Senegal: Religiosity versus Superstition and Travel experience

One thing that struck you when you arrived in Senegal is the open and public display of religiosity and Godliness. Islamic identity in the Africanised adaptation is the inherent identity of the middle to older men in Senegal. Islam is a universal religion which is practiced by over 1.5billion people in the world.
The Senegalese takes their Sufi Islam seriously and they are public about it. It is very attractive overall the way the Mourids Africanise Islam. They take pride in being Muslim and Black.
The powers vested in the Sufi Tariqas is enormous. The different sects of the religious houses has their own domain of control. There are problematic angst to the religious brotherhood, the fact that, some of them allow very young children to beg for them. This was a sight i detest very much. Upon enquiringly as to why, such thing is allowed amidst the smooth running of the state, it is mention, the powerful 'Serign' revolted and the ban on 'Almudous' didn't last long.
What troubled me as a Muslim was the fact that, pictures of Saints acts as decorations and reminders everywhere. In shops, in offices, in taxis, private cars, in Taylor workshops, carpentry workshop, in gardens, hanging on people's necks, just everywhere. Amean, vast amount of people know more about the 'Serigns' Saints than, about Muhammad' the prophet of Islam.
My observation on the photos of holy men is that, these 'Serigns' saints provide very photogenic postures for the photographers who sell this images to the ardent followers.

The Mourids are said to be very powerful in Senegal, so powerful that, some attribute them to be having a union that boast of having very influential Senegalese as members. This 'Mourid' club is said to be behind many big businesses, powerful politicians and successful people in Senegal. I visited Professor Khadim Mbacke on the dominance and influence of the Mourids, but sadly he wasn't keen on discussing them. I sensed, the fear of offending the powerful brotherhood could be the reason. I attempted to create conversation about them, but not many want to talk about them realistically.
I happen to record some backgrounds on the brotherhood, which will serve my research interest. Man selling Chicken

The followers of Malick Sey, Bai Nyassi, Buu Kunta, Amadou Taal etc all belong the wider club of Talibes who follow them diligently.
The competition in the call to morning prayers is fascinating experience. Even though Fajr (early morning) Muslim prayers happen round about 06:45am, the Muashim (callers to prayer) commence the call at 04.30am. I learnt that, this is all because some people give offering to those who make the call to prayer sooner that the others.
The superstition seen in Senegal is extra-ordinary. There're birds held in cages, young men travel around selling this birds to people who frees them. If you free a bird from a cage, you release it but not before mention your wishes on the bird. I have never seen such superstition anywhere.
The believe in Marabouts ( spiritual doctors) is at higher level in Senegal than the Gambia. And Senegalese are willing to pay huge amounts for the work of the marabouts. The wrestling tradition is very rich, but also filled with superstition at an unprecedented level. This trend doesn't show any sign diminishing.
My passionate journey to Senegal also involves getting to comprehend the legacy of the Mbaay Faals...A subject I will deal with later.
As a cultural enthusiast and commentator, Senegal is a fertile ground for studying the contrasting existence of traditional values and modernity.
I have been to Senegal in the past, but mostly to the Cassamance region. Dakar as a capital is dominated with French style of building and habitat. The developments and advancement happening in Senegal is rapid for those living there. The tenure of Abdoulie Wade is said to have witness many infrastructural development.
However, what generates the growth of foreign industries in Senegal is the mature level of democracy. Dakar can boast of having a high concentration of NGO's, foreign embassies, head quarters of private companies, the U.N agencies etc.
The modern side to Senegals advancement is also the growth of private Senegalese own medical institutions. Health is big business in Africa. Since I'm making simple observations, I will not attached any figures to the opinions here.
Gambians are arriving in Dakar in droves for private medical treatment. The Gambia, it is said lack modern medical equipment needed for vigorous testing for illnesses. I came across very rich Gambians attending rehabilitation and therapy after strokes and other serious illnesses.
This Gambians complain that, they don't trust the Doctors in the Gambia. They claim that, the clinics and private health centres are very far behind in modern treatment. On the other hand, if you can afford the expensive medical bill, Senegal can provide facilities and expertise to cure the ailments.

