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Synopsis of the Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri |
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Page 7 of 7 NOTES AND REFERENCES
(1.) Encyclopaedia Britannica1972. Vol. I P.300 (a!so Vol. 21 p.476)
(2) Ibid 1972 Vol. 21 p.476
(3) Dr. Jan Knappert's article "AL-HUSAIN IBN ALl IN THE EPIC TRADITION OF THE SWAHILI"
published among the selected articles in "ALSERAT" (1975-83) by the Muhammadi Trust of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, London. It discusses Hemedi b. Abdallah al-BUHRY'S UTENZI wa Sayyidna HUSENI bin ALl, (edited and translated by J.W. T. Allen) Dar es Salaam, 1965. Relying upon the information on names and dates given by Mr. J.W. T. Allen, Dr. Knappert says:
"The poet of the Swahili epic about al-Husain's tragic death was called Hemedi (the Swahili form of Ahmad) bin Abdallah al-BUHRY whose family settled in Tanga in the 1820s … Some of these epics were in fact actually composed by his grandfather, Sai'd b. Abdallah who died c.1875. The al-Buhry family is known throughout Tanzania for their scholarship and saintly lives."
Quoting from the epic, which seems to be a different composition from the one referred to as 'HUSENI', Dr. Knappert provides examples of the Swahili Utenzi.
Describing the lax morals of Ibn Ziyad, the poet says:- "Mwenye mke si mkewe mwenye mwana si mwanawe ni kama kuku na mwewe."
(He that has a wife- not his wife, he that has a daughter- not his daughter -it is like the chicken and the kite).
Dr. Knappert explains:
"This is a perfect example of classical Swahili style: compact and expressive. The poet means that anyone in the city who has a beautiful wife and daughter is in danger of seeing her raped by the tyrant, who will behave just as the kite behaves with the chicken. The kite is a common image in Swahili for the adulterer, the rapist; the chicken is the metaphor for a virtuous woman, full of fear of being attacked."
On Muslim b. Aqeel when he was deserted by the people of Kufa:
"Akatizama yamini asimuone awini akiola shimalini asione nusurani. "
(When he looked South he saw no helper; when he looked North he saw no rescue).
Imam Husein (A.S.) bidding farewell to the ladies of the family:
"Kamkalia Farasi Kinga umeme wa Kusi, na wingu kubwa jeusi , lenye kiza na baridi. "
(He sat on his horse, like the lightning that accompanies the South wind with a big black cloud, dark and cool) .
"Akasimama Huseni Kawaaga nisiwani kwa herini, kwa herini, nenda zangu sitarudi. "
(Husein stopped and said goodbye to the women “Adieu, adieu, I go and shall not return)
"Wakalia na majini na nyama wote yakini wa bara na baharini hata ndege na asadi. "
(Even the jinn cried and all the animals indeed, of the land and (the fish) of the sea, even the birds and the lions).
(4) Islam in Uganda by Arye Oded. Printed by Israel Universities Press, Jerusalem, 1974. (Page 232).
(5) Encyclopaedia Britannica 1972 Vol. I p. 301.
(6) Islam in Uganda by Arye Oded.
(7) A footnote from this paper reads as follows:-
" White Noel King was Professor of Religious studies at Makerere University College, Kampala, they (Razavi and King) met at Bukoba in 1963, and collaborated in study through correspondence with yearly meetings at Kampala.
The earlier limit (1840) relates to the commencement of new Indian activity in East Africa with the settling of Sultan Seyyid Said at Zanzibar. The authors gratefully acknowledge assistance in gathering material from Ahmad Jetha and Mohsin M.R. Alidina."
(8) After describing further inroads of the Community into the interiors of Tanganyika and Uganda Maulana Razavi adds the following at the footnote:-
"The topographical details given are mainly based on visits to many of the places mentioned and the Ithna-Asheri Trade Directory (in Gujarati) (Arusha and Dar es Salaam: Shia Ithna- Asheri Supreme Council, 1960)".
(9) Some Iranian individuals ventured into Uganda from as early as the dawn of this century. The Directory and History published by the Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa (1960) gives this interesting account as narrated by Marhum Laljibhai Rawji of MBALE:
"in those days (i.e. 1922) there was an Iranian gentleman named Muhammed Baqir living here. He was a good hunter, and he traded in ivory and other produce. He built two rooms annexed to his house, where majlises were held regularly. He died in 1925.
Mr. Muhammed Baqir Irani was truly a religious person, and had infused profound religious fervour into our brothers. He was also a great social worker. In 1919, during the famous epidemic of Influenza, people were very much frightened. But Muhammed Baqir continued to serve bravely, and distributed free medicines to all."
