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Muharram Live
Muharram 9
Preparing for Ashura
People celebrate Ashura in many ways all around the world. Many Shi'a
Muslims do not sleep on the eve of Ashura, instead gathering in mosques
and religious centres to recite the Qu'ran and pray through the night
just as Imam Husayn did in Karbala so long ago.
At dawn in Karbala, the processions will start; many will be carrying
colourfully decorated taziyas (bamboo and paper replicas of the martyr's
tomb) embellished with gilt and mica which are then buried.
The mourners walk barefoot to the beat of drums. In a frenzy of grief,
they beat their chests and cry out the name of Husayn. They sometimes
even flagellate or whip themselves, drawing blood. Many use chains
or sharpened knives to flog their back, drawing blood and reopening
wounds from previous years. They use what is known as a zanjir chain
which many sharpen in the lead up to Ashura. Some even use swords
to cut their heads, the blood is a sign of their grief at letting
Husayn die and a small way for them to share in the pain he suffered.
Many will carry coloured flags; green is for Islam, red for the blood
of the martyr and white for purity.
Wrestlers and dancers enact scenes depicting the battle at Karbala
and there are usually plays recreating the day of the battle. In some
countries, people are loathe to play the Caliphate troops as sometimes
they are attacked by the crowd or have things thrown at them. Many
communities also parade a white horse known as the Zulzinar, which
symbolises the horse ridden by Imam Husayn the day he was killed at
Karbala.
But while many Muslims take to the streets to mourn, there are some
families that retain personal mourning houses where they invite friends
and family to join them in honouring Imam Husayn.
Later in the day in Karbala, Shi'a will re-enact the Run of the Twerige which symbolises the run of the Tribes from Twerige area when they heard of the terrible battle.
In the evening the lights of Karbala will be extinguished and hundreds of thousands of candles lit as the Shi'a hold a vigil to their slain martyr.
Some other Ashura activities include:
- To observe fast on this day (though some Ayatollahs do not believe
this is necessary)
- To give as much to charity as you can afford.
- To perform Nafl Salat prayers.
- To recite Surah Ikhlas 1000 times.
- To place a hand of affection on an orphan's head.
- To give generously to one's relatives.
- To take a bath.
- To cut one's nails.
- To visit the sick.
- To establish friendly ties with one's enemies.
- To recite Dua-e- Ashura
- To visit the shrines of Awliyas and the graves of Muslims.
Tomorrow we will have coverage of the Ashura commemorations in Karbala
and the march in London.
Discover the mood in Karbala on the eve of Ashura.
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