Introduction: Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem Innovations Associated with Death of Muslims It is common knowledge that Islam did not originate in India, but originated in Arabia in 610AD, considering the first revelation of Holy Qur an as HQ96:1-5. Arab spice traders were frequently sailing, transiting along the coastlines of countries from the Arabian Peninsula, all the way to the Western coasts of India. The first mosque built in India was the Cheraman Jumah Mosque, built by Malik ibn Deenar in 629AD at Kodungallur Taluk, Thrissur District, in Kerala. Islam began to spread following progressive conquering of parts of India by Shahbuddin Muhammad Ghori, King of the Province of Ghor, in Afghanistan. Subsequently, there was conquering of most of India and occupation of India by the Mughals and Rule of the Mughal Empire during the period 1526-1857AD 1. Discussions on Innovations Associated with Death of Muslims: 1) It is necessary to delve deep into the background, with historical details of how certain innovations have been infused into pristine Islam by Muslims, especially in India and then subsequently, carried over to other countries, by the diaspora of Indians of Muslim descent. This article is written to help Muslims withdraw from unethical and Not-Muslim practices of innovations, associated on matters concerning events after death of persons. Unfounded innovations in Islam is called Bid ah. The article is in no way intended as insulting or criticizing other religious groups, from where such unethical and Not-Muslim practices of innovations called Bid ah actually originated. It has become a matter of worrying concern that some Muslims are both believing in and practicing certain post-funeral rites of Bid ah, which are not prescribed in Muslims written ultimate authority of law, the Holy Qur an. Both the problem and its solution reside mainly in the rollback study of the history of India and the diaspora of Indians during the British Raj 2. 1 Prior to conquering of India by the Mughals, India was under administrative control of the Delhi Muslim Sultanate (1206-1526). This 320 years Rule included the Dynasties of Mamluk, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi. The Delhi Muslim Sultanate commenced after Shahbuddin Mohammad Ghori, King of Ghor in Afghanistan, conquered and defeated Delhi king Maharaja Prithiv Raj Chauhan in 1192 and this was followed by the Dynasties until conquered by the Mughals. Ibrahim Lodi was defeated and killed by Mughal Emperor Babur in the Battle of Panipat in 1526. Thereafter the Mughal Empire continued till 1857 for 331 years. 2 The British Raj commandeered control of India after Mughals forced Treaty of Surrender and then they continued ruling India 1858-1947. The Indian diaspora totaled 3.5 million Indians from 1833-1916, sent mainly as sugarcane plantation workers to several British countries, such as Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates. 1
2) The only stipulated restriction in Islam, as relating to after death event, is to women who have become widowed. There is prescribed special waiting time, before the widows may remarry. This ensures that women are not pregnant before arrangements are made for remarriage. It is expressly stated in the Holy Qur an at HQ2:234 And (as for) those of you who die and leave wives behind, such women should keep themselves in waiting for four months and ten days; when they reach their term, there is no blame on you for what they do for themselves in a lawful manner. And Allah is Aware of what you do. 3) The corrupted Hindustani terminologies of Teeja, Dassei, Bissei, Chalissa, Chammei, and Salina are without doubt, alien words in Islam. These words are not used by mainstream Muslims throughout the world, except by some people originating from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and their diaspora to many parts of the world. These have been explained later in footnotes. The Holy Qur an does not stipulate Janaza prescriptively. However, there are certain Hadith, which have provided the prescriptions. A matrix as Table 1 has been given below, which justifies correct usage of Arabic words in matters of Muslims funerals, linking with Holy Qur an and top Six Sahih Hadith. Comparative studies of Tables 1 and 2 are essential to reach conclusions, as to how these innovations were infused into Islam: Table 1 Matrix Showing Prescribed Mentions of Prayer for the Dead and Prohibition for Hypocrites Words Arabic Root Numerical Value in Days Historical Origins Historical References to the Holy Qur an or to the top Six Sahih Hadith Janaza No more of any post-funeral rituals after Janaza and burial of the dead. Original Arabic only Soon < 24 hrs Islam, Holy Qur an and Hadith. HQ2:156 (immediate). Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: No. 1325 Sahih Bukhari Book No 23:59 (Hadith No.331 and various others on funeral). Sahih Muslim, Hadith: No. 945. Mishkat al Masabih Hadith 5:5 HQ9:84 (forbidden for hypocrites funerals). 4) There are variations in terminology used in Table 2, and this depends upon which parts of India the people originated from. For example, some parts of India call Dassei as Dasswan. None of these Hindustani words are found in the Holy Qur an, which was revealed originally in pure Arabic. 2
