Ashura is a profoundly significant day in Islam, observed by Muslims globally. Falling on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, Ashura carries deep spiritual and historical meaning for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. This date in the Islamic calendar marks a period of reflection, remembrance, and distinct observances within the Muslim faith.
For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is primarily recognized as a day of gratitude and historical remembrance. It commemorates the day Prophet Noah (Nuh) disembarked from the Ark after the great flood and, importantly, the day Prophet Moses (Musa) and his followers were miraculously saved from the Pharaoh when God parted the Red Sea. To mark this day of deliverance and divine favor, Sunni Muslims observe Ashura with fasting and special prayers conducted in mosques, highlighting its sacred status and the tradition of expressing thankfulness to God.
In contrast, for Shia Muslims, Ashura takes on a deeply somber tone. It is a day of intense mourning, marking the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Imam Hussein’s tragic death occurred during the Battle of Karbala in October 680 CE, a pivotal event that resonates deeply within Shia Islam. This day is not just a historical marker but a central event in Shia religious identity, symbolizing sacrifice, resistance against injustice, and profound grief.
Shia communities around the world engage in significant mourning rituals to commemorate Imam Hussein’s sacrifice on Ashura. Vivid and emotionally charged passion plays, known as Ta’zieh, are staged, dramatically re-enacting the events of the Battle of Karbala. Devotees immerse themselves in the narrative, often taking on roles to represent Imam Hussein and his companions who stood against the vastly superior forces of the Umayyad caliph Yazid I. These reenactments serve as powerful reminders of the battle’s events and Imam Hussein’s unwavering stance for justice.
While the Battle of Karbala is undeniably a central point in the historical divergence between Sunni and Shia Muslims, it’s crucial to understand that the event predates the full theological and jurisprudential separation of the two groups. It’s also important to note that Imam Hussein is a revered figure across the Muslim world, including among Sunni Muslims. Many Sunnis also hold critical views of Yazid I, often condemning his actions and lack of piety. This shared respect for Imam Hussein, even amidst differing interpretations of Ashura, highlights a complex and nuanced history.
Iraqi Shia men engage in mourning rituals in Karbala, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.
Even though the primary focus of Ashura observances differs, some Sunni Muslims, particularly those following Sufi traditions, do participate in mourning ceremonies for Imam Hussein. However, these observances are generally less elaborate and intense compared to the extensive mourning practices prevalent in Shia communities. This demonstrates a spectrum of practices and interpretations of Ashura even within the broader Muslim community.
One of the most debated and controversial aspects of Shia mourning rituals during Ashura is the practice of self-flagellation, known as Tatbir in Arabic. This practice, involving physical acts of mourning, has been a subject of much discussion and debate within Shia Islam itself. Many prominent Shia Islamic jurists, including the late Ayatollah Khomeini, a significant figure in Iranian history and Shia thought, have explicitly condemned Tatbir or argued against its relevance in contemporary times. Despite this, a minority of religious voices continue to emphasize its importance, often with the condition that participants must not harm themselves excessively. This ongoing discourse highlights the evolving interpretations and practices surrounding Ashura.
To further understand this significant day, let’s delve deeper into the reasons behind the different ways Sunni and Shia Muslims observe Ashura.
Why Do Sunni and Shia Muslims Observe Ashura Differently?
The divergence in Ashura observances primarily stems from the differing significance attached to the day by Sunni and Shia Muslims. For Sunni Muslims, as previously mentioned, Ashura is largely associated with events from the lives of Prophets Noah and Moses, emphasizing themes of salvation and gratitude. They observe the day with fasting, religious sermons, and communal meals, focusing on the day’s historical and religious importance in the broader Islamic tradition.
For Shia Muslims, while acknowledging the general religious significance of Ashura, the day is overwhelmingly dominated by the commemoration of Imam Hussein’s martyrdom. This event is not just a historical tragedy but a foundational element of Shia identity and theology. The immense grief and remembrance of Karbala overshadow other aspects of Ashura for Shia Muslims, leading to the distinctive mourning practices observed.
