Ayatollah Khamenei
“Certainly, compared to other Muslim societies, one of the most important advantages of the Shiite society is the commemoration of Ashura Day.”
(6th June 1994)
The Revolution’s Causes
The
motives for revolution were numerous. Some were direct grievances of the
general people while others were ideological. The following were the
most apparent:
1. There were many defects and drawbacks but the most
urgent one was the attempt to distort Islamic concepts and ideals. This
aspect was of extreme importance and preoccupied the minds of
responsible Muslims at the time. The fabrication of Hadith was all too
common, which had a poisonous effect on the lives of Muslims. This, was
giving the Umayyads for a while a free hand to carry out their inhuman
deeds and policies. The mask of religion which they used to hide their
un-Islamic conduct was extremely dangerous. In the long run, this could
have changed Islamic concepts of ruling and inverted social ideals. Thus
stripping off this mask and exposing the true Umayad’s picture was of
utmost necessity.
2. The State’s structure was built on an un-Islamic
basis. Quraish was born to rule, Arabs were second class citizens, and
non-Arabs constituted the base of the society’s pyramid. That was the
general social picture of, the Muslim world under the Umayyads dynasty.
Freedom of thought and expression were denied, When one dared to express
an opinion contrary to that of the Umayyad’s, prison became his home,
his property was robbed, and oven his life was at stake.
3. The
Umayyads considered the Muslim world to be their own property. The aims
(Zakat) and other Islamic dues were collected, but no-one knows or can
question where that money went. Large gifts and donations were given to
few cruel governors and tribal chiefs in order to secure their
allegiance. Large sums of money were wastefully spent on racing,
gambling, wine-making, and buying slave women to entertain high-class
people in power. Hence, the majority of Muslims were left near
starvation level while the ruling group all enjoyed the social and
material privileges.
4. The Muslims had apparently got used to the
un-Islamic rule of the Umayyads as time passed by. Their resistance
slackened and some people began adjusting themselves to the new
conditions. Hence, the revolutionary spirit of Islam began to disappear
gradually from Muslims’ lives and thoughts. Therefore, a new stimulant
to their souls was necessary to activate their lives and try to restore,
Islamic conduct to the society.
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar.
The Shiite Muslims commemorate the Battle of Karbala and consider this a month of sadness and mourning.
Can you tell me a little about Ashura?
Ashura
is the day Husain Ibn Ali , the grandson of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH
& HP) , was martyred along with his family members and friends in
the Battle of Karbala.
This month is period of intense grief and mourning.
Clergymen give sermons with themes of Hussein’s personality and position in Islam, and the history of his uprising.
The clergymen retell the Battle of Karbala and speak about the pain and sorrow endured by Hussein and his family.
Many people congregate together in mosques for chest beating and mourning.
They
show their devotion to Imam Hussein by Lamenting and grieving to the
tune of beating drums, sound of bugles and chants of “Ya Hussein.”
Some people sacrifice a sheep in Ashura.
The Shiite Muslims commemorate the Battle of Karbala and consider this a month of sadness and mourning