On November 23, in 1978, just months ahead of the victory of the Islamic revolution, one week before the beginning of Muharram, the Imam issued a declaration in which he likened the month to “a divine sword in the hands of the soldiers of Islam, our great religious leaders, and respected preachers, and all the followers of Imam Hossein, the Doyen of martyrs’.” They must, he continued, “make maximum use of it; trusting in the power of God, they must tear out the remaining roots of this tree of oppression and treachery.” As for the military government, it was contrary to the Shari’ah and opposition to it a religious duty.
Therefore, the victory of the Islamic Revolution and Muharram are closely associated with each other. The followers of Imam Khomeini had been inspired by message of Ashura and with such an enthusim they could defeat all colonial powers and their puppet elements.
The main element of the commemoration of Karbala is the remembrance (dhikr) of the suffering of the holy personages of that tragedy. From at least the time of Imam Jafar al-Sadeq , this was done through a poetic account of the events. The first mourning ceremony, however, was held by Imam Hosseinss sister, Seyyeda Zainab and his son, the fourth Imam, Zainul Abideen (peace be upon all of them)
On the eve of Muharram, Imam Khomeini said in one of his historic message as following:
With the appearance of the new moon, Muharram, the month of heroism, bravery, and sacrifice has commenced. It is a month wherein the blood conquered the sword; it is a month in which the power of truth rescinded the wrong forever and stamped the forehead of tyrants and the satanic governments with its stigma. It is a month which has taught the generations throughout history the path of victory over the lances; a month that witnessed the downfall of big powers against the word of truth. Indeed, it is a month in which the Imam of the Muslims has taught us the way of campaigning against the oppressed in history- a way wherein the closed fists of freedom-wishers, independence-seekers, and the truth-tellers should overcome the tanks, machine-guns, and the array of Iblis] Satan [. Falsehood should vanish before the word of truth. The Imam of the Muslims has taught us to rise against a tyrant, in any age, who rules ruthlessly over Muslims- even though your strength happened to be inconsistent, you should display your disdain and denial. If you see the prestige of Islam in peril, do make sacrifices and ever forges your blood.
On November 23, one week before the beginning of Muharram, the Imam issued a declaration in which he likened the month to “a divine sword in the hands of the soldiers of Islam, our great religious leaders, and respected preachers, and all the followers of Imam Husayn, Sayyid al-shuhada’.” They must, he continued, “make maximum use of it; trusting in the power of God, they must tear out the remaining roots of this tree of oppression and treachery.” As for the military government, it was contrary to the Shari’ah and opposition to it a religious duty