Lessons from Imam Hussein and Ashura

Some lessons from Imam Hussein and Ashura 

What is Ashura and Who is Imam Hussein?

Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram (the first month of the Islamic calendar). On this day, in more than 14 centuries ago and in a place called Karbala which is now in Iraq, Imam Hussain who was the 3'rd Imam of Shia Muslims and the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) along with many of his family members and all of his companions sacrificed their lives in order to save the teachings of Islam from utter distortion and destruction. Shia Muslims do not fast on this day. They dress in black and take to the streets and mosques on this day to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein (PBUH) who is remembered as the symbol of freedom and dignity. Imam rose up against the tyrant of the time, Yazid, and was martyred after rejecting allegiance to him.
In the battle of Karbala, Imam Hussein and his companions were encircled by an army of 30,000 which decapitated martyrs and ran over bodies with horses.
Yazid’s army then plundered tents of Imam Hussein’s family and burned them. Then, they moved girls and women along heads of the martyrs to Yazid’s court.

See Who is Hussein for more details .

Largest Iftar Table in Shia City of Mashad - Shia Muslim

During Ramadan month, everyday an #Iftar table is flattened at Haram Imam Reza (as) in #Mashhad, for 12000 People.

Shia Muslims break their fast at Imam Reza holly shrine in Iranian city of Mashhad every day. Iftar refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan and is often done right after Maghrib (sunset) time as a community, with Muslims gathering to break their fast together. 

See more images at TasnimNews.com

Congratulations on the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and start of the unity week between Muslims

Today is 12 Rabi'AlAwwal (Arabic Calendar). According to some documents specially from Sunni brothers, in this day, the holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) was born. Shia Muslims however say that the prophet was born in 17 of Rabi'.

Imam Khomeini declared the days between 12 and 17 Rabi' as the week of unity and friendship between Muslims. So accept my deep congratulations on the birth of the Holy Prophet #Muhammad (SAWA) and start of the #unity and #friendship week between Muslims.

Our leader, Imam Khamenei always emphasize on the unity between Muslims and respecting each others. In a lecture at 05/19/2009, Ayatollah Khamenei said:

The enemy is hoping to pitch the followers of different Islamic denominations against one another. Nobody must give in to this spiteful plot of the enemy. They want to incite #Shia against #Sunni and Sunni against Shia. They want to sow spite and suspicion in the hearts of #Muslims. That was why I declared that disrespect for each other's beliefs forms the red lines from an Islamic point of view and from our perspective. Those who disrespect what is held sacred in an Islamic denomination, be it Sunni or Shia #Islam, do not know what they are doing. These acts of desecration provide the enemy with the best means. These are the red lines.

Shia and Sunni Muslims have their own religious ceremonies, rituals, duties, and tendencies, and they must follow their own principles. But under no circumstances should Shia or Sunni Muslims disrespect what the other denomination holds sacred. Some Shia or Sunni Muslims say certain things due to their lack of vigilance and reject one another. That is exactly what the enemy wants.