We're here to help you keep count of the days to or since a date. Just click the button below and enter your chosen date to get started. Also choose the suggested days or search for a special day above #countingthedays
Ashura is a significant religious event observed on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. In Iraq, where a majority of the population is Shia Muslim, Ashura holds immense importance due to its historical and spiritual significance.
Ashura commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. This event was pivotal in Islamic history as it led to the split between Sunni and Shia Muslims. In Karbala, now located in modern-day Iraq, Husayn and his small group of followers were killed by the forces of Yazid I, the Umayyad caliph.
On Ashura:
Mourning Rituals: Shia Muslims engage in mourning rituals as a means of expressing grief over Husayn's martyrdom. This includes wearing black clothing and participating in public processions.
Passion Plays: Known as Ta'zieh, these are theatrical representations of the Battle of Karbala that recount the events leading up to Husayn's death.
Chest Beating (Matam): Participants rhythmically beat their chests as a display of sorrow for Husayn's suffering.
Self-flagellation: Some individuals partake in self-flagellation using chains or swords (zanjeer) as an act of penance. However, this practice is discouraged by many religious authorities.
Visiting Holy Sites: Pilgrimages to the Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala are common. Millions visit this site during Ashura to pay homage.
Charity and Food Distribution: Sharing food with others, especially with the poor and needy, is part of Ashura's traditions.
On this day:
People often fast or engage in voluntary prayers as acts of devotion.
Poetry recitals eulogizing Husayn and lamentations known as Marsiya are commonly performed.
While Ashura is primarily observed by Shia Muslims with intense fervor due to its religious significance, it also has cultural aspects that permeate Iraqi society. The day serves not only as an occasion for remembrance but also for affirming community ties through shared rituals and collective acts of charity.
