Imam Husain, along with his family and companions, was martyred by the Umayyad caliph Yazid ibn Mu’awiyah in the year 61 AH, following the Hijrah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Why It Matters:
Although the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not witness the martyrdom of his beloved grandson Imam Husain (AS), numerous Sunni and Shi’a Islamic texts reveal that he expressed deep sorrow and shed tears over Husain’s future martyrdom.
The Prophet is also narrated to have said, "Husain is from me, and I am from Husain. Allah loves whosoever loves Husain." This hadith underscores the profound connection between Imam Husain and his grandfather, the Prophet Muhammad.
The Big Picture:
Hundreds of mourners gathered at Husainiyya Aali Muhammad in Bauchi State to observe the annual 10-day mourning period, featuring lectures by scholars from both Shi’a and Sunni traditions. Similarly, the Shi’a community of the Rasoolul A’azam Foundation held Ashura mourning ceremonies at Madrasatu Sumayya. In Katsina State, prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Yakubu Yahaya continued to lead the mourning rituals.
Meanwhile, in Potiskum city, Yobe State, hundreds of Muslims, including women, children, and the elderly, gathered to commemorate Ashura 2025.
What they're saying:
On Sunday, Sheikh Ahmad Yusuf Yashi, a senior member of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, led the mourning ceremonies in Bauchi city. A key topic discussed was "Iran’s Resistance and Retaliatory War Against America and Israel: A Lesson for Ashura Mourners in Africa," highlighting the contemporary relevance of Imam Husain’s sacrifice in standing against oppression.
Key Points:
Beyond lectures on the sacrifices of Imam Husain and his companions, Ashura rituals included recitation of the Holy Qur’an, elegies, and poetry. Mourners also engaged in chest-beating as a symbolic act of solidarity with Imam Husain’s suffering and his stand against tyranny.
Go Deeper:
On the tenth day of Muharram, as in other parts of the world, Muslims in Nigeria hold Ashura processions across more than 22 cities and towns in the West African nation, reaffirming their commitment to the values of justice, resistance, and faith exemplified by Imam Husain’s martyrdom.
Mojtaba Darabi
