Tatbeer
Encyclopedia
Tatbir in the South Asia
also known as Talwar
zani and Qama Zani, is an act of mourning by the Shiite Muslims in grief of younger grandson of Islamic Prophet Mohammad, Imam Al Husain ibn Ali who was martyred along with his children, companions and near relatives in the battle of Karbala
by the Sunni ruler Yazid
.
, and Arbaeen by the Shiites around the world. However, some Shiites also perform Tatbir on other occasions like the 21st of Ramadan
(the day when first Imam Ali ibn Abi talib was martyred in Kufa
), 28th of Safar
(in commemoration of Prophet Mohammad's Death and Martyrdom of second Shiite Imam Hasan ibn Ali
) and any time during the mourning period starting from Moharram till 8th of Rabi ul Awwal.
The practice of Tatbir includes striking oneself with a form of a sword (talwar
in South Asia
) on the head, causing blood to flow in remembrance of the innocent blood of Imam al Husain ibn Ali which was shed by Yazid's
forces in Battle of Karbala
. Some Shiites also hit their back and/or chest with blades attached to chains. This is more commonly known as Zanjeer Zani. Tatbir is performed by both men and women of all ages (the performance of women is not advertised with pictures due to Hijab reasons, however it is certainly permissible for women as it was Sayyidah Zaynab bint Ali
who first performed it.
h in the holy city of Qom
has regarded Tabir permissible in his verdict in the following manner:
“The hitting of swords on the heads (causing bleeding) is alright (allowed) provided there is no harm to the person doing this. Furthermore no one has the right to prohibit this (hitting the head with sword). In fact all kinds of TA’ZIAH – mourning – for SEYYED AL-SHUHADA’ – Imam Hussain – may our souls be sacrificed for him, are MUSTAHAB
– desirable deeds.”
The above Fatwa
by Grand Ayatollah Abdul-Karim Ha'eri Yazdi was endorsed and signed by the following eminent Maraje’:
Grand Ayatollah 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 skull, etc. as it is known amongst the experts in doing this (hitting on the head).”
The above Fatwa by grand Ayatollah al-Sheikh Muhammad Hussain al-Naa’ini was endorsed and signed by the following eminent Maraje’:
The people who practice Tatbir take lead, amongst the teachings of other infallible personalities, from Lady Zaynab
, heroine of Karbala
and sister of Imam Hussain. It is narrated that when Lady Zaynab
saw the head of Her brother Imam Hussain being paraded in public, she hit her forehead on the bar of the carriage She was traveling in, causing blood to flow from beneath Her veil, which was visible to onlookers who witnessed the event.
Some people question this narration above and say that "Lady Zaynab
was emotional at the time and didn't know what she was doing." However, the fourth Imam, Imam Zain al-Abideen, had said many times to Lady Zaynab
“You are, praise be to Allah, a scholar without (the need for) a teacher, and learned without (the need for) a guide” - “Anti al-Hamdu-Lillah ‘Alimatun Ghayra Mu'allimah wa Fahhimatun Ghayra Mufahhimah” – This statement is seen by scholars as indicating that Lady Zaynab
never made mistakes.
There is also a narration which states that when the tragedies of Imam Hussain were being recited in a mourning ceremony, Imam Zain al-Abideen stood up and hit his head on the wall and blood flowed from His head, and His head and His face became covered in blood.
Also, Imam al-Mahdi
states in his Ziyarat Al Nahiya, addressing Imam Hussain:
for the people, and the Imam does not hold this enactment solely for the (Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn but for all the martyrs of Karbala.
On another occasion a poet comes to the Imam and asks permission to recite a poem about Imam Husain ibn Ali. The Imam told the poet to wait so that he could set up a Hijaab so that the women could come and listen to the lamentation. When the Hijaab was set up the Imam invited the women to come and asked the poet to start reciting, which he did. The Imam stopped him and asked him to recite the lamentation in way and dialect, which he does it in their hometown (in Iraq
for example).
