Tasu'a

Timeline of the Battle of Karbala
Year 60/680
Rajab 15; (April 21)	Death of Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan
Rajab 28; (May 4)	Departure of Imam al-Husayn b. 'Ali (a) from Medina.
Sha'ban 3; (May 9)	Arrival of Imam al-Husayn (a) to Mecca.
Ramadan 10; (June 14)	Arrival of Kufiyans' first letter to Imam (a)
Ramadan 12; (June 16)	Arrival of 150 letters from Kufa
Ramadan 14; (June 18)	Arrival of the letter from leaders of Kufa
Ramadan 15; (June 19)	Departure of Muslim b. 'Aqil from Mecca toward Kufa.
Shawwal 5; (July 9)	Arrival of Muslim b. 'Aqil to Kufa.
Dhu l-Hijja 8; (September 9)	Departure of Imam al-Husayn (a) form Mecca and uprising of Muslim b. 'Aqil in Kufa
Dhu l-Hijja 9; (September 10)	Martyrdom of Muslim b. 'Aqil
Year 61/680
Muharram 1; (October 1)	Asking for help of 'Ubayd Allah b. al-Hurr al-Ju'fi and 'Amr b. Qays in Qasr Bani Muqatil
Muharram 2; (October 2)	Arrival of Imam (a) to Karbala
Muharram 3; (October 3)	Arrival of 'Umar b. Sa'd with 4,000 people to Karbala
Muharram 6; (October 6)	Habib b. Muzahir's asking for help of Banu Asad
Muharram 7; (October 7)	Banding of water by 'Umar b. Sa'd and joining Muslim b. 'Awsaja al-Asadi to Imam (a)
Muharram 9; (October 9)	Arrival of Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan to Karbala
Muharram 9; (October 9)	Shimr's Safe conduct for Umm al-Banin's children
Muharram 9; (October 9)	Announcing of the Battle by 'Umar b. Sa'd and Imam's (a) asking for a delay
Muharram 10; (October 10)	Events of Ashura and the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a), his Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) and his companions
Muharram 11; (October 11)	Moving the captives towards Kufa and the burial of martyrs by Banu Asad
Muharram 12; (October 12)	Arrival of captives to Kufa and the burial of the martyrs according to the narration
Muharram 19; (October 19)	Moving the captives from Kufa towards Syria
Safar 1; (October 31)	Arrival of the captives and the head of Imam al-Husayn (a) to Syria
Safar 20; (November 19)	Arba'in and the return of Ahl al-Bayt (a) to Karbala and Medina (in some accounts)
	v; t; e;

Tāsūʿāʾ (Arabic: تاسوعاء) is the 9th day of Muharram, and it refers to Muharram 9, 61/October 9, 680 the day before the Day of 'Ashura. On that day, Shimr came to Karbala bringing a letter from 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad in which 'Umar b. Sa'd was asked to either be serious in treating Imam al-Husayn (a) or leave the command of the army to Shimr. 'Umar b. Sa'd refused to leave the army's command to Shimr and prepared to fight with Imam al-Husayn (a). After the attack of the army to the tents of Imam (a) in the evening of Tasu'a, Imam (a) sent his brother 'Abbas to ask the enemy to reprieve them the night.

Also, on this day, Shimr brought a safe-conduct for 'Abbas and other sons of Umm al-Banin, but 'Abbas did not accept it. Therefore, this day is significant for Shi'a. Traditionally, Shi'as consider the day of Tasu'a dedicated to 'Abbas (a) and respect it the same as the Day of 'Ashura and mention the merits of 'Abbas and mourn for him. This day is an official holiday before the Day of 'Ashura in Iran.

Meaning

The ninth day of Muharram is called Tasu'a. The word "Tasu'a" is derived from the root t-s-'a (Arabic: ت-س-ع) meaning "nine" or "ninth". However, the fame of this day is because of the events on Muharram 9, 61/ October 9, 680 occurred in Karbala.

