After the death of their father,

Muhammad and Ibrahim were put into prison.

Later, they escaped and walked hurriedly away

In one place they did not stay.



A kind lady who was fetching water

Saw them hiding behind a tree

Took them home and gave them food

“Don’t worry,” she said. “At the moment you are free.”



At night Muhammad saw his father in his dream

Next day, he cried bitterly with his brother, Ibrahim.

Harith, the kind lady’s husband, found the two innocent ones

Angrily and without any love killed them at once.



Captured by a beast, the older child said

Kill me first o man I can’t see my brother dead.

For I have always taken care of my brother

From the instructions given to me by my mother



With their last prayers performed at the River Furat

Martyred were the sons of Muslim Ibn Aqeel

Their small bodies floated away clutching one another

Straight to paradise they will go together.



by  F. T. Jaffer