Nothing But Pure Ignorance of Self-Flagellation on Ashoorah (Ashura)

January 19, 2008 by Amad Islam
66 comments Tags: Islam

Do not cast yourselves, with your own hands, into destruction ^{[Quran 2-195]}

There is such things as differences of opinions, fundamental theological differences, different fiqh, etc. between Muslim sects. But nothing excuses for pure ignorance and despicable behavior of self-flagellation by the Shias that engage in it on Ashoora (Ashura). Now let me preface this by saying that my grand-father lived and died as a Shia, may Allah forgive him, and my father tells me that his father (my grand-father) never engaged in such activities, so I am assuming that not all Shias agree with this.

What is even more shameful is when children are inducted into this practice, to the point of making cuts on babies' heads! How can these little creatures even understand the purpose of this act, let alone be forced to engage in it by their ignorant parents?

On another note, can we blame the Islamophobes for using these images to further propagandize about Islam?In fact, out of the 4 photos, I found 1 on an Israeli “facts” website and another on “religious freaks” website. The final 2 were from Yahoo News.

So, let me state it clearly to any non-Muslim readers that such practices of self-flagellation are prohibited in our religion (see first line of this post, a verse from the Quran). Muslims are prohibited from even wailing over their dead. And certainly Islam forbids harming oneself or worse, harming one's children. People who do such activities are driven by a false sense of love over Islam's great martyr, Imam Hussein (RD). If Imam Hussein (RD) were alive today, I am certain he would distance himself from such “followers”. There is nothing in our Islamic history from the times of the golden caliphate that any of the Sahaba or the proceeding first generations engaged in such self-destruction.

P.S. I am still in Pakistan on this 9th and 10th Muharram and it is amazing what happens in this first 10 days of Muharram. Perhaps I'll write more about this one day (I have so many things to talk about!), but I'll give one quick example: Even the red-light district in Lahore shuts down in “deference” to Muharram. I am told by the natives that this is also because the prostitutes (or mutah-practitioners??) are Shia' and they actually take part in the commemorative events!

Tags: Islam

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http://www.an-najwa.com Niqaabis

Authoobillaah

how can they do this to children

this is child abuse

may Allaah give them what they deseve aameen
Sabir

In fairness to the Shia, this practice is condemned by many prominent Shia scholars and banned in Iran, the only overwhelmingly Shia country. All of the pictures you see of this bloody practice are from Pakistan, Lebanon, or Iraq.

Nuha

It is not true that it is banned in Iran. It still takes place.

http://www.muslimmatters.org/author/amad Amad

Are you sure Sabir. The same country that allows for celebration and a shrine for the murderer of Umar (RD), Abu Lulu?

Tahmid

I am pretty sure it’s not banned in Iran

reader

i was thinking (hoping) that maybe some liquid substance dyed red would be used to “simulate” blood on the children. am i being naive?
to Shia

stop with the bla bla bla…

“Do not cast yourselves, with your own hands, into destruction” [Quran 2-195]

need he say more?
http://muslimmatters.org SaqibSaab

Good point Sabir. Amad also said in the post:

Now let me preface this by saying that my grand-father lived and died as a Shia, may Allah forgive him, and my father tells me that his father (my grand-father) never engaged in such activities, so I am assuming that not all Shias agree with this.

We just don’t want the non-Muslims to believe the Islamophobes who use these type of images to further promote the association of Islam and mindless violence. Like, “not only do Mozlems inflict violence on others, they also do so on themselves and their own infants.” It happens, and performing a simple search for Ashura will help you find that.

So to any non-Muslim reading this, know that Islam has nothing to do with self-mutilation or beating or cutting ones’ self (or one’s children, I seek God’s help that he rids the world of such a terrible practice). I know the images seem to be very confusing, but know that these acts come from an extreme and unorthodox group that claims its thoughts and practices to be from the beautiful religion of Islam.

These images always have, still do, and always will disgust me, and I’m sure everyone, Muslims and others alike, feel the same way.

