Imambara Mehdi Hussain,Gwalior

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Gwalior has negligible Imami population.yet it has an Imambara steeped in history.The 1109 years old Imambara exemplifies whenever any admirer of Hazrat Imam Hussain flourishes in life and career,he prefers to built an Azakhana instead of his own house. Imambara is now shadow of its great past but Imamis of Gwalior deserve appreciation for preventing it from falling prey to the ugly gaze of land sharks and corrupt Mutwallis who have allowed builders to grab thousands of wakf  properties in Uttar pradeshand several other provinces of India in the recent past.
Imambara in Gwalior was built by Hakim Syed Mehndi Hussain. He was attached to the royal court of Scindias. Since the days of Mahadaji Scindia,Gwalior state had patronized Taziadari. The tradition still continues with gusto and enthusiasm.The love for' Ahlebait' exhibited by Scindias, Gwalior attracted many a Shia  professionals. Hakeem Mehdi was one such person.He served royal kingdom  with distinction and built Imambara for holding 'Majalis' in memory of martyrs of Karbala from his earnings. Imambara is today not in good shape as 'Scindias' are no longer rulers and state government has other priorities.            

Anees Zahra- A Great Azadar

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Begum Anees Zahra, a dedicated azadar and widow of prominent lawyer of Moradabad , Marhoom Zaheer Mohsin Naqvi, is no more. She breathed her last at Vivekanand Hospital after brief illness. She was 74 and  is survived by two daughters. One of them, Dr.Hena Zaheer, is a respected Zakira Ahlebait, social activist and academician. Her death left Imamis of Moradabad and its neighboring districts in view of her immense contribution to promotion of azadari among women.

Born to Late Hussain Haider Sahib, the General Manager of A.H.Wheller and Company and a great Azadar himself, Begum Anees exhibited her inclination to Soz and Marsiyas from her childhood. She herself was proficient in  Arabic and Urdu and trained a number of girls to recite majalis. Her brother and founder of Julus-E-Amari in Badagaon in Jaunpur district, Abbas Hussaini Sahib encouraged her talents. After marriage with Zaheer Mohsin Sahib, she dedicated herself to promotion of azadari in western Uttar Pradesh. As a number of prominent families of Moradabad had migrated to Pakistan in 1947, she encouraged strived along with her husband to ensure that Marasim- e- azadari do not lose its sheen in the wake of thin Imami population left in the city. She established a majlis for women on Chehlum day and also played instrumental role in starting a few other processions. Begum was an excellent host who derived pleasure in serving religious scholars and admirers of Ahlebait. Due to her hospitality, her residence emerged as hub of Imami activities.

Even death of her husband in 2011 and her own poor health did not dampen her spirit and she continued to serve cause of Masoomeen Alaihssalam with same zest. She used to donate regularly to various charitable organizations from her income. So long as her health permitted, Begum Anees participated in majalis in Amroha, Sirsi, Aghwanpur, Naugawan Sadat, Meerut, Kanpur, Barelly, Lucknow, Badegaon and various other locations. She always strived to lead life in accordance with Shariah and young girls considered her as their role model.(Based in inputs received from her family members)       

                             

Muizz-Ud-Daula-Founder of Muharram Procession

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 10^th 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.

Use of Muharram Rituals as Trick by Lord Cornwallis

Lord Cornwallis receiving Tipu's sons as Hostages.

Dr. Mazhar Naqvi

How the British used religious sentiments of Indians to extend the empire? An illustration of this policy can be found in the battle fought between East India Company and Tipu Sultan. Mir Munshi of Lord Cornwallis has given a vivid description of the British shrewdness in his account. He writes in his memoir “when our English forces were stationed in Care, the Muharram moon was sighted. Lord Cornwallis decided to camp for ten days as Indian soldiers of English forces wanted to observe those ten days of Muharram through several actions and take out Tazias and flags(Alam).While Tipu was averse to the idea of Muharram observance ,Lord Cornwallis declared holiday for them and also said that he is interested to see the observance of Muharram. On the seventh day soldiers disguised them in so many forms, carried Tazia and Alam, Lord Cornwallis witnessed the rituals ,sitting on a chair and respected the people when they passed by him and he used to bow his head  when a Tazia or Taboot passed in front of him and walked two or three steps behind them to show his respect. He also presented them money on a silver plate.”

