Comments on: Ashura of Muharram – A Shia and Sunni Muslim Observance

By: Saima

Saima — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:59:42 +0000

JazakAllah sister Sameera for ur nice response.

By: sameera

sameera — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:16:48 +0000

Sister Salma, all the references that I quoted in my article are from sunni books. I have not quoted anything from any shia sources. There is enough evidence in the books of Ahle sunnah without having to refer to any other books. We also have a system of authenticating Ahadiths. A very strong sytem where the character and weightage of the narrator is verified before the hadith is confirmed as being authentic. Most of our ahadith are from the Ahle baith whose character and nobilty cannot be questioned.
Sister Saima, we shias believe in the Imamate not because the religion was not perfected but because the Prophet declared his successor Ali(AS) as the Imam/leader after him. After the Prophet(SAWS), who would the muslims have referred to know the correct interpretation of the Quran? The best people who could guide were the Ahle baith. And the Prophet SAWS) on his return from his last Haj had stopped at a place called Ghadeer e khum and declared Hazrat Ali(AS) to be his successsor. All the muslims present there including the sahaba pledged allegience to Ali(AS) in front of the Prophet(SAWS). But after the death of the Prophet(SAWS) when Hazrat Ali (AS) and his uncle Abbas were preparing for the funeral the sahabas along with other people met at saqifa to discuss a successor. Every tribe wanted a successor from their tribe..there were arguments and then finally Abu Bakar(RA) was declared the caliph. All this can be found in a lot of sunni books including sahih Bukhari where the incident at Ghadeer e khum is clearly mentioned. Why did the sahabas disobey the Prophet after he clearly declared his successor?
None of the Hashimites or the close sahabas of the Prophet accepted this caliphate. There is a lot pertaining to this. I cannot write everything here. But if you want further references I can provide them.
Commerating Karbala is a reminder for everyone. It is today due to that great sacrifice that Islam is still alive, that we are still muslims. By trying to belittle the sacrifices of Hussain(AS) we will gain no benefit. To mourn is human.. dosnt matter what caste, religion or nation you belong to. We watch movies and cry, but when our eyes tear up in the memory of Hussain then it is considered to be wrong???… If crying was wrong then Allah would not have given us this emotion. I think you dont need religion to understand this.. common sense should be enough.

By: Naseem

Naseem — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:09:02 +0000

I am a Shia, but I do believe that the practice of mourning- the way it is practised is wrong. If you believe that Imam Husain did not die, but was martyred, he died for a cause- he died believing in what was right. This is the message that we have to carry with us- to do what is right regardless of personal hardships. why do we cry for him? He chose his death. Remember him with good deeds. donate blood on that day, rather than flooding the streets with blood. go out and help the orphans. do something lasting. be a true muslim.

By: Humza

Humza — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:37:36 +0000

In my opinion, everyone should fast during that time. I’ve made a post on http://OurIslamic.com encouraging everyone on the site to fast as well.

By: Omar Bahar

Omar Bahar — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:59:35 +0000

Masha Allah going through the comments, it relives history.

Does the Quran mention anything on Sunnis & Shiates?

We should endevoar to strengthen our religious beliefs through the Quran. One should read it and importantly understand it. One should go through the English translation of the Quran to grasp the reality of the Islam religion.

I strongly urge Muslims brothers & sisters to do the above and understand Islam in its truest form.

Follow the basics in Islam for e.g., offer the 5 times prayer at regular times and offer fast during the month of Ramadhan and offer Zikr day and night and you could be self assured to illuminate your life accordingly through Almighty’s Allah blessings.

Almighty Allah will always be your Guide, Mentor, Protector, Sustaniner & Companion at all times of your life if one follows the basics and you could be rest assured to enter Paradise.

