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 )