Ashura

Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram, the first in the Islamic lunar calendar. It marks the end of the ten-day period of mourning that begins with the first day of Muharram. On this day, Shia Muslims take part in various activities to mourn the death of Hussain Ibn Ali, who was killed on this day, over 1,300 years ago in the desert of Karbala.

The events leading up to Ashura trace back to the year 610 when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) first received revelations from the angel Gabriel that he was the Messenger of Allah. The message that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was receiving from Allah began to be known as the Quran. The followers of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) faced persecution and oppression from their opponents in Mecca, and in the year 622, they migrated to Medina, which is known as the Hijrah.

In 680 CE, Hussain Ibn Ali, along with his family and followers were headed to Kufa, a city in Iraq, to oppose the oppressive rule of the Umayyad caliph, Yazid. The group of 72 was met with an army of thousands led by Umar ibn Sa’ad, and was soon surrounded in Karbala. Tragically, Hussain Ibn Ali and his companions were killed violently and brutally, with some accounts claiming that even babies were not spared.

On Ashura, many Shia Muslims take to the streets to march in a procession, beating their chests and chanting slogans of mourning. They reenact the events of the battle of Karbala, in memory of Hussain Ibn Ali’s sacrifice. Some devotees even perform a self-flagellation ritual called Tatbir or Qama Zani, in which they strike themselves with bladed chains and blades to show their grief and pain for the loss of Hussain Ibn Ali.

The rituals and practices associated with Ashura are difficult for outsiders to understand; however, for Shia Muslims, it is a day of intense mourning, remembrance, and reflection. Some Muslims also donate food and participate in prayers for the poor and hungry. Moreover, Shia scholars and clerics deliver sermons about the significance and message of the sacrifice of Hussain Ibn Ali.

The commemoration of Ashura has many spiritual and social aspects. It helps Shia Muslims strengthen their faith by acknowledging the sacrifice made by Hussain Ibn Ali and his followers. It also has a social dimension, as Ashura brings communities together and provides an opportunity for collective reflection and prayer.

Today, Ashura also serves as a reminder of the importance of justice, freedom, and empathy for all humanity. It is through the observance and commemoration of Ashura that the lessons regarding the importance of righteousness, morality and kindness are passed down to the next generation of Muslims.

In conclusion, Ashura is one of the most significant religious observances for Shia Muslims, a day that is solemn and mournful, but also allows for reflection and remembrance of the remarkable bravery and sacrifice of Hussain Ibn Ali. This day is a reminder not just of the incredible passion and devotion of Shia Muslims, but also of the importance of social justice and empathy as essential values in Islam.