'Ashura: A Day of Remembrance
What is the significance of 'Ashura? Also: female circumcision and the use of musical instruments in worship.
BY: Imam Feisal Rauf
What are the significance of Muharram and 'Ashura in Islam?
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. According to the Qur'an (9:36), it is considered one of the four sacred months in which even engaging in battle is regarded as unlawful, except in defense against aggression or in retaliation for violations by enemy forces.
The month of Muharram is of special significance because it was in Muharram that Prophet Muhammad settled in Madinah after migrating from Makkah. This migration is referred to as the hijrah and marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. (We are now in the year 1423 of the hijri calendar.) It also marks the establishment of the first Islamic city-state in Madinah.
'Ashura refers to the 10th day of the month of Muharram. This year, that day falls on March 24. This day carries a significance all its own, the outstanding features of which have been referred to and supported by many reliable sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. Among the authentic prophetic traditions that have been documented is that Allah saved Prophet Moses and his followers from the tyranny of Pharaoh on this day. Prophet Muhammad himself fasted out of gratitude to Allah, and he requested that Muslims fast on the day. (This is done in conjunction with a day of fasting before or after it.) This recommended fast ranks second in importance to the obligatory fast of Ramadan.
Subsequent to that, in the year 61 A.H. (after hijrah), the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Imam Husayn) was martyred, together with 72 of his kith and kin, at the hands of an army acting under the orders of a despotic ruler named Yazid. The massacre occurred on the plains of Karbala, in modern-day Iraq. Despite being known for his deviant behavior, Yazid nonetheless served as a Muslim caliph. It was Imam Husayn's refusal to allow Muslims to be dominated by corrupt authority that led him and a band of his followers to challenge Yazid. This epic struggle is so poignant a moment in Islamic history that, like the struggle of Moses against Pharaoh, it serves as a beacon of light for all freedom fighters of faith.
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. According to the Qur'an (9:36), it is considered one of the four sacred months in which even engaging in battle is regarded as unlawful, except in defense against aggression or in retaliation for violations by enemy forces.
The month of Muharram is of special significance because it was in Muharram that Prophet Muhammad settled in Madinah after migrating from Makkah. This migration is referred to as the hijrah and marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. (We are now in the year 1423 of the hijri calendar.) It also marks the establishment of the first Islamic city-state in Madinah.
'Ashura refers to the 10th day of the month of Muharram. This year, that day falls on March 24. This day carries a significance all its own, the outstanding features of which have been referred to and supported by many reliable sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. Among the authentic prophetic traditions that have been documented is that Allah saved Prophet Moses and his followers from the tyranny of Pharaoh on this day. Prophet Muhammad himself fasted out of gratitude to Allah, and he requested that Muslims fast on the day. (This is done in conjunction with a day of fasting before or after it.) This recommended fast ranks second in importance to the obligatory fast of Ramadan.
Subsequent to that, in the year 61 A.H. (after hijrah), the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Imam Husayn) was martyred, together with 72 of his kith and kin, at the hands of an army acting under the orders of a despotic ruler named Yazid. The massacre occurred on the plains of Karbala, in modern-day Iraq. Despite being known for his deviant behavior, Yazid nonetheless served as a Muslim caliph. It was Imam Husayn's refusal to allow Muslims to be dominated by corrupt authority that led him and a band of his followers to challenge Yazid. This epic struggle is so poignant a moment in Islamic history that, like the struggle of Moses against Pharaoh, it serves as a beacon of light for all freedom fighters of faith.
Advertisement
Related Features
Top Features
Advertisement
Comments
Add Comment »To comment on this content you must be a registered user:
Sign-Up or Log-In