These ceremonies can be classified into five major classes: 1.

These ceremonies can be classified into five major classes: 1. The First Ten Days of Muharram The followers of the (‘a) hold special ceremonies on the first ten days of Muharram (the first month in the Islamic Calendar). Wherever they are, the individuals of the virtuous community gather to condole with and weep for Imam al-Husayn (‘a) as well as discuss current cultural and doctrinal issues.

For them, the commemoration of this anniversary is almost a doctrinal duty, since some individuals of the virtuous community may not participate in any other doctrinal celebration the whole year, but never miss commemorating this anniversary. During this commemoration, they concern themselves with serving others with food dedicated to this occasion, meeting together, and expressing their grief for Imam al-Husayn’s martyrdom by a demonstration of sorrow.

The focus of the individuals of the virtuous community, in commemorating this anniversary, varies according to the variety of their cultural, intellectual, and social levels as well as the surrounding political circumstances. Therefore, some of them hold ceremonies and spend large amounts of money to gather as large a congregation as possible. They select the most skillful orators, speakers, and lecturers.

At the same time, the virtuous community attends and participates in such sessions to benefit culturally, spiritually, and emotionally. At the same time, there is immense desire to become close to Imam al-Husayn (‘a) by presenting oneself at his holy shrine or, from afar,[^2] by offering him salutations and greetings, complaining to him about personal problems, pledging allegiance to him, and renouncing his enemies, cursing them, and rejecting their barbarian acts.

On such days, both the ordinary and the elite media of the individuals of the virtuous community weep for Imam al-Husayn (‘a) and demonstrate grief and pain on the cruelties perpetrated upon him and his companions in Karbala. Another practice that manifests itself particularly in this season and on these days is the pubic serving of food and drink dedicated to Imam Husayn (‘a) in remembrance of the three days and nights of his thirst and hunger.

Traditions from the (‘a) report these practices in the first ten days of the holy month of Muharram. Some other practices through which the ’s followers express their grief for Imam al-Husayn’s tragic saga bear no supportive evidence from the (‘a).