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Hi!! so the dates messed up and we predicted 1st muharram to start a day before it actually did so now i have work schedueled on the 9th of muharram. As a shia idk if i’m allowed to work. It’s said that im not allowed to keep the money I earn that day. Which is fine by me, but i want to be sure of it. Plz provide source too.

Bismillah ir Arahman ir Rahim Salamu Alaikum! I have been Shi'a now for a little less than a year and am still having a hard time understanding things. I have heard that Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Calender, but this whole month is a month of grieving because of 'Ashura? I am just trying to have things a little clearer in my head. Shukran.

MashaAllah, I am glad to announce that we have got a new Shia Islamic Center, Al-Murtaza at Greenville / Spartanburg, South Carolina. It is a small community with 50-60 people in and around Greenville, SC. They have a website with phone number and contact details. They are looking for land and building very aggressively. https://al-murtaza.com The nearest center is Al Zahra Islamic Center of Charlotte, NC which is around 70 - 80 miles. The website for this center is http://azicc.org. They have there own iphone and android app as well. MashaAllah, Shia community is increasing day by day in NC and SC. PixelGenies is blessed for being associated with these communities for its technology needs. May Allah give us all guidance to be on right path and keep doing what is best for the community. PixelGenies Solutions

I am newly converted to shiaism, actually still in converting process. I want to ask what is the right islamic date to wear kalawa in muharram and when do we put them down? Also please tell me what to do with that kalawa or kara after putting them down? Also is it compulsory to wear kalawa or kara in muharram?

Any clue on which maqtal book is the most reliable one to read, preferably a classical one? Abu Mikhnaf's? Al-Luhoof? Any leads will be greatly appreciated. Jazakumallah khair.

, inshAllah for the sake of this month of Muharram, I will be sharing lectures I enjoyed watching many many years ago. I am sure there are people looking for lectures to watch on God, Islam, and Faith. I will try my best to post one every single day. Yes I love old lectures of Hassanain Rajabali. They are timeless and will always renergize and resonate with me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJyoJjpm1UY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8H-ZjbnC4U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO4zF0PNdTo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRtpPOpHwDU

(Salam) I am follower of Ayatullah Ali Sistani (hz). I read his (hz) fatwas on net about Zanjeer Zani (Hitting one's back with Knives hanging with chains) that one should avoid this because if a non-muslim sees this he does not understand it. I intend to do Zanjeer Zani this year. I live in Lahore/Pakistan where majority is muslim and even during the procession `majorty is Shia`. My question is that if it is not declared absolute haram by Ayatullah Sistani (hz), then i will like doing this year.

Assalamualaikum. Ya Aba Abdillah! In the last parts of Ziyarat Ashura, we are supposed to say particular words 100 times. Because I’m a [edit] revert living with my parents, it’s hard for me to spend too much time praying. So the question is can I say those words not 100 times, but rather only once? Wassalam.

Aasalamu’alaykum, I am really worried right now and need some guidance please. Myself and my two year old daughter have been living away. My daughter has never permanently lived with her dad due to personal issues and husband couldn’t financially provide a house other than his parents home. So I have been staying at my parents. Now, after a real struggle we are planning to rent a property. We did all the application before time but now being told we’ll get the keys in Muharram. It’s not in our hands as there are tenants already living in the property at the moment. So my husband is saying, let’s not move in on 15th August but let’s wait and move in after soyum (12th Muharram). We will do a small majlis in the house in respect of Muharram. However, we have a lot of kitchen stuff and home household stuff that are new and have never been used. We would need to use these in order to live in that house. My daughter would need a bed for her room and if I buy it now but delivery will happen in Muharram and we won’t be getting our keys to the property earlier. I don’t know how to manage, what to do? Please help. How do I run a house without opening all the new stuff like pots and pans. Storage boxes, vacuum cleaner and steam mop. I have a young child. She has all her life lived with my parents, in a house full of people. Now moving to a house, where I can’t open any of her toys and make the house adjustable to keep her busy due to Muharram. How do I manage? She’s too small to understand. I feel she won’t adjust living alone with me and her daddy. She might get depressed and this might affect her personality. Please help and give me some advice.

