ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Ashura Critical Juncture In The Life Of Mankind Days Of Separation The days of separation are distinct occasions in history that classify people into two or more groups. The place of these occasions in history is similar to that of crossroads which people come across during their journeys. Roads and highways bring together the travelers till they reach the crossroads where they split into two, three or more groups.

In the same way, days of difficulty separate people who were together during days of ease and comfort. The holy Qur'an named the day of Badr the Day of Separation[^1] because the people who were hitherto living together in Mecca during peace time were divided into two belligerent parties on that day.

It is not always possible for a person to live a life of civility and pleasant social intercourse with all the people, for God Most High has assigned, in the course of history and the life of mankind, days on which they have to make a resolution concerning what they say or do. They have to take a decision on war or peace; whether to continue their relationships or sever them; whether they will turn towards God or away from Him. These days are the days of separation.

Ashura Is Among The Days Of Separation The day of Ashura was a day of separation in Islamic history. It divided the people who were living together during peace time into two different groups: one group stood with Husayn (as) and fought the Umayyads, while the other supported the Umayyads and fought Husayn (as). On that day, the people had no choice but to select and decide on which side they would fight, and, there was no other option.

This is the feature which distinguishes the days of separation: it forces the people to choose the party to which they will give their loyalty and repudiate the other. People are unequal in terms of strength and weakness, courage and timidity, faith and hypocrisy, generosity and niggardliness, and loyalty and repudiation, but these differences do not appear clearly in time of peace and comfort.

They meet in the markets, the mosques and other gatherings with nothing to distinguish one from the other and without knowing one another. Sometimes one does not know even oneself!