(9) The Supreme Sacrifice
The sad day dawned, the heavens were aghast
Truth was at stake; the die had been cast
Never had they witnessed, so supreme a test
Between falsehood at its worst and truth at its best!
For three torturous days and three miserable nights
Husayn's small band, were in a waterless plight;
The babes, they licked, their mother's tongues,
Parched and thorny, they weepingly let it hung.
His faith in God was sublime, beyond any dream
His patience, spoke of complete surrender to Him
Even in his worst hour, from the material eye,
He was calm and unperturbed, not afraid to die!
Husayn was fully alive to things at stake
He well knew what would be his family's fate
He was aware that 'twas his martyr's cup
He showed absolutely no grief when his time was up.
He endeavored to make a last attempt
But the foes were all determined and bent
To spill his blood, they thought it an honor
Such is the fate of all the world's warners.
"Speak, O, you Kufi's, is this how
You invite your guests and treat them now?
You summoned our aid, you one and all
You, as our Imam, must heed our call."
"Truth is being trampled, we look to you,
To uphold the flame, come to our rescue
Treachery is, indeed, a satanic vile
But in this you are ahead by miles."
"I beg you ponder what you do
Verily, those that cansee,
are few
Three honorable offers, I have to make
For no blood should spill for my sake."
"If my life is what Yazid desires
Why should Muslims' blood, be the hire
To Yazid, I request, you do me lead
No share, you have, in this foul deed."
"Or let me, to Jihad, go and die
For this life, no fear have I
I will fight in the cause of God
Till death, descends from my Lord."
"If not, let me to Hejaz return
You will Muhammad's pleasure earn
For was he not my Grand Sire?
Verily, a shield against hell's fire!''
"Know for sure, that I am he
Whom God has granted Heaven's key
We live for the Lord and His pleasure
We seek not the world, norit's
treasure."
"The flame of truth, is what we hold
Let none of you, I pray, make bold
To subdue the flame not those that hold
Though your heart may yearn for gold."
The foes were silent, their mouths were shut
Only thirty of them felt genuine hurt
They demanded to know why Husayn's fair offer,
Could not be accepted and considered as proper.
In disgust, they left the enemy's rank
And joined the Imam's small faithful band
Too glad were they to fight for him,
Though chances of success, they knew were dim.
The rest were unmoved; their hearts were sealed
They danced and mocked, till their heads reeled
Husayn still felt it his duty, to make it plain,
To save his life, wasnot his object nor
aim.
Omar Ibn Saad, discharged the first villain's arrow
Proud, that he had had started this battle of sorrow
And soon to his dismay, he found Ali's sons
To fight them, he learnt, was no laughter and fun.
They fought courageously like lions, one by one
Though outnumbered, they made them run
Till the archers took their inevitable toll
Claiming fifty, from Husayn's small fold.
Bent with grief, he surveyed the tragic scene
Tears welled up, his sorrowful eyes did glean
He made a plea, to the enemy's rank and file
Whether none sympathized with the Prophet's child.
Hur Ibn Yazid Riyahi felt this as a jolt
The words to him were, as from heaven, a bolt
He, with his slave and son, joined the Imam's band
And
begged for forgiveness at his merciful hands.
Forgiven were they, unreservedly, one and all,
By the generous Husayn and his noble 'Aal'
They fought for him, till they were slain
Their lives they lost, but heaven gained.
Corpses flowed in regular stream of these brave soldiers
Husayn, and his friends, carried them on their shoulders
In the distant lands, they had no families to mourn them
The ladies of Husayn wept, as for a bother or son.
Wahab Ibn Abdulla Kalabi, was the last to go
The newly married warrior, his spirit was low
Time and again, he had sought for permission
"Not yet!" was Husayn's firm decision.
"First seek permission of your mother and wife
Their claim is far greater on your invaluable life
Exclaimed, the mother of Wahab, standing nearby
"I will deem it an honor, for my son to die!"
With tears in her eyes, his wife pleaded
"Do defend Husayn in his hour of need
Only one request I have, reluctantly, to make
The security of Husayn's family, may we partake."
