Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

Society Religion & Philosophy
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I reckon this thread must have been done before but i will repeat.
I am a sunni muslim myself, but i fail to understand why so many sunnis have a problem with shia belief in matam during Muharram?? During muharram i hear snide remarks by sunnis i know in real life and also on the internet about shias doing matam.
The shia muslims are not hurting anyone except themself by doing matam so sunnis should let them do what they want and there is no need to make fun of their religious beliefs.

What i am saying now might be politically incorrect but i will be honest. The only thing about shias that i find offensive is “tabarra” or cursing the sahaba and religious figures who are revered by sunnis. I am not saying that all shia brothers and sisters curse but some of them do and they should not hurt the sentiments of sunnis in this way.

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

I don't think it is a problem, but when you see someone beating themselves up silly you are bound to hear snide remarks by rational people. The thing with matam is that it comes across as a jahil exercise, and you cannot imagine that Allah would appreciate this act of self abuse by muslims. If someone wants to do it then you let them, it is a free country (or at least its supposed to be).

What is really offensive is the cursing of certain sahabas like you mentioned. It isn't just limited to that I have heard extreme shias say some very despicable things that make you wonder what link they have with Islam at all.

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

I admit people go overboard. Tabarra should be more disassociation just how Bibi Zahra (sa) and our Imams (as) did, rather than cursing them on every footstep. It's totally wrong.

Kehtay hain baray fakhar say hum gham nahi kartay,
Matam ki sada to suntay hain, matam nahi kartay,
Kyun aap ka dil jalta hai, kyun jalta hai seena?
Hum aap kay seenay pay matam nahi kartay
Mohsin yeh maqbool hai riwaayat zamaanay main,
Qaatil kabhi maqtool ka matam nahi kartay

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

I have no problem with people practicing thier faith so long as it's not harmfull to my own faith...

I have yet to be forced to do something against my faith by any Shia and to be honest I have no problem with any faith so long as it's not dedicated to ruining my own faith... there are some out there that want the likes of me to be exterminated and thus we clash endlessly but for the majority of folk... it is all plain sailing.

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

When you see a man beating himself with chains and bleeding all over, you sure as hell ain't gonna appreciate him. But to each his own...

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

You have a point there but Shia are not the only faith that practice self flagulation and to be honest i've suffered worse in practice sessions with King EdwardIII company in Stratford.

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

I think OP was referring to typical chest beating matam, not zanjeer or qama. If beating your chest or head is disturbing, I don't know why all Ummul Momineens beat their heads at the death of Rasoolallah (saw).

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

^ you have a point... and a fair one too.

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

Thanks to this chest beating most of u know about shahadat of Imam Hussain a.s, Otherwise most of u wud be asking me to provide a source that Imam hussain a.s was martyred on 10th Moharam at Karbala.

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

Matam should not be called an Islamic practice. It is not a form of worship and despair is against the aqeedah of ahl-us-Sunnah. That is the reason for my dislike to it, it brings out the very negativity that we should be avoiding as the most optimistic people of the Earth.

If is it something that Shi'a do to remember the loved ones with passion it is up to them ... but then when the matam is decorated with nawha and public displays it sort of takes the point out of it. Why turn mourning in to a show? Why mourn annually when mourning has been established for three days at the actual time of death. Why remember the particular persons martyrdom anniversary rather than celebrate the persons achievements and goods?

And if the person is martyred then why mourn at all, are they not alive? These are the thoughts that play around in my mind.

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

As a sunni, questions do come to one's mind about this practice but really I dont know of any sunni who ever passed a snide remark about the practice 9I am not talking about kattar mullas but normal people). In fact I remember when we were kids, we used to go to Rizvia colony or other shia communities and stand at one corner and use to watch the matam quietly with somewhat respect and lots of awe.

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

I dont think sunni have anything against matam as such. I just think we are not able to understand the reasoning behind it and plus most of us believe that doing harm to yourself is against the wishes of the Prophet.

Personally, I dont have anything against Shi'a doing their matam. I have never really witnessed it either living in a European country, however what I do mind is Shi'a demanding Sunnis to show respect towards their belief and their matamdari and on the other hand cursing all the Sahaba's who are high status for us. Double standards.

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

yes...i have this question too.......aren't we supposed to like celebrate the act of bravery and selflessness?? why mourn and cry for this??

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

Muharram is a month of happiness, its our (Muslims) New Year. we'r suppose to enjoy, celebrate!! not getting wild partyin.... but in a nice way!
And people fast on either 9th, 10th or 10, 11th Muharram. Khushi k rozay its sunnat...
And the rozay n stuff is for all Muslims, not only shia's....

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

I don't have any issues with matam, whatever the shias do to themselves is none of my business. It is sacred to them and I respect that. But yeah, it is cursing the sahaba that bothers me.

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

its a celebration of the shism

they give a higher status to the imams then they do to the quran or the sunnah. both of which they try their utmost to discredit. so quranic and sunnah injunctions are not considered into their religion. they have very few narrations actually from the prophet saw

they have the same problem with the sahaba, may Allah be pleased with them, as they do with the quranpak - ie that neither conforms to their belief in imamat

originally they started out with the belief that ali ra is god (nauzubillah) or some took dawa from people with such views but many pressures have forced them into a position to tonedown their views.

ive recently heard its haram for shias to fast on them days because the person who killed hussain ra was fasting on them

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

are you aure its 'celebration' or you are indeed to low?

[QUOTE]
they give a higher status to the imams then they do to the quran or the sunnah.
[/QUOTE]

Wow, any specefic proof from Shia source or its just another nasibi-mullah-fed material?

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both of which they try their utmost to discredit. so quranic and sunnah injunctions are not considered into their religion. they have very few narrations actually from the prophet saw

[/QUOTE]

We have so many narrations from Ahlulbayt (as) which you lack, you didnt make any comment on that fact?

[QUOTE]
they have the same problem with the sahaba, may Allah be pleased with them, as they do with the quranpak - ie that neither conforms to their belief in imamat
[/QUOTE]

Dreaming? On the contrary its the belief in khilafat wihch cannot be found in Quran. As for Sahaba, they are not source of guidance for us so its useless to comment on that.

[QUOTE]
originally they started out with the belief that ali ra is god (nauzubillah)
[/QUOTE]

gr888, stupidity, absrudity at its best!

[QUOTE]
ive recently heard its haram for shias to fast on them days because the person who killed hussain ra was fasting on them
[/QUOTE]

Nop, its because there was no such thing in Islam but your heros from Bani Ummayah who have forged most part of your books and beliefs, they incorporated the act of facting on Ashura and attributed it to Holy Prophet (s).

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

sunnis have a problem with matam? ask me if i care

the tradition of matam was started by Bibi Zainab a.s. the grand daughter of Prophet pbuh&up. thats enough for us.

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

I'm Sunni, but I've never heard any Shia say that Hazrat Ali was God. Also, some hadith are disputed by the Shias. And all I've to say is that just because they are in Sahih Bukhari doesn't mean they are beyond reproach. Only fanatic shias have problems with the Sahaba, most don't. Lastly, no Shia ever tried to discredit the Quran.

What have you been drinking mate?

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Re: Why do Sunnis have a problem with Matam?

On 10th moharam 63 hijri Hussain a.s army of 72 fought with Yazid's army, there were sahabis on both side armies. Hussain a.s army included ahleybait a.s too. If it is sunnat to fast on that day then all sahabis and ahleybait a.s shld have known, Tell me one person in both armies who was fasting on 9th or 10th moharam.

And kon si khushi key rozay ? ru reffering to "Islam was saved by Imam Hussain a.s" ?