"Sakina...

"Sakina, my child, I have come here After searching the desert, my dear Your father's beheaded body, how could you find In this dark night, with your frightened mind?" "An irresistible urge seized me, though dampened To tell my father all that had happened How they snatched my earrings, after his death The slaps I received, the treatment we met." "Running aimlessly in the desert I cried Tell me dearest father, where do you lie Sakina, my darling Sakina, come here, come here!

I heard him calling and found my father dear." "I narrated to him, all I had endured It lightened my heart: I was re-assured An urge to sleep on his chest, for the last time I placed my head in the nest of mine." With Sakina, Zaynab hurried to the camp Again it was dark; there was no lamp All were anxiously waiting in the ghostly night Praying silently to God, the Eternal Light.

She placed Sakina in her mother's arms She had several other duties to perform No, not to protect any worldly treasure The children had suffered, beyond measure.

Advancing towards them, she saw a group "There is nothing left, which you can loot Pray, do not disturb the children in sorrow If you want something, come in the morrow!" "We do not want anything from you We know, what you have said is true We have brought some water and food We know, you are in a sorrowful mood." Zaynab was surprised; so polite was the speaker It was the widow of Hur, the truth seeker "Soldiers of Omar Saad have deputed me To carry food and water for thee." "Lest you perish, due to hunger and thirst, Before Yazid, they want to take you first That is why they have sent water and food Not because they have suddenly turned good." "O, sister, we are indebted to your husband For his precious life, in defending Husayn He was our guest, but at a time, alas!

We had not even water; no, not a glass!" "My lady, I am grieved, you lost not one But eighteen members to death, were done." They offered condolences to each other Zaynab was large hearted like her mother. "At last there is water for you Wake up, Sakina, see it is true Wet your throat, sobbing will stop." For days, she had not even a drop.

"Let Ali Asghar drink first, he is the youngest My dear brother died of sheer maddening thirst Now that water is available, give him first Before I can taste it and quench my thirst." Guarding her folks, with a half burnt pole Alone, all alone, with no waking soul Due to exhaustion, Zaynab fell in a swoon O' Merciful God, it was, indeed, a boon!