Dawoodi Bohra | Marsiya In English

While the poetic beauty is often lost in translation from Lisan al-Dawat to English, the sentiment remains powerful. A classic theme often found in these elegies involves the yearning for a glance from the beloved (the Imam).

"In the scorching sands of Karbala, the tyrants stood in array, While the King of Martyrs bowed his head, in prayer, to pray. O Mother, do not weep for me, for this was destined long ago, A sacrifice for faith and truth, that the world might know." dawoodi bohra marsiya in english

Detailing her strength in the face of immense loss. While the poetic beauty is often lost in

The minbar’s hush remembers when your footsteps crossed the floor; The courtyard keeps the echoes of your patience at the door. We speak your lessons softly, as if saying them to sleep, And hold the warmth of stories that the years will faithfully keep. O Mother, do not weep for me, for

In an age of fleeting attention spans and digital distraction, the endurance of the Marsiya is remarkable. It serves three vital purposes for the community:

For a Bohra, listening to a Marsiya is an act of azadari (mourning). While the mainstream Urdu Marsiya (popularized by poets like Mir Anis and Mirza Dabeer) is known for its epic, six-line stanzas ( musaddas ), the Bohra Marsiya has a unique flavor. It is primarily written in a dialect known as Lisan al-Dawat —a beautiful blend of Gujarati, Urdu, Arabic, and Persian—spoken by the community.

Some popular Dawoodi Bohra Marsiya in English include: