Ashura

Ashura - The Religious Holiday Of Islam

The Islamic holiday known as Ashura, is observed by both the Sunni and the Shi'a Muslims. Both groups mark the occasion on the 10th day of the month of Muharram, however, each believes it to have a very different meaning. The Sunni and the Shi'a Muslims, which are the two oldest and largest groups in the history of Islam are in agreement on the basic fundamentals of Islam. They also share the same Holy Book, The Qur'an, however, they are deeply divided over the choice of who would succeed the Prophet Muhammad as the leader of the Muslim community after his death.

Sunni's were the larger group of Muslims. They believed the successor should be chosen based on political, not spiritual terms and, therefore, thought Abu Bakr, who was a close Companion of the Prophet, should be appointed the Caliph, or the politico-social leader. The Shi'a, who were a much smaller group, believed that the Prophet's son-in-law and cousin, Ali, should be appointed Caliph. In the end, Abu Bakr, the choice of the Sunni's, was chosen as the Caliph.

Sunni Muslims celebrate Ashura as the day that Allah, or God, saved Moses and the Israelites from their enemies, the Egyptians, by parting the Red Sea and drowning Pharaoh. They believe that Muhammad led his followers to Medina and when he got there he found the Jews observing fasts on the day of Ashura. Muhammad then proclaimed that the Islamic people had more claim over Moses, and therefore to the fast, than the Jews. From that point on, the Muslims were ordered to fast for two or three days, a combination of the 9th, 10th, and 11th of Muharram.

The Shi'a Muslims, on the other hand, believe Ashura has a different origin based on Husayn ibn Ali who was the grandson of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, and son of Ali bin Abi Talib. When his brother, Hasan passed away, Husayn became the leader of the household of the Holy Prophet. This meant he was responsible ensuring the religious needs of his people.

Muawiya was the son of Abu Sufyan, who was a fierce enemy of the Prophet. Muawiya was the Caliphate of the Islamic state. There was an agreement of peace that was signed by both Hasan and Muawiya. Yazid, whose father was Muawiya, had always tried to sabotage the mission of the Holy Prophet and wanted the allegiance of Husayn. Many people believed Yazid was openly going against the teachings of Islam in public and feared the he was trying to change the sunnah of Muhammed.

The Battle of Karbala took place in Iraq at the bank of the river Euphrates, in 680 AD, when Husayn was traveling to Kufa with a small group of about 72 to 100 people, some of which were family members. Their mission was to warn the Ummah of the situation it was in, which was the power of evil rulers. They were going there in an attempt to somehow put a stop what they felt was misguided leadership. Along the way they encountered Yazid's army. They pressured Husayn and the group to pay allegiance to the Caliph and submit to his authority. When they refused a battle ensued. Husayn and everyone with him were killed.

The sacrifice of Husayn is commemorated because he is said to have fought heroically, and to have sacrificed his life for the survival of Shi'a Islam. The whole nation had succumbed to the will of Yazid, and deviation and regression towards the pre-Islamic ways were increasing. If Husain had remained passive and had not acted, then that would have meant the end of Islam as it is know to be today. The commemoration of Ashura serves as a reminder of the sacrifices of the families of the Prophet. It also makes us aware of the people, then and now, who tried to destroy Islam and the family of the Prophet and all that they stood for, as well as those who watched, listened, and did nothing.

Sunni Muslims view Ashura as a good day that should be celebrated and view their act of fasting as a tribute to the Prophet Muhammed. Shi'a Muslims, on the other hand, view it as a day of sorrow. In order to feel the pain that they believe Husayn experienced, the will cut or beat themselves until they bleed. There are no happy events, like weddings, or any playing of music on the day of Ashura. Many Shi'a will make pilgrimages on Ashura to the Mashhad al-Husayn, the shrine in Karbala, Iraq, that is believed to be Husayn's tomb.