New Delhi
A Turkish Dervish sect continues to uphold a pre-Islamic tradition of cooking a multi-grain porridge called Ashura on the ninth day of Muharram for distribution on the day10, when Muslims, especially Shiites, across the world observe the martyrdom of Imam Hussain Ali and Imam Hassan Ali, grandsons of Prophet Mohammad.
According to Turkish media, Sünbül Sinan Dervish Lodge in Istanbul conducts the ritual of making the porridge as per the most ancient tradition. This place is also called the ‘Karbala of Istanbul’ as the graves of Fatima and Sakinah, daughters of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Hussain, are located close to it.
Ashura, otherwise known as Noah's pudding, is a Turkish dessert with a unique story. Known as the oldest desert in the world, Turkish legend has it that it was Noah who made this pudding first.
According to the legend in the Old Testament that is common to Semitic faiths, when the ark of Prophet Noah landed on Mount Judi on the 10th day of Muharram, there was not enough food left with them. Noah asked his family to bring all the food items remaining on the ark to prepare a sweet soup by mixing them all.
In Turkey, the tradition of cooking Ashura was started soon after the establishment of the Ottoman empire. The first Ashura was cooked in this lodge. The cooking ceremony was accompanied by prayers and hymns and continues to be the same even today (See the video).
The dessert was given a rest overnight and distributed to the people on the day of 10th Muharram. The tradition lasted for around five centuries.
he video of Turkish Dervish cooking Ashura was released on Twitter:
The video of Turkish Dervish cooking Ashura was released on Twitter:
In1925, in the Turkish Republic, hermitages were banned and this tradition was abandoned.
However, much later it was revived due to the efforts of the NGOs working for a cultural revival. Today the Dervish Lodge meticulously conducts every step of the ritual from washing the cereals to the prayers to be said while throwing them into large vessels, from what to wear during the cooking to hymns and eulogies to recite.
Ashura symbolizes the celebratory meal they made when they came off the ark. Since then, Muslims have been celebrating the 10th day of Muharram to commemorate Noah's survival from the flood by making Ashura and sharing it with family members and neighbours. The word "Ashura" takes its root from "ashur," meaning "10th" in Semitic languages.
What is interesting about Ashura is that the dessert is uniquely rooted in religious history. Islamic sources recount this day as the day when Prophets were relieved from all their distress. It is said that on the Day of Ashura God forgave Adam, Noah's Ark rested on dry land, Jonah got out from the belly of the whale, Abraham survived the fire of King Nemrut, Idris ascended to the sky, Jacob finally could see when he reunited with his son Joseph, Joseph came out from the pit, Job recovered from illness, Moses passed through the Red Sea and Pharaoh drowned, and Jesus was born and rose into heaven. Hence, the Day of Ashura is very important in Islam.
When Prophet Muhammad was in Medina, he saw that Jews were fasting. He asked the reason for their fast and they said: "God saved the Israelites from their enemies on this day. To show his gratitude, Moses fasted on that day." Upon this answer, Prophet Muhammad said: "I am worthy of doing the same thing that my brother Moses did," and fasted.
Afterwards, fasting on the Day of Ashura became a Sunnah tradition.
The Day of Ashura is also the day when the prophet's grandson Hussein ibn Ali was martyred in Karbala by the government's forces on his way to Iraq as he was believed to be attempting a rebellion. As the men who invited him to their lands and ran away without helping him, Iraqi people mourned Ali on the Day of Ashura.
This is a day remembered by all Muslims, Sunni and Shiite, to bear witness to the history of the prophets and mourn the tragedy of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. It offers lessons for justice, forgiveness and unity for all.
Ashura is very nutritious and delicious, but difficult to cook. People try to add seven different ingredients at least. Coarsely ground wheat, chickpeas, beans, rice, apricots, grapes, berries, plums, figs, peanuts, orange peel and apples or pears are added into Ashura. Ashura is decorated with pomegranate seeds, currants, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and cinnamon.
It’s also offered to at least seven neighbours.
