Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Sorrow and Sufferings

Author(s): Noorali S. Merchant

A Collection of Poems on the martyrdom ofImam Husayn (a), and ‘what others have to say about Imam Husayn (a)

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Table of Contents

(1) The Scene Prior To Islam 4

(2) Birth Of Islam 5

(4) The Origins Of Karbala's Tragedy 10

(5) Yazid's Demand For Allegiance 13

(6) The Journey To Mecca 15

(7) The Betrayal 17

(8) The Gems 20

(9) The Supreme Sacrifice 23

(10) The Loot 37

(11) The Journey To Kufa 40

(12) The Devil's Den 43

(13) A Rose Bud Fades Away 48

(14) The Triumph Of Truth 49

(15) The Savior Of Islam 54

(16) Tributes And Prayers 58

Names Of Martyrs Who Sacrificed Their Lives At Karbala For The Sake Of The Lofty Principles Of Islam As Mentioned In "Ziyarah Al-Nahiyyah" 59

Opinions Expressed By Distinguished Non-Muslims on The Martyrdom of Husayn Ibn Ali (A.S) 62

(1) The Scene Prior To Islam

It was a desolate land: sandy, barren, and unfriendly

The home of the Arabs; wild ferocious and manly

They worshipped the idols; they loved to fight

Life to them was wine, women and might

The number of wives, the cattle they owned,

The number of slaves, one's house adorned,

Was a sign of rank in wealth andmight;

It was a society, where Might was Right.

Two qualities they had, which were good

The guests they honored, with best of food

Poetry to them, was an art supremely sublime

They were literary geniuses of their time.

They killed female babes, they buried them alive

They married the widows, their father's wives

Vengeance was a passion, cruel the strife

These sons of desert, such was their life.

Morals they had none; wild was their lust

Women were cattle, treated like dust

Enjoyment of life was their sole goal

Woman, they believed, had no soul.

They had no belief in the life Hereafter

Life to them was all fun and laughter

Prophets had come and prophets had gone

Still, this land was of truth shorn.

Judaism was dead; Christianity was in name

Sickly and forlorn, the world remained

Vengeance, to them, was an article of faith

Blindly, they relished their creed of hate.

The priests were interpreters of heavenly laws

They commanded respect and were held in awe

Things that were unlawful, to them were allowed

A privileged class; they were haughty and proud.

In span of four thousand and odd years

Innumerable religions had been reared

With passage of time, they were polluted

Beyond recognition, each got diluted.

The true religions were only in name

It was virtually a devils reign

Truth was at a discount; honesty had fled

Virtue was scoffed at; goodness was dead.

This land was thus chosen for God's last message

It was the crossroad of international passage

The last of message was thus destined,

To stay forever and cover allmankind.

(2) BirthOf Islam

God chose the Hashemites, a tribe of Quraish

They were among men, the noblest of race

He raised among them, a self-literate boy

To deliver His message; to bringthem joy.

Muhammad was his name, whom God had chose

Al-Amin (the truthful) called him his foes

The keeper of KAABA, was his grand sire

A rank than which, there was none higher.

Adam, Nooh, Ibrahim, Ismail, Moosa,

Daa-ood, Eesa and other Prophets of Allah

Testified that, from time immemorial, Muhammad Mustafa,

Had been proclaimed the seal of Prophets of Allah

He lost his sire, ere he was born

Five years later, his mother was gone

Abd-al-Motalib was his grand sire,

Two years later, he too expired.

The orphan boy was now his uncle's charge

Abu Talib was glad, this responsibility, to discharge

He looked after the boy as his own son

So long he lived, dared touch him none.

He was of a reserved bent of mind

With burning desire, solace he tried to find

In the marvels of nature and forms diverse

He tried to fathom the mysteries of universe.

At twenty-five, he married a noble widow;

Khadija had watched him by a cloud over-shadow

Though forty, she remained in her lifetime, his only wife

Twenty-five years long was their married life.

One daughter they had, named Lady Fatima

Through her were born guardians of KALIMA

She was married to Ali, Abu Talib's son

He was renowned in courage like a lion.

In the House of God was Ali born

It's walls the idols then adorned

They were a hapless witness to his birth

A man who would soon smash them to earth.

