(Original Urdu Marsiya by mir anees; translation by Syeda Raza)

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On the day Husayn’s son parted from Husayn

The brilliancy of light from the heavens waned

His eyes lost their glow when He lost His youthful son

Husayn’s radiant son with the Holy Prophet’s face

 

The heart of Batool’s Son was unbearably bruised

The home of the Prophet’s Grandson darkened with gloom

 

A spear had pierced through Akber’s heart

Husayn saw the gash that tore Akber’s chest apart

A father can hardly watch a son in such a state

It exceeds all bounds of forbearance alas

 

Though known for his patience, even Ayoob couldn’t have borne

Such pain, such a loss, such misery, such woes

 

A young son dying, the father fifty-seven years old

The pain, like a knife, pierced through His soul

Watching His son suffer, watching him die

Watching the mother weep to see Akber no more

 

What flavor does life hold after you lose a child?

After your home is deprived of such youthful life

 

That son from whom Husayn couldn’t bear to part

Was killed by the people of Shaam and Iraq

“Hurry Oh death” Husayn cried out in pain

“I have nothing more to live for, nothing alas”

 

“May no home suffer a fate as wretched as mine

Life has no meaning when your child is gone”

 

“He died while everyone prayed he would live

Strong, bold, handsome, courageous, and quick

Born elsewhere and dead in this strange land

A young son died while an old father lives”

 

“He was only eighteen, not an age ripe for death

He was a youth, he should have lived, yet he died instead”

 

Distraught, grief-stricken, Husayn entered the camps

His cloak soaked with Akber’s blood, He entered the tents

Pale, heart-broken, His body cold with grief

No strength in His body, no blood in His veins

 

At the ache in His cries, everyone wept

Even the enemy was shaken, restless, upset

 

The overwhelming loneliness, His loved ones no more

Zaynab held His hand and led Him indoors

With sorrow His body trembled, His legs gave way

His head rested on Zaynab’s shoulders, His body sore

 

 “My beloved Akber is gone Oh Zaynab” He cried

“That I continue to live is indeed a surprise”

 

“I have come to offer my condolences to you

The losses I have suffered are far from few

I’ve wept and lamented and mourned many today

I’m drenched in Akber’s blood, so dear to you”

 

“Akber died in my arms while I held him close

I sat by his body, I saw his blood flow”

 

“I’m weary my dear Zaynab, bid me farewell now

The enemy draws closer, the tents they surround

The bodies of my beloveds lie strewn on the sands

I’m afraid they will be trampled by the enemy foul”

 

“The image of Qasim’s body still lingers in my mind

The same may happen to Akber, now laying on the sands”

 

Hearing the Imam’s words, the ladies cried out in grief

Zaynab fell to the floor and cried out “Yaa Ali”

“You are the helper of the lonely, the victims of this world

Come to my Brother’s aid, destroy His enemy”

 

“He has no son, no brother to defend Him today

This is the hour of mercy, the time for help, I pray”

 

 “Oh Mustafa the enemy surrounds Your grandson

Oh Lion of Allah, show Your fury to this world

Undo your hair dear Fatimah, my Brother now parts

Fill this earth with quakes, with Your wrath my dear God”

 

“I ask for nothing more than for my Brother to live

I will take Him away, away from this land, this grief”

 

“Tolerance and restraint you must show” Husayn cried

“Submission to the will of God, obedience to His might

Deference to His judgment, compliance with His commands

Submit, just like Mother, do what is right”

 

“This is the last goodbye you will have to say today

All others are gone, it is now my turn to go away”

 

Then He looked at Sukayna, for her His heart ached

She ran into His arms and hugged Him tight

Starvation and thirst had left her too weak to speak

Yet she felt His pain, and wept at His state

 

“Are you planning to leave this forsaken desert?” she asked

“Where are you planning to go, what is your path?”

 

And Husayn replied “Indeed I am planning to leave

Give me another hug, turn now look at me

I leave now to meet my Creator, to fulfill my vow

Thousands surround me today, seeking to murder, to kill

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“I pray for the Almighty’s help as this journey I take

What else does one do when no friends remain?”

 

“Your uncle left me, he broke my heart

He was my armor, my shield, my loving body guard

Dear Qasim was slain by the ruthless swords

And Ali Akber’s loss completely shattered my heart”

 

“Those who filled my life with peace are all gone

Our household is destroyed, we’re ruined in this land”

 

Hearing her father’s woes, Sukayna started to weep

“My dear Father” she cried filled with grief

“Do not leave me, do not go, stay with me You must

Or let us leave together, with You I plea”

 

“To Medina or Najaf let us go dear Husayn

Wherever You go, take me with You my Husayn”

 

Husayn replied “Dear Sukayna, there is no way out

The enemy surrounds us, all roads are blocked

They will never let me leave, they hunger for my blood

Zahra’s son is a prisoner, sealed is every route”

 

“Even those who bring messages for me are slain

Do not dream of going home my dear in vain”

 

“I leave now dear Sukayna and will never return

Show restraint, do not weep, bear the hurt

This is the first time you will sleep by yourself my dear

Rest your head on Mom’s chest, give her a hug”

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“The days of peace and rest are forever gone

You must now learn to live as an orphan does”

 

Confused, Sukayna turned to Husayn and asked

“What is an orphan dear Father?” She knew not alas

Tearfully Husayn hugged Sukayna and replied

“An orphan is someone whose father has passed”

 

“An orphan’s life is hard, remember my dear

Because the world can be cruel, when there is no father near”

 

  

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