May Almighty Allah Pour his choicest blessings upon all the brothers & sisters of Islam.
Omar

By: Salma

Salma — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:34:22 +0000

Salam – This has been a good discussion but no matter how we slice what we have, we are still left with the following core issues – If I am wrong, I do need to be corrected –

1) Our Shia brothers and sisters have provided a LOT of references. BUT at the end its ALL HISTORICAL references and since they do not have a sound system of quoting Hadith and events, all the references have little weight. If I am ignorant on this topic, I do need to be corrected and I would like someone to answer this question which was raised earlier. WHAT SYSTEMS OR METHODOLOGY DO SHIAs HAVE TO AUTHENTICATE ALL THE REFERENCES? At the end, you can quote anything from anyone but unless you have a sound basis, it has no value. The Sunnis have one system but Shias dont – Please elaborate –

2) All Sunnis respect Hussein, Ali, etc. BUT UNLIKE Shias, their religion has not been entirely consumed by their deaths. As someone else suggested, many messengers have died ALONG with the son of the prophet – but the prophet didnt establish religious practices behind their deaths. RESPECT THEM, HONOR THEM, REMEMBER THEM,,,, BUT PLEASE DONT MAKE IT PART OF YOUR RELIGION BECAUSE THE PROPHET NEVER DID.

3) Finally, there is no point in arguing any of this. We all need to respect each other by knowing that we have different religious beliefs. Sunnis and Shias can never be the same. If there was a way, it would have worked by now BUT it hasnt. All we can do is to move on by recognizing that we are different in certain ways and instead need to focus on where we are the SAME and build bridges of trust and friendship based on what is common between us. If we try to challenge each other’s religious practices, we will get NO WHERE.

By: Saima

Saima — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 22:42:40 +0000

Thank you Sister Samreen for a lovely view of the Shia Sect … being open-minded, I could see where u were coming from …. but just a few questions …. could you just say a few words about the Aqeedah of Shi’ism in general …. The concept of Imamat constitutes a fundamental principle in Shia Theology. Do not the Shia’s believe that as Allah has raised a chain of Prophethood, in the same manner Allah has set up a chain of Imamat and these Imams too are free from sin and are innocent. These pious people who Sunni’s have great respect for as the Family of the Prophet (P) have never claimed Imamate, please can you cite references from the Sunnah or Quran that confirms this claim.
Another thing that does not make sense to me is, if Allah has finalised the line of Prohets and we have the best example in the Prophet Muhammed (P) that covers everything possible from our lives to deaths, would it not make sense to follow him directly, to follow his Sunnah, hand in hand with the Quran … of course the love and respect for the Ahle Baith is there, but when we have the Hadeeths to follow, how do u follow the Ahle Baith? …
The Kalimah that includes ‘Ali (RA) Wali Allah’ is this the Kalimah that Rasool (P) said? is that how the many Azaans were said in his time? …. Because as far as my mind understands is that you are saying that Prophet Muhammad (P) basically said that his Sunnah is there, but still open to changes in the coming years … I also ponder over the fact that Rasool (P) spent 23 years spreading Islam only for Shia’s to come and say that on the demise of the beloved Prophet(P) all the Sahabahs and muslims turned their faces away from Islam and only the Ahle Baith were left?!?! meaning the hardwork and hardships of our Prophet (P)were left fruitless …. I think Shi’ism have the basics correct but then they have gone slightly off the track … I am sorry Sister Samreen and other Shia Brothers and Sisters, I do not mean to attack u personally but would just like to understand … May Allah forgive me if I have said anything wrong … JazakAllah.

