Muharram Information

Muharram

What is the significance of Muharram?

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is considered the second holiest month after Ramzan. On the first day of Muharram, the Islamic New Year is observed by Muslims. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year.Muharram also marks the anniversary of the battle of Karbala, where the Islamic prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussain Ibn Ali was killed.

Happy Muharram

During the month of Muharram, some mosques provide free meals on certain nights of the month to all people.The tenth day of Muharram is the Day of Ashura.Ashura marks the death of Hussain ibn Ali who is  the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson — as well as the day Noah left the ark and Moses was saved from the Egyptians by God.

History/Story of Ashura

on the day of Ashura, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Hussain and his little son, were mercilessly killed by a oppressive ruler in the Battle of Karbala by the soldiers of the Yazid.

What is the Story behind Muharram?

The terrible Battle Of Karbala happened on the 10th day of Muharram, the day of Ashura. This war was held between Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussain, and Yazid, the Ummayad caliph. Imam Hussain's army was only a small group of supporters which included of only his friends and family including women and young children. 

Muharram

Yazid's cruel army attacked Imam Hussain's friends and family.They were deprived of water and food for three days i.e., from 7th of Muharram to 10th of Muharram. On the 10th day, Hussain and his followers were killed by the cruel army of Yazid. 

The surviving members of Hussain's army were marched to Damascus and imprisoned there.

Muharram image

It is a very emotional story and Muslims honour the sacrifice of the innocent lives by observing a mourning period in the month of Muharram.

Celebration 

What do Muslims do in Muharram?

The main rituals of this holiday are mourning and fasting.Many Muslims choose to fast during the first ten days of this month. Of course, during this period of fasting, different Muslim groups fast in different fashions.

Who celebrate the Muharram?

There are two different groups of Muslim which are linked to the Ashura, Shia and Sunni Muslim.

During the first ten days of the Muharram month, Shia sect observes a fast to mourn the death of Imam Hussain, and his family members and to honour the sacrifices made in the Battle of Karbala.Some Shi’a Muslims fast by not eating during the day, but only eating in the late afternoon.

Muharram prayers

Sunni Muslims, on the other hand, observe this day with a fast that lasts from sunrise to sunset. They also hold gatherings to remember the sacrifices of Imam Hussain and attend special prayers in mosques.

In many parts of the India, United Arab Emirates and Jordan, Muharram is a public holiday. In the United Kingdom,United States and Australia it is not a public holiday.