Did Wikipedia remove the word "martyr" from the Ashura article?

Yes. "martyr" appeared 3 times in this article's opening at its peak. Today the opening has none; the body has 5. We saved the article's opening paragraph at 6 moments between 2005 and 2025, and the counts come from those saved copies.

When did the Ashura article stop using the word "martyr"?

The word appeared 3 times in the opening at its peak in 2005. It is absent from today's opening, the part search engines quote and AI systems train on, checked against the live article on 2026-08-02.

How can I verify what Wikipedia's Ashura article used to say?

Each snapshot on this page links the Wikipedia revision it came from, so you can open their own history and compare. We also keep our own copy of the text, which stays readable if the article changes again.

What did Wikipedia remove from the Ashura article?

The opening as it read in 2005

Ashurah or Aashoorah (Arabic عاشوراء , ʿĀūrāʾ ), falls on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar .¹ It commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn bin Ali , the grandson of Muhammad and the third Imam of the Shi'as , at the Battle of Karbala in the year 61 AH ( AD 680 ). The word aashurah means simply ten in Arabic ; hence the festival's name, literally translated, means "the tenth day". Shi'ite Muslims process through downtown Montreal in commemoration of Aashurah. This day is of particular significance to Shi'a Muslims , who consider Husayn a rightful successor of Muhammad. Many Shi'a make pilgrimages on Aashurah to the Mashhad al-Husayn , the shrine in Karbala , Iraq that is traditionally held to be Husayn's tomb. Shi'as also express mourning by thumping their chests. This is intended to connect them with Husayn's suffering and death. Husayn's martyrdom is widely interpreted by Shi'a as a symbol of the struggle against injustice, tyranny, and oppression. The regime of Saddam Hussein saw this as a potential threat and banned Aashurah commemorations for many years. In neighboring Iran , the festival became a major political symbol during the Islamic Revolution , as also occurred in Lebanon during that country's civil war. The 2004 (1425 AH) Shi'a pilgrimage to Karbala, the first since Saddam Hussein was removed from power in Iraq, was marred by bomb attacks , which killed and wounded hundreds despite tight security. Aashurah is also commemorated by Muslims as the traditional date on which Noah's ark came to rest, the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) was born and the Kaaba was built in Mecca . It was also a fast day for the Jews of Medina , in remembrance of their salvation from the Pharaoh of Egypt and was adopted by the Muslims as a recommended fast to demonstrate their claim over Musa ( Moses ). Sunnis commemorate Aashurah for the foregoing reasons, though the day carries considerably less significance for them than it does for Shi'as. While Sunnis generally consider the martyrdom of Husayn to be an unfortunate event and one of great historical importance, they do not ascribe religious significance to it as the Shi'a do. Hence, Sunni practices commemorating Aashurah generally do not involve Husayn or his death and consist mainly of fasting and prayers. The conventional meaning of Aashurah in the Shariah refers to the 10th of Muharram-ul-Haraam. In his book, Ghuniyatut Taalibeen , Sayyiduna Ghaus-ul-Azam, Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani (radi Allahu anhu) writes that the Ulema have a difference of opinion, as to why this day is known as Aashurah. Since the reason has been explained in various ways, the consensus of the majority of the Ulema is that it is known as Aashurah because it is the 10th day of Muharram, while certain Ulema say that from the sacred days that Almighty Allah blessed the Ummat-e-Muhammadi with, this day is the 10th most important day, and it is for this reason that it is known as Aashurah. Some Shia celebrate Aashurah with a traditional flagellation ritual called zanjeer zani or zanjeer matam , involving the use of a zanjeer (a chain with a set of curved knives at the end). The practice is not universal - many Shia enact the ritual by beating their chests symbolically.²

This is Wikipedia's own text, saved in our repository. Their copy of it is revision 16331671.

