Muslims mark the 10th of Muharram in the Islamic Hijri calendar — the Day of Ashura — but its rituals and significance differ greatly between Sunni and Shia communities.
For the Sunni majority, Ashura is a day of worship and reflection. They believe it commemorates the day when Allah saved Prophet Moses and his people, the Children of Israel, from Pharaoh’s tyranny — when Moses, peace be upon him, struck the sea with his staff, parted it, and escaped while Pharaoh and his army drowned. It is also believed to mark the day Noah’s Ark came to rest, when Allah saved Prophet Abraham from Nimrod, when Prophet Jonah was freed from the belly of the whale, and when Prophet Joseph was reunited with his father Jacob — peace be upon them all. Sunnis fast on this day as an act of reviving the Prophetic Sunnah.
In contrast, for the Shia, Ashura is primarily a day to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, through his daughter Fatimah. Imam Hussein was killed in 680 CE during his uprising against the Umayyad ruler Yazid. Shia communities commemorate this tragedy with symbolic displays of self-blame and grief — thousands gather to chant funeral dirges, beat their chests in what is known as latmiyat, and some cut themselves with knives or swords, whipping themselves in synchronised movements.
Different Customs in Different Lands
The rituals of Ashura vary from country to country. In Sunni-majority countries, the day is observed mainly by fasting, and in some places, by preparing special dishes such as “Ashura pudding” in Egypt. In nations with significant Shia communities, particularly Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon, the day often involves dramatic, bloody scenes: chest-beating, tatbir (self-flagellation with blades), and crawling on the ground in ways that some see as pitiful — or even repulsive.
A Day of Remembrance and Gratitude
Ashura is one of Allah’s Days, and the Quran commands us: “Remind them of the Days of Allah.” It is a beautiful reminder of a noble victory for a great Prophet of steadfast resolve — Moses ibn Imran, peace be upon him — and the Children of Israel, who carried the banner of truth for a time. But many of them deviated from it: they killed prophets and messengers, sawed Prophet Zachariah in half, slaughtered the pure-hearted John (Yahya), tried to kill Jesus (Isa), peace be upon them, and denied Muhammad ﷺ — siding instead with the pagan Quraysh, even though they had long upheld the banner of monotheism and guidance. They should have supported the final Prophet, who carried the same message, but their desires led them to oppose him.
The Prophet’s command to fast the ninth and tenth of Muharram was a profound directive — binding Muslims until the end of time to honour and remember this victory and never forget it.
A Misguided Shift
As time passed, a tragedy struck: Hussein, the leader of the youth of Paradise, was killed unjustly on the Day of Ashura. Yet some Shia transformed this day — a day of joy for Moses’ deliverance — into one of grief, wailing, and self-harm. Such acts have no precedent in Islamic history.
Extremist elements among the Shia have used this sacred day each year to fuel sectarian conflict with Sunnis — as if today’s Sunnis were responsible for Hussein’s killing, approved of it, or were pleased by it. They claim to love Hussein more than Sunnis do, and reduce the entire generation of noble Companions to Hussein alone, may Allah be pleased with them all. Yet before Hussein, the likes of Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib — the Lion of Allah and His Messenger — was killed and mutilated, and many other Companions were tortured to death, like Yasir and his wife. None of the righteous predecessors ever beat themselves or injured their bodies in grief for them.
What the Prophet Taught
The Day of Ashura is not a day to slap cheeks, tear clothes, or inflict wounds that bleed across TV screens, tarnishing Islam’s image. How distant this is from the Prophet’s words: “He is not of us who slaps the cheeks, tears the clothes, and calls with the calls of ignorance.”
If our noble Sharia forbids a grieving mother from doing so just minutes after losing her child, how could it be acceptable for a man who died nearly sixteen centuries ago — no matter how great his status?
Ahl al-Sunnah Love and Honour Al-Hussein
It must be emphasised that Sunnis deeply love and honour Al-Hussein, may Allah be pleased with him. He is the grandson of the Prophet ﷺ, the leader of the youth of Paradise, and one of the noble people of the Prophet’s household (Ahl al-Bayt). Ahl al-Sunnah hold Al-Hussein’s sacrifice in the highest regard, remember his virtue, and supplicate for him with love and mercy — but they reject any innovations that distort the way this love is expressed. True love for Al-Hussein is shown through following the Sunnah, upholding justice, and rejecting the sectarian discord that some try to ignite in his name. May Allah be pleased with Al-Hussein and all the righteous Companions.
Islam is way of life. The Day of Ashura is not a day to slap cheeks, tear clothes, or inflict wounds that bleed across TV screens, tarnishing Islam’s image. How distant this is from the Prophet’s words: “He is not of us who slaps the cheeks, tears the clothes, and calls with the calls of ignorance.”
Yes Islam prohibited from abovementioned foolish acts.
In Islam, it is permissible to cry and shed tears when someone dies, but wailing or excessive lamentation is discouraged. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself is reported to have shed tears at the death of his son, Ibrahim, and also when visiting the family of Jafar after his death. However, wailing, which involves loud crying, screaming, or slapping of the cheeks, is prohibited.
Sunni and Shi’a are Brothers in Islam. We must not condemn the other because of our differences. Allah SWT is The Judge. The west is using and playing us because we’re “fighting” amongst ourselves on matters that we can sort out, in spite of our differences. May Allah SWT grant us unity and understanding Ameen Thumma Ameen 🤲