When the time came to leave Karbala...
When the time came to leave Karbala, Syeda Zainab -asws wanted to remain near her brother’s -asws grave till the day of her -asws death. But Imam Zain-ul-Abideen -asws pleaded with her -asws not to leave them , she -asws agreed to return to Medina. Wherever the caravan stopped on its way to Medina, a majlis-e-aza’ was held. When the city was in sight, Syeda Zainab -asws bade the women alight from their camels and pitch their tents. Black flags were raised.
On learning of their arrival the people of Medina came out in droves, and once again Syeda Zainab -asws recounted to them the events at Karbala and the hardships of their subsequent captivity. Syeda Zainab -asws said; “O city (Madinah) of our grandfather!
Do not accept us, we have returned alongwith regret and sorrow; beware, go and relate to the Prophet that we were subjected to severity due to (the enmity of) our father; when we departed from you, we had everyone accompanying us; but now we return back devoid of men and our sons; when we went from here we were together, and now we return accompanied by losses with belongings having being plundered; we were under the protection of Allah, and we now return with the separation of our near-ones and in fear; Our master Hussain -asws was our protector and aide, and we return back having left him smeared in dust; we have been plundered and ruined while having no guarantor or aide, and we weep upon our brother; O grandfather!
The enemies have killed Hussain, and they have not considered us near the Almighty Allah. O dear grandfather! Our enemies have fulfilled their desires and they have found relief by violating our sanctity, they un-veiled the womenfolk of the Ahlulbayt -asws and forcefully made them mount upon Camels devoid of litters”. After some time, Imam Zainul-Abideen -asws asked the women -asws to ready themselves for entering Medina. Then they entered the city on foot, with black flags raised aloft.
Syeda Zainab -asws went straight to the grave of the Holy Prophet -saww where she prayed and told him of the massacre of his beloved grandson.. Syeda Zainab -asws did not live long after the tortuous trials she -asws had to bear. In Medina Syeda Zainab -asws , would weep and cry all. day and night,.