Laysal Ghareeb

a beautiful poem by Zaynul 'Aabideen Alee bin Hussain bin Alee bin Alee Talib radiAllahu anhum ajma'een


1) The stranger is not the stranger to Yemen or Shaam

But the stranger is the stranger to the grave and the coffin



2) Verily the stranger has rights for his absence

Over the residents of the dwellings & homelands.



3) Donýt chase away the outlander in his state of unfamiliarity

For time is also chasing him with hardship & distress



4) My travels are far and my provisions will not suffice me

My strength has weakened and death is calling unto me.



5) I still have sins which I know not of

Allah knows of them; those made in secret & in manifest



6) How merciful has Allah been to me by giving me respite

And I have increased in sins but Allah has always shielded me



7) The hours of my days pass by without regret

No crying, no fear, no sadness



8) I am the one who closes the doors with fatigue

on disobedience, & The Eye of Allah watches over me..



9) O' that which was written in a moment of heedlessness

Oý the sorrow which remains in my heart is burning me.



10) Leave me to bewail myself and weep

and pass the time in sadness and remembrance.



11) Leave off your Blaming of me O You who do so..

If you were but to know my situation you would have excused me..



12) Let me cry out tears that have no ending to them

for there will be no lesson that will set me free



13)It is As though I am with that family, laying..

Upon the mattress with their hands turning me over.



14) And they came to me with a doctor that he may cure me..

But of today I think not that medicine will benefit me..



15) My sufferings increased and death began to pull at me ..

From every vein, without ease or comfort..





16) My soul was then removed from me with a gurgle..

And my saliva became bitter at that point..



17) They then shut my eyes and left meý

after a long moment of despair. they hurried to the purchase of the shroud



18) And he who was dearest to me got up in a hurry..

To summon the person who was to wash me..



19) He said: O' my people we have attained a Washer who is skillful, clever, bright & intelligent..



20)So then one of the men came and removed my clothing..

He undressed me and denuded meý



21) They then placed me on top of a board

And the sound of water above me began to clean me



22)He poured the water on top of me and washed me..

Three times, before calling out to the people for the Shroud..



23) They shrouded me in a sleeveless garment..

And my provisions became the embalmment in which they embalmed me



24. They Bore me towards my journey Out of this World, Oh How Sorrowful!!

Will be this journey for which I have no provisions to take along with me.



25. Upon their shoulders, they carried me, Four

Men, and behind me are those who come to bid me farewell



26.They set me before the mihraab then turned away from me

Behind the Imaam they went and he prayed on me then bade me farewell



27. They prayed over me a prayer consisting of neither Rukooý nor Sujood

Asking that Allah may have Mercy upon me.



28. They lowered me into my grave slowly

And one of them came forward to place me in the Lahd



29 He raised the garment from my face to gaze upon me

And the tears spilt from his eyes awashing me



30 Then he stood, honoring me, firm and resolute

And lined the bricks on my body then left me



31. And he said : Throw the dirt upon him and reap

The great rewards from Ar-Rahmaan, The Most Gracious



32. In the darkness of the grave, no mother is there nor,

Is there an affectionate father, or a brother to comfort me



33. Aloneý.The only inhabitant of the Grave Oh how Sorrowful!!

Am I on parting the world bearing no Deeds to provision me.



34. And a sight which beheld my eye struck terror into me.

From a place of terror it came and startled me..



35. Munkar and Nakeer, what shall I say to them?

The thought of them strikes terror into me, it causes me fear



36. And they made me to sit and put forth their questions

I have none other Than You now O Lord to deliver me!!.



37. So bestow upon me from your Mercy O Lord, How I hope in You!!

For verily I am fettered in my sins, I am confined by them



38. The relatives have divided my wealth amongst them after leaving me.

And my sins are now upon my back, burdening me



39. My wife has taken another husband in my place

And she has appointed him as overseer over my wealth and my home



40. She has made my children into servants to bid unto her needs

And my wealth has become to them a worthless means of enjoyment



41. So let not this World and its adornments deceive you.

And look at its (evil) effects in your family and homeland



42. And look at the one who collects the wealth of this Dunya in abundance

Will he depart from this world bearing other than the death shroud and embalmment?



43. Take from the dunya that which suffices you and be contented with that

Even if you were to have naught but good health



44. O you who sow good, you will reap the fruit of your efforts.

O ye who sow evil you will find yourselves overcome with grief



45. O soul of mine, abstain from sinning and attain instead

Deeds which are Beautiful, for which Allah may be merciful towards me



46. O soul of mine, Woe upon you! Turn towards your lord in Repentance, and do that which is good

So that you will be recompensed after your death with that which is delightful



47. Lastly sending prayers upon the Chosen one, Our Sayyid (leader)



48. All praise is unto Allah, May he fill our days and nights with that which is Good, with forgiveness

With Ihsaan and Grace.



Audio:

http://salafs.com/sons/gharib. mp3