ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Ashura Poems in English Explained and Annotated (volume 1) Hari Kumar : Ashura The chain whips awaken a hundred eyes on their backs. Red tears trail the streets to the gold-domed tomb of Husain. A golden spider with legs of blood. Wails shake the sky the minaret props. But today, for every lash for Husain, a lash will tear for a warded son.* 31 T. D.

Chattani : Vale of Sorrow Through the Vale of sorrow does history trace Two matchless martyrs our Prophet's pets Who left their hearths with Islamic grace In hunger and thirst their duty to face. Severed from home, exhausted on the field Opposed by enemies who had Satan's shield They gave their lives that others be freed From falsehood, tyranny and a Kafir's creed.

Most precious blood flowed from their veins Battlefield of Karbala has still those stains From our hearts should rush rivers of blood Renewing our faith with this vital flood. !* 10 *Khurshed, ed., Imam Husain, 2nd ed., p. 157 L. 8 ?Kafir? refers to ?infidel, unbeliever, or pagen?. 32 Ameen Khorasanee : Husain of Kerbala Men weep for you today in many lands, And on their breasts in bitter anguish beat, And in sad, mournful tunes, the tales repeat of how you lost your family upon the sands.

You nobly spurned the tyrant's base demands and chose 5 Death to prevent your soul's defeat,- Became a martyr with unflinching feet- For these well may one weep who understands. This sorrow at your death, despite the years is still as fresh, Which Time has failed to quell.10 In every heart this day new pain appears And of your sufferings men each other tell. They see a vision through slow falling tears of that lone Battle where athirst you fell.* *Lalljee, The Martyrdom of Imam Husain, p. 60.

33 Sarojini Naidu : The Night of Martyrdom Blackrobed, barefooted, with dim eyes that rain Wild tears in memory of thy woeful plight, And hands that in blind, rhythmic anguish smite Their bloodstained bosoms to sad refrain From the old haunting legion of thy pain, Thy votaries mourn thee through the tragic night With mystic dirge and melancholy rite, Crying to thee ? Husain! Husain! Why do thy myriad lovers so lament?

Sweet saint, is not thy matchless martyrhood The living banner and brave covenant Of the high creed thy Prophet did proclaim, Bequeathing for the world's beautitude Th' enduring loveliness of Allah's name?* 5 10 * Naidu, The Feathers of the Dawn, p. 6.