Resurrecting Shia Fatimid Festivals: Habib Umar & Habib Ali al-Jifri

 

The Mawlid of Husayn (the commemoration of the birth of Sayyiduna Husayn ibn Ali radiyallahu 'anhu, the grandson of Rasulullah sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) has a distinct history that originated centuries after his life. 

Sayyiduna Husayn radiyallahu 'anhu was born in Madinah Munawwarah on the 3rd of Shaban in the year 4 AH (approximately 626 CE).

While the anniversary of his martyrdom at Karbala is the most prominent and sombre day of remembrance for Husayn, his Mawlid emerged later as a celebratory event.

Origins

                  Origins in the Fatimid Dynasty                    (10th–12th Century)

The practice of celebrating specific birthdays—or mawlids—did not exist during the early centuries of Islam. Historical records from medieval chroniclers, such as the famous Egyptian historian Al-Maqrizi, trace the origin of these celebrations directly to the Fatimid Caliphate (an Ismaili Shia dynasty that ruled Egypt and surrounding territories from 909 to 1171 CE).

To legitimise their rule and foster a distinct religious identity, the Fatimids officially instituted six primary Mawlids:

• The Mawlid of Rasulullah sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam

• The Mawlid of Ali ibn Abi Talib radiyallahu 'anhu

• The Mawlid of Fatima al-Zahra radiyallahu 'anha

• The Mawlid of Hasan ibn Ali radiyallahu 'anhu

• The Mawlid of Husayn ibn Ali radiyallahu 'anhu

• The Mawlid of the current ruling Fatimid Caliph

The Celebration & Festival

During this era, the Mawlid of Sayyiduna Husayn radiyallahu 'anhu was predominantly a state-sponsored affair. 

Celebrations consisted of formal daytime processions of court officials, public banquets, and the recitation of specialised sermons (khutbahs) in the presence of the Caliph.

Mawlid Evolution & the Cairo Connection

The history of Husayn's Mawlid is deeply intertwined with Egypt. In 1153 CE, during the late Fatimid period, it was believed that the sacred head of Sayyiduna Husayn radiyallahu 'anhu was brought from Ascalon to Cairo to protect it from Crusader raids. It was interred in what is now the famous Al-Husayn Mosque in Old Cairo.

Following the collapse of the Fatimid dynasty, many of their state-sponsored Mawlids faded. However, the local devotion to Sayyiduna Husayn radiyallahu 'anhu in Cairo remained incredibly strong, transcending sectarian lines. 

Over the centuries, Sufi orders embraced the celebration, turning Husayn’s Mawlid from a rigid Fatimid court ritual into a vibrant, populist Sufi festival.

Modern Observances

Today, the Mawlid of Husayn is celebrated in two distinct ways across different Muslim traditions:

• The Sufi Tradition (Mainly Egypt): In Cairo, the Mawlid Al-Husayn is one of the largest religious festivals of the year, drawing millions of attendees. Although Sayyiduna Husayn radiyallahu 'anhu's actual birth date is in Sha'ban, Egyptians historically celebrate a massive multi-day festival during the Islamic month of Rabi' al-Thani, marking the traditional anniversary of his head arriving in Cairo. The streets around the Al-Husayn Mosque fill with lights, tents, traditional foods, public chanting (dhikr), and spiritual poetry (Inshad).

• The Shia Tradition: For the Shia disbelievers, the 3rd of Sha'ban is celebrated joyfully as the official birth anniversary of their third Imam. Unlike the mourning rituals of Muharram and Ashura, the Mawlid of Husayn is marked by happy gatherings in mosques and husseiniyahs, religious lectures on his virtues, and poetry praising his life and legacy.

Habib Umar & Habib Ali al-Jifri

On 25 Rabi'-uth-Thani 1448, the Yemeni Habib Umar and his close family member, Habib Ali al-Jifri, attended the Shia celebration of the birth of Sayyiduna Husayn radiyallahu 'anhu in Cairo. This was broadcast and publicised on their own social media. 

1. What is the pressing need to resurrect dead Shia festivals in this troubled time?

2. Why did Habib Umar side with the Shia Houthis in Yemen?

3. Is this a display of loyalty to Rasulullah sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam and his blessed family, or a mockery of them?

4. The conqueror of Palestine, Salah ud Deen Ayyubi rahimahullah wiped out the Shia festivals and customs in Egypt, whilst Habib Umar and Habib Ali al-Jifri enliven them. Is this kind of major contrast not a horrible stabbing in the back of the Ummah?

5. Singing and celebrating like the Shia Fatimids at a time when the Shia are hell-bent on destroying the Ummah as a whole is nothing but foolishness, hypocrisy, and full-blown deviation.

May Allah Ta'ala save the entire Ummah from deviation and grant the Ummah the ability to distinguish the truth from falsehood. Ameen