Why did ashura happen

The day of Ashura is on the 10th of Muharram — the first month of the Islamic calendar. The day holds great religious and historical significance for Muslims. The story dates back to events that took place 13 centuries ago, following the death of Prophet Muhammad in A. The leader and caliph of the Muslim community were to be decided, over which a dispute started. Those who supported this claim led to the creation of the Shia sect of Muslims. Whether or not he was selected as caliph, Ali is considered by Shia Muslims as their first imam, a divinely appointed leader.

Sons and descendants of Ali would carry the title. Shias started following their Imam as the true leader, regardless of the title of caliph. From to A. Husayn and his followers were surrounded and stopped by Umayyad soldiers at Karbala. On the day of Ashura, Husayn and his men made their final prayers at dawn, anticipating their fate. Despite knowing they would die that day, the men stayed loyal to Husayn and his cause. The battle of Karbala began at noon. One after another, the companions were killed.

Only Husayn remained standing alone. Food and water supplies were cut off for Husayn and his companions by the Umayyad army. Heavily wounded and thirsty, Husayn did not give up. After Hijrah, when the Prophet Muhammad flees persecution by traveling from Mecca to Medina, he designates Ashura as a day of fasting from sunset to sunset. The battle takes place between Husayn ibn Ali, his supporters, and the Yazid forces — Husayn and his supporters are beheaded.

In a purely political move, Saddam Hussein bans the religious observence honoring Ashura commemorations. Local volunteers donate tens of thousands of bottles of water in Flint, Michigan, in remembrance of Husayn and his companions, who were denied water for three days before they were killed. Shia Muslims from all over the world go on pilgrimages to Iraq on the day of Ashura to see the shrines of Husayn and his brother Abbas.

The day is a dark one in Islamic history, with believers mourning the death of Husayn in the Battle of Karbala. The day is also a tragic one for Muslims of the Sunni sect, who pay their respects by fasting and offering prayers. Sermons are delivered and the life and principles of Husayn are recounted. The history and tragedy of the battle are re-enacted and passion plays are staged. Some devout followers also practice self-flagellation.

As it is a day of mourning, men and women are dressed in black. For Muslims of the Sunni faith, Ashura is the day when Prophet Moses fasted as a celebration for the freedom of Israelites. And We saved Musa [as] and those with him, all together. Then We drowned the others. Indeed in that is a sign, but most of them were not to be believers. He said, "What is this? It is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Musa [as] fasted on this day".

He said, "We have more right to Musa [as] than you", so he fasted on that day and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day'. The Sahabah ra not only fasted on 'Ashura, they also singled it out for giving charity. And whoever gives charity this day it is like the charity of an entire year'. If you are looking for a good cause to give to this 'Ashura, we highly recommend giving Sadaqah Jariyah to blessed Yemen! Ashura Day, Sept. The practice of sprinkling water originated in the ancient rituals performed by Moroccan Jews.

They believed that water is sacred and they sprinkled it on their goods, jewels, and possessions to promote abundance, and on their children to promote good health and longevity. Moroccan women celebrate Ashura by preparing traditional Moroccan dishes such as couscous, organic chicken dishes, trid , and dried meat which has been preserved from the meat of the sacrificed ram on the day of Eid Al-Adha The Feast of Sacrifice.

If people are not generous or refuse to give the children what they ask for, the children pelt their houses with rotten eggs and sing derogatory nursery rhymes about them. His areas of interest are translation and cross-cultural communication, journalism, media studies, and peace and non-violence studies. In this Tuesday, Sept. About The Author. Related Posts. Search for:. Recent Videos.