Events

The Day of Tasu'a is the last day Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions spent the night on and that day is remembered with the Eve of 'Ashura.

Coming of Shimr to Karbala

On the day of Tasu'a, before noon, Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan and 4000 soldiers entered Karbala^[1] and brought a letter for 'Umar b. Sa'd from 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad. In that letter, 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad had asked 'Umar b. Sa'd to either force Imam al-Husayn (a) to make allegiance to Yazid or fight him.

'Ubayd Allah had also threatened 'Umar in the letter that if he refuses the order, he had to withdraw from the army's command and leave it to Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan.^[2]

When 'Umar b. Sa'd read the letter, told Shimr, "I will not leave the command of the army to you since I do not see the competence in you; so, I will finish this myself and you shall be the commander of the foot soldiers."^[3]

Safe-Conduct for the Children of Umm al-Banin

When Shimr took the letter of 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad, he was with 'Abd Allah b. Abi l-Mahal, the nephew of Umm al-Banin and they asked 'Ubayd Allah for a safe-conduct for their nephews and 'Ubayd Allah accepted their request.^[4]

'Abd Allah b. Abi l-Mahal sent the safe-conduct to Karbala through his slave, Kazman or 'Irfan. After he arrived in Karbala, he read the text of the safe-conduct for the sons of Umma al-Banin (a), but they refused it.^[5]

It is mentioned in another report that Shimr took the safe-conduct with himself to Karbala to 'Abbas (a) and his brothers 'Abd Allah, Ja'far and 'Uthman.^[6]

'Abbas (a) and his brothers were sitting with Imam al-Husayn (a) and did not answer Shimr. Imam (a) told 'Abbas (a), "Although he is a mischief-maker, you answer him for he is one of your uncles." 'Abbas (a), 'Abd Allah, Ja'far and 'Uthman came out and asked Shimr, "What do you want?" Shimr told them, "you are my nephews; so, you are safe and free to go since I took a safe-conduct of you from 'Ubayd Allah." But, 'Abbas (a) and his brothers said, "May God curse you and your safe conduct! We would be safe and the son of the Prophet's (s) daughter would not be safe?!"^[7]

After rejecting the safe conduct, the army of 'Umar b. Sa'd was ordered to prepare for the war; so, everyone got on his horse and prepared to fight Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions on the evening of Thursday, Muharram 9.^[8]

Preparation for the War

In the evening of Muharram 9, movements of the army of Kufa increased and 'Umar b. Sa'd prepared to fight with Imam al-Husayn (a) and ordered his army to prepare for the war. He shouted among his soldiers, "O the army of God! Got on [your horses] for I give you the good news of the Paradise!" The army of Kufa got on [their horses] and prepared for the battle.^[9]

The noise of the army raised. Imam (a) was sitting in front of his tent and leaned on his sword. Hearing the sound of the army of Kufa, Imam's (a) sister, Zaynab (a) came near her brother and said, "O brother! Do you hear the sound of them approaching?" Imam (a) raised his head and said, "I met the Prophet (s) in my dream and he (s) told me, 'You will [soon] come to us." Imam (a) told 'Abbas (a), "O 'Abbas! May my life be sacrificed for you; sit on your horse and go to them and ask what they want and why they have come forth?"

'Abbas (a) and twenty horsemen including Zuhayr b. Qayn and Habib b. Muzahir went to the army of the enemy and asked, "What has happened and what do you want?" They answered, "It is an order of the commander to tell you that you either pledge allegiance or prepare for the war." 'Abbas (a) said, "Do not move until I go to Imam al-Husayn (a) and deliver your message to him." They accepted, so 'Abbas (a) went to Imam al-Husayn (a) alone and gave him the news.^[10]

Imam (a) told 'Abbas (a), "See if you can convince them to postpone the war to tomorrow and give us time for tonight so that we worship and pray to God; for He knows how much I love praying to Him and reciting His book."^[11]

During the time 'Abbas (a) was speaking with Imam (a), his companions, Habib b. Muzahir and Zuhayr b. Qayn used the opportunity and spoke with the army of 'Umar b. Sa'd and advised them not to war with Imam (a) and prevented them from coming forth.^[12]

'Abbas (a) returned to the enemy's army and delivered the request of Imam (a) to them and asked them to give them the night. 'Umar b. Sa'd agreed with the request of Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions.^[13] On that day, the tents of Imam al-Husayn (a), his family, and his companions were surrounded.

