(Original Urdu Marsiya by [tbd]; translation by Syeda Raza)

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The Prince leaves his home, to the desert he heads

Friends and loved ones follow, on his path they tread

“He’s leaving, He’s leaving” cry the people in grief

Causing unrest, news of his departure spreads

 

The home of the Prophet is losing its soul

Where the fragrance of Heaven resided, that home

 

The ladies of his household are beset with grief

The neighboring women arrive in disbelief

His Noble Sister says goodbye to them all

Rubbing their palms, helplessly the women speak

 

“Oh mercy, Oh mercy, he’s leaving us all

In this heat he will walk the desert floor”

 

“Looking at Asgher, our hearts are filled with pain

Can this tender baby survive the journey with Husayn?

Where is the Imam headed?  Where does he plan to go?

What if he finds no water in the desert barren?”

 

“Leaving this town, to the forsaken desert he goes

Taking the baby with him, the Prince leaves home”

 

To the wailing women, the Noble Sister says

“We follow God’s will, we have no say

Letters from Kufa arrive, insisting we come

We’re now headed toward Kaaba, there we will pray”

 

“Who knows what awaits us, grief or peace?

We will do what God wishes, we follow His will”

 

“God knows I will miss all of you and this home

The memories will follow me wherever I go

While the entire family on this journey leaves

Yet a sickly child we leave behind, did you know?”

 

“At the thought of leaving her, my dear brother weeps

For Fatimah Soghra, our hearts are filled with grief”

 

Hearing this, the women shed more tears

And the mother sat, holding Fatimah Soghra near

Grief-stricken, the mother gazed at Soghra’s face

And Soghra said “Oh mother, have no fear”

 

“I am ill no more, why do you weep for me?

I’m coming with you dear mother, don’t you see?”

 

“Oh Soghra, I love you my dear” Banu cried

“It would make me so happy to have you at my side

But do not ask me the question, whether you can come

Your father is our master, he will decide”

 

“Let’s see what the Prince decides to do

He may leave me behind to care for you”

 

As she spoke, the Prince walked in through the door

Heart heavy, eyes teary, troubled his soul

Sukayna cried “Oh mother, my father is here”

Soghra said “Thank God, my healer is now home”

 

To his sister he said “The hour draws near

Come let us say goodbye to Soghra my dear”

 

“The caravan, all assembled, waits ready to depart

Friends have loaded our luggage with a heavy heart

Streets have been cordoned, so the ladies may board

The camels await, let the journey start”

 

“To leave home is hard, but we have to leave

My heart weeps for Soghra, I’m filled with grief”

 

Approaching Fatimah Soghra this he said

Trembling with weakness, she rose from her bed

Hugging her close to his heart, the Prince cried

“You’re ill my dear, please lie down and rest”

 

“What is fated will happen, it will not turn

You’re ill my dearest, with fever you burn”

 

Holding her close, he sat by her bed

He recited Al Hamd and prayed for her health

Then he hugged her once more and said “Soghra dear

It is the will of God that you stay back and rest”

 

“We would take you with us if you were well my dear

But you’re too ill to travel, that much is clear”

 

Hearing this Soghra’s heart shattered with pain

She cried out, her face now growing pale

Envisioning their departure, it hurt to breathe

All peace was gone, grief-ridden her face

 

Tears flowed from her eyes, onto her gaunt cheeks

Everyone wept, seeing Soghra weep

 

Collapsing on her bed, in sorrow she cried

“Help me Oh help me, I will certainly die

Fate has turned against me, I will not survive

Leaving me you will go Oh Father tonight?”

 

“How can you bear to part, to leave me thus?

This decision will kill me, take me you must”

 

“In my longing for you, I will certainly die

Seeing my family leave, I will not survive

That a father leave his daughter, how can it be?

Forgive my sins, take me, hear my cries”

 

“In Your absence I will not suffer here thus

Pray take me with You, please take me You must”

 

“I beg you, have mercy, take me with You

Do not leave me behind, I will join you too

I love you dear Father, with you I will stay

Pray take me with you, my needs are few”

 

“If I’m ill, please wait till I’m well again

Or stay till I die, you may leave then”

 

Head bowed, the Prince listened Soghra implore

At that moment Ali Akber walked in through the door

Reaching up to her brother Soghra hugged him tight

“Come dear brother” she pleaded yet even more

 

“Father will not listen to my pleas today

Will you also leave me and go away?”

 

“I am but alive for a few more days

Goodbye dear bother, you won’t see me again

The pleasure of your company can I have once more?

Come sit close to me, hear of my pain”

 

“In my heart the sorrow of your parting now rests

I’ll leave this world, with grief beset”

 

“My dearest, my loving, my handsome Akber

I’ll miss you, I’ll suffer, I will die Akber

How can I bear to see you leave me and go?

Leaving your dying sister, you depart Akber”

 

“I wish you’d wait for me to die, and then leave

That you’d bury me and shed a few tears at my grave”

 

“I’ll suffer, I’ll wonder when you will return

Will I ever see your beautiful face again?

If you have a wedding, will you invite me then?

I’ll die of misery, if you take too long”

 

“If I’m dead dear brother do not first go home

Do visit my grave Akber when you return”

 

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