Mourning 39item Why should we mourn so much for Imam Hussein (a.s) who was martyred 1400 years ago? Please explain the reasons with reference to the Quranic verses and authentic traditions. What is the importance and philosophy of mourning for Imam Hussein (a.s.)? We have noticed with consternation the public displays of tatbeer and zinjeer during the recent 'Arbaeen celebrations in Karbala. Pictures of Iraqi Shi'a covered with blood and hitting themselves with swords have been broadcast to the entire world. There is no doubt that the non-Muslim world, and even much of the non-Shia Muslim world look upon these displays with revulsion and disgust. Such behavior does nothing to help the image of the Shi'a 'ulama to stand silent in the face of such extreme behavior, and it is well-known that self-harm is not something allowed in Islam. Who was the first individual who founded the Husayni Sha'a'er or the mourning ceremony for Imam Husayn alayhis-salam? Was she Zaynab alayhas-salam, the loyal sister of Imam Husayn? Or was he one of the imams? I have a question about matam (Azadari) and the manner our people are holding Muharram rituals. Is mourning for Imam Hussain and other Infallibles (a.s.) recommended? What is the philosophy of Azadari (mourning and lamentation) for Imam Husain? Who was the first Ma'soom Imam from the Ahl-ul-Bayt to hold a mourning and lamentation program, like the traditional Majlis Husayni that are held annually in Muharram today? Or is it that the Majlis Aza that we have today is the invention of the Shi’a over the last few centuries? How can we educate the people in general, and particularly the owners of the camps and tents, that the core aim of the ceremonies is to commemorate the religion of Islam by preserving the teachings of Islam, carrying out its obligations, and avoiding all that is forbidden? Should the camps and tents limit themselves to beating the chest and distributing food, or should their activities extend to include raising social awareness and addressing the different problems in society? What is your opinion of the famous ritual of the march of Twareej that is done in the city of Twareej (a city close to the holy city of Karbala) and which involves the participants to run barefoot while beating their heads with their hands and calling out "Ya Hussain" and "By Allah, we will never forget Hussain!"? Is walking barefoot and participating in the processions each year something exclusive to the day of Ashura? If so, what is the basis for that? There is an opinion which states that grief and sadness are instinctual emotions that humans express with sudden movements; these take on many forms and are considered to be a very honest and sincere reflection of the sadness and grief inside. One of these forms is beating the chest with the hands while the speaker recites poetic verses and nohas the way folklore is read; what is your opinion on this matter? Also, it is said that beating the chest with the hands-in addition to it being a form of expressing grief-stimulates the hearts of believers and keeps the flame of Imam Hussain (a.s) alive in the hearts of his lovers, what do you have to say of this? Why did Allah (swt) place such a profound emphasis on the importance of commemorating the holy anniversaries and other sacred rituals? What words of advice would you give to camp/tent owners to follow in the months of mourning the Ahlul-Bayt (a.s)? 123