WHAT ARE THE '10 NIGHTS OF ASHURA'?
21 December 2009 20:41
This article is a written for you to share with your colleagues at work / place of education. Particularly to explain why this period is one of mourning for Shia Muslims, and why we commemorate.
Article written by Nisar Visram
Along with the month of fasting and the pilgrimage period, the first 10 nights of the month of 'Muharram' (the first Islamic month of the Lunar Calendar) are important for Muslims, and in particular the Shi'ite Muslims. The Shi'ite Muslims mourn during these 10 nights. There are approximately 350 million Shi'ite Muslims in the world, out of a total 1.1 billion Muslim population.
The 10 nights are called the nights of 'Ashura' (meaning '10' in arabic), and mark the massacre of Husayn, the Grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Kerbala, Iraq in the year 680AD. He was killed with 18 members of his family and 72 companions, whilst their womenfolk were mistreated and taken as captives.
The Shi'ite Muslims believe Husayn to be one of 12 divinely appointed guardians of the Prophet's tradition. His household was one of purity and piety, and were known to be amongst the foremost in knowledge and uprightness, reflecting the Prophet's Love and mannerisms. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
"Husayn is from me and I am from Husayn. May God love those who love Husayn". *
"I am leaving for you two precious things. The Book of God, wherein there is light and guidance, and the other is my Household. I remind you in the name of God about my Household. I remind you in the name of God about my Household. I remind you in the name of God about my Household.". **
"I ask of you no recompense, except that you love my near relatives"
(Quran 42:23).
Husayn is narrated to have been gentle hearted, living a humble life, feeder of the poor, prayerful and a preacher of goodness.
50 years after the Holy Prophet's death, Caliph Yazid became the ruler of the Islamic Lands. He was known to be of savage character, an immoral ingrate who in 3 years of power committed countless crimes against humanity - including desecrating the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, using rape and murder as tools of battle***. History describes him as an alcoholic, who took pleasure in the observing the suffering of others. As soon as he came to power, he demanded allegiance from Husayn.
Husayn refused, making a stand on grounds of morality. He said the Message of his Grandfather was endangered by such a ruler having a free reign. A stand of a man like himself would awaken people, and revive the original Righteous principals his Grandfather had established.
Husayn was forced into the desert-land of Kerbala, in central Iraq.
Potential support never materialised, and he was left abandoned with his family, 72 supporters and his womenfolk. An army of Yazid, numbering thousands, amassed before them. Water was cut off from them for three days. Husayn had depleted much of his supplies feeding his enemy's troops and horses when they fell ill.
Rather than surrender, Husayn's family chose to defend themselves with the sword. On the 10th day of the month, Husayn saw his teenage son Ali Akber, a physical look-alike of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), slain. His 6 month old son, Ali Asghar, was decapitated in his arms as he asked for water for his child. His young nephews were trampled to death. All the menfolk including Husayn were killed, except one son of Husayn who was bedridden. The bodies were then mutilated and their heads were placed on spears.
The womenfolk were beaten, robbed, and captured. Amongst them were the granddaughters of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). They were then paraded without veils around the major cities, and had to travel to Yazid in Damascus, Syria. Many died during the journey. They were imprisoned in Damascus, and Husayn's 4 year old daughter, Sakina, died in the prison - on the night she was sent the head of her father on a tray, when she had requested food. The Shia commemorate the ordeal of the womenfolk 30 days after Ashura.
Ashura led to countless revolts against the establishment and, many years later, was a key factor which led to the downfall of Yazid's 'Umayyid' Dynasty and the accession of the 'Abbasid Dynasty' to the Islamic throne. Many revolts and revolutions since have taken inspiration from the events of that day.
The Shi'ites say 'Every Day is Ashura, Every Land is Kerbala'. They see it as Good Vs Evil, Right Vs Wrong. During these nights they raise black flags to commemorate the stand of Husayn, and mourn injustice and tyranny. They align themselves with the principals and morals Husayn stood for, and remind themselves of the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the etiquettes of his household.
Ashura Day this year is on 28th December.
Charles Dickens: "“If Hussain fought to quench his worldly desires, then I do not understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam.”
Thomas Carlyle: “The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbala is that Hussain and his companions were the rigid believers of God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood.The victory of Hussain despite his minority marvels me!”
Mahatma Gandhi: “I learned from Hussain how to be wronged to and be a winner.”
* Al-Tirmidhi, II, 306.
** Sahih Muslim, Chapter of the virtues of the companions, section of the virtues of Ali, 1980 Edition Pub. in Saudi Arabia, Arabic version, v4, p1873, Tradition no.36.
*** Ibn Kathir, (ref book: al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah vol.8 pg.1169)
