Eloquent Defiance at Kufa
The next day the members of the Prophet's family were made to leave for Kufa to be presented to Ibn Ziyad. Among the prisoners were Zaynab (A.S.), her sister Umm Kulthum (A.S.), other women of the Bani Hashim, Imam Zayn ul-Abidin (A.S.), three young sons of Imam Hasan (A.S.) and other daughters of Imam Husayn. When, on their way, they reached the battlefield, a heart-rending sight met their eyes. The bodies of the martyrs lay naked on the burning sand, covered with dust and blood. The enemy had not buried them, although they had buried their own dead.
Seeing this scene of carnage, Imam Ali (A.S.) was so affected that he appeared to be on the verge of death himself. Noticing his state, Zaynab (A.S.) said to him, "O you who are a reminder of my grandfather and father. What has happened to you for I see that you are about to lose your life."
He replied "Dear Aunt, how can I be otherwise when I see that the bodies of my father, uncle, brothers and cousins are lying on the ground neglected while their clothes have been removed and there is no arrangement for shrouding and burying them." Zaynab (A.S.) then also openly lamented the murder of her beloved brother and their imprisonment.
Umar ibn Sa'd had entrusted the severed heads of Husayn (A.S.), his sons, and other martyrs, to different tribal chiefs so that on the way people would see that various tribes had taken part in the battle and none would dare to interrupt their march. The captives were made to ride on camels without saddles, their faces unveiled for all the world to see, while ahead of them their captors gleefully carried the chopped off heads of their loved ones impaled on spears.
Kufa was then regarded as the principal city of Islam. Ali (A.S.) had made it his capital during his caliphate and here Zaynab (A.S.) and Umm Kulthum had once lived respected and loved. Now they came to this city of their memories as captives.
It was night when they arrived at the city, and the palace of Ibn Ziyad was shut, so they were made to camp outside. When he was informed of their arrival the next day he ordered that a great function should take place to which all would be invited without distinction. The head of Imam Husayn (A.S.) was to be placed on a gold tray near the court chair, and the heads of the other martyrs were also to be displayed. The people of Kufa were told that some tribe had committed aggression against the Muslims, but the Muslims had secured victory and because of this there was to be a celebration.
Festively dressed and in anticipation of joyful celebrations the people poured into the streets and market place and the music of victory was heard as the captives arrived. But there were a few who guessed the truth, and they looked on with downcast eyes. One woman, on recognising Zaynab (A.S.) and her retinue of unveiled women, ran into her house and brought them all head covers and sheets with which to cover their bodies. But they were not allowed to preserve their modesty and the enemy guards snatched them away.
