Latmiya - Zayn al-'Abidin and Karbala

The below short latmiya (devotional elegy) is about Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin's suffering in the tragedy of Karbala. He was the son of Imam Husayn and, among other things, known for his inspiring supplications collected in the book Sahifa-e-Sajjadia. He was taken captive after the oppressors killed Imam Hussain and his companions.



I find this latmiya very moving. It touches one's heart deep inside. I have seen youth recite this latmiya like a marsiya in Muharram commemoration gatherings. You can find the audio online.




Zayn al-'Abidin
sweet Zayn al-'Abidin
forever tears will flow
for you suffered so

from the plain of karbala
you were dragged so far
shackled with wicked chains
inflicted with such pain

never eyes could see
how they tortured thee
how blood fell on your hand
amid the sweltering sand
..........
Zayn al-'Abidin...
.........
for what crime were you taken there
how could they be so unfair
your crime was to go for Islam
for the benefit of mankind

they dragged you from town to town
they strived to bring you down
they tried to break your will
and in your mind did peace instill
........
Zayn al-'Abidin
.......
in the court of cursed yazid
attacked you, they surely did
Zainab protected you
as your illness weakened you

to fight another day
was the only way
to save the message of Allah
you surely suffered so
....
Zayn al-'Abidin
....

for years oppression would stand
forgotten that wicked land
oh loathsome Karbala
where innocents murdered were

no place was ever safe
for the ahlul bayt
so lonely abandoned you stood
for the sake of good
.....
Zayn al'Abidin ...
.....