Hadith from Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (a)

In a hadith, Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (a) described that day as,

"Tasu'a is the day when al-Husayn (a) and his companions were besieged in Karbala and the army of Syria gathered against them; and 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad and 'Umar b. Sa'd became so happy of the gathering of so many forces. That day, they considered al-Husayn (a) and his companions weak and became sure that no help will come for them and Iraqi people will not support them either."

Importance of this Day for Shia

Because of the events that occurred on this day, it is very important to Shia. They attribute this day to 'Abbas b. 'Ali (a) and respect this day the same as the Day of 'Ashura and mourn during it.

In Iran and some Islamic countries having a Shi'a majority, the day of Tasu'a is an official holiday the same as the Day of 'Ashura. On this day, great mourning ceremonies are held with the running of mourning, chest-beating and chain-hitting caravans of people.

Notes

↑ Kūfī, al-Futūḥ, vol. 5, p. 94; Ibn Shahrāshūb, Mnāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 98.
↑ Kūfī, al-Futūḥ, vol. 5, p. 94; Ibn Shahrāshūb, Mnāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 98; Ibn Saʿd, al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā, p. 466.
↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 183; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa al-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 415; Shaykh al-Mufīd, Al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 89.
↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 415; Ibn Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-Tārīkh, p. 56.
↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 415; Kūfī, al-Futūḥ, vol. 5, p. 93-94; Ibn Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-Tārīkh, p. 56.
↑ Ḥusaynī, ʿUmdat al-ṭālib fī ansāb Āl Abī Ṭālib, p. 327; Khawārazmī, Maqtal al-Ḥusayn, vol. 1, p. 246.
↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 183; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa al-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 416; Khawārazmī, Maqtal al-Ḥusayn, vol. 1, p. 246.
↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 184; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 416; Khawārazmī, Maqtal al-Ḥusayn, vol. 1, p. 249.
↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 184; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 416; Shaykh al-Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 89.
↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 184-185; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 416-418; Khawārazmī, Maqtal al-Ḥusayn, vol. 1, p. 249-250.
↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 417; Ibn Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-Tārīkh, p. 57.
↑ Kūfī, al-Futūḥ, vol. 5, p. 98; Khawārazmī, Maqtal al-Ḥusayn, vol. 1, p. 249-250; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 416-417.
↑ Al-Kūfī, Al-Futūḥ, vol. 5, p. 98; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 417.

References

Kūfī, Ibn Aʿtham al-. Al-Futūḥ. Edited by ʿAlī Shīrī. Beirut: Dār al-Aḍwāʾ, 1991.
Balādhurī, Aḥmad b. Yaḥyā al-. Ansāb al-ashrāf. Edited by Iḥsān ʿAbbās. Beirut: Jamʿīyyat al-Mustashriqīn al-Amānīyya, 1979.
Ibn 'Inaba, Aḥmad b. 'Alī b. al-Ḥusayn. ʿUmdat al-ṭālib fī ansāb Āl Abī Ṭālib. Qom: Anṣārīyān, 1417 AH.
Ibn Athīr, ʿAlī b. Abī al-Karam. Al-Kāmil fī l-Tārīkh. Beirut: Dār Biyrūt, 1965.
Baṣrī, Muḥammad b. Saʿd b. Manīʿ al-. Al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā. Edited by Muḥammad b. Ṣāmil. Taʿif: Maktabat al-Ṣiddīq, 1993.
Ibn Shahrāshūb, Muhammad b. 'Alī. Mnāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib. Qom: ʿAllāma, 1379 AH.
Khawārazmī, Muḥammad b. Aḥmad. Maqtal al-Ḥusayn. Edited by Muḥammad al-Samāwī. Qom: Maktabat al-Mufīd. n.d.
Mufīd, Muḥammad b. Muḥammad al-. Al-Irshād fī maʿrifat ḥujaj Allāh ʿala l-ʿibād. Qom: Kungira-yi Shaykh al-Mufīd, 1413 AH.
Ṭabarī, Muḥammad b. Jarīr. Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk (Tārīkh al-Ṭabrī). Edited by Muḥammad b. Abū l-faḍl al-Ibrāhīm. Beirut: Dār al-Turāth, n.d.

