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Holy Ashoura

Syed Ashraf Ali
ASHOURA, on the tenth of Muharram, occupies a unique and distinctive place not only in Islamic history but also in the annals of mankind. Very few of us are aware of the fact that Ashoura is sacred and important not merely for the Muslims, but the Jews and the Christians also consider it to be an auspicious occasion. It is the only occasion which is regularly celebrated with due solemnity and sobriety by two religious communities, the Muslims and the Jews.
As regards the Christians, Thomas Patrick Hughes testifies in his world-renowned Dictionary of Islam that this particular day was also revered and celebrated with due solemnity by the Christians when the holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made his hijrah to Madinah. What is more, it was on this auspicious day 1374 lunar years ago that Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the illustrious grandson of the holy Prophet (pbuh), shuffled off the mortal coil and reached the shore from which no traveller returns. There are other significant events that signify the importance of Ashoura day. For instance: in Levi, xvi, 29, this sacred day has been hailed as the Great Day of Atonement. Ashoura indeed enjoyed a very high and respectable position in the eyes of other religions long before the advent of Islam.
Firstly, It was on an Ashoura day that the Prophet Noah (pbuh) and his companions alighted from the Ark after the Great Deluge. Secondly, It was also on this sacred day that the Prophet Moses (pbuh) and his followers crossed the Nile on foot whereas the Pharaoh and his army all perished under the raging waves of the same. Although the first "Tenth of Muharram Procession" with "solemn wailings and lamentations" was brought out in Mesopotamia in 962 A.D., some of the Islamic rites being performed on Ashoura were practised by the Arabs long before the revelation of the Holy Quran. According to the Hadith, many of these were introduced by the Prophet Abraham (pbuh) himself.
Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the God's Messenger (pbuh) came to Madinah and found the Jews there observing the fast on Ashoura, so he asked them what was the reason behind their fasting. The Jews replied: "It is a great day on which God delivered Moses (pbuh) and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people; so Moses observed it as a fast out of gratitude, and we also do so." The holy Prophet (pbuh) said: "We have more rights, and we have a closer connection with Moses (pbuh) than you have." God's Messenger (pbuh) not only observed it as a fast himself but also gave orders that it should be observed. (Bukhari and Muslim).
The success of Prophet Musa (pbuh) against the tyranny and evil designs of Pharaoh was indeed a glorious example of the ultimate triumph of truth over falsehood. The above Hadith testifies eloquently to the fact that the holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who had every respect and confidence in all the prophets who were sent before him, himself considered Ashoura to be an auspicious day of divine excellence.
Fasting on Ashoura is beneficial for the believers. According to the Mishkat, the fasting in the month of Muharram comes next only to the Sawm in Rarnadhan in order of beneficence. Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that Muhammad (pbuh) himself ordained: "You should fast on the 9th and 10th day of Muharram to differentiate between the practice of the Muslims and that of the Jews."
The Great Martyrdom at Karbala in Hegira 61 inspired by the highest love - love for Allah -indeed showed superhuman courage and endurance, enabling Hussain (RA) to overcome so easily the well-nigh insuperable forces of contemporary evil and untruth. It is accepting death fearlessly in the cause of truth and justice that confers immortality on man, the immortality which the great son of Hazrat Ali (RA) won on the banks of the Euphrates.
Not through lamenting or injuring but let's observe the day with accord to its divine teachings. Let's fast, pray to the God almighty for our common good and strengthen our belief.
The writer is former Director General, Islamic Foundation Bangladesh.