Muharram

2021 Date: Thursday, August 19, 2021 The first month of Islamic New Year, Muharram, is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Quran along with - Rajab, Dhu al-Qi'dah and Dhu al-Hijjah. During these sacred months, warfare is forbidden. It's believed that in the month of Muharram, one should worship Allah a lot. and Ashura Significance

• What is the origin of Muharram? • Traditions observed during Muharram • When is Muharram observed across the world? What is the origin of Muharram? Prior to the institution of Muharram, the month of Muharram was considered sacred. The name of the holiday is derived from the phrase ‘haram’ which means ‘forbidden.’ During the pre-Islamic period, it was forbidden for the tribes in the Arabian Peninsula to engage in fighting. This period of peace among the warring tribes was convenient for the people as it allowed them to engage in the construction of infrastructure such as the tombs of Imams. The tribes ceased from fighting for four months of the year. Muharram was one of them and when Islam was adopted, the holiday was maintained. There were provisions made to accommodate instances that would deem war necessary, for instance, a threat to the sovereignty of the empire. The battle of Karbala is one instance in which this law of peace for four months was challenged. The battle took place on the 10th day of Muharram in the year 61 AH (October 10th 680 AD). The battle was between Husayn Ibn Ali and Muawiyah’s grandson Yazid I. After the death of Muawiyah in 680, Husayn refused to give allegiance to Yazid as he considered his succession to power a breach of the Hasan-Muawiyah treaty. Many partisans from Muhamad’s late cousin and son-in-law ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib felt that leadership of the Muslim community rightly belonged to the descendants of Ali. As a result, an opposition agains...

The Islamic new year, known as Al-Hijra, begins on Friday and marks the beginning of Muharram, the first month of the Muslim lunar calendar. The lunar calendar, or Hijri, has been used for more than 1,440 years and helps to fix the date of annual celebrations and events such as Muharram is one of four sacred months in the lunar calendar—the second most important after Similar to the new year in the Gregorian calendar, What is Al-Hijra? Sahirah Javaid, senior press officer at the U.K.-based charity Muslim Hands, described Al-Hijra as the "beginning of the new Islamic year, which will mark 1,444 lunar years since the Hijrah"—the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina. Javaid told Newsweek that people celebrating the Islamic new year often exchange greetings such as "Kulla 'Aamin wa antum bi khair," which translates to "May every year pass and you are all well." Major new year's celebrations around the world Statista This infographic, provided by Other typical greetings include "here's wishing everyone a very blissful and peaceful Islamic Hijri New Year" and "extending my warm greetings to you and your loved ones on the auspicious occasion of Hijri New Year." The Prophet fled to Medina to escape persecution in Mecca, his birthplace. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, when he arrived "Muhammad negotiated the Constitution of Medina with the local clans, thereby establishing the Muslim community as a sociopolitical entity for the first time." "The date rep...

Quick Facts This year: Sat, 29 Jul 2023 (Tentative Date) Next year: Wed, 17 Jul 2024 (Tentative Date) Last year: Tue, 9 Aug 2022 Type: Gazetted Holiday Muharram (or Muharrum) is a gazetted holiday in India, marking the start of the Islamic year. It is a day off for many workers in India. Is Muharram/Ashura a Public Holiday? Muharram/Ashura is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Making time for prayer during Muharram. ©iStockphoto.com/Samina Imran What Do People Do? Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Some Muslims fast during daylight hours on the ninth and 10th or 10th and 11th days of the month. They may also attend special prayer meetings in mosques or private homes. Not all Muslim groups observe this occasion in the same manner. Some Muslims regard Muharram as the month of mourning, commemorating the Battle of Karbala. Muharram is primarily an Islamic holiday but people of other religions may also take part in or observe the Muharram activities in India. Public Life The tenth day of Muharram is a gazetted holiday in India so government offices, post offices and banks are closed on the day. Islamic stores, businesses and other organizations may be closed or have reduced opening hours. Those wishing to use public transport on the day may need to contact the local transport authorities to check on timetables. Large prayer meetings, parades and marches may cause local disruption to traffi...