5) On comparative principles, given below is another matrix as Table 2 of expressions, exploring the factual details and historical origins to these emergence of alien words by some Muslims into Islam, only in India: Table 2 Matrix Showing Origins of Alien Words as Bid ah Crept into Muslim Practises Bid at Words Hindustani Root Numerical Value Periods Historical Origins (Variations in Christian denominations) Teeja Teen 3 rd day Buddhism, None Christianity, Hinduism, Indian Judaism 3, Zoroastrianism Dassei/Dasswan Dass 10 th day Buddhism, None Hinduism, Indian Judaism, Baha i Bissei Biss 20 th day Hinduism None Chalissa Chaliz 40 th day Christianity, None Hinduism, Indian Judaism Chahmei Che-Mah 6 months Hinduism None Salina or barsi Saal 1 year Christianity, Hinduism None Historical References to the Holy Qur an or to the top Six Sahih Hadith 6) Many of these Hindustani words were introduced into Islam by influential and prominent Muslims of early India, during the Mughal regime of the entire Indian subcontinent. During those early times, much of the low income communities of India, lived in shack-type homes, clustered very closely together, sharing common utility resources and participating in each other s religious ceremonies. Much of these alien terminologies (Bid at) have been camouflaged under the guise of Dua. The Mughal Empire stretched from eastern borders of Afghanistan to northern borders of Myanmar (formerly Burma) and much of the V of the greater Indian subcontinent (the Deccan). 3 Following onward migration of Jews as Exodus from Egypt led by Prophet Moses 4,000 years previously, several decades later some of the 12 Tribes were divided and deemed Lost 10 Tribes of Israel. The lost aspect resulted from their settling around the regions of Mesopotamia and Babylonia around 40 years subsequently. Some were taken prisoners, some became slaves, some were killed by the marauding forces of Emperor Nebuchadnezzar II and some others escaped to other regions as residual communities of Jews out of Egypt. Some of those who escaped migrated over and then resettled in regions of Europe and Middle East. However, some moved further eastwards and settled in Kashmir, Sind, Mumbai, Cochin and Malabar regions, and some settled in Kolkata. The combined effects of Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 and the assumption of Israel in 1948, prompted the majority of these Jews to travel by shiploads and settled in Israel after 1948. The trend of resettling in Israel continues. The residual evidence of Jews settlements in India are so many old synagogues still in current usage. 3
7) It is common knowledge that the Mughal Empire governed over entire India 1526 1857AD. These points, which need deeper and accurate explanations for readers clarity and completeness, are also given below. More explicitly, the influential governance authorities in India were, as commencing with the Delhi Muslim Sultanate (1206-1526), the Mughal Empire (1526-1857) and with the British Raj of India (1858-1947), which finally led to independence of Pakistan and India from the British Raj (Britain), on 14th and 15th August 1947, respectively. 8) During these very trying times (1206-1857AD), the Indian communities were under intense pressures, where on one hand the Mughal Rulers imposed strict Muslim prescriptions, and on the other hand the mixed Indian populace went through various transformations, which included conversions from other faiths to Islam. There were also some extent of cross-marriages. The East India Trading Company, which was formed in 1600 and finally after merger with various other similar trading companies, formed a mega corporation of Honourable East India Company; this then led to the Battle of Plassey 4 from 1757 and to the Sepoy Mutiny 5 in 1857. This period saw thousands of British businessmen, British clergies and British troops pouring into India, along most of the East coastal areas. However, in Cochin, Kerala, on West coast of India, Christianity, which was introduced by St Thomas in 52AD, continued to spread. Consequently most of Eastern India from Malabar through to the Assam was a rich mix of ethnicities made up of mainly Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Zoroastrians, Jain, Jews and many insignificant small religious groups of various names. This religious mix placed lots of political, social and administrative pressures on the Mughal Emperors. 9) It is necessary to list the first six 6 of the greatest Mughal Emperors, which reflects the rapid and vast spread of Islam in India. The first five Emperors 4 The Battle of Plassey (Palashi) of 1757, involved the British East India Trading Company over the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies. This was the seven-year war, about the same time as the famous Black Hole of Calcutta incident, which was prompted by trade difficulties resulting from charging of variable rates of Customs duties between the British and the French. 