Muizz-Ud-Daula-Founder of Muharram Procession

Standard Bearer of Buyid Dynasty 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Continuing apathy of Imamis about Muizz- Ud- Daula is simply appalling.He should have been known to Azadar world as the founder of Muharram related public processions. Strangely, his name is not much known even among the natives of the Kingdom he founded in 10^th century Iraq. He was the first Buyid Amir(ruler) of Iraq and earned the laqab of Muizz –Ud- Daula(Frontier of the Dynasty) with his adventures against his opponents.

Son of Buya, a Daylamite fisherman from Lahijan, who had left his Zoroastrian faith and converted to Islam, Muizz-Ud-Daula’s real name was Ahmad. He was  born in the mountainous region of Daylam. By 928, he along with his two brothers served the Daylamite military leader Makan. However, he quickly changed his allegiance to the Ziyarid ruler Mardavij. Later, he rebelled against his monarch after finding  that Ziyarid  planned to murder one of his brothers. In 935/36, Ahmad  invaded Kerman but failed in his bid.He moved to Lashker and  started making incursions into Khuzestan and later Iraq.His efforts yielded desired results and by  945 A.D. he was officially recognized as the ruler of Iraq and Khuzestan. He was bestowed with the title of Muizz-Ud-Daula.  Throughout his rule, Muizz-Ud-Daula  had to face conflicts with other dynasties, yet he introduced public procession to mark Yaum-E-Ashura in Baghdad. It was the first expression of grief by lovers of Ahlebait on the streets. Muizz ordered the closure of shops on Ashura and devotees walked barefoot with disheveled hairs. The orthodox Muslims made lot of hue and cry made he remained firmed in his stand. As a sequel to his pioneering effort, public processions are an integral part of Muharram rituals across the globe. In 946 A.D.he won his emerged victorious against his formidable opponent  Hamdanid Amir Nasir-ud-Daula  near Baghdad. In later years, Muizz had to confront hostilities from his own kinsmen but with the blessings of Masoomeen (A.S),he remained unconquered till his last breath in 967.Despite constant problems, he devoted to propagation of Karbala revolution through public processions and encouraged everyone to take part actively. It would be befitting if Imami scholars acknowledge his contribution to Azadari while delivering sermons. Their cumulative efforts will create much needed awareness about the founder of public commemoration of Ashura.(Photo Courtesy-Google Images)      

Reference:

Chelkowski, Peter (January 1, 1985). "Shia Muslim Processional Performances". The Drama Review: TDR. MIT Press. 29 (3): 18–30. doi:10.2307/1145650. JSTOR 1145650.

Use of Muharram Rituals as Trick by Lord Cornwallis

Lord Cornwallis receiving Tipu's sons as Hostages.

Dr. Mazhar Naqvi

How the British used religious sentiments of Indians to extend the empire? An illustration of this policy can be found in the battle fought between East India Company and Tipu Sultan. Mir Munshi of Lord Cornwallis has given a vivid description of the British shrewdness in his account. He writes in his memoir “when our English forces were stationed in Care, the Muharram moon was sighted. Lord Cornwallis decided to camp for ten days as Indian soldiers of English forces wanted to observe those ten days of Muharram through several actions and take out Tazias and flags(Alam).While Tipu was averse to the idea of Muharram observance ,Lord Cornwallis declared holiday for them and also said that he is interested to see the observance of Muharram. On the seventh day soldiers disguised them in so many forms, carried Tazia and Alam, Lord Cornwallis witnessed the rituals ,sitting on a chair and respected the people when they passed by him and he used to bow his head  when a Tazia or Taboot passed in front of him and walked two or three steps behind them to show his respect. He also presented them money on a silver plate.”

