ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Sorrow and Sufferings (6) The Journey To Mecca It was 26th of Rajab sixty-first of Hijri The heat was unbearable, boiling point the degree The caravan was ready with young and old This was the day, the Prophet had foretold "A day will soon came when my dearest Husayn Will leave Medina, in indescribable grief and pain To meet his fateful destiny, in a far off land With his family and few friends, a tiny band" With grief in the air, the atmosphere was surcharged With heavy hearts the Medinites silently watched Can it be true that their most beloved Husayn, With his family and friends, would all be slain?" They pleaded with him to drop the risky journey He was priceless in all terms, including money Or take with him their strong young men with arms Who would ensure him against any possible harm They also pleaded that Ali Akbar be left behind So that, when memory of Prophet came to their mind They could look to him, for he was his very image, From head to foot, in looks, mannerism and gait.

Husayn was silent, how could he explain? Islam was sinking! There were many to be blamed! It was his martyr's cup, how could he reveal The plan of God to erase the cancerous evil. He apologized; to grant their wish he was not able Such love, such feelings were indeed laudable! He would, however, remember them in his prayer His daughter, Sugar, he was leaving to their care.

Seriously ill, she cried her heart out They were leaving her, she had no doubt Destiny's hand was beckoning the Imam Proceed he must, was God's command! Towards holy Mecca the caravan slowly proceeded A farewell journey: no explanation was needed The guardian of truth was himself out to uproot The weeds of untruth, with his devil destroying boots.

From Kufa they sent an urgent pathetic appeal In the name of God, from the helpless people "Truth is being trampled, we look to you To oust this tyranny, come to our rescue." "You, as our Imam, must heed our solemn call And save Islam, from its impending downfall There is no time to lose, we anxiously await Please come at once and do not be late." He knew that treachery is a satanic vile And the Kufians in this were ahead by miles Time and again, Ali they had shamelessly betrayed Fickleness and shifting loyalty, was their trait.

They had addressed him as their Imam He was, therefore, in painful duty bound To heed their call, despite past experience It was a supreme test for Imam's holy license.