The first month of the Islamic year, Muharram al-Haram, is filled with profound spiritual significance and numerous momentous events in Islamic history. The Qur’an and Hadith emphasize the virtues of this sacred month. Muharram not only marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar but also refreshes the memory of monumental incidents like Karbala and countless other historical events that remain a source of lessons and guidance for the Muslim Ummah. Let us delve into the virtues, recommended practices, and the major historical events of this blessed month:

Virtues of Muharram

– Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve months…” (Al-Tawbah: 36)
Translation: “Of these, four are sacred.”

– The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“The best fasts after Ramadan are in the month of Allah, Muharram.” (Muslim, Hadith: 1163)

– The Prophet ﷺ also said:
“Fasting on the day of Ashura expiates the sins of the past year.” (Muslim, Hadith: 1162)

Recommended Practices in Muharram

– Fasting on Ashura (the 10th of Muharram) is highly recommended.

– It is better to fast on either the 9th or the 11th along with the 10th to differ from the practices of the Jews. (Muslim, Hadith: 1162)

Customs and Rituals Related to Muharram

Sadly, in some cultures, unlawful and un-Islamic practices such as self-flagellation, injuring oneself with chains, or lamentation rituals are carried out during Muharram. Such acts have no basis in Shariah and are impermissible. Islam teaches patience and dignity in times of grief—not physical harm or prohibited actions.

Major Historical Events in Muharram

Several significant events occurred in the month of Muharram that shaped Islamic history. Some of these are as follows:

✅ 1st Muharram

Commencement of the Islamic year 1447 AH.

Prophet Idris (علیہ السلام) was raised to the heavens.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ led a campaign against the tribes of Najd.

Egypt was conquered under the leadership of Amr ibn al-As (رضی اللہ عنہ).

Passing of Imam Sufyan Thawri (رحمہ اللہ) in 161 AH.

Death of Shihab al-Din Umar Suhrawardi (رحمہ اللہ) in 632 AH.

Martyrdom of Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضی اللہ عنہ) and beginning of Uthman ibn Affan’s (رضی اللہ عنہ) Caliphate.

✅ 2nd Muharram

Arrival of Imam Hussain (رضی اللہ عنہ) in Karbala.

✅ 3rd Muharram

Prophet Yusuf (علیہ السلام) was rescued from the well.

✅ 4th Muharram

First day of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan’s rule (24 AH).

✅ 7th Muharram

Allah spoke to Prophet Musa (علیہ السلام) on Mount Sinai.

The event of the Battle of Khaybar.

✅ 9th Muharram

Prophet Yunus (علیہ السلام) was freed from the belly of the fish.

Births of Musa, Yahya, and Maryam (علیہم السلام).

Births of Umar bin Abdul Aziz (رحمہ اللہ), Hisham bin Urwah (رضی اللہ عنہ), and Qatadah (رحمہ اللہ).

Birth of Mahmood of Ghazni (رحمہ اللہ).

✅ 10th Muharram (Ashura)

Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (رضی اللہ عنہ) and the tragedy of Karbala.

Hulagu Khan’s conquest of Baghdad.

Drowning of Pharaoh and salvation of Musa (علیہ السلام) and his people.

Tearing of the document in Sha’b Abi Talib.

✅ 11th Muharram

Passing of Imam Tirmidhi (رحمہ اللہ).

✅ 15th Muharram

Conquest of Khaybar by Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضی اللہ عنہ).

✅ 16th Muharram

Qiblah changed from Bayt al-Maqdis to the Kaabah.

✅ 17th Muharram

Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (رضی اللہ عنہ) laid the foundations of Kufa.

Ababil birds attacked the army of Abraha.

✅ 18th Muharram

The Plague of Amwas.

Birth of Imam al-Haramayn al-Juwayni (رحمہ اللہ).

✅ 20th Muharram

Marriage of Fatimah (رضی اللہ عنہا) to Ali (رضی اللہ عنہ).

Second Islamic Summit Conference held in Lahore.

Death of Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ibn Baz (رحمہ اللہ) on 27 Muharram 1420 AH.

Establishment of the Ottoman Empire.

✅ 21st Muharram

Passing of Imam Abu Nu’aym al-Isfahani (رحمہ اللہ).

✅ 22nd Muharram

Death of Sa’ad al-Din al-Hanafi (رحمہ اللہ).

✅ 23rd Muharram

Passing of the Mufassir (Qur’an commentator) al-Tha’labi (رحمہ اللہ).

✅ 24th Muharram

Killing of Abbasid Caliph Muhammad al-Amin.

✅ 25th Muharram

Passing of Imam Zain ul Abidin (رحمہ اللہ).

Death of historian Qazi Mohsin al-Tanukhi (رحمہ اللہ).

✅ 27th Muharram

Syrian forces entered Makkah.

Muharram al-Haram serves as a reminder that the path of faith and truth demands sacrifices of the highest order. The martyrdom of Imam Hussain (رضی اللہ عنہ) is not merely an incident in history—it is an eternal message for all oppressed people, a source of courage, and a testament that falsehood, no matter how powerful, can never triumph over the truth.

May Allah grant us the ability to benefit from the blessings and virtues of Muharram al-Haram. Ameen.