It all started with claims of Khilafat (Caliphate).
He was ill, and death drew near. When Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked to choose a successor (leader) of the Muslims, he refused. When death took this great soul, Muslims were left leaderless.
It is said that at the time when Muhammad died, Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was telling others that Muhammad(S), who meant so much to them, could not die. Abu Bakr (R) at this time went to Muhammad(S)’s home and found his body lying in the laps of Ayesha (R). Abu Bakr came back, and tried to tell Umar in private what has happened. Seeing that Umar was not willing to pay heed, he declared that the prophet, peace and blessings upon him, has passed away, and recited this verse from the Qur’an: “Muhammad is but a prophet, (prophets) like whom has passed away in the past…“
Abu Bakr was elected the new leader of the Ummah (The Muslim community). A part of the Muslims wanted Ali ibn Abu Talib (R), who was of the same blood as Muhammad(S) to be the new leader. Some people (who later was to become the Shias) believed that only people of Muhammad(S)’s blood should be leaders of the community. This is the main cause of friction between the Shias and the Sunnis. However, as Abu Bakr (wiki) was elected, Ali apparently accepted the new leader with some reservation(this is disputed). Upon being elected Abu Bakr gave this wonderful short speach which should be the spirit of modern day democracies:
“The weak among you shall be strong with me until their rights have been vindicated; and the strong among you shall be weak with me until, if the Lord wills, I have taken what is due from them… Obey me as long as I obey God and His Messenger. When I disobey Him and His Prophet, then obey me not.”
After Abu Bakr’s death(634 AD), Umar (wiki) was elected the caliph(assasinated, in 644 AD), followed by Uthman(wiki) (again assasinated, 656 AD), followed by Ali ibn Abu Talib (wiki)(until 661, when he was assasinated while saying his prayers). These four leaders are called the four rightly guided leaders, or Al-Rashidun.(wiki)
Ali’s son Hassan was a contestant for the Caliphate. The Syrian Muawiyah I, who had been fighting Ali for the Caliphate, now started preparing for a war. Hassan avoided war by signing a pact with him giving Muawiyah the Caliphate and thus saving bloodshed. Hassan was later poisoned to death.
After Muawiyah’s death, it was expected that Husayn (younger brother of Hassan) will contest for caliphate. But Muawiyah, before his death, nominated his son Yejid for the Caliphate. Thus the post of Caliphate became heredetary from this point. Husayn rised in revolt and was crushed and murdered at deserts of Karbala.
On the occassion of Muharram that day is remembered. It is particularly important to the Shias and till date their glorification of Martyrdom centers around this incident. (Perhaps the Shia identity revolves around this martyrdom.) Husayn had to fight, for justice, even though he was badly outnumbered (mythology say 72/73 on Husayn’s side faught over a lakh ).
Sunnis, too, mourn the death of Husayn.
Present Day Practices
In India, a lot of practices have cropped up. People beat themselves with sticks and whips; cut themselves with blades; and get drunk. I believe all of these are un-Islamic practice.
Yesterday, I heard, some children were made to run on burning coal in memory of this incident. These are barbaric practices, to say the least, and I am surprised as to why the ‘Ulema are not taking a stand about these. (Honestly, I am not surpirsed).
As far as I am aware, crying too loudly on somebody’s death is not preferable. A Muslim is supposed to be content in sorrow and in happiness. These practices put up a very bad show of Muslims in front of others.
This is an occassion to reflect and remember and to glorify our Lord. History is a very good teacher, and unlike time, it does not kill all it’s pupils.
In India, a lot of practices have cropped up. People beat themselves with sticks and whips; cut themselves with blades; and get drunk. I believe all of these are un-Islamic practice.
Well, DUUUUUH!
Sorry, couldn’t help myself…
I’m not sure how Muslims should “mourn” the death of Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him). We should love all of the believing members of Rasoolallah’s family (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon them), but i’m not sure about mourning them so long after their deaths. Perhaps it is a matter of remembrance and seeking Allah’s blessings for them?
Other than that, i’m not sure what would be Islamically permissable, especially when you consider that Hussain died as shaheed, and so is not “dead” in the true sense. He is in the best place on can be before the Day of Judgement – what is there to feel sad about?
The worst calamity to befall the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam) was the death of the Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam). If we’re going to be sad about anyone’s passing, especially so long after the event, it should be his (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam). Even then, there should be no self-harm and barbaric practices involved, that would earn Allah’s anger.
