Sukaina (Arabic: سكينة "Calmness, Peace of Mind"[1]) (née Ruqayyah bint Hussain) (20 Rajab, 56 AH – 5 Rabi' al-thani, 117 AH;[2] 676–736), was the daughter of Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alī and Rubab (the daughter of the chief of the Kinda Imra al-Qays tribe). Husayn was the second grandson of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad and is a revered figure to all the Muslims, who regard him as an Imām.
Sayeda Sakina was born on 20 Rajab, 56 AH. Her titles includes Sakina, Ma‘sūmah, Aatika, Kulthūm, and Zaynab. Her early years were said to have been spent in Medina. Her brothers included Ali ibn Husayn, Ali al-Akbar ibn Husayn, Ali Asghar ibn Husayn. Her sisters included Fāṭimah aṣ-Ṣughrá and Fāṭimah al-Kubrá.
According to Shi'ah Muslims, she accompanied her father when he traveled from Mecca to Kufa, now known as Iraq, "as Yazid had offered Imam to step down of Caliphate and let him get the throne, Imam did not need any worldly power, he had already been given Imamat, Wilayat and enormously huge honour by God himself. Thus Imam said, okay I will step down provided you and I go in public and there you place your argument and I will accept however I will not decide upon the stance in the closed cabinet [as Imam knew that they would have announced in public that Imam has made Yazid as Caliph and has taken covenant with him]. This stance of Imam caused displeasure to Yazid. Imam realised that living in Medina would result in bloodshed as it is no longer safe for them here. So he thought for Kufa where people had promised their covenant with him. He sent his cousin Muslim son of Aqeel to confirm the covenant of people and he reported the stance as positive. However eventually the scene changed, the nobles of Yazid spread tyranny over people and either threatened them to death or offered them lust for power and wealth. Imam left Medina upon invitation from people of Kufa but upon reaching midway the story was found different, they forced Imam to change his way towards Karbala. They prohibited water and supplies for them and each day increased the cruelty inorder to force him into covenant. They did not realise that the person before them is none but Husain son of Ali who cares not for life when it comes to decide upon truth and false or good and bad. This led to final battle on 10th of Mohurrum, they martyred the entire household of Imam and his companions and then captured the survivals. The survivals included Imam's sisters, wives, daughters including Sakina, family members of companions of Imam and Imam's son Imam Zainul Abeddin who was ill and could not participate in battle as a result.
In Damascus Yazid thought that he has won his throne and was enjoying each moment and was imposing torments upon the women and children of Imam and his companions, however Imam's sister Zaynab daughter of Ali, his son Imam Zainul Abeddin, Imam's daughter Fatima al-Kubra and other delivered sermons and fought their case in front of entire court of tyrant. They proved before them that Yazid has spread the false information about them, they are people of household of Prophet of Islam and that the stance of Imam was in opposition of false and Yazid is the engine of all the false and he created the evil and tried to force it upon Imam. Imam has won his stance and Yazid has lost forever. The entire world will curse at Yazid and nobody will befriend him in any world. People will mourn and observe sorrows for Imam Husain and will remember the name of each martyr forever. God is great, God is mighty, God helps those who steadfast on the path of truth and God made Imam Husain win over the tyranny of each Yazid in the world. Those who will follow Imam will be able to crush each tyrant under his foot and rise higher and higher in might.
Sources: Nafs ul Mahmoom by Sheikh Abbas Qummi, Behar ul Anwaar, Vol I by Allama Sayyad Mohammad Baqir Majlisi and others.
Sayeda Sakina bint al-Husayn was the daughter of Hussain ibn Ali. Sakina is a derivative of "Sakoon" meaning "Peace". He had a daughter, Sayeda Sakina.
Sayeda Sakina was the most beloved daughter of Hussain ibn Ali and used to sleep on his chest every night. Being the daughter of the third Imam, she was different from other children of her age in many ways. She was very religious and enjoyed reading the Holy Quran and never missed her prayers. From a very early age, she took great care to make sure that her head and body were properly covered when in public.
Hussain ibn Ali was often heard saying, "A house without Sayeda Sakina would not be worth living in".
Like any other four-to-five year old, when Sayeda Sakina went to bed at night she wanted to spend some time with her father. Hussain ibn Ali would tell her stories of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad and of the battles fought by her grandfather Ali ibn Abi Talib.
