Muslims around the world pay their respects once again to those massacred in Kerbala, in the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Husain.
After the Imam and all his companions were killed in the battle of Kerbala, the women and children were seized and made captives on the order of the ruler Yazid, who initially ordered the attack on Imam Husain.
These captives were forced to travel through the desert in the harshest conditions, from Kerbala to Kufa (present day Iraq) and then from Kufa to Damascus (Syria). The family of the Holy Prophet was taken to Yazid's palace in Damascus and imprisoned.
During this ordeal, the true heroine was Lady Zaynab, sister of Imam Husain. She was the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad and the daughter of Imam Ali and Lady Fatima.
Lady Zaynab is a prominent woman in Islamic history. Despite the injustices and cruelty she endured, she remained courageous and firm in her faith.
Lady Zaynab had suffered unimaginable losses during her life. At age 7 her mother died; years later her father was assassinated. Some 10 years later her older brother Imam Hasan was poisoned.
She went with her other brother Imam Husain to Kerbala where she saw him, her sons and other members of her family brutally killed.
But it was her compelling speeches afterward that awakened the masses to the truth. Eventually her powerful words led to the fall of Yazid's tyrannical regime, the Ummayads.
Without Lady Zaynab's struggle, Imam Husain's sacrifice would have been in vain. No one would have known the facts, and the religion of Islam would have been destroyed. Corruption would have prevailed.
Lady Zaynab's story shows that women can have great power and influence. As defenseless as she was, she used her strength of speech to move the people.
The famous speech she gave in Yazid's palace amazed even her enemies. She spoke boldly and eloquently despite the tremendous physical and emotional suffering she endured after the battle. Lady Zaynab maintained her poise and dignity, and never flinched when speaking her mind.
Lady Zaynab along with the other members of her family were imprisoned for a year. When news spread of their harsh treatment, Yazid was compelled to set them free after he feared that the people would revolt.
After being set free, Lady Zaynab continued to speak out about the evil actions committed by Yazid, and helped bring about his downfall.
History like this shows that Islam didn't restrict women from achieving their full potential in education, politics, economics or in any other field.
Lady Zaynab was a testimony to this;her level of knowledge was so great that her nephew exclaimed about her, "You are the one who knows without being taught."
The contributions that women make in society can never be undermined. It is Lady Zaynab's efforts that upheld Imam Husain's story without which his sacrifice would have been forgotten, and the lessons of Islam lost.
Fatima Kermalli is a member of and Sunday School teacher at Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat of Pennsylvania, Allentown.