The Day Of Ashura: History, Observances & Ashura Dua

Muharram is the second most crucial month in Islam after Ramadan. According to the Islamic lunar calendar, Muharram marks the beginning of a new year. It is one of the four holy months in Islam, when fighting is not allowed. Muharram is the month that witnesses the mournful day of Ashura, which is the 10th day of Muharram. Ashura is derived from a Hebrew word, ‘asor’ that means the tenth. People on this day remember the events that happened at the Battle of Karbala.

History of Ashura

As per the Hijri Calendar, on the 10th of Muharram in 61 AH, a battle occurred between a small army of Imam Hussain and a massive army of Yazid I. The grounds for the battle were laid down when Yazid, the son of Muawiya I, became caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate. He commanded Imam Hussain and his prominent followers to pledge their allegiance to his rule. As Yazid was not on the path of Allah, Imam Hussain refused to pledge his allegiance to the caliph. Consequently, Yazid conspired to kill Imam Hussain, his family, and his followers. After learning the truth, Imam Hussain started his journey to take refuge in Makkah. But when the Imam’s army was on its way, they encountered Yazid’s army at Karbala. It is where Imam Hussain and his family were martyred to keep the faith of people in Islam alive.

Muslims worldwide pray on the 10th Ashura and observe the day with immense faith to remember the sacrifice of Imam Hussain and his family. The day is also essential as Allah saved Prophet Musa from the Pharaoh of Egypt. Allah allowed Prophet Musa and his people to cross the Red Sea by making a way through the sea.

The Day of Ashura Observances

On the 10th day of Muharram, Muslims around the world mourn the death of Imam Hussain. They beat themselves with chains & whips and cut themselves with sharp objects like swords and blades. They perform these acts to feel the pain felt by Imam Hussain and his companions at the Battle of Karbala. People also make pilgrimages to Imam Hussain’s tomb in Karbala on the day of Ashura. The day is used for self-reflection and remembrance.

Muslims wear black clothes and mourning attire and do not participate in celebrations, parties, or weddings. They grieve the death of Imam Hussain by listening to the sermons on how he and his family were martyred. This helps people to connect to the suffering and sacrifices of Imam Hussain in order to keep faith in Islam alive.

What is Dua e Ashura?

On the day of Ashura, Muslims recite Ziyarat Ashura, Dua Ashura and Dua Alqama. Ziyarat Ashura is a salutary prayer in Islam offered to Allah. People recite Ziyarat Ashura before visiting the tomb of Imam Hussain. Muhammad al-Baqir suggested Muslims to offer the prayer on the 10th of Muharram while facing Karbala. Further, they should also recite Surah Ikhlas numerous times. After Isha Namaz, it is a Sunnah to say Kalima Tauheed on the first ten nights of Muharram. On the night before Ashura, one must perform various Nafil salats. Whereas on the day of Ashura, people should read 4 Rakat Nafil Namaz, 6 Rakat namaz with 3 salams, and 4 Rakat Nafil Namaz before Zuhr Namaz.

A Hadith says that "Anyone who prays four units of nafal, in which he recites Ayatul Kursi once and Surah Ikhlas three times after Surah Fatiha, in each unit, and after this, he supplicates, then whatever he asks of Allah, it shall be granted to him."

As per Hazrat Imam Zainul Abidin (Radi Allah Anhu), "Whoever recites this dua (Dua-e- Ashurah) on the tenth of Muharram, any time after sunrise and before sunset, or listens to its recitation from someone else, Allah Ta’ala will certainly make it an insurance for a years’ life for him, by keeping death away from him. However, if one is to become the victim of death in that year, they will by some strange coincidence not remember to recite it."

The 10th of Muharram is observed differently around the world; the intention remains the same, that is, to mourn the death of Imam Ali with immense faith.

I am Salman Ali and I am a Islamic Pilgrimage guide by profession and i personally do guide those people who are having problem in making plan of Umrah and hajj. I am affiliated with Zamzam.com