Muharram
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Muharram (Arabic: محرم) is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year in which fighting is prohibited. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, Muharram moves from year to year when compared with the Gregorian calendar. Muharram is so called because it was unlawful to fight during this month; the word is derived from the word ‘haram’ meaning forbidden. It is held to be the most sacred of all the months, excluding Ramadan. Some Muslims fast during these days. The tenth day of Muharram is called Yaumu-l 'Ashurah, meaning, ‘the tenth day’, and it is a day of voluntary fasting. Fasting differs among the Muslim groupings; mainstream Shia Muslims stop eating and drinking during sunlight hours and do not eat until the evening. Sunni Muslims also fast during Muharram and on either the ninth or the eleventh day, the choice of which additional day being at the discretion of the individual.
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[edit] Muharram and Ashura
The word "Muharram" is often considered synonymous with the event of Ashura. Ashura, which literally means "tenth" in Arabic, refers to the tenth day of Muharram. The date is important for all Muslims especially Shias since Hussein bin Ali, the 3rd (2nd) Imam of Shiism, was killed on this day.It is also said that in this sacred month Allah created the universe and Adam was created as the first human who appeared in the universe and also Musa and Essa (Jesus Christ) was born.
[edit] Timing
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Muharram migrates throughout the solar years. The estimated start and end dates for Muharram are as follows (all future dates are estimates):
- 1427 AH – First day: January 31, 2006; last day: March 1, 2006
- 1428 AH – First day: January 20, 2007; last day: February 18, 2007
- 1429 AH – First day: January 10, 2008; last day: February 8, 2008
- 1430 AH – First day: December 29, 2008; last day January 27, 2009
[edit] Islamic Event
- On 1 Muharram, the Islamic New Year is observed by Muslims.
- On 1 Muharram, Shia Muslims begin the observance of the Commemoration of Muharram which marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala and the day that Husayn bin Ali entered Karbala.
- On 7 Muharram, access to water was banned on Husayn by Yazid's order.
- On 10 Muharram, referred to as the Day of ‘Āshūrā' was the day on which Husayn ibn ‘Alī was killed in Karbalā'. Shia Muslims spend the day in mourning, whilst Sunni Muslims fast in celebration of joyous events which are said to have taken place on this day. (See: Day of ‘Āshūrā)
- On 25 Muharram, Alī Zayn al-‘Ābidīn was Martyred after being poisoned.
- On 27 Muharram, Mesum was killed.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- What is Muharram ?
- Ashura Awareness Handouts
- Virtues of the month of Muharram Al Harram
- Online Sunni book: The Tragedy of Karbala and the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA)
- http://www.al-islam.org/al-serat/fastofashura.htm Fast of Ashura
- Radio Muharram
- The four months named in Sahih Al-Bukhari
- ALShiaTalk
- Dates of Muharram until 2016
- Islamic-Western Calendar Converter (Based on the Arithmetical or Tabular Calendar)
- Recommended activities on Muharram
- Hindus observing Muharram in India
- -Live Muharram Events!
- Remembering Imam Hussain RA, Friday 9th Jan, Manchester, Program in English!
- Poem In respect of our Imam RA, Friday 9th Jan, Manchester, Program in English!
- English Speech In respect of our Imam RA, Friday 9th Jan, Manchester, Program in English!
- The 10th of Muharram - Ashura
- The first of Muharram - the Islamic New Year
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