The ordinary man and woman in Senegal is mostly engaged in some form of petty trade. The vehicles for commercial passenger commerce are usually very old,  dilapidated, but effective in taking people from one place to the other. Corree

I visited Coree, a former slave Island and was struck with intense feeling of anger at what has happen there by the European slave traders. The suffering those people encountered cannot be describe. It most have been horrendous  The dungeon  created for keeping captives who refuse to be enslaved is beyond description. The inhumane minds of those Europeans is beyond animalistic. Even today, the memory of Corree will live with me forever.

Travelling across Senegal was also enjoyable..Some roads are bad, but far better than the Gambia. i find people very helpful in general although the tendency to attempt to cheat is high.
Senegal in short is a paradise for Tourist. Very rich in culture, the people are friendly and open and the food is delicious as well.
There are great views, music and cultural heritage highly unexplored by the wider world. Senegal is a cocktail of many cultures inter-woven producing a hybrid of something beautiful. I will in future relay my Senegal experience. I will go back again for more research and enjoyment.

Senegal Is Working Whilst the Gambia is At A Standstill

Suntou Touray (A Recent trip to Senegal In Januray)

Politics is working in Senegal, and the Gambia, power struggles and empty penmanship leads the way..

After a 3 years absent from the shores of Africa. I took a plunge last month for a near three weeks holiday and fact finding in Senegambia. The trip I will admit brought to light the realisation of how globally inter-connected we are now. In Senegal where I spend a considerable time, things are working, people are always on the move. Whilst the Gambia, the stark reality of dictatorship and fear infect the elites much more than the ordinary people.

There's hardly anything to compare the Gambia with Senegal with in 2013, nearly nothing can be liken to the other. To understand Africa, as an African living nearly permanently in Europe or America, you have to be one of the people as soon you land in Africa. Sadly, through my observations, you encounter, Americanised Gambians and Europeanised Senegalise and Gambians likewise. They cannot just put the façade away and be one the people.

The Gambia is commercially dying, I mean dying. Consumers don't have disposable income and the means to generating wealth is all strangled by either state regulations or high cost of basic food and necessities. The ferry crossing into Barra is danger zone waiting to erupt. The Ferry it is said is old and should be disuse. It took from 7 hours for a car to cross from Banjul to Barra in a Sunday normal crossing. Vehicles wait at the Ferry terminal from 6am in the morning, just to cross in 5 hours time.

The Ferry regularly encounter breakdown in the middle of the sea. It is unbelievable the impact such disruption has on business and passengers. The Gambia is a disaster politically, economically and socially.

Gambians have learn the best they could how to survive in the very hostile environment. People now demands payments for things we all use take for granted as either family members or friends. People will hardly offer kindnesses for free this days. A young man who spent eight months holiday in the Gambia made this phenomenon glaringly clear when I meet him in Casablanca Muhammed the IV Airport. At the Moroccan Airport, the young man explain to how educated he has become in the Gambia for the eight months he spent there.

The joblessness in Spain is driving many Gambians to return home. These young men have risked it all at high cost to journey to Europe, and now Europe is jobless, they are returning home with the little they have save to farm and be with their wives. However, on their return, these young men are struck with demands and disappointments.

The young man explain how much people want things without working for it. Anyway, the quirk-mere that ensues in the country is reaching melting point. The positive appearance we can garner is the fact that, people are losing the fear that once gripped the nation.

Gambians are now bored of their own self-inflicted fear. They have realised that, Europe neither America will hoist Yahya Jammeh and his criminal gang out of power. People have commence open discussion of issues happening. They have started saying, he cannot jail all of us. Let us hope that, spirit continues.

