Muḥarram (Arabic: ٱلْمُحَرَّم) (fully known as Muharram ul Haram) is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year when warfare is forbidden. It is held to be the second holiest month after Ramadan.
The tenth day of Muharram, known as the Day of Ashura, bears special significance for Muslims both of Shia and Sunni jurisprudence On this solemn occasion, Shia Muslims grieve the tragedy of Ḥusayn ibn Alī and his family. For both Sunni and Shia Muslims, Husayn's suffering and martyred became a symbol of sacrifice in the struggle for right against wrong, and for justice and truth against injustice and falsehood.
Shias mourn the martyrdom of Ḥusayn by abstaining from joyous events. Instead, they hold commemorative events to offer condolences to Imam Husayn and to honor the martyrs by prayer, reading supplications, and holding charity events. Many choose to eat sparingly, but this practice is distinct from fasting. Some (excluding children, elderly or sick) do not eat or drink, avoid entertainment until zawal (afternoon) as a part of their mourning for Husayn. It is a symbolic gesture of remembrance and solidarity with the sufferings endured by Imam Husayn and his companions. In addition, there is an important ziyarat book, the Ziyarat Ashura about Ḥusayn. In Shiʿism, it is popular to read this ziyarat on this date.
Muharram and Ashura
The word Muharram means forbidden or prohibited. Before Islam, it is said that this month was called as Safer ul Awwal. The sighting of the new moon ushers in the Islamic New Year.
The first month, Muharram, is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Quran (although not mentioned by name), along with the seventh month of Rajab, and the eleventh and twelfth months of Dhu al-Qi'dah and Dhu al-Hijjah, respectively, immediately preceding Muharram. During these sacred months, warfare is forbidden. Before the advent of Islam, the Quraish and Arabs also forbade warfare during those months.
Before Islam, the Arabs also fasted on the tenth day of Muharram.[citation needed] This day also had importance in other Semitic religions like Judaism and Christianity.[citation needed][clarification needed] Muhammad also fasted many times on this day before his prophethood and after his migration to Medina and also ordered the Muslims to fast on this day and ninth and eleventh day as well. But the fasting was optional after Ramadan fasting was made obiligatory. It is narrated by Abu Hurairah that the Prophet Muhammad said, "The most virtuous fasting after the month of Ramadan is (in) Allah's month Al-Muharram."
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