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Testimony of a Christian academic: page 2
Hindus commemorating Muharram:
page 2
As soon as the moon of the month of Muharram is sighted, a deep transformation
comes about in shias ….. off goes the TV , out come the black clothes and the
conscience that prods us to do good deeds. And night after night, all roads seem
to lead to the Imambargah and Hussainyeh, and you get to meet the whole
community including those you may not have seen since the previous Muharrum. The
trigger is the remembrance of severe atrocities against Imam Husain (a.s.) , the
grandson of the Prophet, and his family and companions committed more than
fourteen hundred years ago. Lectures and majalis(gatherings) are held at several
places in Singapore including the ones in Urdu, Malay and English organised by
the Association and the Assembly.
Considering how we tend to forget over time all
sorts of tragedies, including loss of our own loved ones, one can understand the
bewilderment of the world at our intense mourning over an event that took place
more than 1400 years ago in Karbala, Iraq in the month of Muharram. How is it,
they ask, that the lapse of these centuries has done nothing to diminish even
slightly the sense of deep sorrow that we feel during this month and the firm
determination it revives in us to fight against oppression in general and
corruption of islam in particular. Not easy to explain when it comes to the
matters of the heart. Its partly to do perhaps with gratitude for someone who
sacrifices everything for you . It was the noblest of ideals for which Imam
Husain a.s. and his supporters laid down their lives on the scorching sands of
Karbala in Iraq on the 10th of Muharrum ( the day of Ashura ). They had the
option to save their lives and let Islam die. They chose death so that truth is
separated from falsehood once and for all, so that the right way continues to be
available as a choice for humanity for all times. And in the process they also
explained in practical terms the meaning of true submission to the Will of
Allah.
Our passion must also have to do with the love we feel for the pure and blessed
household of the Prophet … beyond that, one may still wonder what forces are at
work to produce such strong attraction, how did this love come to reside in
hearts and permeate the souls, why does it not become stale with time, why these
tears year after year at the very mention of the martyrs on the day of Ashura ?
…. at this point, words cease to be of much help. All one can say, with utmost
humility, is that if one has this love, one certainly knows it. And feels
blessed. And feels the urge to share this treasure with the world. The feeling
for truth seekers is that of having finally “arrived” .(one meets many non-muslims
and non-shia muslims who have embraced Shia beliefs but rarely, if at all, does
one come across any shia ithna asheris who have changed their beliefs).
And so, during the months of Muharram and Safar, and especially during the first
ten days of Muharram, one finds shias all over the world heading in large
numbers to participate in lectures/majalis ( gatherings). These are held at
several places in Singapore including the ones in Urdu, Malay and English
organised by the Association and the Assembly. Besides the mourning aspects, the
majalis provide a unique opportunity to learn more about all aspects of Islam
and the Holy Quraan. Unlike obligatory rituals, these gatherings comprise people
who have come voluntarily and who are therefore very receptive and keen to
learn. Thus, Imam Husain’s sacrifice also serves as a school that continues to
help millions internalise the principles of Islam every year. It also fills our
hearts with sympathy for the oppressed of our times, whoever and whereever they
may be. And to the oppressors, including those who try to hijack our religion of
peace and love and taint it with terrorism, it declares that, whatever the odds,
truth always triumphs in the end.
To watch video majalis recited
during this Muharram/Safar at Imambargah pl click:
Maulana Raza Pasha:
Ustaz Mohd Rosli:
Maulana Zaki Baqri:
Sayed Mohammed Saleh Al-Qazwini:
Sheikh Muhammad
Kassamali in Singapore - English Majalis Muharram 1430 (2009)
(audio - pl right click and use "Save Target As" to download)
Reason for azadari
Righteousness - definition of Belief
Righteousness - family relations
Righteousness - charity
Enjoin good, forbid evil
Wilayat
Nohas - Singapore
Imambargah 2008-2009
(audio - pl right click and use "Save Target As" to download)
Urdu Noha : ya rabb koi
Noha Urdu: Zaynab hai safar
mein
Noha English: O my Imam
Noha Urdu: Buhat he sakht
Nohas Udru:Tera Lasha
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Memories of 1950s... |
Nohas (urdu) |
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.. the sun begins to set
on the day of Ashura....the miles-long processions that started early
morning from Karachi's Nishtar Park now wind their way past
the imambargah in Kharadar towards Iranian Hall.......as darkness falls,
the sound of nohas and matam on the streets is joined by the
heart-rending salaam e aakhir broadcast by radio/tv and recited in that
inimitable voice of alhaj nasir jehan marhoom .....
Nasir Jehan
(from Imambargah.com)
.....and
here are two of the Shaame Ghariban video classics from Allama Rashid
Turabi marhoom broadcast by Pakistan TV:
Allama Rashid Turabi
(from Imambargah.com) |
Ahsan Ali (from
Karachi) during his 1999 Singapore
visit
Nadeem Sarwar (video)
Sacchey
Bhai
Noha/marsiya re bibi
Sakina
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Understanding Karbala and the reasons for
commemoration of the tragedy
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With every tear that we shed for him we pledge
to resist the oppression of injustice, immorality, inequity and falsehood.....history
and philosophy of aza e hussain.
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The sole cause for which Imam Hussain set out from Madinah was
to perform his duty to do amr bil ma'ruf and nahya anil munkar to the ummah
which had not only apathetically accepted the evil that had been flowing from
the court in Damascus but, sadly, begun to emulate it. The inevitable
consequence of this would have been a total destruction of all Islamic
values.... Karbala .. the
Cause
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" The blind, the dumb, and the chronically ill everywhere lack
protection in towns and no mercy is shown them. But you neither behave in
accordance with your function and rank, nor you support or pay any regard to
those who do. You purchase your safety from the oppressive ruling powers with
flattery, cajolery, and compromise...."
Imam Hussain's
Speech
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"My son, had you been a father you would surely have understood
how difficult it is for a father to part from his son!! ...."
Karbala.. the pleasure of Allah.
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For a detailed historical perspective of the
tragedy of Karbala , please click:
A
Probe Into The History of Ashura
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