A play depicting the journey of the members of the Ahlul Bayt from the prisons of Shaam back to their hometown Madina.
THE DEPARTURE FROM DAMASCUS
NARRATOR: It has now been a year since Imam and the ladies of his house-hold have been imprisoned in Shaam. They were imprisoned in the month of Safar a year ago, in which they underwent the greatest trials and Sorrows, unmentionable sufferings and pain.
The climax of their suffering came when Sakina, beloved daughter of Imam Husayn(as) finally closed her eyes and joined her beloved father and Uncle Abbas. The little girl who yearned to go home, who would call out to the people walking on the streets and the birds that would fly free in the air,was destined to be a prisoner for ever..........
When people asked Bibi Zainab about the little girl who would cry out for her father, she would say: My darling Sakina has finally been relieved of her pain. Death has taken her away from us and when they asked what ahd caused the death of so young a child, she wouold cry and say .. do you want to know what led to her death? This young flower withered away due to many cause. She went through a lot of suffering since her father's brutal death. She was mercilessly slapped, her earrings were snatched away and her earlobes were bleeding till the last.
Her body had become purple with bruises as she used to fall from the bareback camels that we were made to ride on from Kerbala to Shaam....
As we saw from last years "journey of tears" trouble had already started for Yazid. People were deeply moved by the powerful sermons of Bibi Zainab and Imam Sajjad. People were asking all sorts of questions and Yazid knew he could not shut them up anymore. He feared a terrible uprising. He knew he had to come up with a clever plan and quick
At this point Yazid realized it was no longer safe for him to retain the women and the orphans withi Damascus and cleverly planned to have them sent back to Medina.
SCENE 1: COURT OF YAZID – THE RELEASE
[The court of Yazid - Yazid is sitting on his throne with his guards and a few courtiers on stage. Muawiya, his son, is on one side of him.As the narrator starts talking, Imam Zainul Abedin walks in. As a mark of respect t to Imam (as), Yazid and the courtiers get up ]
NARRATOR: Yazid urgently summoned the court. The court was talking in hushed tone, puzzled to a hasty summon. Soon, Imam Zainul Abedin is brought in without chains and shackles.
Yazid stood up to welcome Imam Zainul Abedeen as he walked in.
[Once Imam sits, everyone is then seated]
YAZID: O Ali ibnul Husayn, I am deeply grieved by Sakina's death and am very sorry of the events of Kerbala.
May Allah curse Obeidulla ibne Zaid, Amr ibne Saad and Shimr for giving me the wrong information about the aims of Husayn . Please mention any amount of blood money in return. You know this is permissible in the religion
IMAM: O Yazid,!it is not for us to accept any compensation or blood money for those who were martyred by your orders. If you have called us today with the expectation that we will accept what you want to offer to us, you are very much mistaken. You should offer this to the Prophet on the Day of Judgement when you will be answerable to Allah(swt).
NARRATOR: Yazid was shocked by the bold reply. He dared not say anything more. Looking dejected and miserable , he then tried to compensate by offering them freedom.
YAZID: O, grandson of the Prophet, you are now free to go. I am placing you in a house befitting your dignity. It is your decision whether you want to remain here or go back to Medina.
IMAM: That is a decision I would like to leave to my aunt Zainab.
(Imam stands to leave .. all in the court stand in respect. Imam leaves stage and goes behind curtain. Yazid sits, head in his hands looking miserable)
MARSIA
(Re-enter Imam ... all stand in respect till he is seated.)
IMAM: Yazid, My Aunt has decided that we would like a house right here in Shaam, where the ladies of our household can mourn the death of my father. Return to us the heads of our shuhadaa and whatever was looted from us in Kerbala.
YAZID: O Grandson Of The Prophet ....apart from the heads and a few torn clothes, I did not see any jewelry or any articles of gold or silver? Shall I give you some wealth from my treasury ?
IMAM: NO ! we want nothing from you ! Amongst what your solidiers looted, are items more precious then gold and silver. Return my aunts veil which she inherited from her mother. Give back the garment my beloved father wore when he was martyred. This garment was woven by my grandmother, Fatemazahra. Yazid, give back the earrings that you tore of from my Sakina's ears! These things are more much precious to us than all the wealth that you posses.
(Men weeping. Yazid shamefaced, head in hands...)
NARRATOR: Imam's speech moved the darbaar to tears and the courtiers began to weep. Yazid arranged for all the treasures of the Ahlul Bayt to be sent to them, He also ordered for a house with all the facilities to be provided to the Ahlul Bayt. Here is where, Janabe Zainab held the first majlis for her brother Husayn. Imam then informed Yazid that he preferred to go to Medina via Kerbala where they could bury the heads of the martyrs.
