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Muharram

Muharram is the first month of Islamic Calendar or the lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is considered to be one of the four heavenly months described in the Quran. The festival Muharram starts on the first day of this month and lasts for ten days from thereon. It is celebrated to commemorate the mortification of Hazrat Imam Hussain, his family and his army on the battleground of Karbala. He is believed to be the grandson of the Holy Prophet.

Certain special characteristics are an integral part of this day. Just like Ramadan, in the month of Muharram fasts are observed by many. Though it is not a mandate but those who observe fasts are entitled to a great reward by the almighty. 'The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram." This means that the fasts of the month of Ramadan are the most gratifying.

Although all the ten days have their own significance, the tenth also known as Ashurah is considered to be the most angelic and sacred. When the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, migrated to Madinah, he observed that the Jews there observed fast on the tenth day because it was believed that it was on this day that the Holy Prophet Musa (Moses), alayhis salam, along with his followers and companions crossed the waters of the Red Sea and the Pharaoh drowned in its waters. Some misconceptions, legends and delusions have also found their way out in the minds of ignorant and have no Islamic authentication. For example, on this day Adam was created, Ibrahim was born and those who take bath on this sacred day will never get ill in their entire lives.

Another amiss practice related to this day is the mourning and lamenting recollecting the memory of Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu. All the veritable jurists and masters are of the view that mourning like this where chains and knives are used to hurt one are not at all permissible. This kind of mourning is doomed even by the one in whose memory they are held. Like any other Islamic festival Muharram still remains unaffected by the social advancements and changes.