Mother of Sorrows
Recall the father and mother pure
Perfect parents to every faithful heart
One day did think on the garden sure
Yearning, burning, all for that land apart.
Then came an angel with wondrous news
Falling like an apple from heaven’s bower
The garden’s Lord loved that couple fair
So Khadija brought forth that perfect flower.
In days of darkness the heathen cried
Let the moon be split by this chosen one!
With tongues like serpents they all denied
Open wide, their eyes could not see that sun.
Their scorn weighed hard on Khadija’s heart
Ah, alas, cried she, to her holy spouse
But then her womb did good news impart
Fear not! God shall save servants of His House.
No other lady shall be her peer
God’s own nature makes her the prophets’ pride
The shining names of that daughter dear
Signalling the virtues of Ali’s bride.
The shining lady the chaste and pure
Mother of two sons, each a perfect guide,
The modest daughter, ever demure,
Queen of women who paradise abide.
Her noble father this word did say:
Fatima’s a piece of my flesh, he said.
Whoso shall harm her doth God betray
So too doth he harm me, thus he said.
That child breathed deep of his perfume sweet
Like her soul his soul, in his steps she trod,
Water and bread ground from humble wheat
In the joy of faith did they serve their God.
So thirteen years ere the hijra was
Dwelt she humbly in her father’s house
With many angels she served his cause
Filled the world with light as she served her spouse.
So hearer flee from the burning blaze
Seek forgiveness for all your evil days
Give prayers and blessings and always praise
She whom God did keep from all evil ways.
- Gleams from the Rawdat Al-Shuhada’ (Garden of the Martyrs) of Husayn Vaiz Kashifi by Abdal Hakim Murad
Peace be upon you, O Fatimah al-Batul!
Peace be upon you, O embellishment of the women of the worlds!
Peace be upon you, O daughter of the Prophet of Allah, the Lord of the worlds, salutations be upon you and upon him!
Peace be upon you, O mother of Hasan and Husayn!