5 The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was prompted largely when Hindu Indian soldiers refused to use.303 rifle cartridges, which were allegedly containing beef fat mixed in gunpowder. Indian soldiers refused to participate in war. In addition there were also mix of administrative, military and political involvements. Ultimately this also led to the collapse of the Mughal Empire, when the British commandeered with forced Treaty of Surrender of Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1857. He was charged for not providing sufficient protection for the British, imprisoned and exiled in Burma. That was end of the 331 years of Mughal Empire. He died in prison in 1862. 6 The Mughal Emperors were sequentially as, and in their subsequent hierarchy successions of: 1. Emperor Zahir ud Din Muhammad Babur (b.1483 d.1850ad). 2. Emperor Nasir ud Din Muhammad Humayun (b.1508 d.1556ad). 3. Emperor Jalal ud Din Muhammad Akbar (b.1542 d.1605ad). 4. Emperor Noor ud Din Muhammad Salim 4
were very balanced in their regal administrations in imposing Islamic prescriptions of law and order. These Mughal Emperors enforced law and order both regally and sensibly, and at the same time, allowing other religious groups in carrying on with their religious beliefs and practises; as rightfully stipulated in the Holy Qur an (i.e. allowing other faiths their basic rights of religious practices). The Holy Quran clarifies in a most balanced statement at HQ2:256 There is no compulsion in religion the right way is indeed clearly distinct from error. So whoever disbelieves in the devil and believes in Allah, he indeed lays hold on the firmest handle which shall never break. And Allah is Hearing, Knowing. 10) During the Mughal regime (1526-1857AD), the mainstream religions existing in India were in the following array (with largest first, then descending to smaller): Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jain, Jews and many insignificantly small religious groups of various names. Islam took its rapid and vast spread commencing with Emperor Babur (the 1 st ) and reached its peak with Emperor Aurangzeb (the 6 th ). 11) Upon death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707AD, Islam in India began to implode and faced intense oppositions from various other religions in India, and then these other religions began to grow exponentially. The situation was switched-about with Islam having lost its widespread stronghold and the other religions, which were in the minority, now began their steep prominence and spread widely. Historically, the bulk of the Indian populations had always practised widespread paganism, idolatry and polytheism. This happened only in India. 12) There were certain communities in India, which were rated rather low in their societal communal ladder. Some of these converted to Islam. Of course, Islam practised unity of humanity regardless of racial divides. Consequently, those other people who were converts to Islam, began to reintroduce and practice some of their previous religious practices, especially those religious ceremonies associated with and after the death of persons. The new generation Mughal regime (having lost the plot) allowed this to continue over several decades. (b.1559 d.1627ad). 5. Emperor Shahanshah Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Shah Jehan (b.1592 d.1666ad). 6. Emperor Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir (b.1658 d.1707ad). The sixth Emperor (Aurangzeb), was extremely tyrannical and compulsively religious to such an extent, that the populace of India were waiting for his demise. To be more exacting, Islam in India began its diminishing returns on the aggregates of Islamic investments by the previous five Emperors. 5
13) The first societal crack appeared undeniably, when the third Mughal Emperor Jalal ud Din Muhammad Akbar got married to Princess Jodha Bai, who was the eldest daughter of Kachwaha Rajput Raja Bharmal of Amber. She was a beautiful Hindu princess. The Raja got his daughter married to the reigning Muslim Mughal Emperor, on the assumption, that his daughter will ultimately inherit the wealth of entire India from her husband (Emperor Akbar). Mughal Emperor Jalal ud Din Muhammad Akbar permitted Jodha Bai to have a mandir inside the Raj Mahals (palaces), in Delhi, complete with typical outfitting of mandirs. This also included the worshipping fire-pit (havankhund). 14) Later her name (from original Jodha Bai) was recorded in Mughal chronicles as Mariam uz-zamani, indicating that she later converted to Islam. The damage was already done: as hundreds of Muslims employed inside the palaces, assumed as permissible to have such alien practices inside Muslim households. 15) They also assumed and understood that the Emperor s household administration was being led by example for Muslims. 