It is commonly believed that the month of Muharram holds importance for the Shia Muslim sect only. However, this is not the case. Muharram has great value for all Muslims; it is a month of great piety and spirituality. Muslims try to increase their good deeds in Muharram because all good deeds hold more weight in this month.
2 main historic events took place in this month, which increase the value that it holds; the martyrdom of Imam Hassan and Hussein, and the family of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), and the day when the Israelites and Prophet Musa (AS) was saved from the Pharaoh, by Allah.
Read on to find out why the sacred month of Muharram holds a great place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide!
What is Muharram?
Muharram or Muharram-ul-Haraam, as it is also called, is the first month of the Hijri calendar. It is one of the four sacred months in Islam, as designated by Allah. Its name means forbidden, which implies that no warfare is allowed in this month.
In the early years of Islam, warfare was not allowed as a sign of respect because, this month, pilgrims from all over Arabia would travel to Makkah for a pilgrimage to the Kaabah.
During this month, Muslims indulge in more prayers and fasting as good deeds are increased in rank in this month. After Ramadan, Muharram is the holiest month to fast in.
’Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them…’ (Qur’an, 9:36)
The Four Sacred Months
The four sacred months in Islam are:
- Muharram
- Rajab
- Dhul-Qa’dah
- Dhul-Hijjah
Muharram, Dhul-Hijjah, and Dhul-Qa’dah stand together in the Hijri calendar. War and fighting are banned in the holy months. This was done to allow all pilgrims easy access to the Holy Kaabah to perform Hajj, so they would not have to worry about being attacked. Rajab stands alone to allow pilgrims to perform Umrah.
Why is Muharram So Important for Muslims?
The month of Muharram holds great value for all Muslims. The main reasons for this are some historical events that took place in this month:
- Migration: The migration of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and his followers from Makkah to Madina
- Ashura: when Prophet Musa (AS) and the Israelites were freed from the rule of Pharoh
- Karbala: the martyrdom of Imam Hassan and Hussein, the grandsons of the Prophet, and the assassination of many of his family members
What is Ashura?
After the Prophet (PBUH) migrated to Madina, he observed the Jewish community of Madina fasting on the 9th of Muharram. He inquired about the reason behind this. It was explained that they fasted because this was the day when Prophet Musa (AS) and the Bani Israel were granted freedom from Pharoh and his army. The Prophet said:
Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came to Medina and he found the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. The Prophet said, “What is this day you are fasting?” They said, “This is a great day in which Allah saved Moses and his people, and he drowned Pharaoh and his people. Moses fasted on it due to gratitude, so we also fast on it.” The Prophet said, “We are more worthy and closer to Moses than you.” The Prophet fasted the day of Ashura and he commanded fasting on it.
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2004
When the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) recommended that Muslims also fast on the 9th of Ashura in Muharram, some companions told the Prophet that this was the day of fasting for the Jews. The Prophet then changed his recommendation and told the Muslims to fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram:
Abdullah ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If I live until next year, I will certainly fast the ninth day of al-Muharram.”
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1134
Muslims are advised to fast in the month of Muharram as it is a sacred month. All good deeds hold much more weight in this month, and after Ramadan, Muharram is the best month to fast in. The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) says:
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best prayer after the prescribed prayers is a prayer offered in the middle of the night. The best fast after the month of Ramadan is fasting in the month of Allah, al-Muharram.”
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1163
Karbala: The Battle between Evil and Good
When Did the Battle of Karbala Take Place?
The Battle of Karbala occurred in 680 AD in the city of Karbala, Iraq.
Who Fought the Battle of Karbala?
It was fought between the army of the second, Caliph Yazid I, and the family and followers of Imam Hussein Ibn Ali, the beloved grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Why Did the Battle of Karbala Happen?
Yazid wanted Imam Hussein to accept him as the next Caliph of Islam after his father, Muaviyah, died. But Imam Hussein knew that Yazid was a cruel, immoral, and corrupt leader. Therefore, after refusing pressure to accept him as the leader of the Muslim Ummah, Imam Hussein left Madina. The people of Kufah called him to help them fight against Yazid and his evil army. They promised to join Imam Hussein and his army to fight against Yazid.
