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In the Islamic calendar, Muharram holds great significance as it marks the beginning of the lunar year. This sacred month holds historical and cultural importance for Muslims worldwide. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which consists of 12 months based on the phases of the moon.
The first month of the Islamic calendar is Muharram and is also known as Muharram ul Haram is one of the four holy months of the year, when fighting is prohibited. After Ramadan, it is regarded as the second-holiest month.
The word Muharram implies forbidden or prohibited. One of the four sacred months mentioned in the Quran is the first month, Muharram the other three are Rajab, the seventh month, and the eleventh and twelfth months, Dhu al-Qidah and Dhu al-Hijjah, which come before Muharram. Warfare is prohibited throughout these holy months.
SIGNIFICANCE OF MUHARRAM
Muharram holds great significance in the Islamic calendar for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. It is the first month of the lunar year and carries historical, cultural, and religious importance.
Sunni
Significance for Sunni Muslims is that it marks the transition from the old year to the new year in the Islamic calendar. While it may not involve any specific religious rituals or commemorations exclusive to Sunni Muslims, it serves as a time for reflection and renewal. During this month, Sunni Muslims are encouraged to evaluate their spiritual journey. Many take this as a time of introspection, renewal, and rededication to one's faith. It serves as an opportunity to reflect on the past year, seek forgiveness, and set goals for personal and spiritual growth in the year ahead. By engaging in acts of worship, attending religious gatherings, and nurturing a sense of community, Sunni Muslims commemorate Muharram in their own meaningful way.
Shia
Muharram holds immense significance for Shia Muslims, as it is a month of deep mourning and remembrance. During this time, Shia Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and his loyal companions in the Battle of Karbala. For Shia Muslims, the commemoration of Muharram is an emotional and solemn period marked by various rituals and expressions of grief. They organize mourning processions where Shia communities organize processions where participants gather to mourn and remember the tragedy of Karbala.
Through these rituals and practices, Shia Muslims honor the memory of Imam Hussein and his noble sacrifice. Muharram serves as a time for deep reflection, self-examination, and a recommitment to the values of justice, truth, and standing against oppression. It is a time to renew one's commitment to the principles exemplified by Imam Hussein and to seek spiritual growth and self-improvement.
Through various rituals and observances, Shia Muslims express their grief and reaffirm their dedication to the principles of justice, bravery, and unwavering faith. It is a time for self-reflection, communal unity, and a renewed commitment to the teachings of Islam.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Victory of Prophet Musa (pbuh) over Pharaoh
When the drowning overtook Pharaoh, he called out. Allah (SWT) said:
“And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, ‘I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims.’” (Yunus 10:90)
Allah (SWT) responded:
“Now O Pharaoh?! While you had surely disobeyed Him before and were of the corrupt ones?” (Yunus 10:91)
The Prophet(ﷺ) said:
“Jibreel said to me, ‘If only you could have seen me when I took the mud from the seabed and shoved it into his mouth fearing that the Mercy of Allah might still save him.”
But the fate of the Pharaoh was already sealed and inscribed into the Preserved Tablet 50,000 years before the creation of the Heavens and Earth, and Allah (SWT) knew he would be a wicked, unbelieving tyrant. That was the tenth day of Muharram, the day of Ashoora, the day that Musa (pbuh) was given victory over Pharaoh.
The reason why we are said to observe fast on Ashoora (on the 10th of Muharram), and they said, “This is the day when Musa became victorious over Pharaoh A Muslim, however, should also fast the day before it so as to differ from the Jews.
The Messenger(ﷺ) said, “If I remain alive till next year, surely, I will [also] fast on the ninth.”
And in a narration reported by Ahmad and Ibn Khuzaymah, he (ﷺ) said, “Fast a day before it or after it and differ from the Jews.”
The Battle Of Karbala
The Battle of Karbala, which took place in 680 CE, is a historically significant event in Islamic history. It occurred during the month of Muharram and involved a clash between the forces of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and the Umayyad caliphate led by Yazid.
Imam Hussein and his small group of loyal companions were confronted by a much larger army in Karbala, in present-day Iraq. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Imam Hussein refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid, as he believed in upholding truth, justice, and the true teachings of Islam.
