Gorilla’s Guides

A Short guide to Ashura

“The tragedy of Karbala taught humanity a lesson that standing for the truth and fighting unto death for it is more honorable and valuable than submitting to the wrongful, especially when the survival of Islam is at stake.”

Introduction:

This page is the first of a series of short and very basic guides for western readers who want a beginner’s guide to some of the key issues in the West’s relationship with Muslim lands. The quotation above is taken from what to my mind is one of the best English language resources for those who want to understand the significance of Ashura to the Shia. It is the defining historical event and shapes the world-view of the Shia devotee. The prevalence of the saying by Imam Jafar as-Sadiq, known to Shia and Sunni alike as “the Truthful, “

“Every day is Ashura and every land is Kerbala”

expresses this perfectly. - It is impossible to understate the importance of Ashura.

markfromireland

Short guide to Ashura:

What:

The most important day in the Shi’ite religious calendar.

Why:

For Shi’ites it is the day in 61 AH (680 AD) that the Prophet Muhammad’s, grandson was martyred at the Battle of Karbala.

When (1):

The day of Ashura falls on 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

When (2):

The majority of Shi’ite religious authorities consider that the 30th of January in the western calendar is the 10th day of Muharram for this year.

How:

Millions of Shi’ite pilgrims come to Karbala, Iraq, to perform remembrance rituals. These rituals are the culmination of ten days of ceremonies, parades, passion plays, sermons, and other religious events.

Do Sunni Muslims Commemorate it?

Yes, but for different reasons.

According to Sunni tradition it was the day upon which the Prophet Muhammad observed, confirmed, and underlined the Islamic nature of the Ashura fast observed by the population in Medina and made it mandatory for the fledgling Muslim community of believers (the Ummah.)

Security:

In the recent past in Iraq there have been multiple attacks on pilgrims both in Karbala itself, and on pilgrims making their way to and from Karbala. Hundreds of pilgrims have been killed . Such attacks are6 particularly inflammatory. Last year’s toll was in excess of 400 pilgrims - this was considered a successful security operation.

Where can I found out more?

The BBC have a good introductory page on Ashura: What is Ashura?

You can also read more at this Wikipedia entry: Day of Ashura.

Do you recommend any other resources?

Yes! To my mind this page KARBALA CHAIN OF EVENTS prepared by Ramzan Sabi, is one of the best resources possible for western readers who want to know not only more about the events of that day but their significance to Shi’ites. The quotation at the start of this page and the quotation below are from that page.

LESSONS FROM THE TRAGEDY Of KARBALA:

“Karbala is the cruelest tragedy humanity has ever seen. Yet, the startling (though appalling) events in Karbala proved like a powerful volcano that shook the very foundation of Muslims, it stirred their consciousness, ignorant or learned alike. For sincere Muslims, Karbala turned into a triumph. The tragic event became the very beacon of light to always remind Muslims to practice Islam honestly and sincerely, to do what is right irrespective of consequences, and fear no one except Allah (swt).

On the other hand, Yazid never achieved what he and his father had planned to achieve, for within three years, Allah’s wrath fell upon him, causing him to die at the age of 33 years. And within a few decades the rule of Benu Umayya crumbled and came to an end. The tragedy of Karbala taught humanity a lesson that standing for the truth and fighting unto death for it is more honorable and valuable than submitting to the wrongful, especially when the survival of Islam is at stake.”

Source: Karbalaa

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