All these indicate that the Ahl-ul-Bayt used to teach and proactively encourage their followers to uphold the memory, torment, and the teachings of Imam Husain ibn Ali by words and poetry, by enactment - Shabeeh - to recreate the scenery of the day of Ashura
in Karbala
, and by show devotion to Imam Husain ibn Ali in Tatbeer as shown by Zaynab bint Ali
al-Kubra.
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
also known as Talwar
Talwar
The talwar is a type of curved sword or sabre from India and modern-day Pakistan...
zani and Qama Zani, is an act of mourning by the Shiite Muslims in grief of younger grandson of Islamic Prophet Mohammad, Imam Al Husain ibn Ali who was martyred along with his children, companions and near relatives in the battle of Karbala
Battle of Karbala
The Battle of Karbala took place on Muharram 10, in the year 61 of the Islamic calendar in Karbala, in present day Iraq. On one side of the highly uneven battle were a small group of supporters and relatives of Muhammad's grandson Husain ibn Ali, and on the other was a large military detachment...
by the Sunni ruler Yazid
Yazid
-Given name:* Yazid I , second Umayyad Caliph upon succeeding his father Muawiyah* Yazid II, Umayyad caliph* Yazid III, Umayyad caliph* Yazid Kaïssi, French-born Moroccan footballer* Yazid Mansouri, French-born Algerian footballer...
.
Performance of Tatbir
Tatbir is performed every year on the 10th day of Islamic month of Moharram, known as the Day of AshuraDay of Ashura
The Day of Ashura is on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram.It is commemorated by Shia Muslims as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala on 10...
, and Arbaeen by the Shiites around the world. However, some Shiites also perform Tatbir on other occasions like the 21st of Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
(the day when first Imam Ali ibn Abi talib was martyred in Kufa
Kufa
Kufa is a city in Iraq, about south of Baghdad, and northeast of Najaf. It is located on the banks of the Euphrates River. The estimated population in 2003 was 110,000....
), 28th of Safar
Safar
Safar is the second month in the Islamic calendar.The root of the name, صفر ṣafr, has three basic areas of meaning: 1) whistle, hiss, chirp; 2) be yellow, pale ; 3) to be empty, devoid, vacant...
(in commemoration of Prophet Mohammad's Death and Martyrdom of second Shiite Imam Hasan ibn Ali
Hasan ibn Ali
Al-Hasan ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib is an important figure in Islam, the son of Fatimah the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and of the fourth Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib. Hasan is a member of the Ahl al-Bayt and Ahl al-Kisa...
) and any time during the mourning period starting from Moharram till 8th of Rabi ul Awwal.
The practice of Tatbir includes striking oneself with a form of a sword (talwar
Talwar
The talwar is a type of curved sword or sabre from India and modern-day Pakistan...
in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
) on the head, causing blood to flow in remembrance of the innocent blood of Imam al Husain ibn Ali which was shed by Yazid's
Yazid
-Given name:* Yazid I , second Umayyad Caliph upon succeeding his father Muawiyah* Yazid II, Umayyad caliph* Yazid III, Umayyad caliph* Yazid Kaïssi, French-born Moroccan footballer* Yazid Mansouri, French-born Algerian footballer...
forces in Battle of Karbala
Battle of Karbala
The Battle of Karbala took place on Muharram 10, in the year 61 of the Islamic calendar in Karbala, in present day Iraq. On one side of the highly uneven battle were a small group of supporters and relatives of Muhammad's grandson Husain ibn Ali, and on the other was a large military detachment...
. Some Shiites also hit their back and/or chest with blades attached to chains. This is more commonly known as Zanjeer Zani. Tatbir is performed by both men and women of all ages (the performance of women is not advertised with pictures due to Hijab reasons, however it is certainly permissible for women as it was Sayyidah Zaynab bint Ali
Zaynab bint Ali
Zaynab bint Ali was the daughter of the Rashid Caliph and first Shi'i Imam, Ali and granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah....
who first performed it.
