Azadari

The Mourning of Muharram (also known as the Remembrance of Muharram or Muharram Observances) is a set of rituals associated with mainly Shia Muslims; however, some Muslims from other sects, as well as some non-Muslims, also take part in the remembrance. The commemoration falls in Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. Many of the events associated with the ritual take place in congregation halls known as Hussainia.

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Majlis . Tears . Azadari

Is it more meritorious to attend a Majlis in person where you are not able to shed tears, or listening to it online and being able to shed tears and cry?

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 2 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Location should not affect the ability to weep and shed tears for Imam Husain (a.s.), as when you hear the musibah of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), you should completely zone out from everything else and express your grief.

Of course, it is always best to attend Majalis in person, participating in the mourning ceremonies with other believers and increasing the number of devotees who commemorate the tragedy of Karbala.

And Allah knows best

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Crying . Azadari . Ahl al-Bayt . Sin

How can I find the ability to cry for the atrocities suffered by the Ahlulbayt (a)? I am usually not an emotional person, so could my sins be preventing me from crying for the Ahlulbayt, and if so, how can I change that?

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 2 years ago

Weeping and crying for the tragedies of Ahlul Bayt (AS) is a natural result of real love for the Prophet (SAWA) and his Holy Progeny. When your heart has the love for Allah (SWT) and the Prophet and Ahlul Bayt, you will cry for their sufferings. Sometimes, sinful acts keep a shield on the heart preventing the person from reacting and feeling the proper feeling of sadness. Repeating Istighfaar is very useful. There is a Hadeeth stating that more sinful acts lead to rigid ness in the heart, which leads to inability to cry.

Wassalam.

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Azadari . Innovation (Bid'a)

What are the origins of Jaloos, and what is the purpose of these processions? How should we respond to those who label it as an innovation?

The processions ( Juloos) is a jointly noble act by the believers who gather to express their support and sympathy with the holy Progeny of the Prophet (SAWA) against the tyrants who committed injustice against Ahlul Bayt (AS). Allah Says in Quran ( Co-operate between you in good cause and piety and never do-operate in sinning and aggression. The practice of Juloos for supporting the cause of Ahlul Bayt and mourning their tragedies is a clear practical example of such noble co-operation.

Wassalam.

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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.

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Heart . Azadari . Du'a (Supplication)

Why am I not able to cry while making Dua about a matter which is most important to me? Is it the case that I may not be asking that Dua from my heart?

The Hadeeth says: Eyes will not be dry but because of hard hearts, and hearts will not be hard but because of sinful acts.

We always need to seek forgiveness and remember and repent our sins and beg for forgiveness.

It is mentioned in the Hadeeths to put you hand on the head of an orphan so that your heart will be more soft and sympathetic.

It is also very good to visit the grave yard especially the graves of your parents or relatives or friends. Seeking your needs in a Du'a near your parents is very useful.

Wassalam.

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Battle of Karbala . Sin . Forgiveness . Azadari

Does weeping for the oppressed and matyrs of Karbala help wipe out any past sins?

Yes. We have authentic Hadeeths that weeping for tragedies of Ahlul Bayt (AS). Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (AS) said: Any believer who weeps on our sufferings from our enemies till his tears flow on his cheek, Allah will grant him a place in Paradise. Kaamil al-Ziyarat by Ibn Qawlawayh , page 100.

Wassalam.

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Majlis . Azadari

Why do people go to Majlis and cry over an event that happened years ago?

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 4 years ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. As people of faith, we connect to our sacred history and the personalities that represent the values of our religion. Thus, while events may have happened a long time ago, the personalities that these events happened to are important to us, so naturally, when recounting the tragedies that befell them, we cannot help but be brought to tears. Such acts of devotion have a positive effect on the soul and this has been indicated in the copious praise for crying over these events in our scriptural sources. Simply put, we cry because it matters to us and we recount the events so that we remember and develop those feelings and are revitalized by the strengthening of our bond with those we love.

May you always be successful

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Head . Grief . Battle of Karbala . Azadari

I have seen some people smash pots on their head out of grief for Karbala and this causes no blood letting. Is it allowed?