Salaam, I want to recite a majlis and I know that there are many duas that you can read to begin a majlis, however, I need a transliteration of some dua (preferably short) that I could use. If anyone could help me I'd appreciate it

The first month of Islamic calendar (the most 'violent religion' in the eyes of some people) starts with love. Love for the master of martyrs. Love for mothers and motherhood of Karbala. Love for brothers and brotherhood in Karbala. Love for Namaz. Love for the greatest sacrifice for the sake of humanity ever done in the history of mankind. It doesn't start with fancy wishes, roses and hearts. It doesn't start with celebrations, singing songs, dancing in happiness. It doesn't start with tours and trips. Neither it starts with any form of celebration in Islamic context nor does it start with anything remotely related to celebration. It starts with the moon sighting and tears. It starts with the slaps on faces and beating of chests. It starts with thirst and imagination of thirst. It starts with unity and imagination of unity. It starts with a sign of muslims reaffirming to their faith and when one reaffirms to something, at that moment he or she follows that with true heart. So, this is the time when faith is at it's peak. It starts with sacrifice and eagerness for sacrifice. It starts with a new season of Islam where the spirits are going to change their levels. If they ignore this time, their faith will degrade. If they utilize these moments their faith will upgrade. The new year of muslims starts with a welcome note to the most crucial and magnificent reality which is truth/Haq. This welcome note is emotional but it's essence is a call to faith. It starts with the Adhaan of Ali Akber (رضي الله عنه) to the call of help (Halmin Nasirin Yan Suruna) by Imam Husayn (عليه السلام). This is the peak of the beauty of Islam. Muharram starts with the arrival of Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) in the desert of Karbala, a hot place near the banks of Euphrates river or one of it's canals. Imam is met by the first group from the Army of Yazeed led by Hur. I would only emphasize on necessary history as each and every point of history is just out of scope. Hur and his men are badly thirsty. Not only they but even their horses. But as I said, Muharram starts with a welcome note. Here is the first welcome note of mercy, love and humanity. Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) provides them with water (as much as they want to drink). This was a message, a welcome note towards mercy and guidance of Allah to the bewildered. Hur kept on noticing this. But as he was an employee of Yazid along with others, He did what he was asked by Ibn Ziyad. He stopped Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) from going to Kufa and removed their camps from the banks of Euphrates and didn't allow them any further access to water. He asked Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) about the objective of going to Kufa. Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) replied that they don't want war and have come for the guidance of the Kufans who have called him. Again, this was the Jihad of Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) — Love, mercy and guidance of people towards Allah and Islam — and resisting the tyrants and evil in this way. Hur — who caused all the initial trouble and because of whom the children of Husayn (عليه السلام) stayed away from water — found himself guilty. This was the real sword of Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) that was struck on Hur and started to show it's impact since he met Imam and kept on growing until it became unbearable on the night before 10th of Muharram (Ashura). Here is a message. As, the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) has said that the greatest jihad is jihad-un-Nafs (Jihad with the self). The real battle that Hur fought in Karbala was against his own self. He fought against his desires on the night of Ashura. His weapon was the voices of thirsty children in the camp of Husayn (عليه السلام). His weapon was the mercy Imam showed to him. But what was he confronting. Hur was confronting an employee of Yazid in his self. An employee that said that 'somehow Yazid is your Emir and you have to follow his order.' The cancer of neutrality penetrated in his self which said 'What do you have to do with politics. You have a family and friends. Think about them. Stay out of this hassle. You are a soldier of an Army and a commander. Do your duty. Yazid is a drunkard, who cares? Husayn is the son of Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) , but who cares?' All these fearful, short-visioned, selfish and self-centered arguments were surrounding Hur and making him stay on the side of Yazid. This is a big lesson. Every soldier in the Army of Yazid was facing an enemy like this within their soul. Every human being on earth, more or less, faces this enemy. We might say a thousand words of truth, we might agree with everything right but our ill-self always confronts us with these arguments and stops us from understanding Haq. Hur had enough weapons. He successfully broke this siege and killed his enemy and with purity, humility, recognizing the truth with the eyes of heart went this time towards the rightful leader of the Ummah. He didn't go to Husayn to sympathise the children. He didn't go their to advice Husayn (عليه السلام). He didn't actually go to Husayn (عليه السلام). He travelled towards freedom. From a fake tyrant to the rightful leader. From a payed employee of Yazid to a self-seeking slave of Imam Husayn (عليه السلام). From ignorance and arrogance to awareness and humbleness. Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) accepted him and all people along with him. He himself became the 'leader of mujahids' in my eyes. It's better to call Hur (رضي الله عنه) Imam ul Mujahid (lesder of the Jihadis) because jihad was done by everyone in Karbala, but he provoked others too (atleast thirty people came to the camp of Imam Husayn from the other side). And he had a very less amount of time to decide on his fate. He certainly fought the most fierce battle against his nafs (self). Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) was calling and testing. He was testing his companions and calling his enemies. These calls happened in many ways. With speeches and with actions. One of the ways among all these (for me) was even the Adhaan recited by Hazrat Ali Akber (رضي الله عنه) in the morning and everytime when it was the prayer time. Who matched the face of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)? Their were many good voices in Karbala. Many great scholarly people were their. Each one of them was capable of reciting Adhan. Glittering beautiful faces as well as wonderful voices. So, why only Hazrat Ali Akber (رضي الله عنه)? Because the face of Ali Akber (رضي الله عنه) was like Prophet Muhammed (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). They were so similar that Imam Husayn used to say, "When I want to see my grand father. I see Ali Akber." Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) made Ali Akber's presence a reminder for the enemies that they are not fighting Husayn (عليه السلام) but rather they are fighting the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) himself. Adhan of Ali Akber (رضي الله عنه) was a signal to remind the calls of Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) towards faith. This holds a lesson for us that faith should be above everything. Call of every wali/guide/Imam towards Islam is a call of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) himself. Imamat is not an inch separate from Prophethood. As said by Dr. Ali Shariati, "Islam without Justice and Imamat is an Islam without Islam". Each and every call to prayer had two indicators. One was the visual indicator. Other was the vocal indicator. Call by the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) towards Salaat. Call towards peace, justice and Islam: 'Hayya Ala Khairil Amal - Come towards the Good'. This was the mission of Husayn (عليه السلام) and the objective of Karbala. As I acclaimed, the master of martyrs was testing his companions again and again. Checking their faith and strengthening it minute by minute. At more than one moment, Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) asked his companions to leave him. More than once he told them about their fate if they stay with him. More than once, he told the purpose of his journey. Such that each and everyone of them became clear about it. Answers to these statements from the companions were mind blowing. This is what Imam said : "It is a fact that I am not aware of any companions more faithful and honest than my companions and any relatives more righteous and kind than my relatives. May Allah grant all of you a good reward. I think that the day of our fighting with this army has arrived. I permit all of you to go away. You are free to depart without any restriction and should take advantage of the darkness of night." I won't go in detail. But he gave them the certificate of Jannah. He even endorsed their piety. He declared them as the best companions. He even told them how to escape. But except a very few, none of them moved. How can they even leave? How can they love life or death or even Jannah with a thought that they left their Imam to get slaughtered in the hands of beasts? Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) was testing them. He was trying to debug even a single confusion in their heart. He was trying to eliminate even the thought of Jannah from their mind so that they only think of sacrifice for Allah. What a spirit! What can we say! Ask yourself what Imam Husayn(عليه السلام) asked to his companions in Karbala each and every time. Will you leave your Imam while difficulties have surrounded him? Will you leave him if he grants you Jannah? Will you leave him if he himself asks you to leave? What does wisdom say? Ask yourself. Are you so firm in faith that whatever might happen, you are standing behind your Imam (عليه السلام) and doing your duty? Ask yourself. Are you an employee of Allah, who is paid with happiness, security, health and wealth and promise of Jannah so that he can forget his divine duty if all his payments are delivered irrespective of his stances? Or are you a slave of only Allah and follower of only his leaders and commanders appointed on you such that even if they themselves ask you to leave for your lives, you will not. What if, Allah is asking blood from you? Are you ready? Who can be more free in this world then the companions of Imam Husayn (عليه السلام)? Take a lesson here. Follow Islam irrespective of anything. We get into doubt: Our prayers are not accepted, our desires are not fulfilled, calamities keep on falling on us etc. Is this our vision of life? No. Our only mission and purpose of life is to obey Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). Stay where he wants us to stay and refrain from something which Allah has asked us to refrain from. Allah will test you to see how much firm you are in following his commandments. We see warriors, with all capabilities to break the largest armies in a battle alone, shying and controlling themselves in Karbala. Sayyed ush Shuhada (Imam al Husayn (AS)) stopped Abbas at every step from battling with the enemy. He even brought Hazrat Zaynab (SA) at one point for the same purpose. I won't mention the reason why Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) stopped Hazrat Abbas (رضي الله عنه). But how difficult it would be for a warrior like Abbas (رضي الله عنه) to control himself from attacking the enemy. How difficult it would be to obey the master of Martyrs (عليه السلام) and understand the fate at this moment. More difficult then understanding was accepting. Acceptance and understanding that made Abbas a Saqqa (water carrier) from an Alamdaar (flag-bearer). This was the time when Al Abbas (رضي الله عنه) became the symbol of patience. He changed his being and kept down his sword to obey his mawla and his brother. This proves how critical and crucial weapon is patience and endurance. How important it is to remain patient in order to sustain yourself on the path of Allah. The will of Allah can be for us or against us. We should put our heads down in front of Allah's will. Ghazi Abbas (رضي الله عنه) teaches us how to contemplate on what Allah wants from us and then not only refraining from our own will but submitting to Allah's will in the best of ways. How he managed to take a broken spear on the battle ground while he had a sword with him? How he managed to only try to bring water to the camps and not breaking the other enemy fronts? How he managed to protect the water and gave his hands in doing so? What patience a person needs to refrain from drinking a drop of water even after his lips are dry and throat dying from thirst. This patience led Al Abbas (رضي الله عنه) to become the symbol of loyalty (Sarkaar-e-Wafa) in the history of mankind. Hazrat Abbas (رضي الله عنه) was not even an infallible but still he made himself so strong that whatever his brother and leader demanded from him he delivered. Only one thing that remained was water. Which led Abbas to such a level of regret and emotion that he denied his body to be taken to the camps. If we can't learn patience, perseverence, submission and loyalty from Hazrat Abbas (رضي الله عنه). This history is useless and just as important as a novel. Karbala startles us at every step. Their was even a child as young as 6 months. When Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) called for help, no one was their to answer except a 6 months old Ali al Asghar (رضي الله عنه). He fell on ground after this call. He was taken to ask for water by Imam Husayn (عليه السلام). Imam knew that he will be martyred. But another reality of Karbala is a father taking his own son to sacrifice for Allah and become an example in history. Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) never needed help so what was the reason of this call? It was nothing but a reminder to everyone. Imam (عليه السلام) warned humanity that 'don't let a time come upon your leader when no one will accompany or support him'. Imam was calling people to Islam, to guidance. But only a 6 months old could understand. It is a call that echoes in our ears every year to move towards Karbala and to move towards religion and guidance. Not only Ali al Asgher answered but his mother answered it. All the woman answered it. Bibi Umm Rabab (SA) became a symbol of motherhood in Karbala. This is how a mother should be. Woman should teach their children to become the pure and free servant of Allah because this is the greatest honor and they should be so strong and firm that if Allah asks them their dearest sons for sacrifice, they should deliver and content themselves with patience and thankfulness towards Allah. If mothers become like mothers of Karbala, every child will become a servant of Allah and fighter of Islam which would pave the way towards an ideal Islamic society. At the end, before his sorrowful martyrdom, Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) addressed the faithless and inhumane army of Yazid. He introduced himself not as a warrior but as a divinely appointed Imam, who has got the highest honors in the eyes of Allah. He was introducing himself like this in order to guide them so that they refrain from what they are about to do and understand the path of Allah. So that they understand that what all rewards they will recieve after this act will be nothing in comparison to what they will loose. Their was a lot of wisdom and beauty in each word but cursed were those who were blinded by the pleasures of this world. Imam said: "Even if you don't believe in religion, atleast be free in this world." Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) wanted people to become free from everything, even their soul and then choose according to reason because truth cannot be imposed. It is not necessary to deceive someone to follow the truth. If we remove all the veils of falsehood, evil and deception, the only thing left will be truth. Freedom is not to remove your hijab or even wear it to make people admire you. Freedom is not to pray because your parents will kick you or Allah will send you to hell. Choose religion not because you are born in such a family but because you are a human being and Allah has given you the right to think, contemplate and ask the best for yourself independent of anything. Choose anything in life on the basis of free will that only submits to Allah (the absolute). This is the perception Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) wanted us to work upon. Karbala if followed and read in a right way should change a person. If it doesn't then the message is not delivered. It was a battle between free will and imposed will. Battle between freedom seeking revolutionaries and employees of evil. A battle between 'I stand with Husayn and condemn Yazid and I know what I'm doing' vs 'Husayn is good and Yazid is bad but we are employees of Yazid so do the duty.' It shows that evil is everything except truth and not even the companions of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) are immune from it. Even taking neutral grounds is a sign of ignorance and part of evil. This takes us to the Zaynabi revolution. The start of the new year. The pledge and commitment to change our 'self'. The pledge to fight the evil within us to a level that only Allah's manifestation remains. Azadaari (mourning for Imam Husayn (AS)) is resistance. It is not a mere custom in which some people come, cry, beat their chests and go away as if nothing happened. It is not a majlis that starts with lamentation and comes to end with gheebah (backbiting). It is not a show-off place where you show the standards of food you serve in the form of tabarruk. It is not a place to compete that who will gather the maximum audience and who will provide the best in tabarruk. Neither it is about how many slogans of 'Yaa Ali' will be raised or how many people will faint during Masaaib (sorrowful happenings in Karbala). Tears are natural and not man-made. Only that person can cry on Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) who has the maarefat (wisdom) of Imam Husayn (عليه السلام). The people who do all that I said above except azadaari are making fun of Hazrat Zainab (عليه السلام) and her revolution. They are equivalent to those Kufans and Syrians who mocked and taunted the Ahl Haram when they were taken captive and dragged in the streets of Kufa and Damascus. Shame on such people and shame on the show-off they do in the name of Mourning. Shame on those who do politics in the name of azadari. Shame on those reciters and orators who do business in the name of Azadaari. This is the worst of insults that AhlulBayt (عليه السلام) have to bear. We sell our souls so cheap that we fight on some bits of food that we recieve after majlis. We are making a joke of ourselves and also a joke of our religion and our Imam. Azadaari is a custom of purity started by the Great Sister of Al Husayn (عليه السلام) and Imam Sajjad (عليه السلام) as a form of resistance to tyranny and cruelity. A person who is a true azadaar of Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) and has percieved his revolutionary message will not sit down until he purifies himself and brings society towards Islam. He will not settle unless he becomes a pain in the gut for the tyrannic rulers. Who is the real mourner of Imam Husayn (عليه السلام)? The one who brought down the forts of oppressors and stood for the oppressed. As an example, Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah is the true mourner. His army are the true mourners of Imam Husayn (عليه السلام). It is not possible that a mourner beats his chest, cries on Imam of the oppressed but remains quiet in supporting 'The Husayn' of this time. It is impossible for a mourner of Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) to curse Yazid while stay quiet on the crimes committed by 'The Yazid' of the time or be supportive of it. Azadaari is not a dead custom and Imam Husayn (عليه السلام) is not a dead hero. It is indeed a living revolution that flows in our body and pumps through our hearts in the form of martyrs of Karbala and becomes manifest when we stand for justice and haq in the present time. Our duty is to take the message of Husayn (عليه السلام) and implement it on our own lives. Our duty is to be kind, humble, firm, down-to-earth, tough in front of the world, soft in front of Allah. Our duty is to put up sacrifices in the path of Allah whenever needed. Our duty is to unite and set aside our differences. We should unite under the banner of Allah the great. This is what Azadaari teaches us. This is what Karbala teaches us. When only a few people who stood as one in front of the most powerful enemy of the time and defeated him, why can't we? When people celebrate new year, they take pledges. We have the most appealing history remembered just on the start of the year. We should also take a pledge. Commit yourself: you will practice taqwa, pray on time, practice patience and base your life on knowledge and faith.

