Just as I’ve taught you, everything has a right
Yet which were fulfilled with my own father’s plight?
I’ve written a treaty… answered me tragedy
Hussain… Hussain
* * *
I’ve taught you that each, every thing has a right
And everything is precious in Islam’s sight
And now, for my words, with my patience I fight
They laughed at my words, set my treaty alight
They laughed at my book and they burned its pages
And now, the head of my rights, a spear raises
I wrote them poetry… answered me tragedy
Hussain… Hussain
* * *
I begin speaking of the rights of a child
You must advise him and his character mould
And show him how he’s a part of you in this world
If thirsty, don’t let water from him be held
For O’ listener I’ve seen children thirsty
The life from their eyes, thirst had taken away
I told them, let them be… answered me tragedy
Hussain… Hussain
* * *
The right of a wife, all her care and effort
Allah gave you her, all her peace and comfort
I told this to Qassim upon that desert
Care for she who heals your wounds when you’re hurt
He looked at me and told me, I understand
But tell her to cry, tonight by death I stand
Advice that came from me… answered me tragedy
Hussain… Hussain
* * *
I told Ali Akbar the rights of mothers
She’d feed you and clothed you when would no other
When thirsty you were for water worthier
Don’t make Layla cry, go back and comfort her
I told this to him and Layla was watching
He turned away and left his mother crying
She’d cry out let him be… answered me tragedy
Hussain… Hussain
* * *
I told my uncle, your hand never extend
To what’s forbidden from you, don’t let it tend
Thirsty, when he held water within his hand
He threw it away, and with honour he’d stand
O’ hands this water from you is forbidden
Don’t touch it even if on dust you’ve fallen
The whole world, it would see… answered me tragedy
Hussain… Hussain
* * *
I tell you that have rights even your two eyes
What you shall see shall define your smiles and cries
How often to my eyes I’d apologise
In you, your father here upon the dust lies
The eyes they are the door to contemplation
The doors of my eyes saw my father fallen
For my eyes I’d worry… answered me tragedy
Hussain… Hussain
* * *
You father has rights, and for him be thankful
Comes from him, in you, anything beautiful
To my father his rights I’d explain and tell
And to his severed head I’d bid him farewell
The rights of my father I learnt and I knew
I burned him alone and told him thank you
I taught divine decree… answered me tragedy
Hussain… Hussain
* * *
(London – 15/12/12)