The Day of Ashura is an Islamic holiday that occurs on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar in some Islamic countries.
The lunar calendar is also known as Hijri and has been used for more than 1441 years.
The word “Ashura actually means and translates to the word ten,” which is why it’s observed on the 10th day of Muharram. The actual date of this holy day will depend on your location as well as the moon, but it’s expected to start this year on Sunday, August 7 and end on Monday, August 8.
It marks two significant events and is observed differently by Sunni and Shia Muslims.
The Day of Ashura was the day that Prophet Musa and the Children of Israel managed to flee from Pharaoh. It was also the day that Hussein ibn Ali died in battle, in Karbala, Iraq, in A.D. 680.
When the Prophet Muhammad (PBU) passed away, his son-in-law Imam Ali was not successful in becoming the leader of the Islamic community. He was martyred in A.D. 661, which allowed Muawiya to become caliph. When Caliph Muawiya was then succeeded by his son Yazid, Imam Ali’s son Imam Hussein refused to accept this succession as legitimate.
Yazid and Imam Hussein then fought at Karbala, where the Imam and his followers were murdered.
Sunni Muslims usually celebrate the fleeing of Moses, which is why they can generally fast on the day, as well as the day before and prior. But Shia Muslims mourn the loss of Imam Hussein and participate in events that reflects this loss. It’s very common amongst Shia communities and some Sufi groups as well that they remember this harrowing incident by expressing their grief and sorrow. It can be celebrated and observed in many different ways, we have listed below the traditional manners for Shia and Sunni Muslims.
Shia Muslims usually reflect on the tragedy, express grief, participate in the flagellation ceremonies, these including hitting themselves with chains or cutting their foreheads, while some decide to donate blood instead of flagellation.
On the other hand, Sunni Muslims usually observe fast, pay gratitude to Almighty Allah and become more involved in their worship and religion.
During the 10th of Muharram ‘Ashura’ day, the primary rituals and observances on Ashura consist of public expressions of mourning. Sunni Muslims commemorates the day through voluntary fasting.
Some in the Shia community mark the day by flagellating themselves with chains and the blunt ends of swords. This is intended to exemplify the suffering of Imam Hussein experienced shortly before his beheading.
Masouda Qarizada
The virtues of the tenth day of Muharram “Ashura”
