Tabarra
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Part of a series on the Islamic creed:  |
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| Sunni Five Pillars of Islam | |
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Shahādah - Profession of faith |
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| Sunni Six articles of belief | |
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Tawhīd - Oneness |
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| Shia Twelvers Principles of the Religion |
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Tawhīd - Oneness |
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| Shia Twelvers Practices of the Religion |
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Salat - Prayer |
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| Shia Ismaili 7 pillars | |
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Walayah - Guardianship |
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| Others | |
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Salafi/Kharijite Sixth pillar of Islam. |
Tabarra (Arabic: تبرأ) - disassociating from Ahl al-Bayt enemies , is a part of the Shia Branches of Religion and means the obligation of disassociating from the enemies of God, Muhammad and the Ahl al-Bayt. It does not mean an obligation to hate such a person.
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[edit] Definition
Every Muslim believes it to be their duty to disassociate themselves from the enemies of God and his Messengers. Muslims differ on whom to consider to be the enemies of God, Muhammad and the Ahl al-Bayt. Every Muslim considers being the enemy of God, Muhammad and Ahl al-Bayt as the same. For brevity, only Ahl al Bayt will be mentioned in this article.
The doctrine of Tabarra itself does not dictate whom to disassociate from or whom to associate with. It dictates the disassociation of those identified as enemies of Ahl al-bayt. The identification is up to every individual.
For example, some people may regard Umar as the enemy of Ahl al-Bayt. In that case, it becomes obligatory to disassociate oneself from Umar. However, others may regard Umar to be a friend and lover of Ahl al-Bayt, and for them the opposite comes obilgatory in accordance to Tawalla.
Although Tabarra specifically means to disassociate from enemies of God, it contains by effect the obligation to disassociate from evil acts and fobidden things, for example seeing someone's awrah.
[edit] Qur'an
A Qur'anic verse can be found that carries the same message as this doctrine. By Arberry, verse 9:1:
- An acquittal (Arabic: Baraatun), from God and His Messenger, unto the idolaters with whom you made covenant:
Baraatun is derived from the same consonantal root as Tabarra.
[edit] Shia and Sunni differences
Since Shias and Sunnis have different sources of hadith, they tend to come to different conclusions regarding whom the enemies of Ahl al-Bayt are.
In some cases Sunni and Shia have the same view, for example regarding Abu Lahab, Abu Jahl and Umayah ibn Khalaf. But controverses arise concerning Sahabas since Sunnis believe in the Uprightness of all Sahaba while Shia do not.
Due to the Shia view of early Muslim history, one Shia scholar stated:
- Regarding the doctrine of' 'Tabarri' we believe that we should seek disassociation from four idols namely, Abu Bakr, Omar, Uthman and Mu'awiyah; from four women namely, Ayesha, Hafsa, Hind and Ummul Hakam, along with all their associates and followers. 'These are the worst creation of Allah. It is not possible to believe in Allah, His Messenger and the Imams without disassociating oneself from their enemies. Haqqul Yaqeen: 2:519
Note that the scholar says "from their enemies" and not "from Umar & co". Every Muslim believes that it is important to disassociate themselves from the enemies of Muhammad, however Muslims differ upon who those are.
Shia also believe that this view was held by the descendants of Muhammad. Shia hold for authentic a narration attributed to Muhammad al Baqir. He was reported to have replied to his disciple who had sought the Imam's opinion regarding Abu Bakr and Umar:
- "What are you asking me about them (Abu Bakr and Umar)? Whoever among us (Ahl al-Bayt) or the progeny of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) departed from this world, departed in a state of extreme displeasure with them. The elders among us admonished the younger ones to perpetuate it (extreme displeasure with them), Verily, the two of them have unjustly usurped our right. By Allah! These two were the first to settle on our (Ahl al-Bayt) necks . Therefore, may the la'nat (curse) of Allah, the Malaikah (angels) and of mankind be on the two of them. Kitabur Raudhah Page 115
In the same book, on the same page appears the following:
- "Verily. these two elders (Abu Bakr and Umar) departed from this world without having made taubah for what they had perpetrated against Ameerul Mumineen Alayhis Salaam. In fact, they did not even think of us (of their wrongs against Hadhrat Ali). Therefore, the la'nat of Allah, the Malaikah and of mankind be on them." Kitabur Raudhah Page 115
Since Shia hold for authentic narrations where the descendants of Muhammad cursed the Sunni Caliphs, Shia also curse them when doing tabarra.
This added to the persecution of the Shias by the Sunnis. To protect themself in times where their life where in jeopardy, Shias used the doctrine of Taqiyya and where prevented from using tabarra in public.
Even though Tabarra is not a part of the Sunni aqidah, they have been known to use it in some occansions, for example to cursed upon Ubaid-Allah ibn Ziyad, a person they hold as responsible for the killing of Husain ibn Ali in the Battle of Karbala:
- "May Allah curse the son of Ibn Sumiyya (Ibn Ziyad, la’natullahi ‘alayh)!"ref
[edit] Contemporary status
In countries where Shias are in a minority they continue to perform Taqiyya. For example, Saudi Arabia, Southern Afghanistan, Parts of Pakistan, Sunni areas of Iraq and in parts of Jordan.
Doing tabarra still causes Sunnis to feel dislike when confronted with the prayers. Due to some hadith attributed to the Shia Imams, some Shia scholars have argued that it is not permissible to pray for divine curse upon Sahaba in front of Sunnis, since that would hurt their feelings and the strive for unity among Muslims.
