Muharram – Faith or fashion?
I watched in awe as a woman walked in wearing a long black kameez, with intricate white floral pattern along the neckline, running all the way down her kameez and finishing off in neat tassels. Then another walked in behind her in a white kurta with self-colored geometric patterns and the prettiest black and white lace I had ever seen, consciously placed along the edge of her long kurta, finely matched with a printed churidaar giving her attire a perfect finish. While trying to digest this, a young girl of about 15 years of age, walked in next wearing a rusty brown kameez with a bold slant cut at the bottom. She had a huge black screen-printed motive in front that was disturbingly screaming for attention and matched perfectly with her black tights.
If you think this is a description of a fashion show, then you won’t be completely wrong. The only difference is all these women dressed in black and white are those coming to a majlis gathering in covered heads – and yes, for anyone who’s observant; this does distract you from listening to the sermon.
I belong to the Shia community myself and have been brought up in a conservative family with strong religious beliefs. My purpose is not to mock Muharram but to bring to your realisation that the fashion around us is changing so drastically that people often forget the purpose and significance of these days in all their wardrobe preparations. A color that was initially worn during the month of Muharram for the purpose of mourning the martyrdom of the Shia Imam, HussainIbn Ali, has now become an element of fashion.
People start ordering black clothes prior to the month in order to keep their wardrobes ready. In fact, in order to keep up with the demand for the colour, many fashion outlets showcase an entire ‘Muharram collection’ of black clothes close to the start of the month. Shops and entire markets are filled with black and white prints with big attractive floral designs and intricate patterns. Fashion designers claim that they sometimes have to stop taking orders because they are overloaded with orders for Muharram clothes.
I may sound a bit chauvinistic but sadly this is real. Most of them may not be turning this into a fashion fiesta on purpose and making clothes particularly for Muharram may even be a necessity for many, as they don’t normally wear black on regular days. However, special preparation of clothes for Muharram, in the same manner you would do for Eid or any other festive occasion, is disconcerting.
The concept of ‘azadari’ in Muharram was started by the family of the Prophet after the death of his grandson HussainIbn Ali at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. They did not ‘dress-up’ when they began mourning for the fallen.
Our concept of wearing black is not any different to Christians wearing black on funerals or the Hindus wearing white. Even though they wear plain black and white on funerals of regular people, I think it is the best way to symbolise mourning. Why can’t we keep it as simple as them? Why can’t we respectfully mourn the leaders of our religion in simplicity? Why does it have to become extravagant to the point of becoming fashionable?
I’ve even attended a majlis where dinner is lavishly catered and the menu consists of everything from finger-licking biryani and qorma to the much-loved warm gulab jamuns served with vanilla ice cream.
With all due respect, it felt nothing less than a wedding in black.
Whatever happened to the simple menu of daal chawal that was once a trademark at all majlises and even funerals?
People have every right to serve food and conduct their gatherings at a large scale but turning these gatherings into glamorous feasts defeats the purpose of mourning and the significance of the month. It is disappointing to see how people unintentionally take away the essence of mourning and turn it into a celebration-like event.
I say unintentionally because I am aware that people make a lot of effort to be presentable for such gatherings and also make it comfortable for those they invite over for the sermons they hold in their houses. There is no reason to doubt their faith but the fact that they get carried away in the process is quite evident.
Amongst all this, I remember an old lady who lived in our neighborhood. Being from outside the community, the way she respected Muharram was worthy of praise. Always dressed in crisp plain white shalwar kameez, she came to any neighborhood majlis she was invited to and paid her respects.
There are still many people like her as well. It doesn’t matter what faith you follow, the beauty lies in the simplicity of your personality and how to present yourself. That is what reflects and leaves an impression – not becoming part of the trend.
Meem Fay is a diabolic angel always on an eye-chase for sensitive issues.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Sad, but true!!
