Significance Of The Ashura Day

Monday, November 3, 2014, 13:50 [IST]

The term 'Ashura' means ten in Arabic. The day of Ashura implies the tenth day of Muharram according to the Islamic calendar. Ashura marks the final day of mourning in Muharram. On this day, the Shia community of the Muslims observe complete mourning of the martyrdom Hussain ibn Ali in the Battle of Karbala.

Ashura is also an important day for the Sunni community of the Muslims. While some Sunnis also recognise the importance of the events that took place in Karbala, others commemorate this day because Israelites were freed from Feron of Egypt on this day.

Whatever the reason, Ashura is an extremely important day for the entire Muslim community. Let us take a look at the significance of this day , Ashura.

Shia Observances Of Ashura

Ashura is of utmost importance for the Shia community of the Muslims because it was on this fateful day that one of their greatest figures of Islam, Hussain was brutally killed in the famous Battle of Karbala. Hussain was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. He was an extremely kind and courageous leader who fought for the rights of the masses. To protect the rights of His people and to get rid of the corruption which had taken over Islam after the Prophet's death, Hussain valiantly fought against the huge army of the corrupt ruler, Yazid. This is when the Battle of Karbala took place.

Shia Observances Of Ashura

During the battle, the evil ruler brutally killed Hussain and wiped out His entire family. Since Hussain was killed on the tenth day of Muharram, Ashura is a day of mourning for all Shia Muslims. On this day, the Shias commemorate the martyrdom of Hussain by re-enacting the events of the Battle of Karbala. They observe a complete day of mourning for the martyr by refraining themselves from listening to music, wearing the mourning attire, refraining from all joyful events like weddings etc.

Sunni Observances Of Ashura

Sunni Muslims observe the day by fasting. According to the Sunni beliefs, Ashura is a day on which some Mecca residents used to observe fast. The fasting is to commemorate Moses and His followers who were saved from the wrath of the Pharaoh of Egypt by Allah and who made the Red Sea to part so that people could cross it. It is also believed that Prophet Muhammad observed a fast on this day. So, the majority of Sunni Muslims observe fast on Ashura.

Customs & Significance

For Shias, Ashura is not a festival. It is a sad event for them. While Ashura is a day of victory of Moses for the Sunnis. Naturally, the way of observances of Muharram differs in both sects.

The mourners of the Shia sect assemble in the mosque for collective mourning which is called Azadari. Sorrowful, poetic recitations are performed in the memory of Hussain and His sacrifice. Public processions are taken out on this day. To display their devotion to Hussain, ceremonial beating of the chest is done by women as an act of mourning. Majlis is held where Surahs from the Koran is recited. People stay awake the whole night and listen to these recitations on the ninth and the tenth day of Muharram. Some people also flagellate themselves with chains and blades to remember the pain Hussain went through. Places like Lucknow and Hyderabad in India are some of the main centres where mourning is observed on a huge scale.

Customs & Significance

Hence, Ashura is an equally important day for both Shia and Sunni communities of Islam. Though the customs and legends differ completely, both sects observe the day with great devotion.