Senegal: I am very impress with the level of political maturity in Senegal. I visited many places and spoke to different people with my basic Wollof. The impression overall is that, the people cannot be politically enslaved by anyone. Even the Maky Sall government is ongoing some intense scrutiny during his first year in office. From Taxi drivers to grey old men, politics, the economy etc is the bread and butter discussion.

People in Senegal in general are self-dependent and trade oriented than Gambians. I attended the Radho sponsored media conference in Dakar, where Sedat Jobe spoke eloquently in French. The even was well attended by Gambian dissidents. I was told, political meetings like that in the past would have been less well attended.

The views of Senegalese politicians is simply that “Gambians cannot keep talking on the media and writing on the newspapers without wanting to confront Yahya Jammeh on the street”. One politicians further made it clear that, 'Senegal don't see the Gambian problem as a priority'. They are in effect saying, we Gambians want to 'eat our cake and still have it'.

I was sadden by the opinions of the Senegalese about Gambians. In fact, Senegalese are baffled at our cowardice and lack of courage in tackling a little man who pumped himself to be what he is not.

A lady street vendor selling beans and bread opined to us whilst we were speaking about Yahya Jammeh. She blunlt told us, 'you Gambians are very funny', in peach sleek Wollof. She went further to say, can Yahya Jammeh kill the whole country if you stand together? We looked at each other and said no. She said, then what have Gambians been waiting for in uniting against the sadistic regime?

We couldn't answer, because Senegalese embrace each other not that, they don't have underlying tension in either religious sectarianism or ethnic power struggles, but they understood one thing. A divided nation cannot take charge over the direction of a nation.

The opposition against Abdoulie Wade brought that to light. The politicians never hesitate to back Maky Sall since his party got the larger vote share in the contest against Wade. Yet, 200 kilometre to the border, the Gambians opposition don't want to embrace such a system. What could be the causes of this phenomenon?

Senegalese political culture is working because the elite's hatred of each other is at a controllable level whilst that of the peanuts colony Gambia, the reality is different. Smaller political parties in Senegal have no qualms in recognising the strengths of rival parties. A young activist told me “we backed Maky Sall because, all we want is for Wade to leave”(Gaye)

The activist further mention that, the demonstrations against Abdoulie Wade left some lasting causalities  some died and other badly injured.

Abdoulie Wade have left and Senegal is a steady course of change. Yet Abdoulie Wade has transform Senegal with multiple new roads, opening up and connecting the country between Dakar and Cassamance and other regions. Wade has built new suburbs in Dakar, solving the housing crisis. Wade has brought some equality between the religious brotherhoods in Senegal. Where the previous governments left the major Tariqas (Mourids, Nyassens, Sey, Kunta, Taal) to benefit from state sponsorship and patronage, Abdoulie Wade reached out to the Janhanka, Mandinka and Fula religious brotherhoods in Cassamance region, thus elevating those religious households, creating some pride in those regions. The economy wasn't doing badly either under Wade. Above all, Abdoulie Wade wasn't a serial human right abuser. He allowed the law to takes it course and due process seen to be leading the way. Yet, the opposition against him became unanimous and solid.

In essence, with all of Abdoulie Wade's achievements, the Senegalese people wanted change more than one man at the helm of their country for over ten years. The opposition united against Wade, because they understood that, change is always positive, no matter it chaotic nature sometimes.

Gambian oppositions all refused to rally behind the bigger opposition party in the last elections, to the Senegalese, nothing can be enough excuse for such a behavior  If there are other reasons more compelling than, seeing the back of Yahya Jammeh and his oppression, then the lesser opposition parties in the Gambia don't come to that realisation yet.

