Search the Community

Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, I am a student of religion currently living in Iran. I have lived in Pakistan for many many years. Thus I am acquainted with both Farsi and Urdu languages. I have noticed a lot of my Pakistani and Indian brothers asking questions about zanjir-zani. They keep wondering whether zanjir-zani is permissible or impermissible. The term "zanjir-zani" is used both in Persian and Urdu but they have different meanings and significations in both languages. This term is originally Persian but it it signifies "qama-zani" in Urdu. When a Pakistani Shia Muslim asks a religious authority about whether or not "zanjir-zani" is allowed, he wants to get a reply about "qama-zani" (zanjir attached to knives) while the Marja (religious authority) who speaks Farsi or Arabic and has no idea about its Urdu meaning answers what he understands from this compound word (zanjir-zani). He says, "It is permissible." And he means to say that hitting oneself during Muharram using chains (zanjir) only is allowed. There is nothing in the word "zanjir" to indicate that it is attached to knives. Thus, we see there are two cultural settings and two significations for one word. The mujtahid means one thing and the recipient of the answer who comes from the Indian sub-continent understands something else. Here the duty-bound (mukallaf) should suffice to the literal and original meaning of the term "zanjir" which means chain only. He cannot take it for knives, blades, daggers and swords. That is what I want my Indian and Pakistani brothers to take notice of. Allah Hafiz.

So my whole family is Pakistani (living in America), and in Pakistan (and immigrant communities elsewhere) self-flagellation, zanjeer ka maatam, is a very popular form of azadari. In my area there are two imambhara. -One is more mild, with more english speakers, milder maulana's, sometimes non-pakistani/indian maulana's, and no zanjeer ka maatam during muharram (also has more iranis and blacks who come) -The other is more traditional Pakistani, with louder, only urdu speaking maulana's, emphasis on azadari, and zanjeer once or twice during the big 10 days. We go to both imambharas but the split has got me wondering: I know what different marja's have said on the issue, but what are the Imams views on the issue. Or are there no hadiths regarding it?

Not sure if this has been posted already. It's in Arabic. It seems tatbir was founded by Christians, then the Sufis took hold of it and mixed it up with Shia cultural practices. Then the anti-'irafni Shia pretty much made it wajib, and the pro-'irfani Shia pretty much made it haram. Also practiced by Thai Budhists during their Vegetarian Festival. (Watch 0:37 seconds). and as most of us know, exported to the Philippines (probably by the Spanish)

Salaam to all, Just like the title says, this post is about zanjeer pictures. Post pictures of zanjeers you have used or you will use for next year. By this I mean the actually zanjeers, not you doing zanjeer matam or bloody pictures. Just the actual zanjeers themselves. Thanks and Wasalam :)

What do all of you brothers and sisters think about zanjeer zani? I believe it is haram in most cases, and I want some of your opinions so I can also present my ideas and reasoning.

Salams Brothers and Sisters. is it ok to do zanjeer matam after the 10th of muharram? I dont want to start a debate on the rights and wrongs of zanjeer or matam. everyone has the right to express their grief as they please, as long they are not hurting anyone else. i just want to know if it is allowed by the 'authorities' if someone pulls out chains and knives during ziyarat. thanks in advance for the assistance