Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months honored by Allah. Among the most distinguished days in this month is Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram. Beyond the recommendation to fast on this day, Ashura also preserves the memory of several monumental events that offer timeless lessons for humanity.
When we examine the history of the prophets and the journey of the Muslim community, Ashura consistently conveys the same message: truth ultimately prevails even if the path toward victory is long and filled with sacrifice.
Sometimes victory comes in the form of salvation. Other times it comes in steadfast and faith. Now and then, it also manifests as the honor of martyrdom in the sight of Allah.
Mūsā and the Drowning of Pharaoh
One of the most famous events associated with Ashura is the victory of Prophet Mūsā and the Children of Israel over the tyranny of Pharaoh.
After years of living under oppression, Allah commanded Mūsā to lead his people out of Egypt. When they found themselves trapped at the edge of the sea with Pharaoh’s army closing in behind them, Allah’s help arrived in an unimaginable way. The sea split open, becoming a path of salvation for the believers and a grave for the oppressors.
Allah says:
فَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ أَنِ اضْرِبْ بِعَصَاكَ الْبَحْرَ ۖ فَانفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍ كَالطَّوْدِ الْعَظِيمِ وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ الْآخَرِينَ وَأَنْجَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَمَنْ مَعَهُ أَجْمَعِينَ ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا الْآخَرِينَ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ
“Then We inspired Mūsā, ‘Strike the sea with your staff.’ So it parted, and each part was like a towering mountain. We brought the others near the place. We saved Mūsā and all those with him, and then we drowned the others. Surely in that is a sign, though most of them would not believe. And indeed, your Lord is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.” (QS. Asy-Syu’ara [26]: 63-68)
The event teaches that no matter how powerful oppression may seem, it can never overcome the will of Allah. When every path appears blocked, Allah is able to open doors of deliverance beyond human imagination.
Nūḥ and the Landing of the Ark
Some narrations mention that on the Day of Ashura, Prophet Nūḥ’s ark came to rest upon Mount Judi after the great flood. Although these reports are generally considered weak by scholars, the story of Nūḥ itself remains a profound lesson in patience and perseverance.
For centuries, Nūḥ preached to his people with unwavering dedication, yet only a few believed. When Allah’s punishment descended, salvation was granted to those who remained steadfast alongside him.
Allah says:
وَقَالَ ارْكَبُوا فِيهَا بِسْمِ اللَّهِ مَجْرَاهَا وَمُرْسَاهَا ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
“And he said, ‘Board it. In the name of Allah be its course and its anchorage. Indeed, my Lord is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” (QS. Hud [11]: 41)
After the flood subsided, Allah declared:
وَقِيلَ يَا أَرْضُ ابْلَعِي مَاءَكِ وَيَا سَمَاءُ أَقْلِعِي وَغِيضَ الْمَاءُ وَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ وَاسْتَوَتْ عَلَى الْجُودِيِّ
“And it was said, ‘O earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold your rain.’ The water receded, the matter was settled, and the Ark came to rest upon Mount Judi.” (QS. Hud [11]: 44)
This story reminds us that victory does not always arrive quickly. Sometimes believers must endure long periods of hardship before witnessing Allah’s assistance. Yet Allah never neglects the patience of His servants.
The Martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali
Ashura is also remembered as the day when Sayyidina Husayn ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with them both), the beloved grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), was martyred.
Husayn was among the members of the Prophet’s family whom he loved most dearly. The Prophet said:
الْحَسَنُ وَالْحُسَيْنُ رَيْحَانَتَايَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا
“Hasan and Husayn are my two fragrant flowers in this world.” (HR. al-Bukhari)
In the year 61 AH, Husayn was killed at Karbala while facing forces vastly greater in number. Outwardly, he was slain and his family suffered tremendous hardship. Yet from the perspective of faith, Husayn’s martyrdom represented a victory far greater than any worldly triumph.
Rasulullah said:
حُسَيْنٌ مِنِّي وَأَنَا مِنْ حُسَيْنٍ، أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ أَحَبَّ حُسَيْنًا
“Husayn is from me, and I am from Husayn. May Allah love those who love Husayn.” (HR. at-Tirmidzi)
Allah also says:
وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَنْ يُقْتَلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتٌ ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ وَلَٰكِنْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ
“Do not say of those who are killed in the way of Allah that they are dead. Rather, they are alive, though you do not perceive it.” (QS. al-Baqarah [2]: 154)
The tragedy of Karbala teaches that honor is not always measured by political success or military victory. There is a higher form of victory: remaining steadfast upon truth even at the cost of one’s life.
Palestine and the Hope of Victory
When reflecting upon Mūsā, Nūḥ, and Husayn, contemporary Muslims cannot ignore the suffering of the Palestinian people, who continue to endure oppression and violence.
Scenes of destruction, displacement, killings, and various forms of injustice inflicted upon Palestinians remind Muslims that the struggle against oppression continues to this day.
From the perspective of faith, victory is not always synonymous with immediate and visible success. Victory may take the form of steadfastness, patience, the honor of martyrdom, and unwavering confidence that Allah’s justice will ultimately prevail.
Just as the sea parted for Mūsā, the ark found safety for Nūḥ, and Paradise became the reward for Husayn, believers today are likewise commanded to remain hopeful in Allah’s promise, even when circumstances appear overwhelmingly difficult.
The Best Way to Commemorate Ashura
The best way for Muslims to observe Ashura is the way taught by the Prophet Muhammad: fasting. When the Prophet arrived in Madinah, he found the Jewish community fasting on the Day of Ashura in remembrance of the salvation of Prophet Mūsā. He then declared:
نَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِمُوسَى مِنْكُمْ
“We have more right to Mūsā than you do.” (HR. al-Bukhari)
Thereafter, the Prophet fasted on that day and instructed his companions to do the same.
Reference:
Yaqeen Institute, “What Happened on the Day of Ashura? Contextualizing the Events and Meaning of Ashura”, https://yaqeeninstitute.org/read/blog/what-happened-on-the-day-of-ashura-contextualizing-the-events-and-meaning-of-ashura, posted on 15 Juli 2024 and accessed on 15 Juni 2026.
