In the Muslim tradition, there are days in which joy is mixed with mourning. They give rise to special feelings in the soul of believers. Take, for example, the festival of Ashura. This is a great day for any Muslim. People gather together, hold theatrical events and remember historical events that took place many centuries ago. What is the Ashura holiday connected with, what is its meaning? Let's figure it out.
Muslim holiday Ashura
The Islamic calendar is different from the Gregorian we are used to. It is lunar, that is, the day is counted by the movement of our satellite. Ashura falls on the tenth day of the Muslim holy month of Muharram. In 2016 - October 11th. It begins to be celebrated at sunset of the previous day. Shiites and Sunnis have different attitudes to this day, although both branches of Islam consider it a holiday.
The name of the holiday comes from the number ten - "ashhara" in Arabic. On this day, according toIslam, the heavens and the earth, the angels and the first man were created. Adam is the forefather of all mankind. According to legend, he repented of his sins, and the Almighty blessed him also on the day of Ashura. In addition, the date is associated with many other historical events that are usually remembered during various celebrations. Muslims are sure that on this day the Last Judgment will come, when Allah will evaluate the activities of all people who lived on the planet. Believers try to keep the commandments of the prophet.
Feast of Ashura: the day of commemoration of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad Imam Hussein
In addition to the creation of the world, the date described is associated with more real historical events. In 680, the Battle of Karbala (present-day Iraq) took place. According to legend, the grandson of the Prophet Imam Hussein, his brother Abbas and 70 other companions took part in it. They were tortured in a way "as they did not treat the worst of people." According to sources, the soldiers were not given water, they were burned with fire, chopped with swords, their heads were nailed to crosses, and horses were run over their bodies. The heroes steadfastly withstood all the tests, preferring death to the shame of betrayal. They have proven their unbending faith. Muslims are sure to remember the plight of these people, arranging special events. Shiites observe a strict fast in memory of the martyrdom of the Prophet's grandson on the day of Ashura. They consider it mournful. This rule is obligatory for all Shiite believers. The Sunnis treat the memory of Imam Hussein differently. They fast and mourn at will.
How events work
In towns and villages, people organize Ashura in advance. It is customary to arrange theatrical performances on this day, in which scenes of the Battle of Karbala are played out. There is nothing joyful in such an event. On the contrary, believers look at the production, experiencing the suffering of the characters as if they were their own. It is considered normal to cry during the performance, expressing sadness in this way, emphasizing the mourning of the day.
All comers participate in the production. It is organized by the community, that is, everyone can become an actor for the duration of the celebration. Among the Shiites there are no people wondering what kind of holiday "Day of Ashura" is. Since childhood, everyone has been familiar with the tradition of holding events and the special beliefs of this date (more on them below). The history of Ashura is taught in religious educational institutions. Believers are instilled with respect for the heroism of the Prophet's grandson and his companions.
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In the central square of the village, as a rule, a temporary stage is built. People gather in this place. An indispensable attribute of the event are empty jugs or furs for water. They symbolize the thirst from which the fallen heroes were tormented. People come to the platform in mourning clothes or with pieces of black cloth. This is how mourning is expressed. A mock-up oven is being built nearby, into which, according to legend, the head of Imam Hussein was thrust. The impromptu stage is decorated with knives, daggers and other edged weapons used in those distant times for torture. A variety of chains and fetters are hung alternately. Allthe scenery is designed to make people figuratively represent historical events, empathize with them.
Procession of the Mourners
Events don't end with performances. People, inspired by the viewed scenes of historical events, conduct a procession through the streets of the village. They carry black mourning flags. Everywhere shouts are heard: "Shah Hussein, wah, Hussein!". Many carry chains and bladed weapons with which they hit themselves in the chest. This is also a kind of expression of grief. The procession stretches for many kilometers. People walk in mourning clothes, united by a common sorrow.
Women weep out loud, showing grief. Everyone who lives in the village tries to take part in the procession. To refuse is to commit a sin or a shameful act. Only bedridden patients may not leave their homes on this day. They mourn in their beds, trying to keep the fast too.
By the way, there are some interesting customs associated specifically with sick people. In general, the events last almost a day. And everyone considers it an honor to contribute to their organization and holding.
Traditions of Ashura Day
As already mentioned, women sob out loud during the performance and procession. With them they carry a small vessel - a teardrop. It collects moisture from the eyes. Muslims believe that it has healing properties. If you collect tears on this holiday, you can get rid of all diseases. Prophet Muhammad blesses all who mourn with him. This is what makes tears a miracle cure. They smear the affectedareas, drink and the like. The celebration of the holiday of Ashura begins with a special service. Muslims gather in mosques for common prayer.
