Muharram
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Month Number
Days In Month Name Of Month |
First
Depend upon sighting of new moon Haram, meaning "Forbidden" |
Muharram (Arabic: محرم) is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year in which fighting is prohibited. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, Muharram moves from year to year when compared with the Gregorian calendar. Muharram is so called because it is unlawful to fight during this month; the word is derived from the word haram, meaning "Forbidden".
It is held to be the most sacred of all the months, excluding Ramadan. Some Muslims fast during these days. The tenth day of Muharram is called Yaumu-l Ashurah, which is known by Shia Muslims as ‘The day of grief’. Fasting differs among the Muslim groupings; mainstream Shia Muslims stop eating and drinking during sunlight hours and do not eat until late afternoon. Sunni Muslims also fast during Muharram for the first 10 days of Muharram or on both the 9th and 10th days or 10 and 11th , the choice is up to the individual. Shia Muslims do so to replicate the sufferings of Imam Hussain (A.S) on the day of Ashurah.
It is held to be the most sacred of all the months, excluding Ramadan. Some Muslims fast during these days. The tenth day of Muharram is called Yaumu-l Ashurah, which is known by Shia Muslims as ‘The day of grief’. Fasting differs among the Muslim groupings; mainstream Shia Muslims stop eating and drinking during sunlight hours and do not eat until late afternoon. Sunni Muslims also fast during Muharram for the first 10 days of Muharram or on both the 9th and 10th days or 10 and 11th , the choice is up to the individual. Shia Muslims do so to replicate the sufferings of Imam Hussain (A.S) on the day of Ashurah.
Muharram and Ashura
The Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala, Iraq
The word "Muharram" is often considered synonymous with the event of Ashura. Ashura, which literally means the "Tenth" in Arabic, refers to the tenth day of Muharram. It is well-known because of historical significance and mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali.
The shias start the mourning from the 1st night of Muharram which continues for 2 months and 8 days. However the first days are the most important since these were the days where Imam Husayn and his family/followers were put through to atrocities by Yazeed
The shias start the mourning from the 1st night of Muharram which continues for 2 months and 8 days. However the first days are the most important since these were the days where Imam Husayn and his family/followers were put through to atrocities by Yazeed
Islamic events taking place during Muharram
Tombstone of Umar, in Al-Masjid al-Nabawi. The first window from the right gives a view of Umar's grave
- 01 Muharram, the Islamic New Year is observed by Muslims.
- 01 Muharram, Shiah Muslims begin the Commemoration of Muharram which marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala.
- 02 Muharram, Martyrdom of Umar ibn al-Khattab, the 2nd Caliph of Islamic empire.
- 02 Muharram, Husayn bin Ali enters Karbala and establishes camp. Yazid's forces are present.
- 07 Muharram, access to water was banned to Husayn ibn Ali by Yazid's orders.
- 10 Muharram, referred to as the Day of Ashura was the day on which Husayn ibn Ali was martyred in Karbala. Shia Muslims spend the day in mourning, whilst Sunni Muslims fast on this day.
- 10th Muharram 61 AH,Al-Abbas ibn Ali Died at the age of 33
- 25 Muharram, martyrdom of Imam,Ali ibn Husayn
Timing
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Muharram migrates throughout the solar years.