[1] Kūfī, al-Futūḥ, vol. 5, p. 94; Ibn Shahrāshūb, Mnāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 98.

[2] Kūfī, al-Futūḥ, vol. 5, p. 94; Ibn Shahrāshūb, Mnāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 98; Ibn Saʿd, al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā, p. 466.

[3] Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 183; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa al-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 415; Shaykh al-Mufīd, Al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 89.

[4] Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 415; Ibn Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-Tārīkh, p. 56.

[5] Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 415; Kūfī, al-Futūḥ, vol. 5, p. 93-94; Ibn Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-Tārīkh, p. 56.

[6] Ḥusaynī, ʿUmdat al-ṭālib fī ansāb Āl Abī Ṭālib, p. 327; Khawārazmī, Maqtal al-Ḥusayn, vol. 1, p. 246.

[7] Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 183; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa al-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 416; Khawārazmī, Maqtal al-Ḥusayn, vol. 1, p. 246.

[8] Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 184; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 416; Khawārazmī, Maqtal al-Ḥusayn, vol. 1, p. 249.

[9] Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 184; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 416; Shaykh al-Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 89.

[10] Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 184-185; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 416-418; Khawārazmī, Maqtal al-Ḥusayn, vol. 1, p. 249-250.

[11] Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 417; Ibn Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-Tārīkh, p. 57.

[12] Kūfī, al-Futūḥ, vol. 5, p. 98; Khawārazmī, Maqtal al-Ḥusayn, vol. 1, p. 249-250; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 416-417.

[13] Al-Kūfī, Al-Futūḥ, vol. 5, p. 98; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 5, p. 417.

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Year 60/680
Rajab 15 (April 21)	Death of Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan
Rajab 28 (May 4)	Departure of Imam al-Husayn b. 'Ali (a) from Medina.
Sha'ban 3 (May 9)	Arrival of Imam al-Husayn (a) to Mecca.
Ramadan 10 (June 14)	Arrival of Kufiyans' first letter to Imam (a)
Ramadan 12 (June 16)	Arrival of 150 letters from Kufa
Ramadan 14 (June 18)	Arrival of the letter from leaders of Kufa
Ramadan 15 (June 19)	Departure of Muslim b. 'Aqil from Mecca toward Kufa.
Shawwal 5 (July 9)	Arrival of Muslim b. 'Aqil to Kufa.
Dhu l-Hijja 8 (September 9)	Departure of Imam al-Husayn (a) form Mecca and uprising of Muslim b. 'Aqil in Kufa
Dhu l-Hijja 9 (September 10)	Martyrdom of Muslim b. 'Aqil
Year 61/680
Muharram 1 (October 1)	Asking for help of 'Ubayd Allah b. al-Hurr al-Ju'fi and 'Amr b. Qays in Qasr Bani Muqatil
Muharram 2 (October 2)	Arrival of Imam (a) to Karbala
Muharram 3 (October 3)	Arrival of 'Umar b. Sa'd with 4,000 people to Karbala
Muharram 6 (October 6)	Habib b. Muzahir's asking for help of Banu Asad
Muharram 7 (October 7)	Banding of water by 'Umar b. Sa'd and joining Muslim b. 'Awsaja al-Asadi to Imam (a)
Muharram 9 (October 9)	Arrival of Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan to Karbala
Muharram 9 (October 9)	Shimr's Safe conduct for Umm al-Banin's children
Muharram 9 (October 9)	Announcing of the Battle by 'Umar b. Sa'd and Imam's (a) asking for a delay
Muharram 10 (October 10)	Events of Ashura and the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a), his Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) and his companions
Muharram 11 (October 11)	Moving the captives towards Kufa and the burial of martyrs by Banu Asad
Muharram 12 (October 12)	Arrival of captives to Kufa and the burial of the martyrs according to the narration
Muharram 19 (October 19)	Moving the captives from Kufa towards Syria
Safar 1 (October 31)	Arrival of the captives and the head of Imam al-Husayn (a) to Syria
Safar 20 (November 19)	Arba'in and the return of Ahl al-Bayt (a) to Karbala and Medina (in some accounts)
v t e

