Ashura (ASHURA DAY) is the tenth day of Muharram month. In Shia culture, this day is the most sorrowful day of the year because Imam Hussein (AS) was martyred. It was a calamity for the family of the holy prophet. Shia people mourn in Muharram, especially in Tasu‘a and Ashura, to review the tragedy of Imam Hussein and his staunch followers. This day is called the Ashura of Hussein. Muharram and Ashura have a special place in the Shia religious culture. They are a foundation of many rituals and ceremonies that have been transferred as a spiritual heritage through generations throughout history. Ashura was the day when Imam Hussein(AS) and his followers were besieged by Kufah soldiers. The first lamentation was held by the holy Zeinab(SA) in the mosque of Kufah. Iranians have had Sineh Zani (hitting on one’s chest by hand) lamentation before Shia. They used it when lamenting for their sages and retained this ritual after Shia.

Sheikh Safi Al-Din Mausoleum

Why did Ashura happen?

Imam Hussain was one of the grandsons of Prophet Muhammad. The day of Ashura is marked by Muslims as a whole, However, for Shia Muslims, it is a major religious commemoration. Special mourning rituals are observed on this day. Ashura is a holiday in some Muslim countries including Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Bahrain while in India government offices, post offices, and banks are closed.

TA’ZIE

Ta’zieh (meaning Condolence Theater) is also practiced in Iran during the month of Muharram. Ta’zieh is a theatrical genre in which the epics about Ashura are conveyed through music and dramatic narration and originally performed outdoors in public places.

NAZRI

In Ashura,  mosques as well as people serve free meals which is called “NAZRI”. Don’t hesitate to ask for NAZRI and try it!