Bibi Sakina was the youngest daughter of Imam Husayn. She was a vivacious child, full of love and happiness. Everyone loved Sakina. 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.
Sakina was Imam Husayn's most beloved child. Our Imam 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 and Sakina. He loved her more than he did his own children. If Sakina requested for anything, Abbas would not rest until he satisfied her request. There was nothing that Abbas would not do to make Sakina happy.
During the journey from Madina to Mecca and then Mecca to Karbala’, Abbas was often seen riding up to the mehmil in which Sakina sat to make sure that she had everything she wanted. Sakina loved her uncle just as much. While in Madina she would, several times a day, visit the house in which Hazrat Abbas lived with his family and his mother, Ummul Baneen.
Like any other four-five year old when Sakina went to bed at night she wanted to spend some time with her father. Imam Husayn would tell her stories of the prophets and of the battles fought by her grand-father Ali. She would rest her head on her father's chest and Husayn would not move from her until she fell asleep. When from the second of Muharram the armies of Yazid began to gather at Karbala’, Husayn said to his sister Zainab, “The time has come for you to get Sakina used to going to sleep without my being there!” Sakina would follow her father at night and Husayn had to gently take her to Zainab or Rubaab.
At Karbala’ when from the seventh Muharram water became scarce Sakina shared whatever little water she had with other children. When soon there was no water at all, the thirsty children would look at Sakina hopefully, and because she could not help them she would have tears in her eyes. Sakina's lips were parched with thirst.
On the Ashura day, she gave her Mashk to Hazrat Abbas. He went to get water for her. The children gathered round Sakina with their little cups, knowing that as soon as Hazrat Abbas brought any water, Sakina would first make sure that they had some before taking any herself. When Sakina saw Imam Husayn bringing the blood drenched 'alam she knew that her uncle Abbas had been killed. From that day on Sakina never complained of thirst.
Then came the time when the earth shook and Sakina became an orphan! But even then she always thought of the others first. She would console her mother on the death of Ali Asghar and when she saw any other lady or child weeping Sakina would put her little arms around her.
Yes Sakina never again asked anyone for water. Bibi Zainab would persuade her to take a few sips, but she herself would never ask for water or complain of thirst!!!!
From the time when Imam Husayn fell in the battle field, Sakina 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, Sakina 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, “Will Sakina be going home like those birds flying to their homes?”
Then one dreadful night Sakina 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. Sakina 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 Imam walked up to where Sakina lay. He put his hand on her forehead. It was cold! He put his hand near the mouth and the nose. Sakina had stopped breathing. In between sobs Imam Zain ul 'Abideen said: “inna lil-Lahi wa inna ilay-hi raja’uun.”
How was Sakina buried? Zainab held the still child as Imam 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: “ya Sakina, ya mazloomah!!” Bibi Rubaab put her cheek on Sakina's grave and cried out: “Speak to me, Sakina! Only a word, my child! Speak to me!!”
Sayyedah Sakinah (a.s) relates, that on a Thursday I dreamt in Syria, then she relates a lengthy dream and at it's conclusion, she says, that I saw a woman in my dream seated on a Camel-litter with her hand upon her head. I inquired as to who she was and was answered that, "She is Fatemah (a.s), the daughter of Mohammad (s.a.w.s), the daughter of the Messenger of Allah, your grand-mother". I told myself, "By Allah! I should go to her and relate to her all that they have done to us", saying this I ran towards her. I sat in front of her and started weeping, and then I said, "O dear Mother! They withheld our rights. O dear Mother! They scattered our group. O dear Mother! They violated our sanctity. O dear Mother! By Allah! They killed my father Husain (a.s)". She replied, "O dear Sakinah! Remain silent, for it cuts my heart-vein. This is the shirt of your father that I have preserved until I meet Allah alongwith it".[1] There is no other Deity accept Allah (La Ilaha Illallah). [2] Allah is Great (Allaho Akbar). Shaikh Ibne Nima relates, that Sayyedah Sakinah (a.s) dreamt in Damascus that five illuminated horses have come forth, and upon each one a honourable personality is seated, while the Angels have surrounded them from all around, a maid of paradise was also alongwith them. Those mounted proceeded further while the maid came towards me and said, "Verily your grandfather has sent salutations to you". I replied, "Salutations upon the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s)! Who are you?" She replied, "One of the maids of Paradise". I asked, "Who are these people who have arrived here mounted upon the noble horses?" She replied, "They are Adam (a.s), the One Chosen by Allah (Sifwatullah); the second one is Ibraheem (a.s), the friend of Allah (Khaleelullah); the third one is Moosa (a.s), the one who spoke to Allah (Kalimullah); the fourth one is Isa (a.s), the Spirit of Allah". I asked, "Who is he who has held his beard in his hand and is falling & rising?" She replied, "He is your grandfather, the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s)". I said, "Where are they going?" and she replied, "They are going towards your father Husain (a.s)". I ran towards him to inform him as to how the oppressors have treated us after his death. At that moment five illuminated camel-litters arrived, and on each one a woman was seated. I asked, "Who are these women who have just arrived?" They said, "The first one is Hawwa, the mother of mankind; the second one is Asiyah, the daughter of Mazahim (and wife of Fir'aun); the third one is Mariyam, the daughter of Imran (and mother of Prophet Isa); the fourth one is Khadijah (a.s), the daughter of Khuwaylid; while the fifth one, with her hand upon her head and is falling & rising, is none other than your grand-mother Fatemah (a.s), the daughter of Mohammad (s.a.w.s), your father's mother". I said, "By Allah! I should narrate to her as to how they treated us", saying this I sat facing her and said, "O dear Mother! They withheld our rights. O dear Mother! They scattered our group. O dear Mother! They violated our sanctity. O dear Mother! By Allah! They killed my father Husain (a.s)". She (a.s) replied, "O Sakinah! Remain silent. You have charred my liver and cut off the joint of my heart. This is the shirt of your father Husain (a.s) that I have preserved until I meet Allah alongwith it". Then I awoke from my sleep and wished to conceal it, but then I narrated it to my intimate relatives and it became renowned among men".(NAFASUL MAHMOOM)
Ziarat
My Salutations to the little princess of Imam Hussain (AS)
My salam on you, O Grand-daughter of Ali (A.S), Amir-ul-Momineen.
