The Day of Ashura, Yaum-e-Ashura: Historical Events Related to Holy Prophets of Islam, Christian and Judaism, the Battle of Karbala and Martyrdom of Imam Husayn
By
Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam
19 August
2021
The
Tenth Day of Muharram – A Day Marking Historical Events Related to Islam,
Christianity and Judaism
Main
Points
·
Allah Almighty bestowed salvation on several Prophets [peace be upon
them all] on the Day of Ashura
·
The Battle of Karbala Took Place on the Day of Ashura
·
Imam Husayn was the symbol of Truth and Patience
·
Yazid was the symbol of Falsehood and Tyranny
·
Truth Defeated Falsehood after sacrifices of Imam Husayn
·
The World Will End on the Day of Ashura
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The tenth
day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic Hijri calendar is known as
Yaum-e-Ashura or the Day of Ashura. For Muslims, this day commemorates many
historical events related to Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Allah Almighty
bestowed salvation on several Prophets [peace be upon them all] on this day.
This day also marks the Battle of Karbala, in which Imam Husayn Ibn Ali, the
Prophet Muhammad's grandson [peace be upon him], was martyred together with his
relatives, children, and allies.
On the Day
of Ashura, Allah accepted the repentance of the Prophet Adam and the people of
Prophet Yusuf. Prophet Nuh’s arc landed on the mount ‘Judi’ on this day.
Tabarani narrates that the Prophet Ibrahim [Abraham] was born on that day.
Prophet Yunus [Jonah] was released from the stomach of the fish on the Day of
Ashura. Prophet Isa [Jesus] was born and ascended to heaven on this day.
Prophet Yaqub [Jacob] whose eyes were blinded due to sorrow and crying for his
son and Prophet Joseph’s missing years ago regained clear sight on this day.
Prophet Musa [Moses] and his nation were also protected from the tyranny of
Pharaoh on this day. Prophet Ayyub [Job] who was afflicted by suffering for a
lengthy period of time recovered from his illness on the same day. Prophet
Dawud [David]’s repentance was accepted on this day. Prophet Sulaiman [Solomon]
was rewarded with a kingdom on the 10th of Muharram. [Peace and blessings of
Allah be upon all the Prophets and Messengers].
It is
reported that on the Day of Ashura, Allah Almighty created the seven heavens,
seas, mountains, the preserved tablet [Lauh-e-Mahfuz], the stars, the
angels. The first rain is also reported to have fallen from the sky on this
day. It is also reported that the end of the world [Qeyamat] will also
occur on the tenth day of Ashura.
Among the
historical events taking place on the day of Ashura is the battle of Karbala.
There have been many sacrifices in the history of Islam and each has its own
importance and value. But the incident of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn [may Allah
be pleased with him] is different from all other martyrdoms in many respects.
One of the reasons for this uniqueness is that Imam Husayn was the beacon of
the Prophet Muhammad’s family (peace be upon him) – the beacon who was brought
up directly in the lap of the beloved Prophet and who in his childhood rode on
the blessed shoulders of the Prophet and who had the privilege of being the
descendent the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
The Prophet
Muhammad [peace be upon him] had great affection for Imam Hasan and Imam
Husayn. He [peace be upon him] is reported to have said, “They are the chief of
the youth of Paradise.” (Sunan Tirmidhi)... “He who loved Hasan and Husain
loved me, and he who hated them hated me. (Musnad Ahmad bin Hambal)”... “Husayn
is from me and I am from Husayn.” (Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hambal)....... “I am at war
with those who will fight you [O Husayn], and at peace with those who make
peace with you.” (Sunan Tirmidhi) that “Every mother's children are associated
with their father except for the children of Fatima for I am their father and
lineage.” Therefore, the sacrifice of Imam Husain has a significant advantage
over other sacrifices.
What
happened in Karbala? There occurred a battle in Karbala as a result of Imam
Husayn’s refusal of Yazid’s demand for allegiance to his ‘caliphate’. The
reason for this refusal was that Yazid was openly violating the teachings of
Islam and perpetrating severe crimes and that the survival of the Islamic
community and the progress of Islam depended on truth, justice, and correct
guidance. Imam Husayn was oppressed and Yazid was an oppressor, spiritually
unclean, and like a Satan walking on the earth. Yazid was the symbol of evil
forces that were colliding with the forces of good. Imam Husayn was the symbol of
righteous forces. Yazid was representing the satanic forces whereas Imam Husayn
was representing the forces of Truth [Haq] and justice [Adalat] walking
on the path of God Almighty. So it was a battle between right and wrong, a
battle between truth and falsehood, and a battle between the oppressor and the
oppressed. During the battle of Karbala, Imam Husayn along with most of his
family and companions including his six-month-old son Ali al-Asghar and his
18-year-old son Ali al-Akbar became martyrs but did not accept allegiance to
the cursed Yazid, the symbol of falsehood.
Through their sacrifices, the Truth finally defeated falsehood, and
consequently, Imam Husayn is still remembered and hailed as the symbol of Truth
whereas Yazid is cursed as the symbol of falsehood.
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A
regular Columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is an Alim
and Fazil (Classical Islamic scholar) with a Sufi background and
English-Arabic-Urdu Translator.