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

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Zaynab prepares to give up her sons for Islam

To part from her children, so dear to her heart

Knowing they will be killed, she bows down before God

Compliant with His will, obeying His commands

 

As her sons mount their horses, sadly she gazes

“They’ve grown so much” she says, “in just a few days”

 

Husayn tries to stop her, anguishing at her distress

“Lets send Akber, your boys are too young” He says

“Please do not stop them, let them go” she replied

“They were born and raised for this purpose, for this day”

 

“It is not You my dear brother, who sends them to war

So do not be embarrassed, for it’s me that implores”

 

“Do not speak of sending Akber to join the dead

Let my sons go and die in Akber’s stead

Akber is the Prophet’s icon, in the prime of his youth

Of celebrating his wedding some day, I have dreamt”

 

“The loss of my boys will be easier to bear

Neither of them is eighteen, so do not despair”

 

Thus Aon and Mohammed left for the battleground

And Zahra’s soul followed, angels hovered around

Fearless and heroic, they lunged at the battlefield

“Mercy, Oh mercy” cried the enemy foul

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“Such skill, such valor, look at them” they cried

“They attack like lions, fearless, heroic, and proud”

 

Tearing through the army, they reached the river banks

Saw the flowing water, and thought of Sukayna in the camp

“We should have brought a container” alas they cried

“We could have taken some water back to the tents”

 

Yet it was destined that Abbas was to play that part

To seek water for Sukayna, to die trying alas

 

Zaynab watched her sons’ progress in the war

Distressed she was when she could see them no more

“Have they been taken prisoners, are they dead?” she cried

“Where are they Oh Fizza, do you happen to know?”

 

“My lady” replied Fizza “Tearing through the army vile”

“Your sons have reached the river, praise be their might”

 

“They have no reason to go to the river” Zaynab moaned

“If a drop they drink, I will forgive them no more

Call out to them Fizza, ask them to turn away

My dear Husayn’s thirst is now three days old”

 

“Tell them to turn their backs to the river and return

I will never pardon them unless the water they spurn”

 

 

 

 

“If they’ve quenched their thirst, ask them not to return

For their mother wishes to not see them again

They are not fit to die for Husayn, for His cause

They have shamed their mother, they have upset their kin”

 

“I will not weep if in this battle they die

And neither will I let my dear Brother cry”

 

Fizza stepped out, toward the battlefield she walked

She saw the boys surrounded by enemy swords

Thousands of spears and arrows flashed in the air

And then from the enemy, a cry of victory arose

 

“Zaynab’s sons are slain, once more we triumph”

“Two thirsty boys lie dead on the river banks”

 

In search of their bodies, Husayn fled to the battleground

Akber and Abbas followed, their grief knew no bounds

“Do not bring their bodies back” Zaynab cried

“For to the river they’ve been, water they’ve found”

 

“If it is true that they drank from the river, betrayed me

I wish to see them no more, let their bodies be”

 

Husayn found their bodies, at their state He cried

He lifted one, while Akber carried the other child

And brought their tender bodies back into the camp

And called out for Zaynab with tears in His eyes

 

 

“Brave, loyal and faithful to Zahra’s son” He said

“They turned away from the river, died thirsty instead”

 

With a heavy heart, Zaynab sat down by their side

She hugged their bodies, tears flowing from her eyes

“I am proud of you my sons, and God is pleased” she wept

“For you remained steadfast and true to the end” she cried

 

“Oh grandsons of Ali, you make me proud, do you hear?”

Oh your thirst, Oh your thirst, Oh your thirst, Oh your thirst”

 

“When I heard that you were headed to the river my sons

I needlessly dreaded that you will slake your thirst

Forgive me for thinking that you may waiver in your path

You are noble indeed, you stayed the course”

 

“Many things I said in panic and dread

I ask for your pardon, your mother was upset”

 

“When you go before Grandmother in paradise my dears

You will complain of my words, I certainly fear

Of my doubts about you, of my anger at the thoughts

Pray forgive me my sons, for my words, my tears”

 

“I ask for your forgiveness, pardon me you must

Say that you do so, come rise from the dust”

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