How many cruel things have happen since the re-election of Yahya Jammeh in November 2011? For starters, 9 people were executed, Imam Bakwsu Fofana tortured and exiled, Imam Baba Leigh still in detention, many more people still remain in prison, many unlawful murders remain unanswered, the land seizure and usurpation of private properties continues, three media outlets closed, the cost of living sky rocketing, now what could be the reason why, the smaller opposition parties refused to rally and form a Coalition with a bigger and larger opposition party? Could it be ethnicity, could it be power ambition on the side of the smaller party leaders etc? Whatever it is, the Senegalese sees us collectively as failures to our country and future, and they cannot be the catalyst to solve our own hatred of each other. Because, no amount of reservations within the opposition rank should be more urgent than, seeing the back of President Jammeh. After all, change is always positive in a collective landscape, even where the impression seems otherwise. People will always learn to grow from a change position. The blame for Gambia's pain lies on every single Gambian, but the burden is on the shoulder of the smaller opposition party leaders.

I will provide my own narrative for the bigger Gambian opposition party on my next contribution. Meanwhile, I just hope someone remind the opinionated opposition politicians writing letters to Jammeh and the Inspector General that, that has never work yesterday and will hardly ever work today. Masterminding disunity is the cause of our state of affairs today. Whatever Jammeh does, he knows some opposition politicians see others as more urgent priorities than him. That is Yahya Jammeh's saving grace, not his intimidation and harassment.

The Bones of Executed Gambians

A poet once said "you can kill me, throw away my bones, scatter them, bury them, but one day, my bones will ride against you" Rest in peace all slain Gambian...Your bones will ride against your killers, One day. Remembering the late Deyda Hydara and others.

Deyda Hydara's killing occurred whilst I was a two weeks holiday to the Gambia. I was busy travelling from place, running errands, but along the way, grabbing newspapers. I read some brief accounts of Deyda's material on the media bill. A week before returning back to England, Deyda Hydara was murdered by an assassin bullets. 

Whoever ordered the killing will one day, taste his own medicine. Callous and cowardly at best. 

The Slow death of Gambia's Marxist-Socialism

“History calls those men the greatest who have ennobled themselves by working for the common good; experience acclaims as happiest the man who has made the greatest number of people happy.” Marx, Letter to His Father in (1837)

By Suntou Touray

Momodou Dumo Sarho

Sidia Jatta

The initial tilt of post-colonial African nations toward Socialism and Marxism did not spare the Gambia. Though the Gambia’s successive national governments have all steered clear of the two sister ideologies, a relatively small segment of the literate urban youth population did openly flirt with Socialism and Marxism for a long time. Whether this was purely out of youthful rebellion against authority is open to debate. This is especially true of the 70s and 80s when Socialist and Marxist ideas seemed to have gained traction in the Gambia. One could say that Socialism especially penetrated the Gambia in the 70s and 80s in that local Marxists (who like to call each other “Comrades”) traversed Gambian soil, quietly preaching their peculiar gospel of politics, subversion, equality, and social justice to impressionable youth. At this junction, the Gambia began to feel their presence in different forms.

But the proponents of the ideologies didn’t sit down on their laurels; they started to widen their constituency by conducting lectures in tiny enclaves in colleges, high schools and vocational campuses, formal workplaces, and at vous all around the Gambia’s urban areas. The universal ideologies of political economic management of Socialism and Marxism soon became the sound bites of self-described Freedom Fighters across Africa as they did further afield in South America, and Asia. The symbolism of sacrificing oneself for a higher secular cause as epitomized by the likes of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in Cuba, and Chairman Mao in his cultural revolution in China, were models Gambian Marxists looked up to.

Naturally, the existing political class in the Gambia at the time (the PPP) became the target of these sometimes overzealous young men, who are of mixed orientation and social origin. While many are semi-literate with scant understanding of the political ideologies they purportedly espouse, some of the youths had University or college education. Again, while some are genuinely unconnected to the ruling class, some are close relatives of important members of the establishment they loudly rant against. The one thing Socialist-Marxists had in common was their resentment against what they perceived as “elitism and patronage of the political class.”

While they lacked the numbers to pose a serious political threat to the PPP government, nonetheless they were worried enough about their corrupting influence on the generality of Gambian youths to initiate a close surveillance of their activities. This became particularly imperative after like-minded youth took over power in Liberia in April 1980 through a bloody coup d’état. The Liberia experience was a wake-up call for the PPP government that a small number of “Leftist” could pose dangers to the Gambia’s peace and stability.

