Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth – Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Volume 1
"He is not one of us who strikes the cheeks, tears the clothes, and calls with the call of Jāhiliyyah."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1294, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 103)
This clearly prohibits all forms of self-harm and grief rituals resembling pre-Islamic ignorance (jāhiliyyah).
The Prophet ﷺ expressed sorrow but never allowed or performed rituals of mourning or self-harm.
If such practices were meritorious, he ﷺ would have certainly taught or sanctioned them.
① Mourning, chest-beating, and grief rituals
② Expressions of joy and festivity
Both are outside the bounds of Islam.”
(Ibn Taymiyyah – Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā)
“The British colonialists in Iran and Iraq promoted chest-beating and self-flagellation on ʿĀshūrāʾ to exploit Shiʿah ignorance for political gain, aiming to present a negative image of Islam in Europe.”
✔ These acts contradict the Sunnah, the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ, and the practice of the righteous companions.
✔ Grieving should be done with patience and dignity, not through acts resembling jāhiliyyah.
✔ Claims that these actions express love for Ḥusayn رضي الله عنه are emotionally driven innovations (bidʿah) that deviate from true Islamic teachings.
❖ The Question
“Shiʿah claim that mourning and chest-beating on the 9th and 10th of Muḥarram is an expression of love for Ḥusayn رضي الله عنه, citing Yaʿqūb عليه السلام’s grief as justification. What is the Islamic ruling on such practices?”❖ Islamic Ruling: Prohibited Acts
Practices such as matam (mourning rituals), chest-beating, and self-flagellation with chains or knives, commonly performed by some on ʿĀshūrāʾ, have no basis in Islamic teachings and are completely against the Sunnah.❖ Evidence from the Sunnah
The Prophet ﷺ said:"He is not one of us who strikes the cheeks, tears the clothes, and calls with the call of Jāhiliyyah."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1294, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 103)
This clearly prohibits all forms of self-harm and grief rituals resembling pre-Islamic ignorance (jāhiliyyah).
❖ Response to Misinterpretation of Yaʿqūb عليه السلام’s Grief
Yaʿqūb عليه السلام expressed his grief and sorrow naturally through weeping for his son Yūsuf عليه السلام. However, he did not engage in chest-beating, self-harm, or public mourning rituals, as some wrongly equate with Islamic patience (ṣabr).❖ Prophetic Example on Grief
Even when great companions were martyred, including:- Ḥamzah ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib
- Zayd ibn Ḥārithah
- Jaʿfar ibn Abī Ṭālib
- ʿAbdullāh ibn Rawāḥah
The Prophet ﷺ expressed sorrow but never allowed or performed rituals of mourning or self-harm.
If such practices were meritorious, he ﷺ would have certainly taught or sanctioned them.
❖ Historical Origin of ʿĀshūrāʾ Mourning
According to Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Kathīr, the ritual mourning on ʿĀshūrāʾ began during the rule of the Būyid dynasty by Rāfiḍī (Shiʿah) elements. At the same time, Nawāṣib in Syria began celebrating ʿĀshūrāʾ as a day of joy—both being deviations from the truth.❖ Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah’s View
“Shayṭān introduced two bidʿahs upon the martyrdom of Ḥusayn رضي الله عنه:① Mourning, chest-beating, and grief rituals
② Expressions of joy and festivity
Both are outside the bounds of Islam.”
(Ibn Taymiyyah – Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā)
❖ Political Manipulation and Colonial Roots
Mūsá al-Mūsawī, in his book al-Shīʿah wa al-Taṣḥīḥ, notes:“The British colonialists in Iran and Iraq promoted chest-beating and self-flagellation on ʿĀshūrāʾ to exploit Shiʿah ignorance for political gain, aiming to present a negative image of Islam in Europe.”
❖ Summary
✔ Islam prohibits mourning rituals such as matam, chest-beating, and self-harm.✔ These acts contradict the Sunnah, the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ, and the practice of the righteous companions.
✔ Grieving should be done with patience and dignity, not through acts resembling jāhiliyyah.
✔ Claims that these actions express love for Ḥusayn رضي الله عنه are emotionally driven innovations (bidʿah) that deviate from true Islamic teachings.
