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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Your Questions Answered (volume 3) Q100: Kissing the Shabith's Are we allowed to kiss the "Julus' which we take out in Muharram? After all they are made out of our own imagination A. I do not understand what you mean by 'kissing the Julus'. 'Julus' in Urdu means procession. How do you kiss a procession? If you mean 'Tazaia', 'Alam' and other such symbols, then the answer is 'yes'. The respect shown to these things is not for the paper, cloth or wood.

It is for original tomb or Alam whose symbol or copy these things are. Q101: PIGEONS ON SHABIH'S What is the significance of keeping pigeons on Imam Husain's (a.s.) 'lash' on Ashura day? A. It is the first time that I have heard of such a custom. I cannot understand why it is done.

Frankly speaking, it is high time that the community-members sit down to scrutinize all the customs and rites, not only of 'Azadari' but of marriage and death also, with a view to remove all such things which have no basis in Sheriat. Q102: MOURNING AND CHANCES OF "SHIFA'AT"? Are there any better chances of Shifaat (Intercession) for the mourners of the heroes of Karbala? Is it only Mourning' which entitles one to Shifa'at or Mourning and following Islam? A.

Mourning on the tragedy of Karbala depends upon the true love of Ahlul-Bait (a.s.). And the true love of Ahlul-Bait is bound to lead a man on right path, i.e., following the path of Ahlul-Bait (a.s.). Suppose someone asks you "Is it true that an apple a day keeps the doctor away?" And you say: "Yes". Then he says: "Will it keep the doctor away even if one starved himself and did not take any food except that one apple a day? And you say: "No".

And then he retorts: "It means that the apple does not give us any strength at all and that proverb is absolutely wrong". What will you say to such a man? The same is the position of your question. Q103: MAJLIS IN WRONG PLACE Can we hold the Imam Husain's Azadari (Majlis) in place which, we know, is used for drinking, cinemas and dances? I personally do not agree with it. But we have got one Mulla who said we can do that although we have got other facilities like private house. A. No.

Never do it. It will be a disrespect to Imam Husain (a.s.). Q 104: PURPOSE OF NAZR MONEY Can we use the salaam, panjatan and Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) money towards the building of Imambada? A. This money is treated as 'Nazar' If the donor has given it for any specific purpose, then it must be used for that specific purpose.