Id-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura

Two occasions centred on the Prophet’s family

Id-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura both connect religious observance with the family of the Prophet Muhammad. For Shi’a Muslims, Ali and his descendants are not simply important historical figures: they are Imams, the rightful spiritual leaders of the Muslim community. Ali was Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law; Hussain was Ali’s son and Muhammad’s grandson.

The two occasions have very different moods. Id-ul-Ghadeer is a joyful celebration of leadership, while Shi’a Ashura is a solemn commemoration of sacrifice and suffering. Their place within Sunni Islam differs because Sunni Muslims interpret the events and their significance differently.

Id-ul-Ghadeer: the announcement at Ghadeer Khumm

Id-ul-Ghadeer takes place on 18 Dhu al-Hijjah, eight days after Id-ul-Adha. Its name refers to Ghadeer Khumm, a pond where Muhammad spoke about Ali in the final year of his life.

A Hadith records Muhammad’s words as:

‘For whoever I was regarded as leader, Ali will be the leader.’

The central issue is the meaning of mawla, the word used for Ali. Shi’a Muslims understand it as indicating authority. They therefore believe Muhammad was announcing Allah’s decision that Ali should succeed him. The festival celebrates this announcement and affirms the line of leadership that Shi’a Muslims believe they should follow.

Sunni Muslims understand the event differently. They interpret ‘mawla’ as friend and believe Muhammad was addressing a dispute between Ali and other Muslims. In this interpretation, Muhammad was affirming Ali’s standing, not appointing him as his successor. Sunni Muslims therefore do not generally celebrate Id-ul-Ghadeer as a festival of Ali’s appointment.

Surah 5:3 and the completion of Islam

Surah 5:3 states:

‘This day I have perfected for you your religion.’

Shi’a Muslims connect these words with the announcement at Ghadeer Khumm. They believe that identifying Ali as Muhammad’s successor completed the guidance the community would need after the Prophet’s death. This explains why Id-ul-Ghadeer has such great religious significance: it celebrates not only Ali, but also the belief that Allah provided continuing leadership for Islam.

The verse does not name Ali. The connection depends on its interpretation alongside the account of Muhammad’s announcement. Sunni Muslims do not understand that announcement as establishing Ali’s succession, so they do not draw the same conclusion from it.

How Shi’a Muslims celebrate Id-ul-Ghadeer

Shi’a Muslims may mark Id-ul-Ghadeer by fasting and gathering at the mosque for prayer, poetry and a speech. These activities combine worship with remembering the announcement about Ali. Listening to a speech helps worshippers reflect on its meaning, while communal prayer strengthens their shared religious identity.

The occasion is joyful, and some Shi’a Muslims call it the ‘greatest Id’ because of its connection with the completion of Islam and the recognition of rightful leadership.

Ashura: remembering Hussain at Karbala

Ashura falls on 10 Muharram, in the first month of the Islamic calendar. For Shi’a Muslims, it remembers the killing of Hussain, the third Imam, at the Battle of Karbala in Iraq, about fifty years after Muhammad’s death.

Hussain refused to swear allegiance to Yazid, a ruler whom he opposed for oppression and actions contrary to Islamic teaching. Hussain and members of his family were killed at Karbala. Shi’a Muslims remember him as a martyr whose sacrifice demonstrates the importance of remaining faithful and resisting injustice, even at great personal cost.

Ashura is therefore a time of sadness rather than a joyful festival. Its meaning reaches beyond mourning a death: Hussain’s example encourages worshippers to consider how they should respond to injustice in their own lives.

Mourning, loyalty and action at Ashura

Shi’a observance may include ten days of mourning leading up to Ashura. Muslims gather in mosques, recite poetry, listen to accounts of Hussain’s sacrifice, cry and take part in mourning processions. Many wear black, and some visit Hussain’s shrine at Karbala.

These practices express Tawalla, love and loyalty towards Muhammad’s family, and Tabarra, disassociation from their enemies. Both are among the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam. Remembering Hussain therefore connects an event in Islamic history with continuing religious duties.

Some Muslims in the UK donate blood to the NHS in Hussain’s memory. This turns remembrance of his sacrifice into practical help for others. Practices vary between communities; no single form of mourning represents every Shi’a Muslim.

Ashura within Sunni Islam

Sunni Muslims also observe Ashura, but with a different emphasis. They remember Allah saving Musa, or Moses, and the Israelites from Pharaoh, through the crossing of the Red Sea.

Fasting follows Muhammad’s reported example and expresses gratitude to Allah for this rescue. Some Sunni Muslims fast on Ashura and an additional day. Their observance is not centred on the same mourning practices for Hussain that characterise Shi’a Ashura.

Understanding their significance

For Shi’a Muslims, Id-ul-Ghadeer affirms rightful leadership, while Ashura demonstrates the cost of remaining loyal to faith and resisting injustice. One celebrates the recognition of an Imam; the other mourns the death of an Imam and draws moral lessons from his sacrifice.

Both bring believers together through worship and remembrance, but their significance cannot be assumed to be identical for all Muslims. Sunni interpretations explain why Id-ul-Ghadeer is not generally a Sunni festival and why Sunni Ashura focuses on gratitude and fasting. A balanced judgement about their importance should recognise both their central place in Shi’a identity and these differences in Sunni belief and practice.