ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Maqtal al-Husayn The Looting O father of al-Hasan! The one best to protect his neighbour, To you do I complain with overflowing tears, Let alone a great shame that overspread Wherein tears are part of my address. Should you overlook as you today see How Umayyah's offspring sought and achieved All their mischievous revenge?

How many for you at the Taff , where A mourner bitterly mourned, Were wailing like pigeons in their necks Iron collars they had to wear? And how many a child did they scare? Mourning one who never knew but kindness. And how many a child decorated with gold Did they shackle and did they scold? And with arrows was he shot. How many a free lady with hair Uncovered came out of the tent Having nothing to veil her except her hands?

Should you have witnessed how she With a heavy heart sighed as her heart burned. It would have been hard for the Commander of the Faithful That she should thus come out at all, In a condition that grieved everyone with a heart. Who then should tell al-Zahra’ about Zainab Being taken into captivity And being driven among the foes to Damascus?

She has none from the foe to protect Except one in the robes heavily tied up, For those who came to Karbala’ All fell on its ground, one glorious martyr after another. They spent and the greatness of their glory covered their faces And died in dignity without kneeling before a tyrant.

No excuse shall be for my heart if I say so, Should my eyes with tears forever overflow.[^1] When Abu ‘Abdullah al-Husayn (‘a), was killed, people fell upon his luggage and belongings looting everything they could find in his tents,[^2] then they set the tents ablaze. People raced to rob the ladies of the Messenger of Allah (S).

The daughters of Fatima al-Zahra’ (‘a) tearfully ran away, their hair uncovered.[^3] Scarves were snatched, rings were pulled out of fingers, earrings were taken out, and so were ankle-rings.[^4] A man took both earrings belonging to Umm Kulthum, riddling her ears in the process.[^5] Another approached Fatima daughter of al-Husayn (‘a) and took her ankle-rings out. He was crying. “What is the matter with you?” she asked him.

“How can I help crying,” he answered, “since I am looting the daughter of the Messenger of Allah?” She asked him to leave her alone.