These gods of Arabs could find no way

Powerless were they, while Ali in cradle lay

This mortal foe of theirs, was something divine

His luster made their eyes turn blind.

On Muhammad, he first cast his eyes

He was destined with him all his ties

He sucked his tongue, in solemn gait

In one mould they were cast by fate.

Ali grew in the Prophet's care

His joys and sorrows, he shared

He imbibed qualities that are rare

With him, he made a heavenly pair.

Thus Imamat was born as adjunct to Nubuwat

Beyond scope of political intrigues and Satan

Twelve successors were named, by Divine Grace

To guide, for all times, the human race.

(3) PreachingsAnd Initial Struggle

He preached Islam, as ordained by God

Pure and simple is the MESSAGE of Lord

"There is no God but God,

Muhammad is the Messenger of Lord!"

A most practical religion of selfless love is Islam

To develop body and soul, without causing anyone harm

Most rational and logical in concept

Viewed from every angle, even in depth.

Five fundamental principles he, steadfastly proclaimed

Ten holy commandments he, unambiguously, named

Monotheism, Divine Justice, Prophethood, Imamat

And the day of Resurrection, were the five pillars of Islam's Hut

Five times Namaz, one must pray

A month's fasting, during the day

Zakat, Khums, Pilgrimage, for them, he ordained,

Who fulfilled the conditions, he proclaimed.

Defend the honor of Islam and self, he commanded

Disassociate yourself from its enemies, he demanded

Pursuit of missionary activities, out of love and not hate

Love and loyalty, he sought, for his "Ahle-bait".

He taught them the 'Unity of God'

And the diverse attributes of the Lord

He was the giver of daily bread

On the Judgement Day, He would raise all dead.

God is the focal point of all life

Through Him flows peace, driving out strife

If man joyfully submits himself to Him,

This life, and hereafter, he would win.

God created human beings, out of His Grace

Best of creation was the human race

He endowed it with such guiding light,

To discern the wrong from the right.

A heavenly reward for the doer of good

And for those, who for truth stood

A blazing hell for the doer of evil

Who shall dwell with the king of thedevils.

He cultivated the values of life

Equal partners were man and wife

A man was brother, one to another

Respect they should, their father and mother.

Those who look after the needy orphans,

The anger of God would be softened

Those who care for the uncared widows,

Can aspire for heaven's meadows.

And those who treat their slaves well,

Shall not normally taste the fire of hell

Those who free them from bondage,

Shall generally be immune from hell's rage.

Truth was the base of all his teachings

Unity of God, a constant theme of his preaching

Charity, love and faith were to him most sublime

Brotherhood, was his solution for the ills of mankind

His offer was not of sensual heaven,

As alleged by biased heathens

But a bliss of highest spiritual essence

Of enjoying the radiance of Divine presence.

Live in this world and yet be out of it

Self discipline; not celibacy is the holy writ

Physical body is, indeed, perishable but not the soul

Service before self should be life's goal.

He first invited his near if kin

And declared to them his mission

He asked whether he had ever told a lie

"No never"! In one voice, was theirreply.

He invited them to the path of 'truth'

A path which in heaven had its roots

Blessed would they be, in this world and the next

Most fortunate possessors of the Divine text.

"Who, among you, will be my brother andheir

And with me God's mission share."

They exchanged glances; they ridiculed and scorned

Only Ali stood by him, alone and forlorn.

Thrice did he repeat hisrequest

Each time only Ali rose to his behest

Holding him by his hand, he declared,

"Behold, he is my brother and heir!"

In public he now started to preach

But soon a stage was reached

When like a fugitive he was stoned

And place to place, forced to roam.

For years was thus his plight

Only Ali aided him in his fight

Far and few were the conversions

So fierce was the persecution.

In burning sand, with stones on his chest,

A new convert stood his gallant test;

"Ahadun! Ahadun!" (One God) Bilal cried,

But refused his faith to be decried.

Such were the tortures they had to face,

For believing in God and the new faith

Handful were they, old men, mostly slaves

With courage, all difficulties they braved.

A day soon came, when it was declared

That those who could, to Abysinia, should migrate

Few persons made up the small group

Ja'far, Ali's brother, commanded this troop.

