Jaun(John)-Exemplary Companion of Imam Hussain

Dr. Mazhar Naqvi

Since the inception of blog under the title of Muharram Mirror about three years ago, not a single article has so far been posted on ‘Ashab’(companions) of Hazrat Imam Hussain. The blogger admits his mistake and considers his indifference towards them as a grave injustice to their contribution to Karbala revolution. Blogger seeks forgiveness for his folly and thank Allah and Imam Hussain for making him realize his mistake and offering an opportunity to rectify it. Companions of king of the martyrs deserve special attention from lovers of Ahle-Bait, for imam himself had stated that his ‘Ashab’ were the best and neither Prophet nor his father Hazrat Ali and also his elder brother imam Hasan had such companions. He said so because they stood with him against the most adverse circumstances and refused to desert him even though he asked them to leave him in the wake of certain death. None of them left them. One such companion was Hazrat Jaun(John).After seeking permission from Imam, he challenged yazidi soldiers with the following poem on his lips:

“I am a soul willing to die for Allah,

and have a sword thirsty of the blood of his enemies

Before I die I shall fight the enemies of Allah,

with my sword and my tongue serve the grandson of his prophet.”

He was a Christian freedman. He had served as slave of Hazrat Abu Dharr (Zarr) al-Ghaffari. When his master was exiled from Medina by the ruling Caliph, he went to Hazrat Ali who allowed him to stay with him as one of his companions. Jaun stayed with Imam Hasan after the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali in the mosque of Kufa in 40 Hijri. He joined Imam Hussain when Imam Hasan too attained martyrdom. When Imam Hussain left  Medina after being asked to declare allegiance to Yazid on Rajab 28 in 60 AH, Jaun insisted on accompanying him and reached Karbala with his small band of followers.

At Karbala, Jaun  always  seen at the side of Imam despite his old age. He was respected for his profound knowledge and pleasant manner by one and all even though he was a  dark complexioned man with gray curly hair being an Abyssinian. On the night before Ashura, Imam urged Jaun  to go somewhere else, saying "You have accompanied us all the way but now you may go" .But Jaun asked a question in reply, stating “how is it fair that I benefit from your company and hospitality but abandon you in your hardship?" Imam listened to his words silently and did not pursue the matter further. 

He spent 'Shabe-Ashura' (Night preceding Ashura(10th of Muharram month) in sharpening his sword. On Yaum-e-Ashura, he was instrumental in repelling the first two attacks from Yazidi army. After the Zuhr prayers, Jaun approached Imam and stood silently. Imam then said  " I know why have you  come? I grant you permission to go to the battlefield. You have been a good and trusted friend. I will not deny you martyrdom for Islam. Go, Allah be with you!".Words of Imam filled Jaun with delight. He pounced upon the enemy ranks while reciting the above poem. He fought bravely and received severe blows but he kept on reciting the poem. When he fell from horse as a result of mortal blows inflicted on him and unable to face the assailants, he continued to fight with his tongue by reciting the poem till his martyrdom.( References available on request. Photo by Google images)

Fatehpur Karbala-An Eco-Friendly Economic Model

A Scenic View Nursery at  Fatehpur Karbala 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Historic Fatehpur city probably has the most eco-friendly Karbala of India. Nestled in the heart of the city on District courts road, Karbala runs a nursery for generation of revenue to conduct Muharram ceremonies. The popularity of the nursery is not confined to Fatehpur only as it supplies saplings to neighboring Kanpur nagar, Kanpur Dehat, Banda, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Kaushambi and Allahabad districts on regular basis. Certain specific plants that grow in the nursery fetch customers even from Kolkata, Varanasi and Delhi as well.

The idea for starting nursery inside Karbala complex originated after the construction of its boundary under a scheme of the state government a few years ago. The construction of the boundary wall protected Karbala complex from stray animals and also cleared encroachment on some of its portions. But the government effort failed to provide any regular income to Karbala for its upkeep. 

