Mourning

Mourning is, in the simplest sense, grief over someone's death. The word is also used to describe a cultural complex of behaviours in which the bereaved participate or are expected to participate. Customs vary between cultures and evolve over time, though many core behaviors remain constant.

198945

Muharram . Mourning . Hadith . Ashura

I have been to many different communities during Muharram, and they differ in their mourning periods. Is there any specific guideline in our Hadith for mourning after Ashura or is any continued mourning after then purely cultural practice?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 6 months ago

Muharram and Safar are the two months during which we mourn the tragedies of Karbala and avoid celebrations. Different countries have their own way of observing the mourning but all Shia Muslims express their grief on the tragedies of Ahlul Bayt (AS) by avoiding celebrations during Muharram and Safar.

Wassalam.

188147

Majlis . Matam . Mourning . Nawha . Wedding . Eid al-Fitr

Is it appropriate to mourn or conduct Majlis, recite Noha, and perform Matam during weddings and Eid, considering that some Shia believe that Eid coincides with the 10th day of Imam Ali's martyrdom?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 1 year ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Unfortunately, this is a clear misguided view and practice. In the dua we recite on Eid al-Fitr day, it says it is a day in which Allah ta'ala made it as Eid for Muslims. It is definitely not appropriate to change a happy celebration occasion to mourning and ma'tam. There is a time for each of them.

As the hadith says, "Our Shi'ah..... they grieve when we grieve, and are happy when we are happy."

Much more can be said about this, and the most important thing is one follows not what a small fringe group does, but what majority of Shi'ah do, especially our mainstream esteemed 'Ulama.

And Allah knows best

186050

Mourning

What is the importance of observing a 40-day mourning period for the deceased?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 1 year ago

A more detailed response is:

In Sunni Islam, mourning is often said to be for 3 days only, based on Sunni hadith (for instance, Sahih Bukhari).

In Shi'i Islam, it is not considered forbidden to mourn for more than 3 days, and people may vary in how much time they personally need to mourn. However, it is recommended to send food to the homes of the deceased for 3 days.

Mourning for 40 days is done in several religious traditions and probably has some general human significance, but is not required.

Mourning

What is the importance of observing a 40-day mourning period for the deceased?

Bismihi ta'ala

In the sunnah of Islam, mourning of a deceased is for three days only. The only exclusive exemption is Imam Husain (a.s.), and the important event of 'Arbaeen.

Yes, there are cultural practices, for Fatiha ceremonies, like the 7th day, 40th day, and one year passing of the deceased, but these are just customary traditions.

And Allah knows best.

107961

Woman . Elegies . Mourning . Battle of Karbala . Social Media

Can a woman recite elegies with the purpose and intention of mourning and narrating Karbala and post them on social media?

Mateen Charbonneau, Sheikh Mateen Joshua Charbonneau achieved a certificate from Harvard University in Islamic Studies. He undertook Howza classes under esteemed scholars since 2013 and has been teaching at Imam Mahdi... Answered 2 years ago

Not publicly in places men can access the videos but in womens only groups it is fine

147606

Muharram . Mourning . Women . Mahram . Azadari

During Muharram, while mourning Imam Hussein (as), some women cry loudly, making their voices audible to non-Mahram men. What is the Islamic perspective on this situation?

Yes it is allowed for women to cry as they want to express their grief and sadness even if their voice is audible to men. Ladies of Ahlul Bayt (AS) used to weep on their tragedies and men used to hear them. Nothing wrong in it. Men who hear should not think wrongly.

'Wassalam.

111316

Mourning . Ashura

What should we do on the day of Ashoor? Is it permissible to mourn for Imam Hussein (as) on our own if we cannot attend a gathering?

In the time of some of the Imams (A), it seems some of the Shi'a were in this situation also, because advice to them on how to commemorate Ashura comes across sometimes as individual advice.

Even though gathering to mourn Imam Husayn (A) is recommended, and spiritually beneficial, it is not a requirement to attend a specific kind of gathering, and sometimes it is not possible for one reason or another.

So, for instance, you can recite ziyarat to Imam Husayn (A), abstain from worldly activities (as much as is possible), recall what happened on Ashura, wear black, be serious, and engage in private mourning.

Sometimes there is a special sincerity in commemorations that are done alone, because there is no risk of doing them for show or just to do what everyone else is doing.

It is nice, however, if you can share it with someone, ideally in person, or at least virtually.

This is assuming that you do not live with other people who would be willing to commemorate; it is good if you can do a household commemoration, although sometimes that is not an option for some people.

In the end, Imam Husayn (A) died alone on the battlefield, and one can also use the opportunity to empathize with that.

Mourning . Ashura

What should we do on the day of Ashoor? Is it permissible to mourn for Imam Hussein (as) on our own if we cannot attend a gathering?

Bismihi ta'ala

Unfortunately, with the situation we are in now, with lockdowns and covid19, most centres are closed or not functioning at full capacity. Most have turned to online programs.

If you live in an area where physical attendance is allowed, try your best to be present in those gathering and share together your state of mourning with other believers.

If you are in a place where you are restricted, then your only option is to attend a program online, and try to interact as much as possible. You can also create a positive spiritual atmosphere at home as well, so people in the house feel the sadness of Muharram and Safar.