Salamunalaikum, What are the authentic accounts to support chest-beating from Qur'an and Hadith? Note: My question is not specific to shia or sunni books. I just need authentic hadith whether from shia accounts or sunni. I also don't need a logical answer so a hadith or quranic verse is needed which verifies the act of chest-beating. Also, If matam/chest-beating is allowed, then, to what extent? Is it allowed to mourn every person like we mourn Imam Husayn (عليه السلام)? For instance, if someone's family member dies and he is neither a martyr nor an oppressed but simply died due to sickness or normal reasons. Then, are we allowed to beat our chest and face and cry loudly while mourning him? I need a detailed answer for this. If the question is not clear then please let me know. Note: This question is not concerned with qama or zanjeer and forms of matam/chest beating in which blood is spilled. Wassalam

Salamunalaikum, I am a shia and some questions have struck me from sometime which are regarding matam or chest-beating in the month of muharram. What are the authentic accounts to support chest-beating from Qur'an and Hadith? Note: My question is not specific to shia or sunni books. I just need authentic hadith whether from shia accounts or sunni. I also don't need a logical answer so a hadith or quranic verse is needed which verifies the act of chest-beating. Also, If matam/chest-beating is allowed, then, to what extent? Is it allowed to mourn every person like we mourn Imam Husayn (عليه السلام)? For instance, if someone's family member dies and he is neither a martyr nor an oppressed but simply died due to sickness or normal reasons. Then, are we allowed to beat our chest and face and cry loudly while mourning him? I need a detailed answer for this. If the question is not clear then please let me know. Note: This question is not concerned with qama or zanjeer and forms of matam/chest beating in which blood is spilled. Wassalam

Salaam Alaikum, to Covid 19 and social distancing, Ziyarat, Madrassas and Majalis are unfortunately closed this year. To keep your little ones entertained and educated I made a Free Muharram Activity Book. To download the book visit https://safoopublications.com/ (on the home page on the left top corner it says ‘free Muharram book click here to download’). If you could please share this with parents and your contacts that would be much appreciated, Jazakallah khair,

I have written a research paper trying to prove that the tradition about the fast of ashura or 10th muharram is not a sunnah but only a fabrication to dilute gham e hussain ((عليه السلام)) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x2Q8VU2JR2RbLNAqYaw6NJhCAwZZj_mKYYSrNtmnbvQ/edit?usp=drivesdk)

Where can I find the most authentic account of events of Karbala from shia sources?