Views of Grand Ayatollahs regarding Tatbir
Tatbir has been sanctioned and regarded permissible by many renowned Shia clerics in their verdicts provided it does not lead to loss of life or any similar kind of danger to the individual performing it. Grand Ayatollah Abdul-Karim Ha'eri Yazdi, the Founder of the current HawzaHawza
Hawza or ḥawza ʻilmiyya is a seminary of traditional Islamic school of higher learning. It is a term used mostly by the Shi'a Muslims communities to refer to a traditional Shi'a centre where clerics are trained...
h in the holy city of Qom
Qom
Qom is a city in Iran. It lies by road southwest of Tehran and is the capital of Qom Province. At the 2006 census, its population was 957,496, in 241,827 families. It is situated on the banks of the Qom River....
has regarded Tabir permissible in his verdict in the following manner:
“The hitting of swords on the heads (causing bleeding) is alright (allowed) provided there is no harm to the person doing this. Furthermore no one has the right to prohibit this (hitting the head with sword). In fact all kinds of TA’ZIAH – mourning – for SEYYED AL-SHUHADA’ – Imam Hussain – may our souls be sacrificed for him, are MUSTAHAB
Mustahabb
Mustahabb is an Islamic term referring to recommended, favored or virtuous actions.-Definition:Mustahabb actions are those whose status of approval in Islamic law falls between mubah and wajib...
– desirable deeds.”
The above Fatwa
Fatwa
A fatwā in the Islamic faith is a juristic ruling concerning Islamic law issued by an Islamic scholar. In Sunni Islam any fatwā is non-binding, whereas in Shia Islam it could be considered by an individual as binding, depending on his or her relation to the scholar. The person who issues a fatwā...
by Grand Ayatollah Abdul-Karim Ha'eri Yazdi was endorsed and signed by the following eminent Maraje’:
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Sheikh Muhammad al-ArakiMohammad Ali ArakiGrand Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Araki Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Araki Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Araki (1889 in Arak – November 24, 1994 in Qom was an Iranian Twelver Shi'a Marja.Ayatullah Araki began his Hawza studies in Arak, and was the student of many prominent scholars during this time,...
. - Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Ridha al-Gulpaygani.
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Shahab-el-Deen al-Mar’ashi al-Najafi.
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Hassan al-Tabataba’e al-Qummi.
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad al-Waheedi.
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Mirza Jawaad al-TabriziJawad TabriziAyatollah Mirza Jawad Tabrizi was an Iranian Twelver Shi'a Marja. He was born in Tabriz, Iran in 1926 AD . At 22 he moved to Qom and later to Najaf, Iraq until he was deported. He then moved back to Qom and was a teacher in the hawza of Qom until his death...
. - Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Saadiq al-Rouhani.
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma Muhammad Mahdi al-Lankaroudi.
Grand Ayatollah al-Sheikh Muhammad Hussain al-Naa’ini, the teacher of the Maraje’ of the holy city of Najaf
Najaf
Najaf is a city in Iraq about 160 km south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2008 is 560,000 people. It is the capital of Najaf Governorate...
.
“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 skull, etc. as it is known amongst the experts in doing this (hitting on the head).”
The above Fatwa by grand Ayatollah al-Sheikh Muhammad Hussain al-Naa’ini was endorsed and signed by the following eminent Maraje’:
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Mohsen al-Hakim.
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Kaadhem al-Shari’atMadari.
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Abd-el-A’la al-Sabzewary.
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei.
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Ridha al-Gulpaygani.
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Ali al-Hussaini al-Seestani.
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Seyyid Muhammad Saadiq al-Rouhani.
- Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Mirza Jawaad al-TabriziJawad TabriziAyatollah Mirza Jawad Tabrizi was an Iranian Twelver Shi'a Marja. He was born in Tabriz, Iran in 1926 AD . At 22 he moved to Qom and later to Najaf, Iraq until he was deported. He then moved back to Qom and was a teacher in the hawza of Qom until his death...
. - Grand Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Sheikh Hussain al-Waheed al-Khurasani.
Historical evidences regarding Tatbir
The following are the few of various narrations recorded, where the Ahlul Bayt (family of Mohammad) shed their blood during mourning for Imam Hussain:The people who practice Tatbir take lead, amongst the teachings of other infallible personalities, from Lady Zaynab
Zaynab bint Ali
Zaynab bint Ali was the daughter of the Rashid Caliph and first Shi'i Imam, Ali and granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah....