By: sameera

sameera — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:54:44 +0000

Going through your article, I came to the conclusion, that the H. Prophet (P) saw the Jews fasting and ordered the Muslims to follow the same, right? How is it possible for the H. Prophet (P) to go against the command of Allah and follow the path of the Jews? Allah (S) has clearly mentioned in the H. Qur’an …And if you follow their (Jews & Christians) desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you shall have no guardian from Allah, nor any helper. (2:120).
And if you meant to say that H. Prophet (P) directed the Muslims to fast on the 10th of Muharram because the life of Prophet Moses (P) was miraculously saved, then obviously he would have commanded his followers to fast on all those days on which the life of other Prophets were miraculously saved and today every Muslim would have fasted on the day of Eid-uz-Zuha, because on this very day the life of Prophet Ismail (P) was miraculously saved but we find that fasting on the day of Eid is haraam (forbidden). How can a sunnah of H. Prophet (P) becomes haraam?
Yazid ibne Muawiyah ibne Abu Sufyan for whom our sunni scholar Jarir Tabari writes in his history that, the Holy Prophet (P) saw Abu Sufyan riding a donkey. Mu’awiya was pulling it from the front, and his son, Yazid, was pushing it from behind. The Prophet said, ‘Curse be upon the Rider, the Puller, and the Pusher. To whom H. Prophet (P) curses, why are we trying to prove them innocent? Are we not the follower of H. Prophet (P)?
Most of the prominent Sunni Scholars regard Yazid (L) as an infidel and a cursed one because
his rule brought disgrace on the fair name of Islam. His wickedness included drinking wine, murdering the Prophet’s son, cursing the Prophet’s successor, demolishing the Ka’ba, and a mass killing of 10700 Muslims in Madina. (Ref.: Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abdu’r-Rahman Abu’l-Faraj Bin Jauzi in his Kitabu’l-Radd Ala’l-Muta’asibu’l-Anidu’l-Mani’an La’n-e-Yazid La’natullah, Mas’udi, in his Muruju’z-Dhahab, Volume II, Sibt Ibn Jauzi in his Tadhkira, page 63 and 163, Ref.: Abdullah Bin Muhammad Bin Amir Shabrawi Shafi’i in Kitabu’l-Ittihaf be Hubbi’l-Ashraf Raji’ ba La’n-e-Yazid, page 20, Allama Samhudi in his Jawahiru’l-Iqdain).
Allah (S) says:
And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his punishment is Hell….(4:93) Although Allah (S) has certified Yazid (L) to be the bearer of the Hell, yet some lawyers go on arguing Yazid’s case until the last moment to misguide the ummah, even though they know well the merits of the case. DUE TO SUCH SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS, TODAY ISLAM AND THE H. PROPHET (P) ARE BLAMED IN THE NAME OF TERRORISM.
On the other hand the Messenger of Allah (S) said:
Acknowledgment of Ahlul-Bayt means salvation from the fire, and love for them is a passport for crossing the bridge of the Siraat, and obedience to them is a protection from divine wrath. (Ref.: Kitab al-Shafa, by Qadhi ‘Ayadh, published in 1328 AH, v2, p40, Yanabi al-Mawaddah, al-Qundoozi al-Hanafi, section 65, p370.). The Messenger of Allah said: Whoever loved Hasan and Husain loved me and who ever bore enmity to them bore enmity towards me. (Ref.: Jama Tirmizee p462, Mustadrak vol 3 p166, Kanzul Ummal p106).
Smile can be given to everyone but tears can only be for the beloved ones. Weeping is a sign of love and also a sunnah of H. Prophet (P), who wept for H. Husain (P) 50 years before the incidence of Karbala took place. Zainab binte Jahash the wife of Prophet (P) narrates:
One day the Messenger of Allah was in my house and Husain (P.) was also there. He sat down and wept. I asked, what made you so grief, Prophet (P.) replied, Jibraeel came to me and informed me that this Husain (P.) will be killed by my ummah. (Ref. Mustadrak-as-Sahihain, Chp.4 : Pg.398). So if the Messenger of Allah (S) can weep on H. Husain (P) why can’t his followers?
Before quoting any incident or tradition in the name of Islam, one should at least confirm its authenticity with the Qur’an because H. Prophet (P) said;
whenever you find any tradition in my name, refer to Quran if it matches take it or else throw it. Your reference of Sahih Bukhari, too contradicts other traditions of Sahih Bukhari as well as Qur’an. The Holy Prophet (P.) said, Allah will not punish people because of the tears they shed (over the dead) but He will punish (them) because of this (tongue). (Ref.: Sahih Bukhari Vol.7 : Chp.24). So might be possible that Allah (S) punish those arguing and using their tongue against weeping and misguiding the ummah.
Not only for H. Husain (P) but also for other Martyrs and the dead ones, weeping is a sunnah of H. Prophet (P). The H. Prophet (P.) said:
Zaid took over the flag and was martyred. Then it was taken by Ja’far who was martyred as well. Then Abdullah bin Rawaha took the flag but he too was martyred and at that time the eyes of Allah’s Messenger were full of tears. (Ref.: Sahih Al-Bukhari Arabic-English Vol.2 Pg.191, printed in 1984 at Kitab Bhavan, New Delhi, India)
Ibrahim (son of Prophet) was in his last breaths and the eyes of Allah’s Apostle (P) started shedding tears. ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Auf said, O Allah’s Apostle, even you are weeping! He said, O Ibn ‘Auf, this is mercy. Then he wept more and said, The eyes are shedding tears and the heart is grieved, and we will not say except what pleases our Lord. (Ref.: Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.2, Hadees 390, Book 23, Pg.219)
Salami records:
I paid a visit to the Prophet’s wife Umme Salma and saw her crying with grief. When I asked her what made her weep, she said, I just dreamt that the Prophet (p) had come with his beard and head covered with dust. When I asked him what had made him so full of grief, he told me that he had just returned after seeing his Husain Martyred. (Ref.: Jam’a Tirmizee Pg.166, Mishkat Vol.8 : Pg.189, Mustadrak Vol.4 : Pg.19). Though the H. Prophet (P) passed away from this world yet he came in the dream of his wife and conveyed the message to his followers that Ashura is a day of the greatest calamity. So how can his followers conduct marriages and perform celebrations? And if one conducts, then at least he should avoid claming himself to be a Sunni because Sunni means, one who follows the path of the H. Prophet (P) & not the one who goes against him (P).