There was a special bond between Sayeda Sakina and her paternal uncle, Abbas ibn Ali. He loved her more than he did his own children. If Sayeda Sakina requested for anything, Abbas ibn Ali would not rest until he fulfilled her request. During the journey from Medina to Mecca and then Mecca to Karbala, Abbas ibn Ali was often seen riding up to the mehmil (a special saddle made for women) in which Sayeda Sakina sat to make sure that she had everything she wanted. Sayeda Sakina loved her uncle just as much. While in Medina, she would several times a day, visit the house in which Abbas ibn Ali lived with his family and his mother, Ummul Banin.
On the 2nd of Muharram, the army of Yazid ibn Muawiya began to gather at Karbala, Hussain ibn Ali said to his sister Zaynab bint Ali, "The time has come for you to get Sukaina used to going to sleep without me". Sayeda Sakina would follow her father at night and Hussain ibn Ali had to gently take her to Zaynab bint Ali or Rubab.
On the 7th of Muharram, by the order of Yazid ibn Muawiya, the army didn’t let Hussain ibn Ali get water from the Euphrates. The water became scarce in the camp of Hussain ibn Ali, Sayeda Sakina shared whatever little water she had with other children. When soon there was no water at all, the thirsty children would look at Sayeda Sakina with their eyes full of hope. The situation got so bad that Sayeda Sakina's lips were parched with thirst.
Several times Abbas ibn Ali asked Hussain ibn Ali for permission to go and fight the army of Yazid. Every time Hussain ibn Ali would reply, "Abbas, you are the captain of my army; you are my Alamdaar, (the standard bearer)". Abbas ibn Ali would never argue with Hussain ibn Ali and because of that reason he would stop trying to gain permission to engage in fight with the army of Yazid.
But soon, Sayeda Sakina came out holding a dried up mashk (water-bag), leading 42 other children, each holding a dry water-bag. The children were shouting as if in chorus, Al Atash, Ya Ammahu (I am thirsty, O my uncle Abbas!). She walked up to Abbas ibn Ali and told him that the children had all come to her asking for water. He could see that thirst, aggravated by the scorching heat of the desert, was squeezing their young lives out of them. Abbas ibn Ali went to Hussain ibn Ali and requested his permission to go and get water for Sukaina and the other children. Hussain ibn Ali rejected his request; once again, by saying to him that he is his army’s commander and because of that he cannot go and fight. Abbas ibn Ali used Sayeda Sakina request to gain Hussain ibn Ali’s permission, and Hussain ibn Ali agreed. Abbas put Sayeda Sakina's mashk on the Alam (Flag), mounted his horse and rode up to Hussain ibn Ali.
Abbas ibn Ali said, "I have come to say goodbye". Hussain ibn Ali said, "My brother, come and embrace me". Abbas ibn Ali dismounted his horse. There were tears in the eyes of the third Imam. As Abbas ibn Ali prepared to mount his horse, Hussain ibn Ali said, "My brother, I want a gift from you. I want your sword". Abbas ibn Ali, without uttering a word, gave his sword to Hussain ibn Ali and rode into the battlefield, armed only with a spear and holding the Alam. Hussain ibn Ali took away Abbas’ sword because his intentions weren’t to fight but to save the religion of his grandfather, the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which Yazid was corrupting.
When Abbas ibn Ali went to get the water, the children gathered around Sayeda Sakina with their little cups, knowing that as soon as Abbas ibn Ali would bring water, Sukaina would first make sure that they had some before taking any herself. Sayeda Sakina was standing next to Hussain ibn Ali, also with her eyes fixed on the Alam of Abbas ibn Ali. Abbas reached the river bank fighting Yazid's men trying to block his way, killing anyone with his spear that tried to stop his progress. Abbas' bravery was well known among the Arabs and the Yazid’s troops started to flee in different directions. As he bent down to fill the mashk, the Alam disappeared from sight. Sayeda Sakina was frightened and looked at her father. Hussain ibn Ali said, Sayeda Sakina, your uncle Abbas is at the river bank. Sayeda Sakina smiled and said, Alhamdulillah (all praise is for Allah), and called out all the children to welcome Abbas.
