How to Pronounce Ashura

Meaning and Context

Ashura, deriving from the Arabic word for the tenth (ʿĀshūrāʾ), is the profound annual commemoration on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It marks the martyrdom in 680 CE (61 AH) of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, along with his family and companions at the Battle of Karbala. This pivotal event is a cornerstone of Shiite Islam, symbolizing the eternal struggle of justice against tyranny and embodying themes of sacrifice, resistance, and devotion. For Shia Muslims globally, Ashura observances include solemn mourning rituals, passionate Majlis (mourning assemblies) recounting the tragedy, dramatic Ta'zieh (passion plays), and expressive processions that often involve matam (ritual chest-beating) and latmiya (mournful chants). While its significance is paramount in Shia tradition, Sunni Muslims also recognize the day, often by fasting, commemorating other historical events like the Exodus of Moses. The Day of Ashura thus serves as a powerful spiritual and communal focal point, reinforcing religious identity and the moral legacy of Karbala through intense emotional and physical expressions of grief and solidarity.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard English transliteration is "Ashura," though several variant spellings exist due to differences in transliterating the Arabic letter 'ayn (ع) and the long vowel. Common alternatives include "Āshūrā", "Ashoora", and "Aashura". The most frequent misspelling is "Ashurah," with an added 'h' at the end, likely due to analogy with other Arabic-derived words ending in "-ah". Other common typos involve vowel placement or doubling, such as "Ashoura," "Ashuraa," or "Ashra". The term is sometimes incorrectly written as "Hussain's Day" or "Karbala Day," which are descriptive but not the formal name. When writing, it is important to capitalize "Ashura" as it refers to a specific religious event, similar to other holy days like Ramadan or Eid.

Example Sentences

Every year, millions of Shia Muslims gather in cities like Karbala, Iraq, to observe Ashura with profound mourning and processions.

The recounting of Husayn's stand at Karbala during the Ashura majlis moved the congregation to tears.

While for Shia adherents Ashura is a day of lamentation, some Sunni Muslims mark it with a voluntary fast.

Pilgrims participating in the Ashura procession chanted poetic latmiyas and performed matam in unison.

Scholars emphasize that the lessons of sacrifice and moral resistance from Ashura remain deeply relevant in the modern era.

The television broadcast of the Ashura commemorations showed streets filled with people clad in black as a symbol of grief.

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