Tuesday
Dec152009
Iran: A Beginner's Guide to Moharram
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 12:28 
EA correspodent Mr Azadi offers an introduction to EA readers (and to me, as I confused Moharram and Ashura in a post I wrote last week) of the religious month of Moharram, which is likely to be marked by opposition protests:Moharram and the message of Karbala
One of the significant events for Shia Islam is the first month of the Islamic calendar, Moharram, with its meanings and rituals. It was on the 10th day of Moharram, known as Ashura, that Hussain, the third Imam of Shiites, was killed at Karbala, now located in Iraq.
The Latest from Iran (15 December): The Path to Moharram
Historical Background
The killing of Hussain at Karbala, which took place in Moharram in the year 61 in the Islamic calendar (680 AD), is one of the seminal events in the development of Shi'a Islam.
Hussain had refused an alliance with Yazid, the caliph, and declared that Yazid’s administration and government were not legitimate because they were not following the Prophet Mohammad’s manner and path. As Hussain was the only living grandson of the Prophet, his refusal to pledge allegiance could jeopardize Yazid’s position. The caliph put an ultimatum to Hussain: acceptance of his supremacy or death.
Hussain had announced that he had no intention of starting a war, but Yazid left him with no choice, Hussain, his family, and his companions met more than 5000 troops of Yazid’s army in Karbala. Hussain’s 72 companions and his family were all slain.
Hussainian Ideology
Hussain's attitude and his martyrdom have provided an ideological framework for liberating movements which identify with the event of Karbala as a stand against injustice. This ideological framework includes refusal to accept an illegitimate government, disclosing injustice, and protesting against it. It does not matter how few are in a protesting movement, for it must rise against tyranny and injustice, even if there is no immediate result.
Shiites believe that as long as there is injustice in the world, Hussain’s path is alive and must be followed: “Every day is Ashura, and every land is Karbala.” clearly declares this Hussainian ideology.
Reviving Hussain
During its history, Shiism has tried to revive the ideology and the message of Karbala in various ways, most importantly through the mourning ritual. Remembrance of Hussain, his words and message, his view and ideology, his death, and the events surrounding that death are the main parts of these rituals, which both speculative and emotional aspects.
During Moharram, people gathering in mosques or other places to listen to clergy and lecturers explain the message of Karbala and Hussain’s actions and death. In these holy ceremonies, Shiites also use symbols for the main aspects of Karbala. Flags are in three colors: red (for blood and dying for beliefs), green (for the Prophet’s family), and black (for sadness and mourning).
Moharram and Iran’s Islamic Revolution
Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979 was based on Hussainian ideology. Imam Khomeini declared that Moharram had kept the movement alive, identifying it with the rise against the tyranny and injustice of the Shah, the 20th-century Yazid. Clergy and speakers turned Muharram from a month of mourning into a political platform for reform of the Iranian system. Iranian worshipers, adorned in black and singing of sadness, demonstrated against the Shah throughout the month, especially on the 9th and 10th days, Tasua and Ashura.
The meanings of Muharram and Ashura were reinforced during the "imposed war" (1980-88) with Iraq. In Hussainian ideology, sacrificing a life for your beliefs was more valuable than living under tyranny. Iranians identified their martyrs with the martyrs of Karbala in their ceremonies and their literature.
Muharram and Green Movement
Basing on Hussain’s goal, “reforming the Islamic society and re-establishing it with justice and Islamic values”, Iran's Green Movement draws upon Hussainian ideology to achieve its aims. Thus Muharram provides the movement with the great opportunity to rejuvenate itself through the symbol and ideas of Karbala.
The first message? Do not stay quiet, no matter how many (or few) you are or how strong your opponents may be. The second lesson? There may not be an immediate result, but the true victory is the raising of voices against injustice, a stand that will forever remain within history.
Reader Comments (8)
Thank you for explaining this. How little we knew of Shia!
Good tie-in with the current protest movement, too. Thanks.
I have a question for those in the know. Are the mourning ceremonies for Hussein similar to those for Fatima? I attended a Fatima mourning ceremony (for women only) in Isfahan and it was INTENSE!
After the death of the Prophet(saw) of Islam the people who was lusting for power met uder the leadership of Umar at a place by called Safiqa and choose among themselves who will sucessed the Prophet(saw) leaving his body unburied and ignoring his clear will that after him Ali Ibne Abi Tabib(as) should sucessed him. After selecting Abu Bakar, Umar went to the house of Fatima(sa) shouted that Ali(as) to come out of the house and accept Abu Baker as a Caliph otherwise he will burn the house including the people inside. Getting no responce from Ali(as) he and his followers started gathering sticks and set the door on fire. Later Umar kicked the door with his might. Fatima(as) was standing behind the door. The burning door fell on her, broke her ribs and miscarraged her fetus. Umar and his followers went inside the house, put a rope around Ali's(as) neck and dragged his out of the house.
Fatima(as) died a few days out of shock and injury she suffered on the hands of the Umar and his followers. Thus there is a intense mourning ceremony on her death anniversery.
Imam Hussain a.s. is not only for shia muslims community but for the whole humanity, we must understand the philosophy of Karbala..
LIVE LIKE ALI
DIE LIKE HUSSEIN
I WENT THROUGH THE CONTENTS OF THE TRAGEDY OF KARBALA, EVENTS DESCRIBE IS REALLY Painful and sad,it will be hghly appreciated if supported with ref. text- to read...
Assalamunalaikum A holy land, Iran is and will be on my mind forever. Discussing an revelotion on the internet was a good experiance. Ajrakum Ilallah . Please continue with your work and spread Imam Hossein's message Khuda hafiz
Labbaek ya Husain......