Beemar-E-Karbala's Relic In Hyderabad

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Alava(Imam Bargah) Sar Tauq Mubarak in Hyderabad  is an example how the invocation of Imam Zain Ul Abedeen can cure patients. Alava contains in the form of a an ALAM( Standared) made of a piece of shackle that was put around the blessed of Holy Imam by Yazeedi soldiers after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala. They had taken him as captive  and made him sit on a lean camel on way to Damascus via Kufa. The relic was brought during the reign of Abdullah Kutub Shah by Haji Agha Mohsin from Syria with proper authentication. The  ruler had received the relic with dsue honors and decreed that it be installed in “Darul Shifa”( Central Hospital) ,stating that the relic was the right place for the relic and its presence will result in speedy recovery of the patients, for it belonged to Beemar-E-Karbala.(Sick Imam of Karbala).He also directed the  one Hoon should be earmarked from the total budget of hospital for offerings flowers and incense before the relic on daily basis.Abdullah did not built a  separate Ashur Khana for  the relic but seventh Nizam did  at after ascending throne. He ordered construction of two rooms and two verandahs on the southern side of Darul Shifa.On 10^th of Muharram, Alam is taken out and washed. Devotees collect the water with a firm beliedf that it will cure  their ailments. Being the only relic of its kind in India, lovers of Ahlebait-E-Athaar turn up at Ashurkhana in large number throughout the year. Their numbers swell during Ayam E Aza and reach its zenith on Chehlum Dayi.e.20^th day of Islamic month of Safar.

References available on request.

Picture Courtesy :Google Images / Salman Book Center,Hyderabad                    

Qadam Rasuls of Jaunpur

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Jaunpur is not just a prominent center of azadari but the city also has the distinction of having the maximum number of ‘Qadam Rasuls’ (Footprints of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW).In the history books related to Jaunpur and its history, one can find mention of at least a dozen Qadam Rasuls. They are located in localities known as Shah Ka Panja,Sipah,Sadar Imambara,Hamza,Mufti Mohalla and Bagh E Hashim. Of these, the best maintained is near the mausoleum of Feroz Shah in Sipah area.It is believed that one Bahram Khan had brought this holy relic from Media during the rule of Ibrahim Sharqi. Jaunpur was then capital of Sharqi dynasty and it was known as Sheeraz –E-Hind. Ibrahim ruled in the first half of 15^th century. The second oldest holy relic reached Jaunpur during the regime of Emperor Akbar in 16^th century  through one Hashim Sahib of Azeemabad(Now known as Patna).He placed  the relic over the grave of his son who lies buried in Jaunpur in Bagh- E- Hashim  locality. In early 17^th century son of Khwaja Meer. The relic is preserved at the shrine of Khwaja who is revered as a Sufi by locals in Mufti Mohalla. In the same locality, one finds footprint of the blessed Prophet different from others. It is embossed and placed at the mausoleum of an unknown noble while its counterparts are sunken in style. There is lack of authenticity with regard to other relics. Some of them are mentioned in books and even not traceable. Although the city has maximum number of relics but they are not preserved like Cuttack, Dhaka and Gaur where they have ornamented buildings over them.  

It is believed that whenever Prophet stepped on a rock his footprint left an imprint. Arabs preserved them and offered to the people visiting Mecca and Medina. Such devotees brought them back to India and also carried to other parts of the world. Out of veneration, not only commoners but rulers who hardly dared to undertake Haj pilgrimage apprehending trouble in their respective kingdoms during the long duration of travel and time required to fulfill the obligation in medieval time, erected buildings over them and ensured their proper upkeep also.Orthodox however reject the belief and after their advent a number of such relics lost their sheen with the passage of time. Qadam Rasuls of Jaunpur are also no exception.    

Quotes of Imam Zainul Abedeen

       Compiled By Dr.Mazhar Naqvi 

      A day after the world observed the martyrdom of Imam Zain Ul Abedeen,the blogger is producing below with references a few of his quotes pertaining to his views on religion.These quotes are pearls of wisdom and can help people willing to transform their lives for the sake of Aakhirat. A life based on the saying of the Holy Imam will surely earn the follower a coveted place in heaven:-

1.          I assure (you) before my Lord, that he who begs without neediness, will some day begs out of neediness.
2. ·          (The position of) patience in faith is like that of the head in the body, and he who has no patience has no faith.
3. ·         The dearest among you to God (the High), is the one whose deeds and behavior are better than others.
4. ·         Anybody who performs his necessary duties that God has obliged him perform, he himself will be one of the best worshippers of all.
5. ·         Be aware that the most detested person in the presence of God, is the one who accepts an Imam as a leader, but doesn't follow him in action.
6. ·         To what extent you can, avoid bad deeds, even if everybody takes you as the agent of bad deeds.
7. Refernces

Muhammad al-Hur al-Aamili, Wasā'il al-Shī‘ah, vol.6, p. 305.