SCENE 2: BIDDING FAREWELL TO BIBI SAKINA
NARRATOR: Under Yazid's orders, canopied and best horses were provided for the journey to Kerbala. All the people of Shaam had turned out to bid farewell to the Prophet's family. Hinda, who had been with the Prophet's household all along, was about to leave when she heard Umme Rabab express her wish to Bibi Zainab if they could visit the prison and offer their last Fateha at the grave of young Bibi Sakina (as). Bibi Zainab immediately agreed to this suggestion. Accompanied by Hinda, the Imam and the ladies of the Ahlul Bayt made their way to the prison house.
(Scene opens in dungeon, Bibi Sakina's laash with a candle around it, same backdrop used in scene 1. Umme Rabab at the laash with ladies all around her.)
U. RABAB: Sakina, speak to me, only a word, my child, speak to me. Sakina, my darling, remember when you used to ask us whether we will ever be free like those birds to go back to our homes, back to Fatema Sughra? Sakina, my dear Sakina, that day has arrived. We are free at last, but Sakina..it seems that you must remain for ever within this dungeon, this dungeon where you have experienced so many hardships, torments and tortures. My child, I am leaving you but my heart and soul will remain with you in this prison.
(All weeping...Turning to Hinda and other ladies of the town)
U. RABAB: O people of Shaam ! I am leaving my dearest daughter in your midst.There is none from our family in this city to visit her, offer fateha , or light a candle at my daughters grave.. I beseech you, once in a while, visit my lonely, luckless child's grave for offering fateha.
(With these words she falls unconscious in the arms of Bibi Zainab)
MARSIA
SCENE 3: KERBALA
(The scene opens with a tent, 5/6 graves, and one grave some distant away (H. Abbas).)
NARRATOR: At the grave of Imam, we have Jaber seated on one side and a young man near him.
JABER: " Ya Abaa Abdillah ! what did the murderers do to you ! O my beloved Imam.. Son of the Prophet ! Nur of the eyes of Binte Rasul ! Beloved of Ali e Murtadha !.. What is this that old Jabirs ears have heard ?? Mawla....they killed you and your children in this desert? Your children starved and remained thirsty for three days ? Ah ! if only Jabir had been there to sacrifice his life for you!! O My Allah ! why am I alive to see this day.. why did I not die before coming to the grave of my beloved Imam ..
(Jaber continues crying.. the young man helps him up and takes him off stage. Young man returns and sits on one side.)
NARRATOR: In Kerbala, the moon was almost setting, casting its dying rays on the water of the river Furaat, there were a few graves which were scattered over some distance. The stillness of the night was almost suffocating. The only noise that could be heard for miles around was the chirping of the insects and the monotonous rippling of the water of the stream.
As dawn neared, there was a stir in the tent and Jaber Ibne Abdullah Ansaari came out, supporting himself on his staff.
YOUNG MAN: O' Jaber, what is the matter? Why did you wake up so early before the break of dawn? Are you alright?
JABER: I had a dream. I saw the Holy Prophet (saw) who told me that the captives caravan, comprising of Imam Zainul Abedin, his infant son, Imam Mohamed Baqir, Imam Hussein's sisters, wives and daughter were to reach Kerbala this morning. He asked me to go and meet them. Since then, I have not been able to go back to sleep. Come, help me to the grave of My Master.
(Jaber goes to the grave of Imam, sits down and begins to weep..)
MARSIA (Kerbala taazim kar, aayi bahan Shabbir ki)
JABER (moves fwd with support of young man): Yabnal Hussein, My Imam. How was your journey? Did they treat you well, Ya Imam?
IMAM (weeps silently for quite some time and then softly replies): O' Jaber, it is a story of sufferings which will be written in blood and tears for future generations to read. What sufferings shall I recount to you? Shall I tell you how we were taken from here to Kufa and Shaam without veils and in chains? Or shall I tell you of the Courts of Yazid ? What shall I describe O Uncle Jaber !! The bazaars ? the streets ?? The prison? How can I even begin to describe it.....
(Jaber weeps along with Imam. Enter the ladies one by one .. as narrator describes...)
NARRATOR: When the ladies of Imam Husayn's family saw the graves of their dear ones, they fell one by one from their camels, overcome by grief and sorrow. Bibi Zainab walked straight towards the grave of Imam Husayn. Umme Laila fell on the grave of Ali Akber, Umme Farwa swooned on the tomb of Qasim while Umme Rubab clasped the tiny grave of her infant Ali Asghar. Umme Kulsum looked lost for a while as if she was searching for something and she hastened, after a little thought, towards the distant grave by the rivulet, where the flowing waters were signing a dirge on the martyrdom of her beloved brother Abbas. Each lady poured her heart over the grave of her dearest departed relation, narrating all the sufferings she had endured.
MARSIA (Bhai mei Zainab Hu...)