May God almighty guide us to the truth and keep us away from extremity in our faith of Him.
http://muslimology.wordpress.com Dawud Israel

I had a feeling Amad would post something like this…

I’ve seen some extremely pious Shias. One uncle who comes to pray on campus when few people are around takes half an hour for Dhuhr and often from his voice you can tell he really feels it, masha Allah la quwatta illah billah.
Sunni

“I’ve seen some extremely pious Shias.” The same could be said about Christians, Jews, etc… with the end result still being the same.

One uncle who comes to pray on campus when few people are around takes half an hour for Dhuhr and often from his voice you can tell he really feels it

If he curses the sahabaa and feels that the Qur’an is incomplete and that the mehdi is hiding in a cave, then he can pray for days and it will never be accepted.
http://muslimology.wordpress.com Dawud Israel

^There are different types of Shias out there man…don’t generalize.

I would like to paraphrase Sh. Yasir Qadhi on what he once said, “The Shias are not necessarily incurring sin for their acts. This is because they follow their Ayatollahs and it is those Ayatollahs that are incurring all the sin for giving misguidance.” (correct me if I’m wrong).

Amad: A post regarding the little known story of Karbala and what happened to Imam Husayn (ra) and all the big events that happened to the Anbiya would’ve been more beneficial. At least, our Shia friends would’ve seen our love for Ahlul Bayt.
sincethestorm

Red light district in Lahore…unbelievable that it exists!

B

Why are you shocked there is a red light district in Lahore???
Men the world over are hipocrites and will use and abuse women, why should the so called religious muslim community be any different??

http://brnaeem.blogspot.com brnaeem

AA-

I agree with Dawud. A post reminding us of the events at Karbala would indeed have been beneficial. Let us not allow that great Muslim tragedy to become known solely as a Shia’ tradition.

Imam Husayn (ra) and his family belong to every Muslim.
Abu Maryam

“I would like to paraphrase Sh. Yasir Qadhi on what he once said, “The Shias are not necessarily incurring sin for their acts. This is because they follow their Ayatollahs and it is those Ayatollahs that are incurring all the sin for giving misguidance.” (correct me if I’m wrong). “……………….

Are you sure Yasir said this? Could that argument not be applied to all the kuffar also in that case?
inexplicabletimelessness

As salamu alaikum

Though I don’t agree 100% with everything in this article, I think it still does a decent overall job of summarizing the events at Karbala.

http://sunninews.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/karbala-%E2%80%93-a-lesson-for-mankind/

For more detailed analysis/historical perspective, please see “The History of Islam” by brother Akbar Shah Najeebabadi:
http://islamicbookstore.com/b6673.html

wassalam

PS Should we call Hussein (radhi Allahu ‘anhu) IMAM Hussein? I am never sure about this.
http://www.muslimmatters.org Amad

I hope the intent of the article was very clear, i.e. my condemnation was of the specific practice of self-flagellation, not of the commemoration or other events during this time (though I vehemently disagree with those as well). I did not intend or desire for this post to become a sunni-shia flame-out. That is why I did not even discuss the issues around Imam Husayn’s martyrdom, and delve into who’s right and who’s wrong, primarily because my knowledge of those issues are limited.

Interestingly, did folks know that the third greatest man who ever walked the earth (after the Prophet (S) and Abu Bakr (RD)), Umar (RD)’s shahadat (martyrdom) occured on the first of Muharram (i.e. when he actually passed away)? And if we start commemorating days for births and deaths, everyday will be special for something. wallahualam.
Abunurah

Salaam Alaykum, Brothers and Sisters.

