Mourning of Muharram

It is also called the Remembrance of Muharram ( ). Many of the events associated with the remembrance take place in congregation halls known as Hussainia . Shia Muslims in Dar es Salaam , Tanzania in a Majlis as part of the commemoration of Muharram The event marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala when Imam Hussain ibn Ali , The grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad , and a Shia Imam , was killed by the forces of the second Umayad caliph Yazid I . The event is marked by arranging 'majalis' (gatherings) to review Islamic teachings and to commemorate Imam Hussain's sacrifice. The mourning reaches its climax on the tenth day, known as Ashura , on which the forces of Yazid killed the 72 individuals who fought, including Imam Hussain and his family and supporters. The women and children left living were made prisoners and transported to Yazid's court in Damascus .

Many of the events associated with the ritual take place in congregation halls known as Hussainia . Majlis in Dar es Salaam , Tanzania . The event marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala when Imam Hussein ibn Ali , the grandson of Muhammad , and a Shia Imam , was killed by the forces of the second Umayyad caliph Yazid I at Karbala . Family members, accompanying Hussein ibn Ali , were killed or subjected to humiliation. The commemoration of the event during yearly mourning season, from first of Muharram to twentieth of Safar with Ashura comprising the focal date, serves to define Shia communal identity. Encyclopedia of Islam & the Muslim World . Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and .. .

The commemoration falls in Muharram , the first month of the Islamic calendar . Many of the events associated with the ritual take place in congregation halls known as Hussainia . The event marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala (AD 680/AH 61), when Imam Hussein ibn Ali , a grandson of Muhammad , was killed by the forces of the second Umayyad caliph . Family members and companions accompanying him were killed or subjected to humiliation. The commemoration of this event during the yearly mourning season, with the Day of Ashura as the focal date, serves to define Shia communal identity. Muharram observances are carried out in countries with a sizable Shia population. Shia Muslims mourn during Muharram, although Sunnis do so to a much lesser extent. Storytelling, weeping, self-flagellation , and re-enactments of the Battle of Karbala form the crux of the observances. Encyclopedia of Islam & the Muslim World .

Set of rituals in Shia Islam The mourning of Muharram ( ) is a set of religious rituals observed predominantly by Shia Muslims , largely during the month of Muharram , the first month of the Islamic calendar . These annual rituals commemorate the death of Husayn ibn Ali , grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the third Shia imam . Husayn and his small retinue were slaughtered in the Battle of Karbala on 10 Muharram 61 AH (680 CE ) against the army of the Umayyad caliph Yazid ibn Mu'awiya ( r. 680–683 ). The battle followed Husayn's refusal to pledge his allegiance to Yazid, who is often portrayed by Muslim historians as impious and immoral. In Shia Islam, Karbala symbolizes the eternal struggle between good and evil, the pinnacle of self-sacrifice, and the ultimate sabotage of Muhammad's prophetic mission. Historically, the event served to crystallize the Shia community into a distinct sect and remains an integral part of their religious identity to date. Mourning for Karbala began with its female survivors, particularly Husayn's sister Zaynab , and evolved over time into distinct rituals that help define the Shia identity. Nowadays, most mourning rituals take place during the first ten days of Muharram, culminating with processions in major Shia cities on the tenth day, known as Ashura . Often held in dedicated buildings, the main component of mourning ceremonies is the recitation of Karbala narratives intended to raise the sympathy of audience and move them to tears. Elegies and dirges are also chanted in such gatherings, as the participants strike their chests to share in the pain of Husayn and benefit from his intercession on the Day of Judgement . Extreme forms of self-flagellation are also sometimes practiced, often involving self-inflicted bloodshed. Such practices are highly controversial among the Shia, condemned by many Shia scholars, and outlawed in some Shia communities. Theatrical reenactment of Karbala narratives is a historically significant ritual found mostly in Iran .