Chapter Two - The Messenger

[TNT]

Chapter Two - The Messenger

I

As the resplendent sun rises from ash beyond the horizon

Kufa stares at me with welcoming eyes

Distant rays wake the trees

And leaves feed on morning’s sight

The dusty land welcomes me

As the wind behind me displays its might

The people flock hesitantly but pledge

With warm palms, revelling in delight

I ponder whether the pores of their souls

Will open or narrow to the light?

II

The shroud of night falls and the day takes a bow

Kufa stares at me behind its veil of darkness now

But this time not a voice nor a whisper of a vow

Wandering with the wind, listening to its howls

As loneliness teases me with death

Holding onto the beacon of hope with every breath

The many warm affectionate eyes

Now turn stone as they blink away

Leaving me in the darkness

Of the shadow of another day

III

Throwing their hearts of stone at me

They are like the leaves that have voluntarily

Let go of the safe branch of their tree

To drift in the wind, aimlessly

All is black; the world has left my shoulder

A messenger with less than a candle holder

As I travel out between their souls

Souls like hollow caves

Swallowing me in their darkness

As cowardice finds its slaves

IV

Now I lay battered, wounded and torn

Blood tracing the creases I adorn

But no blood could dampen

The message this messenger has sent

No thirst could sway nor pain torment

The sun turns away in shame while the air in fear is still

The swords wag their tongues and vultures hover ‘till the kill’

Birds seek shelter while the people lock their doors

Their hearts deserted me as guilt is littered all around

Death is feasting here without a sound

V

My heart I feel shatter all over my woeful soul

Shallow breaths have given way

Heaven has been laced on my tongue today

Thrown from height to seal the deed of trust

I fall here from dust of dust

An angelic arm softens my fall

Releasing me once and for all

My cage is finally broken; this messenger can seek the sky

My sleeping wings awaken, ready to stretch and fly

My soul seeking Hussain but Hussain is yet to die

VI

So here I lay waiting, buried in the dust

Of the land that has betrayed the oath of trust

But one day nations will tremble

Falling gracefully to their knees

As Kufa will be the capital of the seven seas

And People will remember me, Muslim

One of many luminous chapters

Of loyalty never to be forgotten

Taher Adel

Short character biography:

Muslim Ibn Aqeel – Muslim Ibn Aqeel was the cousin of Imam Hussain(as) , like many of the offspring of Bani Hashem, Muslim was an excellent warrior and a loyal companion. Imam Hussain(as) sent Muslim as a messenger to confirm the loyalty of the people of Kufa where he was brutally betrayed and slaughtered after battling heroically defending the message of the Imam of his time. This is a poem about a symbol of fortitude. Courage, loyalty and faith personified. His final hour summarise the heart-wrenching reality of Islam, as he walked in the streets of Kufa a stranger in the face of treachery and deceit.

“Islam will again be a stranger among men, as it was in the beginning, but blessed is the state of the stranger.”

Chapter One - The Free (Hurr Ibn Yazid Alriyahi)

Chapter Two - The Messenger (Muslim Ibn Aqueel)

Chapter Three - The Loyal (Habib Ibn Muthahir)

Chapter Four - The Passionate (Aabis)

Chapter Five - The Heartbroken (Ruqayya Bint Alhussain)

Chapter Six - The Heir (Qassim Ibn Alhassan)

Chapter Seven - The Worshipper (Imam Zaynul Abideen as)

Chapter Eight - The Beloved (Sayeda Zainab as)

Chapter Nine - The Brave (Ali Al-Akbar Ibn Alhussain as)

Chapter Ten - The Innocent (Ali Al-Asghar Ibn Alhussain as)

Chapter Eleven - The Selfless (Abbas Ibn Ali as)

Chapter Twelve - The Chosen (Hussain Ibn Ali as)

[guest022017a]

this is a very technical expressions, well done! this kind of well written work would attract non muslim, and those that dont know this historical event to research and read about it

you have managed to truly captivate its essence, publish this and spread it amongst academia!

Edited September 20, 2011 by yukapuka

[habib e najjaar]

salaamullah 3layk ya Muslim ibn Aqeel :cry:

Beautiful. May Allah bestow on us, and guide us towards such complete loyalty and obedience to the Imam of our time (atf). I look forward to the next part (Habib ibn Madhaahir)