Ashura: History & Philosophy

SHAFAQNA- Ashura is the name of the tenth day of the Month of Muharram in the Hijri lunar calendar and its fame is due to an event that happened on the same day for Hussain ibn Ali (AS), the grandson of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH). On the tenth day of Muharram in the year 61 AH (October 10, 680), Imam Hussain (AS) was martyred along with a group of his family and companions in Karbala in the war against the Yazid’s army under the command of Umar ibn Sa’d.

Every year, Shia Muslims mourn for ten days with the beginning of Muharram. Mourning ceremonies in most areas continue until the 11th and 12th of Muharram and in some areas until the end of the month of Safar. The culmination of these mourning ceremonies is on the Day of Ashura. Ashura mourning is not limited to Shias and groups of followers of other religions in different parts of the world mourn for Imam Hussain (A.S). Here is a collection of texts & multimedia about Ashura produced and gathered by Shafaqna over time:

Articles

1. Moral Aspects of Imam Hussain’s (AS) Life

2. Book: “Spiritual Dimensions of Mourning for Imam Hussain (AS)”

3. Imam Hussain (AS) and Karbala: A role model for humanity (Part 1)

4. Hussain And Karbala: Political Unrest (Part 2)

5. Hussain (AS) and Karbala: The journey to Karbala begins (Part 3)

6. Book: “Lectures on Ashura” by Murtadha Mutahhari [pdf file]

7. Hussain ibn Ali (AS) and his conscious uprising

8. The life of Imam Hussain (A.S)

9. A preliminary look at the Rule of Truth (2)

10. Shia under Umayyad and Abbasid Rulers: Hussain ibn Ali’s (A.S) letter to Muawiyah

11. The main element in Hussaini Caravan (2)

12. The main element in Hussaini Caravan (1)

13. The Value of Karbala Uprising and the Movement of Imam Hussain (A.S)

14. Imam Hussain’s (A.S) description of Islamic society during Umayyad rule

15. Four unchangeable aspects of Imam Hussain’s (A.S) uprising

16. Community that will cry over Imam Hussain (AS)

17. Discourse with the Pilgrim of Imam Hussain (AS)

18. How Does Ashura Affect Me?

19. Impact of Ashura on Muslims vigilance

20. Prostration on the Soil of Karbala (The Land of Imam Hussain’s (AS) Martyrdom)

21. Shia answers: Why did Imam Hussain (A.S) rise against Yazid?

22. Why martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S) became immortal?

23. Imam Hussain (A.S) tried his best to avoid direct conflict

24. And this was how the battle of Karbala started …

25. Why Imam Hussain (A.S) rejected to take the oath of allegiance to Yazid?

26. Event of Ashura & the Quranic Principles

27. Imam Hussain’s (A.S) sacrifice caused political & social isolation of Umayyads within Islamic world

28. The life of Imam Hussain (AS)

29. Imam Hussain (A.S) | Biography, Characteristics & Teachings

30. Shia Paradigm of Islam: Imam Hussain (A.S) And Tragedy of Karbala- Part 5

31. Imam Hussain (A.S) guided people towards a moderate society

32. Hazrat Abbas (A.S); the epitome of virtue and high moral standards

33. Brilliant and lofty character of Imam Hussain (A.S)

34. Imam Hassan (A.S) paved the way for Imam Hussain’s (A.S) glorious stand

35. Why people mourn for Imam Hussain’s (A.S) martyrdom?

36. Imam Hussain (A.S); a role model for world’s freedom and justice seekers

37. Did Imam Hussain (A.S) rise up only for opposing a corrupt ruler like Yazid?

38. Why did Imam Hussain (A.S) bring his family to Karbala?

