Oh Fire

It is in the very nature of great reformers that they belong to everybody, everywhere. Hussein's noble deed is so relevant to the entire human race.
Contemporary society, irrespective of race and religion, would do well to have a closer look at the Hero of Karbala as his message transcends the barriers of caste creed, race and religion. Advocates of human rights, sociologists, reformers, theologians, all included, will find "delightful wisdom, sweet instructions, and a meaning suited to their mind", in his story. His message is certainly not an exclusive preserve of any particular group. It embraces the entire human race. It was not a power struggle. Hussein persistently and explicitly expounded, " What matters to me is to "correct not conquer".
With a courage that was more than human he managed to leave a message for the entire world, "Do not submit to exploitation, of any kind; maintain a tenacious grip on veracity; better die with honor than live in shame''
More than Fourteen hundred years have passed but the memory of that adorable hero, who resolutely faced the soul-searching trials and tribulations, has not diminished. On the contrary, it has grown in intensity. Imbued with exemplary fortitude, moral and aplomb, Hussein has emerged as the most revered and meritorious martyr the world has produced, who established the highest standards of excellence of which humanity prides itself.

Zeinab accompanied her brother Hussein, as did most of his household to Iraq. After Hussein and all his 72 companions were brutally killed at the Battle of Karbala by the order of Yazid, people fell upon Hussein's luggage and belongings looting everything they could find in his tents and then they set the tents ablaze. People raced to rob the ladies of Hussein, his wives, sisters and daughters tearfully ran away, their hair uncovered. Scarves were snatched, rings were pulled out of fingers, earrings were taken out, and so were ankle-rings.
Zeinab, already in anguish due to the death of her brother Hussein and her sons was forced to march unveiled. This was an extreme indignity to inflict on a high-ranking Muslim woman, the granddaughter of Muhammad.

It was only yesterday that they lived in the pavilions of greatness and the chambers of dignity, lit during the day by the sun of Prophet hood and during the night by the star of caliphate and by the lanterns emitting the radiance of sanctity. During this night, they were left in the pitch dark, having lost those shining lights, their belongings plundered, their chambers burnt, fear overwhelming them.
They remained among the corpses of those who used to be their protectors.
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'Laylat al Wehsha' (The night of Horror) 1434/2012 in the of camps. Karbala, Iraq.