In the name of the Almighty May the blessings of Allãh be upon Prophet Muhammad & his holy family The Prophet (s) said: “Verily there is a warmth in the hearts of the believers for the martyrdom of al-Ḥusayn that will never cool off.” The ceremonies and gatherings commemorating the tragedy of Karbala during the month of Muḥarram and Ṣafar are the hallmarks of Shī‘ī Islam. The sacrifice of Imam Ḥusayn (a), his family and companions solidified and safeguarded the foundation of the authentic teachings of Islam as delivered by the Holy Prophet (s). The Prophet (s) unequivocally predicted that the warmth in the hearts of the believers [from the tragedy of this event] will never cool off. May Almighty God bless the mourners, increase their numbers, and protect them. Indeed the commemorative ceremonies have continued uninterrupted through time, but they have always done so by recognizing the prevailing social and political factors, and prudently proceeding to ensure the preservation of Islamic ideals. We are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore, we cannot ignore the ongoing spread of the coronavirus and its dire implications on our communities in North America. The Council of Shia Muslim Scholars recognizes that the prevalence and incidence of new cases in our communities across North America is not uniform. Some parts of this vast continent are experiencing an alarming surge in the transmission of the virus while others are impacted less severely. Therefore, it is clear that there is no single format for the Muḥarram programs that would be suitable for every mosque, center, and organization, and as such, we will see a variety of approaches being taken to commemorate the event of Ashura. Given these conditions, the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America would like to strongly recommend the following guidelines: Online programs: Many centers will continue holding Muḥarram programs online as was done during the month of Ramadhān. It is important to mention that anyone who chooses the online format of ‘azā or mourning commemoration should not be criticized for it or judged as having less love for Imam Ḥusayn (a) – the act of ‘azā is an ‘ibādat or worship, and its acceptance by Almighty God depends on the intention and not its format. Moreover, there is also thawāb or reward for conducting the commemoration online. Those who will be participating in online programs at home should dedicate a room or a space in the house for the 12 nights of Muḥarram where all the family members can gather to listen to the online poetry and speech from their respective center, and thereafter, participate in the matam/latmiyyah after the speech and conclude with the ziyarah. Thus, each family will be able to create an atmosphere of ‘azā and hold gatherings at their homes while simultaneously remaining connected to the community at large. Programs at centers: Some centers will decide to open for the Muḥarram program, either partially or fully. For such centers, the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America strongly urges to evaluate their local situation and if there is surge in the spread of the virus (such as currently seen in the southern states of the USA), then it would be prudent religiously to adopt the online format for ‘aza programs. If they take on the responsibility to open the centers, then the Council strongly advises that they strictly adhere to the guidelines of their local health officials, paying particular attention to the followings: Keep the number of participants within the percentage allowed in the center by your city. If possible, depending on the weather, try to organize the programs in the parking lot or a nearby park where you can accommodate more people while adhering to the limitation on numbers and other restrictions. Set an age limit to minimize the risk for the vulnerable believers (i.e., the elderly and the children). Monitor the temperature of the attendees/participants at the entrance. Record the name and contact number of the attendees/participants at the entrance so that, God forbid, if it is determined later that an attendee/participant was infected with the virus, they would be able to contact others who were present that day and ask them to take precaution or seek coronavirus testing. Monitor and strictly enforce the compulsory social distance. The reciter and speaker should be far enough from the first line of audience, Enforce the use of face masks, gloves and other precautionary measures. Plan the entry and the exit points for the congregants in a way that they do not violate social distancing requirements inside the center as well as in the parking lot. Serving tea, juice (sharbat) or other food/drinks (i.e., tabarruk) should be strictly avoided to prevent any transmission of the virus. Private Majālis at Homes: Many Shi‘as organize private majlis at their homes during Muḥarram and Ṣafar. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are serious issues in such gatherings that need to be considered, and so the same advice given to the centres applies here also. However, if a person decides to organize the private majlis, then he or she is legally and religiously responsible to adhere to the guidelines of the local health authorities as follows: Not exceeding the maximum number of persons allowed in gatherings at a private home. Maintaining the compulsory social distance. This means that the organizer will not be able to invite a full house; they will have to be selective in who is invited and who is not. Record the name and contact number of attendees/participants. Enforce the use of face masks, gloves and other necessary precautionary measures. Control the entry and exit of individuals so that social distancing requirements are not violated. Serving tea, juice (sharbat) or other food/drinks (i.e., tabarruk) should be strictly avoided to prevent any transmission of the virus. If a reciter or orator refuses to attend in person, then don’t judge him or her for the decision. Find someone else or do the majlis through zoom or other media. Remember that emergency situations like what we are experiencing currently require extraordinary solutions. There should be no sense of guilt if you are unable to adhere to these guidelines. Instead, consider doing it in a minimized form or delay it till things get back to normal. According to the Grand Ayatullah Sistani, if an infected person knowingly attends a gathering and spreads the virus, then they are not only sinful, but also liable for any loss experienced by those who were infected by them, including indemnity for loss of life. Let us end with a point of reflection: in our teachings, it is disliked (makrūh) for a person to go to the mosque after eating onion or garlic because they can cause bad breath. If Islam does not want you to create discomfort for your fellow congregants in the mosque because of your bad breath, then it surely wants to prevent any transmission of a deadly virus by aerosolized droplets. Therefore, wear face masks and gloves, and strictly adhere to social distancing. Consider that to be your religious duty. Our great marāji‘ are clear and united on this issue. Attention All the jurists, including the supreme religious authority, Sayyid al-Sistani (may God prolong his life), have clearly stated that it is necessary for every believer to safeguard themselves and others from harm, especially when the risk occurs due to disregard of guidelines and instructions issued by healthcare professionals. (Click here to view the detailed instruction by Imamia Medics International on Programs for Muharram/Safar during the pandemic). On behalf of the council, Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, The Secretary General https://imam-us.org/guidelines-for-conducting-muharram-1442-programs