I appreciate that the intent of the post was not to encourage further Sunni-Shia animus, but rather to clarify that these practices are not Islamic, to counter Islamophobic propaganda. However, our enemies will attack us no matter what. Those among the Jews and Christians who are inclined to hate, will do just that. While I do not agree with the practices of some Shia, I see them as my brothers and sisters. I will let Allah judge us in the end. Those that fan the flames for attacks against Muslims cherish the Sunni-Shia divide. That’s part of the reason the US invaded Iraq. If there were more trust between us, we would be able to put up a united front. Instead, many Shia initially supported the invasion and collaborated with the US and Britain. Now with a looming attack on Iran, it’s possible many Sunni desire the same fate for Iran. Unity does not mean we all have to think and act the same.
http://www.organicmuslimah.blogspot.com Organic Muslimah

In high school, I used the above images–naively not understanding what they meant–for a presentation on Palestine. The students questioned me, “why does that lady have a knife near the baby’s head?” I had no answer, but I was sure that there was some good Islamic reason for it. Soon after, I learned that there wasn’t. It was bogus and it isn’t only them, it happens in every sect.

May Allah protect us from such practices.
http://muslimmatters.org Ruth Nasrullah

Asalaamu alaikum.

I wonder really how widespread this is. The photos really are sensationalist and it’s not surprising they come from Islamophobic web sites. I did a google search and guess who wrote the AP story – the famous Scheherazade Faramarzi.

Br. Amad, I have one other comment about the photos – given their source, how certain are you that they’re authentic? It took a while before the Dutch film still was distinguished from an allegedly real execution.
ex shia

sorry but i find it really silly that so many of you find so much excuses for the shias.

ive lived with/known shias that are from iraq, iran etc. and these are the ones that follow the top ayatullahs. YES, THEY DO PRACTICE HITTING/LATMIYAHS in muharram and other occasions.pls stop this where sunnis always think that this may be from islamophobes and its a minority…when will u ever learn?
http://muslimmatters.org ibnabeeomar

I asked shaykh yasir and he did not say that perhaps he made another statement which was misunderstood
ex shia

jk ibnabeeomar, because ive heard his lecture which the bro is referring to and that is not what he said, walhamdulilah.
http://muslimology.wordpress.com Dawud Israel

Funny…I remember Sh. YQ saying that during LightuponLight Toronto in regards to their Aqeedah…apologies for the mistake and may Allah forgive me. Ameen.

I don’t really know much about Shias and I need to ask, “Do I really need to know about Shias? Is this the most important issue for me? Is this truly worth my time?”

Much of the discussion about how one group is not Muslim or not, no matter how true it is, makes young Muslims focus on THAT rather than activism and improving things. So the brother who could’ve been following the examples of the Sahabas (ra) by helping the elderly and disadvantaged in their community becomes the super-Salafi who wants to be Ibn Taymiya (rahimullah)…and fails (or succeeds depending on your view) by being concerned with a tiny “bid’ah” which isn’t a bid’ah at all, he simply hasn’t learned enough.

In my community, Sunnis have worked with Qadianis on Islamic television programmes, simply because the Sunnis were too busy with their bid’aah-bash and not interested. It’s as if too much education has defeated the goals of educations. OK Enough outta me…

:)
http://www.islamblog.org Islam Blog

For anyone interested in doing some reading on what Shi’ism is from a Sunni standpoint, here’s a nice website:

http://ahlelbayt.com/
http://www.muslimmatters.org Amad

Sr. Ruth, 2 of the pics were from unfavorable sites, the other 2 were right off yahoo pics. I have zero doubt that this occurs because my own family has seen it done here in Pakistan.

This is AP photo from Iraq

This is an AP photo from Lebanon

Use this search to see more photos on Yahoo news

w/s
Suhail

Yes Shia do flogging and doing that is a part of there religion.

Shias come in different sects. The closest to the sunnis are the Zaidi Shias and still the scholars have categorized them with Ahlul Bidah.

Dawud when you are talking about cooperation then it is based on a diferent concept. We can cooperate with anybody even Qadianis on something that is right and haqq. Same with any other sect or group.

But when we cooperate we also acknowledge there mistakes and point that out. Even if we work with Qadianis and Shias on different projects that are for Haqq and righteousness we dont stop refuting there wrong beliefs.

