Mir Babar Ali Anis

Mir Babar Ali Anis (Urdu: میر بابر علی انیس) was a renowned Urdu poet. He was born in Faizabad in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in 1803 and died in 1874.

His father, Mir Khaliq who was a famous poet and litterateur, took personal interest in the education and upbringing of his son, and entrusted him to the care of reputed contemporary teachers, Mir Najaf Ali Faizabadi and Maulvi Hyder Ali Lucknavi. In addition, Anees's mother who was an educated and pious lady, played a significant role in shaping the personality of the boy poet. But above all, it was the boy's own instinctive urge for learning and literature that made him an accomplished poet, proficient in Arabic, Persian and Islamic scriptures, and well-versed in logic, literature and philosophy. Poetry came to him as ancestral heritage, for his forbears, going back to his great grandfather, were eminent poets and men of letters. Anees was the grandson of Mir Hasan who is remembered for his immortal Masnavi, Sehir-ul-Bayaan. His parents had migrated in their old age to Lucknow, where he spent the best part of his life.

Anees had started writing poetry quite early in his life right at Faizabad, though he perfected his art in Lucknow under the supervision of Imam Baksh Nasikh. In keeping with the popular trend, he first tried his hand at the ghazal, but failing to make much headway in this sphere, he changed over, under the advice of his father, to the writing of marsias, in which domain he soon established a high reputation, equalled (sometimes) by his poetic compare, Salamat Ali Dabir. Anees broadened the scope of this genre by including in its body, in addition to the customary lamentation and mourning, realistic scenes of the battlefield, graphic delineations of the hero's face and figure, lively portrayals of the emotional states of the combatants, accurate descriptions of the landscape, and occasional interludes of moral edification. Anees was a master of simple, natural utterance, with a superb command on the language, which was always adequate to express a large variety of moods, scenes, characters and situations. He is specially notable for presenting the same scene or situation, over and over again, in different words or phrases, without letting it appear monotonous. Besides being a master of the marsia, Anees was also a specialist of the rubai, the shortest complete poem in Urdu, containing only four lines. Anees died in 1874 at the age of 71.

Brief Note on the Marsia: The marsia, strictly speaking, is an elegiac poem written to commemorate the martyrdom and valour of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his comrades of the Battle of Karbala. In its form the marsia generally consists of six-line units, with a rhyming quatrain, and a couplet on a different rhyme. This form found a specially congenial soil in Lucknow (a city in Northern India), chiefly because it was the centre of Shia Muslim community, which regarded it an act of piety and religious duty to eulogise and bemoan the martyrs of the battle of Karbala.

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Mir Babbar Ali Anees

Mir Babar Ali Anis was a renowned Urdu poet. He was born in Faizabad in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in 1803 and died in 1874. His father, Mir Khaliq who was a famous poet and litterateur, took personal interest in the education and upbringing of his son, and entrusted him to the care of reputed contemporary teachers, Mir Najaf Ali Faizabadi and Maulvi Hyder Ali Lucknavi. In addition, Anees's mother who was an educated and pious lady, played a significant role in shaping the personality of the boy poet. But above all, it was the boy's own instinctive urge for learning and literature that made him an accomplished poet, proficient in Arabic, Persian and Islamic scriptures, and well-versed in logic, literature and philosophy. Poetry came to him as ancestral heritage, for his forbears, going back to his great grandfather, were eminent poets and men of letters. Anees was the grandson of Mir Hasan who is remembered for his immortal Masnavi, Sehir-ul-Bayaan. His parents had migrated in their old age to Lucknow, where he spent the best part of his life.Anees had started writing poetry quite early in his life right at Faizabad, though he perfected his art in Lucknow under the supervision of Imam Baksh Nasikh. In keeping with the popular trend, he first tried his hand at the ghazal, but failing to make much headway in this sphere, he changed over, under the advice of his father, to the writing of marsias, in which domain he soon established a high reputation, equalled (sometimes) by his poetic compare, Salamat Ali Dabir. Anees broadened the scope of this genre by including in its body, in addition to the customary lamentation and mourning, realistic scenes of the battlefield, graphic delineations of the hero's face and figure, lively portrayals of the emotional states of the combatants, accurate descriptions of the landscape, and occasional interludes of moral edification. Anees was a master of simple, natural utterance, with a superb command on the language, which was always adequate to express a large variety of moods, scenes, characters and situations. He is specially notable for presenting the same scene or situation, over and over again, in different words or phrases, without letting it appear monotonous. Besides being a master of the marsia, Anees was also a specialist of the rubai, the shortest complete poem in Urdu, containing only four lines.Anees died in 1874 at the age of 71. The marsia, strictly speaking, is an elegiac poem written to commemorate the martyrdom and valour of Hazrat Imam Husain and his comrades of the Battle of Karbala. In its form the marsia generally consists of six-line units, with a rhyming quatrain, and a couplet on a different rhyme. This form found a specially congenial soil in Lucknow (a city in Northern India),chiefly because it was the centre of Shia Muslim community, which regarded it an act of piety and religious duty to eulogise and bemoan the martyrs of the battle of Karbala, and Even a short poem written to mourn the death of a friend can be called marsia. Lord Alfred Tennyson's poem 'In Memoriam' can rightly be called marsia. The sub-parts of marsia are called noha and soz which means lamentation and burning of (heart) respectively.It is usually a poem of mourning.The form reached its peak in the writing of Mir Babar Ali Anis.The famous marsia writers in Urdu are Mir Babar Ali Anis, Salamat Ali Dabeer, Syed Muhammad Mirza Uns Syed Sajjad Husain "Shadeed" Lucknavi, Dr. Syed Ali Imam Zaidi, "Gauher" Luckhnavi the (great grand son of Mir Baber Ali Anees). At this time in Lucknow Mir Anis's (Great Grand son)Dr.Syed ali Imam Zaidi(Gauher) Lucknavi recited mersiya on that pulpit. The Majlis of (25 Rajab), very important Majlis of Mersiya in lucknow, in this majlis Mir Anis recited the Mersiya,after that well known mersiya writers of Mir Anis's family as Dulaha sahab (Uruj),Mustafa Meerza Urf Piyarai sahab (Rasheed),Ali Nawab (Qadeem)Syed Sajjad Husain (Shadeed)after the Syed Sajjad Husain (shadeed)Dr.Syed Ali Imam Zaidi(Gauher) Luckhnavi(grand son of shadeed)recited self composed Mersiya in this Majlis, at the time of Mir Anis this Majlis organised in (Dil-Aram-Baradari) but now a days this Majlis organised in Imam Bara Nazim saheb, Victoria Street, Lucknow.U.P.India.by Syed Sibtey Husain Naqvi(Jauher)Luckhna vi.Dr.syed Ali Imam Zaidi(Gauher)lucknav i is very good(Mersiya and Masnavi, Slam Qata,Rubai,Nazm,Gaza l,Nazm) composer and he is a very good translator also. He translate several religious books from Urdu to Hindi, as (Quran-e-Majeed), (Wazaiful-Abrar), (Tohfatul-Awam), (Chaudha sitarai), (Quran and Science), (Tafseer-e-Karbala), (Hayat-bad-az-Maut) (Husain ka balidan),(Alia)(Gauh ar-e-aza)In Hindi,(Guldastai-Salam)and (Tarikh-e-Islam-AZ-Quran)in Urdu etc.


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River is Hussain's-Dunya is Hussain's

Kahta tha ibne saad ke ay aasmaan janaab
Bayyat jo keejiye ab bhi tou hAazir hai jaame aab

Farmatey thay Hussain ke ay khanuma kharaab
Darya ko khaak jaanta hai ibne Bu Turaab

Faasiq hai paas kuch tujhe Islaam ka nahi
Aab e taba ho ye tou mere kaam ka nahi

Garjum ka naam loon tou abhi jaam leke aaye
Kausar yaheen Rasool ka ehkaam leke aaye

Roohul ameen zameen pa mera naam leke aaye
Lashkar malak ka fatah ka paighaam leke aaye

Chahoon jo inqilaab tou dunya tamaam ho
Ulte zameen yoon ke na koofa na shaam ho

Farmake ye nigaah jo ki suwwe zulfiqaar
Tharrake pichley paaon hata wo sitam shi�aar

Mazloom par safoon se chaley teer beshumaar
Awaaz e kous harb huwi aasmaan ke paar

Naize uthake jang par aswaar tul gaye
Kaaley nishaan sipaah e saeron mein khul gaye

Jab rann mein taegh toul ke Sultaan e deen badhey
Geethi ke thaam lene ko roohul ameen badhey

Manind sher e haq kahin tahre kahin badhey
Goya Ali ulat te huwe aasteen badhey

Jalwa diya jari ne uroose musaaf ko
Mushkil kusha ki taegh ne chorda ghilaaf ko

Allah re taezi o barsh is shola rang ki
Chamki sawaar par tou khabar laayi tang ki

Pyasi faqat lahu ki talabgaar jang ki
Hajat usey na saan ki thi aur na sang ki

Khoon se falak ko laashon se maqtal ko bharti thi
Sou baar dam mein charkh pe chadhti utarti thi

Seene pe chal gayi tou kaleja lahu huwa
Goya jigar mein maut ka nakhan faru huwa

Chamki tou al amaan ka ghul chaar su huwa
Jo iske munh pa aagaya be aabru huwa

Rukta tha ek waar na das se na paanch se
Chehre siyaah hogaye thay is ki aanch se

Bichh bichh gayeen safon pe safein wo jahaan chali
Chamki tou is taraf idhar aayi wahaan chali

Dono taraf ki fouj pukari kahaan chali
Is ne kaha idhar wo pukara yahaan chali

Munh kis taraf hai taegh zanon ko khabar na thi
Sar gir rahe thay aur tanon ko khabar na thi

Allah re khauf taegh e Shahe kainaat ka
Zehr ah tha aab khauf ke maarey furaat ka

Darya mein haal ye tha har ek bad sifaat ka
Chara faraar ka tha na yaara sabaat ka

Ghul tha ke barq girti hai har dar�a posh par
Bhago Khuda ke kahr ka darya hai josh par

Har chand machliyaan thi zira posh sar basar
Munh kholey chipti phirti thi lekin idhar udhar

Bhagi thi mauj chordh ke girdaab ki sipar
Thay tah nasheen nahang ubhartey na thay magar

Darya na tham ta khauf se is barq o taab ke
Lekin padey thay paaon mein chhaley hubaab ke

Phir tou ye ghul huwa ke duhayi Hussain ki
Allah ka ghazab hai ladayi Hussain ki

Darya Hussain ka hai tarayi Hussain ki
Dunya Hussain ki hai Khudayi Hussain ki

Beda bachaya aap ne toofan se Nooh ka
Ab rahm waasta Ali Akbar ki rooh ka

Akbar ka naam sunke jigar par lagi sinaa
Aansoo bhar aaye rok li rahwaar ki �inaa


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Battle of Karbala

Mir Anis is a classical master of Urdu poetry whose elegies on the struggles between Imam Hussain, prophet?s grandson and the usurper, callous monarch Yazid are immortal. 10th of Muharram signifying the epic Karbala battle and the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. The mourning for Hussain and his family is not complete without a reference to Anis and his peer Dabeer. Luckily I found a Marthiyaa of Anis, that has been translated into English David Matthews, published by Rupa Co.

The sun had run his journey o?er the night;
Unveiled, the Dawn revealed her glorious face.
The King who rides the heavens saw her light
And called his brave companions to their place.
?The time has come at last; to God give praise;
Arise! In fitting prayer your voices raise.