Assalamalekum Brothers and Sisters, It's the holy month of Muharram and the great Ashura has already passed. I would like to draw and topic to you and share my findings on the context. Kindly guide me on the issue if required. Fasting on 10th of Muharram is a common practice all over the world. However, I'd like to dissect the issue based on a lecture of Syed Ammar Nakshwani below: 1. Hadith of Fasting in Ashura Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about that. They replied, "This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We have more claim over Moses than you." So, the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day). Sahih Bukhari: Book of Fasting, Hadith# 222 Narrated Abu Musa: The day of 'Ashura' was considered as `Id day by the Jews. So the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered, "I recommend you (Muslims) to fast on this day." Sahih Bukhari: Book of Fasting, Hadith# 223 Narrated Ibn `Abbas: When Allah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) came to Medina, he found the Jews observing the fast on the day of Ashura. They (the Jews) were asked about it and they said: It is the day on which Allaah granted victory to Moses and (his people) Bani Isra'il over the Pharaoh and we observe fast out of gratitude to Him. Upon this the Prophet of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: We have a closer connection with Moses than you have, and he commanded to observe fast on this day. Sahih Muslim: Book of Fasting, Hadith# 2518 Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) arrived in Medina and found the Jews observing fast on the day of 'Ashura. The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to them: What is the (significance) of this day that you observe fast on it? They said: It is the day of great (significance) when Allaah delivered Moses and his people, and drowned the Pharaoh and his people, and Moses observed fast out of gratitude and we also observe it. Upon this the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: We have more right, and we have a closer connection with Moses than you have; so Allaah's Messenger (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) observed fast (on the day of 'Ashura), and gave orders that it should be observed. Sahih Muslim: Book of Fasting, Hadith# 2520 2. Narrators of the Hadith Now let’s dissect this issue in the light of the narrators of the Hadith: Ibn `Abbas: Abd Allah ibn Abbas or ′Abd Allah ibn al-′Abbas otherwise called (Ibn Abbas; Al-Habr; Al-Bahr; The Doctor; The Sea) was born c. 619 CE. He was the son of Al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, an uncle of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and a nephew of the Maymunah bint al-Harith, who later became Muhammad's wife. He was one of Muhammad's cousins and one of the early Qur'an scholars. Since Ibn Abbas was only approx. 3-4 years old (as our Prophet (SAW) migrated on 622 CE), it’s quite ironic that a child of such age experienced the event of Jewish fasting and can explain the whole event such accurately later on. Abu Musa: Abu-Musa Abd-Allah Ibn Qays al-Ash'ari, better known as Abu Musa al-Ashari (d.ca. 662 or 672) was a companion of Muhammad and an important figure in early Islamic history. He was at various times governor of Basra and Kufa and was involved in the early Muslim conquests of Persia. Abu Musa came originally from Zabid, region of Yemen, where his tribe, the Ashar, lived in the pre-Islamic period. He accepted Islam at Mecca prior to the hijra and returned to his native Yemen to propagate the faith. There was no news of him for more than a decade until following the conquest of Khaybar in 628 when he came to Muhammad in Medina with more than fifty converts from Yemen including his two brothers Abu Ruhm and Abu Burdah. Since Abu Musa returned in Khaybar on 628 CE, it can be seen that he was not also present during the Jewish Fasting issue. 3. Meaning of Ashura Although the term Ashura is considered as the 10th of Muharram, but according to the explanation of Arabic language scholar Ali-Ibn Al Athir (1160-1233), the word Ashura has two meanings, an old meaning and a new meaning. Ashura came from ‘Ashrah’ which means ten in Arabic, so according to the old meaning- the 10th day of any month is known as Ashura, and according to the new meaning- after the martyrdom of Hussain bin Ali (AS) the term Ashura refers to 10th day of Muharram month. So if for the sake of argument if we believe that the Jewish fasting was on Ashura, it’s not necessary that it was the 10th of Muharram. 4. Arabic Calendar VS Jewish Calendar It’s quite ironic that Jews of medina were following the Arabic calendar that time, whereas they had their own calendar. It’s assumed that the day they referred that time could be the 10th of Tishri or 15th of Nisan according to the Jewish calendar. 10th of Tishri in Judaism is known as YOM KEPOOR or Ayiam e Kaffara (Year of Attonment) was the date when Moses (AS) came back from mount Sinai and saw his followers worshiping the golden calf. And 15th of Nisan was the date when the Jews were saved from being drowned in Nile. Now let’s peep into the miscalculations of dates for the event: 1. If the event referred to 10th of Tishri, the only year that time when 10th Muharram and 10th Tishri collided, was on 40th Year of Hijrah. So it could not be the Year when Prophet (SAW) entered Medina. 2. If it was 15th of Nisan, then it should have been the 23rd of Ramadan of the Year of Hijrah, not 10th of Muharram. 3. Last but not the least, Prophet (SAW) entered Medina on Rabiul Awwal, not Muharram!! Considering the discussed facts we can conclude that the Hadith of Jewish fasting is a fabrication and should not be let supersede the greatness of the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his holy family. Jazakullah Khairan.

