Words for the first annual Ladies Shab bedari, Muharram 1433 (Masjid-e-Ali, NJ)

By the dua of Fatima we stand tonight, azadari does flow inside us like blood, When we hear the tragedies of Ahlulbayt, the eyes begin to release their flood, From Karbala to Kufa, then Kufa to Shaam, in these days we remember that journey of tears, Ya Zahra, your daughters were subjected to pain, we remember this, even after hundreds of years. These daughters of Haqq were in ropes and in chains, imprisoned by the wicked and surely the worst, Imam as-Sajjad, the women and children, all grieved for the one who was killed while in thirst, But these noble ones never lost hope in Allah, in each step of that journey they indeed did pray, Reciting Quran, tasbeeh and dua, this caravan of the pious followed the Straight Way. The daughters of Light never abandoned one act--do you know what worship they engaged in at night? Salatul Layl is that deep conversation with Allah, which the nobles read, even in that prison of no light, The night prayer, among the mustahab acts is such, that its rank only Allah does truly know, So stand for this salat, in the quietest hours, and InshaAllah your face will show your soul's glow. We strive to be the servants of Zahra, the lovers of her family who mourn for her son, Then remember that this Queen never missed the night prayer, that salat where she spoke to the Holiest One, What is this shab bedari but a gift for Sayyida, our words and remembrance, that we send to her heart? May our matam and tears be accepted and serve, as the means for our growth...this is only the start... For true love of Zahra is the love of Allah, submission to Truth, by training the soul, Hold tight to the wajib and mustahab acts, as nearness to Allah is the ultimate goal, Let this shab bedari be a call to Fatima, Ya Maulaati, by our remembrance may your heart be relieved, And we end with the prayers, Salatul Layl and Al-Fajr, with the hope that the pleasure of Allah is achieved. -Fatima Ali Muharram December 23, 2011