Ashura 2025 Date: Know History, Significance And How Shia And Sunni Muslims Observe This Day?

Ashura 2025: Ashura is a day of celebration in Islam and holds great significance for Muslims across the world. It falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. The word Ashura is derived from the word “Asharah”, which means ten in Arabic. This day carries spiritual and historical importance for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. It is believed that the Day of Ashura is when Prophet Moses (Musa) and the Israelites were saved from the tyranny of Pharaoh in Egypt. In Islam, Ashura is a solemn occasion, as it marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, along with his family members and companions, in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. Ashura 2025 starts on the evening of July 5 and ends on July 6.

The observance of Ashura is deeply rooted in faith, identity and collective memory. The battle was a significant factor in the split of Shia and Sunni Muslims. It happened long before the crystallisation of religious differences between the two groups. The observance of Ashura is deeply rooted in faith, identity, and collective memory. The Shia and Sunni Muslims observe Ashura with different rituals, although the day reflects a deep reflection, unity, and reverence across the Muslim world. Here’s everything you need to know about Ashura and how Shia and Sunni Muslims observe this day.

Ashura 2025 Date

Ashura 2025 starts on the evening of July 5, which is Saturday and ends on July 6, that is, Sunday.

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History Of Ashura

The most significant event that occurred in the month of Muharram was the Battle of Karbala, which took place in Iraq in Muharram 61 AH. The battle was fought between a small army consisting of the family and companions of Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of the Prophet and a much larger army sent by Yazid ibn Muawiyah, the Umayyad Caliph at that time. The battle took place because Imam Hussain (AS) refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid ibn Muawiyah, who was dictatorial and had taken it upon himself to assume the Muslim leadership after the death of his father. On the 10th Muharram, the Day of Ashura, Imam Hussain (AS) was brutally martyred by the enemy camp. Imam Hussain (AS) and 72 other martyrs, mainly consisting of the male members of the family of the Prophet, all nobly sacrificed their lives as a stand against oppression and to preserve Islam.

The other story is that on the Day of Ashura in the time of Prophet Musa (AS), Allah saved the Prophet and Bani Israel from the tyrannical Pharaoh and his army. The Pharaoh was extremely violent and corrupt in his rule and spread blasphemy as he declared himself as God. The Prophet Musa (AS) refused to follow the Pharaoh and instead encouraged him to worship Allah. The Pharaoh would not accept that and therefore sent a large army to destroy the Prophet and his followers. On the Day of Ashura, Prophet Musa (AS) and his followers were being chased by the army but trusted Allah alone in protecting them.

Ashura 2025 History And Significance (Image Credits: Canva)

Significance Of Ashura

Muslims keep a fast on the Day of Ashura as they believe that Allah will forgive their sins from the previous year. According to the Quran, Allah commanded Moses to strike the Red Sea with his staff, causing the waters to part. Moses then started fasting on the Day of Ashura as a form of worship and gratitude to God for saving himself and his followers. The Prophet Muhammad encouraged Muslims to fast on the ninth of Muharram as well as the 10th, to differentiate Muslims from other faiths. While the fast is optional, many Muslims observe it.

How Shia And Sunni Muslims Observe This Day Differently?

Ashura is observed with fast and religious ceremonies, including sermons and communal meals in Sunni communities. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is seen as the day that the Prophet Nuh (Noah) disembarked from the Ark, as well as when the Prophet Musa (Moses) parted the Red Sea to allow safe passage for the Israelites out of Egypt. The fasting and special prayers in mosques signify their sacred nature.

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In contrast, for the Shia Muslims, the significance of the day also stems from it being the death anniversary of Hussein. The followers of Islam, known as the Twelver Shias, recognise 12 successors of the Prophet Muhammad, who descended from him through his daughter Fatima and cousin and son-in-law Ali, the first Imam. Hussein is the third of these successors and the Battle of Karbala marks the climax of his attempts to acquire leadership of the Muslim community from the Umayyads, who were headed by Yazid. The Day of Ashura is a solemn day for Shia Muslims as it is accompanied by mourning. Shia communities engage in vibrant rites on this occasion, staging colourful plays that re-enact the events of the battle. Devotees passionately take on the roles of Imam Hussein and his followers, who confronted the Umayyad forces loyal to the caliph, Yazid I.