussain(a.s.) whose limbs had been torn apart, and his head has been cut off from the back of his neck. This is your al-Hussain whose body is fallen in the plain while the wind while the wind is blowing upon him covering him with dirt.” 

Narrator: At this point, she forced every friend and foe cried. Then looking towards BAQ’I, she called to her mother, Zahra. 

Bibi Zainab: “Oh mother! Oh the daughter of the one whose existence was a blessing to mankind! Take a look at the plain of Kerbala, and see your son whose head is erected upon the enemy spear and his body is weltered in his own blood! This is the part of your own flesh, fallen upon the dirt in this plain! Look at your own daughters, whose places of shelter had been burnt down; they have been mounted upon the bare camel backs as captives. We are your children who have been afflicted with tragedies away from home.” 

Narrator: Then with her eyes shedding blood, looking towards the body of Imam Hussain, she said: 

Bibi Zainab: “May I be sacrificed upon whom, whose army was destroyed. May I be sacrificed upon whom, whose camp was plundered and burnt down. May I be sacrificed upon whom who is neither absent nor there is any hope of his return, neither is he injured, nor there is any hope of his becoming cured, may my soul be ranson for him. May I be sacrificed upon whom, who was martyred with a sorrowful heart and thirsty lips. May I be sacrificed upon whom, from whose beard blood was dripping. May I be sacrificed upon whom, whose grandfather is Allah’s Prophet (SAW), and who is the son of – the Holy Prophet Mustafa, Khadijatul Kubra, Ali Murtadha and Fatima al-Zahra. May I be sacrificed upon him for whom the sun appeared again to enable him to offer his prayer.” 

Narrator: Her last sermon was addressed to the enemy soldiers, the so-called companions of the Holy Prophet. 

Bibi Zainab: “It seems as though today my grandfather has left this world; O companions of the Holy Prophet (SAW)! These are the Ahlul Bayt of Allah’s Prophet (saw) who are being taken as ordinary captives.” 

Narrator: Bibi Zainab’s words, made all the enemy soldiers cry. The wild beasts of the plain and the fish inside the water became restless. God is the only One who knows how Lady Zainab, Imam Sajjad and the other ladies and orphans must have bid farewell to their brothers, fathers, sons and nephews.

Zainab, the princess who, at her departure from Medina, was helped onto the Mehmil on the camel by her brother Abbas, mounted the camel without any assistance. She may have looked at the Euphrates and called out:

“O Abbas! Why do you not come to your sister’s support as you did on the path to Kerbala?” 

Hence began the ‘AANSUON KA SAFFAR’ - 'Journey of Tears' to Kufa, the place where Bibi Zainab and Bibi Umm Kulthum were known as the princesses of Kufa.

 

SCENE 2: 

Muslim: Ubaydullah bin Ziyad has called me for some repairs at his mansion. Will you accompany me?

Worker: Yes, of course, master.

(THEY TAKE A FEW STEPS WHEN SUDDENLY THEY HEAR A LOUD UPROAR COMING FROM FAR AWAY - SOUNDS OF WEEPING AND WAILING TO BE PLAYED.)

Muslim: What has happened that I see Kufa filled with weeping and crying?

Worker: Right now they are bringing an alien's head who had rebelled against Yazid.

Muslim: Do you know his name?

Worker: I've heard his name is al-Husayn bin Ali.

 

SCENE 3

Narrator: It was the night following the 11th of Muharram that the women and children, together with Imam zainul Abideen arrived at the gates of Kufa. Kufa was the same city where bibi Zainab  and bibi Umm Kulthum  once lived with love and honour. When ibn ziyad heard of their near arrival, he ordered that preparations be made for a celebration and all important guests to be invited. The people of Kufa dressed themselves up and to the sound of music, they poured into the streets-not really knowing the truth.

