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 and disseminating sadness and tears among people?!
Each year, on the tenth of Muharram, the first month in lunar calendar, Millions of people, dressed in black, take to the streets and mosques to mourn the martyrdom anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussain (PBUH), on a day known as Ashura.
The supreme leader of the Islamic republic of Iran made a speech about Ashura in 2008:
“Why are you disseminating sadness, crying and tears among people?” They complain. This is not sadness and tears for the sake of sadness and tears. Read More…
Nazri food
During Muharram especially on Tasua and Ashura, Free food was offered to people who participate in the mourning ceremonies at public palces like mosques or even in the streets. This free Food is called Nazri /nazri:/ which is cooked by some people for the sake of God and for the love of Imam hussain (PBUH).
In Muharram, Nazri is also offered to you at your homes by your neighbors who cook and distribute Nazri among their neighbors home by home.
Ashura 2014 in Iran
Today is Ashura, the day when the prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam hussain and 72 of his loyal companions were violently martyred in Karbala and all of his family were taken as prisoners only because they did not want to say yes to Yazid ibn Mu’awiyah.
Yazid had forced Imam Hussein to pledge allegiance to his tyrannical government otherwise he killed Imam hussein (PBUH) .
There was no way for Imam Hussein (PBUH) but Imam Hussein preferred to be killed instead of accepting tyranny and injustice as he said it openly in front of Yazid’s Army: “death with honor and nobility is better than life with baseness and contempt.“[1]
Along with the grandson of the prophet Muhammad, 72 of his companions also decided to stand with him up to end. They all scarified their lives to save Islam from utter distortion and destruction .
Every year millions of Muslims hold mourning ceremonies to mark Ashura, the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and here are some photos of this year on Ashura:
The symbolic event of burning tents in one of the mourning ceremonies held today in the capital city of Iran to mark the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) .
Text shown in the above image: “Down with Yazid of time”
As November 4, also known as “Student Day” in Iran, marks the day of fight against global arrogance, Iranians have held massive rallies across the country to mark this day along with Ashura.
The mourning ceremony held in the Holy shrine of Hadhrat-e Masumeh, Imam reza’s sister, in Qom, Iran.
Mourning people took part in the noon prayer in congregation held in the Holy shrine of Hadhrat-e Masumeh in Qom, Iran.
[1]-” الموت اولی من رکوب العار “
Tasua 2014
Today was Tasua, the 9th of Muharram and Ashura is coming on tomorrow.
As Tasua and Ashura in Iran are vacations, people can freely take part in the commemorating processions held in mosques, the holy shrines or in the streets to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s grandson, Imam Hussein (PBUH), and his companions.
Some people also hold mourning ceremonies at their homes and invite their neighbors and friends.
Here are some photos were taken today in Kish island and Ardabil in Iran:
Ashura in Tehran
The day of Ashura falls on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calender.
Every year, in the day of Ashura, plenty of people dressed in black, take to street to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein and his companions.
Here is some photos of Iranian shiite Muslims mourning in the day of Ashura in the center of Tehran, Iran.
Mourning in the day of Ashura in the “Great market of Tehran”, a traditional Market in Tehran, Iran.
A video from Ashura
The month of Muharram and the day of Ashura is coming in less than a week.
I found a video clip trying to show what happened to Imam hussain and his family in the day of Ashura in Karbala. In this clip, you will see some scenes of an Iranian serial titled “Mokhtar Nameh”.