Ashura

• Ashura


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


  1. Processions

  2. Self-flagellation

  3. Ta'ziyah plays

  4. Pilgrimage
• Importance of Ashura for Shi'a Muslim identity

  • It is central to this theme
  • It marks the struggle to stand up for righteousness against oppression, even against overwhelming opposition
• The extent to which 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 Shi'a Muslims


  The main focus is marking the tragic events at Karbala
• Shi'a 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, but they did not give up and were instead martyred at Karbala
• This gave rise to the sectarian division between Shi'a and Sunni Muslims who are in many ways very similar
• Distinctive rituals carried out by Shi'a Muslims during Ashura


  1. Symbolic or actual self-flagellation

  2. Beating their chests to commemorate and empathise with the suffering of Hasan and Husayn

  3. Re-enacting the events in special ta'ziyah plays

  4. Visiting Karbala annually and joining street processions, making public display of their grief
• Self-flagellation during Ashura


  Can range from tapping the chest in a light, symbolic manner, to beating it or even whipping the back with sharp objects
• Devoted Shi'a Muslims say the pain is a blessing because they feel the suffering and align with the cause of righteousness of Hasan and Husayn, and any blood shed might bring them reward and the passion they feel makes the pain go away
• Some criticise self-flagellation during Ashura because it is regarded as sinful to harm yourself in Islam, and some argue the all-compassionate God would not want Muslims to suffer