The author of this article has tackled a very important and crucial issue. If there is a death in our family, how many of us would care about our clothes? But upon brutal massacre of the Prophet’s(PBUH) grandson, we see an outburst of fashion shows in several(not all) majalis. Know whose majlis you are going to. Know that Rasool Allah(Saw) wept over his grandson before this tragedy actually happened. Know that it is the majlis of the one who when was struck with arrows during namaz. And know that Hussain(AS) did not give his life away for these fashion shows.
The truth shall set you free.
” The truth shall set you free, but first it will make you miserable.”
I would like to share a discussion regarding serving fancy food ( Biryani, qurma gulab jamans etc etc ..) at religious functions including majlises. Why is it expected to serve plain food in the name of Allah but OK to serve lavish dinners at parties(or marriage reception) where rich guests are invited?
The important thing is the niyat and affordability of the invitee. What he wishes to spend or serve in the name of Allah (as long as he does not beg or borrow) is the sign of his love for God.
Dear ‘concerned’ Author:
1. Had your intentions been pure, you would never put a Fashion Image from google.
2. You didn’t mention what YOU wear to the majaalis? because sincere Hijaab observers never explore shortcomings of others and do not publicize them. For this, there is no compulsion on being a shia or sunni.
3. It appears as if you had to go to a majlis not by your own will, but your mother-in-law took you there.
4. In this ‘discovery’, you fail to point out that a large number of women actually start observing proper sharyee hijaab after attending a few majaalis in which lecturers discuss the importance of hijaab for both men and women.
As “Meem Fay” is a diabolic angel , his views are also diabolic.
When devoutly angel comes diabolic angel faces disgrace…
A very good article indeed. It is not about being a leftist of a right winger, the ideas have died in this era. However, it is not just about Moharram, it is applicable to the Pakistani thought as a whole. Where we all are so much concerned about the irresponsible government behavior, we ourselves are in deep complexes of the society. Whether men or women, everyone seems to have this inner will to show off. Inevitably, the same thought has infiltrated the communal thought and hence, is evident. It has more to do with the extravagant tradition than to do with a specific month of a festival.
Very very true! The simple ‘sog’ culture is now disappearing. People dressing up, laughing, being extravagant just to show their ‘respect’. This isn’t what it used to be few years back. :/
i think, this article is only projecting or narrating us the condition/ norm of the so called gentry of our society. this gentry has its own norms. irrespective to their belongings to any sect, they are always concious of thier own personal status and outlook. on the other hand, if someone thinks that muharram majalis are becoming hollow ritual and losing its spirtuality. he or she is absolutely wrong. you can see, despite all the threats which are often of massive destruction, azadars (with their complete family including women and children) attend these majalis and jaloos with the spirit which is unspeakable/unmatchable to any worldly event.
absolutely right
You can take the boy out of India, but you can’t take India out of the boy.
If Indians and Pakistanis would stop trying to prove their superiority there would be fewer problems between the two.
After the day of Imam Ali’s death the split between Sunni and Shia has always been about power – not religion. That is what Arab history teaches us. The Sunnis are not killing because of religious beliefs. Don’t be fooled even for one minute.
if u deeply studied the KARBALA, you would able to see the main cause behind it. KARBALA was not just the battle between two political groups, it was (and still, it is the on going) war between Right and Wrong. KARBALA is a living miracle. if u deeply ponder on it, its reality will be revealed upon u. think! how a small group of people (Imam Hussain, his family and few companions) fought with the super power of that time i.e. Yazeed`s Govt in order to revive the fundamentals of divine religion. and in course of battle, Imam Hussain and his companions were brutally eliminated, but history and time(more that 1400 years) prove that the eternal victory is for rightous people, who were devoted themselves to the religion of god(Allah). and from that time and till the day of judgement, His (Imam Hussain) name will be the source of courage, hope and struggle for all the people(beyond the boundaries of religion) of the world
Not even the annual Hajj Pilgrimage?
