Imam Ali's Martyrdom (Poem)
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By: Zainab Kazim (
Sleep reigned over the Kufan town,
As from the mosque came a godly sound.
The call for prayer filled the sky,
Moving the air with a gentle sigh.
Awakening Muslims with a gentle prod,
“O people come, and pray to God.”
And in the silent mosque, Ali (AS)stood alone,
Gazing at every wall and stone.
He knew that these walls would be stained with blood,
Innocent, pious, saintly blood.
Today his blood would be shed,
These clean walls would be covered in red.
He was eager for martyrdom I am sure,
It was then he heard a tiny snore.
In a corner a sleeper lay,
Ali (AS) knew he had not come to pray.
Gently Ali (AS)awoke the man,
“Awake awake, O Ibn Moljam.
Come it is nearly time to pray,
Awake for the coming day.
I know your work, I know why you’ve come,
Remember your deed cannot be undone.”
Ibn Moljam, nothing did say,
Quickly he rose and walked away.
Ali (AS) prepared for prayer as the Muslims came,
Ready to pray in Allah’s Name.
“Allah-u-Akbar” his voice began,
Behind him stood Ibn Moljam.
“Allah-u-Akbar” Ali (AS) said again,
And knelt before God with the other men.
Suddenly Ibn Moljam moved forward to kill,
His sword with poison was definitely filled.
He raised his sword and struck it down,
Confusion was there all around.
Ali’s neck was covered with blood,
His head prostrated before his God.
Ibn Moljam quickly ran,
He was a scared and sinful man.
And Ali (AS) reeled back not crying out his pain,
His blood drenched lips spoke in Allah’s name.
His heart felt happy, his mind so light,
He was finally ending his worldly life.
His sons held him in their arms,
As if to protect him from this physical harm.
His smiling lips parted and then he said,
“I thank Thee O Lord for a martyr’s death.”
Soon Ibn Moljam was brought before Ali (AS),
His state was terrible, Ali (AS) could see.
His bonds were cutting deep in his skin,
Causing the blood to spurt from within.
A frown creased Ali’s brow,
He ordered the bonds be loosened NOW.
The murderer into tears broke,
Ali (AS) smiled faintly and then he spoke.
“It is not too late to repent O Ibn Moljam,
Was I an unjust or cruel Imam?”
Then to his sons, Ali (AS) said,
“Give him a drink to relieve his head.”
But Ibn Moljam didn’t trust Ali,
He refused the drink quietly.
Ali (AS) then spoke, “O Ibn Moljam,
Why do you not trust your dying Imam?
If you had taken this juice of mine,
You’d be with me in Heaven divine.”
In two more days Ali (AS) died,
So “Think not of those slain in the way of Allah as dead, Nay, they are living, with the Lord they have provision.”
(Qur’an, 3:169)
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A brave man was Ali
The Lion Of God, the Prophet's wasi
His father was the chief of the clan,
He was a good and pious man.
His mother was entirely free from blame.
Fatema binte Asad was her name.
His cousin, the prophet was brought up by these two,
Children they'd had and quite a few too.
In Kaaba our first Imam was born,
Near the very early hours of dawn.
When his eyes opened for the very first time,
He was met with the Prophet's face sublime.
The Prophet wished to adopt Ali,
To relieve his guardians of a responsibility.
Once the prophet had a feast,
With a tiny amount of things to eat.
Some meat, some bread and some milk to drink,
Filled the appetites to the brink.
But the food remained the same as before,
Not any less, not any more.
The invited men were from his kin
He wanted them to repent their sin
Advising them to accept the Faith,
And helping him to propagate.
When the Prophet asked if they would,
Only Ali whole-heartedly stood.
Gradually more people chose Islam.
So they might be free from any harm.
It was of course for their very own good,
Not only in this but afterwards too.
The Quraish had troubled the Muslims for a long time now,
How they survived? God knows how!
The Prophet's life was not at stake,
Ali thought and acted straight.
He done something very brave,
Which could have led him to his grave.
For on the Prophet's bed he slept
While into the night the Prophet crept
From Mecca to
He traveled by night and rested by dawn.
Soon Ali came to
To unite with his cousin, the last Rasool.
The Prophet made progress to preach Islam
He also invited Christians from Najran
The Christian and Muslim talked on and on.
The Christian insisted God had a son.
On this point the two sides didn't agree,
So a Mubahala there was to be.
From the Prophet's side, five people went
Five people whom God had sent,
One heavenly lady and four pious men,
The Prophet, Ali, Fatema and Hasnain.
The five faces shown so radiantly,
That the Christian notices this obviously.
And so from Mubahala they declined.
As the wrath of God came to their mind.
Ali was also one of the five under the Kisa,
With the Prophet, Hasnain and Fatema.
The Prophet loved his Ahl-e-bait.
And about them he often said.
My Ahl-e-bait are the Ark of Nooh,
The boat that will help save you.
The strong rope of God that leads to the Heavens,
From the fire of Hell that menacingly threatens.
