Muharram

When did the Muharram start?

About Muharram Holiday

Muharram is a religious holiday of great significance to Muslims around the world and is the first month in the Islamic calendar. It marks a period of mourning, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Celebrations of Muharram differ depending on the region, but all these commemorations are marked by devotion and reverence for the Imam Hussein as well as reflection on the suffering of the Hussaini family.

During Muharram, Muslims around the world engage in various devotionals, reciting prayers and supplications. It is also the time to remember the sacrifice of Imam Hussein and those of his followers. Shia Muslims around the world perform ceremonial acts of mourning to show their grief and solidarity, often through flagellation and reciting elegies. Sunni Muslims, however, engage in prayer, charity, and the reciting of Koranic verses.

All Muslims, whether Shia or Sunni, pay tribute to the immense courage and sacrifice of Imam Hussein and his band of dedicated followers. It is a time for Muslims to reflect on the importance of courage, integrity, and commitment to justice, all of which Imam Hussein represented. It is a time to re-embrace the values that the martyrdom of Imam Hussein promotes and strive to embody them in our own lives.

What Is Muharram? The History and Origin of Islamic’s Sacred Month

Muharram is a month-long sacred observance of the Islamic faith celebrated across the world. It is the first month of the Islamic calendar and is revered by Muslims around the globe as one of four sacred months, with the other three being Dhu al-Qadah, Dhu al-Hijjah and Rajab. The name Muharram literally means “prohibited”, attesting to its considerable religious importance in the Islamic tradition.

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and its tenth day is known as Ashura. For Sunnis, it’s a day of reflection and fasting, often associated with the day when Prophet Moses and his followers were saved from Pharaoh’s tyranny. For Shia Muslims, it’s a period of mourning, marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala.

Muharram observances are carried out by Muslims worldwide, with the nature and intensity varying by cultural context, historical factors, and sectarian differences. Countries with significant Muslim populations where Muharram is observed include:

• Saudi Arabia: As the birthplace of Islam, Muharram is observed, but public displays of mourning by Shia Muslims are restricted.
• Iraq: Especially in the city of Karbala, where Imam Hussain was martyred. The city witnesses one of the largest annual gatherings of Shia Muslims during Muharram.
• Iran: Predominantly Shia, Iran has extensive public rituals and processions during Muharram.
• Pakistan: Both Sunni and Shia communities observe Muharram, with Shia processions being a common sight.
• India: Muharram is observed by the Muslim population, with processions and gatherings, especially in regions with a significant Shia population.
• Afghanistan: Observances occur, particularly among the Shia community.
• Bahrain: Muharram is observed by its significant Shia population.
• Lebanon: Muharram is observed, especially in regions with a Shia population.
• Yemen: The country has both Sunni and Shia populations, and Muharram is observed.
• Syria: Muharram is observed, especially in regions with a Shia or Alawite population.
• Azerbaijan: A Shia-majority country, Muharram observances are common.
• Turkey: While the majority of the population is Sunni, Muharram and Ashura are still observed, especially in regions with Alevi and Shia populations.
• Malaysia and Indonesia: Both countries have Sunni majorities, but Muharram and Ashura are recognized.
• United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait: Muharram is observed with various levels of public expression.
• Egypt: The Sunni-majority country observes Ashura with fasting.
• Bangladesh: The Muslim-majority nation observes Muharram with processions, particularly in areas with a Shia population.

Many other countries with Muslim populations, whether in majority or minority, will have some observance of Muharram. The nature of the observance, as mentioned earlier, often depends on sectarian and cultural factors.

The Significance and Meaning of Muharram

A particularly important day that falls within Muharram is known as Ashura, which marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. The tenth day of Muharram holds particular significance in Islamic tradition, being associated with numerous events from Islamic history, and so is celebrated each year by Muslims as a remembrance of sacrifices and hardships endured by early Muslim generations.

Muharram is a period of mourning for some Muslims, who commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and his heroic stand against the tyrant caliphate, Yazid ibn Muawiya. Ashura is a remembrance of the nasty Battle of Karbala in the 7th century, where Hussein was mercilessly slain, alongside his 72 companions. The event signifies the persecution of truth and goodness and evokes within muslims a commemoration of God’s justice being higher than mankind’s injustice.

Traditions and Celebrations During Muharram

Numerous traditions surround Muharram. These include the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, often through street processions known as talbiyah, where people chant out his last words, “Labaik Ya Hussein” (Here I am at your service, Oh Hussein). Dervishes perform ritual forms of dance in memory of Hussein and prayers are offered for peace and justice in his name.

In some communities, its traditional to serve salty drinks, called aam panna, which is derived from the Persian term for “mourning brew”. Sweet dishes such as firni, kheer and halwa are also common during Muharram.

Geographical Spread of Muharram Celebrations

Muharram is celebrated across the Muslim world, from countries in the Middle East, East Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and other parts of the world. The celebrations vary in intensity and style, from region to region.

In South and South-East Asia, the observance of Muharram is often marked by loud processions, drumming, recitation of sacred texts and chanting of mournful cries and builds up the climax of commemorations on the tenth of Muharram, known as Ashura. In India, many Shia Muslims visit shrines dedicated to Imam Hussein, while the younger generation take part in armed processions, including the Muharram parade, or tazia. In countries like Bahrain and Oman, the festival is a public holiday.

Modern Day Observations

Today, Muharram remains an important marker in the calendar for Muslims. The tenth of Muharram in particular is a day where Muslims around the world take part in mourning rituals, processions and other special observances to honour the memory of Imam Hussein.

Muharram has also garnered attention recently as a result of various initiatives aimed at promoting understanding and the coexistence of different faiths. 2012 saw the launch of the Muharram Interfaith Exchange Project, an events calendar that aims to increase awareness about Muharram by documenting acts of remembrance around the world from different religions.

Interesting Muharram Facts and Trivia

There are some interesting facts and trivia about Muharram that are worth noting. Firstly, the Islamic New Year, which is celebrated on the tenth day of Muharram, is the oldest holiday in the world, with its roots dating back to the 12th century BCE.

Muharram is also a time when Allah is glorified and thanked for creating the Islamic calendar and provides individuals with an opportunity to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Fasting is believed to have great rewards in Islam, which is why abstaining from food and other sensual pleasures is encouraged during this time as an act of piety and devotion.

Finally, through acts of remembrance, such as attending services and processions, Muslims draw closer to God by experiencing shared grief and collective joy. By honouring the exodus of Prophet Muhammad and his family from Mecca, and by commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, Muslims remember and honour the ultimate sacrifice made for truth and justice.

Conclusion

Muharram is a solemn Islamic month that holds great religious significance in most Muslim-majority countries. Through yearly observances and traditional rituals, their spiritual heritage is kept alive and shared with future generations. As modern-day initiatives, such as Muharram Interfaith Exchange Project, bring increasing awareness about Muharram, this sacred month is celebrated in more meaningful ways than ever before.

How to Say "Muharram" In Different Languages?