1. Have done homework? Homework
Research to find out the details of the battle of Karbala. Record some scenes of the battle from the Shi’a perspective on page 2 of the handout.
Why Hussain stood against Yazid? Find out some reasons. Are these reasons justifiable?

2. On the whiteboard Why some people do self-harming?
Why a believer might do so?
What do you think after having read the newspaper article?

3. On the whiteboard—Quick Quiz
Name the 4th Rightly Guided caliph.
Who was elected after Ali?
Name the two sons of Ali.
How was Mu’awiya elected?
Who took over the Caliphate after Mu’awiya?
How got elected?
Did Shi’a exist during Abu bakr and Umar or Uthman’s period?

4. The martyrdom of Hussain in Shi’a Islam
The significance of the martyrdom of Hussain and the rituals of Muharram in Shi’a Islam

6. What is the Tragedy of Karbala? Some facts.
In 680CE Imam Hussain, was killed by the forces of the second Umayyad caliph Yazid at Karbala.
Letters to Hussain from Kufa……. Unfaithfulness
Muslim ibn Aqeel to Kufa to investigate ….. He reported favourable situations but later Muslim was executed ….. Hussain had already left Makkah
Hussain camped at Karbala with about 72 people including his family…………Yazid’s commander Ibn Sa’d blocked their access to the river forcing them to do without water for three days.
No any negotiations worked
10th of Muharram al’ Hussain’s camp, all men had been killed in Karbala, women were made captives, the casualties were buried at the site of the massacre known as the shrines of Karbala.
Hussain’s head was buried in Damascus or Ascalon in Palestine and was later brought to Cairo.

7. Reasons and significance of the martyrdom of Hussain
Why did Hussain decide to stand up against Yazid?
Reasons
Significance
Reasons and significance of the martyrdom of Hussain

8. The Significance of the martyrdom of Hussain
Hussain stood against oppression
He sacrificed his life and the lives of his companions, his family, his children, in the fight against injustice.
Hussain gave his life for the sake of Islam
Hussain exposed the corruption of Yazid by challenging
Hussain wanted to rebuild the system of life
The force of arms is not enough to serve Islam, what is needed is sacrifice and suffering in order to change the hearts and minds of people. “The martyrdom of Hussain has given to Shi’a Islam a whole ethos of sanctification through martyrdom”.
(Islam p118, V.W.Watton, ref,Moojan Momen)

9. What is the origin of Ashura?
In 684CE the ‘penitents’ committed to perform the collective act of self-sacrifice;
- by marching through the plains of Karbala,
- spending a day and night at the grave of Hussain,
- wailing and lamenting with blackened faces as in response to their
feeling of guilt.
10th of Muharram or ‘tenth’ (Ashura) the anniversary of Hussain’s death. The day of Ashura represents Hussain’s sacrifice and acceptance of martyrdom, is an opportunity to repent and atone for sins.

10. What is the significance of Ashura rituals (the dramatic re-enactments of the events)?
There is a sense of sharing mourning relived in intense rituals.
There is a sense of Shi’a guilt for they had failed to rally round the Imam when he came to the aid of harassed Kufa, leaving him to his fate in Karbala.
There is a sense of hope and justification that Hussain’s tragic fate will redeem the Shi’a faithful
There is a great respect of martyrdom and love for the family of Prophet Muhammad
The events of Karbala represent for the Shi’a idea that to be a martyr is the ultimate fate of those who maintain the true faith

11. What is the Sunni stance?
Love Prophet Muhammad His family (Ahl al bait) is part of faith
This was a tragic and brutal killing by the oppressor, unjust and non- practicing Muslim Umayyad caliph ‘Yazid’
Sunnis praise the attributes of Hussain, condemning Yazid’s brutal action in mosque gatherings rather than a procession.
They believe that martyrdom is a great rank in Islam and martyred Hussain is the real winner and revived Islam by giving his life bravely, his companions and family’s lives. Martyrs are alive with God according to the Qur’an; “Think not of those who are slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord. They rejoice in the the Bounty provided by Allah”. (Qur’an 3:169-70)
So……… matam or mourning and flagellation is forbidden in Islam. We should recite the Qur’an for the martyrs of Karbala.

12. Pair / group work TASK Read in the handout page 3-7
Discuss the rituals of Muharram
Write a sentence in the box, Why do Shi’as practise these? Significance of the rituals.

13. Pilgrimage to the shrine of Hussain Many Shia go on a pilgrimage to the Shrine in Karbala, one of the holiest places for Shi’as apart from Makkah and Medina. Up to one million pilgrims visit the city annually to observe the anniversary of Hussain’s death. It saves Shi’as from hell at the Day of Judgment and all their guilt is removed.
Matam There are two basic forms of matam: a) matam using one's hands only, chest-beating b) matam with implements like chains, knives, swords and blades.
Taziya One form of mourning is the theatrical re-enactment of the Battle of Karbala. It was abandoned in the large cities by the early 1940s.

14. Noha (The Elegy) In the 9th century, lamentation and wailing became promoted as a mourning tradition. Noha is the poem and story that be inspired from Maqtal-e-Hussain. The poet or another one reads the noha with plaintive rhythm. The main subject of noha is the pain from the killing of Hussain.
Weeping The reaction of the audience in the re-enactment of the battle of Karbala’. The weeping and the flow of tears save mourner, when they condemned to hell.
Processions
“A white horse leads the procession, covered with artificial wounds, with arrows stuck all about him and caparisoned in black, representing the horse upon which Hussain was mounted when he was killed”. (Heinz Halm, The Shi’ite A Short Story p68)

15. Flagellation The acts of flagellation is the way for re-enacting blood shedding of Hussain. There were various types of flagellation including striking by chests with palms, striking backs with chains, beating foreheads with knives and swords.
Rawda
Recitation from the garden of Martyrdom (Stories of Shahada).
Alam
The flag that Muhammad gave to Ali then it was handed over to Abbas ibn Ali in Karbala. Alam consists of flexible steel blades placed at upper part of it.

16. Nakhles
The symbol of Hussain ibn Ali's bier (platform). People move the symbolic coffin of Hussain ibn Ali by crying loud “Ya Hussain”.
Sabeel is the distribution of cold and sweet drinks to people, and food as well.

17. Assess the significance of the martyrdom of Hussain in Karbala and its Shia celebration. [12]

18. What is problem with such a way of celebration?

19. Homework
Assess the significance of the martyrdom of Hussain in Karbala and its Shia celebration. [12]