Dear Brother,
Thanks for your explanation.
One thing I do not understand, why you are get angry? Why you don’t understand the difference between real death and assassination?
If you are talking about Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam), then you must understand Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam)’s life and the message. His life was only for islam, Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam) explained us how to pray Namaz, how to fast, how to control your anger and how to control yourself.
For being a muslim you must have well disciplined mankind. A person who is not good person can’t be a muslim.
If you are talking about Imam Hussain(A.S) you must know complete details about him. He is the same person for whom Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam) was ready to became Camel, at same time when Hussain was seated on shoulder of Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam) requested to make voice like Camel. On Imam Hussain(A.S.)’s request Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam) done the same.
You must also understand, Imam Hussain was invited to Karbala and assassinated.
One more thing I want to convey, if you don’t know something then don’t speak too much. First you need to understand complete truth behind it. By saying “what is there to feel sad about?” you are proving Yazid did the right thing. Yazid and his father was enemy of Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam) and Islam.
I don’t want to convince you on something, but this is you should decide. Are you follower of Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam) or his enemy?
Allah and Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam) bless us to create peace in world.
As-salaamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatu,
What makes me sad is that so many people have forgotten why we Muslims actually commemorate ‘Ashuraa – in reality, it is the day on which Musa (AS) and Bani Isra’eel were saved from Fir’awn, when the Red Sea split at Allah’s command and the believers passed through unscathed, whereas when Fir’awn in his arrogance attempted to do the same, he and his followers were drowned.
BTW, I didn’t know that these things were done in India! I know that they’re common in Iran, though…
As for the story of Hussayn (R), it’s something that grieves me because the whole battle of the Khalifate showed how already, so soon after the death of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) the state of the Ummah was deteriorating so drastically…
Your little sister in Islam,
(Anony)Mouse
As’Salamu Aleikum,
Usually, Muslims are urged to fast in Ashurah, because our Beloved Prophet (saw) fasted that day.
We ask Allah for guidance and forgiveness, ameen.
Wa Alaikum As-Salam wa Rahmatullah-e wa Barkatuhu everyone
iMuslim
Yes that was the worst calamity! Just imagine how high he (S) raised the ummah, that even after so much of fall, we have not hit the ground! Even after 1400 years of his death, qayamat is yet to come! InshaAllah, it is far away from now.
Little sister Mouse
Even though this is the same day, and even though that is why nabi(S) used to fast on this day, everybody remember Husayn’s death more. Perhaps because this is fresh in our collective memory compared to Musa’s (S) crossing the red sea.
gess
Ameen
Interesting to learn more about your faith here..
I knew of Moses’ crossing the Red Sea and I love reading about that. The rest is fairly new to me. I was also unaware of the practices followed for this day in India…
hope to learn more as I explore your writings
Diana
Isnt excessive mourning disliked? So what makes it acceptable to have processions and re-enactments of the events at Kerbala? and the beating and self-flagellations?
“In India, a lot of practices have cropped up. People beat themselves with sticks and whips; cut themselves with blades; and get “**drunk**”. I believe all of these are un-Islamic practice.”
In the above statement I strongly opposed the word “drunk” because a true muslim will never drink irrespective of the ocassion, Then how can a muslim drink on a day which is related to Prophet Mohammad’s(PBUH) grand son Hussain Bin Ali-Bin Abutalib (A.S) who sacrifices his life to remove this curse and other similar curse (Gambling,Lying,Thefting etc) from Islam.
Yazid Bin Maviya was trying to invade evil deeds into Islam which was prohibited by Our Last prophet Mohammad Mustafa Swallalaho-Allehe Wa-Alehi-Wassalam.
Yazid was trying a seal of Husain A.S. as he was a Grand Son of Prophet and Son of Imam Ali-Bin Abutalib A.S.(The Fourth Caliph), but Hussain A.S had rises up against Yazid and refuses to give seal for this.
The true Face of Islam what you are seeing is just becoz of a sacrifice given by Hussain A.S. his Family Members and Sahabas, who gave their necks but save True Teachings Of Islam.
That’s why once Rasoolallah(P.B.U.H) said – ” My Hussain is from me, and I am from Hussain”
The statement given by brother “Imuslim” below -
“Other than that, i’m not sure what would be Islamically permissable, especially when you consider that Hussain died as shaheed, and so is not “dead” in the true sense. He is in the best place on can be before the Day of Judgement – what is there to feel sad about?”