Brave hearts! For strife and slaughter dawns this day;
Here the blood of Muhammad?s race will flow.?
Zahra?s darling, honoured, seeks the fray;
The night of parting fades ?neath union?s glow.
?We are those for whom the angels weep;
To live this day we sacrificed our sleep.
This morning brings an evening ever blessed;
We who depart for Paradise will slake
Our thirst by Kausar?s spring, and there find rest.
May God exalt our names for honour?s sake.?
Unequalled, each of them to joy gave birth.
?Let martyrs rise in glory from this earth.?

At this the faithful friends rose from their beds,
And donning glorious raiment combed their hair;
Then tying turbans on their noble heads,
They faced the peerless Lord and gathered there.
Wrapped in coloured cloaks, their fear grew less;
Rose perfume, musk and civet filled their dress.
Brave warriors dwarfing heaven with their height,
In battle Solomons, in Sheba lions;
The bravest fighters bowed before their might;
No pangs of hunger pained these stalwart scions.
For their great hearts the world was less than nought;
To the vastness of the sea they gave scant thought.
Their dry lips sang the praise of God; and light
Shone on their faces; fear was put aside.
No grief or panic clouded o?er their sight;
They joked and laughed and shared their skills with pride.
Their charming accents gladdened every ear;
Each word they uttered was a joy to hear.
Beyond compare the figures of their speeches;
Each point they made with rare magnificence.
Their rhetoric the art that knowledge teaches;
Their dry tongues shed the honey of eloquence.
Arabian poets marvelled at their art.
Lips like pistachios gently prized apart.
Laughing voices, faces like the rose,
Their bodies smelt as sweet as Joseph?s cloak;
Devout, abstemious; their saintly pose
In Heaven?s slaves would servitude provoke.
Such rubies are not found, such pearls are rare.
?They are angels?, cried the Houris, ?born of air.?

There was no water for the heavenly crowd;
Before the prayers they washed in shining sand.
Their faces gleamed like sunrays through a cloud.
Sons of the Father of the Dust, this band
Became as radiant as the silver moon;
Their faces mirrors in a hazy noon.
The kinsmen of the King stepped from their tent,
Fatima?s darlings all of beauteous face;
Qasim the fair and Akbar heaven-sent,
Aqil and Muslim, Ja?far?s valiant race.
Their countenances lit the sky around.
The flower of eighteen suns stood on the ground.
That morning ?neath the shadow of the stars!
If Moses, who called God on Sinai,
Had seen their light that with the vision jars,
He would have swooned. Celestial majesty
Was echoed by the birds? song in the bowers
Of the desert valley filled with fragrant flowers.
That dancing brilliance wafted by the breeze!
The russet satin sky was put to shame.
Rosy dew-drops hung on swaying trees;
Diamonds were abashed and pearls found blame.
Each bush was crowned by glittering diadems;
The leaves of every tree wore precious gems.
How fine the art of the Creator?s pen!
On every leaf embellishment was shown;
A skill beyond accomplished poets? ken,
Which to the simpler mind remained unknown.
All stood in awe of the Lord of Servants? craft;
Enamelled richness o?er the valley laughed.
The light, the fresh, cold desert and the sky!
The pheasant, quail and peacock made their call;
The sweet-voiced birds intoned their plaintive cry;
The morning breeze brought coolness to the soul.
Red petals clothed the trees and sought their arms
Then gathered in the- ditches round the palms.
The desert and the morning breeze that blew
Amid the branches swaying in the bowers,
Scattering on the blooms rare drops of dew;
One nightingale addressed a thousand flowers.
The primroses of Zahra?s garden drank
The dew, collected on the rosy bank.
The ring-doves gathered round the cypress tall;
The pigeons cooed: ?The Lord alone holds sway!?
Then came the cry: ?Our God is blessed by all.?
The birds pursued their worship in their way.
Not only flowers sang their adulation;
The tongues of thorns gave praise in exultation.
Lifting up its hand, the ant cried out:
?Oh Cherisher of the weak, who rule our fate!?
?Eternal One! Almighty!?, came the shout,
?There is one God, and He alone is great.?
The deer called in the woods, the birds in the air;
The jungle lions roared within their lair.
And here amid the thorns the Prophet?s flowers
Imparted fragrance to the desert lands;
The house of Fatima faced its last hours
In the garden planted by Muhammad?s hands
This garden cut down in those ten sad days,
By traitors wasted, cruelly set ablaze.
Ah God! The autumn and the flowers of spring!
Muhammad?s sons could scarcely hold their breath.
Like bridegrooms they had dreamed of joy to sing;
But their red garlands were the blooms of death.
Awake all night, their eyes were drunk with sleep.
Their perfumed smiles caused closed bud?s? hearts to leap.

The glory of that russet-coloured tent!
A fresh sky o?er the earth had been unfurled.
To the canopy no pole?s support was lent;
This ancient house! Faith?s pivot in the world.
For Allah?s loved-ones dwelt beneath this sky
Like stars in the empyrean on high.

The desert land smiled mocking at the skies;
The seventh heaven thought it dwelt above.
Its curtains were the veils of beauties? eyes,
And heaven plucked its stars from it with love.
The morning thought the sun a wretched sight
When it compared it to that desert?s light.
Then suddenly the dawn?s white light came in;
To lead the prayer the King came from his throne.
All stood behind the Lord of Men and Jinn;
Ali Akbar called the prayer in Hasan?s tone.
The eyes of everyone were filled with tears.
As if the Prophet?s voice fell on their ears.
The birds fell silent; trees in ecstasy
Rocked to an? fro; their buds and fruit sang praise.
The towns and deserts joined in harmony,
And ocean-beasts emerged to hear their lays.
The darling of Shabbir to all lent weight;
O?er land and sea they cried: ?Our God is great!?
The women of the King wept hitter tears;
While Bano of renown stood silently,
Zainab repeated blessings with her prayers:
?My muezzin, I give thy life to thee!
They call in praise of God; oh, hear their joy!
As beautiful as Joseph is my boy.

He reads from the Quran; what majesty!
His grandsire once for speaking held the prize.
Ah, may his voice remain eternally!
The strains of David, who was called The Wise!
Those melodies like petals of a flower!
A nightingale chirps in the Prophet?s bower.

Let someone take these blessings on my part;
May God protect him from the evil eye!
His eloquence would capture any heart,
Although for two long days his throat is dry.
In foreign lands misfortune strikes Husain.
Three days of hunger torment him with pain.?

?Make ready for your worship!?, came the cry.
?The King of all Creation leaves his seat.
In ranks of light the Leader passes by;
Salvation?s path bows down to touch his feet.
His radiance in the highest heaven will reign.?
The Quran became a prayer-mat for Husain.

The company?s prayers were verses from that age;
Like bismillah the King stood at their head;
The ranks were lines of writing on the page,
And proudly stood behind the one who led.
The dawn blinked at the whiteness shown between
The rows of words that Ali once had seen.

They magnified the Lord in glorious tune;
All heaven?s angels blessed them for their sake.
In faith their faces shone bright as the moon;
In fear of God their limbs began to quake.
Their necks were bowed in humble adulation.
Like the crescent moon they folded in prostration.

Haidar?s scions, Muhammad?s noble kin,
Eighteen brave young men stood in one place;
All peerless, righteous, humble, free of sin,
The friends of the Imam in wisdom?s grace.
Theirs the praise of God in all directions.
Theirs the beads that told their benedictions.
They stood, then bowed; their prayers flew to the sky;
To the One Existing Lord they showed devotion.
Prostrate upon the ground, their time passed by;
Their hands, their arms, their feet betrayed no motion.
But of their own dire plight. they made no word.
They prayed beneath the shadow of the sword.
They raised their heads and pointed to the air;
The gates of heaven received their adulation.
Their hands, the pinions of the bird of prayer,
To the trembling sky sped on their supplication.
In humble pose they fell upon the ground;
In Gabriel?s domain their words passed round.
The prayer of the King of Men was now complete;
His thirsty friends came forth to shake his hand.
One kissed his cheek, another touched his feet;
What stalwart spirits had this hungry band!
His soldiers pledged their faith with every breath;
Embracing on the feast-day of their death.
Here one fell upon the ground in thanks;
Here the Quran was read in doleful strains.
Praise of the Prophet echoed in their ranks;
Here power to the Almighty ?mid their pains.
Husain cried out: ?Have pity on our plight;
On us who thirst and hunger in our flight!?
Here sad laments and pleading supplication;
But there oppression, cruelty, wicked deeds.
Umar, son of Sa?ad cried, ?Keep your station!
Watch the river, guard the banks and meads !
Husain is without water for two days.
Let him not drink a drop until he pays.?
The Celestial King gave orders from his place,
When arrows suddenly began to fall.
Towards the evil foe he turned his face.
Weighing his sword Abbas obeyed his call.
Like moths around the torch of the Imam,
They rallied to protect Husain from harm.
To Ali Akbar he made this behest:
?On treachery our evil foe is bent.
Life of my soul, go where the women rest,
And lead them from the forecourt to the tent.
Through negligence let no child come to grief;
For Asghar?s neck is the target of the thief ?

The Sky-Throned King had thus addressed his son,
When Fazza cried from the porch: ?Behold our plight!
Oh Lord, now where may Ali?s daughters run?
The children have been crying through the night.
Suffocated by the heat they weep,
But now in the morning breeze they go to
Baqir rests, Sakina is in a swoon;
This feverish heat our babies has oppressed.
In tears they sleep, their faces like the moon,
Weak from hunger. Where to give them rest?
Theirs is no fault. Why do these arrows rain?
They seek the coolness of the breeze in vain.?

Hearing her voice, the Heavenly Lord arose;
?Neath shields his comrades took him to the porch.
He cried: ?We part for battle with our foes.
Prepare the horses. Light our righteous torch!
May our hearts rejoice in Paradise today;
Make haste to force this issue in the fray.
With these brave words, the King of Land and Sea
Went over to the women. In the ranks
His men prepared. Abbas, renowned and free,
Paced to and fro, a lion with armoured flanks.
The lightning of his face flashed on the sand;
His shield aloft, his sword gripped in his hand.
Solomon?s crown was humbled by his helm;
The wings of Huma were envious of its plumes.
His gauntlets would fair Victory overwhelm;
God save us from his anger when it looms!
When a brother wards off tyranny and wrong,
Will not his brother?s heart feel safe and strong?
The King beheld the womens piteous state;
Their hair hung loose, their faces pale and white.
Zainab made a prayer: ?Oh God Most Great!
Save Fatima?s darling in this awful fight.
May Bano?s crop be green and fresh with sap;
And may she nurse new offspring in her lap.

