Ashura day; It is the tenth day of Muharrem, the first month of the Islamic calendar. This special day is believed to be the scene of a series of important events in Islamic belief and is of great importance. Today, our Prophet Hz. Muhammad’s (saas) grandson Hz. It is known as the day Hüseyin was martyred by Yazid’s army. Fasting is also performed during the month of Muharram. At the same time the story of the emergence of the ashura, Hz. Noah’s flood and his ship.
Ashura cooked on Ashura; It is a traditional dessert made of cereals, fruits, dried fruits and nuts. Muslim communities in Türkiye and the Balkans maintain the tradition of making this special dessert in Muharram in Muharram, where the Ashura Day came. According to the legend, Noah FloodThis delicious dessert was prepared with the last ingredients of the ship on the day of the ship. Ashura is shared with others regardless of religion, belief or cultural differences by making it in large amounts due to its meaning and importance.
Ashura is traditionally made and consumed in cold months due to the nourishing and calorie -rich elements in its content. In addition, the Armenian communities prepared a similar tradition by preparing the Ashura in the New Year celebrations as Christmas Pudding.
The story of the emergence of the ashura
The story of existence of the ashuraHz. Noah’s flood and his ship. Hz. Noah, as one of the prophets Hz. Idris was sent after the prophet. The story of the ashura is as follows; Hz. Noah’s three sons, Sam, Ham and Yasef believe in their father. However, many of his other sons Kenan and his tribes refuse to believe him and become rebellious. Hz. Noah communicates his commandments to his people for thousands of years, but those who do not believe persecute him and make fun of him.
Finally, Hz. Noah complains to Allah. Allah Hz. He orders Noah to make a great ship and sends Gabriel to help him. Hz. Noah obey and build a large ship and take the animals to the ship as well as the believers who believe. Allah breaks a great flood and the water gushing from the ground with rains falling from the sky covers the whole earth. Hz. Noah and his people get rid of the ship, while others drown in the water.
The ship remains in water for months and the food starts to run out. They make soup by bringing together the last food in a boiler. This soup is called “Ashura .. Ashura became a tradition over time and it was of great importance in the month of Muharram during the Ottoman period. Ashura is cooked by boiler with the fasts starting on the 10th day of Muharram and served to those around him. “Ashura dispenser” distribute ashura to the poor and the needy.
The month of Muharram is an important month for our religion, coincides with the anniversary of many events. In this month, Allah created the earth and the sky and presented special bestowals to the prophets. Ashura day is the most valuable day of the month of Muharram, and it is believed that Allah accepts prayers on this day. For this reason, the Ashura day is of great importance and is considered valuable.
Events took place on the 10th day of the month of Muharram
The 10th day of Muharram was the scene of important events. Today, throughout history has witnessed both painful and pleasing events.
As a sad event; The Prophet Hz. Muhammad’s (saas) grandson Hz. Hüseyin and his accompanying 72 people were massacred by Yazid’s army in Karbala on the tenth day of Muharram in Hijri 61 (10 October 680). This event is referred to as a great day of mourning and mourning in the Alevi society.
However, the day of Ashura also means that Allah has made different treats and bestowal to the prophets. Hz. Moses (peace be upon him) was granted a miracle sea and buried Pharaoh and his army in the water. Hz. The Noah (saas) ship anchored on the Cudi Mountain on this day. Hz. Yunus (peace be upon him), the fish survived the belly and Hz. The repentance of Adam (peace be upon him) has been accepted.
In addition, Hz. Yusuf (peace be upon him) was removed from the well of his brothers Muharram. Jesus (saas) was born on this day and was promoted to the sky. Hz. The repentance of David (peace be upon him) was also accepted on this special day. Hz. Abraham’s son Hz. Ismail was born that day and Hz. Jacob (peace be upon him) eyes, son Hz. It started to open the day when Yusuf was closed due to his longing. Hz. Eyyub (peace be upon him) has gained healing from his illness on this special day.
For this reason, the 10th day of the month of Muharram, both a painful souvenir Hz. Hüseyin and his entourage is a day of mourning in which the Karbala incident was martyred, as well as a happy day in which the grace of Allah to the prophets and the sacred people. Islamic communities remember this day with prayers, worship and help.
Ashura’s Materials
Ashura is a dessert that can vary between regions and has no specific recipe. It is said to be traditionally consisted of at least 7 items, but some indicate that it should be 10 items due to its name. In the Alevi tradition, ashura is always used using 12 items.
Ashura contains various dried fruits such as wheat, barley, rice, beans, chickpeas, molasses, palm molasses, pomegranate molasses, beet juice, palm, apricots, figs, raisins and currants. In addition, almonds, peanuts, nuts, walnuts, pine nuts and sesame seeds are added. Orange, lemon and lemon peel can also be used to add depth and aroma to dessert. Spices such as anise, black seed seeds, plum mahlebi, pomegranate seeds, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coconut and yenibahar can also be used as a garnish.
Ashura is a vegan dessert because it contains no animal products and is one of the most well -known and popular vegan desserts of Turkish cuisine. Thus, Ashura offers a rich in diversity, healthy and nutritious dessert options. It is usually shared with the environment on special occasions and events. The preparation of different regions and communities with different materials is a good example that reflects our rich cultural diversity.
Ashura tradition in communities
Among the Turkish and Bosnian Sufis, especially in the Bektashi community, ashura, health, healing, security, success and spiritual nutrition are prepared with special prayers. Ashura is distributed to the poor, neighbors, friends and relatives and shared as an expression of love and solidarity.
Famous traveler Evliya Çelebi, in his travelogue book, “Ashura is a transcendent to be done on the tenth day of Muharrem.” It emphasizes the importance of this tradition.
In the Alevi culture, in the Karbala War, the cooking of Ashura on the day of Ashura, which was the day when Hüseyin was martyred, has a special meaning. The Alevi communities protested all kinds of violence (including cuts for animals) by fasting without consuming meat for 12 days in Muharram and share their ashura with their neighbors and friends.
In Armenian and Greek culture, there is a tradition of Ashura. On January 6, the Armenians make a ashura-like dessert called “Anuş-Abdur ve and put the mixture of wheat, raisins and honey on a plate with a candle at the church gate and put them in the graves of their loved ones. In Armenia, Ashura can be prepared by sweetening with pomegranate seeds and rose water and shared with neighbors in Christmas. Similarly, the Greeks make a dessert known as Christmas pudding and are generally decorated with dried fruits, hazelnuts and pomegranates and distribute them as an important part of the new year tables.
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