B. ZAINAB: O my beloved brother Husayn! Look, Zainab has come. Will you not stand to greet your sister? Husayn, I have been to the streets of Kufa, the baazars of Shaam, O Husayn, this sister of yours whose shadow had not been seen by a na mahram, has been taken without a veil amongst thousand of people! O, my brother, will you not wake up and ask me about my journey? My beloved brother, I have returned to you without Sakina whom you have entrusted to my care. This is all that is left of your darling Sakina. (holding Bibi Sakina's earrings).
My dearest brother, your beloved Sakina bore all the sufferings with great sabr till she could no longer endure them and surrendered her soul to her Creator. Forgive me, my dear brother, if I faltered in any way in fulfilling the mission you entrusted to me.
MARSIA (Saadaate Kerbala .... Chehlum ko kerbala mei jab aayi, wo bibiyaa...)
NARRATOR: Imam Zainul Abedeen watched silently for some time the heart-rending scene, with tears streaming down his cheeks. When he saw that all the ladies had lightened their heart, if that could ever be done, by recounting their woes and sufferings, he went over to each of them and persuaded them to leave the graves.
(Each lady stands slowly and silently and moves towards one place, so all are gathered together)
MARSIA (Few lines on leaving kerbala - to give them time to move away)
IMAM: (to Bibi Zainab) Phupi Amma, what do you want to do now?
B. ZAINAB: Much as I would like to remain near the graves of my dear brothers and children, I remember the parting wish of my brother that I should return with the family to Medina. For this wish was a command which I have to obey. Let us prepare to go to Medina.
[All the ladies leave, except for Bibi Rubab who goes to the grave of Ali Asgher)
NARRATOR: Summoning up all her courage and controlling her overpowering feelings she made preparation to leave Karbala on the very next day to resume the homeward journey. When all the ladies had mounted their camels, Bibi Zainab went over to see whether they were comfortable. She could not find Umme Rubab on her camel.
(enter Bibi Zainab)
Going in search of her, she found her near the grave of her child Ali Asghar. Bibi Zainab went over her and gently splashed water on her face to revive her. When she regained conscious, she looked at Bibi Zainab.
B. ZAINAB: Bhabhi, come, let us go, the caravan is ready to take us to Medina.
B. RUBAB: My Lady, leave me to my fate here so that I may die here and be buried by the graves of my child and my lord. What is there in Medina for me to return to? I lost my one beloved child here. My darling Sakina is sleeping in Shaam. What does life hold for me after my losing all that I held dear in life and lived for?
(Bibi Zainab hugs Umme Rabab close to her as they weep.)
NARRATOR: It required great efforts on Bibi Zainab's part to convince Umme Rubab that Imam Hussein would have liked her to accompany the others to Medina. She at last succeeded and made her mount her camel. The caravan proceeded with Bashir ibn Jazlam leading the procession, with a black banner in his hand and a black shawl round his neck to indicate that the mourners were bound on their homeward journey. Each lady was casting a longing, lingering look behind to see the graves of their beloved sons under the backing sun of Nainevah.
(Show empty stage...graves)
MARSIA
NARRATOR: In the whole of the tragic journey of Imam Hussain(a.s.), his companions and the members of his family, starting from medina to karbala then onto kufa and shaam and their return to Medina though Karbala, we find a total of 4 farewells. Each one of these was filled with grief and indescribeable sorrows. Following isa brief account of these farewells (along with ppt).
1. The farewell at leaving medina, this was a farewell of both elders and the youth of the Bani Hashim. They were intending to undertake a journey leading to their deaths. A journey which they would never return to medina. The pain and sorrow of this farewell was not only felt by the Imam and the members of his family but also by the inhabitants of medina and medina itself.
2. Te final farewell of Imam Hussain(a.s.) on the day of Ashura toward the later part of the evening when he was left alone, deprived of his helpers. He bid farewell to his sisters and daughters and the other women. They surrounded him and cried in a way that was unmatched before that day.
3. Te farewell to the mutilated and beheaded bodies of the martyrs by the women and children on the 11th day of muharram. This was particularly painful and unbearable since they were taken as captives without any guardians and protectors.
4. Te farewell of Bibi Zainab and Imam Al-Sajjad and their companions at the grave of Imam Hussain and the martyrs on Arbaeen when they had crossed kerbala on their way to medina.
This final farewell was an unbearable as the others as the women and the children were bidding goodbye to their loved ones not knowing whether they would ever return to their graves. They were retuning to the medina of the Holy Prophet but this time without their guardians Imam Husain and Hazrat Abbas.
MARSIA (Zainab Medine jaati hai kya kya liye huwe)
SCENE 4: THE ARRIVAL INTO MEDINA
NARRATOR: As the caravan drew closer to Medina,the grief within the hearts of the women increased as they remembered their beloved ones buried in Kerbala. Imam al-Sajjad instructed the people accompanying him to set up tents outside madina for a matter of time. He then asked Bashir Ibn Jadhlam who was with them to inform the people of medina about the death of his father.
