...For there will be a slaughter for the Lord GOD of hosts, In the land of the north by the river Euphrates.
(Jeremiah 46:10)
Some Shia Muslims believe that this verse foretells the story of 'Ashura. The story takes place in an area called Karbala (in modern day Iraq), which is located near the Euphrates River. The grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and the third Imam, Al-Hussein, was with his family and a group of 72 followers. Yazid (a Caliph of the Umayyad regime) was trying to force al-Hussein and his followers and submit to his authority. Al-Hussein refused, and Yazid came after him with an army of 20,000 men. Al-Hussein and his small group of followers stood up to Yazid (who, according to Shia's, was a tyrant and oppressor) and were overwhelmed by Yazid's army. Al-Hussein, his family, and all of his followers were mercilessly killed (including his 6-month son and his 1-day old son) by Yazid's army. This event is commemorated by Shia's everywhere and is called 'Ashura. But did Jeremiah foretell this heroic and tragic story? If we put Jeremiah 46:10 into context, we see that this prophecy was not about the slaughter ('sacrifice' in NIV) of Al-Hussein, but a prophecy against the nation of Egypt. We read:
This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations:
Concerning Egypt:
This is the message against the army of Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: (Jeremiah 46:1-2)
With this context, doesn't the prophecy of Jeremiah 46:10 make more sense?:
But that day belongs to the LORD, the Lord Almighty--a day of vengeance, for vengeance on his foes. The sword will devour till it is satisfied, till it has quenched its thirst with blood. For the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will offer sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates. (Jeremiah 46:10)
There are a few other parts of this prophecy that would clearly indicate that this prophecy was not about Al-Hussein. We see:
What do I see? They are terrified, they are retreating, their warriors are defeated. They flee in haste without looking back, and there is terror on every side," declares the LORD. "The swift cannot flee nor the strong escape. In the north by the River Euphrates they stumble and fall. (Jeremiah 46:5-6)
We can see that the people being prophecied about were trying flee and retreat. But history tells us that Al-Hussein stood his ground and fought against Yazid.
This is clearly not a prophecy about the events on 'Ashura, but about the battle between Egypt and Babylon. I encourage you to read Jeremiah 46 for yourself. You will quickly see who and what Jeremiah is speaking about.
{Note: This story of 'Ashura is according to Shias. The Sunni version varies.}