Muharram is commemorating as one of the four sacred months as ordained by Allah (SWT). Its title is ‘the month of Allah’ which is why it’s special and one of the most blessed in the Islamic calendar. The history of Muharram is extensive and many important events have occurred in this month. There are 12 months in the Islamic calendar – but we tend to know more about some months than we do about others. Everybody knows that we fast in Ramadan, and many know about the sacrifice of Dhul Hijjah. Muharram, however, seems to be a bit less well-known. This sacred month is referred to in Hadith as the month of Allah (SWT), no other month is given such an honour. The month of Muharram is steeped in both religious and historical significance for Muslims. Not only is it a month decreed by Allah (SWT) as sacred, it is the first month of the Islamic calendar, marking the hijrah (emigration) of the Muslims to Medina and the establishment of the first Islamic state in 622CE. Muharram is one of the sacred months ordained by Allah. Therefore it is a good time for Muslims to incorporate acts of Sadaqah Jariyah, nafl (voluntary) prayers, fasting and Qur’an recitation. Muslims may also reflect upon the new year by visiting the mosque, reflecting on the past Islamic (Hijri) year, and spending time with their loved ones. Muharram holds much significance among Muslims because as well as being one of the four sacred months, it is a month in which many important historical Islamic events took place. These include the Hijra sharif- migration of the muslims to Madina, and the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and other family members of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) during the Battle of Karbala. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three are in succession, namely, Dhul-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth one) Rajab (of the tribe of) Mudar, which is between Jumada (Thani) and Shaban.” (Bukhari) Although Muslims celebrate the coming of the new Islamic Year in Muharram seeing it as another opportunity for them to gain nearness to Allah, Muharram is also a time of remembrance for the Muslim Ummah. On the 10th Muharram (Day of Ashura) in the 61st year of the Islamic Calendar, the Battle of Karbala took place. This was fought between a small army of the supporters and family of the Prophet (PBUH) and the army of Yazid, the Ummayad Caliph who had a significantly larger army. Imam Hussain (AS), the beloved grandson of the Prophet (PBUH) was brutally martyred, alongside the majority of the male members of the Prophet (PBUH)’S family