The gesture of Lord won the hearts of Indians when they came to know about the respect exhibited by the Governor General and English soldiers to the rituals and observance of Muharram. Majority  of them remarked openly “ British are better than their own rulers.”  Indians turned hostile against Tipu and extended their support whole-heartedly to the English forces, leading to the downfall of Sultanate Khudadad. After the martyrdom of Tipu, Indian soon realized that Cornwallis had simply applied a trick to woo Indians against Khudadad kingdom and he had no sentiments attached to Muharram rituals. It is evident from the fact that he never showed any respect to religious sentiments till his death at Ghazipur town in eastern part of modern Uttar Pradesh state of India. The incident also reveals folly of Tipu. Despite his patriotic character and unconditional love for Holy Prophet and his family, he ignored the sentiments of natives and paid a heavy price for it.(References available n request. Photo Courtesy Google Images)    

Salman Azmi-Loss of a Future Legend

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

In the untimely demise of Salman Azmi in the prime of youth, poet who served Ahlebait-E-Athar (AS) , Imamis have lost a future legend. May Allah bless his departed soul and courage to his bereaved family.Amen. Son of iconic poet Dr. Rehan Azmi, Salman, like his father too was serving the cause of Masoomeen (AS).He breathed his last on Saturday, 17 November 2018 after struggling for life in a hospital . He may not be physically present with Imamis  but his works and the message he propagated will surely live till eternity.

The blogger like millions of his admirers ,never met him personally but always found him to close to the heart through his deeds.Hardly in his late twenties, Salman contributed much to emerge to be regarded as the final stone when it comes to delivery of hussaini Kalam. He not only wrote thought provoking Nauhas but also penned Manqabats for upcoming young generation.Legendary Nauhakhwan Nadeem Sarwar’s sons— Ali Shanawar and  Ali Jee also used Salman’s Kalam, an indication of the worth of his poetry.

When stricken with Juandice and rushed to the hospital after his condition deteriorated, prayers were offered across the globe for his recovery but destiny cut short his remarkable.life. His funeral exhibited to the world how popular he was and how Imamis loved him for his noble deeds.He was buried at Wadi-E-hussain In Karachi with safeer-E-Aza reciting "Waqt E Rukhsat Baap Ko Betay Ka Mur Kar Dekhna" amidst mourners with tears rolling down their cheeks.

(Photo Courtesy Google.References available on request.)

Alipur-Hussaini Town of India

Dar Uz Zahra, Alipur, India  

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Alipur,  a  small  village was known as Belligunta 300 years ago, has emerged as a truly Hussaini town as visualized  by  Syed Mustafa Hussaini. He had settled in the village after the downfall of Adil Shahi kingdom of Bijapur. An Abidi Syed, Hussaini began preaching the teachings of Ahlebait-E-Athar among the locals and created the much needed awareness towards the martyrs of Karbala and their message to future generations in remote parts of Karnataka. With base at little known village Alipur near Bangalore, Hussaini  devoted his life to the propagation of Imam Hussain’s message till his last breath. His efforts received a fillip with the arrival of   poet-scholar Mohammad Shaffi Baqari arrived from Hyderabad 150 years ago. He founded the Madrassa Jafria. His son Abbas Baqari who lived upto an age of 115 years, made strenuous efforts and taught a lot of people in and around the village. He founded the Anjuman Jafaria that today controls the mosques, Ashurkhanas, Madrasa, Eidgah and Graveyard in Alipur.

Somewhere within each of Alipur’s residents lies a spark. Over the last two decades the village has shown stirrings of change. The main thoroughfare, Imam Khomeini Road, named after the Iranian spiritual leader, culminates in an outsized, onion-domed mosque on one end and a modest Imam Khomeini Hospital on the other. An old Ashurkhana has seen good days. A modern building has come up for its extension. Removed a furlong away is the village’s Eidgah and graveyard named Behisht-e- Ali standing in the serene and solemn surroundings. The Imamia Trust of Bangalore has also chipped in by building a resettlement colony for the wandering tribes of Persian-speaking gypsies, the erstwhile village spectacle makers. Women in black overall burqas walk freely in the sub-streets while school girls attend the Bintul Huda and Zainabiyah high schools donning headscarves.The village has dozens of  scholars trained in Qom in Iran and Damascus. However none could finish the Dars-e-Kharij to win a title of Ayatollah. A higher centre of theological education, Hauz Ilmiah came Baqarul Uloom up a few years ago.

