Standard Bearer of Buyid Dynasty
Dr.Mazhar
Naqvi
Continuing
apathy of Imamis about Muizz- Ud- Daula is simply appalling.He should have been
known to Azadar world as the founder of Muharram related public processions. Strangely,
his name is not much known even among the natives of the Kingdom he founded in
10th century Iraq. He was the first Buyid Amir(ruler) of Iraq and
earned the laqab of Muizz –Ud- Daula(Frontier of the Dynasty) with his
adventures against his opponents.
Son of
Buya, a Daylamite fisherman from Lahijan, who
had left his Zoroastrian faith and converted to Islam, Muizz-Ud-Daula’s
real name was Ahmad. He was born in the
mountainous region of Daylam. By 928, he along with his two brothers served the
Daylamite military leader Makan.
However, he quickly changed his allegiance to the Ziyarid ruler Mardavij.
Later, he rebelled against his monarch after finding that Ziyarid planned to murder one of his brothers. In 935/36,
Ahmad invaded Kerman
but failed in his bid.He moved to Lashker and started making incursions into Khuzestan and
later Iraq.His efforts yielded desired results and by 945 A.D. he was officially recognized as the
ruler of Iraq and Khuzestan. He was bestowed with the title of Muizz-Ud-Daula. Throughout his rule, Muizz-Ud-Daula had to face conflicts with other dynasties, yet
he introduced public procession to mark Yaum-E-Ashura in Baghdad. It was the first
expression of grief by lovers of Ahlebait on the streets. Muizz ordered the
closure of shops on Ashura and devotees walked barefoot with disheveled hairs. The
orthodox Muslims made lot of hue and cry made he remained firmed in his stand. As
a sequel to his pioneering effort, public processions are an integral part of
Muharram rituals across the globe. In 946 A.D.he won his emerged victorious
against his formidable opponent Hamdanid Amir Nasir-ud-Daula
near Baghdad. In later years,
Muizz had to confront hostilities from his own kinsmen but with the blessings
of Masoomeen (A.S),he remained unconquered till his last breath in 967.Despite
constant problems, he devoted to propagation of Karbala revolution through public
processions and encouraged everyone to take part actively. It would be
befitting if Imami scholars acknowledge his contribution to Azadari while
delivering sermons. Their cumulative efforts will create much needed awareness
about the founder of public commemoration of Ashura.(Photo Courtesy-Google
Images)
Reference:
Chelkowski, Peter (January 1, 1985).
"Shia Muslim Processional Performances". The Drama Review: TDR.
MIT Press. 29 (3): 18–30. doi:10.2307/1145650. JSTOR 1145650.
As salaam alaikum. I see from the picture at the head of this article that the rider is carrying a standard (alam) with a 'panja' on top. Can you tell us, through your this very educating blog, how and when the panja came to be associated with azadari. Thanks.
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