What Happened at Karbala?
Upon reaching Karbala on the third day of Muharram, Imam Hussein established a camp near Kufah. But the people of Kufah never showed up. He faced a large army of around 4,000 men, commanded by Umar Ibn Saad, the son of the founder of Kufah.
On the seventh day of Muharram, Yazid ordered his men to block Imam Hussein and his companions from access to water, causing them to become weak and leading to the death of many from dehydration and extreme heat.
On the 10th day of Muharram, called Ashura, a brutal battle was fought between both parties, and Imam Hussein was ruthlessly martyred along with many of his family and followers.
This is one of the greatest tragedies in the history of Islam. The family of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) was slain and martyred most cruelly. This event has caused grief to Muslims all over the world to date.
How to Make the Most of Muharram: Dos and Donts
Allah has made Muharram one of the four sacred months. This gives it special importance and precedent. All Muslims know the importance of the month of Muharram. The Prophet (PBUH) has recommended fasting during this month, after the obligatory fasting of Ramadan, to be of utmost importance.
Any other good deeds performed by Muslims this month are granted more blessings than at any other time of the year. In the same way, if a bad deed is committed, it also weighs heavier in this month than others.
So what can you do to ensure that you can reap the benefits of this month fully?
What Should You Do in Muharram?
- Fast: Fasting on the 9th and 10th Muharram (the day of Ashura) or the 10th and 11th Muharram. Fasting expiates sins, and fasting in the month of Muharram is highly recommended.
“I never saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Ashura’, and this month, meaning Ramadhan.”
Bukhari
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said that fasting on the day of ’Ashura ‘expiates the minor sins of the past year’ (Muslim)
- Read the Qur’an: Don’t be disheartened if you can’t fast. Reading the Qur’an or doing Dhikr can help you feel Muharram’s blessings. Joining any gathering for the sake of Allah SWT will also be filled with great barakah.
- Give regular Sadaqah: Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year, making it the perfect time to make resolutions and establish good habits like giving regular charity to gain blessings all year round. Giving charity in Muharram will give you extra blessings because it is a sacred month.
Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The son of Adam has three hundred and sixty joints, and charity is due upon each one of them every day. A kind word that a man speaks is charity. A man helping his brother with something is charity. Giving someone a drink of water is charity. Removing harmful things from the road is charity.”
Source: al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 11/55
- Say salaam more: One of the easiest ways to gain blessings from Allah is to say Salaam to anyone you meet. This is the greeting of the Prophet (saw) and the people of Paradise.
- Smile at everyone: According to the Prophet, even a smile is a sadaqah! This simplest of actions will weigh heavy on the scales during Muharram.
Abdullah ibn al-Harith reported: I have not seen anyone smile more often than the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3641
But be aware! Because just like the good deeds of a Muslim are rewarded heftily in Muharram and other sacred months, the bad deeds also outweigh bad deeds done in other months. The punishments will also be severe.
Conclusion:
The month of Muharram is sacred as decreed by Allah. Muslims make an extra effort this month to fast on the 9th and 10th and also make up for any missing fasts. They also try to read the Quran as much as possible and generally try to increase their good deeds to earn the blessings and mercy of Allah.
Muharram also holds great historical value due to the events that occurred in this month, like Karbala and Ashura.
FAQ’s
What is Muharram in Islam?
Muharram is the first month of the Hijri calendar. It is very important as it is one of the four sacred months. The battle of Karbala took place this month, and Imam Hussein and Hassan, the grandsons of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), were martyred during this battle.
Why is Muharram the first month in Islam?
Muharram is considered the first month of the Hijri calendar because it marks the immigration of the Prophet Muhammed from Makkah to Madina, which became the first Islamic state.
What is Ashura in Islam?
Ashura Day falls on the 10th of Muharram every year. It is a day of grieving because Imam Hussein, the Prophets’ grandson, was martyred during the battle of Karbala on this day.