Upon hearing this, all the men and women of medina rushed crying to the outskirts of medina to greet the Imam. Imam Al-Sajjad gave a touching sermon to the people of medina about the brutal killing of Imam Hussain(a.s.). The people of medina cried uncontrollably.
When Muhammed Ibn Hanaffiyah, the brother of Imam Hussain received the news of the arrival of Imam al-Sajjad into medina, he mounts his horse and swiftly to meet the Imam. When he saw black standards posted on the outskirts of medina, he lost consciousness. As he opened his eyes, he found himself on the lap of his nephew Imam al-Sajjad.
MUHAMMAD HANAFIYYAH: Where is my brother ? where is the apple of my eyes? Where is the contentment of my heart? Where is the vicegerent of my father? Where is Hussain?
(Tears in his eyes)
IMAM: I have come to you an orphan, our men have been killed and our women have been made captives! O uncle! They killed my father with a burning thirst without giving him a drop of water, while no animal is allowed to be slaughtered without quenching its thirst".
NARRATOR: After hearing these words muhammed hanaf. After a loud cry fainted. When he awoke the second time, Imam related the whole tragic journey and they both wept bitterly.
The day came when Imam, the women and the children of his family entered their grandfather's hometown Medina. Once again their sorrow was revived and their wounds began to bleed afresh as they looked at the empty houses of the martyrs.
The day they entered Medina was a Friday. All the people were wearing black garments with their collars torn as a gesture and mark of grief an their eyes flooding with tears. The caravan proceeded towards the grave of the holy Prophet(s.a.w.)
SCENE 5: AT THE GRAVE OF THE HOLY PROPHET
(Scene opens with some ladies and children and bibi Zainab at the grave of the Holy Prophet crying and sobbing)
B. ZAINAB: O grandfather! I come pronouncing to you the news of the death of Hussain! Hussain has been killed on the plains of kerbala! Oh grandfather! You had admonished your Ummah to do good to your near ones, they have disobeyed you o grandfather! They have killed the members of your household with a burning thirst!
IMAM: O grandfather! O best apostle of Allah!. Your beloved has been killed and your lineage abandoned! I implore you sorrowfully in a state of sickness and perturbed, as a prisoner without a guardian or defender.. we were made prisoners and your daughters were taken as captives without their veils! We were afflicted in a way that is unbearable!
(crying...)
MARSIA
SCENE 6: THE MEETING OF UMM AL-BANIN WITH BIBI ZAINAB
NARRATOR: It has been reported that when the women entered medina, Umm al Banin met Bibi Zainab at the grave of the Holy Prophet.
(They hug and sob)
UMM AL BANIN: O daughter of Amir al mumineen! What news do you have of my sons?
B. ZAINAB: they have been brutally killed
U.B.: Were their lives sacrificed for my Hussain? And where is Hussain?
B. ZAINAB: They killed Hussain with a burning thirst!
(at this Um. Banin raised her hands and struck her head and wept)
U.B: Ya Husain! My beloved Husain!
Bibi Zainab: O Ummul Banin! I have brought you a keepsake from your son abbas!
U.B: what is it?
NARRATOR: Bibi Zainab extracted a blood ridden shield that H. Abbas had carried in his battle. As soon as she saw it, U.B was overcome with grief and sobbed uncontrollably.
SCENE 7: AT THE GRAVE OF BIBI FATIMAH ZAHRA
NARRATOR: After paying respects to the grave of their grandfather the Holy Prophet, the daughters and grandchildren of bibi Fatima came to the grave of their mother and painfully addressed her.
(Bibi Zainab and Umm Kulthum and ladies at the grave)
B. ZAINAB: O Mother! We your daughters were taken as prisoners, we were paraded from one city to another, your household was scattered in the wilderness and we have been made destitute. O mother! My body has become bruised and wounded through the cracking of the whip.
(She holds the shirt of imam Hussain)
B. ZAINAB: O Mother! I have brought you what you had given to me in trust, the torn, blood stained shirt of Hussain!
(crying and sobbing)
MARSIA
NARRATOR: After the arrival of Imam al-Sajjad in Medina, 15 days were declared as days of mourning for the tragedy and the loss of Imam Hussain. The women of the clan of Hashim wore blac clothes and ate simple food.
Imam Sajjad after the tragedy of Kerbala, fasted for forty years and stood vigilant in prayers during the nights. He cried unceasingly for the loss of his father, uncles and brothers.
Whenever food or water would be placed infront of him, he would say repeatedly: "The Grandson of the apostle was killed thirsty; the grandson of the Apostle was killed hungry!"