1. On this day, Prophet Yunus [Jonah] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) was released from the big whale.
Yunus [Jonah] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) was appointed as prophet at the age of 30 years old. He was preaching for thirty three (33) years to more than hundred thousand idolaters but there were only two believers. He was disheartened and ran away. He went aboard a ship (fully) laden.
The weather condition was favorable for sailing but by night time, waves were as high as mountains and the wind blew furiously. They had to lighten the heavy load by throwing the baggage into the sea. But doing that did not suffice, and they had to throw someone else in order to lighten up the ship even more. In short, Yunus (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) was randomly chosen to be the one thrown into the sea where a big whale was swimming by Allah's command.
Eventually, he was swallowed by the whale. It was a punishment for abandoning his people. But he did not die there. He was alive and repenting while staying in its stomach.
He was released on Ashura.
The weather condition was favorable for sailing but by night time, waves were as high as mountains and the wind blew furiously. They had to lighten the heavy load by throwing the baggage into the sea. But doing that did not suffice, and they had to throw someone else in order to lighten up the ship even more. In short, Yunus (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) was randomly chosen to be the one thrown into the sea where a big whale was swimming by Allah's command.
Eventually, he was swallowed by the whale. It was a punishment for abandoning his people. But he did not die there. He was alive and repenting while staying in its stomach.
He was released on Ashura.
2. On this day, Almighty God united the family of Prophet Ya'qub [Jacob] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him).
Yusuf [Joseph] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) was one of the 12 sons of Prophet Ya'qub [Jacob] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him). Among them all, Yusuf was the dearest to him. Consequently, his brothers became so much jealous and plotted to kill him, but they amended it to exiling him. He was sold as a slave from one person to another.
Ya'qub (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) continuously grieved over the years of separation from his son Yusuf until his eyes became blind!
After years, Yusuf [Joseph] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) came into a high position in Egypt in which he had full control over the cultivation, harvesting and storage of crops. Because of drought and famine throughout their region, including his homeland, where his parents and brothers lived, his brothers had to enter the realm of Yusuf (unknown that it was their brother's).
It was on the day of Ashura, that their family united again.
Ya'qub (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) continuously grieved over the years of separation from his son Yusuf until his eyes became blind!
After years, Yusuf [Joseph] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) came into a high position in Egypt in which he had full control over the cultivation, harvesting and storage of crops. Because of drought and famine throughout their region, including his homeland, where his parents and brothers lived, his brothers had to enter the realm of Yusuf (unknown that it was their brother's).
It was on the day of Ashura, that their family united again.
3. On this day, Almighty God accepted the repentance of Prophet Dawud [David] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him).
Prophet Dawud [David] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) had ninety-nine wives. One of his high ranking soldier had a very beautiful wife. He had a strong desire for that woman. So, he sent that soldier on purpose to battlefield and promised to increase his rank upon return. The man died in the battlefield. And Prophet Dawud [David] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) married that woman.
This was his sin and he repented. He was forgiven on day of Ashura.
This was his sin and he repented. He was forgiven on day of Ashura.
4. On this day, Almighty God healed the sickness of Prophet Ayyub [Job] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him).
Iblis [Satan] (May Allah's curse be with him) got angry when he heard the Angels asserted that the best creature at that time was Ayyub [Job] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) because of devotion and always giving thanks to Allah. In trying to divert the sincerity towards Allah, Satan started destroying him first on his wealth. Then, his family. And finally, his health. But none of these was able to divert his devotion.
He was restored back to strength and good health on Ashura day.
Iblis [Satan] (May Allah's curse be with him) got angry when he heard the Angels asserted that the best creature at that time was Ayyub [Job] (Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) because of devotion and always giving thanks to Allah. In trying to divert the sincerity towards Allah, Satan started destroying him first on his wealth. Then, his family. And finally, his health. But none of these was able to divert his devotion.
He was restored back to strength and good health on Ashura day.
6. On this day, Imam Husayn ibn Ali got martyred in the Battle of Karbala.
When Yazid, the head of impiety, came into power after his father, he instructed his Governor Walid in Medina to force Husain ibn Ali to pledge allegiance to him. As the representative of his grandfather Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Imam Hussain’s main concern was to safeguard and protect Islam and guide fellow Muslims. On the other hand, the staying power of the rulers (Muawiya and his son Yazid) depended solely on the might of the sword. They used brute force to rule over the Muslim empire even by all possible illicit means. Husain refused it and uttered his famous words that "Anyone akin to me will never accept anyone akin to Yazid as a ruler." It was mainly during his stay in Makka [Mecca]] (in 680 CE) that he received many letters from Kufa assuring him their support and asking him to come over and guide them.
But Yazid's forces had occupied Kufa before Imam Husayn could reach it. At that time, Imam Husayn together with his family and companions, had camped in Karbala. Yazid's army entered Karbala, bringing two choices to Imam Husayn: death or allegiance to Yazid. However, Imam Husayn was adamant. And so, they engaged in battle into what is now known as "Battle of Karbala." Imam Husayn's side was composed of about 70 people. On the other hand, Yazid's well armored forces amounts to hundreds. Some historians said it was of thousands. Imam Husayn's side were all killed except the women and his sick son.
References:
Stories of Prophet by Ibn Kathir
Lohouf by Sayyid ibn Tawoos
The Karbala by Akramulla Syed
But Yazid's forces had occupied Kufa before Imam Husayn could reach it. At that time, Imam Husayn together with his family and companions, had camped in Karbala. Yazid's army entered Karbala, bringing two choices to Imam Husayn: death or allegiance to Yazid. However, Imam Husayn was adamant. And so, they engaged in battle into what is now known as "Battle of Karbala." Imam Husayn's side was composed of about 70 people. On the other hand, Yazid's well armored forces amounts to hundreds. Some historians said it was of thousands. Imam Husayn's side were all killed except the women and his sick son.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are still more significant events on Ashura which I was not able to include here. Whatever truths and benefits from this post are only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever error therein is from me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.References:
Stories of Prophet by Ibn Kathir
Lohouf by Sayyid ibn Tawoos
The Karbala by Akramulla Syed