Human beings have their own ways to express their feelings of grief and sadness as well to express their feelings of happiness. Islam allows different ways of expression of feelings as far as it does not contradict a clear ruling of Islam. No one can express his happiness by dancing, simply because dancing is forbidden in Islam. No one can express his sadness by drinking beer or alcohol, simply because drinking alcohol or beer is forbidden in Islam.

People whom you mentioned in your question are expressing their feelings of grief by their own way which does not contradict with any Islamic clear rule, and does not have bad effect on the image of Islam.

Allah (SWT) grants people the reward according to their intentions. These people are observing and remembering the tragedy of Karbala. May Allah (SWT) grant them reward according to their intentions.

Wassalam.

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Azadari . Marriage . Ahl al-Bayt . Majlis . Sunni-Shi'a

Can I marry a Sunni boy who believes in the Ahle Bayt and participates in Majalis and Azadari, as his mother is Shia, but offers prayers the Sunni way?

You must be sure that you and your children will always follow Ahlul Bayt (AS). Don't take any risk in this crucial matter. I advise you to invite him to read few books written by Sunni scholars who became followers of Ahlul Bayt (AS) after researching Sunni and Shia books e.g The I was guided by Dr Samawi Tijani and The Miising Link etc.

After reading such books and being able to ask questions to Shia scholars, he should be able to decide his following Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Wassakam.

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Woman . Azadari . Social Media

If a woman wishes to upload on social media any Noha or Manqabat recited by her in tune with the intention to spread Azadari and serve the Ahlulbayt (as) then is she allowed to do so?

She is allowed to do so for serving the noble aims of Ahlul Bayt (AS). Men will be allowed to listen as far as her voice does not cause unwanted effect on non Mahram men, otherwise they should avoid listening.

Wassalam.

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Azadari

Is beating oneself during Azadari a form of violence on one's own self?

Beating our chest is a sign of mourning and sadness on the tragedies of Ahlul Bayt(AS). It was practiced by early Muslims including Ayisha on her father's death (al-Tabaqaat al-Kubba by Ibn Sa'd, V.2, P.201), and pious believers on the tragedies of Ahlul Bayt (AS).

It is not self violence but expressing our feelings which helps us as well as confirm our love and attachment with the Prophet (SAWA) and his Progeny Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Wassalam.

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Azadari . Depression

I have been experiencing bad thoughts and misgivings about Azadari. I try so much but it happens again and again which leads to depression and stress. What should I do?

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... Answered 5 years ago

The short answer is, azadari is optional not required, so if you don't want to do it or don't want to be in a place where people are doing it, this is not *religiously* necessary (although, socially, in some places, this may be a challenge).

The longer answer is, bad thoughts and misgivings come from somewhere. Sometimes they arise for good reasons, such as seeing people do wrong or hypocritical things.

Sometimes they arise for bad reasons, such as listening to false ideas (such as some of the baseless criticisms of Shiism in some websites) or self-hatred/embarrassment about one's culture.

So, it doesn't hurt to look into what you are thinking and explore why you are thinking it, and whether it is something that is leading you towards truth and a more enlightened way of being, or not.

Whether or not you choose to make azadari part of your life, it is good to be tolerant towards other people's practices (insofar as they are permissible) and to acknowledge and respect them even if you choose not to do them.

Otherwise if we become intolerant towards how other people live their religion simply because we disagree with them, we will not be any different from those people who go around attacking Shiis for being kuffar because Shiis pray on turbahs and that sort of thing.

Also, regarding azadari, sometimes people become less enthusiastic about azadari as they get older. I guess this is because younger people have more energy and spirit and also things are newer to us when we are younger, then at some point we max out on what we are getting out of azadari, and wish to explore other things. This is of course not true for everyone (I can already imagine the emails of objection flooding my inbox!) but it is true for some people and for most things in life; that is, sometimes things work for us during some life phases and not others.

Religiously speaking, there are also plenty of other things you can focus on that are also meritorious, for instance, if, currently in your life, you feel like you get more out of focusing on reciting the Qur'an or doing charitable work or something else that has value. Of course it is still also meritorious to remember and express sadness for Ahl al-Bayt (A)!