Sorrows Sufferings [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

(7) THE BETRAYAL

Pin drop horrifying silence prevailed
all round

The mosque of Kufa stood on hallowed
ground

Treachery it had witnessed time and
again

It was the mosque where Ali had been
slain.

The town crier was reading the Governor's
decree

"To associate with Muslim will not
go free

He is an emissary of Prophet's grandson,
Husayn

Who has refused allegiance to Yazid,
with disdain."

When the prayer was over, Muslim
looked back

The mosque was empty, earlier it
was packed

He glanced at his host, Hani Ibn
Urwah

No words were needed, only a breath
choking, Ah!

The packed mosque had just witnessed
jubilant scenes

So great was the rush to swear allegiance
to Muslim

They had madly jostled and vied with
each other

In honoring Muslim, as Husayn's cousin
brother.

They exchanged glances, the picture
was clear

For their own lives they had absolutely
no fear

To inform Master Husayn was the sole
prime need

Whom could they trust? No, none,
indeed!

Hani rushed out, choked to the
brim

He had in his house, two sons of
Muslim

He whisked them out by the back
door

For safety's sake, there was no other
go.

Muhammad and Ibrahim, two innocent
lads

Were anxiously awaiting return of
their dad

They were now on the road; alone,
all alone!

The cruel treacherous world was now
their home.

Soon was Hani's house completely
surrounded

The hopes he had nourished were soon
grounded

He fought the armed troops of upstart
Obeidullah

The odds were too heavy; he prayed
to Allah!

He was soon overpowered and
chained

There was now no hope which
remained

His only thought was to inform post
haste

To Husayn, of the events and breach
of faith

After Hani's departure, he reflected
a while

A train of thoughts flowed, mile
after mile

Hani was sincere, there was no iota
of doubt

But if in danger, whom could he for
help shout.

He thought of his sons, the two young
kids

In the house of Hani, he hoped they
were hid

He prayed to God to spare him for
a little while

So that, to Husayn, he could send
the secret file.

It was night, he had no place to
go

Tired and forlorn, his walk was
slow

Curfew was imposed, no soul stirred
out

The search was on in all possible
hideouts.

He sat for a while and leaned against
the door

The door of a house with an old muddy
floor

An old lady came out to see who it
was

"My son! Why do you not return to
your house?"

"Do you not have a wife nor
children?

Go and rest, in peace, in your own
garden!"

A lump came to his throat: yet, he
sadly smiled

"I come from the house of the Prophet,"
he replied.

The venerable old lady was in shocking
pain

"My God! You are Muslim, the Emissary
of Husayn,

How did I fail to recognize you,
O, My Lord!

What reply will I give to my Most
Merciful God?"

She hid him on the old wooden attic
floor

Extinguished the lights and shut
the door;

Her son soon returned from his usual
rounds

He was in the army of the Yazidi
hounds.

"Hani has been beheaded," he
declared,

"The search is now on for Muslim
and his lads."

The simple old lady was moved to
tears

And confided to her son, her own
gnawing fears.

The son was elated at the fortunate
news

He pretended sorrow, as a deceitful
ruse,

"I will soon be back with the two
young lads"

And rushed to his Master, Obeidullah
Ibn Ziad.

The sound of horses hoofs were
approaching near

Muslim was in his prayers; he knew
no fear

He immediately realized, he had been
betrayed

His time was up; he would soon be
dead!

The noble lady was aghast! How could
she explain?

It was her son who had brought her
everlasting shame

Muslim assured Taha that he was
absolutely sure,

She was a lover of Husayn and his
grandsire!

The lane was narrow, it had no
width

Two horses abreast could hardly
breath

It was an ideal ground for single
combat

Like lion, Muslim ferociously
fought.

To the enemy, it soon became abundantly
plain

It was a futile and sure loosing
game

From housetops, they hurled missiles
and stones

Seriously wounded, M7uslim left his
vantage position.

He desperately moved forward; they
all fell back

So fierce was the charge, they all
fled in a pack

To stop him, they thought of a clever
ruse

They dug a trench and had it covered,
as subterfuge.

He rushed on wielding his sword
dexterously

He fell in the trench, as planned
treacherously;

The retreating hounds soon swooped
down

In no time, he was heavily chained
and bound.

In the streets of Kufa, he was soon
paraded

Those who had sworn him allegiance,
were delighted

They were watching him with perfect
equanimity

As if he was an utter stranger; what
rascality!

"As per Arab custom, I shall fulfill
it

Your last wish if you shall reveal
it."

A glint of hope came to Muslim's
eyes

Why not accept and make this final
try?

Obeidullah, if you are true to your
word,

Fulfill my last wish and inform my
lord

To return to Medina, before it is
late

As coming to Kufa, would be a sheer
waste.

The crafty Obeidullah was absolutely
flabbergasted

Spare the lives of my two sons, he
could have suggested

He could not even imagine, how could
a person

Think of his master, when doomed
were his sons.

Muslim's last wish did not go in
vain

Merciful God kindled the heart of
one of them

He left Kufa post-haste to fulfill
his mission

And informed Husayn of Muslim's
martyrdom.

Husayn wept bitterly, as never
before

Muslim's daughter realized her father
was no more

One pair of earrings, he lovingly
gave to her

And another to Sakina, his child
most dear.

"Are you returning back?" the messenger
inquired

"No! I am not," Husayn, very sadly
replied

"As ordained, I am going to meet
my destiny,

And so are my faithful friends, who
are with me."