(CURTAIN OPENS, SHOWING THE CARAVAN. SOME PEOPLE OF KUFA START OFFERING BREAD AND DATES TO THE HUNGRY CHILDREN.)

Bibi Umm Kulthum: Oh Kufans! Alms are religiously unlawful for our family.

She takes away the bread and dates from the children's hands and mouths. The people having realised their negligence start crying loudly. (SOUNDS OF PEOPLE WEEPING.)

Bibi Umm Kulthum: Oh Kufans, how is it that your men kill us and your women shed tears upon our affairs? Allah (swt) is a witness and would judge between you and us on the day of resurrection.

CURTAINS CLOSE

Narrator: At this moment the sound of wailing and crying became louder. The people saw the horrible conditions of the captives of imam Hussein . Women and young children were mounted on camels without any saddles. Blood was dripping from the neck and feet of Imam zainul Abideen, because of the heavy chains, which they had tied around him. The kufans tore off their collars, and both men and women wept together and expressed their anxiety.

Bibi Zainab : Please be silent!

Narrator: With this single cry not only did the huge crowd become completely silent, but also the horses stopped neighing and the bells that hung upon the necks of the camels stopped ringing.

Bibi Zainab : Praise and Thanks be to the Almighty and His blessings be sent upon my grandfather, Muhammad.

Oh you people of Kufa! The community of deceit and fraud. May your eyes never be dried of tears and never your cries fall silent....Do you cry upon my brother al-Husayn, do cry, because you deserve it. Cry a lot and laugh a little, for your deed is so disgraceful that you will never be able to compensate for it. You have killed the dearest child of the Holy prophet and the Chief of the youths of paradise.....You have brought divine wrath upon your souls and your wretchedness in the hereafter has become a certainty.

CURTAIN CLOSES

Narrator: After this eloquent sermon of bibi Zainab, the people of kufa were astonished. They started biting their hands with their teeth. An old man standing nearby cried so bitterly that his white beard became wet with tears. He raised his hands towards the heavens and said,

A voice from behind the curtain: " May my parents be sacrificed upon you. Your elders are the best elders, your women are the best women, your children are the best children. Your family is the most benevolent, and your blessings and favours are great.

 

SCENE 4

Narrator: The caravan was then led to the palace of ibn Ziyad. Bibi Zainab (as) remembered the time When her father Imam Ali (as) used to sit there. Although she was tied and her face was covered with her hair, she walked in with dignity and confidence. She entered the assembly and sat down in a corner of the palace. The female slaves all gathered around her.

(CURTAINS OPEN SHOWING BIBI ZAINAB SITTING IN A CORNER WITH A FEW WOMEN SURROUNDING HER.)

Ibn Ziyad: Who is that lady sitting over there encircled by a group of women?

(BIBI ZAINAB DOESN'T REPLY AND HE REPEATS THE QUESTION AGAIN.)

Ibn Ziyad: Who is that lady?

ONE OF THE SLAVE GIRLS REPLIES.

Slave girl: She is Zainab – the daughter of Fatima, the daughter of the holy prophet (saw).

Ibn Ziyad:Praise be to Allah who disgraced you, killed your men and proved your claims as incorrect.

Bibi Zainab: Thanks be to Allah that He has distinguished us through His own messenger – Muhammad (saw). He purified us from all sort of sin and evil. An evil person is humiliated, a wicked person tells a lie, and as far as we are concerned, we are neither evil nor wicked. Therefore someone else has been humiliated and not us.

Ibn Ziyad: What do you think of Allah's act regarding your brother and other relatives?

Bibi Zainab: I have never seen anything except goodness from Allah, who had chosen this group for martyrdom. They have hurried towards their eternal abode and are resting therein. Allah is going to judge between you and them on the day of resurrection. He will seek from you revenge and on that day, you will see who is victorious. May your mother mourn for you oh son of Marjana.

(IBN ZIYAD LOSES HIS TEMPER AND RISES TO KILL HER, PULLING OUT HIS SWORD.)

