4B-ashura

• Ashura


  An annual occasion when events at Karbala are commemorated by Shia Muslims
• Rituals carried out by some Shia Muslims during Ashura


  • Processions
  • Self-flagellation
  • Ta'ziyah plays
  • Pilgrimage
• Importance of Ashura


  Shi'a Muslim identity is central to this theme
• Meaning behind Ashura


  Marking the struggle to stand up for righteousness against oppression, even against overwhelming opposition
• To what extent Muslims should commemorate Ashura with displays of self-harm is a matter of debate
• Ashura for Sunni Muslims

  A day of optional fasting, marking the time when Moses (Musa) led his people to freedom from Egypt
• Ashura for Shia Muslims

  The main focus is marking the tragic events at Karbala
• Shia believe Muhammad appointed Ali and his family as successors and they had the rightful claim to continue to lead the Caliphate
• Hasan and Husayn, supporters and family were threatened to give up the claim and hopelessly outnumbered by opponent Muawiyah's forces
• Hasan and Husayn did not give up and were instead martyred at Karbala
• Sectarian division between Shia and Sunni Muslims


  They are in many ways very similar, but at Ashura Shia carry out distinctive rituals
• Distinctive Shia rituals at Ashura

  • Symbolic or actual self-flagellation
  • Beating their chests to commemorate and empathise with the suffering of Hasan and Husayn
  • Re-enacting the events in special ta'ziyah plays
  • Visiting Karbala annually and joining street processions, making public display of their grief
• Self-flagellation


  Can be interpreted in different ways: from tapping the chest in a light, symbolic manner, to beating it or even whipping the back with sharp objects
• Devoted Shia Muslims' view on self-flagellation


  The pain is a blessing because they feel the suffering and align with the cause of righteousness of Hasan and Husayn. Any blood shed might bring them reward and the passion they feel makes the pain go away.
• Some criticise self-flagellation because it is regarded as sinful to harm yourself in Islam
• Some argue the all-compassionate God would not want Muslims to suffer
• "I can only regard death as martyrdom and life and these oppressors as a tribulation" - Hasayn
• Ashura is not only to remember Hasan and Hasayn but also the overall persecution of shia muslims across the world