Marsiya n. 7: The Brother and Standard Bearer
Imam Husain’s Beloved Brother and Standard Bearer of the Army: Most ReveredAbbas ibn Ali (‘a)
("JabIbne BuTuraab ba ruezameen gira " )
When to the ground the son of AbuTuraab fell
With arms severed, the brave warrior fell
And the banner he held fell with him to the ground
And Fatima cried out as he lay still
"Any moment now, behead him they will
A living symbol of Ali, surely they will kill"
The Prince heard the cry, to the battlefield He ran
In His haste, He stumbled falling often to the sands
His legstrembled, He grabbed His young son's arm
And cried "O Akbar, lead the way in this new land"
"Pray, move the crowding army from the river barks
Lead me to my brother, the delay I cannot stand"
"Oh Akbar, my life is ruined alas
My back is broken, this pain shall never pass
It's as though I've lost my Father once again
Oh the pain, like a knife, cuts right through my heart"
"Condolences to myFather, turn me toward Najaf
And let go my hands so I can mourn thus"
Akbar led Husain to His brother's side
And Husain saw thatAbbas was ready to die
But hearing Husain's wails,Abbas opened his eyes
Akbar showed Husain the severed arms by his side
Seeing the severed arms, Husain fell to the ground
And hugged His brother, looking helplessly around
AndAbbas stirred and opened his eyes
And cried, "Oh my Lord, have I lost my sight?
Why don't I see you, where are you Oh myLord ”
Husain said, "My brother in your stead I will die"
"Look at my plight, as you depart from me
This parting of brothers, how can it be? "
"Your belovedSakina waits for you by the camps
And the thirsty children surround her, holding hands
AndSakina counsels them patience and says
"Look at AliAsghar , toward the door his glance"
"For three days there's no water in the camps
MyAmmu will come soon from the river banks"
ButAbbas answered, "My Imam I depart
It is my will though that once I've passed
Please leave my body on the shores ofFurat
Here will be my grave, that's a wish of my heart"
"Do not carry my body back to the camps
Hyder's son will stay forever on the banks."
"May I make another wish, Oh my beloved Lord?
I wish the ladies not leave their abode
AndSakina not see my injured body so
And a last dying wish grant to me my God"
"That yourpresence, Oh Imam illumine my grave
And your cloak be my shroud, it's a wish I crave"
So Husain drapedAbbas in His cloak
"Are you happy my brother?" He asked tear soaked
" But the army will rob you of this cloak tonight
You won't have it for long, such is destiny's stroke"
"The enemy will loot everything tonight
Without chadors, our women will caulk in daylight"
Hearing thisAbbas shuddered and opened his eyes
On the Imam's feet he rested his sight
In the throes of death, then he glanced at Husain
Dread at Husain’s words now in his dying eyes
ThenAbbas went still as Husain watched
A brother lost his life as a brother watched
Marsiya n. 8:The Prophet’s Grandson
The Prophet’s Grandson: Most Revered Imam Husain (‘a)
("Jabqaatema ba qaer huefoj a Shahkaa " )
When the army of the Prince was no more
Thirsty, it had departed toKausar's shores
His friends murdered, His family destroyed
The home of the Prophet was plundered to the core
No brother or friend or loved ones remained
Two sisters to mourn, and there was Husain
Earlier in the day, sons and friends were around
But by the afternoon, everyone was gone
The sun blazed, wind blew, the desert scorched
The tents flapped with a desolate sound
Husain was surrounded, alone in His pain
A commander but no army, all had been slain
"Why delayoh Death" in misery He asked
"Why must I live after Alder has passed?
Every moment feels like a lifetime to me
Only in Death will my pain pass"
"I should have died when Akbar was killed
I should've been beheaded, that is my will"
"Yet I remain, I live, after everyone has died
Alone I shed tears with no one by my side
Enduring the loss of my sons in this war
In my old age to bury them, to struggle and cry
"No son by me when I succumb to death
No support if I stumble, no placewhereon to rest"
He glanced at Akbar's body on the desert sand
He clutched His chest and cried out in pain
"Oh Akbar you rest, your hair on the dust strewn
Come help me, I am falling, rise from Death's daze"
"In Death's slumber you forget your father my son
Say yourNamaz (Salat ) alongside under the blazing sun"
"From the banks of theFurat ,Abbas come to me
My wounds burn with the heat, I'm thirsty, come see
Sprinkle on my body, water if you can find
I'm dying, say goodbye, come to me,come to me"
"In death you sleep soundly, what canShabeer say?