Entrance to the Area   Reserved for Burial of Tazias 

As majority of old tazia processions of the city has traditionally been culminating at Karbala on 10^th Muharram(Yaum-E-Ashura), its managing committee used to feel embarrassed for being not able to distribute ‘Tabarruk’ among the devotees. The committee then decided to run a nursery on the surplus land of Karbala. Fortunately, a devotee of Imam Hussain expressed his desire to run the nursery on rental basis and since then Karbala has not faced any financial constraints. The amount received from the rent is spent mainly on distribution of eatables to processionists on 10^th Muharram. Mr. Saeedul Hasan, a Shair-e-Ahle-bait and lawyer told the blogger that the committee is headed by Janab Kalbe Hasan and Hussainis of the city extend full support to him. The committee exercises extreme precaution in preserving the land earmarked for burial of tazias. No sapling is planted or grown there and the area is separated by a wall with Iron Gate.

Imambara Muzaffar Ali and Its Landmarks

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Imambara Nawab Muzaffar Ali Khan in Patkapur locality of Kanpur City indeed has many landmarks to its credit. Popular as Mahal Ka Imambara among the devotees, the Imambara is not only one of the oldest in Indian province of Uttar Pradesh but also has a sacred relic associated with Karbala –E-Moella. The relic turns red on Shab-E-Ashur is preserved a beautiful show case. Devotees are allowed to have a glimpse of the relic on the 9^th night of Muharram. Built about 150 years ago by Nawab Muzaffar Ali who was an affluent trader apart from being a landlord, the Imambara also has the largest pulpit of the city. It was erected especially for recital of marsiya by Mir Anees. The pulpit is made of wood and has a raised platform with ornamentation. A Zari is permanently kept at Imambara and on 1^st day of Ashra-e-Muharram another Zari is brought here by Anjuman-E-Rizviya from Shivala area. This Zari is taken out in a procession on Yaum-e-Ashura by the Anjuman and it reaches Gwaltoli Karbala after passing through Ram Narayan Bazar, Shivala, Parade, Chunniganj and Souterganj areas. It is buried there by the descendants of Nawab Muzaffar Ali. Throughout the route, Anjuman performs nauhakhwani, Sinazani,  Qama zani and Zanjeer Jani. On an average, more than 100 members of Anjuman perform matam with Sword. 

The Imambara has striking similarity with some of its counterparts in Lucknow. It has a separate enclosure for installation of Zari and Alams during Muharram on a raised platform. Just below the enclosure is the hall for audience with the  pulpit. There is provision for women to listen Majalis or watch Muharram ceremonies in the form of balconies on both sides of the hall. After the hall, there is open space with an Alam installed in a small bricked enclosure. Imambara also boasts of Patkas and Alams dating back to Nawabi era. Nawab Mumtaz Sahib, a descendant   who takes keen interest in the upkeep of Imambara told the blogger that Nawab Muzaffar Ali was married to one of the daughters of Mutmuddaula Bahadur Agha Mir who was Prime minister of Awadh and settled in Kanpur after his removal from the post. He was a very good poet also and used to compose couplets in praise of 14 infallibles but his work is not traceable now. 

(Article is based on the inputs given during the  personal visit of the blogger to Imambara. All photos are also by the blogger himself.) 

A Forgotten Story of Karbala- 'Gul-i-Maghfirat'

An Old Photograph of Fort William where Gul-i-Maghfirat was Wrtitten.

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

‘Gul-I-Maghfirat’(The rose of forgiveness) remains unknown to Imamis by and large. It is surprising, considering the fact that it was first published way back in 1812 in Calcutta, now known to the world as Kolkata. The work is summary of the translation of Persian work ’Rauzat-ush-Shuhuda’. It was written by Haider Baksh Haideri who worked as Munshi in Fort William College, Calcutta. His summary contains 16 majlises that deal with the sufferings of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions at Karbala. Renowned 19^th century French Indologist ,Gracin de Tassy has given due acknowledgement to the work of Haideri in his ‘Memoire sur des particularities de le religion,Musulmane dans I,Inde,dapre’s les ouvrages Hindustanti’. He has also mentioned that the work has not yet been translated even though it was printed in 1812.Gracin’s memoirs were published in Paris in 1831.The indologist was surprised over non-translation in view of large scale observance of Muharram ceremonies in India in early 19^th century by all sections of the society.

