Muharram – The word Muharram means ‘’not permitted’’, or ‘’forbidden’’. The month of Muharram started on July 8, 2024, and Ashura will be marked on July 17, 2024, in India. Muharram also depends upon the moon sighting and it is the first month of the Islamic Year or the Hijri Calendar as per the Islamic calendar. It is the second holiest month after Ramzan for Muslims worldwide

This day marks when Imam Hussain was gone to Karbala without food and water and killed cruelly by King Yazeed. On this day, Shia Muslims recreate the pain and grief that are suffered by Imam Husain and their supporters and close family members as a Majlis in the first ten days of Muharram. Shia individuals wear black clothes in majlis and participate in processions (juloos) in the whole month of Muharram across the world

Ashura –Muharram is a month of Azadari and Majalis-e Aza that tribute to the martyrdom (shahadat) of Imam Hussain (A.S) and their supporters and close family members. Majalis-e Aza is also called as Aza-e Husayn includes chest-beating (matam) sadness, crying, noha, and many other activities that express the emotions of grief against what Yazid stood for. In Muharram, chest-beating (matam) and majlis are conducted by only Shia Muslims across the world including India.

During the month of Muharram, the Day of Ashura is remembered or mourned by millions of individuals worldwide as the day of martyrdom (shahadat) of Imam Hussain and their supporters and family members in the Battle of Karbala. Muslims take part in large peaceful processions (Juloos) where they recite noha and chest-beating (matam) to remember the sacrifice of Imam Hussain and his supporters and family members.

Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram and is known for being a period of grief when the martyrdom (Shadat) of Imam Husain, a son of Hazrat Ali and the grandson of Prophet Mohammad in the battle of Karbala is remembered or observed as a Day of Ashura during the month of Muharram.  In the month of Muharram, Muslim individuals may also observe fast on the 9th and 10th days of the Muharram worldwide.

Shia Muslims wear black clothes and participate in street processions as a way of mourning the death (shaheed) of Imam Husain and their supporters and close family members in the month of Muharram. Many Muslim communities observe the 10th Muharram in several ways, some observe fast and many participate in religious gatherings on the Day of Ashura.

History and Significance – According to Islamic Beliefs, the Hijri calendar started in 622 A.D. when the Prophet Mohammad and his supporters were forced to migrate from Mecca. The day Ashura is observed on the 10th day of the Muharram to remember or mourn the sacrifice by Imam Hussain, son of Hazrat Ali and grandson of the Prophet Mohammad with 72 individuals including supporters and family members were killed (Shaheed) in the Battle of Karbala on the Day of Ashura in 680 A.D. The month of Muharram is mainly for Shia Muslims who mourn, grief, feel pain, or remember the sacrifice by Imam Hussain with supporters and close family members by chest-beating (Maatam) themselves which is known as Qama Zani or Takbir.

Ya Hussain