Ashura 2025: The 10th of Muharram
Festival guide · 2025
Day of Ashura 2025 falls on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Dates are astronomical estimates — confirm with your local religious authority.
Ashura (عاشوراء) falls on the 10th day of Muharram — the first month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. It is one of the most significant days in Islam, though its observance differs between Sunni and Shia Muslims.
For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is primarily a day of recommended fasting. For Shia Muslims, it is the most solemn day of the year — a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
When is Ashura 2025?
Ashura 2025 falls on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Dates are based on astronomical calculations and may vary by ±1 day — always confirm with your local religious authority.
| Date | Saturday, July 5, 2025 |
Ashura 2025: Planning & Key Facts
In 2025, Ashura falls on a weekend, so most observers won't need to arrange time off work. The Islamic (Hijri) year is roughly 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, so the date moves about 10–12 days earlier each Gregorian year. This date is confirmed — it has already passed.
| Year | Date | Shift vs. prior year |
|---|---|---|
| Ashura 2024 | Thursday, July 18, 2024 | — |
| Ashura 2025 | Saturday, July 5, 2025 | 352 days later |
| Ashura 2026 | Saturday, June 27, 2026 | 357 days later |
Other Islamic observances near Ashura 2025:
- Eid al-Adha — Sunday, June 8, 2025 · Festival of Sacrifice
- Islamic New Year — Saturday, June 28, 2025 · 1 Muharram 1447 AH
Traditions & Observance
Fasting on Ashura (Sunni)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ found Jews fasting on this day when he arrived in Medina, and learned it commemorated Moses and the Israelites' salvation from Pharaoh. He fasted and encouraged his companions to do so, saying it expiates the sins of the previous year. Fasting on the 9th and 10th (or 10th and 11th) of Muharram is recommended.
Remembering Karbala (Shia)
On 10 Muharram 61 AH (680 CE), Imam Hussein — grandson of the Prophet ﷺ — was killed along with 72 companions at Karbala (in modern Iraq) after refusing to pledge allegiance to the Umayyad caliph Yazid. For Shia Muslims worldwide, Ashura is a day of deep mourning: processions, lamentation, majalis (memorial gatherings), and the re-enactment of the tragedy of Karbala.
Global Observance
In Shia-majority countries — Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Bahrain — Ashura is a public holiday with large public processions. The Arbaeen pilgrimage to Karbala, 40 days after Ashura, is the world's largest annual human gathering. In Sunni communities, the day is marked quietly with fasting and prayer.
How is Ashura fasted according to the Sunnah?
The Prophet ﷺ fasted on 10 Muharram (Ashura) and encouraged Muslims to do so, saying it expiates the sins of the previous year. He intended to also fast the 9th of Muharram (the day before) to distinguish the Muslim fast from that of the Jews, but passed away before this became established practice. Scholars therefore recommend fasting on both the 9th and 10th of Muharram, or alternatively the 10th and 11th. Fasting only the 10th is permissible but fasting two days is better. The fast is voluntary (Sunnah), not obligatory, but considered one of the most rewarding voluntary fasts of the year.
What is the significance of Karbala for Shia Muslims on Ashura?
On 10 Muharram 61 AH (680 CE), Imam Hussein ibn Ali — grandson of the Prophet ﷺ and son of Imam Ali — was killed along with 72 companions at Karbala (modern Iraq) after refusing to pledge allegiance to Yazid ibn Muawiya. For Shia Muslims worldwide, this tragedy is the defining event of their religious identity. Ashura is marked with intense mourning: majalis (memorial gatherings) where the events of Karbala are retold, latmiyya (lamentation poetry), processions, and in some communities self-flagellation. The Arbaeen pilgrimage to Karbala 40 days later draws over 20 million visitors — the largest annual human gathering on earth.
Other Years
National Holiday Calendars
See official public holiday dates in countries where this festival is observed.
Ashura falls on 10 Muharram of the Hijri calendar. The exact Gregorian date varies each year. Confirm with your local mosque or Islamic authority.