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.
Meem Fay- the point in Pakistan isn’t what they wear during the Majlis and how extravagant but how all Muslims have forgotten the message of Imam Hussain for which he fought the battle in Karabla. He fought so that people know what is right and what is wrong. He fought so the Muslims don’t forget the basic principals on which the foundations of Islam are laid. He fought so Muslims remain pious, honest, humble but we are the most arrogant, corrupt , dishonest followers. Who cares what one wears if the heart is pure. Let’s focus on what Imam Hussain wanted to teach us and not on frivolous thins.
Very thought Provoking indeed…
The young genration of mourners are changing in theit outfits with passGe time.
However, the dignityof moharrM is always kept intact.
There is no harm in dress code as long as it is not vulgar, or unislamic.
“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.”………Kindly give the reference of the statement that you have made.
I completely agree with u.
Meem Fay. Wonderful!
But remember, most of the dawn readers will not fathom your concern as your sampled ladies belong to the same strata of society who observe Muharram with a different attitude. Parents of majority of mourners nowadays used to observe Muharram with a different feeling. But times have changed, and as certain intoxicating materials have become “justifiable”, fashion in Muharram has also became justifiable. Seculars, non seculars, liberals or fanatics, all will agree on one thing that atleast we should not kill the “intent of mourning”. But as you rightly put it, that intent is simply missing.
Frankly speaking I didnt understood the purpose of this article. Mourning of Shaheed Imam (as) is a matter of heart and of that particular individual. Let it remain between him and his Shaheed Imam instead of discussing it with a totally different and irrelevant perspective. You cannot ask someone to not mourn because she is wearing a designer cloth or niaz wont serve the purpose if more than 2 dishes are offered. After all purity of heart is only known by Allah and we are nobody to judge that.
And yes title is misleading as well !!!!!
May be ladies are getting bit tired of wearing black the whole month – they are adding little’spice’ to their dresses. We should appreciate it.
Little glamour breaks the monotony of grief. Nothing wrong with that Dress is still black. We are living in a changing world.Let the ladies decide.
I feel that the title is wrongly generalizing Moharram by the definite terms – as if either faith or fashion.
I agree that there are a few people who CELEBRATE Moharam, rather than commemorating it; who are more concerned about showing off their wealth through the religious gatherings. I personally know a few families who host ‘majalis’ just as a social gathering, with a menu similar to that of a Valima. And their biggest concern is about inviting the ‘chachi’, ‘khala’ or other eminent ladies of THEIR class.
But that is the story of A FEW families only.
There’s a greater number of people who attend these ‘majalis’ and processions with simplicity and religious devotion, while not caring about the class differences etc.
[as somebody wrote "In every society, the upper class is not much concerned over religious beliefs and values."]
I guess this is the same case here. So highlighting this issue with such sort of title is not appropriate.
Why to mourn the living and the praised..?
To remind what enemies of Prophet (PBUH) did to HIS Grandson (AS). Show truth in white and injustice in black, so that when we all are raised, one should not complain that s/he was confused. (Quran is full of reminders)
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
How weird that humans live a split personality life.The self/soul or conscience tells you to do something in ideal ways but ignorance tell you to lie,hate and cheat.Humans find it very difficult to learn two things to Love all and to be 100% unselfish.For these two basic necessity we have so many Books,Gods,prophets, saviors,Gurus,Swami,Qazi,Rabbi,Pope,Pundits,Organizations,Temple,Churches,Mosque,Religious TV Channels,Website,Youtube channels,Taliban,Pakistani Army,Indian Army,American Army,Chinese Army,Pilgrimage,dress code,religious war and whole lot of unnecessary,time consuming,money consuming,wasteful drama.
My favorite quote by Swami Vivekananda—Are you unselfish? That is the question. If you are, you will be perfect without reading a single religious book, without going into a single church or temple.
Wearing black is not favorite in our religion but it is a sign of Grief and Mourning, We Show that since Our Imam A.S and His Family was Martyred and the army of Yazeed (So Called Muslims) torchered the Family of Imam A.S, by many ways. The other section of society is present in all religions whom does have no interest with any belief or thoughts but they are just the Slave of their Wishes, You can found them in any Religion or Sect So never ever apply their deeds in the name of Religion or Faith.
finally people become aware the economic benefits of religion,Deep south in India all temple towns like Madurai have booming clothing shops around the temple run by Muslims !! Muslims in Lucknow are the talented actors in plays of Mahabharata or Ramayana…..the list is endless .I want all to benefit and that is why i fear the talibinization of Islam.
I don’t know who the Meem Fay is … but i know that the media people for the sake of good ratings … have only highlighted the negative aspects in each and everything. Being a writer for dawn you can write more useful than this. I have never seen the dressing discussed above in Rawalpindi, Islamabad or Peshawar at least. I don’t know why Pakistani media people always look for the negative aspects always. “daal chawal” for what ??? If one can give better than daal chawal then whats is bad in this ? he/she can give. Sick thinking …
If I raise the point regarding your tag line …
Meem Fay is a diabolic angel always on an eye-chase for sensitive issues.
I don’t think its true. Whats the logic of hiding your name ?????????
I hope you will write better for your society.
my comments not appeared were they too bad, Muharram- faith or fashion,strong objection on the title ,it really hurt me.
Cleanliness is half part of belief….
