Every day is Ashura, Every Land is Karbala

The holy day of Ashura, marking the 10th day of Muharram or the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, holds special significance within Islam. Its significance is rooted in honoring one of the most important Prophets of the monotheistic faiths, Moses (Musa). Ashura marks the day that God saved the Children of Israel from the Egyptian Pharaoh.

Within Shiism, the significance of Ashura is part and parcel of their faith.

Historical Significance

For Shia Muslims, the holy day of Ashura holds additional significance to the extent that it highlights a centrality of Shia faith. It marks the ten-day siege of Karbala, and the martyrdom of Hussain ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet (Pbuh), and his followers at the historic battle.

While Hussain ibn Ali (AS) was the rightful gatekeeper of the Imamate, Yazid had secured the position illegitimately through extortion and appropriation. Hussein was revered by society at large. Whilst Yazid, disliked by many, aimed to secure Hussain’s allegiance with the hopes of enhancing his palpability amongst his own followers. Imam Hussein risked his life when he refused to demonstrate allegiance to Yazid in Medina, “I will never give Yazid my hand like a man who has been humiliated, nor will I flee like a slave… I have not risen to spread evil or to show off… I only desire to enjoin good values and prevent evil.”

Hussain and his companions first traveled to Mecca, then Kufa in Iraq, in an attempt to restore the legitimacy and lineage of the Islamic rule, but were met by 30,000 of Yazid’s soldiers who diverted the caravan to Karbala.

 “I Will Never Give Yazid My Hand Like A Man Who Has Been Humiliated, Nor Will I Flee Like A Slave… I Have Not Risen To Spread Evil Or To Show Off… I Only Desire To Enjoin Good Values And Prevent Evil.”

In Karbala, access to water sources was blocked by Yazid forces and a 10-day blockade ensued. It was clear that Hussain was the only person required dead by Yazid, although Hussain’s followers remained with him during the siege. 
‘Abb?s (AS) said, “God curse you and your clemency! You give us clemency and you do not give clemency to the grandson of the Prophet of God? And you are asking us to enter the obedience of the cursed people and those who are children of cursed people?”

On the ninth night of the siege, it was clear that Yazid’s army was on the brink of attacking Hussain’s camp. In a sermon, Imam Hussain instructed his followers to leave during the night, as Yazid’s forces would not hurt them, with the goal of only killing only Hussain. His followers stayed. On the tenth day of Muharram, Ashura, Imam Hussain rose from Fajr and instructed that God had allowed them to fight on this day.

Hussain ibn Ali and his brother, Al-Abbas ibn Ali were killed during this battle, along with 72 of the Imam’s companions. The remaining prisoners, including Imam Hussain’s sister, Zainab, along with the heads of the martyrs, were then taken to Damascus.

The martyrdom of Hussain and his companions at Karbala signifies a unique centrality of Shia faith: Resistance and justice in the face of oppression.

Ritual

Since this significant time in history, Ashura has manifested in ritual mourning, remembrance and atonement as a form of holding witness to the moral principles of Islam through Imam Hussain’s refusal to assimilate to tyranny. Physical rituals take the form of prayers, Quranic recitations, sermons, and elaborate processions and reenactments of the Battle of Karbala.

Symbolic flagellation, with one’s fists, blades, chains, or collectively carrying heavy displays, to recall the suffering of Imam Hussain and his 72 companions is common, not unlike Catholic flagellation to recall the suffering of Jesus Christ prior to martyrdom. While this practice is outlawed in countries such as Iran, and Shia clerics have warned that it is sinful to hurt the body that has been given to you by God, it is not uncommon to see within Shia communities throughout the world – even in places where it is illegal or denounced in jurisprudence.

As is common within Islam, distributing free food to honor the sacrifice of others is a mainstay ritual of Ashura. In Iran, traditional food is distributed as Nazr (free food), like Qorme sabzi or adas polo, but the most traditional meal prepared for distribution is Keymeh Nazr (also the predominant food for Ashura in Iraq). Haleem is the most traditional Muharram charity dish in Pakistan.

Symbolic Decor

Visual imagery as a sign of devotion highlights a significant difference amongst Sunni and Shia orthopraxy. Frowned by majority Sunnis, Shia visual representation is part and parcel of the faith, especially in proximity to Ashura.

While Shias refrain from depiction of the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), the Battle of Karbala, and imagery surrounding resistance are very common. Dominant colors within this motif include black to symbolize sorrow for Ali’s destiny (also the color most worn when celebrating Ashura), red to display the martyrdom of Hussain, and green in honor of the Prophet’s bloodline.

An Alam, or flag of Hussain upheld by Abbas, with a symbolic hand, is a symbolic adornment that rests atop displays, homes, mosques, and holy sites. Each finger on the hand represents one of five of the most beloved Shia figures: Prophet Mohammad, his daughter Fatima, his lieutenant (and Fatima’s husband) Ali, and their sons, Hassan and Hussein.

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