I Wonder Which One of Them Shall I Mourn

By: Ali ibn al-Muqarrab (d. 629 A.H.)

Prince Ali  ibn Muqarrab, of al-Ahsa’, one of the wise and well known men of letters, has said:

I wonder which one of them shall I mourn

And for whom shall my tears overflow?

To the wasi when, at his mosque, he was crowned

By the sword before bowing down?

Or to the Batal, Fatima, who was deprived

Of her inheritance, rightfully hers according to all

And according to one who to her said:

You sought wrong, so desist

Your father loudly declared before many:

We, prophets, leave for our sons nothing to inherit.

What we leave is for each and all.

So be pleased with what your father said.

She said: Give me what my father left me

The best of all people, the one with intercession.

But they regarded their witness void

And the text of the Book did not convince them.

She remained oppressed, persecuted, when her claim

Was rejected, when her ribs were crushed.

Or should I mourn the one who had to drink

From their Ju`da the cup of disguised poison?

Taken From: Adab al-Taff, Vol. 4, p. 32 from Ithbat al-Hudat.