Most of the Shia are Ithna Asharriya and they curse sahaba, ummehatul Momineen. They have filthy tongues when it comes to sahaba and you cant even stand it.

I guess most of you have not met some staunch shia to taste there venom against shia otherwise you wont be here defending shias. Just ask any shia what he thinks about Muawiya (RA) and then the truth will come out of his mouth.

Naqvi

agreed !! you cant change anybody with your words !! they have to change themselves !! so why dont you do a favour … ! try more to stay away from complaining … i hope shias will stop blaming and cursing in return !! and if you wont !! i will say you are doing right and they are doing right too !! so do what you like is the best !! and dont peep in your neighborhood !!

Suhail

I meant venom against sahaba.
awake

Sabir wrote:

In fairness to the Shia, this practice is condemned by many prominent Shia scholars and banned in Iran, the only overwhelmingly Shia country. All of the pictures you see of this bloody practice are from Pakistan, Lebanon, or Iraq.

And also, Queens, NY.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/galleries/festival_of_ashura/festival_of_ashura.html?c=0
http://thesunnah.wordpress.com abu ameerah

the pictures were the best part of this post! OUSTANDING work as always! Amad gets an “A” for effort.

Theological issues aside, the Shia remind me of Orcs…only slightly less attractive though.
http://www.mujahideenryder.net MR

Shia need to brighten up their days with some Sunni days instead of their Shia days.
http://www.muslimmatters.org ibnabeeomar

mr – that line is classic!!
bookworm

why are these muslims so ignorant? what do they gain from these activities using children? can we call them muslims? why can’t sheyks and speakers like Dr. Naik educate these ignorant muslims . In a world where Islam is the fast- spreading religion it is possible. I pray that in years to come this act would be minimized and forgotten.

May Allah guide them in the right path and may Allah enhance them with true knowledge. Aameen.

Naqvi

May Allah guide you to be become a better human and may you help human kind in field of science and technology rather than pointing out others !! if you dont like them then why cant you stop talking about them .. let them do what they want !! stay away from it !!

abbas

first of all i would like to say that alhamdollilah i am a shia muslim, according to a HAdees from all shia and sunni hadees books ” Hussain o minni wa ana minal Hussain ” , matam is not the practice of this era, i think most of my brothers and sisters forgot HAzrat OWais Qirni (r.a), for the harmony among shais and sunni muslims these type of contoversal material will not be pubilished, there is a good saying of Ayatullah Khomaini ” one how discriminate b/w shias and sunnis is not a shia or a sunni he is an agent of Jew” may allah give us knowledge to understand this conspiracy. Ameen
Haider

Huzoor assalam alaikum

This is for your kind information
1) Islam never prohibited wailing/crying on teh death of any one. Do have any authentic sura from holy quran or hadith of hazrat paigambar(saaw). I would like to refresh your islamic knowledge that Rasool(saaw) cried on the death of Hazrat Abu Hamza.

2) This shows your baised approach towards Shiaism. Infact Imam hussain a.s followers try to feel same pain and injury what Hazrat a.s and their family members & true friends got from Yezid(lanat) army.

3. Do you think that day people should enjoy.
Zaidi

With all due respect to all participants of this discussion, i would want to add that using the term self flagellation for Maatem will not be correct. While sefl flagelation is an act of Self Punishment, the act of Maatem is not only a way of showing grief for the injustice that took place in Karbala (and with all of Aal-e-Rusool) but also a way of showing that if we were there at the time the events of karbala took place, we would have given our life in the way of Islam and to save aal-e-Rusool. Also, the people from the tribe Banoo Asad who came for the rescue of Hazrat imam too late still runs from their place to Karbobala on 10th of mohurram just to show their spirit that they would give their life for Rusool Allah and Aal-e- Rusool if it is required of them today. I have been to Saudia, Iran, Iraq and Syria to lear more about my religion and our practices and every where Muslims have their own way of exxpressing their love for Allah and Rusool.

