Asalamu 'Alaykuum,
The following poem is a sequel to "Zahrat Shaheed" which can be viewed here:
"Zahrat Shaheed" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wNi_psrMtM
Her reply
By Ahmad Abu Khattab
“Typical of you to call me your rose,
The initials “Z.S” were a sign for me.
The paper you used was immersed in your scent,
Knowing it was you even if I couldn’t see.
I write this with hope that you’re still alive,
Just to read what I have to say.
To reassure you that I’ll remain loyal,
Loyal to my husband who strove in His Way.
I received your letter as the night had come,
Our signatory snow was falling down.
Gently blowing to reveal your words,
Holding your letter as if it were a crown.
By the candle’s light I began to read,
My heart was heavy when I read the title.
My lips were trembling when you spoke of silence,
The silence of love, but only for awhile.
My vision blurred from the tears I cried,
Some of sadness but most from joy.
Farewelling the man, who held my hand,
And didn’t treat me as if I were a toy.
You reminisce at times, but I reminisce more,
About our life together as husband and wife.
Pleasing our Lord in the best of ways,
Surely my dear we had an honourable life.
Never did I see a frown on your face,
That subtle smile was embedded in you.
Glowing it was when you came from battle,
Every time you spoke my love for you grew.
Only words of wisdom and words of kindness,
That’s all I heard from in between your lips.
Suppressing your anger by remembering your Lord,
Remembering your ways as my heart slowly rips.
But I know the rewards that await you dear,
Words are unable to justify their essence.
A place of bliss and a place with your Lord,
How satisfying they are - these virtuous presents.
The days of your wounds were my favourite days,
These days were a sign of your increasing reward.
Honoured I was to stitch them for you,
Smiling at me when water I poured.
With each stitch I sewed you asked Allah,
“Make her of the dwellers of the pleasant and high.”
My eyes would stare and so would yours,
Just looking at each other until they were dry.
Just before you departed again,
You gave me your ring that you wore every day.
“Remember your promise” engraved within it,
I wore it after you just like I wear it today.
It reminds me of the rifle that I gave to you,
“Zahrat Shaheed” engraved in its side.
Always taking it when you went to war,
Asked why you did – you said “it’s from my bride.”
I don’t have the courage to hold it again,
It remains on your bed where you left it last.
So many things did we do together,
The memories attached remain close to my heart.
At times of sadness we sat together,
Your forehead gently pressing against mine.
Staring at me while holding my hand,
Then saying softly “everything’s going to be fine.”
I remember the night when you started to cry,
Crying wondering when it’ll be your turn.
Your turn for martyrdom in His way,
But I reminded you dear to always remain firm.
I’m sorry for the droplets of tears I have left,
On this paper your reading – please forgive me.
But indeed you’re the one, who has captured my heart,
Being with you I was like a dove that was free.
That day you took me to teach me the art,
The art of the sniper – I wanted to cry.
But calm I was after you held me,
The feeling of your hands remained against mine.
You then told me to close my eyes,
As you led me to roses that formed a trail.
Stunned I was at the sight I was seeing,
Crying happily underneath my veil.
Following it closely, we reached the woodlands,
What a dream it was – that night we spent.
Staring for hours at the stars above,
Sharing some stories until you finally lent.
Lending me your jacket after ridding it of ammo,
Saying “would I let you freeze? Surely never.”
Lying next to me, your head met mine,
You said that you loved me forever and ever.
The times you joked about marrying again,
You knew of the jealousy that I had for you.
Pinching your arm and then saying “of course!”
So dear you are – you haven’t a clue.
I long for that day to be with you again,
A time of freeness without hardship or bother.
At the moment our heart has now become two,
But one day again we’ll gaze upon each other.
My handwriting messy but I hope you can read,
My tears still flow and my heart still longs.
I am your rose no matter what happens,
My heart with yours is where it belongs.
I can only imagine the day of unification,
Standing there in Ferdose waiting for me.
Our palace behind you and the gardens so vibrant,
All this will happen if Allah will decree.
How would you greet me? Will you give me a kiss?
I want you to smile when you see my face.
It shouldn’t be hard since you always are,
So handsome and charming – my beautiful ace.
What more can I say with these words of mine?
My true love unable to be expressed with literacy.
But I hope this gives you a hint of my love,
So truthful, so humble, flourishing in sincerity.
I don’t know if this letter will eventually reach you,
But if it doesn’t then I’ll tell you in Paradise.
That day, O that day, I cannot wait for it,
Rewarded to us after the ultimate sacrifice.
The hoor call you but only for now,
Their Queen will shortly reclaim her man.
So fly for now and soar so high,
And be with your brothers from Ferdose’s clan.
For now my tears farewell you goodbye,
To see you again – on my Lord I rely.
I am your rose in your heart and hands,
From me to you, this is my reply.”
