Ashura: Why Shia Muslims do not fast on the day of Ashura?
Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar. Shia muslims consider Ashura a day of sorrow and grief as the holy prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussain, and all 72 of his companions were martyred on this day in Karbala. Therefor it is recommended not to eat or drink on Ashura till noon to mimic the one with a great sorrow, but fasting on the day of Ashura is disapproved (Makruh) according to religious opinions (Fatwas) of Shia scholars such as Imam Khamenei.
Although Ashura is a day of sorrow for Imam Hussain lovers but it was a celebration for the enemies of the prophet Muhammd’s grandson. They fast on this day and even built some mosques to show their happiness. That’s why Shia Imams recommend us not to fast on the day of Ashura:
Asking Imam Reza (the 8th Imam of Shiite Muslims) about fasting on the day of Ashura; Imam Reza replayed: “Do you ask about fasting of Marjanah’s son? The day of Ashura is a day in which Ziyad family’s wicked members fast for the happiness of Imam Hussain killing…” [1] Read More…
Ashura self-flagellation with knives or chains!!
Self-flagellation is forbidden (Haram) in Islam. Great Shia scholars such as grand Ayatullah Khamenei who is the leader of Islamic Republic of Iran and Ayatullah Sistani, the Shia Leader in Iraq, have prohibited any self-mutilation such as self-flagellation with knives or chains (Tatbir) and even walking on fire. You can see their Fatwas (religious opinions) on tatbir.org
Previously I made several images about this prohibition and now I made some other images which contains the photos of some Shiite scholars who have prohibited such practice.
“Practicing Tatbir (i.e.self-flagellation) is one of the wrongdoings. I know that some people would say: “It was better for him not to mention Tatbir.” They would say: “Why do you Read More…
Shi’ite Muslims Donate Blood on Ashura + Photos
In Islam, saving human life and helping others against affliction are always enjoined. In the holy #Quran God says, “Whosoever saves a human life, saves the life of the whole mankind” [5: 32].
The holy prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussain (pbuh), is the one who gave his life to save the whole mankind. He saved Islam by his blood. He revive Islam, the last version of the religion sent by God to save the humanity.
Thus every year, Shi’ite Muslims across the globe donate blood on the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussain(PBUH) and all 72 of his companions on the day of Ashura.
In Iran, blood collection centers are open till midnight on Ashura day to collect blood from volunteers. According to a paper published in 2011 , more than 37,000 blood unites during Ashura day and the night before it were donated. This was 3.5 times more than average daily rate of blood donation in Iran.
Muslims people from other countries also deliberately participated in this movement on the day of Ashura. In Addition, there are some campaigns across the world for blood donation on Ashura day such as whoishussain.org.
When is Arbaeen 2015?
The day of Arbaeen is the 40th day following Ashura and in the year of 2015, Arbaeen in Iraq will fall on Thursday, the 3rd of December. [Updated according to the news]
The Arbaeen ceremony is the largest peaceful gatherings in the world that is annually occurs 40 days after the martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson, Imam Hussain (PBUH), and his companions on the day of Ashura.
In the last year, I was only a virtual visitor of Arbaeen epic, sitting behind my laptop and insert some photos of Imam Hussain’s pilgrims into my blog and so on, but this year I’m going to be among millions of pilgrims on the way to Karbala despite Read More…
Who is Hussain? An international campaign
Among lots of campaigns and organizations, I found an international campaign which aims to inspire people through an inspirational man called Hussain and bring positive change in the world we live in.
“Who is Hussain” is a campaign started in 2012, and now has over 60 reps across the world that everyone can Read More…
Shia Muslims mark Ashura 2015
Millions of Shia muslims across Iran as well as elsewhere in the world commemorate the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson and third Shia Imam on the day of Ashura.
The yellow head band contained an Arabic sentence means: “We are all your Abbas, O’ Zeinab!”
Ashura 2015 in Iran: Noon prayer in congregation
Noon prayer in congregation by Imam Hussain (PBUH) and his companions on the day of Ashura, in the middle of battle of Karbala has a strong message to all the believers.
Noon prayer in congregation on the day of Ashura in Tehran, Iran
Millions of Shia Muslims mourn for Imam Hussain on the day of Ashura and attend prayer in congregation at noon in the streets or mosques or the holy shrines according to what Imam Hussain did in Karbala.
One of the slogans in Ashura 2015 was “Labbaik O’ Hussain means prayer on time”
Ashura 2015: Millions of Shia Muslims gather in Karbala
Today, the 24th of Oct., was the day of Ashura. Millions of Shia Muslims across the globe gathered in Karbala to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of the holy prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussain (PBUH) and all his companions.
Huge crowds of pilgrims, dressed in black packed inside the Imam Al-Hussain’s holy shrine while most of them were in the streets outside, mourning for Imam Hussain (PBUH).
The day before Ashura 2015: Tasua in pictures
Today is Tasua
The day before Ashura is called Tasua which is the 9th day of Muharram. Shia muslims and other people from different religions, try to commemorate this day more than the first eight days of Muharram as Tasua is attributed to mourn for Imam Hussain’s brother, Hazrat Abbas (PBUH), although he was martyred on the day of Ashura like the other Imam Hussain’s companions.
The holy shrine of Hazrat Abbas (PBUH) in Karbala, the 9th night of Muhharam 2015
As access to water had been closed for three days and nights in Karbala, Hadrat Abbas was the one who Read More…
A heat in the hearts: Quote about Imam Hussain by Prophet Muhammad 3
Imam Hussain is the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson who was martyred on the day of Ashura in Karbala in 680 A.D. All 72 of his companions including his family and even his Read More…
Ashura is the day of grief for Imam Husayn
By my father and my mother, oh Husayn, you deserve to be cried for, by every eye
Oh Husayn of patience, the mountain of consolation, you made all the prophets cry And the earth and the heavens cried with grief and sorrow; and sadness had flown and prevailed the east and the west
By Mustafa Al-Naeb