Though most Alipur Shias are engaged in gem cutting and polishing business, their efforts have not gone unnoticed.There had been occasional visits by Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Khameinai, the successor to Ayatollah Khomeini to the seat of supreme spiritual leader of the Islamic Republic. The town has produced a battery of Urdu poets, apart from scholars of International repute. Harbouring an Imami population of 10,000 and fashioning the lives of its inhabitants according to the orders of the faith, Alipurconjures up an image of an Irani city with    a Madrassa Hussainia, a Zainabiya High School, an Imam Khomeini Hospital, a Behisht-e-Ali graveyard, an Al-Abbas Boys Hostel with a couple of onion-domed mosques and Ashurkhanas dotting its skyline. The village surely deserves a visit by Imamis to experience its otherwise placid life that wake up to rent the air with ‘Labbaik Ya Hussain, during Ayam-E-Aza.( References available on reuest. Image Courtesy Google )   

Loss of Marsiya Reciter Anees and Hussaini Poet Naiyyer

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Indian Imamis suffered two great losses a couple of days before the commencement of Muharram-2018.One of them was Janab Anees Sandeelavi- a great marsiya reciter and Shair-e-Ahlebait. The other, Naiyyer Sirsavi, was also an eminent Shair-E-Ahlebait. Both of them died of protracted illness after serving Masoomeen Alaihssalam till health permitted them. May Allah bless them among his chosen ones. The real name of Anees was Ghazanfar Irshad Naqvi and he was a close friend of blogger’s father. He stayed in Kanpur for a long time and settled in Lucknow after retiring from UPICA-a government of Uttar Pradesh Enterprise. He occupied a very senior position in UPICA in view of his marketing skills. Under him, UPICA emerged as an admired brand of clothes manufactured by Cooperative Societies. During his prolonged stay in Kanpur, he took active part in Ayam-E-Aza despite his preoccupation with marketing related activities. Anees always took off time for reciting marsiya at majalis and earned lot of fame in view of his style. After retirement, he continued to recite marsiya and became a household name besides earning international acclamation. He has to his credit of appearing on famous program of an Urdu channel titled Sada-E-Karbala on several occasions. Anees was invited to recite marsiya almost all the prominent Imambaras or Ashurkhanas of India. Hence, While he preferred to render marsiya of Mir Anees only, he wrote Nauhas and Salams also and tried his hands even with writing marsiya also. He was poet of several Anjumans as well. His departure left the Imami community saddened.

Naiyyer Sirsavi also was a well-known poet. He too earned fame across the globe. He belonged to Sirsi –a village of Saadat near Moradabad. His death also left Imamis in a state of shock. Entire western Uttar Pradesh felt the vacuum created by his death, for appearance of Naiyyer was considered to be a must in old Imambaras located in Amroha, Sirsi, Sambhal, Nagli Saddat, Moradabad and Merut.(References available on request)  

      

Modi Government Turns Blind Eye to Karbala's Relevance

Dr. Mazhar Naqvi 

Dear viewers,

I am producing below the letter sent by me to  Hon’ble Minister of HRD, Government of India, on September 22,2017, requesting him to consider the inclusion of Karbala as a case study of management in the curricula of MBA and BBA programs.I had made the request in view of the relevance of Karbala about management principles.As I have not heard anything from the Hon'ble Minister , I am publishing the letter for viewers at large.If you feel that I have genuine logic for inclusion of Karbala in the curriculum of management programs and the step would create much awareness about sublime sacrifice of Imam Hussain and his mission for mankind,please share the article as much as you can.I am sure that Masoomeen(A.S.) will surely give Jaza for your noble act.I shall also be ever remain indebted to all of you for your contribution.