With the water-bag filled, Abbas ibn Ali wanted to get the water to the anxiously waiting children as quickly as possible. Seeing him gallop towards the camp of Hussain ibn Ali, Umar ibn Sa’ad shouted from the enemy ranks that if even a single drop of water reaches Hussain's camp, it would be impossible to fight them on the battlefield. When arrows were coming from all sides, Abbas had only one thought in his mind, how to protect the water-bag than his life. Abbas ibn Ali lost both his arms during the attack, trying to save the water-bag. The Alam fell onto the ground. Sayeda Sakina could not see it any longer. She looked at Hussain ibn Ali, but he turned his face away. Sayeda Sakina began to tremble with fear and her eyes filled with tears. She raised her hands and prayed, “Ya Allah! Do not let them kill my uncle Abbas, I will not ask for water again and ran inside the tent to her mother”.
The tyrannical forces of Yazid came to the tents. They looted all the belongings of Hussain ibn Ali and his supporters. They even snatched away the hijab of the ladies. Shimr, the most evil of Yazid's men, came too. Sayeda Sakina was crying for her father. Instead of comforting words, Shimr slapped Sayeda Sakina's face and pulled off earrings from her ears. Blood poured from little Sayeda Sakina's ears. Surely they would stop now. But they did not. One-by-one they set fire to the tents. The helpless ladies and children ran from one tent to another. Sayeda Sakina's dress was on fire, her ears were bleeding. All Sayeda Sakina wanted was her dear father.
She ran to the battlefield screaming: "Father, where are you? Father, father, speak to me father." As the night descended, since Hussain ibn Ali's, head was cut off by yazid's army, Zaynab bint Ali, the daughter of Ali ibn Abi Talib, took it on herself to protect the ladies and children. She gathered all the ladies and children, in to one small space in between the gutted tents. Ali ibn Hussain lay on the ground surrounded by these widows and orphans. There was no fire, no light. Only the moon cast its dull light. After a little while, Zaynab bint Ali noticed that Sayeda Sakina was missing. She asked Rubab, but even she did not know where Sukaina was. The two holy ladies (s.a.)panicked and ran out of the tents looking for her.
The two ladies (s.a.)searched everywhere for the young girl but in vain. Finally, in desperation, Zaynab bint Ali went to the place where the body of her brother Hussain ibn Ali lay and cried, "O my brother, Sayeda Sakina, who you left in my care, is nowhere to be found. Where shall I look for her in this wilderness?" Just then, the moon came out from behind a cloud and Zaynab bint Ali saw Sayeda Sakina laid on her father, sleeping on his chest like she always used to.
She shook the child awake and said, Oh, Sayeda Sakina! How did you recognize your father? A person can be recognized by their face or the clothes they wear. Your father is beheaded and his clothes are covered with red scars of blood. Sukaina replied innocently, I wanted to tell my father about what the people had done to me. I wanted to tell him how Shimr (l.a.)had robbed the earrings that my father had so lovingly given me. I wanted to tell him how he had ripped them from my ears leaving my earlobes torn and bleeding. I wanted to tell him how the beast had mercilessly slapped me when I cried in pain. When I was running aimlessly in the desert I thought I heard my father's voice telling me he was here[Ilaiya Ilaiya Sakina]. I followed the voice and I found him lying here. I told him everything and then I felt like sleeping on his chest the way I always did, for the last time. So I kept my head on his chest and slept till you came.
Umar ibn Sa'ad asked Hurr's widow to take some food and water to the ladies and the children. As she neared to where they were resting, Zaynab bint Ali recognized her. She stood up, went towards Hurr's widow and offered her condolences for the martyrdom of Hurr. This gesture on the part of Zaynab bint Ali, who had suffered so much, lost so many, and carrying so much grief in her heart, is a lesson in real Islamic manners which the world should never be allowed to forget.
Zaynab took the jug of water. She went to Sayeda Sakina who had fallen into a fretful sleep. Gently she stroked Sayeda Sakina's uncombed hair. Sayeda Sakina opened her eyes. Zaynab bint Ali said, "Here is some water Sukaina, please drink a little. You have been thirsty for so long. On hearing the word “water” Sayeda Sakina cried out hopefully, has my uncle Abbas come back? When she was told that Hurr's widow had brought the water, she got up, went to Hurr's widow, thanked her and then asked Zaynab bint Ali, Have you all drank water? Zaynab bint Ali shook her head. Sayeda Sakina asked, why then do you ask me to drink water? Zaynab bint Ali said, because, my dear, you are the youngest". Sayeda Sakina replied, no, Asghar is the youngest.