(Directory and History referred to earlier -p.75)
Another reference to the presence of an Irani in Uganda is found in the article by Maulana Syed Saeed Akhtar Razavi published in the 'LIGHT' magazine, (BILAL MUSLIM MISSION, TANZANIA) Vol. VII Nos. 5-6 1973, under the title: " A Chapter Closed - Shia Ithna-Asheriya ot Uganda." He says:-
"In those early days (the year 1900) there came (to Kampala) an Irani Mirza Asadullah Khan whose name was still remembered by the Community for his valuable social services and good nature. He started a transport business using ox carts in partnership with an African chief. He was very popular among African and married a Muganda lady with all due tribal ceremonies."
(10) Various waqfs and endowments by the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheris of East Africa reveal their prime concern about perpetuation of their faith. They also show that enough importance was attached to the secular needs of the Community. Many Trusts and Awqaf were made possible by general gifts and donation received from the members. In certain cases, the Trusts and endowments have been given the names in memory of those who gave a generous measure of their wealth. The Alibhai Panju Jaffery Primary School in Mombasa, Kenya, is an example.
Here I give the names of those benefactors who gave away their wealth in the name of Allah, at the time when the Shia settlement in East Africa had just begun.
(i) Dewjibhai Jamal. The tracts of land given away as WAQF for Mosques, Imambadas and Qabrastan (Mombasa, Nairobi, Lamu) and some investment properties for related Trusts bear the name of Dewjibhai Jamal, and his illustrious sons, Sheriff Dewji, Jaffer Dewji, Nazerali Dewji, Nasser Dewji and others. In fact, there is hardly a name among his descendents who has not made a minor or major contribution to one or the other religious cause. This can rightly be called a family of benefactors.
Their contributions can be seen in India as well. In East Africa, they also attended to the religious needs of the Community in Zanzibar, and in what is today Tanzania.
(ii) Satchu Peera: A great benefactor of Dar es Salaam who tried his best to secure a piece .of land for the Mosques arid then personally supervised its construction. He gave away his land for the Qabrastan.
(iii) Jaffer Khimji: He was one of the donors of the plots for Mosque and Imambada in Tanga. The others were his brother Haji Abdulla Khimji and Haji Nasser Virji. Jaffer Khimji built the Mosque in Tanga in 1925. He had a famous MEHMAN KHANA (guest house) where visitors could come at any time for respite. It was a common sight to witness several guests at his dinner table, most of whom were not even acquainted with him.
(iv) Ladhabhai Meghji: He gave his plot for the Mosque in MWANZA.
(v) Datu Hemani: He left enough money for a Girls' school in Zanzibar. It was known as Datu Hemani KANYA SHARA.
(vi) Nasser Nurmohamed: He left a legacy to be utilized for a charitable Dispensary in Zanzibar.
(vii) Haji Mohamed Jaffer of Lindi: whose name is foremost among the great philanthropists of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Community. The great Boarding House for students, built in Dar es Salaam, stands as a monument to his generosity.
(viii) Haji Jeevrajbhai Meghji: whose outstanding religious charities stand till today in Mombasa and Lamu. Together with Haji Jeevrajbhai Khatau and Haji Dharamsibhai Khatau, they settled substantial endowments for Mosques, Imambadas and Qabrastans.
(ix) Haji Abdulla Kanji and Fazal Ladak Sivji waqfed a Musafirkhana in Mombasa.
(x) Khimji Bhanji: who gave the first Imambada to Kampala Jamaat. In the interiors of Uganda, names like Kassam Mohamed (Hoima), Ahmad Bhimji (Fort Portal), G.R. Hansraj (Soroti), Allarakhya Kassam, Jamal Ramji, Karabhai Valli (Kampala), Haji Gulamhusein Ladha and Hasanali Salemohamed (Kaberamaedo), Haji Merali, H.K. Jaffer and Suleman Esmail (Jinja) and many others rank among the selfless and dedicated benefactors.
This list is not in anyway exhaustive. Many great names can be added to it. However, this is sufficient to give a fair idea of how the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheris of East Africa adhered to their faith and practice, how they sacrificed for upholding what they believed in and how they walked across the borders into the remotest part of the Continent as torch bearers of their religion and culture.
