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

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When the Imam in Kerbala was surrounded and slain

The army approached the son of Saad in charge and said

“We have battled all day without a break or pause

Permit us now to retire to rest in our camps”

 

“We are weary from the battles, we have done our task

Husayn has been beheaded, we can all now relax”

 

In disagreement the evil son of Saad replied

“Indeed we have beheaded Husayn, that is right

Yet one more task remains to be done today

Raid the camps of Husayn and burn everything in sight”

 

“Fear not the wailings of the widows and kids tonight

Relax when you’re done, rejoice till dawn’s light”

 

At this command the evil soldiers turned to the camps

They plundered and burned the Prophet’s tents

“Oh Mohammed” the Ladies helplessly wailed

In panic the children ran out of the tents

 

They looted every belonging in sight

And midst the dead bodies rejoiced at their finds

 

When the looters left, the Ladies gathered again

Yet Zaynab heart-broken could find no rest

She kept watch on the group, in agitation patrolled

And saw a horseman approach as the kids fitfully slept

 

She watched His approach in apprehension and fear

Alert, she stood guard as the horseman drew near

 

Then she walked forward and called out to Him

“I command you to stop at this moment, this instant

The Ladies of the Prophet’s family are gathered here”

Yet the horseman advanced once more again

 

In fury Ali’s daughter walked up to His horse

And grabbed the reins, furious at His conduct

 

“You have no fear of the Lord Oh horseman?” she cried

“No respect for the name of Fatimah tonight?

We have nothing you can raid, you waste your time

Yet if you insist on more plunder come back in day light”

 

“The frightened children have fallen asleep just yet

You may come back at dawn, we will still be here”

 

At this the Horseman said “Oh Zaynab have no fear

“Pray sit down to rest with the others my dear

I will stand guard over you all tonight”

“Why do you show such mercy?” asked Zaynab in tears

 

“You seem to have love for the Prophet’s kith and kin

Identify yourself Oh Horseman this instant”

 

“In the name of the Lord I ask you to speak

In the name of the one who rode the Duldul, please speak

In the name of the Prophet I beseech you today

In the name of Husayn, who on the sand sleeps”

 

“Tell me your name, tell me who you are, you must

Uncover your face, your voice is familiar to my ears”

 

Hearing this, the Horseman removed His veil

And showed Zaynab His grief-stricken face

In shock Zaynab looked into the Horseman’s eyes

And saw the face of her Father Ali, amazed

 

No longer able to restrain her feelings at this time

Zaynab clutched at the horse and in distress cried

 

“Where were you Father when Husayn was slain?

When Asgher’s neck was slashed by an arrow’s aim?

When Qasim was trampled on the battlefield?

When the sons of Jaffer died on the burning sands?”

 

“Husayn lay underneath the killer’s swords, you didn’t come

I lost my entire family in one afternoon, you didn’t come”

 

“The son of Batool was beheaded, You did not come

His body was trampled by the army, You did not come

Sukayna’s earrings were snatched from her ears tonight

My Chaddor was taken and yet You did not come”

 

“When my Brother’s killer was sitting insolently on His chest

Where was the owner of Zulfiqaa at that time pray tell?”

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