Muharram Fakirs in 'Qanoon-e-Islam'

A Muharram Fakir of 19th century India 
(Courtesy :Google Image)

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Fakirs are a rare sight in Muharram rituals these days. But once they were integral part of Muharram ceremonies in India.Jafar Sharif has given a vivid description of Muharram Fakirs in his classic work titled ‘Qanoon-e-Islam’. His account reveals the active participation of Fakirs in Muharram rituals with unique customs in 19^th century India. Sharif has also categorized them and described their distinct features. In the portion dedicated to Muharram Fakirs, he starts with ‘Syleewala ‘and tells they are called as such because they wear Sylee (A necklace of colored thread).Before putting Sylees, they place them on a tray with some sweetmeat  with ‘Chiraghi’(Amount for Lighting candles and perfumed sticks).Then ,they recite Fatiha and  wear them round their necks and wrists. In addition, some old and young people tie a piece of green cloth on both the upper arms. Some of these Fakirs apply’ Iiheer’ to their faces, holding an ‘Ood Buttee (Benjamin Pastile) lighted in their hands.

Sharif then writes about Banuiva Fakirs“ who wear  Topi ( cap), a sylee, a shawl, or a gold ‘Imindeel’  on the neck, a Kafni  or Avhite, and a Sylee, Tiisheeh and Kuntlut on the wrists, a Sumunm or Gajra round the waists. They apply ‘Tibeer’ to the face and carry in hand a fan , a sword or sang (a javelin wholly composed of iron).They have a distinct  ‘Giroh’ (band)  with different ranks and denominations like  a ‘Murshid’ or Sur-Giroh (Chief of the troop), whom they all agree to obey. Under him works a Khalifa ,  a Bhandari Shah(House-Steward or Distributer, an Iznee shah who calls the assembly and conveys orders .An Adalat Shah  to direct the order of movements , a Kotwal, to keep discipline, a dost( friend), an Al Hukum-e-lillah (literally, God is the judge), an Al-Umr-e-lillah( commander), a Naqeeb(Prefect) who walks in front of the troop and proclaim the praises and attributes of the Deity also work under  Murshid.

On arriving at Ashurkhana (Imambara), the Fakirs draw themselves up in two or three lines in front of it. The dost calls out his own name " Dost”. Then, Kotwal answers " Hur-Chay-Ruza-Ay-Ostr”. Then, Al-Hukum calls from the right flank his own name twice and from the left All-Umr reechoes his name twice. Afterwards, Adalat Shah repeats ‘Afeeha kay Durja’ alone with a loud voice. He concludes by calling for Fatiha and all Fakirs repeat  Surah’ Al-Hamd ‘once and ‘ Qulwallah’  three times. Then they recite’ Durud’ and finish by placing their palms  over their faces .At this stage, Adalat Shah  repeats sentences or couplets highlighting  excellence of his own profession — the law, — and then shouts  " Ek Narra –Haideri”. The rest resound " Ya-hoo.  Again, the former calls out ' Ek Nara-e-Panjatan’ and  they all  exclaim and shout. If Fakirs sit at any Ashurkhana ,they are treated with  a Huqqa (tobacco), Sharbat, cloves and cardamoms  and Khichri.  Among themselves they call one another by the name of "Eea Hadi Allah "Eea Murshid Allah" " Eea Hussain'" " Eea Imam " and if they call one or address him, they say, 'BbawaT or ''DataV or '' Duniyadar ".They expect people to offer them money  to purchase their food)? And recite the following couplet if denied:

“Data Thay so Mar Gaye, Rah-Yy-ay Mukkliee Kanjus,

Dayna-layna Jcooch nu-heen, lurnay ko mowjood. “

Translation (The generous all are dead and gone, And niggard churls remain alone ; Of charity we hear no more, But struggling each to swell his store.)

When they are about to depart from any place, Naqeeb recites  :

“Ugur Gaytee, Sur-a-Sur, Badgeerud,

Churag-e-Muoqbillan Hargiz Nameerud. “

(‘Was this vast universe one blast of rushing air,The lamp of God's elect would burn undying there.”).Then, he calls out : “Shakir ko Shukr, Munkir Ko "Tukkiir. (" Sugar to the believing (grateful worshipper) and a thump to the unbelieving;" ,meaning  May the benevolent be rewarded and  those who deny us be punished”. And the band reply, ''Rah e-Maula, Deen-e-Paighambar .”The way shown my Maula is the Religion of prophet).They go about and act like this wherever they go during Muharram, Sharif adds in his description.

Sharif has also mentioned the participation of Fakirs following Jalali Sufi order in somewhat similar manner.Such Fakirs were a common sight in Hyderabad, Madras, Calcutta and Lucknow till 1970s. They are not much visible now but can be found at shrines of Sufis during ‘Urs’ ceremonies. It requires research as to why their number has been declining in the affluent and liberalized world? (Qanoon-e-Islam -(Customs of the Muslims of India is a book that describes culture and rituals of Muslims of India in 19th century. It was written by Jafar Sharif and translated into English by Gerhard Andreas Herklots in 1832.The inputs of the article are based on this book. Spelling of certain words of original translation has been changed in tune with their contemporary usage for the ease of readers and viewers).