The word Muharram generally means “forbidden”, the month in which war and fighting is prohibited. The sins in these months are more serious and the good deed bring greater reward. Even in the Jahiliya Quraish was not allowed to fight in these four months, and they also fast on 10th of Muharram on the basis of some previous law. 10th of Muharram is known as Ashura and this day has great importance.

Sacred month

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is one of the four sacred months.

Significance of Muharram

The importance and significance of Muharram starts from the beginning of the world.

• Allah accepted the repentance of Prophet Adam (AS): Prophet Adam was forgiven by Allah almighty on 10th of Muharram. Which is explained in Surah Araf.
• Bani Israel got rid of Pharaoh: It was 10th of Muharram when Allah helped Prophet Mosa (AS) and Bani Israel to cross the sea and Pharaoh and his troops were drowned in the sea. On this day Allah almighty gave victory to Prophet Musa (PBUH) over Pharaoh’s tyranny and enmity
• Almighty accepted Prophet Yunus’s (A.S) supplication: Allah brought him forth from the belly of the fish and from that darkness to the shore, he forgave him and protected him. Almighty Allah accepted Prophet Yunus’s (A.S) repentance, he was brought to the shore and protected by Allah. Allah the Almighty forgave him, his mistakes of impatience in deserting his people without waiting for Allah’s instruction.
• Saved the ship of prophet Nuh (A.S):On 10th of Muharram the ship of Nuh (A.S) rested on Mount Judi after the flood which took away polytheist

Fast of Muharram:

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram.”

When the Prophet (PBUH) came to Madina he saw that the Jews fast on 10th of Muharram because this is the day when prophet Mosa (A.S) and his followers got rid of the enmity of pharaoh. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised the Muslims to fast on the Day of Ashura as we are more closely related to Mosa (A.S) than the Jews. And he advised to Muslims to fast on the 9th or the 11th of Muharram with the 10th.

Practice of fasting on Ashura was known even in the days of Jahiliya before Islam. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) considered this day as one of the most important days of the year. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “For fasting the Day of Ashura, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the past year.”

Martyrdom of Imam Husain (A.S)

Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) grand son and his family was martyred on 10th of Muharram. Imam Husain (A.S) sacrificed his life for Islam. He was martyred and beheaded in the Battle of Karbala along with his companions. His sacrifice will be remembered till the day of judgment. He stood with Islam and truth in the most adverse situation. In respect of the martyrs of this incident, which took place in Muharram every Muslim try to practice abstinence from joyous events and spent this month with simplicity to honor them.

You need to learn Quran for the more information about the Muharram.