Ashura and Imam Hussain in Different Religions: A Symbol of Resistance and Solidarity
The event of Ashura and the uprising of Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) is not only a pivotal moment in Islamic history but also an event whose impact has transcended geographic and temporal boundaries, influencing different cultures, religions, and societies. Every year, millions of people from around the world participate in the Arbaeen Walk, an event that, beyond religious dimension, has become a symbol of resistance, the quest for justice, and human solidarity.
But the key question is: What is the position of Imam Hussain in different religions and cultures? Is there any trace of his significance in the religious traditions and sacred texts of pre-Islamic faiths?
This article seeks to explore the position of Imam Hussain in different religions, drawing on a multidisciplinary perspective that goes beyond a purely Shia viewpoint. It examines how this monumental event has been prophesied or referenced in diverse religious, historical, and cultural sources. These references can be found in ancient inscriptions, the sacred scriptures of Judaism and Christianity, and even in some ancient traditions.
From this perspective, the status of Imam Hussain in different religions is not just that of a saint, and the Arbaeen pilgrimage is not merely a religious ritual; rather, it has become a universal symbol of human values, that inspires millions of people worldwide.
The Event of Ashura and Imam Hussain in Different Religions
In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted in the field of interfaith relations, particularly among the Abrahamic religions, which could provide insights into the position of the Ashura event and Imam Hussain in different religions. These studies have uncovered evidence suggesting the prophecy of the Karbala tragedy in the sacred texts and works of some divine religions. In the following, we will explore some of these sources and examine the position of Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) in various religions.
The Event of Karbala in the Ancient Ziusudra Tablet
The Ziusudra tablet is one of the ancient relics left behind by the civilizations of the Mesopotamian region (modern-day Iraq and its neighboring countries). This tablet, when discovered, referenced the story of the people of Prophet Noah in cuneiform script, stating that after the floodwaters receded, Prophet Noah’s ark settled in a land called “Kurbala.” The term “Kurbala” is believed to derive from “Kur,” meaning land, mountain, or city, and “Bala,” which can signify sacrifice, protection, guardianship, or preservation. It is also a variant of the name “Taf,” another title for the land of Karbala. Thus, “Kurbala” can be interpreted as “the land of sacrifice,” “the land of protection,” or “the land of preserving (Noah’s Ark).” This name evokes the sacred nature of the land, reinforcing its importance in religious history. As stated in Kamil al-Ziyarat [1] and Bihar al-Anwar, Imam Sadiq (Peace be upon him) mentioned that God had already designated Karbala as a sacred sanctuary before Mecca.
The Status of Imam Hussain (Peace Be Upon Him) in Zoroastrianism
Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) holds a special place among Zoroastrians, revered as a symbol of sacrifice, resistance against oppression, and the defense of truth. As a religious minority in Iran, the Zoroastrians deeply admire the human values embodied in the uprising of Ashura. In tribute to the mourning days of Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him), many Zoroastrians postpone their regular celebrations to later times. They also actively participate in the mourning ceremonies for Imam Hussain, showing their reverence and respect for him and his companions.
According to historical accounts and beliefs, some Zoroastrians consider Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) a “son-in-law” of their community, through his marriage to Shahrbanu, the daughter of Yazdegerd III, the last Sassanian king of Iran. This connection forms a kind of spiritual bond between the Zoroastrians and the family of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon them). Even today, in Yazd, Zoroastrian priests extinguish the fire in their temples during the month of Muharram and participate in the mourning ceremonies for Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him).
The Name of Imam Hussain (Peace Be Upon Him) in Jewish Scriptures
Shia scholars believe that the event of Ashura and the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) are referenced in Jewish Scriptures. One of the books of the Torah, Jeremiah, recounts the life of Prophet Jeremiah, a prominent prophet from the Israelite tradition who lived during the time of the rivalry between the Babylonian and Egyptian empires. In the 46:10 of this book, there are significant passages that mention the Euphrates River and prophecy events that will occur near this river. These references are seen by some scholars as allusions to the tragic events of Karbala, with the Euphrates symbolizing the place where Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) and his companions would ultimately face martyrdom; “That day belongs to the Lord, … a day of vengeance, for vengeance on his foes, … For the Lord, the Lord Almighty, will offer sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.” From what we have discussed so far, it becomes clear that the significance of Imam Hussain in different religions is not a modern development. Evidence suggests that the prophecy of the Ashura event was foretold in Jewish Scriptures.
Hadi Ali-Taqavi, a scholar of Abrahamic religions, in an article titled “A Comparative Study Between the Sacred Sacrifice in the Book of Jeremiah and the Great Sacrifice in Islamic Narrations,” seeks to answer the question: Does this passage in the Book of Jeremiah relate to the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) near the banks of the Euphrates or not? In the introduction to his discussion, he mentions that: “Isabella Benjamin, a Christian scholar, in an article titled “Who is the Euphrates slaughtered man in the Holy Bible?” states:
Through studying the Holy Bible which continued for many years, I pondered over an obscure text (in verse 10 of chapter 46 of the Book of Jeremiah) … It mentions an event that took place in a flashpoint region in a desert which lies in the vicinity of Iraq’s Babylon. I also looked for an interpretation of this prophecy, I found that it had only occurred once, since it was prophesized.
