Why & How Muharram (Ashura) is Celebrated, its History, Date & Significance

Muharram is the most sacred and prominent festival for Muslims after Ramazan. As per the Hijri calendar, Muharram is celebrated as the Islamic New Year. It is a holy and auspicious month after Ramadan. All over India, Muslims celebrate this month with pure hearts and prays to forgive their sins. For Muslims, Muharram is one of the four sacred months of the year. Due to this reason, they follow pasting and different rituals. In a few words, after Ramazan, Muharram is such a prominent festival for Muslims. Also, this month is celebrated as the remembrance of Husayn ibn Ali’s sacrifice.

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Here we go into detail about the celebrations, processions, history, and significance of the festival, Muharram

Significance of the Festival:

For Shia and Sunni Muslims, Muharram is a very prominent and auspicious festival to celebrate. This entire month they mourn for the sacrifice and martyrs of Hussein’s family. In the month, the 10^thday is very important. The day is commemorated for the death of Husayn ibn Ali, who is the grandson of Mohammed Prophet. The 10^thday is named Ashura. An important part of the month. For his death, Muharram month is celebrated like a mourning month of remembrance.

With the appearance of the new moon, Muharram is predicted and finds it is the Islamic New Year. As per the Quran, Muharram is the second sacred month after Ramadan. In the olden days, warfare is strictly prohibited at the time of sacred months. But Mohammed Prophet’s grandson was killed during Muharram. Because Shia Muslims mourn the death of Husayn ibn Ali.

The talesbehind the Muharram:

Different mythological stories speak about the prominence of Muharram. Everything will be synced to the 10^thday of the month. As per the Shia Muslims, Husayn ibn Ali objected to the legitimacy of the caliph Yazid and he started the revolt against him. These actions breakout into the war of Karbala. At last, Husayn was beheaded and their family was jailed on the 10^thday of Ashura.

Sunni’s story says that religious leader Moses led Israel to defeat the Egyptian Pharaoh and his army of war chariots. On the 10^thday of Muharram, Moses led the army through the Red Sea and won the battle. These are the different prospects of Sunnis and Shias of celebrating Muharram.

Another tale of the Muharram is, on the 10^thday Adam and Eve were created by God. Like the way, different historical stories speak about the prominence and importance of the Muharram festival.

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Why Muharram is Celebrated:

After you go through history, you will understand Shias and Sunnis will celebrate differently as per their beliefs. But overall, the 10^thday of Muharram means Ashura is very prominent to everyone. Muslims fast from the first day of the month to the 10the day. Some will fast on the 9^th and 10^thdays of the month.

Shia Muslims celebrate this month as mourning and to remember the sacrifices but not to enjoy. They pray for the death of Husayn and his family. Asper Mohammed Prophet, those who fast on Ashura will make all their sins washed away. In a few words, to commemorate the death of Husayn and his followers, Shia Muslims celebrate Muharram. They end up with prayers and fastings of the 10 days of the month.

Sunnis celebrated the festival as their religious leader Moses victory over Egyptian Pharoah. They feel Muharram is an Islamic New Year and a refreshing one to enjoy with peace.

How the festival will be celebrated:

Shias celebrate the festival as a mourning ceremony by wearing black attires. For the 10 days, they fast and do prayers. For them, the festival is not joyous but it is the day of remembrance. Even they don’t attend weddings too during the period of Muharram. On the day of Ashura, they follow different rituals to commemorate the death of Husayn. Street processions will be held with chanting, marching barefoot, and chest-beating called Latyma. Other rituals like self-flagellation, and forehead cutting, etc were followed. Butpeoplevoluntarily can participate if interested. As per the belief, with all these rituals they can feel the sufferings of Husayn and remember him.

Others celebrate the festival by doing extra prayers in Mosques for longtime and pastings. For them, this is a holy month so they keep on praying to Allah and prays for a fruitful life. During Muharram, it is important to read Ziarat Ashura. The book contains the salutations of the Karbala war’s martyrs. On the day of Ashura, people have to read. With all different processions and rituals, Muharram will be celebrated.

When Muharram this year 2021:

Based on the Umma al-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia, the time and date of Muharram will be decided. Islamic is a lunar calendar so when the first crescent of the new moon appears, then Muharram month is decided. This year Muharram month begins from 9^th August to 7th September. On 19th August Muharram or Ashura, the 10^thday of the month will be celebrated.

It is all about the prominence and the history of Muharram how it is evolved and celebrated. A very important and sacred festival of Muslims, Muharram is a great event in the entire world. However, it may be celebrated but for praying Lord Allah and asking for a righteous life it is a good occasion.

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