As a father myself, and many of you will know as parents too, our children's lives are so precious, so important, more so than our own. When a child is hurt, we feel that pain, it happens even when we hear about someone else's child. The sorrow, the ache in the heart, we feel it as if they were our own. So it shocks me how the tragedy of Ali Asghar doesn't cause grief, hurt and anger to Muslims worldwide, not just Shi'a Muslims. As many Muslims are parents themselves, the loss of a six month old baby should resonate with everyone. Yet many Muslims deny or question the events of Karbala, over what? Sectarianism? Stubborness to accept the truth? These people value their ideology over innocent lives, innocent children. Nobody would, in their worst nightmares, wish a child to die, a child to be thirsty, a child to be locked up like a criminal and taunted, crying every day until their soul left this world. At the very least nobody would wish to deny these atrocities. Yet, they do, or at least they refuse to speak out against injustice, they refuse to learn from the realities of Karbala. The day of Ashura will go by without even a mention in most of the mosques around the world, isn't that sad? The family of the Prophet gave so much, yet most remember them so little. Beyond Hasan and Husayn being lifted upon the Prophet's shoulders, or being compared to sweet basil, what else do most people remember about Husayn? How sad.

I heard that it isn't good to do so, are we allowed and what can’t we do this month?

The sad heart has arrived, The eye filled with tears have arrived. Has arrived the Month of Aza, The Army of Hussain has arrived An Army Dressed in Black, Beating their Chest for their Master Through out the night they recite elegies of their Master O My Master, O You who sacrificed everything O Thirsty Prince

My some sunni friends and my family mentioned yesterday night that they have seen the words closely resembling Ya Hussain in the moon in Pakistan. Today at night of 10th Muharram i also saw the words with very much resemblance of Ya Hussain in the bright part of moon. If any one has its pic that can be shared for the information of others. WS

The first ashra of Muharram is in full swing across the globe, and with it comes our annual call to all ShiaChat members: polish off the advanced search skills and locate those elusive local Imambargah YouTube channels in an attempt to gather the most viewed collection of event-specifc Shia lectures on the Internet and spread the message of Imam Hussein (a). Previous threads have already racked up thousands of views as people continue to come back to find lectures that were linked to in these threads; let's keep the trend going inshallah. Past Years:

Salam everyone, i am trying to educate myself on Muharram, when I was a kid I use to watch a movie about the battle of Karbala and Muharram but I can’t seem to find any anymore. Can anyone help me out? Whether it’s episodes or a movie even if it’s a cartoon one, I don’t mind. Preferably in English please? Thank you so much in advance.

As a Pakistani Shia, I don't understand majority of Arabic latmiyat, despite this my heart aches to hear them and I love listening to them please help me understanding two of my current favourites, jazakAllah khair: and Either, or both will be very much appreciated:)