Islam Key Practices: Duties & Festivals (OCR GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Notes

2.5.6 Ashura

Ashura in Islam

Ashura is a significant day in the Islamic calendar observed by both Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, though with differing meanings and practices. The term "Ashura" comes from the Arabic word for "tenth," as it falls on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram.

Sunni Observance of Ashura

• For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is observed primarily as a day of fasting and reflexion.
• It is believed to commemorate the day when the Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh's tyranny by the parting of the Red Sea.
• The Prophet Muhammad encouraged fasting on this day to express gratitude to Allah for this deliverance.
• Although fasting on Ashura is not obligatory, it is considered highly recommended and is seen as a way to seek forgiveness for sins.

Shi'a Observance of Ashura

• For Shi'a Muslims, Ashura holds a much deeper and more solemn significance.
• It marks the martyrdom of Imam Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
• This event is seen as a pivotal moment in Islamic history, symbolising the struggle against tyranny and injustice. Shi'a Muslims commemorate Ashura with mourning rituals, including processions, public recitations of the story of Husayn's martyrdom, and sometimes acts of self-flagellation, which are meant to express grief and solidarity with the suffering of Husayn and his family. The day serves as a powerful reminder of the values of sacrifice, resistance against oppression, and the importance of upholding justice in the face of adversity.

Importance of Ashura Today