See brother you are true that He has been died Shaheed and is in Jannah. But while writing you forgot that Imam Hasan(A.S) and Hussain(A.S) was declared far before by our beloved prophet(P.B.U.H) as Commanders of Jannah. So he is not just in heaven but is a commander of Jannah.
As far as why we feel sad in concern see this example:-
Suppose Your son has been killed by any body(May Allah Don’t Do this to you) and you got a compensation of Rs 1 Crore,,by this you start a buisness and become rich,but still you will be sad,and after years when you will become grand parent and if your grand son ask you “why are you sad,All we have is just becoz of your son death”.
Think about it
Muharram – A Martyr’s Story Retold
Every year the Shia Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. For ten days the people mourn the death of the Imam, his family and followers. They wear black, attend meetings and carry out processions to express their grief.
To the Shia Muslims around the world Muharram is like a season-dark, somber and sacred. The colour of the season is black. For Muharram is the month of mourning. For the first ten days of Muharram, which begins this year on July 13, Muslims gather in mosques and shrines,dressed in black to mourn for Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammed who was slain with his family and followers in the battle of Karbala in the year 680. Islamic history recounts that Hussein with a band of seventy-two came to deliver Iraq from the pretender. They came under siege by the Ommayad army of Yazid and were deprived of food and water for the first ten days of the month. On the tenth, known as the day of Ashura, Hussein was killed. “One by one the defenders fell,” writes Amer Ali, a historian of this century. “Until at last there remained the grandson of the Prophet. Wounded and dying they turned him off with arrows from there. As he re-entered his tent he took his infant child in his arms; him they transfixed with a dart; he lifted his hands to the heavens-they were full of blood… (after he died) they cut off his head, trampled on his body…. They carried the martyr’s head to the castle of Kufa, and the inhuman Obaidullah struck in on the mouth with a cane.” The story of Hussein’s martyrdom is told in parts during the first days of Muharram, in gatherings known as majlises where the Shias gather, dressed in black. During these ten days hundreds of thousands of Muslims converge on Karbala and Najaf in Iraq where rest the shrines of Hussein and Ali, his father. Others take to the streets, beating their chests and chanting the tragedy, in Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, parts of Saudi Arabia, in Azerbaijan in the Soviet Union and in our own cities, most vehemently in Bombay, Luckhnow and Hyderabad.”Islam zinda hota hai hur Karbala ke baad”(Islam Gets Live after every karbala) is a chant that rings in the gatherings of Shias everywhere.
It was in Karbala where Hussein fought his last battle and died. “Put your trust in God and know that man is born to die, and that the heavens shall not remain, everything shall pass away, except the presence of God.” Those were Hussein’s passing words to his old weeping sister before he washed, anointed himself with musk and rode his horse into the face of thousands of soldiers. The place where the water of Euphrates was cut off to Hussein and his family came to be known as Kerbala (Kerb meaning anguish and bela vexation. Hussein refused to bow to the forces of evil choosing a bloody death. His spirit rose like a phoenix and flew across lands away from the desert of his home. Evoking the strength and humility of Hussein wrote Anees, the poet, master of elegy: “Yeh to na keh sakey Shah-e-zulmanain hoon, Maulana ne sur jhuka ke kaha main Hussein hoon` (He never could say he was master of earth and sky. He merely bent low his head and said ‘I am Hussein’).
I first heard the epic tale of Karbala as a child hiding behind a row of women frenetic in black. Through the ten days the story would unfold-of Hussein arriving in Karbala, pitching tents on the banks of the river Euphrates whose waters flowed in front of their eyes but were denied to them, even to the six-month old baby Asghar, the four year old Sakeena, the young son Akbar and the stalwart brother Abbas who lost both his arms carrying a masqh of water. And finally Hussein who withstood it all, surrendering his head to the assassin but not his faith. Year after year I have heard the story and watched men and women weep at the same bends in the narrative.
