And
many other Maraje’ and eminent scholars . . .
Al-Imam al-Sheikh Muhammad Hussain al-Naa’ini,
The teacher of the
Maraje’ of the holy city of Najaf.
“There is no doubt as to the permissibility of
the beating of the chest and the face with the hands to the point
of redness or blackness (of the chest or the face). This is also extended to the lashing of the shoulders and the
back with chains to the extent mentioned (above), and even if this
led to bleeding. As for causing the bleeding of the head by
sword beating, this is also allowed provided it does not lead to endangering
harm, such as unstoppable bleeding or harm to the scull, etc. as it
is known amongst the experts in doing this (hitting on the head).”
The above Fatwa by al-Imam
al-Sheikh Muhammad Hussain al-Naa’ini was endorsed and signed
by the following eminent Maraje’:
- Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Mohsen al-Hakim,
- Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Kaadhem al-Shari’atMadari,
- Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Abd-el-A’la al-Sabzewary,
- Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Abul-Qassim al-Kho’i,
- Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Ridha al-Gulpaygani,
- Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Ali al-Hussaini al-Seestani,
- Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Saadiq al-Rouhani,
- Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Mirza Jawaad al-Tabrizi,
- Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Sheikh Hussain al-Waheed al-Khurasani,
And
many other Maraje’ and eminent scholars . . .
Ayatollah
al-Udhma al-Seyyid al-Kho’i
The
former leader of the Hawzah of the holy city of Najaf.
Question:
Is
there any problem with causing the bleeding of the head – TATBIR –
as it is practiced, to express one’s grief about the martyrdom of
our Imam Hussain peace be upon him, assuming there is going to be
no permanent harm?
Answer:
There is no problem with that, given the assumption
made in the question, and Allah knows best.
Question:
You stated that there is
no problem in causing the bleeding of the head – known as TATBIR –
if it does not lead to harm. It
is said that it is not more than a permissible act, then can TATBIR
be MUSTAHAB – desirable – if the intention was the upholding and honouring
the Sha’a’er – signs of Allah – and sympathy with the Ahl-ul-Bayt, peace be upon them?
Answer:
Most
probably Allah Almighty would give thawab – reward (the individual)
– for sympathising with the Ahl-ul-Bayt if the intention is sincere.
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid al-Seestani
The
current leader of the Hawzah of the holy city of Najaf.
Question:
What
is the ruling regarding the lashing with chains, chest beating, and
walking on fire on the occasion of mourning the martyrdom of Imam
Hussain peace be upon him?
Answer:
If (these are) not associated with extreme harm
or loss of limb, there is no objection.
Question:
What is the ruling regarding
wearing black, and chest beating when commemorating the martyrdom
of Imam Hussain peace be upon him, as well as other infallible Imams
peace be upon them?
Answer:
This is permissible, and in fact this is regarded
as one of the best means of seeking nearness to Allah, since it is
upholding and honouring the Sha’a’er of Allah Almighty. [This
is a reference to the Qur’anic Ayah 22:32. – translator.]
Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Imam al-Seyyid al-Shirazi
Question:
Some individuals say
that I do not see shedding my tears as enough to express my grief
for Imam Hussain (AS), his household and his followers on the day
of Ashura. So is hitting myself with sword and injuring myself is allowed?
Answer:
The Hussaini Sha’a’er, including TATBIR,
are some of the RAAJIH issues. TATBIR is a MUSTAHAB deed, unless it leads to death, loss of
limb, or loss of faculties. (RAAJIH means MUSTAHAB that could become WAJIB depending on the circumstances
- translator.).
Question:
What is your opinion
regarding hitting the head with sword – TATBIR – on the day of Ashura
whether or not it harms the individual?
Answer:
The most common and widely known opinion of the Fuqaha (scholars) is that the desirability (of TATBIR) is in
it not being extremely harmful.
Question:
If one engages in the
program of TA’ZIAH for Imam Hussain (AS), and goes on to serve the
program of TA’ZIAH but does not do TATBIR, is he regarded as a sinner,
who deserves to be humiliated?
Answer:
TATBIR is a desirable act, and a MUKALLAF – i.e.
one who has reached the adolescence age and is duty bound – may forsake
a desirable act. It is not
allowed to humiliate a Mu’min, and also one who does not do
TATBIR may not humiliate or insult others, or accuse them (of false
things).
Question:
What is your opinion
regarding the reports that Lady Zaynab (AS), when she saw the head
of her brother Imam Hussain peace be upon him, being paraded in public
hit her forehead on the bar of the carriage she was travelling in,
causing bleeding to flow from beneath her veil, which was visible
to onlookers who witnessed the event?
Answer:
Yes that is proven.
{Some of the famous
references, which confirm the above report, are as follows:
· Bihaar al-Anwaar; volume 45, page 114,
· Jalaa’ al-‘Oyun; volume 2, page 238,
· Zaynab al-Kubra; page 112,
· Asraar al-Shahadah; page 474,
· Al-Muntakhab; volume
2, page 478,
· Nusrat-ul-Madhlum; page
18.
Needless to say that
‘Allamah al-Majlisi – compiler of Bihaar al-Anwaar – and Sheikh al-Shari’ah
al-Isfahani have confirmed the authenticity of the report.}
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