16) There was also some degree of flexibility introduced by the Mogul Emperor of the time in mid-15th Century; and Mogul Emperor Jalal-ud- Din Muhammad Akbar and later his son, Mogul Emperor Mirza Noor-ud- Din Beg Khan Muhammad Salim, also known as Mogul Emperor Jahangir (1569-1627), allowed some of the Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Jews and Zoroastrian practices to continue as a compromise, under an agreement known as Din-i-Illahi. This arrangement continued in India through to Emperor Shah Jehan, (the person who had the Taj Mahal built for his wife Mumtaz, at Agra). 17) Din-i-Illahi ultimately failed, when the Grand Mufti of Delhi advised the Emperor that the Emperor s decision to progress with new Din-i-Illahi was contrary to the Holy Qur an, unethical and seriously threatening the purity and originality of Islam. However, Islam as practised in the rest of various other countries with Muslims, was not affected and they all remained largely intact. 18) There is some necessity to identify how societal cracks appeared within the Mughal Emperors royal households administrations; through which, introductions of alien death-ceremony rites into Islam got accommodated, with such practices, using Hindustani terminologies. 6
19) In order to understand the introduction of Hindustani terminologies Teeja, Chalissa etc. and in all fairness to those who still use these terminologies to this day, it is essential to reflect firstly, the origins of Islam and secondly, the origins of such alien to Islam terminologies, which are classified as Bid at. 20) Nowhere in the entire Holy Qur an do the Hindustani words Teeja, Dassei, Bissei, Chalissa, Chammei and Salina appear in any form of description whatsoever. The Holy Qur an was revealed in Arabic only. 21) Lack of appropriate education in Islam, combined with the current technology as non-existent in those early days, and shortage of reference books on Islam, were also some of the contributing factors, which allowed various alien to Islam practises, creeping into Islam. 22) These terminologies were passed about by word of mouth amongst village communities, which did not have any means of verification on their authenticity. This was the regular life style in India in those early days. 23) Generations later, many new practices of Teeja 7, Dassei 8, Bissei 9, Chalissa 10, Chammei 11 and Salina 12 began to spread amongst Muslims, but only within India and then, subsequently the diasporas of India. 24) The Holy Qur an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in pure Arabic language over a passage of 23 years, as a series of Divine revelations. All such revelations were directly revealed as supreme Divine deliveries from Almighty God to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh); but always via 7 Teeja is a Hindustani word with root of teen and which is taken to mean the Hindi numeral (teen=3). The origin of teeja comes from two sources: First is the Zoroastrian religion in which, a dead person s soul is completely separated from the body and all forms of worldly possessions. In the Zoroastrian religion, there is Zoroastrian belief that the soul, which hangs about a dead person s body, gets completely separated on the 3 rd day. This is followed by feasting and distribution of fruit and some sweets as holy prashad. The second aspect is the Christian influences and belief that Jesus Christ (as) had risen from the dead on the 3 rd day after his crucifixion. There is generally a special Mass. Certain Hindus also hold special prayer gathering with a meal. 8 The base of ten is taken to be called Dassei with root from the Hindustani word dass (dass=10). It is ten days after death of person. (This comes from Hindu practices in India when the sons of the deceased person have their heads shaved. A special feast follows and the closest relatives of the deceased must gather closely around the prayer circle, in odd numbers of 7 or 9 or 11). In some parts of India it is called Dasswan. There are marginal variations amongst several parts of Indian cultural communities. 9 The next post funeral rite is on the twentieth day and called Bissei with root from the Hindustani word biss (biss=20). A similar feast of variety of food follows. In accordance to the doubling formula, the twentieth day is now doubled to forty days. Food served is usually the favourite food of the deceased. 10 Similarly, Chalissa is another Hindustani word with root of Hindustani word chaliz (chaliz=40). Again, prayer rites and a similar feast of variety of food follow. 11 In continuation of this practice, the term Chammei is also a Hindustani word with roots of cheh-mah and which is taken to mean a passage of 6 months. Again, prayer rites and a similar feast of variety of food follow. 12 Salina is yet another Hindustani word with root of saal and which is taken to mean a year. In some parts of Indian communities, this also called barsi which also means year. 7
