All You Need to Know About Ashura: A Christian’s Guide to Connecting with Muslim Neighbors
- Jun 22
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 24
Have you ever heard of the Islamic holy day Ashura? Maybe you heard about it on the news, saw it on the calendar app, or witnessed public displays of it.
As Christians, taking the time to understand the special days and religious traditions of other faiths is incredibly valuable. It provides us with a natural, respectful bridge to start meaningful faith conversations, allowing us to be loving neighbors and share the hope of Christ.
Think back to the last time someone truly took an interest in your beliefs, listened intently, and genuinely wanted to learn more. It likely made you feel seen and respected. By learning about the Day of Ashura, you can offer that same intentionality and care to your Muslim friends and coworkers.
What is Ashura?
Across the Islamic world, Ashura is recognized as a sacred day of deep spiritual significance. On the Islamic calendar, it always falls on the 10th day of Muharram (the very first month of the Islamic year). In fact, the word Ashura literally translates to “tenth” in the Arabic language. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the dates shift slightly every year on our standard calendar.
Note: In 2026, Ashura is observed from the evening of Thursday, June 25th through Friday, June 26th.
Fasting Requirements Changed and Abrogation
When Islam first began (610 AD), Allah required all Muslims to fast during Ashura–until one day Allah changed his mind. Allah does this so often in the Quran that it has a name–abrogation. To learn more about abrogation, read here.
We see from this Hadith that fasting for Ashura became optional for Muslims, and required fasting was moved to Ramadan:
“The people used to fast on the day of 'Ashura' before fasting in Ramadan was prescribed but when (the order of compulsory fasting in) Ramadan was revealed, it was up to one to fast on it (i.e. 'Ashura') or not.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 4502)
The Day of Ashura: Shia Muslims vs. Sunni Muslims
If you were to ask two different Muslims what Ashura signifies, you might walk away with completely different answers. This is because the two major branches of Islam—Sunni and Shia—observe the day for entirely different historical reasons and participate in contrasting rituals.
Shia Muslims view Ashura as a solemn time of mourning and historical commemoration of a tragic death.
Sunni Muslims view Ashura as a communal day of voluntary fasting, reflection, and gratitude for a miraculous deliverance.
For more on the differences between Sunni and Shia Islam, read here.
Ashura in Shia Islam: A Commemoration of Martyrdom
What is the purpose of Ashura according to Shia Muslims?
For Shiites (10-13% of the global population of Muslims), the primary purpose of Ashura is honoring and mourning the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, one of their most revered historical figures and a grandson of their prophet, Muhammad.
While the formal sacred day is on the 10th of Muharram, the Shia commemoration and mourning period actually spans the entire first ten days of the month. To fully understand why this day carries such immense emotional weight for Shiites, we have to look back at early Islamic history.
The Battle of Karbala and the Sunni-Shia Split
Before Muhammad died, he did not publicly appoint a clear successor to lead his followers, nor did he leave definitive, universally accepted instructions on how to choose the next leader. This leadership vacuum divided the early Muslim community into two major camps:
One group insisted that leadership should stay strictly within Muhammad’s direct bloodline, divinely appointed by Allah. (Shia)
The other group believed that leaders should be chosen through community consensus and election. (Sunni)
This fundamental disagreement eventually escalated into a major military conflict known as the Battle of Karbala (680 AD). Muhammad’s grandson, Husayn (who was viewed by the bloodline camp as the rightful heir), firmly rejected the authority and legitimacy of the reigning caliph Yazid. The conflict ended tragically when Yazid's forces surrounded and beheaded Husayn. This violent event solidified the official, permanent split between Sunni and Shia Islam.
What are the traditions of Ashura for Shia Muslims?
Today, Shia Muslims observe Ashura to remember Husayn’s refusal to compromise his convictions and to mourn his death. To express their deep grief, sorrow, and solidarity with Husayn's suffering, various rituals are practiced:
Public Processions and Black Attire: Mourners dress completely in black and take to the streets in large communal processions.
Expressions of Grief (Matam): Worshipers participate in rhythmic chest-beating, weeping, and chanting Husayn's name. In some traditional settings, this extends to public displays of self-flagellation or bloodletting.