Little did she know, what fate had in store
For ladies of Husayn, when he was no more
She never could imagine, that it was likely
The enemies would dare behave so dastardly.
History of mankind, numerous instances can cite,
Where brave persons have scaled great heights,
And endured hardships, out of love and affection,
Or
died out of duty and self consuming devotion.
But never before, the world had ever witnessed,
Such deeds of selfless devotion and self abnegation
In this transitory world, though nothing endures,
The deeds of Husayn shine, with ever-increasing luster!
And now were left, those tied by blood
Who cared a nought, for this mould ofmud
Eager were they to offer their worldly lives
In cause of God, so truth may, forever, thrive.
Abbas Ibn Ali, was the TRUTH'S standard bearer
Husayn to him, was a jewel, nay, even more dearer
He called him "Lord", though his foster brother
Such was the regard, they had, one for the other.
Ali Akbar, was his most beloved second son
More brave, more handsome, there was none.
Eighteen summers old, flower of youth,
An image of Prophet, from head to foot.
Qasim, was hisbrother
Hassan's child
He was, like his father, by nature mild
His father had willed before he had died
A tawiz he prepared and, to his hand, he tied.
It only be read, was his wish dear
By Husayn, when his end was near
He remembered this will of his brother
Now that he would soon be murdered.
It was willed that Qasim should wed
Fatema Qubra, ere his blood was shed
Husayn's darling daughter was she
To wed her to Qasim, too glad was he.
A wedding with dowry as widowhood!
A feast without water and food!
A bridegroom with fewhour
to live!
A bride with only tears to give!
Such was the wedding in Karbala's field
Which Husayn, with his blood, would till
So that the plant of Islam may live anew
For sake of lovers of God, though very few.
Husayn wished that Ali Akbar, his dearest son,
Should be the first to go to the battleground
His devoted friends and followers were aghast
They refused to entertain such idea - first or last.
Now were left with Husayn, only the next of kin
Ali Akbar, bowed reverentially and stood before him
Husayn,
looked at his face; was he daydreaming?
He has come to seek permission; the words were ringing!
He tried to say something, amidst the enemies' war-like cries
With considerable effort, he whispered, with downcast eyes
"Akbar, my beloved child, you wish me to see you slain
What I am experiencing, at this moment, I can hardly explain!"
"How can I grant you permission, Akbar, my son?
Knowing that none have returned, not even one!
The call of duty, however, makes me helpless
Ask you mother and aunt, who are restless."
His aunt, Zaynab and Umm Layla, his mother dear
Knew that it was now the turn of all those near
Who went first to the battlefield, and who went last,
Was a matter of time, which was running veryfast.
Akbar, knew the affection his aunt, Zaynab had for him
Of the pangs of sorrow, she was, since morn experiencing
He looked at her face and that of his mother
They were speechless at the thought of his murder.
"Let it not be said of my respected father Husayn,
He spared me till his brothers and nephews were slain,
I implore you, by the love you bear for your brother,
Let me die first and quench my thirst, at Houz-e-Kawther."
"May God be with you, my son", Umm Layla said,
"With you, I shall loose all I have, my lad
What destiny has in store for me, I am fully aware
After you, for pleasure and pain, I shall not care."
Death was now beckoning Ali Akbar, "come, my son, come!"
Amidst war-like shouts of enemy, amidst battle drums
The cries of the ladies and children, were most woeful
To die in the prime of youth, even death was mournful!
Ali Akbar was now facing the enemy's forces
He was addressing them with such eloquence
The older ones were blinking their eyes in amazement
Has Prophet descended from heaven, his son to lament?
Omar Saad saw the magic spell, the words had cast
All would soon be lost, if he allowed this to last
He exhorted his men; he whipped their gold lust
"Emaciated is he by three days of hunger and thirst."
He met the hounds in battle, one by one
Was this Ali himself? Each battle he won.
The winds were whispering "La Fatha Illa Ali
La Saif Illa Zulfiqar" most solemnly.
