TEN NIGHTS
The first ten nights of the month of Muharram - Main themes and sub-topics of the speeches
1st night - Muharram moon
Main themes:
- The Imams and the remembrance of grief.
- The mourning rituals and ceremonies of the Imams.
- The Muslim world after the martyrdom of Imam Ali.
- The peace agreement after Muawiya's poisoning of Imam Hassan.
- Imam Hussain's Imamate and position towards Yazid.
Examples of subtopics:
- To remember the joy and sorrow of the Ahlul Bayt.
- Brotherly friendship; the road to paradise.
- The escape from injustice and its implications and responsibilities.
- Identity and attachment to the environment and homeland.
- Care and its role in people's lives.
2nd night - Imam Hussain's departure from Medina
Main themes:
- Muawiya's transfer of the throne and caliphate to his son Yazid.
- Yazid's letter to Imam Hussain, Abdullah ibn al-Zabayr and Abdullah ibn Omar ibn al-Khattab about oath and loyalty.
- The Imam's farewell to his grandfather; the Prophet Muhammad and his mother; Lady Fatima al-Zahra.
- The Imam's farewell to his family and the state of the caravan.
Examples of subtopics:
- Grief and its legitimacy.
- The rewards of mourning the leader of the martyrs.
- The sources and accounts of Muharram.
- Crying, grief and their impact.
- The observance of Ashura throughout the year, except Muharram.
- The victory of justice and its sacrifices.
- To preach good and forbid evil.
- The Imam's struggle and its prerequisites.
- The act of mourning Imam Hussain and his companions.
- The narration of Hussain's oppression of his own people
3rd night- The Ambassador Muslim Ibn Aqil
Main themes:
- Muslim ibn Aqil's relationship with Imam Hussain.
- The secret behind ibn Aqil's appointment as envoy and ambassador to Kufa.
- Kufa clan leader and martyr Hani ibn Urwa.
- Kufa's situation after Ubaydillah ibn Ziyad's arrival.
- Hussein's ambassador alone without supporters.
Examples of subtopics:
- Betrayal and its forms and incentives.
- The Prophet's Household and the Teaching of Self-Monitoring.
- Sincerity in action and upholding principles.
- Examples of unity in Islam.
- The wisdom and sense of the Imams.
- Prioritizing awareness in a busy everyday life.
4th night- Heading towards Kufa
Main themes:
-The route from Mecca to Medina.
- Yazid is informed of the Kufa uprising and the Imam's invitation.
- Damascus prepares and pays for an army in Kufa.
- The meeting with the general Hur on the outskirts of Kufa.
- The direction of the Imam and his caravan to the plain of Karbala.
Examples of subtopics:
- Choices in life and its constant search for truth.
- Human destiny and the ability to change.
- Islamic ethics and morality in war and peace.
- Life's journeys and challenges.
- God's rewards follow the efforts.
5th night- Companion of the Prophet; Habib
Main themes:
- Habib's life as a guide to the Prophet and Imam Ali.
- Joining Imam Hussain's caravan.
- The various backgrounds and stories of the other companions (Sahaba صحابة) up to joining the Imam's journey towards Kufa.
- Habib's call to the neighboring clans and their support for Hussain.
- Habib's clan Banu Asad and their role after Karbala.
Examples of subtopics:
- The rank and diversity of companions for better or worse.
- The role of the Prophet and the Imams in the upbringing of the companions.
- Good friendship and its influence.
- The difficult choices in life and opposing evil.
- To detach oneself from all the negativity in culture and traditions.
6. night- The Martyrs of the Plain of Karbala
Main themes:
- Mrs. Zainab's children; Aun and Mohammad.- Zainab's relationship with Imams Hussain, Hassan and Abbas.
- The story of the vow before the start of the journey towards Karbala.
- Other companions of the Imam are mentioned such as Muslim ibn Awsaga, Burair al-Hamadani, Zuhair ibn al-Qain, John ibn Hawi etc.
Examples of subtopics:
- God's sign as breadcrumbs and burden of proof.
- Trust in God; The best planner.
- The intention and the human interior.
- To be remembered as a human being for one's actions.
- Short-term suffering and eternal reward.