39. Shia answers: Why did Imam Hassan (A.S) sign peace treaty with Muawiyah?

40. Book: “Lectures on Ashura” by Murtadha Mutahhari [pdf file]

41. Women’s Sacrifices In Ashura Uprising

42. How Does Ashura Affect Me?

43. Impact of Ashura on Muslims vigilance

44. What is the connection between Ashura uprising and the spirit of Islamic resistance?

45. Why Ashura Is A Special Day?

46. How did the loyal companions of Imam Hussain (AS) behave on the Day of Ashura?

47. What happened on the night before the Day of Ashura?

48. Event of Ashura & the Quranic Principles

49. Shafaqna Dictionary of Shia Islam In Media: Ashura

50. Shia answers: What effects did the event of Ashura have on the fate of the Shia School?

51. And this was how the battle of Karbala started …

52. Hussain (AS), the Universalist: Truth About Imam Hussain’s (A.S) Uprising (Part 1)

53. Truth About Imam Hussain’s (A.S) Uprising (Part 2)

54. Truth About Imam Hussain’s (A.S) Uprising (Part 3)

55. Truth About Imam Hussain’s (A.S) Uprising (Part 4)

56. What is the origin of Ashura?

57. Shia Paradigm of Islam: Imam Hussain (A.S) And Tragedy of Karbala- Part 5

58. Revolutionary purpose of Imam Hussain (A.S) uprising

59. Why is Ashura uprising different from all world’s uprisings?

60. Why Imam Hussain (A.S) rejected to take the oath of allegiance to Yazid?

61. Did Imam Hussain (A.S) rise up only for opposing a corrupt ruler like Yazid?

62. Four unchangeable aspects of Imam Hussain’s (A.S) uprising

63. Imam Hussain’s (A.S) description of Islamic society during Umayyad rule

64. The Events from the 3rd to the 8th of Muharram

65. Lessons we learn from Imam Hussain’s (A.S) movement

66. The Events of the Night of ‘Ashura’

67. Imam Hussain’s Speech on the Day of Ashura

68. Imam Hussain (A.S) tried his best to avoid direct conflict

69. Why people mourn for Imam Hussain’s (A.S) martyrdom?

70. Words of holy head of Imam Hussain (A.S)

71. Important Events After Ashura

72. Imam Hussain’s (A.S) sacrifice caused political & social isolation of Umayyads within Islamic world

73. 14 Lessons from Karbala By Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Safi Golpaygani

74. The Philosophy of the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S.)

75. Why martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S) became immortal?

76. Brilliant and lofty character of Imam Hussain (A.S)

77. Yazid ibn Muawiyah’s Clan

78. Events after the Death of Rasool Allah (SAW) till Karbala

79. Ashura, a Critical Juncture in the Life of Mankind

80. Impact of Ashura on Muslims vigilance

81. Loyalty and Repudiation on the Day of Ashura

82. The Role of the Women of Ashura

83. Hesitating on the Issue of Ashura

84. On the issue of Tatbir – a scholarly consensus of rejection

85. Prostration on the Soil of Karbala (The Land of Imam Hussain’s (AS) Martyrdom)

Imam Hussain’s (A.S) family

1. Study explains “Sermons of Hazrat Zainab (SA) in Karbala and their effects”

2. Umm-ul-Banin (S.A), the lady who conveyed message of Ashura martyrs

3. Hazrat Abbas (A.S) advocated the truth as lost his life in the epic of Karbala

4. Hazrat Abbas’s (A.S) nobility arose from loyalty to Truth in difficult times

5. The Story of Ali Akbar (A.S)

6. Ali Akbar (A.S)

7. Abdullah son of Al-Hassan (A.S)

8. “I saw nothing but beauty!” the word of Lady Zaynab (peace be upon her) to Ibn Ziyad

9. Speech of Lady Zaynab (S.A) made Yazid angry

10. Lady Zainab (S.A) propounded Justice 1400 years ago

11. Role of Hijab in Ashura

12. Imam Baqir (AS) witnessed tragedy of Karbala at the age of four

Imam Hussain’s (A.S) Companions

1. Women’s Sacrifices In Ashura Uprising

2. Imam Hussain’s (A.S) companions: A small group who all won the spiritual, inner fight

3. Habib ibn Mazahir: Leader of the left wing of Imam Hussain’s (A.S) army

4. Habib Ibn Mudhahir al-Asadi: One of the heroes of at-Taf

5. Wahab & Haniyyah: Young couple martyred in the battle of Kabala

6. Jawn bin Huwai: The African martyr of Karbala

7. Zuhair & Saeed; Karbala martyrs who gave their lives for Salat

8. Zuhair’s tryst with Imam Hussain (A.S)

9. Al-Hurr, the free man of the battle of Karbala

10. Abdul-Rahman Ibn Abd Rabbah Al-Ansari Al-Khazraji: the companion of Imam Hussain (AS)

11. Anas bin Kahil al-Asdi: the companion of Imam Hussain (P)

12. Repentance of two brothers at the last hours of Ashura

13. Hussain ibn Ali (AS) and his conscious uprising

Arbaeen

1. Arbaeen Walk a symbol of peace & humanity
2. Arbaeen walking has a large potential for public diplomacy

3. Arbaeen Walk as a Shia media outlet

4. Arbaeen; the Campaign Against Oppression

5. Arbaeen Walk: Model of an equal & healthy society

6. Arbaeen Walk: a tradition or an innovation?

7. Arbaeen’s Culture & Tradition

Karbala

1. Places of pilgrimage in Karbala: Al-Hanana Mosque

2. Places of pilgrimage in Karbala: Tomb of the martyrs

3. Places of pilgrimage in Karbala: Porch of Ibrahim Mujab

4. The Spirit of Karbala Lives On (Part 6)

5. After the Battle of Karbala (Part 5)

6. The massacre at Karbala (Part 4)

7. Hussain (AS) and Karbala: The journey to Karbala begins (Part 3)

8. Hussain And Karbala: Political Unrest (Part 2)

9. Imam Hussain (AS) and Karbala: A role model for humanity (Part 1)

10. Demystifying Women of Karbala

Interviews

1. Shafaqna interview: Why Muslims keep alive the name of Imam Hussain (AS) in Muharram?

2. Professor Ansarian: The World will be influenced by nature and mission of Imam Hussain (A.S) and his pilgrims

3. Democracy known only from Shia revolution and uprising of Imam Hussain (A.S) and Imam Ali (A.S)/Interview with Lebanese Christian thinker

4. The Mother of Jesus (A.S) and Mother of al-Hussain (A.S) in views of a Christian scholar

5. Imam Hussain (A.S) martyred in defense of Prophet’s (PBUH) religion/today ‘Unity’ is equivalent of Good and ‘Division’ is equivalent to Evil: Interview with Sunni Scholar of Afghanistan

6. “Arbaeen procession is the cry of justice against all kinds of oppression”/ Interview with Mrs. Masuma Assad of Argentina Shia Community

7. Christian journalist’s narrative of his fascination with Imam Hussain (A.S) in interview with Shafaqna+Photos

8. “The companions of Imam Hussain (A.S) were completely indulged in the love of their master”/ Interview with Mr. Zahir of UK Shia community

9. “Ashura is the peak of civilization and modernity in the real sense”/ Interview with Leila Husayn of Algeria Shia community

10. “Teachings of Imam Hussain (A.S) are timeless and transcend religions and cultures”/ Interview with Mikail Alvarez Ruis, head of Shia community of Spain

11. “My work is to bring real knowledge of Ashura to academic and interreligious environment” /Interview with Dr. Amílcar Aldana Cruz Shia professor of Cuba

12. “Since I’ve known Ashura, I do have patience to endure the biggest of difficulties”/ Interview with Ms. Kolsum from Kenya Shia community

13. “We spend 10 days of mourning for Ashura in a group of 5 to 8 people”/ Interview with Mr. Smith of Haiti Shia community

14. “Imam Hussain (A.S) is compared to Tupak Katari within the Andean worldview of South America”/ Interview with Fatima Dueñas

