Introduction to the poet
Abu Hashim or Abu Aamir Ismail bin Muhammad bin Yazid bin Wada
Himyari was having the title of Sayyid, and his agnomen was Abu Hashim. Shaykh Tusi1
says that his agnomen is Abu Aamir and during his childhood he was given the title of Sayyid.2
His parents and his story in their words
Abul Faraj has narrated from Sulaiman bin Abu Shaykh in his Aghani3 that:
“The parents of Sayyid were Ibadhi5 and they resided in Basra in the upper storey of the house of Bani Zabba. The Sayyid says that Ameerul Momineen
(a.s.) was frequently abused in that place. When he was asked about his Shia
faith: from where he obtained it, he replied: Exceeding divine mercy descended
upon me. It is narrated from the Sayyid that when I came know about the belief
of my parents, I wanted to eliminate them. So he came to Uqbah bin Muslim
Hanai and mentioned this. He gave refuge to him and he settled in the house that
he had gifted him. He remained there till his parents died and he inherited them.”
Marzabani writes:4
“His parents were inimical to Ali (a.s.) and when he heard his parents abusing Imam Ali (a.s.) after the morning prayer, he composed the following lines:
- O God, curse my parents and then send them to the chastisement of
Hell. 2. It is their practice to curse Ali, the gate of knowledge, after Morning
Prayers. 3. They curse the most righteous of people, who ever walked the
earth and circled the Kaaba in pilgrim garb. 4. Since they started hating the
progeny of Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), they became infidels. 5. And (also
when cursing the) Wasi, due to whom the earth is stable and if he had not
been there, it would have disintegrated. 6. When its folks are owners of
knowledge and understanding and guides to the right path. 7. They are the
representatives of God among the creatures and they act with justice during
the injustice of the oppressor. 8. May continuous divine blessings, favors and
well being descend on them.
His greatness and statements regarding him
Respect and love for Ahle Bayt (a.s.) is a sign of the Shia, because God and
Prophet has honored them. Thus, the Shia see that Ahle Bayt (a.s.) have honored
the Sayyid greatly and have deemed him proximate to them, because he
endeavored in propagating the excellence of Aale Muhammad (a.s.) and wrote
innumerable poems in their praise. If he was offered material recompense for his
poems, he used to reject it, because he only composed poems as recompense of
prophethood and attachment to Aale Muhammad (a.s.).
He also opposed his parents when he learnt that they were Ahle Bayt haters
(Nasibis). That is why the Shia accord respect to the Sayyid from that time till
now.
Ibne Abde Rabb says in Al-Iqdul Fareed:5
“Sayyid Himyari was the most prominent of the Shia. A special carpet was
spread out for him in Masjid Kufa.”
It is mentioned in the tradition of Shaykhut Taifa6
“Ja’far bin Affan Tai7 said to the Sayyid: O Abu Hashim, you are the most prominent of the Shia and I am your supporter.”