Introduction
After Karbala, the surviving members of the Ahl al-Bayt were taken to Damascus as captives. In Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah’s court, Lady Zaynab (a.s.) stood before power, grief, and public humiliation. What followed was not silence, but a sermon that exposed tyranny and defended the truth of Karbala.
Historical Background
The Battle of Karbala ended with the slaughter of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.), his sons, brothers, and companions. After that, Umar ibn Sa‘d and Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad ordered the remaining women, children, and the ailing Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.) to be taken as prisoners.
The captives were marched from Kufa to Syria under harsh conditions. Yazid intended to display them across his realm as proof of victory. Damascus had already been shaped by years of anti-Ahl al-Bayt propaganda, and the city was decorated with banners, music, and public celebration.
The Story
The Arrival of the Captives in Damascus
After a long and exhausting journey under an open sky, the surviving members of the Prophet’s family reached Damascus. Sixteen members of the Ahl al-Bayt were bound together with ropes across their arms and necks, and iron fetters were placed upon Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.).
The people of Damascus, not knowing who these prisoners really were, celebrated in the streets. Music and joy filled the city. The captives were then brought into the grand council chamber of Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah, where dignitaries, ministers, military commanders, and foreign envoys were assembled.
When Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.) saw the captives dragged in chains before the throne, he looked directly at Yazid and asked:
«“O Yazid! What if the Messenger of Allah (S) sees us in such a manner? What will be his impression?”»
— Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.) to Yazid
The Desecration of the Head of Imam al-Husayn
Yazid then ordered the severed head of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) to be brought into the assembly on a golden tray and placed before his throne. In open defiance, he took a wooden stick and repeatedly struck the lips and front teeth of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.).
As he did this, he recited lines attributed to the pagan poet Ibn al-Ziba‘ra, boasting about the revenge of the Quraysh at Badr and celebrating what he imagined to be victory over the family of the Prophet.
The Syrian Man and Fatima bint al-Husayn
While Yazid was gloating, a Syrian man in the court looked at Fatima bint al-Husayn (a.s.) and said to Yazid:
«“O Commander of the Faithful! Give me this girl so that she may serve me!”»
— The Syrian man to Yazid
Fatima trembled with fear and clung to Lady Zaynab’s cloak. She cried:
«“O aunt! I have been orphaned, and now am I to be taken as a servant?”»
— Fatima bint al-Husayn (a.s.) to Lady Zaynab
Lady Zaynab immediately stepped forward and protected her niece. She answered with firm authority:
«“By Allah, you have lied and behaved villainously! Neither you nor he [Yazid] has the right or authority to do such a thing!”»
— Lady Zaynab (a.s.) to the Syrian man
Yazid shouted back at her:
«“You lie! By Allah, I do have the authority! If I wish to do so, I can!”»
— Yazid to Lady Zaynab
Lady Zaynab did not retreat:
«“No, by Allah! Allah has never given you such authority unless you leave our religion and adopt another religion!”»
— Lady Zaynab (a.s.) to Yazid
Yazid then insulted her and said:
«“Do you confront me with such words? It was your father and your brother who exited from religion!”»
— Yazid to Lady Zaynab
Lady Zaynab replied:
«“It is by the religion of Allah, my father, my brother, and my grandfather that you, your father, and your grandfather were guided!”»
— Lady Zaynab (a.s.) to Yazid
Yazid called her a liar, but she answered:
«“You are an emperor who dominates unjustly, oppresses with your authority, and represses people with your power!”»
— Lady Zaynab (a.s.) to Yazid
At that moment, Yazid was silenced by her courage. When the Syrian man repeated his request, Yazid angrily told him to be quiet and cursed him with a swift death.
Lady Zaynab’s Historic Sermon
Then Lady Zaynab stood in the court of the ruler and delivered her historic sermon. She began with praise to Allah and blessings upon her grandfather, the Master of the Messengers.
She reminded Yazid that Allah had spoken the truth when He said:
Surah Ar-Rum (30:10)
ثُمَّ كَانَ عَاقِبَةَ الَّذِينَ أَسَاءُوا السُّوأَىٰ أَن كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَكَانُوا بِهَا يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ
“Then evil was the end of those who did evil, because they rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them.”
Surah Ar-Rum (30:10)
She then challenged Yazid’s pride and made it clear that captivity did not mean humiliation before Allah. She warned him not to be deceived by his temporary power.
She also recited:
Surah Ali ‘Imran (3:178)
وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّمَا نُمْلِي لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ لِّأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِي لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُوا إِثْمًا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
“And let not those who disbelieve think that Our granting them respite is good for their souls. We only grant them respite so that they may multiply in sinfulness, and for them is a humiliating punishment.”
