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(11) THE JOURNEY TO KUFA
The sun rose, crimson-red was itscolor
Downcast with shame, the world looked
duller
Ladies and children, huddled with
shambled remains
The victors rejoiced, without compunction
or shame.
Vying with one another, to torture
and torment
They took delight, in causing them
lament
Marching them, by the bodies of their
dear ones
Before being taken to Kufa, in a
caravan.
Without any saddles, on camels'
bare-backs
The ladies were put in a sheep like
pack
Bound hand and foot, with ropes and
chains
Children's necks were tied with their
hands.
Burning with fever and heavily
chained
Zainal Abedeen was marched, though
in pain
The heads of the martyrs, carried
on spears
Headed the procession of Muhammad's
dears.
Kufa was reached in a few hectic
hours
Shimr and Khooli gloated, over and
over
To the governor was sent a
courier
The caravan stopped at a
barrier.
Zaynab and Kulthum had resided for
four years
In Kufa as daughters of Islam's
ruler
Now, they were captives of those
Muslims,
Who were steeped in vices and
sins.
The grand daughters of the Prophet
of Islam
Were too noble, to cause anyone least
harm
Helpless victims of those followers
of Muhammad;
The lofty principles of Islam were
thrown in mud.
O' Kufa, recall the days of glory
of Zaynab!
The honored daughter of the noblest
of Arabs
For four years, Kufians vied with
each other
Every wish of theirs to fulfill like
a mother.
The same Kufa now wore a festive
look
People gathered in every corner and
nook
To watch the grand daughters of
Muhammad
People of Kufa were now thirsty for
their blood.
Heading the caravan, the town crier
was crying aloud
The prisoners are Zaynab and Kulthum,
beyond doubt
Husayn and his followers have all
been slain,
By Yazid's might and power, on Karbala's
plain.
All who question Yazid, such is their
fate
Beware, lest you be subjected to
such hate
If you obey Yazid, without any
question
Rewards will be plenty and pleasingly
handsome.
When the identity was revealed, some
were sad
Ladies and children of the house
of Muhammad;
Could they be captives and his grand-son
murdered?
None, however, dared protest; they
merely shuddered.
It was noon, the sun increasingly
blazing
Continuous pleading for water, Zaynab
was facing
It was futile, to ask the brutes
for water
Zaynab was explaining to Husayn's
daughter.
A lady in balcony, saw the plight
of Sakina
Rushing down with water, she was
in a dilemma
She went to Sakina, breaking the
police cordon
A tumbler of cool water; O' merciful
heaven!
Was it Umm Ayman? Zaynab was not
sure
Two decades had passed, since the
days of yore
"I am thankful for your noble
gesture,
May God, on you, His blessings
shower."
She was astonished and completely
dazed
Zaynab brushed aside the hair, from
her face
The same Zaynab, whom she adored
and venerated,
Was now a picture of woe, a victim
of fate.
Kissing Zaynab's feet, out of
reverence
Umm Ayman, weepingly, asked for
forgiveness;
Lest, such display rouse public
sympathy
The guards pounced and whipped, Ayman,
mercilessly.
Thrown aside, she weepingly complained
to Allah
The caravan proceeded to the court
of Obeidullah
Seated on a throne, holding his royal
court
The prisoners were marched in the
villain's fort.
Seeing Zaynab and Kulthum, he ordered
his men
To place at his feet, the head of
Husayn;
He mockingly inquired, the son of
a bitch'
"Are these slave girls or children
of Prophet?"
as per the parting promise given
to Husayn
Zaynab, who was controlling herself,
lost restrain
"We are grand-daughters of your
acknowledged Prophet,
Sisters of Husayn, whom your henchmen
murdered!"
In frenzy, she gave him a bit of
her mind
"You are the stooge of Yazid, O'
you fiend!
He has flouted all the principles
of Islam
The house of Prophet, he has
unjustifiably harmed!"
"He has trampled all ethical
concepts
reduced all beings to a condition
abject
your success, is ephimeral, be
sure
very soon, God's wrath, you will
endure."
Ibn Ziad, was stunned by this bold
rebuke
His embarrassment was apparent, though
he fumed
The awe inspiring atmosphere of the
court
Held no terrors for Zaynab and Kulthum,
both.
He looked around to see the devastating
effect
If she went on, the masses would
defect
He shouted at the top of his heartless
voice
Undaunted by threats, Zaynab dared
him twice!
She projected the issues, the sacrifices
of Husayn;
Most poignantly, she recalled his
piety and fame
A blind companion of the Prophet,
Ziad bin Arkan
Protested at the indignities on founders
of Islam.
Ibn Ziad, shouting him down, ordered
his removal
By nature, he was crafty and vindictively
cruel
He hurriedly dismissed the corrupt
court
"Carry the prisoners to Damascus",
he roared.