Only God knows about the heart/internal feelings of every human being…
yes and the writer did not see that people in majlis still cry and pay tribute to Imam (a.s) like their forefathers did in past which is a good reflection of purity of their heart and soul affection towards Ahl-ul-Bayt. But he/she can only see outlook of people which is a materialistic approach.
In every society, the upper class is not much concerned over religious beliefs and values. The same might have happened to the upper class of shiite. However, I believe that the comments / opinion of the author do not reflect the picture of most of Shia families. The type of food narrated by the author is not available in all niaz menus rather perhaps in only upper class gatherings. So before writing on religoius gatherings, one should be cautious as such articles only highlight the negative aspects followed by meager number of people and result in shame to the members of entire society belonging to the sect / religion. The practices of average people or most of the people if discussed and highlighted are welcomed which also result is bringing positive changes. Alas, we have got the right of freedom of expression but not the wisdom to exercise it in meaningful manner.
I think it’s not the dress or physical apperance that matters. That feeling is in your heart. I am sorry but I think it’s not appropriate to look into these things. It’s up to the individual coming to the majlis, the way he/she dresses. Ofcourse one should dress appropriately , but then again we are no one to judge people on the basis of their clothes or the meals they are giving in the majalis. Isn’t it possible that a person from a good financial background is attending a majlis with old worn out clothes?, but he/she is not attending it for the sake of the ‘real purpose’?, but just for show off?. I have seen people coming in red clothes to majlis with far better believes and thoughts than that of an individual with plain clothes ( or whatever the criteria you mentioned), and about the “niaz” , it should be the BEST, since it is given in their (imam’s) name ( just to add in your good religious knowledge)
Let people live the way they want to !
I meant to click like, but my fat fingers clicked unlike, sorry…but I liked your comment cause its true. Here in the USA,we have all manner of dressings & styles. We have different sects come, like Arabs & Persians who don’t even wear shalwar khameez, they wear skirts & jeans. We have non-Shias…who are just interested in learning, whose to say whose mourning is more “Qubool”?
Everything on us Shias is picked on…..our azadari, our namaz, now this author has planted another seed of discord into our majlises, by labeling people who dress & serve good food as vain.
Good job.
I see the writer’s point of view but dont agree with everything said in the write-up. I bet the writer herself must have got atleast SOME clothes made for muharram – or does she still wear mini kameezs from 5 years ago which look completely out of place in 2012? Unfortunately, as sad and shallow as it sounds, you cant take fashion and trends out of every day life – I agree that majlises should not be used as a forum for showing off designer clothes and what not but there is nothing wrong with looking presentable (I understand that ‘presentable’ may mean different things for different people).
Another thing is that I feel fashion is only so ardently followed in big cities in Pakistan. I do muharram in London and the imambargahs here have no fashion parades going on. Everyone is simply dressed in black. No one has any shame in repeating the few black kameezs and shawls they have every day. Mourning should be done in simplicity. Decking up and caking up for majlises is just not in line with the theme of what muharram stand for.
good observation…atlast someone has spoken on this issue…i have personally observed it in our society…mourning should not be like a fashion show…but we Pakistanis can’t live without showing off even on such sacred occasions!
all these muharram, ramzan, rabi-ul-awwal exhibitionism got nothing to do with any spirituality or other oft-cited exalted ideals.. dhanda hai sub dhanda.. religion sells! big-time!
I’m rather impressed by the author’s naivety over the very basic elements of female psychology – the urge to show off at every given chance. Perhaps majalis are your only source of exposure and you haven’t attended funerals of the rich. People who can’t get enough of their status advertisement ‘celebrate’ funerals like mehndis. Don designer labels, eat a grand buffet and sit on fancy chairs. Why would you mention this only in relation to a “majlis”? Perhaps because Majlis is the spice that would sell it.
I agree 100% with what the opinions expressed. It’s about the true Islamic beliefs for the most somber of occasions. It is to mourn. Simplicity, humility and selflessness is the essence.
People who engage in such fashion/feasts have probably forgotten what Imam Ali (A.S) said regarding ‘risk’ (food) the gist of which is:
If a person overeats or over indulges in eating, let them be reminded for every extra morsel he/she eats or wastes someone from Allah’s creations goes hungry.
As i read some of the comments by my Shia brethren, this thinking is not closed minded or conservative. The most fashionable people should gather and mourn in a manner not to cause ill feeling in their less fortunate brethren in terms of earning capacity in this world.
They should not feel ashamed/concerned when going to Aazadari if their clothes are shabby/simple as compared to other people at a majlis. They should not be ashamed if they cannot order catered food at a majlis because of lack of worldly resources.
You are mourning your Imams, who ate ‘jau ki roti’ and ‘dates’ as their evening meals. They wore the simplest of clothing. For their sake, people don’t turn this into a fashion statement or competition. The extra money you spend on fashion/caters would be well spent on charity to the less privileged.
Taha this mourning is a matter of heart and of that individual. I also do not advocate being extravagant and being a show off in majlis and yes simplicity, humility is the essence. but at the same time i also wont point finger to someone who has come to majlis wearing designer clothes. Its a matter of affection, aza between me and my Shaheed Imam (as) and has nothing to do with clothes that i wear in majlis
Does it mean a person who does not mourn dont respect them?
faith in love of Imam Hussain(as)