Surah Ali ‘Imran (3:178)
Then she exposed the injustice of Yazid’s court. She condemned the way the daughters of the Messenger of Allah had been paraded from city to city while his women were kept hidden. She reminded him of his family’s past and the shame of their ancestry. She declared that his words and actions had reopened old wounds by shedding the blood of the family of Abdul-Muttalib.
She told him that he would never erase their memory, never kill their revelation, and never reach their status. She warned that his gathering was doomed and that the oppressors would face the curse of Allah.
She ended with praise to Allah, who had sealed the lives of the first martyrs with happiness and forgiveness and the lives of the later ones with martyrdom and mercy.
And she quoted:
Surah Hud (11:18)
أَلَا لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ
“Unquestionably, the curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers.”
Surah Hud (11:18)
The Immediate Aftermath
Lady Zaynab’s sermon changed the atmosphere of the entire court.
Yazid was left silent and humiliated. The foreign envoys and the people gathered there realized that these captives were not common rebels, but the direct family of Prophet Muhammad (S). The speech shook the false image that the Umayyad state had built in Syria.
The sermon also exposed the weakness of the propaganda that had long been spread against the Ahl al-Bayt. Fearing public anger and political collapse, Yazid tried to distance himself from the massacre by blaming Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad. He ordered better treatment for the prisoners, allowed mourning gatherings for Imam al-Husayn in Damascus, and later arranged for the captives to return safely to Medina.
Quran Verses
Surah Ar-Rum (30:10)
ثُمَّ كَانَ عَاقِبَةَ الَّذِينَ أَسَاءُوا السُّوأَىٰ أَن كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَكَانُوا بِهَا يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ
“Then evil was the end of those who did evil, because they rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them.”
Surah Ar-Rum (30:10)
Connection to the story: Lady Zaynab used this verse to show that Yazid’s mockery of Imam al-Husayn was the result of his own evil deeds.
Surah Ali ‘Imran (3:178)
وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّمَا نُمْلِي لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ لِّأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِي لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُوا إِثْمًا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
“And let not those who disbelieve think that Our granting them respite is good for their souls. We only grant them respite so that they may multiply in sinfulness, and for them is a humiliating punishment.”
Surah Ali ‘Imran (3:178)
Connection to the story: She cited this verse to challenge Yazid’s belief that his temporary power meant divine favor.
Surah Hud (11:18)
أَلَا لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ
“Unquestionably, the curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers.”
Surah Hud (11:18)
Connection to the story: She used this verse at the end of her sermon to declare the fate of the oppressors.
Hadith and Narrations
The dossier includes these narrations and statements:
- Sixteen remaining members of the Prophet’s household entered Yazid’s court with ropes and iron fetters.
- Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.) asked Yazid: “What if the Messenger of Allah sees us in such a manner? What will be his impression?”
- Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.) said to Lady Zaynab: “O aunt, praise be to Allah, you are a learned lady without being taught, and an understanding lady without being tutored.” (‘Alimah ghayr mu‘allamah, fahimah ghayr mufahhamah)
Lessons From This Story
- Speaking truth to power: Lady Zaynab showed that moral courage can stand above political power.
- Unshakable dignity: Even as a captive, she did not beg or weaken before Yazid.
- Defeating false propaganda: Her sermon exposed the lie that the captives were rebels or outlaws.
- Faith under suffering: Her response showed patience, strength, and trust in Allah.
- Seeing divine meaning in tragedy: The dossier presents her view that the sacrifice of Karbala was not empty loss, but a noble act in the path of Allah.
References
- Book: Lady Zaynab
- Author: Badr Shahin
- Publisher: Ansariyan Publications / Ghaemiyeh Center
- Chapters/Sections: “Before Yazid”, “Lady Zaynab’s Speech in Yazid’s Court”, “In Damascus”
- Pages: 11, 70–72, 160–180, 221, 362–366
- Book: Lady Zaynab: Life, Courage, Legacy
- Sections: “Court of Damascus”, “Sermons in Captivity”, “Historical Impact”
- Pages: 31, 39, 61–62, 74–77
- Book: Shia Researcher’s Karbala Dossier
- Sections: “In Yazid’s Court”, “The Sermon of Lady Zaynab”, “Aftermath in Damascus”
- Pages: 362–366, 448
Frequently Asked Questions
In the royal court of Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah in Damascus.
Dignitaries, ministers, foreign envoys, Syrian citizens, and Umayyad elites.
She was taken with the surviving family of the Ahl al-Bayt after Karbala.
It exposed Yazid’s ظلم, defended the captives, and challenged the official propaganda.
The court was silenced, the captives’ true identity was exposed, and Yazid was forced to soften his position.