XXXIII.—MUHARRAM AND ʾA′SHURA′A.
The Muharram (lit. "that which is sacred") commences on the first of the month[1] of that name, and is continued for ten days, the tenth day being called ʾA′shuráa. They are days of mátam, or lamentation, in commemoration of the martyrdom of ʾAli, and of Hasan, and Husain,[2] as observed by the Shíaʾhs; but the day ʾA′shuráa (the tenth) is also held sacred by the Sunnis, the observance of the month having been enjoined by Muhammad on account of its having been the month of creation.
The ceremonies of the Muharram differ much in different places; but the following are the main features of the festival as observed by the Shíaʾhs. A place is prepared which is called the ʾA′shúr-khána (the ten-day house), or Imám-Bára (the Imám place), in the centre of which is dug a pit, in which fires are kindled, and at night the people, young and old, fence across the fire with sticks and swords, and whilst dancing round it, call out, "Oh ʾAli! noble Hasan! noble Husain! bridegroom! alas friend! stay! stay! etc.; the cry being repeated in the most excited manner hundreds of times, until the whole assembly has reached the highest pitch of excitement. They then form themselves in circles, and beat themselves with chains in the most frantic manner. The women repeat a funeral eulogium, and the Maulavís, the Rowzat-us-Shuhádáa, or the Book of Martyrs.
On the seventh day there are representations of the marriage ceremony of Qásim, and of the martyrdom of Husain; and on the eighth day a lance or spear is carried about the city to represent Husain's head, which was carried on the point of a javelin by order of Yazíd. In addition to these representations, there are the Tázías, Tábúts, or biers, of the tombs of Hasan and Husain, a horse-shoe in representation of Husain's swift horse, and the standards of Hasan, Husain, and Qásim, and other Muslim celebrities.
The Sunní Muhammadans do not usually take part in these ceremonies, but observe the tenth day, ʾA′shuráa, being the day on which God is said to have created Adam and Eve, heaven, hell, the tablet of decree, the pen, fate, life, and death.
Muhammad commanded his followers to observe the ʾA′shuráa by bathing, wearing new clothes, applying surma[3] to the eyes, fasting, prayers, making peace with one's enemies, associating with religious persons, relieving orphans, and giving of alms.
The fast of ʾA′shuráa is a Sunnat fast, i. e. not founded upon an injunction in the Qurán, but upon the example of Muhammad.
- ↑ The twelve months of the Muhammad lunar year are as follows:—
1. Muharram. The sacred month. 2. Safar. The month which is void. 3. Rabíʾ-ul-awwal. The first of spring. 4. Rabiʾ-ul-ákhir. The last of spring. 5. Jamád-al-úlá. The first dry month. 6. Jamád-al-ukhrá. The last of spring. 7. Rajab. The revered month. 8. Shʾabán. The month of division. 9. Ramazán. The hot month. 10. Shawwál. The month for going forth (hunting). 11. Zul-Qʾada. The month of rest. 12. Zul-Hijja. The month of pilgrimage. - ↑ The Khalífa ʾAli was assassinated in the Mosque of Cufa, A.D. 660. Hasan was poisoned by his wife, at the instigation of Yazíd. Husain was slain, with three and thirty strokes of lances and swords, A.D. 680. The story of Husain is one of the most touching pages of Muslim history.
- ↑ Surma is antimony or galena ground to a fine powder, and applied to the eyelids to improve the brightness of the eyes.