7th night- Abbas & the brothers
Main themes:
- Um Al-Banin (Abbas's mother) and her choice of Imam Ali as his wife after the martyrdom of Lady Fatima al-Zahra.
- Abbas and his mother's clan's lineage and their qualities, qualifications & heroic deeds.
- Strength in faith until their martyrdom in Karbala.
Examples of subtopics:
- The choice of a suitable life partner.
- The prophets' life examples in partnership.
- The true brotherhood reflected in Ashura.
- The role of parents in raising children.
- Marriage as an institution in society.
- Sacrifices and its many forms.
8th night- Imam Hassans son; Qasem
Main themes:
- Qasim's martyrdom at a young age.
- Qasim's mother and the desire to see her son marry and start a family.
- The loss of Qasim and the heartbroken mother.
Examples of subtopics:
- The upbringing of young people and the influence of the environment.
- Parents' wishes and reality.
- The debate about marriage at a young age.
- Death of young family members.
- Martyrdom as a message.
- Maintaining trust in Allah during crises and losses.
9th night- Imam Hussains children; Ali akbar & asghar
Main themes:
-The martyrdom of the elder Ali (الأكبر) and the younger Ali (الأغر/ ألأغذر).
- The battle of tomorrow (10th Muharram) against the enemy.
- The state of the camp on the night of Ashura.
- Farewell to and between the companions of the Imam.
- The companions' renewal of the oath to the Imam and his household.
- The camp in remembrance of God, destiny and family ties.
Examples of subtopics:
- The role of healthy communities in society.
- The relationship between a leader and followers.
- Scholars (maraji) and their qualities.
- Unity and its results.
- Children, as one of life's blessings and pleasures.
- Offspring between blessings and challenges.
- Care in worship and consideration in loyalty.
- Cost of accompanying justice
Ashura day (10th day)
Local events:
- Today's morning hours start with the recitation of the Karbala battle (Maqtal/ مقتل). The best known is Abul-Zahra al-Qabi's version and audio recording.
(Sources: Al-Azdi, Ibn Sa'ad, al-Baladhuri, al-Dinouri)
- After the midday prayer (dhur and asr), the mourners gather for a peace march in, among others, Copenhagen (Ashura procession).
Global events:
- The city of Karbala is flooded with grieving visitors.
- Condolences pour in in the millions in holy cities such as Karbala, Najaf, Samarra, Kadhemiya, Mash'had and Damascus.
- Peace marches and processions mark Ashura Day in capitals around the world, to commemorate Hussain's fight against injustice and sacrifice for justice and Islam's return to the prophet's call.
Main themes:
- Ashura day preparations in both camps.
- The first martyrs and their famous poems, including Habib and Hur.
- The noon prayer (Dhuhr and Asr) and the defense of the worshippers against the attack against the Imam and the camp.
- The second wave of martyrs and their famous words.
- Abbasand the water collection from the al-'Alqami (Euphrates) River.
- The martyrdom of Imam Hussain; the beheading of the corpses and the trampling of horses.
Ashura night
Main themes:
- Mrs. Zainab's loneliness in Karbala.
- Imam Sajjad's unforgettable descriptions of the camp.
- Mrs. Zainab embraces the grief of the women and children.
- The plundering of the camp and the burning of the tents.
- Sukaina's weeping over the loss of her father; Imam Hussain.
- The capture of the survivors without consideration or respect.
Examples of subtopics:
- Tragedies and the restoration of trust in God.
- The importance of care in Islam.
- A person's heart and the maintenance of mind and soul.
- The Day of Judgment and the accounting of people's actions.
- The implicit and ignorant support for injustice.
- The results of silence in the face of injustice.
Captivity
Main themes:
-The temporary deprivation of liberty of the captives.
- The state of the city of Kufa between grief and guilt.
- Caliph Yazid's order to move the captives to Damascus.
- Handcuffs, chains and the humiliation of the Prophet's family.
- The Ashura tragedy and its consequences for the Umayyads.
Examples of subtopics:
- The role and patience of women.
- Ignorance and its impact.
- Ashura all year round and its values.
- The Prophet's Household and Their Principles.
- Rituals as a means and not as an end.
- Ashura as necessary shock and emotion in the Muslim world.
- The Tawabin (توابين) movement after the Battle of Karbala.
- Mukhtar al-Thaqafi and revenge.