The Quraish were furious; they sent their envoys

They requested the king to return the exiles

The king was just; he rejected their plea

He sheltered the poor Muslim refugees.

The wrath of Quraish reached the boiling point

To murder Muhammad, they planned conjoint

They chose a person, one from each tribe

So that no vengeance could take the Hashemites.

The plans to Muhammad, God soon revealed

And desired, that he should ward the evil

And leave for Medina, the same very night

Letting Ali sleep in his bed and aid his flight.

Soonwas the house surrounded by those ,

Armed cap-a-piewere each of the foes

With handful of dust, Muhammad blew his fist

And calmly walked through their midst.

They raided his house, ere it was morn

Surprised to see Ali, thebed adorn ;

"Where is Muhammad?" they demanded, "where is he?"

"Did you entrust him tome, that you ask of me?"

Foiled in their attempt, they started a search

"Dead or alive, capture him", they urged

Thus started a hunt, for three days long

They searched all over, including caves.

The Prophet's companion became scared

As enemies' shouts increasingly filled the air

"We are lost, we two", helplessly, he cried

"No! We are three, for God is with us". Muhammad replied.

Tired and forlorn, he slept under a tree

When rushed a foe:" who will now save thee?"

"God", was the reply; it thunder struck the foe,

Trembling, he dropped his sword and bowed.

"Who will now save thee?" Muhammad cried

"Alas, none!" the foe imploringly replied

"Learn from me to be merciful" he said

As was his want, he pardoned him instead.

He reached Medina, a poor fugitive

Except a new way of life, he had nothing to give

Yet, he was welcomed with open arms

This was a turning point for Islam

He paired them, one with the other

And showed the brotherhood, how to further

Himself with Ali, he lovingly paired

Because the same heavenly light, they shared.

(4) The OriginsOf Karbala's Tragedy

Life is an eternal conflict of truth and evil

God having granted power to the devil

To rule the hearts of those who love this world

And care not the banner of truth to unfurl.

The forces of darkness were perturbed

For soon their kingdom would be disturbed

At first, they ridiculed and scoffed

To their dismay, they found themselves dwarfed.

They fumed and fret; threatened and cajoled

They offered Muhammad a chief's role

They asked him to stop preaching Islam

Or else they would cause him bodily harm.

Abu Sufyan was their chief - a mortal foe

The grandson of Ommaya, the lowest of low

The progeny of Abd Shams, the brother of Hashim

They were steeped in enmity, which was ever lasting.

Envious were they, of the position of Hashim

Whom God had honored with things everlasting

Muhammad was thus their bitter foe

Whom they longed to see cast low.

Karun, Firaun, Namarood and Suddad

The four aces of arch-devil Iblis' cards

Were the brains behind the notorious Abu Sufyan

To destroy Islam and cause Muhammad harm.

Harut and Marut, the two fallen angels, were glad

The four Aces had mastered everything evil and bad

Abu Sufyan became their living agent

To them his services he joyfully lent.

They issued the call, they summoned aid

Each helper, they said, would be well paid

Thus started persecution of the new faith,

With all means that symbolized envy and hate.

They thought to themselves, the easiest way,

We are Muslims why not say?

Hit from within the Hashemites

That would throttle Islam, without a fight.

The decree of God none can stop

It flows like a river, with a drop to start

None can withhold its onward march

Be they friends or foes at large.

And so was the case with Islam's flow

Many became Muslims, just for show

Pagans at heart, they hid their line

To wreck vengeance, in course of time.

They behaved as friends; they cloaked their pretense

For Muslims in name, were they from hence

They spread their tentacles, in many homes

They tightened their grip over Islam's dome.

Ali, they knew, was the seedling's strength

To guard it, he would go to any length

He would with pleasure sacrifice his rights

Rather than see Islam hurt in a fight.

They knew, that Ali was just a lad

When his mission, the Prophet declared

He was among the first to profess Islam

And stand by the Prophet through storm and calm.

When others ridiculed and threatened

He stood, by him alone, and unfrightened

He declared him his brother and heir

Destined to serve and his mission share.

They had heard Muhammad at Khybar declare

"This Alam is for one whose qualities are rare

He is the beloved of Muhammad and his God

Ever victorious is he, in the cause of Lord."