The opening as it stood in 2010 21 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear

The Day of Ashura ( عاشوراء ( ʻĀshūrā’ , Ashura, Ashoura, and other spellings; Turkish : Aşure Günü is on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram . It is commemorated by Shia Muslims as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali , the grandson of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala on 10 Muharram in the year 61 AH (October 2, 680 AD ). According to Sunni Muslim tradition , the Prophet Muhammad fasted on this day and asked other people to fast. ; Sunni Muslims also celebrate the day claiming that Moses fasted on that day to express gratitude to God for liberating the Israelites from Egypt . In some Shia countries and regions such as Afghanistan , Iran , Iraq , Pakistan , Lebanon , Bahrain , Commemoration of Husayn ibn Ali has become a national holiday and most ethnic and religious communities participate in it. Even in predominantly Hindu country like India , Ashura (often called Moharram ) is a public holiday . India is home to more than 40 to 55 million Shiites . Mizan , The Fast , Al-Mawrid

Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 370802206.

The opening as it stood in 2015 4 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear

The Day of Ashura ( ʻĀshūrā’ , colloquially : /ʕa(ː)ˈʃuːra/ ; ; /ʕɒːʃuːˈɾɒ/ ; ) is on the tenth day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram . Shiite celebrations of the day of ashura have traditionally included masochistic rituals which have been condemned by many religious authorities recently under the claim that such practices are wrong or unislamic. This day is commemorated by Sunni Muslims (who refer to it as The Day of Atonement) as the day on which the Israelites were freed from the Pharaoh (called 'Firaun' in Arabic) of Egypt . According to Sunni Muslim tradition , Ibn Abbas narrates that Muhammad came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the tenth day of Muharram. He asked, “What is this?” They said, “This is a good day, this is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy and Musa ( Moses ) fasted on this day .” He said, “We are closer to Musa than you.” So he fasted on the day and told the people to fast. However, Shi'a Muslims reject these stories and maintain that Ashura is a day of great sorrow due to the tragic events of Karbala. It is commemorated by Shi'a Muslims as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali , the grandson of Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala on 10 Muharram in the year 61 AH ( in AHt : October 10, 680 CE). The massacre of Husayn with small group of his companions and family members had great impact on the religious conscience of Muslims. Especially Shia Muslims have ever remembered it with sorrow and passion. Mourning for Husayn and his companions began almost immediately after the Battle of Karbala, by his survivor relatives and supporters. Popular elegies were made by poets to commemorate Battle of Karbala during Umayyads and Abbasids era. The earliest public mourning rituals happened in 963 CE during Buyid dynasty . Nowadays, in some countries such as Afghanistan , Iran , Iraq , Lebanon , Bahrain , Turkey and Pakistan , the Commemoration of Husayn ibn Ali has become a national holiday and most ethnic and religious communities participate in it. Even in a predominantly Hindu majority but secular country like India , Ashura (10th day in the month of Muharram) is a public holiday due to the presence of a significant Indian Shia Muslim population (2-3% of total population, 20-25% of Indian Muslim population).

Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 667757247.

The opening as it stood in 2020 13 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear

10th day of the Islamic month Muharram This article is about the Islamic holy day. Ashura ( ), also known as Yawm Ashura ( ), is the tenth day of Muharram , the first month in the Islamic calendar . It marks the day that Husayn ibn Ali , the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad , was martyred in the Battle of Karbala . Ashura is a major holy day and occasion for pilgrimage in Shia Islam , as well as a recommended but non-obligatory day of fasting in Sunni Islam . Ashura marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram , the annual commemoration of the death of Husayn and his family and supporters at the Battle of Karbala on 10 Muharram in the year 61 AH (in AHt : 10 October 680 CE). Mourning for the incident began almost immediately after the battle. Popular elegies were written by poets to commemorate the Battle of Karbala during the Umayyad and Abbasid era, and the earliest public mourning rituals occurred in 963 CE during the Buyid dynasty . In Afghanistan , Iran , Iraq , Lebanon , Bahrain , , Pakistan , and India Ashura has become a national holiday, and many ethnic and religious communities participate in it. In India some of the sunni Muslim community also celebrate Muharam with Panja, Alam's that are made up of Copper , silver or gold. It's an common believe in India including hindus & Muslims of India that unity will be maintained. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Islamic Political Thought . Life and Significance in Shi'ism" . "AhlulBayt News Agenc en" . 9 May 2016. Islamic Beliefs, Practices, and Cultures .

Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 965450082.

The opening as it stood on October 6, 2023 13 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear

Tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram This article is about the Islamic holy day. Ashura ( , ʿĀshūrāʾ , ) is a day of commemoration in Islam . It occurs annually on the tenth of Muharram , the first month of the Islamic calendar . Also on this day, Noah disembarked from the Ark , God forgave Adam , and Joseph was released from prison, among various other auspicious events on Ashura in Sunni tradition. Ashura is celebrated in Sunni Islam through supererogatory fasting and other acceptable expressions of joy. In some Sunni communities, the annual Ashura festivities include carnivals, bonfires, and special dishes, even though some Sunni scholars have criticized such practices. By contrast, for Shia Muslims, Ashura is a day of mourning as they annually commemorate the death of Husayn ibn Ali , grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the third Shia imam . Husayn refused on moral grounds to pledge his allegiance to the Umayyad caliph Yazid ibn Mu'awiya ( r. 680–683 ) and was subsequently killed, alongside most of his male relatives and his small retinue, by the Umayyad army in the Battle of Karbala on Ashura 61 AH (680 CE ). Among the Shia minority, mourning for Husayn is viewed as an act of protest against oppression, a struggle for God, and a means of securing the intercession of Husayn in the afterlife. Ashura is observed through mourning gatherings, processions, and dramatic reenactments. In such ceremonies, Shia mourners strike their chests to share in the pain of Husayn. Extreme self-flagellation, often involving self-inflicted bloodshed, remains controversial among the Shia, condemned by many Shia clerics, and outlawed in some Shia communities. Ashura has sometimes been an occasion for sectarian violence, particularly against the Shia minority.

Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 1176948813.

The opening as it stood in 2025

Tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram This article is about the Islamic holy day. Ashura ( Arabic : عَاشُورَاء , ʿĀshūrāʾ , [ʕaːʃuːˈraːʔ] ) is a day of commemoration in Islam . It occurs annually on the tenth of Muharram , the first month of the Islamic calendar . Also on this day, it is believed that Noah disembarked from the Ark , God forgave Adam , and Joseph was released from prison, among various other auspicious events having occurred on Ashura according to Sunni tradition. Ashura is celebrated in Sunni Islam through supererogatory fasting and other acceptable expressions of joy. In some Sunni communities, the annual Ashura festivities include carnivals, bonfires, and special dishes, even though some Sunni scholars have criticized such practices. By contrast, for Shia Muslims, Ashura is a day of mourning as they annually commemorate the death of Husayn ibn Ali , grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the third Shia imam . Husayn refused on moral grounds to pledge his allegiance to the Umayyad caliph Yazid ibn Mu'awiya ( r. 680–683 ) and was subsequently killed, alongside most of his male relatives and his small retinue, by the Umayyad army in the Battle of Karbala on Ashura 61 AH (680 CE ). Among the Shia , mourning for Husayn is viewed as an act of protest against oppression, a struggle for God, and a means of securing the intercession of Husayn in the afterlife. Ashura is observed through mourning gatherings, processions, and dramatic reenactments. In such ceremonies, Shia mourners strike their chests to share in the pain of Husayn. Extreme self-flagellation, often involving self-inflicted bloodshed, remains controversial among the Shia, condemned by many Shia clerics, and outlawed in some Shia communities. Ashura has sometimes been an occasion for sectarian violence, particularly against the Shia minority.

Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 1298267637. This is our newest snapshot; the live article may have moved again since.

Ashura

What Wikipedia says this is

Sections that no longer exist