Umro: She is a woman. Don't condemn her for her words.

Ibn Ziyad: Allah has made my heart consoled by killing al-Husayn and your family members.

Bibi Zainab: By my own soul you have killed my master, you have severed the branch of my life and have eradicated our roots. Thus if in this rests your consolation, be satisfied.

Ibn Ziyad: This woman speaks eloquently like her father, who was recognised as one of the most talented poet.

Bibi Zainab: Whatever came upon my tongue was the burning inside my chest. I am amazed at one who finds solace in killing the pious leaders while he knows that on the day of resurrection, he will be revenged for it.

(IBN ZIYAD SHIFTS IN HIS THRONE AND LOOKS AT IMAM ZAYNUL ABIDEEN (AS))

Ibn Ziyad: Who is he?

A man: He is Ali bin Husayn (as)

Ibn Ziyad: Didn't Allah kill Ali bin Husayn?

Imam Zaynul Abideen: I had a brother whose name was also Ali bin Husayn and your people killed him

Ibn Ziyad: Rather Allah killed him.

Imam Zaynul Abideen: Recites verse 39:42, project or recite meaning.

Ibn Ziyad: How dare you speak to me in such a rude manner? Take him and strike his neck!

(BIBI ZAINAB SEEING THIS PULLS IMAM TOWARDS HER.)

Bibi Zainab: Oh son of Ziyad! Whatever blood you have spilled from us is enough. By Allah I am not going to be separated from him. If you intend to kill him, kill me too along with him.

Ibn Ziyad: How amazing is this kinship. By Allah this woman loves to be killed with her nephew. I assume this young man won't survive his sickness anyway.

Imam Zaynul Abideen: Oh aunt, allow me to speak. (Looks towards Ibn Ziyad and says), Oh Ibn Ziyad, are you scaring me from death. Do you not know that getting killed is our habit and martyrdom is our distinction?

(IBN ZIYAD LOOKS BORED AND STRIKES HIS HAND-STICK UPON THE EYES, NOSE AND BLESSED MOUTH OF IMAM HUSAYN.)

Ibn ziyad: What beautiful teeth he has.

(ZAYD BIN ARQAM COMES ON STAGE AND SHOUTS)

Zayd Bin arqam: Remove your stick from al Husayn's blessed lips. I have seen with my own eyes the holy prophet placing his own blessed lips upon these very lips.

Ibn ziyad:Oh Allah's enemy. May Allah make your eyes cry in sorrow! Be grateful that you are an aged old man and have lost your wisdom. For else I would have ordered to strike your neck.

Zayd Bin arqam: If so. then I must tell you something very important. I saw the holy prophet (saw) placing hasanain (as) upon his knees placing his blessed hand upon their heads saying,

A different voice: Oh Allah! I have given these two dearest believers in your custody.

Zayd Bin arqam: And what have you done with the holy prophet's trust?

(HE RUNS OUT CRYING:)

A slave has become the master of a free man. Oh Arabs, from now on, you are the loosers.you have killed the son of Fatima (as), and made an adulterate person your ruler.

CURTAINS CLOSE

MARSIYA

 

SCENE 5

Narrator: Ibn Ziyad wrote a letter to Yazid informing him of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn(as) and his relatives. When Yazid received this letter. He ordered Ibn Ziyad to send the holy head of Imam Husayn (as) and the heads of the other martyrs, along with all the captives to Damascus. Thus continued the trials and tribulations suffered by the women and children of the Ahlul Bayt.

The journey from kufa to shaam was no less that 600 miles. The heads of the martyrs were carried on spears before them. The ladies and children travelled unveiled, Mounted on camels without any saddles. The prisoners were often beaten and given very little food and water. So many hungry and tired children fell down and died on the way. So many distressed and aggrieved mothers lost the babies that they were carrying. Bibi Zainab (as) would bury them on the roadside, writing on their little graves "hadha muhsinu kerbala".

