Significance and History of the Month of Muharram in Islam
Muharram is the first month in Islamic calendar which is one of the four sanctified months that mentioned in Holy Quran. Allah Almighty says in Holy Quran: “Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them” (Quran 9:36). All of should try to avoid sins and more focus on good deeds for getting the greater reward in these sanctified months.
In the month of Muharram, Allah Almighty lets His blessings go unbound and the worships of Muslims are given some extra credit by Him. In this Holy month war and bloodshed have been prohibited. Muharram is the holy month in which supplications are readily answered by Allah. All prayers are heard and all needs are fulfilled if one prays sincerely with an open heart. The month is so blessed by Allah (SWT) that He declared the month of Muharram as His month and named it as the Month of Allah.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said about this Holy month: “The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram” (Muslim). The hadith mentioned above signifies that the fasts in the month of Muharram are most rewardable ones among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him. It is not necessary that one have to fast for the whole month of Muharram each fast during this month has its own merit. Therefore, one should avail of this opportunity as much as he/she can.
The month of Muharram has also significance because on 10th day of Muharram Hazrat Imam Hussein ibn Ali (RA) who is the son of Ali (RA) and Fatima (RA) and grandson of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) with 72 of his followers martyred in the battle of Karbala by the forces of Yazid who is the Umayyad caliph of that time. Muslims remember Hazrat Imam Hussein (AS) and his followers in this holy month of Muharram. Hazrat Musa (AS) and his followers also attained victory over Egyptian pharaoh and his soldiers who drowned in the Red Sea on 10th of Muharram and Musa (AS) fasted on this day.
In this holy month, Hazrat Adam and Bibi Hawa were created. The month of Muharram has great significance in Islam as this holy month is full of virtues and blessings and should be celebrated according to the spirit of this month. May Almighty Allah bless our beloved Prophet (SAW) and His family and give us the strength to follow the Sunnah of Muhammad (SAW)! Ameen
