Debunking Myths about Shias & Muharram

With the start of Muharram, an ordinary discussion over each other’s faith suddenly converts into a disagreement and then comes the blame game. A social media user shares his two cents about all the ignorant things Shias hear during Muharram. Soon after posting it, the post went viral and people supported his stance. 

Here is what he wrote in his post :
"Whether you are a Shia, Sunni or belong to any other house of beliefs, as a human being, one cannot deny the massacre that took place in Karbala".
 
Over the years, the tension between the Shia and Sunni community has increased, creating a distorted image of my faith. As a practicing Shia, I felt it is necessary that I dispel these ideas.

Here are some of the common misconceptions Shiite Muslims have heard about Muharram practices. Yes, these are the actual transcripts!

1. It was a war, people die, so what?

Fact: The battle wasn’t planned. Yazeed wanted 'Baiyyat' or acceptance from Imam Hussain ع so he could get full control of the Islamic world. To avoid bloodshed in the holy city of Madinah, Imam Hussain ع converted his Hajj into Umrah and left for Kufa with his family. Midway he met Yazeed bin Muawiyah's Army who stopped them at Karbala.


2. Shias keep Imam Ali ع above the Prophet ص and Allah (SWT)

Fact: We don’t! We’re Muslims just like you and believe in the finality of the Prophet ص and the oneness of Allah (SWT).


3. Shias killed Imam Hussain and the 'Matam' they do is a form of apology to Allah.

Fact: Yazeed and his army killed Imam Hussain ع. We are the mourners of the tragedy of Karbala and its aftermath.


4. You people believe Angel Jibreel accidentally gave Muhammad ص the Prophethood instead of Imam Ali ع

Fact: Again no, we have no idea why you people would even believe that!


5. Shias have a different Quran and offer all the Namaz together

Fact: No, we have the same Quran and what does a different Quran even mean?! As for saying all the prayers together. No, we don’t take praying as a Formula One Race. We do however sometimes offer Zuhar & Asar together which we call Zohrain. Maghrib & Isha is also at times offered together which is called Maghribain. For the ease of the people, this method was only a SUGGESTION, similar to how prayers are performed during Hajj. However, it is not a compulsion.


6. You don’t pray to Allah

Fact: Who do we pray to then? I am really curious. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone says our faith lies in Voldemort. We pray to Allah only, the Prophet ص and his family is a wasila/tawassul (intermediance) for our prayers to come true.


7. It is customary to keep fast on the 10th of Muharram because Hussain ع and his family did so at Karbala too

Fact: Imam Hussain and his family most definitely did not keep fast on the 10th of Muharram as the food supply to their caravan was stopped. So, we don’t keep the fast as well. Moreover, a lot of scholars have prohibited from fasting on the 10th of Muharram, as Yazeed fasted after killing the Imam of his time.


8. Shias became Shias after Karbala

Fact: This is a common misconception among many people. Shiites came before Karbala. Shian-e-Ali were the followers of Imam Ali and Prophet ص. And the division started long before, at the battle of Siffin, which is also known as the first Muslim Civil War. All of this took place before the tragedy of Karbala.


9. Shias abuse the companions of the Prophet ص

Fact: The practice of abusing is frowned upon even amongst Shias. Some, however, do indulge in it but it’s only directed to the people who were involved in the massacre of Imam Ali ع and his family.


10. Why ARE the lights turned off during Shaam-e-Ghariban?

Fact: Switching off the lights is a symbolic depiction of the darkness that took over that night. It is only so people can freely feel the pain of what the family of Prophet ص went through.


The intention of this article is to clarify some of the misconceptions held about the Shiite community and practices of Muharram. Let us strive to reach out to each other beyond our differences. The month of Muharram is not just a Shia tragedy but an Islamic one. Let’s not try to create fractions for the sake of creating them. We have it in us to be better than that.

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