'Safar-E-Imam Hussain' (28 Rajab)in Kanpur

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

The procession started by Anjuman Raza-E-Islam by the end of 20^th century in Kanpur to mark the departure of Hazrat Imam Hussain from Medina on 28^th Rajab has grown into one of the largely attended programs. People from not all over Kanpur but also from neighboring areas now ensure their participation in the procession. This year too procession attracted large number of devotees and Sabeels were erected for distribution of Sherbat and Tea for them. Like yesteryears, a Majlis-e-Aza was organized before emergence of ‘Alam’(standard) from Imambargah Ale-Fatima in Chota Pathak area of Patkapur. Eminent Zakir Janab Meesam Zaidi addressed the Masjlid held at Mehdi Hall located a few meters from Imambargah. In his address, Maulana recalled how Imam was forced to leave Medina and how painful was his departure from a city that he adored most. He said “ a few hours before his departure, he visited the tombs of his Grandfather, the Holy Prophet , his mother, Bibi Fatima & his brother Imam Hassan. While he was returning, he met notorious Marwan who told him: "I want to give you some advice. I think it is best for your worldly life as well as your Hereafter that you accept to give allegiance to Yazid. Do not put yourself and your relatives into trouble."

 "Inna Lillahe wa Inna Ilaihe Raje'oon, And bid farewell to Islam?" was the reply of Imam. Through his response, Imam conveyed his mission that his support to Yazid’s corrupt Government will wipe out Islam without any trace. Opposition to Yazid may prove to be costly, but one must not be apprehensive of oppressor as  everything comes from God and returns unto Him."Maulana recited the heart melting masaib of Janab-E-Sughra and tragic events of Karbala. Immediately aftwer Majlis, Anjuman took out Alam procession and recited a Nauha. Then, Anjuman-Sipahe Mehdi did Nauhakhwani.Anjuman-Raza-E-Hussain from Lucknow also recited salams and Nauhas in its typical style and earned lot of applause from devotees.’Fariyad hai Fariyad hai’ nauha earned much appreciation.The procession ended at Baaagh Wali Masjid in the wee hours. Notable among those who played key role in organizing the program included Asad Mukhtar,Shamim Abbas, Safdar Mukhtar,Zafar Abbas,Parvez,Feroze, Lucky, Dille, Muzaffar raza, Bablu, Nawab Mumtaz Hussain, Wasi,Faiz and Shanu.

It is worth mentioning here that no procession was taken out in Kanpur on 28^th Rajab even though Azadari traces its origin to 18^th century. Mostly women used to perform Matam at their homes to commemorate Safar of Imam Hussain from Media to Karbala. After formation of Anjuman in 1992,the office-bearers decided to remove the shortcoming and began organizing procession on 28^th rajab. Initially, procession used to commence from Baagh Wali Masjid and terminate at Azakhana Shamim Abbas. After construction of Imambargah and Mehdi Hall the route was reversed on the demand of locals.


(Route of Imam Hussain from Medina to Karbala. References available on request.Photo Courtesy Google Images )         

Shrine of Prophet's Buraq in India

Water Tank with Pavilion Erected over Buraq's Footprint 
Photo Courtesy-Sahil Ahuja  

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

India is perhaps the only country in the world that has a shrine dedicated to Buraq. It was built by Sultan Iltutmish in Delhi. It is believed that the Holy Prophet himself had instructed the Sultan to erect a shrine in memory of Buraq. Iltutmish complied with the prophetic command and erected a shrine for Buraq in his famous complex popularly known as Hauz-E-Shamsi.  

Burāq means lightning in Arabic and is used for a steed in Islamic Theology. The term refers to , a creature from the heavens that carried the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad(S) from Mecca to Jerusalem and back during the Isra and Miraj( "Night Journey").Islamic history reveals that the Night Journey took place ten years after Hazrat Muhammad became a prophet. While he was resting at the Kaaba, the angel Jibril (Gabriel) appeared to him followed by Buraq. The Prophet  mounted Buraq, and in the company of Gabriel, they traveled to the "farthest mosque". The location of this mosque was not explicitly stated but it is generally accepted to be Al Aqsa Mosque of Jerusalem. At this location, he dismounted from Buraq, prayed, and remounted Buraq, who took him to the various heavens to meet first the earlier prophets and then God (Allah).

