Muharram for Shias or Sunnis? - Part 1

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the second holiest month for the Muslims. It is observed differently by the two major sects amongst Muslims- the Shias and the Sunnis. The story of Karbala and the sacrifice of Imam Hussain is the dividing line between the two sects. Their split was triggered in the seventh century when Prophet Muhammed delivered a sermon at Ghadir Khumm while returning from Haj. He declared Ali as the Mowla. Shias considered this as the Prophet's will to appoint Ali as the first Caliph (his successor) while Sunnis didn't think so. The latter had their say and elected Abu Bakr as the Caliph after the prophet's death. After 50 years of Prophet's death, on the 10th day of Muharram, Imam Hussain, the son of Hazrat Ali (deceased as the fourth Caliph) and Grandson of Prophet Muhammed fought a battle of right against wrong. Yazid, the governor of Syria, had been appointed Caliph of Islam by his deceitful father Muawiya. Hussain refused to submit to him and took him on in the battle of Karbala on 10th October 680 CE. Hussain had 72 men, including his family, against Yazid's army of 4000. All the men of his small party were massacred after they put up a brave fight. Yazid's general Shimr had cut off Hussain's camp's water supplies. Hussain's half brother and standard-bearer Abbas Alamdar was killed while trying to fetch water from the river Euphrates. Hussain's 6 month's old son Ali Asgher too was killed by an arrow while Hussain was pleading to the enemies to let him get water for him. Imam Hussain too was eventually martyred. The Karbala tragedy of Karbala is grieved by Shias as Ashura. Sunnis observe it for a different reason. We will cover this in part 2 of the video.

After the Karbala battle, the schism in Islam was cemented. Both Shias and Sunnis evolved in different directions. Sunnis stick to fundamentals of Islam, follow the tradition or sunnah of Prophet Mohammed, and are governed by the Sharia Laws. Shias believe in the intercession of Imamat or Dawat. They consider Imam as divine, infallible, and a medium between man and God. They take the oath of allegiance or Misaq to their spiritual leader. Disputes over succession have resulted in splits and numerous subjects amongst Shias. The biggest sub secct is that of Ismailis or Nizaris who consider Karim Aga Khan as their Imam. Similarly, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin heads the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Credits
Video footage from the feature film The Message:    • Видео  
Baby Ali Asgher Theatre:    • Видео  
Islamic empire map:    • Sunni and Shia Islam part 2  | World ...  
Karbala battle footage:    • NEW FILM: Karbala - Hussain's Everlas...  
Abbas Alamdar footage:    • إيثار وشجاعة العباس عند المشرعة  
Ghadeer Khumm Shia Perspective by Syed Ammar Nakshawani:    • 3 Reasons Why People Do not Understan...  
Ghadeer Khumm Sunni perspective:    • GHADIR KHUMM: A SUNNI PERSPECTIVE  
Islam Zinda hota hai Qawwali Shot:    • इस्लाम जिंदा होता है हर कर्बला के बाद...  
Ghadeer Khumm event shots from 'Muhammad: The Messenger of God '- a 2015 Iranian Shia Islamic epic film directed by Majid Majidi
The 'detached perspective on Islam' shots: Speaker Lezley Hazleton, a British American author, and scholar on politics and religion.    • Lesley Hazleton - Suni & Shia Underst...  
Imam Hussain death scene:    • Imam Hussain Death Scene مشهد ذبح الحسين  
Ali Asghar's death by arrow scene:    • Видео  
The succession of Ottoman Sultans clip:    • Timeline of the Rulers of the Ottoman...  

Music and sound effects:
Youtube audio library
Freesound.org
youtube