Ashura
For Shi'aMuslims, or Shi’ites, who believe in the Imamah, leadership of Ali and his descendants after the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims, AshuraThe anniversary of the death of Husayn (Hussein), one of the Prophet Muhammad’s two grandsons. He is held in high importance in Shi'a Islam. is a solemn commemoration of the martyrSomeone who suffers death and persecution for their beliefs. of Husayn, AliThe cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, who succeeded him as fourth caliph, though Shia Muslims believe he should have been the Prophet’s immediate successor. son and a grandson of the Prophet MuhammadThe last messenger of Allah, and founder of Islam, called ‘Seal of the prophets’ in the Qur’an.. It falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
For Shi’a Muslims all over the world, this is a special but extremely sad day on which they focus solely on commemorating the death of Husayn in battle. For Shi’a Muslims, the day is one of reflection on the massacredKilling a large number of people in a violent manner. that killed Imam al-Husayn and his companions at Karbala. Shi’a Muslims will try to focus on their actions being in the spirit of justice and on their dedication to the path of Allah by remembering what happened to Husayn through re-enactments and reciting eulogies to remember his life.
The ten days before the festival are a period of mourningThe expression of grief at a person's death.. On Ashura itself, fasting is discouraged. Many Shi’a Muslims wear black and there are often parades through the streets.
Question
What tragic event is commemorated by Shi’a Muslims on Ashura?
The killing of Husayn, Ali’s son, in battle.