At Karbala the traveller is undone!
An assault upon a Sayyid, loved by all!
In foreign lands can battle e?er be won?
Have mercy on these babes so frail and small.
They die of hunger; thirst has plunged its sword.
They are Your Holy Prophet?s family, Lord!
Neither Ali nor the Prophet has been kept
To lead this house so cruelly laid to waste;
For Fatima we mourned, for Hasan wept;
Husain alone remains in kingship placed.
Have mercy! Spare the Refuge of our band!
Our company is lost without his hand.?
Drawing near, the Lord of Heaven spoke:
?Be not thou troubled. All thy prayers are heard.
Our cursed foe all faith and pledges broke,
And now they will learn justice at my word.
This is no time, my sister, for thy tears.
Bring forth the holy relics. Cease thy fears.?
Zainab brought the clothes the Prophet wore
When he went to Heaven on that night.
Husain put on his turban, and once more
He donned the cloak to which he had the right.
Those holy garments fitted perfectly;
The scarf of Fatima, his legacy.
The glorious turban-flaps hung down unfurled;
Like jasmine-perfumed locks they graced his race,
And on his shoulders rested black and curled.
Cathay and far Khotan renounced their place.
Musk and ambergris could not compare
With the scented spikenard twisting in his hair.
The Prophet?s fragrance wafted from his train.
No bridegroom knew such perfume from a bride.
Haidar, Fatima, Hasan, Husain.
The scent of the Holy Five on every side
Was squandered on the vale; the swaying flowers!
In Paradise Rizwan rocked in its showers.
The King of Time had donned this fine array;
His sister, blessing him, began to weep:
?Ah Haidar, Hasan! Where are you today?
We roam abroad; where does our mother sleep?
My sweetest Joseph now from us will part;
I die; ah, may the Prophet bless his heart!?
The box of arms was opened by the King;
Zainab, chaste and holy, beat her breast.
The armour wrought in heaven began to sing
The prayers inscribed upon the Leader?s chest.
The beauty of its jewels shone out afar
And every link was like a gleaming star.
When Zulfiqar, the mighty sword, appeared,
The King of Heaven kissed its hilt with love.
He weighed it in his hand, and Glory cheered:
?I bow to thy magnificence above.
May victory be thy lot, may triumph flow,
And may thy strike fall squarely on thy foe!?
He fixed the sword that he alone could wield;
The crescent moon grew frantic in the sky;
Up to his shoulder mounted Hamza?s shield,
Whose dignity increased when raised on high.
The mark of Prophethood was its proud gain
>From being on the shoulder of Husain.
The Lord of High and Low in arms was dressed;
The Sayyid?s standard stood before the hand.
The women, hair dishevelled, were distressed;
His sister clutched the pole with trembling hand.
With swords bound to their waists, on battle bent,
The sons of Zainab came before the tent.
Those rosy-cheeked young boys with valour trod.
Their cloaks tucked in and sleeves rolled up for war.
The might of Ja?far and the Lion of God;
In stature small, hut valiant all the more.
They rubbed their eyes upon the flag and sighed.
In ecstasy to clasp the pole they tried.
They eyed the standard, looked with hopeful eyes
Towards their mother, praising loud the King;
Then taking counsel, sure to win the prize
Quietly said: ?From thee we ask one thing.
Who carries Ali?s emblem to the fray?
Who bears our grandsire?s standard there today?

For when the King takes counsel, let him know
We have the right, although we dare not ask.
Politeness tells us that we should be slow
In coming forward for this glorious task.
We love and serve the Master of Creation,
But also hope to gain our reputation.

Great heroes in the Prophet?s army fought,
But Ja?far gained the greatest honour then.
On Khaibar?s field all great distinction sought,
But Ali took the standard of his men.
We may be thirsty, but we fight like lions.
Of Ali and of Ja?far we are scions.?

Zainab answered: ?What is this to you?
Can I advise or sway the Lord of Men?
Please know your place. Accept that which is due.
I shall he angry if you speak again.
Now stand aside, clasp hands and show respect.
Ali Akbar stands alone through your neglect.
Move aside. Go by the standard. There!
Make sure our Heavenly Master does not see.
You come and drive me mad. Now is that fair?
Your behaviour is not good. Please let me be!
You cry, but I can do no more nor less.
As far as I?m concerned that?s childishness!
You?re babies. Still you crave the highest place.
Well, find a way of putting on some years.
But I admit there?s courage in your face.
No one can match you from amongst your peers.
This issue must be weighed up carefully.
No one receives what is not meant to be.
The standard was not made for hands so small.
You are the youngest, though you think you?re wise.
Before the Prophet?s Grandson you must fall.
This is your duty; here your glory lies.
You wish to fight, but what can be attained?
Today in death alone is honour gained.
What if your forebears won that rich reward?
Do you think it good to steal their reputation?
Real qualities are those shown by the sword.
Let Haidar guide you; aim at Ja?far?s station.
You do have Ali?s blood, but do not boast.
Be worthy of that title midst the host.
How did the Winged Ja?far gain renown?
The standard was the Prophet?s gift he took;
And when he drew his sword and brought it down,
The lands of Syria and Turkey shook.
And when he lost his life that Son of Kings,
Instead of arms God gave him jewelled wings..
For three whole days their army faced defeat;
Then Ali bore the standard to the field.
The Lion of God put Marhab to retreat;
The foe within the fortress would not yield.
Put he broke down that door of infamy
As if it were a leaf plucked from a tree.
Now, Ali?s noble son, in ambush caught,
Beholds our mother?s garden laid to waste.
And you forget to ask why I?m distraught.
Incensed by rank and honour you make haste
To win for your own name a reputation.
For me you spare such scant consideration.?
The rose-faced boys in deference clasped their hands:
?Oh, Sister of Husain! Control thy wrath.
No further talk of standard on these sands,
But thou wilt see our worth when we go forth
To rout the foe, then sleep where martyrs fall.
You will say we were the bravest of them all.?

Her loving sons thus spoke; she drew her breath,
And then as the tears welled up within her breast,
She cried: ?You give me tidings of your death;
But wait and by your mother?s hand be blessed.
You scorn your mother?s words before you part.
Why do you plunge this dagger in my heart??
The King drew near to Zainab and thus spoke:
?My sister, didst thou hear what thy boys said?
They are the lions which fearsome spirits broke.
13y such unequaled hearts are armies led.
Compared to the bravest ones who passed before,
Their frown is different and their courage more.
Just ten years old! What purpose they display!
Such stubbornness in ones so young is rare.
May dearest fortune smile on them today.
At whose breast were they suckled? 13y whose care
Were they brought up to grace the Prophet?s name?
But they are young. How can I meet their claim?
The bearer of the standard is thy choice.?
?The King of Heaven must choose.? Zainab replied.
?Thou wert declared our mother with one voice?,
Answered Husain, ?the day that Fatima died.
So now must thou decide; for thee to say
Which one will hear the standard to the fray.?
Zainab answered: ?I can do no more.
For thou art Leader of the Strong and Weak,
And after the Quran thy word is law.
But if it is thy will that I should speak,
Then I would choose the brave Abbas. For me
In valour no one stands as high as he.
He loves thee; he is thine obedient slave;
A younger brother who will give his life
For thee, and fight with strength among the brave;
A worthy son in time of war and strife;
A lion-hearted general, good and fair.
With his great courage no one can compare.?
The King who has no equal found his voice,
As tears came to his eyes: ?To thee my thanks.
My sister, thou hast uttered Ali?s choice.
Go call Abbas, the terror of the ranks.?
Akbar called his uncle reverently:
?The King awaits. My aunt has chosen thee.?

Abbas came in the presence of the King.
?Go to thy sister?, said Husain. ?She chose. ?
Zainab placed the standard in the ring.
Taking the flag the Lord of Heaven arose:
?Here is the standard thou alone mayst lift.
For thee the Holy Ones reserved this gift. ?
He clasped the pole and to his Master bowed,
Then filled with glory touched his sister?s feet.
She blessed him, saying: ?Brother I have vowed
My life to thee. Protect me from the heat
Of battle. Go and bring us peace today,
And guard thy brother in this awesome fray.?
Abbas addressed his sister: ?While my head
Remains upon my neck, be not distressed.
Though a hundred-thousand swords on us be sped,
They will not pierce this shield,-my stalwart breast.
The sons of the Lion of God to action rise;
They fight with lions and tear out their eyes.?
To Ali?s tomb he turned his noble face:
?Behold each atom has become a sun!
Ah, Lord of Dust! Have mercy on thy race.
Before Husain to martyrdom I run.
My head will fall to save thine only peer;
My blood and sweat are shed upon Shabbir.?
Hearing this, Abbas?s wife drew nigh.
At first, she looked with coyness at her spouse.
She blessed Husain and Zainab with a sigh,
And said: ?These sufferings my grief arouse.
But such reward that you have now bestowed
Makes great the honour which we are not owed . ?
Zainab laid her head upon her breast,
And said: ?I pray thy womb may e?er give life.?
She answered: ?May my Lady?s name be blessed.
Let children be thy fortune as a wife.
May Ali Akbar pass his wedding night
Here ?neath the stars that make this heaven bright.
May destiny ensure their safe return.
Let the cry go up in Yathrib for the Lord.
May dear Umm al Banin with honour burn.
My joy on Ali Akbar?s bride be poured.
May henna red his hands and feet adorn.
May his wedding greet the shadow of the morn.?
The little girl, Sakina came and said:
?Where is my uncle? Tell me, why this throng?
Let me place my blessings on his head.
May he be saved by God from harm and wrong.
He takes the standard; may his fame be mine;
For he is Ali?s glory, Ali?s sign.?
?Come, my dear?, Abbas smiled through his tears.
?You?re thirsty, and I did not stop to think.?
Sakina answered: ?No, allay thy fears.
Thou hast the standard now, but we must drink.
Go, fill my water-skin. No other boon
I crave from thee. Bring water. Bring it soon!?
Hearing her words, the Sayyid women cried.
Qasim came near and called to the Imam:
?The Syrian army masses with its pride
And fast approaches, bent on doing harm.?
Husain replied: ?No cause for fear this day!
Abbas will bear our standard to the fray.?
Standard in hand, Abbas to action fell.
The barefoot women ran with hair disheveled.
The Lord cried: ?Brood of Mustafa, farewell!
We part. ?Tis time the scores were duly levelled.
This is the morning of the night of sorrow.
Our fading stars unite to greet the morrow.?.?
Grief-stricken, Zainab fell before Husain;
And Bano, stumbling, fell before her son;
Trembling, Kulsum fell, her heart in pain;
Sakina, Baqir fell down one by one.
The garden was despoiled, no gay flowers danced;
The standard like a funeral-bier advanced.
The celestial Lord Abbas with firm intent
Strode out; the soldiers said their last farewell.
The King of Both Worlds left the women?s tent,
But Zainab?s piercing shrieks he could not quell.
His heart was pained; tears washed his eyes anew,
As when a sun-flower?s face is washed with dew.
Just like Muhammad, mounted on his steed,
Husain attached his quiver to the rein.
The tongues of men and Jinn cried out: ?Indeed,
The Prophet?s horse descends to earth again!
His graceful movement shames the mountain-quail;
His face that of a bride beneath her veil.
Behold the way his eyes flash, stern and bold!
How proudly struts and sways the noble horse!
His limbs were fashioned in a perfect mould.
He stops and [Edited Out]s his ears up in his course.
His neck the fairies? hands would fain caress.
Swift as Huma he sports his comeliness.?
The wind began to blow; the horse advanced
With joy towards the desert, gaining strength;
The cavalry took their reins; their horses pranced
The standard, like a cypress fair in length,
Came forth to Iram?s garden midst its bowers-
To Karbala, the land of desert flowers.
The five pronged emblem?s radiance robbed the sight;
Its gleaming was reflected on the sand;
It lit the high empyrean with its lightï؟½
A bridegroom?s face veiled in a golden strand.
The emblem and the sun shone in both ways,
Entangling in the air their brilliant rays.
God?s chosen army of magnificence!
The infamous enemy flags began to droop.
Brave Hashimites with rare munificence,
Adornment of the earth, an honoured troop.
Each one the seed of Ali, each in price
Was dearer than the groves of Paradise.
Those eight young boys, fair-faced, straight-backed and wise
With awesome strength and grit were Haidar?s scions.
Black locks entwining their narcissus eyes,
With little knives they were a match for lions.
Their moon-like breasts for arrows were the snare
They came like bridegrooms to a place of prayer.
The houris from their windows in delight
Called out: ?Bless the Imam and bless his sword.
The earth this day presents a wondrous sight,
For he resembles Mustafa, our Lord.
The banner of Ahbas goes forth unfurled.
The company of the Prophet rules the world
For when the Holy Prophet left his place,
We thought the world bereft of beauty?s charm.
But let the old bent sky now hide his face!
Ali Akbar lives to he Husain?s right arm.
Just see his comely looks and know his worth.
Muhammad in Heaven; his shadow on the earth.