v t e Battle of Karbala
Martyrs of Karbala	Imam al-Husayn (a) • al-'Abbas b. 'Ali (a) • 'Ali al-Akbar (a) • Qasim b. al-Hasan (a) • 'Ali al-Asghar (a) • Ja'far b. 'Aqil • 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Aqil • Habib b. Muzahir • Darghama b. Malik • Muslim b. 'Awsaja • Zuhayr b. al-Qayn • Al-Hurr b. Yazid al-Riyahi • Abu Thumama al-Sa'idi • Nafi' b. Hilal al-Bajali • Abu Bakr b. 'Ali (a) • 'Uthman b. 'Ali (a) • 'Abd Allah b. al-Hasan • Muhammad b. 'Abd Allah b. Ja'far • Ja'far b. al-Imam 'Ali (a) • 'Awn b. 'Abd Allah b. Ja'far • others
Captives of Karbala	Imam al-Sajjad (a) • Imam al-Baqir (a) • Lady Zaynab (a) • Rabab • Fatima bt. al-Husayn (a) • Ruqayya bt. 'Ali (a) • Ruqayya bt. al-Husayn • others
Main Enemies of Imam al-Husayn (a)	Yazid b. Mu'awiya • 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad • 'Umar b. Sa'd • Sinan b. Anas al-Nakha'i • Khawli b. Yazid al-Asbahi • Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan
Revenge Seekers of Imam al-Husayn (a)	Tawwabun • Al-Musayyib b. Najaba • Sulayman b. Surad al-Khuza'i • Rifa'a b. Shaddad al-Bajali • 'Abd Allah b. Wal al-Taymi • Al-Mukhtar b. Abi 'Ubayd al-Thaqafi • Abu l-Tufayl al-Kinani • Kaysan • 'Abd Allah b. Kamil al-Shakiri • Ibrahim b. Malik al-Ashtar
Traditions and Ceremonies‏	Mourning of Muharram • Basin-placing • Zanjirzani • Sinj and Damam • Marthiya • Nawha • Ta'ziya • Rawda • Tatbir • Palm-Carrying • Sham-i Ghariban • Procession of Arba'in • Coffin Carrying • Chest-beating
Sermons	Imam al-Husayn's (a) Sermon in Mina • Imam al-Husayn's (a) Sermon on Ashura • Text of Imam al-Husayn's (a) Sermon on Ashura • Sermon of Lady Zaynab (a) in Syria • Sermon of Lady Zaynab (a) in Kufa • Sermon of Imam al-Sajjad (a) in Kufa • Sermon of Fatima al-Sughra in Kufa
Related Supplications	Ziyarah 'Ashura' • Ziyarah al-Nahiya al-Muqaddasa • Supplication of 'Alqama • Ziyarat al-Arba'in • Ziyarah al-Warith • Ziyarah al-Shuhada'
Related Locations	Karbala • Tekyeh • Husayniyya • Ruins of Syria • Kufa • Holy Shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a) • Al-Ha'ir al-Husayni • Tall al-Zaynabiyya • Qadisiyya • Al-Taff • Kaff al-'Abbas (a) • Qatligah • Bayn al-Haramayn • 'Alqama • Maqam Ra's al-Husayn (a) • Al-Khuzaymiya • Dhat 'Irq • Ghadiriyya • Qasr Bani Muqatil • 'Udhayb al-Hijanat • Syria • Holy Shrine of al-'Abbas (a) • Holy Shrine of al-Sayyida Zaynab (a) • Shrine of Lady Ruqayya (a) • Damascus • Furat • Tan'im • Al-Mukhayyam • Mashhad al-Siqt • Tomb of Khawla • Bab al-Saghir Cemetery
See Also	Letters of the Kufians • Day of Ashura (events) • Day of 'Ashura' • Eve of 'Ashura' • Every Day Is Ashura and Every Land Is Karbala • Muslim b. 'Aqil • Tasu'a • Battle of Karbala • Captives of Karbala • Arba'in • Timeline of the Battle of 'Ashura' • Statistics of the Battle of 'Ashura' • Two Sons of Muslim b. 'Aqil • Shurayh al-Qadi • Shurayh al-Qadi's Fatwa • Qays b. Mushir • Umm al-Banin • 'Abd Allah b. Yaqtar • Ya la-Tharat al-Husayn • Saqqakhana • 'Alam • Tawwabun Uprising • al-Mukhtar • Uprising of al-Mukhtar • Banu Asad • Soil of Imam al-Husayn's (a) grave • 'Abd Allah b. Wal al-Taymi • Battle of al-Khazir • 'Ubayd Allah b. al-Hurr al-Ju'fi
Companions of Imam al-Husayn (a) • Mourning of Muharram • Perpetrators of the Battle of Karbala