My salam on you, O Grand-daughter of Bibi Fatima (A.S), The Radiant.
My salam on you, O daughter of Hussain (A.S), Mazloom-e-Kaerbala.
My salam on you, O niece of Abbas Alamdar (A.S).
My salam on you, O niece of Bibi Zaynab (A.S).
My salam on you, O sister of Ali (A.S), Zain-ul Abideen
My salam on you, O noble one, from nobel linage.
My salam on you, O pious, pure one.
My salam on you, O young Mazloomah.
My salam on you, O who suffered and was oppressed.
My salam on you, O who was held captive.
My salam on you, O who is buried far from home.
My salam on you, O who never made it out of that desolate dungeon.
My salam on you, O young Hashemite Princess (A.S).
My salam on you, O Bibi Sakina-bint-Al Hussain (A.S).
My salams on you and May Allah (SWT) grant you abundant peace and blessings.
Allah's (SWT) choicest blessings be upon Mohammed and his holy progeny.
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA RASOOLILLAAHE
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA SULTAANIL ANEYAA-E
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA SAAHEBIL HAWZE WAL-LEWAAA-E
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA MAN A’RAJA ELAS SAMAAA-E
WA WASALA ELAA QAABA QAWSAYNE AW ADNAA
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA NABIYYIL HODDA
WA SAYYEDIL WARAA WA MUNQEZIL E’BAADE MENAZ ZALAALATE WAR-RADAA
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA AKRAMIL A’ALAMEENA HASABAN
WA AFZALEHIM NASABAN WA AJMALEHIM MANZARAN
WA AS-KHAAHUM KAFFAN WA ASH-JA-E’HIM QALBAN
WA AKMALEHIM HILMAN WA AKSAREHIM I’LMAN
WA ASBATEHIM ASLAN WA A-A’LAAHUM ZIKRAN
WA ASNAAHUM ZUKHRAN WA AHMADAHUM WASFAN
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA BAHRIL O’LOOME WA KAHFIL FOQARAAA-E
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA MAN WOLEDA FIL KA’BATE
WA ZUWWEJA FIS SAMAAA-E
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA SULTAANIL AWSEYAA-E WA SAYYEDIL AWLEYAAA-E
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA SAARILLAAHE WANBE SAAREHI
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA SAYYEDISH-SHO-HADAAA-E
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BAZ-A’TE SAYYEDE SHABAABE AHLIL JANNATE
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA FAATEMATAZ ZAHRAAA-E SAYYEDATE NESAAA-IL A’ALAMEENA
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA BINTA KHADEEJATIL KUBRAA UMMIL MOMINEENA
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA SAKEENATA BINTA UMME RABBABIN
WA RAHMATULLAAHE WA BARAKAATOHU
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE AYYATOHAT TAQIYYATUN NAQIYYATO
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE AYYATOHAL FAAZELATUS SAGHEERATO
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE AYYATOHAL KAREEMATUL BAHIYYATO
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE AYYATOHAL MAZLOOMATUSH SHA-HEEDATO
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE AYYATOHAL BA-E’EDATO A’NIL AWTAANE
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE AYYATOHAL ASEERATO FIL-BULDAANE
ASSALAMO A’LAYKE YAA MUMTAHANATO BE-IMTEHAANIL A’ZEEMATE
WS FA-DAA-HAA NAFSAHAA LE-ABEEHAA WA WAREEDAHAA
ASSALAAMO A’LAA MAM MAATA MIN SHIDDATISH-SHAWQE
FEE MAHABBATE SAYYEDISH SHOHA-DAA-E
WA QAAMAT QEYAAMATO AHLIL BAYTE BE-MOTEHAA
FEE KHARAABATISH-SHAAME WA HEYA MAW-ZE-A’L MUMTAHANATEWAL BALAAA-E
ASSALAAMO A’LAA MAL-LAHEQAT ELAA JADDEHAA
WA ABEEHAA FEE DAARIL KAREEMATE WA LIL-LEQAAA-E
WA RAHMATULLLAHE WA BARAKAATOHU
