Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Islam Tetkikleri Dergisi, cilt.14, sa.1, ss.229-248, 2024 (Scopus)
The mourning ceremonies performed in the month of Muharram constitute the most important element of Shi'ite public religiosity. The memory of the Karbala' incident and the martyrdom of al-Husayn b. 'Ali is immortalized, and the Shi'ite consciousness is transmitted across generations due to 'Ashura' ceremonies, which have developed over the centuries by adding new elements to their structure. This mourning, which has deeply affected the Shi'ite tradition, has transcended its borders in time and created a culture of mourning unique to the Shi'ite tradition. Seemingly, mourning was limited to the commemoration of the martyrdom of 'Ali b. Abi Talib and his son al-Husayn b. 'Ali until the Qajar period. However, within this period, the religious calendar was colored, and new days and nights were included in the Shi'ite public religiosity. Moreover, the importance attached to these special religious occasions has increased due to the Iranian Revolution. One of the most remarkable phenomena that has found a place in the Shi'ite popular piety in the modern period is the mourning ceremonies that commemorate the death and martyrdom of the daughter of Prophet Muhammad named Fatima al-Zahra' (d. 11/632). These mourning ceremonies, which are held on days called ayyam-e fatimiyya, are the most important religious commemoration after Muharram ceremonies in modern Iran. On these days, cortege-style marches are held on the streets in many provinces of Iran, rawdakhani assemblies are organized in homes and mosques, and cultural programs and stands that introduce Fatima al-Zahra' are organized in schools and official institutions. This study mainly examines the formation of the ayyam-e fatimiyya and its performance, religious background, and related controversies. In this context, the article draws attention to debates that focus on the narrations that Fatima al-Zahra' was subjected to violence and died as a result. It also aims to discuss the importance of Fatima al-Zahra' for modern Iranian women and the influence of Muharram ceremonies on Shi'ite popular piety and other ceremonies.