Come Muharram and the old city of Hyderabad awakens as if touches by the magic wand of faith. Ashoor Khanas are freshly painted and aired to install the alams, insignia of the martyred Imams, of Karbala. Flowers shops load their racks with sehras, veils of roses and jasmines that are offered to alams by the faithful. Dusty streets turn fervent with men in black sherwanis and women in black burqas. And every evening for the ten days of Muharram the story of Karbala resounds over microphones as the epic is recreated with words, tears and black processions. Women, in black traverse distances, rushing from one majlis to another, bowing to alams, weeping, beating their chests, reliving an ancient sorrow. No restrictions are imposed on them during these ten sad days-the only time in a long year when they meet each other, revive old contacts,and return refurbished to their dingy courtyards. No husband protests. No child cries for attention. The focus is enlarged from one’s own child to the children of Hussein, from one’s own father to a figure who fathered the cause of Islam. The identification is intimate and complete. “You lose a son, a fortune or a kingdom. It memory fades as does its pain but not the pain of Hussein, says my Shia mother. I have seen her shed more tears on the tenth of Muharram than she does on November 19 the day when my Grandfather died. “When I mourn for my husband I mourn for myself” she believes. “But to mourn for Hussein is to mourn for mankind.” My mother speaks for many of those who find in Muharram a release, an experience that strengthens their sense of roots, and perhaps lends their lives a large meaning that stands threatened by time.
“Insaan ko Bedaaar to Ho lene Do
Har qaum Pukaregi hamare hai Hussain”
(Let the Humanity Awakened,then every community will say that Hussain is our…..”
Salaams
JazakAllah khair for the history, Mr. Naqvi.
The question is, we lost many great souls. Ali, Uthman, Umar, all murdered. Should we commomorate all the occasions? yes indeed we should be sorry that we lost them. But if we do have to worry about losing anyone, that is the loss of the Prophet.
Is it right that we commomorate the sad death of Hassan and Hussain with so much enthusiasm, but do nothing for the prophet?
I am not saying that we should start bringing out tazias on the prophets’s death annivesary. I am saying we should stop bringing out tazias on Hassan’s death anniversary.
We should learn their history, know that they were wronged, and pledge to try not to repeat it.
May Allah be our guide
Wa’salam
Allah always guide for all of us
For whom you are talking about Uthman, Umar etc. were they present in funeral of Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam). Were they present in Zung with Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam)?
Who was wrong? Imam Hussain, Imam Hasan or Imam Ali, they were doing same thing was message of Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam)’s life.
If you are saying wrong Imam Hussain indirectly you are saying Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam) wrong.
Brother think twice what you are taking about. Read complete history of Islam.
Allah bless us to better understand yourself.
Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) was the true saviour of Islam. Why people are not explained in brief who was Hasan and Hussain. You are they are the very same people for whom Allah Ayate tathir in his book Quran. Just imagine the character of the Imam Hussain whose head was cut from his body when he was in sajda (Namaz). Who was Yazid, he was the one who wanted halal and haram to get mixed in name of Islam. Qilafat was not the property of Muawiya’s Dad, that he can pass it on to his son. When Yazid came to throne he asked every one to bow down to him to accept every thing of his wish and will. Yazid character was that he used to drink wine while addressing Important issues of muslims. It is an accepted fact that he had illicit relation with several women. Who once said that islam is just a trick that Bani Hashim played to get to power.
If you want to learn more about Imam Hussain then learn by yourself. Who was he, what was his mission. What did he stand for.Just listening to some speakers point of view in mosque will not help anyone.
Allah tell in his book Quran that a shaheed (Martyr) Never dies. The message of Imam Hussain’s Martyrdom is still alive and will be alive till the last Azaan of Qiyamat.
Several big Qalifas have died and several big personalities has died but do a single eye has tears after remember their death. By glory of allah, eye’s can stop tears after remember the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.s).
Khaja Garaab Nawaz (Ajmeri) once said,
Shah ast Hussain
Badshah ast Hussain
Deen ast Hussain
Dee panah ast Hussain
Sardad na dad dar daste Yazeed
Haqqa k bina ilalilaha ast Hussain
And for these words below if dont understand then take help from your parents,
“KYU BUGZ HAI TUMHE ALI AUR HUSSAIN SE”
“FURSAT MILE TO POOCHE APNE WALEDAIN SE”
WHEN IMAM HUSSAIN CAME TO BATTLE AT KARBALA (IRAQ), HE ASKED THE ENEMY FORCES WHAT WAS HIS FAULT, THEY REPLIED THAT THEY DONT HAVE ANY PROBLEM BUT IT WAS PURELY BECUASE OF “BUGZAN LE ABI”, IN ORDER TO TAKE AVENGE FROM HIS DAD HAZRAT ALI.
IT BECAME CLEARER IN THE BATTLE OF KARBALA THAT THOSE WHO WERE ON THE OPPOSITION ARMY OF IMAM HUSSAIN, THOSE WHO WERE WITH YAZEED WERE ALL THOSE WHO HATE HAZRAT ALI.