Do you grieve at the thought of ‘Ābid (a) bound in chains,
Or is it that you envision Zaynab (a)’s head uncovered?
Do you cry because you see a lost orphaned child,
Or is it that you visualize Husayn’s head severed?
Yes, this is why I grieve.
But ask Mahdi (atfs) of his grief:
He grieves because…
Despite ‘Ābid (a) having once been in chains,
our hearts are still shackled with lowly desires.
Despite Zaynab (a)’s journey through the streets, unveiled,
we never learnt the essence of Hijāb; we talk of it, say it is ‘ours’,
yet sell it as fashion and walk with our heads bare.
Despite Sakina’s loneliness and pleading to passersby of the prison,
we hesitate in giving in charity and justify not paying our dues.
Because despite everything, everything Husayn (a) gave his life for,
we never took heed. We talked, and continue to talk, but we never change.
Which grief is greater?