Surah Muhammad of holy Quran's describes the mystic travel to the Heavens “Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless, in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things).” The night journey to heavens is stated to have taken place on 27^th Rajab, the seventh Islamic month and the event is celebrated as Shab-e-Meraj in Indian sub-continent. Special prayers also mark the occasion.

In Jerusalem, the famous western wall is believed to be the place where the prophet had tied the Buraq. But there is no shrine dedicated to Buraq in any other country. India earned this distinction when The Holy Prophet himself appeared in the dream of Iltutmish and instructed him to erect a shrine over the footprint of Buraq. While tracing the location seen in the dream, Iltutmish is claimed to have found the footprint of the Buraq near the Hauz-i-Shamsi, a water tank built for pilgrims by him in 1230.

Sultan was a great devotee of Chishti Sufi Hazrat Kutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki and he was deeply interested in mysticism. He was also father of Razia Sultan. Iltutmish also completed the remaining work of famous Qutub Minar and is rated as a successful Sultan of Slave dynasty.He was also a great builder and structures raised by him can be seen at Delhi, Badaun and Shamshabad.(Article has been contributed in view of 27th Rajab i.e. today.References available on request)

'Aseer-E-Baghdad Ka Matam'

Photo Courtesy-Jafariya News/Google Images 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Anjuman Guldaste Haidery, one of the oldest Imami outfits, deserves all praise for establishing a program to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Musa Kazim. The Anjuman organized the program under the title ’Aseer-E-Baghdad Ka Matam’ on the eve of his martyrdom day (Rajab 25) at Dargah Hazrat Abbas in Colonelganj area of Kanpur city. Being the first program ever organized to mark the martyrdom anniversary of 7^th Imam in Kanpur, devotees attended it in large number and had the Ziyarat of his ‘Tabut’( Coffin).Commenced with the recital of Quranic texts by Maulana Javed Jaunpuri Saheb, the program also witnessed Sozkhwani and Peshkhwani by  Sharar Naqvi, Shabroz Kanpuri,Nawed Rizvi,Mzhar Abbas, Akhtar Hussain,Rehan Bijnori and qartas Karbalai.Abu Zarf Kazmi compwered the proceedings.Anjuman also invited eminent Zakir –e-Ahlebait Maulana Abbas Irshad Naqvi to address a majlis based on the life, works and persecution of  Imami by the rulers. He did full justice to the topic and told the devotees  that Imam’s name  was "Musa", epithet Abul Hasan but he is famous with the title Kazim.His matchless devotion and worship of God has also earned him the title of "Abd-e-Saleh" (virtuous slave of God).Her was symbol of generosity  and no beggar ever returned from his door empty handed. Even after his martyrdom, he continued to be obliging and was generous to his devotees who came to his Holy tomb with prayers and behests which were invariably granted by God. Hence, he also earned an  additional title of  "Bab-e-Qaza-ul-Hawaij" (the door to fulfilling needs).Maulana also condemned strongly the attack on his devotees near his shrine that left over 60 dead and scores of others severely injured. He said ”such dastardly attacks have been carried out in the past also to discourage devotees from visiting his shrine but the result has just been reverse, for the number of pilgrims have been growing. The perpetrators are descendants of those who were  opposed to Islam, The Last Messenger and his progeny”. He urged the people to expose those resorting to bloodshed in the name of Islam and create awareness about Masoomeen who dedicated and sacrificed their lives to save true Islam.  .

Secretary of the Anjuman and comperer Abu Zar Kazmi in his introductory remarks revealed that  Imam Musa Kazim  was the son of Imam Jafar-as-Sadiq and his mother was Janab-E-Hamida who was the daughter of a noble man  Algeria. He was born on 7th Safar 128 A.H. at  Abwa located between Mecca and Medina-the two holiest cities of Islamic World .He lived under the regimes of the despotic Abbasid kings who put a multitude of innocent descendants of the Holy Prophet to the sword. These depraved Caliphs knew no pity or justice and they killed and tortured for pleasure. Imam escaped the tyranny of the king as he was occupied with his project of constructing the new city of Baghdad. By 157 A.H. the city of Baghdad was built. This was soon followed by the death of its founder Mansur. His son Mehdi succeeded him. He remained indifferent towards  Imam but became jealous when in 164 A.H. he visited  Medina and came to know about the  great reputation and love for Imam among the people. He took Imam along with him to Baghdad and imprisoned him there. After a year he  released Imam. In 170 A.H., Haroon-al-Rashid ascended throne. It was during his reign that  Imam passed the greater part of his life in a miserable prison.

