Prior to the arrival of Islam in 610 CE, the pre-Islamic Arabs revered the lunar month of Muharram. Although it was the Shia Muslims who have assigned this month special significance, but today it is seen that all Muslims around the world regard Muharram as a pious month.
What is Muharram?
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar (Hijri), and the holy celebration of the New Year is observed on the first day of Muharram. This month is considered the second most sacred month in the Islam community, right after Ramadan. Hence, fighting or quarrelling is forbidden during this month. It is also believed to live peacefully and provide a helping hand to the needy during this holy month. Hence, it is known as 'Muharram', which means 'that cannot be violated' or 'forbidden'.
History of Muharram
According to the tradition of Islam, Hussain Ibn Ali, the son of Hazrat Ali, was the third Shia Imam. He was also the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. It is also believed that in 680 AD, Hussain Ibn Ali rebelled against Caliph Yazid and revolted against him. This resulted in the Battle of Karbala, during which Imam Hussain was executed, and his family members were kept in exile and treated harshly. Despite Imam Hussain being killed in the battle, his philosophy of peace, brotherhood, and compassion was passed on by those who loved and valued him. Hence, in order to pay their tribute to the martyr, Hussain Ibn Ali, Muslims all across the world observe this auspicious day. The Shias and the Sunnis have their unique way of paying tribute to the martyr. Shia Muslims observe the day of Ashura (a period of 10 days, to show their mourning by attending special prayers at mosque dressed in black) as the day that Imam Hussain was killed. Sunni Muslims, on the other hand, consider the day of Ashura to be a blessed day. They believe that on the 10th day of Muharram, Moses led the Israelites over the Red Sea, thereby conquering the Egyptian Pharaoh. Some Sunnis in different Islamic parts of the world like South Africa and Southern parts of Asia also engage in rallies and rituals, mourning Imam Hussain to honour the Prophet.
Muharram 2023 Date
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When is Muharram 2023?
Muharram for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Friday, July 28.
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Muharram dates for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Mon | 8 Aug | Muharram/Ashura (Tentative Date) | Gazetted Holiday |
| 2023 | Fri | 28 Jul | Muharram/Ashura (Tentative Date) | Gazetted Holiday |
| 2024 | Wed | 17 Jul | Muharram/Ashura (Tentative Date) | Gazetted Holiday |
| 2025 | Sun | 6 Jul | Muharram/Ashura (Tentative Date) | Gazetted Holiday |
| 2026 | Fri | 26 Jun | Muharram/Ashura (Tentative Date) | Gazetted Holiday |
During a gazetted holiday, government offices and most businesses remain closed, so people have a day off work and can enjoy the celebration.
Muharram Quotes
May Allah shower you with gifts of love, bravery, wisdom, contentment, health, patience, and cleanliness.
Muharram is the festival that reminds us all to always embrace peace and happiness and spread the message of brotherhood and togetherness!
Allah is not punishing you. He is preparing for you. Trust his plans, not your pain!
Have faith and believe that Allah is with us through all our ups and downs. May he bless us all.
Muharram Mubarak to you and your family members…. I pray for beautiful blessings for you…. I pray for your life is full of happiness and joy.
Let us believe in the messenger of Allah and follow the light which has been sent down with him!
On the occasion of Muharram, let us thank Allah for all his blessings…. Let us praise Him for all his love and care…. Wishing a very blessed and beautiful Muharram.
May the faith you have in Allah always bring along happiness and peace, prosperity and success in your life…. Warm wishes on Muharram my dear.
Muharram Wishes
I pray for you and your family’s happiness and well-being on this special day. May you all have an amazing year ahead.
I pray for you and your family’s happiness and well-being on this pious occasion of Muharram.
This Muharram, we hope Allah always blesses you. May you always have good luck and fortune.
May Allah not only bless you and your family, but always help you in making the right choices in life. This is my wish for you this Muharram.
May All The Praises And Thanks Be To Allah. To Whom Belongs All That Is In Heavens & In The Earth. Have A Blessed Muharram!
May Allah is always there to bless you, not just on Muharram but on each and every day of your life…. Wishing you a very Happy Muharram.
Muharram Messages
This Muharram, I pray that Allah blesses and always stay by our side, to guide us to stay on the right path in life.
In this holy month of Muharram, may Allah give you strength and good health.
Warm greetings on Muharram to you and your dear ones…. Today is the day to mourn and to offer prayers to Allah.
Let us follow the light of Allah to follow the right path in life…. Let us always have faith in the messenger of Allah….. Warm wishes on Muharram to you and your family.
