Ashura

Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The term derives from the Arabic word for “tenth.” The date shifts in the Gregorian calendar each year and can fall in September, October, or November.

In Sunni Islam, Ashura is observed as a day of fasting and reflection. Traditional reports state that the Prophet Muhammad fasted on this day and recommended fasting on the 9th or 10th of Muharram to commemorate events such as the rescue of Moses and the Israelites from Pharaoh. Fasting is voluntary, and customs vary by community.

In Shia Islam, Ashura has a profoundly different and specific significance: it marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad, and his companions at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. Observances focus on mourning and remembrance, including public sermons, lamentations, and majlis gatherings recounting the Karbala narrative. Some communities also observe additional rituals on the 9th (Tasu’a) and 10th (Ashura) of Muharram. In modern times, notably in many places, self-flagellation is discouraged by leaders and discouraged or prohibited by authorities.

Across the Muslim world, Ashura is observed with varying practices and emphases. For Sunnis, it is primarily a day of personal devotion and gratitude for deliverance from oppression; for Shias, it is a solemn anniversary of martyrdom and a call to fidelity to the Prophet’s family.