Such was the skill and prowess in fighting
Heads rolled on with speed of lightening
None dared come forward from the enemy's rank
Cowards were they; their hearts hadshrank
.
Through wounds, though victorious, in single fights
The blood was gushing; thirsty was his plight
He had left his mother, in a dazed condition
Irresistible was the urge, to see his dear ones.
His father was anxiously watching his son's heroic deeds
His mother and aunt were behind, to attend to his needs
They watched his face; it reflected the progress of fight
If any calamity befell Ali Akbar, dim would grow the light.
"O, Allah, who brought back Ismail to Hajra!
O, Allah, who listened to the mother of Moosa!
O, Allah, who reunited Yakub with Yusuf, his son!
Grant us our wish, to see Ali Akbar, for once."
Was it the effect of these prayers, of his mother andaunt
That brought Ali Akbar back to his father's tent?
With an exclamation of joy and relief they clung to him
"Bravo, my son! Such a fight the world has not seen!"
"Father, the thirst is killing me; Ah, these wounds!
For victories in combat, it is usual to ask a boon
A refreshing cup of water, is all that I ask and need
But alas! I know not even a drop, you can feed."
Ali Akbar, met his family including mother and father
The second parting was equally sad, perhaps even sadder
Fizza, the faithful maid, was disconsolate with grief
And so were Zaynab and Umm Layla, to be very brief.
As he rode away, Husayn walked for some distance behind him
Was it his sacrificial lamb? O, what a heart rending scene!
When Akbar disappeared from his sight, he turned heaven-wards
"O, Allah, be thou witness, your plans, I have not disturbed."
"O, Allah, Thou art, my witness, on this mournful day
One, whom I loved, and cherished most, I have sentaway
To defend the cause of righteousness and truth
And to fight the forces of the devil and his brutes."
He sat on the ground; he looked all round in vain
He received a wailing call, a call of anguish and pain
Though
Husayn, and his people, were expecting such a call
A ghastly effect, it had on all of them, one and all.
"Father, Akbar, is with a mortal wound, in his chest
Father do come to me, please hurry, and try your best
If you are unable to reach me, your dear son,
I convey my salutations, to you and my dear ones."
He rose from the ground and fell; he rose again and fell again
He struggled to his feet; his heart was in terrifying pain
Torrential tears were flooding his eyes; it was awesome!
He rushed hither and thither; from where had the cry come?
He was sobbing; uncontrollable and tragic was his condition
"Akbar, give me a shout, so that I can follow its direction
Akbar, my sight is gone; Akbar I van hardly hear your cry
Is there nobody in this world to guide me, to where you lie?"
To the side of his master, Abbas soon came rushing
Holding his hand, he led him to where Akbar was lying
Ah, the tragic sight! Akbar, lying in a pool of his own blood
Blood, blood, blood all around; the blood itself was in flood!
Writhing in unbearable pain and digging his feet in sand
His breathing was now heavier; on his heart was his hand
A gurgling sound was coming, from his parched throat
An uneven struggle with death, a fast sinking boat!
And so passed away the brave one, the angelic soul
With a smile on his face, he reached his heavenly goal
Leaving Husayn back-broken and utterly inconsolable
God was a witness; the sacrifice was without parallel!
The days of our youth, are the days of our treasure
To some, life is doled out in a different measure
Surging, in young hearts, are the hopes and feelings
With every nerve and sinews, quivering with joy of living.
Some budding flowers are swept away, by the winds of doom
Before they have an opportunity to blossom and bloom
Such was the destiny of Husayn's three beloved nephews
Such rare Gems, they were limited, and sparingly a few.
Three innocent lads, barely in their teens
Husayn's nephews - Aun, Muhammad and Qasim
Were closeted together to discuss their role
For that fateful day, clear was their goal!
To seek Husayn's permission, was their main task
What should they say? How should they ask?
Seriously they discussed for quite some time
To die as martyrs, was in their family line.
How commendable was the behavior of these three young ones
There was no sign of childishness or immaturity; no, none!
They were neither nervous nor, in any way scared
Thechances of survival was
nil, they were fully aware.
