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Muharram
[ moo-hahr-uhm, moo-har-uhm ]
Muharram
/ muːˈhærəm /
noun
- the first month of the Islamic year
Word History and Origins
Origin of Muharram1
Word History and Origins
Origin of Muharram1
Example Sentences
The mourning over their deaths reaches to its peak on Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram.
Last year when the Muharram procession overlapped with a Hindu festival, Muslim leaders changed the timing of their march to avoid confrontation.
They cited the advent of Muharram, a communal mourning season observed primarily by Shiite Muslims.
As Shiites, they were observing Muharram, to mark the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Most were dressed in black to mark the Muslim month of Muharram and some wore white capes symbolising burial shrouds and their willingness to die.
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More About Muharram
What is Muharram?
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It’s also spelled Moharram.
It is one of the months of the Islamic calendar that Muslims consider sacred.
The first day of Muharram is the first day of the Islamic New Year.
The tenth day of Muharram is Ashura, which is an important day for both Sunni and Shiʿite Muslims.
When is Muharram?
In 2023, Muharram will coincide with the period from July 19 to August 16.
In 2024, Muharram will coincide with the period from July 7 to August 4.
Because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, the dates during which it is observed vary from year to year.
More information and context on Muharram
The first records of the word Muharram in English come from the early 1600s. It comes from an Arabic word that means “sacred” or “forbidden”—it is considered a sacred month during which some actions are forbidden.
In the Islamic calendar, Muharram begins the year, following the 12th and final month of the calendar, known as Dhu’l-hijjah, which is the month during which the Muslim pilgrimage known as Hajj takes place. The month after Muharram is Safar.
During Muharram, it is said that actions both good and bad carry more weight than they would in other months. Historically, fighting and warfare were forbidden during Muharram, so that pilgrims who were performing Hajj could return safely. It’s considered good to fast as much as possible during Muharram, but fasting throughout the entire month is not required like it is during the month of Ramadan. It’s believed to be especially good to fast on the Day of Ashura, which is observed differently by Sunni and Shiʿite Muslims. They also observe the month in different ways.
For Sunni Muslims, Muharram is seen as a period of peace and reflection. For Shia Muslims, it is a time of solemn reflection and mourning. Shia Muslims observe Ashura as the commemoration of the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein Ibn Ali, in 680 c.e., during the Battle of Karbala. Many Shia Muslims perform mourning rituals during this time.
During Muharram, it is common for all Muslims to fast at different times of the month and to spend more time at their mosques.
What are some terms that often get used in discussing Muharram?
How is Muharram discussed in real life?
In Islam, Muharram is considered a sacred month during which it’s important to act uprightly.
"The best month for fasting next after Ramadhan is Muharram, and the best prayer next after the prescribed prayers is Prayer at Night." #Ramadan2021#Ramadan pic.twitter.com/JcEOdBDo6F
— MTA International (@muslimtv) April 12, 2021
While Everyone is preparing and busy with Ramzaan,
My Heart still yearns for Muharram!!💔🥺— ZÅÏÑ ÂBBÄS JÃFFËRY♥️ (@hussaini_zz) April 11, 2021
126 days till Muharram💚😭
— Fizzah Batool.🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@FizzahBatool_5) April 14, 2021
Try using Muharram!
True or False?
Because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, the dates of Muharram change each year.
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