Self flagellation

Admittedly this weeks blogs have had a rather depressing tone to them and although I had planned on a light-hearted blog for today, something more important has come up. You may have heard in the news this week, about a man convicted for child cruelty. The case was about a Shia muslim in Manchester who forced two boys to perform zanjeer matam against their will during Ashura.

Before I discuss the case, you may remember I blogged about the importance of Ashura a while back here and also talked about the importance of Muharram and the events of Karbala here. During the month of Muharrum, Shia muslims attend events (or Majlises) commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Husain (a.s.), the grandson of the Holy Prophet. During this time a learned scholar discusses various important topics in Islam and also recounts the events of Karbala when the tragedy took place. Before and after the lecture, Shias remember the events more emotionally through recitals and readings of the events. During this process Shias perform matam - this is the act of - for want of a better description - hitting our chests. Shias stand and hit their chests as a symbol of grief, a sign of respect towards Imam Husain (a.s.) and his family and friends who made the greatest sacrifice. It is a tradition which began after the events of Karbala by the women and children of the camp of Imam Husain (a.s.). Overcome with emotion and grief from such a tragic loss, the survivors of Karbala would hit themselves as they tried to deal with their loss.

Over the years this act of matam has become a symbol both of good and harm for Shia muslims. For Shias, it allows us to remember the emotion and grief of the occasion and display it according to tradition. For outsiders - mainly Wahabi muslims - it allows them to condemn Shias and belittle them as "the people who hit themselves" - not for one second attempting to understand the reasons behind it.

The tradition of matam has lasted for over 1400 years. Zanjeer matam is the act of hitting yourself with blades and knifes. Some Shia muslims are so overcome with grief and emotion that they feel they need to bleed to express their faith. They hits themselves repeatedly, causing numerous cuts to their backs, all in the name of Imam Husain (a.s.). For Shias throughout the world, the concept of Zanjeer matam is very sensitive. While some condemn the act, others defend it wholeheartedly.

Speaking from a purely personal point of view, I disagree with it completely. The act of harming yourself in the name of Imam Husain (a.s.) is wrong. Imam Husain (a.s.) made the greatest sacrifice to save Islam. Islam today does not need saving by performing zanjeer matam. Imam Husain (a.s.) did not make that sacrifice because he wanted us to remember it by harming ourselves. Hitting yourself with knives and causing serious harm was not the message of Karbala.

Three important points to consider; on the Day of Judgement, will God bless those who have harmed themselves in the name of Imam Husain (a.s.) and overlook any wrongdoings in their life? God will judge each individual based on his deeds as a muslim - and will performing Zanjeer matam receive any benefit? Secondly, when the 12th Imam makes his long-awaited return, will he stand quietly while people perform zanjeer matam in front of him? Will he not stop them from doing so and advise them about the importance of Imam Husain's (a.s) sacrifice, and that it was not made in order for Shias to harm themselves? Lastly, no Imam after the events of Karbala ever performed zanjeer matam when mourning the sacrifice of Imam Husain (a.s.), isn't that a sign that it should not be performed? You may accuse me of being too simplistic, but often for such sensitive issues, being simplistic is the best way.

Having explained my viewpoint, coming back to the case, I found it extremely upsetting that such an event took place. It's one thing to perform zanjeer matam on yourself, but to actually attempt to force others - and in this case children - to do the same thing is horrible. Instead of explaining the importance of Imam Husain's (a.s.) sacrifice, this man tried to force two children to harm themselves. Totally inexcusable.

Fortunately according to reports, the Shia community in Manchester helped the police with their investigations and rightly condemned the act. Unfortunately, its given the Shia faith a bad name. No matter what justification, people will rightly or wrongly remember the stand out features of this case - a man forced two children to hurt themselves in a religious ritual - it's difficult to put a positive spin on that.

Nadeem Kazmi (director of international affairs at Al-Khoei Foundation in London and New York) has also blogged about the subject on the Guardian website - which will attract many more readers than here! He rightly condemns the act of the man in question, but also attempts to justify the act of zanjeer matam. Although I disagree with him, he is entitled to his opinion. However, certain points he states leave him open to a lot of criticism. He states that:

"Those adults who engage in self-flagellation with knives, chains or blades, do so with a consciousness of the ceremonial nature of the act, keenly watched by onlookers, children and adults alike, who, though they have seen it all before, continue to be mesmerised by the sheer spectacle of it – the display."

It's unfortunate that he mentions children in this statement. When condemning the act of the man, how can we justify allowing children to watch adults "engage in self-flagellation," is that not an act of cruelty itself?

Further on, in his attempt to justify zanjeer matam, he compares the act to Jesus's crucifixtion:

"But it would be unjust if the Zaidi case were to poison the wider public's view of a ritual that commemorates a death that, like the Christian concept of the crucifixion of Christ, is seen as the epitome of sacrifice for humanity, and the triumph of good over evil."

Again, an unfortunate comparison. Whereas Christians remember and mourn the crucifixion of Christ, to my recollection, I don't think they do so by harming themselves and re-enact the crucifixion. That's the point - we do commemorate the death and sacrifice of Imam Husain (a.s.) but zanjeer matam is an inappropriate from of commemoration, hence it is wrong to compare it to the crucifixion of Christ. Christians believe that the crucifixion took place and mourn it accordingly, zanjeer matam never took place at the time of Karbala, so why is it practiced?

The debate about zanjeer matam can go on and on. There is much more to discuss about the topic. I've attempted to give my views on this particular case and also provide some information about the ritual. Hopefully this case will not cause much lasting damage to Shias across the country and hopefully the sacrifice of Imam Husain (a.s.) can be remembered and treasured more appropriately.

Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?