They had had also heard the sermon at Ghadir-e-khum

It left, for doubt, hardly any room

Ali was Muhammad's heir, by God's decree

Assigned to keep Islam pure and free.

They had watched him even before

How Ali in stature grew more and more

He slept in Prophet's bed in the midst of strife

While hundreds lay in ambush, each with a knife.

The Prophet's end was drawing near

The dissension started, as he had feared

He ordered the dissenter's to go to war

But they guessed what the order was for.

Death of the Prophet was a grievous blow

Old enmities erupted like a volcano

Busy with the funeral were the Hashemites,

Unheedful of the maneuverings and internal strife.

Abu Bakr was declared Caliph in the interim

He soon nominated Omar, to succeed him

The Caliphate became, thereafter, Othman's turn

Before the mantle, despite opposition, on Ali dawned.

Ali, with his characteristic zeal, lost no time

He acted sternly, to save Islam from further decline

Firmly entrenched in power by now, the Ommayad's frowned

And dared the simple and straightforward Ali for a showdown.

The hero of Islam knew neither malice nor fear

Renowned warriors had fled before him from the rear

He defeated the crafty Moawiyah, time and again

But alas! Treachery and trickery ultimately gained.

The internal rot had spread too deep, alas!

Corruption and nepotism was practiced en-masse

Ali, had soon to pay with his dear and precious life

Engrossed in prayers, he was struck with a knife.

And so was the case with his eldest son,

Most generous of all men was Hassan

He was fond of recluse and quietude

He was the symbol of patience and fortitude.

The roots of seedling were still shallow

A little shake up would render the ground fallow

Muhammad's labor would thus be wasted

Before the world its fruit had tasted.

And thus the treaty with Moawiyah Hassan chose

Rather than fight him like an open foe

The time was not ripe for the showdown

A lot remained for preparing the ground.

This he knew would fall to Husayn's lot

To put his foot down and stop the rot

It would cost his life there was no doubt

But it had to be timed the tyranny to oust.

(5) Yazid's DemandFor Allegiance

In the treaty which Hassan and Moawiyah signed

Moawiyah had himself agreed; it was underlined

The question of successor, would not be imposed

But be left to Muslims as they pleased to dispose.

No sooner was the said treaty signed

A campaign was re-started, Ali's name to malign

And to build up Yazid, against people's voice

As heir to the Caliphate, the best of choice.

With rise of Moawiyah, virtue was shamelessly replaced

The democratic rule of Islam, was likewise displaced

The oligarichal rule of heathen was triumphant

The attendant vice and immorality were rampant.

The wealth from his subjects, he pitilessly extracted

He lavished on the mercenaries, who were fully protected

They, in turn, helped to repress ruthlessly all murmuring

With fraud and treachery, were smashed all rumblings.

Before he died, Moawiyah summoned his aides

The oath of fealty to Yazid, he made them take

This was Yazid's solitary title to the Caliphate

It was assumed, as if it was his father's heritage.

Cruel and treacherous was he, as notorious as his father

He lacked pretence, to cloak the game of murder

His depraved nature knew absolutely no pity or justice

He was addicted to the vilest and grossest of vices.

His friends were outcasts of both sexes

He killed and tortured for pleasure and taxes

Such was the Caliph, Commander of the Faithful

A being, whose entire bearings, was most hateful.

Husayn was in Medina; a message was received

By the local governor, in an envelope sealed

Obtain his allegiance, was the strict command

Kill him on the spot, if he refuses the demand.

The governor was unnerved, he was perplexed

To kill Husayn in Medina was no easy t ask

He consulted Marwan; he summoned Husayn

Who well knew Yazid's dirty and nefariousgame.

Husayn point blank refused to acknowledge

The title of tyrant; of falsehood and subterfuge

His character, he regarded with contempt and abhorrence

His vices he despised, no less than his arrogance.

He returned to his grandfather's earthly abode

He dreamt of the Prophet, in tearful voice he spoke

" O , son of mine, O thou art a part of me,

The enemies are bent to torment and slay thee."

Accompanied by Zainab he visited the tomb of his mother

What a heart rending scene it was; it caused a shudder!