Suddenly arrows rained upon the horde.
Husain advanced and pleaded with his foe.
His thirsty friends came to protect their Lord;
They struck the Syrian force and laid it low.
With swords held high, the fight w as underway
All strove like Malik Ushtar in the fray.
The King?s companions, bent on Holy War,
Raised cries; the earth began to shake with fear.
Fierce lions against foxes to the fore!
The cursed foe in panic to the rear!
To north and south fell lightning on the flanks
And pierced the black clouds of the Syrian ranks.

Now Ali?s grandsons fought with might and main.
Their daggers had the force of Zulfiqar.
On shield and shoulder savage blows would rain.
The wounded, dead and dying lay afar.
They proved themselves to be the Prophet?s scions;
Nursed by the milk of Zainab, they were lions.

Those tiny little hands, those wrists so white;
Their speed created havoc in the field.
The enemy bowmen broke their ranks in fright,
And pleaded with the Prophet?s men to yield.
In them Muhammad?s strength was manifest.
?Twas Zainab?s milk that fed their lion-like breasts.

Qasim, Hasan?s son, so bravely fought;
Surrounded, he roared like an angry beast.
Three days of thirst and hunger were as nought.
With unveiled face no bridegroom to his feast
E?er ran so hard as he attacked his foes
And dealt the Syrian Arzaq hefty blows.
The sword of brave Abbas flashed with such power
That Gabriel sought protection from his Lord
The son of Sa?d there faced his final hour
?Midst shieldless corpses scattered-by the sword.
As lions spring to gain the river banks,
Abbas swam through the waves of serried ranks.
The guards of the Euphrates lost their heads
And like the river?s current flowed away.
Black-hearted foes were tossed into its beds;
Their life-breath burst like bubbles in its spray.
Abbas, dry-lipped, took water for his men,
As if the Prince of Arabs fought again.
Ali Akbar seized his victims with a frown,
Like a hungry lion pouncing on its prey.
The proud were vanquished, mighty men put down;
His adversaries o?er the desert lay.
Their heads were severed; no one dared to pass
Beyond the lines defended by Abbas.
On both sides swords rained down till past midday.
The earth and skies resounded with the crash.
With folded wings the angels looked away.
No more the shouts, no more of swords the flash.
The shields were spent; the spears now joined the fight;
By afternoon the army was in flight.
Husain brought back the corpses of his nation;
No martyr?s head was severed by the foe.
May no man suffer such dire tribulation!
He cried: ?Alas! Where do their spirits go?
The weight of mountains has been thrust on me.
Such fine array men?s eyes will no more see.?

?Mid dead and dying stood the lone Imam.
The Prophet?s cloak was soaked in crimson gore.
L)ejected, anxious, thirsty, in alarm,
He heard their victory drums; the enemies? roar
Proclaiming slaughtered martyrs broke his heart;
It pierced his spirit like a poisoned dart.

Only he who grieves can understand.
The garden of life?s toil now wasted lay.
No rest from lamentations cruel hand
The lamps were out that once burnt bright as day.
Scattered limbs exposed to seering heat;
On Ali Akbar?s corpse there was no sheet.

The King of the Age moved slowly to the tent;
He could not bring his thirsty lips to speak.
Lifting the flap, he cried: ?My heart is rent!
My sister, it is Asghar that I seek.
Now bring him from his cradle to the door.
I long to see his moon-like face once more.?
Muhammad?s women ran to him unveiled,
And Zainab brought the baby in her arms.
He took the child, by pangs of love assailed,
And kissed him, overcome by infant charms.
The knife of grief cut through Husain?s sad breast;
His holy knee afforded Asghar rest.
He cradled Asghar in his warm embrace.
Outside in ambush lurked black Kahil?s son,
Who fired a three-pronged arrow from his place;
It?s target was the neck of the little one.
The baby writhed in pain; the Leader cried;
The tiny child was slaughtered by his side.
The baby died, and in the earth about
A little grave w as fashioned by the sword.
The child was buried, and Husain cried out:
?Oh Holy Ground, he mindful of thy ward!
This love of Ali, keep him in thy care,
Ali?s pledge and Fatima?s treasure rare!?
He spoke and donned his shining arms once more;
His eyes were bloodshot, and his face was red.
Clothed in the Prophet?s cloak, now went on w war,
With Hamza?s shield alone to fight he sped;
With Zulfiqar, that sword of might and fame;
Muhammad?s armour graced his noble frame.
Was it Rust clothed in armour or his steed?
The fiery, faithful horse was swift and fleet.
A bridle, gold and silver, was its lead;
Elixir was the dust raised by its feet.
The blood of Duldul far pulsed through its veins;
Submissive when the Master took its reins.
The days of summer heat defy description.
My tongue burns like a candle if I try.
God save us from the blast of its inception!
The field was red, and yellow burnt the sky.
Cold water was the wish of this poor band,
As flaming winds poured fire upon the sand.
The vehemence of the sun, its cruel glare!
The face of day was burnt and black as night
The Alqama dried up; its banks were bare;
Its bubbles burst and from the heat took flight.
The spring of life was dry; its work was done.
The Euphrates steamed and boiled beneath the sun.
Four-footed creatures sheltered in the lake;
With fish the salamander made its home;
The deer were languid, cheetas would not wake;
The molten rocks became a waxen foam.
The red flew from the rose, green from the glade;
In wells the water dropped in search of shade.
There was no tree that still bore flowers or fruits;
The date-palms were on fire like the chenar.
No smiling rose drew moisture from its roots;
Thorns grew on branches burnt as black as tar.
No limb could stir, no beating heart would race;
All nature bore a pale, consumptive face.
The beasts cowered in the places that were wet;
Birds hid themselves within the forest trails.
The pupils of the eye were bathed in sweat,
And would not peep outside their eyelash-veils.
If one glance came to stand upon the street,
A thousand blisters formed upon its feet.
The lions would not emerge from their wild dens;
Dust hung, around the hazy sun?s wide girth.
Gazelles all sought the refuge of the fens.
The firmament caught fever from the earth.
>From pain of heat it uttered mournful sound.
Seeds roasted if they fell upon the ground.
The whirlpool on the water spun with flame;
>From burning bubbles sparks of fire would leap;
The tongues of waves were dry; no solace came
To crocodiles which languished in the deep
The rivers blazed as if on Judgement?s Day,
And roasted fish upon their billows lay.

The mirror of the sky was scorched with heat,
And lightning dashed for shelter in the cloud.
Hot-tempered men could scarce stand on their
For morning?s camphor cried the sun aloud.
The dome of elemental fire burnt red,
And clouds to even colder regions sped.
In that great heat the King of Nations stood;
The standard?s shade, the Prophet?s arms no more.
His sighs were flames, his tongue was hard as wood,
His lips were grey, his hack was bent and sore.
Three days deprived of water, now he stuttered;
His tongue tripped over every word he uttered.

The enemy riders let their horses drink;
They led their camels to the watering-places;
The birds refreshed themselves upon the brink,
And water-boys rushed moisture on their faces.
A pious act to care for bird and beast!
Husain, so thirsty, looked upon their feast.
A golden parasol for Ibn Said!
His servants fanned him as he sat; and now
The ground was splashed with water by his guard.
But for Husain no shade to cool his brow.
The blazing sun beat down upon his back;
His blessed countenance was burnt and black.

The son of Said called: ?Lord of Heaven, think!
Give me allegiance, for I mean no harm.
A cooling draught shall I give thee to drink.?
Husain replied: ?Ah wretch, respect Islam!
The son of Ali takes no gift from thee.
>From thy hand water is but dust to me.
For if I asked, then Abraham would come
And fill my cup from the fount of Salsabil;
Woulds?t thou give me to drink, oh filthy scum?
With avaricious tyrants would I deal?
Thy very shadow causes flowers pain.
If thou art cut, no blood pours from thy vein.
And if I called, Jamshed would give his cup;
The Prophet would tell Gabriel to bring
A draught from Kausar?s spring for me to sup;
On earth the angels would my victory sing.
At my command the world would cease to be.
Iraq and Syria sink beneath the sea.?
He spoke and gazed on Zulfiqar?s bright blade.
The son of Sa?d fell back, alarmed and shy.
>From enemy ranks an arrow-charge was made;
The sound of war drums sped across the sky.
The horsemen massed; their spears were poised for war-
Black flags adorned the black-faced army?s roar.

The clamour of the drums, the trumpets? cry!
The angels? ears were deafened by the din.
And from its senses all the earth did fly,
As armoured soldiers with their spears moved in.
With shields upon their heads came this vile band,
Like rain-clouds swooping on the desert sand.
Intoning martial verses, Ali?s scion
Advanced with Gabriel?s hand upon his shoulder.
Onward he advancedï؟½a male lionï؟½,
With sleeves rolled up; each step he took grew holder
The bride of battle was in splendour wreathed;
Husain?s intrepid sword was now unsheathed.

The flaming sword was wrenched out of its cover,
As moonbeams fly, as perfume leaves the rose,
As a comely maiden taken from her lover,
As breath departs the breast, as red blood flows.
When thunder roared and all the air did swell,
Laila swooned and from her litter fell.
Husain swooped like an eagle from on high,
As lions in the jungle pounce on deer.
The heavens flashed; the clouds began to cry;
His horse rushed down like water swift and sheer.
The sharp sword cut the foe with thunderous crash;
They fell like mountains ?neath the lightning?s flash.

The sparks flew from the sword that cut and thrust,
Heads were severed in the wind that blew.
It beat upon the armour, raising dust.
The wings of Gabriel stretched out and flew.
Those wings were like a charm that all men saved,
For on them Ali?s name stood out engraved.
The foe on whom the sword fell split in two;
The blade came down again to make him four.
The path it took was the one Death pointed to;
However hard its task, it craved for more.
No rider in his saddle could be found;
The armour?s chains lay scattered on the ground.

