Cover Page of Diwan-e-Farazdaq
Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
“This is the son of Husain and the grandson of Fatima
the daughter of the Apostle through whom the darkness dispersed.
This is he whose ability the valley (of Mecca)
recognizes, He is known by the (Sacred) House and the Holy sanctuary and the
lands outside the sanctuary.
This is the son of the best of God”s servants.
This is the pure pious man, the
pure eminent man. When the Quraysh saw him, their
spokesman said: Liberality terminates at the
outstanding qualities of this (man).
He belongs to the top of glory which the Arabs of
Islam and non-Arabs fall short of reaching.
When he comes to touch the wall of the Kaba, it almost
grasps the palm of his hand.
He takes care to be modest and he is protected from
his fears.
He only speaks when he smiles.
There is a cane in his hand. Its smell is fragrant
from the hand of the most wonderful (of all the people), who is proud.
The prophets yielded to his grandfather’s favor.
The nations yielded to the favor
of his community.
The light of guidance emanates from the light of his
forehead.
He is like the sun whose shining
disperses darkness.
His family tree belongs to the Apostle of God.
Its elements, its natures, and
its qualities are good.
This is the son of Fatima if you do not recognize him.
His grandfather was the seal of Prophet
hood.
God honored and favored him from antiquity.
Your words ‘ who is this?’ do not harm him.
All the Arabs and non-Arabs
recognize him whom you deny.
Both his hands are relief.
Their advantage has prevailed.
The hands are just.
Nonexistence does not befall
them.
He is the carrier of the burdens of the people when
they are oppressed.
His qualities are good.
The ‘ yes’ is sweet with him.
He does not break a promise.
His soul is blessed.
His courtyard is wide.
He is intelligent when he
decides.
He is from the people whose love is religion, whose
hate is unbelief, whose approach is refuge and protection.
If the God-fearing are numbered, they are their Imams.
If it is said who are the best of the earth, it is
said they are.
No generous man can reach their far purpose.
No people, though generous, can compete with them (for
generosity).
They are rain when a crisis happens.
They are lions when fear becomes intense.
Poverty does not decrease the relief from their hands.
That is the same, whether they are rich or poor.
Misfortune and tribulation are driven away through
their love.
Kindness and the blessings are regained through it.
In every affair their praise is after the praise of
God.
The speech is ended by it.
Abasement refuses to stop at their space.
Their natures are noble, and their hands are full of
liberality.
None of mankind has within their souls such primacy as
he does or such grace as he does.
Whoever knows God, knows His friend. Our Religion came
from the House of this man.”
This is how great Arabian poet Farazdaq introduced Imam Zainul Abdeen when Hisham, Crown Prince of Umayyad dynasty, feigned ignorance about
the great grandson of the Holy Prophet. The incident took place when Imam went
to the Mecca to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. Hisham also was in Mecca for the
same purpose. He tried his best to reach the Kaba but failed as the holy place
was overcrowded with pilgrims. Whenever he tried
to push and force his way, the crowd circulating around Kaba pushed him back. He decided to give up and wait till the
crowd became less so would be able to go through with ease. A pulpit was
installed and he sat on it. He began looking at the crowds of the people from
above. Then Imam Zayn al-Abdeen came to
perform his circulation of the Kaba. When the pilgrims saw him, they parted,
made way for him and allowed him to pass through to kiss the Kaba. One of
Hisham’s companions from Syria asked him: “Who is that man whom the people have
honored very much?” Hisham was hurt and pretended not to know the Imam and
angrily, shouted at the man, saying: “I do not know him!
The great Arab poet Farazdaq was standing there. He
knew that Hisham was lying. He could not control himself at the insult of great
Imam and said to the Syrians: “I know him.” Hisham again shouted at Farazdaq, “I do not know him!”
“Yes, you know him.” replied Farazdaq. Then he rose and composed the poem
mentioned above. After
hearing the poem, a furious Hisham imprisoned him in Asfan, located between
Mecca and Medina. In prison, he continued to write poetry in favor of the Ahle-Bait-E-Athar.
Generous Imam upon coming to know about his imprisonment sent some money to the
poet but he didn’t accept it , saying that he had recited the poem only to
please God. The Imam insisted and sent him the money saying: “God Almighty is
well aware of your intention, and will reward you appropriately. If you accept
this money, it shall not reduce your reward from God.” Then, Farazdaq accepted
the amount.
Hammam
ibn Ghalib, most commonly known as Farazdaq was was born in 641 AD in Kazimah(
Modern Kuwait) and lived in Basra.
At the age of 15, Farazdaq had earned popularity as a poet. He devoted his
talent largely to satire. He lived a prodigal life, and his
amorous verses led to his expulsion by the caliph Marwan-1. All feared the poet's satires yet
he managed to become official poet to the Ummayad Caliph Al Walid-1 (reigned 705–715), to whom he
dedicated a number of panegyrics. He however earned immorality for the poem he composed
in Makka when Imam Zain- Ul- Abdeen entered
the Haram of the Kaba and Hisham feigned
ignorance about him.The poem is considered as a classic work in view of its flow, continuity and selection of words even though it was composed impromptu. Farazdaq is believed to have died in 728-30 AD.(References
available on request. Photo Courtesy Google Images)
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