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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Victory of Truth: The Life of Zaynab bint Ali Rendezvous with Fate - Karbala When Zaynab [a.s.] learnt of her brother's proposed journey to Kufa she begged her husband to give her leave to accompany her brother. Abdullah pointed out that such a journey was fraught with difficulties and hardship.

Zaynab [a.s.] insisted, saying, "My mother did not leave me behind to watch from afar as recreation the day when my brother is all alone, surrounded by enemies with no friend or supporter. You know that for fifty-five years my brother and I have never been separated. Now is the time of our old age and the closing period of our lives.

If I leave him now, how shall I be able to face my mother, who at the time of her death had willed, 'Zaynab, after me you are both mother and sister for Husayn [a.s.]'? It is obligatory for me to stay with you, but if I do not go with him at this time, I shall not be able to bear the separation." Abdullah himself had wanted to accompany the Imam, but since he had been weakened by illness, he gave her permission to go on this destined journey. With her he sent two of their sons.

Zaynab [a.s.] had been prepared all her life for what was written for her and her brother. She preferred to face the trials of Karbala than to ever be separated from him. Having decided to leave, Imam Husayn [a.s.] ordered that litters be prepared for the ladies of his family. Abu'l-Fadl Abbas, his half-brother (for they shared the same father), helped Zaynab [a.s.] and her sister Umm Kulthum into their litter.

They were followed by two young girls, Fatima Kubra and Sakina, daughters of Imam Husayn [a.s.]. After the first day of their journey, the party camped at Khuzaymiyyah for the night. While Zaynab [a.s.] was seeing to her brother's comfort, he said to her, "What will come to pass has long since been decreed." When later on their journey, they reached Ruhayma, they found their way blocked by Hur ibn Yazid Riyahi.

Sakina saw what had happened and when she told Zaynab [a.s.], Zaynab wept and said to her, "Would that the enemy killed all of us rather than slay my brother." When Imam Husayn [a.s.] heard of his sister's distress, he went to her tent and she said to him, "O my brother, talk to them. Tell them about your nearness to the Holy Prophet and of your kinship with him." Imam Husayn [a.s.] replied, ''O sister! I spoke to them at length.