Mourning al-Hussain

O father of Hassan!

She overlooks and in the slumber she delights,

But only with her hand can Zainab now cover her face.

O father of Hassan!

Does this sight you please:

Each of your women chained, uncovered the face,

While Banu Harb’s women in their chambers veiled with grace?

Does your side on the bed find comfort and ease,

While your daughters on the camels to Syria are brought?

Are you pleased when your wise ladies are exposed?

With lashes they are whipped when they cry, having no rest..

To the east they are once taken by the mean gangs, the worst,

And once towards the land of shame are taken, to the west.

None to protect them as they cross every plain,

None heeds their complaints when they complain.

Their voices were lost and their hearts squeezed,

Their breath by grief is almost snatched away

Amazed am I about one who thinks of fate

And wonders and upon it does he contemplate:

A fornicator leisurely turns about on his throne,

As al-Hussain on the ground is left, unburied, alone,

And his head is on a lance openly carried,

And with the crown is crowned the son of a whore.

For three days did Husayn stay unburied or more.

One’s body is to cruel elements is left exposed

As the other covers his with silk and with gold.

Excerpted from a poem in praise of Imam al-Hussain (as) by Shaikh Hassoon al-Hilli who died in 1305 A.H./1888 A.D.