Today is Day of Ashura and why it is marked

SOURCE: ChatGPT

Day of Ashura, also known as Ashura, is an important religious observance for Muslims, particularly for two major sects within Islam, Shia and Sunni. It falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The specific date of Ashura varies each year based on the sighting of the moon, as the Islamic calendar is lunar-based.

The significance of Ashura varies between Sunni and Shia Muslims, and here is an overview of its significance for each sect:

Sunni Muslims: 

For Sunni Muslims, Ashura holds historical and religious significance. It is believed that Prophet Muhammad observed fasting on this day as gratitude for the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage during the time of Moses (Musa in Islamic tradition). Sunni Muslims may fast on this day as an optional act of worship and to differentiate from the Jewish celebration of Yom Kippur, which also falls on the 10th of Muharram.

Shia Muslims: 

For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a highly significant and solemn occasion. It marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. Imam Hussain, along with his family and a small group of followers, stood against the Umayyad caliph Yazid's oppressive rule, which they saw as contrary to the true teachings of Islam. The battle took place on the 10th of Muharram, and Imam Hussain and his supporters were tragically killed.

Ashura is a day of mourning, remembrance, and reflection for Shia Muslims. They hold processions, majalis (religious gatherings), and recite elegies to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and to express their grief and solidarity with his sacrifice. It is a time for spiritual contemplation, social awareness, and seeking inspiration from the values of justice, resistance against oppression, and self-sacrifice exemplified by Imam Hussain.

While Ashura carries different meanings for Sunni and Shia Muslims, both communities mark the day with reverence and devotion, even though the way they observe it may differ significantly.