She emphasizes that it refers to the tragic event of Ashura.
In the Book of Jeremiah, it is written: “Concerning Egypt: This is the message against the army of Pharaoh …, which was defeated … on the Euphrates River.” Here, Egypt is used in the biblical sense, meaning a city, not the country of Egypt, as the Nile River is located in Egypt, not the Euphrates. It then goes on: “Harness the horses, mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears, put on your armor!”
In verse 5, it says: “What do I see? They are terrified, they are retreating.” This is a reference to the defeat of Yazid’s army, who, in their repeated battles, were unable to stand against Imam Hussain’s companions.
Jeremiah the Prophet also says: “Their warriors are defeated, … there is terror on every side.” This is an allusion to how the army of Umar ibn Sa’ad, in every attack by Imam Hussain’s companions, would retreat in fear. In verse 6, it is further written: “The swift cannot flee nor the strong escape. In the north by the River Euphrates they stumble and fall.” This could be interpreted as a reference to the fact that, no matter how strong or heroic they were, Yazid’s soldiers could not escape the force and determination of Imam Hussain’s companions.
In verse 10, it states: “That day belongs to the Lord, … a day of vengeance, for vengeance on his foes.” This refers to the End Times, when Imam Mahdi (Peace be upon him) will take vengeance with the same two-pronged sword mentioned in the Psalms, exacting retribution from God’s enemies. In the subsequent part of verse 10, Prophet Jeremiah continues: “The sword shall devour and be sated and drink its fill of their blood; for the Lord God of Hosts holds a sacrifice in the north country by the River Euphrates.”
In Psalms, chapter 74, verses 5 and onward, there is a passage that can be implicitly related to the events of Karbala, where it says: “They set Your sanctuary on fire; they profaned the dwelling place of your name, bringing it down to the ground.” This is a reference to the burning of the tents on the 10th of Muharram, 61 AH (Islamic calendar), in the battle of Karbala.
From this, we understand that the great sacrifice mentioned in the sacred scriptures, as conveyed by Prophet Jeremiah in chapter 46, verse 10, refers to the tragic events of Karbala and the great slaughter near the Euphrates River. Historically, there is no record in Judaism (or even Christianity) of a significant sacrifice or slaughter near the Euphrates except the one that occurred in Karbala.
Imam Hussain (Peace Be upon Him) in Christianity
Typically, when it comes to prophecies or good news in a holy book like the Christian Bible, one should not expect direct mention of Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) or other infallibles, as even prophecies about Jesus Christ (Peace be upon him) are not explicitly named. When Christians refer to these prophecies, they often interpret ambiguous traits and characteristics mentioned in their scriptures.
Elsewhere in Christian scriptures, there is a reference to a Nafs Zakiyyah (pure soul) who will be wronged, whose sanctuary will be violated, whose body will be torn apart, and whose belongings will be looted. These words seem to vividly depict the scenes of the tragic events in Karbala, where Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) and his companions were brutally martyred.
Additionally, there is another passage that reads: “When Hussain takes up arms to protect his family, his belongings are safe. Purity belongs to Hussain. But when his weapon is taken from him, his body will be torn apart.” These words also directly reference Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) and the tragedy of Ashura. The significance of Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) in various religions is so profound that even in Christian Scriptures, God alludes to the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) and his companions in Karbala. Perhaps the purpose of this prophecy is to direct the followers of other religions to the true representatives of God on Earth, ensuring that no one can claim to be deprived of divine guidance.
As it is clear, the Christian Bible refers to the story of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom and the companions who were killed beside the Euphrates River. Moreover, God refers to the “great sacrifice” in the Quran, in Surah As-Saffat, verse 107: “Then We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” While this verse is primarily about Prophet Abraham’s near-sacrifice of his son in obedience to God’s command, narrations from Imam Ali al-Ridha (Peace be upon him) in Bihar al-Anwar, as well as in Al-Khisal [2] by Shaykh Saduq, indicate that this verse actually refers to Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him). There is no greater sacrifice before God than that of the Master of Martyrs (Sayyid al-Shuhada), Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him).
From ancient tablets to the Christian Bible, from the Zoroastrian fire temples to Christian churches, the name and memory of Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) resonates across religions, cultures, and traditions. This trace does not remain confined to history nor to a single religion. The Arbaeen Walk is the continuation of this trace—a place where millions of people, regardless of language or faith, come together over one truth: standing against oppression and safeguarding human dignity. Perhaps the secret to Imam Hussain’s eternal legacy lies in the fact that his story is the story of all humanity.
References
[1]. Ibne Quluwayh, Kamiluz Ziyaraat. Trans. Sayyid Athar Husain S. H. Rizvi. As-Serat Publications, p. 288.
[2]. Shaykh as-Saduq, Al-Khisal. Trans. Dr. Ali Peiravi. Ansariyan Publications, pp. 98-99.
