Acts of the Day of Ashura

The 10th of Muharram, known as the Day of Ashura, is that momentous and poignant day on which Hazrat Imam Hussain (as), his Ahl al-Bayt (as), and his loyal companions offered supreme sacrifices in the way of Allah. For the Ahl al-Bayt (as) and their followers, this is a day of grief, sorrow, calamity, and mourning (Aza). Consequently, narrations strongly emphasize that the Shia of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) should avoid engaging in worldly occupations and economic activities on this day. Instead, they should prioritize commemorating the tragedies of Imam Hussain (as), weeping, mourning, and partaking in the grief of the Ahl al-Bayt (as).

Abstaining from Worldly Affairs

According to a narration attributed to Imam Reza (as), whoever abandons their worldly needs and business on the Day of Ashura and occupies themselves with the grief and tragedies of Imam Hussain (as), Allah the Almighty will fulfill their needs both in this world and the Hereafter. Similarly, regarding this day as a day of celebration, blessings, or hoarding provisions has been severely condemned.

Therefore, it is recommended (Mustahabb) and part of the etiquettes to:

1. Abstain from worldly business and seeking financial profits.
2. Refrain from hoarding or storing provisions for the home.
3. Commemorate the tragedy of Imam Hussain (as) and remind others of it as well.
4. Participate in mourning congregations (Majalis-e-Aza).
5. Send curses (La'nat) upon the killers of Imam Hussain (as).
6. Adopt simplicity, reflecting the manner of those in mourning.

The Sunnah Formula for Condolence

Believers should offer condolences to one another on this day in the following manner:

The Mention of the Tragedies of Karbala

It is narrated in traditions that even during the meeting between Prophet Moses (as) and Prophet Khidr (as), the tragedies of the Progeny of Muhammad (saww) were mentioned, and both wept upon hearing about them. Similarly, the Commander of the Faithful, Hazrat Ali (as), once read a text to Hazrat Ibn Abbas (ra), which was dictated by the Messenger of Allah (saww). This text contained details of the Event of Karbala, the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as), and his helpers. Upon hearing it, both the Commander of the Faithful (as) and Ibn Abbas (ra) wept and began to lament.

Recitation of Surah Al-Ikhlas (Surah Tawheed): It has been narrated that there is great virtue in reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas one thousand times on this day. According to tradition, whoever performs this recitation will have the gaze of Allah Almighty’s mercy cast upon them.

According to the narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (as), it is not recommended (Mustahabb) to keep a formal fast (Ruzah) with the explicit intention of fasting on the Day of Ashura. Instead, it is preferable to remain hungry and thirsty until the afternoon (Asr) as an expression of grief and sorrow. After Asr, one should break this state with a simple food such as milk, yogurt, or the basic, ordinary food eaten by those stricken with grief. Furthermore, one should strictly avoid delicious, rich, and lavish meals.

Declaring Ashura as a Day of Eid or Blessing

Allama Majlisi (rh) has stated that the Banu Umayya (Umayyads), expressing joy over the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as), turned Ashura into a day of celebration (Eid) and blessing. On this day, they popularized practices such as: Wearing new clothes, spending generously on one's family, Hoarding provisions & fasting. Furthermore, they propagated numerous fabricated traditions (Ahadith) regarding the virtues of these actions.

Historical Myths and Fabricated Narrations

Some individuals have popularized the claim that on the Day of Ashura:

1. The repentance of Prophet Adam (as) was accepted.
2. Prophet Jonah/Yunus (as) emerged from the belly of the whale.
3. The ark of Prophet Noah (as) came to rest on Mount Judi.
4. The sea was parted for Prophet Moses (as).

However, according to the narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (as), these events did not take place on the Day of Ashura. Maytham al-Tammar (rh) had foretold well in advance that the Banu Umayya would fabricate such traditions in an attempt to misrepresent the day of Imam Hussain's (as) martyrdom as a day of blessing.

The Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (as) on the Day of Ashura

1. Salih bin Uqbah and Sayf bin Umayrah narrate that Alqamah bin Muhammad al-Hadrami said: I requested in the service of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as):

"Teach me a supplication that I may recite on the Day of Ashura when I visit Imam Hussain (as) from up close, and also teach me a supplication that I may recite when I am in a far-off region, unable to be present for the visitation, and I face towards him from my home or my city to offer my salutations."

Imam al-Baqir (as) replied:

"O Alqamah! When you have performed two units of prayer (Rak'ah) and have signaled your salutations toward Imam Hussain (as) from afar, then say the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and recite these words (i.e., the Ziyarat that follows). For indeed, when you recite this Ziyarat, you will have supplicated with the very same prayer that the angels recite for the pilgrims of Imam Hussain (as), and Allah Almighty will record one hundred million degrees (spiritual ranks) for you."

and you will become like those who were martyds alongside Imam Hussain (as), to the extent that you will be counted as a sharer in their high ranks, and your identity too will be recognized among the group of those martyrs who fell alongside Imam Hussain (as).

Furthermore, Allah Almighty will record for you the reward of visiting every Prophet and every Messenger. In the same manner, the reward of all those who have visited Imam Hussain (as) from that day until now will also be written in your deed sheet (scroll of deeds).

Then the Imam (as) said: Recite these words..." (and you may find the full text of Ziyarat Ashura in Mafatih al-Jinan or other books of supplications).

2. In addition to this, another famous tradition is narrated by Sheikh Abu Ja'far al-Tusi (may Allah have mercy on him) in his book Misbah: Muhammad bin Ismail bin Salih bin Bazi' narrated from Salih bin Uqbah, who narrated from his father, who in turn narrated from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) that the Imam (as) said:

"Whoever performs the Ziyarat (visitation) of Imam Hussain bin Ali (as) on the Day of Ashura in the month of Muharram, and remains standing at his shrine weeping, will be granted when he meets Allah the Almighty the reward of two thousand Hajj, two thousand Umrahs, and two thousand Jihads. This reward will be equivalent to having performed those Hajj, Umrahs, and Jihads alongside the Messenger of Allah (saww) and the Rightly Guided Imams (as)."

The narrator says: I submitted, 'May I be sacrificed for you! What is the decree for a person who is in far-off regions or distant countries, and cannot travel to Karbala to perform the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (as) on that day?

Imam al-Baqir (as) replied: If that is the case, he should go out into an open field or climb to an elevated place or the roof of his house. Then, he should face towards Imam Hussain (as), offer his salutations, and diligently invoke curses and condemnation upon his killers. Following that, he should perform two units of prayer (Rak'ah). This entire ritual should be performed during the early part of the day, before the sun begins to decline (Zawal).

Then, he should recount the tragedies of Imam Hussain (as), weep for him, and encourage those members of his household with whom there is no fear of Taqiyyah (dissimulation) to weep for him as well.

He should establish a gathering of mourning (Majlis-e-Musaibat) within his home, and express deep lamentation, grief, and mourning for the sorrow of Imam Hussain (as). Furthermore, they should extend condolences (Ta'ziyat) to one another upon the tragedy of Imam Hussain (as). If they perform all these actions, I guarantee [their reward] for them.

The narrator says: I submitted, 'May I be sacrificed for you! Do you truly guarantee and take responsibility [for all of that] for them?

Imam al-Baqir (as) replied: 'Yes, I am the guarantor, and I myself take responsibility for whoever performs these actions.