Qasim,
abruptly left; he entered the tent
Umm Farwa, his mother, her head was bent
Engrossed in her thoughts - Hassan's widow
Was thinking of her son and themorrow.
"Do youknow,
why I called you, Qasim, my son?
To remind you of your duty to your uncle Husayn
Hassan and Husayn, were so much devoted to each other,
More than what children are to their father and mother.
He wanted you to deputize for him, on this day
It was your father's wish that, come what may,
You should stand by Husayn, through unflinching devotion
To defend Husayn, should be your life's sacred mission."
A load was of his head; how thoughtful of his father
To have provided for this situation, and one still harder
A letter for Husayn, containing his dying desire
"Qasim, shall deputize for me, since I have from the world retired."
"My children!
Do you know what tomorrow has in store?
Zaynab's near and dear ones will be no more.
All the
vendetta nurtured, all these years,
Will rise like snakes; strike them down without fear!"
"I want both of you, my dear beloved sons
To defend uncle Husayn and his priceless children"
How relieved they felt, and what a pleasant surprise
The hurdle was over; they had hardly surmised.
After a pause she added, "when
I was leaving Mecca,
It was the wish of your father, Abdulla
You my son, Aun, should deputize for him
] And you my child, Muhammad, be my offering."
With folded hands, Zaynab addressed her brother
"In my whole life, have I asked for a favor?
For the first time, grant me, my one wish,
Let my sons follow Ali Akbar, to the abode of bliss."
"Go forward my children and fulfill your desire
Die like heroes and from physical world retire
I shall soon join you on your journey to eternity
Convey my salutations to the Heaven's fraternity."
My humble tributes to your dear ones, O, Zaynab!
The two darling youngsters marched like lion cubs
Brave was their bearing, brave the stance,
Tiny littleswords,
soon clashed with enemy's lance.
The dust lifted itself to give a clearer view
Enemy soldiers were battling with Husayn's nephews
"Bravo! My sons," was it the voice of Ja'far-e-Tayyar?
Watching from theheavens,
was the famed winged warrior!
And
why not? It was Muhammad his grandchild
It was a heroic fight, with numerous corpses piled
Some distance away, was his younger brother, Aun
Fortunate were they, to whom such sons were born.
Against heavy odds, as was obviously expected
Both fell heroically fighting; so it was fated
What a heart rending scene it was, O Merciful God!
Only the brave heart of Zaynab could endure the dart.
As was the practice, they started beating the battle drums
The butchery of two innocent lads, to them it was fun
The usual cry, challenging the young defenders of faith
To come out in the battlefield, to face their fate.
Qasim, rushed with letter to his uncle dear
There was a crowd round him, how could he go near?
The corpses of Aun and Muhammad, had just been brought in
Such wailing and weeping, he had neither heard, nor seen.
Clad in his father's clothes, he looked his very image
Aided by his mother, he pushed forward, taking courage
With letter in hand, he respectfully presented himself
The weeping Husayn looked up; had Hassan come to help?
He read the letter of his beloved brother
He wept bitterly; he could read no further
His last desire, how could he not honor
When his love had permeated, every nook and corner.
Qasim fought bravely, though a youth of fourteen
He hurled the enemy one by one; what a wonderful scene!
Swords, spears, daggers and arrows, flew from all sides
Wounded from head to foot, he did not run or hide.
Falling from the saddle, he gave a gallant valiant cry
Crushed under horses' hoofs, scattered the pieces lie
Husayn, the immortal Husayn, collected the mortal remains
It was his dear Hassan's offerings, in the cause of Islam.
One against thousands - can it be called a fight?
Killing an innocent lad, it caused them delight
They thought they were doing something great
It was a spillage of their past game of hate.
Smeared with blood, on the shifting sand dunes of Karbala
Lay a figure of youth, on the banks of Alkoma
The crimson life tide was ebbing fast, very fast
He was anxiously awaiting somebody, ere he breathed his last.
Through his parched throat, he was feebly calling somebody
His master had heeded the call, since morn, of everybody
To rush to the side of his dying friends, was his image
Despite thousand shocks, and famished body, he had not budged.