The next day, the caravan of the unfortunate was made to start traveling towards Kufa. Ali ibn Hussain, regardless of being fatally ill, was bound in heavy chains and forced to walk barefooted as the Ladies, including the granddaughters of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, were forced to sit on bare backs of the camels and with their necks and hands tied tightly in ropes. The caravan suffered the tortures of the journey and when they reached Kufa they were forced to march through public roads and through the streets of Kufa. Suddenly the camel on Sayeda Sakina and the Zaynab bint Ali were seated, stopped near a house. Zaynab bint Ali eyes fell on Sayeda Sakina and immediately knew that she had something to say. She asked her and Sayeda Sakina answered, I want to ask you for something, I know my dear aunt, that at this moment it is impossible for you to fulfill it. When Zaynab bint Ali insisted, Sayeda Sakina replied, O my dear aunt my throat is so dry I do not think I can endure my thirst anymore. Sayeda Sakina's words were heard by the women who were on the top of the houses so that they could see the holy caravan march clearly. Among these women, a goodhearted lady immediately got up from the crowd and rushed home to bring water for Sayeda Sakina.
But when she came near the camel and near Zaynab bint Ali she asked for a favor in return and said to Zaynab bint Ali that when this thirsty child has tasted this water I want her to pray for me. On hearing this Zaynab bint Ali prevented Sukaina from tasting the water and said to her, Dear Sakina, first fulfill this lady's request. Zaynab bint Ali asked the lady what Sayeda Sakina should pray for and she answered that, My first wish is that may my children never be orphans like you, please pray for me oh my dear child, I see that you are an orphan and I am aware of that God always listens to the prayer of an orphan. Sayeda Sakina raised her little hands and prayed for the lady.ya hussain ya hussain
Then Zaynab bint Ali asked her about her second wish? The lady answered, my second desire is that I wish to visit Medina, please pray for me that God will give me the opportunity to visit the holy city. On hearing the name of Medina, Zaynab bint Ali asked the lady why she wanted to go to Medina. She answered, because it is my wish to visit the Islamic prophet Muhammad's grave and I would also like to meet Fatima bint Muhammad. Zaynab bint Ali replied, but don't you know Fatima bint Muhammad is no longer alive? So what, the lady said, I have also served her daughters: Zaynab bint Ali and Umm Kulthum bint Ali. I will go to Medina to have my last chance to have the honor to meet them. Now Zaynab bint Ali asked her one final question.
Dear Moomina (believer), if you would see Zaynab bint Ali would you recognize her? She immediately answered, Of course I would. Zaynab bint Ali removed her hair from the face and cried, Then your prayer has been answered, behold Umm-e-Habiba, it is I, Zaynab bint Ali, then why don't you recognize me, don't you recognize us all?
Umm-e-Habiba began to cry and said, Oh God, what crime have they committed so that they are being tortured this brutally? Zaynab bint Ali continued, we are the children of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, your third Imam Hussain ibn Ali has been martyred along with his devotees and left unburied on the burning sand in Karbala, their heads have been taken and raised on the lances. Look ahead Umm-e-Habiba, Hussain ibn Ali’s head is in front of you, the head which lips are reciting the holy Quran.
From Kufa, the next phase of the journey started for the family member of Hussain ibn Ali, as prisoners. This journey was to take them to Damascus, in Syria, which was the capital of Yazid. Sukaina was tied, with a rope, on a bare camel. At one point in the journey, Sayeda Sakina fell from her camel. The caravan didn't stop. No one, apart from her family members, noticed the fall of v. After this incidence, the wretched army changed the formation of the holy prisoners. Ali ibn Hussain, was already tied with chains in his neck and feet, the wretched army tied his son, Muhammad al-Baqir, on Ali ibn Hussain’s back and then the same rope was tied on his sister, Sayeda Sakina's neck, so that Ali ibn Hussain could not stand straight. If he did stand straight, the rope used to get tight and strangle Sayeda Sakina.
Even at these times of hardship and misery, Sayeda Sakina always thought of the others first. She would console her mother on the death of Ali Asghar and when she saw any other lady or child weeping Sayeda Sakina would put her little arms around her. In those days, it used to take thirty two days, on a camel, to reach Damascus, but the family members of Hussain ibn Ali were taken in such a way that it only took them sixteen days to reach Damascus.