About his morality and ethical excellence, Ibne-Hajar remarks, "The patience and forbearance of Imam Musa-Kazim was such that he was given the title of Al-Kazim (one who swallows down his anger). He was the embodiment of virtue and generosity. He dovoted his nights to the prayers of God and his days to fasting. He always forgave those who did wrong to him.".His kind and generous attitude towards the people was such that he used to patronize and help the poor and destitute of Medina secretly. Time and circumstances did not permit him to establish institutions to impart religious. He was never allowed to address a congregation. He carried on his mission of preaching and guiding people quietly. He also became the author of a few books ,including the most famous  "Musnad of Imam Moosa-e-Kazim".

In 179 A.H. king Haroon-al-Rashid visited Medina. Out of  malice and jealousy against the Ahle-Bait-E-Athar ,he got  Imam arrested while he was praying at the tomb of the Holy Prophet. He confined him to  Baghdad for a period of about 4 years. On Rajab 25, 183 A.H., he got the Imam martyred by poison. Even his corpse was not spared humiliation and was taken out of the prison and left on the bridge of Baghdad. His devotees however, managed to lay the Holy body of the Imam to rest in Kazmain (Iraq).(References Available on Request)

Imam Muhammad Taqi- Greatest Scholar of His Era

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Belated joyous greetings and felicitations to all the admirers of the Holy Prophet and his progeny on the birth anniversary of Imam Muhammad Taqi al Jawad.The blogger could not post article on the ninth infallible Imam on his birth anniversary on 10^th Rajab due to unavoidable circumstances but thought it appropriate to post an article on the greatest miracle of his age known to the world as Imam Muhammad Taqi. During his imamate he enriched  the Islamic thought and played a divine role in preserving the true tenets of Islam. Born in Medina  on 10th Rajab 195 A.H ,Imam Taqi dedicated his life to defend true  Islam and countered perverse ideas and deviated philosophies and ideologies that  existed among the Muslims during his period due to anti-Islam policies of  Abbasid caliphs. The significance of 9^th Imam could be gauged from the fact that the holy Prophet (S) had stated  “My father be sacrificed on the mother of the 9th Imam who will be a pure and pious woman.”

He was the only son of 8^th Imam Imam Ali Ridha. He lost his father at the age of nine. His sayings has the capacity to change the life of believers. He says “   “He who listens to any caller is actually serving him.If the caller was Allah’s representative, he is then serving Allah, and
If the caller was Satan’s representative, he is then serving the Satan”.
His another popular saying says “Three features cause love in the hearts of people:
Being fair in association with others,comforting others in misfortunes and having a good (generous) heart”.
Imam’s another quote reveals “There are three things that whoever had will not regret:Avoiding hastiness, consulting with others (before commencing any important task) and relying on Allah when determining a mission.”
On relations with brother, Imam says “He, who advises his brother secretly, does him good and he who advises his brother openly, does him wrong”. His another suggests as to how should be Allahs’s message be preached. He says “Let the guardian of Allah’s message in the openness not be an enemy to Him in privacy. He, who pretends to be religious and faithful before people but disobeys Allah secretly, is a liar and a hypocrite”. “Beware of accompanying an evil doer because he is like a drawn sword whose look is nice but its effect is extremely bad!”The words of Imam Taqi are pearls of wisdom. They should be taught at schools all over the world to get rid of evils confronting the society at large across the globe.

Tazia of Ustad &Shagird in Multan

Tazia of Ustad and Shagird in Multan (Pakistan)

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

The historic city of Multan is a leading center of Taziadari. Two of the oldest and huge Tazias of Indian sub-continent are taken out on Yaum-E-Ashura every year ibn Multan. Thousands of devotees assemble on both sides to have a glimpse of both the tazias, popularly known as Tazia of Ustad (Teacher) and Shagird (Student). The Tazia of the Ustad is a remarkable 27-feet structure with seven storey. It is made of teak wood completely. Ustad Mundo Khan and his 23 companions took thirteen years to produce the Tazia. They built the constituents of Tazia  painstakingly by hand after starting work in 1812 and finally finishing in 1825.

While Ustad was busy in preparing Tazia of his dream, one of his student Salman Ali also began preparing another Tazia. He worked as part of Ustad’s team in day time and worked on his Tazia in the wee hours of the night. Ali completed the Tazia in 1854.It is 32-feet high and larger than the Tazia of the Ustad. The Tazia of the student was reportedly burnt by fundamentalists in 1944.It was however quickly   repaired with the financial help of the local tribes, especially the Gardezis of Afghanistan. 

