Muharram ul Haram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is the starting month of the Islamic New Year. The new year in Islam is marked in a way which maybe no other nation marks their new year.
Most civilization takes this as a time of joy and happiness. However in Islam the New Year is one begins with grief and sorrow and a call to stamp out corruption, evil and sin.
It is one of the four sanctified moths about which the Holy Quran says, The number of months according to Allah is twelve months (mentioned) in the book of Allah on the day in which He created heavens and earth. Among these there are four sanctified.
These four months according to the traditions are the months of Zulqadh, Zulhijjah, Muharram and Rajab. The sanctity of these months right from the days of days of Sayyidna Ibrahim.
Since the pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Ibrahim, and they observed the sanctity of these four months and held it unlawful to fight in these months.
The month of Muharram has other characteristics attached to it. Just like:
Fasting During the Month
According to Holy Prophet:
“The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram.”
The fast of Muharram are not mandatory, but the one who fasts in these days according to his own determination and then he will be surely rewarded by Allah.
The Day Of Ashurah
The 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its day, the day is named Ashurah.
The Holy Prophet when migrated to Medina found that the Jews used to fast on the day of 10th Muharram. According to them it was the day on which Holy Prophet Musa and his followers cross the sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in the water.
On hearing this The Holy Prophet said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you.” And directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashurah.
Though, the Holy Prophet used to fast on the day of Ashurah even after fasting in Ramadan is made obligatory.
Some other events that been taken place on the day of Ashurah are:
- Adam was created on the day of Ashurah
- Ibrahim was born on this day
- Allah accepted the repentance of Sayyidna Ibrahim on the day of Ashurah
- This is the day on which Qiyammah take place.
Event of Karbala
The other reason to the sanctity of Muharram is the most historical event in the history of Islam took place in this month. That is to be called as the “Battle Of Karbala” (The battle between good and evil).
And the martyrdom of Sayyidna Hussain took place o the day of Ashurah during his battle with the army of wicked yazeed.
The event of Karbala is of great significance. Another reason because of what this martyrdom meant for the religion of Islam in exposing the wrong and upholding the right through a sharp contrast between Sayyidna Hussain and his followers on the one hand and his antagonists on the other.
Yazeed’s Government
Yazeed ascended the throne of Damascus. He did not follow the examples of the four Khulafa and he tried to obtain the allegiance of notable Muslims of that time, including Sayyidna Imam Hussain through force. But Sayyidna Hussain was not a man to be won over by force. He remained adamant and refused to acknowledge such a dissolute person as the Caliph.
The small band of 72 souls, which included respectable ladies, men and children, encamped on the bank of Euphrates at Karbala surrounded by army of 4,000 soldiers commanded by Amir Bin Saad.
The period of trials and difficulties had been started. For many days the cruel army of yazeed surrounded the tents of descendants of Holy Prophet and stop their water supply in order to make them thirsty and hungry, thus forcing them to surrender.
Eve of 10th Muharram
On that night, Sayyidna Hussain requested his fellow members to leave the camp, but his dedicated followers refused and spent their night in prayer.
Battle of Karbala
On the day of 10th Muharram, Sayyidna Imam Hussain and his small band was ready for war and fought bravely. They were martyred one by one. Sayyidna Hussain fought bravely and killed 410 enemy soldiers and later on he also got martyred in Sajda.
Lesson of Karbala
The martyrdom Sayyidna Hussain provided a moral victory of virtue over vice. It continues to serves as a beacon of light for all struggles of truth and righteousness. Sayyidna Hussain fought to establish the laws of Allah and not to submit to the corrupt government of Yazeed.
The battle teaches us to endure hardships and to remain calm in the most difficult trials.