Having said that i will also add that even i do not indulge in Maatem and rather donate blood on the Aashura and i do not believe in inflicting wounds on infants but if an adult does it, then it is their belief and we must respect that. If we cannot practice religious pluralism as many do not believe in it, we should atleast have religious tolerance and respect for ever belief.

Regard, Rida Zaidi

http://muslimmatters.org/author/amad/ Amad

Thanks Rida.
I am all for respecting others’ beliefs, but I have a hard time accepting any activity that involves injury to one’s body. What kind of love permits you to go against the Quranic injunction itself of not harming your own self?

Also, we need to be stronger about inflicting wounds on children, not just “I dont believe in it”. We should never accept injury to a child in the name of any religious perspective. We don’t need to understand such behavior, where the target is a minor, rather we need to condemn it outright.

Naqvi

Thank you Rida, Haider And Zaidi for your explanations;
Dear Amad,
Brother to be very staright forward, if you got problems in accepting some thing in your brain, at least dont bring it out to other people, do what you are doing in your daily life and we will see each other on the judgment day that who is right or who is wrong. You got no rights on blaming some one that he/she is doing wrong or right. correct yourselves. If you would have searched for the islam you would have known some better things. I respect what ever you said but please don’t bring your non-acceptance state of mind to the public, it would cause more trouble than it would be without it.. You dont believe its your problem, publishing some thing you dont believe is just crap. You want to condemn some thing, condemn in yourself, and if you got so much time for condemning better spend that time in blooming love among people, i am not talking about love or unity between shia or sunnis … i hate this sect things…. try to love everybody and help everybody in the world …. you were born as a human before even you converted to islam, so atleast respect for being a human and help others rather than wasting time in this hypocrisy … I have read this whole forum … i saw no point and no result of some thing … May God bless us all … and makes us more like a human than rather being a muslim or a christian or a jew !! Let every one do what they are doing !! and you do the best what you are doing !!
for the guys who posted that may Allah the Almighty protects them from such blasphemy and practices !!! Please then why the hell you are talking about it when you want to stay away from it !! just cut of your self … we need no talking on this .. we need act of being a better muslim who loves other, no hate and point out the next one !!
Well any how we deserve to be punished by super powers cox of our such acts as we are not united … spend your time in science and technology rather than spending time on pointing out who is wrong and who is right !!
God bless every body who participated in this conversation ! Amen

http://www.muslimmatters.org/author/amad Amad

i hate this sect thingsâ€¦. try to love everybody and help everybody in the world

If you move past sectarianism then, you’ll clearly condemn these practices as well, like I hear many Shia scholars have done too… esp. those that hurt children, who have no say in what happens to them.

Naqvi

you are no one stop anybody …please let them do what they are doing !! trust me !! you are just accusing or blaming what ever at a wrong time to wrong people !! some pictures cant show the reality of any ones faith !!

muffassir

Lol how can even justify these acts, let alone respecting them. These are uncivilized barbaric actions and I pray to Allah(swt) that he shows these deviated people the truth. Sometimes I am thankful to Allah(swt) about these divisions in Islam seeing these UnIslamic practices, since we can at lease say that true muslims have nothing to do with these practices of the deviated shias or the weird rituals of the sufis.

Naqvi

how about barbarian acts by the 1st three caliphs ??? you want me to open the history and make you feel shame of what you said ?? stop complaining and pointing out others … make your self to be proud by going a head in science and technology rather than wasting time in balming others … this is what is the problems with muslim i dont know how to make them understand that we have so little time to fight against the evil .. we got a commom enemy shadow and we need to fight back with our power of knowledge … no angels are gonna come from heaven to help you when your kids are being raped or killed in front of you !! be a better human than a better muslim first !!

http://www.muslimmatters.org/author/amad Amad

how about barbarian acts by the 1st three caliphs ???

Assuming your mischaracterization and blasphemous line is correct, should this be a justification for you to engage in barbarism too? Two wrongs don’t make a right.

But I am glad that in light of your justification, you are essentially admitting that the self-flagellation act is barbaric.