v t e Timeline of the Battle of Karbala
From the death of Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan to the Arba'in of Imam al-Husayn b. 'Ali (a) (60-61 AH/680)
Rajab 15 (April 21)	The death of Mu'awiya
Rajab 28 (May 4)	Imam al-Husayn b. 'Ali (a) left Medina
Sha'ban 3 (May 9)	Imam al-Husayn (a) entered Mecca
Ramadan 10 (June 14)	Imam al-Husayn (a) received the letters from Kufa from Abd Allah b. Misma' al-Hamdani and 'Abd Allah b. Wal al-Taymi
Ramadan 12 (June 16)	Imam al-Husayn (a) received 150 letters from Kufa from Qays b. Mushir al-Saydawi, 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Abd Allah al-Arhabi and 'Umarat b. 'Abd Allah al-Saluli
Ramadan 14 (June 18)	Imam al-Husayn (a) received the letters of elites and people of Kufa from Hani b. Hani al-Sabi'i and Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah al-Hanafi
Ramadan 15 (June 19)	Muslim b. 'Aqil left Mecca toward Kufa by the Imam's order
Shawwal 5 (July 9)	Muslim b. 'Aqil entered Kufa
Dhu l-Hijja 8 (September 9)	Imam al-Husayn (a) left Mecca
Dhu l-Hijja 9 (September 10)	Muslim b. 'Aqil's uprising in Kufa • Martyrdom of Muslim b. 'Aqil
Muharram 2 (October 2)	Imam al-Husayn b. 'Ali (a) entered Karbala.
Muharram 3 (October 3)	'Umar b. Sa'd entered Karbala commanding an army of 4 thousand.
Muharram 6 (October 6)	Habib b. Muzahir encouraged his tribe, Banu Asad, to help Imam al-Husayn (a), but they were prevented from reaching the Imam's army.
Muharram 7 (October 7)	Imam al-Husayn (a) was denied access to water.
Muharram 9 (October 9)	The day of Tasu'a • Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan entered Karbala. • 'Umar b. Sa'd wanted to launch the attack against Imam al-Husayn (a) but Imam al-Husayn asked for respite.
Muharram 10 (October 10)	The Day of 'Ashura' in which the Battle of Karbala took place • Martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a), his family and his companions
Muharram 11 (October 11)	Captives of Karbala were moved toward Kufa • Martyrs of Karbala were buried by Banu Asad
Safar 1 (October 31)	Imam al-Husayn's (a) progeny and Imam al-Husayn's (a) head entered Damascus
Safar 20 (November 19)	The day of Arba'in • Imam al-Husayn's (a) progeny went back to Karbala and then to Medina
Read more on Ashura, Karbala, Imam al-Husayn (a)

