Assalaam Alaikum dear Brothers & Sisters...
This is a much debated & confusing topic for many youngsters today!
Alot feel it is just culture and that the practice is not needed anymore. According to some, it only creates a bad image for the Shia and that practices like Majaalis, Nauha Khwani, Maatam, Alam holding, Taboot, Zanjeer and Kama-zani is actually against religion.
Let us gather and discuss some useful information about each of these topics:
Some very interesting points of references come to knowledge with this topic.
I am further researching the exact references of Hadith to complete this table and will update them as I unveil them inshAllah...
JazakAllah,
Zehra
This is a much debated & confusing topic for many youngsters today!
Alot feel it is just culture and that the practice is not needed anymore. According to some, it only creates a bad image for the Shia and that practices like Majaalis, Nauha Khwani, Maatam, Alam holding, Taboot, Zanjeer and Kama-zani is actually against religion.
Let us gather and discuss some useful information about each of these topics:
Act
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Religion or Culture?
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References
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Majaalis
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Religion
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Mentioned in the Quran per Surah 58, verse 11
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Nauha
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Religion
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114 Nauha Khwans graduated Imam Baqir’s (A.S) class and were instructed to recite poetry about Imam Hussain (A.S) in front of him as well as the world in their beautiful voices
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Maatam
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Religion
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1. Bibi Sarah, wife of Prophet Ibrahim, expressed grief upon hearing the news of her pregnancy at an old age by beating her cheeks (Surah 51, verse 29)
2. According to Ahmed ibn Hanbal in his Musnad, vol. 6, p. 274, Number 26391 (edited by al-Arnaut), Ayesha mentions at the passing away of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HF) that she and the other wives were beating their chests and cheeks when they heard the news of Prophet (PBUH&HF) passing away!
3. Bibi Zaynab has been found to beat her chest and cheeks on three occasions at Karbala
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Alam
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Religion
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Ahlulbayt at Karbala carried an Alam as a symbol of Strength!
It is recommended to touch the alam and even touch your faces to an alam that was once on the Grave of Holy persons since such articles have the ability to cure! This is signified by Prophet Yusuf and his act of sending over his shirt to Prophet Yaqoob to cure his blindness
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Taboot
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Culture
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BUT not against religion in any way!
Only an act to remember Imam Hussain and the tragedy of Karbala. It is not against religion, therefore acceptable as a rememberance!
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Zanjeer Zani
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Culture
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A form of remembering the whipping of the children and women after the even of Karbala by the army of Yazid.
Nothing wrong with it if you wish to do it, but depends on your Maraja-e-Taqlid and their rulings on it.
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Kama Zani
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Culture
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A form of remembering the martyrdom of Imam Ali (A.S) in Masjid-e-Kufa
Rulings on this may also depend on your Maraja-e-Taqlid.
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Some very interesting points of references come to knowledge with this topic.
I am further researching the exact references of Hadith to complete this table and will update them as I unveil them inshAllah...
JazakAllah,
Zehra
