History of Aza

In this two part presentation we will demonstrate how Muharram commemorations are part of a “living tradition” formed through the collective memory of the Twelver Shi’a community. In the first part of the presentation, we will be covering the different periods in which this tradition was upheld.

The periods covered are:  

 1) Soon after the battle itself,  

2) From Imam Baqir (a) to the Buyid Dynasty, 

3) From the Buyids to the Safavid Empire,  

4) From the Safavid Empire till today.  

In the second part of this presentation, we will briefly discuss the genre of Maqatil literature, what some of the main sources of the event of Karbala are, whether all Maqatil works were written with the same intent and objective, etc.  

The presentation will end with a brief discussion on the importance of ensuring these commemorations remain within the boundaries of the higher objectives of religion and the negative implications of not doing so.