Its strike beheaded that tumultuous horde;
Assembled ranks were shattered by its flight;
Each body?s castle fell beneath the sword,
And houses crumbled ?neath its torrent?s might.
Whoever struck the scimitar fell dead;
Its lustrous sharpness made the streams run red.
Ah God, the river and the sheet of flame!
Fire on water, water set ablaze!
The sword sped onwards, whispering God?s name;
Its current woke the still pools from their daze.
It quivered and the evil spate was snared.
With Zulfiqar?s keen sharpness nought compared.
The centre, flanks and wings, both left and right
Of the murderous army by Husain were crushed.
The earth v. as spinning as the sword took flight.
>From lifeless bodies all the spirit gushed.
Their souls left like those guests that part in haste;
The market closed; the city was laid waste.
The horsemen bore the sword?s almighty speed;
It cut them through and split their horses? girth.
It thirsted after blood and did its deed.
And bloody corpses choked the heavens and earth.
No need it had for grindstone or for flint;
>From land to sky all space shone with its glint.
This sword of autumn spoiled the garden?s bloom.
Torn from its scabbard now it craved no home.
Faithful has for faithlessness no room.
Do those exalted with the lowest roam?
Straightness in its curve, and sharp its tongue;
The power to cut upon its breath was hung.
It struck the breast, the heart was bathed in blood;
The fingernails of Death plunged in the flesh.
The cry ?God save us!? poured out in a flood.
It cut down honour, then it struck afresh.
Ten steadfast men could not brook its attack;
Its flaming fire turned all their faces black.
Ranks collapsed on ranks where?er it struck,
Now this way, that way, dashing through the air.
?Where has it gone?? ?Which warrior did it pluck??
The cries came: ?It is here!? ?No, it is there!?
The archers could not find the way to go.
If heads were severed, bodies did not know.
Those by the water washed their hands of life,
And hands of headless riders lost the reins.
A hand was struck; a heart was plunged in strife.
No hands were left to grab their horses reins.
They fain would hide their faces in their hands;
But, shamed, their feet took off across the sands.
Ah, how they feared the Lion of Creation!
The stream of the Euphrates turned to bile.
Their cruel hearts were racked with consternation;
They could not run, nor could they stay awhile.
?Run!?, came the cry, ?before it is too late.?
The river of God?s wrath was in full spate.
Although the watery fish were armour-clad,
They hid themselves in fear, mouths open wide.
In whirlpools spun the shields; the waves were mad; .
The crocodiles sought corners dark to hide.
The river would escape the sword?s white heat.
But bubbles formed like blisters on its feet.
Divine destruction was the sword?s swift blow.
?God help us!?, came the cry. ?What can we do??
Through helmets, then through breastplates it would go,
Then on through saddles, slicing steeds in two.
And when the sword into the ground was thrust,
The Earth cried: ?Save me, Ali, Lord of Dust!?
The bowmen, pressing hard, died in the fray.
Their arms hung loose; their bow strings still were taut.
The horn was cut, their arrows flew away;
One step onto the field and they were nought.
The bird of vain imagining took flight;
The notches on their arrows gaped in fright.
All those who were in archery renowned
Could find no place of refuge but the grave.
And those whose target-shot was always sound
Groped blindly for the life they could not save.
Those archers of perdition, sore misled,
Mistook the arrow?s notches for its head.
The lines fell upon lines, and flanks on flanks;
Riders fell on riders, steed on steed.
For five that fled, ten fell among the ranks,
And heralds were despatched with awesome speed.
The army broke and tyranny was dashed.
So rare to see a foe so cruelly lashed.
The Lion of Karbala was now enraged.
To Karbala for refuge wolves had fled.
What war in Karbala the sword had waged!
At Karbala fell many a severed head.
The villages became abodes of ghosts.
Mounds of corpses towered above the hosts.
The Warrior King struck panic in his foe,
And turmoil broke beneath the ancient sky.
The bowstrings looked for refuge in the how;
For help the bow to arrow-heads made cry.
The ruthless sword drove on, and everywhere
The enemy sought a respite from its glare.
>From twanging bowstrings arrows sped like rain;
Hurtling from the Syrian cloud they poured.
The piebald horses, chestnut steeds in pain
Whinnied as the sweltering hot winds roared.
The hatred of the desert was. on fire;
Husain alone withstood its clamorous ire.
Water-carriers came and called their wares:
?The market-place is brisk!? ?Come cool your hearts!-
The wicked, mindful only of their cares,
Rushed to the water-boys like poisoned darts.
A blazing fire consumed the world of pain.
All drank their fill except the Lord, Husain.
Such thirst assailed him ?neath those burning skies;
He masked his face and cried in desperation.
The sun?s sharp glare assaulted his poor eyes,
But still he leapt and fought with exultation.
Rare beads of sweat poured down his holy face;
Pure pearls cascaded on the battle-place.
But those who slaked their thirst just slunk away.
The sword of Ali led the fight alone.
It flashed upon the scalp in full array.
Stopped by neither shields nor iron nor stone.
The blade of the Creator knew no thirst;
In front of it the helmets? blisters burst.
The enemies were confused, and could not tell
An arrow from a bow, such was their plight.
The archers seeking refuge fled to Hell;
Their quivers shuddered as they took to flight.
No sooner had they tried to grip their bow,
Their heads were off; their bodies were laid low.
The horses jostled riders when they saw
The sword flash by; in fear they jumped and leapt.
Not one in thousands stood this battle raw;
Among the ranks there was no order kept.
>From every side the shout of ?Scatter!? ?Flee!?
Swords turned their faces from the misery.
>From the stamping of the horses sand flew up;
The firmament filled like an hour-glass.
The dark-blue sky became a dusty cup,
And blackness spread o?er valley, hill and pass.
The glow that lights the world was lost from sight;
The afternoon at once had turned to night.
The prowess of the Lord against his foes!
With sunlight on his swarthy face he strode.
His dry cracked lips were petals of the rose;
Like Ali borne by Zuljanah he reode.
Came clamour from the battle, fierce and harsh:
?Run off!. An angry lion stalks the marsh.?
?Husain! Make haste to save us!?, came the cry.
?Husain contests the banks; the swamp he takes.
Husain fights with the wrath of God on High.
The world is his; in him God?s spirit wakes!
Husain saved Noah from the dreadful flood.
May we be saved by Ali Akbar?s blood!?
The name of Ali Akbar reached his ears;
His heart was pierced; he pulled his horse?s rein.
And as he stopped, his eyes were filled with tears;
He addressed the spot where his dead son had lain:
?Life of my soul! They call you from afar.
The battle ends; I lay down Zulfiqar.?
Ibn Said cried out and slapped his knee:
?Ah shame! His victory becomes defeat!
Behold! the hero! Such brave men as he
Should never lead themselves to base retreat.?
Then one of Ibn Sa?ds strong men cried out:
?This prize is mine! I?ll put Husain to rout!?
He was gigantic, ugly, fat and dark,
And larazen-bodied with a waist of iron;
Of Death his quivered arrows bore the mark;
His shield had smashed the teeth of many a lion.
His heart was evil and his soul corrupt;
At his every step a mountain would erupt.
Another giant like him in form and height,
With brushy, beetling brows and dark-blue eyes.
Stood by his side, depraved and full of spite.
In battle he slew foes of wond?rous size.
One boasted of his club and one his sword.
They girded up their loins to slay the Lord.
To paint this awesome fight I need resolve;
To gain my enemies? praise the power of speech;
A sword-sharp tongue its hardness to dissolve;
A pen of steel its forcefulness to teach.
To draw the battle-ranks amassed for war
The inkpot needs the flash of Zulfiqar.

The anguished soldiers stood, their faces white;
The bravest of them trembled, for they feared
Husain might bring his sword into the fight.
Could Marhab stand his ground if Ali dared?
Could Antar keep his head in such a fray?
Who has defeat or victory today?
A voice from Heaven cried out: ?In Allah?s name!
Oh Lord! Oh Darling of the Arab race!?
The King was mounted, mindful of his fame;
His sword rose up and showed its gleaming face.
The shameless giant pressed onwards like a flood,
But Zulfiqar was thirsty for his blood.
In battle stalwart soldiers staked their lives,
And evil frowned upon the earth beneath;
Their thunderous shields, their lightning-flashing knives
Were drawn against the horse that gnashed its teeth.
It beat its hooves; those cowards sought retreat.
The earth-supporting cow shook on its feet.
The selfish giant came brandishing his spear
Against Husain, lout little served his might.
At once the sword was raised into the air;
The tyrant?s arrows from its strike took flight.
They might have hit a rock; their heads were dashed:
The string that fired them broke; the bow was smashed.
The tyrant raised his club in fresh attack;
The Scion of the Dusty One saw red.
He beat his hands in wrath; the giant fell back,
As lightning struck upon his angry head.
Defeat for evil! Victory for the just!
His head now severed fell upon the dust.
Confused and scared he tried to run away,
And groping took his sword in his left hand.
But Death?s cold hand will always find its prey.
And Zulfiqar sliced through him on the sand.
A miracle the way the sharp sword flew!
The rider and his horse were cut in two.
The second giant approached; the King called out:
?Hast thou not seen the power of Zulfiqar??
The wretch came on, regardless, with a shout.
But Death already called him from afar.
Summoned by the voice that knows no laws,
Another victim for the lion?s jaws.
The King of Faith towards his rival turned,
As if a hungry lion had joined the fray.
With nonchalance the enemy?s sword was spurned.
The sky was split; the heavens spun away.
The giant sank in the saddle without a sound;
His mighty horse was pressed into the ground.
The peaks of Qaf sped from the fairies? sight;
The Jinn were lost; the lions strayed from home;
The denizens of the deep dashed to the light;
The hawk and partridge fled where pythons roam.
The mountains huddled, hiding, from the roar,
And eagles fell from eeries where they soar.
A voice came from the sky: ?All hail, Shabbir!?
This sword was made for him. Shabbir, all hail!
All hail! To him was battles honour dear.
Nursed at his mother?s breast, how can he fail?
God gave him mastery o?er all creation.
For he alone could fight to save his nation.
But now enough! No more, Husain! No more!
?Tis time to rest. The horse pants from the heat.
The time for prayer draws nigh. The battle?s roar
Is over now for thee. No more! Retreat!
No one can fight thus, thirsty in the throng.
Attend to thy dear kin, and soothe their wrong.?
Sheathing his sword, the King; cried: ?I obey!?!?
The Day of Judgement came upon the world.
The enemy stood like animals at bay.
Their arrows fixed, their standard?s flag unfurled.
Husain stood helpless. See and you will know
Your helpless Lord alone before his foe!
Ten thousand arrows dashed upon his chest;
A hundred at one time sought out their prey.
The spears transfixed his side and pierced his breast;
Ten stuck for every four he pulled away.
The Shadow of the Lord was filled with spines,
Like needles in the backs of porcupines.
>From all directions arrows poured like rain;
Assassins rushed with spears and daggers bared.
Such pain befell Husain. Such pain! Such pain!
The one who on the Prophet?s lap was reared.
No one to pluck the arrows from his chest.
No one to lift him to his place of rest.
Midst thousands, one afflicted stood, alas!
The noble son of Fatima, alas!
Shabbir was struck by tyrants? spears, alas!
And arrows pierced his holy skin, alas.
That ragged, angry army, honour?s bane,
Poured out its bristling quivers on Husain.
Those who had fled from battle now returned;
One took a stone and aimed it at his head.
The blow struck home; his fevered forehead burned;;
Then to his throat a three-pronged arrow sped.
He touched his forehead, clasped his throat and sighed.
The arrow flew out from the other side.
This arrow had three heads, so it is told;
It pierced the Lord, not stopping in its track.
His breathing stopped; his eyes wide open rolled;
He tried to pull the shaft out from his back.
His final breath emergedï؟½an angry floodï؟½;
The palm placed on his wound was filled with blood.
A?var Salami, an enemy of the King,
A foe of true Islam, now played his part.
He split his forehead with a mighty swing;
Sinan, the son of Uns, speared through his heart.
Another plunged his stomach with a hook.
The grave of the Prophet?s Refuge sighed and shook.
Husain falls from his mountï؟½calamity!
His holy foot falls from the horse?s girth.
His side is gaping openï؟½misery!
He swoons; his turban drops upon the earth.
The Quran has fallen headlong from its stand.
The Ka?aba?s walls have crumbled into sand.
Far from the wastes came Fatima?s pure voice:
?Muhammad! See our family despoiled!
Now who will save our friendship and rejoice?
Against what tyranny our Leader toiled!
Full nineteen-hundred wounds were on him thrust;
Ah Zainab! Come! Husain writhes in the dust.?
Now Zainab moved the curtain of the tent
And came with unveiled face and heaving breast.
Her limbs were trembling and her back was bent.
She cried: ?Ah Karbala, where is thy guest?
From- thirst I suffer; guide me with thine eyes,
And bring me to his corpse, to where it lies.
The whole world is in darkness at my feet.
For Allah?s sake, stay with me at my side.
Where lies our Sayyid writhing in the heat?
Ah mother, lead me to the place he died!?
Her sighs consumed her blazing heart with flame.
A voice was heard: ?Who moans and calls my name??
Who called: ?Oh sister! Do not come this way!
The time for thy departure is at hand.
For Allah?s sake, go home! Lost is our day.
May Ali save the ship of this poor band.
Let not Husain be left in this cruel waste.
To drape his corpse let Fatima make haste.?
Her head uncovered, Ali?s daughter walked
To the place where Ali?s darling son was slain.
She ran, though by the evil enemy balked,
And reached the spot, clutching her breast in pain.
Ignoring every danger, she drew near,
And saw her brother?s head stuck on a spear.

