The nazim of Dar-ul-Ifta in Rabwah submitted a report to Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa about offering water etc. to the participants of Shia mourning [matam] processions by way of serving humanity.
While commenting on the report, Huzooraa, in a letter dated 22 November 2020, stated:
“In my opinion, the instructions of the Promised Messiahas and Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra are very clear in this regard, according to which designating a specific day and time for this kind of activity is an innovation [bid‘ah]. However, if an Ahmadi or one of the jamaats worked for the welfare of the people all year round in the spirit of serving people and set up these kinds of stalls for peaceful processions of different religions and organisations throughout the year by way of serving humanity, then there would be no issue with setting up such a stall for the mourning procession of the Shias. However, if this is done exclusively for the mourning processions of Shias and no other such stalls are set up throughout the year, then it is definitely a bid‘ah and Ahmadis should avoid such innovations completely.”
The instructions of the Promised Messiahas and Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, mentioned in Huzoor’saa letter, are being reproduced below for the benefit of the readers. (Editor)
The instruction of the Promised Messiahas is as follows:
“Hazrat Qazi Zahur-ud-Din Akmalra asked, ‘What is [the Promised Messiah’sas] instruction regarding the free distribution of sweetened drinks and cooked rice etc. on 10 Muharram, if it is done for the sake of Allah and with the intent of isaal-e-thawaab [reward to be received by the deceased]?
“[The Promised Messiahas] replied:
“‘Designating a day and time for such deeds is a ritual and an innovation [bid‘ah] and such rituals gradually lead to shirk. Thus, it should be avoided because such rituals do not end well. It may have been done in the beginning with this intention, but now it has taken the hue of shirk and the name of those other than Allah. Hence, we declare it impermissible. Unless such rituals are eradicated, false beliefs will not go away.’” (Badr, No. 11, Vol. 6, dated 14 March 1907, p. 6)
The instruction of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra is as follows:
“Someone said that Sunnis cooked and distributed among themselves certain kinds of food etc. on the days of Muharram. They asked what [Huzoor’sra] instruction was about this.
“[Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra] replied:
“‘These are also innovations [bid‘aat] and consuming those is also not right. If one does not stop consuming it, then why would they stop preparing? Consuming the food given upon the 12th day of a person’s death [barhaween] is not correct and giyarhween [11th day] is nothing but unadulterated shirk. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran:
وَ مَاۤ اُهِلَّ بِهٖ لِغَيۡرِ اللّٰهِ
[“and that on which the name of any other than Allah has been invoked”] (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.174). These actions also fall under it because such people raise animals in the name of their Pir Sahib.’” (Al Fazl Qadian, Vol. 10, No. 32, 23 October 1922, pp. 6-7)