Al-Imam al-Sheikh Abdul Kareem al-Ha'ery

The Founder of the current Hawzah in the holy city of Qum.

"The hitting of swords on the heads (causing bleeding) is alright (allowed) provided there is no harm to the person doing this. Furthermore no one has the right to prohibit this (hitting the head with sword). In fact all kinds of TA'ZIAH – mourning – for SEYYED AL-SHUHADA' – Imam Hussain – may our souls be sacrificed for him, are MUSTAHAB – desirable deeds."

The above Fatwa by al-Imam al-Sheikh Abdul Kareem al-Ha'ery was endorsed and signed by the following eminent Maraje':

Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Sheikh Muhammad al-Araki,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Ridha al-Gulpaygani,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Shahab-el-Deen al-Mar'ashi al-Najafi,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Hassan al-Tabataba'e al-Qummi,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad al-Waheedi,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Mirza Jawaad al-Tabrizi,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Saadiq al-Rouhani,
Ayatollah al-Udhma Muhammad Mahdi al-Lankaroudi,

And many other Maraje' and eminent scholars . . .

Al-Imam al-Sheikh Muhammad Hussain al-Naa'ini,

The teacher of the Maraje' of the holy city of Najaf.

"There is no doubt as to the permissibility of the beating of the chest and the face with the hands to the point of redness or blackness (of the chest or the face). This is also extended to the lashing of the shoulders and the back with chains to the extent mentioned (above), and even if this led to bleeding. As for causing the bleeding of the head by sword beating, this is also allowed provided it does not lead to endangering harm, such as unstoppable bleeding or harm to the scull, etc. as it is known amongst the experts in doing this (hitting on the head)."

The above Fatwa by al-Imam al-Sheikh Muhammad Hussain al-Naa'ini was endorsed and signed by the following eminent Maraje':

Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Mohsen al-Hakim,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Kaadhem al-Shari'atMadari,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Abd-el-A'la al-Sabzewary,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Abul-Qassim al-Kho'i,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Ridha al-Gulpaygani,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Ali al-Hussaini al-Seestani,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Saadiq al-Rouhani,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Mirza Jawaad al-Tabrizi,
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Sheikh Hussain al-Waheed al-Khurasani,

And many other Maraje' and eminent scholars . . .

Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid al-Kho'i

The former leader of the Hawzah of the holy city of Najaf.

Question: Is there any problem with causing the bleeding of the head – TATBIR – as it is practiced, to express one's grief about the martyrdom of our Imam Hussain peace be upon him, assuming there is going to be no permanent harm?

Answer:

There is no problem with that, given the assumption made in the question, and Allah knows best.

Question:

You stated that there is no problem in causing the bleeding of the head – known as TATBIR – if it does not lead to harm. It is said that it is not more than a permissible act, then can TATBIR be MUSTAHAB – desirable – if the intention was the upholding and honouring the Sha'a'er – signs of Allah – and sympathy with the Ahl-ul-Bayt, peace be upon them?

Answer:

Most probably Allah Almighty would give thawab – reward (the individual) – for sympathising with the Ahl-ul-Bayt if the intention is sincere.

Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid al-Seestani

The current leader of the Hawzah of the holy city of Najaf.

Question:

What is the ruling regarding the lashing with chains, chest beating, and walking on fire on the occasion of mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussain peace be upon him?

Answer:

If (these are) not associated with extreme harm or loss of limb, there is no objection.

Question:

What is the ruling regarding wearing black, and chest beating when commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain peace be upon him, as well as other infallible Imams peace be upon them?

Answer:

This is permissible, and in fact this is regarded as one of the best means of seeking nearness to Allah, since it is upholding and honouring the Sha'a'er of Allah Almighty. [This is a reference to the Qur'anic Ayah 22:32. – translator.]

Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Imam al-Seyyid al-Shirazi

Question:

Some individuals say that I do not see shedding my tears as enough to express my grief for Imam Hussain (AS), his household and his followers on the day of Ashura. So is hitting myself with sword and injuring myself is allowed?

Answer:

The Hussaini Sha'a'er, including TATBIR, are some of the RAAJIH issues. TATBIR is a MUSTAHAB deed, unless it leads to death, loss of limb, or loss of faculties. (RAAJIH means MUSTAHAB that could become WAJIB depending on the circumstances - translator.).

Question:

What is your opinion regarding hitting the head with sword – TATBIR – on the day of Ashura whether or not it harms the individual?

Answer:

The most common and widely known opinion of the Fuqaha (scholars) is that the desirability (of TATBIR) is in it not being extremely harmful.

Question:

If one engages in the program of TA'ZIAH for Imam Hussain (AS), and goes on to serve the program of TA'ZIAH but does not do TATBIR, is he regarded as a sinner, who deserves to be humiliated?

Answer:

TATBIR is a desirable act, and a MUKALLAF – i.e. one who has reached the adolescence age and is duty bound – may forsake a desirable act. It is not allowed to humiliate a Mu'min, and also one who does not do TATBIR may not humiliate or insult others, or accuse them (of false things).