·         Muhammad Kulayni, Usūl al-Kāfī, vol.2, p. 89.

·         Majlisi, Bihārul Anwār, vol.78, p. 136.

·         Muhammad al-Hur al-Aamili, Wasā'il al-Shī‘ah, vol.11, p. 206.

·         Ibn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p. 287.

·         Majlisi, Bihārul Anwār, vol.78, p. 161.

Bihar Leaders Eulogize Imam Hussain

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi 

Of late,Bihar, politicians have started attaching great significance to Muharram ceremonies.One of the most politically sensitives but poverty stricken states of India,Bihar is currently led by

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.He issued statement for yaume Ashura ,urging 

the people to draw inspiration from Hazrat Imam Hussain and his associates who had attained martyrdom in Karbala.

In a solemn tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain and the 72 martyrs, he said "they shall always be remembered for their fight against injustice and tyranny".Nitish  appealed to the people of the state to "remember the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam, imbibe the ideals of truth, humanity and charity and remain ever ready to fight against evil, injustice and terror".The chief Minister also urged the people to approach Ayame Aza in a spirit of harmony and brotherhood.

Shatrughan Sinha 

Prior to him,Shatrughan Sinha,who once ruled hearts of Indians as Bollywood star and whose wife recently contested election from Lucknow,also issued a statement on twitter on the occasion of Muharram. In his tweet ,he paid rich tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain and recalled his sublime sacrifice at Karbala fore the sake of humanity".Shatrughan also hails from Bihar   and is popularly known as Bihari Babu in the Bollywood.After speanding many years in Bhartiya Janta party,he had recently contested election from Patna Sahib constituency on Congress ticket but lost to ravi shanker prasad.His daughter Sonakshi is also a popular film actress of 'Dabang' fame.

(References available on request.Photo Courtesy google images)

Muharram in Makanpur Sharif

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
 Hectic preparations are underway to make yet another Shabe Ashur in historic Makanpur  Village in Kanpur District. The village is known as headquarters of Madariya Sufi order and unique Muharram rituals.Locals makes preparation for the fooding and lodging of thousands of devotees for three times thorough Langar committees.On an average over 50000 devotees remain in Makanpur till the burial of Tazias.Two types of Tazias are taken out.Traditional Tazias are taken out from the shrine of hazrat Shah Madar,the founder of order who had arrived from Alleppo in Syria and chosen makanpur as his last resting place in 1431.The other type of Tazias are known as Turbatwale Tazias.They are the only of their kind in Indian sub-continent.They are prepared with the help of red and green cloth known as Musallas in local language.Then Sehra is tied to them.Green color represents Imam Hasan while red symbolises martyrdom of Imam Hussain.No one sits before Tazias or dare to smoke or chew pan Masala. Blogger has been visiting Makanpur for the past three decades on ninth day of Muharram and has never noticed any change in the rituals.Locals don't want any deviation and prefer to remain stick to the traditions initiated by Shah Madar himself in his lifetime.he was one of the direct descendants of 6th imam Jafar Sadiq (A.S.).           