Youth and children are then invited to solemn readings - a kind of religious lessons. People are told about the suffering of Imam Hussain and his companions. Such public readings are arranged not only by the clergy. And ordinary believers can, on their own initiative, gather neighbors for a literary and historical event.
Holiday treats
Especially pious citizens do not stop at prayer and solemn procession. They know from childhood that on the day of Ashura in Islam it is customary to do good deeds. People arrange charity dinners. Anyone can come to them. This event is different from a regular dinner party. The organizers will consider it an honor to treat anyone who honors them with their presence.
People are seated at the tables, where they slowly eat what is offered by the hosts. And at this time, books of theological content are read, discussions are being held about the deeds and exploits of the Prophet Muhammad, and the feat of Imam Hussein with the ascetics is also necessarily mentioned. Such a charitable dinner is a deed pleasing to Allah. The organizers rejoice when they manage to receive a lot of random guests. Gentiles are also not driven from the threshold. They are seated at the tables and the essence of the tradition is explained. Islam is a peaceful religion. And on holidays it feels very special.
Visiting the sick
A special place in Islam occupies andother kind of charity. People believe that visiting a bedridden patient on this day is like visiting all the children of Allah. Indeed, those who cannot take part in the events together with the community are doubly deprived, as they still suffer from an illness. Be sure on the day of Ashura people try to sit at the bedside of sick relatives or friends. They bring treats, try to distract from the hardships of the disease, to entertain.
If a sick person asks for a drink, then people believe that Allah has blessed the one to whom the request is addressed. And in general, giving someone water is a special joy. This is like a sign of good luck and joy among Christians. Of course, when the request for water turned out to be accidental, not rigged. Believers believe that by delivering a person from thirst on this day, they gain the forgiveness of all sins.
The tradition of bathing
One more belief is connected with water. Like Christians at Epiphany, Muslims have a tradition of taking a full bath on the day of Ashura. You bathe - you will be protected from diseases and misfortunes. It doesn't look like diving in a frosty hole. Only the day of Ashura falls on a warmer time and swimming in an open source is optional.
On the festive night, believers do not sleep. It is performed in prayers (ibadate). This is a tradition of worship. The one who manages to endure all night and fast in the morning will get rid of the agony of death. Believers try to accustom children to this tradition. The family spends the whole night vigilant. The elders tell the kids the essence of the ritual, read historical narratives. This is one way to transferreligious traditions by gender. In the morning, no one rushes to the table for breakfast, you need to fast. This is the time for ablutions. After they go to the mosque, then you can visit the sick or go to a charity dinner. All day long, believers try to be friendly with others.
Tradition of generosity
Another belief is associated with gifts. It is believed that the one who is generous with people dependent on him on the day of Ashura will receive a blessing from Above. Allah will also grant him the fulfillment of his dream. This belief results in the tradition of giving gifts to relatives. By the way, often women use the custom to ask their spouse for something unusual, which he previously refused. Of course, it is not in the tradition of Muslim wives to become impudent. But some concessions fall to them.
Men, on the other hand, would be honored to show generosity to those who accept it with gratitude. They believe that then during the whole year Allah will help them in their affairs. A very good and pleasant tradition for everyone. Lucky and hired workers. At enterprises and organizations, owners can give out a special bonus for the holiday. It is believed that Allah will reward for this, endow entrepreneurial luck for the whole year.
Public holiday in Iran
This country is Shiite. Therefore, the Ashura holiday in Iran is celebrated nationwide. People gather in mosques. The head of state addresses the people with a mournful speech. Everyone mourns and remembers the heroes who opposed the large army of "villains" in a small detachment. Television stations report from the mourningevents. This event is used by the authorities to unite people and strengthen their spirit.
Iran has been under the sanctions of almost the whole world for more than forty years. Life in this country is quite hard. But the people did not grumble, steadfastly enduring the trials. People are united by the spirit of a common idea. They managed to prove to the outside world that they are able to resist injustice. And the religious tradition played a significant role in the upbringing of this nationwide perseverance.
For Iranians, the day of Ashura is truly a unifying holiday. They feel more than just descendants of the heroes they heard about from infancy. In fact, the people of Iran managed to repeat this feat, and in time their suffering lasted much longer. Maybe because of this sense of belonging to the direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, people celebrate the day of Ashura with a special sense of pride.
