SCENE 9: KARBALA, 10 Muharram (Martyrdom of Hazrat
Abbas)
Click here to listen to the sound clip at the beginning of Scene
9
Zainab:
Look at the children, they don't even have
tears anymore. Their bodies are so
parched. They will die of thirst before
they die of sadness.
Abbas: I will fight.
Sukayna:
No, Abbas, don't go.
Abbas: I will break their ranks.
Imam
Husain: Do not go out to the battlefield. (Abbas looks at him) Get them water. You did it once; do it again.
Sukayna: We are very thirsty.
Abbas: I will bring them water, or I will die trying.
Imam
Husain: You are my brother, Abbas. I have faith in you.
(Abbas
grabs a waterskin and rushes off)
Abbas: I will return. You will see.
Roqayyah: Is he coming back?
Sukayna:
Of course he will. He always does. He went
to get you water.
Roqayyah: Thank you Uncle Abbas.
(Abbas
makes way towards Euphrates)
Soldier: Stop right there!
(Attacks; Abbas kills him and goes on)
Abbas: Out of my way! (Fights a
few more; reaches river and sticks hand it)
Clear, cool water... No, I would never drink any before my Imam and the
children. (Fills bag and turns
back) My Imam, I am coming!
Sukayna: Did you hear that, Roqayyah?
He's coming back!
(Soldiers
rush towards him)
Ambushing
Soldier: You won't get by us.
Abbas: I do not fear you.
I am fighting in the way of Allah!
(fights)
(Suddenly
a soldier jumps out from behind a tree and severs his right hand with one
blow. He grabs the waterskin in his
left)
Abbas: You think if I loose my right hand I will give
up! No, even if you cut off my right
hand, I will continue to defend my religion!
(Soldier
jumps out and cuts off his left)
Abbas: Even if you cut off my
left hand, I will still continue defending my religion! I will bring this water to the children. You will not stop me! (Grabs water in teeth)
Shimr: (from a distance) Forget him, shoot the water!
(arrows
target and pierce water)
Abbas: (falls to ground)
My master, I have failed....
(Soldiers come in for the kill)
Assalaamu alayka ya aba abdillah....
Imam
Husain: My brother!
(Rushes to him. Soldiers
flee) What have these people done to
you! My brother!
Abbas:
My Imam, I am so sorry. I wanted so much to succeed for you.
Imam
Husain: Rest now.
You have done your duty.
Abbas: Forgive me, please.
Imam
Husain: There is only one way I will ever forgive
you.
Abbas:
What?
(weakly - remember, he's dying)
Imam
Husain: Abbas, your entire life, you always called me
Imam. I am your Imam. But I am also your brother. Just once, call me "brother".
Abbas:
I will do what you say, yes, my brother, my
brother.... (dies)
(Imam
Husain mourns for a moment, then raises head and goes back. Sukayna runs up to him)
Roqayyah: Sukayna! Sukayna! Where is Abbas?
Sukayna: Baba, Uncle Abbas
brought us water, right?
(Imam
Husain looks down)
Zainab: He is dead.
Sukayna: No! He can’t be
Zainab: We cannot stand without Abbas.
Imam
Husain: The last of the Hashemites has fallen. Is there no one who will stand up for
justice? Is there no one who fears the
Fire?