'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)