Islamic New Year Greeting is Innovation- Salis

Haji Salis Challenenging Ex- U.P.CM Akhilesh Yadav

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

In a welcome move, All India Sunni Ulema Council has taken strong exception to Islamic new year greetings.In a hard-hitting statement, cou8ncil’s general secretary, Haji Mohammad Salis described the greeting  as innovation and much against the spirit and history of Islam.He also dubbed the innovation as a handiwork of a gang having links with seperatists organizations. Haji said that there is no record peertaining to new year greetings by the Holy Prophet and his companions. Hence, how could Muslims now start the practice.

The General Secretary said “ Muslims have refrained from such greetings for over 1300 years  following the martyrdom of Prophet’s grandson Hazrat Imam Hussain on 10^th of Muharram while waging Jihad-e-Azeem against the tyranny,injusticve and barbarism.” He said “it is indeed unfortunate that the modern followers of Yazid whose forces had martyred imam with three days hunger and thirst are trying to reintroduce a fake Islam”.

Haji even accused the foubnders of the new custom of greeting after the sighting of Muharram moon   of doing so to fleece money in the name of organizing various programs on the live of prophet’s companions during the first ten days of Muharram.

He called upon people to boycott such peopkle who were out to bring disgrace to islam in the manner of Yazid who was a womanizer,drunkard and cruel despite being the caliph of Muslims.Salis said “ the best way tio pay tribute to martyrs of karbala during muharram-2017 is to expose the supporters of yazid and his ideology in the 21^st century.(Based on inputs given to the blogger by haji Salis himself on phone.).    

Majnu Shah Set to Get Mausoleum After Muharram

Proposed Mausoleum of Malang Majnu Shah at Makanpur 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Malang Majnu Shah, a great devotee of Ahle-Bait-e-Athaar and first hero of India’s freedom movement, is all set to have a beautiful mausoleum over his grave –almost 230 years of his martyrdom. The move has been initiated by   the President of Madariya Sufi Foundation, Mr. Sameer Madarvi. In fact, the foundation was willing to undertake construction work on India’s Independence Day (August 15, 2017) but deferred the plan till the end of Ayam-E-Aza( Period of mourning for martyrs of Karbala). Mr. Madarvi  revealed that the soul of Majnu Shah would never relish any construction work over his grave during the month of Muharram and Safar , for he was a great devotee of Panjatan and used to himself mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions.

He drew inspiration from the words of Imam Hussain that death is better than a disgraceful life. Hence, when East India Company tried to intervene in the religious affairs of Indians, Majnu Shah was the first to raise voice against the British after their victory at Plassey in 1757.Majnu Shah also managed to garner support of Hindus like Bhawani Pathak and Devi Chaudhrani .The trio fought for more than 25 years in Bengal ,Bihar, Assam and Odisha provinces. Their combined forces raided scores of British settlements, including government offices and treasuries and managed to decamp booty worth thousands of rupees.They did not spare the rich landlords and distributed the money looted from them among the destitute.

After scoring several victories over the British, Majnu Shah however suffered a massive defeat and bullet injuries at Mehsangarh. He repaired to Dargah of his spiritual master Hazrat Zinda Shah Madar in Makanpur in Kanpur district of Indian province of Uttar Pradesh. He reportedly breathed his last on January 26,1788/89 , according to British sources. Since then, his grave and Kothri (small room) have been in utter neglect. While Majnu Shah is national hero in Bangladesh, Indian government has never bothered to recall his contribution to freedom movement.

Now the foundation has decided to erect a mausoleum in his sacred memory from own efforts as a mark of tribute to this unsung hero of freedom struggle. He deserves his due as he is perhaps the first Indian leader who exhibited the British the might of Hindu-Muslim unity. He led a selfless life and kept national interest supreme. Majnu Shah was a wandering mystic (Malang) and belonged to Madariya Sufi order. His original named was Abu Talib and he hailed from Mewat region of modern Indian state of Haryana. It is worth mentioning here that diuciples of Shah Madar hold Panjatan in very high esteem Ahle and their most famous slogan is “ Ek Naara Panjatan- Ya Ali Ya Ali.(References available on request.Photo Courtesy Mr.Sameer Madarvi)

Grave of Majnu Shah Wrapped with Tricolor on Independence day in Makanpur

New Karbala Marks Muharram-17 In Fatehpur

Entrance of New Karbala in Fatehpur

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Fatehpur City, the headquarters of one of the oldest districts of indian province of Uttar Pradesh and know for its unique Muharram rituals,is all set to have new Karbala before Yaum-e-Ashura( 10^th day of Muharram) this year.The new Karbala has been erected by Nawab Jugnu Sahib in Ali Nagar locality of the city with the objective of facilitating burial of Tazias by those find difficult to reach the old Karbala on way to collectorate.Jugnu Sahib belongs to the most reputed landlord family of the district and is Imami by faith.It was he who had given his land for a number of Imamis who wanted to settle in Fatehpur and his efforts led to emergence of the locality as Ali Nagar.

