Day of Ashura

Aug 08

Day of Ashura

Monday 10 Moharram, 1444

What is the Day of Ashura?

10th of Moharram (the first month of the Islamic Calendar) is commonly observed as the "Day of Ashura" across the Muslim world. The Arabic word “Ashura” (عَاشُورَاء) means “tenth,” and in Islamic terminology, it refers to the 10th day of Muharram. As for the Arabic word "Moharram", it translates to "forbidden". So, the first month of the Islamic Calendar, namely "Moharram," is a month during which fighting is forbidden. This has been in practice in the Arab world, even before the advent of Islam.

Although the Day of Ashura now predominantly refers to the event of the Battle of Karbala (مَعْرَكَة كَرْبَلَاء), ever since it happened in 61 AH (680 CE), it holds other historical contexts, even before this tragic incident, as well. On this day, the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ successfully crossed the sea along with his followers to go out of the Pharaoh’s controlled territory. This event is known as “parting the sea”.

In another tradition, it is reported that on this day (Day of Ashura), the Prophet Nuh عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and his followers disembarked from the Ark, after the historic flood. It is also believed that the Day of Ashura also marks the remembrance of some other important events, associated with other Prophets such as the Prophet Adam and Yusuf عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ.

Hence, the Day of Ashura is equally important for both Sunni and Shia Muslims, per their specific contexts. Sunni Muslims often fast on this day to commemorate the historic event related to Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, by fasting and offering special prayers. On the other hand, Shia Muslims mourn on the Day of Ashura in remembrance of the tragic event of the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and his followers and family members.

Why is Ashura Important?

Battle of Karbala

Ashura is generally associated with the tragic incident that happened in Karbala on the 10th of Moharram 61 AH (10th October 680 CE), when Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was martyred along with his companions and family members. The Battle of Karbala was fought between a small group led by Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and a large army of the Umayyad ruler, Yazid. The reason behind this battle was the refusal of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ to admit allegiance to the Umayyad ruler, based on the Islamic principles of just rulership.

Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was invited by the residents of Kufa to come and join them to resist the unjust caliphate of Yazid. While on his way to Kufa, he was intercepted by Yazid's army at the plains of Karbala. This happened on the 2nd of Moharram. On the 7th of Moharram, access to the only water source (the River Euphrates) was blocked by the Yazid forces, leaving them without water. Eventually, 70 out of 72 companions and family members of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ were martyred. He himself fought with extraordinary courage and bravery but finally embraced martyrdom on the 10th of Moharram. Accordingly, Shia Muslims commemorate this day as the mourning day in remembrance of the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and his companions and family members.

Pre-Islamic Relevance

The Day of Ashura is also remembered in other contexts, especially the salvation of Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and his followers from the tyranny of Pharaoh, commonly known as the event of "parting the sea". It is believed that this event took place on the 10th of Moharram.

As a result of continued oppression, the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, on the Will and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ gathered his followers to go out of the territory, controlled by Pharaoh. The Pharaoh's army chased them. When they reached the sea, the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was commanded by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ to throw his stick, and the sea would part, giving him safe passage to cross it. When the Prophet and his followers crossed the sea safely, Pharaoh and his army also tried, but by then the path was closed, and they were drowned in the sea. It is believed that the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ used to fast in commemoration of this historic day.

When the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ migrated to Medina, he noticed that the Jews used to fast on the 10th of Moharram to commemorate this event. He said, Muslims have more right on the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, hence he also fasted on this day and also advised his followers to do the same. However, once the Ramadan fasting was made compulsory in 2 AH, the fasting on the Day of Ashura was changed to optional (as an act of following Sunnah). Hadith 2004 of Sahih Al-Bukhari mentions this in detail.  

Other Traditions

Although no authentic Hadith reference is available but some traditions report that the following historic events are also associated with the Day of Ashura:

  • Repentance of Prophet Adam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was accepted on this day.
  • Prophet Yunus عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was saved from the fish on this day.
  • Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was saved from fire.
  • Prophet Yusuf عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was reunited with his father Prophet Yaqoob عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ on this day.
  • The Arc of Prophet Nuh عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ finally landed on Mount Judi, after the historic flood on this day.

Note: These are all traditions and strongly believed by many Muslims, but cannot be validated by any authentic Hadith or Quranic reference.

In general, the Day of Ashura is observed across all sects of Islam, including Sunnis and Shias, as a day of sacrifice and standing against injustice. 

How is Ashura Observed?

The Day of Ashur is observed with religious passion across the Muslim world, irrespective of the sect. Moreover, it is also influenced by the local cultural traditions in different parts of the world.

Ashura as a Day of Mourning by Shia Muslims

Shia Muslims profoundly observe the Day of Ashura as a Day of Mourning in remembrance of the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and his companions and family members. It includes:

  • Mourning processions with black flags and chanting slogans “ya Hussain.”
  • Chest beating (Matam) to express grief and sorrow on the tragic incident of Karbala. Sometimes, a more severe form of Matam is done by beating themselves with iron chains (zanjeer zani).
  • Holding Majaalis throughout the first 10 days of Moharram to commemorate different martyrs of the tragedy at Karbala. Scholars deliver sermons per the relevance of the day. Such Majaalis are a major part of the mourning and are attended by a large majority of the community.
  • Charity in the form of free food and water to remember the difficulties of Hazrat Hussain’s رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ group during the days of Karbala.
  • Sham-e-Ghariban is also a major part of the Moharram rituals, widely held across the Shia Community during Moharram.
  • Shia Muslims do not hold wedding ceremonies during these days.

Ashura as a Day of Fasting and Reflection by Sunni Muslims

Contrary to the Shia Muslims, Sunnis observe the Day of Ashura as a day of fasting and reflection. As established in Hadith 2004 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, fasting on the Day of Ashura is Sunnah. It is done to celebrate the salvation of the Israelites from Pharaoh, when Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ led his followers to successfully cross the sea by parting it on the Will and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Generally, the 10th of Moharram is observed by Sunni Muslims as a fasting day; however, they also sometimes fast on the 9th or 11th of Moharram.

Similarly, Hadith 1162a of Sahih Muslim mentions that fasting on the Day of Ashura expiates sins of previous years.

Additionally, there is also a strong tradition of mourning the tragic martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ at Karbala, on this day. Special sermons are delivered by the scholars in Mosques and private gatherings on this occasion. Special prayers are also offered on this occasion to reflect the tragedy of Karbala by many Sunni Muslims.

Charity in the form of providing food and financial assistance to the poor is also a popular practice among Sunni Muslims during the first ten days of Moharram, especially on the 10th day. The majority of Sunni Muslims avoid holding wedding ceremonies during the first 10 days of Moharram.

FAQs:

Ashura is an Arabic word that means "tenth." Practically, it refers to the 10th day of Moharram (the first month of the Islamic calendar).

Shia Muslims associate this day with the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ in the Battle of Karbala, hence they observe it as a day of mourning. Sunni Muslims relate it to the historic event of the Israelites' salvation from Pharaoh's tyranny, when Prophet Musa led them safely across the sea, remembered as "parting the sea". Sunni Muslims observe this day as a day of fasting and prayers.

Fasting on the Day of Ashura was initially made compulsory, but after the introduction of obligatory fasting in the month of Ramadan, it was changed to an optional act. As per Hadith 1162a of Sahih Muslim, fasting on the Day of Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year.

No, it is not mandatory but highly recommended as following an act of Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.