The plains of Karbala were soaked in blood. But the tragedy did not end with the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) and his loyal companions. What followed was a heart-wrenching journey of the captives that remains etched in the memory of history.
What should have been a time of mourning became even more painful. The captives were shackled, abused, and paraded, prevented from being able to cry over losing their loved ones.
However, this journey was not one of defeat.
It was a continuation of the mission of Karbala. A mission to speak truth to power, to expose injustice, and to protect the message of Islam.
On the 11th of Muharram, the women and children from Imam Hussain’s (as) caravan were taken as captives by Umar ibn Saad (la) and his men. Also taken as captive was Imam Zain Al-Abideen (as), who was ill and could not fight on the Day of Ashura.
The first part of their journey took them from Karbala to Kufa.
In Maqtal al-Hussain, it mentions that the women pleaded to see their martyrs before leaving. When they saw the brutality of how they were killed, they screamed and slapped their faces due to their grief.
Upon seeing the trampled body of Imam Hussain (as), Sayyida Zainab (sa) reportedly said, “O Muhammad (saww)! Here is Hussain (as) in the desert, covered with blood, his limbs cut off! Here are your daughters taken captive and your offspring slaughtered!” (Maqtal al-Hussain)
After a bit of time, the captives would be taken to Kufa.
The captives arrived in Kufa on the 12th of Muharram (Kitab al-Irshad, v.2). The people of Kufa gathered around to see the captives.
Lady Umm Kulthum (sa) is reported to have said, “O people of Kufa! Do not you have any sense of shame before Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saww), so you look at the ladies of the Prophet (saww)?”
Various sermons were given, admonishing the people of Kufa for their betrayal of Sayyid Al-Shuhada (as). These included sermons from:
The captives were brought to Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad’s (sa) palace on his order. Ibn Ziyad (la) also had the blessed head of Imam Hussain (as) in front of him, poking at it with his cane.
A companion of the Prophet (saww) named Zayd ibn Arqam is reported to have said, “Stop hitting these lips with your rod, for by Allah, the One and Only God, I saw the lips of the Messenger of Allah (saww) kissing them.” Ibn Ziyad (la) then ordered to have the man be removed from the palace.
Ibn Ziyad (la) would try to taunt Sayyida Zainab (sa) and the Ahlulbayt (as). However, she stood her ground and showed through her eloquent responses that she was the daughter of Imam Ali (as).
Ibn Ziyad (la) would ask her, “How have you seen what Allah (swt) has done to your Ahlulbayt (as)?” She (sa) replied, “I have seen Him (swt) treating them (as) most beautifully.”
The tyrant would then try and taunt Imam Sajjad (as) by saying the same statement. However, the Imam (as) replied back, “Allah (swt) takes the souls away at the time of their death; none dies except with Allah’s (swt) permission.”
Being upset at the reply, ibn Ziyad (la) ordered to have Imam Sajjad (as) killed. However, Lady Zainab (sa) stepped in and saved the Imam (as).
The captives were then placed in prison.
With the captives in prison, ibn Ziyad (la) sent a letter to Yazid (la) asking what to do with the captives. Yazid (la) sent the order to have the captives sent to Shaam (Damascus).
Some reports mention that the captives were sent on the 19th of Muharram and arrived in Shaam on the 1st of Safar. Other reports mention they may have been sent 1 or 2 days before the Arba’een of Imam Hussain (as).
When they arrived in Shaam, the city was decorated as per the order of Yazid (la). The people of Shaam, having been brainwashed for numerous years by Muawiya (la), celebrated the captives.
An elder man said to Imam Sajjad (as), “Praise be to Allah (swt), who annihilated you and who granted the governor the upper hand over you!”
The Imam (as) asked the man if he had read the following verses from the Qur’an, which talked about the love and rights of the Ahlulbayt (as):
When the man affirmed he read those verses, the Imam (as) explained that the captives were the family that are mentioned. This changed the man’s perception, and he asked forgiveness from the Imam (as).
The captives were brought in front of Yazid (la) along with the blessed head of Hussain (as). Like his governor, Yazid (la) would also disrespect the sacred head of the Imam (as).
Yazid (la) would also try to humiliate the Ahlulbayt (as). However, Imam Sajjad (as) gave a powerful sermon that showed the status of the Ahlulbayt (as), the gifts granted to them by Allah (swt), and the difference in the lineage of Prophet Muhammad (saww) and Abu Sufyan (la).
With Yazid (la) humiliated, he quickly had the captives sent to a house that was in ruins. The captives would stay there for a few days to mourn Imam Hussain (as).
With the people starting to turn against Yazid (la), he tried placing the blame on Ibn Ziyad (la) for the killing of Imam Hussain (as).
He released the captives, allowing them to go back to Medina.
Reports mention that before going back to Medina, the caravan went to Karbala so that they could properly mourn over the martyrs of Karbala. While here, they met Jabir ibn al-Ansari, the first zaair of Imam Hussain (as).
The caravan stayed in Karbala for three days before heading to Medina.
When the caravan arrived in Medina, Imam Sajjad (as) had Bashir ibn Hathlam compose poetry of the tragedies that befell the Ahlulbayt (as) throughout the journey.
Eventually, the Ahlulbayt (as) got the mosque of Rasoolallah (saww), where they wept greatly. Imam Sajjad (as) gave a sermon telling the people of Medina what had happened to them.
The ladies of the Ahlulbayt (as) refrained from using any dye, oil, or kohl for five years, until Mukhtar al-Thaqafi took revenge for Imam Hussain (as).
Imam Sajjad (as) would mourn every day for Imam Hussain (as) until he was martyred as well on the 25th of Muharram, 95 AH.
The journey of the captives was a continuation of the stand taken in Karbala. Despite being shackled, starved, and humiliated, the family of the Prophet (saww) held their heads high.
Through their resilience, they awakened hearts, exposed tyranny, and protected the true message of Islam. This legacy of sacrifice and steadfastness is a call for us to stand against injustice in all forms.
Help us honour the Ahlulbayt (as) by supporting those who suffer today. Your donation can provide food, shelter, and hope to those in need.
The captives included the women and children from the family of the Prophet (saww), most notably Sayyida Zainab (sa), Sayyida Umm Kulthum (sa), Sayyida Sakina (sa), Imam Zain Al-Abideen (as), and Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as).
The Umayyad regime wanted to display its supposed victory by humiliating the family of the Prophet (saww). This public display was meant to intimidate others and suppress dissent.
Initially, many did not know the captives were from the family of the Prophet (saww). After powerful sermons by Sayyida Zainab (sa) and Imam Sajjad (as), public awareness grew, and perceptions began to change.
Reports vary. Some indicate the captives left Kufa on the 19th of Muharram and arrived in Shaam on the 1st of Safar, while others suggest they arrived closer to Arba’een.
Many reports mention that before returning to Medina, the caravan visited Karbala to mourn the martyrs and met Jabir ibn al-Ansari, the first visitor to Imam Hussain’s (as) grave.