Consequently, the most visible of the Marxist-Socialist band of brothers of the Movement for Justice in Africa Gambia (MOJA-G) was quickly proscribed. However, as often happens in such cases, the banning of their organization only served to give the Marxist-Socialists a higher profile than they hitherto had. Until their banning, most Gambians had never even heard of the group. But the effect of the group’s banning turned several of its members into high profile status. These people included Abdoulie Jobe, Koro Sallah, Momodou Dumo Sarho, Sedia Jatta, Halifa Sallah, Sam Sarr, Sarjo Jallow, Ousman Manjang, among others.

My brief comment here is not in any way or form a scholarly discourse of the dying breed of ex-Marxist activists, but merely a short commentary on the slow death of the Socialist-Marxist ideas in the Gambia. Some of the individuals cited here may reject the claim that they are communist or socialist in orientation, thereby wholly rejecting my comments about them. However, it is undisputable that the currency of alternative political activism in contrast to free market capitalist democracy is socialism (championed by PDOIS) or Marxism (espoused by MOJA-G) in our case.

The most prominent members of Gambia’s Marxist MOJA group have all largely settled in Europe for decades now. The result of which is the departure of their Marxist ideals. The remaining underground members (Halifa, Sam Sarr, and Sedia) changed course by entering mainstream politics. As the Marxist forerunners to enter politics, they trekked villages and towns, leafleting and pamphleteering. They sold and distributed preacher-like political sermons on magnetic cassette tapes. The messages on the cassette tapes – themed to portray the Socialists as the “caring lot” organized to champion the courses of “ordinary people” – were similar and consistent. Always implicit in their message is the notion that they’re different from other educated Gambians. Yet, the two ideologies have not fared well in Gambia despite their laudable claims. So one may ask: what triggered the demise of Marxism in the Gambia? While there are undoubtedly many factors, it is reasonable to state that decades of the Socialist-Marxists’ unsuccessful bid for power has proven to be a dis-incentivizing agent for both the leaders and the masses they seek to enlighten. The failure of the resident Marxists in the Gambia especially to expand their following even after a quarter century of openly canvassing the populace, is particularly glaring.

Many keen observers are perplexed and confused by the unending downturn of the resident Marxist-Socialists’ political fortunes. Even the areas one might expect Gambians to follow them in – the simple dress code, personal modesty, etc, has not worked out for them. Some believe that is because the Socialists’ humility-façade masks an intense anger and disappointment at the refusal of Gambians to entrust them with our country. Many believe it’s that anger that is behind the Socialists’ reticence to work with others to end our Nation’s trauma expeditiously.

For the one thing that has now become commonplace during every Opposition negotiation cycle is the news of the Marxist-Socialist “Old boys” holding onto inflexible positions that scuttle any chances of achieving opposition unity. Further, they seem to imply that they’re the only genuine alternative to the monster that regime in the Gambia – thus the contemptuous and dismissive attitude towards other Gambians in pursuit of other solutions to our common problem. It seems they would rather stick to hardened uncompromising stances than working towards malleable positions that could realistically help end the tyranny in the Gambia. Why they continue to regard such behavior as a wise and viable option is something many Gambians cannot figure out.

Allow me to end this short note with a few words from Karl Max: “If we have chosen the position in life in which we can most of all work for mankind, no burdens can bow us down, because they are sacrifices for the benefit of all; then we shall experience no petty, limited, selfish joy, but our happiness will belong to millions, our deeds will live on quietly but perpetually at work, and over our ashes will be shed the hot tears of noble people.” Marx, Letter to His Father (1837)

Ends

the attachments to this post: 

 
Momodou Dumo Sarho

The Importance of Islamic New Year

THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM

By Sheikh Mufti Taqi Uthmaani (Hafidhahullah)

Sheikh Taqi Uthmani/Criticalppp

Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Quran says, “The number of the months according to Allah is twelve months (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day in which He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified”. These four months, according to the authentic traditions are the months of Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, has declared: One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab.

