Historically, Shia Muslims were a political faction known as the ‘party of Ali‘. The Umayyad governer, however, fearful of rebellion, halted Husayn’s caravan at Karbala. Why Ashura is Important. Nor would it be fair to characterise self-flagellation as a Shia-only tradition. from the Egyptians. Terror groups like ISIS consider Shia Muslims heretics. Some Shia clerics encourage blood donations instead. As it is a mourning event for Shias, they dress in black and parade the streets beating their chests and chanting to show their sorrow for the death of Hussein, his family members and followers. The Umayyads were a dynasty of caliphs who ruled the Muslim empire between 661 and 750 AD. Hussein was a religious righteous man who was keen in his words on “spreading good values and preventing evil.”. The killing of Hussein played a role in the Shia-Sunni divide that persists till this day. And Zaynab became forever known as the messenger of ‘Ashura‘. The Day of ‘Ashura: The Children of Israel were saved from Pharaoh and His Army Who drowned " And (remember) when We delivered you from Fir'awn's (Pharoah) people, who were afflicting you with a horrible torment, killing your sons and sparing your women, and therein was a mighty trial from your Lord. Soon a domed museulm was built over Husayn’s grave and a mosque was constructed on site. On the holy day of Ashura, Muslims consider all the ways to improve and grow stronger in their faith, thereby earning more blessings. Thousands are expected to march across Australia to mark the Muslim Shia commemoration of Ashura. His shrine has become a vital place for Shia religious thought. Ashura is a day of atonement and … SBS acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia. For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a solemn day of mourning the martyrdom of Hussein in 680 AD at Karbala in modern-day Iraq. A sculpture of Muhammad has sat in the U.S. Supreme Court since the 1930s. It was a battle between good and evil. The basis for Ashura in Sunni Islam, according to tradition, is the prophet Muhammad's adoption of this practice after observing Jews in Medina fasting on this day. Husayn bin Ali, the third Shi’i imam, had intended to travel from Medina to Kufa, where supporters had invited him to become their imam. This sense of retribution has carried over in some Shia political thought for centuries. Designed & Developed by H & J Web Solutions Ltd. begin on the 10th and end on the 12th day, Six jailed after attempting to damage Muslim and Sikh relations. Importance of Fasting 9th and 10th Muharram: Fasting the day of Ashura or Fasting 9th and 10th Muharram has great value in Islam. The day of Ashura, which falls on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is important for Muslims globally. Muslims today (Shiite and non-Shiite alike) can draw inpsiration from Hussain AS in many ways, such as choosing to retain their so-called "muslim garb" (of Juan Williams' consternation) despite the unwanted attention it may bring them. While the differences are there in the beliefs of a particular sect, we should not degrade someone else for what they think, for Allah is the only supreme power to judge us on that. It reminds Muslims of the day Moses saved the Israelites … Ceremonies begin on the 10th and end on the 12th day. Source: EPA. Today is an important but not very widely known occasion in the Islamic calendar called Ashura. In other schools of Shia thought, however, this idea is absent or understated. This controversial act of penance has been criticised by bishops in the Philippines. left his ark and Moses. Why is Ashura important for all Muslims? For Shia Muslims, Ashura is the last of ten days of mourning to commemorate the death of Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, Hussein, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in 680 AD. We fast because it is the Sunnah of our Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). It’s a day to commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who, alongside his male family members and companions, were murdered at Karbala in 681 AD. For Shia Muslims, Ashura is the last of ten days of mourning to commemorate the death of Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, Hussein, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in 680 AD. So they maintain that Husayn was the Prince of Martyrs. Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an, ′And We certainly sent Musa with Our signs, [saying], “Bring out your people from layers of darkness into the light and remind them of … One of Hussein’s famous quotes “those who are silent when others are oppressed are guilty of oppression themselves” and “the most merciful person is the one who forgives when he is able to take revenge” are clear example of his philosophy. As the first imam, Shia Muslims revere him as the inheritor to the Prophet’s legacy. In 2015, Richard Dawkins, famed atheist and biologist, caused controversy after tweeting an image of an Ashura passion play outside of its context. The day of Ashura, which falls on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is important for Muslims globally. Troops engaged them near the Syrian border and left few survivors. Cultural variations aside, some black-clad pilgrims beat their chests, self-flaggellate and chant “O Husayn!”. He accepted this news in the belief that it would aid his supporters on the Day of Judgement. A quarter of the world’s population practices Islam. He was killed in 680 AD, during the battle of Karbala (in present day Iraq) by soldiers of Caliph Yazid. Ashura , also known as Yawm Ashura (Arabic: يَوْم عَاشُورَاء) is the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. And (remember) when We separated the sea for you and saved you and drowned Fir'awn's … In the Sunni tradition, Ali as the last of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. It’s marked by all Muslims to a lesser or greater extent, with different views on why the day is important. A few imitate Hussein’s suffering by flagellating themselves until bleeding, a controversial practice that many Shia leaders forbid and reject. Shias in Australia from different backgrounds, including Arabs, Indians, Indonesians, Burmese, Afghans, Pakistanis and others participate in an annual peace walk in Sydney and Melbourne to mark the day. Another balanced headline read: “‘Is that me cutting myself mum?’ A blood-stained Shiite boy clutching a huge knife joins his young friends in a bloody Muslim ceremony marking the sacrifice of the Prophet’s grandson”. For most Muslims except Shia Muslims, Ashura marks the day that Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh by God creating a path in the Sea. Rex. Whether it’s a hundred years ago … As Yazid’s appointment to Caliph was a direct result of his father’s broken promise. In retaliation to this martyrdom, Shia communities in Kufan sought justice. He was believed to be the third Imam of the Shia community. According to whoishussain.org, a global movement that organises charitable events for the common good inspired by the example of Hussein, “Hussein is a leader who made the ultimate stand for social justice in the face of corruption and tyranny.”. 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