ʿAshuraʾ

[ ash-oo-rah ]

noun

1. the tenth of the month of Muharram, an important fast day for Sunni Muslims.
2. (among Shiʿite Muslims) the anniversary of the martyrdom of Hussein.

Ashura

/ ˈæʃʊˌrɑː /

noun

1. Islam a Shiah festival observed on the tenth day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar to commemorate the death of the martyr Imam Hussein bin Ali at the Battle of Karbala in 61 ah (680 ad )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ʿAshuraʾ¹

From the Arabic word ʿĀshūrāʾ

Word History and Origins

Origin of ʿAshuraʾ¹

C21: from Arabic 'Ashūrā

Example Sentences

Although Shias are a minority in Pakistan, the shops along the route were closed that day, a national holiday known as Ashura.

From The Daily Beast

Ashura is also a reminder that the eternal value of justice must be defended regardless of the odds of success.

From The Daily Beast

This year, Ashura, the culmination of the mourning ceremonies, will fall on December 27.

From The Daily Beast

The Revolutionary Guard and the basij are determined to make sure that Muharram and Ashura will not provide that opportunity.

From The Daily Beast

He was killed on the tenth of Muharram (Ashura) in the year 680 on the plain of Karbala, in what is now Iraq.

From The Daily Beast

They strictly observed the dietary laws, and solemnized the festivals, and the fast of Yom-Kippur, which they called Ashura.

From Project Gutenberg

It is greater than the day of Ramadan and the day of el-Adha and the day of Ashura.

From Project Gutenberg

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?

• Muharram
• Islamic calendar
• Sunni
• Shiʿite
• fast
• commemorate
• mourning
• martyr
• celebrate
• Noah
• Ark
• Moses

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.