v t e Shi'a Occasions
Eids	Eid of Bi'tha • Eid al-Fitr • Karamat Decades • Eid al-Adha • Eid al-Ghadir • Marriage of Imam Ali (a) and Lady Fatima (a) • Mid-Sha'ban • Prophet's Birthday • Islamic Unity week
Mourning Days	First Ten Days of Muharram • Tasu'a • Day of Ashura' • Eve of Ashura' • Sham-i Ghariban • Arba'in of Imam al-Husayn (a) • Last Ten Days of Safar • Muhsiniyya • Fatimiyya • The nineteenth night of Ramadan • The twenty-first night of Ramadan • Martyrdom of Imam al-Sadiq (a) • Yawm al-Hadm
Worship Days	Month of Ramadan • Ayyam al-Bid • Laylat al-Mabit • Laylat al-Ragha'ib • Laylat al-Qadr • Dahw al-Ard • Tashriq Days • al-Tarwiya Day • Day of Arafa
Related	Days of God • Celebration of the Prophet's Birth
Ramadan al-Mubarak

v t e Mourning of Muharram
Traditions and Rituals	Black Clothing • Mourning of Muharram • Basin-placing • Zanjirzani • Chest-beating • Sinj and Damam • Marthiyakhwani • Nawhakhwani • Mourning procession • Hay'at of Mourning • Ta'ziya • Rawdakhwani • Tatbir • Palm-carrying • Coffin-carrying • Torch-carrying • Tabuik • Hosay • Procession of Arba'in • Khaymasuzan • Tuwairij Mourning
Laments	Lament for Muslim b. Aqil • Lament of Entering Karbala • Lament of the Oven of Khawli • Lament of the Safe Conduct • Lament for al-Hurr • Lament of the Caravan Leader • Lament of Dayr Rahib • Lament of wida' • Lament of Yazid's Gathering • Lament of Arba'in
Ta'ziyas	Ta'ziya of Muslim b. Aqil • Ta'ziya of Two Sons of Muslim b. Aqil • Ta'ziya of al-Abbas (a) • Ta'ziya of Ali al-Akbar (a)
Occassions	First Ten Days of Muharram • Tasu'a • Day of Ashura' • Eve of Ashura' • Sham-i Ghariban • Last Ten Days of Safar • Arba'in of Imam al-Husayn (a) • Timeline of the Battle of Ashura'
Places	Karbala • Holy Shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a) • Holy Shrine of al-Abbas (a) • Bayn al-Haramayn • al-Tall al-Zaynabi • Qatligah • Kaff al-Abbas (a) • Ruins of Damascus • al-Mukhayyam • Euphrates • al-Ghadiriyya • Alqama Stream • Husayniyya • Tekyeh • Saqqakhana • Imambara • Hussaini Dalan • Suq al-Sham
Books	Nafas al-mahmum • Rawdat al-shuhada' • Al-Luhuf • Muthir al-ahzan • Maqtal al-Husayn (a) (by Abu Mikhnaf) • Maqtal al-Husayn (by al-Khwarazmi)
Related	Mourning • Buka' • Tabaki • Maqtal • Twelve Strophes of Muhtasham • Tugh • Alam • Ziyarah Ashura' • Distortions of Ashura' • Ashura' literature • Mawkib • Weeping for al-Husayn (a)
Battle of Karbala • Companions of Imam al-Husayn (a) • Perpetrators of the Event of Karbala • Imam al-Husayn (a)