Then Zainab, overcome with sorrow, cried:
?Ah Sayyid! Let me bless thy blood-soaked face.
My brother?s throat was slit. See how he died!
Dids?t thou forget thy sister?s healing grace?
Our house is robbed; the promise was not kept.?
His moving lips took God?s name as she wept.

?Thy sister greets thee, brother. Answer me!
Hear the cry of Haidar?s daughter?s strife.
With thy dry tongue give answer! Hear my plea!
Should Zainab cling to this accursed life?
For Death alone can end this separation.
No one is left to give me consolation.
My brother, can I bring thee back once more?
What can I do? Where can I tell my woes?
To whom can I recount the pain I bore?
Our city is now ruled by evil foes.
The world has been destroyed beyond belief.
How can I live within this house of grief?
Why did this wretched waif not die before?
Come tell me how the dagger ripped thy breast??
A voice cried: ?Do not ask the pains I bore!
For all that came to pass was for the best.
Now from all tribulations I am free,
But ah! the wound to be apart from thee!
For even now the foe is bent on plunder.
Give nought but thanks to God for thy dear life.
When tyrants come to set our home asunder,
Take care of poor Sakina in her strife.
Protect my daughter in thy warm embrace;
Let no one look in anger on her face.?
Enough, Anis! Your very limbs are quaking.
This monument you built with glory rings.
Such verses written while your hands were shaking
Will fire the world and please the hearts of kings.
Their harvest is this gathering of mourning
The spring-like pleasure of the autumn?s dawning.


-------

Jab qata ki masafat e shab aaftaab ne
Jalwa kiya sahar ke rukhe behijaab ne
Dekha suwe falaq Shahe gardoon rakaab ne
Mudh kar sada rafeeqo ko di us janaab ne

Aakhir hai raat hamd o sanaye Khuda karo
Utho fareezaye sahri ko ada karo

Haan ghaaziyon ye din hai jidaal o qitaal ka
Yaan khoon bahega aaj Mohammad ki aal ka
Chehra khushi se surkh hai Zahra ke laal ka
Guzri shabe firaaq din aaya visaal ka

Hum wo hain gham karenge malak jin ke waastey
Raatein tadap ke kaati hai is din ke waastey

Ye sunke bistaron se uthe wo Khuda shinaas
Ek ek ne zebe jism kiya fakhira libaas
Shane muhasino mein kiye sab ne be hiraas
Baandhe amame aaye imame zaman ke paas

Rangeen abaayein dosh pe kamre kasey huwe
Muskh o zibaad o itr mein kapde basey huwe

Khaime se nikle Shay ke azeezaane khush khisaal
Jin mein kayi thay Hazrate Khairun nisa ke laal
Qasim sa gul badan Ali Akbar sa khush jamaal
Ek jaa Aqeel o Muslim o Jafar ke nau nihaal

Sab ke rukhon ka noor sipahre bareen pa tha
Athara aaftaabon ka ghuncha zameen pa tha

Nagaah charkh par khate abyaz huwa ayaan
Tashreef jaanemaaz pe laaye Shahe zamaan
Sajjade bich gaye aqabe Shahe ins o jaan
Saute Hasan se Akbar e Mahrooh ne di azaan

Har ek ki chashm aansuon se dab daba gayi
Goya sada Rasool ki kaano mein aagayi

Namoose Shaah rotey thay khaime mein zaar zaar
Chupke khadi thi sahn mein bano e naamdaar
Zainab balayein leke ye kahti thi baar baar
Sadqe namaziyoon ke muazzin ke main nisaar

Karte hain yoon sana o sifat Zul Jalaal ki
Logon azaan suno meri yousuf jamaal ki

Ye husn e saut aur ye qirat ye shad o madd
Haqqa ke afsahul fusuha thay inhi ke jadd
Goya hai lahn e Hazrat e Dawoode ba khiradd
Ya Rabb rakh is sada ko zamane mein taa abadd

Shu’be sada mein pankhadiyaan jaise phool mein
Bul bul chahak raha hai riyaaz e Rasool mein

Saf mein huwa jo naraye qad qaamatis salaat
Qaim huwi namaaz uthey Shahe qainaat
Wo noor ki safein wo musalli falak sifaat
Sardaar ke qadam ke taley thi rahe nijaat

Jalwa tha ta ba arshe mu’alla Hussain ka
Mus haf ki lauh thi ke musalla Hussain ka

Quraan khula huwa ke jama’at ki thi namaaz
Bismillah aagey jaise ho yoon thay Shahe hijaaz
Satrein thi ya safein aqab e Shahe sarfaraaz
Karti thi khud namaaz bhi inki adaa pe naaz

Sadqe sahar bayaaz pe bainas sutoor ki
Sab aayatein thi mus hafe naatikh ki noor ki

Dunya se uth gaya wo qayaam aur wo qaood
Inke liye thi bandagi wajibul wujood
Wo ajz wo taweel ruku aur wo sujood
Ta’at mein neest jaantey thay apni hast o bood

Taqat na chalne phirne ki thi haath paon mein
Gir gir ke sajde karte thay taghoon ki chaon mein

Farigh huwe namaaz se jab qibla o anaam
Aaye musafahe ko jawaanan e tashnakaam
Chume kise ne dast e Shahinshaah e khaas o aam
Aakhein miley kisi ne qadam par ba ehteraam

Kya dil thay kya sipaah e rasheed o sayeed thi
Ba ham mu’anaqe thay ke marne ki eid thi

Zaari thi ilteja thi munajaat thi idhar
Waan sar kashi o zulm o ta’addi o shor o shar
Kahta tha ibne saad ye jaa jaa ke nahr par
Ghatoon se hoshiyaar tarayi se ba khabar

Do roz se hai tashna dahani Hussain ko
Haan martey dam bhi deejiyo na pani Hussain ko

Baithey thay jaanemaaz pe Shahe falak sareer
Nagaah qareeb aake girey teen chaar teer
Dekha har ek ne mudhke suwe lashkar e kaseer
Abbas uthey tol ke shamsheer be nazeer

Parwane thay siraaj e imamat ke noor par
Rokey sipar huzoor karamat zahoor par

Akbar se mudhke kahne lage Sarware zamaan
Baandhe hai sarkashi pa kamar lashkare giraan
Tum jaake kahdo khaime mein ye ay pidar ki jaan
Bachon ko leke sahn se hatt jaaye bibiyaan

Ghaflat mein teer se koi bacha talaf na ho
Darr hai mujhe ke gardane Asghar hadaf na ho

Kahte thay ye pisar se Shahe aasmaan sareer
Fizza pukari deordhi se ay khalq ke ameer
Hai hai Ali ki betiyaan kis jaa ho goshgeer
Asghar ke gahware tak aakar girey hain teer

Garmi se saari raat ye ghut ghut ke roye hain
Bachey abhi tou sard hawa paake soye hain

Baqir kahin parha hai Sakina kahin hai ghash
Garmi ki fasl ye tab o taab aur ye atash
Ro ro ke sogaye hain sagheerane maahwash
Bachon ko leke yaan se kahan jaaye faqa kash

Ye kis khata pe teer piya pe barastey hain
Thandi hawa ke waastey bachey tarastey hain

Uthey ye shor sunke Imame falaq viqaar
Deordhi tak aaye dhaloon ko roke rafiq o yaar
Farmaya mudhke chaltey hain ab bahre kaarzaar
Kamre kasoo jihaad pe mangwao raahwaar

Dekhein fizaa behisht ki dil baagh baagh ho
Ummat ke kaam se kahin jaldi firaagh ho

Khaime mein jaake Shay ne ye dekha haram ka haal
Chahre tou faqq hai aur…
Zainab ki ye dua thi ke ay Rabbe Zuljalaal
Bach jaaye is fasaad se khairun nisa ka laal

Bano e naik naam ki khaiti hari rahey
Sanndal se maang bachon se godhi bhari rahey

Boley qareeb jaake Shahe aasmaan janaab
Muztar na ho dua’en hain tum sab ki mustajaab
Maghroor hain khata pe ye sab khanuma kharaab
Khud jaake mein dikhata hoon inko rahe sawaab

Mauqa nahi bahan abhi faryaad o aah ka
Laao tabarrukaat Risaalat panaah ka

Meraaj mei Rasool ne pahna tha jo libaas
Kashti mein laayi Zainab usey Shahe deen ke paas
Sar par rakha amamae Sardare haq shinaas
Pahni qabaye paak Rasoole falaq asaas


Bar mei durust o chust tha jama Rasool ka
Rumaal Fatima ka amama Rasool ka

Kapdoon se aarahi thi Rasoole zaman ki bu
Dulha ne sunghi hogi na aisi dulhan ki bu
Hyder ki Fatima ki Hussain o Hasan ki bu
Pheli huwi thi chaar taraf Panjetan ki bu

Lut ta tha itr waadi ambar sarisht mein
Gul jhumtey thay baagh mein Rizwaan behisht mein

Poshaak sab pahan chukey jis dam Shahe zaman
Lekar balaein bhai ki ronay lagi bahan
Kehti thi hai aaj nahi Hyder o Hasan
Amma kahan se laye tumhe ab ye be watan

Rukhsat hai ab Rasool ke yusuf jamaal ki
Sadqe gayi balein tou lo apne laal ki

Hathyaar idhar laga chuke Moula e khaas o aam
Tayyar udhar huwa alam e Sayyide anaam
Duaaein maangti gird thi saidaniyaan tamaam
Roti thi thaamey chobe alam khwahare imaam

Teghein kamar mei dosh pe shamley padey huwe
Zainab ke laal zere alam aa khade huwe

Gah maa ko dekhte thay kabhi jaanibe alam
Na’ra kabhi ye tha ke nisaar e Shahe umam
Karte thay dono bhai kabhi mashware baham
Aahista poochtey kabhi ma se wo zee hasham

Kya qasd hai Alliye wali ke nishaan ka
Amma kise milega alam nana jaan ka

In nanhe nanhe haathon se uthega ye alam
Chotey qadoon mein sabse sinoo mein sabho se kam
Nikle tanoo se sibte Nabi ke qadam pe dam
Ohda yahi hai bas yahi mansab yahi hasham

Rukhsat talab agar ho tou ye mera kaam hai
Maa sadqe jaaye aaj tou marne mein naam hai

Phir tum ko kya buzurg thay jo fakhre roz gaar
Zeba nahi hai wasf e izafi pe iftekhaar
Johar wo hai jo taegh karey aap aashkaar
Dikhlado aaj Hyder o Jafar ki kaarzaar

Tum kyon kaho ke laal Khuda ke wali ke hain
Faujein pukare khud ke nawase Ali ka hain

Ab jisko tum kaho usey dein fouj ka alam
Ki arz jo salaah Shahe aasmaan hasham
Farmaya jabse uthgayi Zahra e ba karam
Us din se tumko maa ki jagah jaantey hain hum

Malik ho tum buzurg koi ho ke khurd ho
Jisko kaho usiko ye ohda sipard ho

Boli bahan ke aap bhi tou lein kisi ka naam
Hai kis taraf tawajjo e Sardar o khaas o aam
Gar mujhse poochtay hain Shahe aasmaan maqaam
Quran ke baad hai tou Ali hi ka kuch kalaam

Shaukat mein qadd mein shaan mein humsar nahi koi
Abbas e naamdaar se behtar nahi koi

Aashiq ghulaam khadim e dereena jaan nisaar
Farzand bhai zeenate pehlu wafa shi’aar
Jarrar yaadgaar e pidar fakhre rozgaar
Rahat rasaa mutee o namudaar o naamdaar

Safdar hai sher dil hai bahadur hai naik hai
Bemisl saekdon mein hazaroon mein aik hai

Aakhon mein ashk bhar ke ye boley Shahe zaman
Haan thi yahi Ali ki wasiyyat bhi ay bahan
Acha bulayein aap kidhar hai wo saff shikan
Akbar chacha ke paas gaye sunke ye sukhan

Ki arz intezaar hai Shahe ghuyoor ko
Chaliye phuphi ne yaad kiya hai huzoor ko

Abbas aaye haathon ko jordhe huzoor e Shaah
Jao bahan ke paas ye bola wo deen panaah
Zainab wahin alam liye aayi ba izzo jaah
Boley nishaan ko leke Shahe arsh baargaah

Inki khushi wo hai jo riza Panjetan ki hai
Lo bhai lo alam ye inayat bahan ki hai

Munh karke suwe qabre Ali phir kiya khitaab
Zarre ko aaj kardiya Moula ne aaftaab
Ye arz khaaksaar ki hai Ya Abu Turaab
Aaqa ke aagey hoon mein shadath se bahre yaab

Sar tan se ibne Fatima ke ru baru girey
Shabbir ke paseene pe mera lahu girey

Ye sunke aayi zaojaye Abbas e naamwar
Shohar ki simpt pehle kinkhiyoon se ki nazar
Lee sibte Mustafa ki balayein ba chashme tar
Zainab ke gird phirke ye boli wo nauhagar

Faiz aap ka hai aur tasadduq Imaam ka
Izzat badi kaneez ki rutba ghulaam ka

Sar ko laga ke chathi se Zainab ne ye kaha
Tu apni maang kookh se thandi rakhe sada
Ki arz mujhse laakh kaneezein hoon tou fida
Bano e naamwar ko suhaagan rakhe Khuda

Bachey jiye taraqqiy e iqbal o jaah ho
Saaye mein aap ke Ali Akbar ka byaah ho

Naagaah aakey bali Sakina ne ye kaha
Kaisa hai ye hujoom kidhar hai mere chacha
Ohda alam ka unko mubarak karey Khuda
Logoon mujhe balayein tou lene do ek zara

Shaukat Khuda badhaye mere ammu jaan ki
Mein bhi tou dekhoon shaan Ali ke nishaan ki

Abbas muskura ke pukarey ka aao aao
Ammu nisaar pyaas se kya haal hai batao
Boli lipat ke wo ke meri mashq lete jaao
Ab tou alam mila tumhein pani mujhe pilaao

Tohfa na koi deejiye na in’aam deejiye
Qurbaan jaaon pani ka ek jaam deejiye

Nagaah badhey alam liye Abbas e ba wafa
dauRe sab Ahle Bayt khule sAr, barahna pa
Hazrat ne haath utha ke ye ik eik se kaha
Lo Alwida ay haram e paak e Mustafa

Subhe shab e firaaq hai pyaaron ko dekh lo
Sab mil ki doobte huwe taaron ko dekh lo

Shay ke qadam pe Zainab e zaar o hazeen giri
Bano pachaad kha ke pisar ke kareen giri
Kulsoom thar thara ke baruhe zameen giri
Baqir kahin gira tou Sakina kaheen giri

Ujda chaman har ek gul taza nikal gaya
Nikla alam ke ghar se janaza nikal gaya

Nagaah udhar se teer chale janibe Imaam
Ghoda bada ke aap ne hujjat bhi ki tamaam
Nikle idhar se Shay ke rafiqaan e tashnakaam
Be sar huwe paroon mein saraan e sipaah e shaam

Bala kabhi thi taegh kabhi zer e tang thi
Ek ek ki jang maalik e ashtar ki jang thi

Allah re Ali ke nawasoon ki kaarzaar
Dono ke nichey thay ke chalti thi zulfiqaar
Shana kata kisi ne jo roka sipar pe waar
Ginti thi zakhmiyoon ki na kishtoon ka tha shumaar

Utney sawaar qatl kiye thodi daer mein
Dono ke ghodey chup gaye laasho ke dhaer mein

Kis husn se Hasan ka jawane haseen lada
Ghir ghir ke surate asad e khushmgeen lada
Do din ki bhook pyaas mein wo mahjabeen lada
Sahra ulat ke yoon koi dulha nahi lada

Hamle dikha diye asad e kirdgaar ke
Maqtal mein sooye arzak e shaami ko maar ke

Chamki jo taegh Hazrate Abbas e arsh jaah
Roohul ameen pukarey ke Allah ki panaah
Dhaloon mein chup gaya pisar e saad ru siyaah
Kushtoon se band ho gayi aman o amaan ki raah

Jhapta jo sher shoakh mein darya ki saer ke
Le li tarayi taeghon ki moujoon ko phaer ke

Be sar huwe muwakkil e sar chashma e furaat
Hal chal mein misl e mouj safoon ko na tha sabaat
Darya mein girke fout huwe kitne bad sifaat
Goya habaab hogaye thay nuqta e hayaat

Abbas bhar ke mashk ko yoon tashnalab laday
Jis tarah naharwaan mein ameer e arab laday

Aafat thi harb o zarb e Ali Akbar e diler
Ghusse mein jhapte ser pe jaise garsina sher
Sab sar buland past zabardast sab thay zer
Jangal mein chaar simpt huwe zakhmiyoon ke dher

Siraan ke utre tan se jo thay rann chadhey huwe
Abbas se bhi jang mein kuch thay badhey huwe

Talwaarein barsi subh se nusfun nihaar tak
Hilti rahi zameen laraztey rahey falak
Kaampa kiye paroon ko simte huwe malak
Na’rey na phir wo thay na wo taeghon ki thi chamak

Dhaalon ka daur barchiyoon ka auj ho gaya
Hangaam e zuhr khatema e fauj ho gaya

Lashe sabho ke sibte Nabi khud uthake laye
Qatil kisi shaheed ka sar kaatne na paye
Dushman ko bhi na dost ki furqat Khuda dikhaye
Farmatey thay bichad gaye sab hum se hai haye

Itney pahaad gir padey jis par wo kham na ho
Gar sou baras jiyoon tou ye majma baham na ho

Kham hogaye ye daagh uthake Imame deen
Jhuk kar bana hilaal e Nabi ka mahe jabeen
Yoon dard mein tadap ke kiya nalaye hazeen
Hilne lage pahaad larazne lagi zameen

Aayi jigar ko taab na is waaredaat ki
Khushki mein lagi doobne kashti hayaat ki

Jab saff kashi ki dhoom huwi qatl gaah mein
Tasweer e marg phir gayi sab ki nigaah mein
Doobe rafiq e yusuf e deen haq ki chaah mein
Daftar khula ajal ka Hussaini sipaah mein

Jaanbaaziyaan dikhake jari naam kar gaye
Khaake shifa pa noor ke daane bikhar gaye

Jis waqt aamad aamade saif e Khuda huwi
Hal chal padi har ek ke dar pe qaza huwi
Nabood zindagi huwi hasti fana huwi
Himmat dilon ke jism se quwwat juda huwi

Labrez hokey umr ke saaghar chhalak gaye
Kaampi zameen pahaad jagah se sarak gaye

Maidaan mein jab riyaaze Hussaini khizaan huwa
Dunya se kaarwaan Shahe deen ka rawaan huwa
Darya e khoon mein gharq har ek naujawaan huwa
Hamshakle Mustafa bhi shaheedey sinaan huwa

Rotey thay Shaah lasho mein tanha khade huwe
Thay khaak par kaleje ke tukde padey huwe

Garmi ka roz jang ki kyon kar karoon bayaan
Darr hai ke misl e shama na jalne lage zabaan
Wo loo ke al hazar wo hararath ke al amaan
Rann ki zameen tou surkh thi aur zard aasmaan

Aab e khunukh ko khalq tarasti thi khaak par
Goya hawa se aag barasti thi khaak par

Wo loo wo aaftaab ki hiddat wo taab o tab
Kala tha rang dhoop se din ka misaal e shab
Khud nahr e alqama ke bhi sukhey huwe thay lab
Khaime jo thay hibaabon ke tap te thay sab ke sab

Udhti thi khaak khushk tha chashma hayaat ka
Khoula huwa tha dhoop se pani furaat ka

Jheelon se chaar paaye na uthte thay taaba shaam
Maskan mein machliyoon ke samandar ka tha maqaam
Aahu jo kahile thay tou cheetey siyaah faam
Patthar bhi sab pigal gaye thay misl e moum khaam

Surkhi udhi thi phoolon se sabzi gayaah se
Pani kuwein mein utra tha saaye ki chaah se

koson kisi shajar mein na gul thhe na barg o baar
ek ek nakhal jal rahaa thaa suurat e chinaar
hanstaa thaa koi gul na lahakataa thaa sabzaraar
kaantaa hui thi suukh ke har shaakh e baar daar

garmi ye thi ki zeest se dil sab ke sard thhe
patte bhi masle e cheharaa e madquuq zard thhe

girdaab par thaa shola e javaalaa kaa gumaan
angaare thhe habaab to paani sharar fishaan
muunh se nikal parhi thi har ek mauj ki zabaan
tah par thhe sab nihang magar thi labon pe jaan

paani tha aag garmi e roz hisaab thi
maahi jo seekh e mauj tak aayi kabaab thi

aainaa e falak ko na thi taab o tab ki taab
chhipane ko barq chaahati thi daaman e sahaab
sab ke sivaa thaa garm mizaajon ko iztiraab
kaafuur e subah Dhuundhtaa phirtaa thaa aaftaab

bhadaki thi aag gumbad e charkh e asiir mein
baadal chhipe thhe sab kurrah e zamharir mein

Sher uthte thay na dhoop ke maarey kachaad se
Aahu na munh nikaalte thay sabz zaar se
Aaina mahr ka tha mukaddar ghubaar se
Gardoon ko tapp chadi thi zameen ke bukhaar se

Garmi se muztarib tha zamana zameen par
Bhun jata tha jo girta tha dana zameen par

Aabe rawaan se munh na uthate thay jaanwar
Jangal mein cheetey phirtey thay ta’ir idhar udhar
Mardam thay saath pardon ke andar araq mein tar
Jis khana e mizaa se nikalti na thi nazar

Gar chashm se nikal ke tahar jaaye raah mein
PaRh jaaye laakh aabley paaye nigaah mein

Is dhoop mein khade thay akayle Shahe umam
Na daaman e Rasool tha na saaya e alam
Oudi thi lab zabaan mein kaante kamar mein kham
Sholay jigar se aah ke uthti thi dam badam