Question:

What is your opinion regarding the reports that Lady Zaynab (AS), when she saw the head of her brother Imam Hussain peace be upon him, being paraded in public hit her forehead on the bar of the carriage she was travelling in, causing bleeding to flow from beneath her veil, which was visible to onlookers who witnessed the event?

Answer:

Yes that is proven.

{Some of the famous references, which confirm the above report, are as follows:

· Bihaar al-Anwaar; volume 45, page 114,

· Jalaa' al-'Oyun; volume 2, page 238,

· Zaynab al-Kubra; page 112,

· Asraar al-Shahadah; page 474,

· Al-Muntakhab; volume 2, page 478,

· Nusrat-ul-Madhlum; page 18.

Needless to say that 'Allamah al-Majlisi – compiler of Bihaar al-Anwaar – and Sheikh al-Shari'ah al-Isfahani have confirmed the authenticity of the report.}

Regards,
Hasnain Naqvi

Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2010 09:53:54 -0700
From: jamiahmad@yahoo.com
Subject: zanjeerzani and qamazani
To: shia_strength@yahoogroups.com
CC: hrnaqvi12@hotmail.com; caabbas@ymail.com

ZANJEER OR QAMA ZANI ON ASHURA DURING MUHARRAM

Question by Ahmed: My brother wants to do Qama on 20 Safar, he is following Ayatollah Sistani. Based on the misuse of Qama today, insincerity of many people, diseases spreading around, and political views can I stop him from doing Qama?
Answer by Board of Istifa, Office of Grand Ayatollah Sistani: The main objective of mourning and lamentation during 'Ashura', is to respect the signs and symbols of religion and remember the suffering of Imam Hussain (as), his companions, and his uprising to defend Islam and prevent the destruction of the religion by Bani Umayyad dynasty. These rites must be done in such a way that in addition to serving that purpose, it draws the attention of others to these lofty goals. Also its ritual aspect should be preserved. So those actions which are not understandable for the enemies of Islam and non-Shia Muslims and causes misunderstanding and contempt for the religion must be avoided.
Question by Zaeem Sherazi: I want to know the status of beating our backs with knives (ZANJEER) on the day of Ashura? What is it status in our Fiqh?
Answer by Board of Istifa, Office of Grand Ayatollah Sistani: The philosophy of mourning during 'Ashura', is to respect the symbols of religion and remember the suffering of Imam Hussain (as), his companions, and his uprising to defend Islam and prevent the destruction of the religion by Bani Umayyad dynasty. These rites must be done in such a way that in addition to serving that purpose, it draws the attention of others to these lofty goals. So those actions which are not understandable and causes misunderstanding and contempt for the religion must be avoided.

Ayatollah Khamenei: Practical Laws of Islam >> Religious Events
Q1430: What is the view on beating the drum and cymbal, blowing the trumpet, and lashing oneself with chains with blades during the processions of the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.)?
A: If the use of such chains leads, in the eye of the public, to defaming our school of thought or inflicting a noticeable harmful effect on the body, it is not permissible. There is no harm in using the drum, cymbal, and trumpet in the traditional way.
Q1439: Is there any basis in religion for piercing one's body with weights dangling therefrom, all in the name of commemorating the martyrdom of the Imam Husayn (a.s.)?
A: These acts, which are, inevitably, bound to portray our school of thought in a negative shade, are impermissible.
Q1449: In commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.) on the tenth of Muharram, some people hit themselves with a machete, or walk bare-footed on fire. Such actions defame Shi'ism and put it in a bad light, if not undermine it. They cause bodily and spiritual harms on these doing it as well. What is your opinion in this matter?
A: Any practice that causes bodily harm, or leads to defaming the faith, is Haram. Accordingly, the believers have to steer clear of it. There is no doubt that many of these practices besmirch the image of Ahlul Bayt's (a.s.) School of Thought which is the worst damage and loss.
Q1450: Is hitting oneself with swords Halal if it is done in secret? Or is your fatwa in this regard universal?
A: In addition to the fact that it is not held in the common view as manifestations of mourning and grief and it has no precedent at the lifetime of the Imams (a.s.) and even after that and we have not received any tradition quoted from the Infallibles (a.s.) about any support for this act, be it privately or publicly, this practice would, at the present time, give others a bad image of our school of thought. Therefore, there is no way that it can be considered permissible.

