Rules of Mourning 52item Is it wrong to burn candles and agarbattis near the ‘Shabeehs’ (replicas) of Holy Imams (a.s.)? What is the reason and logic behind lighting candles/fragrance sticks at the holy and sacred places, in spite of good electrical lighting? What is the view of Jafari school of thought in this regard? wassalam Who should decide whether a ‘Nauha’ (religious elegy) or Qur’an being recited amount to singing - the singer or the listener? Is it permissible for Zakireen to adopt the job of reciting Majalise Aza (mourning ceremony) as a source of income just like other professions and demand fee for reciting Majalis of Syedu Shohada (a.s)? The act of self-flagellation by blades or other objects in memory of Imam Husain is praised by many contemporary Shia mujtahids, but its prohibition by ayatollah Khamenei has brought question within the doctrine of taqleed, THAT IS why so diverse results in IJTIHAD? This is asked by many of Wahhabis especially in India. What is the concept of matam (mourning)? As it is said that we human beings have to answer ALLAH for every single of our body part then is this matam (seena zani) and zanjeer zani right for us?? If so then Why? and if not then Why? Is inflicting wounds excessively during matam (mourning) permissible even if it leads to death or loss of some neurological functions. What is the status of a person who dies due to injuries sustained doing azadari. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with grief of Karbala that I feel I should die doing matam. We observe people prostrating before a “Shabeeh” (i.e. replica of Holy Shrine) immediately after entering Mehfils or places where they are kept. Is it permissible? Is Zanjirzani (doing Matam (mourning) with knives) as done in the Indian sub-continent right? Why do we mourn over the events of Karbala? I fail to understand them as Islam forbids suicide. So how can one explain believers inflicting themselves? Also, I am told there was no such practice of matam (mourning) during the time of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). So does it not become bidat if it is started after his time? Is Azadari - Mourning Imam Hussein - permissible or recommended? What are the best deeds of the month of Muharram? Is the practice of Tatbeer (striking swords on head, slitting it open to stream blood) permissible? It is permissible to include in the reenactment of the tragedy of Karbala a horse as a symbol of the horse of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him)? Our blood is Najis (impure). So why do our brothers mourn by shedding blood? 1234