Q. Is transmitting the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (ra) part of sunnah of
rasul (saw). What do we actually have to do on this day? is it sunnah?
A. No. Ashura is an important and great day in Islam not because of the
historical events in question but because of Divine and Prophetic
stipulations that concern it as part of Muharram, the holiest month
after Ramadan. To follow other than those Divinely-ordained stipulations
is a distraction from the proper observance of that great day that would
rob its victim blind of its benefit here and hereafter, especially
compounded with the added delusion that such innovation is a pious deed.
The modality of observance of Ashura is found in the Sunna and nowhere
else. And the Sunni practice on Ashura' consists in fasting (an
emphasized sunna that carries tremendous reward and expiation of sins);
giving sadaqa (which on this day is multiplied by the days of the year);
renewed generosity and kindness to one's immediate dependents; honoring
and visiting the returning pilgrims to the House of Allah and asking
their dua; and visiting the Ulema and Awliya.
As for the merits of using kohl or henna, or doing ghusl on that day: it
is based on false evidence and forgeries. (The report, "Whoever dyes his
eyelids with kohl on the day of Ashura shall never suffer ophthalmia for
the rest of his life" is forged by agreement of al-Hakim per
al-Fayruzabadi in Sifr al-Sa`ada; Ibn al-Jawzi in the Mawdu`at; Ibn
Nasir al-Din in al-Lafz al-Mukarram bi-Fadli Ashura' al-Muharram; Ibn
Rajab in Lata'if al-Ma`arif; al-Sakhawi in the Maqasid; al-Haytami in
the Sawa`iq al-Muhriqa; and al-Qari in the Masnu`.)
Therefore, if by "transmitting the martyrdom" of our liege-lord
al-Husayn (Allah be well-pleased with him) is meant the scholarly
narration of those events by a qualified historian in a book or a
gathering, this has been done by some past masters such as Ibn Abi
al-Dunya, al-Baghawi, and Ibn Nasir al-Din in monographs and by
al-Dhahabi and al-Suyuti as part of more extensive works, so it is part
of Sunni history and education.
However, if by such transmission is meant a public discourse or a book
commemorating those events for specific emotional or purportedly
religious purposes then the Ulema have said that this is ignorance and
the door of fitna and jahiliyya because it fosters unislamic expressions
of mourning and divisive hatred of some of the Companions of the Prophet
and other early Muslims from the centuries praised by the Prophet, upon
him blessings and peace, all of which is haram. Nor has such
commemoration been Sunni practice at all - even for the death of the
Holy Prophet, whose passing from this world is a much greater loss -
whether on Ashura or any other time of the year.
As for love of Ahl al-Bayt it is an integral of Sunni belief but in a
Sunni way, not a sectarian way chock-full with ill feelings fanned by
fabrications. Ibn Kathir said in al-Bidaya wal-Nihaya (8:201-202):
"Al-Tabarani mentioned in this chapter very strange
reports indeed and the Shi`is went overboard
concerning the day of Ashura', forging many hadiths
that are gross lies such as the sun being eclipsed on
that day until the stars appeared, no stone was lifted
except blood was seen under it, the celestial regions
became red, the sun and its rays seemed like blood,
the sky seemed like a blood clot, the stars were
hurling against one another, the sky rained red
blood, there was never redness in the sky before
that day, and the like... among other lies and
forgeries of which not one report is sound."
Success is from Allah, may He keep us on the path of His Prophet and his
Companions, away from sectarianism and bad adab posing as love of Ahl
al-Bayt.
Hajj Gibril
Narrating the events of Karbala during Muharram?
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