Available historical evidences suggest that Haideri was born in Delhi in 1768 and he reached Calcutta via Benaras(Now Varanasi).After retirement ,he returned to Benaras and breathed his last there in 1828. It is believed that he worked under the guidance of john Gilchrist who was Professor of Hindustani at the college. Popular ’ Tota Maina ki Kahani’ is also attributed to Haideri. Upon search, the blogger found that a translated version of  Gul-I-Maghfirat was published  in Lahore(Pakistan) in 1965 but its copies are not available.Gul-I-Maghfirat  needs attention from Imamis and they can search and get it translated during ongoing Ayam-E-Aza.it will be a befitting tribute to Haideri  who produced the work out of his sheer devotion to martyrs of Karbala.(References Available on request. Photo Courtesy-Google Images)  

      

Imambara Panjatani-Symbol of Magnificent Spirit

Zari Inside Imambargah Panjatani

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

ImambargahPanjatani, renovated recently by vegetable-sellers of crowded Parade market of Kanpur, is a simple structure with magnificent spirit. It not only symbolizes the unconditional love among vegetable sellers but also stands as their victory over the nefarious plan of the district administration to demolish it a few months back. The Imambara had existed ever since the beginning of the vegetable market. It was made of bamboo sticks and had a thatched roof with a Zari Mubarak. Adjacent to it was chicken and fish market on Nazul(Government) land. The district administration won the legal battle and grabbed the market, refusing to entertain request for renewal of the lease executed in British era in favour of sellers of vegetables, chicken, fruits  and fish.

A View of Vegetable Market at Parade-Kanpur(India)

The authorities decided to built a commercial complex titled KDA Crystal and began demolishing the existing structures .The uprooted shopkeepers watched silently their shops being razed to ground but woke suddenly to save Imambara when they saw bulldozers proceeding towards its structure. Thousands of people assembled there with religious leaders. Sensing gravity of the situation, administration back tracked and assured Shahar Qazi Maulana Hamid Hussain that they would not touch Imambara and space surrounding it. Authorities revised their map and left Imambara and its surroundings intact. The jubilant vegetable from their own resources immediately replaced thatched roof with tin shed after erecting walls with bricks. They also brought a beautiful Zari from Lucknow that was placed inside the structure amidst  the presence of devotees. Social outfit KLhidmat-E-Khalq foundation and its secretary Janab Abdul Mabood Sahib played a key role in the erection of Imambara and he has taken upon himself also the responsibility of its maintenance. He has appointed a full time care-taker and himself visits the shrine every day.

Entrance of Imambargah Panjatani

A small mosque has also been built behind the Imambara where prayers are offered regularly. The vegetable sellers have also named the renovated structure as Imambara Panjatani. In a conversation with the blogger, Mabood sahib said “There will be discourses at the Imambara during Muharram and religious scholars will address the devotees about the martyrs of Karbala. We will also hold Langar and erect Sabeels on 9^th and 10 of Muharram. After Allah, I love the Holy Prophet and his Ahle-bait the most. I admire Imam Hussain for saving Islam and exposing falsehood.”(The article is based upon inputs from Mabood sahib and Hashim Sahib. All Photos by Blogger himself.)

   

Abdul Mabud Sahib

Maulana Shajar Abbas Dies in Road Mishap

Maulana Shajar Abbas

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Maulana Shajar Abbas, a young but popular Zakir-e-Ahlebait and ‘Pesh Namaz’ of Maktab-e-Imami in Kanpur city of India died in a road mishap early today. One and half years old daughter of Maulana also suffered injuries in the mishap. Her condition continues to be critical in a private nursing home. Maulana was on his way to his native place on his bike when a speeding bus hit him from behind around 8 AM on Kanpur-Akbarpur national highway. Though he was admitted to LLR hospital at the earliest but he could not survive and breathed his last. May Allah bless his soul with peace and give courage to the bereaved family to bear his loss at the young age of 30.

