Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic or Hijri New Year, and one is of the ‘Asyhurul Hurum’, the four sacred or holy Islamic months. In Muharram, Muslims are encouraged to increase their good deeds such as giving more to charity, doing extra voluntary prayers and reciting the Quran frequently.
Then Comes Ashura
As Muharram is the first month of the Hijri New Year, prayers and fasting build up towards the 10th day of the month, known as Ashura, which Muslims around the world observe.
Ashura commemorates the death of Imam Hussein Ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala on 10 Muharram in the year 61 AH.
Although it is a voluntary or non-obligatory act (sunnah) and not an obligation (wajib), Muslims may fast on or around the day of Ashura, believing that it expiates for the sins of the past year. However, it is believed that this expiation of sins only applies to minor sins, not major sins. Muslims may choose to fast Ashura on three days (9th, 10th, and 11th); two days (9th and 10th); or one day only (the 10th).
According to Islamic scholars, it is discouraged to fast a single day to ‘wipe your slate clean’. Islamic scholars say that if you neglect your daily prayers, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, or if you backbite, lie, commit adultery or other major sins, fasting on Ashura alone will not atone for your sins.
Ashura is an ancient observance that is now recognised for different reasons and in different ways among Sunni and Shi’a Muslims as well as other sects of Islam.
Ashura for Sunni Muslims
For Sunni Muslims, Muharram 10 or Ashura commemorates the day that Allah saved the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. When Prophet Muhammed arrived in Madinah in 622 CE, he found that the Jews there fasted on Muharram 10 or Ashura and asked them the reason for their fasting on this day.
They said, ‘This is a blessed day. On this day Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy (in Egypt) and so Prophet fasted on this day giving thanks to Allah.’
Ashura for Shi’a Muslims
However, for Shi’a Muslims, Ashura commemorates the day of mourning for the death of Hussein bin Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. After the death of the Prophet Muhammad, a schism developed within the community about who was to succeed him in leadership of the Muslim community. In the year 680 AD, an event happened that was a turning point for what was to become the Shi’a Muslim community. Hussein was brutally murdered during a battle against the ruling Caliph – on the 10th day of Muharram (Ashura). This took place in Karbala (modern-day Iraq), which is now an important pilgrimage site for Shi’a Muslims.
Shi’a Muslims observe the day in mourning for Hussein and in remembrance of his martyrdom. Reenactments and plays are performed, attempting to relive the tragedy and keep the lessons of this event alive. Some Shi’a Muslims beat and flog themselves in parades on this day, to express their grief and to reenact the pain that Hussein suffered.
For Shia Muslims, during the month of Muharram, the beginning of the Hijri New Year is marked with mourning congregations where people gather to express grief, commonly practicing chest beating, known as the Latyma, and sometimes self-flagellation and the cutting of their foreheads. In some Shi’a regions of Muslim countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, India and Pakistan, Ashura has become a national/public holiday where most ethnic and religious communities participate in it as a commemoration of Hussein.
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