Be aab teesra tha jo din mehmaan ko
Hoti thi baat baat mein miknat zabaan ko

Kahta tha ibne saad ke ay aasmaan janaab
Bayyat jo keejiye ab bhi tou hAazir hai jaame aab
Farmatey thay Hussain ke ay khanuma kharaab
Darya ko khaak jaanta hai ibne Bu Turaab

Faasiq hai paas kuch tujhe Islaam ka nahi
Aab e taba ho ye tou mere kaam ka nahi

Garjum ka naam loon tou abhi jaam leke aaye
Kausar yaheen Rasool ka ehkaam leke aaye
Roohul ameen zameen pa mera naam leke aaye
Lashkar malak ka fatah ka paighaam leke aaye

Chahoon jo inqilaab tou dunya tamaam ho
Ulte zameen yoon ke na koofa na shaam ho

Farmake ye nigaah jo ki suwwe zulfiqaar
Tharrake pichley paaon hata wo sitam shi’aar
Mazloom par safoon se chaley teer beshumaar
Awaaz e kous harb huwi aasmaan ke paar

Naize uthake jang par aswaar tul gaye
Kaaley nishaan sipaah e saeron mein khul gaye

Jab rann mein taegh toul ke Sultaan e deen badhey
Geethi ke thaam lene ko roohul ameen badhey
Manind sher e haq kahin tahre kahin badhey
Goya Ali ulat te huwe aasteen badhey

Jalwa diya jari ne uroose musaaf ko
Mushkil kusha ki taegh ne chorda ghilaaf ko

Allah re taezi o barsh is shola rang ki
Chamki sawaar par tou khabar laayi tang ki
Pyasi faqat lahu ki talabgaar jang ki
Hajat usey na saan ki thi aur na sang ki

Khoon se falak ko laashon se maqtal ko bharti thi
Sou baar dam mein charkh pe chadhti utarti thi

Seene pe chal gayi tou kaleja lahu huwa
Goya jigar mein maut ka nakhan faru huwa
Chamki tou al amaan ka ghul chaar su huwa
Jo iske munh pa aagaya be aabru huwa

Rukta tha ek waar na das se na paanch se
Chehre siyaah hogaye thay is ki aanch se

Bichh bichh gayeen safon pe safein wo jahaan chali
Chamki tou is taraf idhar aayi wahaan chali
Dono taraf ki fouj pukari kahaan chali
Is ne kaha idhar wo pukara yahaan chali

Munh kis taraf hai taegh zanon ko khabar na thi
Sar gir rahe thay aur tanon ko khabar na thi

Allah re khauf taegh e Shahe kainaat ka
Zehr ah tha aab khauf ke maarey furaat ka
Darya mein haal ye tha har ek bad sifaat ka
Chara faraar ka tha na yaara sabaat ka

Ghul tha ke barq girti hai har dar’a posh par
Bhago Khuda ke kahr ka darya hai josh par

Har chand machliyaan thi zira posh sar basar
Munh kholey chipti phirti thi lekin idhar udhar
Bhagi thi mauj chordh ke girdaab ki sipar
Thay tah nasheen nahang ubhartey na thay magar

Darya na tham ta khauf se is barq o taab ke
Lekin padey thay paaon mein chhaley hubaab ke

Phir tou ye ghul huwa ke duhayi Hussain ki
Allah ka ghazab hai ladayi Hussain ki
Darya Hussain ka hai tarayi Hussain ki
Dunya Hussain ki hai Khudayi Hussain ki

Beda bachaya aap ne toofan se Nooh ka
Ab rahm waasta Ali Akbar ki rooh ka

Akbar ka naam sunke jigar par lagi sinaa
Aansoo bhar aaye rok li rahwaar ki ‘inaa
Mudh kar pukarey laashe pisar ko Shahe zamaa
Tum ne na dekhi jang meri ay pidar ki jaa

Qasmein tumhari rooh ki ye log dete hain
Lo ab tou zulfiqaar ko hum rok dete hain

Aayi nidaye ghaib ke Shabbeer marhaba
Is haath ke liye thi ye shamsheer marhaba
Ye aabru ye jang ye tauqeer marhaba
Dikhlaadi maa ke doodh ki taaseer marhaba

Ghalib kiya Khuda ne tujhe kainaat par
Bas khatima jihaad ka hai teri zaat par

Bas ab na kar wigha ki hawas ay Hussain bas
Dam le hawa mein chand nafas ay Hussain bas
Garmi se haampta hai faras ay Hussain bas
Waqte namaz e asr hai bas ay Hussain bas

Pyasa lada nahi koi yoon isdehaam mein
Ab ehtemaam chahiye ummat ke kaam mein

Labbaik kahke taegh rakhi Shay ne miyaan mein
Palti sipaah aayi qayamat jahaan mein
Phir sarkasho ne teer milaye kamaan mein
Phir khul gaye lipat ke pharere nishaan mein

Bekas Hussain zulm shi’aroon mein ghir gaye
Moula tumharey laakh sawaroon mein ghir gaye

Seene pe saamne se chaley das hazaar teer
Chhaathi pe lag gaye kayi sou ek baar teer
Pahlu ke paar barchiyaan seene ke paar teer
Padhtey thay das jo khainchte thay tan se chaar teer

Yoon thay khudang Zille Ilahi ke jism par
Jis tarha khaar hoti hai sahi ke jism par

Chaltey thay chaar simpt se bhaley Hussain par
Toote huwe thay barchiyoon waley Hussain par
Qatil thay khanjaroon ko nikaley Hussain par
Ye dukh Nabi ki godh ke paley Hussain par

Teer e sitam nikaalne wala koi nahin
Girtey thay aur sambhaalne wala koi nahin

Zakhmo se chur chur huwa Fatima ka laal
Sarde riyaaz Ahmad o Hyder huwa nidhaal
Chehre pa khoon mal ke basad hasrat o malaal
Ki arz Shay ne shukr hai ay Rabb e Zuljalaal

Bachpan se roz o shab thi yahi aarzu mujhe
Ya Rabb tere karam ne kiya surkhuru mujhe

Is haal se jo saif ki shiddat huwi siwa
Sadma huwa juda ta’ab tashnagi juda
Aashista rahwaar se Hazrat ne ye kaha
Ab waqt hai wida ka ay asb e ba wafa

Jangal mein ghar Batool ka lut ta hai Zuljanaah
Ab saath ek umr ka chut ta ha Zuljanaah

Ay khush kharaam ab na bachega tera sawaar
Ab ye gulu e khushk hai aur taegh e aabdaar
Ab laash par ghareeb ke daudeinge rahwaar
Pamaal hoga ab Shahe mardoon ka gul’ezaar

Baithega seena e pisar e Bu Turaab par
Qatil dharega paaon Khuda ki kitaab par

Zalim mere galey pa jo khanjar phiraega
Tujh se ye haal qahr ka dekha na jaaega
Naala haram ka hashr zamane mein laaega
Farte gham o alam se jigar thar tharaega

Ab hoga saamna qalaq o izteraar ka
Naize pe sar chadhega tere shahsawaar ka

Laakhon mein ek bekas o dilgeer hai hai
Farzand e Fatima ki ye tauqeer hai hai
Bhaaley wo aur pahlu e Shabbeer hai hai
Wo zahr mein bhujaye huwe teer hai hai

Ghussey mein thay jo fauj ke sarkash bharey huwe
Khali kiye Hussain pe tarkash bharey huwe

Wo gard thi jo bhaagtey phirtey thay waqt e jang
Ek sangdil ne paas se mara jabeen pa sang
Sadme se zard hogaya sibt e Nabi ka rang
Mathey pa haath tha ke galey par laga khudang

Thama gala janaab ne mathey ko chordh ke
Nikla woh teer halq e mubarak ko todh ke

Likha hai teen bhaal ka tha naawake sitam
Munh khul gaya ulat gayi gardan ruka jo dam
Khainchi sari galey ki taraf se ba chashme nam
Bhalein nikaley pusht ki jaanib se hokey kham

Ubla jo khoon nikalta huwa dam tahar gaya
Chullu rakha jo zakhm ke nichey tou bhar gaya

Girtey hain ab Hussain faras par se hai ghazab
Nikli rikaab paaye mutahhar se hai ghazab
Pahlu shigaafta huwa khanjar se hai ghazab
Ghash mein jhukey amama gira sar se hai ghazab

Qura’an rahle zeen se sar e farsh gir padha
Dewaar e Ka’ba baith gayi arsh gir padha

Gir kar kabhi uthey kabhi rakha zamee pa sar
Ugla kabhi lahu tou sambhala kabhi jigar
Hasrat se ki khayaam ki janib kabhi nazar
Karwat kabhi tadap ke idhar li kabhi udhar

Uth baithey jab tou zakhm se barchi ke phal girey
Teer aur tan mein gadd gaye jab munh ke bhal girey

Jangal mein aayi Fatima Zahra ki ye sada
Ummat ne mujhko loot liya wa Mohammada
Is waqt kon haqq e mohabbat karey ada
Hai hai ye zulm aur dou aalam ka muqtara

Unnees sou hai zakhm taney chaak chaak par
Zainab nikal Hussain tadapta hai khaak par

Zahra idhar tadap ke giri aur haram udhar
Qatil ne taegh phaer di Sayyad ke halq par
Haatif ne aasmaan se sada di pukaar kar
Faryaad kat gaya pisar e Fatima ka sar

Be jaan lab e furaat e Shahe tashna lab huwa
Mara gaya Imame zamaan tou ghazab huwa

Dekha jo Ahlebait e Nabi ne utha ke sar
Naizey pe aaftaab e Imamat pada nazar
Daude saroon pa khaak udhatey ba chashme tar
Dekha ye haal jab sarey baleen huwa guzar

Taza lahu rawaan hai taney paash paash se
Takbeer ki sada chali aati hai laash se

Pardah ulat ke binte Ali nikli ba chashm e tar
Larzaan qadam khameeda kamar gharke khoon jigar
Charoon taraf pukaarti thi sar ko peet kar
Ay Karbala bata tera mehmaan hai kidhar

Amma qadam ab uthte nahi tashnakaam ke
Pahuncha dou laash par mere bazu ko thaam ke

Bhayya mein ab kahan se tumhein laaon kya karoon
Kya kahke apne dil ko mein samjhaaon kya karoon
Kiski duhayi doon kisey chillaaon kya karoon
Basti parayi hai mein kidhar jaaon kya karoon

Dunya tamaam ujad gayi veerana ho gaya
Baithoon kahan ke ghar tou azakhana ho gaya

Hai hai tumharey aagey na khwahar guzar gayi
Bhayya batao kya tahey khanjar guzar gayi
Aayi sada na pooch jo hum par guzar gayi
Sad shukr jo guzar gayi behtar guzar gayi

Sar kat gaya hamey tou alam se firaagh hai
Gar hai tou bas tumhari judayi ka daagh hai

Haan aashiqon Hussain ke aah o buka karo
Zahra ka saath do madad e Mustafa karo
Haqq e mohabbat e Shahe wala ada karo
Be sar huwe Hussain qayamat bapa karo

Samjho shareek e majlis e matam Rasool ko
Sab milke dou Hussain ka pursa Batool ko

Bas ay Anees za’uf se larzaan hai band band
Aalam mein yaadgaar raheinge ye chand band
Tapke qalam se za’uf mein kya kya buland band
Aalam pasand lafzein hain sultaan pasand band

Ye fasl aur ye bazm e aza yaadgaar hai
Peeri ke walwale hain khiza ki bahaar hai

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