May no one be as wretched as me I pray'
"Since you've left, every bone inside me hurts
My brow, neck, eyes, my joints, and headhurts
My heart, back, chest, every muscle is full of pain
Distraught I am my son, every vein within me hurts"
"I've battled a thousand soldiers, I'm soaked in blood
Young ones I've buried, with pain my heart floods"
ImpatientlySaad's son addressed the army thus
"Come on brave soldiers, surround Husain we must"
They turned toward Husain, attacked and besieged
Thousands bearing arrows, armed with swords the rest
midst archers, stone throwers, Husain stood alone
Spears flashed in the sun, thousands against one
Surrounded by the massive army, all alone
Spears and swords charged, He stood all alone
Arrows inflicted fatal blows, Husain was all alone
Target of a thousand blows, Husain was all alone
in the gloom ofShaam's army, like the moon His Being
glowed
The world had turned against Him, toward Him its fury
flowed
Alas the wretched army knew not aSayyid's worth
They pierced His noble body with arrows and spears
Aiming at Him their swords, they sought to massacre Him
They circled, surrounded Him, each seeking to kill him first
These were the Prophet's followers, they attacked His own
Grandson
Your Imam was unaided under the scorching sun
Husain fell from His horse, no friend to aid His descent
No one to pull the arrows from His riddled chest
His friends and loved ones dead, Husain now all alone
Weak with thirst and hunger, nowhere to go, no rest
Facing a treacherous army, drowning in their flood
in every face around Him, a hunger to spill His blood
It felt as though the heavens fell to the earth that day
Wounded the son of Fatima, on His horse swayed
The in um of the universe, the Prophet's dear Grandson
Precariously He swayed and fell to the earth that day
Oh the thousand bruises on His body as He fell!
Imagine the pain and hurt when to the sands He fell!
Fizza took the news to the ladies within
"The Imam is surrounded Oh what a sin"
Hearing thisAbid stood up from his bed and fell
in panic the ladies ran out into the din
WithZainab's cries heaven and earth quaked
Stumbling she ran into the field, her eyes seeking Husain
" Where is my brother? " She cried, running every way
"All's wealth is lost, plundered here today
Show me the way to the river, take me to the battlefield
Show me where my Brother lies, wounded, show me pray'
"The heavens are nohelp, let me pass Oh blessed earth
I've come searching for Husain, wounded, alone, He hurts"
"I'mSyeda have mercy, help me find the way to Him
I'm Ali's daughter help me, save yourself from sin
May you live happily, find peace afterdeath
Show me where theSayyid lies, pray take me to Him"
"We've losteveryone, we're ruined in this new land
We're residents of Medina, against thousands today we
stand "
Then she heard Husain's groans, sensed her Brother near
AndZainab ran to where a the sound came clear
She watched in disbelief asShimer beheaded Husain
She covered herface, fell to the earth, in shock and fear
With grief her heart shattered, she silently prayed
The severed head of her Brother, she saw on a spear raised.
Marsiya n. 9: A Visit to the Prisoners of War
Hind, Wife of the CursedYazid Visits the Prisoners of War
("Qaid qaane mein talatum hai ke Hindaatee hai " )
The prisoners are informed that Hind is on her way
Beset with humiliation isZainab's state
Agitated, distraught, embarrassed, distressed
Beside herself with grief, she cries out her prayers
"Unyielding the earth, distant the sky
Come pray Oh ladies that I rather die"
"What must I do now in this moment ofsham
Save me from humiliation in Akbar's name
Make a circle aroundme, conceal me in your midst
Hide me in a corner, away from such disdain"
"I'm bare headed, no chador, hide me you must
Hind is coming, cover me with the prison's dust"
"At Hind's arrival, why mustn't I be dismayed?
