Poetic Tribute to Historical Figures

And dearer than

وها هو أهداهم ففيم تجادلُ

so why do you argue? Men who, through martyrdom,

became leaders Their positions on

ومن موته أمسى بداية ملكه

reign That is a reign whose era is everlasting And God has signs of self-

ولله آيات فدائية على

sacrifice in The nature of Jesus,

peaceful yet brave And God has signs of lions,

earthquakes are calmed by their steps And God has signs of elders,

who when they walk in the night Torches light

up for them from within their own souls If they prop a rifle against a pulpit That

إذا أسندوا في منبر بندقية

is a task that keeps death itself occupied And

how many a sign of God is under a turban Returning greetings in times of sorrow,

يرد التحايا في الأسى ويجاملُ

remaining courteous And Ali led his killer in prayer, even though He knew

he would assassinate

and deceive him The likeness of Ali remained in the courtyard of his home And bombs

did not move him even two steps And his white beard is the beard of his

ولحيته البيضاء لحية جده

grandfather To which the vile stretch out their

hands And he is assassinated by one who tattooed the word" infidel" On his forearm,

boasting and showing it off Do you know who this is? Woe to you! Yes, indeed For he

أتعرف من هذا، لحيت، ألا نعم

is not unknown, nor are you ignorant Do you forget who you are,

أتنسون من أنتم وتنسون أصلكم

and forget your origin? Does Quraysh forget its elder, and do the tribes?

O people, this is the son of your Prophet's daughter By my life, this bitter scene

لعمري وهذا المشهد المر كاملُ

is complete Here the body remains where it achieved its glory,

and caravans drive on with the shame of those who remain silent.

How noble are this beard and turban, which have fought for a thousand

لها ألف عام عن حماكم تناضلُ