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Muharram or the 'sacred month' is the first month of
the Islamic or Hegira calendar. The Hadith instructs to observe fasting
on the 9th and 10th of this month. Fasting on ashura
(the 10th of Muharram) was a faraz (obligatory) until fasting in
ramadan
was made faraz. Both in pre-Islamic times as well as at the time of the
Prophet muhammad
(Sm), it was haram (forbidden) to be in war in this month. Muslims
of the Shiah group observe the first ten days of the month as a period
of mourning for the death of Imam Husain (R), the grandson of Hazrat Muhammad
(Sm). The tenth day of Muharram is called Ashura.
Imam Husain (R) was killed on this day at the hands of the troops
of Yazid, the son of Muawiyah, the Umaiyya caliph. Shiahs take
out processions with tazia,
the replica of the tomb of Imam Husain (R) and they show their
grief by clapping on their chests or flagellating themselves with
knives or chains. The mourning continues for forty days till the
first ten days of the next month Safar.
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Muharram procession
from Husaini Dalan, Dhaka |
Muharram had been observed since the 10th century. In
Bengal also it has been observed for the last few centuries. The centre
of observances of Muharram in Dhaka is the husaini
dalan Imambara. As mark of mourning, Shiahs dress in black
for at least ten days of Muharram. During this time, they refrain from
merrymaking, listening to music, or seeing plays or movies. They also
do not arrange weddings during this month. Keeping in mind that Imam Husain
(R) and his followers suffered from unavailability of water, some Shiahs
refrain from eating fish.
During these first ten days of the month, majlis (mourning
assemblies), are held at the imambaras, separately for men and women.
The story of the martyrdom of Hazrat Husain (R) is told and marsiyas
(elegies) are sung or recited in the assemblies. At the end of the service,
food is distributed to the people. On the seventh of Muharram, shirni
(special offerings) are made and the people pray for Allah's blessings.
Food and fruits in large quantities and varieties are distributed on the
occasion. Those who pray for Allah's blessings, pick out a food item,
and make a manat, or promise, not to eat that food for a year.
In case the prayer is deemed accepted, they promise to offer shirni the
next year. Along with the shirni, some also offer silver panja,
the model of an open palm with five fingers that represent the five holy
figures, the Prophet Muhammad (Sm), his daughter Fatima (R), his son-in-law
Ali (R), and his two grandsons Hassan (R) and Husain (R).
Muharram processions were common in Bengal in the 18th
century. Horses and elephants were also used in the processions. Processions
nowadays are much smaller. In Dhaka, the procession begins at Husaini
Dalan and, after winding its way through the streets, terminates at a
place designated Karbala on the banks of the Dhanmandi Lake. The replica
of Duldul, the horse of Imam Husain (R) and the flags in the procession
show a symbolic presence of Imam Husain (R). Also latikhela (stick fights)
are organised to remind of the battle between the troops of Imam Husain
(R) and Yazid. As with other festivals in Bangladesh, Muharram has become
an occasion for fairs at various places. [Niaz Zaman]
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