The Shia perspective is also deeply intertwined with the concept of the Twelve Imams. Twelver Shia Muslims, the largest branch of Shia Islam, believe in twelve divinely appointed successors to Prophet Muhammad, beginning with his cousin and son-in-law Ali. Imam Hussein is the third Imam in this lineage. The Battle of Karbala and his martyrdom are seen as the ultimate sacrifice in his struggle for justice and rightful leadership against the Umayyad dynasty.
Muslims in Kyrgyzstan practice social distancing while praying, reflecting the global observance of Islamic traditions.
Hussein’s martyrdom in Karbala is regarded by Shia Muslims as the epitome of sacrifice for righteousness. His shrine in Karbala, Iraq, remains a central pilgrimage site and a focal point for Ashura commemorations worldwide. The lineage of Imams continued through Imam Hussein’s son, Ali Zayn al-Abidin. However, for Twelver Shias, the line of Imams culminates with the 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, who, according to Shia belief, went into occultation and is expected to return to herald the Day of Judgment. This belief further underscores the profound spiritual and historical importance of Imam Hussein and Ashura within Shia Islam.
Why is the Day Called Ashura?
The name “Ashura” itself originates from the Arabic word for the number ten, “ashara”. This directly refers to its observance on the tenth day of Muharram. The month of Muharram also derives its name from the Arabic word “haram,” meaning “forbidden” or “sacred.”
Islamic tradition designates Muharram as one of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar, during which warfare is traditionally forbidden. This adds to the solemn and revered nature of the month in which Ashura is observed, further emphasizing its importance within the Islamic faith and calendar.
What is the Religious Significance of Ashura?
From a broader Islamic perspective, Ashura holds significant religious merit. Muslims who fast on the day of Ashura believe that God will forgive their sins from the preceding year. This belief is rooted in traditions attributed to Prophet Muhammad, highlighting the spiritual benefits of fasting on this day.
The religious significance is further connected to the story of Prophet Moses. According to the Quran, God instructed Moses to strike the Red Sea with his staff, leading to its miraculous parting and the salvation of Moses and his followers from the Pharaoh’s army. In gratitude for this divine intervention, Prophet Moses fasted on this day.
Prophet Muhammad, recognizing this tradition, encouraged Muslims to fast on Ashura as well. Furthermore, to distinguish Muslim practices from those of other faiths, he recommended fasting not only on the 10th of Muharram but also on the 9th, or the 11th. While fasting on Ashura is considered optional and not obligatory (unlike Ramadan fasting), it is a highly recommended and widely observed practice among Muslims, reflecting the day’s religious importance and the desire to emulate prophetic traditions.
How is Ashura Marked by Shia Muslims?
Shia observances of Ashura are rich in ritual and deeply emotional. On Ashura, Shia preachers deliver sermons that recount the history of the Battle of Karbala in vivid detail, emphasizing the sacrifices made by Imam Hussein and his companions. Poetry recitation, known as Marsiya, focusing on the life and virtues of Imam Hussein, is also a central part of Ashura gatherings.
In many regions, particularly in Iraq and Iran, large-scale public processions, marches, and passion plays (Ta’zieh) are organized. These events draw massive crowds who gather to collectively mourn and commemorate the events of Karbala. The passion plays are specifically designed to highlight the profound significance of Imam Hussein’s sacrifice and to evoke the emotional intensity associated with the pursuit of justice and righteousness.
The practice of Tatbir, or self-flagellation, while controversial and banned in some regions, remains part of Ashura observances for some Shia Muslims. The use of blades, chains, and other instruments to symbolically inflict pain is intended to represent the suffering and sacrifice endured by Imam Hussein. However, it’s important to note that many Shia Muslims choose to express their mourning in alternative ways, such as donating blood, which is seen as a more constructive and widely accepted form of commemorating Imam Hussein’s sacrifice.
Throughout Muharram, and particularly on Ashura, Shia worshippers often wear black clothing as a visible symbol of mourning and sorrow. This period is also used as a time for reflection and learning, with many Shia Muslims focusing on the lessons derived from Imam Hussein’s life, emphasizing themes of justice, resilience, and faith in the face of adversity.
Ashura, therefore, is a complex and multifaceted day of immense importance in Islam. It serves as a day of historical remembrance, spiritual reflection, and distinct communal observances that vary across Sunni and Shia traditions, yet commonly emphasize core Islamic values of faith, sacrifice, and justice.
