Tabarra
Encyclopedia
Tabarra is a Shia Muslim doctrine that refers to the obligation of disassociation with those who oppose God
and those who caused harm to and were the enemies of the Prophet Muhammad
or his family
.
The doctrine of Tabarra itself does not dictate whom to dissociate from or whom to associate with. It dictates the dissociation of those identified as enemies of Ahl al-bayt. The identification is up to every individual.
For example, some people may regard Umar
as the enemy of Ahl al-Bayt. In that case, it becomes obligatory to dissociate oneself from Umar.
[This is a declaration of] disassociation, from God and His Messenger, to those with whom you had made a treaty among the polytheists. (sura 9:1)
Baraatun is derived from the same consonantal root as Tabarra.
, they tend to come to different conclusions regarding whom the enemies of Ahl al-Bayt are.
In some cases Sunni and Shia have the same view, for example regarding Abu Lahab, Abu Jahl and Umayah ibn Khalaf
. But controversies arise concerning Sahabas since Sunnis believe in the Uprightness of all Sahaba while Shia do not.
Due to the Shi'ah view of early Muslim history, one Shia scholar stated:
Note that the scholar says "from their enemies" and not "from Umar & co". Every Muslim believes that it is important to disassociate themselves from the enemies of Muhammad, however Muslims differ upon who those are.
Shia also believe that this view was held by the descendants of Muhammad. Shia hold for authentic a narration attributed to Muhammad al Baqir. He was reported to have replied to his disciple who had sought the Imam's opinion regarding Abu Bakr and Umar:
In the same book, on the same page appears the following:
Since Shia hold for authentic narrations where the descendants of Muhammad cursed the Sunni Caliphs
, Shia also curse them (which does not literally mean using inappropriate terms for them, but rather asking God to withdraw His mercy from them) when doing tabarra.
This added to the persecution of the Shias by the Sunnis. To protect themselves in times where their life were in jeopardy, Shias used the doctrine of Taqiyya
and were prevented from using tabarra in public.
Tabarra is not a part of the Sunni aqidah. There may be times where a Sunni person has cursed someone or something erroneously, however, it is not reflective of, or associated with, the Sunni nature. An example of one of these errors is when talking about Ubaid-Allah ibn Ziyad, a person held as responsible for the killing of Husain ibn Ali in the Battle of Karbala
:
God in Islam
In Islamic theology, God is the all-powerful and all-knowing creator, sustainer, ordainer, and judge of the universe. Islam puts a heavy emphasis on the conceptualization of God as strictly singular . God is unique and inherently One , all-merciful and omnipotent. According to the Islamic...
and those who caused harm to and were the enemies of the Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
or his family
Ahl al-Bayt
Ahl al-Bayt is an Arabic phrase literally meaning People of the House, or family of the House. The phrase "ahl al-bayt" was used in Arabia before the advent of Islam to refer to one's clan, and would be adopted by the ruling family of a tribe. Within the Islamic tradition, the term refers to the...
.
Definition
Every Shia Muslim believes it to be their duty to dissociate themselves from the enemies of God and his Messengers. Muslims differ on whom to consider to be the enemies of God, Muhammad and the Ahl al-Bayt. For brevity, only Ahl al-Bayt will be mentioned in this article.The doctrine of Tabarra itself does not dictate whom to dissociate from or whom to associate with. It dictates the dissociation of those identified as enemies of Ahl al-bayt. The identification is up to every individual.
For example, some people may regard Umar
Umar
`Umar ibn al-Khattāb c. 2 November , was a leading companion and adviser to the Islamic prophet Muhammad who later became the second Muslim Caliph after Muhammad's death....
as the enemy of Ahl al-Bayt. In that case, it becomes obligatory to dissociate oneself from Umar.
Qur'an
A Qur'anic verse can be found that carries the same message as this doctrine.[This is a declaration of] disassociation, from God and His Messenger, to those with whom you had made a treaty among the polytheists. (sura 9:1)
Baraatun is derived from the same consonantal root as Tabarra.
Shia and Sunni differences
Since Shias and Sunnis have different sources of hadithHadith
The term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
, they tend to come to different conclusions regarding whom the enemies of Ahl al-Bayt are.
In some cases Sunni and Shia have the same view, for example regarding Abu Lahab, Abu Jahl and Umayah ibn Khalaf
Umayah ibn Khalaf
Umayyah ibn Khalaf ibn Safwan was a Meccan Arab, a leading member of the Quraish and head of the of Bani Jumah. He was an opponent of the Muslims led by Muhammad and is best known as the master of Bilal ibn Ribah, a slave he tortured for converting to Islam....
. But controversies arise concerning Sahabas since Sunnis believe in the Uprightness of all Sahaba while Shia do not.
