We discuss here some misconceptions people have about Shias and Muharram.
The month of Muharram arrives. With the commencement of this hallowed month, a discussion about each other’s faith becomes a conflict, followed by a blame game.
Whether you are a Shia, Sunni, or follow another religion, as a human being, you cannot ignore the massacre in Karbala.
The conflict between the Shia and Sunni communities in Pakistan has grown over the years, creating a skewed image of the Shia faith.
Following are some misconceptions people have about Shias and Muharram:
1. It was a war, people die, so what?
The conflict had not been planned. Yazeed desired “bait” from Imam Hussain in order to gain complete control of the Islamic world.
To avoid bloodshed in Madinah, Imam Hussain turned his Hajj into Umrah and traveled to Kufa with his family. Midway, he encountered Yazeed’s Army, which stopped them at Karbala.
2. Shias keep Hazrat Ali above the Prophet and Allah
They don’t! They’re Muslims just like other people and believe in the finality of the Prophet and the oneness of Allah.
3. Shias killed Imam Hussain
Yazeed and his army killed Imam Hussain. Shia are the mourners of the tragedy of Karbala and its aftermath.
4. Shias have a different Quran
No, They have the same Quran and what does a different Quran even mean?
5- Shias became Shias after Karbala
Many individuals believe this to be the case. Shiites arrived prior to Karbala.
Shian e Ali were Imam Ali’s and the Prophet’s (PBUH) disciples.
And the division began even earlier, with the Battle of Siffin, often known as the First Muslim Civil War. All of this occurred prior to the battle of Karbala.
6. Shia abuses the companions of the Prophet
Even among Shias, the practice of abuse is frowned upon. Some do, though, but it is solely intended for those who were complicit in the slaughter of Hazrat Ali and his family.
7- Niyaz contains Zuljana’s (horse) saliva and urine
Let us pause you here. Consider this: what normal human being could comprehend such a situation?! Do you believe they would eat food laced with horse urine and saliva? Would YOU consume it? Probably not, correct? So, why should Shias?
Niyaz is the dish that everyone at the majlis/procession prepares. Just as you would see at Data Sahib or any other religious festival.
8- Shia bow down to Zuljana
They don’t. They, like other Muslims, submit to Allah. The idea of naming a horse ‘Zuljana’ is symbolic. It commemorates Imam Hussain’s horse at Karbala. Yes, we maintain it clean and no one ever rides on it, but that’s all there is to it.
9- A huge orgy is initiated as soon as the lights are turned off at the Shaam-e- Ghariban Majlis
The night following Ashura is known as Shaam-e-Ghariban, which translates as Ghareebon ki Shaam.
The men of Ahl-e-Bait and their follwers were murdered by Yazid’s Army on the evening of the 10th of Muharram.
It was a catastrophe in which all of Ahl-e-Bait’s tents were torched and women’s veils were torn down.
Turning off the lights represents the gloom that has taken over that night.
It is only for people to freely feel the anguish of what the Prophet’s (PBUH) family went through.