In some of the towns along the way, people rushed to close the gates, cursing the soldiers, making it difficult for them to enter in. The soldiers had to change their routes making long diversions and sometimes making the camels run faster. They travelled through many towns before finally reaching Damascus.

On reaching the outskirts of Damascus, They were made to wait outside the city, until Yazid (L) called for preparations for a grand celebration.

Scene opens with the prisoners standing in a line all chained. In the background is a picture of old houses etc and a huge crowd of people gathered

Narrator: The Kaafela has now reached Damascus and what was the Damascus like at this time? The city of Damascus and its surrounding regions had been under the domination of Muawiya for nearly forty years, its residents generally had only accepted Islam recently and thus only recognized Muawiya and his people who ruled the area. Therefore, the Islam of the people of Damascus was that taught to them by the Banu Ummayads. This in itself should make us understand why Our Imam Sajjad when asked where he faced the worst difficulties used to say.... Ash Shaam Ash Shaam Ash Shaam

Imam Sajjad: We are being circulated in Damascus in the state of degradation as though we are like aliens and black slaves without any helper. While everyone knows that my grandfather is Allah's prophet. And our Sheikh and Emir is the Commander of the faithful Ali. I wish I would have not been entered in the city of Damascus, And Yazid wouldn't have seen me as captive in the cities and towns.

CURTAINS CLOSE

MARSIYA

 

SCENE 6

Narrator: When the kaafela reached Shaam they were made to wait outside the city until Yazid made preparations for a celebration. They were tied like animals and herded into the city. The walk from the city of Shaam to the court of Yazid, which is usually only half an hour, took them hours. People threw stones at them and threw food as sadaqa at them but they did not eat it and moved forward with dignity. Finally the caravan was made to enter Yazid's assembly.

(SCENE OPENS TO THE PALACE OF YAZID AND YAZID SITTING ON HIS THRONE WEARING A CROWN DECORATED WITH PEARLS AND RUBIES. AROUND HIM ARE QURAYSHITE OLD MEN. THE MAN CARRYING IMAM Husayn'S HEAD COMES IN FRONT OF YAZID AND RECITES:)

Man: You must fill my camel with plenty of silver and gold, because I have killed a magnificent great king. I have killed someone who was the best person and his lineage was superior to everyone else

Yazid: If you knew that he was the most superior person among all people than why did you kill him

Man: I killed him hoping to receive a handsome reward from you

Yazid: Guards!!! Take him and cut off his head

(GUARDS TAKE THE MAN AWAY. THE HEADS OF THE MARTYRS AND PRISONERS ARE BROUGHT IN.)

Yazid: eventually those awaited caravans finally arrived and those suns shined over the heights of Jiroon. A raven cried and I said: whether you cry or not I have already collected my dues from my debtor.

Imam Sajjad: If the holy prophet would see me in this condition, do you know what he would do with you

Fatima (daughter of I.husayn): oh Yazid! Should the daughters of the holy prophet be taken captives in this manner?

Hearing this statement, everyone in the assembly starts crying

Yazid: open up his hands (POINTING TO IMAM)

(GUARDS COME AND OPEN HIS HANDS. AN OLD SYRIAN MAN GETS UP FROM THE CROWD AND POINTS TO FATEMA BINT HUSAYN.)

Syrian: oh Yazid! Bestow upon me this maid

(FATIMA TREMBLES AND MOVES TO HER AUNT BIBI ZAINAB.)

Fatima: Dear aunt! I become orphan, now should I become maid too?

Zainab (LOOKING AT THE SYRIAN): neither you nor Yazid have the power to take this daughter for slavery

Yazid: By Allah I could do so .. and if I wish I would do so

Zainab: By Allah! Allah the Almighty has never given you such domination and authority but that you turn your face from Islam and accept other religion

Yazid (IN ANGER): would you dare to speak to me in this manner? Your own father and brother have gone out of religion!

