ʿAshuraʾ
Origin of ʿAshuraʾ
Words nearby ʿAshuraʾ
MORE ABOUT ASHURA
What is Ashura?
Ashura is a Muslim holy day during the Islamic calendar month of Muharram. It is an important day for both Sunni and Shiʿite Muslims, who observe it in different ways.
Shi’ite Muslims observe Ashura as the commemoration of the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein Ibn Ali, in 680 c.e., during the Battle of Karbala. Shi’ite Muslims consider Hussein Ibn Ali a martyr and many perform mourning rituals during this time.
Sunni Muslims celebrate Ashura as a commemoration of the day that Noah left the ark and the day that Allah parted the Red Sea for Musa (Moses) and the Israelites as they were fleeing Egypt. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is part of the period of peace and reflection observed during Muharram, and many fast on this day.
The month of Muharram is one of the months of the Islamic calendar that Muslims consider sacred, and it is common for all Muslims to fast at different times of the month and to spend more time at their mosques.
Ashura is sometimes also known as Yawm Ashura.
When is Ashura?
Ashura takes place every year on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, the date on which Ashura is observed varies from year to year.
In 2023, Ashura will begin on the evening of July 27 and end on the evening of July 28. In 2024, Ashura will begin on July 16 and end on July 17.
More information and context on Ashura
The name Ashura comes from an Arabic word meaning “ten.”
Like many other things about the ways Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims practice their faith, the month of Muharram and the day of Ashura are observed differently by each sect. In fact, the emergence of the two different sects is traced in part to the event that Shi’ite Muslims commemorate on Ashura—the killing of Hussein Ibn Ali during fighting between different factions.
What are some terms that often get used in discussing Ashura?
How is Ashura discussed in real life?
Ashura is observed differently by Muslims. For some, it is a time of mourning, while for others it is a time of reflection.
The day of #Ashura is holy for both #Sunni and #Shiite Muslims. Especially now, may God bring our two communities together in peace. Amen.
— Hesham A. Hassaballa (@GodFaithPen) October 4, 2016
Ashura (Arabic: عَاشُورَاء# , , also known as Yawm Ashura , is the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar.
There are certain days in the year which are more virtuous than others. One such day is the 10th of Muharram which is known as the day of #Ashura.
— 🇵🇸 تابش نصیر・ (@iam_Altruist) August 28, 2020
There is no day like Ashura and there is no land like Karbala.
— Ammar Ali 💡🇵🇰 (@Ammarrr_110) July 31, 2021
Try using Ashura!
True or False?
Because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, the date on which Ashura falls changes each year.