Ashura 2024: Date, Fasting, What is Ashura
When is ashura 2024, Ashura Date
Ashura in 2024 is expected to be observed on July 16th.
Ashura fasting
Fasting on Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, holds significant importance for Muslims. Here are the key points regarding fasting on this day:
- Historical Significance:
- On Ashura, Muslims remember the day Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Israelites escaped Pharaoh’s tyranny by crossing the Red Sea.
- This day is significant for marking the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, during the Battle of Karbala.
- Fasting Practice:
- Sunnah: Fasting on Ashura is considered a Sunnah, an act recommended by the Prophet Muhammad. It is a voluntary fast and not obligatory.
- Two Days: It is recommended to fast on the 9th (Tasu’a) and the 10th of Muharram, or the 10th and the 11th, to distinguish it from the Jewish observance of Yom Kippur, which also falls on the 10th of Muharram in some years.
- Virtue of Fasting:
- The Prophet Muhammad, according to a Hadith by Ibn Abbas, stated: “I hope that Allah will accept it as atonement for the past year.”
- Community Practices:
- While the fast is widely observed, practices and customs can vary between different Muslim communities and regions.
Fasting on Ashura is a way for Muslims to seek forgiveness, reflect on historical events, and demonstrate solidarity with the suffering of Husayn ibn Ali and his followers.
What is Ashura
Ashura, observed on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, holds deep significance for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. Here’s an overview of its importance and observances:
Historical and Religious Significance
Sunni Muslims:
- Ashura commemorates the day when Allah rescued the Israelites from Pharaoh by parting the Red Sea, as led by Prophet Musa (Moses). According to Islamic tradition, Prophet Muhammad learned about this from Jewish tribes in Medina and recommended fasting on this day as an act of gratitude to Allah.
- Fasting: Observing a fast on Ashura is a Sunnah (tradition) that is highly recommended. Prophet Muhammad fasted on this day and encouraged others to do the same. Fasting on the 9th and 10th, or the 10th and 11th of Muharram, is frequently recommended to set it apart from Jewish customs.
Shia Muslims:
- Martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali: Ashura marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. Husayn’s resistance to the Umayyad caliph Yazid I represents a powerful symbol of the fight against oppression and tyranny.
- Commemoration: For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a day of mourning and remembrance. It involves various rituals including public processions, reenactments of the Battle of Karbala, and recitation of elegies. The grief and sorrow are expressed through matam (chest-beating) and other forms of lamentation.
Observances and Practices
Fasting:
- Sunnis: While fasting on Ashura is not obligatory, it is highly recommended. The Prophet Muhammad said that fasting on this day expiates the sins of the previous year.
- Shias: Some Shia Muslims fast as an expression of grief and solidarity with Husayn’s suffering, though the emphasis is more on mourning practices.
Mourning Rituals:
- Majlis: Gatherings where the story of Husayn’s martyrdom and the events of Karbala are recited.
- Processions: Public demonstrations of mourning, including carrying replicas of Husayn’s tomb and symbolic acts of self-flagellation (tatbir).
- Reenactments: Dramatizations of the Battle of Karbala, known as Ta’zieh or passion plays.
Cultural Variations
Ashura is recognized in diverse manners by various cultures and communities. In countries like Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, and India, it is marked with large public ceremonies and significant community participation. In some regions, the day is also marked by acts of charity and giving to the poor.
Â
Overall Significance
Ashura is a day that encapsulates themes of sacrifice, struggle against oppression, and the remembrance of significant historical events in Islam. It fosters a sense of community and reflection among Muslims worldwide, uniting them in their faith and practices, even as the specific observances may vary.