(11) Haji Karim Alarakhya, a senior member of Khoja Shia IthnaAsheri Community in Zanzibar, in his statement to the editor of the 'Trade Directory and History of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheris in East Africa and Congo' gave an interesting account of one such incident which took place during the Arab Sultanate in Zanzibar. He said:
"In the days of Seyyid Majid, the Sultan of Zanzibar, the Customs Authority was controlled by Jeraj Shivji and Tharia Topan. After his death, Syed Barghash ascended the throne. Syed 8arghash sent for Lakhabhai Kanji and asked him to take over the management of Customs, but Lakhabhai politely declined. The Sultan insisted, but Lakhabhai remained adamant. Then the ruler asked him to recommend someone reliable and experienced who would accept the responsibilities. Lakhabhai recommended Haji Nasser Lilani, who was then entrusted with the management of both the Zanzibar Customs, and other Government services. When Syed Barghash died, Haji Nasser Lilani himself organized the Coronation ceremony of the Sultan's brother, Syed Khalid"
(See Federation Directory or History - page 187)
(12) 'Salsabil' (Memorial issue for Hami-e-lslam, Marhum Gulamhusein MohamedVali Dharsi). Issue 3-4 {of the 19th year of publication) Zilqad, Zilhaj, 1380, April-May, 1961).
The late Mulla Husein A Rahim then first class Magistrate, High Court Zanzibar) in his glowing tribute to Marhum Gulamhusein M.V. Dharsi said
"If religious propensities, deep love for Ahlul Bayt, propagation of the teaching of Imam Husain {A.S.) coupled with humility, generosity, fear of God, profound religious knowledge and whole-hearted adoption of its principles can bestow any greatness on a man, then one must acknowledge that Gulamhuseinbhai was a great Shiah of this era." Gulamhuseinbhai died on 11th March 1961 {23rd Ramadhan 1380 Hijri) at Zanzibar.
(13) The institution of MAJLIS of Imam Husain (A.S.) created several Zakirs. These were ordinarily known as the Mullas. In earlier days, these Mullas read from the books specially compiled for the MAJLIS. Some of them had the ability of preparing their own discourses by selecting passages from various reliable sources. Here again, .the books of MAJALIS published by Marhum Allama Haji Gulamali Haji Esmail of Bhavnagar, India, had proved of considerable assistance. In Uganda, for example, his regular monthly “Rahe Najat” provided enough material to a Mulla for preparing an occasional sermon.
Among these Mullas, there were some who knew Urdu. For them, magazines like "AL BURHAN " from Ludhiana, Punjab, India, was a rich source of reference. And then there were Mullas who knew Persian as well. In Zanzibar, because of a steady but constant contact with IRANI SADAAT and the Ulema from IRAQ, Mullas were able to read and speak Persian with considerable ease. In fact, there was a group of men who, despite not being Mullas themselves, knew this language extremely well. Persian helped the Mullas to delve deeper into the original works of our great Ulema .
Here, I give names of few Mullas whose contribution cannot be ignored. Again, it must be observed that this list iS in no way a complete one. An exhaustive research is indeed necessary for preparing a full list of the Mullas who rendered the sacred services, most of the time on voluntary and honorary basis.
1. Mulla Abdulrasul Dewji. He lived in Zanzibar, and later on migrated to Mombasa where he died at an advanced age in 1976. A man of profound erudition, he can be singled out as a Mulla who, beside his knowledge of Urdu and Persian, studied Arabic language as well. His Majlises were highly successful. People hastened to hear his erudite discourses which he wrote himself . His principle subjects were Islamic History, Tafsir of Qur'an, Irfan and Fadhail of Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them all). A voracious reader, he had numerous original books in his personal library. Mulla Saheb was also extremely helpful to the budding Zakirs. His written tracts are in the hands of many new Mullas who use them till today. In late fifties, Mulla Abdulrasul Dewji began oral Majlises. In these later years, despite his infirm state of health, he travelled to Nairobi, and Jinja (Uganda) during the first ten days of Muharram to give the benefit of his orations.
2. Mulla Kassamali Ladha. He lived in Mombasa. In an effort to reach the members of the Community, he decided to give discourses in Cutchi language. No doubt, this was a correct decision he had taken, for people flocked to hear him whenever he went on Mimber. Ladies and children enjoyed his preachings better because they could understand him thoroughly. He spoke their own language. And Mulla Saheb took the maximum advantage of this language through which he had become so lovingly accessible. He chose community welfare, reform and strong bond of fraternity as his principle themes of MAJLISES. His conversational and modest style of rendering is still being remembered.
3. Mulla Moledina Jaffer. He delivered his sermons in Cutchi , and travelled far and wide to remote Jamaats during Muharram. He also authored a handbook for Zakirs, known as "NASIRU ZZAKIREEN" (The Helper of Zakirs). This book is in Urdu, using the Gujarati script. Perhaps he chose to do this because Urdu was the commonly adopted medium in MAJALIS. He lived in Tanga.
