The heartbreaking aftermath of Ashura – the night of loss, fear, and resilience for the Ahlul Bayt (A.S) in Karbala.
Surah al-Fatiha
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaih Raja’oon!
Shaam al-Gharibaan: The Darkest Night in Karbala
After the sun of Ashura set, a new darkness enveloped Karbala. The battlefield, once filled with the cries of “Ya Husayn!” was now silent, save for the sobs of widows and the wails of orphans.
Shaam al-Gharibaan, or the Night of the Oppressed, marked the beginning of a new journey of suffering for the Ahlul Bayt (A.S). With 72 bodies left on the sands of Karbala — unburied, beheaded, and trampled — the heartache of Imam Husayn’s family reached a new peak.
The Tragic Scene in Karbala
Seventy-two martyrs — Ali Akbar, Ali Asghar, Qasim, Aun–Muhammad, Abbas, and Imam Husayn (A.S) — all lay dead. Their bodies mutilated. Their heads severed. No ghusl, no kafan, no burial.
The River Furaat, which they were denied access to, flowed mercilessly beside them.
As the sunset brought night to Karbala, so began the cruelest night in Islamic history.
The Cry of the Orphans and Widows
The air filled with the cries of widows, sisters, mothers, and children.
- Widows mourned their husbands.
- Sisters wept for their brothers.
- Mothers clutched to the memories of their martyred sons.
- And children — trembling, barefoot, orphaned — cried for their fathers.
Bibi Zainab (S.A): The Guardian of Karbala
Bibi Zainab (S.A) did not cry. She did not rest. She stood as the pillar of strength.
When there were no men left to guard the tents, she took up a broken spear. When the orphans wept, she embraced them. When the tents were burning, she ran from one fire to the next, gathering the women and children.
The Enemies Loot and Burn the Tents
Yazid’s men returned, not to fight — but to loot. They:
- Snatched hijabs from the daughters of Fatimah (S.A)
- Set fire to every tent
- Slapped the crying children
- Tore earrings from Bibi Sakina’s ears
Sakina’s dress caught fire. Her ears bled.
She ran through the burning tents crying:
“Father, where are you?”
Imam Zainul Abideen (A.S) is Rescued
As the tents burned, Imam Zainul Abideen (A.S) lay unconscious from illness.
Bibi Zainab rushed into the flames, picked up the ailing Imam, and brought him to safety.
The Children Scatter in Fear
Terrified, the children ran into the desert. Some were trampled. Some were burned. Others were left shivering alone.
Zainab and Umm Kulthoom searched for them.
Sakina was missing.
Bibi Zainab Finds Sakina on the Battlefield
Zainab searched the battlefield. There she found Sakina — asleep with her head on Husayn’s severed chest.
“Sakina, my child,” she whispered, “come back to your mother.”
She picked her up gently and brought her back to the camp.
Rubab’s Sleepless Grief
Bibi Rubab could not rest. Her heart searched for her infant son, Ali Asghar (A.S), buried with her own hands.
She cried:
“I hear my baby crying. I feel his thirst.”
How could a mother sleep when her child lay alone under the burning sands?
The Vision of Amir al-Mu’mineen (A.S)
That night, Bibi Zainab had a vision. A rider approached the camp.
She raised the spear:
“Stay back! We have nothing left!”
The rider spoke:
“Zainab, my daughter, do you not recognise your father — Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S)?”
She fell to his feet and wept:
“Baba, where were you…when we were being looted…when Husayn was being martyred…when our hijabs were taken?”
Imam Ali (A.S) consoled her:
“Zainab, my brave daughter, tonight you rest. I will guard your tents. You have a long journey ahead — to Kufa, to Shaam. You are the guardian of Imamat now.”
The Message of Shaam al-Gharibaan
The night of Shaam al-Gharibaan is not just a night of mourning — it is a night of reflection. A night where we witness the resilience of the women of Karbala, especially Bibi Zainab (S.A).
They lost everything, yet they held onto their faith.
They had no water, no shelter, no protection — but they carried the message of Karbala to the world.
Ya Zainab! Ya Sakina! Ya Husayn!
As we mourn tonight, let us:
- Reflect on the sacrifices made
- Pledge to uphold justice and truth
- Raise our voices against oppression
Ya Husayn! Ya Husayn! Ya Husayn!
