What are Id-ul-Ghadeer & Ashura? (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)
Revision Note
The Nature & Significance of Id-ul-Ghadeer
What is Id-ul-Ghadeer?
Id-ul-Ghadeer (Eid-ul-Ghadeer) is a festival celebrated by Shi’a Muslims on the 18th of the month Dhu al-Hijjah, eight days after Id-ul-Adha
It marks the time that the Prophet Muhammad declared that Imam Ali was to be his successor
It is named after Ghadeer, the pond where the declaration took place
The Hadith records Muhammads words
‘For whoever I was regarded as leader, Ali will be the leader’
For Shi’a Muslims, this announcement fulfils these words in the Qur’an
‘Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My blessing upon you, and chosen as your religion Islam’ (Surah 5:3)
How is Id-ul-Ghadeer Commemorated?
Shi’a Muslims mark Id-ul-Ghadeer with a fast
They will gather at the mosque for prayer, poetry and a speech
It is a time of great joy and Shi’a Muslims call this festival the ‘greatest Id’
Sunni Muslims do not celebrate Id-ul-Ghadeer as they do not believe that Imam Ali was the successor to Muhammad
The Nature & Significance of Ashura
What is Ashura?
Ashura is another festival marked by Shi’a Muslims
Ashura commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn (Hussain), grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and son of Ali
Husayn was killed with his family in Karbala in Iraq because he would not swear allegiance to a leader called Yazid who was oppressing his people and going against the teachings of Islam
Ashura is marked on the 10th of the month Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar
How is Ashura Commemorated?
It is a solemn occasion
There are ten days of mourning in the lead-up to Ashura
Shi’a Muslims gather at the mosque, which is draped in black, each night from the start of the month of Muharram until Ashura
Many Muslims wear black in mourning and no music is allowed at this time
There are speeches and plays that remember the sacrifice of Husayn and the need to fight for justice
On the day of Ashura there may be parades through the streets
Some Shi’a Muslims go on pilgrimage to Karbala to visit the shrine of Husayn
Although some people perform acts of self-flagellation (hitting themselves with a whip) to express their sorrow, this is not considered acceptable by Islamic scholars
In the UK, Muslims may donate blood to the NHS to remember Hussain
Sunni Muslims remember a different occasion at Ashura
It marks the day that Musa (Moses) and the Israelites were saved from the Pharaoh in Egypt
Sunni Muslims undertake a two-day fast to remember their survival, as the Prophet Muhammad suggested
Worked Example
Outline three ways Shi’a Muslims may celebrate Ashura
(3 marks)
Answer:
At Ashura Muslims may visit the tomb of Husayn in Karbala (1 mark)
They may wear black mourning clothes (1 mark)
They may join a mourning procession (1 mark)
Exam Tip
Remember that all of these religious festivals have similar points of significance to Muslims
They unite the community, both local and worldwide (the Ummah). They are a time to remember events of historic and spiritual significance. They encourage followers to learn the lessons of the past and apply them to their lives today. They are also a time of prayer and reflection, when Muslims can show their commitment to Allah and can increase their faith and devotion to him
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