The following poem is a sequel to "Zahrat Shaheed" which can be viewed here:
"Zahrat Shaheed" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wNi_psrMtM
So what did the "Rose" say to the martyr?
"Her reply" VIDEO VERSION RECOMMENDED:
"Her reply" VIDEO VERSION RECOMMENDED:
[yt]FyRmA750L3k[/yt]
Her reply
By Ahmad Abu Khattab
“Typical of you to call me your rose,
The initials “Z.S” were a sign for me.
The paper you used was immersed in your scent,
Knowing it was you even if I couldn’t see.
I write this with hope that you’re still alive,
Just to read what I have to say.
To reassure you that I’ll remain loyal,
Loyal to my husband who strove in His Way.
I received your letter as the night had come,
Our signatory snow was falling down.
Gently blowing to reveal your words,
Holding your letter as if it were a crown.
By the candle’s light I began to read,
My heart was heavy when I read the title.
My lips were trembling when you spoke of silence,
The silence of love, but only for awhile.
My vision blurred from the tears I cried,
Some of sadness but most from joy.
Farewelling the man, who held my hand,
And didn’t treat me as if I were a toy.
You reminisce at times, but I reminisce more,
About our life together as husband and wife.
Pleasing our Lord in the best of ways,
Surely my dear we had an honourable life.
Never did I see a frown on your face,
That subtle smile was embedded in you.
Glowing it was when you came from battle,
Every time you spoke my love for you grew.
Only words of wisdom and words of kindness,
That’s all I heard from in between your lips.
Suppressing your anger by remembering your Lord,
Remembering your ways as my heart slowly rips.
But I know the rewards that await you dear,
Words are unable to justify their essence.
A place of bliss and a place with your Lord,
How satisfying they are - these virtuous presents.
The days of your wounds were my favourite days,
These days were a sign of your increasing reward.
Honoured I was to stitch them for you,
Smiling at me when water I poured.
With each stitch I sewed you asked Allah,
“Make her of the dwellers of the pleasant and high.”
My eyes would stare and so would yours,
Just looking at each other until they were dry.
Just before you departed again,
You gave me your ring that you wore every day.
“Remember your promise” engraved within it,
I wore it after you just like I wear it today.
It reminds me of the rifle that I gave to you,
“Zahrat Shaheed” engraved in its side.
Always taking it when you went to war,
Asked why you did – you said “it’s from my bride.”
I don’t have the courage to hold it again,
It remains on your bed where you left it last.
So many things did we do together,
The memories attached remain close to my heart.
At times of sadness we sat together,
Your forehead gently pressing against mine.
Staring at me while holding my hand,
Then saying softly “everything’s going to be fine.”
I remember the night when you started to cry,
Crying wondering when it’ll be your turn.
Your turn for martyrdom in His way,
But I reminded you dear to always remain firm.
I’m sorry for the droplets of tears I have left,
On this paper your reading – please forgive me.
But indeed you’re the one, who has captured my heart,
Being with you I was like a dove that was free.
That day you took me to teach me the art,
The art of the sniper – I wanted to cry.
But calm I was after you held me,
The feeling of your hands remained against mine.
You then told me to close my eyes,
As you led me to roses that formed a trail.
Stunned I was at the sight I was seeing,
Crying happily underneath my veil.
Following it closely, we reached the woodlands,
What a dream it was – that night we spent.
Staring for hours at the stars above,
Sharing some stories until you finally lent.
Lending me your jacket after ridding it of ammo,
Saying “would I let you freeze? Surely never.”
Lying next to me, your head met mine,
You said that you loved me forever and ever.
The times you joked about marrying again,
You knew of the jealousy that I had for you.
Pinching your arm and then saying “of course!”
So dear you are – you haven’t a clue.
I long for that day to be with you again,
A time of freeness without hardship or bother.
At the moment our heart has now become two,
But one day again we’ll gaze upon each other.
My handwriting messy but I hope you can read,
My tears still flow and my heart still longs.
I am your rose no matter what happens,
My heart with yours is where it belongs.
I can only imagine the day of unification,
Standing there in Ferdose waiting for me.
Our palace behind you and the gardens so vibrant,
All this will happen if Allah will decree.
How would you greet me? Will you give me a kiss?
I want you to smile when you see my face.
It shouldn’t be hard since you always are,
So handsome and charming – my beautiful ace.
What more can I say with these words of mine?
My true love unable to be expressed with literacy.
But I hope this gives you a hint of my love,
So truthful, so humble, flourishing in sincerity.
I don’t know if this letter will eventually reach you,
But if it doesn’t then I’ll tell you in Paradise.
That day, O that day, I cannot wait for it,
Rewarded to us after the ultimate sacrifice.
The hoor call you but only for now,
Their Queen will shortly reclaim her man.
So fly for now and soar so high,
And be with your brothers from Ferdose’s clan.
For now my tears farewell you goodbye,
To see you again – on my Lord I rely.
I am your rose in your heart and hands,
From me to you, this is my reply.”