The battle lasted for several days, during which Imam Hussein and his companions endured great hardships, including thirst and starvation. On the 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashoora, the conflict reached its tragic climax. Imam Hussein and most of his companions were martyred, while a small number survived or were taken captive.
MENTION OF MUHARRAM IN SAHIH BUKHARI AND OTHER HADITHS
Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 26, Hadith Number 662:
Narrated 'Aisha: The people used to fast on 'Ashura (the tenth day of the month of Muharram) before the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory. And on that day the Kaaba used to be covered with a cover. When Allah made the fasting of the month of Ramadan compulsory, Allah's Apostle(ﷺ) said, "Whoever wishes to fast (on the day of 'Ashura') may do so; and whoever wishes to leave it can do so."
Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Hadith Number 184:
Narrated By Abu Bakr: The Prophet(ﷺ) said, “Time has come back to its original state which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth; the year is twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them are in succession; Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Al-Muharram, and (the fourth being) Rajab Mudar (named after the tribe of Mudar as they used to respect this month) which stands between Jumad (ath-thani) and Sha’ban.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 58, Hadith Number 172:
Narrated By ‘Aisha: ‘Ashura’ (i.e. the tenth of Muharram) was a day on which the tribe of Quraish used to fast in the pre-islamic period of ignorance. The Prophet(ﷺ) also used to fast on this day. So, when he migrated to Medina, he fasted on it and ordered (the Muslims) to fast on it. When the fasting of Ramadan was enjoined, it became optional for the people to fast or not to fast on the day of Ashura.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, Hadith Number 609:
Narrated By Ibn ‘Abbas: When the Prophet(ﷺ) came to Medina, he found (the Jews) fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’ (i.e. 10th of Muharram). They used to say: “This is a great day on which Allah saved Moses and drowned the folk of Pharaoh. Moses observed the fast on this day, as a sign of gratitude to Allah.” The Prophet(ﷺ) said, “I am closer to Moses than they.” So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 58, Hadith Number 278:
Narrated Abu Musa: When the Prophet (ﷺ) arrived at Medina, he noticed that some people among the Jews used to respect Ashura' (i.e. 10th of Muharram) and fast on it. The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, "We have more right to observe fast on this day." and ordered that fasting should be observed on it.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Hadith Number 28:
Narrated By Ibn ‘Umar: Fasting was observed on the day of ‘Ashura’ (i.e. 10th of Muharram) by the people of the Pre-islamic Period. But when (the order of compulsory fasting) in the month of Ramadan was revealed, the Prophet(ﷺ) said, “It is up to one to fast on it (i.e. day of ‘Ashura’) or not.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Hadith Number 184:
Narrated By Abu Bakr: The Prophet(ﷺ) said, “Time has come back to its original state which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth; the year is twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them are in succession; Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Al-Muharram, and (the fourth being) Rajab Mudar (named after the tribe of Mudar as they used to respect this month) which stands between Jumad (ath-thani) and Sha’ban.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Hadith Number 202:
Narrated By Ibn Abbas : When the Prophet(ﷺ) arrived at Medina, the Jews were observing the fast on ‘Ashura’ (10th of Muharram) and they said, “This is the day when Moses became victorious over Pharaoh,” On that, the Prophet(ﷺ) said to his companions, “You (Muslims) have more right to celebrate Moses’ victory than they have, so observe the fast on this day.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 91, Hadith Number 370:
Narrated By Salama bin Al-Akwa’: Allah’s Apostle(ﷺ) said to a man from the tribe of Al-Aslam, “Proclaim among your people (or the people) on the day of ‘Ashura’ (tenth of Muharram), ‘Whosoever has eaten anything should fast for the rest of the day; and whoever has not eaten anything, should complete his fast.'”
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 740:
Abu Hurairah narrated that: the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) said: “The most virtuous fasting after the month of Ramadan is Allah’s month Al-Muharram.”
Sunan Ibn E Majah 4: Chapter 207, Hadith 1736:
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “If I live until next year, I will fast the ninth day (of Muharram) too.”
Conclusion
Muharram prompts Muslims all over, to reflect on their faith, spirituality, and derive lessons from past historical events. It is a time for introspection, seeking forgiveness, and renewing one's commitment to leading a righteous life. Muslims use this month as an opportunity to evaluate their actions and strive for personal growth as
Allah (SWT) came to the believers who trusted Him and remained patient.
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