Zainab: You, your father and grandfather did accept Allah's religion, and the religion o my father and brother-if you still happen to be a muslim!

Yazid: Oh you Allah's enemy! You are lying!!

Zainab: Apparently since you happen to be emir, you utter these indecent words and because of domination and power, which you possess, you are making such illogical remarks.

(YAZID BECOMES SILENT.)

MARSIYA

(THE HEAD OF IMAM HUSAYN IS PLACED ON A TRAY IN FRONT OF YAZID. YAZID THEN ASKS FOR A BAMBOO STICK AND WITH THE STICK HE HITS THE TEETH OF IMAM HUSAYN.)

Zainab (WAILING): Oh Al Husayn! Oh the dearest of the Holy prophet the son of Mecca and Medina! Oh the son of Fatima al zahra, the lady of all women! Oh son of the daughter of Mustafa

(EVERYONE IN THE ASSEMBLY STARTS CRYING AND THE AHLUL BAYT START WAILING WA HUSAYNA)

Yazid: I wish my ancestors, killed in the war of Badr would have seen the crying of clan of Khazraj from being attacked through spears. Then certainly rejoicing, with pleasure they would have said to me: Yazid! Glory be upon you and may your hand never be crippled. Banu Hashim only played with the kingdom to take over authority. While in reality there was neither any revelation nor any news. I won't feel at ease and belong to the clan of Khandaf rightfully without taking complete revenge from the children of Ahmad.

Narrator: As you can see Yazid was singing his own praises and insulting the ahlul Bayt at every instance. All this time, there was present amongst them a Roman ambassador Witnessing the scene

Roman (GETS UP AND SAYS TO YAZID): The head placed in front of you belongs to whom?

Yazid: why are you asking me this question?

Roman: when I would return to Rome, they would inquire about my observations. I must know about jubilation and feasting so that I could inform the Caesar of Rome .. that would certainly make him happy

Yazid: this is the head of Al Husayn son of Muhammad's daughter Fatima

Roman: Is this Muhammad your prophet?

Yazid: Yes

Roman: who is his father?

Yazid: Ali bin Abi Talib-the son of prophet's uncle

Roman: May you be damned with such codes, which you have. My religion is better than your religion! Because my father is a descendant of David, there are many generations between me and David, but still the followers of my religion respect me. And you killed the son of your own holy prophet! Despite the fact that there is no generation distance between him and the holy prophet except a daughter!! This religion of yours is what sort of religion?

Yazid: this Christian should be killed for insulting me in my own dominion

Roman: Now that you are going to kill me, listen to these words: last night, I saw the holy prophet in my dream who gave me the glad tidings of paradise and I was really amazed with this dream. Now the interpretation of my dream has been clearly manifested for me and the glad tidings were correct indeed.

(HE THEN RECITES) LA ILAAHA ILLALLAH... Mohammadan Rasulullah

(TAKES THE HEAD OF THE IMAM, PLACES IT ON HIS CHEST, KISSES IT AND WEPT UNTIL HE WAS KILLED.)

Background voice: la hawla wala quwwata illaa billa.. there is no power except Allah's.

Narrator: After witnessing the shamelessness and boldness of Yazid to this extent, Bibi Zainab realizes that the time is perfect for her to deliver a powerful sermon.

THE SERMON OF LADY ZAINAB:

Al hamdu lillahi rabbil aalameen wa sallallahu alaa rasulihi wa aalihi ajmaeen....

Allah has spoken truth when he said that 'then evil was the consequence to those who dealt in evil, because they denied the revelations and made a mock of them'.

Oh yazid! Do you believe that you have made our life miserable and our existence impossible?

That we are powereless persons just because we are standing infront of you tied and that you have gained power over us?

Do you believe we have been disgraced and you instead have been honored by allah?

That your position is safe and secure now that your crooked affairs are smoothed out, and that you are the master of this country and ruler of our government...

