Tatbir

It can be firmly traced to the 19th century in Iran, where it was first practiced by Qizilbash tribes as a cultural rite – since engaging in self-flagellation was at the time seen in Central Asia as a way of mourning, which they likely inherited from the Scythians. Scythic peoples were previously recorded as having engaged in self-flagellation on the deathdate of Buddha, the Zoroastrian hero Siyavash, and the Scythian hero Targitaos. Another plausible theory pertains a Christian origin, due to the similarities in Christian Catholics who practice self-flagellation as a reenactment of the death of Christ. ==Practice==

. An image from Brooklyn Museum. The image is taken between 1876 and 1933. Tatbir, also called Zanjeer Zani or Qama Zani, is practiced by some Shia Muslims on the day of Ashura on the 10 Muharram of the Islamic calendar and on the 40th day after Ashura, known as Arba'een (or Chehelom in Persian) by Twelver Shias around the world. Some Shia may also perform tatbir on other occasions as well. The practice of Tatbir includes striking oneself with a talwar, a type of sword, on the head, causing blood to flow in remembrance of the pain felt by Husayn ibn Ali. Some also hit their back and/or chest with blades attached to chains. ==Fatwas==

Tatbir are contested among Shia clerics. While some traditionalist clerics allow believers to indulge in tatbir, modernist clerics deem it impermissible because it is considered self-harm, thus haram in Islam. Most religious authorities associate all forms of self-flagellation and blood-letting as ways to relate to painful deaths during the battle of Karbala by Imam Husayn and supporters. on tatbir by Grand Ayatollah Ishaq al-Fayadh == Criticisms ==

• There are different opinions about the practice of Tatbir. Some Shia Marja believe that it is a form of self-harm, so it must be forbidden. According to some Shia Marja, it is felt that Tatbir reflects poorly on Shia observers, so they typically advise avoiding it in a region where Sunnis also reside. • Iraqi sociologist Ibrahim al-Haidari has called Tatbir an irrational act. He states blood donations should replace Tatbir. Iraqi cleric Hussein Al-Sadr and his followers donate blood every year during the mourning of Husayn ibn Ali. • Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon, had also taken steps to end Tatbir. Instead of practicing Tatbir, he had offered to donate blood on Ashura day to patients who need it. • Mohammad Mehdi Shamseddine established a blood bank in Najaf to donate blood on Ashura day to patients who need it. ==See also==