The thoughts which crowd in every mind are too heart rending to be spoken out.

The thoughts which crowd in every mind are too heart rending to be spoken out. They arrive at Karbala’!You can well imagine of the suffering of Imam Zain ul 'Abideen, Bibi Zainab and all the ladies when they arrived at Karbala’. Every grave had a lady weeping for the one buried there, every grave save two. Bibi Zainab spent all her time on Husayn's grave and it was young Muhammad Baqir who wept on the graves of Aun and Muhammad. Bibi Zainab took out a tiny bundle.

She lovingly opened it and placed Bibi Sakina's earrings on the grave saying: “Brother, do forgive me! This is all that is left of your darling Sakina!!” The ladies were weeping and wailing and Imam Zain ul 'Abideen was consoling them. He knew that a very difficult situation was yet to come! The first meeting with Bibi Fatimah Soghra! The journey to Madina was slow.

When the city came within sight from the hills surrounding Madina, Bibi Kulthum was heard to recite a poem which means: “ Oh the city of our grandfather, the Holy Prophet, how can you accept us at all? We were so many when we left you, only to return having at Karbala’ lost them all!” Bibi Zainab went up to Imam Zain ul 'Abideen and said, “My son, pray that Allah grant me courage to face Soghra!

How shall I answer her questions?” Imam Zain ul 'Abideen replied, “May Allah grant you the patience of Fatimah Zahra and the courage of Ali.” Imam Zain ul 'Abideen instructed the companions who were with him to go to Madina and erect two huge tents on the outskirts of the city. Very early on the following morning they entered the tents. Imam Zain ul 'Abideen sat in one, and the ladies in the other.

Now a messenger was sent to tell the people of Madina that Imam Zain ul 'Abideen and the daughters of Ali had arrived. The people ran from their houses to the two tents. The people of Madina had, of course, already heard of the tragedy of Karbala’. They did not, however, know of all the details or that young children had also been killed. The men of Madina came to Imam Zain ul 'Abideen and the ladies went to the tent where Bibi Zainab and the other ladies were.

There was so much weeping and wailing that it could be heard miles away. Suddenly someone spotted Bibi Fatimah Soghra coming. She was supported on one side by Umme Salmah and on the other by Ummul Baneen. Bibi Zainab prayed to Allah for courage. she put on her chaadar and went out to meet Soghra. Neither could utter a word.