Sunday 26 March 2017

Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen and Farazdaq's Immortal Poem


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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