Innovations of 'Aashuraa

Innovations of 'Aashuraa

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Applying Kuhl and scented oils specifically for the day of ‘Aashuraa.




Our Shaykh [al Albaanee], may Allaah have mercy upon him, stated in ‘Ad Da’eefah’: 2/89: Al Qaaree in ‘Al Mawdu’aat’ P.122 mentions that ibnul Qayyim[1] said:


“The Ahaadeeth concerning Kuhl, scented oils and oils on the day of ‘Aashuraa are from the fabrications of liars. In contrast, others have turned it into a day of sorrow and pain. Both groups are innovators who are not upon the Sunnah. The people of the Sunnah follow what the Prophet - صلى الله عليه و سلم - ordered, which is fasting, and they stay clear from what the Shaytaan orders with from innovations.”


Our Shaykh, may Allaah have mercy upon him, stated in ‘Saheeh at Targheeb wat Tarheeb’: 1/593 concerning Hadeeth # 1017.


…there is a consensus amongst the scholars that fasting on the day of ‘Aashuraa is a Sunnah and not an obligation, as for celebrations and applying Kuhl, then these are innovations.”




Celebrating with or buying gifts e.t.c. for children on the day of ‘Aashuraa.




Our Shaykh stated in ‘Tamaam al Minnah’ P.412


“…This is why Shaykul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah, may Allaah have mercy upon him, was convinced that this Hadeeth is a lie[2]. He stated that al Imaam Ahmad was asked about this Hadeeth to which he responded that he does not hold it as authentic. He fortified his position that one of the Salaf did not like to practice this on the day of ‘Aashuraa, and that he does not know of any Ahaadeeth concerning this during the virtuous first generations. He spoke extensively on the issue in ‘Al Fataawaa’ 2/248 – 257 so refer to it."


It was stated in ‘Al Majd al Lughawee’ that al Manaawee stated: “What is being narrated concerning the virtues of prayer, spending wealth, applying oils and Kuhl on the day of ‘Aashuraa are innovations innovated by the murderers of al Husayn.”


The Encyclopedia of Innovations: P. 719


To be continued shortly with other references inshaa Allaah…




Displaying sorrow, wailing and staying in a state of thirst.




Ibnu Katheer stated in ‘al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah’11/577: The Raafidah went to extremes in the Bawiyyah Empire during the 400’s. Drums were beaten in Baghdad and surrounding areas on the day of ‘Aashuraa, hay and ashes were left on the pathways and markets, materials that signify grief were hung in stores, people would outwardly display sorrow and cry, a lot of them would not drink water to be in conformity with al Husayn because he was killed in a state of thirst. Furthermore, women would go out barefooted in a state of grief, striking at their faces and chests and other abominable innovations, abhorrent desires and made up distractions. They only intend by it to defame the Empire of Banee Umayyah because al Husayn was killed during it. [Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah: 11/577]


Shaykul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah stated: Due to the murder of al Husayn, may Allaah be pleased with him, the Shaytaan introduced two innovations to the people. The innovation of displaying sorrow and wailing on the day of ‘Aashuraa; people striking themselves, screaming, crying, going thirsty and so on, [they were lead to this] due to their vilification and cursing of the righteous predecessors….[ Minhaaj as Sunnah: 2/322]




Celebrating the fortieth day after ‘Aashuraa.




Forty days after ‘Aashuraa, they celebrate one day that they call ‘Al Arba’een – the fortieth’. They gather money on this day, buy special foods and invite people. This innovation is practiced in India and Pakistan and other countries that the Shee’ah reside in, not to mention Iran, Iraq and Bahrain. [Al Bida’ wal Hawaadith – Shaykh ‘Abdullaah at Tuwayjree]




Practicing Ghusl specifically for the day of ‘Aashuraa.




All the Ahaadeeth concerning practicing Ghusl on the day of ‘Aashuraa, applying Kuhl and so on from what some of the people of the Sunnah practice on the day of ‘Aashuraa in opposition to the Shee’ah are fabrications with the exception of fasting. Shaykul Islaam stated in ‘ al Fataawaa’: 4/513: “Some people narrated fabricated Ahaadeeth which they used as a basis for their practices on this day – meaning ‘Aashuraa – in opposition to the Raafidah. So they resisted falsehood with falsehood and rejected innovations with other innovations. Even though the innovations of the Rafidah are more severe than what they fabricated, such as the Hadeeth: “…whoever practices Ghusl on the day of ‘Aashuraa will not become ill that year, and whoever applies Kuhl will not have sore eyes that year.” And other Ahaadeeth of the meaning, indeed these Ahaadeeth are lies and fabrications with the consensus of those who have knowledge of the science of Hadeeth…None of the Imaams held the opinion that practicing Ghusl, applying Kuhl and Khidaab and so on for the day of ‘Aashuraa was recommended, nor was this mentioned by any of the notable Muslim scholars who are referred to in knowledge of what Allaah obligated and prohibited. Nor did the Messenger - صلى الله عليه وسلم - practice this, or Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmaan or ‘Alee, may Allaah be pleased with them all. These Ahaadeeth were also not collected in the books of Hadeeth such as…[ Al Lajnah ad Daa-imah]




[1]Al Manaar al Muneef: P.89


[2] The Hadeeth: Whoever Wasa’ [celebrates, buys gifts, makes happy etc] upon himself and his family on the day of ‘Aashuraa, Allaah would do that for him for the rest of his year.


Taken from: http://www.subulassalaam.com/articles/article.cfm?article_id=95