A Historical fatwa on Tatbir, issued by Sheikh Khidr Al-‘Afkāwai

A Historical fatwa on Tatbir, issued by Sheikh Khidr Al-‘Afkāwai

First of All, (Who is Sheikh Khidr?) - Sheikh Khidr, the son of Sheikh Shallāl al-Najafi Al-Afkāwi (1766 – 1839) was a scholar, marja’ and jurist who had lived in the holy city of Najaf during the period of the Ottoman rule of Iraq. He is also an author of many books in Islamic jurisprudence and other Islamic sciences.

Sheikh Abbas Al-Qommi the author of the well-known book Mafātih Al-Jinān mentioned Sheikh Khidr in his book Al-Fawā’ed Al-Ja’ffariya and he says about him: “He was a virtuous and honorable scholar, a nimble and noble jurist, and a clever mouhaddith (i.e. the scholar who is expert in the studying of the narrations of the prophet and his pure family may Allah’s blessings be upon them)”.

The book Abwāb Al-Jinān wa Bashā’er al-Ridwān is one of Sheikh Khidr’s works, and his historical fatwa on the Husaini-rituals was mentioned in that book. He says: “What is concluded from the religious texts, which include the noble narrations about visiting the oppressed Husain (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) even in the cases of fear of getting killed, it is permissible to hit chest (for the sake of showing sorrow for Imam Husain, which it’s also called: Latom or Sina-Zani), and to show despondency for Imam Husain, even if it’s known that it’s going to lead him (the one who perform Husaini-rituals) to death”.

I’m imaging now; Would those Batris and the enemies of Tatbir (i.e. the act of striking heads by swords, and it’s also called Qama-Zani), who pretend to be Shi’a to say any word against the virtuous and honorable scholar Sheikh Khidr?!