(Original Marsiya by Mir anees; translation by Syeda Raza)

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When Hur was delivered from the bounds of Hell

And the gates of Paradise opened wide for him

And the Prince rested Hur’s head on His lap

Hur rose in rank from sinful to blessed

 

Many envied his advancement, coveted his place

Angels brought glad tidings, praised his fate

 

When acquaintances and friends had laid down their lives

For Husayn’s cause they fought and died

And Qasim stood ready to do the same

Zaynab sat head-bowed and silently cried

 

“I am surprised at my boys” in dejection she said

“They have shamed me, to face the Imam I dread”

 

As she said these words, cries rose from the camps

Akber cried out from the door of the Imam’s tents

“Aunt Zaynab’s wealth is plundered today

They fought and died together, the two brothers are slain”

 

“Abbas hastens to the battlefield to find the boys

Husayn rushes to get their bodies from the enemy vile”

  

Hearing this Zaynab toward the Kaaba bowed

Rested her head on the sand, grief-stricken, yet proud

“I triumph, my wish is fulfilled” she cried

“My two boys are dead, no worries abound”

 

“My Lord I beseech you, save the Prophet’s Grandson

Let everyone die, yet live my Husayn”

 

In grief Fizza cried out to the ladies within

“Come gather around my lady, come all kin

Where is Banu? Pray call her to Zaynab’s side

Lets weep for Zaynab’s sons, my lady is ruined”

 

“The Prince searches for their bodies in the battleground

Let’s gather to receive them, His grief knows no bounds”

 

By the door the Prophet’s family gathered to wait

And with the bodies of Zaynab’s sons Husayn came

Abbas held the body of the older boy in his arms

And Husayn carried the younger one into the camps

 

And cries and moans filled the air

Everyone gathered around the bodies in despair

 

Carrying in the bodies, the Prince laid them down

Weeping, kith and kin gathered around

But not a word did Zaynab say nor did she cry out

She sat quietly by the bodies, her head bowed

 

Face ashen, lips parched, her robe tear-soaked

Oblivious to all around, lost to the world

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Banu laid the boys’ heads on Zaynab’s lap

And the ladies sobbed as she motionless sat

Then slowly Zaynab bent to take a look

At their battered faces, their many wounds alas

 

Their cheeks gashed, their foreheads scratched

Arms torn from their shoulders, limbs unattached

 

Zaynab rested her face on their chests and cried

“In thirst, rest can induce sleep my dear boys

Everyone here is talking about your courage my sons

Stand up and say thank you, awaken, come rise”

 

“You didn’t sleep last night, you’re tired I’m sure

Yet your manners you must remember my children dear”

 

“The Imam praises your courage, come, wake up

Abbas talks proudly of your battle skills, wake up

Akber tells everyone of how well you fought

All complain of your silence, my dear boys wake up”

 

“Do not part from your Master in His time of need

This is a time of conflict, not the right time to sleep”

 

“You’ve never in the past slept so deeply, so sound

I’d wipe your face except there is no water around

You’re lost to me forever, gone from my sight

It was fated that your loss, your death, I mourn”

 

“On my behalf you fought, I’m proud my boys

For the Prince, in His cause, you laid down your lives”

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“Until now, by yourself you’ve never gone anywhere

The path that you now take is unfamiliar and strange

The road after death can be frightening indeed

Wise men have trembled, though much better prepared”

 

“Of the horrors of this passage, the Prophet had warned

The road can be frightening, be strong, my sons”

 

“You embark on this route, leaving your mother alone

Remember you’re men, though tender and young

Oh stars of my eyes, you will hide from me now

Pray tell me where you’re headed leaving the comforts of home”

 

“In the valley of death or among the living you abide?

Where is the place that you will rest tonight?”

 

“I have lived too long, I’m weary with grief

Yet it’s destined that I continue to suffer, to live

I wonder how much longer I must live this life

Your loss darkens my world, yet I live still”

 

“I wonder what other losses I am destined to mourn

For how many more I must weep, how many more will be gone”

 

“In dark graves, how can you possibly rest?

I will ache with longing to see your faces at dusk

How do I console my heart, what do I say?

You won’t hear my cries, won’t see my tears”

 

“In wilderness, in cities, I will seek you everywhere

This is a mother’s heart, such a loss it cannot bear”

 

“You laid down your lives for my Brother’s cause

I’m obliged to you, my little soldiers, my boys

How do I thank you, where do I find the words?

Mother is indebted to you forever and more”

 

“I wish I had died before this fateful day

I wish by your loss my Brother’s life can be saved”

 

“Where is the place that you go to rest tonight?

Tell mother of your journey, will you be alright?

The day is almost over, the sun will soon set

Where will you sleep tonight, what is the place like?”

 

“Away from the comfort of your bed, on the sands

On the bloody battleground, you lay down to rest”

 

“No pillows, no covers, no such comforts tonight

Stay together, keep each other company my boys

Take care of Mohammed, my son Aon dear

You know how the shadows frighten him at night”

 

“Unless I held him, Mohammed could never sleep

Tonight he must rest by himself indeed”

 

 

 

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