Shabe Ashur in Kanpur

कानपुर में शबे आशूर यानि क़त्ल की रात.मुहर्रम की नौ तारीख आशिकाने हुसैन ने जाग के गुज़ारी.सभी इमाम्बर्गाहों पे ताज़िये रखे गए जिन्हे कल यौम इ आशूर के दिन विभिन्न कर्बलाओं में सुपुर्दे खाक किया जायेगा.मातमी अंजुमनों ने आलम और ताबूत जुलुस निकाले.इमाम चौको पे ताज़िए रखकर फातिहाख्वानी,शहादतनामे और सेहरे चढ़ाकर हुसैन प्रेमियों ने नज़राने अक़ीदत पेश की और अपनी हाजत पूरी करने की दुआ शोहदाए कर्बला से मांगी.इमाम हुसैन के छे महीने बच्चे हज़रात अली असग़र की शहादत का ज़िक्र आज आयोजित मजलिस में खुसीसी तौर से हुआ.इमाम का ये बच्चा भी तीन दिन से भूका और प्यासा था .निढाल होकर जब बच्चे ने अपने को झूले से गिरा दिया तो इमाम उसे लेकर मैदान में आये .उन्होंने यज़ीदी फ़ौज से कहा कि तुम अगर पानी नहीं देना चाहते तो कम से कम इस नन्हे बच्चे को तो पानी दे दो.ज़ालिमों ने इमाम कि बात का जवाब ज़ालिम कमांडर हुरमुला ने तीन फाल के तीर से दिया जिससे बच्चा इमाम के हाथों पे ही शहीद हो गया .अज़ाख़ाना अंजुम साहिब में आयोजित मजलिस में ज़ाकिर अहलेबैत मोहतरमा डॉ.हिना ज़हीर ने कहा कि विश्व में कर्बला कि जंग के शिव दूसरा कोई उदहारण नहीं मिलता जिसमे किसी छे महीने के बच्चे को शहीद किया गया हो.उन्होंने एक शेर के ज़रिये ज़ुल्म कि दास्ताँ बयां की "ज़ुल्म सा ज़ुल्म है असग़र को न देना पानी
छे महीने का बच्चा था,कितना पी लेता पानी ".नवाब साहिब का हाता ,कुरसवाँ,ग्वालटोली,सकेरा एस्टेट,जाजमऊ,कर्नलगंज,बाबूपुरवा,जूही,सय्यद नगर,रावतपुर  और पटकापुर  में मजालिस का एहतेमाम हुआ.ज़िक्र शहादते हुसैन का शर्फ़ मौलाना मुनव्वर हुसैन,मौलाना शहाब,मौलाना ज़हीर अब्बास आदि कोप्राप्त हुआ.सभी ने शबे आशूर कि रूहानी अहमियत और इमाम हुसैन के उद्देश्यों पे प्रकाश डाला .कई जगह पैकियों का स्वागत और सबील का इंतिज़ाम किया गया.लंगर ऐ हुसैनी तक़सीम हुआ.इमाम चौकों पे बिजली कि सजावट की गयी.रात भर इमाम्बर्गाहें खुली रही और दर्शनार्थियों का ताँता लगा रहा.शिया समुदाय के लोग बिस्तर पे नहीं लेटे और इबादत या ज़ियारत में मसरूफ रहे.     लाखों की तादाद में क़ासिद ऐ  हुसैन नवाबगंज कर्बला पहुंचे.वहां इस नियामत लेकर जुलुस की शक्ल में लौटे.मुख्तलिफ इमाम्बर्गाहों और चौकों पे हाज़िरी का सवाब हासिल किया.पुरे रास्ते नारे हैदरी की सदा बुलंद की.परेड,बेकनगंज,नई सड़क , कुली बाजार, सुतरखाना,पटकापुर,बांसमंडी,चमनगंज,अनवरगंज और जाजमऊ के इलाक़े ज़ायरीन और पैकियों की आमद रफ़्त की वजह से गुलज़ार रहे.
कानपुर में मुहर्रम और अज़ादारी की रस्मों को फ़रोग़ नवाब आग़ा मीर की १८३० में आमद के बाद मिला.आग़ा मीर बादशाह ग़ाज़ीउद्दीन हैदर के प्रधानमंत्री थे.नासिर उद्दीन हैदर के ज़माने  में उन्हें लखनऊ छोड़ना पड़ा था क्यूंकि उनके   राजनितिक शत्रु नसीरुद्दीन को बहकाने में सफल हो गए थे.आग़ा मीर ने नवाबगंज और ग्वालटोली में मुहर्रम के जुलुस निकालने की प्रथा डाली.मुहर्रम मनाने वालों की  आर्थिक मदद भी की .उनके दामाद नवाब मुज़फ्फर हुसैन ने पटकापुर में भी इसी तरह के इन्तेज़ामात किये.कानपुर की पहली अंजुमन १८५७  में पटकापुर के लोगों ने मोइनुल मोमनीन के नाम से शुरू की जो आज भी पूरी मुस्तैदी से अपने फ़राइज़ अंजाम दे रही है.