Entire Imami community of Kanpur city plunged into mourning a day before sighting of Muharram moon upon coming to know about his untimely, sudden and shocking death in road accident. In Juhi area where he was looking after affairs of the Maktab-E-Imami and leading prayers for the past two years, his death upset everyone, for he had left for his village Chandpur in Bhognipur sub-division about 60 kms from Kanpur after conducting morning prayers. Moreover, he had delivered a very impressive khutba in Hanspuram area of Naubasta a day before and exhorted youths to consider Hazrat Ali Akbar as their role model. Maulana who had served as an official of Tanzeem-e-Makatib and also received his education from one of its institutions had earned appreciation and recognition from one and all in view of his humbleness and dedication to Hussaini Mission. At his instance, youths of Juhi area added more grandeur to programs like 18-Bani Hashim and 13 Rajab celebrations. The blogger requests the viewers to recite sure Fatiha for the deceased Maulana and pray for speedy recovery of his daughter.Anjuman-E-Raza Islam condoled his death and described the loss as an irreparable one. Zakira Ahle-Bait Mohtarma Dr.Hena Zaheer also expressed shock over his death.( The article is based in inputs received from Imamis of Juhi.Photo by Sharad)        

Sakina Bibi's Shrines in Lucknow(India)

Shrine of Bibi Sakina at Dargah Hazrat Abbas in Rustam Nagar

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Lucknow, considered to be Azadari capital of the world, also has the distinction of having perhaps the maximum number of shrines dedicated to Hazrat Sakina, the little daughter of Hazrat Imam Hussain. There are as many as four shrines of Hazrat Sakina in Lucknow that also happens to be capital of the most populous Indian state-Uttar Pradesh.

The oldest Rauza of Hazrat Sakina is located behind Jama Masjid in Tahseenganj. It is an independent structure with a green dome. It was built by Late syed Baqar Hussain Sahib of Sharif Manzil. A mosque also exists adjacent to the shrine. Another shrine of Bibi Sakina happens to be part of Imambara Kaiwan Jah complex near Talkatora Karbala in Raja Ji Puram area.

Two shrines dedicated to Janab-E-Sakina are situated in two popular dargahs of Hazrat Abbas Alamdar in Lucknow. Of the two, Dargah Hazrat Abbas is very popular and draws huge crowd of devotees every day.This Dargah believes to contain the  Alam(standard)used by Hazrat Abbas himself during the tragic battle of Karbala. His love for Janab-e-Sakina is well-known so his Dargah has a shrine dedicated to her. Those who visit Dargah make it a point to visit the portion dedicated to Hazrat Sakina near the place where the sacred alam is preserved.

Like Rustam Nagar, Dargah Hazrat Abbas situated at Karbala of Musahib- Ud- Daulla near Ali colony in Lucknow. Apart from these shrines, Imamis in Lucknow also remember Hazrat Sakina’s persecution by Yazidi soldiers by organizing a mourning ceremony omn 4^th and last sundayt of Muharram month every year at Chiota Imambara in Hussainabad. As part of the ceremony,  a temporary small scale replica of the "Qaid Khana" (Prison ) is erected  with a small grave of Bibi Sakina inside  to depict the her agony in the dungeon of Yazid in Damascus. Thousands of mourners visit the "Qaid Khana" and  pay tribute to Bibi Sakina. The ceremony was introduced in 1990 by Late. Muhammad Sarfaraz Khan Sahab, endearingly known as  Banney Miyan. He resided in  Beal Wala Tila locality of Muftiganj. Anjuman-e-Gulzaar-e-Panjatan takes active part in the organization of the event. May Allah bless members of Anjuman with the strength and resources to keep this sorrowful to more greater heights.(References available on request .Photo Courtesy-Google Images)  .