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

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When in the battle of Karbala Qasim fell from his mount

Blood soaked his garments, that became his shroud

The heavens shook with the Prophet’s mournful cries

And the army’s gleeful cries could be heard clear and loud

 

They shouted “We’ve trampled the garden of Husayn

Come now soldiers, douse the light of Hasan’s lamp”

 

Upon hearing the shouts, to Abbas Husayn turned

And said “For Qasim now we must mourn?

The battle is over, Qasim’s fate is sealed

Death’s shadow now approaches the child of Hasan”

 

“Call for Ali Akber now, let us pray, let us pray

Bare headed we will pray that death be stayed”

 

Toward Kaaba then the Imam faced

To the heavens He looked, His hands raised

And cried out “Oh my wonderous, almighty God

From the hands of the enemy may Qasim be saved

 

“You are the protector of all, Oh merciful God

Save the fatherless child from the evil swords”

 

And everyone prayed for Qasim, Hasan’s son

In grief Zaynab’s hair was hastily undone

And Bano’s heart trembled and wept for Qasim

And his mother cried “Tell me, how is my son?”

 

With shock, Abid’s feverish body turned cold

And Qasim’s little brother paled as fear took hold

 

While adults and children in the camp prayed

The army surrounded Qasim, ready to slay

Their arrows and spears blocked his way, circled him

And thousands of swords flashed in the air

 

His face was flushed, his chest riddled with wounds

Blood dripped from his body, like sweat at high noon

 

He leaned over his horse, weak and giddy with thirst

And a deadly arrow his chest pierced

The evil Sheesh stabbed a spear into his heart

As Qasim fell, another arrow at his back lurched

 

Tariq’s spear assaulted, Qasim cried out in pain

“Oh Imam, I’ve fallen, Oh come now dear Husayn”

 

With Zulfiqaar in hand, Husayn charged at the field

Seeing Him, the evil army trembled and keeled

In terror the soldiers scattered, their horses neighed

The killers panicked and fled, took to their heels

 

As the army took flight, trampled and rushed

With the hooves of a thousand horses, Qasim’s body was crushed

 

When Husayn reached Qasim, what a sight He saw

His lips parched with thirst, with pain his body raw

Grief-stricken Husayn wrapped Qasim in His arms

Qasim’s soul departed, not a breath did he draw

 

Husayn gathered Qasim’s body, the limbs crushed, torn

Marked with hooves the body of the thirteen year old

 

 

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