Wait wait wait!! Have you forgotten what allah says?

"do you think that we give respite to the evildoers and unbelievers for any good that they have done? Surely we give them time so that they increase their evil deeds and it will lead them to degrading punishment"(3:178)

Oh you, the son of a freed man by my grandfather! Is it justified that you keep your women and maids in hijab whilst we , the daughters of the prophet (saw) be imprisoned and paraded from city to city unveiled?

Your men have taken us from town to town where all sorts of people have been looking at us-rich or poor, young or old, honorable ones and those of disrepute: all gaze at us from far and near, and we have no one to come to our aid...

How could one expect compassion and condolences from one whose mother has chewed the liver of holy ones and whose flesh has grown with the blood of martyrs.. It is but natural that the descendants of such persons should be most prominent amongst the arabs in disbelief, sinfulness, and cruelty.. And cause conflicts and act against god and his prophet

Remember that the evil deeds and sinful actions you have committed are the result of unbelief and old grudge you bear because of your ancestors who were killed in the battle of badr. And you proudly wish they were there to witness this savage bloodshed. And that they would have thanked you.

O yazid! You are striking the lips of abi abdillah, al husayn with a cane. Do you not know that these are the lips and the teeth that were constantly kissed by the holy prophet(saw) and yet your face reflects pleasure?

O yazid! If you thought of what you have done, you yourself would surely wish your arms to be paralyzed and would wish that your parents had never given birth to you because you would know that allah is angry with you and the prophet is now your enemy

Oh yazid ! Remember that you have cut your own skin and flesh to pieces

O yazid! Do not feel joyous on killing the prophet's family for allah has said: "think not that those who are killed in allah's way are dead; nay!they are alive rejoicing in what allah has given them out of his grace

Those who have made you head of state and burdened the muslims with your leadership will soon find out what awaits them. The end of all tyrants is agony.

O yazid! I speak about the severe punishment that lies in store for you not for the sake that you might repent and regret at what you did because that would be a fantasy... your heart has hardened.. You are one of those whose heart is the nest of the devil in which he lays his evil eggs; indeed your character is one such ugly creation of the devil

One wonders how virtuous people, sons of prophets , their successors should be butchered by evildoers and sinners. We feel grieved to think of their sacred bodies lying on the sands of the burning desert, abandoned without burial.

O yazid! If you consider our defeat as your achievement then you will have to pay its price. Allah commits no injustice to his servants. Only in him do we put our trust and faith.

I swear by god who sent upon this household his book and prophethood that you will never get our status. You will never be able to destroy our status or eextinguish our light nor will you be able to wipe out your shame and dishonour. Your word now is weak and your days numbered.

All praise is for allah who appoints a peaceful place for his friends and grants them success in their aims and thereafter calls them back to his mercy and pleasure.. We pray to alah to avenge us... surely he is kind and merciful to his creatures.

 Yazid (looking towards the Syrians): what is your opinion regarding these captives? Should we put them under the sword?

Servant: kill them

Numan bin bashir: see that had the prophet been here what would he have done. You must do the same.

CURTAINS CLOSE

MARSIYA

 

SCENE 7

Narrator: Yazid ordered that the captives be put into prison where they faced more troubles and hardships. Imam Sajjad then asked Yazid if he could deliver a sermon in the mosque on Friday. However when Friday arrived, Yazid ordered one of his men to climb the pulpit and insult Ali and Husayn and praise Yazid. Let us take you to the mosque in Shaam and see what happens next

(BACKGROUND SCENE OF A MOSQUE AND PEOPLE ARE ALL DRESSED IN WHITE. PULPIT AT THE BACK. MAN SITTING ON THE PULPIT MAKING ACTIONS OF GIVING KHUTBA.)

Imam Sajjad: Yazid! Honor the promise that you made to me

Yazid: No. I have changed my mind now. If he goes up the pulpit, he would not come down but after humiliating me and Abu Sufyan's clan.

