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

​

​

​

When in the battle of Karbala Zaynab’s sons fought

The two alone with the massive evil army fought

With the courage and valor of Ali they fought

Oh like lions the grandsons of a Lion fought

 

Gallantry inherited from the Grand Amir

Such vigor can only come from Zaynab and Ali

 

Zaynab waited barefoot by the camp door

And Abbas reported their progress in the war

“Noble sister do not cry nor worry for them

Your sons have vanquished thousands more”

 

“Their strength reminds the world of Khyber today

Victorious they will return, the enemy they will slay”

 

With tears in her eyes Zaynab replied

“May Allah bless them with success and might

The two are alone, fighting thousands today

Their fate rests with God He will do what is right”

 

“Though helpless, I have faith in the Almighty God

He will grant me the wish that I’ve always sought”

 

“Oh my brother, I do not fret for my sons today

They may die or get trampled by the army, yet I say

If a thousand sons I had, let them all so get killed

To save the Son of Fatimah, this price I will pay”

 

“In Husayn’s stead, let me bear all the pain

Even if nobody lives, yet live my Husayn”

 

As Abbas and Zaynab spoke thus, Husayn cried

“Oh Abbas, the children are gone from my sight”

Abbas charged at the battlefield

On his way he heard Ali Akber’s cries

 

“We live to witness this day and to weep?

Let us get their bodies, on the sands they sleep”

 

Abbas charged at the army, by his side his spear

And Husayn grief-stricken, bare-headed was near

The army retreated seeing them approach

Dying on the sands lay the youth so dear

 

Though apart in battle, yet together in death

Still clutching their swords, wounded their chests

 

Seeing His sister’s sons in this state

Crushed like flowers, trampled in haste

Their brow and long hair matted with dust

Lips blue with thirst, bruised the face

 

Their brows gashed and battered, their clothing torn

Their ribs mashed and broken by the enemy swords

​

Husayn cried, holding their bodies close

“Come open your eyes, watch my tears flow”

But in Death’ slumber, heavy-lidded were their eyes

Abbas felt their pulse and wept in woe

 

“Raised in my lap, yet dying in my sight?”

Husayn held the dear boys in His arms and cried

 

Alongside Abbas in sorrow wept

And cried “Oh here comes the shadow of Death”

And weeping in pain, Husayn replied

“The two now depart to eternally rest”

 

“Within the camp, the hopeful mother waits

How do we take their bodies to her in this state?”

 

But Zaynab’s heart knew that they lived no more

Quiet in grief, she sat down by the door

And Husian brought in her blood-soaked sons

And said “Oh Zaynab, my heart is torn”

 

“What has happened, what is lost, how can I say?

I hoped they would live, but they died on the way””

 

Hearing this Zaynab rose, weeping silently in pain

And hugged their bruised bodies, uttering their names

She praised their valor and their sacrifice

And cried “Come wake up now, weeps my Husayn”

 

“Wake up, walk bravely and show me your swords

The Imam needs you, so sleep no more.”

 

​

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

​

​