Who is this man, with indomitable courage, one may ask?
He is thestandard bearer
of forces, that are no more, alas!
A pillar of strength, the full moon of the Hashemites,
A beautiful specimen of manliness; a glorious sight!
Before a man's death, all past events fly in a flashback
Abbas, was seeing them, lying on the burning sand tracts
How, as a child, he followed his Master, Husayn
To attend to his every need; to see that none caused him pain.
He was in reverie, for quite sometime,
Scene after scene, passed the memory's mind
He suddenly remembered, Sakina, with forty-two other kids
Had urged him for water, to meet their barest needs.
How like an enraged lion, he had charged at the enemies' ranks
Like a knife piercing butter, he had reached the riverbank
He had filled the bag of water, without tasting a single drop
His horse also refrained, though it was not at all stopped.
One thought was in his mind; how to reach water,
For his dear little Sakina, Husayn's youngest daughter
Both his hands were cut, while on his way back
Pierced with arrows, empty was the leather bag.
He tossed on the burning sand; unbearable was the pain
Life was ebbing fast out; his wish to see his master remained
"O, my master! I beseech you, do come before I die"
One eye was pierced with an arrow; blood was in the other eye.
At last, he heard Husayn's voice, a half sob, a muffled cry
"Abbas, my brother, what have they done to you!" he cried
Uncontrollable was his grief, "You have come, at last, my Master!"
He was sobbing; his breath was now much faster.
Husayn lifted his head; Abbas put it back on the sand
"My Master!
When your life will be wrung by cruel hands
Nobody will be there, in this world, to comfort thee
Let my head remain, in the same position, as yours would be!"
"My Master, I have some last wishes to express"
Completely drenched in blood was his dress
"When I was born, I had a first look at your face
When I die, on your face, I want to fix my gaze."
"Please clear the blood from my one eye
Let me fulfill my last wish, before I die
Do not carry my body to the KHAIMAGA
I had promised to bring water for SAKINA."
"Since I have failed, I cannot face her, even in death
Nor bring Sakina here, to see her uncle's miserable fate"
The flow of Furrat became turbulent and dark as winter
A murmur arose, at the cruel and unwarranted slaughter.
"Abbas, I too have a wish to be fulfilled
You know well, I too have not much time to live
Since childhood, you have always called me Master
For once, with your dying breath, call me Brother."
The blood was cleared; the pierced arrow removed
One brother looked long at another, along lingering look
Abbas was heard to whisper, "My brother, my brother!"
With these words, hesurrendered,
his soul to his CREATOR.
Though ten months old, he looked barely six
Famished and thirsty, his stare was fixed
Taking out his parched tongue, he turned it on his lips
Small wereit's
wants; a little water to sip!
Ali Asghar uttered a heart rending moan; a tragic sight!
It tore asunder, the hapless mother's sinking plight
"Sire, dying of thirst, is my small innocent child
Do something to save him,Umm
Rabab frantically cried."
To Yazid's force, he carried Ali Asghar in his arms
Wrapped under his robes, they thought it was holy Quran
A little water for the child, he appealed, again and again
They threw arrows instead, to their everlasting shame.
What cruel men were these heartless brutes?
An innocent child, what harm could it do?
An arrow pierced its parched and thirsty throat
Providing water is a must, even while killing a goat!
Anxious was the mother, for the return of the child
Husayn's face was dripping with blood; a gruesome sight!
Her heart sank; shattered were her hopes, forever
The picture was clear; Ali Asghar was no more!
Alone, all alone, with none to befriend him
It was all clear; it needed no special vision
The time was up for the long awaited supreme test
Husayn was not found wanting; he was at his best.
How can a man, in midst of such calamities and disastrous times
Retain his faith in God, and maintain the balance of his mind,
It's difficult to imagine nor can be explained
Subject to such supremetest
himself was Husayn.
The challenges of the enemy were growing in tempo
The sun was nowdeclining,
there was no time to go
Few words of advice, he gave most lovingly to each
A touching farewell, a most cherished deed!