Muawiya son of Yazid: what influence could the sermon of this man have? Allow him to speak what he pleases

Yazid: you don't know the talents of this family. They have inherited the knowledge and eloquence and I am afraid his sermon may cause a revolt in the city creating a problem for us

All people around: let him go: let him go

(YAZID MAKE ACTION TO ASK IMAM TO GO AHEAD. IMAM MAKES HIS WAY ON TOP OF THE PULPIT.)

SERMON OF IMAM SAJJAD:

"O people, Allah has granted us six things and favored us with seven: We were granted knowledge, clemency, leniency, fluency, courage, and love for us in the hearts of the believers. We were favored by the fact that from among us came the chosen Prophet, Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family, al-siddiq (the very truthful one), al-Tayya'r (the one who flies in the heaven), the Lion of Allah and of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, the mistress of the women of the world Fa'tima the chaste, and both lords of the youths of Heaven from among this nation"

"Whoever recognizes me knows me, and whoever does not recognize, let me tell him who I am and to what family I belong: I am the son of Mecca and Mina; I am the son of Zamzam and al-Safa'; I am the son of the most distinguished pilgrims of the Holy Kaaba; I am the son of the one who was transported on the bura'q in the air; I am the son of the one who was made to travel from the Sacred Mosque to the Remote Mosque, so glory belongs to Him Who made (His Servant) travel; I am the son of the one who was taken by Gabriel to sidrat al-muntaha' ; I am the son of the one who drew near (his Lord) and suspended, so he was the measure of two bows or closer still; I am the son of the one who led the angels of the heavens in prayer; I am the son of the one to whom the Almighty revealed what He revealed; I am the son of Mohammed al-Mustafa' ; I am the son of 'Ali al-Murtada' ; I am the son of the one who fought against the creatures till they said: There is no god but Allah. I am the son of the one who struck (the enemies) with two swords before Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, and stabbed (them) with two spears, emigrated twice, pledged allegiance twice (to the Prophet), prayed in the two qiblas, and fought (against the unbelievers) at Badr and Hunayn and never disbelieved in Allah not even as much as the twinkling of an eye. I am the son of the best of the believers, the heir of the prophets, the destroyer of the unbelievers, the Commander of the Muslims, the light of the muja'hidin, the ornament of the worshippers, the crown of the weepers, the most patient of the patient, and the best of the steadfast from among the family of Ya'sin, and the Messenger of the Lord of the world's inhabitants. I am the son of the one who was backed by Gabriel, supported by Mika'el. I am the son of the one who defended the Muslims, killed the oath breakers of allegiance and the unjust and

the renegades, struggled against his tiring enemies, the most excellent one of those who walked (to war) from among Quraysh, the first to respond to Allah from among the believers, the prior to all the previous ones, the breaker of the aggressors, the destroyer of the atheists, an arrow from among the shooting-places of Allah against the hypocrites, the tongue of the wisdom of worshippers, the supporter of the religion of Allah, the protector of the affair of Allah, the garden of the wisdom of Allah, the container of the knowledge of Allah, tolerant, generous, benevolent, pure, Abtahi, satisfied, easily satisfied, intrepid, gallant, patient, fasting, refined, steadfast, courageous, honored, the severer of the backbones, the scatterer of the allies, the calmest of them, the best of them in giving free rein (to his horse), the boldest of them in tongue, the firmest of them in determination, the most powerful of them, a lion, brave, pouring rain, the one who destroyed them at the battles and dispersed them in the wind, the lion of al-Hija'z, the possessor of the miracle, the ram of Iraq, the Imam through the text and worthiness, Makki, Madani, Abtahi, Tuha'mi, Khay'ani, 'Uqbi, Badri, Uhdi, Shajari, Muha'jiri, the Lord of the Arabs, the Lion of war, the inheritor of al-Mash'arayn, the father of the two grandsons (of the Prophet) al-Hasan and al-Husayn, the one who manifested miracles, the one who scattered the phalanxes, the piercing meteor, the following light, the victorious Lion of Allah, the request of every seeker, the victorious over every victorious,. Yes ,he is my grandfather, 'Ali b. Abi Ta'lib.