Naqvi

@ Amad,

You know what brother … you need some special help !! I AM NOT A SHIA neither a MUSLIM !! i am trying to be a muslim !! luckily i was born in family of muslims but i am not gonna be a muslim cox my parents are or what parents put in your mind since beginning of your childhood !! God Al Mighty has given enough thinking power to everybody to think on their own what is right and what is wrong !! right now you are blaming some people who do what they think is right … So you are completely wrong !! from your talks nothing is gonna change … so what i was saying before as well instead of blaming others try to find Allah and His peace that He spread all over and try to love His man instead of accusing !! I am just so young now !! nether i have learnt so many things … but what ever you said is just completely a non sense to a neutral party !! If you are so brave then stop talking and go stop this thing in person !! you want me to find out where these things happen these teaching kids wrong or right !! i will give you the addresses go and stop their hands … they will chop your head off !! COX you are no one to stop anyone from doing what they are doing !! everyone is born completely independent and will die independently !! you are not the the who is gonna pay for the sins others are doing !! and if you are so humanitarian why dont you go to africa and help people fight alot of other things that they are facing !! i believe this shia thing can wait !! you are complaining so much about shia … why dont you complain about hindus or sikhs or jews or Christians !! i dont know to me it feels like personal fight among two stupid minds shia and sunis !! its not about religions or believes there is some thing else !! you see how neutral people think !! JUST A COMPLETE NON – SENSE !! LET THE PEOPLE DO WHAT THEY ARE DOING !! trust me you will not have to pay at the end of the day anything to ALLAH !! and if you say you have to … then you have to pay for the bomb blasts killings … babies dying with HIV AIDS …. innocent killings in kashmir bosnia lebanon … i believe they are your muslim fellows around the world !! so go stop other things if you are so muslim and then come back and talk when every one is in peace and only problem is left with SHIAs !!
Good day … Fiamanillah

Ali

Salam,

I would like to start of with something about me. I am a shia muslim and proud Syed. I think Amad dude has some problems in his brain. remembering someone like that isnt haram, people like you who dont care and have no feelings for him is not my fault, but its just ur faulty up bringing. Your article just makes annoyed and offended. I think you should really go to rehab. Sorry but im serious.

http://www.muslimmatters.org/author/amad Amad

Don’t be annoyed and offended at me. Rather be annoyed and offended at fellow Shias who are practicing these ignorant rituals. I think most of us agree that there are a lot of shias who don’t do this, and shia scholars who don’t condone this. Join that bandwagon.

Naqvi

OMG !! Amad … you are so much in this !! trust me you gonna end up in a very deep mess !! back off man … its gonna be a good thing for your state of mind !! and if still your mind doesnt accept, please go and see a psychiatrist !! this is all i can say ! cox from top to bottom not a single word of yours seems to be your problem at all !! i dont know why people want to mess up with other’s believes !! you think you are a big hero or some teacher or some monk of the mosque ?? you and me were not there at the time of our last Prophet !! so just please focus on your believe and let others focus on theirs !! you are no one … just a common good fish in a dirty pond and i dont want a good fish to destroy the pond more or make itself dirty !! this was the only reason i spent my 30 mins on writing comments here !!
Best of Luck …
Raza Naqvi

sister

Salamualaikum Wr Wb

JazakAllah Khair brother amad…may AllahSWT remove misconceptions from the minds of non muslims and guide the muslims who are doing this disgusting act in the name of Islam!

@ naqvi : why dont you analyze urself and the topic addressed properly instead of throwing some immature words all over the place?

