It is another form of mourning practice among some Shia Muslims, particularly during the month of Muharram. This practice involves using a sword or a knife (qama) to inflict minor cuts or wounds on the body as a form of mourning for Imam Hussein (a) and his sacrifice at the Battle of Karbala. Like Zanjeer Zani, Qame Zani has sparked debate among scholars and community leaders regarding its appropriateness and implications.
Ayatullah Khamenie's view:
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Emphasis on Mourning: Ayatollah Khamenei has expressed that mourning for Imam Hussein (a) is a significant and noble act, but he has repeatedly stressed that such mourning should be conducted in a manner consistent with Islamic values and principles.
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Caution Against Self-Harm: He has voiced concerns about practices that may lead to excessive self-harm or injury. Khamenei’s stance is generally against practices that result in severe injury or that are seen as extreme.
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Impact on Islam’s Image: Regarding practices that could defame Islam or create negative perceptions among non-Muslims, Khamenei encourages the Shia community to be mindful of how their actions may be interpreted. He expects Muslims to maintain the dignity of Islamic teachings and avoid actions that might alienate non-Muslims or create misunderstandings about the faith.
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Encouragement of Educational Efforts: Khamenei emphasizes that the message of Imam Hussein (a) and the tragedy of Karbala should be propagated in ways that highlight their significance and values, such as justice, resistance against tyranny, and the pursuit of truth. He advocates for education and outreach that accurately represent Islamic principles rather than resorting to practices that could lead to misinterpretation.
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Unity and Respect: He also stresses the importance of unity among Muslims and fostering respect for all of Islam’s teachings, warning against practices that might cause division or conflict within the Muslim community or with non-Muslims.
In summary, Ayatullah Khamenei promotes a thoughtful approach to mourning practices like Qame Zani, urging the Shia community to engage in expressions of grief that align with Islamic teachings and do not cause harm. He remains vigilant about the implications of such practices, especially concerning how they may affect the perception of Islam among non-Muslims. His overarching message is one of maintaining the dignity of the faith, fostering understanding, and educating both Muslims and non-Muslims about the values embodied by Imam Hussein (a) and the tragedy of Karbala.
Ayatullah Sistani's view:
The view of his eminence in his website is:
Rulings on Religious Gatherings
Issue 530: Chest beating, crying, and striking one’s face, no matter how intense, if done out of sorrow and sadness for Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), are considered examples of “grief,” “crying,” and “mourning” for him (peace be upon him), which are recommended and lead to closeness to the Almighty God, provided that they do not cause significant harm (excessive and important harm). This ruling also applies to the mourning of other infallibles (peace be upon them).
It should be noted that mourning ceremonies for the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), especially for Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), are among the most significant religious rites, and one should not be negligent in their observance. In this context, while maintaining the dignity, greatness, and sacred grandeur of these ceremonies and other gatherings related to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) is considered the duty of the believers, actions that may undermine the mourning should be avoided.
Issue 532: Regarding the practice of Qame Zani (striking oneself with a sword) in mourning ceremonies, we do not make a definitive statement for or against it. Believers can refer to another qualified religious authority on this matter while observing the principle of following the most knowledgeable.