Due to the Shi'ah view of early Muslim history, one Shia scholar stated:
- Regarding the doctrine of' 'Tabarri' we believe that we should seek disassociation from four idolsIdolatryIdolatry is a pejorative term for the worship of an idol, a physical object such as a cult image, as a god, or practices believed to verge on worship, such as giving undue honour and regard to created forms other than God. In all the Abrahamic religions idolatry is strongly forbidden, although...
namely, Abu BakrAbu BakrAbu Bakr was a senior companion and the father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He ruled over the Rashidun Caliphate from 632-634 CE when he became the first Muslim Caliph following Muhammad's death...
, OmarUmar`Umar ibn al-Khattāb c. 2 November , was a leading companion and adviser to the Islamic prophet Muhammad who later became the second Muslim Caliph after Muhammad's death....
, UthmanUthmanUthman ibn Affan was one of the companions of Islamic prophet, Muhammad. He played a major role in early Islamic history as the third Sunni Rashidun or Rightly Guided Caliph....
and Mu'awiyah; from four women namely, AyeshaAishaAisha bint Abu Bakr also transcribed as was Muhammad's favorite wife...
, HafsaHafsa bint UmarḤafsah bint ‘Umar and wife of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and therefore a Mother of the Believers.-Biography:She was married to Khunais ibn Hudhaifa, but became a widow when she was eighteen and according to Islamic tradition her father offered her to Abu Bakr and Uthman Ibn Affan...
, HindHind bint UtbahHind bint ‘Utbah was an Arab woman who lived in the late 6th and early 7th centuries CE; she was the wife of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, a powerful man of Mecca, in western Arabia. Both Abu Sufyan and Hind originally opposed the Islamic prophet Muhammad...
and Ummul Hakam, along with all their associates and followers. 'These are the worst creation of Allah. It is not possible to believe in Allah, His Messenger and the Imams without disassociating oneself from their enemies.(Haqqul Yaqeen: 2:519)
Note that the scholar says "from their enemies" and not "from Umar & co". Every Muslim believes that it is important to disassociate themselves from the enemies of Muhammad, however Muslims differ upon who those are.
Shia also believe that this view was held by the descendants of Muhammad. Shia hold for authentic a narration attributed to Muhammad al Baqir. He was reported to have replied to his disciple who had sought the Imam's opinion regarding Abu Bakr and Umar:
- "What are you asking me about them (Abu BakrAbu BakrAbu Bakr was a senior companion and the father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He ruled over the Rashidun Caliphate from 632-634 CE when he became the first Muslim Caliph following Muhammad's death...
and UmarUmar`Umar ibn al-Khattāb c. 2 November , was a leading companion and adviser to the Islamic prophet Muhammad who later became the second Muslim Caliph after Muhammad's death....
)? Whoever among us (Ahl al-Bayt) or the progeny of MuhammadMuhammadMuhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
departed from this world, departed in a state of extreme displeasure with them. The elders among us admonished the younger ones to perpetuate it (extreme displeasure with them), Verily, the two of them have unjustly usurped our right. By Allah! These two were the first to settle on our (Ahl al-Bayt) necks . Therefore, may the la'nat (curse) of Allah, the Malaikah (angels) and of mankind be on the two of them.(Kitabur Raudhah Page 115)
In the same book, on the same page appears the following:
- "Verily. these two elders (Abu Bakr and Umar) departed from this world without having made taubah for what they had perpetrated against Ameerul Mumineen Alayhis Salaam. In fact, they did not even think of us (of their wrongs against Hadhrat Ali). Therefore, the la'nat of Allah, the Malaikah and of mankind be on them." Kitabur Raudhah Page 115
Since Shia hold for authentic narrations where the descendants of Muhammad cursed the Sunni Caliphs
Curses in Islam
In Islam, one can pray for God to curse someone. This is done with the Arabic word La'nat. "La'nat" means deprivation, and can be used in expressions such as "La'anatullah", "May be deprived of God's "...
, Shia also curse them (which does not literally mean using inappropriate terms for them, but rather asking God to withdraw His mercy from them) when doing tabarra.
This added to the persecution of the Shias by the Sunnis. To protect themselves in times where their life were in jeopardy, Shias used the doctrine of Taqiyya
Taqiyya
Taqiyya , meaning religious dissimulation, is a practice emphasized in Shi'a Islam whereby adherents may conceal their religion when they are under threat, persecution, or compulsion...
and were prevented from using tabarra in public.
Tabarra is not a part of the Sunni aqidah. There may be times where a Sunni person has cursed someone or something erroneously, however, it is not reflective of, or associated with, the Sunni nature. An example of one of these errors is when talking about Ubaid-Allah ibn Ziyad, a person held as responsible for the killing of Husain ibn Ali in the Battle of Karbala
Battle of Karbala
The Battle of Karbala took place on Muharram 10, in the year 61 of the Islamic calendar in Karbala, in present day Iraq. On one side of the highly uneven battle were a small group of supporters and relatives of Muhammad's grandson Husain ibn Ali, and on the other was a large military detachment...
:
- "May Allah curse the son of Ibn Sumiyya (Ibn Ziyad, la’natullahi ‘alayh)!"ref