Thursday marks the second day of the Islamic month of Muharram and the beginning of the year 1445.
This sacred month is also known as the Hijri and the 'Month of Allah' and holds great significance for Muslims because the name itself suggests it is a holy month.
According to Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), said, “The year has twelve months, of which four are sacred: three are in succession, namely, Dhul Qa’ada, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth one) Rajab (of the tribe of) Mudar, which is between Jumada Al Thania and Shaaban.”
"Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, and this month holds great significance among Muslims, as it marks the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein Ibn Ali, and the Battle of Karbala on the 10th day, known as Ashura," said Ali al Ghafry, Follow Up and Guidance Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MoARA).
The importance of the month is that the very meaning of Muharram is 'forbidden', a derivative of 'haram' referring to the fact that it is one of the four sacred months in which warfare is forbidden.
The World over, Muslims are encouraged to engage in increased worship during this holy month. They incorporate more acts of Sadaqah Jariyah, voluntary prayers called nafl, fasting and Quran recitation. They may also reflect upon the new year by visiting the mosque, reflecting on the past Islamic (Hijri) year, and spending time with their loved ones. Muslims also use it as a time to reflect on the journey and struggle of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Muslims of his time.
"The Islamic calendar is based on 12 lunar months; the sighting of a new moon determines the start of a new month just as the beginning of any month is decided," says Abdul Wahab al Busaidy, astronomer and previous head of PDO planetarium.
The 10th day of the month of Muharram is observed as the Day of Ashura and is considered to be one of the most virtuous days of the Islamic year and believers fast either on the first and last days or during the whole ten days.
The Day of Ashura is the day in which the martyrdom of Hussain in the Battle of Karbala took place while it also commemorates when the Prophet Musa (AS) and the Children of Israel were freed by Allah from the Pharaoh and his army.
The 9th Muharram is an additional recommended fast for the day of Ashura, while the 11th Muharram is a day in which one can fast for the additional recommended fast if one missed the 9th.
As narrated by Abu Hurairah, Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “The most virtuous fasting after the month of Ramadhan is that of in the month of Muharram and the most virtuous Salat after the obligatory is the night prayer.” (Tirmidhi).
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