The specific mention of these four months does not mean that any other month has no sanctity, because the month of Ramadhan is admittedly the most sanctified month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sanctified months for the simple reason that their sanctity was accepted even by the pagans of Makkah. In fact, every month, out of the twelve, is originally equal to the other, and there is no inherent sanctity which may be able which may be attributed to one of them in comparison to the other months. When Allah Almighty chooses a particular time for His special blessings, the same acquires sanctity out of His grace. Thus, the sanctity of these four months was recognized right from the days of Sayyidina Ibrahim (Alayhis salaam). Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Sayyidina Ibrahim (Alayhis salaam) they observed the sanctity of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months. In the Shariah of our Noble Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Quran referred to them as the “sanctified months”. The month of Muharram has certain other characteristics peculiar to it which are specified below.

Fasting During The Month: The Noble Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said: ‘The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadhan are those of the month of Muharram.”

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. The Hadith cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most rewardable ones among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him. The Hadith does not mean that the award promised for fasts of Muharram can be achieved only by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should avail of this opportunity as much as he can.

The day of ‘Ashurah’

Although the month of Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Ashurah’. According to the Holy Companion Ibn ‘Abbas (Radhiallaahu Anhu). The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), when migrated to Madinah, found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa (Moses) (Alayhis salaam) and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its waters. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, “We are more closely rotated to Musa (Alayhis salaam) than you” and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of ‘Ashura’. (Abu Dawood) It is also reported in a number of authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’ was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fasts of Ramadhan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of ‘Ashura’ was made optional. Sayyidina ‘Aisha (Radhiallaahu Anha) has said: “When the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) came to Madinah, he fasted on the day of ‘Ashura’ and directed the people to fast it. But when the fasts of Ramadhan were made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadhan and the obligatory nature of the fast of ‘Ashura’ was abandoned. Whoever so desires should fast on it and any other who so likes can avoid fasting on it.” (Sunan Abu Dawud) However, the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to fast on the day of ‘Ashura’ even after the fasting in Ramadhan was made obligatory. Abdullah ibn Musa (Radhiallaahu Anhu) reports that the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) preferred the fast of ‘Ashura’ on the fasts of other days and preferred the fasts of Ramadhaan on the fast of ‘Ashura’. (Bukhari and Muslim) In short, it is established through a number of authentic Hadiths that fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’ is Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and makes one entitled to a great reward. According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of ‘Ashura’ should either be prefixed or suffixed by another fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th of it. 

The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is that the Jews used to fast on the day of ‘Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) wanted to distinguish the Muslim way of fasting from that of Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to that of ‘Ashura’. Some traditions signify another feature of the day of ‘Ashura. According to these traditions one should be more generous to his family by providing more food to them on this day as compared to other days. These traditions are not very authentic according to the science of Hadith. Yet, some Scholars like Baihaqi and Ibn Hibban have accepted them as reliable. What is mentioned above is all that is supported through authentic sources about Ashura. However, there are some legends and misconceptions with regard to ‘Ashura’ that have managed to find their way into the minds of the ignorant, but have no support of authentic Islamic sources, some very common of them are these: This is the day in which Adam (Alayhis salaam) was created. 

This is the day in which Ibrahim was born. This is the day in which Allah accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam (Alayhis salaam) This is the day on which the Qiyaamah (doomsday) will take place. Whoever takes bath in the day of ‘Ashura’ will never get ill. All these and other similar whims and fancies are totally baseless and the traditions referred to in this respect are not worthy of any credit. Some people take it as Sunnah to prepare a particular type of meal in the day of ‘Ashura’. This practice, too, has no basis in the authentic Islamic sources. Some other people attribute the sanctity of ‘Ashura’ to the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain (Radhiallaahu Anhu) during his battle with the Syrian army. No doubt, the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain (Radhiallaahu Anhu) is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of ‘Ashura’ cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of ‘Ashura’ was established during the days of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) much earlier than the birth of Sayyidna Husain (Radhiallaahu Anhu). On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Sayyidna Husain (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that his martyrdom took place on the day of ‘Ashura’.

