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

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The Prophet’s kin are in prison interned

In the grips of a raging fever, Abid’s body burns

No shroud for Husayn’s body, no veils for His kin

In misery the children weep, the hearts of adults churn

 

This is the Prophet’s progeny, pale and gaunt

Twelve necks bound in a single rope, herded along

 

Why didn’t the heavens collapse at such appalling sights?

When a sword was placed on Husayn’s neck by the enemy vile

And the blood of the Prophet flowed on to the sands

And the daughters of Fatimah in prison arrived

 

Such dreadful sins, such blasphemy, such cruelty insane!

The arms of Hyder’s daughters bound in ropes and chains!

 

Twas the children that suffered most at such times

Clinging in terror to the mothers at the sounds and sights

In shock they stared as their world turned upside down

Whimpering during the day, sobbing through the night

 

Sukayna was only four when her Father had died

The hearts of the prisoners shuddered at her anguished cries

 

Covering her face with her torn dress she often cried out

“Where have You gone dear Father?  Where are You lost?

The prison door is shut, the guards are asleep

I can’t go searching for You, I am in here locked”

 

“You left taking with You those who were dear to Your heart

Without telling me where I could find You, You left me alas”

 

Saying this she beat her head with her tiny hands

And agony filled the hearts of her mother and aunts

“Where are you Oh Husayn?” Zaynab cried in distress

Banu consoled Sukayna, picking the girl up in her arms

 

“He will rock you to sleep, your Father will come” she said

“My dearest do not cry, I will hold you instead”

 

Consoled at these words, Sukayna calmed down

Weary from her crying, she lay in her mother’s arms

And everyone around grew silent as well

As Sukayna fell asleep, feeling unusually calm

 

Stirring often, Sukayna fitfully slept

Her mind filled with the thoughts of her Father’s death

 

The mother held Sukayna and rocked her to sleep

As she slept, Sukayna had a disturbing dream

She dreamt that a radiant light filled the heavens and earth

As bright as the sunlight, glorious indeed

 

Angels flocked around a Presence midst the light

“Husayn has come for Sukayna” called the angels in delight

 

And Husayn talked to Sukayna in this beautiful dream

Hearing her Father’s voice, Sukayna started to weep

Disturbed by the dream, Sukayna woke with a start

Back in the dark prison, to reality from her sleep

 

Gone was the radiance, the light of her dream

She heard the rattling of shackles, the jingle of the chains

 

Rubbing her eyes in confusion, she looked around

Her eyesight had weakened by the cruelty of the guards

She turned to her mother and hugged her tight

“Father, Oh Father” she cried out alas

 

“Hush Oh little one, what is the matter?” Banu cried

“I am here with you, Sukayna dear, you are alright”

 

The prisoners wept seeing Sukayna’s state

And their sounds reached the evil Yazeed as he slept

And his wife woke up, disturbed at the sounds

“Where do these sounds come from Oh Yazeed?” she asked

 

“There is so much anguish in the cries that I hear

Which Husayn do they weep for? My heart fills with fear”

 

“While the world sleeps restfully during the night

These prisoners in mourning spend their time

What sufferings have they endured? Who are these folks?

Why do they weep so much? Has one of them died?”

 

“I hear the sound of a little girl, crying in pain

They slap their chests in distress, they call out ‘Yaa Husayn’”

 

Saying this Yazeed’s wife sent a maid to find out

The cause of the weeping, what the wailing was about

Fulfilling her errand, the maid returned and said

“They wail for a reason, the prisoners are distraught”

 

“While no one has died in prison today

There’s a little girl that cries inconsolably, I’m afraid”

 

Hearing this Yazeed called out to his evil guards

“Get the keys to the treasury” he ordered alas

“Take the head of Husayn to the prisoners right away

That will calm them down and I can sleep at last”

 

“Let the girl take a look at her Father’s severed head

At His blood-stained face, His dust-laden hair”

 

As the head was brought toward the prison gates

“Yaa Husayn” the prisoners cried in a restless state

Unlocking the door the guard cried out

“Come here Oh prisoners, this head you may take”

 

“The sounds of your weeping reached the king’s ears

And he has sent a present for Sukayna, tired of her tears”

 

Fizza walked up and took the head from the guard

With the aura of Husayn, the prison air transformed

The Ladies stood up, shaken by the sight

To see the face of Fatimah’s Son, soaked in blood

 

The Ladies bowed in respect as the head drew near

In deference Sajjad stood up, His eyes filled with tears

 

Slapping their chests, the prisoners encircled the head

For the moment forgetting Sukayna’s distress

Seeing her Father’s head, Sukayna leaped with joy

And ran to it, hugging the head to her chest

 

“Oh what a miracle” she cried “Look at God’s grace”

“I finally found Him dear mother, look at His face”

 

Saying this Sukayna bent over Husayn’s head

Finally at peace, no more sobbing, no distress

Perhaps she has fainted, the prisoners believed

Troubled by her silence, Banu tried to pick her up instead

 

Zaynab called “Husayn’s child has taken her last breath”

“Who are you trying to rouse Banu? Sukayna is dead”

 

Shaking her shoulders Banu cried out in grief

“Lift your head from your Father’s face, look at me

A moment ago you were up, shedding tears of joy

But now I feel no pulse, your body is cold indeed”

 

Banu lost all hope seeing Sukayna’s face calm in death

Nobody knew when the girl had taken her last breath

 

“Come back to me my dearest Sukayna” Banu cried

“Or tell me where you are headed so I can join you, do not hide

Where do I search for you Sukayna in this wilderness my dear?

This prison feels like a tomb without you by my side”

 

“Life for me is worse than death, you know that

Who will sleep in my arms tonight alas?”

 

“My dearest tell me where can I go searching for you?

In this short life Sukayna, your suffering was plentiful

You lost your Father, you were slapped, beaten and abused

Your tiny neck was bound in ropes, bringing pain anew”

 

“Perhaps no other woman bears a fate such as mine

Who will now sit with me Sukayna to console my cries?”

 

“Oh beloved, mother is a prisoner in this strange land

My suffering is second only to Husayn, the Imam

Helpless, weak, anguished, broken by fate’s hand

I do not own a piece of cloth to shroud your body alas”

 

“Your body is laden Sukayna with the prison dust

You go to your grave wearing a torn, bloody dress”

 

Abid stood up holding the tiny body in His arms

The Ladies surrounded Him, hugging the girl alas

“Where are you headed Sukayna?” Zaynab cried out in grief

And the prison walls shook with Banu’s cries of distress

 

“She leaves her mother to weep at the memories left in her heart

Sukayna goes to sleep alone in the grave alas”

 

 

X---------X----------X

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