Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and is regarded as one of the sacred months in Islam. Its commencement is determined by the sighting of the moon. This year, countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Qatar observed this holy occasion on June 16, 2026. In India and other South Asian nations, the first day of Muharram begins today, June 17, 2026.
Significance of Muharram
Muharram holds immense religious importance. The initial ten days of this month are a period of mourning, particularly for Shia Muslims, who commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the son of Hazrat Ali and the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. It is believed that Imam Hussein was killed during the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Islamic traditions also refer to this holy month as the Month of Allah. As the first month of the Islamic calendar, it marks the Hijrah—the emigration of Muslims to Medina—and the establishment of the first Islamic state in 622 CE.
During Muharram, many devotees attend majlis, religious gatherings where the tragic events of Karbala are recounted. Participants often wear black clothing as a symbol of grief. On Ashura, the tenth day, Sunni Muslims frequently observe voluntary fasting and engage in prayers and charitable acts. Across the Muslim world, despite variations in practices, Muharram remains a time for devotion, introspection, and remembrance.
What is Ashura?
Ashura, observed on the tenth day of Muharram, is a day when fasting is recommended. It is an opportunity to express gratitude to Allah. Many Muslims take part in processions on Ashura, adhering to mourning customs. Some visit mosques to pray, spend time in reflection, lament the death of Imam Hussein, and contemplate his sacrifice. In some communities, mourners express their anguish through chest-beating, forehead-cutting, and self-flagellation using sharp objects like knives, swords, or chains with blades. It is important to note that Muharram is a month of mourning and reflection, not a festival for celebration.
