Going back fourteen centuries, on the day of Ashura, Imam Hussain (AS). The grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and his little son were brutally murdered by a cruel ruler in the battle of Karbala. After the death of Imam Hussain (AS), the remaining members of the family were imprisoned and treated harshly.

Even though Imam Hussain (AS) died in the battle. His message of justice, equality and kindness was spread among the people who loved him.

Muḥarram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, and it is one of the four sacred months of the Islamic year. Muharram is the month in which the lunar Hijrah Calendar starts.

In 2022, Muharram begins on 30th July in the USA.

Muslims hold many events to offer condolences to Imam Hussain (AS) to honor the martyrs by praying, reading Quran, supplicating, and holding charity events. Many people also use donation app for masjid for giving charity.

Muharram comes in the four sacred months mentioned in the Holy Quran. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran, “Surely, the number of months according to Allah is twelve (as written) in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the Earth, of which there are Four Sacred Months.”

During these sacred months, warfare is forbidden. Before the advent of Islam, the Quraish and Arabs also forbade warfare during these months. Muslims believe that in this month of Muharram, one should worship a lot and also give charity. You can also use the Muslim community app to spread awareness about giving to charity.

Important Events In Muharram:

• 1st Muharram: Islamic New Year.
• 3rd Muharram: Imam Hussain (AS) enters Karbala and establishes camp.
• 7th Muharram: Access to water was banned to Imam Hussain (AS) by Yazid’s orders.
• 10th Muharram: Imam Hussain (AS) was martyred in the Battle of Karbala.

The month of Muharram has certain other characteristics peculiar to it, like fasting during the month. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said: “The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram”. The fasts of Muharram are not obligatory. But the one who fasts on these days is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty.

Abdullah Ibn-e-Masood reports that the Holy Prophet preferred the fast of Ashura to the fast of other days and preferred the fast of Ramadhan to the fast of Ashura. (Bukhari and Muslim)

According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashura should be accompanied by the 9th or 11th day of Muharram. It means that you have to fast for two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th of it, respectively.

The reason for this additional fast is to separate the way between the Muslims and the Jews. They used to fast on the day of Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet wanted to distinguish the Islamic way of fasting from that of the Jews. This is why the Prophet (PBUH) advised the Muslims to add another fast to that of Ashura.

There are many misconceptions about the Muharram; some of them are mentioned below:

• Muharram is an evil or unlucky month
• People avoid holding marriage ceremonies in the month of Muharram.

If the death of a renowned and notable person on a particular day is considered a day of mourning for all times to come. One can hardly find a day free from mourning out of 365 days of the whole year. Because each and every day has a history of the demise of notable personality. The people of Jahiliyyah (Ignorance) used to mourn over their deceased through loud chanting and by tearing their clothes and beating their cheeks and chests.

The Holy Prophet strictly prohibited this act and directed the Muslims to observe patience by saying, “Inna lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji oon”. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “He is not one of us who slaps his cheeks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of jahiliyyah” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) 

Significance Of Muharram:

• It is a sacred month and is referred to as the month of Allah (SWT) for its significance among the months of the year.
• It contains the day of ‘Ashura, in which Muslims are encouraged to fast and get great rewards.

Things To Do In Muharram:

• Fast: Keep a fast on the 9th and 10th Muharram, or on the 10th and 11th Muharram
• Read the Qur’an: Reading the Qur’an can help you to feel the blessings of Muharram.
• Doing Dhikr: Doing dhikr also increases your virtues.
• Give Sadaqah: Establish good habits like giving regular charity so that you can gain. You can also donate to mosques from the mosque community app.

The Significance

Muharram is really significant to Muslims. During this festival, Muslims also pray for forgiveness of sins and, most importantly, commemorate Hussain ibn Ali. Imam Hussain’s death commemoration promotes social cohesion, Islamic identity, and even tourism.

We all Muslims should pray and supplicate as much as we can and give charity. You can use the Muslim community app to help you remind yourself of the prayer timings.

You can also give charity right from the Muslim community app. Do as much as you can and get unlimited rewards. Also, remember the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his family in your prayers and give blessings upon them.