Karbala

Husayn Ibn Ali was the grandson of the prophet Muhammad and the third imam of Shia Islam. He was killed along with most of his followers by the forces of Yazid, the son of the founder of the Umayyad Caliphate, Mu’awiya. The martyrdom of Husayn and his followers took place on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Muharram 61 AH (October 9-10 680 CE).

The city of Karbala “grew up around the tombs of Husayn and his half-brother Abbas ibn Ali…” [2] Many Muslims consider the events of Husayn’s martyrdom an example of self-sacrifice and redemptive suffering, with Husayn’s shrine a focus of pilgrimage from Muslims all over the world.  

The events of Karbala are particularly (although not exclusively) commemorated by Shia Muslims on the tenth day of Muharram every year through passion plays called Ta’ziyyah. Some Shia Muslims also beat their chest symbolically (or with varying degrees of force) (Ma`tam), to commemorate his sacrifice. [3]

 A tiny minority of Shia Muslims in certain parts of the world may engage in a variety of rituals (e.g. zanjeer) where items such as chains are used to hit themselves and even to draw blood. Whilst there is unanimity that causing long-term physical harm to one’s body is not allowed, there are differences of opinion as to whether commemorating the death of Imam Husayn in this way is prohibited (inherently or due to the reputational damage it creates), prohibited in certain circumstances, prohibited for some and not others, or allowed in certain circumstances. 

When discussing the death of Husayn, it should be remembered that Husayn is also a revered figure within Sunni tradition and his martyrdom is also marked as a tragic event among many Sunnis.