 Another misconception about the month of Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Sayyidna Husain was killed in it. It is for this misconception that people avoid holding marriage ceremonies in the month of Muharram. This is again a baseless concept which is contrary to the express teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. Such superstitions have been totally negated by the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). If the death of an eminent person in a particular day renders that day unlucky for all times to come, one can hardly find a day, free from this bad luck, out of 360 days of the whole year, because each and every day has a history of the demise of some eminent person. The Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) have made us free from such superstitious beliefs, and they should deserve no attention.

Another wrong practice related to this month is to hold the lamentation and mouming ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of Sayyidna Husain (Radhiallaahu Anhu). As mentioned earlier, the event of Karbala is one of the most tragic events of our history, but the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has forbidden us from holding the mourning ceremonies on the death of any person. The people of jahiliyyah (ignorance) used to mourn over their deceased through loud lamentations, by tearing their clothes and by beating their cheeks and chests. The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) stopped the Muslims from doing all this and directed them to observe patience by saying “Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon”. A number of authentic Ahaadith are available on the subject. To quote only one of them: “He is not from our group who slaps his checks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of jahiliyyah“. (Sahih Bukhari) All the authentic jurists are unanimous on the point that the mourning of this type is absolutely impermissible.

Even Sayyidna Husain (Radhiallaahu Anhu) at shortly before his demise, had advised his beloved sister Sayyidah Zainab (Radhiallaahu Anha) at not to mourn over his death in this manner. He said, “My dear sister, I swear upon you that you, in case I die, shall not tear your clothes, nor scratch your face, nor curse anyone for me or pray for your death”. (Al-Kamil, ibn Kathir vol. 4 pg. 24) It is evident from this advice of Sayyidna Husain, (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that this type of mourning is condemned even by the blessed person for the memory of whom these mourning ceremonies are held. Every Muslim should avoid this practice and abide by the teachings of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and his beloved grand child Sayyidna Husain (Radhiallaahu Anhu).

-Mufti Taqi Uthmaani

the attachments to this post: 

 
Sheikh Taqi Uthmani

'I' is the Terminology

I return home

From where?

The Neighboring country

I told them everything

About our dilemma

I said that, I am the answer to all the problem

And I am ready and now willing

To be seen and heard

I have stood up and wrote about it all

I am the only one who can bring sanity

I have demonstrated it over and over

That, without me, nothing will work

I have abundantly said it

I will not allow anyone to take my chances

All the press statements I did are to highlight my position

People should stop focusing on the dictator

And rather look at Me

I am the problem and the solution

I will continue to reinvent myself

Over and over

Until all of you take me seriously

I don't care how long it takes

But I will not end my stance to be in command

At every gathering of my peers

Because, I am who I am

I interview myself and pass it off

I am a scholar, a politician, a writer, a talker, orator

I am all in one and I will never be irrelevant

So Gambians, you cannot ignore me

And even you try to do, I will remind you

That, the problem and solution all lies

With me...And so it shall be

"Message by A wise Gambian who is too focus on himself)

All His Excellency's Imams and Priests

By Suntou Bolonba Touray
To God will be our return
Them and us
As guardians and overlords
The Imams and Priest swore to stand for our God's people
Yet the bare bottom ruler overturn it without breaking wind!
Even as some Imams get laid, The others look away
Hoping their hands will be free from blood and innocent sufferings
Yet the puppet scream in joy, claiming "god is him" and the Imams and
Priests are his drummers
Fear no more unprepared masses, the day of account giving is nigh
That day all his Excellency's Imams and Priests will wish they can be
swallowed for licking the blood of comrades and the ordinary
Sermon no more, we know your lips are for the Dalasis and the Cameras.
" In Allah, let the believers put their trust"