10 Muharram-Types Of Mourning

Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 14:31

Muharram, the month of the Islamic calendar is also referred to a day of mourning, commemorating the death of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (Hazrat Imam Hussain).

The history of Muharram is remembered on 10 Muharram. Though it is followed by all Muslims at large, the Shia sect are the ones who closely observe it.

Different types of mourning are attributed to observing 10 Muharram by different sects of Islam.

'Twelver', which forms the largest branch of the Shia sect of Islam, has its mourners of its three traditional schools, Usooli, Akhbari and Shaykh, gather in a congregation. They render poetic recitations, in the memory of Hazrat Imam Hussain. They lament with the beating of drums and chanting of ' Ya Husan'. The death of Hazrat Imam Hussain is also enacted.

'Alevi', another sect of Shia Muslims keep a fast from the first ten or twelve days of Muharram. They wear black and abstain themselves from any form of entertainment. They even do not resort to shaving.
Earlier they were even forbidden to bathe and change their clothes, however, most of them do not follow this practice. This is called "Muharrem Matemi", "Yas-i Muharrem" or "Muharrem orucu"

The 'Mustaali' group's mourning bears similarity to Twelvers.

Free meals called the 'Nazar' are provided by the mosques on certain nights of Muharram to all. It is considered holy to partake the food as it is consecrated in the name of Allah, Imam Hussain and humanity.

Pilgrimage to Hazrat Immam Hussain's Shrine

Many people of the Shia branch also make a pilgrimage to the shrine of Hazrat Imam Hussain in Karbala. It is considered as one of the holiest pilgrimage centres, apart from Mecca and Medina.

Matam

Matam is another type of mourning. Many Muslims congregate in public and beat their chest, Matam, as a sign of revealing their grief in remembrance of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain on 10 Muharram.

Some people apply knives or razors swung on chains on their chests.

Taziya

In Iran, theatrical enactment of the 'Battle of Karbala' is called as Taziya. However, in South Asia, it came to be termed as a miniature mausoleums that are used in processions held during Muharram.
It came to be termed thus, owing to the distance between India and Karbala, which was an obstacle in realising the wish of Indian Shi'is being buried near the sacred tomb of Hazrat Imam Hussain, or make a pilgrimage to Karbala.

Soil from Karbala is brought and sprinkled on the land where future burial is planned. Then Taziya or miniature mausoleums are created and taken in procession during Muharram. They may be buried in the Karbala (the allotted, sanctified land) on 'Ashura', or 10 Muharram.

Let us understand the significance of different types of mourning attributed to 10 Muharram, considered an important Islamic holiday.