It cannot be ascertained whether ZAIN AL-ABIDIN fell ill...

It cannot be ascertained whether ZAIN AL-ABIDIN fell ill during the journey or after reaching KARBALA'. On the tenth of MUHARRAM, 61 A.H. (October 10, 680), he was too ill to move. As access to the Euphrates was blocked for three days and water was extremely scarce, the illness of ZAIN AL-ABIDIN intensified. For the most part of that day, he lay unconscious and could not participate in the battle which was carried on by all the male members of his family.

So when IMAM HUSAIN (AS) bade his family farewell and went to the battle-field, he could not talk with his son ZAIN AL-ABIDIN to be tested in another way when he was to lead his distressed family as prisoners. Immediately after the martyrdom of IMAM HUSAIN (AS), the ruthless enemies turned to his tents to burn and plunder. The overwhelming grief, the flames of burning tents, the tumult among the widowed ladies and orphans must have taken its toll on the sensitive SAJJAD.

No tongue nor pen could have described the psychological impact. But the son HUSAIN (AS) maintained his composure and spiritual serenity. In spite of illness and crushing distress, he kept the grace of a true believer.

Having said the night prayers on that fateful eve, he lay prostration with his forehead on the ground and his tongue repeating these phrases all night long till day dawned: "No deity but Allah in all certainty: There is no god but Allah in justice and truth; I bear witness to this in submission and humility".

Next day UMER IBN SA'D assembled all his slain soldiers, performed the funeral prayers for them and arranged for their burial, leaving the corpse of IMAM HUSAIN (AS), 's grandson, and those of his faithful adherents uncovered, enshrouded, and unburied, simply lying on the ground. It was a most painful sight for ZAIN AL-ABIDIN to pass through the site of the onslaught accompanied by the ladies, all being captives.

He was shocked to realize that he could not bury his kith and kin due to his captivity. Not less heart-rending might have been the event when this pillaged caravan was brought to the court of ZIYAD, governor of KUFA. SAJJAD might have remembered that it was the same town where once his grandfather IMAM ALI IBN ABU TALIB (AS) ruled as caliph and the ladies of the household were the royalty. IBN ZIYAD now rejoiced over his victory as the Prophet's family was brought as captives.

But even the, AS-SAJJAD stood as a granite rock, calm and dignified. IBN ZIYAD broke the silence when he asked SAJJAD what his name was.