Copy of the Letter 

Shri Prakash  Javadekar,
Hon’ble  Minister of HRD,

Government of India, New Delhi-1

Dear Sir,

Greetings of the day!

I am a Kanpur-based academician and sending this email to your good self for inclusion of Karbala as a case study of management in the curriculum of MBA/BBA programs. I am making this request to you as Muharram -2017 most probably commence from September 22, 2017 and such a step will be a befitting tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain who had laid down his life on the arid plain of Karbala for protecting human values and uprooting nepotism, corruption and misuse of power in 680 AD. Since then, his admirers have been mourning his death during Muharram every year across the globe. For centuries, religious speakers have been exhorting people to follow the teachings of Imam Hussain to overcome their psychological and socio- economic   problems. Yet Karbala is mostly perceived as a rhyme of anguish and pain on the lips of time and remains out of the gaze of modern management Gurus.

Sir, management is defined as a systematic way of carrying out activities in any field of human effort. It aims at making people capable of joint performance, to make their weaknesses irrelevant, to create harmony in working together i.e. equilibrium in thoughts and actions, goals and achievements, plans and performance, products and markets. It resolves situations of scarcity, be they in the physical, technical or human fields, through maximum utilization with the minimum available processes to achieve the goal.

Against the backdrop of these established principles of modern management, one finds Karbala leading us towards a harmonious and blissful state of affairs in place of the conflict, tensions and poor productivity. At Karbala, Imam Hussain had scarce resources. He was aware of dire consequences. Yet he did not give allegiance of loyalty to Yazid. Rather, he flatly rejected the offer, for he was quick to realize that giving allegiance would jeopardize the survival of mankind and Islam. Imam and his supporters suffered unparalleled hardships and persecution for preferring to safeguard the tenets of Islam.  The forces of tyranny and injustice cut off the basic necessities to Husain’s camp, including access to water. The camp consisted of Imam Husain, his family, friends, and companions, all of whom stood fast and firmly with him at the cost of their lives. But nothing could dampen his spirit. Not even the slaughtering of his 6-month-old infant Ali Asghar after the brutal killing of his brothers, sons and friends. Hussain remained focused and offered sacrifice in totality with the sole objective of improving the basic thinking of man. He was of the view that improvement in the basic thinking of man would automatically enhance the quality of his actions.

 His creative thinking foiled the plan of Yazid and exposed the ugly designs of those who wanted to promote falsehood, oppression and disbelief under the garb of Islam forever. His sacrifice had far reaching effects. In a short span of time, Karbala proved to be a volcano that stirred the consciousness of ignorant and learned alike. The martyrdom of Hussain uprooted powerful Bani Umaiya dynasty and turned the momentary victory of Yazid into the humiliating defeat. The quality of his actions established forever as to how exemplary leadership coupled with careful planning and strategic thinking generates the maximum desired output with minimum resources.

However one must remember that Karbala enlightens about the concepts of excellence in efforts, decision-making, leadership, and motivation with a difference. While the modern management principles deal with problems at material, external and peripheral levels, philosophy of Hussain tackles these issues from the grass roots level of human thinking. Thus, Karbala deserves to be discussed at B- schools as a case study on forming a vision, planning the strategy, art of leadership, institutional excellence, building an innovative organization, developing human resources, team building, teamwork, delegation, motivation, communication, ethics and social responsibility etc.

Sir, I am sure that in view of the facts stated above, you would be kind enough to direct the concerned authorities to explore the possibility of inclusion of Karbala revolution in the curriculum of management programs from the ensuing academic session.

With best regards,

Sincerely,

Dr.M.A.Naqvi

September 22,2017

I request all the viewers and persons with love and admiration for Imam Hussain to initiate a movement for inclusion of Karbala in the curriculum of management programs.You can launch a campaign for it with the help of social media.

Hussainiyat Zindabad,

Sincerely,

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi 

Latest Photographs of Maula Ali Shrine-Hyderabad

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi 

I had the honor of visiting the shrine of Maula Ali in Hyderabad after a gap of almost a decade on February 25,2018.My son, Najaf Naqvi,also accompanied me.I found the shrine as serene and tranquil as ever.Despite renovation,it still maintains its old charm.  

