New Delhi: Muharram is the first month of the Islamic New Year according to Muslims. This month has a great significance among the followers of Islam. This year Muharram 2023 started in India on 20 July.
The word ‘Muharram’ literally translates to ‘forbidden’, indicating its significance. Warfare and many other activities are thus completely prohibited during this month.
Muharram is significant not only because it is a sacred month, but also because it is associated with fervent devotion and remembrance of Allah. Muslims of all sects respect and observe Muharram as it’s believed that Allah has designated it as one of the four sacred months.
During this period, Muslims are encouraged to engage in acts of devotion and spiritual growth while abstaining from sinful activities.
Muharram is defined by two significant events- the Day of Ashura and the Battle of Karbala. Muslims who follow Sunni or Shia sects mark these events in different manners.
For Sunni Muslims, the Day of Ashura has historical importance since it commemorates two key events. Firstly, it is considered to be the day when Prophet Musa and the Israelites were freed from Pharaoh’s oppression when the Red Sea miraculously split, allowing them to flee the land. Second, it marks the day of Prophet Nuh finally leaving the Ark.
For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a day of mourning and remembrance. It observes the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, Prophet Muhammad’s beloved grandson, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. The battle took place between the army of the second Umayyad dynasty, led by Caliph Yazid I, and the family and companions of Imam Hussein.
In the collective memory of Shia Muslims, the Battle of Karbala is a horrific event. Imam Hussein and his followers arrived at Karbala on the third day of Muharram and set up camp. Despite being massively outnumbered by an army of around 4,000 soldiers, they preserved their core beliefs. On the seventh day of Muharram, Imam Hussein and his companions were barred from accessing water on Yazid I’s orders, leading to their weakening.
The two sides positioned themselves for war on Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram. Imam Hussein, his family and his devoted followers demonstrated unshakable determination despite all adversities. They fought courageously, but Imam Hussein, along with many of his associates, was martyred in a brutal manner.