Archangel Gabriel (Jibreel). These revelations happened over 1,400 years ago. It has to be noted with some degree of stressing, that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was an Arab and of course he spoke only the Arabic language. The Arabic language was at that point in time the most perfect language of the educated communities. No alien word (alien to Arabic) was ever introduced in those revelations. 25) The final completed sequential arrangement is today referred to as the Holy Qur an, the most perfect document ever written. Readers must remember that all Islamic and religion-associated words which are used in Islam must be in Arabic language. Further, those words must also have a precise meaning, as they are a part of the revealed words, which make up the Holy Qur an. Therefore, externally introduced Hindustani words are neither of Arabic language roots nor do they form any validation to the Holy Qur an as revealed words. Again, the reader must be mindful of the Indian diaspora and wherever the Indians went, there were always some Muslims who made up the migratory groups. Consequently, these Muslims practices in India went along with them to each of those countries and with such Hindustani terminologies. Sadly, in many cases, religious leaders have made these non-prescribed and unethical practices to the point of compulsivity. Each of these alien to Islam practices also involve costly feasting 13 with relatives, friends and neighbours. The survivors of the dead person get involved into unnecessary expenses in meeting up to such alien practises. Islam does not impose unnecessary burden on people already in a state of grief. 26) The historical descriptions in the next few paragraphs following is not in any way intended to be derogatory against other communities, but the sole purpose is to show how beliefs and practices of other communities in India, infused into Islam, when peoples of those other communities converted to Islam. Their current beliefs, practices and their fundamental human rights are all sincerely respected. 27) Moreover, Salina is Hindustani word with root of saal and which is taken to mean a year. This directly comes together from adoption 13 Feasting aspect also commenced in India. The main reason being that in those early days, the only means of mobility was either by horse or walking. There was no motor vehicle transport. When relatives came over from far away locations for funerals, they had to remain overnight and to return the next day. Hence feasting became an expectation in such family and communal gatherings. In modern days of whole variety of travel options, both within country and between countries, people attend and depart the same day, without feasting. 8
of the widely practiced Hindu word 'Shraddha 14 ' which is ceremoniously carried out one year after the death of the person. This becomes an annual event thereafter for survivors of the deceased. 28) In the case of Muslims, they have substituted the Hindu fire-pit (havankund) with incense sticks (aggarbatti) and serving exactly the same purpose! The Arthasastra 15, a Hindu textbook from the second century, also offers a detailed description of some of the more explicit realms the soul of the dead must encounter. 29) It can now be seen and comprehensively concluded that other communities rites and practices have been infused into Muslims practices, only for those Muslims, whose origins are from India and they have further spread out with the Indian diaspora. 30) Muslims from other countries do not indulge in such practices of Hindustani words, as those are not authenticated in the Holy Qur an. 31) It is for all correct thinking Muslims to guide and assist other Muslims: the Holy Qur an has sanctioned that correct advice shall be given to those who need to be guided. This is given in the Holy Qur an at HQ3:104, as And from among you there should be a party who invite to good and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong. And these are they who are successful. Conclusions on Innovations Associated with Death of Muslims: Fiji a) All Muslims must understand and remember at all times that any terminology, which is not original Arabic in the Holy Qur an, is obviously not a revealed word and did not come from Almighty God (via Jibreel). b) Such words alien to Islam, as discussed above, must not be taken as part of prescriptive Islamic terminology. c) Muslims must not compulsively impose on other Muslims that they must perform such alien rituals, infused from other neighbouring faiths. -End of Document- 14 Shraddha, Sanskrit, in Hinduism, is a ceremony performed in honour of a dead ancestor. The first annual death anniversary is observed by a shraddha ceremony that enables the deceased (preta) to be admitted into the assembly of forefathers (pitri). This then becomes annual event as Salina. 15 The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy, written in Sanskrit. Likely to be the work of several authors over centuries, commencing around 350BC. 9
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