After reading the above mentioned orders from two Great Ayatollah's of our times. People should start following the orders to safeguard Islam and to fail the propaganda of "Taghoot" and arrogant powers of this era against Shiites proving them "Crazy" & "Insane" people who beat themselves sometimes so hard even threatening their own lives. To see the propaganda of "Taghoot" by yourself to believe, please visit the below given link called as Ashura.
As such the true form of Azadari (mourning) is relevant to Wilayat only. The Azadari seen mostly are a set of rituals which are done with the purpose of earning rewards, expressing love of Imam Hussain (a.s.) in the form of grief, or expressing condolence to his mother Fatima Zahra (s.a.). Whereas Azadari in its true sense is awakening of the Ummah to stand and protest against the Yazid of our age and denounce their cruel and harmful policies towards Islam, and this spirit is very much lacking in our Azadari sessions, and this can only be enlightened through the Wilayat of the righteous, that is the Ulama (Faqih) during the occultation of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.).
As far as mourning is concerned and getting attention of entire world, then it should be done very nicely with "beating chests and heads with hands" and with complete discipline in procession. All the people should participate with fully dressed in black cloths. Then definitely it will impress the entire world and will force them to accept us as a peace loving people. On the other hand people fear from Shiites when they see them doing Zanjeer Zani crazily and from head to toe covered with blood.
Some people call it Mojeza (Miracle) of Imam Hussain (a.s.), that there is no infection out of the wounds of Zanjeer and Qama.
As far as no infection with Zanjeer and Qama is concerned, shows the lack of knowledge regarding cultures and religions of world. National Geographic channel has shown many times that in some countries they do the same things which Shiites do and they neither feel pain nor infection after doing so. Hence they can also claim it as Mojeza. So, it has been decided that religion can not be practiced according to our assumptions and self-made thoughts instead we should commemorate true Azadri with its soul.
Some says; this is an issue of Aqeeda, whereas Taqleed is forbidden in Aqeeda, so what concern we have with the Marjae's?
This is one more ignorant question. Aqeeda (Usool example Tauheed) is belief, beliefs are always in the heart, when the beliefs get manifested in practical form it becomes Furoo (example Salaat), and all Furoo are controlled by laws of Shariah. Now love for Allah is Tauheed, but when the same love comes into action it become Salaat, which is Furoo, and Shariah will tell us the way of Salaat. In a similar way, the love of Imam Hussain (a.s.) is Aqeeda, but when the same love comes in practical form, it becomes Furoo (example Azadari) and has to be controlled by Shariah.
As far as matter of Owais-e-Qarani is concerned, he didn't broke his teeth's deliberately but infact it was emotional act and was not pre-planned thing rather than it was unplanned and very quick as he heard the news of the Prophet's broken teeth's. So if we suppose that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) didn't object on it then even we can't relate it to Zanjeer and Qama Zani's permission. Because (1) we do this Zanjeer and Qama Zani pre-planned and we do it every year and Owais-e-Qarani did it only once so we can't make habit of it. (2) we see no continuation of such practice after Owais-e-Qarani, hence proving that its not desirable or Mustahab thing otherwise other companions (Sahabas) would have done it or after that any of companions of Aimma would have done it when hearing martyrdom of any Imam.
Hence it is proved that we find no legal status of shedding blood deliberately and make a practice of it every year rather then we should try to find out the ways which Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) has done, don't forget after Imam Hussain (AS), we have the history of eight (8) Imams, its not less. Why sticks on the act of Owais-e-Qarani only hence try to prove baseless thing?

From: Hasnain Naqvi <hrnaqvi12@hotmail.com>
To: "shia_strength@yahoogroups.com" <shia_strength@yahoogroups.com>; ahmad ahmad <jamiahmad@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wed, March 10, 2010 7:27:54 AM
Subject: RE: [shia_strength] please vote for the question

Zanjeer Zani and Qama Zani, Matam are the best form of doing Azadari.

Lanet on all those people who oppose Azadari practices.

Regards,
Hasnain Naqvi

To: shia_strength@ yahoogroups. com; jamiahmad@yahoo. com
From: caabbas@ymail. com
Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 22:58:55 -0800
Subject: Re: [shia_strength] please vote for the question

Thanks for your kind Vote.

Khuda hafiz

Abbas

--- On Fri, 3/5/10, ahmad ahmad <jamiahmad@yahoo. com> wrote:

From: ahmad ahmad <jamiahmad@yahoo. com>
Subject: Re: [shia_strength] please vote for the question
To: shia_strength@ yahoogroups. com
Cc: caabbas@ymail. com
Date: Friday, March 5, 2010, 4:15 PM

walekum salam,

as you are aware that khooni matam is an anti-shariah practice.... .therefore even if it makes good impression on other communities, it can be accepted still....even otherwise... .Khooni Matam makes BAD IMPRESSION on other communities.

ws

From: Syed Raza Abbas Rizvi <caabbas@ymail. com>
To: Shia Strength <shia_strength@ yahoogroups. com>
Sent: Wed, March 3, 2010 9:57:27 AM
Subject: [shia_strength] please vote for the question

Aslammunalekum,

Please vate for the the following question in the poll option.

Zanjil Zani and Kama Zani during Azadari is making good impression amoung other comunities. (Please keep in your mind countries like india)

Khuda Hafiz
Syed Raza Abbas Rizvi ACA
Chartered Accountant