I am the son of Fa'tima, the chaste. I am the son of the mistress of women. I am the son of the purified, virgin (lady). I am the son of the part of the Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family. I am the son of the one who was covered with blood. I am the son of the one who was slaughtered at Karbala''. I am the son of the one for whom the Jinns wept in the dark and for whom the birds in the air cried.

Yazid: looking from side to side at everyone's reactions. Calls the moadhin

Yazid (WHISPERS): recite the adhan and stop this man

Moadhin: Allaho Akbar X4

Sajjad: anything greater than Allah does not exist

Moadhin: Ashadoan Lailaaha ilallahX2

Imam Sajjad: My hairs, skin, flesh and blood witness the unity of Allah

Moadhin: Ashaduanna Muhammadan Rasulullah

Sajjad: this Mohammad, whose name was just announced, was he my grandfather or yours? If you claim that he is your grandfather that would be a lie and the denial of the truth and if he is my grandfather, then why did you kill his family and put them through the sword, plundered his possessions and take his ahlul bayt as captives? By Allah if there is anybody in the world whose grandfather is the holy prophet, I am the one-then why this man killed my father and arrested me like Romans?

O Yazid! You have committed this crime and still say Mohamad is Allah's messenger? And stand towards Qibla? Woe upon you! On the day of judgement my grandfather and father are your enemies.

(PEOPLE START TALKING AMONGST THEMSELVES AND OTHERS ARE WALKING AWAY.)

CURTAINS CLOSE

MARSIYA

 Narrator: There is an uproar in the public and people start walking away. The people of shaam were deeply moved by these sermons and the noble character of the Ahlul Bayt. These sermons had a remarkable effect on the people and they slowly started to realize the truth that had been hidden from them for all this time. The character of Yazid and his ancestors was becoming more and more evident. The people slowly understood what had happened and they learned the real stories of the atrocities committed on the ahlul bayt.

O Bibi Zainab!! We cannot even begin to understand what you went through in this long and tiring journey. You lost so many of your family members in one day but you were still so patient. You underwent all the trials of shame ghariban and the journey to kufa and shaam with such courage as can be compared to none. You have been rightfully given the title of shareekatul Husayn because if Husayn was victorious in kerbala then Zainab was definitely responsible for the victory of Kufa and Shaam. The powerful sermons shook the people of Kufa and Shaam from a deep slumber and they began to realize how the family of Muhammad had suffered in the hands of Yazid and his people. People started to question and curse Yazid and the seeds of revolt had now been sown. This was now the start of Yazid's downhill journey.

O Bibi! You awed everyone with your eloquence and oratory power inherited from your father Imam Ali and we send salaams to you on this Hussain day for had it not been for you, the story of kerbala would not have reached us. We also send salutations to all the ladies of Kerbala and to our Imam Sajjad who had the most difficult task of escorting and seeing the women of his household paraded on the streets without their hijabs. Peace be on you Oh Aba Abdillah and peace be upon your household who sacrificed everything for the sake of Islam.

AS SALAAMU ALAIKA YA ABA ABDILLAH WA ALAL ARWAHILLATI HALLAT BI FINAAIK. ALAIKUM MINNI JAMIAN SALAAMULLAAHI ABADAN MA BAQITU WA BAQIALLAILU WA NAHAR WA LA JA'ALALLAHIL AAKHIRAL AHDI MINNI LIZIARATIKUM. AS SALAAMU ALAL HUSAYN WA ALA ALI IBN AL HUSAYN WA ALA AWLADIL HUSAYN WA ALA ASHAABIL HUSAYN.....