15. Arbaeen pilgrimage in view of a Christian woman: when you walk, many facts about Imam Hussein (P) discover for you

16. British photojournalist reflection on Arbaeen walk+Video

Videos

1. Lecture: The Path of Imam Hussain (AS) [Video]

2. Lectures: Karbala Decoded [Videos]

3. Video series: Hussain (AS) to me

4. Video: BBC’s Film Director talks about his experience in Karbala

5. Video: Hurr (Epics of Karbala)

6. Video: “A’ antal-Hussain”

7. Video: “Shukran Abba Abdullah” By Qahtan Al-Budairi

8. Video: “My Way Is Imam Hussain’s (AS) Way”

9. Video: Wasilat Al-Najaat

10. Video: Sunni Sheikh talks about tragedy of Ashura

11. Lectures: Mental health lessons from the Event of Karbala [videos]

12. Video: Sunni Sheikh talks about tragedy of Ashura

13. Video: Importance of taking part in mourning gathering

14. Video: The fire for progress

15. Video: Obedience or disgrace

16. Video: Hussain (AS) is from me

17. Video: I am from Hussain (AS)

18. Video: Absolute obedience to the Imam (AS)

19. Video: Imam Hussain (A.S) & Salvation

20. Video: Imam Hussain (A.S), Salvation & Mercy

21. Video: Movement of Imam Hussain (A.S) & Awareness of Time

22. Video: Imam Sajjad (A.S)

23. Video: Goal of Mourning for Imam Hussain (A.S)

24. Video: What is Ashura?

25. Video: Why did Imam Hussain (A.S) take his family to Karbala?

26. Video: Is mourning Imam Hussain (A.S) recomended?

27. Video: Who buried Imam Hussain (A.S)?

28. Video: Why mourn an event that took place 1400 years ago?

29. Video: Can we light candles in rememberance of Imam Hussain (A.S)?

30. Video: Who killed Imam Hussain (A.S)?

31. Video: Did Imam Sajjad (A.S) fight at Karbala?

32. Video: How many children were killed on Ashura?

33. Video: What do we know about Zuljanah?

34. Video: What does the Flag mean in Muharram?

35. Video: How many left the army of Yazid to join the army of Imam Hussain (A.S)?

36. Video: How many from the army of Imam Hussain (A.S) survived the battle?

37. Video: Ashura And the Holy Quran

38. Video: Why do we begin mourning for Imam Hussain (A.S) from 1st of Muharram?

39. [Video] Scottish non-Muslim discovering “Who was Imam Hussain (AS)”

40. Video: Writing of Hussain (AS) on the Church Wall

41. Video: Imam Hussain (AS) And the Angel Gabriel (AS)

42. Video: Dreams of Karbala

43. Video: Villains of Karbala

44. Video: The Dream of Muawiyah’s Mother

45. Book: “Hussain And the Struggle For Justice” By Chris Hewer [Video]

46. Video: Catholic Priest who writes about Karbala

47. Forty historical photos of Karbala and Najaf by orientalists [Video]

48. Beyond Our Eyes; The story of Karbala [Video]

49. Lectures: Karbala Decoded [Videos]

50. Video: Sikh Barrister on learning from Imam Hussain (AS)

Ashura Graph

1.Hadith Graph: “The most generous person is the one who offers help to those who do not expect him to…

2.Hadith Graph: “Whoever seeks the satisfaction of people through disobedience of God…”

3. Hadith Graph: “There exists in the hearts of the Mu’mineen, with respect to the martyrdom of Hussain (A.S) …”

4.Shia Graph: If you neither believe in religion nor fear the hereafter, then at least be free from tyranny and arrogance

5.Shia Graph: Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain

6.Shia Graph: Peace be upon Imam Al-Hussain (AS)

7.Shia Graph: Surely, Hussain (A.S) is the light of the guidance and the ship of the salvation

8.Shia Graph: If you neither believe in religion nor fear the hereafter, then at least be free from tyranny and arrogance

9.Shia Graph: Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain

10. Hadith Graph: “There is none who recites poetry about Hussain (AS) …”

11. Hadith Graph: “…tears for the killing of Hussain Ibn Ali (AS) …”

12.Hadith Graph: “Every eye shall be weeping on the Day of Judgment except …”

13.Hadith Graph: Hadith from the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) about the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS)