Is self flagellation halal or haram?| Should we mourn and self flagellate ours elf in Muharram?

Storytelling, weeping and chest-beating, wearing black, partial fasting, street processions, and re-enactments of the Battle of Karbala form the crux of the observances. Self-flagellation has been practiced but is now considered haram (prohibited) by some namely Irani Usuli Shia authorities.

Chest beating

Chest beating refer to common rituals practiced in mourning ceremonies of Shia Imams. In the nineteenth century, the Iranian practiced chest-beating introduced by Indian Syed Dildar Ali Nasirabadi and the chest-beating was attributed to the concept of Zuljinah (the horse with two wings) processions. The chest-beating is allowed just in calamities belonging to the family of Muhammad. At the Isfahanis' mosque, mourners just gather in the middle of the courtyard bared their upper torsos in the form of a procession, and began randomly beating their chests to the melodic suggestions. Otherwise crying for the martyred is not allowed.

Weeping

The reaction of the audience in the reenactment of the Battle of Karbala episode is significant for the strengthening of distinct Shia identity and the weeping over the killing of Husayn ibn Ali As and his follower is one of these reactions. There is a close relationship between lamentation and weeping. According to the narration, Shia imams had emphasized weeping for them, so it had been transmitted to future generations. According to Shia tradition, the weeping and the flow of tears provide condolences to Imam Husayn's mother and his family, as the living relatives (mostly women and children) were not allowed to weep or lament over their martyred family which involved Imam Husayn's, his family (including his two sons, a six-month-old baby martyred by an arrow/spear to his neck and another 18-year-old who took a spear to his heart) and his companions. 

Noha

By increasing the number of Shia Muslims in cities and states, Muharram rituals have changed to a more elaborate form. In the ninth century, lamentation and wailing became propounded as a mourning tradition. Noha is a poem and story that be inspired by Maqtal al-Husayn (various books which narrate the story of the battle of Karbala and the death of Husayn ibn Ali). The poet or another one read the Noha with a plaintive rhythm. The main subject of noha is the pain from the killing of Husayn ibn Ali. Noha consists of poems in different languages such as Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Saraiki, Sindhi, and Punjabi.

Matam

The Arabic term Matam refers in general to an act or gesture of mourning; in Shia Islam, the term designates acts of lamentation for the martyrs of Karbala. Male and female participants congregate in public for a ceremonial chest beating (Matam- سینہ زنی) as a display of their devotion to Imam Husayn and in remembrance of his suffering. In some Shi'a societies, such as those in Bahrain, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Bangladesh, and Iraq, male participants may incorporate knives or razors swung upon chains into their Matam. There are two basic forms of Matam:

• Matam using one's hands only, that is, since-zani or chest-beating
• Matam with implements like chains, knives, swords, and blades, that is, zanjeer-zani(زنجیر زنی), qama-zani (قمع زنی), etc.

Matam in South Asia is the most significant and sensitive Shia identity marker, although the act is also condemned by some Shi'a religious leaders.

Black in Muharram:

Traditionally, the Shia wear black clothes in the month of Muharram. In fact, during this month, it is considered Mustahab (highly recommended) to do so. We find most Shia do wear black in certain parts of the year, including the Shia priests (scholarship) and Maraje’ (high scholars). In fact, the Shia Ayatollahs tend to wear black year-round, and very rarely do we see them not wearing black cloaks.