Ashura

Ever since the creation of life two opposing forces have been at war with each other- virtue and vice, right and wrong. These struggles were between the Right and the wrong. Consequently the Right prevailed upon the wrong and it was proved that Right is might.

Hussain is regarded as the "leader of the martyrs". He was not just the prey of a cold blooded ruler but stood for his whole nation, his community and of cource his belief in God. The greatest tragedy was that one who stood up for the noblest of causes, the defence of Islam, was striked down in so cruel a manner.It is for this reason that the sacrifice of Hussain is commemorated annually throughout the Muslim world.

Our sorrow never abates as we relive the tragedy. As Allama Iqbal says in his Baqiyat (in Urdu):

Ronay wala hoon Shaheed-e-Kerbala key gham men main,

Kya durey maqsad na dengey Saqiye Kausar mujhey.

I am one who weeps at the plight of the Martyr of KerbalaWon't the reward be given to me by the Keeper of Kauser (Imam Ali).

The commemoration of Ashura on the 10th of Muharram every year serves to remind us of the sacrifices of the family of the Prophet . It also makes us aware of the people, then and now, who tried to destroy Islam and the family of the Prophet and all that they stood for - as well as those who watched, listened and did nothing.

Ashura has been a day of fasting for Sunni Muslims since the days of the early Muslim community. It marks two historical events: the day Nuh (Noah) left the Ark, and the day that Musa (Moses) was saved from the Egyptians by Allah. Shi'a Muslims in particular use the day to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussain, a grandson of the Prophet in 680 CE. In Shi'ite communities this is a solemn day , consist primarily of public expressions of mourning and grief and the tazia day.

Some Shi'as express mourning by flagellating themselves on the back with chains, beating their head or ritually cutting themselves. This is intended to connect them with Husayn's suffering and death as an aid to salvation on the Day of Judgment,also a symbol of the struggle against injustice, tyranny, and oppression.Ashura is observed on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year.

"Ashura" is a day of great historical significance.

On this day:

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam ('Alaihis-Salaam) after his exile from Paradise.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) saved Sayyidina Nuh ('Alaihis-Salaam) and his companions in the ark.

Allah extinguished the fire in which Sayyidina Ibrahim ('Alaihis-Salaam) was thrown by Nimrod.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) spoke directly to Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) and gave him the Commandments.

On this same 10th of Muharram-
Sayyidina Ayyub ('Alaihis-Salaam) was restored to health (from leprosy)
Sayyidina Yusuf ('Alaihis-Salaam) was reunited with his father Ya’qub ('Alaihis-Salaam)
Sayyidina Yunus ('Alaihis-Salaam) was taken out from the belly of the fish and the sea was divided as the nation of israel was delivered from captivity and Pharoah’s army was destroyed.
Sayyidina Dawud ('Alaihis-Salaam) was forgiven
the kingdom of Sulaiman ('Alaihis-Salaam) was restored
Sayyidina Isa ('Alaihis-Salaam) was raised to Jannah
Sayyidina al-Husayn (Radiyallahu 'anh) (the Holy Prophet’s, Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, grandson) achieved the honor of Martyrdom.

Things one must do -
Worship Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) as much as you can on ‘Ashura.
Whoever fasts on this day is like one who fasts all his life.
Whoever clothes a naked person Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will release him from a painful punishment.
He who visits a sick person, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will grant him a reward that will not be decreased.
Whoever places his hand on an orphan’s head, or feeds a hungry person or gives water to a thirsty man, Allah will feed him a feast from Paradise and will quench his thirst with Salsabil (a wine that does not intoxicate).
Who ever takes a Ghusl/bath on this day will enjoy excellent health and freedom from sickness and indolence.
Whoever provides generously for his family on this day, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will be generous to him throughout this year.
Whoever applies Kuhl /kajal to his eyes will never suffer from eye-sore again.

Also we must not forget the self-sacrificing ladies who during the course of this everlasting and important event, which took, place in 61 A.H. Some great and magnanimous women also participated and made sacrifices. So much so that some of them were even martyred in this path and their honorable names have been mentioned in the glorious history of the rising of Imam Husayn with honor and respect.
1- Lady Dulham
2-Lady Umme Wahab
3- Lady Rubāb
4- lady of Bakr bin Wa'il.

O’ Allah! Bless us to perform good deeds and gain their reward on Ashura. Make the New Year one of unity, cooperation and success for Muslims in this city and around the world.

Ameen.

Please point me if I am wrong somewhere

Details collected from various authors