I do agree with the point you have raised. Month of Moharram should not become a symbol of fashion and people must comprehend the philosophy behind wearing black dresses. Thanks a lot for raising the issue.
Let me allow to clear your head Mr. conservative shia……why u were looking at those women when u were there for holy cause of moharram. secondly what about those men wear dashing armani dress in majlis instead of shalwar kamiz. and now your last point of view about food. read some history books in which u will find many majalis where people used to serve good food in majlis. Now in the old times Roh afzah drink and kheer in sweet dish was good food . today the food u mentioned is latest good food .Clearly , vulgarity lies in human mind . Clear the mind and u will see that the world is beautiful. Adapting to the modern world is the key to success. Those who did not change are only there in history books. So if u want to survive u have to change yourself.Otherwise i feel sorry for your type of people .
What a myopic view of life…does performing religious rituals in rags makes one a saint? and does performing them in prada outfit makes one a hypocrite? I just dont know whether to laugh at your intellect or cry at your shallowness.
Just FYI cross the clifton bridge and you ll see the poor people doing muharam in a style advocated by you.
actually writer is confuse . Probably he likes old style of dikhawa and people are performing new type of show. the show making people are hardly 2 or 3 % and he is after them. he is not able to see the other 98 % .
“Does performing religious rituals in rags makes one a saint?”
Yes. It does. Does driving a Bentley make a Pakistani an Arab or an Indian an Englishman?
Did Mother Teresa wear Paris fashions to minister to the poor, the sick, the hungry, the crippled and the lonely? She didn’t need to.
The ones who do need to. It is their greatest need.
There were many atrocities committed during Moharram this year and it is difficult to understand why this was the one you chose to write about.
From one shia to another, what kind of shia puts up an article like this and opens the community to ridicule or are you not aware of the dynamics of the country? Never heard the phrase- don`t wash your laundry in public
Answer: A good shia momin. As the prophet said “Never put loyalty above truth. It is the root cause of evil”.
And yes, Pakistanis have gone way overboard with their love for clothes. I go to a shia mosque in US, where the majority are Arabs and Iranians, and more Americans than Pakistanis. Result is that every body is in a simple ..very simple..black abaya, or long kurtas. Everybody does hijab with zero exception as women are in the same prayer room. The masjid is very simple and humble with no fancy decorations. Very simple. The food, if served, is very simple.
Every politician must place loyalty above the truth or be out of business.
Meem Fay spoke the truth and not that the rest of us are not aware of Muharram being sabotaged by consumerist.
Truth must be told.
I agree with you meher
You can’t if you have something to hide.
On a general note dupatta’s are a thing of the past, in the name of modernisation and liberalism we will eventually see ladies with bikini’s on Eid ??
Not one word on what men are wearing or supposed to wear !! U think Allah cares about what his believers are wearing ???
Really? Why don’t you wear some shorts and a t-shirt on your next prayer at a local mosque and see how well that goes. Allah does care about what his believers wear, various verses in Quran and Ahadith’s are on this topic. Do some research please!
A saint who is naked in front of god would be a sinner in your world. Wah! judging people by their clothes! So typical.
The men who wrote them, not Allah cared. As I recall Allah had never spoken to Caliph Osman and his scholars.
From God’s mouth to their ears, no doubt. Even God no longer has the Word of God. Men have taken it from him to make God deaf, dumb and blind to what they are doing.
No…Allah will not care but you kind of people for sure will care
I am not a Shia , but i find this article very offensive and insensitive !
Thank you Rehan, I appreciate your comments, I 10000% agree with you…
A shia would stand by this article. Because these fashion shows and show of extravagence defeat the purpose. These people have forgotten about the reason they commemorate Moharram. They have forgotten the reason they were handed over this great responsibility. This author isnt showing any disrespect but he is only preserving the Ideals of Ashura and Majalis.
I agree with you and the article as well..
