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

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When to the ground the son of Bu Turaab fell

With arms severed, the brave warrior fell

And the banner he held fell with him to the ground

And Fatimah cried out as the soldier lay still

 

“Any moment now, behead him the enemy will

A living symbol of Ali, surely they will kill”

 

The Prince heard the cry, to the battlefield He ran

In His haste, He stumbled falling often to the sands

His legs trembled, He grabbed His young son’s arm

And cried “O Akber, lead the way in this new land”

 

“Pray, move the crowding army from the river banks

Lead me to my brother, the delay I cannot stand”

 

“Oh Akber, my life is ruined alas

My back is broken, this pain shall never pass

It’s as though I’ve lost my father once again

Oh the pain, like a knife, cuts right through my heart”

 

“Condolences to my father, turn me toward Najaf

And let go my hands so I can mourn the loss thus”

   

Thus Akber led Husayn to his brother’s side

And Husayn saw that Abbas was ready to die

But hearing Husayn’s wails, Abbas opened his eyes

Akber showed Husayn the severed arms by his side

 

Seeing the severed arms, Husayn fell to the ground

And hugged His brother, looking helplessly around

 

And Abbas stirred and opened his eyes

And cried, “Oh my Lord, have I lost my sight?

Why don’t I see you, where are you Oh my Lord?”

Husayn replied, “My brother in your stead I will die”

 

“Look at my plight, as you depart from me

This parting of brothers, how can it be?”

 

“Your beloved Sukayna waits for you by the camps

And the thirsty children surround her, holding hands

And Sukayna counsels them patience and says

“Look at Ali Asgher, toward the door his glance”

 

“For three days there’s no water in the camps

My Ammu will come soon from the river banks”

 

But Abbas answered, “My Imam I depart

It is my will though that once I have passed

Please leave my body by the shores of Furat

Here will be my grave, that’s a wish of my heart”

 

‘Do not carry my body back to the camps

Hyder’s son will stay forever on the banks.”

 

“May I make another wish, Oh my beloved Lord?

I wish the ladies not leave their desert abode

And Sukayna not see my injured body so

And a last dying wish grant to me my God”

 

“That your presence, Oh Imam illumine my grave

And your cloak be my shroud, it’s a wish I crave”

 

So Husayn draped Abbas in His cloak

“Are you happy my brother?” He asked tear-soaked

“But the army will rob you of this cloak tonight

You won’t have it for long, such is destiny’s stroke”

 

“The enemy will loot everything tonight

Without chaddars, our women will walk in daylight”

 

Hearing this Abbas shuddered and opened his eyes

On the Imam’s feet he rested his sight

In the throes of death, then he glanced at Husayn

His horror at Husayn’s words now in his dying eyes

 

Then Abbas went still as Husayn watched

A brother lost his life as a brother watched.

 

 

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