4. Mulla Ahmad A. Lakha Kanji. A great orator of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Community, well known for his lucidity, and masterful style of delivery. He is, in fact, a linguist. Apart from English and Gujarati, Mulla Saheb speaks Urdu and Persian with great ease and facility. He is among the best Zakirs. The contents of his MAJAliS have always emphasized the moral values in human life, Fadhail of Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) and social reform. He travelled far and wide, sometimes upto Madagascar, to give the benefit of his useful sermons. A man of impeccable manners and modest disposition, Mulla Ahmad lakha evokes affection and reverence together at the very first contact. As I write, he is in the decline of his life, ailing because of infirmities brought about by the advanced age. So is the divine design for every mortal. May Allah keep him.
5. Mulla Husein A. Rahim. He read his Urdu discourses prepared and written by himself. In spite of his multifarious social and professional duties, he always found time to serve the cause of Islam and Imam Husein (peace be upon him). Mulla Saheb was also a prolific writer. Several tracts, essays and commentaries of DUAS, written in English, exist to his credit. Principal among these is the commentary and apt translation of DUA-E-KUMAIL. He used to be invited by various Jamaats for delivering speeches on the occasion of Husein Day. Because of his modern approach to religious topics, especially when he made a comparative study of various ideologies and Islam, Mulla Saheb was extremely popular as a Zakir. He died in London at an advanced age. He is remembered as a Zakir of great repute, and also as a great social worker who served the Community in various capacities for years on end.
6. Mulla Mohamed Mulla Jaffer. Born in Zanzibar, he migrated to Mombasa after his brief stay in Lucknow, India. He was a preacher and a teacher as well. In fact, in the latter field, he remains a Mulla of unsurpassed excellence. like his father Mulla Jaffer, he taught FIQH and Urdu language. An appreciable section of the Community in Mombasa, most of them in their middle ages, would remember Mulla Mohamed as a beloved religious tutor. He spoke Urdu and Persian with considerable fluency. In his earlier days, he read from the books when on Mimber. later, he developed his singular style for orations. He will a1so be remembered as the one who promoted AZADARI of Imam Husein (peace be upon him) among the youths who had steadily' begun to show signs of indifference. He died in Mombasa at the age of 52, in 1960.
As mentioned earlier, an extensive research is necessary for treatinng the subject justifiably. Names like Mulla Nanji Bhanji, Mulla Faateh Ali, Mulla Jaffer Pardhan, Mulla Ali Mohamed Nanji, Mulla Mohamedjaffer Nazerali, Mulla Rashid Nurmohamed, Mulla Gulamhusein A.D. Musa, Mulla Ali Khaku Rajpar, Mulla Hasanali Rashid Kermalf, Mulla H.M. Rashid, Mulla H.M. Nasser, Mulla Gulamlhusein Kanji, Mulla Abdulrasul Hassanali G. Khaki and many others will ever remain glittering in the history of Khoja Shia Ithhna-Asheri Community. I hope to carry out this exercise at a later date, compiling a full list of the Mullas, giving detailed accounts of their contributions which form an inalienable part of Khoja Shia history in East Africa.
(14) 'Salsabil' (Conference Issue) February 1946 (Rabi-ul-AwwaI 1365). Further acknowledgement of Marhum Abdulhusein Sachedina (AZAD) as the first visionary of a united and central organization can be found in the Trade Directory and History of the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheris in East Africa and the Congo, published by the Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaats of Africa in 1960.
In a separate article under the title "Federation na Sacha Pita" (The true patriarch of Federation) the editors write
"When the Community lay scattered and disunited, with grudges being nursed in practically every bosom, this young mind passionately and articulately spoke of the 'Conference'. He gave y this dream to the Community and left no stone unturned to see that the dream was realized. His name will ever remain glitteringly m engraved on the pages of the history of the Khoja Shia I thna-Asheris in East Africa.
"This famous pen and lucid mind went into oblivion while still on the ascendant. Before the world could truly recognise and acknowledge his worth, 'AZAD' was gone while still in the prime of his life The impact and effect of his thoughts will remain forever .
"It is difficult for one to forget this composed, reticent but brilliant personality. O 'Azad', like 'ASEER ' of India, you are a source of perennial inspiration for this Community. Our Myriad Salutations!"
(Page 166. Trade Directory and History of the Community published by the Federation of K.S.I. Jamaats of Africa, ARUSHA 30th December 1960).
