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Muharram in Amroha
By: Maryam Naqvi
Amroha, being the center of culture and religious activities, observes the rites of mourning with great passion. The Shiah community of the Muslims observe the mourning for two months and eight days (Muharram, Muharram safar and Rabbi-ul-aval) in Amroha..
To commemorate this tragedy, the 40 days starting from the first day of Muharram to Safar, are observed as a period of mourning by the Shiahs of Amroha. During this period, women forsake all adornments, even their bangles. All kinds of celebration like marriage are disallowed during this period. Shiah Muslims of Amroha are celibate for these 40 days. The first 10 days however, are the most important and are passionately observed as a period of mourning.
In Amroha, as the Muharram crescent was sighted, Azadars (mourners) spread mourning carpets and black flags are flown in Imambargahs, Imambaras, Ashour-Khanas, Aza-Khanas, Hussainiyaat and Islamic centers, and decorated relics paying rich homage to the great matchless sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and his 72 companions presented in Karbala.
During this period, women forsake all adornments, even their bangles. Married women even newly married weds smash their bangles, wear out red outfits. All kinds of celebration like marriage are disallowed during this period. The first 10 days however, are the most important and are passionately observed as a period of mourning and grief. During the first ten days of the month, Majlis (Discourse) are organized in the Imambargahs. The azadars (faithful) wearing black assemble in large numbers to listen to the sad tale of pathos and agony, of courage and bravery, in a battle for upholding the principles of Truth and Justice.
Mumineens recounts the Karbala tragedy and remember the great, noble and ultimate sacrifice of the Prince of Martyrs, Imam Husain (A.S) with tears and 'Matam' during 10 days of Muharram. These Majlis reflect the philosophy of religion, history of other 'Anbia' (Prophets), Imams and Duat, the meaning and message of Islam and the Shariat, social problems, human behavior and interaction, advices (naseehat), economic welfare, Doa and recitation of Quran along with the Qaseedas, and Marsiya. In every Majlis, the different episodes form the saga of Karbala is related, culminating in the narration of Shahadat of Imam Husain (AS) with tears and continuous 'Matam' and chanting of 'Ya Husain", "Ya Husain". In between Marsiyas are recited, full of pathos and pain, in a sonorous voice.
During 3rd-8th of Muharram, the Shia Community of the town traditionally sets out on a mourning procession of colorfully decorated ‘Tazia’s’ and ‘Alam’, in commemoration of the sad event, through out the city. These Tazias, Alam or Tabuts are the replicas of Martyr’s Tomb that are carried all through. The Tazias are colorful 2-3 storied structures crowned with a dome and are made out of Bamboo, tinsel, colored paper and a wooden framework. Tazia of Persian origin literally means weeping, beating the breast and expressing grief.
The procession also includes a well-decorated horse, representing the horse of Imam Hussain (A.S). Mumineen dress in black, emulate the sufferings of Imam Husain’s (A.S) beleaguered army, and cry loud remembering the martyrdom of Imam Husain (A.S) and his family. The mourners walk barefoot to the beat of drums. In a frenzy of grief, .. They strike their body with chains while some walk with bare feet on burning coals. Crying "Hussain Hussain Hussain Hussain, Shaheedai Karbala Hussain”, meaning 'Oh Hussain, Who was killed in the burning plains of Karbala', they express their anguish at their inability to have prevented him from being tortured. By beating themselves, the Shiahs relive the pain Hussain suffered and thus express their sorrow. Touching voices of lamentations “Ya Hussain (S) and Wa Hussaina (S)” are heard from every nook and corner and tears gushed out of every eye with intense grief. Women however remain indoors that retain personal mourning houses or Imam Bargahs.
The procession comes to an end before dawn when the Alam and Tazia’s is taken back to the Imam Bargahs where the alams are placed all year through.
On the 9th day of Muharram, the Azadars traditionally sets out on a mourning Procession with ‘ ‘Nishan’ (made out of bamboo and mica). The procession proceeds to the frenzied beating of drums where Azadar recite ‘Munaqib’(Prayers). On the evening of the day people stay awake all night, reading the Quran and singing praises of Imam Hussain (A.S).
While many Azadars take to the streets to mourn, there are some Mumineen that offer charity work. They distribute water and fruit juices ‘Sharbat’ to passers-by in an effort to quench the thirst of the six-month old son of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and many others who are believed to have died asking for water. The word of drink (sharbat) is found in the original words of Imam Hussain (AS) “Shiati in sharibtum maa azbun...” (O friends! when you drink sweet water remind my thirst…). A large quantity of food is cooked in the ‘Hazari’s’ where it is served to the large number of people. The observance of Muharram ends with this act of charity.
On Ashura, the most important day, processions with Taziahs are taken out in commemoration of the sad event. Men in procession observe matam, with heart-rendering cries of "Hussain, Hussain!" while lashing with chains against their backs ’Zanjeer Zani’. The whole day of Ashura the faithfuls abstain from taking food and water, in remembrance of the three days thirst and hunger of Shohadae Karbala in the burning heat of the Arabian desert. Then there is the ritual of Majlis, the special ritual in the evening called sham-e-ghareeba`, where people once again gather to mourn in absolute darkness except for a candle to read out the "marsiya" (the mourning tales).
People of all the religion and sects in Amroha, the State Government and its administration, the Authorities, the Police, and various other relevant departments give full-hearted help, support and co-operation to the organizers. This spontaneous help and understanding demonstrated in bold relief the secular character of our nation – India in its full majesty.
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