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Imam al-Husayn's (a) Prayer on the Noon of Ashura

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This article is about the congregational prayer of Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions on the afternoon of Ashura. For the contemporary ritual performed under the same name, see 'Ashura Noon Prayer (ritual).
Painting of Ashura Noon Prayer by Hamed Javanmardi, kept in the museum of the Shah Cheragh Holy Shrine.[1]

Imam al-Husayn's (a) Prayer on the Noon of Ashura refers to the noon and afternoon prayers[2] that Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions performed on the battlefield on the Day of Ashura in 61/680. The prayer was performed as a prayer of fear and in congregation.[3] Some have stated that this action thwarted the enemies' attempts to portray Imam al-Husayn (a) as an irreligious person.[4]

According to historical reports, Abu Thumama al-Sa'idi reminded Imam al-Husayn (a) of the prayer time at noon, and the Imam (a) prayed for him.[5] Imam al-Husayn (a) requested a truce from the enemy to perform prayer,[6] but the enemy refused.[7] Therefore, he ordered Zuhayr b. al-Qayn al-Bajali and Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah al-Hanafi to stand with half of the companions in front of the enemy so that the other companions could perform the prayer in congregation. Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah stood against the enemy's arrows and was martyred after being struck by thirteen arrows.[8]

The Ashura prayer has been reflected in art and literature. Some have depicted this event in paintings,[9] and several poets such as Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Shahriyar,[10] Saghir Isfahani,[11] and Habib Allah Chaychian[12] have mentioned it in their works.[13]

In countries such as Iran, Iraq[14], Russia[15], England[16] and the Netherlands[17] , following the example of Imam al-Husayn (a), the ritual of performing the Zuhr and Asr prayers in congregation in mosques and streets after the Ashura mourning ceremonies every year is practiced.[18] It is reported that Iranian prisoners in the prisons of the Ba'athist regime of Iraq, following the prayer of Imam al-Husayn (a), used to perform their prayers in congregation.[19]

Despite the lives of Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions being in danger, this action is evaluated in line with the practice of Qur'an 4:102, as well as the Prophetic Sira[20] and the Sira of Imam Ali (a)[21] who performed the prayer of fear in congregation during battles.[22] Some researchers have considered it a symbol of the significance of prayer[23] and a reviver of divine obligations.[24] It has also been said that prayer should take precedence over all matters, even jihad.[25]

Notes

  1. ↑ ["Namayish-i tablu-yi naqqashi-yi 'Namaz-i Zuhr-i 'Ashura', dar muzih-yi haram-i Shahchiragh (a)"], Shabestan News Agency.
  2. ↑ Rūḥānī, ʿĀshūrā wa qiyām-i Imām Ḥusayn (a), 1390 Sh, p. 51.
  3. ↑ Mufīd, al-Irshād, 1413 AH, vol. 2, p. 105; Ṭūsī, al-Khilāf, 1407 AH, vol. 1, p. 636.
  4. ↑ ["Aya namaz-i zuhr-i 'Ashura tavasut-i Imam Husayn (a) dar maydan-i nabard kih khatar-i jani-yi basyar dasht, 'amal-i sahihi bud?"], National Center for Answering Religious Questions.
  5. ↑ Abū Mikhnaf, Waqʿat al-ṭaff, 1375 Sh, p. 229.
  6. ↑ Abū Mikhnaf, Waqʿat al-ṭaff, 1375 Sh, p. 230.
  7. ↑ Qummī, Safīnat al-biḥār, 1363 Sh, vol. 1, p. 652.
  8. ↑ Ibn Ṭāwūs, al-Luhūf, 1348 Sh, p. 111; Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, 1403 AH, vol. 45, p. 21.
  9. ↑ For example, see ["Negahdari-yi tablu-ha-yi naqqashi-yi 'Namaz-i Zuhr-i 'Ashura' wa 'Alamdar-i Karbala' dar Maktab-i Honar-i Rezvan"], Quds Online.
  10. ↑ Shahriyār, Dīvān-i Shahriyār, 1385 Sh, vol. 1, p. 503.
  11. ↑ Collectanea, Farhang-i ʿĀshūrāʾī, 1382 Sh, vol. 11, p. 43.
  12. ↑ ["Bi'that-i khun: Shi'ri muntashir-nashudih az Hassan"], Website of the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of Ayatollah Khamenei.
  13. ↑ ["Tajalli-yi namaz dar inqilab-i kabir-i 'Ashura (2)"], Prayer Specialized Center Website.
  14. ↑ ["Namayi didani az namaz-i zuhr-i 'Ashura dar Karbala-yi mu'alla + film"], Hamshahri Online; ["'Aks/ Iqamih-yi namaz-i jama'at-i ruz-i 'Ashura dar haram-i Hadrat-i Aba l-Fazl (a)"], Mashregh News.
  15. ↑ ["Ruz-i 'Ashura dar manatiq-i Musalman-nishin-i Rusiya + film"], Mashregh News.
  16. ↑ ["Iqamih-yi namaz-i zuhr-i 'Ashura dar Landan"], Mashregh News.
  17. ↑ ["Basamad-i jahani-yi Muharram | Az 'alam-kashi dar Los Anjeles ta 'azadari-yi qayiqi dar Kashmir"], Hamshahri Online.
  18. ↑ ["Ruykard-i Situd-i Iqamih-yi Namaz dar barguzari-yi namaz-i zuhr-i 'Ashura"], Prayer Performance Headquarters Website.
  19. ↑ Raḥmāniyān, Qiṣṣih-yi namāz-i āzādigān, 1387 Sh, p. 231.
  20. ↑ Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, 1363 Sh, vol. 3, p. 456; Ṣadūq, Man lā yaḥḍuruh al-faqīh, 1406 AH, vol. 1, p. 310.
  21. ↑ Ṭūsī, Tahdhīb al-aḥkām, 1365 Sh, vol. 3, p. 173.
  22. ↑ ["Aya namaz-i zuhr-i 'Ashura tavasut-i Imam Husayn (a) dar maydan-i nabard kih khatar-i jani-yi basyar dasht, 'amal-i sahihi bud?"], National Center for Answering Religious Questions.
  23. ↑ Aʿrāfī, Fiqh-i tarbiyatī, 1395 Sh, vol. 24, p. 249; Shafīʿī, Gūhar-hā-yi manthūr, 1398 Sh, vol. 3, p. 457.
  24. ↑ Muḥaddithī, Farhang-i ʿĀshūrā, 1381 Sh, p. 485.
  25. ↑ Aʿrāfī, Fiqh-i tarbiyatī, 1395 Sh, vol. 24, p. 249.

References

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  • Aʿrāfī, ʿAlī Riḍā. Fiqh-i tarbiyatī. Qom: Ishraq wa Irfan Cultural and Artistic Institute, 1395 Sh.
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  • ["Basamad-i jahani-yi Muharram | Az 'alam-kashi dar Los Anjeles ta 'azadari-yi qayiqi dar Kashmir"]. Hamshahri Online Website. Published: July 20, 2024. Accessed: January 10, 2026.
  • ["Bi'that-i khun: Shi'ri muntashir-nashudih az Hassan"]. Website of the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of Ayatollah Khamenei. Published: January 4, 2009. Accessed: January 5, 2026.
  • Collectanea. Farhang-i ʿĀshūrāʾī. Tehran: Majma'-i Tehran, 1382 Sh.
  • ["'Aks/ Iqamih-yi namaz-i jama'at-i ruz-i 'Ashura dar haram-i Hadrat-i Aba l-Fazl (a)"]. Mashregh News Agency. Published: July 17, 2024. Accessed: January 10, 2026.
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