@Meher: washing your laundry in public is one thing, but this also shows that we know there are some things that are out of line and we need to mend them. In essence it shows that Muharram is about simplicity and we shias know this. (but some, however, give the wrong impression. )
People notice the three course majalis and the fashionable ladies. These things, as Ali said: defeat the purpose of azadari and the tableegh of mission of Imam Hussain.
This article rightly defends the actual mission of Imam Hussain A.S from an actual shia perspective.
I’m not a Shia either but find this article a face of reality. Check out Amir Liakat’s prg on muharam and you’ll see why every word of this article relates to our society on its way of self destruction.
The whole history of the Hebrew people shows how God punishes those who fall away from him. It is never a pretty sight.
They were so sure of themselves!
yeh its true but i guess author had a limited perspective and just focus on posh areas as middle and lower middle ladies could afford these types of fashions.
oh come on !!! what is to you if anybody is not being conservative, you are not responsible for them nor you will be asked about others deeds on the day of judgement. Please show tolerance, we desperately need it here in Pakistan !
Oh come on!!! What is it to you if someone exercise his/her right to free speech! you won’t be held responsible for what they say. Please show tolerance for other people’s opinions. We desperately need it here in Pakistan.
Correct. We are not born to fulfill other people’s expectations of us.
A brilliant religion has been turned into a pecking order for busybodies.
All people who are giving comments which are agaisnt the Moharram majlish (gathering) need to know that these majlis are part of our life, the author is just pointing towards women who spend so much money on getting black clothes ready for majlis. I agree with the author but you should also visit majlis in area which belong to low income people, you wont find anything like that. I guess you should have mentioned it as well. Let people wear what they want to , at least these women are wearing black and not some bright colours as a respect of moharram.
Young women and their mothers and grandmothers have been playing “dress up” since they were small girls. It is part of life all right, and religion doesn’t mean a damn. Women are the same everywhere.
The Mosque is where men go to pray – and also to socialize. That is life as well.
sadly but it is true
I am reminded of the beautiful zen story, The Burden, which goes like this……
Two monks were returning to the monastery in the evening. It had rained and there were puddles of water on the road sides. At one place a beautiful young woman was standing unable to walk across because of a puddle of water. The elder of the two monks went up to a her lifted her and left her on the other side of the road, and continued his way to the monastery.
In the evening the younger monk came to the elder monk and said, “Sir, as monks, we cannot touch a woman ?”
The elder monk answered “yes, brother”.
Then the younger monk asks again, “but then Sir, how is that you lifted that woman on the roadside ?”
The elder monk smiled at him and told him ” I left her on the other side of the road, but you are still carrying her.”
Why you Pakisthani’s have such narrow mindset and cant tolerate Freedom of someone else. If you don’t like something, its your mind problem no hers.
what a beautiful story, thank you
Ironically you are also trying to suppress someone else’s freedom!!!!! and for God sake try to be a little bit more sensible in drawing some analogy.
Great advice of Freedom, perhaps it would have even been greater had it been delivered first to the people who attacked two girls homes in recent past for just exchanging their honest views about the real cause of Shut Down. My brother its not charity alone begins at home humanity must come first.
“None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely
believe they are free.”
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Thanks for your attempt in trying to bring us on the ‘other side of road’.
Mind broadens with Education and unfortunately in a country where literacy ratio is still under 50%, it will take us Decades to reach the ‘other side of road’
we Pakistanis? ok so 180 million of us are homogeneous. Didn’t realise that all my life.
A beautiful story but it has nothing to do with being Pakistani or Indian. It is human nature and exists in all cultures. I live abroad and have friends in all type of races and nations including Desi(bangali, Indian) and non-desis. It exists in every culture where people poke their noses in others businesses or freedom so you kinda killed your beautiful story and showed a narrow mindset with the sense of your anti-paki comments.I hope you bring good stories with wide mind and extended exposure of the world in future. Good Luck!
