Self-Flagellation as a method of mourning is Haram

[N. Truth Seeker]

In regard to observing Ashura (Muharram 9th and 10th of the first month of our Islamic Hijri calendar), let us take a look which practices for expressing grief are Haram and which ones are acceptable or Halal.

I would like to convey this information in images with reference to the recent observance of Ashura in Muharram 9th and 10th 1444 coinciding with August 7th and 8th 2022.











Another very significant point is the need to be thoughtful while choosing the words for Ashura posters.  For example, a Canadian website called "Next National Day" made an offensive blunder this Muharram.  Though they did not mean ill and their intention was not hurtful at all, the site needs to educate itself more on the subject of Ashura. 

The goal of this website is to bring all global holidays under one roof perceived as 'celebration.'  Prior to publishing any celebration, they are required to curate some basic information on its history.  They put up some brief and very basic info on the history of Ashura but they have NO idea of the spiritual / emotional significance of Ashura nor its political history nor its far-reaching repercussions on the pan-Islamic world.  Thus, despite their well-meaning publication, the closing of this post inadvertently displayed a very unacceptable poster mentioning "Happy Ashura."



Please note:  There is NO such thing as "Happy Ashura."  That is thoroughly incorrect and many people would also find it offensive as Ashura is one of the greatest tragedies in world history.   Based on the same spirit, there is also no concept among Muslims to wish “Happy New Year” in the month of Muharram which is the first month of the Islamic Hijri calendar.

[Zainab_M]

Thank you brother.   Very rightly summed up.  Of course self flagellation does not mean that those who oppose it must start behaving like the wahabis and walafists do.  But this is no better than the wrong ideologies of the salafis and wahabis.  And two wrongs don't make a right.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Very useful information, thanks brother.   Spilling one's own blood intentionally as a form of mourning is totally unacceptable.  Such hyperbole and theatricalism goes completely against the values of the Noble Quran and values of anyone's common sense.

That blunder by "next national day" happens when secularism spreads rigidly as a culture it omits plenty of education connected with reality and truth.  Though secularists are usually supposed to be more tolerant than polytheists and atheists, in many facets of life they are all immersed very much in the same type of darkness  constantly bumping against snags arising from their own oversight which is still in need of a lot of education.

[N. Truth Seeker]

Very correctly said Sisters Zainab and Ruhi.   Thank you.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

O yeah, self flagellation is a very hypocritical and theatrical method of showing one's grief and helps to erase the actual facts of the event by getting people distracted and drift in a very different direction.

Regarding that absurd greeting "happy ashura," basically, there is no such concept of tragedy linked with spiritual and moral lessons in a secular society.  For Christians, Easter is a very important, serious and distressful occasion in which they commemorate the resurrection of Essa (son of Virgin Maryam) from the "dead."  Of course this is an interpolation and false information as confirmed in the Noble Quran which we as Muslims are well aware of, Alhumdulilah.    What I intend to convey here is that according to Christian belief Easter is supposed to present a sombre and solemn atmosphere.  Yet, their greeting is “Happy Easter.”  The approach is based on secular logic which has also permeated within Christian religious communities that Easter is not exactly a commemoration but a global celebration, and every global celebration of all communities around the world comes under the banner of “Happy” whatever .. be it joyous or tragic.  After the Romans converted to Christianity en masse in 380 AD, all Christian religious events with Christian titles were made to merge with pagan Roman practices.  E.g. The pagan saturnalia became Christmas and Easter became symbolic of eggs and fertilization as per pagan traditions.

Thus, in view of all the extraneous and spurious insertions and intercalations on religious, historical and moral issues that are now embedded as an accepted culture / practice in secular minds, they see nothing wrong in saying “Happy Ashura,” just the way they say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Easter.”  It’s all about lack of education.

[N. Truth Seeker]

I concur 200% Sister.  What you frankly stated is the precisely the problem.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Perfect points you stated Sister Heba. 

Also see this.  While the world talks about the right of minorities, this is what Indian occupying forces did to a Muslim man on Ashura this month. 




Indian intolerace toward Muslims in Ashura.

Muharram 1444, (Ashura the 10th day of the first month of our Islamic Hijri calendar):  Image above shows Indian police forces in Occupied Kashmir violently stopping a Muslim man from attending the peaceful Muharram procession on the day of Ashura. When will the world speak up against Hindu bigotry and outright violence?

[Zainab_M]

Loads of shame on the hindu fundamentalist nation of India!  Saw this image on Ashura day and put it up in our gallery. What astonishes me most is the complacency of the West.

Not a single report in mainstream media on any Muslim territory occupied by non-Muslim authorities.  Unspeakable shame!!

Thank you for putting this up here Sister Ruhi.  The mainstream media will never.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Welcome sis. 

Absolutely right ....

[N. Truth Seeker]

😥

Shocking image that can make one tearful.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Hindu bigots and hindu occupying fundamentalists are all protected by the West and their puppets.  One kafir protects the other that also unfortunately includes traitors in Arab countries and some stupid Iranians.

[Zainab_M]

Spot on Sister Heba.  You said is totally right again.