It was Husayn's last farewell before the fateful journey

Guided by the unseen hand of - shall we say, Destiny

The fateful hour had arrived for the long awaited fight

Between forces of darkness and Angels of Light

Husayn knew that from childhood he had been reared

To perform this sacred mission, he knew absolutely no fear.

"For Mecca I leave, and then for a place beyond"

For a farewell pilgrimage, the plans were drawn

Hurried preparations were made for the journey

An unknown destination was on the itinerary.

(6) The JourneyTo Mecca

It was 26th of Rajab sixty-first of Hijri

The heat was unbearable, boiling point the degree

The caravan was ready with young and old

This was the day, the Prophet had foretold

"A day will soon came when my dearest Husayn

Will leave Medina, in indescribable grief and pain

To meet his fateful destiny, in a far off land

With his family and few friends, a tiny band"

With grief in the air, the atmosphere was surcharged

With heavy hearts the Medinites silently watched

Can it be true that their most beloved Husayn,

With his family and friends, would all be slain?"

They pleaded with him to drop the risky journey

He was priceless in all terms, including money

Or take with him their strong young men with arms

Who would ensure him against any possibleharm

They also pleaded that Ali Akbar be left behind

So that, when memory of Prophet came to their mind

They could look to him, for he was his very image,

From head to foot, in looks, mannerism and gait.

Husayn was silent, how could he explain?

Islam was sinking! There were many to be blamed!

It was his martyr's cup, how could he reveal

The plan of God to erase the cancerous evil.

He apologized; to grant their wish he was not able

Such love, such feelings were indeed laudable!

He would, however, remember them in his prayer

His daughter, Sugar, he was leaving to their care.

Seriously ill, she cried her heart out

They were leaving her, she had no doubt

Destiny's hand was beckoning the Imam

Proceed he must, was God's command!

Towards holy Mecca the caravan slowly proceeded

A farewell journey: no explanation was needed

The guardian of truth was himself out to uproot

The weeds of untruth, with his devil destroying boots.

From Kufa they sent an urgent pathetic appeal

In the name of God, from the helpless people

"Truth is being trampled, we look to you

To oust this tyranny, come to our rescue."

"You, as our Imam, must heed our solemn call

And save Islam, from its impending downfall

There is no time to lose, we anxiouslyawait

Please come at once and do not be late."

He knew that treachery is a satanic vile

And the Kufians in this were ahead by miles

Time and again, Ali they had shamelessly betrayed

Fickleness and shifting loyalty, was their trait.

They had addressed him as their Imam

He was, therefore, in painful duty bound

To heed their call, despite past experience

It was a supreme test for Imam's holy license.

Ordinary spiritual beings can easily foretell

The coming events, as well as, misfortune dispel

The fountainhead of spiritualism knew much more

Thethings, that were destined for him, in store.

He was so attuned to the will of Almighty God

His every act bore the stamp of the Merciful Lord

Destiny's plan had to be implicitly carried out

By none other than Husayn there was no doubt.

As his emissary, he sent his cousin, Muslim Ibn Aqil

To see things for himself; their pulse to feel;

He received a hearty welcome he wrote to Husayn

Little did he realize their vile, treacherousgame.

(7) The Betrayal

Pin drop horrifying silenceprevailed all round

The mosque of Kufa stood on hallowed ground

Treachery it had witnessed time and again

It was the mosque where Ali had been slain.

The town crier was reading the Governor's decree

"To associate with Muslim will not go free

He is an emissary of Prophet's grandson, Husayn

Who has refused allegiance to Yazid, withdisdain. "

When the prayer was over, Muslim looked back

The mosque was empty, earlier it was packed

He glanced at his host, Hani Ibn Urwah

No words were needed, only a breath choking,Ah !

The packed mosque had just witnessed jubilant scenes

So great was the rush to swear allegiance to Muslim

They had madly jostled and vied with each other

In honoring Muslim, as Husayn's cousin brother.

They exchanged glances, the picture was clear

For their own lives they had absolutely no fear

To inform Master Husayn was the sole prime need

Whom could they trust? No, none, indeed!