How the world now sees you: Al-Jazeera Nov. 26 2012
“In the days leading up to the religious holiday of Ashura, leading members of the Pakistani Shia community in Pakistan received anonymous text messages warning of violence to come: “Kill, Kill, Shia”.
In recent years, Ashura – which not long ago throughout the country was an occasion which Sunnis, Shias and others among Pakistan’s ethno-religious milieu would commemorate together in harmony – has become an annual flashpoint in Pakistan’s increasingly sectarian and violent religious culture.
Tragically, and despite high-profile efforts by the government to clamp down on the ability of militants to target worshippers such as the limitating cellphone service and banning of motorcycles from public roads during the holiday, this year’s Ashura in Pakistan signified a continuation of the country’s spiral into self-destructive communal violence.”
Muharram Mournings…like many other religious rituals, have become hollow with time. Totally agree with the writer, wearing black during Muharram is a fashion statement not a sign of simplicity anymore.
Moharram mourning will never be hollow. So you stop worrying about it. Just google largest peaceful gathering in history and you will get the answer to your query!
Yo respeck !!
there is no need to google for something that is openly available in media LIVE ,remember the result the peaceful processions brought to a place named BOULTON market.
My dear friend, the spirit of Shias for Muharram will never die and neither the Mournings will ever become hollow… Over the years, it has grown not just in Pakistan but globally… I am not sure what is your reference of judgement …. but trust me… its your dream that Azadari will ever fade….
i Wonder y we dont even ponder to read before objecting a sensible point.no one is saying anything about peaceful or non peaceful procession or will it ever fade
Dear Hassan, I dont remember posting a comment dreaming that Azadari would fade away. Thats your judgement and you have right to your views. The essence of someones intent can be guaged by the persons deeds. Flashing up in a Muharram majlis…as the writer says just does not add up to the rituals of Muharram. Thats why I consider them as hollow and I stand by it. I consider the same for people queing up at fancy restaurants during Ramadan, skipping prayers for gluttony. Filled stomachs, hollow spirits.
Ms. Shia lady, googled as advised….the most peaceful gathering was indeed a muharram event in Karbala in 2012, but since I live in Pakistan, I was more interested in the most peaceful event here…and the same list suggests it was a tableeghi event in Raiwand. Just stating facts…not drawing any conclusions.(source wikipedia)
MashALLAH you have such a nice thoughts bro… ,may ALLAH give us real essence of ISLAM. I hope most of the Muslims will follow simplicity not the trend after reading this lesson… ALLAH Bless you
how do you know author is a bro…it can be a sis
Great observation! Nice work. may ALLAH bless you
I completely agree with the writer. ladies do get swayed away by the black colour in Muharramm. The sanctity of these days, and the message becomes blurred and even forgotten. Further on, is it really neccessary that black clothes be worn, especially if none are available and they have to be purchased. The abaya would be a better alternative.
Majority of women wear abaya at muharam gathering…only if you could see and not object
no objections, just observation. The essence is simplicity, which can be distingushed from fashion.
Average people always talk about people.
Mosques were the centre of alll activities in the era of Prophet(S.A.W.W). Even the marriages used to take place at mosques , where a simple nikah followed by a simple meal was called a marriage.
Now all Muslims, Shia or Sunni, rent marriage halls and total expenditures reach around a minimum of 1 million even though Pakistan is a poor country. Just the stage costs around 50,000 to 5 lac rupees or even more.
Please stop being standard bearers for taking responsibility to ‘address’ every other issue. Freedom of speech can do wonders if people stop being concerned about every other person around them. Start from within, and you will be able to see and point out many beautiful aspects.
exactly thats my point of view. charity begins at home. Mindset is key to see the world.
Why the writer spotted mourn and what is the rezone to point out someone or community. Is there anything else in this country to talk and I think now they are targeting by different way and means to a particular sect. Who’s behind this? Instigating to innocent people of this poor country against other, this is none of there business. Who ware what and how they perform their religious events. Why the writer is entrusted and what is the agenda