Muharram is the occasion to keep aside all your problems and offer yourself in the service and devotion of Allah….. Wishing a very Happy Muharram to you.
Significance of Muharram
The Muslim community consider the month of Muharram to be very sacred. They commemorate Imam Hussain's sacrifice by praying regularly and abstaining from any celebratory events. In Islamic society, Muharram is a day of utmost significance because it marks the starting of a new year with new beginnings and possibilities. Muslims also pray for their remission of sins on this day. The remembrance of Imam Hussain's execution fosters social and cultural solidarity and Islamic identity.
Ways of celebrating/observing Muharram
The period of mourning begins from the first day of Muharram and lasts for ten days till the day of Imam Hussain's demise. The tenth day of Muharram, Ashura also recalls the day Allah liberated the People of Israel from Pharaoh. When Prophet Muhammad visited the inhabitants of Madina in 622 CE, he discovered from the Israelites that they fasted on this day because Allah rescued the People of Israel from their oppressor, Pharaoh in Egypt. Moses also fasted on this day as a symbol of thankfulness to Allah. Since then, Mohammed too had instructed his believers to observe a two-day fast on the day of Ashura and the day before. While Shia Muslims grieve Imam Hussein's death on Ashura by putting on black clothes and publicly hitting themselves with chains, wounding themselves with sharp objects and parading in sombre ceremonial occasions. This mournful practice is a representation of their sadness at the demise of their Imam Hussain, who was also seen as Allah's representative. However, this practice is non-violent in nature, where people stage sorrowful performances while crying and chanting "Ya Hussain". On the other hand, Sunni Muslims do not perform such rituals; rather, they maintain a fast in commemoration of Mohammed.
Some places where Muharram is observed widely are as follows:
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Kerala
In Kerala, there is a thick presence of Shia Muslims. It is seen that they participate in the procession and beat themselves in order to commemorate the martyr Imam Hussain. The Muslims get themselves involved in 'tazia', wear black clothes and masks while beating their chests, and cry out Imam Hussain's name.
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Lebanon
The Shia Muslims in Nabatieh, Lebanon parade through the streets, slapping their chests by cutting their foreheads until blood comes out. They do this in order to interpret Imam Hussain's martyrdom against injustice and oppression.
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Hyderabad
In India's Hyderabad, almost 90% population are of Islam origin. The Shiites consider a parade accompanied by the arranging of short performances replacing black flags with red ones. There is also a prayer followed in the procession, which is dedicated to the shrine of Imam Hussain, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala.
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Pakistan
It is celebrated with great solemnity in Lahore, Pakistan. People pray and spend much of their time with their family members. Since this time is meant for mourning and prayers, therefore there are no parade or pomp shows held. Rather men and women chose to fast and commemorate Imam Hussain in their duas.
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Kolkata
On the occasion of Muharram, in West Bengal, thousands of Muslims take out rallies. Muslim dominated areas like Rajabazar, Iqbalpur, Kiddarpore, Mominpur etc., witness huge processions but without violence. Charity is also given on this day to remember Imam Hussain's teachings, who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala some 1330 years ago in Iraq.
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Baghdad
People get involved in tazia. As a reaction to the death of the Imam, Hussain, people weep for Hussain and his family. Lamenting and weeping are thought to help people in saving them from being condemned to the hell of a fire on the day of judgement.
Some important facts about Muharram
- According to the Islamic calendar, Muharram month begins with the first crescent of the new moon. Hence, compared to the solar calendar, the Islamic lunar calendar is 10 or 11 days shorter.
- The expression of grief by beating their chests by the Shia Muslims is known as latmiya, latmaya latmia, latmya in Arabic.
- People celebrate the Islamic New Year by praying at the mosque, asking for Allah's mercy for their misdeeds and sins. They also spend quality time with their family.
- The Muslim people prepare sweet dishes on this day and share them with their family, neighbours, friends, the poor sections of the society etc.
- Since they keep a fast on this day, only in the evening, after the sun sets, they break their fast by having something sweet and praying, commemorating Imam Hussain and his martyrdom in their prayers.
- Muharram is one of the four holiest months according to the Islamic calendar.
- Ashura means the 10th day of Muharram, which is considered one of the most important days that Allah has blessed with.
- Providing charity and giving to the needy on this day is considered equal to a year's charity.
- For Sunni Muslims, it is a day of silence observation and observing fast, but for the Shia Muslims, it is a day of mourning and, therefore, to remember Imam Hussain, they take part in religious parades and processions performing actions.
- Muharram 2022 is set to be held on July 30. However, the official celebration may depend upon the seeing of the moon and may differ.