I'm the daughter of Ali, now in prison I stay
The prison walls I wish would part, wrap me within
Or escape to Karbala, where my dear Brother lays"
"In the desert of Karbala, I will feel no disgrace
Un shrouded is my Brother, uncovered my face"
ThenFizza cried out "My Lady, I see her now'
"With glory and fanfare Hind comes, people bow
Her maids in chador, yet Hind's head is bare
Accompanied by guards, the trumpets play loud"
"Her pace is unhurried, she pauses often times
Frequently she stops to weep at the prison sights"
Hind cries "At the prisoners' sobs, I'm distraught"
"Their wails of `Yaa Husain' with pain are fraught
who killed their leader, why do these prisoners weep?
Was he aSayyid ? Tell me, keep from me not"
"My heart is burdened, I weep in pain
I see Fatima, bare headed in grief, complain"
"I am certain a terrible wrong has been done
The angelsgrieve, grieve the moon and the sun
I must go toNajaf, I find no peace these days
Only Ali can help me, he is the one"
"If all is well, myMaula sleeps in peace
if not, then restless in his grave, he weeps"
Just then Hind's entourage drew closer in
And saw a Noble Youth bound in chains, laying still
Gaunt and withered for lack of water or food
His face and body bruised with spears and whips
As He quivers with weakness starvation brings
A rattling is heard from His shackles and chains
The royal maidens turned to Hind and cried
"In this dark prison, He glows like a light
Engrossed in prayer, He's oblivious to us all
Why imprisonHim.? He most certainly will die"
"Who bound Him in shackles, ropes and chains?
ToMaula Ali He's related we're certain Oh Hind"
Hind approached the imam in great distress
moving the chains, her head on His feet she placed
"Who is it?" He called and Hind replied
"A servant ofShabeer , my salaam to you I say"
"Oh Prisonerits time to stateYour last will
You're close to death, areYou prepared still?"
"Your last will 1 will honor, do not fret Oh dying one
I'll walk withYour coffin, barefoot under the sun
Pray tell me aboutYou , tell me Your name"
He replied "For forty more years live I must"
"You can call me a captive, a helpless soul
I'm a prisoner in shackles, I'm ill, such is my lore"
"What ailsYou ?" She asked "Orphan hood" He replied
"The cures" Hind inquired "His mourning" He cried
"AndYour homes" asked Hind, "Nowhere" said the imam
"Your caretaker?" She asked "Oblivion" He replied
Hind asked Him the reason for His mournful sighs
He showed her the bruises on His back in reply
"Why do they punishYou so?" Hind cried
"Not a faulty deed have I done," He replied
Hind then asked, "Since when areYou so chained"
"It was the 10th' of Muharram when they bound me" He
sighed
"For my shroud I own not a piece of cloth
My Father's body I've left on the sands, burning hot"
Hind then turned towardZainab and cried
"Looks like Fatima in prison, Oh what a plight"
She then stared atBanu , and in amazement said
"It's a princess from Iran in prison, what a sight"
"I'm speechless at the sights I have seen today"
"Kulthum andZainab inprison.? Oh what a day'
Zainab cried "Oh Hind, do not mention these names"
"Would such ladies be in prison? Imagine the shame"
"Of Fatima's daughters, do not so speak
"Hold yourspeech, seek pardon in Allah's name"
"with reverence of whom the Prophet did speak
Will the Muslims capture them, their chadors steal?"
"The Lady who was buried in the dark of the night
Bare headed her daughters would roam in daylight?
Of whom the Prophet spoke highly, with love
The Muslims will loot and with them they will fight?"
"Oh Hind, in public thekin of Muhammad parade
The heavens didn't fall and the earth didn't quakes"
Horrified, in distress, Hind fell onZainab's feet
"Pray forgive me" She cried, "Do not sit still"
"Behead me for speaking with such disrespect"
"Curse me," Hind cried "Of me speak ill"
"When I mentionShabeer's name, you weep in pain
When I ask your names, you bow your heads in shame."
Marsiya n. 10: A Beloved Daughter
The Imam’s Beloved Daughter: Most ReveledSakina (‘a)
("Bevon kaa mulke Shaam mein jis dum guzar hua " )
When inShaam the caravan of widows arrived
In embarrassment they bowed their heads and cried
Seeing the spectators lined up on the streets
Tears of humiliation filled their eyes
Having trailed through the roads, shops and streets
The Queens reached the court of the infamousYazid
ThereYazid conversed withAbid at length
HearingAbid's responses, the attendees wept
Disgraced,Yazid brought the confrontation to a close
Enraged atSajjad's character and strength
while all spectators went back to their homes
To prison the kin of the Prophet went on
In the dark prison, they sat heads bowed
Frightened of the darkness,Sakina looked around
So exhausted wasAbid from His journeys on foot
He dropped to the floor without a sound
Many nights He had stayed up, many miles He had walked
He slept now, resting His ahead on the wall
"why is it so dark"Sakina wanted to know
"What place is this mother, where no air flows?
