Ashura Amal (10th Muharram)

Step 1 · Instruction

Refrain from Worldly Pursuits

Imam al-Ridha (a) narrated: "One who refrains from seeking his worldly desires on the Day of Ashura, Allah shall grant him his desires of this world as well as the hereafter."

Dedicate this entire day to mourning Imam Husayn (a) and remembering his sacrifice. Avoid worldly business and entertainment.

Step 2 · Instruction

Abstain from Food and Drink Until Afternoon

It is recommended to abstain from eating and drinking until after the time of Asr (afternoon). This is not a fast (sawm) but an act of solidarity with the thirst and hunger of Imam Husayn (a) and his companions on this day.

After Asr, break your abstinence with a small amount of water and light food, or with the turbah (soil) of Imam Husayn (a) if available.

Step 3 · Instruction

Wear Black and Express Grief

Wear black clothing as a sign of mourning. Express grief openly through tears, lamentation (nawha), and reciting elegies (marthiya) for Imam Husayn (a).

Imam Baqir (a) said: "He should mourn and lament over Imam Husayn (a), order everyone in his house to lament him, and hold a gathering narrating Imam Husayn's tragedies."

Step 4 · Salat

Pray Four Rak'at Special Salat

Pray four rak'at (2 sets of 2 rak'at) as follows:

HOW TO PRAY THIS SALAT:

First Prayer (2 rak'at):
1. Stand facing Qibla, make intention (niyyah): "I pray 2 rak'at Salat of Ashura for the sake of Allah"
2. Say "Allahu Akbar" and begin
3. First Rak'at:
• Recite Surah al-Fatiha (الحمد) once
• Recite Surah al-Ikhlas (قل هو الله أحد) 50 times
• Perform ruku' (bow) saying "Subhana Rabbiyal Adhimi wa bihamdih"
• Rise and say "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah"
• Perform two sajdahs (prostrations) saying "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la wa bihamdih"
4. Second Rak'at: Repeat as above (Fatiha + 50 times Ikhlas)
5. After second sajdah, sit for tashahhud and salam

Second Prayer (2 rak'at):
• Repeat the same process as above

After completing all four rak'at: Mention Allah abundantly, invoke blessings upon the Prophet (s) and his family, and curse their enemies.

Step 5 · Ziyarat

Recite Ziyarat Ashura

Recite Ziyarat Ashura, the most important ziyarat for this day. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a) recommended reciting this ziyarat while facing Karbala.

If reciting from a distance: perform ghusl, go to an elevated place or open area, offer a two-rak'at prayer, then face the direction of Karbala and recite.

The ziyarat includes greeting Imam Husayn (a), declaring allegiance, and invoking curses on his killers.

Ziyarat Ashura

Step 6 · Dua

Recite Dua Alqama

After completing Ziyarat Ashura, recite Dua Alqama. This supplication is attributed to Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a) and is recited after Ziyarat Ashura.

The dua invokes Allah's curse upon the killers of Imam Husayn (a), seeks intercession, expresses grief at not being present at Karbala, and asks Allah for the rewards of those who were martyred with the Imam.

Dua Alqama

Step 7 · Ziyarat

Recite Ziyarat of Hazrat Abbas (a)

Recite the Ziyarat of Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali (a), the brother of Imam Husayn (a) and the standard-bearer of Karbala.

Hazrat Abbas (a) sacrificed his life while bringing water for the thirsty children of the camp. He is known as Qamar Bani Hashim (Moon of Bani Hashim), Abu al-Fadl (Father of Virtues), and Bab al-Hawaij (Gate of Needs).

Ziyarat of Hazrat Abbas (a)

Step 8 · Ziyarat

Recite Ziyarat Warith

Recite Ziyarat Warith, in which we address Imam Husayn (a) as the inheritor (warith) of the prophets and Imams before him.

This ziyarat acknowledges Imam Husayn (a) as the heir of Prophet Adam, Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them all).

Ziyarat Warith - Imam Husayn (a)

Step 9 · Ziyarat

Recite Ziyarat Nahiya Muqaddasa

Recite Ziyarat Nahiya Muqaddasa, attributed to Imam al-Mahdi (a) through his representative Muhammad ibn Uthman al-Umari. This ziyarat describes the events of Karbala in vivid detail and expresses the grief of Imam al-Mahdi (a) for his ancestor Imam Husayn (a).

The phrase "Nahiya Muqaddasa" means "the Sacred Side" and refers to the direction of Imam al-Mahdi (a).

Ziyarat al-Nahiya al-Muqaddasa

Step 10 · Ziyarat

Recite Ziyarat of Condolence (Ta'ziya)

After Asr time on Ashura, recite the Ziyarat of Condolence (Ta'ziya). In this ziyarat, we offer condolences to the Prophet Muhammad (s), Imam Ali (a), Lady Fatima (a), and the other Imams (a) for the tragedy of Karbala.

This ziyarat is specifically for the afternoon of Ashura.

Ziyarat Taziyah

Step 11 · Instruction

Attend or Hold a Majlis

Imam al-Baqir (a) instructed: "Hold a gathering in his house narrating Imam Husayn's tragedies and become restless on the tragedies of the Imam (a), meet one another weeping and consoling one another over the Imam's tragedies."

Attend a majlis (mourning gathering) at your local mosque or Islamic center, or hold one in your home. Listen to the recitation of the tragedy of Karbala (maqtal) and participate in lamentation.

Step 12 · Dhikr · Repeat 70 times

Recite Tasbeeh and Salawat

Recite the following tasbeeh 70-100 times:

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَ لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ

"Glory be to Allah, Praise be to Allah, There is no god but Allah, Allah is Greatest, and there is no power or might except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great."

Then say:
• "I seek Allah's forgiveness" (Astaghfirullah)
• "O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad"