Dr.Mazhar
Naqvi
“Generosity
is to help a deserving person without his request, and if you help him after
his request, then it is either out of self-respect or to avoid rebuke.” This
definition of generosity by Maula Ali applies appropriately to ‘Hasan Mirza Ka
Tabut’ of Lucknow.
This
Tabut is taken out every year on 21 Ramzan to mark the martyrdom of
Sher-E-Khuda, Hazrat Ali Ibne Abi Talib. His martyrdom is recalled all over the
world with some very huge Tabut processions being taken out in India,
Pakistan, Iran and some other nations every year. But these Tabut processions
are known as Shabeeh-E-Tabut –Ameer ul Momneen Hazrat Ali in most of the places
with the exception of Lucknow.
Known
for its regal Muharram ceremonies and considered to be Azadari capital of the
world, Lucknow knows the procession taken out to mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat
Ali As Hasan Mirza Ka Tabut. Much is not known about Hasan Mirza. He is known
as the devotee who established Juloos(procession) to mark the martyrdom of
Maula Ali in Lucknow. Contemporary historical accounts are also silent
over the year of the origin of Tabut.
Sketchy
details however reveal that Hasan Mirza Saheb was a great devotee of Maula Ali
but he was not an affluent means. Rather, he used to eke out living with much
difficulty. Yet he always longed to introduce a procession to recall the
martyrdom of Maula Ali. As he was devoid of the desired resources and self-
respect prevented him from seeking help from anyone, it is said that he
prepared Tabut(Coffin) with his own hands and used sticks that were also given
proper shape and size by him only. Then he took out the procession after
morning prayers on 21 Ramzan. Since then its popularity had beenon the rise and
it is considered to be one of the largest and most popular processions in memory
of Maula Ali all over the world.
This
historic procession starts from Najaf of old Lucknow and reaches its
destination Karbala Taal Katora after covering a distance of about. 6 kms.
Before commencement of procession, a majlis also takes place immediately after
fajar prayers. People gather at Najaf in thousands to take part in the
procession from 20th Ramzan itself. As Tabut emerges from behind a screen,
devotees make all possible effort to somehow touch it. Tabut wends its way with
much difficulty due to huge crowd of devotees and it appears as if coffin is
moving in the air without any support. Throughout the procession devotees
observe complete silence. This procession was also among the 900 Juloos banned
by Uttar Pradesh government on the plea of sectarian violence. After a long
struggle that included self- immolation by a youth, the government lifted ban
from 9 processions, including Hasan Mirza ka Tabut. The government however
lifted ban after altering the traditional route of the procession. Earlier it
used to pass through Pul Ghulam Hussain but it now moves through Kazmain
Street. After restart of the procession, the numbers of devotees have been
swelling. People from far flung areas reach Lucknow in advance to have a
glimpse of Tabut. Some of them stay at Najaf for as many as three days and
attend the majlises organized during the three day mourning for Imam Ali known
as Shaben in common parlance. The ever growing popularity of the
procession only reaffirms the faith that infallibles never keeps an obligation
and if anyone does something for them in any form they reward him with
matchless generosity. Hasan Mirza Ka Tabut is a perfect example of Imam Ali’s
generosity. He has given name of Hasan Mirza to a Tabut which he the latter had
established in memory of Maula-E-Kainat out of sheer devotion and put at stake
his meager means to start the procession. May Allah bless every devotee of Imam
Ali with the ziarat of his shrine at Najaf-E-Ashraf in Iraq.(Reference
available on request. The blogger seeks inputs about the origin of procession
and details about Hasan Mirza Saheb also)
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