, heroine of Karbala
Karbala
Karbala is a city in Iraq, located about southwest of Baghdad. Karbala is the capital of Karbala Governorate, and has an estimated population of 572,300 people ....
and sister of Imam Hussain. It is narrated that when Lady Zaynab
Zaynab bint Ali
Zaynab bint Ali was the daughter of the Rashid Caliph and first Shi'i Imam, Ali and granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah....
saw the head of Her brother Imam Hussain being paraded in public, she hit her forehead on the bar of the carriage She was traveling in, causing blood to flow from beneath Her veil, which was visible to onlookers who witnessed the event.
Some people question this narration above and say that "Lady Zaynab
Zaynab bint Ali
Zaynab bint Ali was the daughter of the Rashid Caliph and first Shi'i Imam, Ali and granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah....
was emotional at the time and didn't know what she was doing." However, the fourth Imam, Imam Zain al-Abideen, had said many times to Lady Zaynab
Zaynab bint Ali
Zaynab bint Ali was the daughter of the Rashid Caliph and first Shi'i Imam, Ali and granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah....
“You are, praise be to Allah, a scholar without (the need for) a teacher, and learned without (the need for) a guide” - “Anti al-Hamdu-Lillah ‘Alimatun Ghayra Mu'allimah wa Fahhimatun Ghayra Mufahhimah” – This statement is seen by scholars as indicating that Lady Zaynab
Zaynab bint Ali
Zaynab bint Ali was the daughter of the Rashid Caliph and first Shi'i Imam, Ali and granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah....
never made mistakes.
There is also a narration which states that when the tragedies of Imam Hussain were being recited in a mourning ceremony, Imam Zain al-Abideen stood up and hit his head on the wall and blood flowed from His head, and His head and His face became covered in blood.
Also, Imam al-Mahdi
Muhammad al-Mahdi
Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan al-Mahdī is believed by Twelver Shī‘a Muslims to be the Mahdī, an ultimate savior of humankind and the final Imām of the Twelve Imams...
states in his Ziyarat Al Nahiya, addressing Imam Hussain:
Historical evidences for other forms of mourning...
There are also reports that Imam Jafar al Sadiq arranged for 'Shabeeh' or enactment about Ali the Junior (Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn the son of Imam Husain ibn Ali to recreate the scene of KarbalaKarbala
Karbala is a city in Iraq, located about southwest of Baghdad. Karbala is the capital of Karbala Governorate, and has an estimated population of 572,300 people ....
for the people, and the Imam does not hold this enactment solely for the (Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn but for all the martyrs of Karbala.
On another occasion a poet comes to the Imam and asks permission to recite a poem about Imam Husain ibn Ali. The Imam told the poet to wait so that he could set up a Hijaab so that the women could come and listen to the lamentation. When the Hijaab was set up the Imam invited the women to come and asked the poet to start reciting, which he did. The Imam stopped him and asked him to recite the lamentation in way and dialect, which he does it in their hometown (in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
for example).
All these indicate that the Ahl-ul-Bayt used to teach and proactively encourage their followers to uphold the memory, torment, and the teachings of Imam Husain ibn Ali by words and poetry, by enactment - Shabeeh - to recreate the scenery of the day of Ashura
Day of Ashura
The Day of Ashura is on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram.It is commemorated by Shia Muslims as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala on 10...
in Karbala
Karbala
Karbala is a city in Iraq, located about southwest of Baghdad. Karbala is the capital of Karbala Governorate, and has an estimated population of 572,300 people ....
, and by show devotion to Imam Husain ibn Ali in Tatbeer as shown by Zaynab bint Ali
Zaynab bint Ali
Zaynab bint Ali was the daughter of the Rashid Caliph and first Shi'i Imam, Ali and granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah....
al-Kubra.
External links
- http://www.azadari4imam.org
- http://imamshirazi.com/tatbir%20fatawa.html
- http://imamshirazi.com/ashura.html#ashuraevidence
- http://www.jafariyanews.com/articles/2k4/28feb_azadariverdicts.htm
- http://www.jafariyanews.com/2k8_news/jan/17tatbeer_kuwait_shialeaders.htm
- Tatbir