Hani rushed out, choked to the brim

He had in his house, two sons of Muslim

He whisked them out by the back door

For safety's sake, there was no other go.

Muhammad and Ibrahim, two innocent lads

Were anxiously awaiting return of their dad

They were now on the road; alone, all alone!

The cruel treacherous world was now their home.

Soon was Hani'shouse completely surrounded

The hopes he had nourished were soon grounded

He fought the armed troops of upstart Obeidullah

The odds were too heavy; he prayed to Allah!

He was soon overpowered and chained

There was now no hope which remained

His only thought was to inform post haste

To Husayn, of the events and breach of faith

After Hani's departure, he reflected a while

A train of thoughts flowed, mile after mile

Hani wassincere, there was no iota of doubt

But if in danger, whom could he for help shout.

He thought of his sons, the two young kids

In the house of Hani, he hoped they were hid

He prayed to God to spare him for a little while

So that, to Husayn, he could send the secret file.

It wasnight, he had no place to go

Tired and forlorn, his walk was slow

Curfew was imposed, no soul stirred out

The search was on in all possible hideouts.

He sat for a while and leaned against the door

The door of a house with an old muddy floor

An old lady came out to see who it was

"My son! Why do you not return to your house?"

"Do you not have a wifenor children?

Go and rest, in peace, in your own garden!"

A lump came to his throat: yet, he sadly smiled

"I come from the house of the Prophet," he replied.

The venerable old lady was in shocking pain

"My God! You are Muslim, the Emissary of Husayn,

How did I fail to recognize you, O, My Lord!

What reply will I give to my Most Merciful God?"

She hid him on the old wooden attic floor

Extinguished the lights and shut the door;

Her son soon returned from his usual rounds

He was in the army of the Yazidi hounds.

"Hani has been beheaded," he declared,

"The search is now on for Muslim and his lads."

The simple old lady was moved to tears

And confided to her son, her own gnawing fears.

The son was elated at the fortunate news

He pretended sorrow, as a deceitful ruse,

"I will soon be back with the two young lads"

And rushed to his Master, Obeidullah Ibn Ziad.

The sound of horses hoofs were approaching near

Muslim was in his prayers; he knew no fear

He immediately realized, he had been betrayed

His time was up; he would soon be dead!

The noble lady was aghast! How could she explain?

It was her son who had brought her everlasting shame

Muslim assured Taha that he was absolutely sure,

She was a lover of Husayn and his grandsire!

The lane was narrow, it had no width

Two horses abreast could hardlybreath

It was an ideal ground for single combat

Like lion, Muslim ferociously fought.

To the enemy, it soon became abundantly plain

It was a futile and sure loosing game

From housetops, they hurled missiles and stones

Seriously wounded, M7uslim left his vantage position.

He desperately moved forward; they all fell back

So fierce was the charge, they all fled in a pack

To stop him, they thought of a clever ruse

They dug a trench and had it covered, as subterfuge.

He rushed on wielding his sword dexterously

He fell in the trench, as planned treacherously;

The retreating hounds soon swooped down

In no time, he was heavily chained and bound.

In the streets of Kufa, he was soon paraded

Those who had sworn him allegiance, were delighted

They were watching him with perfect equanimity

As if he was an utter stranger; what rascality!

"As per Arab custom, I shall fulfill it

Your last wish if you shall reveal it."

A glint of hope came to Muslim's eyes

Why not accept and make this final try?

Obeidullah, if you are true to your word,

Fulfill my last wish and inform my lord

To return to Medina, before it is late

As coming to Kufa, would be a sheer waste.

The crafty Obeidullah was absolutely flabbergasted

Spare the lives of my two sons, he could have suggested

He could not even imagine, how could a person

Think of his master, when doomed were his sons.

Muslim's last wish did not go in vain

Merciful God kindled the heart of one of them

He left Kufa post-haste to fulfill his mission

And informed Husayn of Muslim's martyrdom.

Husayn wept bitterly, as never before

Muslim's daughter realized her father was no more

One pair of earrings, he lovingly gave to her

And another to Sakina, his child most dear.

"Are you returning back?" the messenger inquired

"No! I am not," Husayn, very sadly replied

"As ordained, I am going to meet my destiny,

And so are my faithful friends, who are with me."