Assalamun Alaikum,
It is common knowledge that a person is not allowed to injure
himself during a funeral. Now since we know this, how can the
self-inflicted injuries during Muharram be justified? If
beating oneself is not allowed for a deceased relative, why is
it allowed during Muharram? What is the reasoning given by the
Shiah scholars as to why it is allowed and what is its purpose
and benefits? Mourning is good, but what is the purpose and
benefit of self-inflicted injuries? When the Sunnis or
non-Muslims look at the Shiahs, they use this as an example to
belittle the school of Ahlul-Bayt. In the West, whenever the
images of Shiahs beating themselves is plastered on the TV
screens, the Shiah school is insulted and given a bad name. In
spite of it not being allowed for relatives and the bad
impression it leaves in the minds of non-Muslims and non-Shiahs,
why is it allowed by the ulema and what is its benefit and
purpose?
Assalamun Alaikum,
Dear brother,
According to all Shia scholars, mourning for Ahlul-Bayt
specially for Imam Hosayn is a great pious deed and has great
reward in the hereafter. And you know that different nations
have different customs of mourning and they can perform this
ceremony according to their customs. Nevertheless you find that
most of people beat themselves when they face a great tragic
event such as death of their beloved son. So if they beat
themselves in the tragedy of Ashora, it will be a sign of
sympathy and this act will bring heavenly reward. I mean crying
and inflicting soft beats on our chests in the ceremony of
Ashora is justifiable and something common among wise men of
every nation. But it is not allowed for us to inflict heavy
beats on ourselves.
Regarding your second question, you should know that we have
many things that people of other cultures do not understand .
For example if a non Muslem look at Hajj ceremony specially the
ceremony of throwing stones at the Satan, he will be astonished
and call us mads. We should not give up Islam due to people's
wonder and mockery. Instead we should explain and justify our
believes and traditions.
Best regards,
Yazdani