After the battle of Karbala, sixteen days of suffering the miseries, the tortures and calamities for the Ahl al-Bayt, they reached Damascus. When Yazid heard the news of the caravan reaching the outskirts of Damascus, he ordered them to stop, while he and the people of Damascus prepared for celebrations and jubilations. This caravan of holy prisoners was made to wait outside Damascus for four days.
Someone asked Ali ibn Hussain, after they were released from the dungeons of Syria, as to what was the hardest part in that whole period, and Ali ibn Hussain replied that the hardest part was the time when the Ahl al-Bayt was made to stop outside Damascus for four days. They were treated like animals, with their hands tied; and no food or water was given.
Sayeda Sakina was buried in the same dungeon. Zaynab bint Ali held the still child as Ali ibn Hussain dug a grave for her sister in the dungeon. Sayeda Sakina's clothes were burnt in Karbala, and due to injuries, had intermingled with her flesh. Therefore, she was buried in the same burnt, ripped clothes right there in the Dungeon of Syria. As the grave was being filled up after the burial the mother let out a scream. All the ladies huddled around her, and the prison walls began to shake with the cry, “Ya Sakina, Ya Mazloomah (O Sakina! O Oppressed one!)”. When the time came and they were released from the prison, Rubaab came to the grave of her beloved daughter, placing her cheek on Sakina's grave and cried out, Speak to me Sakina. Only a word, my child, speak to me." Also that the dungeon was black, no light and Bibi Sakina was afraid of dark.
Sayeda Sakina died in Damascus at the age of 4 in 61 AH,[2] and is buried within Sayeda Ruqayya Mosque in Damascus, Syria. Sakina's body was removed from its original burial place, dungeon of Syria, some centuries later, when a pious man of Damascus was informed in his dream that water was pouring into the grave of Sayeda Sakinah. Upon confirmation that ground water was actually entering the grave and ancient tomb (10'X10') was about to collapse(1280AH/1863AD).[3]When shrine was opened for restoration,blessed clothed body of her was seen to be fresh and soft(never decayed or changed) as if she were still alive(although buried 1400 years before).This miracle was witnessed by the Turkish deputy governor,the supreme Judge & other personalities of rank at that time and well mentioned in history books.
Her shrine is now a huge beautiful piece of architecture, her grave covered with gold ornamented Zarih and a place of pilgrimage (ziyarat) for Muslims.
| Adam | |||
| Noah | |||
| Ibrahim (Abraham) | |||
| Ishmael | Ishac (Issac) | ||
| Adnan (b.122 BC)
. . . . . . |
Yaqub (Jacob) | ||
| Abdul Mutallib | Eysa (Jesus) | Musa (Moses) | |
| Abadullah (d.570 AD) | Abu Talib (d.620AD) | ||
| Muhammad (d.632AD) | |||
| Fatima (d.11 AH) | Ali (d.661 AD) | ||
| Husain (d.680AD) | |||
| Sakina/Rukayya (d.680AD) | |||
The story of Sakina is one of the many emotional and highly affecting stories that Shī‘ī Muslims tell of Ḥusayn and his martyrdom at the hands of Yazid’s troops. The Battle of Karbala and the subsequent events at the court of Yazid are explained and mourned annually during the commemoration of ‘Āshūrā.
Sayeda Sakina suffered from fatigue and thirst on the forced march to Damascus, and later from cold and starvation in Yazid’s dungeon.[2]
It is believed that there are two daughter of Imam Husain who went along with him in Karbala, namely Sakina and Rukayya. Rukayya is the same referred above (also named as Sakina, 4 year old) and second was Sakina(11 year old) who was also called Fatema(Kubra) (There is another daughter of Husain, Fatema Sugra bint Husayn, who was supposed to be ill and left behind at Medina).
As per Fatimid / Dawoodi Bohra the Imam Husain's daughter was supposed to be married with Imam Hasan's son, as Imam Husain remembered his promise made to his brother Imam Hasan, to get married his daughter to Imam Hasan's son Qasim ibn Hasan. To just fulfil it, he arranged marriage of Qasim with her daughter Sakina in the battlefield also [This Sakina can not be four years old, hence it should be Sakina (11 yers old, Fatama(kubra)]. (The Mausoleum at Bab-e-Saghir is of elder Sakina (Fatema Kubra, 11 year old).[4][5][6][7][8]