Weeping is in human nature and it is a sign of love and affection. Calamities befall on the beloved ones make a man to weep. Weeping in the memory of H. Husain (P) is not forbidden in Islam but has a great reward because the H. Prophet (P) did so and even Allah (S) has certified this act to be a sign of love. It is a kind of condolence, which the followers should present before the H. Prophet (P). It is the Jahiliyyah of the scholars who give illogical statement against weeping to keep the innocent Ummah away from the truth.
I don’t understand as to why we get pain when someone beat their chest in the memory of H. Husain (P)? Actually we have being affected by the virus of inferiority complex. We anyhow, by hook or by cook, try to prove, the acts of others to be against Islam and finally, when we fail in proving them, we certify them to be a Kaafir (infidel) due to lack of tolerance.
Thus after referring the Quran & Sunnah one comes to the conclusion that H. Prophet (P) himself acknowledged weeping to be a mercy and it also pleases Allah (S). If it pleases Allah (S) why does it pinch us? Weeping is a way of expressing thanks to H. Husain (P), for saving Islam and humanity.
Thus if H. Prophet (P) prefers ASHURA to be a DAY OF CALAMITIES and if the H. Prophet (P) mourns on this very day, then how far it is right for his followers to celebrate and conduct marriages on the day of Ashura?
Shias are also blamed for cursing Ummul Momineen Aisha (RA). If this was true then why did Imam Khomenei pass a death fatwa against Salman Rushdie who wrote bad things about Hazrat Aisha in his book? Should’nt Imam Khomenei have applauded and supported him considering that he was a shia leader? Due to this Iran suffered several sanctions from the West? What had happened to great nations like Saudi arabia and their clerics? who jump at the opputunity of calling shias infidels but kept their mouth shut when the Prophet’s (PBUH) wife was being blasphemised?
The following are some traditions from prominent Sunni books about the importance of Ahle bait (AS):
The messenger of Allah (saw) said,
O People, I leave amongst you two things which if you follow, you will never go astray. They are the Book of Allah and my Ahl al-Bayt [family].
He also said: The messenger of my God is about to come to me and I shall answer. I am leaving with you the two weighty things: The first is the Book of Allah, in which you find guidance and enlightenment, and the people of my household. I remind you, by Allah, of the people of my household… I remind you by Allah of the people of my household.” [95]
[95]
Sahih, Muslim, Chapter on the Virtues of Imam Ali (as), vol 5 p 122
Sahih, al Tirmdhi, vol 5 p 328
Mustadrak, al Hakim, vol 3 p 148
Musnad, Ahmed Hanbal, vol 3 p 17
If we examine with some care this honourable tradition, which has been cited by the Sihahs of the Sunnis and al-Jamaah, we will find that the Shiites alone followed the two weighty things: “The Book of Allah and honourable members of the Prophet’s Household”.
The Ahle Sunnah quote this as “I have left with you the Book of Allah and my tradition [Sunnah].” [96]
[96]
The saying is cited in al Nisa’i, al Tirmdhi, Ibn Majah and Abu Dawood
This tradition, if it were correct – and it is correct in its general meaning – would correspond to the tradition of the two weighty things, because when the Prophet(saw) talked about his Household (Ahl al- Bayt) he meant that they should be consulted for two reasons. Firstly, to teach the tradition [Sunnah], or to transmit to people the correct tradition because they are cleared from telling any lies, and because Allah – praise be to Him – made them infallible in the purification verse. Secondly, to explain and interpret the meanings and aims of the tradition, because the Book of Allah is not enough for guidance. There are many parties who claim to follow the Qur’an but in actual fact they have gone astray, and the Messenger of Allah said, “How many are the readers of the Qur’an whom the Qur’an curses!. The Book of Allah is silent and could be interpreted in various ways, and it contains what is vague and what is similar, and to understand it we have to refer to those who are well endowed with knowledge as regards the Qur’an, and to Ahl al-Bayt, as regards to the Prophet’s traditions.
2. The Prophetic tradition of the Ship
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said,
Behold! My Ahl al-Bayt are like the Ark of Noah, whoever embarked in it was saved, and whoever turned away from it was drowned. [107]
[107]
Mustadrak, al Hakim, vol 3 p 151
Yanabi Muwaddah, Qundoozi Hanafi, p 30, 370
al Sawaiq al Muhriqah, Ibn Hajar, p 184, 234
Majmaa al-Zawaed, al-Haithami, v9, p168
He also said,
My Ahl al-Bayt are like the Gate of Repentance of the children of Israel; whoever entered therein was forgiven. [108]
[108]
1. Majmaa al-Zawaed, al-Haithami, v9, p168
2. al-Sawaeq al-Muhriqa, ibn Hajar al-Haithami, p193
also in:
3. Noor al-Absar, al-Shiblinji
4. al-Ifrad, al-Darqutni
Ibn Hajar cited the above tradition in his book “Al-Sawa’iq al-Mahriqa” and gave the following commentary: The idea behind comparing them with the Ark [ship] is to say that whoever loves them and reveres them as a sign of his gratitude for their graces, and whoever is guided by their learned people, will be saved from the darkness of contradictions. On the other hand whoever decides to stay behind, will sink in the sea of ingratitude and will be destroyed in the wilderness of tyranny. The reason for comparing Ahl al-Bayt with the Gate of Repentance is that Allah – the Most High – made the Gate of Repentance [the Gate of Jericho or Jerusalem] a sign of His forgiveness. Similarly, Ahl al-Bayt are the means of Repentance for this nation.
I could go on citing various traditions quoting the importance of the Ahle Bait (AS). By trying to belittle the importance of the Ahle Bait(AS) and the sacrifice of Imam Hussain(AS), we will only lead ourselves into the darkness of ignorance.
I would like to end with some famous quotes from from Prophet (SAWS):
“I am the city of Knowledge and Ali(AS) is the gate” (Ana madinatul ilm, was Ali un baabuha)
“Hussain is from Me and I am from Hussain” (Hussaino minni wa ana minul Hussain)
May Allah guide is and help us follow the right path.
JazakAllah Khair

