This article is a briefly critical assessment of mystical interpretation of the event of Ashura and gnostic approach towards it referring to Abdul QAdir Gilani and Ghazzili’s viewpoints in this regard.
During the fourteen centuries of Islamic history too many Sunnite scholars, kings and caliphs tried a lot to prevent Muslims from commemorating or reviving Ashura and paying attribute to Imam Hussein (A), the Chief of Martyrs, as well as his companions in Karbala. But they forgot that the real founder of lamentation and mourning for Imam Hussein (A) was the Messenger of Allah (S) himself as evidenced by collectively reported traditions in both Shiite and Sunnite sources. [1] That is why Ashura and its commemoration is a divine truth that no one can deny it or eliminate the effects of this great event upon humanity. Following their Prophet (S) and infallible Imams (A) all Shiites commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (A) and his companions as a duty.
Despite the aforementioned facts some of the mystics and suunite scholars made recourse to different means to present some wrongful interpretation of Ashura making people forget about this historic incident. For instance, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani, one of the most well-known Muslim mystics and Sunnite scholars answering these questions “that why we should designate Ashura as a day of jubilation, celebration and festivity? Or why do we call upon others to wear new dresses and eat food stuffs that are served on Eid days in the day of Ashura while Hussein Ibn Ali was martyred in the day? ” writes that “He who has put forth these objections is mistaken and his belief is imperfect and corrupt” [2]
Gilani argues that “God, the Exalted, choose martyrdom for the grandson of the Prophet, peace be upon him and his descendants. In doing so, the purpose of Allah Almighty was to grant our great Imam increased elevation in degrees and tokens of special favor over and above the special favors he already enjoyed.” [3] According to him, based on aforementioned points, the day of Ashura must not be observed as a day of tragic misfortune. Instead, it must be regarded as a remarkable day full of blessings and opportunities. Another reason that he put forth supporting his Idea is that “If it had ever been permissible to observe this day as the day of tragic misfortune, it would have been better to designate Monday as the day of mourning and lamentation because on this day the Prophet and Au Bakr passed away.” [4]
Likewise, some other mystics such as Ghazzali in his Ihyaa Ulum al-Deen, takes a Sanctification method and approach towards Ashura to downplay the importance of Ashura as well as its commemoration. In fact, through these methods some Sunnite scholars oppose the event of Ashura and try to cast doubt on the murders in Karbala. Ghazzali writes that “the murderer of Imam Hussein (A) whoever, he may be have been repented before his death. Hence, it is not permissible to curse the murder of the Chief of Martyrs, Imam Hussein, peace be upon him”. [5]
To respond these scholars it must be said that first of all, as mentioned before, the Holy Prophet Mohammad (S) himself held mourning ceremony for his grandson and the martyrs of Karbala. According to the Prophet’s divine conduct and tradition all Muslims must commemorate Imam Hussein’s martyrdom and must hold mourning ceremony on the day of Ashura obeying the messenger of Allah (J). Especially when we see that the holy Prophet (S) himself lamented his martyred companions such as Hamza and others in different battle fields. Same is the case with those martyrs of the battle fields at the time of the Holy Prophet (S) because they could have also been chosen as martyrs for the sake of Allah (J) the exalted.
Finally it should be mentioned that all the sinners and criminals could claim that one day they will or might repent and beg God’s forgiveness; so no one should punish them and the victims must be forgotten. What an idiotic and senseless justification is such an excuse that Ghazzali made, absolutely no one can accept it and even Ghazzali himself cannot approve of it. But Muslims must mourn the day of the Holy Prophet’s departure and it should be commemorated by Muslims; fore sure there is no problem with it.
Notes:
[1] Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Husseini Milani, A Selection of the Untold Facts regarding Ashura, translated by Jawid Akbari, p. 7.
[2] Ghunyat al-Talibeen, p. 684 -687; cited from Nafahat al-Azhar, v4, p. 245.
[3] ibid; Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Husseini Milani, A Selection of the Untold Facts regarding Ashura, translated by Jawid Akbari, p. 7.
[4] See: Nafahat al-Azhar, v4, p. 245.
[5] Ghazzali, Ihyaa Ulum al-Deen, v3, p. 125 – 126.
To prevent Muslims from commemorating or reviving Ashura, some of the mystics and Sunnite scholars made recourse to different means like claiming that God, the Exalted, chose martyrdom for the grandson of the Prophet. In doing so, the purpose of Allah, the Almighty, was to grant our great Imam increased elevation in degrees and tokens of special favor over, and above the special favors he already enjoyed. Hence, the day of Ashura must not be observed as a day of tragic misfortune. Instead, it must be regarded as a remarkable day full of blessings and opportunities. Likewise, some other mystics take a Sanctification method and approach towards Ashura to downplay the importance of Ashura saying that murderer of Imam Hussein (A) whoever he is; he might have repented before his death. Hence, it is not permissible to curse the murder of the Chief of Martyrs. To respond these scholars it must be said that the Holy Prophet Mohammad (P), himself, held mourning ceremony for his grandson and the martyrs of Karbala indicating that all Muslims must commemorate Imam Hussein’s martyrdom. Secondly, the Prophet (P), himself, lamented his martyred companions such as Hamza and others in different battle fields whereas they might, also, had been chosen as martyrs for the sake of Allah (J), and that one day the murderers will or might repent and beg God’s forgiveness.