Find alternative ways to serve your Imam (a.s.), and keep the 'azaa culture alive. Cook, and share food with your neighbours, wear black, etc...

All these things, in shaa Allah, will assist us in our ma'rifah towards the Imam (a.s.), and will please them.

With prayers for your success.

90797

Death . Sunni-Shi'a . Mourning

Why do the Shia not mourn the death of Imam Ali (as) or the Prophet (s) to the extent that they do for Imam Hussain (as)?

Shia Muslims mourn the tragedies of the Prophet (SAWA) and his Ahlul Bayt (AS) more than any other Muslim sect. No doubt, the tragedy of Imam Husain (AS) in Karbala is the greatest tragedy in the history of human kind looking at the details of it and the way it happened and the victims from infant child to women to the Imam himself and the inhuman acts by the enemies even by preventing Imam Husain and his family from drinking water despite being on the bank of the river, and other details of the tragedy which was declared by Imam Hasan before Karbala (No tragedy will be like your tragedy O Aba Abdillah (Husain)).

Our mourning on the tragedies of Imam Husain (AS) is according to greatness the deepest extent of the tragedies.

No other Muslim sect mourn the tragedies of the Prophet (SAWA) and his Progeny like the Shia Muslims.

Wassalam.

90798

Mourning . Flagellation . Sunni-Shi'a

Sunnis often criticize the Shia for their methods of mourning, whether it be striking chests, cutting or self flagellation. How can we substantiate these actions?

Islam allows every one to express his feelings of happiness or sadness in his own way as far as it does include a sinful act like drinking alcohol or dancing etc. Human beings all over the world have different cultures and they are allowed to express their feelings according to what they feel suitable within the frame of Shariah.

Mourning the tragedies of Imam Husain (AS) and all Ahlul Bayt (AS) is a sign of love of the Prophet (SAWA) and his Progeny Ahlul Bayt (SAWA). Those who do not mourn such tragedies reflect that they do not feel a degree of love. The Prophetic Hadeeth says: No one from you O Muslims will be a believer till he loves me and my Progeny more than his love to himself and his family.

We ask those Muslims who do not mourn nor care for the tragedies of Imam Husain (AS): If any of your beloved ones faces a tragedy, what will be your feeling for him? Then why do you ignore the tragedies of Imam Husain?
The Prophet himself mourned and wept on this tragedy before it took place ( Al-Mo'jam Al-Kabeer by Al-Tabarani ( 2811) Sunan al-Tirmithi 3774, and Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal , V.1, P.85 and Al-Mustadrak 'Alaa Saheehain by al-Haakim al-Nisabori , V.3, P. 176, and Al-Bidayah WAL Nihayah by Ibn al-Atheer , 8:200, and many other Sunni books).

The basic fact is this : Every lover of the Prophet (SAWA) must feel sad for the tragedies of the Prophet and his Progeny, otherwise his claim to be a lover of the Prophet (SAWA) will be questionable.

The way of expressing the sad feelings depends on the person himself or herself and his culture and society. We have no right to dictate on people from different cultures what we think suitable according to our own culture and society.

Beating the chest to express sadness and grief is used by people in many cultures. Even Ay'sha daughter of Abu Bakr used to beat her chest on the death of beloved person as you can find it in many Sunni books e.g. Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal ; Hadeeth number 25144, and Musnad Abi Ya'la ;V.8, P. 63, and Al-Bayhaqi Dala'il Al-Nubowwah , Hadeeth 3151 and Ibn Sa'ad in al-Tabaqaat al-Kubra,V2, P.261 and Ibn al-Atheer in al-Kaamil fil Rareekh, V.2, P. 322 and many other Sunni books..

Wassalam.

84699

House . Muharram . Mourning

Is it forbidden to buy a new house in the month of Muharram? Would it result in a problem since this month is about mourning?

It is not forbidden, although, customarily, some people might consider it better to wait.

Hadith focus on mourning on the day of Ashura and refraining from worldly affairs on Ashura, or for the first 10 days of Muharram, rather than the entire month of Muharram. I would personally advise against buying a house on the actual day of Ashura, although again it is not forbidden.

Anyway, you have to live somewhere, and if you need somewhere to live now, or if your best option to buy the house now, you have to make the choice that is best for you. You are better able to serve Imam Husain if you are not homeless!

59071

Mourning . Muharram . Ahl al-Bayt . Matam

Can I still be considered a true follower of the school of the Ahl al-Bayt if I choose not to partake in Matam or other activities displaying public mourning during Muharram?

The main point is that you believe and feel grief for Imam Husain (AS). It is a condition for every believer to love the Prophet (SAWA) and his Holy Progeny Ahlul Bayt (AS) more than loving himself and his own family.

The way how to express this noble feeling of grief and sadness depends on you and your culture but it must be within the frame of Islamic rules

You were brought up in USA, so you may not be familiar with the Matam practiced by your brothers in faith who came from the Indian sub continent or other countries. You wrote that you felt wrong on seeing them. This feeling does not make you away from following Ahlul Bayt (AS) as far as you believe in Ahlul Bayt (AS) being the Most pious leaders of Islam after the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and you feel grief for their tragedies.

Islam as the religion for all human beings, gives all of them the choice to express their feelings according to their own different cultures and ways as far as it remains in the frame of Shariah.

Wassalam.