Reenactments and Sermons: Communities gather to listen to emotional sermons, view passion plays (Ta'ziyeh) that recreate the battle, and recite elegiac poetry (Marsiya).
Pilgrimage: Hundreds of thousands of Shia Muslims make a holy pilgrimage directly to Husayn’s burial shrine in Karbala, Iraq.
Ashura in Sunni Islam: A Celebration of Deliverance
What is the purpose of Ashura according to Sunni Muslims?
For Sunni Muslims, who represent the vast majority (87% to 90%) of the global Muslim population, Ashura has an entirely different historical focus that is completely unrelated to the Battle of Karbala. During Ashura, Sunnis celebrate Allah parting the Red Sea to deliver Moses and the Israelites from the tyranny of Pharaoh. While Shia’s lament for over a week, Sunnis see the day of Ashura as a time to reflect on victory and express gratitude, joy, and peace.
What are the traditions of Ashura for Sunni Muslims?
Because the fast is voluntary rather than mandatory, Sunni traditions are highly centered around personal spiritual reflection and community gratitude:
Voluntary Fasting: Following the tradition (Sunnah) of Muhammad, many Sunnis choose to fast on the 10th of Muharram, often pairing it with the 9th or 11th day to distinguish it from other religious fasts.
Feasts and Hospitality: Families often gather for festive meals, share sweets, and cook a special sweet pudding (often called "Ashura pudding" or Noah's pudding).
Acts of Charity: It is highly common for Sunnis to emphasize giving to the poor and practicing extra acts of charity (Zakat) during this time.
How do American Muslims celebrate Ashura?
In the United States, Muslim communities actively mark Ashura according to their respective traditions.
For example, large Shia Ashura processions occur annually in major metropolitan areas with significant Shia populations, such as Houston, Chicago, New York City, and Dearborn, Michigan. If you were to pass by one of these public gatherings, you would see crowds dressed in black, hear the rhythmic chanting of Husayn's name, see candlelight vigils, and occasionally observe intense public displays of devotion, such as walking over hot coals.
In sharp contrast, Sunni Americans generally observe the day quietly and privately within their homes and local mosques, focusing on personal fasting, prayer, and family meals.
How to connect with your Muslim friends during Ashura
Just as your own family’s holiday traditions might look very different from your neighbors', take this upcoming season as a gentle opportunity to learn about the specific ways your Muslim friends observe their faith. Here are some questions to start with:
"I noticed on my calendar that Ashura is coming up soon. Does your family observe that day?"
“Is Ashura a time of mourning or joy for your family?”
“What are your Ashura traditions or rituals?”
Bridging the Conversation to the Gospel
Listening well builds trust and opens a natural doorway for you to share your own faith when asked.
If you are speaking with a Shia friend, you can transition to discussing your own Easter traditions. Emphasize the profound love Jesus demonstrated through His redemptive sacrifice on the cross. You can highlight a beautiful point of contrast: while Shia traditions look back at a tragic death with deep, unresolved mourning, Christians look back at Christ's suffering with immense hope, because Jesus successfully conquered the grave and was victorious over death (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
If you are speaking with a Sunni friend, you can transition to discussing the meaning of Christmas or God's ultimate deliverance. Focus on Jesus as the ultimate "Lamb of God" who came to deliver us entirely from the bondage of sin and eternal death—paralleling how God delivered Moses from Egypt.
As always, allow Scripture to gently guide your conversations.
Scripture Verses to Keep in Mind
To share with Shia friends (focusing on ultimate sacrifice, healing, and hope, turning from mourning to joy):
“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
“You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have untied my sackcloth and encircled me with joy, That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” Psalm 30:11-12
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12: 2
To share with Sunni friends (focusing on deliverance, refuge, and salvation):
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2
“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Colossians 1:13
Prayer for Muslims during Ashura
Dear Lord, please open the eyes of Muslims so they can see that you are the only way to true redemption and deliverance and the only source of sacrificial love and light. May they see that only the cross should be commemorated and the resurrection celebrated. Please give me an extra measure of understanding and compassion, as I share the truth of your Son with my Muslim friends. Amen.
Sources:
https://jamestravis.net/2022/08/08/ashura-and-the-christian/ (not sure that we can cite this one)
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shii (Both the Ashura article and the Al- Husayn article)
