The Significance of Karbala
Ishtiaq Ahmed
London: Intrinsically, there is a strong correlation between the month of Dhul-Hajj and the month of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.
Dhul-Hajj brings a closure to the Islamic year while Muharram provides the start and impetus to the new year thus signifying the ‘closure’ and ‘continuity’ in the revolving scheme of life.
The significance of Dhul-Hajj is underlined by the mega event of Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam while Maharrum is elevated by the momentous martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions in the battle of Karbala in 61AH( 680 CE).
Hajj mobilises and brings together the diverse Muslim diaspora from around the globe, igniting and infusing a renewed sense of unity and togetherness while the tragic martyrdom of Karbala in Muharram, at the start of the year, serves to remind us about our personal and collective responsibilities for resisting and rejecting the forces of oppression, divisiveness and injustice.
Hajj is performed from 8th to 12th or 13th of the Dhul- Hajj, depending on the sighting of the moon. Amongst other essential elements, it also requires an homage to the sacrifice of Hazarat Ismail, the eldest son of Hazrat Ibrahim, alayhis salam.
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Correspondingly,Maharrum marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the youngest grandson of Muhammad Rasul Allah (PBUH).
Thus, the Islamic year ends with homage to one great sacrifice and it begins with homage to another great sacrifice. The correlation and significance of these two great sacrifices should not be lost on Muslims and humanity.
Having just commemorated Hajj and Eid- ul- Adha, Muslims have turned their focus to reaping the blessings of Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram (either 16th or 17th of July. This date holds profound religious and historical significance for Muslims, both Sunnis and Shias.
Muharrum’s historic significance predated the advent of Islam. It was a sacred month for the Jews who believed that it was in this month that they were liberated by the Prophet Moses (Musa) from the tyranny of Pharaoh.
In a related Islamic tradition, it was 10th of Muharram when at the command of Allah SWT, the Red sea was parted allowing Jews to escape the wrath of Pharaoh.
To commemorate this liberation of humanity from the shackles of oppression and tyranny , Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recommended fasting on the 10th of Muharram.
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Moving forward, it was the 10th of Muharram , the day of the Ashura (meaning 10 in Arabic) when Hazrat Imam Hussain was martyred for refusing to bow down to the forces of oppression. The coinciding of these two dates is of great significance for the reflective.
For Muslims, the significance of Muharram was further accentuated and enhanced by the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in the Battle of Karbala in 61 AH ( 680 CE).
He and companions made the ultimate sacrifice in their rejection of and resistance to the Yazid’s oppressive and tyrannical rule that embodied defiance and belligerent violation of the Shariah fundamentals and the code of conduct befitting an Islamic head of state in pursuit of self-aggrandisement and worldly pleasures.
The tragic events of Karbala are commemorated by both Sunni and Shia Muslims but more passionately and with greater vigour by the Shia Muslims who observe, especially in the first 10 days, rituals, processions, and recitations to honour the sacrifice of Imam Hussain and his companions.
The wider Muslim community observes the Ashura relatively more sedately by fasting, sadaqa, reflection, commemorative gatherings and prayers.
The relevance of Karbala to today: Imam Hussain refused to bow down to the tyranny, oppression, corruption, favouritism and abuse of public trust by Yazid and his officials for their personal aggrandisement and pleasure.
These traits are excessively common amongst the Muslim leaders and their governance around the globe and more particularly in Pakistan where the Yazidi traits remain blatantly evident and , hence, the lessons of Karbala also remain equally relevant.
The struggle for fairness, justice, and human dignity that was at the root of the ultimate sacrifice by Imam Hussain and his companions goes on and on ….”
The author is a British citizen of Pakistani origin with a keen interest in Pakistani and international affairs.
The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.
Thank you for sharing your commentary on the correlation of Hajj and Ashura. The lessons from these great sacrifices are more pertinent today than ever before.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We must stand firm and speak out against any form of injustice we witness, ensuring that the voices of the oppressed are heard and their rights defended.
Linking the two most sacred and significance days in the Islamic calendar to struggle against oppression and injustice may be new and intriguing interpretation for some but I agree with Ishtiaq bhai.
I have just noticed that the last concluding paragraph to the piece for some reasons was left out of the published piece.This may purely be due to some technical hitch . Anyway, here is how I concluded the piece:
“The relevance of Karbala to today: Imam Hussain refused to bow down to the tyranny, oppression, corruption, favouritism and abuse of public trust by Yazid and his officials for their personal aggrandisement and pleasure. These traits are excessively common amongst the Muslim leaders and their governance around the globe and more particularly in Pakistan where the traits of Yazidi rule remain blatantly evident and , hence, the lessons of Karbala also remain equally relevant. The struggle for fairness, justice, and human dignity that was at the root of the ultimate sacrifice by Imam Hussain and his companions , may Allah be pleased with them all , goes on and on ….”