MONTH OF MUHARRAM

WHAT IS MUHARRAM?

Muharram is celebrated as the advent of the Islamic New Year by participating Muslims around the globe. It is regarded as a pious and important festival by the community. It is one of the four sacred months of the year for Muslims.

According to traditional customs, Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and considered to be highly religious, only coming next to Ramadan. Muharram, in itself, means “forbidden” and since it is considered to be holy, many Muslims use it as a period of prayer and reflection. It is a norm for people in the community to fast during the holy Muharram period.

Muharram also marks the anniversary of the battle of Karbala, where the Islamic prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussain Ibn Ali was killed. They remember the massacre on the 10th day, Ashura, with some choosing to fast.

It was also during this time that Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina, which is known as Hijrah, and so Muharram marks this important event as well.

Muslims devour the festival with utmost joy and mark it with high levels of devotion.

1. According to Prophet Muhhamad fasting on the day of Ashura will kill away all the sins of the previous year. And so, many Muslim followers choose to fast on the ninth and tenth days of this month.

2. Shia Muslim sects often practice chest-beating, which is referred to as Latyma and some also self-flagellate and cut their foreheads. Sunni Muslims consider Ashura as a day of respect for the Prophet Moses but do not take part in the ritual.

3. During this solemn time of Muharram, observing Muslims refrain from taking part in joyous events.

4. It is customary to read Ziarat Ashura – the book containing salutations to the martyrs of Karbala, on the Day of Ashura

5. Muslims celebrate the new year by visiting the mosque, praying to Allah for well-being and by spending time with their family and near and dear ones on the holiday.

By – TIMESOFINDIA.COM

Let’s pray for ourselves, family, relations and country in general.

Let’s do ourselves checks and balances. Let’s improve on doing the good and refrain from bad.

Let’s pray to Allah to take away the insecurity, bantry and all corruption issues disturbing us.

May Allah make the rest part of our lives be the best.

BARAKALLAH FEE KUM.