MashK-e-Sakina

e was a vivacious child, full of love and happiness. Everyone loved Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam). She was also a very religious girl. She enjoyed reading the Holy Quraan and never missed her prayers. From the age of two she took great care to make sure that her head and face were properly covered when in public. Bibi Sakina(alaihs salam) was Imaam Hussain (alaihis salam's) most beloved child. Our Imaam was often heard to say, "A house without Sakina would not be worth living in!" She always had a sweet and cheerful smile and a very friendly nature. Other children sought her company as much as the grown ups did. She was very generous and always shared whatever she had with others. There was a special bond between Hazrat Abbas (alaihis salam) and Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam). He loved her more than he did his own children. If Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) requested for anything, Hazrat Abbas (alaihis salam) would not rest until he satisfied her request. There was nothing that Hazrat Abbas (alaihis salam) would not do to make Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) happy. During the journey from Madina to Makkah and then Makkah to Kerbala, Hazrat Abbas (alaihis salam) was often seen riding up to the mehmil in which Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) sat to make sure that she had everything she wanted. Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) loved her uncle just as much. While in Madina she would, several times a day, visit the house in which Hazrat Abbas (alaihis salam) lived with his family and his mother, Ummul Baneen. Like any other four-five year old when Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam0 went to bed at night she wanted to spend some time with her father. Imaam Hussain (alaihis salam) would tell her stories of the prophets (peace and blessings be upon them) and of the battles fought by her grand-father Hazrat Ali Radi allahu anhu. She would rest her head on her father's chest and Hussain would not move from her until she fell asleep. When from the second of Muharram the armies of Yezid began to gather at Kerbala, Hazrat ImamHussain (alaihis salam) said to his sister Hazrat Syeda Zainab (alaihis salam), "The time has come for you to get Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) used to going to sleep without my being there !". Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) would follow her father at night and Hazrat Imam Hussain (alaihis salam) had to gently take her to Hazrat syeda Zainab (alaihis salam) orHazrat Syeda Rubaab (alaihis salam). At Kerbala when from the seventh Muharram water became scarce Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) shared whatever little water she had with other children. When soon there was no water at all, the thirsty children would look at Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) hopefully, and because she could not help them she would have tears in her eyes. Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam's) lips were parched with thirst. On the Ashura day, she gave her Mashk to Hazrat Abbas (alaihis salam). The children gathered round Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) with their little cups, knowing that as soon as Hazrat Abbas (alaihis salam) brought any water, Bii Sakina (alaihis salam) would first make sure that they had some before taking any herself. When Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) saw Hazrat Imaam Hussain (alaihis salam) bringing the blood drenched 'alam she knew that her uncle Hazrat Abbas (alaihis salam) had been killed. From that day on Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) never complained of thirst. Then came the time when the earth shook and Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) became an orphan! But even then she always thought of the others first. She would console her mother on the death of Hazrat Ali Asghar (alaihis salam) and when she saw any other lady or child weeping Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) would put her little arms around her. Yes Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) never again asked anyone for water. Bibi Zainab (alaihis salam) would persuade her to take a few sips, but she herself would never ask for water or complain of thirst!!!! From the time when Hazrat Imam Hussain (radi allahu anhu) fell in the battle field, Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) forgot to smile! Kufa saw her as a sombre little girl lost in thought. Quite often she would sit up at night. When asked if she wanted anything, she would say, "I just heard a baby cry? Is it Asghar? He must be calling out for me!"

Knowing that her weeping upset her mother, Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) would cry silently and quickly wipe away her tears! In the prison in Shaam she would stare at the flock of birds flying to their nests at sunset and innocently ask Bibi Zainab (alaihs salam), "Will Bibi Sakina (alihis salam) be going home like those birds flying to their homes?"
Then one dreadful night Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) went to bed on the cold floor of the prison. For a long time she stared into the darkness! The time for the morning prayers came. Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) was still lying with her eyes wide open. Her mother called out: "Wake up, Sakina! Wake up, it is time for prayers, my child!" There was only the painful silence! Our fourth Imaam walked up to where Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) lay. He put his hand on her forehead. It was cold! He put his hand near the mouth and the nose. Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) had stopped breathing. In between sobs Imaam Zain ul 'Abideen said:
"INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAYHI RAAJI'OON!"

How was Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam) buried ? Hazrat Syeda Zainab (alaihis salam) held the still child as Imaam Zain ul 'Abideen dug a grave in the cell. As the grave was being filled up after the burial the mother let out a scream! How could anyone console Bibi Rubaab? What could they say? They huddled around her, and the prison walls began to shake with the cry:[b] "YA SAKINA, YA MAZLOOMAH!!" [/b] Bibi Rubaab (alaihis salam) put her cheek on Bibi Sakina (alaihis salam's) grave and cried out:
"Speak to me, Sakina! Only a word, my child! Speak to me!!"
"Speak to me, Sakina! Speak to me!!"