A 1950 Photograph of Ustad's Tazia 

Every year during Muharram, both the Tazias are taken out  together in a procession. The Tazia of the Ustad leads the procession with the Tazia of the Shagird at the back, symbolizing the student’s respect for his teacher. Around 150 people carry the Ustad’s Tazia while 200 are required to carry Ali’s masterpiece prepared in memory of Imam Hussain. The first official license for the Muharram processions was given by the British government to the Tazia of the Ustad in 1860.Since then Ustad’s Tazia has been main attraction of Muharram ceremonies in Multan (Pakistan).Tazia refers to replica of Imam Hussain’s mausoleum in Karbala (Iraq) and they are taken out to mark his martyrdom of 10^th of Muharram every year.(References available on request. Photo Courtesy-Google Images) 

Karbala In 'Possession' of Freemasons

Front view of Agha Meer's Karbala at Narahi-Lucknow

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi 

Nawab Mutmuddaula Bahadur Agha Meer, the Prime Minister of Awadh, had built many shrines dedicated to martyrs of karbala and holy Imams in his life time.He lies buried in Kanpur where he was banished after the death of his patron King Ghazi Uddin Haider. His tomb is in Gwaltoli locality and famous as Maqbara. Anjuman Muhammadi Moin- Ul- Aza takes care of his mausoleum and converted into an Imambargah.

In Lucknow too, Agha Meer had built Imambaras, Karbalas and Palaces.Ironically, none of his buildings has survived in Lucknow and fallen prey to either land grabbers or government sponsored organizations.

Only Karbala built by him in Narahi area has remained in somewhat satisfactory  position. It is not because of Imamis or any NGO working for the upkeep of old monuments but Freemasons have been responsible for the upkeep of Karbala.Gifted by the British, Freemasons used Karbala as their headquarters and not vacated it till date despite protests from Lucknow Imamis.

It is stated that Agha Meer had erected Karbala on almost 11 acres of land and decorated it richly. Karbala had four imposing minarets and a small mosque in the middle.It is unfortunate that Karbala built by Agha Meer after remaining under British possession is still away from the reach of devotees of Imam Hussain due to rigidity of Freemasons.The organization is notorious for its mysterious activities and often blamed for spreading hatred. In view of the secretive nature of the organization, locals call Karbala even as Jadughar(House of Magic).  

(References available on request.Photo Courtesy Google Images)  

Hussaini Gate Escapes Demolition In Kanpur

Muslim Orphanage-Kanpur 
Dr. Mazhar Naqvi

Hussaini Gate of Muslim Yateemkhana (Orphanage) in Kanpur has escaped a bid initiated by some builders to demolish it. Thanks to the initiative taken by Haji Muhammad Salis, General Secretary, All India Sunni Jamiat Ulema Council, the builders had to leave the gate intact in its original form. Due to the pressure exercised by Haji Salis, builders  not only revised design of their map but also renovated the gate. It now stands on Yateemkhana road in its full glory.

The gate that was once the main entrance of Yateemkhana near Parade  Market had come under the threat of demolition recently. It all started when the Managing Committee of Yateemkhana decided to undertake an expansion plan of  the old structure. They entered into builders’ agreement and they started razing the old structures of the orphanage complex. Since Hussaini gate was no longer in use due  to erection of a much larger Gate by Hafiz Abdul Halim Sahib facing the Parade crossing, builders decided to demolish Hussaini gate. They wanted to erect shops and residential complex around the Hussaini gate.

Haji Salis appeared on scene when they tried to demolish Hussaini gate finding its existence as a barrier to their plan. He warned the builders of serious consequences if they demolished the gate.He also garnered support of area residents. The stiff resistance forced the builders to leave the gate intact and they revised their design. They also got painted the gate and it is now an integral part of the expansion plan.

In a chat with me, Haji Salis told me the whole story and said” any harm to Hussaini gate would have been  much disrespectful  to the soul of its builder who had not onkly helped orphanage in  its infancy but also gave it an impressive entrance. The gate may not be in use but it does not grant license to any9me to demolish it. It is a landmark of Kanpur and a part of city’s history would have died had the builders succeeded. I have done nothing extra ordinary .It was my duty to oppose any such move” (Photo Courtesy Google Images)