Karbala & Muharram Rituals

Muharram Procession -2017

Azakhana Aal-E-Fatima , Makanpur

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Ashra, the first 10 –day phase of Muharram mourning, concluded in Indian sub-continent after infusing the Hussaini spirit among the devotees. The rituals associated with Muharram aimed at reminding people Karbala is not limited to any particular sect, race or creed. Rather, it is universal in nature and calls people to rise above mediocrity, materialism and self-centeredness to attain lofty heights of truth and sacrifice. These rituals also gave a clarion call to the devotees to think Karbala beyond rituals and keep always in focus the ideology of Imam Hussain-    resist the oppressor and side with the oppressed.

For over 14 centuries, Muharram has been observed across the globe with the sole objective of creating awareness about Karbala and its power to change human conduct and transform society. Yet no one can deny that 21^st century is marked by moral bankruptcy, selfish materialism, terrorism, nepotism and other evils. The grim scenario indicates need for a more aggressive campaign from Hussainis against the followers of Yazid in present era. This can be made possible only by highlighting ‘Mission Karbala’ while observing Muharram ceremonies.

Hussainis should tell the world while commemorating the martyrdom of Imam and his small band of followers that Karbala is not constrained by time and space. It is eternal. But simply lamenting the Imam’s plight is not sufficient. One has to keep also in mind how Bibi Zainab had started Azadari and shook the very foundation of Yazidi Empire with her fearless speeches in Kufa and Syria. She not only saved the dignity of Ahlebait under most trying conditions but also let the world know that two distinct philosophies had surfaced on 10^th of Muharram in 680 A.D. ( 61AH), namely  Hussainiat and Yazidiat .While Hussainiat stands for equity, justice, human values and love for all, identifying characteristics of Yazidiat are arrogance, tyranny, amorality and naked ambition.

The modern world is too stricken with Yazidiat. ‘Followers’ of Yazid continue to propagate his philosophy.  Yazidiat today has many takers. They are the ones who are engaged in the acts of terrorism, global neo-imperialism and corruption in the name of Islam. To uproot Yazidiat, Hussainis have no option but to look beyond the tears and mourning rituals. They need to strive to struggle against oppression of all shades. Hussainis must remember that Azadari has carried the revolution of Imam through centuries. It cannot be confined to rituals and can’t be stopped by terrorists backed by Yazidiat. There is no point in attending majalis year after years if there is no transformation or character building. Mourning for Imam requires commiottment on the part of Hussainis to tread on the path shown by Bibi Zainab. It was her courage that frustrated the nefarious design of Yazid to brand Imam’s revolution as an act of rebel. Each Hussaini owes an eternal debt to Bibi Zainab for preserving the truth of Karbala and preventing its distortion. This debt should be cleared on daily basis to create a society that Imam wanted to create by awakening the conscience of human beings by sacrificing everything that he had.(Photo Courtesy Google Images )