The caretakers like Mir Sakhawat recognized me immediately and instantly remarked " Where have you been all these years.It is good to see you again".He was equally happy to my son who being stationed in Hyderabad visits shrine frequently.He tied 'Kalawa'(Sacred Thread) and prayed for the well-being of my family.                                                                                                          To my surprise, I noticed that Agha                                                                 Khan Foundation has done a lot to                                                                   renovate the  Mahlaqa Bai Chanda                                                                  who was a great devotee of Maula                                                                    Ali.But the foundation has not done                                                                  anything to upgrade the main                                                                          shrine. 

I found more visitors at the shrine.But it was a disciplined crowd of devotees.Each engrossed in prayers. Najaf being too excited took many

Photographs.He took Snaps of main shrine containing the blessed print of Maula's hand. 

Fortunately,I also got a printed history of the shrine for the first time.The pamphlet gives an idea about how over the centuries the shrine has developed.  

One thing that I really admire is the exemplary behavior of caretakers.They always try to respond to any query of the visitors.They also derive pleasure in revealing the history and anecdotes related to shrine.Caretakers also fondly recall the past celebrations and how the character of rituals have also changed on certain occasions. I request all the devotees of Maula Ali to visit the shrine once in their life time.You will find solace their surely.I also suggest you to go through thew 'White Mughals' of William Daryample  to find out yourself as to how entire Hyderabad used to shift to Maula Ali hill during Rajab,the month of Shere-Khuda's birth. Daryample has given a very detailed and  vivid description  of the celebrations.

Calligraphic Tribute to Hazrat Fatima Zahra

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

The blogger had posted about Gauri Yousuf Hussain who had dedicated his life to propagation of Mission Karbala and Sufism through calligraphy. He had earned lot of praise for displaying his work at the International Sufi Conference held at Makanpur Sharif in Kanpur district of India in the first week of February, 2018.Since then, the blogger is in constant touch with him. He happened to speak to him on February 20,2018.During conversation, the blogger reminded him of the martyrdom of Hazrat Fatima Zahra and asked Hussain as to whether he has paid tributes to ‘Lady of Paradise’ through his work or not? He replied apologetically ‘Not yet’. He said “her pious name has figured as a part of Panjatan-E-Pak but there is no exclusive work on her.”Then, he assured to produce an exclusive work on her within an hour, leaving the blogger wondering as to what exactly he intended to do?

After two hours, he mailed me name of Hazrat Fatima beautifully written in calligraphy. Upon inquiry, he revealed that he prepared the portrait containing the blessed name of Bibi after receiving my call. He also said” please treat it as my tribute to Bibi Fatima, the daughter of our beloved Prophet”.The artist also informed the blogger that the blessed name of Bibi was on a covering that was placed on her holy grave by the Ottomon empire much before the demolition of her tomb by Saudi regime in 1925.The part of the covering is now preserved in a museum in Turkey. The blogger has posted the above work of Guari Yousuf Hussain for viewers. Please pray for Hussain that he may be blessed with the choicest blessing of Allah and his Masoomeen.   

Gori Yousuf Hussain-Karbala Messenger through Calligraphy

Writings of Imam Hussain,Hazrat Ali & Imam Musa Kazim by Gauri   

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Gauri  Yousuf Hussain is an example of how the blessed name of Hazrat Imam Hussain can change the attitude of an individual? He was a famous painter but now he has dedicated his life to produce replicas of relics associated with 14 Infallibles(Chahadra Masoomeen).He also devotes his time to glorify Sufis like Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty Ajmeri who are known for their unconditional love for the Holy Prophet and his progeny.