The darkness is smothering, I can't see a thing
Not the earth beneath or the sky above"
"We cannot stay here, no one will survive
Won't lamps be lit when evening arrives?"
"If it stays this dark, I will certainly not last
I'm convinced that this night will not pass
My Father would cradle me on his chest at night
Now sleep on the dirt? I cannot alas"
"If a lamp blew out, I'd wake with a start
Have I ever, Oh Mother, slept in thedark "
Her mother replied, wipingSakina's tears
"Hush my little one, lest the guards hear
Morning will come soon, the dark will be gone
The moon will illumine this place my dear"
"The breeze will flow, the night will cool down
I'll hold you in my arms, rest Oh little one"
Thus the mother consoled, cajoled and calmed
The girl was restless, the night stretched on
Sakina sobbed and wept through the night
Weary she curled up in her mother's arms
Her frail body weak and drowsy, she slept
AndBanu heldSakina in her arms and wept
Within momentsSakina was restless again
She dreamt of her Father, His presence she felt
Stretching wide her arms, she woke with a start
And peered in the darkness, her eyes seeking Him
She cried "Oh Mother, not a thing I can see
My Father was here, tell me where is Hue"
Everyone wept atSakina's state
And so did the prison guard, hiding his face
AndYazid learned ofSakina's distress
That she's crying for her Father, for Him she prays
Inconsolable she weeps, nothing calms her down
She wants her Father, she wants Him now
"Then take His head"Yazid ordered his men
And Husain's severed head was carried thence
Its glory and radiance lighting the path
Fragrant and gloriousIts noble presence
Sensing the approach, the prisoners hastily rose
impatiently Sakina waited by the door
Anxious to see Him, smiling through her tears
The air grew fragrant as His head drew near
With His halo the prison aura transformed
Gone with the gloom wasSakina's fear
In reception the prisoners lined up at the door
in respect and salutationAbid arose
To receive her Father,Sakina held out her dress
And hugged His head close to her chest
She kissed His forehead, His cheeks,His lips
The prisoners circled her in awe and respect
WhereZainab stood hair strewn, head bare
Husain's glance was affixed to her face
Holding her Father's severed head
Sakina sat on the floor and said
Words of love, of her loss, her pain
Then unconscious she was, close to death
Her face resting on her Father's face
She sighed, shuddered and took her last breath
Her silence at first gave no one alarm
For everyone thought she was feeling calm
But as the silence stretched, the mother said
"Wake up dearSakina , pass the head toyou Aunt"
Hearing no response, terror filledBanu’s heart
"She's fainted" said everyone, "Banu take heart"
Banu liftedSakina into her arms
Saw the lifeless limbs, eyes shut,face calm
Neck limp, face drooping to her chest, not a sound
"what is this?" She cried, "What is this now?"
"What healer do I consult, where do I go?
The prison door is locked my dear, what do I do?"
She fannedSakina's chest, lifting her shirt
"Pray my lady," she turned toZainab and urged
She called out forAbid to come to her aid
"Come here my Son, Your sister won't stir"
"I'm trying to rouse her, I see no response
She's passed out I gather, but her breathing has stopped"
Feeling her pulseAbid moaned and tensed
And the mother cried "I have no more strength"
"Yet I'll face thetruth, do not hide from me Son"
Abid replied "Dear mother, she is dead"
"Lay her down on the sand, let her rest
Her body is bruised, yet she's peaceful in death"
"In this dark prison my daughter is dead"
Banu cried "This death I will never forget"
AndFizza went to the prison door and asked
The guards for a lamp for the house of the dead
"No one keeps a body laying so in the dark
Yet our little girl lies in the prison night black"
With the light of dawn, the prison was lit
AndBanu bent overSakina and looked
Saw the bruised ears, dried blood on her neck
Her dress blood stained, tattered and burnt
Pale and gaunt, resting on the prison floor
Hair laden with dust, crying no more
"My dearest" She cried, "Wake up now
Its time forNamaz (Salat ), your head you must bow
"You've never needed my help to wake up before
You'd wake on your own, what's happened now?"