The farewell between Husayn and Zaynab
Was as sorrowful as between a mother and cub
Parting with Sakina, was no less difficult
It was a heart-rending episode, poignantly built!
Standing near Husayn, looking at his face
His darling child was speechless and dazed
All his courage could not steel his heart
To tell Sakina, he was leaving her, alas!
Leaving her to the world, unkind to her
To fate, with only sufferings in store
He kissed her cheeks, wet with tears
To be slapped for mourning her father dear.
Putting Sakina down, he hurried to the tent
Ali Zainal Abedeen waslying
full bent
He was unconscious, his twenty-five years old son
Chosen to live with death, he was the one.
"My appointed hour is near; wake up, Zainal Abedeen!"
Aroused from stupor, he was shocked, beyond dream
Husayn's transformation was beyond any description
Gaping wounds, snow-white hair, bent back; ah these fiends!
"O, God! What have the enemies done to my father?
Where is uncle Abbas, my brother, Ali Akbar
And my cousins, Qasim, Aun and Muhammad?"
He inquired; unaware, that they were all dead.
Husayn explained to him all things he knew
It was now his turn, he had come to bid adieu
"Father, so long, I live, you cannot go and die
Let me go instead; let me hold the banner high."
Husayn gently put him down; he could not even sit
Burning with fever, he was famished and seriously sick
"You shall remain in bed, my beloved ailing son
As you father, and spiritual head, I command."
"This is the beginning, not the end, of your terrible woes
Undescribeable trials and tribulations, you shall undergo
Destiny has singled you out, my son, to demonstrate
Faith, in the trial hour, is the real crusade!"
"Accompany your mother and other ladies in captivity
Bound in chain, suffer insults and indignities
Through Kufa and Damascus, you will be soon paraded
In the court of the tyrant, you will be humiliated."
"Your sufferings will be far worse than death
Death is a reliever of things, destined by fate."
He clasped his son, in a loving lingering last embrace
Unbearable grief, Zainal Abedeen was unable to face.
He fell unconscious; the agony he was spared
Of seeing the departure of his father aged
How merciful is God; no, none can dispute it
Through trials and tribulations, virtues he highlights!
Husayn spurred his horse, Zuljanah, to move on
Glued to the spot, it did not budge nor respond
Famished, hungry, wounded, it was no doubt
It's
behavior was inexplicable; it could not shout.
It bent its head towards the burning ground
Sakina was clinging to its hoofs, Husayn soon found
"Do not take my Dad to the battlefield!"
She was imploring the aged faithful steed.
Exhausted, her moaning was hardly audible
Her condition was extremely sad and pitiable
Husayn jumped down; both clung to each other
Choked with sobs, they cried their hearts together
To sleep on his chest, was her last desire
Before he departed to face the enemies' fire
His chest, was her nest since birth
What was now left, save this little comfort?
She clung to him, as she had never done before
"No, father, to the battle field, I will not let you go!"
With supreme effort, Husayn controlled his feelings
Shocked, she was beyond imagination, by gruesome killings.
He consoled his child, as best as he could
What was at stake, she soon understood
He promised her, he would pray to God,
To join her soon in the heavenly ward.
So eloquent was his speech; they remembered Ali
Greed was overpowering; their minds were sullied
Their task was nearing completion; they were elated
Extravagant rewards, for annihilation, they were bated.
He earnestly implored them, again and again
To save themselves from ever-lasting shame
And not be partners in Yazid's foul game
As posterity would condemn their names,
Now that his job was more than done
He called to witness, all and one
Lest on Judgement day, they should plead
Their blindness to the foul deed.
Omar Saad was perturbed; he tried to act tough
"Husayn, in your condition, my weakest soldier is enough.
Accept the one and only condition, we have imposed;
Accept Yazid's competence, religious matters to dispose."
The taunting words aroused Husayn's wrath
The Hashemite blood was raging and boiling hot
He was the son of Ali, the Lion of the Almighty God
Fierce was his ire; the devils were aghast.