(15) The following excerpt from Mr. U Maung Maung Ta's speech is sugges1tive:
"This Conference is being held at a time when sad accounts of our Ulama is emerging daily, at the hands of an adamant despot I am aware that the events I am referring to have not been given the publicity it deserves -Silence maintained by the news media is amazing. I wish to quote an extract from a circular issued recently by the World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheria Muslim Communities in London. I quote:
'There comes in peoples' lives when we can no longer sit on the fence or in a corner. This is the time of action so that we may be successful in stopping the spilling of the blood of Aal-e-Rasool. A concerted effort is required by each one of us.’
The World Federation has done a commendable job during this crisis. As a matter of fact, we were in the dark and we would not have known about the persecution of our Ulama had it not been for one such circular of the World Khojas."
(U Maung Maung Ta, President, The All Burma Shia Muslim Organization, Rangoon - at the Inaugural Conference of World Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) League held in London on 5th August, 1983. He was referring to the persecution of El-Hakim family in Iraq, and the execution of six among them.)
(16) The World Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) League convened its first conference in London from 5th to 7th August 1983. Among the participants were renowned Shia scholars from nearly every country; prominent among them were the following:
Syed Mahdi El-Hakim, son of Ayatullah Syed Muhsin El-Hakim Taba Sarah.
Syed Muhammad Bahrul Uloom, a scholar of high repute, an author of several tracts of high learning.
Syed Muhammad Husain Fadhlullah, the great advocate of Islamic unity in Lebanon.
Shaikh Muhammad Mahdi Shamsuddeen, the second in command of Shia affairs in Lebanon after Imam Musa Sadr. His masterly works on various religious topics are read throughout the Arabic speaking world.
Syed Jawad Gulpaygani, son of the great Mujtahed of our times, Ayatullah Syed Mohammad Redha Gulpaygani. ,
Syed Saeed Akhtar Razavi, whose contributions have been adequately discussed in this book.
Syed Muhammad El-Musavi, the Wakil of Ayatullah El-Khui in India. He is a devoted Aalim, renowned for his learning and piety.
Dr. Saeed Rajai, Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations.
Ayatullah Sheikh Jawad Al-Ameli, representing Islamic Republic of Iran. A man of great erudition and piety.
Syed Safdar Husein, Principal of Jameul Muntazar, Lahore, Pakistan.
Syed Hameedul Hasan, Principal of Nazmia Arabic College, Lucknow. He is the grandson of Aqa-e-Najmul Millat Syed Najmul Hasan Saheb, Taba Sarah.
Hujjatul Islam Sheikh Muhammad Ali Taskheeri from Qum, Iran.
Abyssinia 2
Africa 2
Afro Shirazi 5
Agha Khan 11
Ahmad b. Ebrahim 4
Allama Haji G,ulamali 9, 34
Al-Falaq 4
America, North 22
Ansari, Khwaja Muhammad Latif 25
Arabia 2
Arusha 25
Arye Oded 4
Azad, Abdulhusein Sachedina 16
Baganda 4
Bantu 4
Bilal 24
Burujardi, Syed Husein 23
Chief Missionary 26
Christian 4, 5 ,.
Cutch 7
Dar es Salaam 17
Dharsi, Gulamhusein M.V. 9, 10, 23
Dichotomy 14
Ebrahim H. Sheriff 18
Epic 5, 28
Fazlullah, Syed Muhammad Husein 26
Federation 16
Gujarat Federation 22
Hadramut 8
Hakim, Syed Muhsin 19, 23
Hami-e-IslaIm 10, 33
Hasan, Syed Aqa 10
Husein, Imam 5, 29
Ibn Khaldun 3
ImameZaman 10
Isfehani, Syed Abul Hasan 12
Jamal, Dewjibhai 11, 31
Jones, D.P. 5
Kathiawad 7
Khoja 6
Khlui, Syed Abul Qasim 19, 23, 26
Kilwa 4, 5 ,
Lakha, G.N. 17
'Light', The 25, 31
Madrasatul Waezeen 12
M,eghji, Mohamedali 18
Mohamedjaffer Sheriff Dewji 9, 10
Munadee 16
Nazmia Arabic College 12
Negasus 3, 27
Niruz 5
Nurmohamed, A.H. 17
Periplus 2
Persian 5, 10, 34
Qadir Husein, Mulla 11
Qummi, Sh. Abbas 9
Rahim, Husein A. 24, 33, 36
Razavi, Syed Saeed Akhtar 1, 7, 14, 26
Sauti ya Bilal 25
Sayyid Said B. Sultan 6
Shushtari, Syed Husein 7, 12
Sultanul Madaris 12
Swahili 4, 5, 28
Tanzania 14. 28, 31
Ten Commandments 4
Uganda 4
Virjee, Abdulrasul Nasser 18
Wangwana 5
World Federation 21, 22. 23. 37
Zanzibar 4. 6. 7. 8, 31.32
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