Hailing from Bharuch(Gujrat),the turning point came in the life of Gauri when he met a painter in London during an exhibition. To his dismay, the painter dubbed his work as an average one and invited him to his residence. When Gauri asked his host as to why was he not happy with the paintings that had always been praised .the host replied “what you are doing may be of commercial value but you are not preparing for the day of judgement”. “What should I do was natural query from gauri? The host them suggested him to glorify the mission of Hazrat Imam Hussain through calligraphy. This happened in 2007.

Gauri found the suggestion too appealing to resist. He immediately bid good bye to his brush forever and distributed all his paintings among his friends absolutely free of cost.Upon return to india, He started learning calligraphy and soon become proficient in it through sheer hard work. He visited Iran where a book containing the relicts and letters of Hazrat Ali, Imam Hussain and imam Musa Kazim was presented to him at a famous library. Gauri decided to reproduce the relics through his work and since then he has not looked back. In the past few years, he has exhibited his work in more than 35 countries and has the distinction of perhaps the only calligraphist of India working on Panjatan and Aulia ikram.

 Gauri Presenting His Work to Chairman Kashmir Society, Mr.Renzu Shah

A portrait displaying the letters of Imam Hussain, Hazrat Ali and Imam Musa Kazim is considered to be his most celebrated work. Likewise, he has to his credit of painting the largest painting of Shaaam-e -Ghareeban. His uses natural colors and paper produced with the famous Kaghzi family of Sanganer in Rajasthan. Gauri has also exhibited his work at Ajmer Sharif and he also participated in the international Sufi conference held in Makanpur recently.

Unfortunately, he has never been invited by any Imami organization for displaying his works.But it has not dampened his spirit. He says’ Shias too will invite me one day. i feel that Imam want me to concentrate on his mission among his non-Shia  lovers.”.  (References available on request. Images presented by Mr. Gauri)

Madariya Foundation's International Sufi Conference

Gateway Erected by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan at Dargah of Shah Madar

Dr. Mazhar Naqvi 

Mystics and Scholars from across the globe will assemble at the headquarters of Madariya Sufi Order in Makanpur Sharif to deliberate and discuss as to how teachings of Ahlebait-e-Athar and Sufis could be used as an effective tool to diffuse terrorism and communalism .Disclosing this at a Press Conference, Director, Madariya Sufi Foundation, Mumbai, Mr. Sameer Madarvi, Sajjada Nasheen Dargah, Hazrat Badiuddin Zinda Shah Madar, Syed Mahzar Ali and Eminent Sufi Poet  Shajar Madarvi said that deliberations will take place at an International Conference being organized in Makanpur about 60 Kms from Kanpur city of Uttar Pradesh on February  2,2018.

Dr. Kennith Robbins (USA), Dr. Ute Falasch (Germany), Sufi Mehdood Chishti (Afghanistan), Hasan Mian Jetham (South Africa), Mr.Renzu Shah (Kashmir), Mr. Biman Nath (Bangaleru), Dr.Anand Bhattacharya (Kolkata) and delegates from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have confirmed their participation in the conference, they said, adding that World famous calligraphist of Iran Culture Center Mr. Ghaus Ali will also exhibit his work and put on display some rare Islamic artifacts at the conference. The book of Dr. Anand Bhattacharya on ‘Fakir Sanyasi Rebellion’ will also be launched on the occasion.

The organizers said that Sufism's ethos was egalitarian, charitable and friendly, often propagated by wandering seers and storytellers. It blended with local cultures and cemented Islam's place from North Africa to the Indian subcontinent. Shrines of Sufis still attract thousands of devotees. Yet terrorist outfits have of late repeatedly tried to not only destroy Sufi shrines but also their message of love and peace by developing a new form of ‘religion’ based on misinterpretation of the teachings of holy Quran.

They said Sufism needs to be harnessed to fight such outfits through propagation of the underlying values of Sufism — love, harmony and beauty. The organizers also opined that the task was not easy in Indian Sub-Continent where poverty, corruption and the daily toll of the global war on terrorism simmer together in a volatile brew. The conference also aimed at creating awareness about life and works of Shah Madar and contribution of his followers in India’s freedom struggle.