Tatbir (Arabic: تطبير), in the South Asia also known as Talwar zani and Qama Zani,[1] is an act of mourning by the Shiite Muslims in grief of younger grandson of Islamic Prophet Mohammad, Imam Al Husain ibn Ali who was martyred along with his children, companions and near relatives in the battle of Karbala by the Sunni ruler Yazid.
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Tatbir is performed every year on the 10th day of Islamic month of Moharram, known as the Day of Ashura, and Arbaeen by the Shiites around the world. However, some Shiites also perform Tatbir on other occasions like the 21st of Ramadan (the day when first Imam Ali ibn Abi talib was martyred in Kufa), 28th of Safar (in commemoration of Prophet Mohammad's Death and Martyrdom of second Shiite Imam Hasan ibn Ali) and any time during the mourning period starting from Moharram till 8th of Rabi ul Awwal.
The practice of Tatbir includes striking oneself with a form of a sword (talwar in South Asia) on the head, causing blood to flow in remembrance of the innocent blood of Imam al Husain ibn Ali which was shed by Yazid's forces in Battle of Karbala. Some Shiites also hit their back and/or chest with blades attached to chains. This is more commonly known as Zanjeer Zani. Tatbir is performed by both men and women of all ages[2] (the performance of women is not advertised with pictures due to Hijab reasons, however it is certainly permissible for women as it was Sayyidah Zaynab bint Ali who first performed it.
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Tatbir has been sanctioned and regarded permissible by many renowned Shia clerics in their verdicts provided it does not lead to loss of life or any similar kind of danger to the individual performing it. Grand Ayatollah Abdul-Karim Ha'eri Yazdi, the Founder of the current Hawzah in the holy city of Qom has regarded Tabir permissible in his verdict in the following manner:
“The hitting of swords on the heads (causing bleeding) is alright (allowed) provided there is no harm to the person doing this. Furthermore no one has the right to prohibit this (hitting the head with sword). In fact all kinds of TA’ZIAH – mourning – for SEYYED AL-SHUHADA’ – Imam Hussain – may our souls be sacrificed for him, are MUSTAHAB – desirable deeds.”[3]
The above Fatwa by Grand Ayatollah Abdul-Karim Ha'eri Yazdi was endorsed and signed by the following eminent Maraje’[4][5]:
Grand Ayatollah al-Sheikh Muhammad Hussain al-Naa’ini, the teacher of the Maraje’ of the holy city of Najaf.[6]
“There is no doubt as to the permissibility of the beating of the chest and the face with the hands to the point of redness or blackness (of the chest or the face). This is also extended to the lashing of the shoulders and the back with chains to the extent mentioned (above), and even if this led to bleeding. As for causing the bleeding of the head by sword beating, this is also allowed provided it does not lead to endangering harm, such as unstoppable bleeding or harm to the skull, etc. as it is known amongst the experts in doing this (hitting on the head).”[7]
The above Fatwa by grand Ayatollah al-Sheikh Muhammad Hussain al-Naa’ini was endorsed and signed by the following eminent Maraje’[8]:
The following are the few of various narrations recorded, where the Ahlul Bayt (family of Mohammad) shed their blood during mourning for Imam Hussain:
The people who practice Tatbir take lead, amongst the teachings of other infallible personalities, from Lady Zaynab, heroine of Karbala and sister of Imam Hussain. It is narrated that when Lady Zaynab saw the head of Her brother Imam Hussain being paraded in public, she hit her forehead on the bar of the carriage She was traveling in, causing blood to flow from beneath Her veil, which was visible to onlookers who witnessed the event.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]
Some people question this narration above and say that "Lady Zaynab was emotional at the time and didn't know what she was doing." However, the fourth Imam, Imam Zain al-Abideen, had said many times to Lady Zaynab “You are, praise be to Allah, a scholar without (the need for) a teacher, and learned without (the need for) a guide” - “Anti al-Hamdu-Lillah ‘Alimatun Ghayra Mu'allimah wa Fahhimatun Ghayra Mufahhimah” – This statement is seen by scholars as indicating that Lady Zaynab never made mistakes.[17]
There is also a narration which states that when the tragedies of Imam Hussain were being recited in a mourning ceremony, Imam Zain al-Abideen stood up and hit his head on the wall and blood flowed from His head, and His head and His face became covered in blood.[18]
Also, Imam al-Mahdi states in his Ziyarat Al Nahiya, addressing Imam Hussain:
| “ | ....now that I could not help you when needed most help, I shall cry blood for you instead of tears![19] | ” |
There are also reports that Imam Jafar al Sadiq arranged for 'Shabeeh' or enactment about Ali the Junior (Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn the son of Imam Husain ibn Ali to recreate the scene of Karbala for the people, and the Imam does not hold this enactment solely for the (Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn but for all the martyrs of Karbala.[20]
On another occasion a poet comes to the Imam and asks permission to recite a poem about Imam Husain ibn Ali. The Imam told the poet to wait so that he could set up a Hijaab so that the women could come and listen to the lamentation. When the Hijaab was set up the Imam invited the women to come and asked the poet to start reciting, which he did. The Imam stopped him and asked him to recite the lamentation in way and dialect, which he does it in their hometown (in Iraq for example).
All these indicate that the Ahl-ul-Bayt used to teach and proactively encourage their followers to uphold the memory, torment, and the teachings of Imam Husain ibn Ali by words and poetry, by enactment - Shabeeh - to recreate the scenery of the day of Ashura in Karbala, and by show devotion to Imam Husain ibn Ali in Tatbeer as shown by Zaynab bint Ali al-Kubra.[21]