The gesture of Lord won the hearts of Indians when they came to know about the respect exhibited by the Governor General and English soldiers to the rituals and observance of Muharram. Majority  of them remarked openly “ British are better than their own rulers.”  Indians turned hostile against Tipu and extended their support whole-heartedly to the English forces, leading to the downfall of Sultanate Khudadad. After the martyrdom of Tipu, Indian soon realized that Cornwallis had simply applied a trick to woo Indians against Khudadad kingdom and he had no sentiments attached to Muharram rituals. It is evident from the fact that he never showed any respect to religious sentiments till his death at Ghazipur town in eastern part of modern Uttar Pradesh state of India. The incident also reveals folly of Tipu. Despite his patriotic character and unconditional love for Holy Prophet and his family, he ignored the sentiments of natives and paid a heavy price for it.(References available n request. Photo Courtesy Google Images)    

Salman Azmi-Loss of a Future Legend

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

In the untimely demise of Salman Azmi in the prime of youth, poet who served Ahlebait-E-Athar (AS) , Imamis have lost a future legend. May Allah bless his departed soul and courage to his bereaved family.Amen. Son of iconic poet Dr. Rehan Azmi, Salman, like his father too was serving the cause of Masoomeen (AS).He breathed his last on Saturday, 17 November 2018 after struggling for life in a hospital . He may not be physically present with Imamis  but his works and the message he propagated will surely live till eternity.

The blogger like millions of his admirers ,never met him personally but always found him to close to the heart through his deeds.Hardly in his late twenties, Salman contributed much to emerge to be regarded as the final stone when it comes to delivery of hussaini Kalam. He not only wrote thought provoking Nauhas but also penned Manqabats for upcoming young generation.Legendary Nauhakhwan Nadeem Sarwar’s sons— Ali Shanawar and  Ali Jee also used Salman’s Kalam, an indication of the worth of his poetry.

When stricken with Juandice and rushed to the hospital after his condition deteriorated, prayers were offered across the globe for his recovery but destiny cut short his remarkable.life. His funeral exhibited to the world how popular he was and how Imamis loved him for his noble deeds.He was buried at Wadi-E-hussain In Karachi with safeer-E-Aza reciting "Waqt E Rukhsat Baap Ko Betay Ka Mur Kar Dekhna" amidst mourners with tears rolling down their cheeks.

(Photo Courtesy Google.References available on request.)

Alipur-Hussaini Town of India

Dar Uz Zahra, Alipur, India  

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Alipur,  a  small  village was known as Belligunta 300 years ago, has emerged as a truly Hussaini town as visualized  by  Syed Mustafa Hussaini. He had settled in the village after the downfall of Adil Shahi kingdom of Bijapur. An Abidi Syed, Hussaini began preaching the teachings of Ahlebait-E-Athar among the locals and created the much needed awareness towards the martyrs of Karbala and their message to future generations in remote parts of Karnataka. With base at little known village Alipur near Bangalore, Hussaini  devoted his life to the propagation of Imam Hussain’s message till his last breath. His efforts received a fillip with the arrival of   poet-scholar Mohammad Shaffi Baqari arrived from Hyderabad 150 years ago. He founded the Madrassa Jafria. His son Abbas Baqari who lived upto an age of 115 years, made strenuous efforts and taught a lot of people in and around the village. He founded the Anjuman Jafaria that today controls the mosques, Ashurkhanas, Madrasa, Eidgah and Graveyard in Alipur.