Majority of Imamis have traditionally been living  in Qaziana area of city for centuries.. As the population grew,a number of  Imamis also came to Fatehpur from nearby places. As Qaziana was a densely populated area, they found difficult to relocate themselves. At this stage, Nawab  helped them by offering them plots at affordable prices  near Kanpur-Allahabad highway. Imamis quickly grabbed the opportunity and their number swelled in Fatehpur city. They also erected a mosque and Azakhana in Ali Nagar. However, they longed  a Karbala also to be raised as the old one was away from Ali Nagar.

Sensing their wish, Jugnu Sahib started  construction of a new Karbala on a plot left for the purpose by him.He expedited the work so that residents of Ali Nagar could bury their Tazias on 10^th Muharram this year. The new Karbala has been christened as Choti(Smaller) Karbala as a mark of respect to its older counterpart. Janab Khursheed sahib who stays very close to the new Karbala revealed that provision for holding Majalis has also been made at the newly built Karbala but in 2017 there won’t be Ashra-e-Majalis. May be in future, Karbala could have Majalis during 1^st 10 days of Muharram, he told the blogger.(Article is based on personal visit of the blogger and inputs received from local residents).   

 Interior View of New Karbala of Fatehpur with Alam of Ghazi Abbas

Azadari Julus On Eve of Muharram-2017

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Imamis in Kanpur city of India took out Julus-E-Istaqbal-E-Aza (Procession to welcome Muharram mourning) after sighting Muharram crescent here today. Taken out under the aegis of Anjuman Raza-E-Islam in Nawab Sahib Ka Hata locality, the procession is only of its kind in the city. It began from Imambargah of Afsari Baji and culminated at Imambargah Aale Fatima in Chota Phatak area. Devotees from neighboring areas also attended the procession and listened to Nauhas recited by Anjuman with rapt attention.

Before the commencement of procession, a Zari was brought at Imambargah by Janab Meesum Rizvi where a ‘nazr’ was offered. Thereafter, Janab Safdar Mukhtar, Janab Salmi Sahib and Janab Sharad Sahib recited marsiyas and Nauhas.  Devotees wept bitterly when Sharad Sahib recited “Ghabraeygi Zainab, Ghabraeygi Zainab .Then, Anjuman lifted on shoulders the Zari amidst the thunderous beating of chests (Matam) to the Sada of Ya Hussain –Ya Hussain. Suiting to the occasion, Anjuman recited ‘Gardun Se chaand Nikla- Lo AA Gaya Muharram, Aie Shah K azadaron, Farshe aza Bichhao”.

To the mournful tune of this Nauha ,Anjuman not only inforfmerd the devotees about the arrival of Muharram but also took the zari to Imambargah Aale Fatima. A Majlis was addressed by the blogger at Imambargah before the culmination of the procession. In his address, the blogger urged the devotees to pay more attention on the mission of Imam Hussain than rituals. He said that Muharram was the best time for introspection and devotees should strive to think how could they make Muharram-2017  in accordance with the wish of Imam Hussain and his companions.

Prominent among those who actively took part in the arrangements included Anjum Rizvi, Najmi, Muzaffar Raza, Ata Abbas, Parvez Rizvi, Kalbe Hasan, Salman, Munna Darner, Hashim, Mohammad and Shabeeh.(Article is based on the person observation of the blogger as one of the attendees).  

Maulana Athar Abbas Rizvi Dies

By Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Muharram Mirror announces with a deep sense of shock and grief the sad and sudden demise of prominent Shia cleric Maulana Syed Athar Abbas Rizvi Sahib. He reportedly died of brain hemorrhage in Kolkata on Yaum-e-Ghadeer i.e. September 10, 2017.His sudden death left the entire Imami community grieving and celebrations related to Eid-E-Ghadeer came to a halt at certain places. Considered to be an orator of rare caliber, Maulana is survived by his son and two daughters. His son is pursuing   a course in theology in Iran. One of his close friends , Janab Israr Hussain Zaidi revealed that he will be laid to rest tomorrow evening .

Maulana Athar Sahib was extremely popular as a Zakir and known for relating the tragedy of Karbala with contemporary issues. He was also an example of inter-faith understanding and held in high esteem by the Chief Minister of Bengal Ms.Mamta Banerjee. Only three days ago, he had a meeting with Ms. Mamta  to work out formula for peaceful observance of Muharram and celebration of Dussehara in Bengal. Most of his suggestions were accepted by the government and members of the concerned communities.

Maulana was born and brought up in Kolkata. He was son of Late Anwar Abbas Rizvi. Maulana was a regular visitor to Kanpur and Lucknow. His humility was appreciated by one and all. Similarly, the contents in his majlis were rarely repeated. He always strived to come out with innovative ideas about Karbala revolution. He always urged Imamis to work for humanity to earn the blessings of Allah Almightly and Masoomeen A.S.

A lover of religious books and man of aesthetic taste, Maulana served with distinction as Imam- E- Juma of Kolkata Momineen for several decades .His death has certainly created a void that   would be difficult to fill up. He is fourth  prominent Zakir who had left for his heavenly abode in the recent past .Prior to him , Janab Sarkar Mehndi, Janab Suhail Affendi and  Maulana Mirza Mohammad Athar had left Imamis grief-stricken.May their souls rest in peace. (Photo Courtesy Google Images)