"Omar Saad, I accept your challenge," you knave
"In single combat, I will fight your bravest of brave."
Shaken by Husayn's words, none dared come forward
Courage they had none; they were all cowards.
He faced the foes, they were all scared
To meet him in single combat, not one dared
They attacked enmasse, the cowardly ones
Little they realized,
it was Ali's son.
The archers fired a volley of deadly arrows
Swords, scimitars and daggers, flew like sparrows
Sword in hand, he cut through each flank
Utter confusion prevailed in enemies' ranks.
Swift was his movement; well trained his charger
With incredible speed, he did them scatter
The hounds retreated; they licked their wounds
Their boastful shouts, whimpered without a sound!
The road to the rivulet was now clear
There lay the corpse of his dear brother
"Abbas, did you see your brother's last fight?
Why don't you say bravo, to me, heavenly light!"
Husayn looked at the sky, the sun was declining
It was time for prayers, the world was reclining
Availing of the respite, he sheathed his sword
Though he knew full well, he could ill afford.
Their fiendish minds could hardly understand
To think of prayers, how could any man,
In such circumstances, even think, or dream
The like of Husayn, they had not seen!
After hurried consultations, from a safe distance
The archers fired arrows, from all sides, all at once
Accompanied by stones, missiles and burning coal
To kill him somehow, clear was the goal.
Wounded all over, the missiles kept on showering
With blood oozing fast, dizziness was overpowering
His mission was complete; the fight was over!
To hide from Zaynab, he looked around for cover.
"Zuljanah, take me far away to a low lying ground
My family should not see my head being cut", by hounds
Such was the understanding of his master's wishes
It immediately bolted to a place free of crisis.
Realizing his master was unable to dismount
It knelt and slid him gently to the ground
From a small hillock, Zaynab watched her brother
Seeing him unconscious, she darted like a mother.
In his sub-conscious mind, he saw the Prophets of Yore
Wailing and whining for him were those, who were no more
The Prophet was in tears, Fatima was disconsolate
Ali andHassan,
were helplessly watching his fate.
On his burning forehead, he felt something cool
Was it the hand of his mother or the blood pool?
His senses revived; he opened his blood-red eyes
Zuljanah was shielding him, the sun was high.
He remembered, why he has stopped his fight
To offer prayers, despite his vulnerable plight
With prostrated head, he addressed his CREATOR
The world had not witnessed such a WORSHIPPER.
"Thou art my witness, O, my most beloved God,
I have fulfilled my mission, without hesitation, my Lord;
Without squirming, faltering, complaining, O' God,
To Thy decree, and Thy dispensation, I submit, O' Lord!"
While Husayn was still in prayer, Omar Saad pondered
"Cut off his head," he thought to himself and soon ordered
Willing to wound, but mortally afraid to strike
None could master the courage, so great was the fright.
He himself went forth, by his side was Shimr
Husayn was lying prostrate, his head in prayer
His lips were moving; can it be he was cursing?
They bent over to hear what he was saying.
"I beseech Thee, with all humility, O' Allah!
Forgive, the erring ones, of their trespasses
Thou art, the most BENIFICIENT, the most FORGIVING!"
Can there be a being, more compassionate, more loving?
The prayers were almost concluded, they were afraid
He was Ali's son, none could dare under-estimate
Shimr jumped on his back, with sword in one hand
Too weak with loss of blood.
Only his head he turned.
"O, Shimr, give me water, I am thirsty
Then accomplish your task." However dirty
Zaynab rushed out, she was on the scene
"Save my brother!' she imploringly screamed.
She appealed to Omar Saad, again and again
To give little water, to save the life of Husayn
He contemptuously turned his face, in utter disdain
O' you fiend! O' you slur on Islam's name!
Her humiliation was watched by Husayn
He was in greatest of agony and pain
"For the sake of love, you bear for me
Please return to the camp immediately."
She rushed back to her nephew, Ali Zainal Abedeen
Shaking him from stupor, she narrated the scene
In the dusty panorama, they soon saw a spear
Husayn's head was on it, without malice, without fear!
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Author: Noorali S. Merchant
