Question:There are styles that previous preachers in our country used to read sermons in, and new preachers inherited them. We did not hear anyone in their time criticize their styles. However, these days, some people have mentioned that these styles are sung by some singers in some other countries. The question is: should the preacher pay attention to singing styles in the world so that his styles do not coincide with theirs, which is beyond human capacity, or is it enough to observe the style in his country and society?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is sufficient to follow the styles prevalent in one's country while avoiding singing. Allah is the Guide and the Knower.

Question:If the owner of the house refuses to hold Husseini mourning sessions even after his death. Is it permissible to hold them?

Answer:In the name of Allah, be informed that the house is transferred to the heirs after the death of the father, so the owner is not entitled to dispose of the house after his death except under the title of a will and the will cannot be executed if it is not rightful. If refusing to hold mourning sessions has no legitimate reason, then it is a crime for which the will is not executed. Allah is the Guide and Knowing.

Question:Is it true that Lady Fatima (PBUH) attends every mourning session that is held over Hussein (PBUH)?

Answer:In the name of Allah, this is concluded from some narrations. It is not surprising, though, as the body of the purgatory world which the spirit enters after leaving the materialistic body is able to do what you have mentioned above about Al-Zahraa (PBUH). Allah knows best.

Question:Is it permissible for a person to recite in the Majlis, sit on the pulpits, and mention the virtues and misfortunes of Ahlulbait (PBUT) without having a seminary (Hawza) degree?

Answer:In the name of Allah, He must adhere to piety, and he should not mention on the pulpit anything except what he has learnrd from the religious scholars. If he adheres to that, then let him serve the Master of the Martyrs (PBUH) with what has been granted to him. Allah knows best.

Question:Why do we sit on the mourning mats and weep?

Answer:In the name of Allah, be advised my son that the custom for long ages in the Indian subcontinent - India, Pakistan and Bangladesh - is that when a person has a misfortune of the death of a loved one, he sits on a mat or something like that, and on this mat he receives his mourners, even if he has chairs and couches and other confortable furniture. A Shiite person does not know someone who is more loved than Hussein and Ahlulbait (PBUT); thus, he sits on such mats conforming to the customs in those areas. Allah knows best.

Question:Is permissible that the Husseini preacher accepts to take money for preaching in Muharram?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is permissible. However, if the purpose of preaching is to take money, it is like the building constructor who takes daily fees or sells the things that can help in establishing the mosque. Should the preacher be in need for money to his own, his family expenditures and the books which he needs in serving the Husseini pulpit under the intention of getting closer to Allah, he would have deserved the money that is agreed upon and the rewards. We know that if the preacher works for free, his audience will be few. Yet, if he takes money in order to increase the beneficial attendants, taking the money and the preaching are acts of worship. Allah is the All Guide and Knowing.

Question:If a person holds a Husseini session (Majlis) with the purpose of showing off, will all the Husseini sessions he holds be invalid?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the sessions are valid. We have said repeatedly that holding Husseini rituals like sessions, Mawakib or others in all its types has two purposes: First: Getting close to Allah Almighty. The showing off person loses this aim and purpose. Second: Keeping these rituals in society and challenging the enemies of the Ahlulbait (PBUT), and this goal is achieved, so the only loser will be the one who aims to show off. However, this deed is permissible. Allah knows best.

Question:In the morning sessions and when we narrate the incidents which happened with Imam Hussein (PBUH) whether in Karbala, Madinah, Mecca or other, we explain some situations by assuming a conversation or dialogue as if spoken by Imam Hussein (PBUH) with his family and companions. For example, the conversations between Fatima, daughter of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and her father (PBUH), between Ruqaiya and the Imam (PBUH), Lady Zainab (PBUH) and Abal Fazl Al-Abbas (PBUH). We do this to clarify and explicate some happenings. These incidents are found in the poetry of the Husseini poets and preachers and in some books of biography Killing texts (the new ones not the old ones) which are well-known. Referring to such issues helps the listener imagine some of what happened to the Imam (PBUH) and also helps moving their emotions and derives them to weep. It is to be noted that these incidents are originally narrated and found in our sources though the details are not found or might be found with some differences. Is this speaking on proxy permissible to the poet or preacher?

Answer:In the name of Allah, this is considered as clarification to the incident by speaking on proxy and this happened in the presence of the Imams (PBUT) in poetry and others like in the poetry of Di'bil Al-Khuzaiee in the presence of Imam Al-Ridha (PBUH) who wept when he heard the poetic lines. He (PBUH) repeated the lines and didn't reject them. Allah is the all Guide and Knowing.

Question:Is permissible that the Husseini preacher accepts to take money for preaching in Muharram?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is permissible. However, if the purpose of preaching is to take money, it is like the building constructor who takes daily fees or sells the things that can help in establishing the mosque. Should the preacher be in need for money to his own, his family expenditures and the books which he needs in serving the Husseini pulpit under the intention of getting closer to Allah, he would have deserved the money that is agreed upon and the rewards. We know that if the preacher works for free, his audience will be few. Yet, if he takes money in order to increase the beneficial attendants, taking the money and the preaching are acts of worship. Allah is the All Guide and Knowing.

Question:Is it wise to commemorate the tragedy of Zaid the martyrs (PBUH), do you encourage that?

Answer:In the name of Allah, why would you doubt the permissibility of this, my son?! Isn’t he from the prophet’s lineage, who was murdered unjustly for the sake of returning the reign to the legitimate rulers? He (PBUH) was one of those whom Imam Sadiq (PBUH) wept for. So, why would not we weep on him? It is known that he was oppressed and even his body which was held and crucified till his flesh dried like the wood. It is narrated about Imam Sadiq (PBUH) that he pray on him the dead prayer. Then, Imam Sadiq (PBUH) burned and spread his ashes in the river. Peace be upon him on the day he was murdered and on the day of resurrection where his grandmother embrace him with his blood to take revenge from whoever murdered, oppressed him and his lineage. Allah is the all-guide.