The door of forgiveness, the purified ones,
They will save fathers, mothers, daughters and sons.
Ali fought many battles again and again,
Badr, Ohad, Khandaq, Khyber and Honain.
Prophet loved Ali there is no doubt,
On many occasions he pointed out,
I am the City of
He is the most equitable judge, the embodiment of faith.
On the Prophet's last pilgrimage to
The Prophet proclaimed on a camel's hack,
I must tell you something before I depart,
My Ahl-e-bait and Qur'an will never part.
But the most important thing for Muslims and Islam,
Is to accept Ali as Maula of those whose Maula I am.
On the morn of 19th Ramadhan,
When the moazzan gave the call for Azan,
Ali knew that death was near,
Yet went to the Mosque without any fear.
Suddenly a sword struck his head.
By God I've reached my aim, he said.
Bin-e-Muljim done this dirty deed.
He tried to escape and ran to his steed.
He was caught and brought back to Ali,
who ordered his ropes loose immediately.
Distrust came over Bin-e-Muljim,
When Ali offered some juice to him.
All looked sadly at the man,
Then he said, O Abdul Rehman,
If you had taken this drink from me,
Up in Heaven you'd be with me.
In two more days Ali was dead.
This was the day man really dread,
For centuries now man has wept.
While up in Heaven Ali slept.
May Zainab be blessed by Ali,
For this humble effort of poetry.
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O the great Ali (A.S.), the marvelous Ali (A.S.)
The powerful Ali (A.S.), the miraculous Ali (A.S.)
Yo're life of Prophet, life of Islam
Yo're life of Shariah, life of Qur'an
Your devotion saved Prophet and Islam
It saved Shariah it saved Qur'an
You slept on bed of Prophet Muhammad
In circle of swords in shadow of death
Submitting your life and soul to Allah
You slept soundly haveing faith in Allah
Allah admired your pure high self
It was valuable He bought your self
And gave His pleasure to you O Ali (A.S.)
No one in the world has achieved such rank
Thus you are unique and next to Muhammad
You are possessor of pleasure of Allah
With whom you're pleased Allah is pleased
If you are displeased Allah is displeased
Allah gave power to you on Qiyamat
You are distributer of men to heaven, hell
On 19th of Ramazan you bowed your head
In shadow of the sword you bowed to Allah
Submittin your self to Allah, prayed namaz
And after the rukoo, your marvelous sajda
The killer came close ignoring Allah's justice
He raised his sword and struck on your head
Head was deeply wounded, the blood flowed from wound,
Alas my Imam, you became martyr
On your pure lips were words of faith
"I became sussful, by Lord of Ka'ba"
And you thanked Allah, your head was bleeding
YOu were so great, O Allah's vicegerent
The killer was brougth the hands were died
You freed his hands O merciful Imam
And you were kind to him O wonderful Imam
You also offered milk who had shed your blood
O great patient Imam, came home full of blood
Your eyes saw the vision, of future of the children
Poisoned patient Hasan throwing up the blood
The arrows being shot at bier of Hasan
Looking at Husain you saw him fully wonded
drenched in blood from head to the toe
You saw him beheaded with sword on thirsty neck
His head on spear and body being trample
Abbas, brave son flag bearer of Islam
With severed arms blood flowing from shoulders
Was getting very restless, with empty water skin
With blood and tears flowing from his eyes
Zainab and Umme Kuloom and all holy ladies
Without veil, bear headed, with hands tied with rope
Abid tied in chains and neck in thorny 'taoq'
And lashed on the back, the back full of blood
Seeing these future miseries of the children
Tears flowed from your eyes, O patient great Imam!
The pain on your heart, the pain in your head
Which had deep wound but you thanked Allah
The sword was immersed in poison by the killer
With that poisoned sword he had attacked you
The poisoned had spread in all your body
Alas! that sword took your precious life
Jibreel was crying Meekaael was crying
The angels were crying the hoories were crying
All Prophets were crying all souls were crying
The earth was crying the skies were crying
suffering for two days you passed away from world
Zainab and Umme Kulsoom all Itrat mourned for you
Hasan and Husain gave bath, shrouded body
Angels carried bier, Hasanain carried bier
They brought to the place of burial of Imam
They dug the grave a slab was found
On allah's order, Prophet Nooh had written
This is the grave of great Imam Ali
They buried great Ali son of Abu Talib
embodment of light stayed as light
Even now from grave shines great Imam's light
He solves people's problems he is MUSHKIL KUSHA
Generous great Imam you are immortal
your great memory forever is alive
in hearts of all orphans as bread provider
In hears of all beggers as reliever of poor
Kalma is yourgift to all the Muslims
Namaz is your gift to all the Muslims
Shariah is your gift to all the Muslims
If you had not saved it, Islam would be dead
the faith would be dead the practice would be dead
Your favor is on all mankind of the world
You are for ever the ligth of guidance!
Composed by: Saleha Fatima Midhat,
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