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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Maqtal al-Husayn Composing Poetry in Their Memory What is obvious beyond the shadow of doubt is that composing poetry about anyone means introducing him to others, keeping his name alive, and publicizing for him. Men's legacy, no matter how highly esteemed by others and how great, may lose its glow as time goes by. Such legacy, therefore, will eventually be overlooked and its great significance forgotten.

Poetry is faster to steal people's attention and appreciation. People disseminate it, tongues articulate it, hearts memorize it and pass it on from one generation to another, from one nation to another. Arabic literature has preserved a great deal of this nation’s history, biographies and wars, during the period of jahiliyya and since the dawn of Islam.

Among what Du’bal al-Khuza’i has said about poetry's perpetuation across the centuries are these lines: If I compose a line, its composer will die, yet I Am quoted: one whose verse shall never die. ‘Urwah Ibn Uthaynah has said, I was told about men who did fear That I vilify them, and I do not vilify. If they are innocent, my poetry shall not come near Them, nor shall they be censured thereby.

But if they are in esteem less than that, And utter something with an effect to last, It will mean to these men Many a book and many a pen. Since remembering (‘a) is the pillar of the creed and the spirit of reform, and through it are their teachings taught and footsteps followed, the Infallible Imams (‘a) kept urging their followers to publicize their abundant merits, the calamities they underwent, and their suffering as they tried to keep the creed alive.

Publicizing the tragedies that befell them and the agonies they had to withstand will keep their cause alive. May Allah have mercy on all those who keep their memory alive and who invite others to remember them.

Imam Abu Ja’far al-Baqir (‘a) said the following to al-Kumait when the latter recited for him his poem which starts with “Who shall solace a heart suffering from overflowing passion?”: “ May you always be supported by the Holy Spirit .”[^1] When al-Kumait once sought permission of Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) during the days of tashriq to recite his poem to him, the Imam (‘a) thought it was quite a serious offence to recite poetry during such great days.