Somewhere within each of Alipur’s residents lies a spark. Over the last two decades the village has shown stirrings of change. The main thoroughfare, Imam Khomeini Road, named after the Iranian spiritual leader, culminates in an outsized, onion-domed mosque on one end and a modest Imam Khomeini Hospital on the other. An old Ashurkhana has seen good days. A modern building has come up for its extension. Removed a furlong away is the village’s Eidgah and graveyard named Behisht-e- Ali standing in the serene and solemn surroundings. The Imamia Trust of Bangalore has also chipped in by building a resettlement colony for the wandering tribes of Persian-speaking gypsies, the erstwhile village spectacle makers. Women in black overall burqas walk freely in the sub-streets while school girls attend the Bintul Huda and Zainabiyah high schools donning headscarves.The village has dozens of  scholars trained in Qom in Iran and Damascus. However none could finish the Dars-e-Kharij to win a title of Ayatollah. A higher centre of theological education, Hauz Ilmiah came Baqarul Uloom up a few years ago.

Though most Alipur Shias are engaged in gem cutting and polishing business, their efforts have not gone unnoticed.There had been occasional visits by Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Khameinai, the successor to Ayatollah Khomeini to the seat of supreme spiritual leader of the Islamic Republic. The town has produced a battery of Urdu poets, apart from scholars of International repute. Harbouring an Imami population of 10,000 and fashioning the lives of its inhabitants according to the orders of the faith, Alipurconjures up an image of an Irani city with    a Madrassa Hussainia, a Zainabiya High School, an Imam Khomeini Hospital, a Behisht-e-Ali graveyard, an Al-Abbas Boys Hostel with a couple of onion-domed mosques and Ashurkhanas dotting its skyline. The village surely deserves a visit by Imamis to experience its otherwise placid life that wake up to rent the air with ‘Labbaik Ya Hussain, during Ayam-E-Aza.( References available on reuest. Image Courtesy Google )   

Loss of Marsiya Reciter Anees and Hussaini Poet Naiyyer

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Indian Imamis suffered two great losses a couple of days before the commencement of Muharram-2018.One of them was Janab Anees Sandeelavi- a great marsiya reciter and Shair-e-Ahlebait. The other, Naiyyer Sirsavi, was also an eminent Shair-E-Ahlebait. Both of them died of protracted illness after serving Masoomeen Alaihssalam till health permitted them. May Allah bless them among his chosen ones. The real name of Anees was Ghazanfar Irshad Naqvi and he was a close friend of blogger’s father. He stayed in Kanpur for a long time and settled in Lucknow after retiring from UPICA-a government of Uttar Pradesh Enterprise. He occupied a very senior position in UPICA in view of his marketing skills. Under him, UPICA emerged as an admired brand of clothes manufactured by Cooperative Societies. During his prolonged stay in Kanpur, he took active part in Ayam-E-Aza despite his preoccupation with marketing related activities. Anees always took off time for reciting marsiya at majalis and earned lot of fame in view of his style. After retirement, he continued to recite marsiya and became a household name besides earning international acclamation. He has to his credit of appearing on famous program of an Urdu channel titled Sada-E-Karbala on several occasions. Anees was invited to recite marsiya almost all the prominent Imambaras or Ashurkhanas of India. Hence, While he preferred to render marsiya of Mir Anees only, he wrote Nauhas and Salams also and tried his hands even with writing marsiya also. He was poet of several Anjumans as well. His departure left the Imami community saddened.

Naiyyer Sirsavi also was a well-known poet. He too earned fame across the globe. He belonged to Sirsi –a village of Saadat near Moradabad. His death also left Imamis in a state of shock. Entire western Uttar Pradesh felt the vacuum created by his death, for appearance of Naiyyer was considered to be a must in old Imambaras located in Amroha, Sirsi, Sambhal, Nagli Saddat, Moradabad and Merut.(References available on request)