A Critical Examination of the Celebration of the Ninth of Rabi-ul-Avval in Shiite Sources

Nowadays, a number of inappropriate beliefs and rituals, mostly being practiced by some ignorant sects affiliated to Islam, are exaggeratedly supported by the opponents of the Muslim. One of these is the sporadic celebrations hold on the ninth of Rabi-ul-Avval, in memory of the second Caliph, s murder, in which some historically prominent figures of the Sunnis are insulted, cursed and disrespected, an improper practice that instigates their religious emotions. The celebration is weakly documented through the Hadith-e Raf-ul-Ghalam, a Hadith that could never be defended due to several content and documentation shortcomings.Moreover, while the Prophet and his disciples are strongly warned in Quran not to insult the idolaters and even their idols to avoid their counterblast, it is understood that an ethically forbidden action could not be practiced in order to reverence religious values. Also, historically, the death of the second Caliph did not occurred on the ninth of Rabi-ul-Avval.After all above, considering the Leader, s interpretation of the subject, the Fatwas of top Shiite scholars on it and current situation of the Muslim world, holding such celebrations could result in the disgrace of the Shiite, being a barrier on the way of Muslims, unity. Finally it is suggested that the celebration could be replaced by one of the most important Islamic festivals for the anniversary of the beginning of the Imamate of the twelfth Shiite Imam, Mahdi (P.B.U.H), having occurred on the same day.