Naqvi

you think its immature ??? yea probably cox you are a muslim … its more than a funny thing to see from angle of a non-muslim !! STOP COMPLAINING you MUSLIMS >> STOP HAUNTING >>> DO SOME ACT >>> YOU HAVE SPOKEN AND SPEAK ALOT !!! God knows when you people will learn !! I AM NOT GONNA REPLY HERE ANYMORE !! BETTER I WOULD HAVE GONE ON FIELD WORK TO HELP SOME POOR KIDS suffering from hunger and HIV !! a complete waste of time to talk with such stupid muslims !!
BYE !! MAY MOLA A.S teach you some thing so you can use it practically not with words !! LOOOOSERS

sister

LOL!
Dont know whatz up with you…May Allah help you.
Salam!

shima

salam.
islam is very kindly.real muslims are very kind.do not beleive something wich is said by enemies.

shima

. ofcoure these photos do not tell us truth obout islam.these people are from small group of muslims that do not know real islam.it is forbidden in islam to hurt anyone and yourself.in fact this poeple are not muslim but called muslim
Tahmid

Salam, I lived in Bangladesh for many years and I never saw this act of ignorance but I heard of the people who do this in the villages and the uncivilized places and almost all the people that do this are uneducated but it’s disgusting that any person with even a little bit of knowledge of Islam would do this… May Allah(swt) guide us all, Ameen.
shima

I am iranian and i know it is banned in iran.thank god.it is forbidden in islam.

best regards
Ali

Crying for IMAM Hussain is SUNAT_E_NABI (PBUH)
( Sunan al Tirmidhi Volume 5 page 657:) (sunni Book)
Salma narrated: ‘I witnessed Umm Salma in a weeping state. I asked her as to whatï»¿ made her weep. Salma replied: ‘I have seen the prophet in such a state in a dream- that his head and his beard were stained with dust. I said, ‘Oh Apostle of God, what made you like this?’. He replied: ‘I witnessed the killing of Husayn”’.

http://www.muslimmatters.org/author/amad Amad

The Prophet (S) also cried at the death of his son Ibrahim. Is that a sunnah we should follow too?

Bilal Khan

First of all I am a Sunni and I think that despite all the differences everyone may want to point out about the practices during the Ashura, we are all followers of the same faith and must remember that. We only promote external condemnation of our religion as a whole if we fail to support our own brothers and sisters of the faith..

Peace be upon you.
http://muslimmatters.org amad

The ignorance continues to this day…
live proof caught on TV of children being subjected to barbaric rituals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2-AvfppB88

http://www.averagemuslim.com AsimG

blocked in the US

http://www.muslimmatters.org/author/amad Amad

strange

Brother

I have a shia friend that when i asked him why shias beat their heads with knives and do that kind of stuff. He told me that showing sorrow by hitting your self with an open palm was ok, the stuff that the shias do with the knives is extreme and not allowed. So if my friend is “mainstream” shia, then obviously the people in these pics are not.
Brother

Also, FYI, no one called themselves Shia or Sunni during the prophets time as far as I know. I also know that there are Sunnis that do graveworshipping. So personally, calling Shia’s non-Muslim is unfair unless it is obvious, i.e. make it known, that they commit shirk. I am not a scholar, but if someone on this message board is, please enlighten me if I think wrong.
A Pakistani Brother

Rafidis – note: not all Shias are Rafidis – are without a shadow of a doubt non-Muslims. The practice of “matam” or self flagellation is fairly common in their communities with varying levels. Some just beat themselves – which is pretty gay if you ask me – or some bruise and cut themselves, which is quite simply barbaric. While the episode of Karbala was certainly unfortunate and truly a sad event in the history of this ummah, it in no way means you should beat yourself up and engage in fake crying. Yes fake crying. Fake crying is an art that the Rafidis of today have mastered. It’s pretty comical if you’re looking for some entertainment. Anyways …
seyed hosein

im an iranian and shia
this practice(beating head by poniard) in both religion shia and low of iran is forbidden. this is a Traditional and blockheading practice but unfortunately somewhen (less than 1% in ashoora) done. whole effort of leaders of shia and government is to naught of this practice. the propaganda for magnify this practice vs concept of ashoora is islamophobia . invited all of you t study about imam hossein and ashoora and reasons of his rising without any zealotry . and again emphasis that shia opponent with this practice.

Amad

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