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See also: Day of Ashura

The Mourning of Muharram is an important period of mourning in the Shi'a branch of Islam, taking place in Muharram which is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is also called the Remembrance of Muharram (Arabic: ذكرى محرم or مناسبة محرم). Many of the events associated with the remembrance take place in congregation halls known as Hussainia.

The event marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala when Imam Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of Muhammad the founder of Islam, and a Shia Imam, was killed by the forces of the second Ummayad caliph Yazid I. The event is marked by arranging 'majalis' (gatherings) to review Islamic teachings and to commemorate Husayn'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 Husayn and his family and supporters. The women and children left living were enslaved and transported to Yazid's court in Kufa.

Shi'a Muslims in Bahrain strike their chests during the Remembrance of Muharram.

The Azadari of Muharram was started by the family of Muhammad (the Ahl-ul-Bayt) after the martyrdom of Muhammad's grandson Husayn ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Following the battle, Muhammad's granddaughter Zainab binte Ali and sister of Husayn, began mourning for the fallen and making speeches against Husayn ibn Ali's opponents: Ibn Ziyad and Yazid I. News of Husayn ibn Ali's death was also spread by Imam Zain-ul-Abideen, who succeeded Husayn as the Shia Imam, via sermons and speeches throughout Iraq, Syria and Hejaz.

Zainab and Zain-ul-Abideen proclaimed that Yazid had martyred Husayn and seventy-two of his companions including his six month old son Ali Asghar, and that their women and children were taken as prisoners to Syria.

When word of the mourning reached Yazid he decided to release the captive women and children. He sent for Zain-ul-Abideen, informed him of the impending release and asked if he wished for anything further. Zain-ul-Abideen said he would have to consult with Zainab. She asked Yazid to provide a place where the people could mourn for Imam Husayn and others of Muhammad's household. A house was provided, and here Zaynab binte Ali held the first Majlis-e-Aza of Imam Husayn and started the Mourning of Muharram.

How the event is mourned differs between different branches of Shia and different ethnic groups. The event is also observed by many Sunnis, but to a lesser extent, and as a time of remembrance, rather than mourning^{[citation needed]}.

In the Twelver Usooli and Akhbari branches, mourners, both male and female, congregate together (in separate sections) for sorrowful, poetic recitations performed in memory of the death of Husayn, lamenting and grieving to the tune of beating drums and chants of "Ya Husayn." Passion plays are also performed, reenacting the Battle of Karbala and the suffering and death of Husayn at the hands of Yazid. They offer condolences to Imam-e-Zamana also known as Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi whom they believe will avenge the blood of Husayn and bring justice to the world.

Muharram procession: Shi'a Muslims in Malir, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan suffering and cutting the body with knives during the mourning.

Twelver Alevis do not mourn at all, but instead fast during the event and use it as an opportunity for self-reflection. The only Ismaili group which mourns are the Mustaali, who mourn similarly to Usooli.

Tabuiks (funeral biers) being lowered into the sea at a Muharram procession in West Sumatra, Indonesia

For the duration of the remembrance, it is customary for mosques to provide free meals (nazar) on certain nights of the month to all people. These meals are viewed as being special and holy, as they have been consecrated in the name of Imam Husayn, and thus partaking of them is considered an act of communion with Allah, Imam Husayn, and humanity.

In South Asia, a number of literary and musical genres, produced by both Shias and Sunnis, that have been inspired by the Battle of Karbala are performed during the month, such as marsiya, noha and soaz. This is meant to increase the peoples understanding of how the enemies fought The Battle of Karbala against Husayn and his followers. In Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica all ethnic and religious communities participate in the event, locally known as "Hosay" or "Hussay"^{[citation needed]}. In Indonesia, the event is known as Tabuik (Minangkabau language) or Tabut (Indonesian).

Many Shia also tend to embark on a pilgrimage to the Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala itself, as it is one of the holiest places for Shias outside of Mecca and Medina. Up to one million pilgrims a year visit the city to observe the anniversary of Husayn ibn Ali's death. [1] The shrine is located opposite that of Abbas ibn Ali.

