The Shias were already involved in this error, but now our Sunni brethren are getting dyed in these hues. They join special gatherings during the days of Muharram for recounting the sad events of centuries past. Representations of the shrines of Hasan and Husain are made and then sweet drinks and rice etc. are distributed among the people. The fatwa [religious verdict] of the Promised Messiah (as) about such events is reproduced here so that our Ahmadi brothers may, at the least, remain distanced from such things.
A petitioner by the name of Akmal asked what was the view of the Promised Messiah (as) regarding the sweet drinks and rice that are distributed on the 10th of Muharram if they are so given to please Allah and seeking merit from Him? (To donate in the name of Imams is prohibited according to the verse of the Holy Quran, وَ مَاۤ اُہِلَّ بِہٖ لِغَیْرِ اللّٰہِ1). The Promised Messiah (as) said:
To fix a date and time for such events is a ritual and an innovation, and slowly and gradually these customs lead to shirk [associating partners with God]. So one should stay away from them because the ultimate result of such customs is not good. Initially, the intent may have been good, but now these [customs] have come to adopt the colour of shirk and [invoking the] name of other than Allah and so I declare them to be unlawful. Unless we can get rid of and do away with such customs, false beliefs cannot be eradicated.2
1 And that on which the name of any other than Allah has been invoked (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:174). [Publisher]
2 Badr, vol. 7, no. 5, p. 5, dated 6 February 1908