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:40:51 +0000

I have read the almost all the comments given above and with much grief I am writing that those people who call themselves muslims and say that Imam Hussain’s sacrifice was nothing and his shahadat should not be mourned. Let one of their dear ones leave them then I will ask them if they will mourn or not? We mourn and not only we, all this universe will mourn on Imam Hussian(a.s), his children and his companians till the day of judgement comes. No one can say this is against Islam. They don’t have any knowledge at all that what Imam Hussian(a.s) was for his Grandfather and call themselves the followers of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). Imam Hussin’s sacrifice was not for him or even for his family it was for entire Islam. But I think that people writing such comments cannot recognize this great act due to Yazeedi blood in their viens.

By: jauro

jauro — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:16:14 +0000

Assalamu Alaikum,
Brothers and Sisters in Islam, the practices of shi’ites on the day of Ashura even according to even Shia books are INNOVATIONS; The Prophet (AS) is reported as saying: ” He is not of Us who slap his cheek, and tear his cloths (when some thing befall him) ” (Biharul Anwar 79/93, mustadarakul wasa’il 2/452), and Imam Assadiq is reported as saying: “It is not proper to cry for a deceased, but most of the people don’t know that” (Alkafi lil Kulainiy, 3/226, Wasa’ilus shi’ah 3/273)so those practices are not part of islam and have nothing to do with it (refer to “kullul hulul ind Aalir Rasul p 148-151″)