Many of the male participants congregate together in public for ceremonial chest beating (matham) as a display of their devotion to Imam Husayn and in remembrance of his suffering. In some Shi'a societies, such as those in Bahrain, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Iraq, some male participants inflict actual wounds upon themselves, using knives or razors swung upon chains [1]. This practice is permissible by major Usooli Ayatollah such as Muhammad Shirazi and Sistani, however some major scholars such as Khameini have banned it in Iran temporarily, while others such as Fadlallah deem it permanently impermissible. In general however, the act is controversial.

Most Muslims, particularly Sunnis, believe that the Shia practice of mätam constitutes “Bidat” (change) and goes against the Quran and Islam.

A banner (aalam) being carried in a procession during the Remembrance of Muharram in Bahrain.

Muhammad said:

Surely, there exists in the hearts of the Mu' mineen, with respect to the martyrdom of Husayn, a heat that never subsides. [7]

Muhammad said:

O' Fatimah! Every eye shall be weeping on the Day of Judgment except the eye which has shed tears over the tragedy of Husayn for surely, that eye shall be laughing and shall be given the glad tidings of the bounties and comforts of Paradise. [8]

Imam Ali Ibn al-Husain said:

Every Mu'min, whose eyes shed tears upon the killing of Husayn Ibn' Ali and his companions, such that the tears roll down his cheeks, God shall accommodate him in the elevated rooms of paradise. [9]

Imam 'Ali said:

Surely, God has chosen for us followers (Shi'ites), who assist us and are happy at our happiness and are sad in our sadness. [10]

Imam A'li said to Ibn A'bbas:

(Once when he happened to pass by Karbala), Isa Jesus sat down and began to weep. His disciples who were observing him, followed suit and began weeping too, but not comprehending the reason for this behaviour, they asked him: "O' Spirit of God! What is it that makes you weep?" Isa Jesus said: "Do you know what land this is?" The disciples replied: "No." He then said: "This is the land on which the son of the Prophet Ahmad shall be killed.[11]

Shia also recite the ritual phrase "Allahumma Salli Ala Muhammadin Wa Ala Ali Muhammad" ("O Allah, please shower your blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad") during azadari.

• The Book of Guidance (Kitab al-Irshad), By Shaykh al-Mufid. Translated by I.K.A. Howard. http://www.imamalinet.net/en/ec/ind-ac.htm
• Imam Reza Network http://www.imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=5075
• The History and Philosophy of Aza of Imam Husayn (a) by Bashir Rahim http://www.al-islam.org/history/history/br1.html
• http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/shows/iran/map2.html
• Pasban-e-Aza http://www.pasban-e-aza.com/intro.htm
• The history of Al-Tabari, Volume XIX The Caliphate of Yazid, translated by I. K. A. Howard, p:164 Husain The Saviour of Islam, by S.V. Mir Ahmad Ali.
• Mustadrak al-Wasail, vol. 10,pg. 318
• Bihar al-Anwar, vol,: 44;pg,:293
• Yannaabe' al-Mawaddah, pg.: 429
• Ghurar al-Hikam, Vol: 1/ pg.: 235
• Bihar al-Anwar vol. 44,g. 252
• Jageer-e-AliAkbar Networks
• Husayn ibn 'Ali in popular Shiism by Jean Calmard, an article of Encyclopædia Iranica.
• Hussainiat.com
• Azadari is a Way of Life
• Mourning for Imam Husayn (p)
• Who Killed Imam Hussain
• Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project
• Ahlul bayt Global Information Center
• Imam Ali Website
• Azadari - 40 Ahadith
• History of Ashura
• Azadari.com
• Husayn's Legacy: The Triumph of Truth
• Jageer-e-AliAkbar Networks

• Azadari
• Marsia
• Noha
• Soaz
• Ta'zieh
• Hussainia