Battle Shi’ism Martyrdom and Messianism in Urdu Shi’i “Music” Videos

Abstract

‎This article seeks to explore the utilisation of music-like recitations, known as nohay , by Pakistani Shi’a Muslims in the face of sectarian violence as political resistance and constituting “weapons of the weak” (Scott 1985). Through drawing on themes of resistance, resilience, martyrdom, and Messianic expectation that abound Shi’i theology and history, I argue that Pakistani Shi’a Muslims consolidate their belief through devotional music and thereby resist violence in a highly charged sectarian context. The first section discusses the permissibility of music within Islamic law, with a specific focus on the rulings of two contemporary Shi’a scholars and the second section will analyse the contents of one noha video by Ali Safdar, a prominent Pakistani nohakhawan.