"You know the guards' fury, do not so doze
This isn't homeSakina , they'll come to the door"
"The darkness troubled you, you couldn't rest
You'd pray for a breeze, you'd get upset
Thebreeze from heaven gill cool you tonight
in your new homeSakina my dear, sleep well"
"I hope you find comforts you couldn't find here
The grave is roomier than this prison my dear"
Marsiya n. 11: The Return to the Plains of Karbala
MostReverred Zainab (‘a) Returns to KarbalaChehlum
[1]
("Chehlum jo Karbalamein bahattar ka hochuka ")
TheChehlum for seventy two martyrs was done
And the bodies and the heads had finally become one
And Husain's slain army was remembered by all
And the children of Muhammad lamented His son
For three days and nights in the desert they mourned
Embracing His tomb as though never to be torn
Hearts lit like candles, their love for Him bloomed
Their sons, like flowers, scattered around His tomb
Remembering those killed, they cried out in grief
And clutched at their hearts and in pain swooned
" Where are those who would protect us?" they cried
"Now wewander, heads bare in broad daylight"
The air fraught with sobs as the widows wept
And the Noble Sister's face on His tomb did rest
And cried "Oh my beloved brother dear Husain
For three days and nights I've beenYour guest"
"Heartbroken and forlorn is this Prophet's grandchild
For my servicesYou didn't accept, what a plight"
"The will of the imam, I will gladly accept
But the bruises on my arms I haven't shownYou yet
I am alone today, no friend in sight
Without You I am nothing, how canYou forget?"
"I've lost sons and brothers andYou in this war
my back is bruised with the tip of the spear"
"I cared for the orphans, the fathers lay dead
Their frail ages and captivity, the pain and the dread
To divert them from their misery, I narrated your tale
I was their mother, their aunt, or their father instead"
"And I will live on to see them suffer and die
For it is not my destiny to see beloveds thrive"
" I had imagined pilgrims surrounding Your tomb
And the throng of the angels had lifted the gloom
And in Your memorial, we would all gather here
Yet I see not a soul, I am here alone"
" By your graveside I sit my Brother, and weep
And console my heart though my pain is deep"
Saying this,Zainab inconsolable, sobbed
And the tomb of the Prince shuddered and rocked
AndBasheer approached the Prince's son and said
"Oh Imam shall we leavesYour aunt is distraught"
AndAbid toward His Aunt did turn
And asked "Dear Aunt shall we return."
AndZainab replied, "As you wish dear Imam"
The preparations to leave for Medina began
The tents were untied and the camels lined up
And around the graves gathered Ali's clan
Bidding farewell to those who slept in their graves
The old and the young stood around in a daze
At the thought of leaving her Brother's tomb
Distraught,Zainab cried" How can I leave You along
In this forsaken desert away from us all
This empty, desolate city nowYour home"
"where nothing grows and nothing lives
Such a placeYou've chosen to gather and rest"
"Oh Noble Lord of Karbala, farewell
Oh the sands that cradle His shroud, farewell
Dear grave of the noble, lofty Prince, farewell
My Brother Your sister departs now, farewell"
"This Prophet's grandchild is unfortunate indeed
ForYou're not pleased with her deeds"
"How do I face Medina having leftYou herd
What if the Prophet questions, how can I bear?
If I go to Najaf, the same question I will face
`Where is Husain?' That is all I will hear"
"You've asked me to leave, so how can I stay?
But where must I go, where must I stay?"
"won't You come, hold my hand as I alight?
Won'tYou shelter me from strangers' sights?
Won'tAbbas or Alder come to bid me farewell?
Won'tYou bringAsghar for whomBanu cries?"
"You're our leader come lead us ahead
we're ready, yet You sleep, the grave Your bed"
"Although I weep and call outYour name
You do not answer Oh Prince, I'm amazed
if only You would embrace me now
I will leave for Medina, though never the same"
The Prince then answered "My dearZainab farewell
Give my love toSoghra , my daughter who is ill"
Note
[1]The word "Chehlum " or “Arba’in ” inArabic,denotes the traditional memorial held on the 40th day after death.
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