Hazrat Rabab (s.a.) also
known as Umm Rabab (a.s.) , was the wife of the King of Martyrs, Imam Hussayn
(a.s.) and the mother of the “ Princess of Karbala”, Hazrat Sakina (s.a.) and
the " Little Victor of Karbala”, Hazrat Ali al-Asghar (a.s.).
She was the daughter of the chief of the tribe of Bakr
bin Wael, Imru’al Qays. It is reported that she was a learned woman. She and
her father both were fond of poetry.
She had an exceptional faith in Imam Hussayn (a.s.). Her
sacrifice and dedication is note worthy in the tragedy of Karbala. When she
left Madinah, along with the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), Hazrat Ali al-Asghar (a.s.)
must have been about one month old. Although, Hazrat Fatima al-Sughra insisted
that the little Ali al-Asghar (a.s.) may be left with her in Madinah.
The travelling from Madinah to Karbala was very difficult
and one can imagine how painful it must have been to a mother of two children
aging one month and four years; Hazrat Sakina (s.a.) was about four years old.
Even at Karbala, when water supply was cut-off by the brutal
Yazidi forces from 7th of Muharram, there is no report of any
narration in the books, of any complaint from Umm Rabab (s.a.) about an
infant’s thirst in the desert of scorching heat.
On the Day of Ashura, when Imam Hussayn (a.s.) asked Umm Rabab to
bring Hazrat Ali Asghar (a.s.) so that he may get some water for the infant,
Hazrat Umm Rabab’s trust in Imam
Hussayn (a.s.) is unimaginable. The barbaric people, who had mercilessly
slaughtered the family and friends of Imam Hussayn (a.s.) in one day, would be
kind enough to quench the thirst of the infant. Umm Rabab was the symbol of
reliance, confidence, dedication, patience and sacrifice. In this action, Hazrat Umm Rabab was no less than Hazrat
Hajira (a.s.) when she was left alone in the desert of Makkah with her little son, Hazrat Isma’eel (a.s.).
She must have given the benefit of doubt about the so called Muslims and
thought that a slight ray of humanity must have been left in them. But in a
matter of few minutes that apprehension was shattered when Hurmalah (l.a.) released a three-pronged arrow towards the
delicate neck of Hazrat Ali Asghar (a.s.) which pierced through the infant's throat and injured Imam Hussayn
(a.s.)’s hand. When Imam Hussayn (a.s.) brought the infant and Hazrat Umm
Rabab (s.a.) witnessed the slaughtered baby, she said: “Does infants are slaughtered like camels!” Because such three pronged arrows were used
to slaughter (Nahar) camels. After some time, when she witnessed the tiny head
of Hazrat Ali Asghar (a.s.) on the top of a spear, her heart must have been shattered. But
she remained a symbol of patience!
It is reported that when the caravan of Ale Muhammad (a.s.)
returned to Karbala, she refused to go back to Madinah and did not sit in a
shade. We can imagine the state of her mind;
her husband, the King of Martyrs Imam Hussayn (a.s.) was brutally slaughtered
and his body remained without being covered or properly washed and buried! Her
“Little Victor of Karbala” Hazrat Ali Asghar(a.s.)’s tiny body was exhumed by
the barbaric Yazidi army from the fresh grave prepared by Imam Hussayn (a.s.)
and his tiny head was severed and raised on top of a spear like other martyrs. Her
“Princess of Karbala” Hazrat Sakina (s.a.) was brutally fastened on the back of
a camel on way to Damascus.When the camel ran fast, she was bleeding along the route to Damascus. The blood
dried on her dress and when she died in the dungeon of Shaam (Syria), Imam Zayn
al-Abedin (a.s.) had to bury her beloved sister in the same dress because it was
completely attached to her skin! Can we imagine the enormity of atrocities,
opressions and shameful behavior of the people who paid back the “Compensation
of Prophet Hood” to the Chief of Prophet’s Progeny!
The famous poet
Aale Raza had written about Hazrat Umm Rabab (s.a.) on the eve of “Shaam-e-Ghareeban”:
“Na Is Tarah koi
Kheti Hari Bhari Ujri; Tumhari Mang Bhi Ujri Hai Kokh Bhi Ujri – Meaning no
harvest has ever been destroyed like the destruction of the Garden of Hazrat
Fatima Zahra (s.a.); Your sacred husband was martyred and your both children were
also martyred!”
Reference: Nafsul Mahmum By Shaykh
Abbas Qummi (r.a.)
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