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

​

​

​

​

Asgher, the infant, to the battlefield must come

Noble himself, and a noble Sire’s son

Weak with thirst and hunger, he must leave the camp

The time to fulfill his promise has come

 

In the Imam’s encampment, everyone weeps

Life from his body gradually leaves

 

Dehydrated with lack of water for days

He lies in his crib in an oblivious state

Barely capable of moving his hands or legs

His breath is labored, he lies in a daze

 

Those surrounding his crib know not what to say

He silently sobs, life slipping away

 

Too weak to cry out, he contorts his face

Eyes roll back in his head, what a state

Every now and then, he opens his mouth

All wailing around him, bewildered he lays

 

His chest rises and falls with his hesitant breaths

Waiting for his Father, in his crib he rests

 

His body burns with the relentless heat

His heart palpitates, his mother weeps

His face is flushed, his tender lips chapped

Searing winds through the camps sweep

​

When “water” is mentioned he turns his face

And opens his mouth in expectation of same

 

His lips are blue, pale his face turns

His feet are cold, while his body burns

His hair is matted with the desert dust

With every sob, his tiny chest hurts

 

He rubs his heals together in a restless state

His anklets fall out, he’s lost weight

 

His mother Banu cries out in grief

“Where do I find water, where do I seek?

Oh my dearest child, what’s in store for you?

No sustenance for you, no water or milk”

 

Seeing Asgher’s state, Zaynab cries out

“Yaa Ali madad” in desperation she shouts

 

“Look at our fate, what hard times have come

We’ve just lost Akber, now its Asgher’s turn

He’s close to death, what can I do?

Covering my face with Chaddar, let me leave the camp”

 

“Let me go to the army, plea in God’s name

And tell them of Asgher’s condition, his pain”

 

“I will let them know who we are, what we are

That children in our camp are dying by far

No water you permit into our camps

Your hospitality is novel, your generosity stark”

​

“Come now quench this baby’s thirst

Give water to my darling, have mercy you must”

 

Fizza cried out “My dear Lord Husayn please come”

“Slake his thirst, come look at Your son

Your sisters lament, console them You must

With Ali Akber’s death, they are stunned”

 

“Come let us grieve for Akber now

While Asgher is dying, Akber is gone”

 

The Noble Prince then entered the tent

And the ladies brought Asgher to Him anent

The Prince saw Asgher on the verge of death

And wept at the baby’s predicament

 

And cried out “My darling son lets go

We’ll tour the battlefield, to you I will show”

 

“My infant son, My darling child

Your Father knows well the enemy vile

God as my witness, I am certain of this

They will give you no water, their hearts are defiled”

 

“Yet I will take you, they must see you today

So they may never say, ‘We knew not his state’”

 

Saying this, the Prince shed many tears

Lifted Ali Asgher, held him near

He sheltered the baby in His cloak

And said “God is great, have no fear”

​

Thus the sorrowful Prince left His camp

And walked toward the enemy, with hope scant

 

Approaching the army, He uncovered the child

Face radiant, Ali Asgher at the army smiled

“Look, as though the moon peeps through clouds”

Agitated with guilt, the murderers cried

 

Seeing the tender baby in the Imam’s arms

They gazed at the sight, restless, alarmed

 

Then the Prince spoke to the army thus

“You know not what you do, your souls are lost

You’ve forgotten your God, no mercy you show

This innocent child and such brutal thirst”

 

“Do not partake in taking his innocent life

Pray quench his thirst, take my advice”

 

“In the name of your Prophet, show mercy today

Don’t avert your eyes, what thoughts do you weigh?

I will remember your kindness, we never forget

From Kausar you will drink on judgment day”

 

“The keeper of Kausar is his grandfather Ali

He will quench your thirst, hear your plea”

 

“You know who we are, from where we come

You are aware of our status, of the position we hold

Matchless is our charity, our compassion, you agree

Yet all kindness you deny us, why do you play this role?”

​

And Hurmula cried “Is it water you seek?

Here comes our response, we hear your plea”

 

Then Hurmula lifted his bow and arrow and aimed

At the baby, no remorse, no guilt, no shame

As the Prince watched in shock and disbelief

The arrow came hurtling, the Prince exclaimed

 

Seeking to protect him, covering Asgher in His arms

The Prince bent over to shelter His son

 

“What have you done Oh Hurmula?” Husayn cried

“What had Asgher done? Did he deserve to die”

“Was it a sin to ask for water? Is that why he was killed?”

Flushed with victory, Hurmula paid no heed

 

He had just killed a baby, yet no shame he felt

His mind was filled with thoughts of the rewards he would get

 

 

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

​

​