Ziyarat Ashura (Ashura Visitation Prayer)
A powerful visitation prayer to Imam Husayn, recited daily by many Shia Muslims.
Ziyarat Ashura (Arabic: زيارة عاشوراء) is one of the most significant and most recited visitation prayers (ziyarat) in Shia Islam. It is a greeting and tribute to Imam Husayn ibn Ali (peace be upon him), who was martyred in Karbala on the 10th of Muharram 61 Hijri (680 CE), and to his faithful companions who fell with him.
Ziyarat Ashura is narrated from Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) through the reliable chain of narration via Alqamah ibn Muhammad al-Hadrami. It is documented in Kamil al-Ziyarat by Ibn Qulawayh and in Misbah al-Mutahajjid by Shaykh al-Tusi. Imam al-Baqir said to Alqamah: "If you can visit Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) with this ziyarat from nearby, then do so. And if you cannot, then point toward him from afar and recite it."
Ziyarat Ashura contains: greeting to Imam Husayn (peace be upon him), curse (la'n) upon his murderers and oppressors, 100 repetitions of the curse, 100 repetitions of the greeting, a concluding du'a, two rak'ah prayer, and additional du'as. The entire recitation typically takes 30-45 minutes.
Shia scholars attribute immense spiritual reward to Ziyarat Ashura. Imam al-Baqir said: "The one who visits Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) with Ziyarat Ashura for 40 days without interruption, Allah will fulfill every need for him" (Kamil al-Ziyarat). Many Shia Muslims recite it daily as part of their spiritual practice. It is included in Mafatih al-Jinan and available in apps and online. Ziyarat Ashura is not merely a prayer, but an expression of loyalty to Imam Husayn's cause of justice and truth.
Related terms
Nubuwwah (Prophethood)
Belief in prophethood — the third article of faith in Shia Islam.
Sahifa al-Sajjadiyyah (The Psalms of Sajjad)
A collection of supplications from the 4th Imam, called "The Psalms of Islam."
Salat al-Ayat (Prayer of the Signs)
An obligatory prayer performed during natural phenomena such as solar and lunar eclipses.
Tabi'in (The Successors)
The generation of Muslims who met the Prophet's companions but did not themselves meet the Prophet.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Tirmidhi's Hadith Collection)
One of the six canonical hadith collections, known for its classification of narrations by strength.
Du'a Arafah (Imam Husayn's Supplication at Arafah)
Imam Husayn's famous supplication, recited on the Day of Arafah, the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah.